Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the most common gastro-intestinal problems faced by many people. This condition involves changes in frequency or form of bowel movements and lower abdominal pain. Diet, stress, poor sleep and changes in gut bacteria may all trigger symptoms. However, triggers are different for each person, making it difficult to name specific foods or stressors that everyone with the disorder should avoid. This article will discuss the most common symptoms of IBS and what to do if you suspect you have it. Let us look at the most common symptoms:
Pain and Cramping
Abdominal pain is the most common symptom and a key factor in diagnosis.Normally, your gut and brain work together to control digestion. This happens via hormones, nerves and signals released by the good bacteria that live in your gut.
In IBS, these cooperative signals become distorted, leading to uncoordinated and painful tension in the muscles of the digestive tract. This pain usually occurs in the lower abdomen or the entire abdomen but is less likely to be in the upper abdomen alone. Pain typically decreases following a bowel movement ÂÂ
Diarrhea
Diarrhea-predominant IBS is one of the three main types of the disorder. It affects roughly one-third of patients with IBS. Accelerated bowel transit in IBS can also result in a sudden, immediate urge to have a bowel movement. Some patients describe this as a significant source of stress, even avoiding some social situations for fear of a sudden onset of diarrhea.
Additionally, stool in the diarrhea-predominant type tends to be loose and watery and may contain mucus.
Constipation
Although it seems counterintuitive, IBS can cause constipation as well as diarrhea. Constipation-predominant IBS is the most common type, affecting nearly 50% of people with IBS. Altered communication between the brain and bowel may speed up or slow down the normal transit time of stool. When transit time slows, the bowel absorbs more water from stool, and it becomes more difficult to pass.
Constipation is defined as having fewer than three bowel movements per week. “Functional†constipation describes chronic constipation not explained by another disease. It is not related to IBS and is very common. Functional constipation differs from IBS in that it is generally not painful.
In contrast, constipation in IBS includes abdominal pain that eases with bowel movements. Constipation in IBS also often causes a sensation of an incomplete bowel movement. This leads to unnecessary straining.
Incomplete Bowel Movement
Slow-moving stool in the intestine often becomes dehydrated as the intestine absorbs water. In turn, this creates hard stool, which can exacerbate symptoms of constipation. Prompt movement of stool through the intestine leaves little time for absorption of water and results in the loose stools characteristic of diarrhea.
IBS can also cause mucus to accumulate in stool, which is not usually associated with other causes of constipation. Blood in stool may be a sign of another, potentially serious medical condition and deserves a visit to your doctor. Blood in stool may appear red but often appears very dark or black with a tarry consistency.
What is NAFLD?
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common type of chronic liver disease, affecting up to 25% of the general population and becoming a major health concern in both adults and children. NAFLD encompasses the entire spectrum of fatty liver disease in individuals without significant alcohol consumption, ranging from nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and cirrhosis. NASH is a manifestation of the metabolic syndrome and hepatic disorders with the presence of steatosis, hepatocyte injury (ballooning), inflammation, and, in some patients, progressive fibrosis leading to cirrhosis. The pathogenesis of NASH is a complex process and implicates cell interactions between liver parenchymal and nonparenchymal cells as well as crosstalk between various immune cell populations in liver. Lipotoxicity appears to be the central driver of hepatic cellular injury via oxidative stress and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. This review focuses on the contributions of hepatocytes and nonparenchymal cells to NASH, assessing their potential applications to the development of novel therapeutic agents. Currently, there are limited pharmacological treatments for NASH; therefore, an increased understanding of NASH pathogenesis is pertinent to improve disease interventions in the future.
Pathogenesis of NAFLD
The pathogenesis of NASH is not yet entirely understood and the mechanism leading to NASH appears multifactorial. A recent retrospective restudy using liver biopsies from patients with NAFL or NASH suggests that rather than being distinct entities NAFL and NASH represent different stages in the progression of NAFLD. Hepatocyte damage is an important factor that drives NAFLD progression. In the initial phase, hepatocyte damage triggers the release of damage-associated molecular pattern molecules (DAMPs) into the microenvironment, which stimulates macrophage activation. This process is influenced by both direct metabolic effects in the liver, such as excessive oxidative stress driven by lipotoxic metabolites, as well as indirect effects coming from the other tissues such as inflammatory initiators released by adipose tissue, the intestine, and the immune system. As a result of these complicated effects, there have been multiple hypotheses describing the pathogenesis of NASH, such as the “two hits,†“three hits,†and “multiple hits†hypotheses.
What is NASH?
Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is liver inflammation and damage caused by a buildup of fat in the liver. It is part of a group of conditions called nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. You may be told you have a "fatty liver." Many people have a buildup of fat in the liver, and for most people it causes no symptoms and no problems. But in some people, the fat causes inflammation and damages cells in the liver. Because of the damage, the liver doesn't work as well as it should.
NASH can get worse and cause scarring of the liver, which leads to cirrhosis. But the disease doesn't always get worse.
NASH is similar to the kind of liver disease that is caused by long-term, heavy drinking. But NASH occurs in people who don't abuse alcohol.
What is the difference between Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes?
Type 1 Diabetes is a condition where the Pancreas fails to produce Insulin. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas which helps in transportation of blood glucose into the cells of the body for utilization. Type 1 Diabetes is an auto-immune disorder, where the body’s own immune system attacks and destroys the Insulin producing cells of the Pancreas. Therefore very little or no insulin is produced. Therefore Type 1 Diabetes is also called Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (because the Pancreas does not produce insulin) or Juvenile Diabetes (because the onset of this condition is during the adolescence).
Now let us know what is Type 2 Diabetes. Type 2 Diabetes is a condition, when the β cells of the pancreas gets progressively damaged and hence the insulin production of Pancreas goes down. Simultaneously the insulin receptors of the cells of the body changes its structure such that, although there is insulin in the blood, but it cannot transport the glucose from the blood into the cells. This is called Insulin Resistance. Therefore the blood glucose levels are elevated which is called hyperglycemia. Since in such cases, when the Pancreas secretes Insulin, but it cannot transport the glucose into the cells. In response, the Pancreas try to produce more Insulin, thinking that due to lack of Insulin, the cells of the body are not getting sufficient glucose. Therefore we see a condition, when there is excess glucose in blood (hyperglycemia) and excess insulin in the blood also (Hyperinsulinemia). So we learn that, in Type 2 Diabetes, there is a condition called Insulin Resistance along with the ability of the Pancreas to produce less Insulin.
What are the Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes?
The symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes are:-
If you are feeling any one more symptoms, you should consider getting your blood sugar levels checked. The two most common type of blood sugar tests are
Both the tests have one major drawback- It provides the blood sugar levels at the current status and therefore prone to fluctuation. Therefore to get a more accurate and a holistic level of the blood glucose, it is advised to conduct a HbA1C test.
What is HbA1C Test?
HbA1C stands for Glycosylated Hemoglobin- An HbA1C Test records a 3 months average data of the glucose levels of the body and hence provides a holistic data on the overall Glucose levels. HbA1C measures the amount of blood sugar (glucose) attached to hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is the part of your red blood cells that carries oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body. An HbA1c test shows what the average amount of glucose attached to hemoglobin has been over the past three months. Mentioned below are the levels of HbA1C and how the data is interpreted:-
We know that SAN (Sino Atrial Node) and AVN (Atrio Ventricular Node) are the natural pacemakers of the heart that maintains the rhythm of the heart. But in some patients, the impulses from the SAN become inconsistent or weak resulting in irregular heartbeats. For that purpose, a Pacemaker needs to implanted into the patient that can provide the necessary electrical impulse to the heart to beat normally.
Let us know understand the different types of Pacemakers and how they function:
Single Chamber Pacemaker: These types of pacemakers have only one lead in them. This lead is inserted into the right ventricle
Double Chamber Pacemaker: Here there are two leads. One lead is present at the Right Ventricle. The second lead is inserted into the Right Atrium. This actually mimics the actual signaling system from the natural pacemaker of the heart.
Biventricular Pacemaker: This Pacemaker has 3 leads. One lead is in the Right Ventricle, Second lead in the Right Atrium and the Third Lead is inserted into the Left Ventricle. Therefore the name Biventricular Pacemaker as it is pacing both the ventricles. This is required in those patients whose right and left ventricles fail to contract simultaneously. This happens if there is a Left Bundle Branch block. Therefore for such kind of patients, a Biventricular Pacemaker is used. A Biventricular Pacemaker is also called as CRT-P (Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Pacemaker).
ICD (Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator): An implantable defibrillator is designed to monitor the heart rhythm 24 hours a day. If the heart is beating too fast or irregularly, the device will first send small painless electrical signals to correct your heart rate. If the fast heart rate continues, the defibrillator will deliver a shock to restore your heart to a normal rate. ICDs can have One lead-into the Right Ventricle, Two Leads-Right Ventricle and Right Atrium or 3 Leads. So essentially, ICDs along with pacing the heart is also capable of delivering a shock (defibrillation) if there is ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation
CRT-D (Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Defibrillator): This is nothing but an ICD with three leads. The third lead is inserted into the Left Ventricle ( same as we saw in CRT-P), but unlike CRT-P, if the heart rate rises abruptly to more than 180 beats per minute, then it will attempt an ATP (Anti-tachycardia pacing). But if still, the heart rate further increases to greater than 240 beats, this condition is called Ventricular Fibrilation which is a life threatening condition and there it delivers a shock which lasts for few milliseconds which can be felt by the patient. This brings back the rhythm of the heart.
An Overview: Polycystic ovarian syndrome is a condition that causes infrequent or prolonged menstrual periods which is very common among women of their reproductive age. Women with PCOD may have excess male hormone (androgen level) The ovaries may develop innumerable follicle that fails regularly release egg.
There are 4 types of PCOD subsequently as follows,
Insulin resistance, Adrenal PCOS, Post pill PCOS, Inflammatory PCOS.
A guide to PCOD, Causes: Usually the symptoms of PCOS are developing during puberty but it will develop later, you need to consult with the doctor when symptoms occur below,
1. Period with abnormalities, Irregular and infrequent menstrual cycles are one of most common symptoms of PCOD. If you have less than 9 periods in a year or heavy periodic cycle that is more than 35 days, doctor consultation is mandatory.
2.Polycystic ovaries, in this situation ovaries might get enlarged resulting ovarian function has become improper.
3. Increment in Androgen, increased levels of androgen resulting physical appearances such as, excess body and facial hair or severe acne problems.
Other symptoms like high blood pressure, sleep disorder, skin allergies, infertility, acne, pelvic pain, dandruff, depression and so on.
What are the common symptoms of PCOD?
Missed or irregular periods or very light period.
Ovaries has become very large possess many cysts like appearance.
Weight gain especially around the abdominal area.
Sometimes infertility, acne prone or oily skin.
Excessive body hair including stomach, chest and hirsutism. ÂÂ
Diagnosis and treatment of polycystic ovarian syndrome
PCOD is not curable completely. Apart from the treatment methodologies, lifestyle changes like weight loss, birth control can decrease the chances of PCOD. Multidisciplinary approach should be needed which is involves the gynecologists, dietitians, dermatologist, endocrinologists and infertility expert. 5% reduction of weight can help a lot in treating the disease. PCOD patients must maintain healthy diet along with exercise. The diet should be sugar and carbohydrate free, where as high protein and high fiber is good enough for PCOD patients. Rest of the treatments can be based on,
1. roper medications to treat insulin resistance and balanced hormone to correct menstrual phase.
2. Skin treatments is mandatory for face hair, acne and pigmentation.
3. Fertility drugs are administered to the patients who are infertile.
4. Some oral medicines and injections are important for egg rupturing and ovulation.
5. However, second line therapy is needed for laparoscopic surgery or ovarian drilling.
What is sore throat?
Sore throat is a painful, scratchiness or irritation of the throat which is occur with or with out swallowing which is often accompanied with pharyngitis, cough and cold. Most of the sore throats are not serious as well but severe symptoms can make someone difficult to breathe.
A study revealed that most common cause of sore throat is caused by viral infection such as cough and cold along with flu. A sore throat caused by virus which is resolved buy its own whereas strep throat (streptococcal infection) less common type of infection which is caused by bacteria, hence required treatment with antibiotics.
What is bacterial tonsilitis?
Tonsilitis is an inflammation of tonsils which is usually caused by bacterial infection. Tonsilitis is a condition in children, teen agers and young adults and the symptoms includes sore throat and pain.
The most common bacterium which is the cause of tonsilitis is streptococcus pyogenes, others species are includes Staphylococcus aureus, Chlamydia pneumoniae.
What are possible complications occurred of untreated bacterial tonsilitis?
Untreated or incompletely treated tonsilitis can lead to life threatening complications among the human individuals. Acute oropharyngeal infections can extend distally to the deep neck region and then towards mediastinum. Rheumatic fever may develop after strep throat if that are not treated properly. Bacteria commonly known as group A streptococcus which is the main cause of rheumatic or scarlet fever.
Rheumatic fever commonly known as inflammatory condition which is occurred after tonsilitis caused by group A Streptococcus. This kind of fever commonly affects joints, guts and heart. It usually takes about 1 to 5 weeks after strep throat for rheumatic fever to develop. Rheumatic fever is most common among the children aged 5 to 15 which can lead to permanent damage to the heart and heart failure in some cases.
Can tonsilitis caused vulvar heart disease?
The heart valve damage may start shortly after untreated or under treated streptococcal infection, hence the damaged heart valves can also lead to an irregular heartbeat. Lung problems may also develop because the blood starts building up there. This can resultant high blood pressure in the lungs or rebuild fluid substances with in the lung tissue.
However, there are so many people never realize that they have mild valve problem. Left untreated, advanced valve disease can cause heart failure, blood clots, stroke or death due to sudden cardiac arrest.
What Is Exclusive Breastfeeding?
Exclusive breastfeeding means that a baby is fed only breast milk for the first six months of his life, with no additional food or drinks. This is the best nourishment for the baby, who is not even given water.
Benefits of Exclusive Breastfeeding for Mother and Baby
The importance of exclusive breastfeeding can never be understated. It minimises the dangers of infections and diseases. Furthermore, it is also considered beneficial for the mother, too. Read on to understand the advantages of exclusive breastfeeding for a baby and his mother.
Scientific studies have revealed that the healthiest babies are those that have been exclusively breastfed.
For the first six months of a baby’s life, breast milk is all that a baby really needs.
Exclusive breastfeeding is one of the best ways to minimise the chances of a baby getting diarrhoea, allergies, pneumonia and suffering from malnutrition, the addition of any other food will considerably increase the risks of the same.
Diabetes Mellitus or Type II Diabetes or NIDDM (Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus) is the condition which exhibits hyperglycemia (a condition where there is excess blood sugar levels).
The reason of the high blood sugar can be attributed to either of the two or both conditions. First, the Pancreas does not produce sufficient Insulin. Insulin acts as a carrier of Glucose into the cells of the body. Therefore if there is insufficient insulin levels in the blood, it wont be able to transport the glucose from the blood into the cells of the body.
The food that we eat, is finally converted to energy in the form of glucose and it is the food for each and every cell. If the cells do not receive the sufficient amount of glucose, it will start to starve.
Another reason for hyperglycemia is that, the insulin receptors on the cells get damaged or the structure changes such that, even though there is sufficient insulin levels in the blood, it cannot help transport the glucose into the cells of the body. In this case, over a long period of time, the cells of the body pass messages to the pancreas to secrete more insulin because it feels that it is not getting the glucose supply because of lack of Insulin. Therefore in such conditions, there is an elevated level of Blood Glucose (Hyperglycemia) and also elevated levels of Blood Insulin (Hyperinsulinemia).
So now we got to know what causes Diabetes. Now let us look at the subtle signs and symptoms that the body gives while suffering from Diabetes and it is highly warranted that when you are suffering from one or more of these symptoms, you should immediately get your blood sugar levels checked.
As discussed before, in Diabetes, the Glucose from the blood does not reach the cells of the body. So when the cell is deprived of the food, what will happen, it will get weak. Therefore the early symptoms of diabetes is unexplained weight loss and also chronic fatigue. You may get tired very soon and always feel like taking a short nap or sleep.
The other symptoms include,
Polyuria (you will have frequent urge of urination).
Polydipsia (frequent Thirst)
Polyphagia (Too much hunger)
Wound will take a longer time to heal. Generally small cuts and bruises will also take much longer time than usual to heal. This is a warning sign of elevated blood sugar levels.
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