The three primary functions of the kidney are- eliminating waste materials and toxins from the body, producing hormones that help control your body mechanism and regulating blood pressure. Chronic Renal Failure, also known as Chronic Kidney Disease, refers to the condition where your kidney gradually stops functioning properly over time- weeks, months or years. As the condition worsens, wastes and fluids start to build up in your system instead of being filtered out. This leads to an end-stage renal failure/disease.

What causes Chronic Renal Failure?
Chronic renal failure is caused due to a condition or disease that impairs kidney function. The most common causes are- diabetes (Type 1 and Type 2), polycystic kidney disease, glomerulonephritis, interstitial nephritis. Glomerulonephritis occurs when the filtering units of the kidney become, inflamed. Interstitial nephritis refers to an inflammation in the kidney tubules and its surrounding regions. Prolonged obstruction of the urinary tract due to kidney stones or enlarged prostate, also can cause chronic renal failure.

What are the symptoms that you must watch out for?
Symptoms and signs of chronic renal failure develop gradually over time. Therefore, most of the time people suffering from this condition are diagnosed at the later stage when functioning of the kidney is significantly impaired. Nevertheless, if you encounter signs such as unintentional weight loss, weakness and fatigue, vomiting and nausea, swelling of face and legs, cramps and muscle twitches, change in the urinating pattern, easy bruising, blood in the stools etc., then you should see a doctor and have yourself diagnosed. In case the fluids get accumulated in the lining of your heart or lungs, you may experience chest pain and shortness of breath.

Role of homeopathy in curing Chronic Renal Failure-
Unlike conventional treatment methods which focus on the pathological condition, homeopathy takes a holistic approach to treat the individual. Homeopathy remedies and medicines are natural, and try to rectify the underlying causes of this condition. The medications are selected and prescribed after thorough analysis of the patient s medical history and health condition. A particular remedy is chosen keeping in mind the general symptoms of the condition. Among several homeopathic medicines, the frequently used ones are- Belladonna and a solution made from gold and sodium. Homeopathy remedies reduce swelling of the face, cures kidney inflammations, and reduce severe, recurring pain in the lumbar region. They work by stimulating your immune system so that the damaged kidney and other organs start functioning more correctly.

Homeopathy remedies do not provide substitutes for any organ of your body. They simply repair the damaged organs, improve your overall health and thereby prevent the person from suffering a relapse.

Chronic Renal Failure - How Homeopathic Treatment Is Best For You?

The incidence of pain and lumps in the breast is on the rise. Breast cancer has grown in incidence over the years. More women are getting diagnosed with it, and the age at which they are being diagnosed has reduced too. Therefore, preventative checks and screenings have gone up significantly. The number of women diagnosed with small lumps has gone up drastically. The good thing is that since these are diagnosed in the early stages, the treatment is simpler and the prognosis far better than women who get diagnosed much later in life.

In a majority of cases, once a lump is identified the most preferred treatment is removal. This is known as lumpectomy. However, before a final decision is made to remove the lump, there are certain tests that are run by the doctor to confirm the diagnosis and extent of spread.

A thorough breast exam to identify if this is an isolated lump or if there are more lumps in either breast. The exact shape and size of the lump also need to be identified so that treatment can be planned accordingly.
Imaging to see if the lymph nodes have been involved. In most cases, there could be spread to the lymph nodes in the armpits which also need to be removed if required. If the lump is too big or too many in number, then a mastectomy may be required instead of a lumpectomy. This requires removal of the entire breast tissue on one or both sides (rarely) along with involved lymph nodes.
Pre-surgery: Once the diagnosis is confirmed, then the doctor will plan treatment. Prior to the surgery,

Talk to your doctor about your other medical conditions and medications and allergies, if any
Gynecologic history is very important to be discussed in detail
Blood thinners have to be stopped prior to the surgery
Post-surgery care needs to be planned, including a caretaker for a few days and postop care
During surgery:

Lumpectomy or mastectomy is often done under general anaesthesia
This requires hospitalization and carries the risks associated with anaesthesia
The outlined breast tissue or complete breast and surrounding lymph nodes will be removed. The area will be closed using sutures and bandaged
Post-surgery:

The wound needs to heal, and so postop care is very important
For the first few days, painkillers and antibiotics are used to control pain and infection
As a follow-up, some women may require radiation therapy to contain the suspicious tissue that may be left behind after lumpectomy
If extensive breast tissue was removed, some women may prefer to have reconstructive surgery done
Remember that lumpectomy is not a definitive procedure, and there could be cases that require a repeat operation
Advantages:

Less invasive compared to a mastectomy
The appearance of the breast is minimally affected, and symmetry is maintained
Disadvantages:

May not ensure complete removal
May require additional radiation therapy
May require repeat surgery

Surgical Treatment For Pain And Lumps In Breasts Of Women!

Lumpectomy is a surgery where a cancerous or benign tumour is removed from a breast along with some surrounding tissues. The amount of tissue removed varies according to the nature of the tumour. It is a form of breast-conserving surgery. It is also called a partial mastectomy.

Lumpectomy is the first option of treatment for women diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer.

What is the goal of lumpectomy?

Lumpectomy aims to remove the cancerous cells from the breast and at the same time maintaining the appearance of the breast. Studies have proved that for early stage breast cancer, lumpectomy is as effective as mastectomy (complete removal of the breast).

Doctors may recommend lumpectomy to remove precancerous cells as well.

Pre lumpectomy measures-

If you are under any other medication or if you suffer from allergies, inform your doctor. Other pre-surgery measures include-

  Stop taking aspirins or any pain relieving medication

  Your doctor will recommend you to not drink or eat anything 8-12 hours prior to the surgery.

The procedure:

A mammogram and a biopsy reveal the exact location of a tumour. Lumpectomy is performed under general anaesthesia. The surgeon makes a small incision over a tumour to extract the cancerous cells and the surrounding tissues. Sometimes doctors have to perform sentinel lymph node surgery or axillary node dissection.

The surgeon then closes the incisions with sutures. The sutures may dissolve over time or may have to be extracted later by a doctor.

If you have undergone lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy, you will be discharged on the same day as the surgery as soon as your blood pressure stabilizes.

However, after lumpectomy with axillary node extraction, you may have to stay in the hospital for 2-3 days.

Therapy after lumpectomy

Your oncologist will recommend a follow-up radiation therapy to destroy the mutated cells that may have remained in the area where a tumour had developed. Radiation reduces the risk of breast cancer recurrence.

You might also have to undergo hormone therapy. Some types of breast cancer need female hormones like estrogen and progesterone to grow. Hormone therapy inhibits the development of cancerous cells by not allowing these hormones to reach the cells.

Your doctor will advise you to avoid strenuous physical activities for at least a month after the surgery.

Lumpectomy is a safe surgical procedure that can root out tumours or precancerous cells from the breast without deforming the shape of it.

Breast Lumpectomy - All You Should Know!

Kidney transplantation is a major surgery. In this surgery, doctors will remove your damaged/malfunctioning kidney and replace it with a healthy kidney from a donor. A successful kidney transplantation surgery will greatly increase your life expectancy if doctors have diagnosed you with chronic kidney disease.

However, some kidney transplantation surgeries have a better outcome than others do. This is mainly due to some factors that can affect the chances of success before and after the surgery. Here is a look at what these factors are.

Pre-surgery:

You may not be able to control what happens before the transplantation surgery, but here are some things that can affect your chances of a healthy life:

1. Age of the donor and the recipient: Younger people have healthier bodies and easily recover from surgery. Therefore, to achieve the best results in kidney transplantation surgery, it is important for the kidney donor to be young. Kidneys from a younger donor are likely to be healthier and function better for a longer time. For instance, if donor A is 60 years old and donor B is 30 years old, the outcome of transplant will be better if you receive the kidney from donor B. Similarly, if you are too old, your body may reject the transplanted kidney. However, your body will easily adjust to the transplant if you are young.

2. Living donors are better: If you receive a kidney from a living donor, the surgery is much more likely to be successful. In most cases of living donors, a friend or family member donates the kidney to the patient. Therefore, if you have a friend or relative willing to donate a kidney to you, you should opt for that instead of waiting for a kidney from a dead donor.

Post-surgery:

When you undergo a kidney transplant, you can develop heart diseases. Here are some things that will help you prevent that-

1. Keep blood pressure low

Some medications for your kidney disease can lead to an increase in blood pressure. Therefore, you should consult the doctor and report the elevated blood pressure, so that he/she can change the medicine. Additional medication may be required to keep your blood pressure under check so that you do not develop cardiac conditions.

2. Keep cholesterol levels in check:

To prevent organ rejection after the transplant surgery, doctors prescribe immunosuppressants. These drugs can increase cholesterol levels in the blood, which leads to blood and heart disorders. Therefore, you need to reduce cholesterol intake through diet. Ask your doctor about exercises that you can do to reduce cholesterol build up in the body.

Lastly, maintaining proper body weight is also essential after kidney transplantation surgery. Taking these measures will keep your overall body healthy while keeping heart disease and other problems at bay.

How To Achieve Best Results In Kidney Transplantation?

Rectal problems in women are quite common. It is experienced by many women in some form or the other such as rectal itching, pain or bleeding. Rectal problems are more common in women than in men. These conditions need to be attended to immediately as severe rectal problems may cause several health problems. There are many ways to deal with rectal problems in women.

Treating rectal itching: Rectal itching is a common rectal problem. These can be treated by

    Improve hygiene: You should clean the rectum area gently using cotton balls moistened with water. You should apply mild ointments to prevent irritation and soothe the skin.
    Unscented toilet paper or unscented lotions and creams: You should use white toilet paper that does not have any scent. Scented soaps, creams or lotions should be avoided as it may cause further irritation. You can also apply ointments containing 1% hydrocortisone.
    Control excessive sweating: Rectal problems may occur due to excess sweating. You should avoid sweating too much by wearing light clothes and using talcum powder for the absorption of moisture.

In case of excessive itching, you should follow the following tips:

    Do not scratch the area as scratching may lead to further itching. You can take an oral antihistamine during the night to get better sleep.
    You can take a warm sitz bath after every bowel movement, for at least three days, every day. The anus should be dried properly after the bath.
    Abstain from foods that stimulate rectal itching like tea, coffee, aerated drinks, alcohol, chocolate, spicy food, tomatoes and excess vitamin C, for a period of two weeks.
    You must maintain short fingernails to avoid injuries during scratching. To prevent unconscious scratching during sleep, wear cotton gloves.
    Stress should be managed as increased stress may lead to enhanced rectal itching. When you are anxious, do not scratch the rectal area.

Treating rectal bleeding: Rectal bleeding is another problem, which may be accompanied by other rectal problems. In case of rectal bleeding, avoid taking aspirin or any other non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drug. These drugs may cause bleeding in the digestive tract. This will increase the blood amount in your stool. Bleeding hemorrhoids can worsen by the intake of these medicines. For soothing pain, opt for an acetaminophen. Constipation and diarrhoea may also lead to rectal bleeding. However, it is advised to consult a doctor before consuming any medicine.

Prevention
For prevention of rectal problems, you must have a good sense of hygiene. Keep the rectum region clean and avoid sitting in the toilet for a long time. You should have a fiber-rich diet including fresh fruits and vegetables. Avoid food items, which may cause rectal problems. General rectal problems are not very serious and can be treated using simple measures. Maintaining proper rectal hygiene is very important to avoid rectal problems. It is highly recommended to visit a doctor if the problem persists.

Rectal Problems in Women - Doctor Recommended Tips

A breast lump is a restricted swelling, projection, lump or knot in the breast that doesn't feel like a breast tissue. There are diverse reasons why breast lumps occur.

Not all lumps are cancer. These can also be breast conditions that are not harmful and which can be easily curable.Knots that feel harder or are not the same as the rest of the breast need to be checked. This kind of irregularity might be an indication of breast cancer.

A self-examination should be your starting point. This is how you can detect a lump on your own:

Step 1: Begin by taking a look at your breast in the mirror. Keep your shoulders straight and your arms on your hips.

This is what you need to search for:

    Breasts that are their typical size, shape, and shading
    Breasts that are uniformly formed without distortion or swelling

In the event that you see any of the changes mentioned below, convey them to your doctor:

    Dimpling, puckering, or protruding of the skin
    A nipple that is not in its initial position
    Redness, rash or swelling

Step 2: Now, raise your arms and look for the changes mentioned above.

Step 3: While you're in front of the mirror, search for any indications of liquid or blood discharge from the nipples.

Step 4: Next, examine your breasts while resting.Use Your right hand to feel your left breast and use your left hand to feel your right breast. Cover the whole breast from your collarbone to the highest point of your mid-region, and from your armpit to your cleavage to search for any lumps.

Step 5:Examine your breasts while either standing or sitting. Many women find that the easiest approach to examine their breasts is when their skin is wet, so this step could be done while taking a bath as well.

Diagnosis:

    Mammogram: Mammography is a technique using X-rays to diagnose and locate tumours of the breasts.
    Breast ultrasound: Breast ultrasound utilises sound waves to create pictures of the breasts from the inside.
    Breast MRI:This involves using an effective and attractive field, and radio frequency pulses to create photos of the insides of the breasts.
    Ultrasound-guided biopsy: During this sort of biopsy, utilising ultrasound imaging to discover the bump, a radiologist will give you anesthesia and afterward insert a needle into the lump to evacuate some tissue for assessment under a magnifying lens. Stereotactic biopsy and an X-ray-guided biopsy may also be used.

Possible treatments:

    In case the knot turns out to be cancerous, surgery is typically performed.
    You may have a few discussions with different doctors for additional treatment, including radiation treatment and chemotherapy or hormone treatment.

What You Should Know About Breast Lump Detection

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