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How do you manage Type 2 Diabetes?
Sep 26, 2022|Dr. Abhay Ahluwalia

How do you manage Type 2 Diabetes?

What is Type 2 Diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes is a lifelong health condition wherein the level of blood sugar is very high in your bloodstream.

Usually, the pancreas secretes a hormone called insulin – it helps cells to absorb blood sugar (glucose), which then produces energy.

In type 2 diabetes, however, your body develops insulin resistance, and sometimes even the pancreas stops producing insulin to a sufficient level.

Type 2 diabetes commonly affects people who are in middle age and old age. That’s why it is also known as adult-onset diabetes. However, it can also affect children if they are suffering from childhood obesity.

 

What causes type 2 diabetes?

When the cells present in your muscles and liver stop absorbing the insulin and develop a resistance against insulin, this can lead to type 2 diabetes.

Also, when your pancreas stops producing enough amount of insulin which can help your cells in glucose absorption, this can act as a type 2 diabetes cause.

Besides these two causes, there are several type 2 diabetes risk factors, such as:

  • Obesity
  • Sedentary lifestyle
  • Old age
  • Family history of type 2 diabetes
  • High blood pressure level
  • Stress and depression
  • Diet rich in processed carbs, fats, and sugar
  • Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
  • Prediabetes (glucose level is high yet not enough to be classified as diabetes type 2)
  • Gestational diabetes (diabetes which happens during pregnancy)
  • Low level of good cholesterol
  • High level of triglycerides

 

Type 2 diabetes symptoms

Type 2 diabetes symptoms develop gradually and can consist of the following:

  • Excessive hunger and thirst
  • Fatigue
  • Frequent urination
  • Slowed down healing of wounds
  • Numbness or tingling in feet and hands
  • Blurry vision
  • Unexpected weight loss
  • Frequent infections

 

How to diagnose type 2 diabetes

To check for the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes, a doctor usually conducts these tests:

Fasting Plasma Glucose Test

This test involves taking your blood sample to measure your glucose levels on an empty stomach. It generally takes place in the morning as you can’t eat anything for at least 8 hours before this test.

Random Plasma Glucose Test

Without needing to fast, this test can take place at any point of time in a day to measure your glucose levels.

Glycated Hemoglobin Test (A1C) 

This test measures your average glucose (blood sugar) levels for the past three months.

Oral Glucose Tolerance Test

This test first checks your glucose level. Then it measures your blood sugar level two hours after you have had a sugary drink – to check whether any changes have taken place in blood glucose levels.

 

Can type 2 diabetes be cured?

Though type 2 diabetes can’t be cured, it can still be managed. For its management, you need to include the following in your diet:

  • Plant-based proteins like nuts, beans, etc.
  • Carbohydrates that are minimally processed, like brown rice, oatmeal, etc.
  • Foods low in salt and sugar
  • Vegetables low in carbs like carrots, broccoli, etc.
  • Fruits like apples, grapes, etc.

Besides diet, to manage type 2 diabetes, you can make the following changes in your lifestyle:

  • Exercise for at least 30 minutes a day
  • Quit smoking
  • Do not overeat
  • Lead an active lifestyle
  • Get regular health checkups
  • Regularly check your glucose levels

 

Which is worse – type 1 or type 2 diabetes?

Type 1 and type 2 diabetes are chronic health conditions. Both can cause some serious health complications.

Keeping this in mind, the only thing that makes type 2 diabetes a little bit better than type 1 is that with some changes in lifestyle and diet – it can be managed and sometimes sent into remission.

 

Type 2 diabetes treatment

It is essential to seek treatment for this type of diabetes to prevent yourself from suffering the following type 2 diabetes complications:

  • Retinopathy (impairment to blood vessels in the retina due to high glucose levels)
  • Heart disease
  • Chronic kidney disease (CKD)
  • Digestive tract problems
  • Nerve damage
  • Skin infections
  • Sexual dysfunction
  • Increased risk of miscarriages
  • Alzheimer’s disease
  • Sleep apnea (a sleep disorder wherein your breathing keeps stopping and starting continuously)

For the treatment of type 2 diabetes, any one of the following medications is prescribed by the doctor:

  • Metformin
  • Thiazolidinedione
  • Sulfonylureas
  • DPP-4 inhibitors
  • Meglitinides
  • GLP-1 receptor agonists
  • SGLT2 inhibitors

All these medications help to lower your blood glucose levels, increase insulin production and make the cells in your body respond better (absorb) to insulin.

When lifestyle and dietary modifications do not significantly change your blood glucose levels, insulin therapy is recommended. Insulin therapy helps in lowering and ensuring stability in blood glucose levels. It can be administered by:

  • Injecting insulin with the help of an insulin pen
  • Inhaling insulin
  • Insulin pumps (insulin is pumped continuously through a flexible tube)

Sometimes, when obesity is responsible for type 2 diabetes, weight loss surgery is the recommended form of treatment.

 

Conclusion

Type 2 diabetes is a serious lifestyle-related disease wherein your blood glucose levels are abnormally high. Over time, its symptoms develop and consist of blurry vision, increased hunger, slow healing of wounds, etc.

Type 2 diabetes, if not managed timely, can lead to health complications like CKD, nerve damage, skin infections, etc. Thus, it is crucial to seek treatment before you start suffering from these complications.

For this, you can reach out to skilled and experienced doctors at the CK Birla Hospital. The Gastroenterologists at the CK Birla Hospital perform state-of-the-art tests to screen for diabetes. They also provide a customised treatment plan for type 2 diabetes at affordable rates.

For the diagnosis and treatment of type 2 diabetes – visit a nearby branch or book an appointment with Dr. Abhay Ahluwalia

 

FAQs

1. What does being a type 2 diabetic mean?

Being a type 2 diabetic means that your body produces too much insulin and is unable to manage or absorb it. This can lead to symptoms like excessive hunger, blurry vision, fatigue, etc., and eventually serious complications- if not treated timely.

2. Is diabetes type 2 serious?

Diabetes type 2 is a serious condition that develops gradually. The high blood sugar levels – if not controlled – can cause complications like nerve damage, heart disease, retinopathy, miscarriages, etc.

3. What is the difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes?

Type 1 diabetes fall under auto-immune diseases, whereas, type 2 diabetes falls under lifestyle-related diseases. Here, your immune system attacks the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin, causing insulin production to come to a stop. On the other hand, in type 2 diabetes, the pancreas does not produce enough insulin so that it can manage blood glucose levels.

4. Do type 2 diabetics need insulin?

When modifications in lifestyle and diet fail to control blood sugar levels, insulin therapy comes into play. It involves administering insulin to control and lower the raised blood glucose levels.

5. Can stress cause diabetes type 2?

Experiencing stress once in a while can not cause type 2 diabetes. However, living in a constant state of stress can cause fluctuations in your blood glucose levels – to the extent of raising them. So, a prolonged state of stress (chronic stress) can cause type 2 diabetes.

All about Enlarged Liver
Sep 22, 2022|Dr. Mohit Khirbat

All about Enlarged Liver

The liver is an essential organ of the human body. It performs many important functions like filtering toxins from the blood, helping digest food, synthesizing protein, and storing vitamins and minerals.

When the liver becomes larger than its normal size, it is known as the enlarged liver. It is also known as hepatomegaly.

Although it is not a disease, it appears as a symptom of other underlying issues. For example, it may result from liver disease, cancer, and congestive heart failure.

The treatment of this symptom begins according to the condition involved in it. The physician starts the therapy only after identifying the cause of the disease.

 

What causes enlarged liver?

The size of the liver varies from person to person. It varies according to the body’s age, sex, and size. There are many reasons for enlarged liver. These are:

Liver disease

Some mild or severe liver diseases may cause an enlarged liver. These diseases include: 

  • Cirrhosis
  • Hepatitis A, B, and C
  • Nonalcoholic fatty liver
  • Alcoholic fatty liver diseases
  • Noncancerous liver tumours

Apart from these diseases, if any fatty substance or iron or copper or protein in an excessive amount accumulate in your liver, you may have an enlarged liver

Sometimes toxic hepatitis or liver cysts may also lead to a swollen liver.

Cancer

If cancer originating in the other part spreads to the liver, your liver may become bigger than normal.

Other causes like leukemia, liver cancer, or Lymphoma may be the reason for a swollen liver.

Problems in heart and blood vessel

Heart failure, blockage in the veins draining the liver, and inflammation of the tissue around the heart are some of the reasons for an enlarged liver.

Enlarged liver causes inflammation, indicating the infection or other problems associated with the liver.

 

What are the symptoms of the enlarged liver?

In case of mild conditions of hepatomegaly, you may not notice any symptoms. If you have severe underlying problems and your liver gets swollen and becomes larger than required, you may see the following enlarged liver symptoms:

Fatigue 

When you feel too tired and sleepy, you experience fatigue. You do not feel refreshed even after taking sufficient rest when you get fatigued. Fatigue interrupts your daily activities by making you feel too tired and sleepy.

Some significant symptoms of fatigue are low energy, lack of concentration, weakness of muscles, and pain.

Nausea

Nausea and vomiting are important symptoms when you have any defect in your health. If you have any serious health problem, nausea appears as the first symptom and makes you alert outside.

For example, you will feel nausea in case of an enlarged liver. When you have nausea, you feel discomfort in your stomach and an urge to vomit.

Weight loss

When you lose weight excessively, you may have an enlarged liver. If you lose weight while being tired and nauseous, you may have some problems in your liver.

Enlarged spleen

You may have an enlarged spleen if there is any underlying cause. For example, defects in your liver can be the reason for your enlarged spleen.

If there is any condition affecting the spleen, it swells by itself. The spleen helps to produce white blood cells and remove waste material.

Jaundice

Jaundice is another important symptom of diseased liver. When you have jaundice, the skin and mucous membranes turn yellow.

Although there are many reasons for jaundice, diseased liver or enlarged liver is one of these reasons. Jaundice is the outer appearance of some defects in your liver.

Pruritus

When you suffer from pruritus, you have itchy skin. It may appear on any part of your body or spread through the body. You may also have pruritus if you have an enlarged liver.

 

What are the risk factors for enlarged liver?

You may have an enlarged liver due to the following reasons

  • If you have any infection caused by bacteria or virus
  • If you take some medicines in an excessive amount
  • If you have failed to exercise regularly and gained a lot of fats
  • If you have been unable to maintain a healthy diet

 

When should I see my healthcare provider?

You should see your healthcare provider if any notice any severe symptoms like

  • The fever has been persistent for many days
  • Feeling tired even after eating sufficient food and taking enough sleep
  • Skin and eyes turn yellow

 

How is enlarged liver diagnosed? 

When you feel discomfort in your abdomen, your doctor will conduct a physical examination. If the doctor notices any enlarged liver symptoms, you may be recommended to go through some tests. These tests are

Blood test

The sample of your blood will be tested to check for any infection or the enzyme in your blood. The test will also help to prevent the presence of other viruses.

Liver biopsy

A small part of the liver will be removed to send for biopsy. This test is done by inserting a needle through your skiing and into your liver.

Imagining test

To check the defect in a liver, some imagining tests are conducted. Some of the Imagining tests are CT scans, ultrasounds, or MRIs.

 

What is the treatment for enlarged liver?

After the physical examination, when your doctor finds your liver bigger than the normal size and identifies the reason, your enlarged liver treatment will begin accordingly. If the liver has swollen due to excessive consumption of alcohol, you may be advised to stop consuming alcohol.

Some general methods of treatment for enlarged livers may be:

  • Losing weight
  • To maintain a healthy diet
  • Doing physical exercise
  • Avoid consuming alcohol
  • Controlling high cholesterol, high blood sugar, and high blood pressure

Apart from suggesting any of the above advice, you may be prescribed some medications to help your enlarged liver return to its normal size.

 

Conclusion

Many conditions are responsible for an enlarged liver. Almost 2 million deaths occur annually worldwide due to liver disease. The common reasons for enlarged liver are consumption of alcohol, an unhealthy diet, blood sugar, and weight gain.

In most cases, doctors prescribe medicines and suggest healthy lifestyle practices to cure enlarged liver. But the doctor may continue the treatment by following other methods depending on the conditions involved in causing a swelling liver.

You can visit the CK Birla Hospital and book an appointment to get the proper treatment of any disease associated with your liver.

 

FAQs

1. Is an enlarged liver serious?

An enlarged liver may be dangerous depending upon its causes. However, an enlarged liver by itself is not so serious.

2. Can enlarged liver be cured?

An enlarged liver is cured by changing the lifestyle. It may take time to recover if enlarged liver results from severe diseases like cancer or type 2 diabetes.

3. Can fatty liver cause enlarged liver?

Yes. Fatty liver may cause inflammation and indirectly affect the size of your liver. In addition, you may have an enlarged liver due to some other underlying issues.

4. What is the normal liver size?

The normal liver size of a woman is 7 cm, and for a man is 10.5 cm. If 2 or 3 cm is larger or smaller than the normal size will be deemed to be of abnormal size.

5. What size is considered an enlarged liver?

If the size of the liver is larger than 15 cm, the liver is termed an enlarged liver.

All you need to know about Piles

All you need to know about Piles

Piles, or hemorrhoid’s, are a globally relevant problem. These are swollen veins located inside your rectum, just outside the anus that is accompanied by pain, itching and in most cases bleeding. These can be managed with at-home treatments but sometimes requires medical intervention. With this blog, we will try and understand the problem better to be able to deal with it better.

What is Piles?

Piles are enlarged veins inside the rectum around the anal area. They are often swollen, painful, and uncomfortable and cause bleeding in the rectum. They are also called hemorrhoid’s. These are present in our body since birth, and only pose a problem when they become swollen and start irritating the rectal area.

  • Who can have piles? 
  • While it can happen to people at any age, these are more common in old age, especially post-50 years. They can also happen in teenagers, but not in children as the hemorrhoid’s is not yet developed in them. 
  • How many types of piles exist?

Since it occurs due to a swollen vein, the type of hemorrhoid’s will depend upon the location. Broadly it is of 2 types: 

  • External: These are the veins under the skin of the anal area which swell up, and cause itching and pain. Sometimes it bleeds which can stay clotted in the area.
  • Internal: These are located inside the rectum. They are not painful but cause bleeding nonetheless.

Both these types can extend or bulge outside the rectal cavity, these are called prolapse hemorrhoid’s. However, it is different from an anal fissure, although they have similar symptoms. Anal fissures occur due to tissue rupture whereas this happens from swelling of veins.

What are the symptoms of Piles?

Image showing piles symptoms

Symptoms of piles depend upon the type of piles. In the case of internal piles, one hardly has any symptoms, since there is hardly any pain in this case. One might find some blood during excretion, which is a sign of rectal bleeding.

The external or prolapsed piles will have clear symptoms. These include:

  • Itching in the anal cavity
  • Hard lumps that feel tender or sore around the anus
  • Rectal bleeding
  • Pain or aching every time you sit down
  • Bulging growths outside the anus that are painful

At this point, it is important to note that other conditions cause hemorrhoid’s-like symptoms, such as gastrointestinal disorders, bowel diseases, and in extreme cases colon cancer, Crohn’s disease, colitis, ulcer, etc.

When to see a doctor for Piles?

It is advisable to be observant of any of the above symptoms. Be wary of abdominal pain or chronic constipation with rectal bleeding. If you notice any of these, reach out to a doctor for advice. The doctor will perform one or more of the following procedures to determine the root cause.

  • Digital rectal exam: Here the physician will insert a properly lubricated gloved finger inside the rectum to feel the veins for swelling.
  • Anoscopy: A lighted tube or anoscope is used to observe the anal lining and rectum for swelling or protrusion.
  • Sigmoidoscopy: A sigmoidoscopy is a lighted tube with a camera that is inserted into the lower sigmoid part of the colon and the rectum.

Based on the outcomes of these investigations, the next step will be a colonoscopy which will help detect any signs of colon cancer. These are all OPD procedures without anesthetic use. Therefore, there is nothing to be scared about.

What are the causes and risk factors of Piles?

Understanding a problem requires assessing the triggers that lead to the problem. Some of the relevant causes of piles or hemorrhoid’s are: 

  • Strain in the rectum or anus. Just think of piles as varicose veins in the rectum. 
  • Any sort of strain or pressure from the stomach or pelvic area will cause the rectal veins to swell and be inflamed. This pelvic pressure can be due to:
    • weight gain during pregnancy
    • constipation, leading to pushing bowels hard
    • Strain from lifting heavy objects and weights

From these causes, we can understand the primary risk factors that may lead to piles over time. These are:

  • Being overweight due to obesity or pregnancy
  • Eating fibre deficient diet that leads to constipation
  • Presence of chronic constipation/diarrhoea
  • Regularly lifting heavy weights or objects
  • Strain during bowel movements

What are the treatment options available for Piles?

There are various ways in which piles can be handled. But broadly they can be categorized under home treatments and medical assistance from healthcare providers. Often in minor cases, piles heal without any treatment. If the symptoms surface, they usually last for a week.

At home, you can use over-the-counter medications over the affected area. Apart from this, you can:

  • Stay hydrated and have a fibre-rich diet to ensure you don’t add constipation to make the healing slow. 
  • Soak in a warm bath for about 15 minutes every day.
  • Opt for laxatives to help clean out your system.
  • Take steroid-free anti-inflammatory drugs to help with the condition.

If the above fails in relieving the pain, don’t lose sleep, reach out to a trusted healthcare provider and explain your situation clearly. Upon clear investigation and review of outcomes one of the following will be suggested:

  • Rubber band ligation: With this technique, the blood supply to the vein is stopped and the pile is removed.
  • Electrocoagulation: Another technique to administer restriction of blood flow to the piles.
  • Infrared coagulation: Here a small probe is inserted around the vein, the heat from it helps remove the piles.
  • Sclerotherapy: Here a chemical is injected into the swollen vein, destroying the tissue.
  • Hemorrhoidectomy: Surgical process to remove large or prolapsed hemorrhoid’s.

Reach out to us in case you feel any of the symptoms above and seek medical attention from some of the best physicians in the field.

How to prevent Piles?

Piles are more common as we age. It can be prevented by maintaining a healthy lifestyle to avoid hard stools and constipation, which is the primary cause of piles. 

  • Don’t push too hard while pooping. 
  • Visit the toilet only when the urge hits, but don’t delay bowel movements.
  • Hydrate and drink lots of water throughout the day.
  • Use high-fibre foods in your diet. (For women at least 25 gms & men 35 gms)
  • Use laxatives to keep bowel movements regular.
  • Stay physically active. 

FAQ’s

Q1. How do Piles go away? Can Piles be cured permanently?

A. Sometimes piles can be cured by themselves without the person knowing they have piles. This happens in the case of internal piles where there is hardly any pain. For an external incident, over-the-counter ointments or the help of a medical practitioner will help treat the concern faster. With at-home remedies, piles can be managed but not cured completely. For that one needs to have surgical intervention. 

Q2. How long do Piles take to heal?

A. The symptoms of piles last mostly for a week. If it goes away after seven days with over-the-counter medicine, then it has healed. If not, the help of a medical practitioner is required. Depending on the severity of the case and the stage of the piles the healing timeline will differ. 

Q3. Can stress cause Piles?

A. By stress, if we mean putting pressure on the pelvic muscles, then yes. Apart from this, when we are mentally stressed out, our blood pressure is increased. In such a case also the existing condition of piles will worsen. Also, more stress leads to more consumption of alcohol, which in turn dehydrates the body, therefore worsening the piles. 

Q4. What is the main cause of Piles?

A. The main cause of piles is constipation and improper bowel movements. If our stools are not soft and we spend hours in the washroom trying to pass them then it is a warning sign. The more pelvic pressure is applied the greater the chances of rectal bleeding. All of these are eventually the symptoms that show up in piles. So working at the root will help make things better, start by having a healthy diet rich in fibre that will assist in the process of passing stools.  

Q5. What are the stages of Piles?

A. Medically internal piles have four grades: 

  • Grade I: There are no symptoms and no protrusions from the anus.
  • Grade II: The piles may prolapse but also recede inside, independently.
  • Grade III: The prolapsed piles only recede with manual intervention.
  • Grade IV: The piles prolapse outside of the anus and can’t be pushed in.

All you need to know about Erectile Dysfunction
Sep 15, 2022|Dr. Shalabh Agrawal

All you need to know about Erectile Dysfunction

It is normal for men to have occasional issues getting or keeping an erection. However, if the problem becomes more frequent, then it is recommended to visit a doctor as soon as possible.

Erectile dysfunction problems might persist because of underlying health or emotional and relationship issues. The sooner you get yourself checked, the better it would be to treat the condition.

 

What is erectile dysfunction?

Erectile Dysfunction (ED) refers to the inability to get or maintain a penile erection for sexual intercourse. In earlier days, ED was also referred to as impotence.

Without proper diagnosis and treatment, it can be difficult for an individual to cure erectile dysfunction. Further, ED in men over 40 is a major warning of cardiovascular conditions.

 

Erectile dysfunction symptoms

Erectile dysfunction can be diagnosed in males across all age groups. However, it is slightly more common in men in their late 40s and early 50s.

The following symptoms suggest erectile dysfunction in men:

  • Trouble getting an erection
  • Trouble keeping an erection long enough to finish the sexual act
  • Premature ejaculation
  • Reduced libido
  • Self-esteem issues
  • Low confidence
  • Feeling guilty or embarrassed while indulging in sexual activities

 

Erectile dysfunction causes

Men can experience erectile dysfunction due to health problems or sometimes due to underlying and undiscovered emotional troubles:

Physical causes of ED

  • Cardiovascular diseases
  • High blood pressure
  • High cholesterol
  • Obesity
  • Diabetes
  • Sleep disorders
  • Liver cirrhosis
  • Kidney diseases
  • Multiple sclerosis (MS)
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Excessive drinking and smoking
  • Drug abuse

Emotional causes of ED

  • High stress
  • Low self-esteem and confidence
  • Anxiety
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorders
  • Performance pressure and anxiety
  • Relationship troubles

 

Erectile dysfunction diagnosis

Once you visit a Male Sexual Dysfunction doctor regarding your erectile problems, they will ask you questions about your medical history and order some physical tests to better understand your situation.

These physical tests will help diagnose the real cause of your situation or any other probable underlying health problems. Additionally, some routine medical tests will also be carried out like urine tests, blood tests, thyroid tests, etc.

Doppler ultrasound

An ultrasound will help determine if there is any problem with the flow of blood into the penis.

An erection is the result of increased blood flow into the penis. Sexual thoughts and foreplay before sexual intercourse stimulate the blood flow.

Hence, if the blood is not flowing into the penis properly and the penis fails to become erect during sexual activities, it can be determined through an ultrasound.

Intracavernosal injection test

A medicated drug is inserted into the penis during the injection test to stimulate an erection. Once the penis is erect, the doctor will check the firmness and how long does the erection last.

This test is often combined with other physical exams like ultrasound and urine tests to give the doctor a proper overview of erectile dysfunction.

Nocturnal penile tumescence test

A nocturnal penile tumescence test (NPT) is performed to analyse erections during sleep.

It is common for men to have 3-4 erections during a normal cycle of deep sleep. To check the erections, an electrical device is worn on the thigh to store data.

The data is then accessed later by the doctor to make a diagnosis.

 

Common questions about ED

Dealing with erectile dysfunction can be emotionally and mentally draining. It is completely normal to have numerous doubts and queries in your mind.

Here are some common questions about ED that you can ask during doctor consultations:

  • Is ED a curable condition?
  • What are some common erectile dysfunction causes?
  • How do I know if I have ED?
  • What are the best treatment options available?
  • Will ED affect fertility?
  • Do erectile dysfunction exercises help?
  • Do lifestyle changes help in managing ED?

 

Erectile dysfunction treatment

The treatment for erectile dysfunction starts with making some lifestyle changes and taking care of your cardiovascular health.

Some erectile issues can be treated by small changes like losing weight, doing erectile dysfunction exercises, avoiding alcohol/smoking, relieving stress, etc.

Medical treatments

Apart from the lifestyle changes, your doctor will begin by suggesting some non-invasive medical treatments. These are known to have worked effectively and safely:

  • Penile injections
  • Testosterone therapy
  • Vacuum erection devices
  • Intraurethral medicines
  • Oral drugs (Viagra, Levitra, Cialis, Stendra)

You might experience some side effects like headache, indigestion, facial flushing, stuffy nose, or muscle pain after taking oral medication. However, do not be alarmed as these side effects are only short-lived and mild.

Psychological treatments

Erectile dysfunction is not only caused due to health problems but also emotional issues.

Emotional stress or relationship anxiety can creep into your mind while performing sexual activities, making it difficult for you to experience pleasure out of it.

However, psychological treatment options like counselling sessions with a trained counsellor can help you address your emotional issues and needs.

Sex therapy has also proved to be beneficial for many men. A skilled sex therapist can help you identify your sexual needs and how to effectively communicate with your partner regarding the same.

Surgical treatments

Penile implants are one of the major surgical treatment options available for treating erectile dysfunction.

Penile implants, also referred to as penile prostheses, are placed inside the male reproductive organ to stimulate an erect penis during sexual intimacy and intercourse.

However, this surgical treatment is not advisable for ageing men. Their options are limited to medical and therapeutic erectile dysfunction treatments.

There are two kinds of penile implants, namely, semi-rigid implants and inflatable implants.

The semi-rigid implant is made using silicone, which gives firmness during sexual penetration and can be easily bent downward and upward during peeing.

The inflatable implant, on the other hand, is inflated through a pump placed inside the scrotum. When the pump is engaged during sexual activity, the penis inflates and becomes erect. Using the pump in the scrotum, men can easily manage the firmness and size of the erection.

 

In Conclusion

Taking action is crucial if you notice erectile dysfunction problems more than 50% of the time in your overall sexual activities.

While it might be embarrassing to communicate about this issue, do not hesitate to reach out for help. A professional will not only help you diagnose and treat the condition but will also respect your privacy by keeping all the information confidential.

Visit the CK Birla Hospital(R) or book an appointment with Dr. Shalabh Agrawal to learn more about your condition and get the best treatment for erectile dysfunction.

 

FAQs

#1 How can you fix your erectile dysfunction?

Erectile dysfunction can be treated through several medical, surgical, and psychological treatments.

Medical treatments include solutions like penile injections and testosterone therapy. The penile implant option is available for surgical treatments, depending on factors like age and medical history.

#2 Can erectile dysfunction get cured?

Yes, erectile dysfunction can be cured through several medical and psychological treatments.

The situation can also be improved by making some lifestyle changes like avoiding alcohol, exercising regularly, improving cardiovascular health, etc.

#3 How can I test for erectile dysfunction at home?

It is not advisable to indulge in self-testing for erectile dysfunction at home.

You can visit a doctor to seek professional diagnosis and treatment. A doctor can conduct physical exams to understand your situation better.

#4 What is the main cause of erectile dysfunction?

Some of the main causes of erectile dysfunction are underlying health problems like cardiovascular diseases, obesity, high blood pressure, etc.

Erectile dysfunction is often also caused due to emotional issues also like anxiety, stress, and low self-esteem.

Everything you must know about Subdural Hematoma.
Sep 13, 2022|

Everything you must know about Subdural Hematoma.

What is a subdural hematoma?

Usually caused by severe head injuries, a subdural hematoma (SDH) refers to the collection of blood inside the head but outside the actual brain tissue. Bleeding occurs between the brain’s outermost layer, known as dura, and the next layer, the arachnoid.

Resulting from tears in the bridging veins, a subdural hematoma causes increased pressure on the skull, leading to damage to the brain tissue. If the pressure rises to a very high level, it can be life-threatening and lead to death.

Types of subdural hematoma

Subdural hematoma is classified into different types based on the amount of bleeding, the speed of its development, and the damage it causes. Following are the different types of SDH:

  • Acute subdural hematoma: The most dangerous type of subdural hematoma, its symptoms are severe and appear within minutes to hours of a head injury. Here, the blood pools quickly, leading to tremendous pressure on the brain, causing paralysis, unconsciousness, or even death. This type requires immediate treatment.
  • Subacute SDH: This type of SDH can occur due to a concussion. The symptoms are not that severe and present days or even weeks after the head injury.
  • Chronic SDH: Generally experienced by older people, this takes weeks to develop symptoms. It can even be caused due to minor head injuries. The symptoms appear slowly, making them difficult to notice.

Who is more likely to get a subdural hematoma?

The following are at risk of suffering from a subdural hematoma:

  1. Older people: The brain shrinks due to old age, leading the gap between the skull and the brain to widen. Due to this, the tiny veins in the membranes between the skull and the brain begin to stretch, causing a tear even during a minor head injury.
  2. Infants: Due to underdeveloped neck muscles and being unable to protect themselves from a head injury, SDH is seen in infants and young children after child abuse. It is known as ‘shaken baby syndrome’.
  3. Contact sports-playing athletes: High-impact sports such as football might cause a blow to the player’s head, increasing the risk of a subdural hematoma.
  4. Haemophiliacs: People suffering from haemophilia have clotting deficiencies. This can cause an increased risk of uncontrollable bleeding after a head injury.
  5. Alcoholics: Due to alcoholic liver damage, alcoholics cannot produce enough proteins that aid in clotting, increasing the risk of uncontrolled bleeding.
  6. Blood-thinning medications: Blood-thinners such as aspirin, warfarin, etc. slow down the clotting process or prevent the blood from clotting. This, again, increases the risk of uncontrolled bleeding even after a minor injury.

Symptoms of a subdural hematoma

Subdural hematoma symptoms include the following:

  • Severe headache
  • Nausea
  • Drowsiness
  • Dizziness
  • Imbalanced walking
  • Slurred (not clear) speech
  • Vision changes
  • Weakness and loss of muscle strength on one side of the body
  • Memory loss
  • Confusion and disorientation
  • Changes in personality

Severe cases of subdural hematoma show the following symptoms:

  • Breathing issues
  • Convulsions
  • Hemiplegia or Paraplegia
  • Unconsciousness or coma

Diagnosis of subdural hematoma

Your healthcare provider will perform a thorough physical examination by checking your blood pressure and heart rate, examining your eyes, and looking for any other signs of bleeding.

They will also ask you about any previous diseases, the medications you are on, the history of any injury, etc. Sometimes you may need to get an angiography to check for any bleeding in the vessels of the brain.

Besides that, they may order a CT scan and MRI of the skull and brain to locate the bleeding. They can then prescribe some blood tests to understand if there has been any blood loss indicating the presence of a subdural hematoma.

Treatment for subdural hematoma

The choice of treatment for a subdural bleed depends on the size and location of the bleeding and the patient’s symptoms.

Typically, those suffering from a subdural haemorrhage need hospitalisation, life support care, and surgical management. However, some hematomas are very small, and the body can absorb those with the help of non-surgical measures.

  • Surgical management: Draining out the hematoma through surgery reduces the pressure on the brain and relieves symptoms. Various surgical techniques are employed to manage a brain hematoma. Craniotomy and craniectomy surgeries are where a part of the skull is removed to drain out the hematoma. Sometimes, a burr hole is drilled into the skull to suction out the hematoma.
  • Non-surgical management: Very small hematomas mostly do not require surgery and are managed by close monitoring, bed rest, and medicines. Within a few months, the hematoma is absorbed by the body. Until then, regular CT scans and MRIs are performed to observe the subdural bleed and improvement in the symptoms.
  • Medicines: Doctors prescribe anti-seizure medication to prevent any seizures that may occur as a result of pressure on the brain caused by the hematoma. Anti-inflammatory medicines are prescribed to reduce brain inflammation.

Complications of subdural hematomas

A brain hematoma can cause complications depending on its size and location, the individual’s age and overall health, the severity of the injury, and some medications that may delay the healing procedure.

Seizures, permanent loss of muscle strength, brain herniation, and chronic numbness are some complications arising from subdural hematomas.

An extensive bleed or subdural hematoma bilateral can cause too much pressure on the brain and may lead to coma or even death.

Prevention of subdural hematoma

The prevention of a brain haemorrhage is targeted at eliminating the causative factors. Some types of hematomas may not be prevented; however, you can take measures to at least reduce the risk.

  1. Preventing head injury: Wearing a helmet or headgear while driving or involved in a high-risk job will save you from any head injury. Getting your eyesight checked regularly to prevent falls and avoiding any obstacles at home to prevent tripping are some other measures to avoid head injuries.
  2. Reducing alcohol intake: Excessive alcohol can increase the chances of bleeding during injury. Limit alcoholic beverages to two per day.
  3. Precautions while on blood thinners: If you are taking blood thinners, you might be at increased risk of having a brain hematoma. Therefore, be extra careful while you are on blood thinners.

Conclusion

Since subdural hematomas are life-threatening, they need to be prevented. If you develop them somehow, you need immediate treatment.

The CK Birla Hospital(R) is a leading healthcare institution that offers subdural hematoma treatment at all our state-of-art facilities. We have a qualified neurosurgery department with the latest facilities and technologies to manage these cases, along with the expertise of doctors who have conducted numerous surgeries.

Visit the CK Birla Hospital(R) or book an appointment with Dr. Rajeev Gupta

FAQs

How long can you have a subdural hematoma?

Some patients with a subdural hematoma may recover in a few weeks or months, while others don’t recover even after years.

How do doctors treat a subdural hematoma?

A subdural bleed primarily requires a craniotomy, a surgical treatment.

What are the chances of surviving a subdural hematoma?

About 50% of patients survive after a subdural haemorrhage, though permanent brain damage may occur after it has been experienced.

Can you fully recover from a subdural hematoma?

Depending on the location, size, and severity of the subdural hematoma, it may subside completely in a few months, or the residual effect may last for a long time.

Can subdural hematoma be treated without surgery?

Sometimes, small subdural hematomas can be managed non-surgically with regular monitoring.

How to prevent and treat Tendonitis?
Sep 13, 2022|Dr. Praveen Tittal

How to prevent and treat Tendonitis?

Tendons are the fibrous tissues that connect the body’s muscles to the bones.

Tendons are very flexible and allow us to move our limbs in all directions. The human body contains over a thousand tendons from head to toe. They vary in shape and size depending on where they are in the body.

Tendons also save the bones and muscles from injury by absorbing most of the impact. Additionally, when a body is engaged in physical activities like running, jumping, climbing, etc., the tendons stretch flexibly with the muscles making the movements smoother.

What is tendonitis?

Tendonitis, also referred to as tendinitis or tendinopathy, is the inflammation and irritation of the tendon. Depending on the degree of tendonitis, the pain and tenderness caused by it can vary.

Anyone, irrespective of age and gender, can get tendonitis while doing strenuous activities and even some common everyday activities like gardening, bathing, playing, etc. Sometimes, maintaining an incorrect posture for extended durations can also trigger this condition.

Tendonitis and tendinosis are often confused with each other. While these conditions have similar causes and symptoms, tendinosis refers to chronic tendonitis. With time, tendinosis can become more serious and extremely difficult to treat.

Tendonitis symptoms

Depending on the seriousness of the tendon injury, the symptoms can vary. However, some common tendonitis symptoms are:

  • Pain in the affected tendon
  • Inflammation and swelling
  • Tightness around the affected area
  • Difficulty moving the joint

What causes tendonitis?

Some of the common causes of tendonitis are:

  • Repetitive physically strenuous activities
  • Sports injuries
  • Ageing
  • Diseases like diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.
  • Antibiotics like Quinolones, Levaquin, etc.

Types of tendonitis

Depending upon which tendon of the body has been affected, tendonitis can be majorly divided into 5 types:

Achilles tendonitis

Achilles tendonitis affects the Achilles tendon, which connects the heel bone to the calf muscles. It is a very common sports injury caused due to extensive strain on the calf muscles. With proper care, it can be treated in 1-2 weeks.

Supraspinatus tendonitis

The inflammation and irritation in the supraspinatus tendon lead to supraspinatus tendonitis or shoulder tendonitis.

The supraspinatus tendon is in the shoulder and is one of the common locations of tendon rupture. Repetitive strenuous activities and ageing are two of its main causes.

Wrist tendonitis

The wrist tendons connect the muscles in the forearms to the bones in the hand. There are a total of 6 tendons here that control the movements of the wrist, hand, and finger.

Lifting heavy loads for long hours and impactful injury can cause wrist tendonitis.

Trigger finger tendonitis

In trigger finger tendonitis, the tendon surrounding the finger becomes inflamed, keeping the finger locked in a bent position. It can be painful and highly inconvenient.

Golfer’s elbow

It is also referred to as tennis elbow or lateral epicondylitis. In this condition, a person experiences pain they bend the elbow outwards. If left untreated for a long, the pain can travel to the shoulders and wrist.

When should I call the doctor about tendonitis?

Usually, minor tendonitis injuries can heal with 3-4 days of rest. However, if your pain does not go away, visit a doctor as soon as possible.

Neglecting persistent tendonitis pain can lead to the development of chronic tendonitis. A proper diagnosis will allow you to know the extent of your injury and take steps for treatment accordingly.

When you visit the doctor, they will ask you to explain how you got the injury. Make sure you provide all the information to the doctor as accurately as possible. They might also ask you about your medical history to devise an informed treatment plan.

The doctor might recommend some physical exams such as X-rays and joint aspiration. To take X-rays, radiation is used to create a scan of your tendons, allowing the doctor to catch internal injuries. In joint aspiration, a needle is inserted neat the inflamed tendon to collect fluid from the joint and check it for infections.

How is tendonitis treated?

Some of the common treatment plans for tendonitis are:

  • Applying heat packs and ice packs to the affected region
  • Taking adequate rest before resuming strenuous physical activities
  • Taking medication prescribed by your doctor
  • Physical therapy
  • Shockwave therapy
  • Applying compression on the affected area by wrapping bandages
  • Elevating the affected region to improve blood circulation
  • Taking steroid injections for momentary pain management
  • Undergoing surgery to remove excessively damaged tissue or repair a torn tendon

How can I avoid tendonitis?

There are some simple steps you can follow to prevent tendonitis:

  • Warm up your body properly before beginning physically strenuous activities
  • Wear proper exercising gear like shoes, belts, etc.
  • Take frequent breaks while doing physically strenuous activities
  • Make sure you are using the right techniques while exercising and playing sports
  • Avoid sitting in the same position for long
  • Take care of your posture while sitting

Dos and don’ts during tendonitis

Dos

  • Make sure you do a proper warm-up before beginning your exercise regime
  • Rest the affected area properly
  • Make sure your screens are at eye level while working

Don’ts

  • Don’t place an ice or heat pack directly on the skin
  • Don’t stop the treatment before the prescribed duration
  • Do not take any high-dose medication without a doctor’s prescription
  • Do not keep following an exercise regime if it causes excessive pain

In conclusion

It’s crucial to visit a doctor if your tendonitis symptoms are not going away even after resting for a week or two. Make sure you reach out to a specialist orthopedic since identifying the pain point will be crucial. If you are struggling with tendonitis, you can always reach out to our Department of Orthopedics at the CK Birla Hospital(R) or book an appointment with Dr. Praveen Tittal

FAQs

How long will recovery from tendonitis take?

You can recover from tendonitis if you get proper rest for one or two weeks. You can also take other measures, like hot/cold compression, pain medication, etc., to help you recover faster. However, if the pain persists, visit a doctor as soon as possible.

What triggers tendonitis?

Prolonged strenuous physical exercises can trigger tendonitis. Some other factors, like ageing, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, etc., can also contribute to tendonitis.

What can a doctor do for tendonitis?

Depending on the severity of the tendonitis, the treatment your doctor recommends might vary. They may administer pain medicines to minimise discomfort. Sometimes physical therapy is also recommended to treat severe tendonitis.

Does tendonitis go away on its own?

You may recover from tendonitis with proper rest for a week or two. However, if your symptoms do not improve, we recommend visiting a doctor as soon as possible.

Varicocele: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment
Sep 13, 2022|Dr. Shalabh Agrawal

Varicocele: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Many men with fertility problems and reduced semen quality are diagnosed with varicocele, an enlargement of the veins in the scrotum.

This potentially painful condition can cause infertility, so it’s important to understand what symptoms you may experience and why your varicocele was diagnosed in the first place.

What is Varicocele?

Varicocele is a condition that affects the veins in the scrotum.

The scrotum is the sac that holds the testicles. The veins in the scrotum are responsible for carrying blood away from the testicles. When these veins become enlarged, it’s called varicocele.

Many people with varicoceles do not experience any symptoms. However, when present, symptoms may include pain or discomfort in the testicle area (less common), low-grade fever (less common), and a general feeling of heaviness or discomfort in the scrotum (more common).

In some cases, there may be tenderness on one side of the scrotum due to blockage of venous drainage by an enlarged vein on that side of the body.

Causes of Varicocele

The exact varicocele causes are unknown. However, it’s thought that they may be caused by abnormal development of the veins in the testicles. This can happen during fetal development or after puberty.

In some cases, varicoceles may be caused by an injury to the testicles. Other possible causes include a clotting disorder or testicular torsion (when the testicle twists within its protective sac).

Men who have a history of kidney stones should also talk with their doctor about the risk for this condition.

If a man has had one episode of kidney stones, he has a 15% chance of developing them again. For men who have had two episodes, the likelihood increases to 30%.

Kidney stones are more common among men because they produce less urine than women. Therefore, there is more concentrated urine sitting in the bladder and collecting bacteria than would otherwise be present if there were more frequent urination as with women.

Symptoms of Varicocele

The most common varicocele symptom is a dull ache in the testicle on the affected side. The testicular pain may worsen with prolonged standing or sitting.

Other symptoms may include:

  • A heavy or dragging feeling in the scrotum
  • Enlargement of the veins in the scrotum
  • Testicular atrophy (shrinking)
  • Worsening fertility
  • Swelling in the scrotum
  • A weak stream of urine when you pee.

It’s important to see a doctor even if you don’t have any symptoms because varicoceles can lead to serious complications later on.

Diagnosis of Varicocele

The scrotum will be visually inspected and touched to assess the possibility of a varicocele. The examination is typically conducted while you’re standing and while you’re lying down.

As you stand, your health care provider may ask you to take a deep breath, hold it and bear down, similar to how you do during a bowel movement. The Valsalva maneuver can make examining a varicocele easier.

Treatments for Varicocele

A few different varicocele treatments are available, depending on the severity of the condition.

In some cases, no treatment is necessary. For milder cases, treatment may involve wearing special support stockings or taking over-the-counter pain relievers. For more severe cases, surgery may be necessary to remove the varicocele.

Varicocelectomy

Doctors might sometimes recommend a surgery called varicocelectomy. A surgeon makes an incision in the groin area and removes one or both of the enlarged veins that are causing the problem.

If only one vein is removed, it’s typically done by ligation (tying off) because removing it surgically can lead to complications such as bleeding or scarring. If both veins are removed, they’re usually tied off so they can heal before removal from circulation.

Laparoscopic Surgery

One type of surgery used to correct varicoceles is laparoscopic varicocelectomy. Doctors insert a small tube with a camera attached through an incision near the navel and make another incision near the testicles.

They then cut away excess tissue from inside the scrotum and repair any abnormal connections between arteries and veins. Afterwards, surgeons seal off each end of the abnormal vessel connections using heat-activated clamps known as sutures.

Percutaneous Embolization

Another procedure performed to stop blood flow coming from the varicocele is percutaneous embolization. With this technique, doctors inject tiny particles into the larger veins that supply blood to the varicocele.

The particles block blood flow, and pressure in the vessels decreases until they shrink away completely. Endovascular procedures have been found to have higher success rates than other types of treatments, but there are still risks involved with these techniques.

Recovery

In most cases, the varicocele surgery can be done on an outpatient basis, which means you won’t have to stay in the hospital overnight. Recovery from the surgery is usually quick, and you can expect to return to normal activities within a week or so.

However, there are some possible side effects of surgery that you should be aware of before deciding whether or not to undergo this procedure.

For example, a low sperm count might result from removing the affected veins, although it’s rare for it to happen with just one operation.

Additionally, if you’re not completely cured after one operation (which happens in about 5% of cases), then additional procedures might be necessary down the line.

Risks and complications of Varicoceles

Varicoceles are often harmless and don’t require treatment. However, in some cases, they can cause fertility problems. They may also increase the risk of testicular torsion (twisting of the spermatic cord) or testicular rupture.

Surgery is sometimes recommended for men who want to conceive a child but have varicoceles. If surgery is not an option, the male partner should avoid contact sports or any activity that might lead to trauma during sex.

The female partner should undergo tests to ensure she doesn’t have a condition like pelvic inflammatory disease that would make it more difficult for her to get pregnant.

Both partners will need regular checkups as well as consultation with specialists in reproductive medicine.

Conclusion

If you are experiencing any varicocele symptoms, visit the CK Birla Hospital or book an appointment with .We will help you develop a treatment plan that is best suited for your condition, besides providing you with information on the causes and symptoms of varicoceles. 

FAQs

Can Varicocele be Cured?

Treatment for varicocele includes surgery to remove the swollen veins that are in the scrotum. Other treatment options include injecting certain drugs to destroy the enlarged veins or radiation therapy. 

What happens if a Varicocele is left Untreated?

If left untreated, the varicocele may cause infertility in men due to damage to the spermatic cord and blood vessels by persistent pressure on them. It also may lead to chronic pain, swelling and lower back pain.

Can Varicoceles disappear naturally?

Rarely, but it could happen over time as the body compensates.

Most of the time, this condition doesn’t go away without treatment and will get worse over time. Not only do the varicose veins become more dilated, but there is an increase in the connective tissue around the veins, which does not allow them to return to their normal size.

What is the natural way to Cure Varicocele?

There is no natural way to cure varicocele. However, preventive methods include wearing supportive underwear and avoiding high-intensity exercises like biking, running, weightlifting or heavy lifting.

Spinal Stenosis: Causes, Symptoms, Treatments and More
Sep 13, 2022|Dr. Ankush Garg

Spinal Stenosis: Causes, Symptoms, Treatments and More

Spinal stenosis is a medical condition in which pressure on the spinal nerves causes various symptoms, including muscle weakness, numbness and tingling, leg pain, and back pain. Most often, the symptoms are low back pain and leg pain that worsens with activity.

The spinal cord is located within the bony spine (spinal column) and carries messages between the brain and body. Nerves branch out from the spinal cord to bring these messages to various parts of your body.

The spinal canal is a hollow space that runs through your spine. It protects your spinal cord and nerves. Too much pressure on the spinal cord or nerves can cause problems with movement and sensation (called neuropathy). If there’s too much pressure on the nerves in your back, it may also cause pain.

 

Spinal stenosis symptoms

If you have spinal stenosis, you may have trouble moving your legs or arms and lose strength or stamina when walking or climbing stairs. You may feel like something is pulling on one side of your body when you bend over.

The symptoms of spinal stenosis can vary depending on where they are located in the spine:

  • Symptoms affecting the upper part of your back will include pain in your neck and shoulders
  • Symptoms affecting the lower part of your back will consist of pain in both hips and buttocks
  • Symptoms affecting both upper and lower parts of your back will likely produce a combination of symptoms from both regions (e.g., neck pain and shoulder pain).

Further, the symptoms may vary from person to person but commonly include:

  • Pain in your neck, back, shoulders or hips that gets worse with sitting or standing for long periods
  • Difficulty walking because of leg weakness
  • Numbness, tingling or weakness in one or both legs or arms

 

Spinal stenosis causes

The causes of spinal stenosis can be divided into two categories:

  • The disc material that tends to bulge out (herniated disc)
  • Bone spurs and other bone changes develop around the spinal canal.

Spinal stenosis causes

The most common cause of herniated discs is ageing, which can also happen after a back injury or a fall. You may have one or more discs in your spine affected by this problem.

The bulging disc puts pressure on the nerves that travel through your spine and cause pain and weakness in your legs and arms.

Spinal stenosis also occurs due to abnormal narrowing (stenosis) of one or more spaces within the spinal canal that contain spinal nerves or spinal discs, resulting in pressure on these structures.

The bones forming this area may be abnormally shaped or misshapen, causing them to rub against each other as you move.

 

Spinal stenosis risk factors

The following risk factors may increase your chances of developing spinal stenosis:

  • Age – People over 50 are at greater risk of spinal stenosis than younger adults.
  • Osteoarthritis– It is common in older adults and occurs when cartilage breaks down over time. Osteoarthritis can affect multiple joints in the body, but it most often affects joints in your hips and lower back.
  • Degenerative disc disease – It involves the breakdown of the discs between vertebrae, which can cause them to lose height and press on nerves as they exit the spine. Discs are shock absorbers that act as cushions between the bones of the spine.
  • Spondylolisthesis – This condition involves the forward displacement of one vertebra over another due to degeneration or fracture of an intervertebral disc or facet joint degeneration.
  • Herniated disks – A herniated disk occurs when part of an inner layer of cartilage tears through its outer covering (called the annulus), pushing on surrounding tissues and nerves. Herniated disks commonly occur between vertebrae L4-L5 or L5-S1, which may compress the spinal cord or nerve roots as they exit from the spine.

 

Diagnosis of spinal stenosis

Spinal stenosis is diagnosed based on your signs and symptoms, imaging tests and sometimes a physical examination, which will check for tenderness in the lower back and thighs, leg strength and reflexes.

Your Spinal Stenosis doctor may use one or a combination of these tests to help diagnose your condition:

  • MRI scans can show if there is a narrowing in the spinal canal, narrowing of the nerve roots, or other abnormalities in the spine.
  • A myelogram is an X-ray taken after a dye has been injected into your spinal canal. This helps your doctor see the anatomy of your spine and any abnormal widening or narrowing of the spinal canal.
  • A CT scan uses x-rays to create detailed cross-sectional images of your body, including your spine and brain. It can show if you have bone spurs or other changes in the bone structure associated with spinal stenosis.

 

Treatments for spinal stenosis

These are the most recommended options for spinal stenosis treatment:

Surgery

This option is usually considered when pain has not responded to conservative treatment. The goal of surgery is to remove the narrow portion of bone or tissue that is compressing the nerve root.

Possible surgical treatments include:

  • Microdiscectomy- This procedure removes herniated discs or bone spurs pressing against the spinal cord or nerve roots.
  • Laminotomy and laminectomy- These procedures involve removing a portion of the lamina (the top part of your vertebra). This allows more room for nerves to pass through the spinal canal and reduce pressure.

Injections

Steroids are often injected into the spinal canal to reduce inflammation in people with spinal stenosis who do not respond to medications or want faster relief from symptoms.

Steroids may be injected directly into the spinal canal, which relieves pressure on the nerves inside it, or into the epidural space between the bones of your spine and your dura mater (the outermost layer of your spinal cord).

Epidural steroid injections usually have few side effects but can sometimes cause bleeding or infection at the injection site, as well as headaches and dizziness — especially when standing up quickly.

 

Recovery period for spinal stenosis surgery

Recovery from spinal stenosis surgery usually takes two to three months. The length of time it takes to recover varies from person to person and depends on many factors, including age, health, and duration of symptoms.

You will have to avoid strenuous activity and heavy lifting during this period. The first three to four days after surgery are the most critical, so your doctor may request you to stay in the hospital during this time.

 

Conclusion

The pain from spinal stenosis can be mild to severe and debilitating. It is important to visit a doctor and get a check-up to explore your treatment options. Visit the C.K Birla hospital near you or book an appointment with for a consultation.

 

FAQs

1. Where does spinal stenosis occur?

Spinal stenosis occurs most often in the lower (lumbar) spine. It can also occur in the neck (cervical).

2. Who gets spinal stenosis?

Spinal stenosis most often affects people over age 50, although it can occur at any age.

3. Can spinal stenosis cause permanent paralysis?

The answer to this question is both yes and no. Some patients with spinal stenosis may present with permanent paralysis. However, in most cases, the paralysis is temporary, lasting for a few weeks or months.

4. When is spinal stenosis surgery considered?

Surgical treatment of spinal stenosis is usually recommended for patients who have pain and other symptoms that affect their daily activities. Surgery may also be used to relieve compression on nerves in cases where there is no improvement with nonsurgical treatments.

5. Is spinal surgery safe?

In rare cases, surgery is not considered safe because of other medical conditions or because the patient might be too frail from age or illness to tolerate the procedure well.

You may also be recommended not to have surgery if you have cancer or another serious condition that could be worsened by the procedure.

Gout

Gout

Gout is a painful arthritis condition that results in pain, tenderness, and inflammation in the joints. It can happen to anyone and at any time. While gout pain is generally felt in the hallux or the big toe, it can affect other areas too. Its vital to understand the implications of gout in more detail to identify and tackle this disease in a timely and efficient way.

What causes gout?

Gout is caused by excess uric acid in the body. Uric acid results from the breakdown of purines, which are naturally present in the body and also found in certain foods. The body generally removes the excess uric acid via the kidneys. The issue arises when the body fails to maintain the required levels of uric acid by either producing too much or failing to eliminate the excess quantity.

What causes gout

When uric acid levels become too high, sharp and hard crystals begin to form and deposit in various joints. You may not even be aware of this build-up happening over time.

 

Gout disease: Signs and Symptoms to know

Gout disease can present various symptoms, which can also vary in severity. The symptoms can feel quite severe during the flare phase of the disease. On the other hand, during the remission phase, you may not experience any symptoms at all.

Gout disease Signs and symptoms to know

Some of the most prevalent gout symptoms during an attack are:

  • Intense pain that strikes suddenly in joints like your big toe, knee, fingers, wrist, ankle, elbow, etc.
  • Swelling, redness, tenderness, and stiffness in the joint
  • Inflaming sensation in the joint, comparable to the feeling of it being on fire
  • Discomfort in the joint that persists for days to weeks

 

Key risk factors for gout disease

Certain risk factors make you more vulnerable to hyperuricemia, or high uric acid, which in turn could lead to gout disease. Here are the ones to be aware of:

key risk factors of gout

  • Men are at higher risk than women. However, menopausal women are prone to gout as well
  • Prior history of gout in the family
  • Obesity
  • Diabetes
  • High blood pressure
  • Congestive heart failure
  • Use of medicines like diuretics
  • Excessive alcohol consumption
  • A diet which has an excess amount of fructose and animal proteins

It’s worth noting that not everybody with high uric acid levels will experience gout.

 

Gout: Diagnosis and Treatment

If you’ve been feeling sudden and intense joint pain, it’s time to visit your general physician or rheumatologist for a consultation. You should share your symptoms in detail with your doctor, who’ll examine the affected joint and may order the following tests to diagnose gout:

Gout Diagnosis and treatment

  • Blood tests to check your uric acid level. However, an elevated level of uric acid alone isn’t enough to confirm gout.
  • Ultrasound of joints to detect the presence of uric acid crystals.
  • A joint fluid test in which fluid is extracted from the affected joint. The fluid is then examined to see if it consists of uric acid crystals, bacteria, or something else.
  • X-rays to exclude any other possible reasons for the inflamed joint.

Once your doctor has confirmed a gout diagnosis, the next step is to devise a suitable treatment plan.

There are two types of medications used for gout treatment. While certain medicines are advised to manage the pain and inflammation symptoms of gout, other medicines may be prescribed to reduce the uric acid levels in the body.

  • To manage gout symptoms, medications like corticosteroids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and colchicine may be suggested.
  • To bring down uric acid levels, medications like febuxostat and allopurinol (for restricting the production of uric acid) and probenecid (for supporting the excretion of uric acid) may be recommended.

You must take medicines under the supervision of your doctor. Work with them to outline a treatment plan that works for your specific case.

 

Complications of untreated gout

Seeking timely treatment for gout disease is essential. If not treated, the frequency of gout flares can increase, and the disease may even start affecting other joints. Continuous gout attacks can deteriorate your arthritis over time (known as gouty arthritis). From cardiovascular problems to joint erosion, there can be many harmful consequences.

Complications of untreated gout

If uric acid levels continue to remain high, the crystals may start building up in the urinary tract as well, thus leading to kidney stones. As gout disease worsens and reaches the advanced stage, you may develop tophi, which are hard deposits of the uric acid crystals under the skin. Tophi can form in heels, toes, knees, elbows, fingers, etc. Even though tophi aren’t painful, they can disrupt daily activities and damage joints.

 

How to live a healthy and pain-free life with gout

Gout attacks can feel debilitating and hamper many aspects of your life. However, through diet and lifestyle improvements, you can bring the disease as well as its negative impact under control. Here are some effective practices and remedies for gout pain that you can adopt:

How to live a healthy and pain-free life with gout

  • Work out consistently and be mindful of your weight. Be careful to perform physical activities that don’t put too much stress on the joints.
  • Living with gout can be quite stressful, but stress can be a trigger for a gout attack, so try to keep the stress at a minimum.
  • Ensure sufficient water intake to support proper kidney functioning.
  • Identify if you have any specific triggers for a gout flare that you need to be cautious about.

 

Wrapping Up

While gout is an incurable condition, there are many ways to manage it to promote healthy living. Through medicines and self-care, you can minimise the impact of the disease on your life. Not only is it possible to reduce the frequency of gout attacks, but it’s also possible to reduce the pain and intensity of these attacks.

If you or someone you know is struggling with gout, then visit the nearest CK Birla Hospital or book your appointment with Dr. Rakesh Mattoo to get the best gout treatment and care.


FAQs

Q 1. When should I see a doctor for gout?

A. If you’ve been experiencing symptoms commonly associated with gout, you should see your doctor immediately. In case there’s another medical issue causing the gout-like symptoms, like a joint infection, you want to get ahead of that promptly.

Q 2. How can I get quick relief from a painful gout attack?

A. Some quick remedies for gout pain include elevation of the impacted area and application of an ice pack. Talk to your doctor about medication for pain relief.

Q 3. What are some common warning signs of gout to watch out for?

A. If you feel severe joint pain (especially at night) that is sudden and extreme at the beginning and subsides after a few hours, it could be a sign of gout. Your joint is also likely to feel tender to even the slightest touch.

Q 4. How long does a gout attack last?

A. A typical gout attack can affect you for 1-2 weeks. The pain is worst during the first few hours of the attack. Treatment can help reduce the duration.

Q 5. What are some of the foods to avoid with gout?

A. Drinks and foods to avoid with gout include alcohol, organ meats, red meats, some seafood like sardines and scallops, fructose-rich products, etc.