Cervical Cancer - Treatment Overview

What is Cervical cancer?

Cervical cancer is a cancer found in the entrance of womb or uterus also known as cancer of cervix. The cervix can be called as a narrow portion of the lower uterus, which is called as the neck of the uterus or womb. This kind of cancer is found among women of age beyond 30. As per the American Cancer Society estimate by the end of 2015 about 12,900 women will be found suffering from this kind of cancer on an annual basis. And as per NHS (National Health Service) UK, in this country around 3000 women are seen suffering from the same. The WHO estimate 200,000 women all across the world are seen losing their life with this menace. 

What causes it? 

The cervical cancer starts when your healthy cells get certain genetic changes, which makes them to convert into abnormal cells. The healthy cells are then seen growing at the established rate, which eventually dies down at the given time. With the accumulation of the abnormal cells you end up getting the tumour or mass. The cancer cells simply invade the close one tissues and thus can wreck off from the tumour, which simply spreads all over your body. It is still not clear what really brings out cervical cancer; however, the HPV plays a vital role in it, which is very much common among the women having viruses of developing cervical cancer. 

What are the symptoms of cervical Cancer?

You hardly find any signs or symptoms of cervical cancer during its initial stage. However, when it grows within the uterus and other areas, the woman suffering from the same will experience certain symptoms, which are as under: 

·         You experience vaginal bleeding after having intercourse, between the periods or after the menopause.

·         You experience a heavy watery and bloody vaginal discharge that come along with some foul odour

·         You experience pelvic pain or experience some pain during intercourse

How is cervical cancer diagnosed?

On suspecting the presence of cervical cancer, your doctor will have a complete examination of your cervix. The doctor using a special magnifying instrument called colposcope, which is employed to find out the presence of abnormal cells. During this test, the doctor will collect the sample of the affected cells for the biopsy. In order to find out the tissue, the doctor will use the following options:

·         Punch biopsy

·         Endocervical curettage

·         Electrical wire loop

·         Cone biopsy

What is the treatment for cervical Cancer?

The treatment for cervical cancer would for a number of factors, which include the stage of the cancer and other health issues. The following are the options for the treatment of cervical cancer:

·         Surgery: If the cervical cancer is found in the initial stage, the doctors choose the surgical option called hysterectomy to remove the uterus. However, with this surgical option, the women lose the opportunity to become pregnant. This surgery is further divided into two types- simple hysterectomy and radical hysterectomy. The former is used as the option for early stage cancer wherein the entire uterus and cervix are removed, while in the latter case, the surgeon removes the uterus, cervix and the lymph nodes and certain portion of vagina is removed that are affected by cancer. 

·         Radiation Therapy: With the help of high power energy beams like X rays, you end up killing the cancer cells. This therapy is employed alone or could be used with the procedure of chemotherapy before going for the surgery in order to shrink the tumour or after the surgical procedure in order to get rid of the cancer cells. The radiation therapy can be given either internally, externally or both ways.

·         Chemotherapy: This method also uses certain medications, which is carried out by injecting your vein in order to kill the cancer cells. With the help of low doses of chemotherapy along with radiation therapy, the doctors treat the cancer. However, the higher chemotherapy doses can help in regulating the advance level of cervical cancer, which cannot be curable. 

Conclusion

As per estimate, the number of women suffering from cervical cancer is growing with every passing year. Though it becomes difficult to define them in the early stage, however, with conscious lifestyle one can end up getting the right solution on time.

Facts to know About Ovarian Cysts

Women not often give enough thought about the ovaries; hence it would be rather less unsettling to understand for the ovarian cysts while they are menstruating. However, once you realise you are not supposed to panic as they are often harmless and you can easily get rid of the same. Yet, you need to fix them before it becomes big. In some cases, women would feel the pelvic pain with it. Anyway, let’s check some facts about ovarian cysts as under:

 Image Credit: healthyandnaturalworld.com

1) Refresh about the ovaries and fallopian tubes

It’s been long you learnt in your high school biology textbooks. Inside the pelvis, you have uterus flanked over by two different ovaries each of size of almond. When you become pregnant, the egg swaddle over the fluid filled space known as follicle and soon you realise an egg moving inside the space called follicle. 

2) Cyst Formation 

If your follicle doesn’t really release any egg, then you will find it growing much bigger, which end up developing the follicle cyst. The formed cysts can bring in the bleeding and thus can cause pain inside the pelvic area. Generally, these things would be seen disappearing under few weeks and thus can be called as very much small, however, it can be possible to have a bigger size cyst that can measure a couple of inches as well.

3) Dermoid cyst

Sometime you find the cyst turning dermoid cyst that is formed when cell over the ovary is seen getting divided. These are not common are can be seen growing bigger up to 10 cm and 4 inches. At times it may need a surgery to get rid of the same. 

4) Having Ovarian cyst, how would you know it?

The ovarian cysts do not often bring in symptoms and usually goes away. However, to know that you have this, you would notice a different kind of bleeding during your menstrual cycle giving a sign of corpus luteum cyst.

5) Test to confirm the Ovarian cyst 

Once you feel the cyst, your doctor would consider a pelvic test and ultrasound, which is usually carried out when you have a pain in the pelvic area.  

6) Some other ovarian cyst symptoms to know 

Severe kind of symptoms like ovarian cysts like nausea, vomiting and fever can indicate the presence of ovarian cysts. On these symptoms always consider this to be a medical emergency. 

7) Common tests for cyst 

More often, your doctor would be seen considering vaginal ultrasound, which confirms the same. However, your doctor will monitor the same for 2-3 weeks before he or she starts the treatment.

8) Do you need a surgery? 

If you have ignored the symptoms of cysts for long, you are likely to make things bad for you. If you find it bigger than four inches, you can have the suspicion of having a mass or tumour. This simply needs a surgical procedure like laparotomy or laparoscopy surgery. 

9) Preventing Cysts 

Consuming birth control pills (if you do not want to be pregnant) can help you in preventing this issue. However, if you still get this problem, it is always recommended to wait and watch for a while and then start the treatment to prevent the same. 

10) Understanding Polycystic ovary syndrome 

Around 7 percent of women are seen developing hormonal disorder, which means you have a number of ovarian cysts. These can bring in issues like irregular periods and other issues, which shouldn’t be misunderstood with other issues.

11) Can a Menopause history can bring in ovarian cysts?

A majority of times, the cysts are developed due to pre-menopausal women. Ovarian cysts though can make things bad but these are not cancerous. 

12) Ovarian cysts are not cancerous 

You may feel that cysts could be cancerous; however, the fact is just the opposite. The tests would confirm the same but will no way indicate to the menace like cancer.

Benefits of Weight Loss Surgery

Overview

Over weight is a problem, upcoming in majority of populations these days. This is mainly due to lifestyle we are living and also the eating habits. Obesity comes with lined up disorders which are heart diseases, diabetes, pain in joints and bones due to extra weight which is not handled by body. Many of obese people also face problems like infertility and erectile dysfunction; this could lead in low self esteem and stress. Weight loss surgery is an option if you fail to treat your over weight through good diet and exercise.

Four common ailments that can improve after weight loss surgery  

Here are the major four disorders which can be improved after weight loss surgery. This includes 

1    Infertility

Infertility is faced by many people in this world and also can be treated with support of medical treatments under highly educated experts. One of the major reasons behind infertility is obesity. People with overweight that is weight higher than normal level in people can cause infertility. 

Here is the reason for which fertility is affected by weight.

• The estrogen hormone plays an important role in conceiving. Overweight disturbs menstrual cycle in women which directly disturbs estrogen level leading to infertility in women. Polycystic syndrome in women is also caused by obesity, and this indirectly relates with infertility.
• In men, sperm count differs with level of body weight.
• Erectile dysfunction
• Overweight is not a sign of sound health or say it can be way for many disorders catching your body. One of the health issues is erectile dysfunction caused due to obesity. The reason behind is if a person is having fat around abdomen, he faces a lower count of hormone known as testosterone. This is male hormone. 
• Regular exercise will not only keep you active but it will also keep away common problem of health like diabetes, gaining extra pounds, erectile dysfunctions , cardiac disorders and many things.
• Losing weight and undergoing surgery can help in treating this erectile dysfunction in men.

Joint Pain    

      

If you are at all overweight, one of the most ideal approaches to diminish osteoarthritis torment or joint pain is by taking off those extra pounds which is troubling you. Being overweight builds the heap that you put on your joints - your knees, your hips, and your lower leg - with each and every step of yours.

Getting a consultation with dietician and managing body weight is your first option, Along with exercise to reduce weight. But if this does not help you out eliminating excess of weight then a weight loss surgery is important. 

Here are the reasons how a bariatric surgery helps obese person to overcome joint pain 

• Increasing in mobility or say you can move without pain
• Lowers down the pressure on knees
• For every single pound of weight, an obese person will reduce three pounds of stress on the joints, making movement pain free.

Diabetes 

This is imbalance of sugar level in blood. To maintain this glucose level, pancreas works in body. Diabetes is a condition when sugars consumed are not utilized properly in body due to improper working of pancreas. There are types of Diabetes they are Type 1 and type 2 Diabetes. Type 2 Diabetes is more dangerous and complicated. Weight loss surgery is treatment for obese people having diabetes.

How does weight loss surgery helps in diabetes? 

Glucose in food is to be absorbed properly in every human body, which in diabetic person fails to balance it. Gastric bypass surgery is a type of weight loss surgery, which also helps in maintaining normal level of sugar in body. When an obese person undergoes gastric bypass surgery, the small intestine regulates its digestion work making it faster and hence balancing sugar levels. 

Conclusion

Obesity is a problem increasing in every age group and also bringing disorders with overweight. To be healthy and physically fine you need to take proper care of your weight and eating habits. Weight loss surgery helps in treating many diseases but also you have to take a good diet and exercise regime after surgery.

Gallbladder Disease - Types and Treatment

Overview 

Gallbladder disease includes various types of disorders and several conditions affecting gall bladder. It is a pear shaped and quite small organ found under the liver. The function of gallbladder is to store bile which is produced in liver and small intestine will follow the further procedure.

Gall bladder disorders are majorly caused by inflammation and infection which irritates to the gall bladder wall known as cholecystitis. It happens mainly when ducts are obstructed connecting the small intestine and this may lead to gangrene or necrosis. Some other disorders include sclerosing cholangitis, gallbladder cancer, and biliary enteric fistulas. 

Gallstones

Most common and pressing disorder related to gallbladder. They develop when the bile gets more amount of cholesterol, salts, band calcium forming hard particles which are blocking the passageway to the gall bladder making it painful. This condition is also developed when gallbladder does not empty or is often filled. These stones vary in size; it may be small as sand grain or large as a golf ball.

Acalculus Gallbladder Disease

Acalculous gallbladder disorder is also known as biliary dyskinesia. The condition starts without any presence of gallstones. This can be severe resulting in improper working of valve or gallbladder muscle. Symptoms involve pain in abdomen at the right side, coming to the shoulder as well. This is triggered by eating high fat content foods. Also there are some other signs like bloating, nausea, and vomiting, loose motions. 

Gallbladder Cancer

This is a rare disorder. Very few people suffer with gallbladder cancer and very less number of people dies because of cancer in gallbladder. This is found in bile duct or bile tract, most commonly seen in women with age of 60 or more.

But when it is ignored, it can spread from inner lining of gallbladder walls to intestine and also it can be more severe spreading to other organs.

Gallbladder Polyps

Gallbladder polyps are injuries or developments that happen on the gallbladder. They are normally innocuous and the side effects are regularly non-existent. 

Abscess of the Gallbladder

The condition is a result of the gall bladder area affected with pus and also inflamed. Pus is the dead white cells, accumulation of dead tissues and bacteria. This causes pain in the upper right side of abdomen. 

Gallbladder Disease Treatments

Diagnosis of the correct disorder is first step in treatment. Few tests and steps are followed to completely diagnose the gall bladder diseases. These are a detailed patient history, physical examination of general health, chest and abdomen x-rays, liver functioning tests, blood tests and Sonographies. 

Medicine

When the disorder is diagnosed, first step to treat inflammation is through medicines like anti biotic. If the condition is not getting treated and patient seems to have multiple episodes, surgery is advised. 

 Surgery

Many times in most of the cases, surgery is best option to remove stones in gallbladder. This can be performed by making an opening in the abdomen, or minimal invasive technique like laparoscopy. This involves making holes and implanting a camera through it. This allows better view and precise surgery. With easy access to instruments and faster recovery leaving no scar this type of surgery is beneficial. If there are no other complications, surgeons prefer to adopt minimal invasive surgery over open surgical process. 

Conclusion

Treating gallbladder diseases is easy with advanced technology. But to prevent and avoid these disorders, we have to take some preventive steps like a control in our diet and regular health checkups will help you find any disorder at beginning. This will help in easy treatment at initial stages with medications and avoid the need for surgery. good surgeons and doctors play an important role , so be careful while selecting your healthcare professional getting most efficient treatment.