Varicose veins are superficial, swollen, enlarged and twisting veins, often appearing dark purple or blue on the feet and legs. The condition occurs when blood through the veins flow in the wrong direction and starts accumulating.

Although varicose veins is not a serious condition, you should seek treatment if it causes symptoms like swelling and pain in the extremities. In severe cases, where a varicose vein ruptures or develops to form skin ulcers, your doctor may recommend laser treatment.

Can laser treatment cure varicose veins?

Laser surgery can effectively treat varicose veins. The procedure involves using a high-intensity beam of light to reduce enlarged, bulging veins that are observed usually on the calves or thighs.

How does the procedure work?

The heat emitted from the laser damages a vein, which causes scar tissues to form. This scar tissue shrinks and closes the vein. A closed vein gradually loses its source of blood and dies. After some time, usually in a year or two, the vein disappears on its own.

Two types of laser surgery are performed, namely  

  Simple Laser Treatment   This is done on the outer layers of your skin. It can cure small varicose veins and spider veins under the skin surface. Normally, more than one session, scheduled every 6-12 weeks is needed.
  Endovenous Laser Treatment   This particular procedure is used to cure large varicose veins that appear on the legs.
The steps of the procedure are as follows  
  Your healthcare provider will administer local anaesthesia to numb the area. You may be provided with an eyeglass to protect your eyes
  The surgeon will make a small incision on the skin and pass a laser fibre through a catheter into the veins while closely monitoring the vein on a screen
  As he/she pulls out the catheter, the length of the vein will heat up and shrink, and eventually close

This outpatient procedure is less painful than stripping and litigation. It has a shorter recovery period and can be performed under local anaesthesia or mild sedatives.

What to Expect

After the laser treatment, you can walk around without much complication. The recovery period is typically brief. You can expect to return to your daily activities following simple laser surgery. However, you might need to wear a compression stocking for a week or so after the endovenous laser procedure.
You may notice redness, bruising or burns on the skin after the treatment. That is only normal, so you need not worry. Do follow up with your doctor to see if the vein has closed.


Laser Treatment For Varicose Veins!

The largest internal organ in the body, the liver, is also one of the silent heroes, which performs close to 500 functions. It produces energy, fights infections, gets rid of wastes, and is a metabolic factory.

There are four major types of liver diseases out of which alcoholic liver disease accounts for about 40% of them. Other types include non-alcoholic liver disease, viral hepatitis and autoimmune (chronic) hepatitis.

Risk factors: The severity of drinking habit is directly proportional to the chances of developing alcoholic liver disease. People who consume more amount of alcohol are more likely to develop the disease. However, it is also not necessary that every person who consumes alcohol develops liver disease.

Following are obvious risk factors for developing alcoholic liver disease.

1. Alcohol dependency: While enjoying a drink is not barred, getting the body dependent on alcohol for regular functioning is definitely a no-no. The rate of developing the disease in people dependent on alcohol is as high as 70%.

2. Females: The way alcohol is metabolized in females could have an effect on the higher risk they face in developing alcoholic liver disease.

3. Obesity: Excessive weight puts additional stress on the metabolic effects of the liver and therefore has a higher tendency to develop alcoholic liver disease.

4. Family history: Strong familial history increases the risk of developing alcoholic liver disease.

Symptoms: The difficulty in diagnosing the disease lies in the fact that there are no clear-cut symptoms that can indicate the diagnosis. Initial general symptoms include fatigue, poor appetite, abdominal pain, nausea, weight loss, loss of energy, and red spider nevi (spider-like blood vessels) on the skin.

As the liver function continues to worsen, there are additional symptoms like swelling of the legs due to fluid accumulation, swelling of the abdomen, jaundice (yellow mucous membranes and skin), redness of palms, impotence, breast swelling, easy bruising, cognitive problems and clay-colored stools. This stage will see liver scarring and subsequent cirrhosis. The second set of symptoms is more diagnostic. An experienced practitioner will be able to suspect and diagnose the alcoholic disease with a detailed history and some liver function tests.

Treatment: If identified early and alcohol habits are reversed, the damages of the liver can be completely reversed. In addition, the following lifestyle changes are suggested:

1. Low-salt diet

2. Hepatitis vaccines (A and B)

3. Medications to manage fluid retention, spontaneous bleeding and infections as the case may be

4. Excessive fluid accumulation in the abdomen may require removal

5. Shunt in the liver to repair blood flow

6. If cirrhosis stage is reached, a liver transplant may be required

While there are many ways to manage alcoholic liver disease, prevention is the best way. Limiting alcohol consumption can definitely help in the prevention of the disease.

All About Alcoholic Liver Disease

The first thing you must know about dengue is that it is a mosquito-borne tropical disease, the root cause of which is the dengue virus. This virus is usually transmitted to a person when an infected Aedes mosquito bites them. There are as many as four serotypes of the dengue virus; they are DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3, and DENV-4.

It must be noted that all four of them can potentially cause dengue fever. The term "dengue fever" is frequently used to distinguish clinically milder dengue virus infections. In more severe cases, however, the term "dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF)" is used.

One of the common complications of dengue fever is a decrease in the number of platelets in the blood, which is called thrombocytopenia. The decrease in platelet count in dengue fever is believed to be due to the destruction of platelets by the dengue virus. The virus infects and damages the bone marrow, where platelets are produced, leading to a decrease in their production. Sometimes the immune system may also produce antibodies that attack and destroy platelets.

Who Can Get Affected By Dengue and How Badly?
Dengue is a disease that can indiscriminately affect people belonging to all genders as well as age groups. The disease is also referred to as "break-bone fever," mainly because of the excruciating pain it may cause. It is prevalent all over the tropical and subtropical areas of the world, with about 50 to 100 million cases of dengue fever in more than 100 countries.

Among the common symptoms of dengue are fever, severe headache, pain in the eyes and joints, muscle and bone pain, rash, and fatigue. It usually gets better on its own, but occasionally can be fatal.

It is a viral disease transmitted by day-biting mosquitoes and is a major public health problem in many tropical and subtropical countries, with India, Brazil, and the Philippines being the top three countries.

Anyone who lives in or travels to the areas where dengue is present is at risk of being infected. However, certain groups of people may be more vulnerable to severe illness, including:

Children
Older adults
People with weakened immune systems
People with underlying medical conditions, such as diabetes or heart disease
Dengue, in most cases, does not cause complications and has a self-limiting course with full recovery in two to seven days. However, it can also lead to the patient's demise in some cases.

What Does Dengue Fever Actually Do to Your Platelets?
As we already know, it is a mosquito-borne disease that may cause blood clots and impair blood coagulation. These blood clots can usually form in the patient's capillaries. However, at times, they can also form outside the blood vessels and block blood circulation to different parts of the body. These blood clots can cause the patient to feel faint and develop different grave complications.

This serious medical condition is caused by a virus that invades and damages the body's platelets, which are cell fragments that help blood clot. Dengue, or break-bone fever, causes the platelet count to decrease because the virus that causes platelet damage mainly affects the blood cells of the sufferer.

The platelet count in dengue fever is also one of the useful diagnostic tools and is usually carried out in cases in which the patient exhibits bleeding tendencies or has had recent trauma.

You should also note that the virus responsible for dengue fever is also responsible for another viral disease called yellow fever. All people affected by the dengue virus have similar symptoms and causes, but different amounts of blood damage. Blood damage is one of the causes of death in dengue fever.

A sudden dip in the platelet count is one of the primary reasons for blood loss in dengue; hence it has been given the name hemorrhagic fever. Moreover, platelets are a type of cell that allows the blood to clot when wounded and also helps in reducing bleeding.

When we get infected with a virus, the body goes into self-defense mode and starts to attack the virus. It is when the body releases white blood cells to look for the virus and destroy it. The platelets are responsible for clotting the blood, and when the platelet count decreases, then you have problems with the clotting of blood.

This is usually the reason that people get seriously injured and enfeebled by dengue fever. A severe infection can lead to bleeding from the mouth and nose, as well as internal hemorrhage.

What Else Should You Keep In Mind?
During a season of dengue fever, people usually try to increase their platelet counts so that they have a better chance of fighting the infection. To do this, it is important to increase your consumption of foods rich in omega-3, vitamins, iron, and other minerals. These foods can help fight antibodies and also increase platelet counts in dengue.

You can also add kale and other leafy greens such as mustard greens, collard greens, turnip greens, and spinach to your meals. The thing about these leafy greens is that they are low in calories and high in vitamins A, C, and K, which are essential to combating the dengue virus. Also, the pigments present in these leafy greens are known to have great anti-inflammatory effects.

Conclusion
Dengue is a disease caused by a virus. This virus is most commonly spread by mosquitoes. If you have dengue fever, you will probably develop symptoms seven to 14 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. If you have dengue hemorrhagic fever, you will probably develop symptoms three to seven days after being bitten by an infected mosquito.

A person with dengue can have any combination of the following symptoms: mild fever, headache, joint or muscle pain, pain behind the eyes, rash, and mild bleeding. Symptoms can last for a few days to a few weeks.

Most people recover completely. But in some cases, the disease becomes life-threatening. For example, dengue hemorrhagic fever can be life-threatening. Furthermore, we hope you find this article informative and helpful. Please don't hesitate to share your views with us!

Why Platelet Count Decreases in Dengue Fever?

Urine is normally pale yellow or straw coloured. However, for various reasons, this can change. In fact, the change in the colour of urine is one of the first indications of a deeper underlying problem. This would also be one of the questions that the doctor would ask when suspecting any problem with the urinary tract, starting from infection to stones to cancer.

Hematuria is, therefore, a symptom and not a problem in itself. Some of the reasons for hematuria   presence of blood cells in the urine, producing a light pinkish urine, are listed below.

Urinary tract infections   starting from urethra all the way up to the kidneys

Glomerulonephritis

Kidney Stones-

Prostate enlargement

Tumours/cancers in the kidney, bladder, or prostate

Heavy exercises causing trauma to any of the internal urinary tract organs

Bleeding disorders

Certain medications

Appendicitis

Tuberculosis

As the disease progresses higher in the urinary tract, the severity of hematuria also increases. Though hematuria is a symptom in itself, there are some associated symptoms which are listed below-

Fever

Fatigue

Abdominal pain

Reduced appetite

Urge to urinate

Dysuria

Painful/burning urination

Feeling of incomplete emptying

Nocturnal urination (if prostate is enlarged)

Cloudy urine

Nausea, vomiting

Kidney pain (with stones especially)

Homeopathy believes in treating the person as a whole and not just the presenting symptoms. The doctor will ask a number of questions, some pertaining to unrelated organs, which will help them identify the reason for the hematuria. The treatment prescribed will be customised to the patient in question, but some of the common ingredients used in hematuria management are given below.

Hematuria from all causes can be managed with Terebinthina.

Bladder hematuria is better managed with Erigeron Canadense at 80% concentration while renal hematuria responds better to the same at 60% dilution.

Inflammatory hematuria can be reduced with Cantharis (80%)

Renal hematuria is better managed with Gossypium herbaceous (60%).

Renal colic with pain in the glans, groyne, and thighs responds well to Pereira brava.

Cocus cacti thrice a day is useful where there is itching of the urinary meatus along with the passing of red-coloured urine.

When there are small stones or sand particles in the urine along with pain at the end of the micturition process, Sarsaparilla thrice a day is known to be beneficial.

In some other people, Arnica Montana, Cantharis, phosphorus, and Hepar Sulphur are also used to relieve symptoms of hematuria.

As with any homeopathic treatment, the actual ingredient chosen would depend on the actual symptom that the patient presents with. Though these compounds are used, self-medication is not advisable. Talk to a specialized homeopath who will identify the right ingredient for a given clinical presentation.

Hematuria - Symptoms and Treatment

Diabetes which was earlier called a lazy person's disease does not live up to the name anymore. Owing to the sedentary lifestyle and bad eating habits, diabetes has become an epidemic in the recent years.
As as we all know, diabetes is a condition characterized by an increased concentration of blood glucose level. If not managed and treated on time, the condition can prove to be life threatening. Diabetes is known to trigger a host of health complications and disorders including cancer. In fact, research has established that there is a link between diabetes and pancreatic cancer. The report suggests that people with chronic diabetes for more than 5 years stand at an increased risk of suffering from pancreatic cancer. In some patients, diabetes may be one of the symptoms associated with pancreatic cancer. Whether diabetes triggered pancreatic cancer or was it the precancerous cells that caused the diabetes is difficult to explain.

The pancreas is an important organ involved in the production and secretion of many important hormones including the insulin (by the Beta cells of the pancreas). A diseased condition, such as pancreatic cancer may bring about changes, affecting the proper functioning of the pancreas. This, in turn, may interfere with the production of insulin. Decreased production of insulin or insulin resistance may result in elevated concentrations of glucose in the blood, a condition that will eventually give rise to Diabetes.

According to another published article (NCBI), in many patients with pancreatic cancer, diabetes was detected almost simultaneously along with cancer or 2 years prior to the diagnosis of cancer. These findings indicate the fact that both diabetes and pancreatic cancer not only occurred concomitantly but were also correlated.

Another experiment suggested that in people with Type-2 diabetes, the pancreas was for long subjected to a condition termed as hyperinsulinemia (increased level of insulin in the blood as compared to the blood glucose level). The experiment shows that insulin does have a role to play in establishing a relationship between diabetes and pancreatic cancer.

Managing Diabetes and Pancreatic Cancer
The conditions of diabetes and pancreatic cancer should be managed well to avoid further complications.

The diet plays a significant role in the proper management. The diet should be well balanced with all the essential nutrients. Include more fruits and vegetables in the diet. Berries such as raspberries, blackberries can go a long way to regularize the blood glucose level. Opt for whole grain cereals and food items. Avoid foods rich in fats and carbohydrates.
A healthy body weight can work wonders, both in the case of diabetes and pancreatic cancer. If you are a couch potato, give up the habit at the earliest. Indulge in more physical activities (not necessarily rigorous or strenuous) such as exercise, jogging, morning walk. In addition to keeping your weight in check, these physical activities are excellent stress busters.
The unhealthy lifestyle habits such as drinking, smoking, substance abuse can harm your body beyond imagination. Give up these unhealthy habits as early as you can.
There may be a strong connection between pancreatic cancer and diabetes. However, to avoid one affecting the other, one should take care of themselves and manage the conditions well.

Pancreatic Cancer - Are Diabetic Patients At A Higher Risk?

Do you know the sun is making your skin age faster? plus, 5 other reasons behind facial wrinkles

Facial wrinkling occurs when the skin develops creases, folds and ridges. The formation of wrinkles is a normal part of the process of skin ageing. However, certain factors may accelerate the process and lead to premature wrinkling of the face and other parts of the body.

The main causes of facial wrinkling are:

1. Skin ageing: as a person gets older, his/her skin becomes less taut and begins to sag. The production of natural oils and fat in the deeper layers of the skin gets reduced with age, which leads to the formation of wrinkles due to diminished skin elasticity.

2. Sun exposure: constant exposure of skin to the sun causes damage and speeds up the ageing process. The harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun break down collagen and collective tissue fibres, which is the primary cause of premature wrinkling.

3. Skin complexion: due to the absence of melanin, people with fairer (lighter) skin, experience more damage due to sun exposure. This causes them to develop wrinkles much earlier.

4. Facial muscle contraction: repeatedly making the same facial expressions and contraction of face muscles causes wrinkling. Those who constantly frown, smile or squint get facial wrinkles as it leads to reduced skin elasticity.

5. Smoking: smokers are more susceptible to premature wrinkling. This is due to the presence of nicotine, tar and other chemicals from the smoke in the bloodstream, which hamper the supply of blood and oxygen to the outer layers of skin.

6. Genetic factors: many people get facial wrinkling as a result of hereditary causes and family genetics.

However, the good news is that facial wrinkling can be prevented through these simple ways:

Sun protection

This is the most effective way of avoiding wrinkles. Keep yourself protected against sun exposure by staying out of the sun as much as possible and wearing sunscreen at all times.

Quitting the smoke

Kicking the habit will show a marked improvement in your skin quality and would help prevent further wrinkling.

Use of moisturisers

Dry skin is more prone to wrinkling. Keeping your skin supple and moisturised prevents wrinkles.

Leading a healthy lifestyle

The combination of following a nutritious diet, drinking plenty of water, getting enough sleep and regularly exercising keeps the skin young and wrinkle-free.

Treatment options:

There are several options to improve wrinkles by procedures which include botox, fillers, prp and lasers for skin tightening. The most suitable option can be chosen depending upon the severity and type of wrinkling.

If you would like to consult with me privately, please click on 'consult'.
Related Tip: 6 Face Washing Mistakes that are Damaging Your Skin, Everyday!

Do You Know the Sun is Adding Wrinkles To Your FACE?

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