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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Can anyone relate to this? I have many of the classic symptoms of hypothyroidism but I don't have low thyroid. I just got the call that my blood test showed normal. I have been living with these awful symptoms for two years now, what do I do now?

I would suggest a cleansing diet. I did this and lost 11 pounds and 16 inches in 9 days. I like the program since it works by giving your body nutrition through protein shakes with digestive enzymes and vitamins and then cleansing out the toxins. We get toxins in our bodies from pesticides, preservatives, water, pollution, medications, food additives etc…. these toxins enter our bodies and get coated with fat. To remove the extra fat, we need to get rid of the toxins through cleansing. The program also has a natural diet pill to help your metabolism and curb cravings. It works and it works fast. I lost 30 pounds in 5 weeks and I feel great. my skin has improved as well from the cleansing. You can get more info at this toll free number 1-877-587-4647. I think cleansing is really important to health and weight loss. give it a try and good luck!

My friend had this problem and she actually went to a thyroid specialist and got the problem fixed!! I recommend looking one up!!

hypothyroidism mimics obesity and depression.those things need to be taken care of.improve ur lifestyle.

It means that your thyroid is not always functioning properly, and that it is eventually not going to be functioning. Continue to go back to your doctor every 3-6 months an request further blood tests

I had the symptoms also but my test was normal,turns out I have poly-cystic ovarian syndrome(pcos) ask your Dr to refer you to a Gynecologist just to be checked.

they should recheck it again, and again. i had the same thing happen, and had a test that came back normal, then one that was abnormal, then another abnormal, then again a normal one. so….sometimes, things are out of whack one day and not another.

Some of the symptoms of hypothyroidism are puffiness, fatigue, hair loss, water retention (hands and feet), memory loss, fibromyalgia.

Without getting too clinical, if your TSH is normal, I would suggest having your hormone levels checked. Fluctuations hormones also manifest similar symptoms. Other endocrine problems should be ruled out, as well. a battery of tests including lymphoma is also performed routinely nowadays, so I suggest having that done.

I am not sure your age group, but it is highly likely that your condition is benign. sometimes, depression, stress, anxiety may cause some of the above smptoms.

Good luck and stay healthy.

You need to see an endocrinologist and be checked for Cushing's and PCOS – two diseases that can mimic the symptoms of hypothyroidism.

You also need to get the exact levels of your TSH. Some offices have different ranges for normal, and different people feel different at different ranges – for example, my mom had a TSH of 80 and felt only mildly lethargic, whereas some people might have a TSH of 4 and feel like they're going to die. You need to obtain those test results and get tested several more times.

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"it is always fatal canine pancreatitis?

"is there anything I can do to prevent this?"

"How can I treat my dog pancreatitis?

The answer to the first question is: "No, it is only fatal in its severe stages, and the answer to the second and the third is to understand what is the pancreas and what it does. do not worry, I'll do it all very understandable.

The pancreas is a small V-shaped organ that lies behindStomach and along the duodenom. The duodenom is essentially a short tube that carries food from the stomach to the small intestine. The pancreas is important because it produces digestive enzymes, chemicals that help break up food for digestion. The pancreas makes this chemical in the intestine tract, and this is essential for the breakdown and absorption of food.

Pancreatitis in dogs occurs when digestive enzymes areactivated, the loss of the pancreas, leading to inflammation. The more severe the infection, the more serious the condition.

What are the causes of canine pancreatitis? it causes including trauma and drugs are many. A short list of the main causes are:

Obesity a high fat diet Drug reactions Liver disease feeding your dog fatty acids remains Trauma

A short list of symptomsincludes:

tender abdomen Anorexia Drainage yellow, oily stool Vomiting

well, if your dog acute pancreatitis, you may experience the following symptoms:

Heart rhythm disturbances Infection throughout the body extreme inflammation of other organs near the pancreas

In case of severe acute pancreatitis in a dog is also a condition known as disseminated intravascular coagulation. In a nutshell:this is characterized by an increase in white blood cells and blood coagulation system. In other words, the blood starts to coagulate throughout the body, and this coagulation is generally irreversible. As you can imagine, once this state shall keep, it is generally fatal.

The treatment generally consists of two main components:

In the dog food and water for 24 to 48 hours. Fluid therapy.

Take the dog food and water to stop the pancreasProduction of digestive enzymes to promote inflammation. The food is gradually after 24 to 48 hours, and food should be low fat, low protein content, are easy to digest food cake. Since dogs are often dehydrated with severe pancreatitis, electrolyte balance, dogs and intravenous fluids to restore hydration.

I think it's obvious that if pancreatitis is suspected dog in your dog to the vet immediately!

Canine Pancreatitis – Basic Tips on the symptoms, causes and treatment of pancreatitis in dogs

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Discover more about the indigestion symptoms

Article by Monte Sykes

When it comes to indigestion symptoms, they are most of the times related to our stomach and the one that will have them, will also experience burns on his esophagus, as the stomach’s sphincter will not be able to hold the acid in. this is something that those who have bad eating habits will experience mostly. The causes for acidity can be quite a few and they are obesity, eating fatty foods, certain dysfunctions of the digestive system, eating spicy foods and the exposure to a lot of heat and sun.

When it comes to the symptoms of acidity, they are very much similar to those of other disorders and if you want to be in for a complete diagnosis, then you will need to visit a doctor. Other symptoms number chest pain, nausea, loss of appetite, the frequent feeling of being hungry, the change of the voice because of the esophageal ulcers, chest inflammation, pain during muscular contractions, coughing, vomiting, and belching. if you want to be diagnosed the right way, you will need to undertake an X-Ray examination.

As such, if you will just do nothing about this, then you will get to experience grave esophageal burns, which will not only damage your internal organs severely, but you will also get to be in for voice loss. The ones that are over fifty years old will also suffer from atrophic gastritis. this will let them in on very severe stomach pains and it is mainly caused by the intrinsic factors (which usually have the parietal cells targeted by an autoimmune process) or by environmental factors.

As such, when it comes to the symptoms of this condition, they number stomach pain after eating and abdominal pain. Even though many people will think that this is something that will go way on its own, it will not and in the majority of the cases it can be pretty dangerous for the sufferer to leave it out in faith’s will.

To be on the safe side, mind what you are eating first. this has a major impact on your stomach’s acidity. The best solution though, if everything else fails in regards to curing the heartburn acid reflux symptoms in women, is surgery. The surgery is called Laparoscopic Anti Reflux surgery and it is deemed as the most effective solution for this disorder.

Never will you have to look back to your old days after you will have taken it. Practically, you will be as good as new.

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Is Fatty Liver Bible & Ezra Protocol by Debra Elkin works? first of all, you must know that Fatty Liver Bible & Ezra Protocol by Debra Elkin is a all natural, multidimensional, 5-step plan for reversing fatty liver and obesity. It makes use of the vast knowledge and experience of Mr Jacob Ezra and it is based on 27 years long research, trial and error and also proved by healing thousands of people worldwide.

Click here for Fatty Liver Bible & Ezra Protocol by Debra Elkin Instant Access Now!Fatty Liver Bible & Ezra Protocol by Debra Elkin is backed with over 50. 000 hours of nutritional expertise and most importantly focused on a groundbreaking research about actual cause of fatty liver (and I’m not talking about eating wrong). It’s also proved by over 250 case recovery studies officially submitted and approved as legit!!!most Importantly, the Ezra protocol is now socially proven in 22 countries.

Don’t forget to remember this, another problem with most programs is not the programs itself, it’s because of our indolence, so don’t you ever think that if you just buy without put work into it, you can live healthy. Honestly, I don’t think any course will work for you if you don’t put work into it.

Thousands of people worldwide have used Fatty Liver Bible & Ezra Protocol by Debra Elkin to permanently end the fatty liver once and for all. this system has proved itself to be priceless to many sufferers time and time again.

What can I honestly tell to you is, for me Fatty Liver Bible & Ezra Protocol by Debra Elkin is the best program that teach how to eradicate your fatty liver today.

Furthermore, for me Fatty Liver Bible & Ezra Protocol by Debra Elkinis not a scam because, the Fatty Liver Bible & Ezra Protocol website did promise a 60 days money back guarantee on your purchase. if for whatever reasons you do not see any value on the program, you can just ask for a full refund. I hope you don’t have to go there because if you really wanted to eradicate your fatty liver. Therefore, I think you should ready to give it a try.

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We hear it all the time … lose weight for your health. Few yet realize how far this is critical to their physical and ultimately their life expectancy.

In January 2003, the Journal of the American Medical Association presented a study finding that obesity appears to lessen life expectancy, especially among young adults. the study showed an obese white man 20 years old, (5’10 “) 178 cm and weight (288 lbs) 130 kg was estimated to lose 13 years of his life as a consequence of obesity.

It is now well research that a Western diet leading to obesity may actually act to stimulate the growth of cancer cells. it is never too late to improve your health through healthful eating and adopting a lifestyle that gives health. here are the simple steps to follow which can make an immediate improvement to your health and vitality.

1. Check if you are overweight or obese.

To find your BMI is necessary to divide the weight (measured in kilos) by height (in meters) squared. if the result is greater than 25 years, their health can be improved by weight loss.

2. Match your diet to your body’s needs.

If you eat and drink more calories than your body requires putting on weight. Learn to control calories and portion sizes, make recipes leaner, and eat infrequently from fast food restaurants. they also learn how to snack with healthful choices.

3. Color your diet with a variety of fruit, and cancer-fighting vegetables.there are seven different color ranges of both fruit and vegetables and by choosing between 5 to 9 daily serves from a wide range of fruits and vegetables, we are extending our consumption of cancer (and other disease) fighting nutrients.

4. Eat lean protein at every meal.Protein provides a powerful signal to the brain providing a longer sense of fullness. Adequate supply of protein is essential to control your hunger with fewer calories and necessary to maintain your lean muscle mass. Choices of protein should be flavored soy shakes with fruit, white meat chicken and turkey, seafood such as shrimps, prawns scallops and lobster and ocean fish or vegetarians may prefer soy substitutes for meat .

5. Speed ??up your metabolism with activity.if you want to enjoy a lifetime of well-being, exercise is a key ingredient. thirty minutes of activity every day that takes as much effort as brisk walking, is recommended for adults. Children should be active for an hour each day.

6. get support to ensure you develop a healthy eating plan and reach your ideal weight.

One study, “Effects of Internet behavioral counseling on weight loss in adults with type 2 diabetes risk,” shows that participants who had the support of weight loss coaching lost more weight than those who do not made. the study concluded that the support of a coach weight loss can significantly improve weight loss results.

Being overweight or obese has been identified next to smoking, as the principal avoidable risk of cancer development. even small weight losses have been shown to have beneficial health effects. So it’s never too late to start and never too young or too old to be concerned about their health and do something about achieving a healthier weight.

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Bone and joint pain is relatively common among obese people, but until a recent study by University of Utah pain management researchers, being seriously overweight had not been definitively linked to pain sensitivity and other symptoms of the chronic and sometimes debilitating pain disorder fibromyalgia.

In a study with 215 people, however, Akiko Okifuji, Ph.D., professor of anesthesiology at the U of U School of Medicine, and colleagues at the U of U Pain Research and Management Center and Department of Anesthesiology found that obese fibromyalgia patients are more sensitive to pain, experience more physical disabilities, and don’t sleep as well as those who have the syndrome but are not obese.

The findings don’t establish a causal relationship between obesity and fibromyalgia syndrome, but they indicate a significant correlation between the two, according to Okifuji, who also holds the Scott M Smith MD Presidential Endowed Chair in Anesthesiology.

“Our research raises questions about the link between obesity and fibromyalgia,” she says. “Carrying those extra pounds might contribute to maintaining or exacerbating pain symptoms or even preventing people from getting better.”

Fibromyalgia syndrome is a chronic, bodywide pain disorder of the musculoskeletal system that affects joints, muscles, and soft tissue and often is accompanied by fatigue, mood, sleep, and memory issues. It’s estimated that up to 5 percent of Americans, mostly women, have fibromyalgia. No underlying cause of the syndrome has been identified, but researchers believe it might be related to the way pain signals are processed in the brain. in many cases, symptoms build up for years, with no triggering event. however, for some people, symptoms begin after a physical trauma, infection, major psychological stress or surgery. 

Participants underwent a full fibromyalgia evaluation, including a tender point (TP) examination – which gauges pain sensitivity when an examiner uses a thumb to press 18 specific body points – physical performance testing, and a home sleep assessment.

Obese participants experienced significantly higher TP pain sensitivity (average rating of 5.92) than those of normal weight (average rating of 5.02) or who were somewhat overweight (average rating of 4.98). The obese group was particularly more sensitive to pain in the lower body, including the areas in the hips and knees.

The obese patients also showed reduced flexibility in the lower body, measured while they were lying on their backs and doing a straight leg raise.

In a home sleep assessment, participants wore a wristwatch-like device that measured sleep parameters for a week. Data showed the obese patients got an average of 41 minutes less sleep a night, were more restless and had a greater duration of waking time during sleep.

Overall, the study shows that obesity complicates the clinical picture for fibromyalgia, according to Okifuji. “I hope researchers now can begin to identify the mechanisms of how obesity influences fibromyalgia syndrome.”

Recent studies have shown that losing weight can alleviate symptoms of fibromyalgia. Okifuji and her colleagues suspect that the relationship between weight loss and symptom reduction is indirect and mediated by currently unknown factors. A psychologist by training, Okifuji counsels her fibromyalgia patients to undertake sensible physical activity to lose weight – a daunting task for those with chronic pain who are not used to much physical exertion.

“It’s difficult to change your lifestyle even if you are healthy, let alone being overweight, sedentary, and fatigued,” she says. “But shifting to a healthier lifestyle may be one way these patients can reduce their symptoms and improve their quality of life.”

The study appeared in the December issue of The Journal of Pain. Perry G. Fine, M.D., U professor of anesthesiology and president-elect of the American Academy of Pain Medicine is senior author. Gary W. Donaldson, Ph.D., U professor of anesthesiology, and Lynn Barck, a physical therapist with University of Utah Health Care, are co-authors Print PageEmail PageShareGet ReprintsTop of Page

One in eight women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime and the rate is rising, alarming figures show.

Scientists blame obesity, alcohol and the growing tendency to delay motherhood for record levels of the disease.

Up to 47,700 women are being diagnosed every year, equal to 130 a day. That is double the number 30 years ago.

Testing time: Almost 50,000 women are being diagnosed with breast cancer every year

Experts describe the figures as a ‘wake-up call’ and say thousands could avoid the disease if they drank less, maintained a healthy weight and took more exercise.

The rise has also been blamed on the fact that increasing numbers are delaying motherhood and consequently having fewer children. The figures show that there are now 124 cases per 100,000 women, twice as many as any other type of cancer.

Scientists believe some forms of breast cancer are triggered by the sex hormone oestrogen, which is linked to obesity, alcohol consumption, having fewer children and not breastfeeding.

They also blame hormone replacement therapy taken by millions every year to combat the symptoms of the menopause.

Figures from Cancer Research UK show that 47,700 women were diagnosed in 2008, compared to 42,400 in 1999 and just 24,120 in 1978.

Women are most at risk once they reach the menopause and 22,900 new cases – almost half – occur among those aged 50 to 69.

Doctors believe many tumours are caused by unhealthy lifestyles and are urging women to change their eating and drinking habits, particularly during the menopause.

Probable causes: Experts blame lifestyle choices such as alcohol and obesity, along with a growing wish to put off motherhood, for the spike in cancer rates

Research has found that obesity increases the risk of breast cancer after the menopause by up to 30 per cent. The overweight are also more likely to develop tumours.

Fat cells produce oestrogen and levels of this cancer-triggering hormone can be twice as high in obese women as those of a healthy weight.

Alcohol is also thought to raise the levels of oestrogen. Previous studies have shown that drinking even only one glass of wine a day can raise the risk of breast cancer by a fifth.

Women may also be increasing their risk by having fewer children, or none at all, because the levels of oestrogen decline during pregnancy. those who delay motherhood and consequently have fewer babies will be exposed to oestrogen for a higher proportion of their lives.

The risk is elevated further because breast-feeding has been shown to protect against the tumours as it lowers the level of oestrogen and other hormones.

Dr Kat Arney, from Cancer Research UK, said: ‘there are several lifestyle factors such as alcohol, weight and activity which increase the risk.

‘it is also linked to a woman’s reproductive history. If a woman starts having children earlier in life she is less at risk. A woman who does not start having children until her thirties will only have one, maybe two.’

She added that the popularity of HRT was also a factor and urged women to take it for as limited a time as possible.

Dr Rachel Greig, of Breakthrough Breast Cancer, said: ‘These figures are a wake-up call and should not be ignored.

‘more women are developing breast cancer and, although survival is improving thanks to breakthroughs in breast awareness, screening and treatment, we clearly have much further to go.

‘A two-pronged attack is needed – commitment to research into the causes of breast cancer, supported by women arming themselves with knowledge of the risks that may contribute to the disease.

‘Some risk factors, such as getting older, cannot be changed but the good news is that others can. by drinking less, maintaining a healthy weight and getting physically active, women can reduce their risk of developing breast cancer.’

A major study in 2009 said that more than 40 per cent of breast cancers could be prevented if women made simple lifestyle changes.

The report by the World Cancer Research Fund advised women to take least 30 minutes of exercise a day and limit alcohol to one unit a day – a single small glass of wine.

I have a very fast metabolism, I weigh about 80 pounds and am 5". I have fine hair all over my body, stomach, face, chest, back ect. and lately have been very cold. I know these are symptoms of Anorexia, but I am not Anorexic ( i eat a healthy amount and am comfortable with my weight.) what does this mean???

You might have a thyroid problem, see a doctor!

Maybe you are just a small person. it could be the reverse with obesity. some people weigh a lot but they eat very normally but just have a slow metabolism but everything else is healthy. As long as you are eating and not purposefully starving yourself or throwing up………you're normal!

I agree with the first person, you may have a thyroid issue.

Make time for your health this year — take steps to reduce your risk of cancer.

There are many causes and kinds of cancer, but a combination of enough physical activity, proper nutrition, avoiding tobacco and regular screenings can help reduce your risk for many types of cancer.

Physical activity

Regular physical activity can reduce your risk of being overweight and obesity, which are known to increase the risk of breast and colorectal cancers.

Make it a priority to get 30 minutes of moderate physical activity five days a week, or 20 minutes of vigorous activity 3 days a week.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, you should do this as well as include eight to 10 resistance-training exercises involving all muscle groups, two or three days a week.

Nutrition

Visit fruitsandveggies morematters.org to determine how many servings of each food group you should consume everyday.

Eating a healthy balanced diet is critical, because fruits and vegetables are full of cancer-fighting antioxidants.

Limit the amount of sugar, salt and fats you consume and drink more water.

Tobacco

It is NEVER too late to quit using tobacco. Tobacco in any form (smoked or chewed), contains carcinogens, chemicals which are known to cause cancer.

Whether you use tobacco or not, it is best to limit exposure as much as possible.

If you are ready to quit using tobacco, call the tobacco quit line at: 1-800-QUIT-NOW.

Monthly/yearly screenings

Screening tests can find cancer early, when it is most easily treated and often curable.

Talk to your doctor about which of the tests below are right for you and when you should begin adding them to your calendar.

- Breast cancer — The American Cancer Society recommends a breast exam by a doctor every two-to-three years for women in their 20s and 30s, and a mammogram every year for women over age 40.

- Cervical and ovarian cancer — Women should begin pap tests and pelvic exams three years after they become sexually active and all women should begin these screenings annually after age 21.

- Colorectal cancer — The most common screening tests include the fecal occult blood test and colonoscopy.

Baseline colonoscopy screening should be done at age 50. Your doctor will determine how often you need to be tested.

- Prostate and testicular cancer — Men need to schedule screenings for prostate health, starting between ages 40-50.

Sometimes this cancer can be detected through a blood test before you have any symptoms.

Be sure to ask your doctor about this exam as well as how to do a testicular self-examination.

For more information about cancer, or screening recommendations, visit cancer.org or contact the local American Cancer Society office, in Erie at 866-5174.

The Pennsylvania Cancer Education Network provides speakers for adult groups and worksites interested in learning more about colorectal, ovarian, and prostate cancers. call 451-6764 to schedule a presentation.

KIMBERLY BEERS is a public health educator with the Erie County Department of Health.