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Nutrition Tips for Inflammatory Bowel Disease

MCh, MS - General Surgery, MBBS
Gastroenterologist, Kanpur
Nutrition Tips for Inflammatory Bowel Disease


What is inflammatory bowel disease?

Inflammatory bowel disease, also known as ibd, describes a group of conditions that are chronic and cause inflammation in the digestive system.

Types of inflammatory bowel disease?

There are two primary forms of ibd. They are:



Ulcerative colitis: this type of ibd is characterised by inflammation and ulcers in the inner lining of the colon and rectum, which can cause bloody diarrhoea, abdominal pain and cramping.


Crohn s disease: this kind of ibd may affect any area of the digestive system, from the mouth to the anus, causing inflammation, discomfort, diarrhoea, weight loss, and tiredness.



What are the signs and symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease?



Abdominal pain and cramping: people with ibd often experience abdominal pain and cramping, usually in the lower-right part of the abdomen. The pain may come and go or be persistent, depending on the severity of inflammation.


Diarrhoea: diarrhea is a frequent ibd symptom that may vary from mild to severe.


Fatigue: fatigue is a common symptom of ibd and can be caused by anaemia (an iron deficiency) as well as by the inflammation itself.


Unexplained weight loss: weight loss can occur due to malabsorption, which is when the body fails to absorb enough nutrients from food due to inflammation in the intestines, or due to a lack of appetite as a result of illness or medication side effects.


Fever: a fever can be an indication of infection, which can occur in people with ibd due to complications from inflammation in the intestines.


Rectal bleeding: rectal bleeding can occur when there is inflammation in the rectum or large intestine, which is common in people with ibd.



What are possible complications of inflammatory bowel disease?



Perforation: this is a serious complication of ibd that occurs when a hole forms in the intestine, leading to infection of the abdominal cavity. This can be caused by inflammation and weakened areas of the intestines.


Malnutrition: patients with ibd can experience malnutrition due to the inability to absorb nutrients from food properly and due to loss of appetite. Malnutrition can lead to other complications such as anaemia, fatigue, and weight loss.


Bowel obstruction: this is a blockage in the intestines that prevents food from passing through, leading to abdominal pain and cramping. It can be caused by inflammation, scar tissue build-up, or narrowing of the intestines due to crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis.


Fistula: this is an abnormal connection between two organs or parts of the body that occurs due to inflammation in ibd patients and can cause infection or abscesses in rare cases.


Kidney stones: these are small, hard deposits that form in the kidneys due to mineral buildup from dehydration, which can be caused by ibd-related diarrhoea and vomiting.



Nutrition tips for inflammatory bowel disease



Eating a balanced diet with plenty of nutrients is important for people with inflammatory bowel disease (ibd).


Smaller, more frequent meals may aid with symptom management.


Include probiotic-rich foods such as yoghurt, kefir and kombucha in your diet to support gut health and reduce inflammation.


By consuming more fish, especially mackerel and salmon, you may increase your intake of omega-3 fatty acids.


Be hydrated throughout the day by consuming enough fluids to support regular bowel movements.



Here are some ayurvedic remedies to cure ibs:



Kshara sutra therapy: this ayurvedic treatment involves the insertion of medicated threads made up of herbs like haritaki and pippali into the affected areas of the intestine to reduce inflammation and heal ulcers.


Abhyanga: this ayurvedic massage with herbal oils can help improve digestion and provide relief from some of the symptoms associated with ibd, such as cramps, bloating, and abdominal pain.


Panchakarma: this detoxifying therapy helps in clearing toxins from the body through emesis, purgation, enemas and nasal drops. It also helps in reducing inflammation and relieving pain associated with ibd.


Diet modifications: a diet that is low in fat, high in fibre, and full of fresh vegetables, fruits and whole grains can help reduce inflammation in the gut and also provide essential nutrients for healing. Avoiding spicy food, caffeine and alcohol is also advisable for people suffering from ibd.


Herbal remedies: herbal remedies such as amalaki, ashwagandha, guduchi, turmeric, ginger etc, can be used to reduce inflammation caused by ibd as well as strengthen the digestive system to fight off infection or parasites that may be contributing to its symptoms.


Yoga: certain yoga poses such as paschimottanasana (forward bend), siddhasana (perfect pose), balasana (child's pose) etc, help stimulate digestion and reduce stress which can aggravate some of the symptoms associated with ibd like diarrhoea or constipation.


Steam therapy: steam therapy helps relax the digestive system leading to better digestion which helps reduce abdominal pain caused by ibd.


Basti treatment: in this treatment an herbal decoction or oil is administered via enema into the rectum which helps reduce inflammation in the bowels caused by ibd as well as relieve abdominal discomfort due to gas or constipation associated with it.


Jatyadi oil massage: massaging with jatyadi oil helps increase blood circulation in the abdomen area which provides relief from cramps & pain resulting from inflammation caused by ibd.


Nasya karma: it involves administering medicated oils into the nose which help clear toxins accumulated in the head & neck region due to poor digestion leading to reduced stress levels & improved immunity which ultimately helps manage inflammatory bowel disease.



If none of the aforementioned approaches work, you could think about having surgery.

What are the surgical treatments for inflammatory bowel disease?



Laparoscopic ileocolic resection: typically, crohn's disease is treated with this procedure. It entails removing a section of the large intestine as well as the ileum, the last part of the small intestine.


Colectomy: both crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, two forms of inflammatory bowel disease, are treated with this operation. It entails removing the whole or a portion of the large intestine.


Ileostomy: this procedure is used to treat both crohn s disease and ulcerative colitis and involves creating an artificial opening in the abdomen to allow waste material to exit from the body into an external pouch.


Strictureplasty: this procedure is used to treat crohn s disease and involves widening a narrowed or structured area in the intestines so that food can pass through more easily.


Bowel resection: this procedure is used to treat both crohn s disease and ulcerative colitis and involves removing a section of damaged intestine from either the small or large intestine due to inflammation or obstruction caused by scar tissue and adhesions.



Best doctors to consult for inflammatory bowel disease?



Gastroenterologist: a gastroenterologist is an expert in digestive system illnesses including inflammatory bowel disease (ibd). They can assist you in managing your symptoms and developing an individualised treatment plan as they've obtained specialised training in the diagnosis and management of ibd.


Primary care physician: your primary care physician is a great place to start if you think you may have ibd. They can provide general advice on managing your symptoms, refer you to specialists if needed, and coordinate care with other health professionals involved in your care.


Colorectal surgeon: a colorectal surgeon specialises in surgeries related to the digestive system, including those for ibd. If you require surgery to treat your ibd, a colorectal surgeon can provide the best possible care tailored specifically to your condition.


Nutritionist or dietitian: a nutritionist or dietitian can help you create an individualised diet plan that meets your nutritional needs while helping to manage symptoms of ibd. They can also provide guidance on food choices that may help reduce inflammation or other digestive issues related to ib.



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7 people found this helpful

Pancreatectomy - Know Procedure Of It!

MBBS, MS General Surgery, FRCS
General Surgeon, Ludhiana
Pancreatectomy - Know Procedure Of It!
Pancreas are a small, but a pretty important part of a person s digestive system. So when it needs to be removed, the reason has got to be quite serious, to say the least, doesn t it? The procedure is known formally as pancreatectomy and it is most often required for people who are suffering from cancer of the pancreas. Ideally, these people would only need the cancerous tumours removed, but things are not always this simple. As a matter of fact, only a little more than a tenth of the people who have pancreatic cancer can have the tumour alone removed. As a result, most need to go for a pancreatectomy, which involves removing the entire pancreas. Whether the pancreas can be kept is usually related to how soon the cancer was detected, with people who have done so in time being a majority of the 10% of people with pancreatic cancer who have not needed pancreatectomies.

If a person does not have cancer, the reason he or she may need a pancreatectomy due to an accident which has injured the area significantly badly. In this case, a procedure which is known as a partial pancreatectomy is carried out on the patient. The good news is that the success rate of this sort of operation is generally quite high and the long-term effects on the body are nil. This is the case in spite of a lot of the normal tissue of the pancreas being removed, pretty amazing, isn t it?

While it may be called a pancreatectomy, it does not always mean that the pancreas is the only thing that is removed. In fact, in a lot of pancreatectomies, the surgeons also remove other parts of the digestive system which are usually the common bile duct, the spleen and the gallbladder.

There is, of course, the case of chronic pancreatitis, which occurs when the organ just swells up repeatedly. The repeated swelling leads to permanent damage to it, which affects the rest of the body, too. In most cases, the cause of this happens to be a sustained addiction to alcohol. When this is the case, it is really hard to perform a pancreatectomy and the utility of the pancreas is greatly reduced. Not a good situation to be in, under any circumstances, at all!

A pancreatectomy is a process which nobody would voluntarily wish to undergo, but there are advantages to knowing what it is, in any case!
2307 people found this helpful

Cystic Fibrosis - How To Get Rid Of It?

MD - Pulmonary, DTCD
Pulmonologist, Faridabad
Cystic Fibrosis - How To Get Rid Of It?
Do you know about a condition called cystic fibrosis that makes your baby s skin taste very salty after birth? The condition changes over time, in which the body makes sweat and mucus, and also affects the digestive system and lung functioning. The condition generally occurs because of a flawed gene. This is a severe and life-threatening disease that affects different people in different ways.

Causes
The gene, called CTFR is present in all humans. It makes a protein that controls the amount of water and salt, which get moved in and out of your cells. In the case of cystic fibroids, the CTFR gene is broken. This happens when a person inherits two bad copies of this specific gene. One bad CFTR gene may cause your cells to make the wrong or imbalanced amount of water and salt. Because of this, your body becomes unable to get the supply of sufficient nutrients and oxygen that are lost through sweating.

Symptoms
There are several symptoms associated with cystic fibroids that include the following:

It is likely for you to cough up thin mucus, along with shortness of breath, and wheezing.
The development of polyps in your nose is indicated.
Sinus infections, pneumonia, or bronchitis may occur.
Your stool may be oily, bulky, and with a foul odor.
Liver diseases and gallstones may develop later in life because of cystic fibroids.
Treatment
There is no certain treatment for cystic fibroids. However, there are various treatment procedures that are used for providing relief to the symptoms of the condition. This allows an affected patient to breathe easily, feel better, and experience lesser stomach infections. You can opt for an airway clearance technique that helps you with your breathing. The procedure involves the clearance of mucus from your lungs. This procedure is carried out in several ways and special devices may be used during the proceedings.

Certain inhaled drugs like steroids, salt solutions, and antibiotics are used for thinning your mucus layers, and for clearing lung infections.
If your pancreas do not work properly, you may be prescribed enzyme pills for the digestion of fats and protein, and for the absorption of more nutrients from the food you consume.
You may also be prescribed vitamin A, D, and E supplements for getting these nutrients, which are not being absorbed by your intestine.
You must consult a doctor on experiencing any symptom of cystic fibrosis in your baby. This will allow the condition to be diagnosed at an early stage, thereby preventing further worsening.
3403 people found this helpful

Liver Cirrhosis - Can Ayurveda Help?

Fellowship Course in Panchkarma, BAMS
Ayurvedic Doctor, Navi Mumbai
Liver Cirrhosis - Can Ayurveda Help?
Cirrhosis of the liver is a chronic and progressive condition in which the liver gets damaged and healthy liver tissue is replaced with scar tissue, ultimately causing dysfunction of the liver. Liver damage obstructs the circulation to the liver and also hinders the processing of nutrients, hormones, drugs, toxins as well as the production of proteins and other substances made by the liver. Liver cirrhosis is caused due to hepatitis C, fatty liver, alcohol abuse, viral infections, inherited diseases, and as a toxic reaction to drugs and environmental waste products. The modern management of this condition involves diet modification, reduction in salt intake, total abstinence from alcohol, and avoiding all the causative factors of this condition.

Cirrhosis of liver causes multiple symptoms in the body including fluid collection in the abdomen, bleeding varices in the stomach, chronic heart failure, damage to the central nervous system, and various metabolic disorders in the body. Advanced cirrhosis of the liver is ultimately fatal.

Ayurvedic Treatment

It is therefore of prime importance to commence treatment at the earliest possible. It is of utmost importance to treat the known cause of the condition. Ayurvedic herbal medicines have a definite action on the hepatic cells and can effectively treat inflammation within the liver. Ayurvedic medicines can also treat the infection as well as metabolic dysfunction of the liver, and protect it from the toxic effects of drugs and environmental wastes. Ayurvedic medicines can, therefore, be effectively used to treat all the known causes of liver cirrhosis.
Liver damage causes healthy cells to be replaced with scar tissue. This is preceded by a process of inflammation, swelling and gradual death of the liver cells. Early institution of Ayurvedic treatment can help dramatically reduce inflammation and swelling and thereby preserve the liver cells and prevent unnecessary damage. Even in the early phase of scar deposition. Ayurvedic herbal medicines can help remove scar tissue, minimize permanent liver damage, and help regenerate damaged or near-dead cells Ayurvedic herbal medicines, therefore, form a comprehensive treatment therapy for liver cirrhosis.
The other symptoms resulting from liver cirrhosis such as ascites, esophageal varices, congestive cardiac failure and metabolic disorders start improving automatically when the obstruction in the liver is treated and removed. However, Ayurvedic medicines can treat these symptoms independently too, if these are observed to be severe in the affected individual and require urgent medical care. Improved functioning of the liver also helps to improve the overall metabolism and nutrition of the body and metabolize toxic substances within the body. Prompt and aggressive Ayurvedic treatment, therefore, helps comprehensively treat liver cirrhosis and significantly reduce morbidity and mortality resulting from this disease.
Cirrhosis can also adversely affect the central nervous system and cause psychotic symptoms and permanent nerve damage. Prompt treatment with Ayurvedic herbal medicines also helps to preserve the brain function and treat the associated symptoms. If required, brain damage can be treated separately with herbal medicines which strengthen the nervous system and help rejuvenate nerve cells. Medicines which act on the nervous system also help improve confidence and self-control and are therefore equally useful in helping the affected individual abstain completely from alcohol, which is a known and predominant cause of cirrhosis.
Depending upon the severity of the condition, most individuals affected with cirrhosis require regular and aggressive Ayurvedic herbal treatment for periods ranging from six to eighteen months, in order to obtain significant benefit and a possible complete cure from the condition. Ayurvedic treatment thus has a definite role to play in the management and treatment of cirrhosis.
4256 people found this helpful

Gastrointestinal Surgery - Know Forms Of It!

MBBS, MS - General Surgery, DNB ((Surgical Gastroenterology), Diploma In Laparoscopy, DNB (General Surgey)
Surgical Gastroenterologist, Mumbai
Gastrointestinal Surgery - Know Forms Of It!
In recent years there has been a rise in gastrointestinal disease due to lifestyle changes. Conditions like irritable bowel syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux disease, nonalcoholic fatty liver, cancer of colon, liver and pancreas have been affecting the young and the elderly equally.

The advancement of medical science has given rise to a series of laparoscopic surgeries relating to gastrointestinal diseases. These surgeries are minimally invasive compared to open surgeries. Let s have a look at the various forms of gastrointestinal surgeries.

Conditions Cured through Gastrointestinal Surgeries:

Gastrointestinal surgery can be used to prevent and treat the following health disorders.

Peptic ulcer disease
Barrett s Esophagus
Hiatal hernia
Radiation bowel injury
Gastrointestinal tumours
Inflammatory bowel disease
GERD
Achalasia
Malignant disease of the pancreas
Malignant disease of the biliary tract
Infectious disease of the colon and rectum

Types of Gastrointestinal Surgeries:

Some examples of gastrointestinal surgeries include

Colon Cancer Surgery It may involve local excision which is done in the early stage of colon cancer. Here the doctor inserts a cutting tool into the colon to remove the cancerous growth. Colectomy is the next stage that is performed only when the cancer has spread to the nearby tissues.

Oesophagal Cancer Surgery It includes esophagectomy or removing the oesophagus partially leaving the patient with the ability to swallow.

Gall Bladder Cancer Surgery - It involves four stages of treatment namely Cholecystectomy, Surgical Biliary Bypass, Endoscopic Stent Placement and Percutaneous Transhepatic Biliary Drainage. Each procedure is performed at different stages depending on the severity of the condition.

Liver Disease Surgery Liver disease surgery involves Partial Hepatectomy, Liver Transplant and Ablation used at different stages of cancer.

Pancreatic Cancer Surgery The four stages of pancreatic cancer surgery includes Whipple procedure, Total Pancreatectomy, Distal Pancreatectomy and Gastric Bypass.

Apart from these open surgeries, the laparoscopic procedures include

Laparoscopic Adrenalectomy
Laparoscopic Appendectomy
Laparoscopic Nephrectomy
Laparoscopic Splenectomy

Benefits of a Gastrointestinal Surgery:

Minimally invasive due to which scarring is less
Shorter recovery period
Reduced chances of infection
Reduced chances of reoccurrence of the disease

Most of these benefits apply specifically to the gastrointestinal surgeries performed using the laparoscopic technique.

With the rampant increase in gastrointestinal diseases among the masses the wide ranges of gastrointestinal surgeries have made treatment and prevention easier and more accessible.
1579 people found this helpful

Ulcerative Colitis - How To Avert It?

MBBS, MS - General Surgery, DNB ((Surgical Gastroenterology), Diploma In Laparoscopy, DNB (General Surgey)
Surgical Gastroenterologist, Mumbai
Ulcerative Colitis - How To Avert It?
Ulcerative Colitis is one of the severe and chronic forms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) that can throw life in jeopardy. The condition that mainly affects the rectum and the large intestine can cause severe inflammation, ulceration, and abscess formation. The ulceration or the inflammation of the colon and the rectum left unattended for too long can give rise to deleterious consequences including damage and perforation of the colon, osteoporosis. Various studies also suggest that ulcerative colitis can increase the risk of a person suffering from colon cancer.

Like most of the IBD, there is no definite cure for ulcerative colitis. The illness is a chronic condition and can flare up or recur at any point in time. Though medications may help to control the damage and the complications triggered by ulcerative colitis, surgery may be essential in case of

Severe damage to the colon.
The nonsurgical treatments could do little to improve the conditions.
There is an increased risk of colon cancer.
Ulcerative colitis has resulted in Toxic megacolon (a life-threatening condition where the large intestinal muscles have dilated with some swelling).
There are extreme discomfort and bleeding.
Surgeries to deal with Ulcerative Colitis

In the case of Ulcerative Colitis, the nature of the surgery depends on the extent to which the colon or the rectum or both have been affected and damaged.
In the case of extensive damage with a high risk of colon cancer, the surgeon may perform Proctocolectomy or colectomy
Colectomy may involve
Removal of all of the colon- Total Colectomy
Removal of the diseased part of the colon- Partial Colectomy.
Following the excision, the surgeon may carry out necessary rearrangements to reconnect the remaining portion of the colon to the abdomen through an opening known as stroma (the procedure is known as colostomy).
In the case of Total Colectomy, the small intestine will be connected to the abdomen by a process known as Ileostomy.
Proctocolectomy involves the removal of both the rectum and colon to avoid further aggravation.
Following the proctocolectomy, the surgeon may carry out Ileoanal Anastomosis (Ileal Pouch-Anal Anastomosis). In this procedure, a pouch is created using a small part of the small intestine. This pouch is then connected to the anus to help in the elimination of the wastes.
General precautionary measures to control Ulcerative Colitis

Making healthy lifestyle and dietary modifications can go a long way to control ulcerative colitis and the associated symptoms.

Spicy foods can worsen the incidence of ulcerative colitis. Enrich your diet with lots of fruits, vegetables (squash, avocados, fish (especially salmon and tuna), meat, dairy products, olive oil, walnuts, flaxseed oil, almonds.
Make sure the diet is a low-fiber diet.
Avoid alcoholic and caffeinated drinks and beverages, foods high in sulfur content, refined sugar.
Research suggests stress and lack of physical activities can aggravate the ulcerative colitis. Mediation and daily exercise can produce fruitful results.
Make sure your sleep is not compromised (6-8 hours daily).
1490 people found this helpful

Pancreatitis - Know Signs Of It!

MBBS, MS - General Surgery, FMAS-Laparoscopic Surgery
General Surgeon, Delhi
Pancreatitis - Know Signs Of It!
An inflammation of the pancreas is known as pancreatitis. The pancreas is an organ that produces digestive enzymes. Pancreatitis might start any day and continue for long period and it requires immediate medical attention. It is of two types- acute pancreatitis and chronic pancreatitis. Although the treatment usually requires hospitalization, pancreatitis can be easily stabilized and the underlying cause can be treated thereafter.

CAUSES:

Pancreatitis may be caused due to various reasons:

1. Gall bladder stone: The pancreatic duct lies next to the bile duct. The gallstones enter the small intestine after passing through the common bile duct. Often the stones that remain in the common bile duct have a negative effect on the pancreas, which causes a hindrance to the normal flow of the pancreatic fluids, causing pancreatitis. Also a back flow of the bile into the pancreas can cause pancreatitis.
2. Alcohol: Long time alcohol use also causes pancreatitis. Alcohol can damage the pancreas tremendously causing it to get inflamed.
3. Other causes: Hereditary disorders in the pancreas, cystic fibrosis, high level of triglycerides, and a few medicines may also cause pancreatitis.

Symptoms:

1. The first symptom of pancreatitis is abdominal pain: The pain may be sudden or gradually increasing, but is usually aggravated after eating. It is severe and constant, and may continue for a few days. If you are suffering from pancreatitis, you will feel very sick after a sudden attack and you might require medical assistance immediately.
2. Swollen abdomen: Pancreatitis my cause your abdominal area to swell up and become tender.
3. Nausea: If your abdomen suddenly starts paining due to the onset of pancreatitis, you tend to feel extremely nauseous. You might end up vomiting and may also have violent heaves.
4. Fever: The inflammation will cause you to run a temperature, along with a searing pain in your stomach, which will make you feel extremely uncomfortable.
5. Rapid pulse: Pancreatitis affects the rate at which the heart beats, causing a rapid increase in the pulse rate.
1063 people found this helpful

Chronic Inflammatory Disorder - How To Diagnose It?

MBBS, MS - General Surgery
General Surgeon, Bhopal
Chronic Inflammatory Disorder - How To Diagnose It?
Crohn s disease is a chronic inflammatory disorder of GI or digestive tract. Crohn s disease is most commonly affects the mucosal lining due to ulcerations of small and large intestines, but it can affect the entire digestive system. Crohn s disease is usually related to another chronic inflammatory condition namely ulcerative colitis, which involves mainly colon. Crohn s disease and ulcerative colitis are together referred to as inflammatory bowel disease. The symptoms include vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, bloody diarrhea, fever, weight loss, anal fistulae, and perirectal abscesses. But, the symptoms are mostly dependent on the location, extent and severity of the inflammation.

Subtypes of Crohn s disease are:

Crohn s colitis Inflammation of the colon. The common symptoms are abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea. However, anal fistulae and perirectal abscesses can also occur.
Crohn s enteritis Inflammation of small intestines. Mainly jejunum (second part) or ileum (third part). The common symptoms are abdominal pain and diarrhea. In this obstruction of small intestines can also occur.
Crohn s terminal ileitis Inflammation of the part of the small intestine which is closest to the colon, i.e. ileum (third or terminal part of small intestine). Similar to colitis and enteritis, the common symptoms are abdominal pain and diarrhea.
Crohn s entero-colitis and ileocolitis Inflammation involving both small intestine and colon. The symptoms include abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea. Obstruction of the small intestine can also occur.
Causes of Crohn s Disease
The cause of the disease is still not known. However, the researchers report that it is due to the abnormal response of the immune system. The uncontrolled inflammation which is associated with Crohn s disease may be caused by food or bacterial intestines or due to the lining of the bowel.

Diagnosis
There are various diagnostic procedures and laboratory tests by which Crohn s disease can be distinguished from other GI tract disease such as ulcerative colitis. A gastroenterologist can perform a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy to get bowel tissue for analysis or upper endoscopy can be done to study esophagus, stomach,and duodenum (first part of the small intestine). To study in detail of small intestine, capsule endoscopy can be done, which is done by using a small, pill-sized camera which is swallowed. Other tests that can be suggested by your doctor are:

Blood tests can be done. High white blood cell indicates inflammation and low red blood cells indicates a sign of anemia due to blood loss.
Stool examination can be done to rule out any infection that can occur due to diarrhea.
Special x-rays, namely CT scan or MRI can be performed of both upper and lower GI tract in order to confirm the location of the inflammation.
Treatment
Although there is no cure for Crohn s disease, however, one can lead normal lives. Crohn s disease is normally treated with medications. These include:

Anti-inflammatory drugs, namely, salicylates. Side effects of these drugs are gastrointestinal upset, nausea, rash, headache, or diarrhea.
Corticosteroids, again type of anti-inflammatory drugs, but this is more powerful. The side effects are seen if these drugs are consumed for long periods of time, mainly, thinning of bone, muscle loss, skin problems, and increased risk of infections.
Antibiotics can be given such as ciprofloxacin, metronidazole and others. The side effects include nausea, tingling or numbness of feet and hands.
Antidiarrheal drugs
Risks
Along with Crohn s disease, you are likely to develop other health problems such as colon cancer, lymphoma, deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism, or psoriatic arthritis.
Thus, with this information, you can with the help of your doctor can work out your plan to avoid problems and possible complications.

1068 people found this helpful

Bowel Resection Surgery - Know Types Of It!

MS- General Surgery
General Surgeon, Jodhpur
Bowel Resection Surgery - Know Types Of It!
The bowel is a very important part of your body within the digestive system as it plays a vital role in the absorption of nutrients and minerals within your body as well as excreting toxic matter. The bowel contains the small bowel or small intestine as well as the large bowel or the large intestine. However, parts of the bowel may be infected or damaged in such a manner that they may need to be removed in order to save further worsening. Thus, the removal of sections of the bowels is known as bowel resection surgery.

How is bowel resection surgery performed?
In this procedure, sections of either the large intestine or the small intestine are removed which have either become diseased, infected or have malignant growths within them. The doctors and surgeons first identify the sections that need to be removed and then perform the surgery wherein a section of the tissue is excised and then two ends of the bowel are stitched together to form a new section of continuous small intestine or large intestine.

Types of bowel resection
There are two types of bowel resection, namely small bowel resection performed on the small intestine and large bowel resection performed on the large intestine. The indications for both of them are mentioned below:

Small Bowel resection: Some of the cases wherein small bowel resection may be required are as follows:

Cancerous or benign polyps or growth
Precancerous growths and polyps
Damage to the small intestine due to injuries
Congenital defects in the small intestine
Blockages in the intestine
Growth of ulcers, bleeding, and infection within the small intestine
Infections within the intestines
Other disorders of the small intestine
Large bowel resection: Large bowel resection is also carried out due to many of the same reasons as mentioned above. However, some of the specific reasons for large bowel resection are mentioned below:

Colon cancer
Diverticulitis, disorder that specifically affects the large intestine
Bowel inflammation or ulcerative colitis
Abnormal twisting of the bowel also known as volvulus
Intestines which slide into another section of the intestine; also known as intussusception
Risks of the bowel resection
Like any other surgery, bowel resection also carries its own risks just as any other form of surgery. Some of the common risks of bowel resection are

Adverse reaction to anesthesia
Infections
Heart attacks or strokes during the operation
Infections
Excessive bleeding among others
Specific risks for large and small bowel resections are mentioned as follows:

Small bowel resection: Certain common risks include accumulation of pus in the abdomen, internal bleeding within the intestine after surgery, diarrhea, infection of the incision area and the stitched area breaking open among others
Large bowel resection: In this case, tissues protruding through the cut causing an incisional hernia is the most common element of risk. Nearby organs may be damaged as well; scar tissue, problems with the passage of material within the colon among others are some of the other complications.
However, these issues occur rarely and resections are performed very successfully and quite regularly by surgeons.
1591 people found this helpful

Liver Cirrhosis - How To Control It?

MBBS, MS - General Surgery, DNB ((Surgical Gastroenterology), Diploma In Laparoscopy, DNB (General Surgey)
Surgical Gastroenterologist, Mumbai
Liver Cirrhosis - How To Control It?
Liver Cirrhosis is a medical condition that results in severe scarring (often permanent and irreversible) of the liver. While there can be a myriad of factors giving rise to cirrhosis (such as repeated liver injury or unhealthy diet), the most common triggers include Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Alcohol, NASH (non-alcoholics teatohepatitis ). In addition to interfering with the healthy functioning of the liver, cirrhosis also gives rise to many serious and life-threatening complications such as Blood vomiting, Jaundice, Ascites (a condition characterized by an increased build-up of fluids in the abdomen), Hepatic Encephalopathy, Edema, Splenomegaly. In some men, cirrhosis can even give rise to Breast enlargement and Testicular Atrophy.

Preventive measures to manage Cirrhosis and the associated complications
In the case of cirrhosis triggered by Hepatitis, medications are used to treat the viral infection thereby avoiding any further liver damage.

In people with cirrhosis resulting from alcohol abuse, the effectiveness of the treatment depends on how quickly a person can give up drinking (In some cases, the affected individual may have to undergo rehabilitation programmes to stop drinking). In addition to drinking, it is also beneficial to quit smoking as well.
For excess fluid retention on the body, in addition to the medications (such as diuretics and antibiotics), doctors often recommend a low-sodium or low-salt diet. The use of a TIPS (Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt) can also contribute to slow down the fluid build-up in the body.
Medications may also be used to treat a host of serious complications (triggered by cirrhosis) such as Hepatic encephalopathy, weakness, itching, bruising, infections to provide some relief.
However, in case of severe or complete liver damage and failure (advanced cirrhosis), a liver transplant may be recommended. A liver transplant, as indicative of the name, involves replacing the damaged or diseased liver of the recipient with a healthy liver from the donor.
Unfortunately, once the liver has been scarred, there is little that can be done to reverse the damage. However timely diagnosis and treatment in the form of liver transplant can ensure long-term survival in these life-threatening illness. Cirrhotics should be under the regular follow-up to prevent the development of complications and timely referral for transplant. A damaged, cirrhotic liver is a fertile ground for the development of hepatocellular cancer(HCC).

Routine imaging on follow-up is important to diagnose HCC at an early, curable stage. These patients require liver transplant at the earliest. Also, regular upper GI endoscopy and variceal banding should be done to prevent the development of life-threatening hematemesis ( Varieal bleeding ).

Severity of Cirrhosis can be estimated by two scoring tools easily available on smartphones. Child Turcotte pugh(CTP) s scoring system , Child s Stage and MELD scoring system . CTP score of >7 , Child B or MELD > 15 are candidates for liver transplant. Patient with decompensation(Hepatocellular cancer , Upper GI Bleed, Encephalotpathy, Refractory ascites, Hepato-renal syndrome, Hepatopulmonary syndrome) are candidates for liver transplant.

Some other healthy modifications to control cirrhosis include

Choose your foods with care. Avoids foods that are high in sodium or are salty. Processed, canned, smoked, Barbecued foods, baked beans, ham, salami, bacon, caffeinated beverages, are best left avoided.
Increase your intake of fresh fruits, vegetables, foods rich in proteins. Having a large meal may be difficult in the case of cirrhosis. Instead, have small meals at regular time intervals.
Some of the medicines such as Aspirin, NSAIDs (Advil, Aleve), Tylenol, can aggravate the liver damage. Thus, never have these medicines without consulting a physician.
It is also necessary to get vaccinated against some of the viral infections including Hepatitis (A and B), influenza, pneumonia.
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