HealthyTips

Rabu, 05 Januari 2011

APPENDICITIS

APPENDICITIS

Vermiform appendix

In human anatomy, the appendix (or vermiform appendix; also cecal (or caecal) appendix; also vermix) is a blind-ended tube connected to the cecum (or caecum), from which it develops embryologically. The cecum is a pouchlike structure of the colon. The appendix is located near the junction of the small intestine and the large intestine.

Although appendicitis can occur at any age, it is most common between the years of 10 and 30 and is rare before the age of 2. Appendicitis begins usually with a feeling of general malaise and pain near the navel. The pain guickly intensifies and becomes concentrated in the lower right abdomen but sometimes radiates upward so that it appears to come from under the rib cage. Pressure on the abdomen worsens the pain as does movement or coughing. Other symptoms include low fever, rigid abdomen, loss of appetite, nausea, vomitting, constipation or more rarely, diarrhea. Lying on the left side with the legs drawn up in a fetal position often brings some temporary relief.

Diagnostic Studies and Procedures

A doctor will press, or palpate the abdomen, feeling for the rigidity that is typical. Blood tests showing an elevated white cell count, a common indication of any infection, coupled with the other characterisitc symptoms will raise a suspicion of appendicitis.

There are no specific diagnostic tests for the problem but an ultrasound examination often shows that the appendix is enlarged. If the diagnosis is still uncertain after a physical examination and ultrasound, laparotomy maybe ordered, particularly in woman, because the symptoms may indicate an ovarian cyst or other gynecologic disorder. In this procedure, a viewing tube is inserted into a small incision near the naver, allowing a doctor to examine the abdominal organs.

Medical Treatments

An operation to remove the appendix called an appendectomy will be done immediately; it is the only treatment for acute appendicitis. Prompt surgery is important to prevent rupture and spreading of the infection.

A ruptured appendix invariably leads to peritonitis, a serious infection of the lining around the abdominal cavity. If rupture has occured, the appendix and the surrounding infected tissue must be removed, followed by intensive antibiotic theraphy. In the rare cases in which surgery is not possible, antibiotics will be given inravenously.

In uncomplicated appendectomy takes about an hour to perform. Most patients are released from the hospital in 5 or 6 days and recover fully within a week to 10 days.

Alternative Therapies

While there is no substitute for surgical treatment, such relaxation techniques as meditation, visualization and self-hypnosis caan reduce postoperative pain. Other approaches incluse:

1. Acupuncture. In China, acupuncture substitutes for painkillers following an appendectomy and some other types of surgery. When James Reston, a New York Times columnist, developed appendicitis during a trip to China, local anesthesia was used for the operation and acupuncture to alleviate postoperative pain.

2. Music therapy. Listening to music dulls the perception of pain, perhaps by increasing the brains production of endorphins - the body's natural painkillers. Studies show that surgery patients who listen to music often can reduce their need for painkillers.

3. Nutrition Therapy. Some nutritionists and doctors believe that eating high-fiber foods, such as whole-grain cereals and breads, fresh fruit and vegetables may help prevent appendicitis.

Self-Treatment

There is no self-treatment for acute appendicitis; your best course is to seek medical treatment as quickly as you can. Go to the nearest emergency room if you are unable to reach your own doctor. If you cannot get to a hospital immediately, apply ice packs and stay as quiet as possible.

Constipation is common with this condition but you should never take a laxative if the symptoms suggest the possibility of appendicitis because it can cause the appendix torupture. While recovering from an appendectomy, an ice pack applied to the area of the incision numbs the pain. After the stitches or surgical staples have been removed, application of vitamin E oil or cream to the incision may promote healing and help to reduce scarring. Generally, physicians advise against lifting any heavy objects for at least six weeks, as such activity can put undue stress on the incision and will slow the healing process.

Other Causes of Abdominal Pain

Other disorders that produce pain like that of appendicitis include pelvic inflammatory disease, tubal pregnancy, a ruptured ovarian cyst, Crohn's disease and other intestinal disorders.

Vermiform Appendix

Arteries of cecum and vermiform appendix. (Appendix visible at lower right, labeled as "vermiform process").

Normal location of the appendix relative to other organs of the digestive system (frontal view).

Sabtu, 01 Januari 2011

HEALTH INFO

SHOULD YOU SEEK A SECOND OPINION?

Studies show that a large percentage of surgery done in the whole world each year could be avoided, because all operations carry a risk and most are more costly than other treatments. Make sure that surgery is the best treatment option. In particular, always seek a second opinion before having any of the following operations:

Cataract removal
Coronery artery bypass and other heart operations
Gallbladder removal
Hernia repair
Hysterectomy
Knee surgery
Prostate surgery
Spinal disk removal and other back operations
Tonsillectomy

Kamis, 30 Desember 2010

ALZHEIMER

Alzheimer's disease
Classification and external resources
Comparison of a normal aged brain (left) and an Alzheimer's patient's brain (right). Differential characteristics are pointed out.

(Dementia of the Alzheimer type)

Alzheimer's disease is a brain disorder in which memory, thought processes and behavior become progressively impaired. It is named for Dr. Alois Alzheimer, the German neurologist who first described it in the early 1900s. He discovered during an autopsy of a woman who had died of progressive dementia that her brain was riddled with plaques and tangles of abnormal nerve cells, the hallmarks of the disease.

What causes Alzheimer's disease remains unknown. Woman have a higher incidence of Alzheimer's than men and recent research indicates that the hormonal changes following menopause may play a role. Brains afflicted with Alzheimer's have large amounts of an abnormal substance, called amyloid protein. Researchers are now trying to determine whether these abnormalities stem from a viral infection or genetic trait or perhaps are caused by an environmental toxin.

Diagnostic Studies and Procedures

Only an autopsy can reveal the brain irregularities of Alzheimer's disease. Thus diagnosis in a living person requires a process of elimination to rule out other possible causes of progressive mental deterioration.

The physical examination is usually concentrated on neurological function, although a doctor may also look for circulatory or respirotary disorders. Special studies might include psychological test, blood and urine analyses, skull X-rays, electroencephalography and perhaps a CT brain scan or MRI.

Medical Treatments

Until recently, there was little that doctors could do to prevent or treat Alzheimer's disease. But on-going studies and new drugs are altering this situation. For example, several studies show a 40 percent reduction in the incidence of Alzheimer's among older woman on estrogen replacement therapy. Researchers have also found that estrogen seems to slow progression of the disease.

In 1997 researchers reported that ibuprofen, a common painkiller, seemed to protect against Alzheimer's. But more study is needed to prove this.

About 20 percent of the Alzheimer's patients who take tacrine (Cognex), a drug released in 1993, show significant improvement in mental functioning and in additional 20 percent the disease's progress is slowed. However, many patients cannot take tacrine because it can cause serious liver damage. Patients taking Cognex must undergo frequent blood tests to determine if there is any liver damage, the major adverse effect of the drug.

Some of the more troubling symptoms of Alzheimer's can be treated with older medications. For example, sedatives may be prescribed for sleep problems, antipsychotic drugs to calm psychosis and aggressiveness and stimulants such as methylphenidate (Ritalin) to improve mood.

Alternative Therapies

As with medical treatments, the goal of any alternative therapy for Alzheimer disease is to provide comfort.

Herbal Medicine. Substances derived from leaves of the ginkgo tree have been shown to increase blood flow to the brain. Herbalist have long recommended ginkgo products to improve memory, recent research supports some of these claims.

Hydrotherapy. As an alternative to drug, some nursing homes use warm baths to soothe agitated or anxious patients. A word of caution, however: To prevent accidental drowning, an elderly person with Alzheimer's should never be left alone in a hot tub or bath.

Music Therapy. There is ample evidence that people with declining mental function can receive a great deal of pleasure from listening to music, both alone and from group activities planned around singing. Even when verbal memory fades, the ability to recognize and remember music remains intact. Music therapists find that playing songs popular during a patient's youth, or music associated with a particular time and place, jogs others memories.

Nutrition Therapy. Some proponents of vitamin therapy recommend high doses of antioxidants - vitamins A,C and E and the mineral selenium - to slow the progress of Alzheimer's disease. When consumed in food, these nutrients help counter the damage of unstable molecules called free radicals, which are a by-product of oxygen metabolism. As yet, there is no convincing scientific evidence that antioxidant supplements can benefit Alzheimer's patients.

Pet Therapy. Nursing homes often provide gentle cats, dogs or other animals for Alzheimer's patients. Simply making contact with another living creature can be immensely conforting.

Self-Treatment. Following a set routine in a familiar environment helps Alzheimer's patients cope with the early stages of memory loss. Unavoidable changes should be made gradually to avoid disorientation and confussion. In the early stages of memory loss, some Alzheimer's patients write notes to themselves and post them in obvious places. This eases some of the anxiety over forgetting important task and appointments. Family members can coax memories by recalling past events.

Other Causes of Dementia

During the diagnostic process, disorders that should be ruled out include alcoholism, nutritional deficiencies, depression, overuse of tranquilizers and other drug effecting mental function, a brain tumor, stroke, Parkinson's disease and circulatory problems.

Get more information from the link below.