Menorrhagia is a condition that is marked by heavy menstrual bleeding during the monthly menstrual cycles. Most women have a unique bleeding pattern during that time of the month with the flow going up and down over the first few days. Yet, for many women, the bleeding becomes consistently heavy during all the days of the period, during which the period itself may get extended by a few days. If this pattern continues to occurs, one must get it checked out by a doctor at the earliest. Here are a few ways in which this condition may be treated.

Factors considered during treatment

Before the treatment starts, and during the diagnosis stage, the doctor will take a look at a number of factors so that the correct form of treatment may be prescribed to the patient. To begin with, the doctor will take a complete medical history of the patient, including the family history to ascertain whether or not there may be a genetic problem at play. Further, the future childbearing plans of the patient will also be taken into consideration in such cases so that the treatment method does not hinder such plans. Also, the doctor will also try and understand the effect of the symptoms of this condition before prescribing any particular medication and surgery.

Medication

Iron supplements and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines will be prescribed for the patient to bring down the level of inflammation and restore the production of blood, which will make up for the rapidly flowing blood from the body. This will also prevent the risk of anemia. Oral contraceptives, tranexamic acid, oral progesterone and hormonal therapy can also help in such cases.

Dilation and curettage

This procedure is also known as D&C, and it basically helps in dilation or opening up of the cervix so that the doctor may suction the tissue from the uterine lining. This tissue is usually known to bring about excessive bleeding.

Uterine artery embolisation

This is a procedure which shrinks any existing fibroids that may be the cause behind excessive bleeding. In this procedure, the uterine arteries are blocked and the blood supply to the same is cut off so that the fibroids do not get a chance to grow and cause unnecessary pressure that may lead to excessive bleeding.

Hysterectomy

This is a surgical procedure that removes the cervix as well as the uterus, and is usually the last resort followed by most doctors. In such cases, the doctor will first ascertain whether or not you plan to have any children in the future. Additionally, the ovaries may also be removed if the condition has spread too much to be contained sufficiently.

Ways to Treat Menorrhagia

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!

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?

Obesity is a major problem across the world. In India, fast foods and an unhealthy lifestyle have led to widespread obesity as well. While following a proper diet and leading a healthy life can help manage obesity and weight gain in most cases, severely obese people require surgeries to lose weight.

Weight loss surgery, known as bariatric surgery, aims to reduce hunger and appetite in extremely obese people. However, simply undergoing surgery does not guarantee positive results. In fact, the lifestyle changes post-surgery is the most important factor to keep the extra weight off your body.

Recovery post bariatric surgery:

If you undergo a bariatric surgery, your lifestyle changes will depend on the procedure of the surgery. For instance, in laparoscopic bariatric surgery, the recovery period is short. In this surgery, the doctor will make 5-6 very small incisions on your stomach. He will then insert a tube-like equipment with a camera in your stomach and carry out the surgery.

Since very small incisions are made instead of a large cut, you will be discharged within a week. Furthermore, you can return to your normal routine within a month.

Lifestyle changes to follow:

1. Eating healthy: Post the surgery, you will need to follow a low sugar and low-fat diet. If this is a break from your usual diet then you need to get used to this diet, since you will need to stick to it for a long time. Immediately after the surgery, you will need to stick to a liquid diet, so that your stomach can adjust to the food.

Once your stomach starts adjusting to the sudden change, consume soft proteins. You will be able to return to solid foods around six months after your surgery. In the initial six months, it is essential to avoid foods such as white bread, pasta, and potatoes. Furthermore, you need to consult your doctor before consuming certain medicines such as painkillers.

2. Exercise daily:

Exercise becomes vital in your long-term goal of losing excess weight after the surgery. Your doctor will first need to clear you to take part in light activities, which will help enhance your body s metabolism. Joining a gym is helpful in this regard   you will have access to trainers and training equipment to help you exercise correctly. However, make sure to inform your instructor of your surgery before beginning an exercise regimen.

Most people fail to understand that you do not magically lose weight after bariatric surgery. You will need to maintain a healthy lifestyle if you want to achieve an ideal body mass and stay in shape. Therefore, you need to be committed to the procedure for the rest of your life.

Lifestyle After Bariatric Surgery!

The  Roux en Y Gastric Bypass  surgery was first performed by Professor Mason in 1966. Being done in the conventional way (i.e by open surgery) earlier and later laparoscopically, the Gastric Bypass has stood the test of time over the last 52 years.

Over 50 years the Gastric bypass surgery is being performed across the globe. It has given excellent results in terms of significant and long-standing weight loss in the morbidly obese, as well as remission of Type 2 diabetes in properly selected patients. Selection of the patient to undergo this procedure is paramount. 50 years of successful results are enough to term this procedure as the GOLD Standard.

Obesity and Diabetes have been a menace over the last 2 decades world over. In India obesity is growing in such a rampant way that we can equate it to an epidemic.

As we all know, India is considered to be the Diabetic Capital of the world. Type 2 diabetes contributes to the major chunk of diabetes affected population. We Indians get affected by diabetes at very early ages and hence complications are seen at very early ages among us. Strikingly important to notice is that Diabetes is seen not only in the obese category of people but also in the normal weight people.

Diabetes is feared of only because of the complications it is capable of causing affecting the vital organs like the brain, heart, eyes, kidneys.

Intermittent or elevated surges in the blood sugars levels during the course of the day are responsible for causing microangiopathies ( damage to the small vessels supplying blood to the vital organs).

We have seen that diabetes is accompanied by high blood pressure and dyslipidemia in most of the cases. So, when a person has diabetes, high blood pressure and dyslipidemia, we label them as having the metabolic syndrome.

Oral hypoglycemic agents (OHA) and insulin form the mainstay of treatment in getting sugars under control. But these are not able to avoid these surges in high sugar levels. This does not mean that OHA s and Insulin are not the right way to treat diabetes- they indeed are.

We are going a step higher, in an attempt to get control of diabetes without OHA and insulin. Not only this, we are trying to tackle not just diabetes, but the metabolic syndrome on the whole i.e one procedure that will take care of diabetes, dyslipidemia and hypertension. This procedure is popularly known and referred to as the  Gastric Bypass  or the  Roux en Y Gastric Bypass . Thus, In short, the gastric bypass surgery offers ICE BURG treatment.

Now, the first question is that  Is this possible . The answer is YES. The second question is that is this procedure applicable for all diabetics. The answer is NO. Only Type 2 diabetics are the beneficiaries of this procedure where insulin resistance has a major role to play. (This procedure does not benefit Type 1 diabetics) Reasons for this will be explained later. The third and important question is that,  Is the Gastric bypass going to give remission of diabetes in all type 2 diabetics?  The answer is NO.

There is strict selection criterion or eligibility criteria to select a patient for The Roux en Y Gastric Bypass surgery. Best results of the Gastric Bypass surgery are seen when it is confirmed that the person is suffering from Type 2 diabetes, duration of diabetes is less than 5 years, the pancreatic reserve is good and showing good levels of C -peptide in the blood, the person has a family history of diabetes, Insulin was not required to control sugar levels within the first 5 years of onset of diabetes and person should not be underweight( BMI > 27.5 preferred).

Losing weight is not easy and even if we lose weight, weight regain is very common. Most of us would have already experienced it. When we are tackling just the weight issue, we are talking into consideration only the morbidly obese people who have a BMI > 37.5. In the morbidly obese, at first, it is very difficult to lose significant weight by the normal method of diet and exercise. Even if weight loss does occur, weight regains or bouncing back is sure.

Here we bring in the trump card   The  Roux en Y Gastric Bypass  that helps the :

 Morbidly Obese  (BMI >37.5) to lose significant weight and reach their ideal weight.
 Obese  (BMI >32.5) who also have comorbidities (like diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, sleep apnea, obesity-induced infertility) not only to lose significant weight and reach their ideal weight but also to get control of the associated comorbidities.
 Type 2 Diabetics  (BMI > 27.5) to get Remission from type 2 Diabetes.
 Metabolic Syndrome  (BMI > 27.5) to get remission from type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia and Most cases hypertension.
Type 2 diabetics can be offered this procedure even if they are not morbidly obese, is what I would like to bring it to notice.

Exposure to Type 2 diabetes for long years can lead to potential complications like coronary heart disease, chronic kidney failure, brain stroke, gangrene of the lower limbs.

In some, in spite of talking OHA s, Insulin, sugars are not under control. In these cases, the gastric bypass can be offered to those who fulfil the eligibility criteria.

Remission of diabetes after the gastric bypass procedure is very quick, ranging from a week to a month in most of the cases. However, in some, The sugar levels come to normal the very next day after the surgery in some without the OHA and /or insulin.

Gastric bypass is done through laparoscopy i.e through tiny holes over the tummy, requiring 3 days hospital stay. Supplements need to be taken following the procedure on a daily basis. Following the procedure, intake is reduced to a great extent which increases over few months as the gastric pouch stretches.

Gastric Bypass - Be It Bariatric Or Metabolic Surgery, Get Amazing Results!

In our bodies, the vascular system is composed of vessels. This system is comprised of a complex network of veins and arteries. The arteries transport oxygenated blood away from the heart and spread it throughout our bodies and veins brings the deoxygenated blood (oxygen-poor) back to the heart for purification. Whenever this complicated process gets disturbed, pain, dysfunction of the system, and other complications may occur.

Most common complications among all are:
1. Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: This condition is when there is a  bulge  formed in the weak area of the largest artery in the abdomen and keeps on increasing with each pressure flow of blood from that artery. This condition weakens the artery further and massive internal bleeding may occur.

2. Carotid Artery Disease - Stroke: This condition arises when the main blood vessels flowing blood to the brain develops a plague caused due to hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis). The continuous increase of plague can cause a stroke.

3. Peripheral Arterial Disease: This condition occurs when the flow of oxygen-rich blood is insufficient to the lower limbs of the body due to hardening of the arteries in that area. This can cause difficulty in walking, foot ulcers, infections and can even lead to amputation.

The complication of these types are corrected by the vascular surgeon with the process is commonly known as vascular surgery. However, this condition is sometimes medically managed by an innovative, less invasive procedure called Endovascular surgery. 

Vascular Surgery-
Vascular surgery is generally the traditional surgery that corrects the diseases outside of the heart and the brain. This procedure is more invasive as it involves incisions that are surgical in nature. Vascular surgery comprises of the surgery of the aorta, carotid arteries, and other small diametric arteries. This surgery also involves surgery of veins for treating various conditions such as varicose veins and May-Thurner syndrome.

Endovascular Surgery:
However, this type of surgery is an innovative way to treat medical conditions related to the vascular system. For instance, during the procedure of treating the Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm, it involves making a small cut near the hip area and inserting the endovascular graft through the arteries and is positioned inside the aorta, in a catheter, which is a flexible, long, and narrow tube. The endovascular graft is a tube device made up of special fiber and is framed within stainless steel self-expanding stents. The grafts expand and seal off the aneurysm. This stops the internal bleeding the system and the graft remain in the aorta permanently.

This method has a short recovery time, smaller incisions, less discomfort, less stress on the heart and has fewer risks. This surgery is appropriate for the patient who is at high
risk of complications. 

Take Away-
Diseases related to artery and veins are now being treated with various methods such as angiography, stenting, sclerotherapy in various countries. These days vascular surgeons have become proficient with the endovascular surgical methods. Endovascular surgery is durable and less painful and stressful when viewed with the context of vascular surgery. However, the cost of staying longer at the hospitals is somewhat got balanced by the high cost of imaging equipment and other high financial expenses in the endovascular surgery.

Endovascular VS Vascular Surgery - Know The Difference!

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