Archive for November, 2011

In most cases, the gall bladder disease in its initial stages is often confused with smaller stomach or menstruation problems in women and for that reason it is ignored. However, when the symptoms become more severe, the disease is in an advanced stage, and we need medical attention in order to solve it. In this article, we are going to see what the gallbladder disease symptoms in women are.

The function of the gallbladder in the digestive process is great. The bile produced in the liver is stored in the gallbladder, and it is released when needed, and the bile has a role to break down fats from food. When gallstones are formed, it affects the function of the gallbladder and in most cases, they cause blockage of the bile duct which leads to gallbladder disease or infection.

It has been noted that the gallbladder disease affects more women than men, and it is thought that the main reason for that is the estrogen hormone. Other causes of gallbladder problems are rapid loss of weight, consuming foods rich in cholesterol, aging, diabetes, being overweight and physically inactive. When we compare the symptoms of gallbladder disease in men and women, we can see that there is no difference.

One of the main symptoms of gallbladder disease is the well-known pain which appears in the upper-right part of the stomach. Other symptoms in women which may be felt with this pain are lowered blood pressure, vomiting and nausea, unwanted gasses, burping, loss of appetite, fever, bowel problems, etc. The pain may spread to the back and between the shoulder blades, too. These symptoms usually appear at night after a heavy meal.

It is important for pregnant women to contact their doctor immediately after they notice some of the symptoms of gallbladder disease. Many of the symptoms associated with gallbladder disease may be confused when the woman is pregnant, like morning sickness, digestive problems, etc. For that reason the diagnosis and treatment have to be taken seriously.

In not so severe cases of gallbladder problems, it is usually enough to use medications and painkillers and also make slight changes in the eating habits. Don’t use such medications on your own, always consult your doctor. If the disease advances and you see no results from the current treatment, then it is advisable to have a gallbladder removal surgery. However, before the surgery you have to make sure to get all the answers from your doctor regarding the steps of the surgery and potential complications.

A lot of people contract the herpes zoster virus or the chickenpox while they are still younger. Shingles is a disease that involves the “reactivation” of the virus. The symptoms of the illness include sensitivity to light, flu-like symptoms minus the fever and headache. Other signs of shingles include red, itchy rashes, scabs and blisters. The illness comes with different stages of shingles.

There are 3 known stages of shingles and for each phase, the symptoms also vary. There could be times when health care workers mistake shingles for flu or a cold. In rare cases, it is also even mistaken as symptoms of heart attack.

Prodromal

During the beginning part of the condition, tickling, pain, burning, numbness and tingling may be experienced on some areas of the body before the rashes appear. In other cases, flu-like symptoms are also experienced along with stomachache, swelling of the lymph nodes and chills.

Active or Eruptive

During these different phases, the first strips or bands of rash will show on the body and usually appears along one side of the body. Typical areas include the face and the torso. After some time, the rash will then become blisters. At first, the fluid inside blisters may look clear but turns cloudy after 3 to 4 weeks. There is severe discomfort and excruciating pain that comes with the rashes. After
Post-Herpetic Neuralgia

This stage is where chronic pain is experienced for severe shingles cases. This last phase is characterized by extreme pain, stabbing, persistent pain, burning and intense sensitivity to touch which can be experienced for as long as 30 days.

Warning

The most infectious stages of shingles is the active or eruptive phase. This is the time when a person who is suffering with shingles gains the biggest chance or contracting it to others who have never experienced chicken pox in their life or those people who have a weak immune system. The risk of infection increases when the blisters begin breaking and oozing with fluid. In addition to that, it is also possible that the shingles virus can find their way into a person’s eyes which may cause permanent damage. The illness does not really need hospitalization but it needs some ways to control the pain and to prevent further infection and complications.

Compression stockings, including Sigvaris compression socks, can assuage many medical conditions, including the following chronic diseases.

1. Lymphedema

When the body’s lymph system is compromised, lymphedema may occur. The symptoms of lymphedema include:

  • Skin discoloration.
  • Swollen, heavy limbs.
  • Extreme fatigue.
  • Deformation, if the condition is left unchecked.

To heal lymphedema, excess liquid must be drained. Skin care, compressive bandaging and physical therapy follow. Once this initial round of treatment is complete, doctors recommend wearing compression support stockings to preserve the effects of therapy and to reduce the chances of a flare-up in the future.

2. Phlebitis and Thrombosis

Phlebitis and thrombosis are inflammatory diseases that appear in a different area of the body: the veins. Phlebitis may be identified by:

  • Hard veins that are sensitive to pressure.
  • A slight fever.
  • Swelling of the limbs, especially the hands and feet.
  • Nearby areas of redness and sensitivity to touch.

The main concern with phlebitis is that it can cause blood clots to form. If blood clots move to the heart, brain or lungs, they can become stuck and cause heart attacks and strokes. Thrombosis is similar; it occurs in larger veins, often deep in the legs. However, thrombosis is more difficult to treat because it often presents no symptoms. Because compression stockings increase circulation, they naturally reduce the likelihood that clots will turn fatal. Compression stockings also help counterbalance phlebitis and thrombosis by applying pressure to the veins, thereby cutting down on the amount of excess liquid in the legs.

3. Edema

Any swelling in the body may be called edema. Indeed, everything from the brain swelling that occurs at high altitudes to the puffiness around the eyes that many people experience upon awakening may be termed edema. Mediven, Juzo and Sigvaris compression socks are designed to heal edema that manifests in the lower legs. Called peripheral edema, this disease includes swelling around the calf and ankle, which causes stretched, shiny skin. In peripheral edema, liquid gets stuck in the “interstitial” areas of the body, between the blood vessels. It is natural for swelling to be worst in the lower areas of the body, where gravity has the most effect. For those with peripheral edema, walking may be painful.

There are two varieties of edema: non-pitting and pitting. To figure out which type of edema they are looking at, doctors and nurses usually apply pressure to the bloated area.

— If a hollow remains after pressure has been released, the patient has pitting edema.
— In contrast, skin bounces back up quickly in cases of non-pitting edema.

Compression stockings are excellent for treating non-pitting edema. This is because they force blood to move into new areas. Because it is linked with kidney, liver and heart conditions, a medical professional must treat pitting edema.

Lymphedema, thrombosis, phlebitis and edema are only a few of the conditions compression support stockings can help treat. Talk to your doctor today about compression stockings to discover whether they can help you.

Most people go through life without ever experiencing the problems caused by uveitis, but it is in fact an extremely serious condition which can lead to blindness. It is an inflammation of the eye, affecting the middle area which is known as the Uvea, and can include the iris and the choroid. Each of the different areas has a slightly different description, which helps the specialist to tailor treatments specifically to the condition. Because it affects this area, it can sometimes go unnoticed, until the patient starts having severe visual difficulties, and goes to the doctor. Although the general practitioner can assist with the diagnosis of uveitis, it will have to be treated by an ophthalmologist, and a clear treatment plan developed and adhered to.

For those who suffer from uveitis, symptoms will include pain in the eye, often with itchy and swollen membranes of the eye. There could be blurred vision, or the sensation of floaters (objects moving down the surface of the eye). The eye itself can turn red, or even become cloudy, all of which suggest that these are symptoms of this illness, and not any other condition. There may also be additional production of tears from the ducts, caused by inflammation affecting this area. Over time, this condition can appear again and again, becoming a chronic, low-level problem. When this occurs, the blood vessels near the retina can be damaged, and visual problems become more severe.

Causes of uveitis can range from a systemic infection which has spread to the eyes, trauma to the eye, or exposure to chemicals which have entered the eye. Another common cause is an autoimmune disorder, and sufferers with this form of uveitis may have connected conditions such as Ankylosing spondylitis, rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis, lyme disease, and some forms of lupus. There are many other types of autoimmune disorders which can cause this inflammation of the eye. Other people may never find out what is causing their illness.

The treatment of uveitis is usually started with a course of steroids. This is done in order to reduce the swelling and inflammation of the eye. This is usually applied first in order to limit the damage to the eye caused by the condition. Once this has begun, the patient can have more medication for the condition, and the application of compresses in order to encourage the reduction of swollen tissue. For more difficult types of inflammation, antimetabolite medication can be used, in order to decrease the production of cells attacking the eye, and in addition anti-inflammatory infusions can be prescribed for persistent swelling.