A mammogram is an imaging test where an X-ray is taken to recreate the internal imagery of your breasts. This is a screening test that is widely used to find the earliest signs of cancer. There have been instances where the early signs of cancer have been found up to three years before the actual development of the same. There are a number of benefits and risks in this screening method. So let us find out more about getting a mammogram, and whether or not you should get one.

    Procedure: A special X-ray machine is used for conducting a mammogram. There is a clear plastic plate on which the specialist will place the breast while another plate will press on the breast from above. While both the plates serve to flatten the breast and hold it still, the X-ray will be taken. Some pressure will be felt and the same steps will be repeated so as to get the side view of the breasts. The same procedure will be repeated for the other breast. Meanwhile, once it is done, you will need to wait so that the technician can check for clarity, and whether or not the procedure needs to be done again. The results of this procedure cannot be relayed by the technician, and all the images will be different because all breasts are slightly different from each other.
    Preparation: You will need to remember that the process can be a slightly painful one, especially once the pressure gets applied. Many women complain of discomfort and pain. Yet, this discomfort gets over before you know it. The pressure and pain will depend on the size of your breasts and how much they will have to be pressed in order to get a picture. The skill of the technician will also come into play here. One must remember not to get this procedure done a week or so before or after the menstrual cycle, as the breasts tend to be tender around this time, and the pain will be much more.
    Radiologist: Within a few weeks after the procedure, the radiologist will usually deliver the result. This is the professional who does an accurate reading of the X-ray.
    Normal and Abnormal Readings: If your mammogram result has a normal reading, then you can resort to getting one done every once in a while. But an abnormal reading will require further X-ray and tests so as to be able to tell for sure.
    Why should I get one: If you are over 40 and have a family history of such ailments, then you will have to get a mammogram done regularly.

Should You Get a Mammogram?

Laproscopic Bariatric Surgery allows Surgeons to perform minimally-invasive treatments to obese patients who have had repeated failure in losing weight through diet change and exercise. Bariatric Surgery is a procedure that does not require any incisions. Patients can return home within 2-3days without much discomfort. In this procedure, inserting operative instruments through multiple holes along with a camera which displays video images on monitor without making a single incision. The camera allows the Surgeons to witness the internal condition and perform the procedure safely. The three most well-known Laproscopic bariatric surgery procedures include gastric bypass, gastric sleeve, and mini-gastric bypass. 

Most common types of Laparoscopic bariatric surgery: 

Gastric sleeve: This is a more drastic mode of surgery and is a new addition to the bariatric endoscopic surgery procedures. Through this procedure, 90 percent of a patient s stomach is removed to facilitate the loss of hunger. This also helps in portion control of food. 
Gastric bypass: This is the most widely used bariatric procedure to cut down fats and control hunger across the globe. The digestive system is re-routed to suppress the hunger of the patient in this procedure. It also contains minimal risk to a healthy individual. 
Mini-Gastric bypass: Similar to Gastric bypass but shorter procedure with approximately equal results in comparison to gastric bypass. 
Other procedures for weight loss are: EndoBarrier therapy and Intra-gastric balloon The procedure is decided by the Surgeons and depending on which types of the procedure will suit you the most. 
Bariatric Surgery allows doctors to perform minimally-invasive treatments to obese patients who have had repeated failure in losing weight through diet change and exercise. Bariatric Surgery is a procedure that does not require any incisions. Patients can return home within the few day without much discomfort. A keyhole procedure involves inserting camera and instructions within abdominal cavity and operations performed by viewing over the monitor. The camera allows the doctor to witness the internal condition and perform the procedure safely. 

Benefits of Laparoscopic Bariatric Surgery: 

Being a minimally-invasive procedure, laparoscopic bariatric surgery has its own advantages. Since minimal incisions are made, the risk of operative complications is easily mitigated. Bariatric surgery is also a long-term solution.

Most Common Types Of Laparoscopic Bariatric Surgery!

Rectal bleeding is the collective name associated with all the conditions that cause blood to pass into the stool. Blood may appear in the form of small flecks in the stool, or clots, or a lot of liquid mass. It can also appear on the toilet paper, instead of in the pot. The blood may be coming from the anus, colon, or rectum itself.

Causes of Rectal Bleeding

The causes are multiple, and they include-

  Swelling and irritation of the anal veins, a condition known as haemorrhoids. Piles are the more common name for this phenomenon.
  Constipation (inadequate and painful passing of stools)
  Tears or scratches in the anus (fissures), sometimes as a side effect of constipation.
  Anal cancer
  Colon cancer
  Rectal cancer
  Diarrhoea
  As a side effect of radiation therapy, used in the treatment of diseases like cancer

Ayurveda believes that such a condition occurs due to the imbalance of the three doshas - fire (Pitta), water (Kapha) and air (Vata). Therefore, the aim of Ayurveda is to restore the dosha balance in your body and improve the condition. The help of a medical professional must be sought immediately after you notice this phenomenon occurring with you.

Treatment of rectal bleeding: Why Ayurveda is your best resort?

Ayurvedic treatment is the best possible alternative at your disposal. Besides being tailor-made to cater to your medical history, it is the only form of treatment that has negligible side effects. Hence, you might want to talk to an Ayurveda medicine specialist in the first place.

Rectal bleeding has a whole host of possible solutions within the fold of Ayurveda treatment. They are-

  Use laxatives, but natural ones. Laxatives are compounds that make stool less hard and easier to pass. The substances that can act as natural laxatives are coconut water, chia seeds, spinach, flaxseeds and prune juice.

  Foods that are rich in fibre should comprise a major chunk of your dietary intake during treatment. These foods include the peels of fruits and vegetables, and figs, beans and prunes.

  There are certain items you should not consume as well according to Ayurveda, like alcohol or fried foods. Also, to not further irritate haemorrhoids and exacerbate your condition, avoid hot and spicy foods like those flavoured with green chillies.

  Reduce time spent on sitting on the toilet seat, as this puts a strain on the muscles around that region.

Rectal bleeding is a common medical phenomenon that may require critical attention. While some of the reasons behind it may be easily treatable, there are some conditions with deep complications underlying it, like rectal cancer. You should get yourself checked immediately if you are experiencing rectal bleeding. After getting a primary diagnosis, you should try Ayurvedic remedies for the best results.

Rectal Bleeding - Causes & Treatments Of The Problem!

Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs that develop on a woman's ovary. A patient might experience abdominal and pelvic pain, abnormal bleeding, menstrual irregularities, pain during intercourse or irregular bowel movements. These symptoms indicate an ovarian cyst developing inside you. Ovarian cysts are common in women and may develop during menstruation. In many cases, symptoms are not observed, and you may get ovarian cysts without knowing. Usually being harmless, ovarian cysts may sometimes lead to severe health conditions.

Here are 7 important things you should know about ovarian cysts:
1. You should know the reason behind the formation of ovarian cysts. When the follicle does not release the egg, it may grow bigger in size and take the form of a follicular cyst. A corpus luteum cyst may also develop, which is a cavity that gets formed after the egg is ruptured and released from the follicle. The cysts may bleed and cause pelvic pain.

2. It is important for you to know if you have an ovarian cyst. Many ovarian cysts do not show symptoms and go away by themselves. Follicular cysts do not change your menstrual cycle, but corpus luteum cysts may cause bleeding.  

3. You should know how to detect an ovarian cyst. You should visit a gynecologist regularly for diagnosis. Bigger cysts can be diagnosed via a pelvic examination. Ultrasound is also used for detection.  

4. You should have an idea about all the symptoms associated with ovarian cysts. These include fever, nausea and vomiting. These symptoms indicate that you have an infection. Sometimes, a cyst might twist an ovary, which may cut off blood supply to the ovary, causing permanent damage.

5. In case you are at a risk of twisting of the ovaries, you have to undergo a surgery. Surgery is also considered when the cyst lasts longer than three menstrual cycles and it is bigger than four inches in size. The cyst may also pose the risk of being a tumor. The common surgical procedures for ovarian cysts are laparoscopy and laparotomy.  

6. You can prevent ovarian cysts be taking birth control pills, which help in suppressing ovulation and prevent the formation of a cyst. Birth control pills may help only if you are not pregnant.

7. Ovarian cysts are more common in premenopausal women. However, these are possible in postmenopausal women as well, especially in the early postmenopausal stage.  

Sometimes, there might be chances of an ovarian cyst being cancerous in nature, which may lead to ovarian cancer. The risk of cancerous ovarian cysts increases with age. It is recommended to consult a gynecologist for the proper diagnosis and treatment of ovarian cysts in women. Pain medications and heating pads are used as alternative treatment methods for less serious ovarian cysts.

7 Things You Should Know About Ovarian Cysts

Obesity can shorten your lifespan by decades and also limit and reduce the quality of your life. Obesity cannot always be controlled by dieting and exercise and thus more complicated means such as bariatric surgery has to be employed.

Types of bariatric surgery
Most bariatric surgeries either limit your ability to consume food and thus make you feel fuller quickly or limit the absorption of nutrients from the food you eat. Certain surgeries use a combination of the two in varying degrees. Mentioned below are the most commonly employed forms of bariatric surgery  

Gastric Balloon   This is a form of surgery wherein a specially made balloon is inserted into the stomach. In certain cases even two balloons are inserted into the stomach to reduce the room left for food. This causes you to have less food resulting in weight loss over a period of time.
Gastric Sleeve   This is a form of surgery wherein a major portion of the stomach is removed through the procedure. Also known as Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy, the surgeon creates a pouch within the stomach which essentially becomes a connecting tube between the esophagus and the large intestine. The reduced stomach size causes fewer hunger related enzymes and hormones to be secreted, causing less hunger and also reducing your food intake capability. This results in weight loss over a period of time.
Gastric Bypass   Gastric bypass uses the combination of two techniques, lesser absorption of minerals as well as reduced intake capacity. In this method, a part of the stomach is rearranged akin to the gastric sleeve. However the leftover portion of the stomach is not removed as it can continue to secrete stomach acids. Because of the reduced size of the stomach, you would eat less and if you happen to over eat, it would cause dumping syndrome (quick and repeated bowel evacuation) which would deter you from eating more.
Lap band surgery   This is one form of surgery where the stomach is not reduced or cut but rather limited by a band that is put around it. This band constricts the stomach and causes the upper part to become smaller. Hence you would feel fuller from eating less, thus resulting in weight loss.
V-bloc therapy   This is a very modern approach to bariatric procedures which works in a very similar way to a pacemaker. A device is placed just under your skin and two leads or wires are connected to the vagal nerve. This nerve is responsible for sending the hunger signals to the brain from the stomach. This device acts as a block to the nerve signals and thus ensures you eat less.
Duodenal switch   This surgery is also known as a Biliopancreatic Diversion wherein the surgeons cut out the part of the stomach similar to a gastric sleeve surgery but also make adjustments to the pancreatic chain and the small intestine to reduce the absorption of minerals.

6 Types Of Bariatric Surgery You Can Think of!

Dysphagia is the difficulty in swallowing food or liquid. Most people suffering from dysphagia are unaware of their medical condition and only realize it in later stages. When not diagnosed and treated in time, it may lead to aspiration pneumonia (lung infection occurring due to food particles or saliva entering the lung), weight loss, dehydration and malnutrition. Some of the symptoms include:

Heartburn
Choking
Drooling
Having the feeling of food getting stuck in the chest or throat.
Food or stomach acid coming back up into the throat
Regurgitation
Hoarseness of the throat
Gagging and coughing while swallowing
Experiencing pain while swallowing
There are two types of dysphagia:

Esophageal Dysphagia:
This is also known as low dysphagia and is the condition in which one can sense food getting stuck in the throat or chest area. The problem lies in the esophagus. Generally, the surgical procedure is required to solve the problem. Some of the causes of low dysphagia include-

Achalasia- lower muscles in the esophagus do not allow food to enter the stomach.
Diffuse spasm- Uncontrolled contractions of the lower esophagus after swallowing food.
Esophageal stricture- Narrowing of the passage of esophagus making it difficult for food to pass. It often leads to GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease).
Esophageal Ring- A narrowing of the lower portion of the esophagus
Scleroderma- Autoimmune disease where it leads to hardening and stiffening of body tissues.
Oropharyngeal Dysphagia:
This is also known as high dysphagia and is the condition where the throat muscles become weak making it difficult to swallow food. Some of the causes for high dysphagia include- stroke, Parkinson s disease, Zenker s Diverticulum (a condition in which food particles get accumulated inside a small pouch in your throat) and cancer.

Treatments:
Depending on the type of dysphagia, you will be advised any one of the treatment courses available. It can range from swallowing therapy, dietary changes, feeding tubes and medications to even surgery. The treatment is carried out by a multidisciplinary team. A multidisciplinary team includes- a speech-language pathologist, primary physician, gastroenterologist, dietitian, therapist, radiologist and pharmacist. The treatments for dysphagia include:

Swallowing Therapy- If you are suffering from high dysphagia, you will be referred to speech and language therapists. You will be taught a number of exercises to make the process of swallowing easier and simple.
Dietary Changes- In this method, you will be referred to a dietician or nutritionist. You will be advised a well-balanced and healthy diet that may include more liquid and semi-liquid food.
Feeding Tube- When swallowing becomes extremely difficult and the patient is at risk of suffering from malnutrition and dehydration, the patient is usually fed through a nasogastric tube which passes through the nose and into the stomach. PEG (percutaneous endoscopic gastronomy) tube which is directly implanted in your stomach.
Dilation- People suffering from low dysphagia have to undergo surgery. One of the methods is dilation. Through endoscopy, images of inside the throat is taken and a small balloon is inserted.
Botulinum Toxin (Botox) - One of the causes for low dysphagia is achalasia. In such cases, botulinum toxin is used to relax and weaken the stiff and hardened muscles of the esophagus.
These were some of the treatment options for dysphagia that prove it is treatable and can be cured easily. Generally, dysphagia occurs in older people and babies. Whatever may be the cause, the main purpose of the treatment of dysphagia is to make the patient go back to oral feeding.

5 Best Dysphagia ( Swallowing Problems) Treatment Options

Don't wait any longer, manage your General Surgeon online with a Lybrate doctor today

Consult for General Surgeon - Online and Easy!

FilterClear All

COMMON SPECIALITIES

COMMON ISSUES