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Gallbladder Disease

Gallbladder Disease

Persons with high blood cholesterol levels or those suffering from Crohn's disease or ulcerative colities are at increased risk for gallbladder disease. Gallbladder disease can result from either inflammation or presence of gall stones. Cholecystitis refers to inflammation of the gallbladder. Cholelithiasis is a gallbladder disease caused due to gall stones. Gallstones are noticed more in women than men. Gallstones form when the bile composition undergoes change. This can occur due to severe illness, alcohol abuse or tumors. Incidence of gallstones increases with age. Estrogen intake and lipid-lowering agents can play a role in formation of gallstones. Obesity, liver cirrhosis and peptic ulcers can lead to gallstones. Fatty diets and high cholesterol are most often the leading causes for formation of gallbladder stones. Diabetics are at higher risk for gallstones.

Symptoms of Gallbladder Disease include pain in the upper abdomen or under the right shoulder. A patient suffering from gallbladder disease has abdominal bloating, nausea and gas. There is indigestion. Abdominal pain worsens on consumption of fatty food. There might be chest pain too. Gallbladder disease can also lead to chronic nausea. Often people can live with gallstones and not realize it since they do not exhibit any symptoms. When gallstones move into the bile duct, they can lead to complications such as liver damage and jaundice.

Blood tests can check for liver function. Ultrasound scans aid in detecting gallbladder stones. CT scans or MRI scans are sometimes resorted to. MRI scans aid in viewing the bile ducts. Oral cholecystorgram aids in evaluating the functioning of the gall bladder. Pancreatic inflammation can be detected by checking blood amylase levels. Low level radioactive tracers are sent by a Heida scan to assess gallbladder functioning. You can lower the risks of gallbladder disease by keeping your weight under check and regular exercise regimen. This can help keep cholesterol and sugar levels under control. Laparoscopic surgery is used to remove the gall bladder. This is resorted to in case of inflammation of the pancreas or acute attack of gallbladder disease. This prevents recurrence of gall stones.

Peptic ulcer disease

A person is affected by peptic ulcer disease when there is an open sore in the stomach lining or duodenum. When the ulcer is located in the stomach, it is gastric ulcer while an ulcer found in the duodenum is a duodenal ulcer and an ulcer in the esophagus is an esophageal ulcer. Some of the causes of peptic ulcers are H. pylori bacteria and NSAIDs like aspirin and ibuprofen. Peptic ulcers are not caused by spicy food or alcohol or smoking. But they can worsen existing ulcers. While stress and personality types can worsen a peptic ulcer but it may not be cause for one. Often chronic ulcers are due to gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Persons suffering from peptic ulcer disease feel a dull ache that keeps coming and going. Typically the pain is felt when the stomach is empty. Vomiting and nausea are other symptoms of peptic ulcer disease. In severe cases, the patient suffering from peptic ulcer disease has black, tarry stools and unexplained weight loss. There might be blood in vomit. Upper GI endoscopy and x-rays of the stomach can help diagnose peptic ulcer disease. Antibiotics are used to destroy bacteria that cause peptic ulcer disease. Antacids help in neutralizing the acid in the stomach. H-2 Blockers are medication that control the production of acid thereby allowing the body time to heal.

Anemia

Anemia stands for 'without blood' in Greek. When the number of red blood cells (RBC) falls below normal, Anemia is a resultant condition. Hemoglobin is an important constituent of RBC. Hemoglobin usually occurs in the range of 12 and 18 g/dL (grams per deciliter of blood). If the hemoglobin levels show a decrease, anemic conditions set in. Consequently, the various organs and tissues of the body do not receive adequate oxygen on account of the diminished oxygen carrying capacity of the blood. This impairs their normal functioning. Usually women have smaller stores of iron than men. Besides, they also lose blood during menstruation making them primary targets for anemia.
It is essential to be familiar with the typical symptoms of anemia. Often anemia is misdiagnosed and left untreated. An anemic person is likely to feel extremely tired and weak. This is accompanied with dizziness and breathlessness. A person suffering from anemia tends to appear pale and experience feelings of depression. In some cases, anemia can lead to heart ailments too.

Causes of Anemia

Serious disease or infection such as hookworm infection, bleeding piles, esophagel varices and peptic ulcers

Hemorrhagic - Excessive blood loss due to surgery, menstruation or injury

Genetic defects lead to sickle cell anemia, Thalassemia anemia and aplastic anemia

Hemoiytic - Excessive intravascular blood destruction where red blood cells are destroyed prematurely

Types of Anemia

Iron deficiency Anemia - Nearly 20% adult women tend to suffer from this form of anemia. Loss of blood due to menstruation is not compensated with an iron-rich diet Pregnancy and breast feeding can also deplete iron stores. Iron deficiency anemia is also noticed during growth spurts or internal bleeding.

Aplastic anemia - When the bone marrow does not produce sufficient quantities of blood cells, aplastic anemia is noticed. Childhood cancers such as leukemia are often responsible for this form of anemia. Other possible causes of aplastic anemia are radiation, cancer or antiseizure medications and chronic diseases such as thyroid or kidney malfunction. Treatment for aplastic anemia involves blood transfusions and bone marrow transplant. This is done to replace malfunctioning cells with healthy ones.

Vitamin deficiency anemia - Low levels of folic acid lead to faulty absorption of iron. Anemia caused due to folic acid deficiency is called megaloblastic anemia. Pregnancy doubles the body requirements of folic acid and it is imperative that pregnant women take folic acid supplements. Good dietary sources of folate are fresh fruits, green leafy vegetables, cruciferous vegetables, liver and kidney, dairy products and whole grain cereals. Vegetables should be eaten raw or lightly cooked.Folic acid anemia is also a common problem faced by alcoholics. Vitamin B-12 deficiency can lead to a condition of pernicious anemia. Diseases such as thyroid malfunction or diabetes mellitus can affect the body's ability to absorb vitamin B-12. This vitamin is vital in the production of hemoglobin.

Sickle cell anemia - Sickle cell anemia is a condition where the red blood cells change shape, from their original flexible round shape to a sickle or crescent shape. These irregular blood cells do not move smoothly. Instead they clog blood cells on account of their shape and consequently there is deprived oxgyen to various body parts. This blood disorder is genetic in origin and is found more predominantly in people of African, Mediterranean or Middle Eastern ancestry.

Thalassemia anemia - Thalassemia or Cooleys Disease is a heriditary disorder found predominantly in people of South East Asian, Greek and Italian racial groups. This form of anemia is seen in differing degrees as Thalaseemia encompasses a group of related disorders that affect the human body in similar ways. The most common occurences of Thalassemia are alpha and beta thalassemia. Thalassemia anemia is symptomized by jaundice, enlarged spleen, shortness of breath and facial bone deformities.

Diagnosing Anemia

A complete blood count test will test for hemoglobin levels and display an anemic condition. But often anemia is a symptom whose cause lies deeper. The cause and type of anemia will determine the treatment that is needed. A stool test will help in detecting occult blood. Hemoglobin electrophoresis is a blood test that helps identify abnormal hemoglobins. Diagnosing thalassemia or sickle cell anemia becomes possible with this test.

Treating Anemia

Deficiency can be treated with supplements of iron, Vitamin B-12 and Vitamin C. Partaking an iron-rich diet can be beneficial for those suffering from nutritional deficiency anemia. Seafood, nuts, whole grains and dried fruits such as raisins, prunes and apricots are rich in iron. Ensure adequate consumption of Vitamin C as it aids and stimulates iron absorption. Try and combine citrus foods with iron-rich foods - add tomatoes to a turkey sandwich or chopped strawberries with iron-fortified breakfast cereals.