Peritoneal Cancer is a rare form of cancer which develops in peritoneum, that is a thin membrane comprising of epithelial cells forming the lining of abdomen. The peritoneum covers uterus and extends over the bladder as well as the rectum. The function of the peritoneum is to produce lubricating fluid to ease the movement of the organs within the abdomen or e.g., the intestines, the stomach, and the liver to prevent them from sticking together as well.

What are the types of Peritoneal Cancer?

There are two types of Peritoneal Cancer namely, primary and secondary:

Primary Peritoneal Cancer is so called as it originates in the peritoneum. The cancer is known to exclusively affect women and as it enacts itself in a manner similar to ovarian cancer, it is often treated as such.

When the cancerous cells from other parts of the body such as the digestive system, ovaries, lungs and breast metastasize into peritoneum, it is referred to as Secondary Peritoneal Cancer. Secondary peritoneal cancer has been known to affect men as well. The causes of this cancer are still unknown but the aging process is believed to be a high risk factor for primary peritoneal cancer. At times this cancer has been linked to a defective inherited gene; however, only 10% of ovarian and primary peritoneal cancers are genetically linked.

What are the Symptoms of Peritoneal Cancer?

The signs and symptoms of peritoneal cancer are not very specific as these symptoms can be produced by many other health conditions as well. Unfortunately, because of the vague nature of these symptoms, peritoneal cancer is usually diagnosed in the advanced stage of the disease, when achieving a cure is difficult. Some of the symptoms are:

• Loss of Appetite
• Swelling in abdomen due to accumulation of fluid in peritoneal cavity
• Abdominal pain, especially in lower abdomen
• Indigestion
• Unexplained weight loss/gain
• Diarrhea or constipation
• An early feeling of fullness after eating
• Nausea and bloating
• Unusual vaginal bleeding
• Frequent urination

What is the Diagnosis of Primary Peritoneal Cancer? And What is the Treatment of Peritoneal Cancer?

Image from nature.com

Diagnosis of peritoneal cancer requires a thorough evaluation of the symptoms, physical examination and a number of diagnostic tests. Physicians usually examine the pelvic region of the body to look for any abnormality of the ovaries, uterus, vagina, bladder, fallopian tubes, and rectum. The different tests and examinations that are performed include ultrasound, CT scan, blood test to measure the level of CA-125 (an antigen that is at an elevated level in case of certain types of cancers), barium enema or lower gastrointestinal series test and biopsy.

The common treatment for primary peritoneal cancer are surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy or a combination of all three. The treatment plan is devised only after successful detection of the cancer and due to the vague symptoms this cancer exhibits, it can only be detected in the later stages, either at stage 3 which means it has developed in the inner lining of abdomen or stage 4 which means that it has spread to other organs such as lungs, liver,or distant lymph nodes in the body.

Surgery is performed when there is a pelvic mass, and when the place from where the cancer developed initially is not very clear. Chemotherapy can inhibit the growth and development of cancerous cells through medication. These medications are usually given after surgery, especially when it is not possible for removing all the malignant tumors. However, sometimes, chemotherapy can precede surgery, when it is felt that the tumor is too large and hence, quite difficult to remove. Occasionally, radiotherapy is also carried out to destroy the cancerous cells with the help of radiation.

What is the Prognosis of Peritoneal Cancer?

Image from: peritonealcancerhq.com

Unfortunately, peritoneal cancer is often not diagnosed until the disease is advanced and has spread to other parts of the body. Prognosis is dependent on the stage of the cancer and whether or not the treatment is successful. For those patients with advanced peritoneal cancer, supportive care maybe effective in relieving some of the symptoms of late stage cancer when a person is too ill to withstand treatment. It may help the patient to cope with the pain and the weight loss associated with the cancer.

What is the Survival Rate and Life Expectancy of Peritoneal Cancer?

The above factors depend on the stage at which the cancer is detected as well as the age along with the overall health of the individual. So, early diagnosis is the most crucial part for effective treatment and to ensure proper recovery.

References

http://www.webmd.com/cancer/peritoneal-cancer-prognosis-symptoms-treatments

http://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancerinformation/cancertypes/ovary/aboutovariancancer/typesofovariancancer/primaryperitonealcancer.aspx

http://www.primaryperitonealcancer.org/about-ppc

http://www.ucsfhealth.org/conditions/peritoneal_cancer/index.html

Symptoms of Hypertensive Crisis

When somebody’s blood pressure shoots up to 180/110 mm Hg or even higher, this condition is instigated. In some cases, it elevates to 220/140 mm Hg and causes multiple organ failure. The symptoms consist of respiratory problems, tightness in chest, acute headache, change in consciousness, chest pain, speech disorder, shortness of breath and heart palpitations.

Rise in blood pressure can even cause bleeding in aneurysms which ends in brain damage. Seizures, mental confusion and brain damage are possible consequences; inflammation of brain, changes in mood and fluid-filled lungs are some of the other problems that could arise. In worse cases, the patient could go into comatose. Fluid accumulation in tissues due to increase of blood flow can lead to inflammation. As a consequence, Pulmonary Edema gets developed in the lungs which could be life-threatening.

In severe cases, this condition could be considered an emergency. Pulmonary Edema patients are normally regarded as emergency patients. Severe headaches, breathing problems, chest compactness are treated as emergency Hypertension Crisis patients. Doctors determine the stage of the illness through blood tests and physical exams. HC can lead to strokes, kidney failure, damage to the blood vessels and organ failure so it is important to address the condition as soon as possible. Blood pressure should be brought down to a normal level and in case of an emergency, treatment needs to be stronger. Other than the blood pressure, organs are examined to check if they have been damaged and a subsequent surgery is performed to fix what’s broken. Thereafter, it is followed up and managed to avoid complications.

Causes of Hypertensive Crisis

There could be a number of causes of Hypertension Crisis. A few have been described below:

• Discontinuation of hypertension medications abruptly, especially by people who suffer from high blood pressure.
• Underlying disorders like chronic pyelonephritis, primary glomerulonephritis and renal parenchymal conditions elevate BP.
• Hypertension that occurs after a surgery could also be a reason of HC.
• Endocrine conditions like Cushing’s syndrome, primary hyperaldosteronism and Pheochromocytoma increase blood pressure too.
• Taking medicines such as cyclosporin, cocaine and amphetamines lead to high blood pressure.
• Systematic disorders like systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic sclerosis
• In pregnant women, there is a rapid increase in BP sometimes which is known as Eclampsia.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Hypertensive Crisis

To diagnose this condition, the doctors begin their inspection by first asking about medical history and lifestyle of the patients. Also, they question them about any surgeries they might have undergone and herbal or dietary supplements that they might be taking. All this gives them a better understanding of the disease. Additionally, blood and urine tests are performed to evaluate the damage to any of the organs and monitor the blood pressure. Furthermore, eye exam is carried out to check for bleeding or internal inflammation. Also, blood pressure is monitored regularly.

There are some conditions that show similar symptoms like Hypertension Crisis gives way to. Differential diagnosis are performed to determine without a doubt that it is indeed HC and not some other condition such as acute stroke, Eclampsia, Preeclampsia, Hypertensive Encephalopathy, unstable Angina and acute aortic separation.

If the condition of the patient is critical, doctors administer medication through injection or give them intravenous drip. For several hours the condition is monitored and blood pressure is brought down to a safe level. After the patients respond to the blood pressure medicines in a positive manner, they follow up with your doctor and arrange for better measures to control it. Patients might also require oral medicines after their BP comes to normal to keep it that way. High blood pressure patient is susceptible to multiple organ failure so they should be hospitalized without any delay – they need parenteral therapy to bring their blood pressure level down and address symptoms. Neurologic and cardiac tests can detect damages to the brain and heart respectively.

Complications and Prevention of Hypertensive Crisis

A number of complications arise due to Hypertension Crisis. Cardiac impairment or heart failure leading to death is one of the complications. Besides that, hypertension emergency can cause renal failure and neurological damage too; haemorrhage, cerebrovascular accident and hypertensive encephalopathy could be life threatening.

In order to prevent this condition, the patient should take his medicines as prescribed by the doctor and in case any symptoms of HC are noticed, you should seek medical attention immediately. Frequent check-ups and light exercises help avert HC.

Types of Charcot Marie Tooth Disease

CMT Type 1 accounts for 1/3rd of CMT cases. Evidently, it is commonest of all CMT types and it is autosomal dominant. This type of CMT primarily causes anatomic changes which affects the myelin sheath and results in demyelination.

CMT Type 2 affects 20-40% of CMT patients. It disturbs the axon and like Type 1, it too is autosomal dominant in nature but it is less acute than type 1.

CMT Type 3 has less patients; it is autosomal recessive.

CMT Type 4 affects not a lot of people, just like Type 3. If a child inherits two mutant genes, only then he gets this disease. It is autosomal recessive too.

CMT X-Linked afflicts 10-20% of CMT patients and is associated with connexin 32 gene mutation. It is a dominant condition.

Symptoms Charcot Marie Tooth Disease

The first few symptoms are observed on the feet – there is acute pain in the feet; some patients have flat feet and as it progresses, hammer toes are detected. Nerves that fuel movement, Motor Nerves, are affected by CMT. This degenerate condition weakens limbs muscles and people find it hard to walk and move. Disorientation in the sense of balance, difficulty in running, weakening hand muscles and trouble in performing easy tasks like opening door are seen. Patients are unable to feel basic sensations like burning or scalding. Lumps, blisters or ulcers might also develop on feet and hands. Beginning with the feet, the symptoms can affect the upper body – they are not restricted to the feet.

Between mid-childhood and adulthood, the following discomforts are experienced by the patients:

• Hammertoes
• Falling
• Inability to run
• Numbness in legs and feet
• Foot drop
• High arch of feet
• Skinny calves
• Weakness in legs, feet and ankles
• Slapping gait

Causes of Charcot Marie Tooth Disease

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease is caused by genetic mutations which are hereditary. It is a group of disorders that is passed down by families. Patients inherit the gene in either dominant or autosomal recessive manner. The genetic mutations are observed in genes involved with structure as well as function of nerves in the arms, legs, feet and hands. Sometimes, nerves are damaged by these mutations while in other cases protective coating around the nerve is destroyed. People who suffer from CMT stumble and fall because of the inability of feet muscles – they don’t receive signals from the brain telling them to contract. Brain doesn’t get messages when there is acute aching in the foot and they may have blister on the toes and won’t be aware of it.

Diagnosis and Treatment Charcot Marie Tooth Disease

For this is a neurological condition, it is diagnosed by a neurologist. If you have CMT symptoms, your doctor is likely to run some tests to detect it. Physical exam and diagnostics tests confirm the presence of CMT so they are conducted as per the doctor’s instructions. The physical test helps in determining abnormalities like difficulties in stretching the toes, lifting the foot, thickened nerve clumps underneath the leg skin and loss of muscle control in leg or foot. Nerve conductions are carried out to differentiate between various disorders. Nerve conduction tests evaluate speed and intensity of electric impulses which are transmitted by the nerves. To carry out the test, electrodes are placed on the skin and electric shocks of low intensity are given to stimulate the nerves. Weak response indicates the presence of nervous conditions like CMT.

There are other tests that are recommended to get to the bottom of the disease and find out its severity and cause. Electromyography, for example, can tell to what extent CMT has spread by examining the muscles. Moreover, Nerve Biopsy is also performed to confirm CMT – it’s a simple procedure in which a nerve sample of the patient is examined in a lab. Other than that, genetic testing, which is done by analysing blood sample of a patient, helps in determining the genetic cause of the disease.

Unfortunately, there is no cure for CMT yet but there are some treatments that the doctors use to ease the symptoms. These include:

• Surgery – orthopaedic foot surgery is performed by doctors to reduce the pain, correct foot deformities and make it easier to walk but it can’t bring back lost sensation and treat the weakness.
• Therapy – Physical and occupational therapy helps limbs in working independently, increases muscle strength; the stretching techniques and low-effect exercises postpone nerve weakening and decreases muscle fatigue.
• Medications – Pain may not appear to be a problem in some patients but they do suffer from nerve damage and muscle cramps. In that case, prescribed medicines prove beneficial as they control these difficulties.
• Orthopaedic Devices – There are orthopaedic devices such as splints, high toe shoes and braces that can help improve stability, prevent injury and recover gait.

Risks and Complications of Charcot Marie Tooth Disease

This condition is hereditary which means that anyone in the world can get it. Anyone in the world can suffer from it if they have a family history of this condition. Another thing is that CMT is aggravated and caused because of conditions like Diabetes too.

The complications depend on the patients but mainly they find it difficult to walk and get foot deformities. Other than that, they could suffer injuries to the areas with reduced sensation and progressive weakness in the muscles of the body. CMT slowly progresses, numbs parts of the body and causes pain, mild to severe. Muscles of the body stop working because there is no stimulus from body’s nerves as they the nerves in the limbs deteriorate. Eventually, the sufferers of the disease get disabled – they lose use of their limbs as the arms, legs and hands don’t work normally any longer.

Prevention and Management of Charcot Marie Tooth Disease

As of today, there is nothing in medicine that can help prevent this condition. However, if you know that CMT has prevalence in your family, you should consider genetic counselling. Genetic tests, as advised by your counsellor, can evaluate the condition and might even be able to control or prevent the illness.

Taking care of your feet can give you relief from the painful symptoms as the disorder is caused by foot deformities and decrease in sensation. A few helpful tips include: washing your feet with clean water and apply moisturizer to keep your skin moist; cutting the toe nails frequently without making any cuts on the edge so as to avoid infections and ingrown toenails; and most importantly, wearing shoes that fit you nicely and also give you space to be comfortable (protective boots and high top shoes work amazingly).

If you detect the symptoms of this illness, you should consult a doctor because early treatment can prevent further deterioration of the symptoms.

Symptoms of Tingling In Fingers

Pricking sensations are the most discomforting and common symptom of the condition while sometimes it is unaccompanied by numbness, itchiness, pain in fingers and arms, sensitivity in fingers, coldness, tingling toes, burning sensations and muscular spasms. Other than that, in severe cases sufferer may have breathing or walking difficulties, paralysis, weakness, memory confusion, dizziness or unconsciousness, loss of vision and slurred speech.

Causes of Tingling In Fingers

Orthopaedic Causes: Orthopaedic conditions such as carpel tunnel syndrome and cervical spondylosis can give way to the disease. Carpet tunnel syndrome is a result of nerve compression in wrist passage called the carpal tunnel, nerves and the flexor muscles go through this passage. This painful condition can cause tingling as well as discomfort and numbness in the fingers. On the other hand, cervical spondylosis is the neck disc degenerative disease. Broken finger, neck injury and compression of arm nerve can also give tingling sensations in fingers.

Neurological Causes: damaged nerves in the fingers also result in tingling sensations. This may be due to several factors.

• In Diabetics, high blood sugar levels damage the nerves and thereby lead to the pins and needles disease.
• An inactive thyroid gland produces inadequate thyroid hormones and the glandular disease is caused Hypothyroidism which is one of the causes of tingling.
• Strokes followed by unconsciousness due to rupture of some blood vessel don’t let oxygen reach the brain and thus, tingling is caused.
• Transverse Myelitis, a neurological condition, infects or swells spinal cord and causes pricking fingertips.
• Peripheral nerve damage known as peripheral neuropathy is one of the neurological reasons of pins and needles.
• Immune system of a body sometimes turns against its healthy tissues, a condition called systemic lupus erythematosus and paves the way for tingling.

Alcoholism, heavy metal poisoning, menopause and injury to the spinal cord are some of the other reasons.

Circulatory Causes: Insufficient blood flow to the fingers gives the tingling sensations there. Frostbite is a condition which occurs when body is exposed to cold temperatures and raises discomfort in fingers, blistering and tingling. Peripheral Artery Disease and Raynaud’s phenomena are two more circulatory problems contributing to it. In PAD, the arteries start constricting for cholesterol and fats accumulates in the walls and reduces blood flow. And Raynaud’s phenomenon is the disease in that the blood vessels in toes and fingers narrow down. In both the cases, blood flow to the fingers reduces and tingling is experienced by the patient.

Diagnosis and Treatment of of Tingling In Fingers

There are many ways to diagnose the disease and the extent of its extremity.

• Neurological Examination: Sensitivity of the arm is tested by a small dermatome surgery to reveal what nerves are damaged.
• EMG: Electromiography along with imaging helps track down the type of the nerve damage.
• Imaging: X-ray, MRI and CT scans can prove useful in diagnosing the condition.
• Cold simulation test: it is used to detect the Raynaud’s syndrome.
• Blood test: Abnormalities in mineral levels and diabetes is detected by performing blood tests.

Treatment of the disease focuses on finding the underlying cause first and then curing the individual symptoms that the disease has produced.

1. If the condition is due to an injury, it is necessary to immobilize and rest the neck, shoulder, elbow, wrist and the arm. Rest is recommended if the movements of the joints cause nerve irritation like in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Ulnar Nerve Entrapment. Even if it is because of a pinched nerve, resting the area is the best treatment there is.
2. Physical therapy and splints are the supportive treatments applied along with closed or open release of endoscopic nerve in case of Carpal tunnel syndrome. However, if splints fail to carry out the relief task, steroid shots are administered inside the tunnel to decrease the inflammation caused inside.
3. In few cases, a minor surgery of the wrist can provide relief from the pain and inflammation. A slit is made and following the operation, carpel tunnel ceiling is cut to relax the pressure on the nerve by creating space.

There are some medications and drugs prescribed by the doctor to control the sensations and pain and also to deal with other symptoms. Analgesics reduce the pain origination because of compression of the nerve while corticosteroid injections are also suggested in order to reduce inflammation around the area. Non-steroidal anti-rheumatic drugs, antidepressants effectively get rid of the swelling and pain. Even ointments alleviate the burning sensations and tingling for a little while.

Complications of of Tingling In Fingers

Detecting the underlying cause of pins and needles disease is important as it could be reason for possible complications too. This is the reason why people are asked to get medical help – once the cause is revealed, the complications are treated and their risks are minimized. These complications include chronic pain, slurred speech, lack of strength, paralysis, disability and amputation.

Prevention of Tingling In Fingers

General measures can prevent the condition and these are easy to take care of. To start with, while you are working on the computer, take your elbows off your desk at regular intervals. Some people sleep with their hands under their head which should be avoided if you want to evade the pins and needles disease. Wearing gloves when the temperature is extremely low would help too. Other than that, don’t use mechanical screwdrivers and you would be good.
In case you experience the tingling or numbness, seek medical help. As in all other conditions, in this disease too early diagnosis and treatment can help you get better fast. You should be aware that persistent sensations of this kind could be a sign of something serious. Mental confusion, weakness and slurred speech are some of the other reasons why you should go to a doctor immediately.

There may be no symptoms in the early stages of the condition but as the situation worsens, the symptoms become clearer. Diagnostic tests like x-rays make the signs apparent; though some patients just get a general feeling of illness and not very clear-cut signs.
Bone pain is a very common and it persists in most of the cases. The occurrence is gradual but it could get very painful as the disease spreads. It originates in the lower spine, hips, ribs, legs, pelvis and lower back – it is mostly dull. However, in acute cases, the pain starts in the hips and takes over the body. In addition to that, they also get tender – even a little pressure can make the bones scream in pain, ribs and shin bones are generally affected the most. Hairline bone fracture can also cause tenderness and pain in bones and in few patients minor injury could accompany the fracture. Furthermore, patients complain of difficulty in climbing stairs or getting up of a chair. Weakness in legs and arms and decrease in motility are also witnessed too. Other symptoms are numbness in legs and arms or around the mouth, abnormal heart beat, spasms in feet and hand muscles.

Causes of Osteomalacia

Developing this condition could be due to many reasons. Sometimes, the body is unable to absorb the nutrients in one’s diet while in rest of the cases, there isn’t sufficient minerals for the body to absorb. Calcium and phosphate are used by the body in order to make the bones stronger. The softness and weakness of bones is due to lack of calcium in one’s body. Another case scenario could be insufficient vitamin D that processes calcium in a body. Less exposure to sun, being covered from head to toe while being in the Sun and living in soggy conditions are some of the reasons why people don’t get enough Vitamin D and thus, develop this condition. Hereditary or acquired disorders involving abnormal metabolism of Vitamin D and lack of phosphate in diet could also give way to Osteomalacia.

Other than that, it is also a side-effect of some anti-seizure drugs like Phenytoin and Phenobarbital. Cancer, liver diseases and kidney failure are also causes of Osteomalacia as they intervene with body’s ability to process the Vitamin D it gets. Surgically removing a part of stomach (Gastrectomy) or small intestine leads to the condition as well. People with the Celiac disease, a disorder in which lining of small intestine gets damaged, could also become victim of this condition as the healthy lining is responsible for absorbing nutrients and building a stronger body.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Osteomalacia

Diagnosis of the condition could be done using some tests. These include:

• Urine and Blood Test: Blood tests and urine tests help determine the level of phosphate, calcium & Vitamin D in the body. A twenty four-hour urinary phosphate test can check for its presence.
• Bone Biopsy: This test is not done very frequently despite the fact that it is accurate in detecting this condition. Bones soften when patient is suffering from Osteomalacia; a tiny needle penetrates the skin and a sample from bone which is studied under the microscope to check if the condition is present.
•  X-ray: X-rays are performed to spot cracks in bones; these cracks are palpable in people with this condition.
• Bone Density Test: Osteomalacia reduces bone density and patients with this condition are diagnosed with low bone density. Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry or DEXA is the most common test that determines the bone density. Bone mineral density test checks for calcium as well as other minerals in the bone segment – this test is used to tell if patient has any risks of getting Osteomalacia or bone fractures in future. Low mineral content indicates weaker bones. In some countries, this test is restricted but a doctor could arrange it if the patients get their own density scanner. Otherwise, this test can be done in hospitals or privately.

Differential diagnosis is also done to ensure that the symptoms are not due to anything other than Osteomalacia, bone disorders like Paget’s disease or Osteoporosis.

Treating Osteomalacia involves giving supplements of Vitamin D, Calcium and Phosphate to the patient. Those who can’t absorb the nutrients are given larger doses of Vitamin D and calcium. Also, Vitamin D could be injected in the body or administered using supplements by mouth for weeks. If the condition is due to lack of exposure to sunlight or insufficient nutrients in the diet, it could be cured by raising the level of Vitamin D in the body. Kidney failure and Primary Biliary Cirrhosis are treated to recover from Osteomalacia. Also, the repeated blood tests are done to monitor the level of phosphorous and calcium in the blood.

Complications and Prevention of Osteomalacia

Recurrence is a possibility with this condition – it could come back again with similar symptoms and discomforts. Broken bones in spine, legs and ribs are especially common and in case that happens, medical attention becomes indispensable. Adding naturally Vitamin D-rich food in your diet like cereal, yogurt bread, milk, egg yolks and oily fishes could help in preventing the condition. If you cannot implement these in your diet, you should consult your doctor and ask for Vitamin D supplements – these could prove very useful especially if you have problem in absorbing nutrients. Other than that, exposure to the sun can boost up Vitamin D level in your body; lack of exposure is one a cause of the condition and by spending adequate amount of time in the sun, you can lower the risks of getting Osteomalacia. However, you should keep in mind that spending a lot of time in the sun could have adverse effect on your health so you should consult the skin expert before you go out and get your fun in the sun.

As early as possible, you should seek medical care in case you notice persistent symptoms like numbness, trouble in moving joints and swelling. It goes without saying that if the symptoms are serious like dislocation, severe swelling and inability to sense the bone, then you need to go to a doctor without wasting a second.

Symptoms of Duodenitis

Most prominent symptom is of course inflammation in duodenum. It causes a bunch of symptoms that help you realize you have an illness; though the intensity of these symptoms varies in everyone. Also, these could occur once in a blue moon or every day. Most common of the symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhoea, abdominal bloating, and indigestion, loss of the appetite, gas, vomiting and nausea. Although these may seem less harmful, there are much more life threatening symptoms that surface too like bloody vomit, acute abdominal pain and bloody faces with black or red stool.

Causes of Duodenitis

Swelling in the stomach could be due to bacterial infections, medications or GERD.
Helicobacter pylori is the bacteria which affects nearly half of the world’s population and around 50% of the people above 60 years living in US have been infected by it sometime in the lives. This is the same bacteria which causes upper intestine inflammation which might or might have any plausible symptoms. In a few cases, the condition is accompanied with intestinal ulcers, gastritis, and in worse scenario, stomach cancer.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs like Peroxicam, Ketoprofin, Indomethacin and Ibuprofen can lead to inflammation in the stomach; larger doses of the drugs can increase irritation in the stomach. It is a possible side-effect of these medications – the drugs cause stomach irritation and decrease the production of Prostaglandin, a substance similar to hormone. This substance limits digestive acid secretion from the stomach, increases the secretion of the protective mucus and safeguards the intestine lining.
This condition is also associated with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease which is more commonly known as GERD. In GERD, caustic bile gets discharged into the esophagus and leads to heartburn, indigestion and injury to esophageal lining.
Some of the other causes of Duodenitis are viral infections, Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome, Crohn’s disease, decrease in bloody supply to intestines, gall bladder inflammation and gastrointestinal haemorrhage.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Duodenitis

Generally, the diagnosis of Duodenitis begins with cross-examination about the symptoms and discomforts that the condition may be causing; the medical history is also analysed. Diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal bloating, heartburn, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, excessive belching and flatulence are some of the discomforts that patients suffer from but these could also be due to surmountable stress so mostly physicians follow it up with a physical examination. The patient is checked for loss of weight, blood in stool, abdominal mass, increase in bowel sounds and enlargement of organs in the abdomen. The tests include the following:

• Upper Gastrointestinal series or upper gastrointestinal Tract Radiography: It is performed on the patient that visualizes the duodenum. The patient is asked to swallow Barium (radiopaque dye) and then x-ray of his GI is done.
• Endoscopy: A microscope, Endoscope, is passed down the esophagus inner lining of duodenum is visualized. Endoscope is a medical device which has a tiny camera – it may be used to do a minor surgery or inspect an organ. It gives live images of the organs of the body when it is used for diagnosis of a condition.

As a matter of fact, both these procedures provide only indefinite proofs and for further confirmation, samples of duodenum are acquired during Endoscopy for microscopic analysis. This procedure is called Endoscopic Biopsy. In case larger samples are required, Tube Biopsy is done in which a tubular device is used to obtain a large tissue piece.

Physicians treat the condition depending on what caused it. If it is bacterial infection that gave way to the condition, the patient is given antibiotics; proper therapy of antibiotics is important to cure the disease. He may also be suggested medications to protect lining of stomach and intestines and proton pump inhibitors are also prescribed in some cases to limit the production of acid in the body. In case it is a side-effect of taking NSAIDs, patients are asked by the doctor to discontinue them and alternatives are given to them. Therapy is provided to patients who have gastrointestinal disorder with Duedenitis; they are also advised against caffeine and alcohol and other such substances that have possibility of irritating the gastrointestinal tract.

However, if the medications fail to cure the illness, surgery might be necessary. Gastrectomy, in which portion of the stomach is removed; Pyloroplasty, in which valve between stomach and duodenum is opened and Vagotomy, in which fibres that control digestive acid secretion are cut are the three main procedures that are performed. As a matter of fact, most patients with Duodenitis and Gastritis start recovering within 2 days after treating them with antacids. Drug therapy for people with gastric ulcer can ensure healing in 6-8 weeks in 70% of the cases. Surgeries couple with drug therapy help in reducing production of acids successfully.

Home Remedies of Duodenitis

It is true that home remedies can effectively control and cure Duodenitis but the success depends on intensity of the cause. There are simple dietary and lifestyle changes one can instil in their life and make the condition go away. These include taking in meals rich in fibre like oats, barley and carrots, drinking chamomile tea at least two times a day, having yogurt and buttermilk daily for best results. Food rich in Vitamin A should be inculcated in the diet including watermelon, oranges, carrot juice, blackberries and peaches. These small things can help you control the inflammation in your upper intestine – it is much more natural than gulping pills or going for surgeries.

Complications of Duodenitis
There are possible complications that arise due to the disease. These include

• Haemorrhage – Formation of ulcer due to inflammation can result in bleeding.
• Iron Deficiency Anaemia – Iron amount in the bloodstream evidently decreases.
• Peritonitis – Swelling of tissues located in the abdomen leading to acute stomach ache.
• Ulcers
• Pyloric Stenosis – Scarring in valves which narrow the valve between organs. It prevents stomach from passing the food to duodenum and gives the patient abdominal pain and causes vomiting.

Not treating the condition in time makes matters worse. Therefore, if even the symptoms like blood vomit or stool are remotely visible, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Management and Prevention of Duodenitis

In order to get best results, manage your condition by implementing a few exercises. If the patient has undergone a surgery, it would be best to practice breathing workouts to ensure faster recovery. Progressive muscle relaxation and deep-breathing exercises reduce the pain and help speed up the recovery process. These exercises a few times a day can definitely help deal with anxiety and ease up the pain and tension. Also, aerobic exercises like swimming or jogging can prove advantageous too as they support blood circulation. Nonetheless, after a surgery the patient should take extra care as to not lift heavy weight for it might aggravate their condition and keep the work to a bare minimum.

Duodenitis could be prevented with simple lifestyle changes. First of all, smoking and intake of alcohol should be restricted completely. Spicy food doesn’t go well with the body too so that should be avoided as much as possible. Anti-inflammatory drugs have side-effects and thus, it is highly recommended that you avoid them altogether. Other than that, controlling your stress level would keep you away from this condition positively.

GLOBUS HYSTERICUS CAUSES AND SYMPTOMS

The only physical symptom for detecting Globus Pharyngis is a sensation of an obstruction in the throat which may become irritating as in a few cases even swallowing saliva becomes difficult.

The most common cause for Globus Pharyngis is the inflammation of the muscles in the throat region. This may be caused due to various factors like gastro esophageal reflux disease – Cricopharyngeal Spasm, GERD,  etc.  In simple words the acid that ascends from the stomach to the mouth may be responsible for Globus Pharyngis. Anxiety and stress are causes and a major symptom for Globus Pharynis. Patients suffering from Globus tend to get anxiety attacks which aggravate the problems which further leads to complications like pain during swallowing or depression. This is totally a psychological problem. Anxiety is not only a cause for Globus but also an important symptom when other physical conditions are absent.

Menopause and a cold infection can also cause Globus pharyngis.

DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT

Diagnosis is difficult as Globus can easily be confused for other disorder such as thyroid. The ENT doctor after physically examining the throat can also ask for a chest x-ray or barium swallow x-ray or an endoscopy. In an endoscopy examination a flexible fiber optic endoscope is passed through the throat and the area is checked to confirm the presence of Globus Pharyngis

The Barium swallow x-ray is not invasive, comparatively less expensive and the results are instant. Under this procedure the patient is given a thick fruit flavored liquid containing barium sulphate to drink and then the esophagus, stomach and duodenum are x-rayed to check for abnormalities. The doctor checks for tumors, acid reflux, swallowing disorder, ulcer etc. The Barium Sulphate is not absorbed by the body hence there are no side effects of this procedure.

Once the root cause for Globus Pharynis is known then the correct line of treatment is set. If the cause is psychological then counseling along with anti-depressant tablets are given. If the lump in the throat is associated with swallowing disorder it may be due to a disturbance in the thyroid cartilage for which a surgical treatment of the affected cartilage in necessitated to provide instant relief. If a gastric acid reflux is found to be the underlining cause then just suppressing the gastric and taking proper precaution is sometimes enough.

Though in most cases the Globus does not hinder the day to day activities of the person and hence no form of medical interference may be necessary. Just a few basic life style changes and exercise is enough to keep the lump out of the conscious mind.

Cause for Skin Ageing

Normal healthy skin is something everyone wants but not all gets it, the reason being that our skin has components such as collagen for skin firmness, elastin for skin elasticity and glycosaminoglycans for hydrating the skin, which decreases in production year by year. This is called the natural ageing process of the skin, as a person reaches the age of 30; wrinkles start to form and the functions of the sweat and oil glands also diminishes. Then there are the external factors that contribute to the ageing process like over exposure to the sunlight, pollution, tobacco use and other environmental factors.

RED LIGHT THERAPY- an overview

 This technology was first produced by NASA and has many independent scientific researches backing its benefits. The ‘light therapy’ is known to give effective therapeutic benefits to the living tissues. The red light therapy helps in improving the skin tone and boosting the production of collagen which in turn reduces the facial fine lines as well as the wrinkles to give a blemish free, youthful, smooth and supple skin.

The best and the most effective way of delivering the red light therapy is by specially formulated florescent tubes which emit a specific level of wave length of the visible red light. These tubes do not emit any UV radiations. These tubes could be incorporated into any form; either on to a bed or in the form of a booth.

RED LIGHT THERAPY – Use and Claims

The red light penetrates deep in dermis layer of skin energizing the body tissues and increasing the blood circulation. This stimulates production of the collagen and proteins with a high elasticity level that repairs damaged tissues. It is a non-invasive, safe (non-significant risk) and natural method. A specific amount of red light can be safely used to penetrate our skin and enhance the cell vitality.

This method can be performed at home or in a spa or salon. It is best advised to get the first treatment under the eyes of a professional practioner. As the method is very simple and the equipment is also not very expensive this therapy can be taken at home. Sitting in front of the equipment for the amount of time specified and following the general rules and precautions, this therapy can give an even toned flawless skin. For the therapy to be effective, these sessions will have to be taken regularly or as specified. Noticeable and immediate changes occur within a week of starting the treatment and the end results vary from a person to another. After discontinuing the treatment the age may again start to show but after a certain length of time depending on the care and precaution taken. A retreatment may be necessary in most cases.

The red light therapy is also effective in treating skin problems, impaired blood circulation, non-seasonal depression, sexual dysfunction, sleep disorder, etc. in short it is the whole body wellness program.

CAUSES AND SYMPTOMS

Tendinitis is most common around the shoulders, elbow, wrist and heel. But it may also occur around the knee and the shin. Sudden injury is the main cause for tendinitis but repetitive motion, frequent overhead reaching and forceful exertion of a particular area over a long period of time can also cause tendinitis. Athletes, rock climbers, swimmers and those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes are most prone to tendinitis. It may also be associated with a calcium deposit (calcific tendinitis). A bacterial infection can cause tendinitis. Age plays a major role, as the tendons lose their flexibility or elasticity with advancing age, which makes the tendons more prone to injury.

Typical signs and symptoms occur at the point where the bone attaches itself to the muscle. The area is tender to touch and warm, with redness, swelling and pain. The pain increases with the mobility of that bone and the swelling of the tendon hampers the sliding which causes stiffness.

DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT

A physical examination is enough for a doctor to diagnose tendinitis. X-rays may be necessary to rule out any doubt of other conditions that may be causing the symptoms.

Self care remedies are the best form of treatment for tendinitis. Taking rest and applying ice packs are the first steps to relieve the pain and reduce inflammation. Even a pain reliever can be taken. As the swelling subsides, normal movement should be continued as total immobilization could lead to other complications. In case the home remedies does not give any desired results or the pain continues when normal activity is continued then medical help should be taken.

The doctor may recommend anti inflammatory topical creams to reduce inflammation along with pain relievers like aspirin. In some cases steroid injections like corticosteroid may be injected into the tendon to ease the pain and reduce inflammation. However it should be noted that repeated injections could rupture the tendon. In severe cases splint, cast and bandages may be necessary to immobilize the area till the inflammation subsides.

Physical therapy or exercises that stretch and strengthen the muscles are very essential. This not only improves the symptoms but also accelerates the healing process. Only in case of severe tendon injury or rupture, a surgical repair may be needed.

Causes Of Blocked Nose

As it is believed by most of the people, cold is not the only reason your nose gets clogged up. There are many other causes of nose blockage.

• Infection – Infection by a virus is a very common reason of blocked nose. Any human being suffers from common cold at least thrice a year and this common cold gives lead to nose blockage. The virus is easily transmitted through air which makes the illness communicable. These viruses make the infected body produce more histamine which increases flow of the blood of the sufferer’s nose, causes swelling and excessive production of mucus which lead to blockage.
• Allergy – When you eat something your body rejects, it is not a good picture. People have allergies from all sorts of things from dust to animal hair. In case of allergies, the histamine is produced more and more mucus and congestion are caused in the nose.
• Abnormalities in the nose structure – In few cases, it is seen that due to an accident or nasal tumors the bone or divider membrane in the nose gets injured and causes obstruction.
• Pregnancy – Women who are expecting get blockage in their noses too due to high blood transmissions.

Clearing It Up

 Fighting the blockage includes some very simple techniques that you might even be already aware of. Let’s recap, just in case. First of all, Vicks is your good friend in sickness – rub it on your nostrils and it’ll give you some relief. Breathing slowly and keeping your chest warmed work well too. Another trick is to take hot water steams breathing in deeply and clearing your nose. And well, just blow your nose and clean it up. You’ll feel better instantly! House remedies coupled with rest are often the two only things needed. Don’t your friends get you chicken soup whenever you are down with cold? Hot water and tea are just as effective too. For people suffering from allergies, it is much better to avoid them altogether than spend a few days in bed, trying not to take a side. Turning towards one side in bed is not very helpful – keep straight and drink water.

It does take time to completely clear up but if you take necessary steps and prescribed antibiotics, you will feel more comfortable. Patients with structural abnormalities are suggested that they get an operation done to deal with the same.