Symptoms Women Should Never Ignore

Overview

Women across the globe struggle to balance their work, home, children, errands, etc. Their “to do” list never ends and in this hectic lifestyle, a large number of them end up ignoring the symptoms which might be an indicator of potential health problems. Here are 10 of the significant symptoms that women should never ignore.

Numbness in Wrists 

Numbness or tingling in your thumb, index or the middle fingers can often be a sign of carpal tunnel syndrome, which, if left untreated can lead to permanent nerve or muscle damage.

Breast changes

All breast lumps are not cancerous, but if you happen to observe any changes in your breasts, then you should let your healthcare professional know about it. The changes in your breasts include nipples that turn inwards, skin dimpling or puckering, scaling of nipples or breast skin and nipple discharge or redness.

Bloating or Gas

These are the common signs of menstruation or a change in diet. Although, it is a natural occurrence, but if the symptoms persist for longer then you may be at higher risk of ovarian cancer. It is therefore important to talk with your ob-gyn regarding these symptoms.

Vaginal discomfort and odour

Since this is a very personal matter for most women, hence most often they may be embarrassed to talk about it with their healthcare provider. It is therefore important to understand that the vaginal odour is the result of an unbalanced vaginal pH. Many women experience vaginal discomfort and odour and it can be managed through the vaginal gels. However, if the odour persists for longer or if it is accompanied with fever or any other symptoms, then you should not ignore it instead visit your doctor.

Skin changes 

If you observe any out-of-the ordinary change in the size, shape or color of a mole or other spots, then it could be a sign of skin cancer and therefore you should not ignore it. Additionally, unexplained bumps on the skin or feet that doesn’t go away or repeatedly come back should not be ignored.

Excessive urination

Excessive urination can be a sign of several underlying health conditions, including diabetes and uterine fibroids. They can be indicative of something could be wrong and hence it is suggested to get it checked out.

Toothache 

A constant toothache or prolonged sensitivity to cold and hot temperatures, pain when chewing or applying pressure to your teeth, swollen gums can be signs of infections which should never be ignored. Furthermore, toothaches and pains that require immediate attention should not be allowed to spread to the jaw or beyond.

Vaginal bleeding or discharge

If women who have gone through their menopause experience vaginal bleeding, then it is abnormal and could be a sign that something is wrong. It could be either indicating a hormonal imbalance or a uterine cancer or endometrical cancer. Any uncharacteristic discharge or a foul-smelling discharge should be taken seriously and you should consult a doctor immediately.

Sudden or unexplained weight loss 

Although weight loss is good for you, if you have made changes in your diet or have taken up any kind of physical activity to lose weight. However, if your weight is coming off without any effort, then it may be a cause of concern. The colon cancer is accompanied with unexplained weight loss, in this case a sudden or an abnormal weight loss, then it is important to consult with your doctor.

Flu-like symptoms

Symptoms like light-headedness, sweating, pressure or pain in the lower chest, back or abdomen and fatigue are often dismissed since they seem very much like the flu. However, in many cases, it might just be the flu, but in some cases, these symptoms can actually be signs of a heart attack.

Must Read - Top 10 Bariatric Surgery Tips

Overview

Support for weight loss journey is quite important for people who are have decided to undergo the bariatric surgery. There are lots of information that you need to know when having a bariatric surgery. Here are the top 10 bariatric surgery tips that have been given by people who underwent their weight loss surgery and are at different post-operative stages.

Follow your doctor's advice

A patient undergoing her gastric bypass review that she diligently followed ALL the instructions given by her doctor including, quit smoking, fast pre-surgery, follow the post surgery schedule of introducing foods, drinking lots of water, eating high protein foods, started walking the day after surgery and continuing it at home.

Do an honest self-evaluation

Another patient says while she was in her fifth post operation and she felt exhausted, grumpy, fat and just icky. After doing some honest self evaluation, she realized that she had forgotten or ignored to take care of her tummy, her whole body and her mind. She then started taking her vitamins regularly and slowly being aware of the food intake. A few months later, she started doing her regular exercises.

Have the right attitude

Being a patient, if you have the right attitude and the proper approach that you are doing this for life and you have to keep eating small since you understand all the benefits of this being the most sensible way to deal with your weight once and for all. The right attitude is a fabulous tool which requires commitment and thinking. Most of the patients are happy to feel full again, which they were missing prior to the surgery.

Drink a lot of water           

Drinking enough water each day, a minimum of 64 ounces is good for your overall health. Although it may sound like  a lot, but in reality its just four 16-ounce bottles, which is freeze ice cold helps your body burn more calories when it has warmed up the water to use it. Some of you may not like drinking water because it is not full of sugar and it is not sweet to your tongue. But our body is made to like water since it is built to have water and our brain and muscles depend on water to function properly.

Don't rush back into eating

Do not rush back into eating. You should stick with liquids for four weeks and a pureed diet for two weeks. Some patients can find it hard mentally as they just wanted to chew. But you should listen to the doctors and nurses since they know what is best for you.

       

Change your eating habits for good

If you are willing to change your lifestyle, then this surgery will help you become the person you dreamt of. Changing your lifestyle means you should be willing to completely change your eating habits, exercising on a daily basis and committing to taking the vitamins for the rest of your life. You should be able to motivate yourself by saying that this food does not taste as good as the skinny feels.

Learn coping mechanisms       

   

It is significant to see someone and spend some serious time talking about what to expect when you have slimmed down. Though you will still have some issues with the self worth, but you will have to learn coping up with these mechanisms. It is vital to know what you are getting into so that you are prepared when the things get tough and you will be able to cope and get yourself accepted into yet another new life.

Join a support group

If you are thinking about this weight loss procedure and want to get your health back, JUST DO IT. The biggest key to your success is the support group therapy post surgery. Joining a support group can be considered as a ‘tuneup’. If your doctor doesn’t offer a support group, then look around you may end up joining any of the support groups offered by other doctors and often they will welcome you.        

Realize that surgery is only a tool

Bariatric Surgery is not a miracle, but it is a tool to use. Its up to you if are willing to use this tool and stick with the diet for life. If you are opting for this tool, then you cannot just go and eat whatever you want and still lose weight instead you will have to start working at it.

Here you will get all the info about

BariatricSurgery – You need to know everything

Bariatric surgery - Causes, Risk Factors, Symptoms

Endometriosis: Know All The Facts and Symptoms

Endometriosis is the second most common gynaecological condition in the UK, but most people have never heard of this condition. Here’s presenting the facts and symptoms you should know about endometriosis.

What is Endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a gynaecological condition in which the tissue, which is similar to the lining of the womb grows in other areas of the body, most often in the pelvic region. The tissue responds to the hormones in the same way as the lining of the womb, but with no outlet. It can lead to severe pain, causes inflammation, scarring and adhesions and many other symptoms.

What are The Symptoms?

The most common symptoms of endometriosis are severe pain during or in between the periods, painful bowel movements, heavy and irregular periods, pain during or after sex and pain in the bladder.

Extreme fatigue is quite common, fertility may also be affected. Additionally, misdiagnosis of the condition results in delaying the accurate diagnosis, tests and sometimes unnecessary surgery.

How it is Diagnosed?

The only conclusive way to determine if a woman has endometriosis is through a laparoscopy. During a laparoscopic procedure, a small laparoscope is inserted into the abdomen to look directly at the internal tissue. Often this procedure is carried out under general anaesthesia. During laparoscopy various procedures can be performed to destroy or remove the endometriosis, endometriosis cysts and release the scar tissue and adhesions.

According to a research by the Endometriosis UK, it would typically take more than seven years to make a correct diagnosis. During this time, women may suffer agonizing pain every month that would impact their lives, relationships and their ability to work.

Can Endometriosis Be Cured?

There is no cure for endometriosis, but treatments can help with the pain and infertility. The treatments for endometriosis depends on how severe your symptoms are and whether you want to get pregnant. If you have pain only, then the hormone therapy will lower the estrogen levels, which will shrink the implants and reduce pain. If you want to become pregnant, then undergoing surgery or the infertility treatment or both will help.

Not all women with this condition experiences pain and endometriosis will not always get worse over time. Usually, it improves during pregnancy and after menopause. The decision to get treatment for endometriosis depends on you, if you have mild pain and have no plans for a future pregnancy or if you are near the menopause or around the age of 50, then you may not feel the need for the treatment.

You can apply heat to your belly and can exercise regularly to help with the pain caused by endometriosis.

Medicines: If you have pain or bleeding but you are not planning to get pregnant soon, then the anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) or the birth control hormones such as pills, patch or ring will control the pain The birth control hormones are likely to keep the endometriosis from getting worse. In case of severe symptom, the NSAIDs or the birth control hormones doesn’t work and you might try a stronger hormone therapy.

Surgery: If the hormone therapy doesn’t work or if the growth are affecting other organs, then surgery is the next step. During surgery, the endometrial growths and scar tissues are removed and usually, this is performed through one or more small incisions using the laparoscopy. The laparoscopic endometriosis surgery helps to improve the pain and also increases your chance of pregnancy. In severe cases, the uterus removal also known as hysterectomy and the ovaries removal, known as oophorectomy is an option and these can cause early menopause. Therefore, these procedures are preferred only when you have no pregnancy plans and have had little relief from other treatments.

Top 9 Ways to Manage Gallstones

The gallstones starts with bile, which is a fluid made in the liver that helps to digest the fat. It travels from your liver into the gallbladder where it stays until it is required to help digest the meal. The trouble begins when too much cholesterol, bile salts or bilirubin starts to build up in the bile and stagnates in your gallbladder resulting into slow formation of the particles. Thess stones can be as small as a grain of sand or as large as a golf ball. You can have single gallstone or hundreds of them. Once they travel into the ducts they cause blockages which can become infected or inflamed and make you feel pain.

Usually, the people above 50 years are at higher risks for gallstones, unless they aren’t physically active and maintain a healthy weight. Additionally, young women are more likely to develop the gallstones than men. Not everyone with gallstones have symptoms. The usual symptoms include pain attack in the upper abdomen, gas, bloating, nausea and indigestion.

Here are the 9 ways recommended by the experts to manage the gallstones:

1. Favor Fiber

Too much cholesterol in your blood increases your risk of gallstones, but a high-fiber diet will help to lower it. Since we don’t get a lot of fibers, our bodies start reabsorbing too much cholesterol, which also increases our chances of heart diseases and gallstones. The soluble fiber in your intestines helps absorbing the bile containing the cholesterol salts thereby flushes them out of the body. Insoluble fibers also helps by moving the digestive products along.

2. Forsake Fat

Too much saturated fat slows down the digestion and makes your gallbladder work overtime. This elevates the cholesterol which is a chief ingredient in most gallstones.

3. Control Your Weight

Overweight and obese people who carry extra weight around their middle, people with high cholesterol and women are significantly at higher risks of gallstones. Remember that if you want to lose weight, do it gradually since there’s an astonishing percentage of painful gallstones in women that is caused by rapid weight loss. Crash diets do not cause gallstones, but the stones which are already formed tend to move in the bile duct, thereby cause painful spasms during the ultra-low calorie diets.

4. Keep Drinking Coffee

Caffeine may help to relieve the symptoms of gallstones in women. People who drink 2-3 cups of coffee a say were less likely to develop painful stones.

5. Say No To Sweets and Sugar

Sugar increases the production of insulin and raises the cholesterol levels.

6. Snack On Nuts

People eating peanuts and other nuts are at 25% lower risk to get their gallbladder removed surgically. The fatty acids present in the nuts and other components such as phytosterols, fiber and magnesium contribute to the reduced risk of developing gallstones.

7. Change Cholestrol With Vitamin C

Women with high levels of vitamin C are less prone to get gallstone disease since it protects by helping to convert the cholesterol into bile acids.

8. Talk With Your Doctor About Estrogen Risk

Estrogen may contribute to gallstones since it increases the amount of cholesterol in the bile. You should talk with your doctor about this risk and the factors like hormone replacement therapy and the birth control pills.

9. Surgery

Surgery is the first option if you experience significant symptoms. Gallstone removal surgery or cholecystectomy is a safe procedure which removes the entire gallbladder with all its stones. Often, your doctor will perform the laparoscopic gallstone removal surgery under anaesthesia. During this surgery, the surgeon will make 3-4 incisions in your abdomen and insert a small, lighted device into one of the incisions and carefully remove the gallbladder. You can go home on the day of the procedure, if you have no complications.

Hernia Repair Surgery: Get to Know Everything!

What is Hernia?

Hernia can be called as a gap/space in strong tissues, which holds the muscles in a right place. It can occur inside the abdominal muscle layers which become weakened giving a bulge/tear. In the same fashion that the inner tube pushes via a damaged tire, while the inner lining over the abdomen pushed via the weakened area of the abdominal wall that is forms a small size balloon like sac.

What causes Hernia?

The abdomen wall has certain natural areas over the potential weakness and it can be developed at these areas owing to heavy strain found over the abdominal wall, injury, aging and other weaknesses. Anyone can develop this at any age group and as per a report, around 600,000 inguinal or groin hernia repair operation are carried out annually in the US alone.

What are the types of Hernia?

When it comes to types of hernias, the following are its types:

1.         Inguinal hernia
2.          Femoral hernia
3.          Umbilical hernia
4.         Incisional hernia
5.          Epigastric hernia
6.          Hiatal hernia

What are the treatment options for Hernia?

There are several treatment options when it comes to dealing with ailments like hernia, which are as under:

• Lifestyle Changes: Making some dietary changes like avoiding large and heavy meals and doing other similar things can help in eliminating the symptoms of foods like heart burn, spicy and tomato based diets.
  
• Medication: If you have hiatal hernia, the over the counter and prescription medication reduces the stomach acid and thus relieve the discomfort or improve symptoms.
  
• Surgery: If hernia is seen growing large size or causing pain, your doctor can recommend you to go for the operation.

What are the surgical options for treatment of Hernia?

When it come surgical options for hernia treatment, there are two options – open and laparoscopic surgery. Some of these are performed with open surgical option, while others are carried out using laparoscopic approach.

Which doctors perform Hernia surgery?

Not all surgeons are able to perform the hernia surgery expect the ones who specializes in this area often termed as Gastrointestinal Surgeons.

Who is a candidate for Hernia surgery?

Only after a thorough physical test one can understand whether he or she is the candidate for surgery. The surgeon after examining the hernia would decide the kind of surgery needed to make you free from ailment of hernia.

What are the preparations for Hernia surgery?

The preparation include blood work, EKG depending upon you medical condition and age and medical evaluation.

• It is recommended to a patient to have a shower before the surgery with antibiotic soap.
• Before the surgery you are not supposed to drink or eat anything except take medications.
• Quit other medications for a while and also smoking before the surgery.

What are possible risks and complications of Hernia surgery?

You can experience low risk of injury in urinary bladder, blood vessels, intestines, sperm tube seen moving over the testicles, etc.

• Difficulty in urination
• Swelling and bruising of scrotum
• Getting back the hernia again

What is the recovery time after Hernia surgery?

The recovery time after the surgery is slow and steady; you need to three weeks to resume normal life. However, you are supposed to carry light activities, while you may indulge into strenuous jobs after six weeks.

• What are the precautions after Hernia surgery? Always follow the instructions of your doctor’s advice
• Have short walks too often for blood circulation.
• Avoid putting yourself into strenuous jobs after the surgery
• Have a healthy diet and get a high intake of water

What can be done to prevent Hernia occurring again?

• Use a pack of ice pack often over the surgical incision
• Have your medications on time

What is the cost of Hernia Surgery?

The cost of hernia surgery in India can range 50000 to 60000 INR.

Weight Loss Surgery FAQ

What is weight loss surgery?

Weight loss surgery deals with removing upon the extra weight from your stomach and making your belly flat keeping the weight at the bay. It basically removes the extra flesh over your stomach area using any of the surgical procedure along with reducing the food intake in order to make the weight loss effective.

What are the different types of weight loss surgeries?

There are basically four types of weight loss surgery, which are common among the subject of weight loss. These include gastric bypass, adjustable gastric band, gastric sleeve and duodenal switch. These surgeries remove some portion of stomach from the stomach and intestine in order to get rid of the weight from your body.

What are the benefits of weight loss surgeries?

One of the most obvious benefits you can enjoy with this surgery includes the drastic weight loss, which keeps you away from a number of medical conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes that are linked to obesity.

What are the complications of weight loss surgeries?

Some of the complications of weight loss surgeries include the following:

• Bleeding
• Blood clots
• Bowel function changes
• Bowel obstruction or the internal hernia
• Dumping syndrome

Who is a good candidate for weight loss surgery?

Anyone with extra weight may or may not weight loss surgery. The patients with complicated medical conditions and limited amount of mobility may have certain risks of surgical issues. These surgeries help in giving a good result in terms of weight loss.

How much weight is lost after weight loss surgery?

The rate and amount at which you are going to lose your weight would depend upon the chosen surgical procedure including the compliance diet, workouts, weight and vitamin intake.

Which doctors perform weight loss surgery?

The weight loss surgery is a specialized treatment, which needs special surgeons who have expertise in weight loss management and removing extra flesh over their body.

What are the preparations for weight loss surgery?

Before having the said surgery, you need to follow instructions given by the doctor like restricting the drinks, smoking, other medications and eating junk food and other similar things. You will be asked to remain active physical and stop consuming tobacco. This will help in getting the best of the outcome from the surgery.

What is the recovery time after weight loss surgery?

The recovery time of the surgery would depend upon the kind of procedure adopted for the same. Generally it is one week for the laparoscopic procedure that comes along with small incisions and faster healing. Generally speaking, you need two weeks to resume to your normal activities.

What should be the lifestyle (diet & exercise) after weight loss surgery?

You can experience significant amount of changes in your life after the surgery provided you adopt the lifestyle as instructed by your surgeon. These include carrying out daily workout sessions along with reducing the food intake to see retaining the results.

When can a female get pregnant after weight loss surgery?

If you get the permanent after the weight loss surgery, there are several things that you need to remember. Generally speaking, pregnancy and the child delivery after this surgical procedure are much safer to a lean woman as compare to the ones who are obese. You can discuss with your doctor to get special instructions in such cases to keep the complications at bay.

How much does weight loss surgery cost?

When it comes to paying for weight loss surgery in India is concerned, it is very much less as compared to the developed nations. Any typical weight loss surgery in India can range from 4000 to 7000 dollars. 

8 Common Myths About Ovarian Cancer

March is “Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month” and here we bring you some of the common myths about the ovarian cancer.

1. It is a “Silent Killer”: Often, ovarian cancer is referred as a silent killer since it has no symptoms. However, it is not true. The key symptoms of ovarian cancer are persistent bloating or increased stomach size, persistent stomach pain, urge to pee more frequently and difficulty eating or feeling full quickly. These symptoms can happen to us sometimes, but if the symptoms are unusual and they don’t go away then you should speak with your GP.
2. It doesn’t affect young women: It is not well-known as some other female cancer and there are a lot of myths surrounding this disease. Over 7000 women are diagnosed and about 4300 deaths are reported for ovarian cancer in the UK. Ovarian cancer is the fifth most common female cancer and often it is associated with women over the age of 50. Though it is true that about 80% of the women over 50 plus are diagnosed with ovarian cancer, it leaves one in five who are younger.
3. It is the same as cervical cancer: There are lots of different gynaecological cancers so, its better to be aware of each one of them. The five main gynaecological cancers are cervical, ovarian, vaginal, uterine and valvular cancer and each of these have different symptoms. If you suspect anything is wrong, get to know about your body by speaking with your doctor.
4. Cervical smears will detect it: There is no routine test for detecting ovarian cancer, so a cervical smear won’t detect it. The best way to detect this disease is by being symptoms-aware. 
   
5. BRCA means only breast cancer: Often a BRCA gene mutation is discussed in the media alongside an increased risk of getting breast cancer. However, if you have a BRCA gene mutation, then you have a 35-60% increased chance of developing ovarian cancer too. BRCA gene mutations can be hereditary.
6. You can do nothing to reduce its risk: Taking contraceptive pills could reduce your risk of ovarian cancer. A few lifestyle factors such as obesity, smoking, giving birth to your first child after 30’s, not breastfeeding, not having any children and using HRT can increase your risk of developing ovarian cancer. Other contributing factors include, getting older, having endometriosis and a family history of breast and ovarian cancer. 
7. Women who have done as hysterectomy can’t get ovarian cancer: There are different types of hysterectomy. In most cases, the womb and the cervix are removed and in certain cases, the Fallopian tubes and ovaries too, are removed. Although removal of the ovaries reduces the risk by 95%, but still there is a 5% risk of developing ovarian cancer cells. You are also at risk of developing peritoneal cancer, which is similar to ovarian cancer.
8. HPV vaccine helps: Sadly, HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) vaccine does nothing in the way to prevent the ovarian cancer. Though this vaccine protects against cervical cancer, but currently there is no equivalent vaccine available to protect the women from developing ovarian cancer.

9 Safe Routines to Get You Move Again After a Hysterectomy

Hysterectomy is a surgical procedure involving the removal of a woman’s uterus. Hysterectomy is the second most common surgery among women of reproductive age with about 600,000 procedures being performed each year. The primary reason for hysterectomy include endometriosis, pelvic pain, shifting of the uterus and cancer of the uterus, ovaries or cervix and uterine fibroids.

There are three different degrees of hysterectomy; total, partial and radical. Your doctor will make a recommendation based on the patient’s medical condition and history. Recovery time will vary depending on the type of surgery performed.

Types of Hysterectomy:

1. Abdominal Hysterectomy
2. Vaginal or Laparoscopic-Assisted Vaginal Hysterectomy (LAVH)
3. Laparoscopic Supracervical Hysterectomy (LSH)

As per the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the patients undergoing this procedure should get lots of rests, take short walks and refrain from lifting the heavy objects.

Exercising After Undergoing a Hysterecomy:

Post-hysterectomy exercise is one of the key factors in the healing process by promoting healthy sleep, assisting in weight loss, relieving muscle tension and preventing a range of diseases, from various types of cancer to diabetes and Alzheimer’s. Women who were physically fit before undergoing this procedure are more likely to have an easier recovery and will be able to quickly return back to their routine physical activities.

The safe routines to get you moving again posy hysterectomy include the following:

1. Walking: You can start walking on your doctor’s approval. Take short, frequent walks; this will help to speed up the healing and recovery process and will reduce the risk of blood clots.
2. Breathing Exercises: It is quite common to experience difficulty breathing in the hours and days following a hysterectomy. Take long, slow breaths, completely filling the lungs, belly and rib cage before slowly exhaling. Targeted breathing exercises will help you return to a normal, comfortable respiratory pattern.
3. Stretching: Gentle stretches will help relieve muscle tension and promote healthy blood circulation. Stretch your upper back and shoulders while lying on the bed or on the floor. Bend your knees and reach your arms up over the head, lightly press them against the floor or the bed and then release. Repeat this procedure. As you get stronger and more mobile, you can add more advanced stretches to this routine.
4. Pelvic Tilts: It helps to strengthen the pelvic floor. Lie on your back with your knees bent and support your head with a pillow. Lift your bottom up into a bridge position while contracting your stomach muscles. Keep your middle back flush against the floor. Maintain this position for a few seconds, release and repeat this procedure.
5. Kegels: Post hysterectomy, your pelvic floor may be weakened and this can cause loss of the bladder control, shifting of pelvic organs and other problems. They can be performed in any position and at any time. Simply, squeeze the muscle you would normally use to stop the flow of urine, release and repeat. Aim for high repetitions of varying lengths.
6. Head Sit-Ups: If you are not ready for full-crunches, then start with a head sit-up. Lie on your back, bend your knees and cross your arms over the belly. Cinch the stomach muscles with your hands, slowly raise your head off the floor and bring your chin to your chest. After a few seconds, release and repeat.
7. Stomach “Vacuums”: This move helps strengthen the stomach muscles safely. Start from your hands and knees, inhale and then tighten your tummy as you slowly exhale. After a few seconds, release and repeat it.
8. Lower Back Exercises: They help to strengthen the core while improving the posture and stability, thereby aid in healing and recovery. It also helps to alleviate and prevent the back pain post hysterectomy.
9. Other Abdominal Exercises: It’s normal to experience bloating or loss of abdominal strength after a hysterectomy. Although diet and cardio help in slimming down the midsection, targeted core exercises helps to strengthen those muscles. Ensure to give special attention to the transverses abdominis (TA) muscles by performing, planks, Pilates moves, bridges and forward ball rolls.

Wrap-up:

Always check with your doctor before starting or resuming an exercise routine after undergoing a hysterectomy surgery. Walk and stretch as soon as your doctor gives you the green signal. Do not lift anything heavier than five pounds for the complete recovery period. Engage yourself in abdominal exercises only after the full recovery period. Even if you feel good, do not overdo it since you can strain the incision or cause an internal injury.

Read More:

Types of Hysterectomy Surgery in India

Laparoscopic Splenectomy - What Do We Know About It?

What is laparoscopic splenectomy?

Spleen is an organ which is located on the upper left side of abdomen and under the rib cage. It is among the most important organ in the immunity system as it is organ which is helping in fighting various infections and destroys the damaged blood cells and unwanted cold symptoms from the body. This organ is helpful in making red blood cells in the body and whenever this organ gets affected and is not able to perform all the necessary function then a surgery called laparoscopic splenectomy surgery is performed to treat this condition. This surgery is generally performed to remove the entire spleen.

Why does one need spleen removal?

Splenectomy surgery is performed to treat a wide array of medical conditions and disorders. The reason which is why one need to undergo spleen removal surgery, here are some of the causes which make an individual a perfect candidate to have spleen removal surgery:

•  Enlarged Spleen: In this condition the surgeon would recommend entire spleen to be removed surgically
•  Ruptured spleen: This condition is caused because of the severe injury in the abdominal region or due to enlargement of the spleen. This condition causes internal bleeding and can be life-threatening.
• Cancer: If an individual is experiencing any of this kind of cancer which includes hairy cell leukemia, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, or non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, then he is suggested to undergone splenectomy surgery
• Blood Disorder: Individuals experiencing polycythemia Vera, thalassemia, and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura and/or sickle cell anemia types of blood disorder can undergo splenectomy surgery.
• Infection: Individuals having severe infection or has pus in spleen of large amount which is not effectively and completely removed using other treatment methods should undergo splenectomy surgery.
• Tumor or cyst: Individuals with a case of non-cancerous tumors or cyst in the spleen can undergo splenectomy surgery if not completely removed with the help of other treatment methods.

Which specialist should be consulted in case of signs and symptoms?

Whenever you are experiencing the symptoms of spleen disorder, in that case it is best to consult with the family physician at first. Then after regular check up and necessary tests, you might need to consult expert gastroenterologist surgeon for further assistance and treatment options.

What are the screening tests and investigations before the surgery?

Some of the tests performed by the expert surgeon to diagnose the actual cause and before start with any treatment option are:

• Blood tests
• A complete physical exam
• Blood transfusions (to have sufficient blood cells after spleen removal surgery)
•  Pneumococcal vaccine and other vaccines (as prevention from infection after spleen removal surgery)

What is the procedure for spleen removal?

Laparoscopic Splenectomy surgery is a minimally invasive type of surgery in which 3-4 small cuts are made in the abdomen region. From this cuts a tube with a video camera is inserted and some other surgical instruments are also inserted from other remaining cuts. Then the carbon-dioxide is pumped up to expand the abdomen which creates more space for the surgery. After this with the help of small tool the spleen is removed. And once the surgery is done all tools will get removed and the cuts will close with stitches.

What are the known complications of the surgery?

Every surgery has some associated risks and complications. Here are some of the complications of splenectomy surgery, which includes

• A collection of pus under the diaphragm
• Collapsed lung
•  Damage to the organs near the spleen
• Formation of a blood clot in the vein
• Hernia at the site of the incision
• Internal infection

What precautions or steps are necessary to stay healthy and happy before and after laparoscopic splenectomy?

If patient has undergone laparoscopic splenectomy surgery, there are more chances of getting discharged at the same day or most probably the next day. Once the spleen removal surgery is done, other body organs take care of the functions performed by the spleen inside the body. To make sure, some of the precautions which are need to follow are:

• Take proper medications to avoid infection
• Regular doctor visit till the recommended time to ensure the proper functioning of the organs
•  Check for the symptoms and if you find any contact your surgeon as soon as possible