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

The gall bladder is a very small organ located behind the liver. This organ stores the bile created by the liver and releases it whenever needed. We rarely pay attention to this organ until there is a problem and most gallbladder related problems are very painful. Unknowingly you may be harming your gall bladder by eating certain types of food like red meats and saturated fats. On the other hand, eating some types of food can improve your gall bladder health. Some such foods are:

Fiber-rich foods: Fruits and vegetables are rich sources of fiber and a must in a balanced diet. Fiber helps keep the gall bladder healthy and also helps prevent gallstones from developing. An easy way to add more fibre to your diet is to incorporate a salad with your lunch and dinner.
Water: Water not only helps hydrate the body but also helps maintain the water levels required in bile. Ideally, a person should drink 8 glasses of water a day. This should not all be drunk at one time but should be spaced out through the day. Drinking too much water at one time will result in the body expelling it in the form of urine instead of absorbing it.
Foods rich in Pectin: Pectin is a dietary fiber that binds cholesterol in the stomach and helps in its removal from the body. Since cholesterol is one of the major causes for gall stones, eating pectin-rich foods helps reduce the risk of gallstones. Some foods that are rich in pectin include citrus fruits, strawberries and apples.
Flaxseeds: Eating just one tablespoon of flax seeds a day can boost your health in a number of ways. One of the many benefits of including flaxseeds in your diet is a healthy gall bladder. Flax seeds contain mucilaginous fiber or fiber that forms a gel. This type of fiber aids in the liver s synthesis of bile acids and thus keeps the gall bladder healthy.
Omega 3 Fatty Acids: Not all fats are bad for the body. Omega three fatty acids play an important role in producing anti-inflammatory compounds. Some rich sources of omega 3 fatty acids include olive oil, avocados and flax seeds.
Citrus fruits: Citrus fruits are very rich in vitamins like vitamin C. a deficiency of this particular vitamin can cause gall stones. For this reason, eat plenty of citrus fruits and other fruits and vegetables such as bell peppers and broccoli that are rich in vitamin C. 

Gallbladder Health - Foods that Can Help maintain it!

Breast examination is a way of detecting early changes that help in detecting lumps or other growth in the breast. This is a manual form of examination that may be carried out by the doctor or even by the patient. This kind of examination helps in detecting the onset of breast cancer and helps in successful treatment of the same. It is an essential screening strategy that all women must go through. Let us cast a glance on the various details regarding this examination, and also how frequently it must be conducted.

Age: Women who have reached the age of 18 are said to have matured physically and sexually. They should perform this examination once they have reached the said age in order to detect any anomalies in the way the physical changes occur in the breast tissue.
Procedure: One should begin by looking at one's reflection in the mirror to find any rashes or dimpling in the breasts. The shape, size and colour of the breasts and nipples must also be studied so as to check for any anomalies. Inverted nipples, redness and soreness must also be reported to the doctor. Once you are done checking the visuals, you can raise your arms and look for any changes. Then, you will need to lie down and feel your breasts by using a circular motion. The finger pads must be used in order to check for any lumps. One must start from the centre and move the breasts sideways. Any wet and slippery feeling must be reported to the doctor immediately.
Pressure: During the breast examination, you must use light pressure for the skin and tissue that lie beneath the breasts, while medium to moderate pressure should be used for the middle portion of the breasts. One must use a firm hand to check the tissue that lies at the back of the breasts, near the rib cage.
Frequency: One must get into the habit of conducting a breast examination at least once a fortnight or once a month, without fail. You can also go to the gynaecologist for an examination in case you are not confident of conducting it on your own with proper movements and accuracy. You may also journalise your breast examination findings.
Menstrual Cycles: When you are going through your menstrual cycle or period, it is important to remember that your breasts can become tender just before or after the start of the cycle. So, do not panic if you think you have found a lump or any other growth at this time. It is best to check again after a week and then visit the doctor about checking the same.

How Frequently Should a Breast Examination Be Done?

A hernia occurs when a weakened area of muscle in the abdominal wall gives way and the internal organ/tissue bulges out through this weakened are or  defect'. This can happen in many different areas of the abdomen. A hernia that develops in the groin region is called "inguinal hernia". It may be very painful especially if a part of the intestine gets trapped in the bulge.

The only treatment option is surgical repair as the weakened area "defect" needs to be repaired and will likely need reinforcement by a prosthetic material called a "mesh". Doctors may resort to Open Surgery or Laparoscopic Inguinal Hernia Repair depending on his/her evaluation of the patient. 

Who is a candidate for Laparoscopic surgery?

Laparoscopic surgery is the preferred treatment option for most people with inguinal hernia. Special situations in which laparoscopic surgery is much superior to open are

  Failure of a previous open surgical repair. Laparoscopic surgery is performed from "behind" the hernia and abdominal wall in comparison to open surgery which is performed from "the front". So, in case of failure of the open surgery, laparoscopic surgery is done through a fresh, non-scarred area and is technically safer and easier than doing an open surgery once again.

  If there are hernias on both sides and both need to be repaired at the same time, laparoscopy has a great advantage as both the hernias can be tackled and repaired through the same three tiny cuts, and two separate large incisions need not be made. 

Who is Not a Candidate for Laparoscopic Surgery?

The person is not a candidate for Laparoscopic Surgery if he has:

  Some patients who have undergone previous Abdominal Surgery or prostate surgery may not be suitable candidates for laparoscopic inguinal hernia surgery.

  Some underlying medical conditions, that make him unfit for general anaesthesia, as usually laparoscopic surgery can only be done under general anaesthesia.

How Laparoscopic Inguinal Hernia Is Carried Out?

In a Laparoscopic Intervention, two to three small incisions are made in the lower abdominal area. The laparoscope is passed through one of these incisions and the surgical instruments are inserted through the other incisions. The abdominal cavity is inflated using Carbon Dioxide to help the surgeon visualize the lower abdominal area clearly. Using the laparoscope, the surgeon visualizes the Hernia and uses long instruments to operate on it. She covers the hernia with a mesh and may fix the mesh to abdominal muscles using either stitches or stapler-like instruments.

Benefits of Laparoscopic Surgery

1. Two or three tiny cuts (5-10 mm in size), hence there is less pain after laparoscopic surgery

2. Better cosmetic results

3. Quicker recovery

4. Early return to daily activities like walking, working, etc

5. Shorter hospital stay 

Role of Laparoscopic Surgeon In comparison to many other minimally invasive surgeries:

Laparoscopic Inguinal Hernia Repair is more demanding in terms of technical capability of the surgeon. In general, Laparoscopic Inguinal Hernia Repair is more difficult to carry out in obese people than others. However, if the doctor is well trained and technically advanced with long experience, he can carry out such minimally invasive surgeries smoothly irrespective of the BMI of the patient. Everybody is not a candidate for Laparoscopic Inguinal Hernia Repair.

It is the doctor who decides if a particular patient is suitable for such surgery or not. However, the conclusive factor in any such repair is the experience and expertise of the doctor. This is why there are not many Laparoscopic Surgeons who carry out Laparoscopic Inguinal Hernia Repairs. Owing to the complexity of this procedure, it is important to get it done from an expert surgeon only.

Laparoscopic Inguinal Hernia Repair !

Once the reality of the positive pregnancy test sets in, dreaming about the yet-to-arrive begins. Curiosity about gender, options for names, ways to manage, shopping ideas, etc., begin to get discussed. And then totally out of the blue the news comes that there is a miscarriage. This is one of the most depressing phases. It is very important for the family to be around and support each other. While the entire family is upset and hurt over the news, the mother needs most care as there is just not emotional but a huge physical component also to the episode. On the other hand, remember that miscarriages are extremely common, and is no indication of a fertility issue.

The first step would be to diagnose and confirm the miscarriage. After that, depending on whether it was complete or incomplete, some medical intervention might be required. In most cases, medications like misoprostol are given to expel the uterine contents. These help by clearing out the contents in about a couple of days' time. In some cases, a D and C might be required if your doctor suspects that medication will not suffice. This also helps identify if there is any issue in the uterus that could have caused the miscarriage.

While the above take care of the physical part, the emotional component also requires cautious management. Needless to say, this is trickier than the earlier one.

Mourn to your heart's content - When you have nursed a life within you and have lost it, it is very normal to cry for its loss. There would be a mix of emotions - shock, denial, confusion, anger, grief, depression, etc. Take some solace from that fact that this is nature's way of removing unhealthy fetuses.

Get someone to talk to - Need not be your husband, but anybody whom you can talk to without having to watch words. A sibling, a good friend, a close relative - your choice. Make sure you don't pick ones who will judge and sympathize with you. More than sympathy, you need someone understanding and knowledgeable.

Socialize more - As you would have kept to yourself post your positive test, use this time to socialize more and meet friends whom you have not regularly been in touch with. Close family members, your children (if you already have), society groups, movie groups, etc., help to a great extent.

Formal medical counseling: If you are not able to cope with your regular circle of family and friends, try seeking professional advice from counseling.

Spirituality - Whether you believe in temple or churches, spend some time there. Involve in some religious activity if you would like, this helps very often.

As much as it is painful and traumatic, it is not very uncommon or unnatural. Get back on your feet, the sooner you do, the better.

Miscarriage - Ways To Recover

Angioplasty is the procedure of opening a coronary artery blockage with the help of wire balloon and stent. This procedure is done to open the blocked coronary arteries if they are causing symptoms or acute heart attacks.

HOW IT IS DONE?

The procedure is usually done in local anaesthesia. A wrist artery (radial) or a groin artery (femoral) is used to gain access to the coronary artery as is done in angiography. A hollow tube called a catheter is passed upto heart artery and through this, a guidewire is passed across the blockage and over this wire balloon is passed and blockage dilated.

After this balloon is removed and the metallic stent is passed over this wire. The stent is then inflated and it takes its shape of the hollow tube so that the flow in the coronary artery is restored.

WHAT ARE INDICATIONS OF ANGIOPLASTY AND STENTING:

An acute Heart attack is the most definite indication of angioplasty and stenting. At the time of the heart attack, there is an urgent need to restore the blood flow of block coronary artery which is usually not possible with medicines alone. Angioplasty is the most effective and definite way of opening the artery urgently in such situation.

SHOULD ALL BLOCKAGES BE OPENED UP BY ANGIOPLASTY AND STENTING?

NO, all blockages do not warrant this procedure. There is some amount of risk involved in the angioplasty procedure itself. When the risk of blockage is considered more than the risk of opening the artery then the procedure is indicated. Patients who are doing good on medicines may be followed up without angioplasty.

All About Angioplasty!

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