Hemorrhoids or piles are diagnosed by swelling of veins in the lower part of anus and rectum. Due to swelling, the walls of rectum and anus are stretched and thus become irritated. Hemorrhoids are of two types: Internal and External hemorrhoids.

Internal Haemorrhoids: As the name suggests, the piles are not visible from outside. These are present deep inside the rectum, located above the pectinate line and these are covered with the cells that are present through the rest of intestines. Internal hemorrhoids are normally painless. The first sign of internal hemorrhoids is rectal bleeding. However, straining can push internalhemorrhoid and it protrudes through the anus and this can be painful.

Causes of Haemorrhoids
The swelling of hemorrhoid occurs only when the pressure in the small vessels of rectum and anus is increased and is engorged with blood. The size of the hemorrhoids is also increased. The increased pressure may be due to various factors:

Consuming low fiber diet and pushing or straining while passing stools, thus blood vessel pressure is increased.
Pregnancy also is a cause of swelling as there is the increased pressure of the uterus on rectum and anus.
Sitting for long on toilet also increases pressure.
Obesity is also a cause of hemorrhoids.
People suffering from diarrhea, both acute and chronic.
A person having colon cancer might have hemorrhoids.
Signs and Symptoms of Haemorrhoids:

The most common symptoms of hemorrhoids are painless bleeding, itching in anal, swelling and feeling of the presence of lump at the anus.
All these symptoms are associated with inflamed hemorrhoid.
Inflamed internal hemorrhoid can cause swelling, but is painless as there are no fibers attached to veins above the pectinate line that cause pain. However, passing hard stools can scrape off the thin lining of hemorrhoid, which can cause the painless bleeding.
Spasms of the rectum and anal muscles caused by these swollen hemorrhoidscause pain, especially when they are protruded through the anus.
Internal hemorrhoids can form a clot or thrombose resulting in severe pain.
The presence of has inflammation, stool,and constant moisture and these can lead to itching and burning sensation in the anus among patient of internal hemorrhoid.
Treatment of Haemorrhoids

Diet: Haemorrhoids can be treated when individuals consume a fiber-rich diet in order to soften the stools and ease their bowel movements. Fiber-rich foods include fresh fruits, dry fruits, grains, vegetables, and cereals. About 20 to 30 grams per day of fibrous foods is recommended. Dietary fiber will help create bulk in the intestines which will help in softening of stools and ease bowel movement. Supplemental fiber available in the marketincludes psyllium husk, methylcellulose, and calcium polycarbophil. Other recommendations include increased intake of liquids and having stool softeners. Drinking enough water and liquids will prevent stool from hardening.
Over-the-counter topical treatment: There are various products available to treat hemorrhoids, such as gels, hydrocortisone creams, ointments, foams, pads, and suppositories.
Home remedies: Soaking anus in a warm sitz bath might also help in hemorrhoids for about 10 to 15 minutes per day. One should practice good hygiene and clean anus with warm water while showering. Avoid using soap and dry toilet paper. One can also use a cold compress on the anus.
Minimally Invasive Procedure for Hemorrhoids (MIPH)

Out of the various types of medical and surgical interventions available to treat Piles, Minimally Invasive Procedure for Hemorrhoids (MIPH) 0r painless stapler surgery is known to be very popular since it acts an alternative approach to surgical interventions made for piles.

MIPH is defined as a minimally invasive surgical technique in which a band of loose or prolapsed mucosa and sub mucosa in the rectum is excised, proximal to the piles and disrupted mucosa is fixed by  stapled end to end mucosal anastomosis.

This will ultimately occlude the blood supply to the superior hemorrhoidal artery above the hemorrhoidal tissue, resulting in the retraction of prolapsed mucosa back to its original anatomical position. A special circular stapler known as PPHO3 is used in the anastomosis and the whole maneuver will take around 30 45 minutes.

Internal Haemorrhoids - Best Ways They Can Be Treated!

Are you prone to slipped disc problem? + the ideal way to treat it

A slipped disc, also known as a prolapsed disc or herniated disc, is the term given to the phenomenon that occurs when a cartilaginous disc found between the vertebrae in the spine becomes slightly displaced or protrudes, thereby pressing on the nerves in the adjacent areas and causing back pain.
This happens when the soft inner part of the disc, known as nucleus pulposus, bulges out through a weakness in the exterior part of the disc. A prolapsed disc usually occurs in the lower region of the spine and can be of varying sizes. There might even be the development of inflammation around the disc in some cases.

Who is likely to get affected?
Most cases of herniated disc occur in patients between the ages of 30 and 50. The number of men affected is twice as many as the number of women.
Although the root cause of this problem is not yet known, there are a number of factors that may trigger it. These factors include working at a job that requires a lot of lifting, an occupation that involves remaining in a seated position for a long time, weight-bearing sports, obesity, smoking habits and increasing age.

Effective ways of treating the problem
The different methods that are commonly used to treat the problem are:
Medications
There are many different kinds of medicines that are effective in providing relief. These include painkillers, muscles relaxants, anti-inflammatory pills, etc.

Spinal injections
A number of spinal injections are used to treat slipped discs. The injection is done at the opening where the inflamed nerve roots are found and reduces pain, swelling and irritation in the area.

Radiofrequency ablation
This procedure makes use of an electrical current produced by radio waves to reduced pain and sensitivity in the affected area.

Ozone discectomy
As opposed to the surgical removal of the prolapsed disc, this new process makes use of an ozone-oxygen mixture that is injected into the spine to treat the problem. Many international studies have proved its superiority to traditional methods and surgeries.

Those affected by this problem are advised to keep exercising and continuing with their everyday activities as best as possible.



Why You Can Get a Slipped Disc Problem?

Vulvodynia is a condition which causes severe pain in the opening (vulva) of the vagina without any apparent reason. The pain might be chronic in nature and can go on for years. Vulvodynia might affect your emotional health in the long-term and cause anxiety, depression and disrupted sleep patterns, if not treated immediately.

Doctors are still unsure regarding the exact causes of Vulvodynia. But there are few factors, which can increase your risks of suffering from this disorder:

    If you have a sensitive skin or have any past history of previous vaginal infections, you might be susceptible to vulvodynia.
    Vulvodynia might also be caused due to past injuries around the vulva.
    Sometimes, hormonal changes might also cause Vulvodynia.
    This disorder can also occur in women who have previously suffered from recurrent instances of sexual abuse.

The symptoms of Vulvodynia can be acute or chronic in nature with the pain being confined to one particular area or around the entire region.
The treatments for Vulvodynia aim at regulation of the symptoms. The most common treatments for Vulvodynia are:

    Your doctor might prescribe a specific dosage of steroids or antidepressants to get rid of the pain. Prescribed dosage of antihistamines might help to cure the itching sensation.
    You can apply a regulated amount of  Lidocaine  ointment around the vulvar regions thirty minutes before sexual intercourse.
    You can also opt for pelvic floor therapies as they might provide relief from significant pain in the pelvic floor muscles resulting from vulvodynia.
    If the pain is centralized around a particular area, you might opt for vestibulectomy to remove the affected tissues and get rid of the pain.

Can Sensitive Skin Be the Reason Behind Pain in the Opening of Vagina

In most cases, pain anywhere in the body can be explained as a symptom of some other problem, but sometimes, there is no reason for abdominal pain. This type of pain is known as chronic functional abdominal pain. This is a gastrointestinal disorder that cannot be explained through X-ray or laboratory findings. It can be triggered by altered sensitivity to nerve impulses in the brain and gut. People suffering from this condition are often so debilitated by the pain that it becomes the central focus of their life.

This condition cannot be cured, but with proper treatment, it can be managed so that it does not affect the quality of your life. The aim of treatment for this condition is to control the symptoms and improve functioning. When it comes to treating this condition, the patient s relationship with his or her doctor plays an important role as the condition cannot be proven through any form of testing and it has a great psychological effect on the person. Regular checkups are also a key to managing this condition effectively.

The first step towards achieving this is to identify possible emotional and situational triggers. Maintaining a journal that records these experiences can help with this. Further treatment is usually either through psychological treatment or antidepressants.

Psychological treatment is based on the understanding that the brain can block pain by diverting attention elsewhere. Nerve impulses that travel from the abdomen to the brain must pass through a type of  gate  that is controlled by nerve impulses generated by the brain. When these impulses close the gates, pain is blocked while when these gates are open, the pain can be magnified. Psychological treatment for chronic functional abdominal pain can be in the form of relaxation techniques, imagery, hypnosis and cognitive behavioral therapy. While relaxation techniques such as meditation and hypnosis help a person shift focus from the pain, cognitive behavioral therapy teaches a person how to change thoughts and perceptions in order to control the pain.

Antidepressants can also act as pain relievers. This form of medication stimulates the production of brain signals that close the  gates  of nerve transmissions. This blocks the pain but can take several weeks to be effective. Some people may experience side effects such as drowsiness and nausea and hence should never be taken without a doctor s supervision. In some cases, antidepressants may also be combined with cognitive behavioral therapy or medication to regulate bowels.

Ways to Treat Chronic Functional Abdominal Pain!

Shoulder pain can be a persistent dull and nagging sensation in the upper arm or shoulder area. It can be easily differentiated from neck pain as it is related to the movement of shoulders i.e. it will increase and decrease with shoulder movements, especially overhead activities. The other signs to identify shoulder pain is if your shoulder movements are reduced.

If you find it difficult to scratch / wash your back, comb your hair or reach your back pocket, it clearly shows you are suffering from shoulder pain. Shoulder pain can happen due to various reasons, it varies from person to person depending on the activities he/she is involved in, for e.g. sports, manual job etc. It can be a single major injury or multiple small injuries due to repetitive usage patterns. Also, degenerative changes in various parts of the shoulder can lead to shoulder pain.

In case of middle to old age, injuries that can cause shoulder pain are:

    Biceps Tendonitis
    Acromio-clavicular Joint arthritis
    Scapular Dyskinesia
    Trapezitis
    Suprascapular nerve entrapment In young age, injury due to sports or gym activity can cause shoulder pain
    Superior labral anterior/posterior (SLAP tear)lesion

Also, traumatic or repeated dislocations of shoulder can cause shoulder pain due to:

    Bankart lesion

Diagnose Shoulder Pain

Shoulder pain can be diagnosed only after thorough history taking and clinical examination. However, some imaging studies can be very helpful like:

    X-rays: Through an x-ray one can view the shoulder in many different views.
    Ultrasound: With an ultrasound, you can also check the damaged caused to the tendons and muscles of the shoulder but the quality of reporting depends upon the expertise of the doctor.
    MRI: MRI gives a clear picture of the shoulder as it shows everything related to a shoulder joint that is joints, vessels, tendons and muscles that too from different angles.
    Diagnostic Arthroscopy: A surgical procedure often used by orthopaedic surgeons to diagnose and treat issues inside a joint. Arthroscopy has the big advantage that one can use it to diagnose as well as treat at the same time.

Treatment for Various Types of Shoulder Pain

    For Shoulder Impingement or Rotator Cuff tear: Give rest to the shoulder for a few days only Dedicated Physiotherapy Protocol Bursal injections If these fail then, (Surgery)Arthroscopic sub-acromial decompression If Cuff tear is found, then one can go for Arthroscopic/Mini-open repair
    Labral Lesions: For anterior Labral lesions (Bankart's) following anterior shoulder dislocation then surgery in the form of Arthroscopic Bankart's repair is the only option to reduce risk of recurrence and degeneration.

SLAP Lesions

    Pain relief and physiotherapy as first step If this fails then following surgical options are available
    Arthroscopic debridement or repair of labrum
    Biceps tenotomy or tenodesis

Arthritis

In this case, the joint is already destroyed and has to be resurfaced for pain relief and to maintain ROM. If Rotator cuff muscles are working, then Shoulder resurfacing hemiarthroplasty (preferred in young people), that has a life of 10 to 15 years, Total shoulder replacement (preferred in middle aged to old people) has a life of 10 to 15 years. But, if rotator cuff muscle are not working then Reverse Geometry Shoulder replacement is recommended, that has a life of 10 years.

It is always advisable to get yourself diagnosed properly in case of shoulder pain as management changes depending on clinical situations. Neglecting shoulder conditions can lead to bigger problems later on.

Always remember 'a stitch in time saves nine'

Shoulder Pain: Causes, Diagnoses & Treatment

The Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is an important ligament that gives stability to the knees. An injury to this ligament can result in a host of complications and discomfort. Children or adults who are into sports such as gymnastics, volleyball, tennis, basketball, soccer, football, often injure this ligament. As per various studies and surveys, ACL injury is more likely to affect female athletes as compared to their male counterparts.

Depending on the severity and extent of the damage, an Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury may be ranked on a grade of 3.

Grade 1 sprains indicate a mild injury or stretching of the ligament, seldom affecting the stability of the knees.
Grade 2 sprains are indicative of a partial ligament tear (the ligament loosen up). The damage is still under control.
Grade 3 sprains are extensive and severe, indicating a complete ligament tear (the ligament often breaks in two pieces). With a complete ligament tear, the stability of the knee is also affected (the knee becomes highly unstable).
What causes Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Injury?
While a host of sports activities mentioned above increases the risk of the injury, a person may also suffer a partial or a complete anterior cruciate ligament tear under the following situations.

A jump down a ladder, a tree, or a wall. An incorrect jump or a landing may be equally responsible for the ligament tear.
A collision or a hit, especially on the knee (while playing football).
Slowing down suddenly while still in running motion. A person suddenly stopping or missing a step can also injure the ligament.
Symptoms associated with ACL injury

An excruciating pain (especially in the back and outside of the knee) is often seen in people with a complete ligament tear (the movement is yet not affected). However, within a few hours, there may a swelling around the knee, indicating the severity of the injury with internal bleeding within the knee joints.
There may be restricted knee movement. The knee also feels unstable, further limiting the movement.
Sometimes a pop in the knee can be heard just at the time of the ACL injury.
Prolonged ACL injury left unattended can result in a painful complication such as knee osteoarthritis.
Diagnosis
To diagnose the extent of the damage, the doctor may suggest

Physical examination, including a quick brief about the case history.
Imaging tests such as X-rays and MRI can go a long way to analyze the ligament injury.
In the case of extensive swelling of the knees, the doctor may carry out an arthroscopy to have a closer look inside of the knee.
An accurate and timely diagnosis is important to avoid the aggravation of the injury. In the case of swelling and knee pain, consult a doctor, and get yourself thoroughly examined.

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury- Causes, Symptoms, and Diagnosis

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