Skip to main content

Posts

Hernia (Abdominal)

Hernia is a condition that develop due to a spot weakness in a muscle, through which an organ or tissue squeezes through. The most common types of hernia are the inguinal hernia, incisional hernia, Femoral hernia, and Umbilical hernia. Inguinal hernia accounts for about 80% of all hernias. In this case, the intestine or bladder protrudes through the abdominal wall into the groin. In an incisional hernia, the intestine pushes through the abdominal wall at the site of a previous surgery over the abdomen. The femoral hernia is more common in women,  especially those who are pregnant and obese. It occurs when the bladder or intestines enter the canal carrying the femoral artery to the upper thigh. Umbilical hernia is common in newborn babies and women who have had many children. Here, the small intestine passes through the abdomen wall near the navel. Hernia is mainly caused by muscle weakness and strain. Poor nutrition, over-exertion, smoking, obesity are factors which cause weakness i
2 comments
Read more
Recent posts

Gallstones

Gallstones are small hard crystal-like deposits that develop in the gallbladder or in the bile ducts, that drain bile from the liver. Bile is a digestive juice which is produced by the liver and is stored in the gallbladder, a small pear-shaped organ. Bile is made up mainly of cholesterol and Bile acid. It is only when these stones get lodged in the duct and block the free passage of bile does the symptoms arise. There are three types of gallstones, viz., Cholesterol stones, Pigment stones, and Mixed stones (which has pigment and cholesterol content). It is caused mainly by an increase in blood cholesterol levels, as also the break- down of Red Blood Cells (RBCs) due to some infectious diseases like sickle cell anemia or malaria. It can also result from an infection of the gallbladder. Some risk factors which can further trigger gallstones include obesity and pre-existing liver diseases. Symptoms Gallstones have a sudden onset. It would entail pain in the right and upper abdom
Post a Comment
Read more

Frozen Shoulder

It is a restriction of shoulder motion and movement in all directions. It is either due to an inflammation of tendons that move the shoulder joint or due to the fibrous capsule of the joint. Sometimes a swelling of the soft sac that cushions the joint can also lead to this condition. It is caused mainly by prolonged immobilization, common with people doing sedentary work, without much exercise or activity, as also with people in their old age. Another major cause is diabetes. Symptoms It restricts the motion of one’s shoulder and there would be considerable difficulty in shoulder movements in any directions. Routine stuff like reaching up to brush hair, fastening buttons or zip at back, removing the wallet from the hip pocket will be met with difficulty and stiffness that worsens over several weeks. There would also be pain and a feeling of tenderness in the shoulder. The pain and stiffness may extend to the neck and the upper arm. Do's and Don’ts To deal with a froze
Post a Comment
Read more

Flatulence

Flatulence is gas building in the stomach and the intestines. It can cause considerable discomfort and it has an embarrassingly audible way of showing its presence or escape. The gas can be expelled from the digestive system either by (i) belching from the stomach. (ii) flatus from the rectum, both of which attracts attention. It is mainly caused by the intake of high-fiber food items such as beans, vegetables, fruits, and grains. Since fiber is tough to digest, bacteria  will grow on the partially digested food material and produce gas. Also, you can take in the air in your digestive tract while eating or drinking, especially if you eat quickly or while drinking through a straw, or while smoking. Any infection of the digestive tract may increase the gas content. Symptoms Symptoms of flatulence include the bloating of abdomen, abdominal pain, belching, and passing gas through the rectum. Do's and Don’ts This is primarily a digestive problem and ensuring digestive hea
Post a Comment
Read more

Febrile Convulsion

A febrile convulsion is a situation causing fits or seizure with fever in infancy (3 months) or up to 5 years of age provided the underlying cause is not of origin from the nervous system. If the fit is without fever, then it is not considered to be febrile convulsion. It is short lasting and it occurs only once usually within 24 hours. It is a generalized fit or convulsion. If a problem in the nervous system, like meningitis or a tumour, gives rise to a convulsion, then it is not called  febrile convulsion. Febrile convulsion is caused by infectious fever, be it bacterial or viral and be it a fever in the respiratory tract, influenza, gastroenteritis, measles, ear infection, mumps, or acute tonsillitis. Children, whose brother or sister has a history of convulsion, are 2-3 times more at risk than others in contracting these convulsions. It is worth noting that febrile convulsions are just temporary and they do not cause any development delay, retardation, behavioral abnormalities,
Post a Comment
Read more

Disc Prolapse or Slipped Disc

The discs are the shock absorbers of the spine. They are pieces of cartilage which separate different vertebrae from each other and it also helps to cushion them. The discs have a soft pulpy centre, which may bulge or burst out through the tough outer portion and irritate adjacent ligaments or a nerve root. This is what is called a disc prolapse or a slipped disc. It can result from strenuous activity, especially if the activity is sudden, like lifting something heavy or twisting something around violently. In most cases, the development of a disc  prolapse is gradual, and it is prevalent more often between the ages of 20 and 50. Symptoms A disc prolapse involves an agonizing back pain of a sudden onset. It restricts back movements and may even cause a sharp, shooting and electric-like pain that goes down to the legs. It can also cause a numbness and a tingling sensation in the affected leg or foot. Do’s and Don’ts As a disc prolapse is a very serious injury, one should e
6 comments
Read more

Diabetes

Diabetes is an extremely frequent, and probably among the most familiar of disorders. It is a metabolic disorder in which there is an increase in the level of blood glucose and/or an excessive excretion of glucose in the urine. It is caused by a decreased or deficient supply of Insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas whose main role is to keep tabs on the levels of glucose in  the blood. Diabetes can be of two types: Type I and Type II. Type I diabetes, also known as Insulin Dependent Diabetes, is caused by the shortage of insulin. Type II diabetes, also known as Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes, is caused by the body's inability to process insulin. Juvenile Diabetes is a Type 1 Diabetes which would be present in some persons since birth. The intensity of diabetes is known by measuring the glucose levels in blood and/or urine. Normal glucose levels, when checked before meals (Fasting Blood Sugar – FBS), ranges from 80-110,  while for a post-meals check-up (Random Blood Sug
6 comments
Read more