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Gastrointestinal Disorders

Gastrointestinal Disorders Gastrointestinal disorders include conditions such as: Constipation Irritable bowel syndrome Hemorrhoids Anal fissures Perianal abscesses Perianal infections Anal fistulas Colitis Diverticular diseases Colon polyps and cancer By maintaining a healthy lifestyle, having good bowel habits and registering for cancer screening, many of these disorders can be prevented or reduced. What are functional gastrointestinal disorders? Functional disorders are disorders in which the gastrointestinal (GI) tract looks normal but having irregularity in functioning properly. They occur the most frequently as problems affecting the GI tract (including the colon and rectum). Constipation and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are two common examples. Many factors may cause the GI tract to upset and its motility (or ability to keep moving), including: Having a low fiber diet Lack of adequate amount of exercise Routine changes Large consumption of dairy products Stress Resisting body signal to have a bowel movement Resisting body signs to have bowel movements due to pain from hemorrhoids Abusing laxatives (stool softeners) that can weaken the bowel muscles over time Taking antacid medicines containing calcium or aluminum Taking certain medicines (especially antidepressants, iron pills, and strong pain medicines such as narcotics) Pregnancy More Information: Gastroenterology(Gl) and Hepatobiliary(Liver) Center

Understanding diabetes

Understanding diabetes What is diabetes? Diabetes can be categorized into types 1 and type 2. Let us understand the cause of diabetes and the measures that we can take to relieve and tackle this illness. Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body stop producing insulin. When you consume food, the body breaks down the carbohydrate part of your food for energy. This break down of carbohydrate turns it into glucose, which is then passes through into your bloodstream. The hormone calls insulin is needed to get glucose from the blood stream to the cells all around your body. Therefore, when the body stop producing insulin, there are no “agents” to help the body transport energy around your body thus resulting in symptoms such as blurry vision, extreme fatigue, feeling hungry despite eating recently, weight loss, and slow recovery of cuts and bruises. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes, making up about 90 percent of cases of diabetes. While type 1 diabetes is low level of insulin, type 2 diabetes occurs when the body experienced high-level of insulin. This is mainly a result of obesity and lack of exercise. As we have explained above that insulin is a hormone that the body automatically produce to break down carbohydrates into glucose for bodily usage. In large or frequent intake of carbohydrate, insulin is released to the level that is above normal and become an issue. Long term complications

Diagnosis and solutions if you experience chest pain

Diagnosis and solutions if you experience chest pain Chest burning can be scary, especially for people who worry about heart health or having a heart attack. In this article, we will discuss the potential causes of chest pain as well as the many treatment options available. A lot of causes of a burning feeling in the chest are not harmful. In reality, just 15–25% of people who visit the emergency room with chest pain have an acute heart problem. Diagnosis To diagnose the cause of burning in the chest, a doctor will typically perform several tests. These may include: chest X-rays a physical exam to check heart rate and pulse, look for swelling, and assess muscle and organ health CT scans an electrocardiogram, which measures electrical activity in the heart a complete medical history blood work to check for infections or changes that may indicate a heart attack or other heart problem Treatment Depending on the cause, the treatment options for burning chest pain may vary. For example, heartburn may require a person to take an antacid or make dietary changes, whereas more serious heart or lung conditions often demand extensive lifestyle changes. A person having a heart attack may need blood thinners or surgery, such as bypass surgery. Patients are not advised not try to treat chronic chest pain at home, especially if they do not know the underlying cause. Even chronic heartburn can cause long term health problems. Only a

Feeling of burning chest can be sign of a heart attack

Feeling of burning chest can be sign of a heart attack Chest burning can be scary, especially for people who worry about heart health or having a heart attack. In this article, we will discuss the potential causes of chest pain as well as the many treatment options available. A lot of causes of a burning feeling in the chest are not harmful. In reality, just 15–25% of people who visit the emergency room with chest pain have an acute heart problem. Causes Numerous conditions can cause chest burning, including: Heartburn Heartburn, or acid reflux, is one of the most common causes of painful burning in the chest. The sensation ranges from mild discomfort to intense pain. Heartburn happens when acid from the stomach travels back up the esophagus. It is commonly occurs in pregnant women, people with gastroesophageal reflux disease, and those with a hiatal hernia. Intake of acidic foods and drinks, such as tomatoes and alcohol, may increase the risk of heartburn. Smoking tobacco can increase the risk too. Some other symptoms of heartburn include: burping burning in the throat pain that begins shortly after a meal pain that gets worse when lying down Other gastrointestinal problems Some other gastrointestinal problems may also lead to burning chest pain. A few of the problems may cause symptoms that is similar to those of heartburn. As an example, people with gallstones or liver health problems may experience intense heartburn. If after taking an antacid or other heartburn

Diabetes Healthy Lifestyle aids diabetes

Help type 2 diabetes with a healthier lifestyle The most common types of diabetes is type 2 diabetes. About 90 percent of all cases related to diabetes are from type 2. While some people can manage their blood sugar levels through exercise and healthy diet, other may need help from medication or insulin. No worries, we can tackle this easily with proper eating habit and a exercise plan. Healthy body requires healthy sustenance. A major part of addressing type 2 diabetes is by creating a healthy diet and stick to it. At the end of each meals, our goal is to have a tasty and fulfilling meal that is sustainable. Everyone is different in term of lifestyle so you need to find what is best for you and this can start by reading up more on your recommended calories intake based on your age, weight, height and daily activity level. After that you can learn about what your foods are nutritionally make up of. Carbohydrates, protein and fats are the main source of energy in food and we can select how much of each we want to have in each of our meals to maintain a healthy balance for a better and healthier diet. Become more active with a fitness plan. Look no further when it comes to managing type 2 diabetes. Fitness is an important part of improving types 2. All you have to do is move. Simple right?

Cancer and aging is connected, learn how.

Cancer and aging is connected, learn how. As we grow older, the number of our cells that will “stop working” increases. This means that the cell no longer function normally, i.e. grows, divide, and renew. This is a process called cellular senescence. The percentage of senescent cells in our bodies increases as we grow older. It is a matter of time when our cell division ceases as a result of an irreversible state of cell senescence. On the other hand, cancer is a disease defined by uncontrolled cell division that leads to the formation of tumors. In the past, experts assumed that aging tissues has high chances of becoming cancerous due to an accumulation of multiple mutations in cancer causing-genes. However, recently a study shows that, despite this accumulation, senescent cells are also likely to obstruct cancer development; this may be because the processes that cause cells to grow, divide, and renew are switched off during senescence. With a broad analysis of genetic data, a group of researchers has shown that the genetic signature of aging tissue and cancerous tissue are very different to one another. This is vital because the activity levels of certain genes can have an effect on how the cells within tissues behave and as a result, help us understand whether diseases such as cancer develop. How is this finding have an effect on future treatment? The researchers suspect that this finding might explain why the occurrence of

Can gastrointestinal disease be prevented?

Can gastrointestinal disease be prevented? By maintaining a healthy lifestyle, practicing good bowel habits, and submitting to cancer screening many diseases of the colon and rectum can be prevented or at least minimized For average risk patients at age 50 the method of colonoscopy is recommended. If you have a family history of colorectal cancer or polyps, colonoscopy it is highly to recommended to check at a younger age. Usually, colonoscopy is adviced about 10 years younger than the affected family member. Symptoms of colorectal cancer, if experienced, should consult your doctor immediately. Common symptoms include: Changes to your normal bowel routine Blood on or in the stool that is either bright or dark Unusual pain around abdominal area Very narrow stool A sensation that the bowel does not empty properly after a bowel movement. Unexplained weight loss More Information: Gastroenterology(Gl) and Hepatobiliary(Liver) Center

5 most common cancers found in men

5 most common cancers found in men Let’s us understand more about the cancers commonly found in men and becoming aware about these we can try to prevent or minimize the risk. As always, leading a healthy lifestyle does have a huge impact on your body and long-term benefits. Prostate Cancer Prostate cancer is cancer that occurs in the prostate (a small walnut-shaped gland in men that produces and transport sperm). In early stage of prostate cancer, symptoms might not be obvious at first but it can become noticeable as it advances into the latter stage. The symptoms include bloody urine, bone pain, leaking and or straining to pass urine. A method of checking for this type of cancer can be done through a blood test known as PSA test. It is recommended to consult with your doctor about screening if you are 50 years and above or even sooner if you have family members who had prostate cancer. If the test result in a positive for the cancer, treatment can begin to try to stop the cancer from progressing any further and ultimately get rid of the cancerous cell. Treatment include surgery, therapy, chemotherapy and radiation but it also depends on your age and at what stage your cancer is discovered. Good new is the prognosis for prostate cancer is good, the survival rate 10 years after diagnosis is about 98%. Although the risk factors depend on your family history,

Cervical Cancer and Ovarian Cancer

Cervical cancer is the 2nd most commonly found cancer in females, following breast cancer. Many women have died from this disease. Important things to know about cervical cancer Married women or those who are in a sexual relationship will have a chance of being infected with this virus in any period of life. However, most infections of more than 90 percent will be disappear by itself within 1-2 years without causing the symptoms or disease. The use of condom can prevent infection, but not completely. Having only one sexual partner can also have a chance of being infected. Therefore, the screening test for cervical cancer is necessary even though you have only one sexual partner. Ovarian Cancer Ovarian cancer is the second most common cancer in the female reproductive system, which can be found in women of many age ranges in both adolescent and reproductive age. However, it is most commonly found in females age of 40-60 years old. This disease is caused by the growth of cancer cells in the ovary, which is a vital organ that works to produce eggs and female hormones. Causes and risk factors of ovarian cancer Currently, the cause of ovarian cancer is not clear. However, there are some research which has found the risk factors that might be related with this disease. For example: Have a family member, especially mother, sister, or daughter, with ovarian cancer Age of more than 50 years old

Leukemia

Leukemia is a cancer that occurs in the bone marrow, which comes from the abnormal growth of blast cells with unknown cause. The non-stop division of these cells can disturb the production of normal blood cells of the bone marrow. The red blood cells, normal white blood cells, and platelets will reduce, which cause the patient to have anemia, abnormal bleeding, bruising, and greater chance of infections. Moreover, the cancer cells can accumulate in other organs, such as the liver, spleen, and lymph node, which causes the patient to have enlarged lymph node, liver, or spleen. Acute leukemia is considered to be a highly severe cancer, which can be found in all genders and ages, and is common in the elderly. 1 in 10 cancer diagnosis in Thailand is leukemia. Because the abnormal blood cells disturb the production of other types of blood cells, the following symptoms can occur: Reduction of red blood cells, which might cause the patient to have symptoms of anemia, such as fatigue, rapid heartbeat, and dizziness. Reduction of white blood cells, which causes infection easily. Reduction of platelets, which causes abnormal bleeding. Bleeding spots or bruising can be found on the body, including poor blood clotting. Moreover, patients might have a loss of appetite, weight loss, lump on the body, or bone pain. Leukemia – Risk factors and self-care for patients Currently, the true cause for the incidence of the disease has not been found.