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Ankylosing Spondylitis: Symptoms, Causes & Treatments

Mar 23, 2017 Posted by admin Uncategorized 0 comments

Ankylosing spondylitis is a type of arthritis that affects the spine. Ankylosing spondylitis symptoms include pain and stiffness from the neck down to the lower back. The spine’s bones (vertebrae) fuse together, resulting in a rigid spine. These changes may be mild or severe, and may lead to a stooped-over posture. Early diagnosis and treatment helps control pain and stiffness and may reduce or prevent significant deformity.

Who Is Affected by Ankylosing Spondylitis?

Ankylosing spondylitis affects about 0.1% to 0.5% of the adult population. Although it can occur at any age, spondylitis most often strikes men in their teens and 20s. It is less common and generally milder in women and more common in some Native American tribes.

What Are the Symptoms of Ankylosing Spondylitis?

The most common early symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis include:

Pain and stiffness. Constant pain and stiffness in the low back, buttocks, and hips that continue for more than three months. Spondylitis often starts around the sacroiliac joints, where the sacrum (the lowest major part of the spine) joins the ilium bone of the pelvis in the lower back region.
Bony fusion. Ankylosing spondylitis can cause an overgrowth of the bones, which may lead to abnormal joining of bones, called “bony fusion.” Fusion affecting bones of the neck, back, or hips may impair a person’s ability to perform routine activities. Fusion of the ribs to the spine or breastbone may limit a person’s ability to expand his or her chest when taking a deep breath.
Pain in ligaments and tendons. Spondylitis also may affect some of the ligaments and tendons that attach to bones. Tendonitis (inflammation of the tendon) may cause pain and stiffness in the area behind or beneath the heel, such as the Achilles tendon at the back of the ankle.

Ankylosing spondylitis is a systemic disease, which means symptoms may not be limited to the joints. People with the condition also may have fever, fatigue, and loss of appetite. Eye inflammation (redness and pain) occurs in some people with spondylitis. In rare cases, lung and heart problems also may develop.

What Causes Ankylosing Spondylitis?

Although the cause of ankylosing spondylitis is unknown, there is a strong genetic or family link. Most, but not all, people with spondylitis carry a gene called HLA-B27. Although people carrying this gene are more likely to develop spondylitis, it is also found in up to 10% of people who have no signs of the condition.

How Is Ankylosing Spondylitis Treated?

There is no cure for ankylosing spondylitis, but there are treatments that can reduce discomfort and improve function. The goals of treatment are to reduce pain and stiffness, maintain a good posture, prevent deformity, and preserve the ability to perform normal activities. When properly treated, people with ankylosing spondylitis may lead fairly normal lives. Under ideal circumstances, a team approach to treat spondylitis is recommended. Members of the treatment team typically include the patient, doctor, physical therapist, and occupational therapist. In patients with severe deformities, osteotomy and fusion can be done.

Physical and occupational therapy. Early intervention with physical and occupational therapy is important to maintain function and minimize deformity.
Exercise. A program of daily exercise helps reduce stiffness, strengthen the muscles around the joints and prevent or minimize the risk of disability. Deep breathing exercises may help keep the chest cage flexible. Swimming is an excellent form of exercise for people with ankylosing spondylitis.
Medications. Certain drugs help provide relief from pain and stiffness, and allow patients to perform their exercises with minimal discomfort. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) — such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin — are the most commonly used drugs for spondylitis treatment. In moderate to severe cases, other drugs may be added to the treatment regimen. Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), such as methotrexate (Rheumatrex), can be used when NSAIDs alone are not enough to reduce the inflammation, stiffness, and pain. In addition, relatively new drugs called biologics — adalimumab (Humira), adalimumab-atto (Amjevita), a biosimilar to Humira, certolizumab pegol (Cimzia), etanercept (Enbrel), etanercept-szzs (Erelzi), a biosimilar to Enbrel, golimumab (Simponi Aria, Simponi), infliximab (Remicade), and infliximab-dyyb (Inflectra), a biosimilar to Remicade, and secukinimab (Cosentyx)– have been FDA-approved for treating ankylosing spondylitis. Also, the antidepressant Cymbalta has been approved for chronic back pain as well. Steroid injections into the joint or tendon may be helpful in some cases.
Surgery. Artificial joint replacement surgery may be a treatment option for some people with advanced joint disease affecting the hips or knees.

Spondyloarthropathies: Causes, Symptoms & Treatments

Mar 22, 2017 Posted by admin Uncategorized 0 comments

What are spondyloarthropathies?

Spondyloarthropathies are a family of long-term (chronic) diseases of joints. These diseases occur in children (juvenile spondyloarthropathies) and adults. They include ankylosing spondylitis, reactive arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and joint problems linked to inflammatory bowel disease (enteropathic arthritis). Spondyloarthropathies are sometimes called spondyloarthritis.Although all spondyloarthropathies have different symptoms and outcomes, they are similar in that all of them:

Usually involve the attachments between your low back and the pelvis (sacroiliac joint).
Affect areas around the joint where your ligaments and tendons attach to bone (enthesitis), such as at the knee, foot, or hip.

It is important to recognize that the spondyloarthropathies are different from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in adults and juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) in children.

What causes spondyloarthropathies?

Experts don’t know what causes spondyloarthropathies. The presence of a particular gene, HLA-B27, is often associated with ankylosing spondylitis. Spondyloarthropathies, especially ankylosing spondylitis, are more likely to run in families than other forms of rheumatic disease, such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.

What are the symptoms?

Spondyloarthropathies often cause:

Low back pain that may spread into the buttock.
Morning stiffness, especially in the back or neck, that gets better during the day and after exercise.
Fatigue.

Although spondyloarthropathies all result in joint pain, each type also has specific symptoms.

Ankylosing spondylitis causes stiffness and low back pain. Over time, the pain usually moves from the lower back into the upper back. In severe cases, the affected joints in the spine fuse together, causing severe back stiffness. Other areas (such as the hips, chest wall, and heels) may also be affected. In children, symptoms usually begin in the hips, knees, heels, or big toes and later progress to the spine.
Reactive arthritis causes pain, swelling, and inflammation of the joints, especially in the sacroiliac joint, the attachment between the lower back and pelvis, and in the fingers, toes, and feet. The fingers and toes may swell, causing a “sausage digit.” Reactive arthritis can also cause fever, weight loss, skin rash, and inflammation. In children, the joints of the lower legs are most commonly affected.
Psoriatic arthritis is a form of arthritis associated with a skin condition called psoriasis. The psoriasis symptoms (scaly red patches on the skin) often precede the arthritis symptoms, sometimes by many years. The severity of the rash does not mirror the severity of the arthritis. The fingernails and toenails may show pitting or thickening and yellowing. The joint problems involve large joints, such as the hips and sacroiliac joints. Swelling of entire toes or fingers, resulting in sausage digits, also occurs.
Enteropathic arthritis is spinal arthritis that also involves inflammation of the intestinal wall. Symptoms can come and go. And when the abdominal pain is flaring, this arthritis may also flare. The arthritis typically affects large joints, such as the knees, hips, ankles, and elbows. In children, the arthritis may begin before the intestinal inflammation.

A general difference between spondyloarthropathies and juvenile spondyloarthropathies is that in adults, the spine generally is affected, while in children the arms and legs are more frequently affected. Children may have 4 or fewer joints that are painful or swollen (typically the knees or ankles), inflammation of a part of the eye (iritis), and neck pain and stiffness.Spondyloarthropathies may cause inflammatory eye disease, particularly uveitis. In some cases, spondyloarthropathies can cause disabilities, particularly if bones in the spine fuse together. People who have spondyloarthropathies for a long time may develop complications in organs, such as the heart and lungs.

How are they treated?

In most cases, spondyloarthropathies are mild and may be undiagnosed for many years. Most people do not have trouble with daily activities. Treatment is focused on relieving pain and stiffness and on good posture and stretching of the affected areas to prevent stiffening and deformity. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly used to treat pain and inflammation linked to spondyloarthropathies. Other treatment options depend on the type of spondyloarthropathy you have. For example, medicines are used to treat intestinal inflammation in enteropathic arthritis.

Wheezing: Causes, symptoms & treatments

Mar 21, 2017 Posted by admin Uncategorized 0 comments

Cause of Wheezing:

To determine the cause of your wheezing, your doctor will ask questions about your symptoms and what triggers them. For example, if you have no history of lung disease and you always wheeze after eating a certain food or at a certain time of year, the doctor may suspect that you have a food or respiratory allergy.

The doctor will listen to your lungs with a stethoscope to hear where the wheezing is and how much wheezing you have.

If this is the first time you’ve been evaluated, your doctor will probably ask you to perform a breathing test (spirometry) and may also order a chest X-ray.

Other blood tests and procedures may be necessary, depending on what the doctor learns from interviewing and examining you.

If it seems like allergies may be related to your wheezing, there are a variety of other tests your doctor may use to verify allergies, including skin testing or blood tests.

What Are the Treatments for Wheezing?

First off, see a doctor to determine the cause of your wheezing and then receive treatment for the specific cause.

If wheezing is caused by asthma, your doctor may recommend some or all of the following to reduce inflammation and open the airways:

A fast-acting bronchodilator inhaler — albuterol (Proventil HFA, Ventolin HFA), levalbuterol (Xopenex ) — to dilate constricted airways when you have respiratory symptoms
An inhaled corticosteroid — beclomethasone (Qvar), budesonide (Pulmicort), ciclesonide (Alvesco), flunisolide (Aerospan), fluticasone (Flovent), mometasone (Asmanex)
A long-acting bronchodilator/corticosteroid combination — budesonide/formoterol (Symbicort), fluticasone/salmeterol (Advair),
An asthma controller pill to reduce airway inflammation — montelukast (Singulair), zafirlukast (Accolate)
A non-sedating antihistamine pill — cetirizine (Zyrtec), fexofenadine (Allegra), loratadine (Claritin, Alavert) — or a prescription nasal spray — budesonide (Rhinocort), fluticasone propionate (Flonase), mometasone furoate (Nasonex), triamcinolone acetonide (Nasacort AQ) — if you have nasal allergies. Flonase, Nasacort Allergy 24HR and Rhinocort Allergy are also available over the counter.

If you have acute bronchitis, your doctor may recommend some or all of the following:

A bronchodilator — albuterol (Proventil HFA, Ventolin HFA), levalbuterol, (Xopenex) — to help ease the wheezing as the infection clears.
An antibiotic is usually not needed unless you have an underlying chronic lung problem or your doctor suspects a bacterial infection may be present.

Generally, any mild wheezing that accompanies acute bronchitis disappears when the infection does.

Sleeve Gastrectomy: Risk factors & Complications

Mar 20, 2017 Posted by admin Uncategorized 0 comments

As with any surgical procedure, potential risks and complications can occur. Although these problems rarely happen, it’s important to know the facts.

If you’re considering sleeve gastrectomy surgery, we encourage you to attend a bariatric and metabolic surgery informational seminar hosted by a trained surgeon.

Image of Sleeve Gastrectomy or Stomach Sleeve

By removing a section of your stomach, leaving just a sleeve the size of a banana, you can limit food intake and feel full sooner.

Health Benefits and Weight Loss

Bariatric and metabolic surgeries, like sleeve gastrectomy, have proven to be more effective in controlling diabetes than medical management alone.

Possible post-surgery complications

One or all of the following conditions and complications are possible following all types of bariatric and metabolic surgery procedures, as well as all types of bariatric and metabolic procedures.

Potentially serious complications

Surgical:

Perforation of stomach/intestine or leakage, causing peritonitis or abscess
Internal bleeding requiring transfusion
Severe wound infection, opening of the wound, incisional hernia
Spleen injury requiring removal/other organ injury
Gastric outlet or bowel obstruction

Pulmonary:

Pneumonia, atelectasis (collapse of lung tissue), fluid in chest
Respiratory insufficiency, pulmonary edema (fluid in lungs)
Blood clots in legs/lungs (embolism)

Cardiovascular:

Myocardial infarction (heart attack), congestive heart failure
Arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats)
Stroke (cerebrovascular accident)

Kidney and liver:

Acute kidney failure
Liver failure
Hepatitis (may progress to cirrhosis)

Psychosocial:

Anorexia nervosa, bulimia
Postoperative depression, dysfunctional social problems
Psychosis

Death

Other complications (may become serious):

Minor wound or skin infection/scarring, deformity, loose skin
Urinary tract infection
Allergic reactions to drugs or medications
Vomiting or nausea/inability to eat certain foods/improper eating
Inflammation of the esophagus (esophagitis), acid reflux (heartburn)
Low sodium, potassium, or blood sugar; low blood pressure
Problems with the outlet of the stomach (narrowing or stretching)
Anemia, metabolic deficiency (iron, vitamins, minerals), temporary hair loss
Constipation, diarrhea, bloating, cramping, malodorous stool or gas
Development of gallstones or gallbladder disease
Stomach or outlet ulcers (peptic ulcer)
Staple-line disruption, weight gain, failure to lose satisfactory weight
Intolerance to refined sugars (dumping), with nausea, sweating, weakness

Evaluate all your options before considering Sleeve Gastrectomy

Be sure to discuss the procedure with your doctor. It’s important to understand that:

Bariatric and metabolic surgery is not cosmetic surgery. The procedures do not involve the removal of fatty tissue by cutting or suction.
A decision to elect surgical treatment requires an assessment of the benefits and risks to the patient and the meticulous performance of the appropriate surgical procedure.
The success of bariatric and metabolic surgery is dependent on long-term lifestyle changes in diet and exercise.

Safety

Metabolic and bariatric and metabolic surgery is as safe or safer than other commonly performed procedures, including gall bladder surgery. When performed at a Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery Center of Excellence, metabolic and bariatric and metabolic surgery has a mortality rate of 0.13 percent. Gall bladder removals have a mortality rate of 0.52 percent.

All surgeries present risks. These risks vary depending on weight, age, and medical history, and patients should discuss these with their doctor and bariatric and metabolic surgeon.

Pancreatic Cancer : Causes, Symptoms & Treatments

Mar 17, 2017 Posted by admin Uncategorized 0 comments

Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancerous) cells form in the tissues of the pancreas. The pancreas is a gland located behind the stomach and in front of the spine. The pancreas produces digestive juices and hormones that regulate blood sugar. Cells called exocrine pancreas cells produce the digestive juices, while cells called endocrine pancreas cells produce the hormones. The majority of pancreatic cancers start in the exocrine cells.

Symptoms:

Early pancreatic cancers usually cause few symptoms, most of which are vague. Because signs and symptoms of most pancreatic cancer may be mistaken for less-serious digestive problems, the disease is rarely detected before it has spread to nearby tissues or distant organs via the bloodstream or lymphatic system. Symptoms that may arise include:

Significant weight loss accompanied by abdominal pain — the most likely warning signs.
Vague but gradually worsening abdominal pain that may decrease when leaning forward and increase when lying down. Pain is often severe at night and may radiate to the lower back.
Digestive or bowel complaints such as diarrhea, constipation, gas pains, bloating, or belching.
Nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite.
Jaundice, which is usually painless and is indicated by yellowish discoloration of the skin and eye whites, very dark urine, and light-colored stools.
Sudden onset of glucose tolerance disorder, such as diabetes.
Black or bloody stool, indicating bleeding from the digestive tract.
Overall weakness.
Enlarged liver and gallbladder.
Itching.
Blood clots in the legs.
Mental status changes, such as a new onset of depression.

Causes:

A few rare types of pancreatic cancer cause hormonal imbalances that produce their own symptoms, which might include:

Episodes of weakness, sweating, rapid heartbeat, irritability, or skin flushing related to low blood sugar
Severe watery diarrhea
A new, unusual skin rash
Severe gastrointestinal symptoms, such as stomach pain and watery diarrhea, which do not respond to antacids or ulcer medications

If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor for a full physical exam.

How Is Pancreatic Cancer Diagnosed?

To diagnose pancreatic cancer, a doctor will order certain imaging tests, such as a pancreatic ultrasound or a CT scan of the abdomen. Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) uses an ultrasound device connected to the end of a small flexible tube that is inserted into the mouth and is about 85% to 90% accurate in diagnosing pancreatic cancer. If necessary, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is used. With ERCP, detailed images are obtained by inserting an endoscope into the mouth to the pancreas, injecting a dye, and then taking X-rays. A tissue sample for biopsy can also be extracted through the scope. If a biopsy confirms cancer, further tests are done to determine how far the disease has advanced. Laparoscopy, may be used. In this technique, a small tube with a small video camera and light source is introduced into the abdominal cavity. The tumor can then be seen. Occasionally, exploratory surgery is needed. The surgeon can then study the tumor directly, determine if nearby lymph nodes are cancerous, and take tissue samples for microscopic exam.

What Are the Treatments for Pancreatic Cancer?

Pancreatic cancer is very hard to control. But if it is caught early and the cancer hasn’t spread beyond the pancreas, it can be treated with surgery. This offers the best outcome for pancreatic cancer. The surgery is called a “Whipple procedure,” or pancreaticoduodenectomy, and is named after Dr. George Hoyt Whipple, the surgeon who pioneered it. If possible, the surgeon removes the malignant tumor, leaving as much of the normal pancreas as possible to allow continued pancreatic function. Less often, the entire pancreas must be removed. If a patient undergoes a total pancreatectomy, a lifelong regimen of replacement enzymes and hormones, including insulin, must be administered.

Unfortunately, pancreatic cancers have subtle, and vague symptoms. Thus the disease is often diagnosed after it has advanced and spread. However, even at later stages, treatment can improve quality of life by controlling uncomfortable symptoms and complications of the disease.

Depending on the type and stage of pancreatic cancer, patients may be given chemotherapy treatments alone or in combination with radiation. Whether or not the tumor is removed surgically, or has spread to lymph nodes, these therapies may be given after surgery in an effort to extend survival time. These treatments may also be given before surgery to shrink the tumor and make it possible for surgery to be performed or used as a means of relieving symptoms, such as pain. Prescription medications, usually narcotics, are given to help manage pain associated with advanced pancreatic cancer.

Mitral Valve Stenosis: Causes, Symptoms & Treatments

Mar 10, 2017 Posted by admin Uncategorized 0 comments

The mitral valve is located on the left side of your heart, between two chambers: the atrium (upper) and the ventricle (lower). Blood is pumped from the left atrium, through the mitral valve, and into the left ventricle on its way to the aorta. The healthy mitral valve allows blood to pass through, but prevents it from flowing back.

Mitral valve stenosis, also known as mitral stenosis, is when the mitral valve opening is narrowed. This means that not enough blood can flow through it. This can lead to a variety of issues, including fatigue, difficulty breathing, blood clots, and heart failure.

Scarring caused by rheumatic fever is the leading cause of mitral valve stenosis.

What Causes Mitral Valve Stenosis?

The body’s organs most affected by the acute rheumatic fever are the joints and the heart. The joints can become very inflamed and can lead to temporary and sometimes chronic disability. The lining of the heart (endocarditis), the heart muscle (myocarditis), and the membrane surrounding the heart (pericarditis) can become inflamed.

When the mitral valve (or any of the heart valves) becomes involved, this leads to a chronic heart condition called rheumatic heart disease. The clinical signs and symptoms of this condition might not occur until 5 to 10 years after the episode of rheumatic fever.

The factors that make some people more susceptible than others to mitral valve stenosis are unclear, but it is estimated that women are more at risk than men.

A congenital heart defect may cause mitral valve stenosis in a baby. Babies born with this condition usually need surgery.

In rare cases, calcium may build up and lead to narrowing of the mitral valve. Other, more rare causes for mitral valve stenosis include:

tumors
blood clots
radiation treatments
calcium buildup on valves
congenital heart defects

What Are the Symptoms of Mitral Valve Stenosis?

Other common symptoms include:

cough, with or without blood
chest pain, or chest discomfort
fatigue
swelling in ankles and/or feet
respiratory infections
plum-colored cheeks

If mitral valve stenosis is severe, you may feel your heart fluttering or beating rapidly.

Rarely, you may feel discomfort in your chest. Your chest might feel tight or constricted, or you may feel pain that radiates outward from your chest.

In some cases, mitral valve stenosis may not cause any symptoms, or the symptoms may appear only during exercise. You might develop symptoms when your body undergoes stress such as during an infection or pregnancy.

In addition to the common symptoms, children with this issue might experience slower growth.

How Is Mitral Valve Stenosis Treated?

Drugs and Medication

If your mitral valve stenosis is causing symptoms, your doctor might prescribe medications. Although these do not actually fix the problem with your mitral valve, they can help treat your symptoms. Types of medications your doctor might prescribe include:

anticoagulants (blood thinners)
diuretics (to reduce fluid buildup through increased urine output)
antiarrhythmics (medications to treat abnormal heart rhythms)
beta-blockers (medications to slow your heart rate)

Valvuloplasty

Your doctor may choose to perform a mitral balloon valvuloplasty. If you need more treatment than just medication, but your mitral valve is not damaged enough to require heart surgery, this procedure is an option. This involves threading a tube (catheter) with a balloon attached to it through a vein and into your heart. Once in the mitral valve, the doctor inflates the balloon to expand the valve. In some cases, you may need to undergo this procedure more than once.

Surgery

Surgery may become necessary. Your doctor might be able to surgically repair your existing mitral valve to make it function properly. If that isn’t possible, you may need to have your mitral valve replaced with a new one. The replacement might be biological or mechanical.

Finger Infection: Causes & Symptoms

Mar 9, 2017 Posted by admin Uncategorized 0 comments

What Causes a Finger Infection?

Bacteria cause most types of finger infections. The exception to this is the herpetic whitlow, which is caused by a virus. How the infection starts and is found in a particular location is what makes each specific type of infection unique. Usually, some form of trauma to the finger or hand is the initial event. This may be a cut, animal bite, or puncture wound.

Paronychia: The offending bacteria are usually staphylococcal and streptococcal organisms. Rarely, a fungus causes this infection, which usually begins as a hangnail. Often a person will attempt to bite off the piece of nail that is at the corner of the nail, leading to local infection. This infection can also be caused by aggressively shoving back or trimming cuticles. This results in an open wound that allows the bacteria on the skin and the bacteria in the mouth to infect the wound. The infection can then spread to the surrounding tissue next to the nail and cuticle.
Felon: This bacterial infection of the finger pad, caused by the same organisms that cause paronychia, is usually the result of a puncture wound. The wound allows the introduction of bacteria deep into the fingertip pad. Because the fingertip has multiple compartments, the infection is contained in this area.
Herpetic whitlow: The offending viral organism is the herpessimplex virus type I or II. This is the same virus that causes oral or genital herpes infections. People in certain occupations are more at risk for this infection. These include dentists, hygienists, physicians, nurses, or any other person who may have contact with saliva or body fluids that contain the virus. People with oral or genital herpes may also infect their own fingers.
Cellulitis: The most common causes of this bacterial infection are staphylococcal and streptococcal organisms. This infection is usually the result of an open wound that allows the bacteria to infect the local skin and tissue. The infection can also spread to the hand and fingers by blood flow carrying the organisms.
Infectious flexor tenosynovitis: This bacterial infection is usually the result of penetrating trauma that introduces bacteria into the deep structures and tendon sheaths, which allows the spread along the tendon and associated sheath.
Deep space infection: This bacterial infection is usually the result of a puncture wound or deep cut that introduces the bacteria to the deep tissue. The collar button abscess is associated with the web space between the fingers. The deep structures of the hand create many potential compartments for this infection to invade.

What Are Risk Factors for Finger Infections?

There are several risk factors for developing finger infections, including the following:

Puncture wounds
Deep cuts
Any open wound
Penetrating trauma
Picking hangnails
Nail biting
Aggressive manicuring or cuticle trimming

Some individuals may be at higher risk for finger infections, including

people with diabetes;
people with compromised immune systems;
people in certain occupations, such as dentists, hygienists, physicians, and nurses; and
people in occupations involving extended exposure of the hands to water (such as dishwashers).

What Are Symptoms and Signs of a Finger Infection?

Each of the main finger infections has specific signs and symptoms that make identification unique and may cause confusion if not properly evaluated.

Paronychia: Symptoms and signs of paronychia include redness and swelling of the area next to the fingernail. A visible collection of pus may be seen under the skin and nail. This fluid may be leaking out of the wound. The area will be tender and painful to the touch. The drainage from the area is usually a cloudy white-yellow color.
Felon: Symptoms of a felon include a swollen and painful fingertip. The swelling usually develops over several days and is located in the pad area of the fingertip. The area will have a throbbing pain and be painful to the touch. The area is usually red, and a visible collection of pus may be seen under the skin. The swollen area may have a portion that feels soft as if it contains fluid. As the swelling continues, the area may become tense or hard to the touch.
Herpetic whitlow: Symptoms of herpetic whitlow include redness and tenderness of the fingertip area. A burning or itching sensation may be present in the area. There may be mild swelling but not as extensive as in the felon. There may be a single or many open wounds in the area affected. These open wounds often occur in clusters after the formation of a small blister-like lesion. The fluid in these lesions is usually clear in appearance but may be slightly cloudy. The affected individual may also have a low-grade fever and have swollen and tender lymph nodes in the area.
Cellulitis: Symptoms of cellulitis include skin area redness and warmth to the touch. The area may be slightly swollen and tender. This is usually a superficial infection so the deep structures should not be involved. The motion of the fingers and hand should not be difficult or painful. If painful or difficult, this may indicate a deep space infection of some type.
Infectious flexor tenosynovitis: Four major signs often are found with infectious flexor tenosynovitis.
- First is tenderness over the flexor or palm side of the finger. This pain is found over the tendons in the finger.
- Second is uniform swelling of the finger.
- Third is pain on extending or straightening of the finger.
- Fourth, the finger will be held in a slightly flexed or partially bent position.

These signs are called Kanavel cardinal signs. All four signs may not be present at first or all at once.

Deep space infections: The deep space infection that arises in the web space of the fingers is also called a collar button abscess. Symptoms and signs of deep space infections include pain and swelling in the space between the fingers. The area may also be red and warm to the touch. As the abscess becomes larger, the fingers will be slightly spread apart by the increasing pressure. The central area may have a soft spot that represents a collection of pus under the skin.

Premature Ventricular Contractions: Causes, symptoms & treatments

Mar 8, 2017 Posted by admin Uncategorized 0 comments

Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are extra, abnormal heartbeats that begin in one of your heart’s two lower pumping chambers (ventricles). These extra beats disrupt your regular heart rhythm, sometimes causing you to feel a flip-flop or skipped beat in your chest. Premature ventricular contractions are very common — they occur in most people at some point.

Premature ventricular contractions are also called:

Premature ventricular complexes
PVCs
Ventricular premature beats
Extrasystoles

If you have occasional premature ventricular contractions, but you’re an otherwise healthy person, there’s generally no reason for concern, and no treatment is needed. If you have frequent premature ventricular contractions or underlying heart disease, you may need treatment to help you feel better and treat underlying heart problems.

Symptoms:

Premature ventricular contractions often cause no symptoms. But you may feel an odd sensation in your chest, such as:

Flip-flops
Fluttering
Pounding or jumping
Skipped beats or missed beats
Increased awareness of your heartbeat

When to see a doctor

If you feel flip-flops, a sensation of skipped heartbeats or odd feelings in your chest, talk to your doctor. You’ll want to identify the source of these symptoms. Premature ventricular contractions may be the problem, but other conditions also may be to blame, including other rhythm problems, serious heart problems, anxiety, anemia or infections.

Causes:

Your heart is made up of four chambers — two upper chambers (atria) and two lower chambers (ventricles). The rhythm of your heart is normally controlled by the sinoatrial node (SA node) — or sinus node — an area of specialized cells located in the right atrium.

This natural pacemaker produces the electrical impulses that trigger the normal heartbeat. From the sinus node, electrical impulses travel across the atria to the ventricles, causing them to contract and pump blood out to your lungs and body.

Premature ventricular contractions are abnormal contractions that begin in the ventricles. These extra contractions usually beat sooner than the next expected regular heartbeat. And they often interrupt the normal order of pumping, which is atria first, then ventricles. As a result, the extra, out-of-sync beats are usually less effective in pumping blood throughout the body.

Why do extra beats occur?

The reasons aren’t always clear. Certain triggers, heart diseases or changes in the body can make cells in the ventricles electrically unstable. Underlying heart disease or scarring may also cause electrical impulses to be misrouted.

Premature ventricular contractions may be associated with:

Chemical changes or imbalances in the body
Certain medications, including common asthma medications
Alcohol or illegal drugs
Increased levels of adrenaline in the body that may be caused by caffeine, tobacco, exercise or anxiety
Injury to the heart muscle from coronary artery disease, congenital heart disease, high blood pressure or heart failure

Risk factors:

The following stimulants, conditions and triggers may increase your risk of premature ventricular contractions:

Caffeine, tobacco and alcohol
Exercise
High blood pressure (hypertension)
Anxiety
Underlying heart disease, including congenital heart disease, coronary artery disease, heart attack, heart failure and a weakened heart muscle (cardiomyopathy)

Mitral Valve Stenosis: Causes, Symptoms & Treatments

Mar 7, 2017 Posted by admin Uncategorized 0 comments

What is mitral valve stenosis?

Mitral valve stenosis is a heart problem in which the mitral valve doesn’t open as wide as it should. The valve becomes stiff or scarred, or the valve flaps become partially joined together.

See a picture of mitral valve stenosis .

Mitral valve stenosis can lead to heart failure; a stroke; an infection in the heart (endocarditis); or a fast, slow, or uneven heartbeat (arrhythmia). Fortunately, mitral valve stenosis can be treated.

How does the mitral valve work?

Your heart has four chambers and four valves. The valves have flaps, or leaflets. The flaps open and close to keep blood flowing in the proper direction through your heart.The mitral valve connects the heart’s upper left chamber (left atrium) to the lower left chamber (left ventricle). When the heart pumps, blood forces the flaps open, and blood flows from the left atrium to the left ventricle. Between heartbeats, the flaps close tightly so that blood does not leak backward through the valve.With mitral valve stenosis, not as much blood can flow into the left ventricle. More blood stays in the left atrium, and blood may back up into the lungs.

See a picture of a normal mitral valve .

What causes mitral valve stenosis?

Nearly all cases of mitral valve stenosis are caused by rheumatic fever. This fever results from an untreated strep infection, most often strep throat. But many people who have mitral valve stenosis don’t realize that they had rheumatic fever.

What are the symptoms?

Mitral valve stenosis is a lifelong disease, but symptoms may not happen for many years. When symptoms first appear, they usually are mild. You may only have a few symptoms, even if your mitral valve is very narrow. An early symptom is shortness of breath when you are active. This shortness of breath may seem normal to you.

Symptoms later in the disease may include:

Shortness of breath even when you have not been very active or when you are resting.
Feeling very tired or weak.
Pounding of the heart (palpitations).

How is mitral valve stenosis diagnosed?

Mitral valve stenosis may not be diagnosed until you’ve had the disease for some time. If you don’t have symptoms, the first clue might be a heart murmur your doctor hears during a routine checkup.

Your doctor will ask you questions about your past health and do a physical exam. If your doctor thinks you might have the disease, he or she may do more tests. These may include:

An echocardiogram. This ultrasound test lets your doctor see a picture of your heart, including the mitral valve.
An electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG). This test can check for problems with your heart rhythm.
A chest X-ray. This shows your heart and lungs and can help your doctor find the cause of symptoms such as shortness of breath.

These tests also help your doctor find what caused the stenosis and how severe it is.

How is it treated?

Treatment depends on how severe the disease and your symptoms are.

You’ll probably need only regular checkups if you have mild or moderate stenosis.
You may need medicines to treat complications.
You may need your mitral valve repaired or replaced if you have severe symptoms, your valve is very narrow, or you are at risk for other problems, such as heart failure.

You will likely need regular echocardiograms so your doctor can check for any changes in your mitral valve and heart.

You can make lifestyle changes to keep your heart healthy. Your doctor may advise you to:

Quit smoking and stay away from secondhand smoke.
Follow a heart-healthy diet and limit sodium.
Be active. If your stenosis is mild, you’ll probably be able to do your usual activities, get mild exercise, and play some sports. But if your stenosis is moderate or severe, you may need to avoid intense exercise. But your doctor can help you choose an activity or exercise that is safe for you.
Stay at a healthy weight, or lose weight if you need to.

Underactive Thyroid Diseases: Causes, Symptoms & Treatmennts

Mar 6, 2017 Posted by admin Uncategorized 0 comments

Hypothyroidism, also called underactive thyroid disease, is a common disorder. With hypothyroidism, your thyroid gland does not make enough thyroid hormone.The thyroid gland is located in the front lower part of your neck. Hormones released by the gland travel through your bloodstream and affect nearly every part of your body, from your heart and brain, to your muscles and skin.

Thyroid

The thyroid controls how your body’s cells use energy from food, a process called metabolism. Among other things, your metabolism affects your body’s temperature, your heartbeat, and how well you burn calories. If you don’t have enough thyroid hormone, your body processes slow down. That means your body makes less energy, and your metabolism becomes sluggish.

What Causes Hypothyroidism?

The most common cause of hypothyroidism is Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. “Thyroiditis” is an inflammation of the thyroid gland. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is an autoimmune disorder. With Hashimoto’s, your body produces antibodies that attack and destroy the thyroid gland. Thyroiditis may also be caused by a viral infection.

Other causes of hypothyroidism include:

Radiation therapy to the neck area. Treating certain cancers, such as lymphoma, requires radiation to the neck. Radiation damages the cells in the thyroid. This makes it more difficult for the gland to produce hormone.

Radioactive iodine treatment. This treatment is commonly prescribed to people who have an overactive thyroid gland, a condition known as hyperthyroidism. However, radiation destroys the cells in the thyroid gland. This usually leads to hypothyroidism.

Use of certain medications. Certain medicines to treat heart problems, psychiatric conditions, and cancer can sometimes affect the production of thyroid hormone. These include amiodarone (Cordarone), lithium, interferon alpha, and interleukin-2.

Thyroid surgery . Surgery to remove the thyroid will lead to hypothyroidism. If only part of the thyroid is removed, the remaining gland may still be able to produce enough hormone for the body’s needs.

Too little iodine in the diet. The thyroid needs iodine to produce thyroid hormone. Your body doesn’t make iodine, so you need to get it through your diet. Iodized table salt is rich in iodine. Other food sources of iodine include shellfish, saltwater fish, eggs, dairy products, and seaweed.

Symptoms of Hypothyroidism

Symptoms of hypothyroidism may be vague and can often mimic other conditions. They may include:

Changes in the menstrual cycle
Constipation
Depression
Dry hair and hair loss
Dry skin
Fatigue
Greater sensitivity to cold
Slow heart rate
Swelling of the thyroid gland (goiter)
Unexplained weight gain or difficulty losing weight
Carpal tunnel syndrome

Babies with hypothyroidism may have no symptoms. If symptoms do occur, they can include:

Cold hands and feet
Constipation
Extreme sleepiness
Hoarse cry
Little or no growth
Low muscle tone (floppy infant)
Persistent jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes)
Poor feeding habits
Puffy face
Stomach bloating
Swollen tongue

Make an appointment with your health care provider if you or your baby has any of these symptoms. It is important to note that these symptoms can be due to other medical conditions.

How Is Hypothyroidism Treated?

If you have hypothyroidism, your doctor will prescribe a synthetic (man-made) thyroid hormone T4. You take this pill every day. Certain other medications can interfere with how your body absorbs synthetic thyroid hormone. Make sure you doctor knows about all the medicines, herbs, and supplements you take, including over-the-counter products.

You will need regular blood tests to check your thyroid hormone levels. Your doctor may need to adjust your medication dose from time to time.

Complications of Hypothyroidism

Untreated, hypothyroidism may cause:

Heart problems
Infertility
Joint pain
Obesity

Thyroid problems in a pregnant woman can affect the developing baby. During the first three months of pregnancy, the baby receives all thyroid hormone from its mother. If the mother has hypothyroidism, the baby does not get enough thyroid hormone. This can lead to problems with mental development.

Extremely low levels of thyroid hormone can cause a life-threatening condition called myxedema. Myxedema is the most severe form of hypothyroidism. A person with myxedema can lose consciousness or go into a coma. The condition can also cause the body temperature to drop very low, which can cause death.

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