An anorectal condition can be difficult to live with and often remains undiagnosed, due to it being perceived as an embarrassing ailment. Fistulas are conditions where two body parts, that are not meant to be connected, become linked as part of the disorder. Rectal fistulas can be painful and standard treatments are available, which can cure the condition. However, these treatments come with serious side effects.

Most people prefer Ayurvedic fistula treatments over the conventional medications for the lack of side effects as such. Ksar sutra is one such branch of treatment in Ayurveda, which has shown tremendous results against fistulas. Here is a look at all that you need to know about Kshar Sutra.

What does Kshar Sutra mean?
Kshar Sutra is a form of treatment, which uses threads laced with the juices of medicinal herbs to treat rectal fistulas.  Kshar  refers to the herbs and  Sutra  stands for the thread used for the treatment. It is a minimally invasive surgical procedure with almost no side effect or danger. The Kshar Sutra form of treatment was first discovered by Sushruta, Vagbhata and Charak. In recent times, BHU s Shalya Tantra Department has once again proved its efficacy in case of rectal disorders.

How is the treatment done?
Once the thread has been coated with the medicinal herbs, the same thread needs to be inserted into the fistula in ano. The patient is anaesthetized and the thread is inserted into the fistula using a probe. The thread is then taken out from the other side and the two ends of the thread are tied together. This thread is changed after every 7 days. This thread insertion effectively cuts the tract and unhealthy tissue is removed from the region.

Why is Kshar Sutra beneficial?
Benefits for this form of treatment include-

Lower risk of anal incontinence, which may occur in case of conventional medicine and surgery.
Lower risk of the anal canal getting narrower after the treatment is completed.
Minimally invasive treatment, which is why patients can resume normal life after just 3-4 days of recovery.
Apart from the treatment, patients should also follow a diet rich in fibre, fruits and vegetables. Drinking large quantities of water will also result in a better prognosis. Lastly, engaging in daily walks will also help you deal with the condition. 

Ksharsutra in the Treatment of Fistula in Ano, Anorectal Disorders!

The thyroid gland in your body is responsible for controlling and secreting those hormones that help in your natural growth and development. These hormones are crucial in regulating some of the most important functions of your body,  such as your heart rate, breathing, your body weight, your menstrual cycle and your muscle power to name a few. 

Problems of the thyroid gland (such as hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism) can hamper all of these vital functions, and these problems usually arise due to a poor diet. However, your diet can also help in improving the health of your thyroid gland. Here are some diet tips to help you out:

1. Include lots of iodine in your diet
Iodine is a  nutritive element, without which your thyroid gland will not be able to function at all, being its building block. Therefore, iodine rich foods, such as fortified salt, eggs, seaweed and other dairy products should be a part of your diet. Along with iodine, zinc, selenium, copper and iron are other very important elements that should be a part of your diet too. 

2. Plenty of B vitamins and antioxidants help
Since stress (blame it on cortisol, the stress hormone that overworks your thyroid in case of chronic stress) plays a major role in hampering the proper functioning of your thyroid gland, eliminating it and detoxifying yourself is extremely important. This can be done by  including plenty of B vitamins and antioxidants in your diet. White meat, fishes like tuna, peanuts, brown rice and fruits such as goji berries and wild blueberries can be of great help in this regard.

3.  Say no to soy
Soy is one of the main culprits behind the malfunctioning of your thyroid gland, as it contains an element known as isoflavones, which can reduce the iodine reserve in the gland. Apart from that, vegetables that belong to the brassica family such as cauliflower, cabbage and Brussels sprouts are linked to causing goitre and must be avoided. Consumption of gluten must be avoided too, as it can cause autoimmune thyroid disorders, celiac disease and hormonal imbalances.

4. Enjoy your daily meals
In today's fast paced world a stress-free meal is a thing of the past as most people are in a rush to get done with their breakfast, lunch or dinner. This hampers your digestive function and also puts stress on your thyroid glands. The best way to eat is to sit on a table and relax, enjoying every morsel you swallow. This ensures your thyroid remains healthy.

Diet Tips to Improve the Health of Your Thyroid Gland

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!

It s easy talking about cuts and bruises on your arms and legs but talking about hemorrhoids can be a bit embarrassing. Hemorrhoids or piles are swollen blood vessels in the rectum. They can be internal or external and can irritate bowel movements. Though this condition is not life threatening, it can be quite painful. Hence, it should be treated as early as possible. Homeopathy is a holistic form of healing that addresses the root cause of the problem to resolve it. Here are a few homeopathic remedies that can be used to treat hemorrhoids.

    Hamamelis: Hemorroids that bleed excessively can be treated with this homeopathic remedy. It also treats soreness and bruising caused by the swollen blood vessels. In such cases, the person also often suffers from anemia, breathlessness and weakness.
    Ratanhia: This is one of the best homeopathic remedies to treat painful piles. This pain is usually triggered by the passing of stool, but can persist for hours afterwards. It may also be accompanied by a burning sensation that can be relieved by cold water. In such cases, the passing of stool causes hemorrhoids to protrude.
    Graphites: Piles that are accompanied by constipation can be effectively treated with graphites. It is also suited for cases where the condition is triggered by obesity and menstrual irregularities.
    Nux Vomica: Hemorrhoids caused by a sedentary lifestyle are best treated with Nux Vomica. In such cases, the patient also suffers from burning pain in the rectum and constipation. Eating a lot of heavy food and the ingestion of stimulants like alcohol can trigger this condition. Nux vomica helps set the gastrointestinal system back in order and thus prevents the recurrence of piles.
    Aesculus: Piles that are accompanied by unexplained pain in the back can be treated with Aesculus. These piles may or may not bleed, but the rectum feels as though it is filled with sticks. In such cases, the patient may also feel intense itching, burning and soreness around the rectum.
    Arsenic album: This is used to treat piles that are accompanied by burning pain and restlessness that can be relieved by the application of heat packs. These patients also suffer from painful spasmodic protrusions of the rectum.
    Collinsonia: Hemorroids that cause incessant bleeding and a prolapsed rectum can be treated with collinsonia. The piles often protrude out of the anus in this situation and are associated with chronic constipation or diarrhea. It can also be used to treat piles associated with pregnancy.

Homeopathic Remedies That Can Help Treat Hemorrhoids

Gallstone Pancreatitis is the result of a blockage in the pancreatic duct by a gallstone. Due to the blockage in the pancreatic duct, inflammation occurs and causes the problem to begin.

This can be a life-threatening situation and should be immediately checked. If the stones from the gallbladder travel down the common bile duct and get stuck at the sphincter, it can stop the outflow of all materials from the pancreas as well as the liver and become quite severe. There are a lot of risks involved when a person suffers from this issue. Rapid weight loss, high cholesterol levels, diabetes are a few of the risks of the disease.

Symptoms of Gallstone Pancreatitis
There are a number of symptoms like pangs of pain in the upper left abdomen and the back, swollen and tender abdomen, vomiting and nausea, increase in the heart rate, fever and more can be seen in a patient suffering from gallstone pancreatitis. Any individual who notices any of the following symptoms should get themselves checked immediately. Any pain in the upper abdominal area can be aggravated by eating foods which are high in fat as well.

Diagnosis of Gallstone Pancreatitis
In order to be completely sure about having gallstone pancreatitis, a number of tests are performed. Blood tests are followed by abdominal CAT scan to check for the inflammation of the pancreas. This also shows how severe the inflammation of the pancreas is. Sometimes abdominal ultrasound is also suggested as CAT scans are sometimes not as sensitive in identifying the problem. Once the problem has been detected, immediate treatment is recommended by doctors.

The Treatment of Gallstone Pancreatitis
The best treatment for pancreatitis is done in the initial stage of the problem. By avoiding taking in liquids and solid food up until the inflammation subsides is one of the best treatments. If the inflammation is relatively modest, the swelling can reduce in a few days by intravenous delivery of fluids for a couple of days.

1. If a CAT scan or MRI of abdomen suggest that a stone in present in the Common bile Duct (CBD), the an Endoscopic treatment referred as ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography) is done. 

2. After the acute pancreatitis episode settles down, patient must undergo a Gall Bladder removal surgery. This is done as gall bladder is the factory of gall stones and patient is at-risk to another episode of Acute Pancreatitis.

In case of severe inflammation, fever and persisting pain, intravenous delivery of food should continue if oral intake of food does not start within 5 to 7 days. Anti-nausea medications are used to treat severe nausea and vomiting along with nasogastric tube. In certain cases, it is important to remove the gallstones from the bladder immediately while in some cases doctors suggest waiting for a period of 24-48 hours before starting the removal procedure. Sometimes a surgical removal of the gallstones is also required but only if the stones do not pass out of the system on their own.

All You Need to Know About Gallstone Pancreatitis

Recovery from a hernia after the surgery will need a time of approximately 2-3 weeks. The time for recovery also depends upon the surgery performed. An open surgery performed through a large incision across the region of a hernia will require a longer hospital stay and a longer time for recovery, whereas, in contrast, a laparoscopic surgery performed with 2-3 small incisions will heal faster and will need a shorter hospitalization.

The recovery process can be speeded up by taking appropriate care, and recovery tips for it are as follows:

Medication should regularly be taken as recommended by the doctor to lessen the symptoms of the surgery. 
Wound care should be taken properly. 
Dressings should be kept clean and dry, and they need to be changed very frequently in order to avoid the infection.
A persistent cough and sneezing need to be treated with the proper medication. 
Keep a pillow nearby. 
Every time while coughing and sneezing hold the pillow over the suture in order to prevent pressure on the sutures. 
Use an abdominal binder of a proper size. It supports the abdominal muscle and maintains abdominal pressure.
Use clothing which is expandable and has elastic waistbands whenever there is swelling. 
Swelling over the incision is a common complication after the surgery. Thus, the incision area should not be closed tightly by wearing tight clothing. 
Wearing expandable cloths will give more comfort and will not cause pain due to pressure. Take a stool softener before and after surgery. 
Constipation should be treated before the surgery and should be avoided after the surgery by using stool softeners. 
Straining for the stools will create pressure over the incision and hernia repair site and will delay the recovery. 
Eat healthy food. The food should be fiber-rich as it will help to improve the bowel movements, and it will avoid the risk of constipation.
Drink plenty of water to avoid constipation and improve the bowel movement.
Do not bend to pick up the things or maintain personal hygiene, i.e., cutting toenails as it will create pressure on the sutures and it may break open.
Avoid lifting of any objects as it will create pressure on sutures and will increase the risk of rupture. After a certain period of time, lift only light items (less than 20 pounds), and always use back muscles and knees. 
Do moderate exercises, such as walking, as it will speed up the recovery. Do not start with heavy exercises. 
Smoking should be avoided after the surgery as it will improve breathing and blood circulation, which will help in the healing process.

Hernia Surgery: Quick Recovery Tips!

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