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Cirrhosis

Cirrhosis

The liver is responsible for neutralizing the blood of toxins, germs and bacteria as well as producing immune agent to contrl infections. Bile, critical to the absorption of fats and fat-soluble vitamins is made by the liver. Cirrhosis is a condition where the liver is affected by irreversibble scar tissue leading to its damage and consequent failure. Blood flow to the liver is then affected. Symptoms of cirrhosis range from exhaustion and fatigue to weight loss and abdominal pain. A person suffering from liver cirrhosis may experience abdominal pain and loss of appetite. There are noticeable red spider veins under the skin and the skin and eyes may turn yellow. There is decreased interest in sex and edema (swelling on hands and legs) might be noticed. A person suffering from cirrhosis and damaged liver may notice an increased tendency to bruise and bleed easily. Intense itching is felt on account of the bile products being deposited in the skin. Gallstones may develop as a result of inadequate bile reaching the gallbladder. There might be a buildup of toxins in the brain bringing about bouts of unresponsiveness and forgetfulness. Cirrhosis can bring on Portal hypertension - a condition where there is reduced flow of blood to the portal vein and increased pressure within it. Cirrhosis can eventually lead to liver cancer caused by carcinoma. Impotence, kidney dysfunction and osteoporosis are other likely complications of liver disease.

Cirrhosis of the liver is usually caused by chronic alcoholism or hepatitis C. Other possible factors leading to cirrhosis are problems in the immune system and damaged bile ducts.
Chronic Alcoholism - One of the common causes for cirrhosis is alcoholism. But this condition occurs only after atleast 10 years or more of heavy drinking. Alcohol affects the liver's ability to metabolise proteins, fats and carbohydrates.
Chronic hepatitis - Hepatitis C virus can lead to severe inflammation and damage of the liver, thereby causing cirrhosis. Hepatitis B is one of the most common causes of liver inflammation in many of the developing nations.
Blocked bile ducts - In such a condition, the bile is unable to travel out of the liver and instead ends up damaging liver tissue. This can be a congentinal defect in some infants.

Cirrhosis of the liver can cause many other abnormalities. It can leads to elevated levels of triglycerides, cholesterol and sugar. Diabetes mellitus is a common fallout. There might be a fall in platelet count and GI bleeding. In severe cases of cirrhosis, there can be an immune system dysfunction or even brain swelling and later coma. The liver of an affected person will feel be larger and harder to touch. A liver scan or ultrasound can help detection of cirrhosis. A liver biopsy is sometimes resorted to. Damage to the liver due to cirrhosis cannot be reversed but further complications can be reduced with the right treatment. Cirrhosis caused by excess alcohol consumption needs lifestyle changes such as avoiding alcohol and following a nutritious diet. Low-sodium diet can help drain excess fluid-buildup within the body. Chronic viral hepatitis B and C are treated with prednisone and azathioprine. Any bacterial infection is treated with appropriate antibiotics. Liver transplantation surgery is done on cases where the liver is not capable of functioning. With the help of modern drugs such as cyclosporine and tacrolimus, the success of liver transplantation surgery has risen manyfold.

Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in women in the age group of 15-54. It continues to remain as a common form of cancer in women. Let us examine various risk factors associated with Breast Cancer:
1. Women who have never had children.
2. Women whose mothers or sisters have had the disease.
3. Women who have had their first baby after age thirty.
4. Women with a history of prior breast cancer in one breast.
5. Females with fibrocystic breast disease are at a greater risk for breast cancer
6. Women with a history for early onset of menses.
7. Higher socioeconomic groups
8. Women born in North America or Northern Europe.
9. Urban women were noticed to be a more susceptible to breast cancer than rural women
It has been noticed that a fat diet and birth control pills increased the risk of breast cancer occurence.

Keep in mind the following symptoms of breast cancer. Early detection goes a long way in the successful treatment of breast cancer. Nearly 90% of localised breast cancer cases are curable but they need to be detected at a stage when the disease is still amenable to cure.
1. A lump that does not go away (including under the arm).
2. Dimpling of the skin over the breast.
3. Any nipple discharge.
4. Retraction of the nipple or changes in the nipple.
5. Any changes in breast shape or contour.

It is recommended that women over the age of 19 conduct self-examination of the breast every month. Regular check ups by a physician are preferable if done annually by women over 40 and once every 3 years by women in the age group 20 - 40.

Mammography is a vital tool used to detect abnormal lumps and tissues within the breast. This special x-ray can help in detecting over 90% of all breast cancers. Women who have suspicious lumps in their breasts must have a mammography done to rule out breast cancer. The Department of Health recommends mammography every 3 years in females 50 and older. There has been no evidence to suggest that the mammogram itself increases the risk of breast cancer

A biopsy (tissue specimen) is done on any suspicious lumps found during a mammography screening. The lump is surgically excised (totally removed using local anaesthesia) and studied under the microscope. Definitive diagnosis of breast cancer requires a positive tissue biopsy.

The course of treatment to be followed for breast cancer depends on the biopsy findings. Most breast biopsies are negative. The ones that show up as positive are treated based on the extent to which the tumour has spread, the type of tumour as well as the individual patient needs. Read up more on lymph node biopsy to understand how this procedure aids in diagnosis of cancer.

Breast cancer treatments target two main purposes - preventing local recurrence as well as prevention of spread of the cancer outside the breast. Surgical removal of the breast (mastectomy) is one way of controlling the incidence of local recurrence. This is done in combination with radiation therapy. Hormone therapy in the form of tamoxifen or doses of chemotherapy are used to prevent the spread of the cancer to other parts of the body. After a mastectomy, it is possible to get a breast reconstruction surgery done with the help of a Plastic Surgeon.

An important part of therapy for any type of cancer is a nutritious diet. Look up the cancer diet to understand what kind of food would help in tackling this dreaded disease.

A study is currently underway to determine if the medication tamoxifen has any beneficial effect in the prevention (prophylaxis) of breast cancer in some women.

Tips to good health:
1. Do not smoke.
2. Lower fats in your diet. Read up on cardiac diet to understand its implications.
3. Perform routine self-examinations of the breast.
4. Go for routine check ups.
5. Get a Mammography done if suggested by the physician.

Xanthomatosis

Xanthomatosis is a condition which is often associated with lipid metabolism. Fatty deposits called xanthomas or xanthomata occur in various parts of the body, especially on elbows and knees. They appear as yellowish firm nodules in the skin. Occasionally, xanthomas also involves the deep soft tissue, other than subcutaneous tissues. Xanthomas, as such are harmless growth of tissue. But they often seek to indicate an underlying condition such as diabetes and disorders of fat with may be lipid disorder or hyperlipidemia.

When examined under a microscope, a xanthoma consists of lipid-laden foam cells. These cells called histiocytes contain lipid material in their cytoplasm, being the non nuclear zone of the cell. The most prominent causes for xanthomatosis are high blood fats, hyperlipidemia and hereditary hyperlipidemia. The common symptoms of xanthomatosis are fatty deposits under the skin, yellow bumps on the skin surface, xanthelasma or yellow lumps on eyelids, yellow lumps on joints and elbows and yellow lumps on knee. It is recommended to seek medical advice for treatment of xanthomatosis. The usual line of treatment adopted is to plan for lipid lowering medications and treat for hyperlipidemia.