Ibs is a common intestinal disorder causing pain in the stomach, gas, diarrhea and constipation. The condition affects millions of people around the world, mostly women. It may not fully be cured, but the condition can be kept under control diet and lifestyle changes and in severe cases with medication and treatment. The most common affected age groups are between 6 to 18 and 41 to 60. 

Causes: there are several triggers to ibs although doctors are yet to determine a specific cause. Because ibs happens more in women than men, some people believe that hormones are responsible for it. Other studies suggest that ibs is triggered when
A. The colon becomes hypersensitive reacting to an external stimulation
B. The bowel muscles spasm causing diarrhea or constipation
C. The muscles in the bowel don't squeeze normally, causing diarrhea or constipation
D. There is an imbalance in chemicals like serotonin and gastrin which are responsible for the communication between the brain and the digestive system
E. Certain bacteria in the bowel can cause this condition
So far, there are no extensive studies to back any of these theories. 

Signs and symptoms: people with ibs have symptoms that can include diarrhea and /or constipation, sometimes alternating with each other, stomach cramps, gas and bloating and a belly that sticks out. Stress may, in some cases, aggravate the problem.

Diagnosis: unfortunately there are no specific tests to identify ibs as the causes itself can vary in a big spectrum. Using your symptoms as a guide, the doctor may run tests to check for food allergies, lactose intolerance, reactions to any medications you may be taking like blood pressure drugs, infection in the stomach, enzyme deficiencies where the pancreas isn't releasing enough enzymes to digest the food properly and inflammatory bowel diseases like ulcerative colitis or crohn's disease. You may have to undergo a colonoscopy or endoscopy, blood tests, stool tests and allergy tests for your doctor to devise a treatment that can best treat your specific symptoms.

Treatment: because the symptoms and causes are so varied, there is no one specific treatment of ibs. You will need to identify and understand your specific triggers to isolate it and then make changes accordingly in conjunction with lifestyle change and medication.

Lifestyle changes: look at ibs as a trigger to make you move into a healthier lifestyle and improved diet. Here are some basic changes that your doctor may prescribe
- avoid coffee tea and sugary sodas
- drink 8 glasses of water per day and time your water intake as per your food
- limit fatty foods, milk and cheese
- add wholesome fiber to your food. 
- relax and get some me time
- add a good quantity of regular exercise

There is nothing here that you already didn't know can lead to a healthier life. It's just that you'll have to take it seriously now that the doctor has prescribed it for you. If you suspect that you are suffering from ibs, consult your expert medical practitioner today!

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): Who Is at Risk?

Migraine is the most severe forms of headaches. Migraine attacks usually include nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light along with the severe headaches, which are sometimes unbearable. If faced with this condition, there is only one way out to suffer through it, though pain medications do help manage the pain.

Being such a common condition, there is constant research being done about how to help people deal with migraines. In addition to popping pain killers, there is more than what a person can do to reduce the pain.

Identify the triggers: Those who have had migraine for a while would know what triggers the attack. Whether it is chocolates or eggs, get to know what can induce an attack, and if possible, stay away from it.
Stick to a schedule: Whether it is in terms of food or sleep, try and develop a routine and follow it.
Physical workout: Develop an exercise regime to cover at least 30 minutes of physical exercise. Most people see a dramatic difference with a regular exercise routine.
Bid goodbye to smoking: If you are a smoker, work at quitting this habit. It is one of the known triggers and also aggravates regular headaches.
Stress management: Whether you are going through physical or emotional stress, migraine attacks can become more frequent and severe. Manage physical stress by not sitting at the same location for prolonged periods and by doing small exercises to relax the shoulders, knees, and jaws. For emotional stress, identify what helps you relax and follow it. While deep breathing works for some, for others, it could be music. Whatever your relaxation technique may be, ensure that you follow it. Work on improving relationships that stress you out. A regular exercise routine and sleep pattern also helps in reducing physical stress.
Despite these methods, migraine attacks do happen. Follow the next few steps when you know you are getting an attack.

Stop your regular activities and find a calm environment for yourself. Let this place have less of light and sound as they can aggravate migraines.
Sleep if you are able to.
Go for a warm bath if possible.
Try hot or cold compresses, which can numb the senses and reduce the pain.
Have a caffeinated beverage as this will provides relief. Do not have it in excess as you will have hangover effects from the caffeine.
Use only those medications that were prescribed by your doctor. Do not experiment.
Lifestyle changes including exercise, diet, and stress management play a vital role in dealing with migraines.

Migraine - How To Deal With It?

Hernia is the name given to the condition where an internal part of your body pushes itself into another area of the body where it does not belong. A hiatal is the opening in the muscular wall which is called the diaphragm. This usually separates the abdomen from the chest cavity. In the human body, the food pipe, which is called the esophagus passes through this hiatal and joins the stomach area. Hiatal hernia is a condition when the stomach bulges up through this opening, into the chest.

Causes of Hiatal Hernia:
The main cause of hiatal hernia is not known at present, but there are certain factors that can cause it. It could occur when there is an increased pressure on the abdomen area such as during a pregnancy, coughing, obesity, too much straining at the time of bowel movement. Some people are also born with a wide hiatal opening.

Who needs surgical treatment for Hiatal Hernia?
In most of the cases, hiatal hernia does not show any kind of serious signs and hence you need not have to worry about it, When you experience symptoms such as acid reflux, gastroesophageal reflux disorder or heartburn, then you can treat them with mild medication and with the help of your doctor. But when the symptoms are severe and interferes with the quality of your life, or if the symptoms are not responding to medication, when the blood flow to the herniated tissue is blocked, causes ulcers, or heavy bleeding, you will need a surgery.

There are three types of surgeries for hiatal hernia.

Nissen Fundoplication: This is the most common surgery done for hiatal hernia. This is also called keyhole surgery or laparoscopic surgery. Small incisions are made in the abdomen area and the hernia is repaired. The surgeon also tightens the stomach in order to avoid the reoccurrence of this condition. It is a less painful and minimal scar process. Recovery time is also less compared to other surgical techniques and you also need not have to stay for a long period in the hospital.
Open repairs: For the repair of the hernia, a large incision is made in the abdomen area. The stomach is pulled back to its original place from the chest area. A small tube is also inserted in certain cases in order to keep the stomach in its original place and prevent it from moving towards the chest area. This kind of surgery has a lot of risks.
Endoluminal Fundoplication: This is the latest surgery technique and rarely used. No incisions are made in this procedure. Only a tube and camera are passed through the throat. The stomach is tightened and acid reflux is prevented.

Hiatal Hernia - 3 Types Of Surgeries That Are Often Recommended!

People with bulging waistlines no longer need to undergo a surgical liposuction technique. There are non-surgical procedures available now that can bring down abdominal fat.

Procedure of Non-Surgical Tummy Tuck:

The procedure involves two processes: fat reduction and skin tightening. It is also known as sculpting.

Fat Reduction: The first step in this type of treatment is Fat Reduction. The procedure for fat reduction in a non-surgical tummy tuck is done by working on fat cells. This is done by specialised devices which exclusively target fat cells and don t disturb the surrounding tissue. Once the procedure is over, the lymphatic system metabolizes it. However, this takes time. Some doctors also do it by melting the fat with laser . The technique may differ depending upon the amount of fat and other health conditions of the body.

Skin Tightening: During or after the reduction of fat, the skin gets saggy and bulgy. Skin tightening helps tighten the sagging skin. This can be done by using radio frequency, laser , or ultrasound. All these techniques induce collagen production helping in tightening of the skin.

How Long Does the Result Last?

Despite all the technical excellence and promising results, it is natural for any aspiring candidate to ask as to how long does the result of such tummy tuck last.

The similarity between a surgical tummy tuck and a non-surgical tummy tuck is that in both cases fat has to be worked upon and the skin has to be tightened.

However, the procedure and processes differ. Candidates aspiring to remove fat from their waistline or other areas and achieve a sporty belly need to know that it is difficult to maintain the results of even a surgical tummy tuck, if there is a fluctuation in lifestyle and diet.

This implies that the candidate has to maintain a stable weight after the procedure in order to achieve long term effects One also needs to follow a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and abstain from snacking, smoking, and drinking. If a person can do that, he/she can achieve long term results.

Conclusion:

Whether it is surgical or non-surgical fat reduction or skin tightening, it is always advisable to consult an experienced and skilled Medical Practitioner. If a person goes back to his or her old lifestyle and does not do anything to maintain his weight and diet, the bulge in the treated area may return. The result of such treatment depends on the maintenance of weight and lifestyle to a large extent. Visit your nearest and reputed Medical Cosmetologist to understand what suits you best.

Non-Surgical Tummy Tuck - Does It Last Long Enough?

A rising number of teenage girls in the country are getting affected with Poly Cystic Ovarian Disease or PCOD. Though an advanced menarche has become very rampant these days, there are many young women who are suffering from a delay in menarche which in turn is leading to PCOD as opined by gynaecologists. Obesity and sedentary lifestyle among young people have caused a rapid doubling of PCOD cases in the past five to eight years.

Occurrence and Symptoms:

Gynaecologists report that they get at least 15 fresh instances of PCOD cases, and a considerable number of teenagers aged 16-17 are not getting their menarche. Such patients are recommended to take a strictly balanced diet which will help them to lose weight. Initially, their mothers think that they would experience their menarche in proper time, but some girls are diagnosed with PCOD when taken to a family gynaecologist. Even worse, they could never imagine that their obesity can pave the way for such a grave health issue. PCOD can cause numerous other problems like delayed and irregular menses, rapid weight gain and tremendous difficulty in losing weight, developing acne and blocked skin pores.

Furthermore, it leads to thinning of hair and excessive growth of hair on chest, back and face. Infertility, continual miscarriage, high blood pressure and high blood sugar are also common with PCOD.

Help yourself with the right diet:

There is no proven evidence regarding the cause of PCOD though gynaecologists are of the opinion that some females possess a predisposition to this disease, and it may run hereditarily in the family. You can alleviate your PCOD symptoms to a considerable extent by regulating your diet properly.

Have loads of fruits and green leafy vegetables and try to abstain from dairy products as many experts believe that dairy products are a direct cause of an increase in insulin levels, which can aggravate skin troubles along with other PCOD symptoms. Avoiding red meat and eating lean meat instead will help the condition and reduce the chances of infertility. It is always recommended to avoid hydrogenated and saturated fats, which are normally found in animal and dairy-based food. Try to put a stop to cheese, cottage cheese, clarified butter, pork, lamb, beef, etc. and certain baked products like cookies, cakes and fudges as they will trigger a rise in your blood sugar and cholesterol levels.

The following dietary tips can be helpful with the condition:

High levels of the insulin hormone causes PCOS symptoms like high blood sugar, increased hair growth, weight gain etc. So, refined foods rich in fat and carbohydrates should be consumed in small amounts.
Whole foods in their natural, uncooked form should be consumed fruits, vegetables, nuts, beans etc. These are low glycemic foods that reduce the glucose circulation by insulin.
Intake of salt should be very limited. You should not consume more than 3 grams a day.
Green vegetables have antioxidants. These are good for women with PCOS because they have a high amount of oxidative stress.
Your daily diet should contain at least 30 grams of fiber to improve the digestion process and remove toxins.
Milk and dairy products are best avoided because milk helps to increase the level of testosterone (male hormone) in the body.
Soy products should also be avoided, especially if you are trying to conceive, because they interfere with the ovulation cycle.
Processed fat is harmful but essential fatty acids found in avocado, fish, olive oil and nuts are important for the body.
High levels of male hormones also cause high cholesterol. So foods which have high saturated fats like butter, cream, coconut oil and fatty meat should not be included in the regular diet of women with PCOS.
Protein-rich foods like lean meat, fish, legumes, whole grains are beneficial as protein can stabilize blood sugar. These foods also keep you feeling full and prevent over-eating.
PCOD is such a condition which you can never afford to overlook. If you had been facing any of the common symptoms, then it is probably time to pay a visit to a responsive gynaecologist.

Diet For Poly Cystic Ovarian Disease (PCOD) 

Are you suffering from kidney stones and looking for an effective, natural treatment? You should choose homeopathy, as it works well in treating kidney stones. A kidney stone is a hard, crystalline, mineral development in your kidneys or urinary tract. The condition is called nephrolithisis. Kidney stones occur due to a reduction in your urine volume, and because of the presence of excess stone-forming substance in your urine. Homeopathic treatment of kidney stones does not involve any side effects, and various homeopathic medicines are used as a part of the treatment. Some of them are as follows:

Belladonna
This medicine is used when a sharp pain is experienced because of kidney stones.
A patient experiences strains and cramps along the ureter during the passage of calculus.
Fever and irritation are also likely.
Benzoic acid
Benzoic acid is prescribed in case of nephritic colic.
Offensive urinary symptoms are experienced. The urine is usually deep red with strong and foul odor.
The urine may alternatively be thick, and clear.
Argentinum nit
This homeopathic medicine is used for treating kidney stones, which develop because of kidney congestion.
Dull backache and ache in the bladder are experienced, along with dark urine, containing deposits of uric acid and blood.
A patient experiences an increased urge for urination, but a very small amount of urine is passed at once.
A burning sensation while passing urine is indicated along with swelling of the urethra.
Cantharis
This homeopathic medicine is used during the paroxysms of renal colic. Extreme pain and excitement are indicated.
The pain may be cutting in nature, and it shoots in various directions, affecting your limbs and different parts of the body.
There is an increased urge to urinate, and an aversion to fluids is developed by a patient in spite of feeling thirsty.
Berberis
This is another effective homeopathic remedy used for treating kidney stones, when the patient experiences a shooting pain radiating from a certain point and he or she becomes unable to move because of the pain.
Also there is a darting pain experienced in the ureter, extending down to your legs.
There is an indication of the development of little pinheads in the pelvis that starts growing down your bladder.
You must consult a licensed homeopathic practitioner before taking homeopathic medicines for the treatment of kidney stones. A doctor will suggest you the best homeopathic medicines based on the symptoms you experience and the severity of the condition.

Kidney Stones - Can Homeopathy Treat Them Effectively?

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