A gland that produces a liquid which mixes with sperm and is ejaculated as semen during sexual activity, is the prostate gland and is located under the bladder of a man. Cancer in the prostate is one of the most common cancers that occur among men.

The risk of developing prostate cancer increases progressively with age. Although there is no absolute prevention of prostate cancer, evidence and doctors suggest that a healthy diet can play a key role. Here are a few tips that can go a long way in prevention of prostate cancer:

Red Foods: Tomatoes, carrot, watermelon, and other red foods get their bright color from a powerful antioxidant called lycopene. Studies have proved that by having fruits that contain lycopene, you can reduce your risk of prostate cancer. Some findings suggest that cooking tomatoes make it easier for your body to absorb this antioxidant.
Fruits and Vegetables: Green vegetables contain compounds called carcinogens, which help your body in breaking down cancer-causing substances. Spreading of cancer can be slowed down through a nutrient-rich diet. Avoiding processed junk food and eating fruits and vegetables containing nutrients and vitamins may lower the risk of getting prostate cancer.
Feast on Fish: Fatty acid, also known as omega-3, is found in certain fish including sardines, tuna, mackerel, trout, and salmon. This may help in reducing the risk of developing prostate cancer.
Soy and Tea: Some studies suggest that men who drink green tea or take green tea extract supplements have a lower risk of developing prostate cancer. Many soy products and other foods contain a nutrient called isoflavones, which has been linked to a reduced risk of prostate cancer.
Coffee: Studies show that drinking three cups of coffee a day can reduce the chances of prostate cancer by 11 percent. There is a dose-response relationship between coffee and prostate cancer. The effects of prostate cancer go up or down with the amount of coffee you take. Someone who grabs an occasional cup only, may not have these effects. However, high doses of caffeine can result in major health issues.
Fat: Studies indicate that animal fats and an increased risk of prostate cancer are linked. It is advised to replace animal-based fats with any kind of plant-based fat. In addition to this, overcooking the meat produces carcinogens, therefore it is suggested to be strictly avoided.
Quit Smoking: Smokers are more likely to have an aggressive form of prostate cancer. The chances of a recurrence of the disease are more for people who smoke. It is never too late to quit smoking.
Exercise: Regular exercise and maintaining a healthy body can help you to increase your muscle mass and metabolism. Too much fat in the middle of your body is linked to an increased risk of prostate cancer. You can try walking, running, bicycling or swimming to reduce the weight to lead a healthy life.
It is important to look after yourself and start taking essential steps to prevent prostate cancer rather than trying to manage it once you get it.

8 Easy Ways By Which You Can Prevent Prostate Cancer!

What is Deep Vein Thrombosis?

Blood clots can arise anywhere in your body. They develop when blood thickens and clumps together. When a clot forms in a vein deep in the body, it's called Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). Deep vein blood clots typically occur in the lower leg or thigh. But if your symptoms stem from a blood clot deep in your leg, it can be dangerous. Blood clots can happen to anyone, anytime. But some people are at increased risk. Therefore, they should immediately consult with vein specialist to avoid blood clot forming in the veins which can help avoid potentially serious problems.

DVT Symptoms:

"Deep vein thrombosis has classic symptoms - for example, swelling, pain, warmth, and redness on the leg," says Dr. Rajendra Bansal, a DVT treatment expert in Jaipur.  But about 30 40% of cases go unnoticed since they don't have typical symptoms.  In fact, some people don't realize they have a deep vein clot until it causes a more serious condition.

Deep Vein Clots:

DVT symptoms include deep vein clots - especially those in the thigh - can break off and travel through the bloodstream. If a clot lodges in an artery in the lungs, it can block blood flow and lead to a sometimes-deadly condition called pulmonary embolism. This disorder can damage the lungs and reduce blood oxygen levels, which can harm other organs as well.

Some people are more at risk for deep vein thrombosis than others. "Usually people who develop deep vein thrombosis have some level of thrombophilia, which means their blood clots more rapidly or easily," Dr. Bansal says, a DVT specialist in Jaipur. Getting a blood clot is usually the first sign of this condition because it s hard to notice otherwise. In these cases, lifestyle can contribute to a blood clot forming if you don t move enough, for example. Your risk is higher if you ve recently had surgery or broken a bone if you re ill and in bed for a long time, or if you're traveling for a long time (such as during long car or airplane rides).

Other Symptoms:

Having other diseases or conditions can also raise your chances of a blood clot. These include a stroke, paralysis (an inability to move), chronic heart disease, high blood pressure, surgical procedure, or having been recently treated for cancer. Women who take hormone therapy pills or birth control pills are pregnant, or within the first 6 weeks after giving birth are also at higher risk. So are those who smoke or who are older than 60. But deep vein thrombosis can happen at any age.

Chronic vs Acute DVT:

Chronic DVT refers to long-standing venous thrombosis present for more than 28 days.  It can either permanently block the vein or it can adhere to the wall of the vein.  Chronic DVT that doesn t block the vein can still cause long-term problems known as Post Thrombotic syndrome which occurs due to pooling of blood in legs by gravity as the protective valves are damaged or destroyed. Patient symptoms are:

Leg swelling after standing for long periods
Aching pain
Varicose veins
Skin ulcers in severe cases.
Acute DVT refers to venous thrombosis for which symptoms have been present for 14 days or less. The symptoms of acute DVT are sudden limb swelling and pain. During this period the clot is soft and easily treated with clot-dissolving drugs. The period between 14-28 days is called Sub-acute DVT.

Clues of a Clot:

Seek DVT treatment if you have these symptoms. They may signal a deep vein clot or pulmonary embolism:

Swelling of the leg or along a vein in the leg
Pain or tenderness in the leg, which you may feel only when standing or walking
Increase in warmth in the area of the leg that s swollen or painful
Red or discolored skin on the leg
Unexplained shortness of breath
Pain with deep breathing
Coughing up blood
A prompt diagnosis and a proper DVT treatment can help prevent the complications of blood clots. See your doctor immediately if you have any signs or symptoms of deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism. A physical exam and other tests can help doctors determine whether you ve got a blood clot.

Your doctor will diagnose deep vein thrombosis (DVT) based on your medical history, a physical exam, and the color Doppler ultrasound or sometime may require CT or MRI. He or she will identify your risk factors and rule out other causes of your symptoms. After analyzing the risk factors, the doctor will tell you whether you need an immediate DVT treatment or not.

DVT Treatment

There are many ways in Deep Vein Thrombosis treatment. DVT treatment process includes medicines, certain devices, and therapies. The main goals of DVT treatment include:

Stopping the blood clot from getting bigger
To dissolve the already formed clot
Preventing the blood clot from breaking off and moving to your lungs
Reducing your chance of having another blood clot
To prevent long-term complication known as Post Thrombotic Syndrome.
Anticoagulants (Blood Thinners):

These are the most common medicines in DVT treatment. These medicines decrease your blood s ability to clot. They also stop existing blood clots from getting bigger. However, blood thinners can t break up blood clots that have already formed. (The body dissolves most blood clots with time.)

Blood thinners are taken either as a pill, an injection under the skin, or through a needle or tube inserts into a vein (called intravenous or IV injection). There are different types of  Blood thinner. The choice of anticoagulant depends upon multiple factors, including the preference of the patient and the healthcare provider, the patient s medical history and other conditions, and cost considerations.

Initial anticoagulation is continued for 5 to 10 days. After that, long-term anticoagulation is continued for 3 to 12 months depending upon the patient profile, length of vessel involvement and risk of recurrence. In some patient where permanent risk factor like a congenital cause or cancer lifelong anticoagulation may require.

Other available treatments, which are for specific situations, include thrombolytic therapy or placing a filter in a major blood vessel (the inferior vena cava).

Thrombolysis (Clot-Busting DVT Treatment):

Minimally invasive procedures in DVT treatment are performed by an interventional radiologist under X-ray Guidance, if a patient has severe pain, difficulty in walking, significant swelling while on blood thinners, or if there is clot blocking the pelvic veins (iliac veins).  When performed early, thrombolysis is highly effective at dissolving a clot and preserving the valves in the veins.

It is designed to rapidly break up the clot, restore blood flow within the vein, and potentially preserve valve function to minimize the risk of post-thrombotic syndrome. The interventional radiologist inserts a tiny tube called catheter into the vein behind the knee or other leg vein and threads it into the vein containing the clot using x-ray guidance. The catheter tip is placed into the clot and a  clot-busting  drug is infused directly to the thrombus (clot) followed by clot removal by special devices. The fresher the clot, the faster it dissolves   one to two days. Clinical resolution of pain and swelling and restoration of blood flow in the vein is greater than 85 percent with these invasive techniques.  In patients in whom thrombolysis or blood thinners are not medically appropriate, an interventional radiologist can insert a vena cava filter, a small device that functions as an umbrella to capture blood clots that would float to the lung, but allows normal liquid blood to pass.

DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS PREVENTION:

You can take simple steps to lower your chances for a blood clot:

Exercise your lower leg muscles if you re sitting for a long time while traveling.
Get out of bed and move around as soon as you re able after having surgery or being ill.
The more active you are, the better your chance of avoiding a blood clot.
Take any medicines your doctor prescribes to prevent clots after some types of surgery.
Wear compression stocking to prevent complication or recurrence as per instruction.
Keep regular follow-up with your doctor to avoid or prevent post DVT complication.
SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS FOR PEOPLE WITH DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS:

Patients being treated for venous thrombosis are at an increased risk for developing another blood clot. The patient should watch for new onset leg pain or swelling. If these symptoms occur, the patient should speak to his/her health care provider or seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Risk of bleeding is high with anticoagulant so dose should not change unless the provider or clinic directs the patient to do so.
Patients may bleed easily from anywhere while taking anticoagulants. In some cases, bleeding can develop inside the body and can t notice immediately. Bleeding inside the body can cause a person to feel faint, or have pain in the back or abdomen. A healthcare provider should be notified immediately if there is any sign of this problem.

What is Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) - Symptoms,Treatment & Prevention

Obesity is a major problem across the world. In India, fast foods and an unhealthy lifestyle have led to widespread obesity as well. While following a proper diet and leading a healthy life can help manage obesity and weight gain in most cases, severely obese people require surgeries to lose weight.

Weight loss surgery, known as bariatric surgery, aims to reduce hunger and appetite in extremely obese people. However, simply undergoing surgery does not guarantee positive results. In fact, the lifestyle changes post-surgery is the most important factor to keep the extra weight off your body.

Recovery post bariatric surgery:

If you undergo a bariatric surgery, your lifestyle changes will depend on the procedure of the surgery. For instance, in laparoscopic bariatric surgery, the recovery period is short. In this surgery, the doctor will make 5-6 very small incisions on your stomach. He will then insert a tube-like equipment with a camera in your stomach and carry out the surgery.

Since very small incisions are made instead of a large cut, you will be discharged within a week. Furthermore, you can return to your normal routine within a month.

Lifestyle changes to follow:

1. Eating healthy: Post the surgery, you will need to follow a low sugar and low-fat diet. If this is a break from your usual diet then you need to get used to this diet, since you will need to stick to it for a long time. Immediately after the surgery, you will need to stick to a liquid diet, so that your stomach can adjust to the food.

Once your stomach starts adjusting to the sudden change, consume soft proteins. You will be able to return to solid foods around six months after your surgery. In the initial six months, it is essential to avoid foods such as white bread, pasta, and potatoes. Furthermore, you need to consult your doctor before consuming certain medicines such as painkillers.

2. Exercise daily:

Exercise becomes vital in your long-term goal of losing excess weight after the surgery. Your doctor will first need to clear you to take part in light activities, which will help enhance your body s metabolism. Joining a gym is helpful in this regard   you will have access to trainers and training equipment to help you exercise correctly. However, make sure to inform your instructor of your surgery before beginning an exercise regimen.

Most people fail to understand that you do not magically lose weight after bariatric surgery. You will need to maintain a healthy lifestyle if you want to achieve an ideal body mass and stay in shape. Therefore, you need to be committed to the procedure for the rest of your life.

Lifestyle After Bariatric Surgery!

Hernia surgery is performed for the correction of a hernia which refers to the bulging of internal organs or tissues through an abnormal opening. It is easy to detect hernia through any pain or discomfort while lifting heavy objects, cough and strain during urination or bowel movements or during prolonged standing or sitting. It can be found in both men and women. The Hernia can be congenital or can be developed over a period of time. If it doesn t get better over time and also does not go away by itself, then surgery becomes the only option.

Types of Surgery
There are two types of surgery for hernia treatment. One is the conventional open method, which requires an incision in the skin directly over the hernia. The other one is the Laparoscopic hernia repair in which surgery is performed using a small telescope known as a laparoscope. In this type of surgery minimal invasions are made and the hernia is repaired with only small incisions adjacent to the hernia. Most hernia operations are performed on an outpatient basis, which means that you can go home the very same day.

Tips for early recovery

    Wear comfortable clothing with expandable waistbands.
    Keep yourself active by moving around as much as you can as it increases circulation, which further speeds up healing.
    Eat a diet rich in fibre, fresh fruits and vegetables.
    Drink lots of water and other fluids to avoid constipation.
    Do not lift any objects even if it is very light as it can bring back pain.
    Do not to pick up things from the floor as it will be difficult to bend.
    Hold a pillow against your stomach while sneezing or coughing to lessen the pain.
    Use stool softener for a few days before and after surgery to help you with your bowel movements.
    Avoid driving till the time you feel any pain and as long as you are taking narcotic pain medicines.
    Band-Aids which cover the incisions should be changed as and when needed.
    Refrain yourself from intercourse as it can be painful.
    Check with your doctor when to take a shower so as not to hurt your incisions, and make sure to gently dry your incisions and replace the Band-Aids after taking a shower.
    Do not consume any alcoholic drinks for at least 24 hours.

The tips mentioned above will definitely provide help to cope up with post surgery blues. However, in case of fever, excessive sweating, difficulty in urinating, bleeding or any prolonged pain consult your doctor immediately.

Hernia Surgery - 13 Tips to Help You Recover from it

Benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH is a condition where the prostate gland gets enlarged. This is mostly common in men who are ageing. When the prostate gland gets enlarged, the flow of urine through the urethra gets blocked, and hence, several problems related to urination may occur. BPH occurs as a result of hormonal imbalance. If untreated, BPH can lead to severe bladder and urinary health conditions.
There are several symptoms and signs of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Here are 7 common symptoms:

1. A frequent need for urination: Men affected by BPH feel an increased need to urinate frequently. This gets enhanced during the night and is called nocturia. The patient may even need to urinate more than eight times a day. Due to the enlarged prostate gland, more pressure is put on the urethra, which leads to uncontrollable urination.
2. Urinating difficulties: The act of urination becomes difficult. Because of enhanced pressure on the urethra, the flow of urine to the penis from the bladder gets blocked. This makes a urine stream hard to start. The urine stream gets weak and interrupted, and more difficulty may be experienced during the end of urination.
3. Pain during urination and ejaculation: Due to pressure on the urinary tract and reproductive system, pain can accompany urination and ejaculation. Some patients tend to push urine out, which results in pain. The pain may also occur because of infection during BPH.
4. Blood in urine and an unusual color/smell: Urine may take a dark color and have an unusual smell due to urinary retention. Unpleasant urine smell signifies urinary tract infection. Blood in the urine may also result because of dilated veins present on the surface of the enlarged prostate.
5. Urinary retention: When a patient is unable to pass any urine, it is called urinary retention. Such a condition requires immediate treatment, and you need to consult a doctor immediately.
6. Urinary tract infections: Bacteria may start growing in the bladder when the bladder is not fully emptied of urine. This bacterial infection causes darkening of the urine, and emission of a foul odor.
7. Bladder stones: Bladder stones may develop because of the inability of the bladder to empty itself completely. This is a major symptom of BPH. Hard lumps of minerals or bladder stones are formed when the urine present in the bladder gets highly concentrated, which causes the crystallization of minerals. Bladder stones may cause infections, result in blood in urine, cause bladder irritation and may also block urine flow.

So you see that benign prostatic hyperplasia involves the enlargement of the prostate gland, and results in several problems related to urination and different symptoms. Hence, immediate treatment is advisable.

7 Symptoms of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Menorrhagia is a condition that is marked by heavy menstrual bleeding during the monthly menstrual cycles. Most women have a unique bleeding pattern during that time of the month with the flow going up and down over the first few days. Yet, for many women, the bleeding becomes consistently heavy during all the days of the period, during which the period itself may get extended by a few days. If this pattern continues to occurs, one must get it checked out by a doctor at the earliest. Here are a few ways in which this condition may be treated.

Factors considered during treatment

Before the treatment starts, and during the diagnosis stage, the doctor will take a look at a number of factors so that the correct form of treatment may be prescribed to the patient. To begin with, the doctor will take a complete medical history of the patient, including the family history to ascertain whether or not there may be a genetic problem at play. Further, the future childbearing plans of the patient will also be taken into consideration in such cases so that the treatment method does not hinder such plans. Also, the doctor will also try and understand the effect of the symptoms of this condition before prescribing any particular medication and surgery.

Medication

Iron supplements and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines will be prescribed for the patient to bring down the level of inflammation and restore the production of blood, which will make up for the rapidly flowing blood from the body. This will also prevent the risk of anemia. Oral contraceptives, tranexamic acid, oral progesterone and hormonal therapy can also help in such cases.

Dilation and curettage

This procedure is also known as D&C, and it basically helps in dilation or opening up of the cervix so that the doctor may suction the tissue from the uterine lining. This tissue is usually known to bring about excessive bleeding.

Uterine artery embolisation

This is a procedure which shrinks any existing fibroids that may be the cause behind excessive bleeding. In this procedure, the uterine arteries are blocked and the blood supply to the same is cut off so that the fibroids do not get a chance to grow and cause unnecessary pressure that may lead to excessive bleeding.

Hysterectomy

This is a surgical procedure that removes the cervix as well as the uterus, and is usually the last resort followed by most doctors. In such cases, the doctor will first ascertain whether or not you plan to have any children in the future. Additionally, the ovaries may also be removed if the condition has spread too much to be contained sufficiently.

Ways to Treat Menorrhagia

Don't wait any longer, manage your Venous Ulcer online with a Lybrate doctor today

Consult for Venous Ulcer - Online and Easy!

FilterClear All

COMMON SPECIALITIES

COMMON ISSUES