Global Treatment Services Pvt. Ltd.

Global Treatment Services

Mild Spondylosis: Causes, symptoms & Treatments

Feb 18, 2017 Posted by admin Uncategorized 0 comments
The term mild spondylosis is used to describe the early stages of spinal degeneration and could be the cause of your neck or back pain. Spondylosis isn’t a specific condition itself, but rather indicates the presence of degenerative conditions that can cause neck or back pain.

The term mild spondylosis is used to describe the early stages of spinal degeneration and could be the cause of your neck or back pain. Spondylosis isn’t a specific condition itself, but rather indicates the presence of degenerative conditions that can cause neck or back pain. These degenerative conditions occur naturally as an individual ages and may require treatment if they result in nerve compression or other issues that lead to discomfort. C5 to C6 spondylosis, for example, describes the presence of degenerative conditions at the fifth and sixth vertebrae in the cervical (upper) spine. Most cases of spondylosis are initially mild and can be managed with conservative, non-surgical treatment, but if degeneration is severe, surgery may be needed.

The aging process

Over the years, the regular wear and tear on the spine takes a toll and the spinal anatomy naturally begins to deteriorate. This wear and tear is part of the normal aging process and accounts for aches, pains and loss of flexibility in the spine. While keeping in good physical shape can help, age-related degeneration is largely unavoidable. Mild spondylosis isn’t a condition as much as it is a descriptive term used by physicians to describe natural degeneration in the spine.

However, mild spondylosis isn’t considered a comprehensive diagnosis because it doesn’t specify the source of an individual’s symptoms. Some examples of specific types of spinal degeneration include:

  • Osteophytes — the development of bone spurs in the spinal column
  • Spinal stenosis — the gradual narrowing of the spinal canal or a foramen in the spinal column
  • Degenerative disc disease — the weakening, tearing or bulging of the discs between the vertebrae that normally cushion the spine
  • Facet disease — a type of osteoarthritis caused by cartilage deterioration, pain and stiffness in the facet joints that connect adjacent vertebrae.

Educate yourself on the main spondylosis causes with this useful resource from Laser Spine Institute.

Causes of spondylosis

Spondylosis describes the gradual deterioration of the spine over time. The most common occurrence of spondylosis is found in the lumbar (lower back) portion of the spine. The lumbar spine is responsible for supporting and stabilizing most of the body’s weight. As the body increases in weight and has years of bending and twisting, the components of the lumbar spine, such as the vertebrae, discs and joints, slowly start to wear. This is spondylosis.

When the components of the spine begin to wear down, other spine conditions may occur. Common conditions associated with spondylosis include:

  • Herniated disc
  • Spinal stenosis
  • Bulging disc
  • Bone spurs
  • Spondylolisthesis
  • Degenerative disc disease

In some cases, spondylosis is a result of another spine condition, such as arthritis of the spine, causing the vertebrae or joints of the spine to deteriorate. Your physician can accurately determine the cause of your spondylosis by reviewing your MRI or CT scan.

Symptoms of spondylosis

Most mild cases of spondylosis do not have any symptoms. In fact, most people over the age of 70 have spondylosis without any knowledge of it. Because the most common cause of spondylosis is the natural aging process, most people never experience a symptom besides minor and infrequent aches and pains.

However, more progressive cases of spondylosis may result in back stiffness and pain. Some patients may experience pain when bending or twisting, or radiating pain down the buttock and leg.

Treatment

Treatment of mild spondylosis depends on the specific source of neck or back pain. Mild spondylosis can usually be treated with conservative options like physical therapy or pain medication. Consult with your physician to develop a personalized treatment plan. If your spondylosis conditions worsen, however, surgery may become an option.

If you experience severe spondylosis and are considering spine surgery, Laser Spine Institute is here to help. As the leader in minimally invasive spine surgery, our minimally invasive decompression and stabilization procedures are often the clinically appropriate first choice and provide many advantages versus open neck or back surgery. These benefits include smaller incisions, fewer risks and faster recoveries.

 

 

Nasopharyngeal Cancer : Causes, Symptoms & Treatments

Feb 17, 2017 Posted by admin Uncategorized 0 comments
Nasopharyngeal cancer is a rare type of head and neck cancer. It starts in the upper part of your throat, behind the nose. This area is called the nasopharynx.The nasopharynx is precariously placed at the base of your skull, above the roof of your mouth. Your nostrils open into the nasopharynx. When you breathe, air flows through your nose into your throat and nasopharynx, and eventually into your lungs.

Nasopharynx

Nasopharyngeal cancer is also called nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

Causes of Nasopharyngeal Cancer

Scientists are not sure what exactly causes nasopharyngeal cancer. However, the cancer has been strongly linked to the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).

Although EBV infection is common, not everyone who has EBV will get nasopharyngeal cancer. In the U.S., most people who have had an EBV infection never have long-term problems. That’s because the body’s immune system destroys the virus.

But sometimes, genetic material (DNA) from the virus mixes with the DNA in the cells of the nasopharynx. The change in DNA causes cells to grow and divide abnormally, causing cancer. This is rare.

The risk for NPC goes up if you eat a diet rich in salt-cured fish and meat. Tobacco and alcohol also increase the risk. Some scientists believe that chemicals in these things further damage the DNA in cells.

Who Gets Nasopharyngeal Cancer?

Fewer than one in every 100,000 people in North America gets this type of cancer, according to the American Cancer Society.

The cancer is most common in southeast China. It is also much more common in:

  • Other parts of Asia
  • North Africa
  • Inuit populations of Alaska and Canada
  • Chinese and Hmong immigrant groups in the U.S.

In the U.S., nasopharyngeal cancer has also been seen in African-Americans, Hispanics, and white people.

You are more likely to get this type of cancer if you:

  • Are male
  • Under age 55
  • Eat a diet rich in salt-cured fish and meats
  • Have a family history of nasopharyngeal cancer
  • Have certain genes linked to cancer development
  • Have come in contact with EBV

Some, but not all, studies have found a higher risk of nasopharyngeal cancer in people who:

  • Smoke
  • Drink a lot of alcohol
  • Work around wood dust or a chemical called formaldehyde

Nasopharyngeal Cancer Symptoms

Symptoms of nasopharyngeal cancer may include:

  • Blurry or double vision
  • Difficulty speaking, including hoarseness
  • Ear infections that keep coming back
  • Face pain or numbness
  • Headache
  • Hearing loss, ringing in the ears, or a feeling of fullness in the ear
  • Lump in neck or nose
  • Nosebleeds
  • Stuffy nose
  • Sore throat

Keep in mind, such symptoms are more likely to occur with many other diseases and health conditions that are far less serious than nasopharyngeal cancer.

Nasopharyngeal Cancer Treatment

If you are diagnosed with nasopharyngeal cancer, you will need regular follow-ups with your medical team before, during, and after treatment.

Your treatment will depend on many things, including:

  • Location of the tumor
  • Stage of the tumor
  • Your overall health

Treatment may include:

Radiation Therapy . Radiation therapy uses X-rays to kill cancer cells and stop them from growing. It is usually part of the standard treatment for early stage nasopharyngeal cancer.

One type called IMRT delivers high-dose radiation directly to the tumor while minimizing damage to nearby healthy tissue. It may cause fewer side effects or complications than conventional radiation treatment to the nasopharynx, which can lead to:

  • dry mouth
  • inflammation of the lining of your mouth and throat
  • blindness
  • brain stem injury
  • death of healthy tissue

Surgery. Surgery can sometimes cure nasopharyngeal cancer if all of the tumor and cancer cells are removed. But the surgery can be difficult because of the tumor’s location near the skull. It may cause permanent damage to the eye and other nearby structures.

Not all people with nasopharyngeal cancer can have surgery. Your doctor will consider the location and stage of your tumor when discussing your treatment options.

Biologic drugs. Biologic drugs affect how your body’s immune system fights disease. They are also called monoclonal antibodies.

A biologic drug called bevacizumab (Avastin), blocks production of a substance called vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) . Sorafenib (Nexavar), and pazopanib (Votrient) are drugs that also block this protein. Studies show that patients with nasopharyngeal cancer who have lower levels of VEGF are more likely to remain disease-free after treatment. Bevacizumab is currently being evaluated to see if it will help improve your overall survival when combined with other treatments, such as chemotherapy. Other biologic drugs are also used. This includes the drug cetuximab (Erbitux), which targets a protein on the cancer cell’s surface. Other drugs that target this protein, including nimotuzumab and icotinib, have shown promising results in clinical trials.

Chemotherapy . Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells. By itself, it is not usually helpful for treating nasopharyngeal cancer. But it may help you live longer when combined with radiotherapy or biological drugs.

Dysentery : Causes, Symptoms & Treatments

Feb 16, 2017 Posted by admin Uncategorized 0 comments

Dysentery is an intestinal inflammation, especially in the colon, that can lead to severe diarrhea with mucus or blood in the feces.

Patients typically experience mild to severe abdominal pain or stomach cramps. In some cases, untreated dysentery can be life-threatening, especially if the infected person cannot replace lost fluids fast enough.

There are two main types of dysentery:

  • Bacillary dysentery, caused by Shigella, a bacterium.
  • Amoebic dysentery (amoebiasis) This is caused by Entamoeba histolytica, a type of amoeba. An amoeba is a protozoan (single-celled) organism that constantly changes shape.

Causes of dysentery :

Dysentery is mainly caused by a bacterial or protozoan (one cell organism, such as an amoeba) infection. It can also be caused by a parasitic worm infestation. More rarely, a chemical irritant or viral infection can also be a cause.

Causes of bacillary dysentery:

An infection with a bacillus of the Shigella group is the most common type of dysentery. According to the National Health Service (NHS), UK, Shigella sonnei is the most common, followed by Shigella flexneri, Shigella boydii and Shigella dysenteriae, the last one listed produces the most severe symptoms.

Poor hygiene is the main cause of bacillary dysentery infection. However, it can also spread because of tainted food.

Causes of amoebic dysentery

Amoebic dysentery is usually caused by infection with the Entamoeba histolytica amoeba.

Amoebic dysentery is more common in the tropics while bacillary dysentery is more common elsewhere.

The amoeba group together and form a cyst, the cysts come out of the body in human feces. In areas of poor sanitation, these cysts (which can survive for a long time), can contaminate food and water, and infect other humans. The cysts can also linger in infected people’s hands after going to the toilet. Good hygiene practice reduces the risk of infecting other people.

Symptoms of dysentery:

A symptom is something the patient feels and reports, while a sign is something other people, such as the doctor notice. For example, pain may be a symptom while a rash may be a sign.

Abdominal pain, diarrhea and fatigue are possible symptoms of dysentery.

In developed countries signs and symptoms of dysentery tend to be much milder than in developing nations or tropical areas. Patients with mild symptoms will have a slight stomach ache (cramping), and will frequently go to the toilet because of diarrhea.

Symptoms usually appear from one to three days after the person has become infected – this is called the incubation period. In most cases the patient recovers completely within a week. How often the individual goes to the toilet and has mucus or blood in feces usually depend on what is causing the disease.

In some cases people who get dysentery also develop lactose intolerance, which can take a long time to go away, sometimes even years.

Symptoms of amoebic dysentery include:

  • abdominal pain
  • fever and chills
  • nausea and vomiting
  • watery diarrhea, which can contain blood, mucus or pus
  • painful passing of stools
  • fatigue
  • intermittent constipation.

The amoeba can tunnel through the intestinal wall and spread into the bloodstream and infect other organs; ulcers can develop, these ulcers may bleed, causing blood in stools.

In some cases symptoms may persist for several weeks, but usually only last a few days. The amoebas may continue living within the host (the human) even after symptoms have gone, increasing the likelihood of a recurrence when the person’s defenses are down. The amoebas are less likely to survive if the patient receives treatment.

Signs and symptoms of bacillary dysentery – as in other types, symptoms tend to appear from one to three days after the person has been infected. Most typically, there is just mild stomachache and diarrhea, and no blood or mucus in the feces. For many, symptoms are so mild they do not even bother going to the doctor, and the problem resolves in a few days. Initially, the infected person goes to the toilet frequently with diarrhea.

Although much less common, some people with bacillary dysentery may have blood or mucus in their feces, abdominal pain may be intense, there may be an elevated body temperature (fever), nausea and vomiting.

Treatments for dysentery:

Rehydration therapy – initially this is done using oral rehydration; the patient is encouraged to drink plenty of liquids. Diarrhea, as well as vomiting results in loss of fluids that have to be replaced to prevent dehydration. If the diarrhea and/or vomiting is profuse the medical team may recommend intravenous fluid replacement – the patient will be on a drip.

Antibiotics and amoebicidal drugs – experts say that if possible, the administration of medications to kill the cause of the dysentery should be held back until lab tests determine whether the illness is being caused by a bacterium or amoeba. If this is not possible, depending on the severity of symptoms, the patient may be given a combinations of antibiotic and amoebicidal medication.

If symptoms are not severe and the doctor determines it is Bacillary dysentery (Shigella), the patient most likely will receive no medication – in the vast majority of cases the illness will resolve within a week. Oral rehydration is important.

If amoebic dysentery is diagnosed the patient will probably start with a 10-day course of an antimicrobial medication, such as Flagyl (metronidazole). Diloxanide furoate, paromomycin (Humatin), or iodoquinol (Yodoxin) may also be prescribed to make sure the amoeba does not survive inside the body after symptoms have gone.

Antirheumatic drug Ridaura (auranofin) may offer a cheap, low-dose treatment for the amoebic infections that cause dysentery in humans globally.

Hip replacement (arthroplasty): Treatments & Types of artificial materials

Feb 15, 2017 Posted by admin Uncategorized 0 comments

What Is a Hip Replacement?

Hip replacement, or arthroplasty, is a surgical procedure in which the diseased parts of the hip joint are removed and replaced with new, artificial parts. These artificial parts are called the prosthesis. The goals of hip replacement surgery are to improve mobility by relieving pain and improve function of the hip joint.

Who Should Have Hip Replacement Surgery?

The most common reason that people have hip replacement surgery is the wearing down of the hip joint that results from osteoarthritis. Other conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis (a chronic inflammatory disease that causes joint pain, stiffness, and swelling), a vascular necrosis (loss of bone caused by insufficient blood supply), injury, and bone tumors also may lead to breakdown of the hip joint and the need for hip replacement surgery.

Before suggesting hip replacement surgery, the doctor is likely to try walking aids such as a cane, or non-surgical therapies such as medication and physical therapy. These therapies are not always effective in relieving pain and improving the function of the hip joint. Hip replacement may be an option if persistent pain and disability interfere with daily activities. Before a doctor recommends hip replacement, joint damage should be detectable on x rays.

In the past, hip replacement surgery was an option primarily for people over 60 years of age. Typically, older people are less active and put less strain on the artificial hip than do younger, more active people. In recent years, however, doctors have found that hip replacement surgery can be very successful in younger people as well. New technology has improved the artificial parts, allowing them to withstand more stress and strain. A more important factor than age in determining the success of hip replacement is the overall health and activity level of the patient.

For some people who would otherwise qualify, hip replacement may be problematic. For example, people who suffer from severe muscle weakness or Parkinson’s disease are more likely than healthy people to damage or dislocate an artificial hip. Because people who are at high risk for infections or in poor health are less likely to recover successfully, doctors may not recommend hip replacement surgery for these patients.

Is a Cemented or Uncemented Prosthesis Better?

Cemented prostheses were developed 40 years ago. Uncemented prostheses were developed about 20 years ago to try to avoid the possibility of loosening parts and the breaking off of cement particles, which sometimes happen in the cemented replacement. Because each person’s condition is unique, the doctor and patient must weigh the advantages and disadvantages to decide which type of prosthesis is better.

The primary disadvantage of an uncemented prosthesis is the extended recovery period. Because it takes a long time for the natural bone to grow and attach to the prosthesis, people with uncemented replacements must limit activities for up to 3 months to protect the hip joint. The process of natural bone growth also can cause thigh pain for several months after the surgery.

Research has proven the effectiveness of cemented prostheses to reduce pain and increase joint mobility. These results usually are noticeable immediately after surgery. Cemented replacements are more frequently used than cementless ones for older, less active people and people with weak bones, such as those who have osteoporosis.

Heart Failure : Symptoms, causes & Common tests

Feb 14, 2017 Posted by admin Uncategorized 0 comments

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF HEART FAILURE?

Heart failure is different in every patient – the parts of the heart affected and the symptoms can vary widely. For this reason, your doctor may use several different terms for describing your heart failure.

The two main types of heart failure are chronic heart failure and acute heart failure .

Chronic heart failure is more common and symptoms appear slowly over time and worsen gradually.

Acute heart failure develops suddenly and symptoms are initially severe. Acute heart failure either follows a heart attack that has caused damage to an area of your heart or, more frequently, is caused by a sudden lack of ability by the body to compensate for chronic heart failure.

If you develop acute heart failure, it may be severe initially but may only last for a brief time and improve rapidly. It usually requires therapy and administration of medication by injection (intravenously).

There is another type of heart failure: Heart failure of the right ventricle.

Heart failure usually results from damage to the main pumping chamber, the left ventricle, which supplies the body with blood. This may be due to muscle injury such as a heart attack or damage to the valves in the left side of the heart.

This causes congestion in the lungs and shortness of breath.
Sometimes, heart failure mainly affects the right ventricle which pumps blood to the lungs. This may be due to muscle injury, such as a heart attack localised to the right ventricle or damage to the valves in the right side of the heart.

This may cause congestion in the liver, intestines and fluid accumulation in the lower limbs.

Heart failure on both sides of the heart may be caused or worsened by irregular heart rhythms such as atrial fibrillation, which is usually a rapid and irregular heart rate that may prevent proper filling of the ventricles.

SYMPTOMS OF HEART FAILURE:

Heart failure symptoms can vary widely from person to person, depending on the type of heart failure you have. Therefore, you may experience all of the symptoms described here or just a few of them.

In the early stage, you are unlikely to notice any symptoms, but if your heart failure progresses you are likely to experience symptoms, which become more severe.

The main symptoms of heart failure are caused by fluid accumulation or congestion. and poor blood flow to the body. This section will explain these symptoms and provide tips on how to improve them.

SYMPTOMS CAUSED BY FLUID ACCUMULATION OR CONGESTION:

1. Shortness of breath

2. coughing/ wheezing

3. Weight gain

4. Swollen angles

SYMPTOMS RELATED TO THE REDUCED BLOOD FLOW TO PARTS OF THE BODY:

1. Tiredness/ fatigue

2. Dizziness

3. Rapid Heart rate

OTHER SYMPTOMS OF HEART FAILURE :

1. Loss of appetite

2. Need to urinate at night

In addition to the physical symptoms of heart failure, some people can be affected by the seriousness and severity of heart failure and may experience emotional symptoms, such as depression and anxiety.

However many of these symptoms you experience, it is important to monitor them on a daily basis. If you notice something new, or a symptom suddenly gets worse, you should tell your doctor or nurse without delay.

WHAT CAUSES HEART FAILURE?

Heart failure can be caused by current or past medical conditions, which either damage or add extra workload to the heart. If you have (or had) more than one of these conditions your risk of heart failure is substantially increased. Your doctor should be able to tell you what may have caused your heart failure.

This section lists the different conditions that can cause or trigger heart failure, explaining what each condition is and how it can cause heart failure. Simply click on any of the conditions below to learn more.

Some of the more common causes of heart failure include:

  • Past heart attacks
  • Coronary artery disease
  • High blood pressure
  • Heart valve disease
  • Heart muscle disease or inflammation of the heart
  • Congenital heart defects
  • Lung conditions
  • Alcohol / drug abuse

Less commonly, someone whose body is compensating well for his/her heart failure may develop symptoms if their heart is temporarily unable to keep up with their body’s needs. Conditions that can trigger this type of heart failure include:

  • Infection
  • Kidney disease / poor kidney function
  • Anaemia
  • Abnormal heart rhythm
  • Overactive thyroid gland

If these triggers are treated the heart failure can often get better.

Other conditions, such as diabetes, may aggravate heart failure.

In addition people with heart failure frequently become symptomatic if they stop taking their medicines or do not follow their treatment plan properly.

For some people the cause of their heart failure is unknown, and they don’t have any of the conditions listed above. If you are unsure of the cause of your heart failure you should discuss it with your doctor.

Common tests for Heart failure :

Common tests

If you suspect you have symptoms of heart failure you should talk to your doctor (normally your primary care physician / GP).

Your doctor will likely perform a thorough examination of your body and will ask you about your symptoms, your medical history and your lifestyle. It is important that you answer any questions as honestly and accurately as possible so that your doctor can make an accurate diagnosis and can work with you to find the best treatment.

If your doctor suspects you have heart failure he or she will probably suggest you have certain tests. These tests will help to show whether your heart is working properly and, if not, where the problem lies.

This section explains the tests your doctor may want you to have and what the test can show. Click on any of the tests to learn more.

The most common tests are:

  • Medical history and physical examination
  • Electrocardiogram (ECG)
  • Blood tests
  • Chest x-ray
  • Echocardiogram

Additional tests may be able to find out more about your heart failure or identify the cause. These include:

  • Lung function tests
  • Exercise testing
  • Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
  • Cardiac catheterisation and angiography
  • Nuclear medicines techniques
  • Multi-slice Computer Tomography (MSCT)

As the symptoms presented to the doctor may vary widely between patients you may only receive a few of these tests, and it is very unlikely you will receive all of them. If you have any concerns regarding your tests, you should discuss them with your doctor.

Herniated disk: Causes, Symptoms & Treatments

Feb 11, 2017 Posted by admin Uncategorized 0 comments
A herniated disk refers to a problem with one of the rubbery cushions (disks) between the individual bones (vertebrae) that stack up to make your spine. A spinal disk is a little like a jelly donut, with a softer center encased within a tougher exterior.
Symptoms of a slipped disk include:
  • pain and numbness, most commonly on one side of the body.
  • pain that extends to your arms or legs.
  • pain that worsens at night or with certain movements.
  • pain that worsens after standing or sitting.
  • pain when walking short distances.
  • unexplained muscle weakness.

Causes:

A slipped disk occurs when the outer ring becomes weak or torn and allows the inner portion to slip out. This can happen with age. Certain motions may also cause a slipped disk. A disk can slip out of place while you are twisting or turning to lift an object. Lifting a very large, heavy object can place great strain on the lower back, resulting in a slipped disk. If you have a very physically demanding job that requires a lot of lifting, you may be at increased risk for slipped disks.

Overweight individuals are also at increased risk for a slipped disk because their disks must support the additional weight. Weak muscles and a sedentary lifestyle may also contribute to the development of a slipped disk.

As you get older, you are more likely to experience a slipped disk. This is because your disks begin to lose some of their protective water content as you age. As a result, they can slip more easily out of place. They are more common in men than women.

Treatments:

Treatments for a slipped disk range from conservative to surgical. The treatment typically depends on the level of discomfort you’re experiencing and how far the disk has slipped out of place.

Most people can relieve slipped disk pain using an exercise program that stretches and strengthens the back and surrounding muscles. A physical therapist may recommend exercises that can strengthen your back while reducing your pain.

Taking over-the-counter pain relievers and avoiding heavy lifting and painful positions can also help.

While it may be tempting to refrain from all physical activity while you’re experiencing the pain or discomfort of a slipped disk, this can lead to muscle weakness and joint stiffness. Instead, try to remain as active as possible through stretching or low-impact activities such as walking.

If your slipped disk pain does not respond to over-the-counter treatments, your doctor may prescribe stronger medications. These include:

  • muscle relaxers to relieve muscle spasms
  • narcotics to relieve pain
  • nerve pain medications like gabapentin or duloxetine

Your doctor may recommend surgery if your symptoms do not subside in six weeks or if your slipped disk is affecting your muscle function. Your surgeon may remove the damaged or protruding portion of the disk without removing the entire disk. This is called a microdiskectomy.

In more severe cases, your doctor may replace the disk with an artificial one or remove the disk and fuse your vertebrae together. This procedure, along with a laminectomy and spinal fusion, adds stability to your spinal column.

Tuberous Sclerosis Complex(TSC) : Causes, Symptoms & Treatments

Feb 10, 2017 Posted by admin Uncategorized 0 comments
Tuberous sclerosis or tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a rare multi-system genetic disease that causes benign tumors to grow in the brain and on other vital organs such as the kidneys, heart, eyes, lungs, and skin.
What are the signs and symptoms of tuberous sclerosis?
The symptoms of TS can include:
  • developmental delays.
  • seizures.
  • intellectual disabilities.
  • an abnormal heart rhythm.
  • noncancerous tumors of the brain.
  • calcium deposits on the brain.
  • noncancerous tumors of the kidneys or heart.
  • growths around or underneath the fingernails and toenails.

Symptoms usually show up early, shortly after birth. But they can also appear later in life.

Your symptoms depend on how many tumors you have, how big they are, and where they are. When you have TSC, all of that can change throughout your life.  Tumors in a kidney can stop it from working like it should. They can also cause bleeding inside your body or high blood pressure.

Tumors in your heart usually happen when you’re young, and they shrink over time. But they can block blood flow or cause problems with your heart rhythm.

Lung tumors can make you short of breath, even after mild exercise. They can also cause a cough or make your lung collapse.

Tumors in your brain could cause:

  • Seizures, which can be mild at first
  • Behavior changes, such as temper tantrums, anxiety, or sleep problems
  • Nausea or headaches
  • Problems such as autism and developmental delays

Tumors in your eyes can make you see double or give you blurry vision.

In other places in your body, you may have patches of different color skin and dark or light growths that might look like warts.

In your mouth, tuberous sclerosis can weaken the enamel on your teeth or make your gums overgrow.

Causes :

You get TSC because of a problem in your genes. For most people, it’s caused by changes that happened when your cells were first coming together or when you were just an embryo.About a third of people inherit TSC from a parent. If one of your parents has it, you have a 50% chance of getting it.

Treatment:

Your treatment will depend on your particular case. Doctors target the places where the tumors are growing.

If TSC is affecting your kidneys, doctors may be able to block or reduce blood flow to kidney tumors, or give you drugs to help shrink them. You may need surgery to remove the tumors. At some point, you may also need dialysis or a kidney transplant.

 

 

 

Varicose Veins: Causes, Symptoms & Treatments

Feb 8, 2017 Posted by admin Uncategorized 0 comments

What are varicose veins?

Varicose veins are twisted, enlarged veins near the surface of the skin. They are most common in the legs and ankles. They usually aren’t serious, but they can sometimes lead to other problems.

What causes varicose veins?

Varicose veins are caused by weakened valves and veins in your legs. Normally, one-way valves in your veins keep blood flowing from your legs up toward your heart. When these valves do not work as they should, blood collects in your legs, and pressure builds up. The veins become weak, large, and twisted.

Varicose veins often run in families. Aging also increases your risk.

Being overweight or pregnant or having a job where you must stand for long periods of time increases pressure on leg veins. This can lead to varicose veins.

What are the symptoms?

Varicose veins look dark blue, swollen, and twisted under the skin. Some people do not have any symptoms. Mild symptoms may include:

More severe symptoms or complications include:

  • A buildup of fluid and swelling in the leg.
  • Significant swelling and calf pain after sitting or standing for a long time.
  • Skin color changes (stasis pigmentation) around the ankles and lower legs.
  • Dry, stretched, swollen, itching, or scaling skin.
  • Superficial thrombophlebitis (when a blood clot and inflammation develop in a small vein near the surface of the skin).
  • Open sores (ulcerations).
  • Bleeding and/or bruising after a minor injury.

Symptoms of varicose veins may become more severe a few days before and during a woman’s menstrual period.

More severe symptoms or complications include:

  • A buildup of fluid and swelling in the leg.
  • Significant swelling and calf pain after sitting or standing for a long time.
  • Skin color changes (stasis pigmentation) around the ankles and lower legs.
  • Dry, stretched, swollen, itching, or scaling skin.
  • Superficial thrombophlebitis (when a blood clot and inflammation develop in a small vein near the surface of the skin).
  • Open sores (ulcerations).
  • Bleeding and/or bruising after a minor injury.

Symptoms of varicose veins may become more severe a few days before and during a woman’s menstrual period.

Treatments:

  • Laser treatment. Laser energy is used to scar and destroy varicose veins. This is called ablation.
    • Simple laser therapy is done on small veins close to the skin, such as spider veins. The laser is used outside of your skin.
    • Endovenous laser therapy uses a laser fiber inserted into the vein. Laser ablation inside the vein makes the vein close up.
  • Ligation and stripping. Incisions are made over the varicose veins, and the vein is tied off (ligated) and removed (stripped).
  • Phlebectomy. Several tiny cuts are made in the skin through which the varicose vein is removed.
  • Radiofrequency treatment. Radiofrequency energy (instead of laser energy) is used inside a vein to scar and close it off. It can be used to close off a large varicose vein in the leg.
  • Sclerotherapy. A chemical (sclerosant) is injected into a varicose vein to damage and scar the inside lining of the vein, causing the vein to close. This usually works best for small veins.

Treatment may be needed to remove the damaged veins, treat complications, or correct an underlying problem that is causing the varicose veins. The size of your varicose veins affects your treatment options. Generally, larger varicose veins are treated with ligation and stripping, laser treatment, or radiofrequency treatment. In some cases, a combination of treatments may work best. Smaller varicose veins and spider veins are usually treated with sclerotherapy or laser therapy on your skin.

Some people may want to improve how their legs look, even though their varicose veins are not causing other problems. In these cases, a procedure or surgery may be appropriate-as long as there are no other health problems that make these treatments risky.

All treatment methods-including all types of surgery, sclerotherapy, laser, and radiofrequency ablation-can scar or discolor the skin.

Treatment can be more difficult for deep veins that are damaged or for perforating veins, which connect the deep and superficial veins. These veins may be treated with surgery, radiofrequency ablation, or sclerotherapy, or a combination of these treatments.

 

Brain Tumor : Causes, Symptoms & Treatments

Feb 6, 2017 Posted by admin Uncategorized 0 comments

Brain Tumor

Symptoms and Signs:

People with a brain tumor may experience the following symptoms or signs. Sometimes, people with a brain tumor do not have any of these changes. Or, the cause of a symptom may be another medical condition that is not a brain tumor.

Symptoms of a brain tumor can be general or specific. A general symptom is caused by the pressure of the tumor on the brain or spinal cord. Specific symptoms are caused when a specific part of the brain is not working well because of the tumor. For many people with a brain tumor, they were diagnosed when they went to the doctor after experiencing a problem, such as a headache or other changes.

General symptoms include:

  • Headaches, which may be severe and worsen with activity or in the early morning
  • Seizures. Motor seizures, also called convulsions, are sudden involuntary movements of a person’s muscles. People may experience different types of seizures, including myclonic and tonic-clonic (grand mal). Certain drugs can help prevent or control them. The differences between these types of seizures are listed below:
    • Myclonic
      • Single or multiple muscle twitches, jerks, spasms
    • Tonic-Clonic (Grand Mal)
      • Loss of consciousness and body tone, followed by twitching and relaxing muscles that are called contractions
      • Loss of control of body functions
      • May be a short 30-second period of no breathing and a person may turn a shade of blue
      • After this type of seizure a person may be sleepy and experience a headache, confusion, weakness, numbness, and sore muscles.
    • Sensory
      • Change in sensation, vision, smell, and/or hearing without losing consciousness
    • Complex partial
      • May cause a loss of awareness or a partial or total loss of consciousness
      • May be associated with repetitive, unintentional movements, such as twitching
  • Personality or memory changes
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Fatigue
  • Drowsiness
  • Sleep problems
  • Memory problems
  • Changes in ability to walk or perform daily activities

Symptoms that may be specific to the location of the tumor include:

  • Pressure or headache near the tumor
  • Loss of balance and difficulty with fine motor skills is linked with a tumor in the cerebellum.
  • Changes in judgment, including loss of initiative, sluggishness, and muscle weakness or paralysis is associated with a tumor in the frontal lobe of the cerebrum.
  • Partial or complete loss of vision is caused by a tumor in the occipital lobe or temporal lobe of the cerebrum.
  • Changes in speech, hearing, memory, or emotional state, such as aggressiveness and problems understanding or retrieving words can develop from a tumor in the frontal and temporal lobe of the cerebrum.
  • Altered perception of touch or pressure, arm or leg weakness on 1 side of the body, or confusion with left and right sides of the body are linked to a tumor in the frontal or parietal lobe of the cerebrum.
  • Inability to look upward can be caused by a pineal gland tumor.
  • Lactation, which is the secretion of breast milk and altered menstrual periods in women, and growth in hands and feet in adults are associated with a pituitary tumor.
  • Difficulty swallowing, facial weakness or numbness, or double vision is a symptom of a tumor in the brain stem.
  • Vision changes, including loss of part of the vision or double vision can be from a tumor in the temporal lobe, occipital lobe, or brain stem.

If you are concerned about any changes you experience, please talk with your doctor. Your doctor will ask how long and how often you’ve been experiencing the symptom(s), in addition to other questions. This is to help find out the cause of the problem, called a diagnosis.

If a brain tumor is diagnosed, relieving symptoms remains an important part of your care and treatment. This may also be called symptom management, palliative care, or supportive care. Be sure to talk with your health care team about symptoms you experience, including any new symptoms or a change in symptoms.

Treatment:

In brain tumor care, different types of doctors often work together to create a patient’s overall treatment plan that combines different types of treatment. This is called a multidisciplinary team. Cancer care teams also include a variety of other health care professionals, including physician assistants, oncology nurses, social workers, pharmacists, counselors, dietitians, and others.

Descriptions of the most common treatment options for a brain tumor are listed below, including treatments that help manage symptoms. Treatment options and recommendations depend on several factors:

  • The size, type, and grade of the tumor
  • Whether the tumor is putting pressure on vital parts of the brain
  • If the tumor has spread to other parts of the CNS or body
  • Possible side effects
  • The patient’s preferences and overall health.

Some types of brain tumors grow rapidly, other tumors grow slowly. Considering all these factors, your doctor will talk with you about how soon treatment should start after diagnosis.

Treatment options include those described below, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Your care plan may also include treatment for symptoms and side effects, an important part of your medical care.

For a low-grade brain tumor, surgery may be the only treatment needed especially if all of the tumor can be removed. If there is visible tumor remaining after surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy may be used. For higher-grade tumors, treatment usually begins with surgery, followed by radiation therapy and chemotherapy.

Successfully treating brain tumors can be challenging. The body’s blood-brain barrier normally protects the brain and spinal cord from harmful chemicals in the bloodstream. However, this barrier also keeps out many types of chemotherapy. Surgery can be difficult if the tumor is near a delicate part of the brain or spinal cord. Even when the surgeon can completely remove the original tumor, there may be parts of the tumor remaining that are too small to be seen or removed during surgery. And, radiation therapy can damage healthy tissue.

However, research in the past 20 years has helped to significantly lengthen the lives of people with brain tumors. More refined surgeries, a better understanding of the types of tumors that respond to chemotherapy, and more targeted delivery of radiation therapy have lengthened lives and improved the quality of life for many people diagnosed with a brain tumor.

 

Otosclerosis : Causes, symptoms & treatments

Feb 4, 2017 Posted by admin Uncategorized 0 comments

Causes

The cause of otosclerosis is unknown. However, there is some evidence that it may be passed down through families.

People who have otosclerosis have an abnormal sponge-like bone growing in the middle ear. This growth prevents the ear bones from vibrating in response to sound waves. Such vibrations are needed in order for you to hear.

Otosclerosis is the most common cause of middle ear hearing loss in young adults. It typically begins in early to mid-adulthood. It is more common in women than in men. The condition may affect one or both ears.

Risks for this condition include pregnancy and a family history of hearing loss. Caucasians are more likely to develop this condition than people of other races.

Symptoms

  • Hearing loss (slow at first, but gets worse over time)
  • Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
  • Vertigo or dizzi

Treatment:

Otosclerosis may slowly get worse. The condition may not need to be treated until you have significant hearing problems.

Medications such as fluoride, calcium, or vitamin D may help to slow the hearing loss, but the benefits have not yet been proved.

A hearing aid may be used to treat the hearing loss. This will not cure or prevent hearing loss from getting worse, but it may help relieve some of the symptoms.

Surgery to remove part of the ear (stapes) and replace it with a prosthesis can cure conductive hearing loss. A total replacement is called a stapedectomy. Sometimes only part of the stapes is removed and a small hole is made in the bottom of it. This is called a stapedotomy. Sometimes a laser is used to help with the surgery.

Pages:‹1...57585960616263...89›