Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, commonly referred to as ERCP, is a highly sensitive endoscopy procedure used to treat symptoms related to a patient’s bile liver, gallbladder and pancreasâ€â€such as pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas). The test involves gaining access ducts, which are channels inside organs that allow bodily fluids to travel throughout the bodyâ€â€primarily biliary ducts that channel fluid through the liver and pancreatic ducts that channel fluid through the pancreas.
During an ERCP procedure, the patient is kept under deep sedation, as the test lasts a longer time than other endoscopic tests and is quite sensitive. A long and flexible tubular device called an endoscope is passed through the patient’s mouth, down the esophagus and through the stomach until it reaches a segment of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract called the duodenum, which is the uppermost part of the patient’s small intestine. When the endoscope reaches this area, another plastic device called a catheter is guided through the endoscope and passed through a tiny duct between the liver and pancreas known as the papilla. The catheter is designed to inject a contrast solution into either the pancreas or the liver, which will make those ducts show up very brightly on x-rays and give doctors a clear view of how those organs are functioning. If the patient has pancreatitis, for instance, your doctor will be able to see it on the final x-ray image produced.
Fasting is required for at least 6 hours before undergoing ERCP. The goal is to empty the patient’s stomach so that food content does not obstruct the endoscope’s path or cause distortion during the x-ray. We with any medical procedure, also remember to inform your gastroenterologist (GI doctor) of any allergies you have (especially to sedation medication or contrast material used in prior imaging tests), any medications you are currently taking or any conditions or diseases you may have. Knowing this information will help you and your doctor to minimize risks of the procedure and to decide whether ERCP is the best endoscopy procedure for you.
Complications after a highly trained professional performs ERCP are pretty uncommon. In some cases, pancreatitis may develop after the ERCP procedure (about a 1% risk), in which case further treatment will need to be implemented. Other post-procedural complications include bleeding and infection. The most dangerous riskâ€â€although it is very rareâ€â€is perforation (tearing) of bodily tissue. Tearing would require invasive surgery in order to repair the damage and can sometimes lead to organ failure or death. In general, undergoing the procedure for diagnostic reasons is much safer than undergoing the procedure for therapeutic purposes, such as in the case that gallstones need removal.
After the test, you must have someone drive you home, as driving while the sedation medication is still in effect is very unsafe. Patients mostly feel bloated or cramping as a result of air entering the body during the procedure. These symptoms should pass within a few days. You can usually eat regularly after the procedureâ€â€but talk to your specific medical provider to be sure.
It is a flexible, tube-like instrument known as an endoscope which is used in the minimally invasive treatment known as Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection (ESD) to remove precancerous and cancerous regions from the Gastro Intestinal (GI) tract. The term "submucosal" refers to the procedure's focus on tumors that are under the GI tract's lining (mucosa). These tumors may be near to muscular tissue and may be challenging to totally remove using normal techniques.
This operation is carried out by gastroenterologists and medical professionals specially expertise to treat the GI system. The doctor will put the endoscope through the mouth for upper GI tumors or through the anus for lower GI tumors depending on where in the GI tract the tumor is placed. Most people recover from ESD as an outpatient surgery and return home the following day. This procedure requires a high precision and accuracy to perform and it is not easily available at any hospital across the country.
Who needs Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection (ESD)?
The following cancers and lesions that affect the submucosa, the region between the lining of internal organs and the muscle wall can be treated with the ESD procedure:
1. Esophageal Barrett's disease
2. Cancerous tumors or colon polyps in the early stages, such as colorectal, stomach, or esophageal cancer.
3. Esophageal, stomach, or colon tumors that have not yet spread to the GI wall's deeper layer.
For the removal of some growths, particularly those without distinct borders or those that are too large to be removed in one piece by conventional procedures, ESD may be a more effective choice than endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR). In these situations, ESD can reduce the danger of the tumor spreading.
In order to provide better therapy, ESD can also assist the doctor in staging the GI cancer (by identifying its spread).
How is Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection (ESD) done?
It is usually done by the gastroenterologist. Before the surgery, the patient is supposed to:
Every year, National Pollution Control Day is celebrated on December 2 to commemorate and honor those who died in the Bhopal gas disaster. The Bhopal Gas Tragedy took place in 1984 on the nights of December 1-2. Methyl isocyanate, popularly known as MIC is a deadly gas that caused several fatalities. The Bhopal Gas Tragedy is one of the worst industrial contamination incidents.
More than one might realize that environmental pollution has a negative impact on one's quality of life both directly and indirectly. All of this is primarily due to human activities that degrade the environment in various ways. Today prevention of pollution is a top priority for the entire world since everyone has a right to access to public lands, clean water and clean fresh air to breathe.
Significance of National Pollution Control Day
According to the National Health Portal of India, every year around 7 million people die because of air pollution worldwide, 4 million of them pass away due to indoor air pollution. The present global scenario is worse than one could ever think. Climate change is true and according to a 2019 WHO report, 99% of the world's population lived in areas where the air quality standards were not even met. Nine out of 10 people on the planet lack access to clean air due to the degree of pollution. Notably, the airborne contaminants are so minute that they can harm the lungs, heart and brain by piercing the mucous membrane.
Natural resources like water, air, land, and forests are quickly being impacted by many sorts of pollution. To safeguard the environment and lower pollution, it is crucial to properly apply laws and regulations.
In accordance with the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) was established in September 1974. Additionally, the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 gave the CPCB the authority and responsibility to carry out its duties. It offers the Indian Government's Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change technical advice.
Major pollutants affecting our environment
The main pollutants are ozone at ground level are produced when sunlight reacts with pollutants from industrial facilities and vehicle emissions, particulate matter, a mixture of solid and liquid droplets resulting from fuel combustion, nitrogen dioxide from road traffic and sulfur dioxide, an invisible gas from burning fossil fuels like coal. Older people and children are particularly impacted by air pollution. Climate change is also caused due to air pollution.
How to prevent the pollution?
Avoiding pollution is a team effort. Each person must contribute their particular efforts in unison.
Why we need to celebrate the National Pollution Prevention Day?
In order to create an awareness among the people about the adverse effects of pollution, it is really important to observe this day and also to make an oath towards the safeguard of the environment. For the past few years, the following changes have increased alarmingly which is really the need of the hour for all of us:
Every year, World COPD Day is held to increase public awareness of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and to educate people worldwide about this respiratory disorder. A global group called GOLD- Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease launched in 2002 which brings together medical professionals from many nations to organize public awareness campaigns regarding COPD, its prevention and to support better medical care and treatment outcomes for people who have already been diagnosed with the disease.
The emphasis on lifelong lung health is a part of this year's theme. We only have one set of lungs when we all are born. Keeping our lungs healthy is essential for our future health and wellbeing from childhood through maturity. This campaign will concentrate on the causes of COPD from infancy to adulthood and what can be done to encourage lifetime lung health and safeguard the vulnerable population.
What is COPD?
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, is a common respiratory ailment that affects people of all ages worldwide. Emphysema and chronic bronchitis are the two most common progressive lung diseases that affect the air sacs and bronchial tubes in the lungs, impairing breathing and causing lung damage. COPD is an umbrella term that refers to a variety of these conditions. The typical course of COPD is several years and in rare circumstances, it might even be a chronic condition.
In addition to causing direct lung damage, COPD also increases a person's risk of developing heart disease, angina and respiratory infections. COPD usually leads to shortness of breath and irreparable lung damage by obstructing the airways and deteriorating pulmonary cells and tissues. However, COPD symptoms can be controlled and severe lung damage can be avoided with prompt diagnosis and treatment.
Causes of COPD
Symptoms
Some persons who have both COPD and asthma experience symptoms that are similar to each other since COPD is an inflammatory lung disorder. The following symptoms are usually seen:
Treatment
COPD has no known cure but with the right care, the condition can be effectively treated. The corrective actions include:
Prevention of COPD
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health condition that affects how your body turns food into energy.
Your body breaks down most of the food you eat into sugar (glucose) and releases it into your bloodstream. When your blood sugar goes up, it signals your pancreas to release insulin. Insulin acts like a key to let the blood sugar into your body cells for use as energy.
With diabetes, your body doesn't make enough insulin or can't use it as well as it should. When there isnt enough insulin or cells stop responding to insulin, too much blood sugar stays in your bloodstream. Over time, that can cause serious health problems, such as heart disease, vision loss, and kidney disease.
There isn't a cure yet for diabetes, but losing weight, eating healthy food, and being active can really help. Other things you can do to help:
There are three main types of diabetes: type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes (diabetes while pregnant).
Type 1 diabetes is thought to be caused by an autoimmune reaction (the body attacks itself by mistake). This reaction stops your body from making insulin. Approximately 5-10% of the people who have diabetes have type 1. Symptoms of type 1 diabetes often develop quickly. It's usually diagnosed in children, teens, and young adults. If you have type 1 diabetes, you'll need to take insulin every day to survive. Currently, no one knows how to prevent type 1 diabetes.
With type 2 diabetes, your body doesn't use insulin well and can't keep blood sugar at normal levels. About 90-95% of people with diabetes have type 2. It develops over many years and is usually diagnosed in adults (but more and more in children, teens, and young adults). You may not notice any symptoms, so it's important to get your blood sugar tested if you're at risk. Type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed with healthy lifestyle changes, such as:
Gestational diabetes develops in pregnant women who have never had diabetes. If you have gestational diabetes, your baby could be at higher risk for health problems. Gestational diabetes usually goes away after your baby is born. However, it increases your risk for type 2 diabetes later in life. Your baby is more likely to have obesity as a child or teen and develop type 2 diabetes later in life.
Type 1 diabetes is thought to be caused by an immune reaction (the body attacks itself by mistake). Risk factors for type 1 diabetes are not as clear as for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. Known risk factors include:
Currently, no one knows how to prevent type 1 diabetes.
You're at risk for type 2 diabetes if you:
If you have non-alcoholic fatty liver disease you may also be at risk for type 2 diabetes.
You can prevent or delay type 2 diabetes with proven lifestyle changes. These include losing weight if you're overweight, eating a healthy diet, and getting regular physical activity.
If you have any of the following diabetes symptoms, see your doctor about getting your blood sugar tested:
People who have type 1 diabetes may also have nausea, vomiting, or stomach pains. Type 1 diabetes symptoms can develop in just a few weeks or months and can be severe. Type 1 diabetes usually starts when you're a child, teen, or young adult but can happen at any age.
Type 2 diabetes symptoms often take several years to develop. Some people don't notice any symptoms at all. Type 2 diabetes usually starts when you're an adult, though more and more children and teens are developing it. Because symptoms are hard to spot, it's important to know the risk factors for type 2 diabetes. Make sure to visit your doctor if you have any of them.
Yes! You can prevent or delay type 2 diabetes with proven, achievable lifestyle changes; such as losing a small amount of weight and getting more physically active even if you're at high risk. Read on to find out about lifestyle change program and how you can join.
Before developing type 2 diabetes, most people have prediabetes; their blood sugar is higher than normal but not high enough yet for a diabetes diagnosis. Prediabetes is really common. The good news is that prediabetes can be reversed.
Source:
CDC
India Today
Iodine is a crucial component for maintaining human health. Iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) may develop if the thyroid gland is not able to operate properly. Goiters, mental impairment and even death are among the health issues IDD can cause. IDD affects millions of people each year making it a significant public health issue. The World Health Organization established October 21 as the World Iodine Deficiency Day in order to promote iodine supplementation as a successful means of preventing IDD.
What is Iodine Deficiency?
Iodine is a crucial trace element needed for the synthesis of thyroid hormones. The growth and development of the brain depend on these chemicals. Iodine shortage can result in a variety of health issues such as cretinism, mental retardation and goitre (an enlarged thyroid gland) which is characterized by stunted physical growth and mental development.
Causes
Iodine is a crucial trace element needed for the synthesis of thyroid hormones. Numerous crucial physiological functions, including as metabolism, growth, and development, are regulated by thyroid hormones. The most frequent worldwide cause of reversible mental impairment and brain damage is iodine deficiency. Making sure to regularly eat iodized salt is the greatest approach to avoid an iodine shortage.
Symptoms
Prevention and Treatment
• Universal salt iodization: Every nation should make sure that the iodization of salt used for human consumption is sufficient. The most successful and long-lasting method of Iodine Deficiency Disease (IDD) prevention.
• Iodine fortification of other foods: In some nations, staple foods like rice and flour may be given an iodine boost. The context and requirements of the local area should inform this strategy.
• Health education and awareness-raising: It's critical to raise understanding of iodine's role in preventing IDD and the necessity of eating foods high in iodine.
Osteoporosis literally means "porous bone." Since the condition weakens bones and increases the chance of sudden, unforeseen bone fractures. If a person has osteoporosis then the bones become weaker and light in mass. The condition frequently progresses without any warning signs or discomfort and it is typically not detected until the weakening of bones result in fractures. The majority of these involve hip, wrist, and spine fractures.
World Osteoporosis Day proposes educating people about osteoporosis and its effects which relies on five steps to osteoporosis prevention. The first step is to eat meals that are rich in calcium, vitamins, proteins, and other nutrients, maintaining body weight by engaging in at least 40 minutes of exercise daily and by avoiding excessive alcohol consumption and smoking. It also creates awareness of elements such as illnesses, genetics, medications, and menopause which are the factors for osteoporosis.
Causes
The exact cause of osteoporosis is unknown as it develops inside the living, expanding tissue which makes up the bones. Trabecular bone, which constitutes the inside of healthy bones, resembles a sponge. The cortical bone, a spongy bone, is encased in a tough outer layer of bone. Osteoporosis weakens the inside of the bone by causing the "holes" in the "sponge" to enlarge and multiply. The body breaks down and rebuilds the bone when it requires calcium. This procedure is known as bone remodeling which maintains the strength of the bones while supplying the body with the calcium it requires. After age 35, bone deterioration outpaces bone formation, resulting in a steady decrease of bone mass which usually increases after menopause.
Symptoms
Osteoporosis typically shows no symptoms. Thus it is sometimes also referred as ‘silent sickness’ for this reason. However, the following symptoms are observed:
Risk factors
Diagnosis
Treatment
The goals of osteoporosis treatment include managing pain, reducing joint deterioration, and enhancing or maintaining function and quality of life. This can be accomplished while also protecting joints from future harm by supplementing a variety of drugs and lifestyle choices.
Arthritis is the medical term for swelling or joint inflammation. It describes more than 100 ailments that have an impact on connective tissues, joints, and surrounding tissues. Depending on the type of arthritis, specific symptoms can vary, although stiffness and pain in the joints are typically present.
Types of Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis are the two most prevalent kinds of arthritis.
Other forms of arthritis can be brought on by infections or underlying conditions like lupus or psoriasis. Gout can be brought on by uric acid crystals, which develop when your blood uric acid level is too high.
Symptoms
Risk factors
Treatment
The goals of arthritis treatment include managing pain, reducing joint deterioration, and enhancing or maintaining function and quality of life. This can be accomplished while also protecting joints from future harm by supplementing a variety of drugs and lifestyle choices.
On October 10, we celebrate World Mental Health Day to escalate our knowledge of mental health advancements. Our increased self-awareness and sensitivity to it have improved the situation. It is noted that there has never been a more pressing need to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness and to promote its understanding and treatment. The main objective of this day is to raise the awareness about mental health and to raise the support and effort for a better mental health.
This day serves as a reminder that a person is not suffering alone. We tend to believe that we are the only ones going through difficult times and knowing that others have experienced it and come out on the other side is encouraging. We are also reminded that we are capable of overcoming the pain and progress towards the betterment.
Importance
Symptoms of mental illness
How to overcome?
Every year on September 15, World Lymphoma Awareness Day is observed to increase public understanding of lymphoma, a kind of cancer that is becoming more prevalent. The Lymphoma Coalition, a non-profit network organization of 83 lymphoma patient groups from 52 nations worldwide is the entity in charge of hosting the global project. World Lymphoma Awareness Day was established in the year 2004 in order to increase public knowledge of Hodgkin and non- Hodgkin lymphoma in terms of symptom recognition, early diagnosis and treatment. Lymphoma is a potentially fatal illness with a rising incidence. Nearly 1,000 people throughout the world receive a lymphoma diagnosis every day but there is still a low level of awareness of the disease's warning signs and symptoms.
By raising awareness of lymphoma, more individuals will be able to identify its symptoms and signs resulting in earlier detection and faster treatment. Increased knowledge will also enable patients and their families to request specialized care from trained lymphoma doctors and to have access to the most recent resources for assistance, support and therapy.
What is Lymphoma?
Both B-cells and T-cells/Natural Killer cells can be affected by lymphoma, a malignancy of the white blood cells known as lymphocytes. However, they can be broadly divided into two categories: high-grade or aggressive or acute lymphoma where the cells develop and spread quickly but have a better prognosis since chemotherapy can efficiently destroy the cancer cells and low-grade or chronic lymphoma.
Low-grade lymphoma patients frequently respond well to treatment, but because the malignancy is characterized by cycles of remission and relapse, this kind of lymphoma is typically regarded as incurable. However, people over 60 are primarily affected. This implies that the person may pass away from causes other than cancer as the quality of life is affected.
Symptoms and Treatment
It is often characterized by fatigue which becomes more severe with time as the lymphoma progresses in the body. Swelling of lymph nodes, sweating especially in the night, difficulty in breathing, unexplained weight loss are some of the major symptoms observed in the lymphoma patients.
Chemotherapy, targeted immunotherapy and other drugs have proved to be very much efficient for the survival of the lymphoma patients if the treatment has been started sooner.
Detection and Prevention
The only way to diagnose lymphoma is to diagnose at the earliest. Ultrasound, PET scan and biopsy are the diagnostic tests which confirms this condition. Sooner the detection, better is the treatment and cure. Thus, if any of the above mentioned symptoms observed in any individual, it’s better to get the necessary medical examinations done.