Endoscopy Complications

Posted on October 11, 2011 by admin

The procedure is usually carried out in a specialised unit within a hospital and takes only a few minutes. Endoscopy departments are extraordinarily busy places, however, and the check in procedure before the test and booking out after the rest may take an hour each. It is usually best to set aside the whole morning or afternoon depending on the time of your appointment.

The next day after having a tiny bit of fluid removed, I was ravenous. With my lap band I finally felt like a normal person, with a normal appetite. Suddenly those old horrible feelings of being hungry all the time came rushing back; it felt like my worst nightmare. I called my doctor in a panic; he saw me right away. He said the fear I exhibited was palpable.

For many people it is difficult to understand what sort of pain a person who suffers from gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, experiences. For example, they have to put up with heartburn and vomiting. The complications that can occur as a result of GERD are very serious and thus should be understood by anyone who suffers from the disease. The following is a list of some of the possible complications that can arise from GERD.

To perform the procedure, your doctor may give you a sedative and pain reliever, as well as spray a numbing solution in the throat. Breathing is not affected, and you may be unconscious during the procedure. You may have a mild sore throat afterwards, and you will need a friend or family member to drive you home, due to the sedative. Apart from these relatively small inconveniences, you can resume your normal routine.

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This article is concerned with endoscopes used to look inside the oesophagus, the stomach and the duodenum. The early endoscopes used lenses and mirrors, but 30 years ago these were replaced by fibreoptic instruments that gave the operator a clear, direct view of the inside of the stomach.

Esophageal cancer occurs when cancer cells form in the esophagus. It starts on the inside lining and spreads outward. There are two common forms of esophageal cancer, squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. Squamous cell carcinoma is found in the upper and middle parts of the esophagus and adenocarcinoma is found near the stomach on the lower part of the esophagus.

The acid reflux test is also known as an upper endoscopy, and is carried out using an endoscope, which is a medical device that consists of a camera mounted on a flexible tube. Small instruments may also be used to take samples of suspicious tissues through the endoscope, during an acid reflux test.

It is indeed necessary that a physician can be able to extract a precise analysis of a particular illness to stipulate the most efficient treatment for the patients. Appropriate diagnosis of IBD relies on finding the disease type, whether is an ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease scope, and the complications linked with each ailment.

Ulcers are common in our society and one out of every 10 Americans will suffer from this intense abdominal pain from a duodenal ulcer in their lifetime. Common myth has it that stress from the modern life and/or a steady fast food diet will cause ulcers. Still there is no apparent evidence that will suggest that these two factors are causes of ulcers in the stomach and small intestines which has become common in our society.

The bloating could be the result of a few different factors. For example, for some types of surgery, the surgeon may have intentionally injected gas into the region in order to create more work space. In other instances, the intestines may have been slightly disturbed during surgery, causing them to create excess gas.

 

 

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Digestive Basics – Hemorrhoids

Posted on October 11, 2011 by admin

What are hemorrhoids?

The term hemorrhoids refers to a condition in which the veins around the anus or lower rectum are swollen and inflamed.

Hemorrhoids may result from straining to move stool. Other contributing factors include pregnancy, aging, chronic constipation or diarrhea, and anal intercourse.

Hemorrhoids are either inside the anus (internal) or under the skin around the anus (external).

What are the symptoms of hemorrhoids?

Many anorectal problems, including fissures, fistulae, abscesses, or irritation and itching (pruritus ani), have similar symptoms and are incorrectly referred to as hemorrhoids.

Hemorrhoids usually are not dangerous or life threatening. In most cases, hemorrhoidal symptoms will go away within a few days.

Although many people have hemorrhoids, not all experience symptoms. The most common symptom of internal hemorrhoids is bright red blood covering the stool, on toilet paper, or in the toilet bowl. However, an internal hemorrhoid may protrude through the anus outside the body, becoming irritated and painful. This is known as a protruding hemorrhoid.

Symptoms of external hemorrhoids may include painful swelling or a hard lump around the anus that results when a blood clot forms. This condition is known as a thrombosed external hemorrhoid.

In addition, excessive straining, rubbing, or cleaning around the anus may cause irritation with bleeding and/or itching, which may produce a vicious cycle of symptoms. Draining mucus may also cause itching.

How common are hemorrhoids?

Hemorrhoids are very common in both men and women. About half of the population have hemorrhoids by age 50. Hemorrhoids are also common among pregnant women. The pressure of the fetus in the abdomen, as well as hormonal changes, cause the hemorrhoidal vessels to enlarge. These vessels are also placed under severe pressure during childbirth. For most women, however, hemorrhoids caused by pregnancy are a temporary problem.

How are hemorrhoids diagnosed?

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A thorough evaluation and proper diagnosis by the doctor is important any time bleeding from the rectum or blood in the stool occurs. Bleeding may also be a symptom of other digestive diseases, including colorectal cancer.

The doctor will examine the anus and rectum to look for swollen blood vessels that indicate hemorrhoids and will also perform a digital rectal exam with a gloved, lubricated finger to feel for abnormalities.

Closer evaluation of the rectum for hemorrhoids requires an exam with an anoscope, a hollow, lighted tube useful for viewing internal hemorrhoids, or a proctoscope, useful for more completely examining the entire rectum.

To rule out other causes of gastrointestinal bleeding, the doctor may examine the rectum and lower colon (sigmoid) with sigmoidoscopy or the entire colon with colonoscopy. Sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy are diagnostic procedures that also involve the use of lighted, flexible tubes inserted through the rectum. What is the treatment?

Medical treatment of hemorrhoids is aimed initially at relieving symptoms. Measures to reduce symptoms include

warm tub baths several times a day in plain, warm water for about 10 minutes
application of a hemorroidal cream or suppository to the affected area for a limited time

Preventing the recurrence of hemorrhoids will require relieving the pressure and straining of constipation. Doctors will often recommend increasing fiber and fluids in the diet. Eating the right amount of fiber and drinking six to eight glasses of fluid (not alcohol) result in softer, bulkier stools. A softer stool makes emptying the bowels easier and lessens the pressure on hemorrhoids caused by straining. Eliminating straining also helps prevent the hemorrhoids from protruding.

Good sources of fiber are fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. In addition, doctors may suggest a bulk stool softener or a fiber supplement such as psyllium (Metamucil) or methylcellulose (Citrucel).

In some cases, hemorrhoids must be treated endoscopically or surgically. These methods are used to shrink and destroy the hemorrhoidal tissue. The doctor will perform the procedure during an office or hospital visit.

A number of methods may be used to remove or reduce the size of internal hemorrhoids. These techniques include

A rubber band is placed around the base of the hemorrhoid inside the rectum. The band cuts off circulation, and the hemorrhoid withers away within a few days.
A chemical solution is injected around the blood vessel to shrink the hemorrhoid.
A special device is used to burn hemorrhoidal tissue.
Occasionally, extensive or severe internal or external hemorrhoids may require removal by surgery known as hemorrhoidectomy.
How are hemorrhoids prevented?

The best way to prevent hemorrhoids is to keep stools soft so they pass easily, thus decreasing pressure and straining, and to empty bowels as soon as possible after the urge occurs. Exercise, including walking, and increased fiber in the diet help reduce constipation and straining by producing stools that are softer and easier to pass.

This author writes about H Miracle at Cure Your Hemorrhoids Center

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The Best Choice for Colon Cancer Study is G0121

Posted on October 10, 2011 by admin

If you are coding for colorectal cancer screening and disturbed about the fact that your payer won’t accept them, your protection could lie on the following frequency guidelines and eligibility requirements exactly as instructed. These four facts could have the coding answers you are looking for:

Average risk patients qualify for colorectal cancer test Average risk patients are those patients who are at least 50 years old and are eligible for a covered Medicare screening. These patients can have a colon cancer screening only once every 10 years. Remember that it’s once in 10 years or nothing to most payers – never more. You shouldn’t ignore these frequency guidelines because if you do so, it could spell trouble.
Just one ICD-9 links to G0121 So long as there’s no requirement for any therapeutic intervention during the colonoscopy, payers need just one diagnosis code on all G0121 claims: V76.51. But, you can link secondary diagnosis, for example diverticulosis (562.10) or hemorrhoids (455.0). Remember to always list the V codes for an average risk screening.
Flex sigmoidoscopy limits screening eligibility Depending on what other related colorectal cancer tests you performed on a patient prior to this, frequency rules are different. For example, if a patient has had a routine flexible sigmoidoscopy screening, he’s not entitled to a screening colonoscopy for at least 48 months.
45378 works for some private carriers While many private payers accept the G codes for colorectal cancer screening, some non-Medicare payers prefer 45378 for a screening colonoscopy. As a general rule, you should look for the private payer’s frequency and diagnosis guidelines, which might differ from Medicare’s, prior to coding these services. For more medical coding updates, sign up for a medical coding guidelike Supercoder!

We provide you simple, instant connection to official code descriptors & guidelines and other tools for 2010 CPT code, HCPCS lookup that help coders and billers to excel in the work they do every day.

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Parenting Child Care – Sick Child’s Cry

Posted on October 9, 2011 by admin

A baby crying due to sickness is something that requires immediate medical attention. The immune power of the child is very les compared to an adult. Thus even after proper caring a child may contract any of the following infections causing agony to the parents. Proper management of these infections requires some basic knowledge about it. In any case the child requires proper medical attention for the complete curing of the infection. Some of the most common infections are as follows:

1. Ear Ache: The infection may be contracted in a humid climate. The infection generally sets in the throat and then spreads to the ears. It can cause rupture to the ear drums and the inner region of the ear may become inflamed. In some cases pus can ooze out of the ears. These conditions cause severe discomfort to the child, which may try to rub the inner region of the ears. Consulting an ENT specialist is a must.

2. Colic Pain: It is nothing but pain in the abdomen. A child can develop colic pain because of abdominal distension or rumbling. The most common symptoms of colic pain are continuous crying of the child, the child lying in a position with its abdomen touching the bed, severe pain for the child when the abdomen is touched. Proper medical attention is required to cure this.

3. General Infections: A child can contract a wide range of infections. The infection can be present all over the body or can be localized to one particular region. Generally the onset of an infection is marked by fever. Reddening, itching, sensitized area; sores are some common symptoms of infection.

4. Reaction to certain Food Stuffs: A child may be allergic to a variety of food stuffs. Common symptoms of food allergy include labored breathing, rashes, itching, reddening, gastric troubles etc. Simple home remedies can be initially tried. If found non effective medical attention can be given.

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5. Hardness of the Stools: Sometimes a child can face constipation which is characterized by hardness of the stools. The child cries due to the pain associated.

6. Gastro Esophagial Problem: Sometimes the child vomits the food that it had taken. It causes a lot of annoyance to the baby. During the process of vomit the acid present in the stomach also comes out causing an irritating tangy feeling in the child’s mouth. If it continues often it could be due to the opening of the valve in-between the esophagus and the wind pipe. This condition is called as Gastro Esophagial reflex. It has to be properly diagnosed by a doctor and proper medicines have to be given.

7. Dentition Phase: Generally pain, reddening, inflammation is associated with the emerging tooth causing nuisance to the child. 

Rare conditions of sickness

1Difficulty in the Bowel: Obstruction of the bowel causes severe pain in the abdomen of the child. Vomiting is a common symptom of this. The abdomen of the child may feel firm, existence of distention causes rumbling sounds, constipation and absence of intestinal gas are also commonly associated with obstructed bowels.

2. Septicemia: It is the condition where an infection is present in the blood. It is caused due to the entry of some microorganisms in the blood stream. It is a very severe condition that requires immediate hospitalization.

3. Torsion of Testis: it is seen in some male children where the child shows no sign other than crying. Torsion of the testis in male children is an enormously painful condition. The testis pains upon touch but on the contrary if the testis is pressed it gives some relief to the child. This condition can be caused due to improper treatment of meningitis causing improper blood flow to the testis.

4. Meningitis: It is the inflammation of the meninges layer of the spinal chord and the brain. It is a very severe infection causing severe pain and suffering to the child. Initially there won’t be fever. But upon onset of fever it becomes very severe. The fontal is swelled with rigidity in neck and seizures might emerge later. It calls for very quick medical attention else it can prove fatal.

5. Urine Retention: It is a very severe condition which calls for immediate medical attention and sometimes hospitalization may be required. The child will be under severe pain till the urine comes out. The reason for the retention has to be explore at the earliest.

6. Sustaining Major injuries: As the children as weak and fragile they are very prone to severe injuries in the body. It can cause pain, discomfort and shock. It is common for a child to fall while crying. But in some occasions it can cause head injury which goes along with some convulsions and reflex vomiting. Immediate medical attention is essential for any injury.

For more informaiton on early detection of disease as well as managing your sleep during infancy visit http://www.parentchildcare.com

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Causes, Symptoms and Ayurvedic Treatment for Constipation

Posted on October 9, 2011 by admin

As food moves through the colon, it absorbs water while forming stool. Muscle contractions (squeezing motions) in the colon push the stool toward the rectum (the lower 8 to 10 inches of the large intestine). By the time stool reaches the rectum, it is solid, because most of the water has been absorbed.

 

 

Constipation is a very common gastrointestinal disorder caused mainly due to wrong bowel habits. Constipation is a result of disturbance within the digestive tract which restricts regular bowel movements. Constipation may be infrequent elimination of stool for some people, for others it may be hard stool which is difficult to eliminate.

 

 

Constipation is a result of faulty lifestyle and irregular eating habits. Faulty life style includes irregular sleeping habits, irregular eating habits, emotional disturbances and lack of physical activities or exercise.

 

 

Not including enough leafy and green vegetables,salads etc in the diet

Not having enough roughage or high fiber food in diet

Insufficient intake of water

Excessive intake of animal protein which are difficult to digest

Excessive use of strong tea and coffee

 

Depending on your diet, age and daily activities, regular bowel movements can mean anything from three bowel movements per day to one every three days. If you are experiencing hard, compacted stools that are difficult or painful to pass, the urge to move the bowels (even though you just had a movement), or no bowel movement over three days for adults and four days for children, you may have constipation.

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Occasional constipation does not justify visiting a doctor, but if the constipation becomes a persistent problem, you should. The doctor will first take a medical history and ask about the symptoms, duration, frequency and consistency of the stools and bowel movements. Next, the doctor will examine the abdomen for any sign of a hardened mass and conduct a digital rectal exam (DRE). During the DRE, the doctor will insert a gloved, lubricated finger into the rectum to feel for any tenderness, obstruction or blood. In some cases, blood and thyroid tests may be necessary.

 

More extensive testing is reserved for people with severe symptoms. This testing may include a barium enema x-ray, sigmoidoscopy, colonscopy, colorectal transit study or anorectal function tests (anorectal manometry and defecography). A barium enema x-ray involves viewing the rectum, colon and lower part of the small intestine after filling the organs with a chalky liquid to make these areas visible. A sigmoidoscopy is an examination of the rectum and lower colon (sigmoid) using a viewing instrument called a sigmoidoscope.

 

A colonoscopy is an examination of the rectum and entire colon using an instrument called a colonscope. The colorectal transit study shows how well food moves through the colon. After swallowing capsules containing small markers, the markers? movements are viewed via an x-ray.

 

An anorectal manometry evaluates anal sphincter muscle function. A catheter or air-filled balloon inserted into the anus is slowly pulled back through the sphincter muscle to measure muscle tone and contractions. Defecography is an x-ray of the anorectal area that identifies anorectal abnormalities, evaluates rectal muscle contractions and relaxation.

 

Most cases of constipation respond to conservative treatment such as dietary and lifestyle changes or mild laxatives.

 

 

Dietary changes include getting enough of the recommended daily amount of fiber (20 to 35 grams), drinking 64 ounces of water or juice a day, and limiting foods that have little or no fiber, such as ice cream, cheese, meat and processed foods.

 

Lifestyle changes consist of exercising, reserving enough time to have a bowel movement and having a bowel movement when needed.

 

Laxatives may be recommended if the above changes did not help the constipation.

 

There are four types of laxatives – bulk-forming, stimulant, lubricant and saline. Bulk-forming laxatives, such as Metamucil, Citrucel and Serutan increase the volume of feces, making them softer and easier to pass. Stimulant laxatives, such as Correctol, Ex-Lax, Dulcolax, Purge, Feen-A-Mint and Senokot stimulate the intestinal wall to contract. Lubricant laxatives, such as mineral oil, soften the stool so it is easier to pass. Saline laxatives, such as Milk of Magnesia, Citrate of Magnesia and Haley’s M-O, increase the concentration of salts within the feces.

Home Remedies For Constipation

Home Remedies and also more read on gonaturalremedies.com

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MAC for endoscopy procedures: Clarify medical necessity

Posted on October 8, 2011 by admin

Your anesthesiologist is having a tough time getting Medicare reimbursement for Monitored Anesthesia Care (MAC) for endoscopy procedures. Here you need to consider “medical necessity”.

Here’s what you need to do when you encounter such situations:

First of all establish “medical necessity” for endoscopy. According to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), endoscopic procedures are covered when required for the individual patient.

Situations that establish the medical necessity for endoscopic procedures are patients who have more complex procedures like endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) or endoscopic ultrasound (EUS); patients who are suffering from cancer, children who are 18 years or younger, seniors over 65 years, among others.

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Secondly, the patient should have a medical condition significant enough to impact the need to provide MAC.

Lastly cite circumstances for endoscopy. Your anesthesiologist’s documentation must explain the circumstances under which the service was provided. It’s essential that your anesthesiologist along with the endoscopist keep a record of these indications in their individual documents. Remember that the supporting document should identify patient-specific reasons for MAC.

Right now there’s no national policy for anesthesia and endoscopy; as such, it is highly important to know your local carrier policies in relation to reimbursement.

To get more insight on MAC and other anesthesia coding know how, attend and conferences and get your payments right.

In fact, just two months on, there’s an taking place in Orlando, FL where you can head to and get to know all that you need to know about your specialty. This is a sure-shot way to beat your competitors and how!

Keep on updating your knowledge about anesthesiology coding by attending anesthesiology coding conference with premier coding experts, CDs, tapes and transcripts of coding training information by specialty.

In this video from the AGA, Dr. Linda Lee explains what you can expect before, during and after an upper GI endoscopy. More information on upper GI endoscopy is available at www.gastro.org/patient.
Video Rating: 4 / 5

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Ulcerative colitis Causes and Symptoms and Home Remedy Treatment for Ulcerative Colitis

Posted on October 7, 2011 by admin

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammation of the large intestine (colon). The colon is the part of the digestive system where waste material is stored. The rectum is the end of the colon adjacent to the anus. In patients with ulcerative colitis, ulcers and inflammation of the inner lining of the colon lead to symptoms of abdominal pain, diarrhea, and rectal bleeding.

The Causes of Ulcerative Colitis

There is currently no known cause of ulcerative colitis and the onset of the disease can occur at any time, but the most common age range of diagnosis is between the ages of 15 to 30 and it affects both sexes equally. However, there is growing speculation that ulcerative colitis and other similar conditions are genetic and that it runs in families.

Ulcerative colitis is not viewed as being caused by a poor diet but certain foods can enhance the symptoms in some sufferers. This means the need to maintain a healthy, balanced diet for ulcerative colitis sufferers is very important. Additionally, there is no link to stress as being a factor in the onset of the condition however many sufferers state stress does exacerbate symptoms.

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Symptoms of Ulcerative colitis

1.    Persistent diarrhoea

2.    Blood in faeces

3.    Abdominal pain on the left side

4.    Recurring fever and flare ups, fatigue and night sweats

5.    Cramps and immediate movement of bowel

6.    Constant urge for bowel movement

7.    Watery stool containing blood and pus

Diagnosis and treatment

Sigmoidoscopy, barium test and colonoscopy can be used to diagnose ulcerative colitis.

1.    Sigmoidoscopy allows direct view of the gastro-intestinal tract and the sigmoidoscope is inserted through anus to be moved in the colon.

2.    Colonoscopy uses electronic imaging and it is also moved into the body through anus. Patients are drowsy during the procedure.

3.    Barium tests is done by inserting the barium into the colon, which can be seen through the X-ray and barium shows all the irregularity in the intestinal lining.

4.    Laboratory tests can also be done to diagnose the problem such as blood test, stool test, red blood cell count and white blood cell count.

Home Remedies for Ulcerative Colitis

1.    Fiber may be an important food source for colitis treatment. Apples are a very good source of fibre. But avoid fibre during the flare-ups.

2.    People with ulcerative colitis should consider taking a daily multivitamin/mineral supplement that contains at least 400 micrograms of folate.

3.    Inability to digest lactose, the sugar in milk, can be a factor in colitis. By avoiding all milk products, you may be able to reduce your symptoms.

4.    Strict bed rest with plenty of fluids and a high protein diet are very important.                      

5.    Foods should be attractively prepared and the patient encouraged eating.

6.    The diet should contain at least 2500 calories a day, given in three or four general meals.

7.    Vitamin K can help to prevent hemorrhage from the bowel.

8.    Avoid eating raw carrots, asparagus, zucchini, squash and other popular vegetables.

9.    Marshmallow root is soothing and healing to inflamed mucous membranes. This is one of the important home remedies for colitis.

10.    Wild yam is known to reduce gastrointestinal upset and nerve pain, and is also considered to be a strong antispasmodic and is potentially anti-inflammatory.

11.    Ginger has traditionally been recommended in Chinese medicine for abdominal bloating, coughing, vomiting, and diarrhea.

12.    Many doctors suggest eliminating all sugar (including soft drinks and processed foods with added sugar) from the diets of those with ulcerative colitis.

13.    Laughing provides us with the natural inner massage, and through change of mood it can account for up to 30% of cure.

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Causes, Symptoms and Treatment for Constipation

Posted on October 6, 2011 by admin

Constipation is determined in the colon (large intestine), which is responsible for packaging and eliminating stool. As food moves through the colon, it absorbs water while forming stool. Muscle contractions (squeezing motions) in the colon push the stool toward the rectum (the lower 8 to 10 inches of the large intestine). By the time stool reaches the rectum, it is solid, because most of the water has been absorbed. Constipation occurs when the stool becomes hard and dry (due to too much water absorption) and is unable to pass out of the body during a bowel movement.

 

The American Dietetic Association recommends 20 to 35 grams of fiber each day, but the average American eats about 5 to 20 grams a day. Examples of fiber-rich foods are unprocessed wheat bran, unrefined breakfast cereals, fresh fruits (except bananas), dried fruits, vegetables (except potatoes), grainy breads and legumes.

 

Liquids like water and juice add fluid to the colon and bulk to stools, making movements softer and easier to pass. Recommended daily consumption of liquid is eight, eight-ounce glasses (totaling 64 ounces) per day.

 

Some medications that can cause constipation are: analgesics (Codeine, Demerol, Perocdan), antacids (Maalox, Mylanta), anticholingerics (Donnatal), anticonvulsants (Dilantin), anti-depressants (Tricyclics), Beta-blockers (Inderal, Tenormin) iron and calcium supplements, pain medications, antispasmodics and diuretics.

IBS is a common condition marked by chronic or occasional diarrhea, alternating with constipation and accompanied by straining and abdominal cramps. (see Health Profile: IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME)

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A laxative is a food or chemical substance that acts to loosen the bowels by softening and increasing the bulk of bowel contents, increasing the amount of water in the colon and lubricating the intestinal walls. Over time, laxatives can damage nerve cells in the colon and interfere with the colon’s natural ability to contract.

 

Diseases such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, chronic idiopathic intestinal pseudo-obstruction, stroke, spinal cord injuries, diabetes, under-active and over-active thyroid gland, uremia (excess urine waste product), amyloidosis (accumulation in the tissues/organs of amyloid), lupus, scleroderma (an autoimmune disorder that affects the tissues/organs), colorectal cancer, depression, colon tumors, diverticulosis and Hirschsprung’s disease.

 

 

Depending on your diet, age and daily activities, regular bowel movements can mean anything from three bowel movements per day to one every three days. If you are experiencing hard, compacted stools that are difficult or painful to pass, the urge to move the bowels (even though you just had a movement), or no bowel movement over three days for adults and four days for children, you may have constipation.

 

Occasional constipation does not justify visiting a doctor, but if the constipation becomes a persistent problem, you should. The doctor will first take a medical history and ask about the symptoms, duration, frequency and consistency of the stools and bowel movements. Next, the doctor will examine the abdomen for any sign of a hardened mass and conduct a digital rectal exam (DRE). During the DRE, the doctor will insert a gloved, lubricated finger into the rectum to feel for any tenderness, obstruction or blood. In some cases, blood and thyroid tests may be necessary.

 

This testing may include a barium enema x-ray, sigmoidoscopy, colonscopy, colorectal transit study or anorectal function tests (anorectal manometry and defecography). A barium enema x-ray involves viewing the rectum, colon and lower part of the small intestine after filling the organs with a chalky liquid to make these areas visible. A sigmoidoscopy is an examination of the rectum and lower colon (sigmoid) using a viewing instrument called a sigmoidoscope.

 

A colonoscopy is an examination of the rectum and entire colon using an instrument called a colonscope. The colorectal transit study shows how well food moves through the colon. After swallowing capsules containing small markers, the markers? movements are viewed via an x-ray.

 

An anorectal manometry evaluates anal sphincter muscle function. A catheter or air-filled balloon inserted into the anus is slowly pulled back through the sphincter muscle to measure muscle tone and contractions. Defecography is an x-ray of the anorectal area that identifies anorectal abnormalities, evaluates rectal muscle contractions and relaxation.

 

Most cases of constipation respond to conservative treatment such as dietary and lifestyle changes or mild laxatives.

 

Dietary changes include getting enough of the recommended daily amount of fiber (20 to 35 grams), drinking 64 ounces of water or juice a day, and limiting foods that have little or no fiber, such as ice cream, cheese, meat and processed foods.

 

Lifestyle changes consist of exercising, reserving enough time to have a bowel movement and having a bowel movement when needed.

 

Laxatives may be recommended if the above changes did not help the constipation.

 

bulk-forming, stimulant, lubricant and saline. Bulk-forming laxatives, such as Metamucil, Citrucel and Serutan increase the volume of feces, making them softer and easier to pass. Stimulant laxatives, such as Correctol, Ex-Lax, Dulcolax, Purge, Feen-A-Mint and Senokot stimulate the intestinal wall to contract. Lubricant laxatives, such as mineral oil, soften the stool so it is easier to pass.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome
See our Blog and also more read on herbalcureindia.com

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Crying baby

Posted on October 6, 2011 by admin

Crying is a normal event in the lives of all babies.When a baby comes out of the woomb the first thing to do is crying.By the first cry he will take some air in to the lungs for the first time in their life.After delivery if the baby doesnot cry then it should be initiated by slightly pinching or gently strocking the feet.From this it is clear that the healthy baby should cry and it is a normal physiological event ,still some times it can upset the mother or family members.

We all know that a baby can’t tell his needs or troubles in words. The only way for him  to communicate with others is by crying.Babies show some other signs like feet kicking,hand waving and head turning ect.But the best way to take the attention of others is by crying.

Excessive crying may not have a firm definition because the crying habit changes from baby to baby and some babies can be calmed easily but some are difficult to sooth.If crying is distressing for the mother and home nurse it can be called excessive.Many a times baby become quiet by giving breast milk or by carrying with a gentle rocking.Sudden onset of excessive crying means baby is distressed and needs attention.The causes of crying extends from simple reasons to life threatening conditions.Hence crying of a baby should not be ignored.

http://baby-olipolus.blogspot.com

 
Most of the time it is difficult to find the cause of the cry .Common causes are discussed here for awareness.

Common reasons for crying:
                
1,Hunger:–

A hungry baby will cry till he gets  the milk. Here the old saying comes true’crying baby gets the milk’.

2,Wetting:–

Urination and defecation causes some discomfort and results in crying till his parts are cleaned and made dry .

3,Company:–

Majority of the kids need somebody near.  If they feel lonely they cry.When their favourite doll slips away from the grip they cry for help.
           
4,Tired:–

When the baby is tired after a journey and unable to sleep just cry simply.They feel tired in uncomfortable sourroundings and due to unhealthy climate.

5,Heat & cold:–

If they feel too hot or too cold they become restless and cry. Child is comfortable in a room with good ventilation.

6,Tight cloathing:–

Tight cloaths especially during warm climate is intolerable for kids.Tight elastic of the the dress can also produce soreness in the hip region.                                                                                   

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7,Dark room:–

When the baby wakes up from sleep he needs some dim light.If there is darkness he will disturb the sleep of parents by crying.Ofcourse he will be irritated by strong light resulting in cry.

 http://www.baby.moneybizhome.com/

8,Mosquito:–

Yes,these creatures disturb the sleep by their blood sucking and make the baby to cry.

9,Nasal blocking:–

Child may not be able to sleep when there is a cold and go on crying till the passage is open.

10, Phlegm in throat:–

This also causes difficult breathing resulting in cry.Often a typical sound can be heard with each breath.

11,General aching:–

Generalised body ache with restlessness is seen in flu and prodromal stages of some infectious diseases can result in continuous cry.

12,Habitual cry:—Some babies cry without any real cause ending the parents in agony.Many a times doctor is called for help.

13,Nappy rash:– If a tight and wet nappy is kept for a long time results in this conditon.
  Rash can also be due to some allergic reaction to the elastic material of the nappy.  When the rash appears it causes soreness and baby become sleepless and cry.  All other skin lesions like eczema,ecthyma ,candidiasis ect also causes same problems.      http://www.babies-toddler.moneybizhome.com/                                           

14,Earache:–

Ear infection is common in wet climate.The infection may spread from the throat.Ear infection can result in rupture of ear drum causing discharge of pus.Eareache usually becomes worse at night when lying down.Child will become restless with cry and may not allow you to touch the ear.Some children with earache rub the affected ear frequently.

15,Colic:–

When the baby cry continuously most of us diagnose it as colic.This roblem is still a topic for debate because exact cause for colic is not known and diagnosis is also difficult to confirm.Colic may be associated with rumbling and distention of abdomen.Child often feels better when lying on abdomen.Some children may not allow you to touch the abdomen.If the child cries continuously doctors help is needed.

16,Infections:–

All infections causes some kind of pain or irritation resulting in cry.Infection may be anywhere in the body.Usually it is associated with fever, redness and swelling.

17,Reactions to certain food:–

It is said that one man’s food is another man’s poison. Some food articles can produce some allergic reactions.Allergy  is manifested in the form of redness, breathlessness,gastric symptons and continuous cry.
       
18,Hard stools:–

Constipated babies with hard stools may cry when they get the urge for stool.Some children hesitate to pass stool because of pain .

19,Gastro esophagial reflex:–

Here baby cries with spilling of food after feeding.If this continues it may be due to gastroesophageal reflex.This is due to failure of the lower part of esophagus to close after food causing regurgitation from the stomach.It is difficult to diagnose this condition and can be confirmed by giving antireflex medicines.,
 
20, Dentition:–

During dentition child becomes restless with crying.Often associated with gastric troubles and diarrhoea.
                               
Some rare reasons
—————–

1,Bowel obstruction:–

Bowel obstruction is associated with severe pain and vomiting.Abdomen is distended with rumbling sound.Baby is constipated with absence of flatus.

2,Septicemia:–

Invasion of pathogenic micro organisms in to the blood is called septicemia.Fever is associated with this condition.

3,Torsion of testes in male kids:–

When a male baby cries continuously his scrotum should be examined.Torsion of the testes produce severe pain which will be worse by touching the affected testes.When the testes is pressed upwards pain is releived.If this is not treated properly it can damage the affected  testes due to lack of blood supply.

4,Meningitis:–

Initially there may not be fever,hence crying baby with alternate vacant stare and irritability should not be ignored.Fontanel is bulging. Neck rigidity and seizures may appear later.

5,Retention of urine:–

Children with retention of urine will have agonising pain making them   restless.                                               

7,Major injuries:–

Major injury to any parts of the body causes pain.Occasionally children will fall while arrying and results in head injury.Head injury is associated with reflex vomiting and convulsions.

 

Oli works full time as a Market Analyst.He graduated in Management.He can help you to grow your computer consulting. For more on teaching and education, be sure to check out the website. Involved in FREE advertisement for all kind of online businesses. Everyone needs business exposure. There’s FREE advertising gift for your business.

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Lawsuit After Woman Passes Away When Physicians Did Not Screen Her As Per Cancer Screening Guidelines

Posted on October 5, 2011 by admin

The need for screening even asymptomatic people for colon cancer when they are fifty or older and for testing people who exhibit certain symptoms like blood in the stool is commonly accepted within the medical community. Not doing so could potentially lead to a delay in the diagnosis of colon cancer which in turn might allow the cancer to spread. In what follows we analyze a case regarding a woman in her fifties whose physicians not only failed to screen her when she was asymptomatic they also did not test her when she developed a number of symptoms.

Consider a lawsuit that arose from the following situation: a female saw her family doctor starting when she turned fifty until she was fifty five years old. In that period of time her doctor saw her for obesity, a hernia as well as hypertension. At no time however did her physician ever do screening for colon cancer.She began having various symptoms : diarrhea, vomiting and blood in her stools when she turned fifty five. At the emergency room the attending physician diagnosed her with gastroenteritis. Within a week’s time she went to her doctor for follw up. The doctor noted that she complained of having as many as three bowel movements a day. The doctor also noted that she continued to have blood in her stools. The doctor did not consider that she might have colon cancer and only concluded that she had colitis. As a result the physician advised her that it was not necessary to take any immediate action and that a lower endoscopy may be necessary if her symptoms did not resolve. A year later she once more saw this medical doctor and reported having abdominal issues and as much as 60 pounds of unexplained weight loss. The physician decided that her weight-loss was the result of a modification in her diet and even though she had a background of blood in her stools that doctor again did not do any tests to rule out colon cancer.

A month afterward she again ended up at the hospital because of of abdominal pain and ongoing diarrhea and by now there would be blood present every time she vomited. Her stool was now a dark brown color and testing revealed blood present in the stool. The physician at the emergency room diagnosed her as having a gastrointestinal bleeding. The ER doctor ordered an x-ray which found a partial blockage of the bowel. At this point she was admitted to the hospital. Additional testing followed. Blood tests then revealed that she might have colon cancer.Initially a gastroenterologist performed an upper G.I. endoscopy and got several biopsies. This gastroenterologist also failed to perform a colonoscopy. It was not until a covering doctor at the hospital considered that her history indicated the possibility of cancer and that additional testing was required that a sigmoidoscopy was ultimately performed approximately 2 weeks later. The sigmoidoscopy showed a large obstruction and a follow-up CAT scan recorded a large tumor. During surgery it was discovered that her cancer had already metastasized to both her uterus and to her bladder. In addition the pathology report found the presence of cancer in 13 lymph nodes. She had metastatic.

She started treatment consisting of but after developing an intolerance for the chemotherapy in addition to bowel obstructions and even renal failure, the woman died within a year of her diagnosis. She was only 58 years old. She was survived by her husband and 2 adult children. Her family went forward with a lawsuit against the physicians for the delay in the diagnosis of her cancer. The law firm that represented the family in this matter documented a settlement in the case for 0,000 for the family.

Joseph Hernandez is an attorney accepting medical malpractice claims dealing with a misdiagnosis of colon cancer symptoms and other cancer matters including misdiagnosed prostate cancer symptoms Visit the websites

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