Archive for October, 2011
Gallbladder Problems Common In Celiac Disease May Be Missed By Doctors Because Of Normal Tests
Posted by admin in Gallbladder on October 27, 2011
Gallbladder disease is a common condition typically affecting young and otherwise healthy individuals. Risk factors include obesity, diabetes, female gender, pregnancy, family history, rapid weight loss, liquid protein diets, and race or ethnic background. When typical symptoms of right sided upper abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and bloating occur within 15-90 minutes of eating, especially a fatty meal, gallstones are usually suspected. Ultrasound of the gallbladder is the first test ordered and will confirm the presence or absence of gallstones. If gallstones are confirmed then surgical removal of the gallbladder is recommended.
However, if the ultrasound is negative or normal and gallbladder disease is still suspected a nuclear test called biliary scintography or more commonly called HIDA scan is ordered. The basis of this test is the fact that a radiolabeled chemical is administered intravenously that is concentrated in the liver where bile is made before being stored in the gallbladder between meals. If the gallbladder is diseased it may fail to be seen on the scan due to blockage or fail to empty as expected when a hormone called cholecystokinin (CCK) is given intravenously. CCK is present in the body and released with meals to stimulate gallbladder emptying of bile into the intestine for digestion. Typically, the gallbladder will empty a third or more of its volume when CCK is given during a HIDA scan but usually not more than 70-80%. The fraction of volume the gallbladder empties is referred to as the ejection fraction. A low ejection fraction is typical of a diseased gallbladder. Reproduction of the typical pain of gallbladder disease and a low ejection fraction are considered diagnostic of gallbladder disease in the absence of gallstones and results in a recommendation that the gallbladder be removed surgically. Read the rest of this entry »
Diabetes and Menopause
You might be thinking what is the connection between diabetes and the menopause? Well, for ladies reaching that certain age, it can be very traumic. Menopause is not necessarily a negative experience. It is sometimes called a “change of life” as there are a lot of changes going on in a woman’s body, both as menopause approaches and afterwards.
The menopause marks an important transition into the last third of a woman’s life. It gives the woman and her health professionals an opportunity to review health risks, plan preventive activities, and establish monitoring strategies. This is especially important in women with diabetes because of the compounding menopausal cardiovascular risk and those associated with diabetes. The importance of the menopause is often not appreciated by women with diabetes, nor by their health professionals, and opportunities to avoid future problems may be missed.
Menopause is a natural process that women go through as the child-bearing years come to an end and the ovaries cease to release eggs every month. Menopause is usually defined as the point when periods stop. Menopause is not an event, but a slow process, often lasting up to 10 years. It starts during the age of 40s (sometime late 30s) and the average age for most women to have their last period is 51, where the female sex hormones hormones, estrogen and progesterone, begin to decline. Read the rest of this entry »
Your Summer Body Detox Menu
Summer is here and its time for a summer detox to get your body feeling great. Help your body clear waste, remove excess fluids and beat the heat by incorporating some delicious, detoxing foods into your summer diet. Here are some tips to get you started.
Fresh fruits and produce should be the basis of any body detox program. Fresh fruits are full of antioxidants and natural vitamin water to keep you feeling fresh and light. Antioxidants are known to help the body fight cancers so you get that extra natural immune boost, too.
Fresh vegetables contain natural minerals and other compounds to help you get your nutritional boost without all the extra calories. Celery is one of the best to beat the heat with. It is an all around body detoxifier that is high in Vitamin C and a compound called phthalides, which research shows helps lower blood pressure and even reduces stress hormones. The natural balance of sodium and potassium also help regulate fluid balance and stimulate urine production, which helps your body eliminate excess fluids. Read the rest of this entry »