Consultant is first in county to use new method for treating gallstones

4:00pm Tuesday 10th April 2012 in Bradford by Claire Lomax

a doctor in Bradford has become the first in Yorkshire to use a new technique to shatter gallstones in patients.

Gallstones are stones, usually made of cholesterol, that form in the gallbladder. in most cases they do not cause any symptoms. however, in a small number of cases, gallstones can become trapped in a duct, which leads to a range of symptoms, including a sudden intense pain in the abdomen, nausea and vomiting and jaundice.

Risk factors include obesity and age, with older people more likely to develop gallstones.

Women are also two to three times more likely to develop gallstones than men.

Traditionally, patients needing treatment for gallstones, many of them elderly, have faced major surgery and hospital stays of up to ten days, or frequent visits to hospital for treatment to put in stents.

Health bosses in Bradford have now invested £50,000 in new equipment called SpyGlass from a company called Boston Scientific.

it consists of a baby endoscope – a tiny flexible tube and eye piece to see inside the body – which can pass up a standard endoscope and into the bile duct to directly visualise abnormalities.

tiny forceps can then be used by the doctor to take a biopsy, to aid diagnosis and management of disease or a lithotripter – a device which emits electrohydraulic shock waves – can pass up the baby scope to shatter gallstones.

it will be used on patients who have stones which can’t be removed surgically or using standard endoscopic techniques.

Dr Conrad Beckett, a consultant gastroenterologist at Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, was the first to use SpyGlass, making Bradford one of only eight other centres in the country carrying out the procedure.

Dr Beckett, who has 18 years experience, trained in the technique in Aintree, Liverpool.

he said: “It is a procedure which is lower risk for the patient and can be done as a day case. it takes about an hour-and-a-half for a big stone and because it is not comfortable for the patient it is done under general anaesthetic.

“The first procedure went very well and we crushed a big stone nicely. hopefully the patient won’t have to come back again.

“We are talking about doing a couple of cases a months and will start with the backlog of our own patients and will then be happy to take referrals from across Yorkshire.”

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Did you know that you were pregnant fairly early on after you conceived? You know — before the whole achy boobs, insane nausea, and extreme fatigue set in? I did.

About four or five days after I got pregnant with my son, I completely had a meltdown because my husband picked up barbecue take-out for dinner on his way home from work and forgot the potato salad.

Who freaks out over a picnic food? I knew that something just wasn’t quite right with me — and a positive pregnancy test confirmed my suspicions.

I’m definitely not the only woman who ever lashed out over something fairly stupid during pregnancy, and odd mood swings are a symptom that many women experience. however, there are a few things that can occur during pregnancy that are a bit more unexpected!

1. Making donkey noises. Can you even imagine waking up one day and getting out of bed only to realize that you suddenly sound like a farm animal? because it happened to an 18-year old pregnant girl in the UK named Cody Hagel, whostarted making donkey noises shortly after she conceived. Cody wasn’t quite as shocked as most people would be at the whole donkey thing because she’d already been suffering from Tourette’s syndrome since she was 14-years old. Apparently pregnancy can trigger new forms of “tics” in Tourette’s sufferers, and since she lives on a farm where there are donkeys, she thinks that is why she picked up the noises. She’s taking her new sounds with a grain of salt, and her light-hearted attitude on her condition is incredibly refreshing. She’s wise beyond her years, that’s for sure!

2. changes to your voice. it may not be quite as quirky as sounding like a donkey, but Julia Roberts had changes to her voice while pregnant. she wound up talking, and even laughing, at a lower tone than normal. how weird is it that this “Pretty Woman” wound up sounding more like a man? of course, a lot of men find the whole husky voice thing pretty sexy.

3. Bizarre pregnancy cravings. have you heard about those women who crave really strange foods while they are pregnant — like soil? Britney Spears supposedly had a hankering for dirt while she was expecting. but perhaps the oddest part of this pregnancy symptom is the fact that we aren’t really all that shocked by it. C’mon — would your jaw really drop to the floor if you saw Brit reach down and grab a handful of soil and stick it in her mouth? I didn’t think so.

4. Excessive farting. Another embarrassing symptom that some of us don’t want to admit having? Lots and lots of gas. sometimes it’s just impossible to suck ‘em in while you’re pregnant. but I guess it’s better to just laugh about gas the way Jessica Simpson did instead of getting all bent out of shape about it.

5. Increased foot size. Many women find themselves needing to go out and buy new shoes while they are pregnant. in fact, some women may even go up as much as a size-and-a-half! Sometimes foot size goes back to normal, and sometimes it doesn’t. but then again, do us gals ever really need a good excuse to go shoe shopping?

Are you experiencing anything unusual or that you did not expect while pregnant?

Image via o5com/Flickr

Health officials confirm one case of norovirus By Tram Whitehurst, Jackson Hole, Wyoming January 2, 2012

Teton County public health officials have confirmed one case of norovirus and suspect other people who have reported symptoms may also have the illness.Although several samples have yet to come back from the state lab, the fact that at least one case has been con-firmed means others are likely positive as well, Terri Gregory, Teton County Public Health manager, said.“we continue to have people call in reporting symptoms,” she said. “It’s pretty widespread at this point.”Norovirus, or “stomach flu,” is spread through contaminated foods or surfaces. Symptoms — including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach cramps — generally last one to two days.Health officials urge residents to frequently wash their hands, disinfect surfaces and stay home from work or school if they are sick. If the virus is not kept in check, Gregory said, it could last all winter.This is the first winter during which county health officials have investigated the presence of norovirus. Traditionally, it has been a summer illness, hitting the county particularly hard last summer.Gregory said she thinks increased awareness of the virus could be the reason why people are reporting symptoms this winter. “I’m beginning to think it’s a year-round illness, but it just flares up during busy times, like summer and Thanksgiving and Christmas,” she said.on the bright side, Gregory said the number of influenza cases in the county is still low, though influenza season typically doesn’t hit until January and February.“It would be miserable to have them both,” Gregory said of norovirus and the flu.Although the influenza vaccine does not protect against norovirus, health officials urge residents to get their flu shot.for information, contact Teton County Public Health at 733-6401.

our doctor explains the symptoms and treatment of appendicitis. Picture: Supplied. Source: Supplied

DR Cindy Pan explains the symptoms and treatment of this common but painful condition.

Question: How do you know if you have appendicitis? what is it and how is it treated?

Answer: Appendicitis, which means inflammation of the appendix, is the most common cause of acute abdominal pain.Typical symptoms include abdominal pain (commonly starting around the middle of the abdomen before moving to the right lower abdomen), poor appetite, nausea or vomiting and fever. It may be tender and sore when the doctor presses over the abdomen in the right lower region and there may be rebound pain when the doctor lets go after pressing deeply in this area. In some cases your abdomen may be quite rigid; the doctor will be unable to press deeply because your abdominal muscles are so tense. This can indicate that the appendix has burst and peritonitis (inflammation of the inner lining of the abdomen) has developed.the doctor may do blood tests to confirm the diagnosis of appendicitis. other tests which may be employed include CT scans and ultrasound.there are other conditions that can cause similar symptoms, such as ectopic pregnancy, severe menstrual cramps, pelvic inflammatory disease in women, gastroenteritis, urinary tract infection, diverticulitis, pancreatitis and other conditions. by listening to your symptoms, examining you physically and ordering appropriate tests, your doctor can assess the likelihood of appendicitis and, if necessary, send you to hospital for further assessment. If needed, immediate surgery may be performed to remove the appendix.  the surgery can be performed via a laparoscope (using tiny instruments attached to a narrow flexible microscope, also known as keyhole surgery) or through an incision in the abdominal wall. Your doctor will talk to you about which approach is best for you. after the surgery your recovery time can vary from days to weeks, depending on whether the appendix ruptured and whether there were any other complications. while appendicitis is extremely common, it is not a condition to be taken lightly, since if left untreated, the appendix may rupture, leading to abscess formation, peritonitis and even death.

Got a question for Dr Cindy Pan? Visit bodyandsoul.com.au/askourexperts

I took a home pregnancy test yesterday because it was the fifth day of my missed period. my test came out positive but I started my period very light like but still there. I've been having pregnancy symptoms like crazy. Swore boobs food craving nausea swollen fingers irration stuff like that I took another test this morning and it said negative. Could I be pregnant or not? is it possible?

It's implantation bleeding if anything. But, some woman like the other person stated can have light spotting during their pregnancy, but tell the doc you got a + pregnancy test and have spotting.

That was not your period. You are indeed pregnant. Spotting is normal many women mistake it for a period. Once you got a positive it means your pregnant.

take a blood test

2 days ago I woke up feeling exhausted. in the afternoon I decided to lie down for a bit, and then realized that I had a fever. my fever continued to go up until it reached 103 degrees f. The next day, I continued to have a fever though it wasn't as high. my stomach felt increasingly nautious and i began getting these burning sensations. It felt like my insides were stinging and burning. It happens on my back, neck, stomach, and chest. It happens once every 20-30 minutes and lasts only 10-15 seconds but is extremely painful and uncomfortable. its been 3 days and the fever is now gone but the burning contiunes. I am on vacation in India (I live in California) where it is hot, but not THAT hot. I don't spend a huge amount of time in direct sunlight and whenever we are indoors the fans are on. this is why I am unsure if it is heat exhaustion or something else. does anyone have any idea what this is?

Some symptoms of heat exhaustion are sweating, weakness, nausea, vomiting, headache, lightheadedness, and muscle cramps. There are many different types of heat diseases which are similar however are called differently because of the seriousness. I find the best way to fix anything is lots of sleep.

Is this normal right before period?
What does it mean to wake up and your feet are hot?
Woke up early in the morning today with burning in my feet. Also had some accompanying anxiety, discomfort in chest, nausea, impending doom. I have been taking Lorazepam intermittently for anxiety. anybody else experience this? going to see doc and I may just go off this medicine if it might be causing me problems. Also, experiencing some stomach pain and chills. I am 48 and may be perimenopausal on top of everything.

I heard from some people and websites that Crohn's Disease symptoms can/may be eased through Marijuana use.
Is this true?
I mean, can anyone on here tell me if they do better smoking pot?

A bill legalizing medical marijuana may be passed in NJ soon and i would like it to because if marijuana eases my pain and nausea, i want it as medicine.

To Shannon W….smoking is known to WORSEN Crohn's, but interestingly, seems to have a protective benefit in ulcerative colitis (similar to Crohn's disease but known to only affect the colon). I'm not sure if it's from the smoke itself or the nicotine and other stuff in cigarettes, or both, but I just know that anyone with Crohn's is encouraged to AVOID smoking. and yes, smoking is bad for you anyway, so it's dumb to smoke just in hopes it will keep ulcerative colitis in remission or at bay.

I have mixed feelings on marijuana being legal. I definitely think it should be legal for medical use, but I'm not sure about it being legal for general use. Of course it's safer than other illegal drugs overall, but it doesn't mean it's good in every way. I don't know if the smoke from marijuana could worsen Crohn's or UC, but it sure seems to have good medical benefits for people with cancer, let alone someone with Crohn's or UC who might have pain and/or nausea.

I'm Christian too so that plays a role in how I feel about using drugs to get high on and deal with things, even if it's a legal drug. and I know you asked about using weed for medical use, but I figured I'd mention this anyway. I didn't know marijuana has been decriminalized in MA, but that's cool if so, especially for people who could really benefit from it medically. Even though a lot is known about it, I still think it should be studied more for medical use. I'm sure if it becomes legal in more places, that might be what happens eventually. but even if it's legal in a state, the federal govt. can override things and shut down places that sell marijuana for medical use, or stop doctors from giving it I'm pretty sure. but hopefully that happens less and less, since a lot of people want it for valid medical reasons, and not just to get high.

I have Crohn's and although I have never heard of marijuana helping, (well, I am sure it would with the nausea) I have heard that just plain old smoking can help. I have had 2 doctor's tell me that back in the 50's & 60's smoking cigarettes was regularlly suggested to people with stomach and bowel issues. although, now the risk of other diseases and cancers far outways the solution.

Now, I can see the positive side of using marijuana for pain management, cramping and nausea, but when I am going through a flare up, eating is the last thing I want to do. the more I eat, the more pain I get, so what would the muchies do? Maybe make the problem worse? or perhaps if there is no pain, you could eat?

Here is a link I found to the Cannabis Coalition of Crohn's & Colitis:

Cholera is one of the most contagious, water born diseases caused by the bacterium vibrio cholerae. It enters the small intestine of a human through contaminated food and water. if the disease is not treated properly, it can turn-out to be fatal. The bacterium absorbs water from the small intestine resulting in great loss of fluids from the body in a short period of time.

Improved sanitation and hygienic conditoins are required to control the spread of such contagious diseases.  In severe cases this disease causes diarrhea and violent purging. Drinking sterilized water and eating fresh and healthy foods can keep us away from the cholera infection and other dreadful diseases.

How to identify cholera?

One of the most important symptoms of cholera is diarrhea. In severe cases violent purging can be noticed in the infected person. Loose and watery stools are another most important symptoms of cholera. In early stages of infection nausea and vomiting can be seen in the patient. due to loss of water, patient feels very thirsty and restless.  Body temperature may rise along with decrease in pulse rate. due to sluggish circulation, skin may turn dry and wrinkled. In some case, skin may turn slightly purplish in color.

Causes of cholera

Main cause for the cholera infection is a bacterium namely vibrio cholerae. another important cause for cholera is contaminated food and water which acts as the carriers of the bacterium into the body.

Home remedies

Lemon juice is one of the simplest home remedies for cholera as it can arrest the bacteria responsible for the spread of disease. Lemon juice can be consumed with sugar or salt along with medications. Orange juice can be also taken instead of lemon juice as these citrus fruit juices can kill bacilli causing cholera infection.

Guava root being rich in tannins can effectively reduce symptoms of cholera like vomiting and diarrhea. thirty grams of guava root bark can be boiled in water for half an hour and this decoction can be taken twice in a day. Onion is an important home remedy for cholera as it can help to reduce some of  its symptoms. thirty grams of onion with seven black peppers can be pounded and can be taken twice or thrice a day for better results.

Fresh juice of bitter guard can be given to the patient twice a day during the early stages of infection. This can be either taken alone or with two teaspoons of white onion juice twice a day for curing the diseases before they become serious. Drumstick leaves are a very valuable in the treatment of cholera. a concoction prepared by mixing one teaspoon of fresh drumstick leaf juice with half a tablespoon of honey in, 2 cups of tender coconut water can be taken twice a day for curing cholera at a faster rate.

Drinking a decoction made from basil leaves several times a day is an effective home remedy for the disease. Cucumber leaves as well as cucumber is used in curing cholera as it can decrease thirst feelings in the patient. one glass of fresh cucumber leaf juice with an equal amount of tender coconut water can be given in doses of 30-60 ml a day for better results.

Nutmeg is an important remedy for dehydration caused during the cholera infection. half a nutmeg mixed in half liter of water and half liter of coconut tender water can be given in a dose of 15 ml a day for treating cholera. Cloves are very valuable in the treatment of cholera. about three grams of cloves can be boiled in three liters of water for half an hour. The prepared mixture can be given to the patient several times a day for rapid recovery from the disease.

Powdered root of chaff is another important home remedy for cholera. Six grams of this powder can be boiled in one liter of water and the prepared solution can be taken once in a day for curing cholera. a solution of 4 heaped teaspoon of sugar or honey and half teaspoon of salt in water can be taken several times a day for reducing fluid loss from the body due to infection.

Taking a glass of buttermilk with one teaspoon of cumin seeds added in it is helpful in curing cholera infection. This can be given to the patient once in a day for better results. a bowl of rice water can be given to the patient as a home remedy for cholera infection as drinking rice water is best for diarrhea which is one of the main symptoms of the disease.

Dos and do not’s

Solid food items should be avoided and instead liquid food can be given to the patients. Uncooked vegetables should be also avoided unless making sure that they are well cleaned and fresh. Lemon juice and orange juice can be given daily for rapid cure. Onion and mint can be included in the diet in liquid form.

Ice cubes in drinks should be avoided unless made sure than ice cubes are prepared from sterilized water. Water should be sterilized or boiled before drinking. Ice creams from an unhygienic condition should be strictly avoided. Shellfishes and raw fishes should not be taken as they can be the main source for the bacteria causing cholera.

Foods should be prepared at a hygienic place and should be handled properly. Food items should not be kept open or allowed to stand at the room temperature for several hours as this can increase the chance of microbial growth.

Conclusion

Food items sold at the street in an unhygienic condition should be avoided. Patients should be provided with light food items in order to reduce pressure on the infected intestine on digestion. Patients should be given medical care immediately as this disease is a fatal one, that causes rapid fluid loss from the body. Keeping body hydrated is the best method to cure cholera. The above mentioned tips and remedies can be followed for best results along with proper medication and care of the patient.

I know but i am not telling onless you give me 10 points

Yellowing of the eyes and skin.

Warning signs of liver damage include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, fatigue, loss of appetite, dark urine, and yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes.

turning yellow?… but that's hepatitis, common liver failure