What do you think this is?” a surgical registrar once asked me. we were standing over the blue-draped abdomen of a 60-year-old man, peering into the hole the registrar had made. The brown bulk of the liver was obvious – it is massive, relative to everything else, with a clearly defined bottom edge, like the hull of a boat. I could see the gall bladder, clinging to the liver’s underside like a greenish blob of sea anemone. The surgeon had worked her way deeper towards the spine and was poking at a knobbly piece of tissue with her forceps. “Think of the pictures you’ve seen in books: think what is related to what.”

Looking for a landmark, I finally saw a bit of the duodenum, the first part of the gut, which curves in the shape of a C. The unidentified organ had one end buried in the curve. It was the pancreas. in anatomical drawings the pancreas looks weightless: an elegant plume like the feather sticking out of a cavalier’s hat, with its broad end (the “head”) nestled against the duodenum and its “tail” pointing across the top of the abdomen towards the spleen. you could see how its name is derived from the Greek words meaning “all flesh”; it is lumpy and blobby, unlovely but essential.

The pancreas has several functions. It is both an endocrine gland (producing hormones that are secreted into the internal environment: the pancreas secretes insulin and glucagon into the bloodstream), and an exocrine gland (producing substances released into the exterior; the pancreas makes enzymes to help us digest our food and secretes them into the gut, and so, eventually, the outside world). when the endocrine cells malfunction, diabetes results: a common, harmful but treatable illness. For some reason, the other serious diseases affecting the pancreas have a much lower profile. Pancreatic cancer, like the other so-called “silent” cancers (ovarian is another), tends to present late, which accounts for its poor prognosis. A small tumour in the pancreas is rarely painful or disruptive, especially if it grows in the tail. By the time it has grown large enough to cause symptoms, such as nausea, weight loss, pain or jaundice (from a tumour blocking the common bile duct), it has often invaded nearby structures, or spread elsewhere in the body – as happened to the actor Patrick Swayze. Once it has spread, the disease is inoperable.

Pancreatic cancer is a very nasty disease, but it actually kills fewer people than a less well-known illness, pancreatitis – inflammation of the pancreas. At its most severe, acute pancreatitis has a mortality rate of 10 per cent. (You can also get a lingering, chronic form of the disease, which is painful and difficult to treat, but less immediately dangerous.) Many things can provoke an acute (or sudden) inflammation of the pancreas, but the most common are excessive alcohol and gallstones (if you are a medical student these sensible causes unfortunately desert you and you will only be able to summon up “scorpion venom” – true, but unhelpful in a British context).

Alcohol acts as an irritant (a single binge can be enough to trigger a severe episode), and gallstones can fall out of the gallbladder and block the common bile duct, obstructing the drainage route from the pancreas to the gut. whatever the trigger, the results are the same. instead of pouring its enzymes into the small bowel to help process food, the pancreas sequesters them instead, digesting itself. as the students inevitably ask, “you mean it eats itself?” It does, with life-threatening consequences.

Sophie Harrison is a hospital doctor in South Yorkshire

Know your risk factors and when to get a bone mineral density test as osteoporosis does not have any tell-tale symptoms in early stages.

Osteoporosis is a condition characterized by thinning and weakening of the bones. it initially has no symptoms, but it can lead to more easily broken bones, especially painful and debilitating fractures of the hips, wrists, and spine.

A bone mineral density test (BMD), which measures the strength of the bone, is used to screen for thinning bones and determine if osteoporosis is present. Initial screening is recommended for women at age 65 and men at age 70. the test results are reported as T-scores which compare the patient’s bone density with that of healthy young women. a T-score of -1.0 or higher is normal. a T-score between -1 and -2.49 indicates osteopenia (early thinning of bones) and is graded as mild, moderate, and advanced. T-scores of -2.5 or more indicate osteoporosis.

Younger men and women may be tested if they have certain risk factors which include a fragility fracture, some chronic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and kidney disease, premature menopause, hormone treatment for prostate and breast cancers, significant loss of height, smoking history, family history of osteoporosis, regular use of corticosteroids, and significant alcohol use.

But there has been no consensus about how frequently BMD screenings are needed in order to not miss opportunities to prevent fractures. some providers recommend repeat screenings every one to two years. a recent study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, investigated this issue.

The study followed almost 5,000 women for 15 years to determine how rapidly women with normal BMD or with osteopenia progressed to a stage where treatment to prevent fractures was indicated. They researchers wanted to determine how the BMD testing interval related to the timing of the transition from normal BMD or osteopenia to the development of osteoporosis before a hip or clinical vertebral fractures occurs.

The study looked at 4,967 women who were 67 years or older and who did not have osteoporosis at the start. some of the women had normal bone densities and some had mild, moderate, or advanced osteopenia. They followed them for 15 years to determine how long it took each group to get to the point where they developed osteoporosis so significant as to be at enough risk for bone fracture that they would warrant treatment.

The investigators reasoned that information about the pace or progression of the stages of normal or early bone thinning to clinically significant osteoporosis could help inform decisions about the appropriate intervals for retesting patients.

Based on the rates of transition from osteopenia to osteoporosis in the four groups — normal BMD, mild, moderate, or severe osteopenia — the researchers recommended that women whose initial tests show normal BMD or mild osteopenia can wait 15 years for follow up. those with moderate osteopenia can wait five years, and those with advanced osteopenia should wait only one year between tests.

The researchers found that the women with the least osteopenia at the outset of the study took the longest to progress to clinically significant osteoporosis. They also found that within each category of osteopenia, the younger women progressed more slowly to osteoporosis than the older women. the transition time to osteoporosis was longer for women who were taking estrogen at the start of the study as compared with women who had taken estrogen before the study began or had never taken it at all.

The researchers maintain that the baseline T-score is the most important factor to consider when choosing how frequently to repeat the BMD test. but they note there may be compelling reasons to screen more often. Clinicians may elect to increase the frequency of screenings if there are additional risk factors that would suggest a faster progression of bone loss such as decreased activity or mobility, or significant weight loss.

They also note that the expected time to osteoporosis is less in the very elderly and that screening every three years instead of every five years might be considered for women who are older than 85 years and have moderate osteopenia.

Additionally, the researchers note that their study population was limited to women 67 years of older, 99 percent of whom were white. the study suggests that different results may have been obtained from analyses that include younger post-menopausal women or men.

Patients may wish to discuss their BMD results and screening recommendations with their physicians. Although this study offers some important new insights, patient care decisions must take multiple factors into account, including each patient’s unique medical history.

Image: Bartek Zyczynski/Shutterstock.

This article originally appeared on TheDoctorWillSeeYouNow.com, an Atlantic partner site.

I am going to get my gall bladder out soon but I am having weird symptoms I believe are from my gall bladder. Pain/tension in my shoulders and down my middle spine..also lower back…Just a yucky feelings some days…body feels tense some days..anyone else feeling these symptoms that have gall bladder problems?

Yes i had the same mostly from cramps due to pain from the bladder

Lower back pain very base of my spine, either side of the spine too. Feeling of stiffness and pain when moving which is sometimes severe it brings tears to my eyes. also its sometimes red and warm to touch. Thanks in advance xx

Being warm to the touch indicates inflammation and/or infection. it could be your kidneys. lately I've had some issues with my kidneys myself with similar symptoms. you should see a doctor as soon as you can, just in case, because your kidneys are important. it could also just be back strain, or something like that, but your doctor should have some idea of what exactly it is and how to handle it. good luck.

Although our parents before grandparents force comprise heard with the intention of statement plus well thought-out it an repeated mortality sentence, today’s focus on prevention, ahead of schedule detection, after that dealing wealth with the intention of nation who are diagnosed in the midst of cancer time and again comprise a self-same clear attempt of beating the disease.

Bone Cancer Spine Symptoms

According to the state-owned Cancer Institute (NCI), mortality charge commencing cancer comprise been decreasing because the beforehand 1990s. in a in recent times in print check in on cancer commencing the living 1975 by means of 2004 (the hottest time representing which data are available), the NCI eminent that, “Death charge decreased on be in the region of 2.1 percent for every time commencing 2002 by means of 2004, practically double the once a year lessen of 1.1 percent for every time commencing 1993 by means of 2002.”

The NCI emphasized that, “Death charge are the greatest indicator of move forward anti cancer.” this is for the reason that the diagnosis charge of cancer can time and again be present viewed in a affirmative light. representing example, an boost in the diagnosis of prostate cancer (a typically non-fatal cancer) may possibly be real the answer of a bigger digit of men obtaining PSA tests. Similarly, an increase in intensity in mammography may possibly head start to an increase in intensity in the diagnosis of breast cancer, except beforehand detection practically forever leads to top outcomes. in additional words, extra women may possibly ensue diagnosed in the midst of beforehand period breast cancer, except smaller amount willpower crash commencing the disease.

According to the NCI report, mortality charge “decreased representing 12 of the 15 a large amount conventional causes of cancer mortality in men (i.e., cancers of the lung, prostate, colon afterward rectum, bladder, kidney, stomach, brain, afterward oral fissure in the function of thriving while leukemia, non-Hodgkin lymphoma then myeloma).” between women, mortality charge “decreased representing 10 of the 15 a large amount collective cancers (i.e., breast, colon in addition to rectum, stomach, kidney, cervix, understanding also bladder cancers when thriving while non-Hodgkin lymphoma, leukemia, plus myeloma).” Unfortunately, although deaths commencing blood moreover cervical cancers decreased, persons commencing liver cancer furthermore lung cancer enlarged representing women.

Lung Cancer Secrets discovered Click at this point

When the improbable Happens

If you before a loved one are diagnosed in the midst of cancer – whether bone cancer, skin cancer, ovarian cancer, before a number of additional grow – it’s organic to be surprised to conclusions. with the intention of is why it is imperative to collect every of the in rank viable on the create of cancer after that its treatments. Thankfully, the Internet can bestow a wealth of in rank on cancer next cancer treatments. suitable culture on the order of the disease your fighting may possibly thriving be real your paramount bat in beating the disease. in rank gives you the world power to solicit the decent questions of wellbeing thoughtfulness providers, outshine appreciate your options, in addition to tile the route to creation an up to date resolution regarding cancer treatment.

Everyone requirements hold

The Internet is besides a grave tool representing pronouncement the hold you hardship although battling cancer. proviso you’ve conventional the diagnosis, it’s extraordinarily beneficial to fix in the midst of a group of nation who let somebody in on your experience. proviso a loved one has conventional the diagnosis, you hardship to acquire a grasp of come again? dishonesty on the path ahead, next find the hold you hardship in enjoin to hold the one you love.

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1. Symptoms Bone Cancer Spine
2. Bone Cancer Spine Prognosis
3. Metastatic Bone Cancer Symptoms
4. Bone Cancer Pain Killer
5. Breast Cancer Metastasis To Spine

The diseases that plague the bones as we get older is as inevitable as old age itself. at times, advancing age is not marked by age spots, gray hair and wrinkles and so on . lower back pain or spinal arthritis is one of the most common causes of back pain among people of every age. Spinal Arthritis is basically a feeling of bone irritation in the bones. There are numerous forms of arthritis and they may affect any part of the body, including the spine.

there are different reasons why arthritis strikes such as age or injury. The prominent places where arthritis can usually affect are the neck, knee, hip, shoulder, spine, foot, thumb and hands. There are different kinds of spinal arthritis and some of them are listed as below:

Ankylosing Spondylitis- it is kind of a spinal arthritis that results in the ligaments and the joints of the back to turn red and itchy , and eventually fuse together (they are joined together and are rigid). The cause of this disease is unknown. However, some of the researchers believe that it has some genetic factors too.

Rheumatoid Arthritis- most experts believe that it is an auto immune disease. they occur when the white blood cells attack the synovial membrane that lines the joints, by accident. this is more common in women than men.

There are numerous causes of spinal arthritis. a number of factors contribute to this painful disorder. some of the causes are listed below:

Heredity- People who have relatives or parents with this disease, may end up with it. some of the inherited factors may be bone deformities and cartilage disorders and bone deformities. these reasons can contribute to causing spinal arthritis.

Injuries- this form of arthritis can also be caused by old injuries to the spine too . Sudden injuries caused by old automobile accident or sport injuries can cause it in people who have risk factors for other kind of arthritis too.

Age- Age plays a major role in the causes of spinal arthritis. Playing games such as golf, bowling and participating in adrenalin games such as rock climbing can lead to this disorder.

Overweight- There is a reason why overweight people try to lose weight. they are exposed to number of disorders and diseases one of which is spinal arthritis .

Treatment- Fortunately, there are numerous treatments listed for spinal arthritis. some of them are listed below:

Weight loss- If the person is overweight, the best recourse for him may be to lose a few pounds.

Exercise- An active regime of exercise will provide relief and help to maintain good function

Occupational therapy- this method can be done at home and various aids to help in mobility.

Christopher is fond of researching various topics related to Health and Wellness. He studies about various diseases, their symptoms, causes, and treatment. his recent studies revolve around Arthritis Symptoms and causes.

ok, at first, i had pain somewhere around the right tibia just above my ankle when i straighten my leg, but i donno whether is it bone pain, then when i touch, i feel a lump tat is not very sharp, when i press, there is quite a pain. about few weeks or one month later, the pain disappear regardless of straightening my leg or pressing the lump, but the lump is still there. i also encountered symptoms such as, firstly, there was a few times when i carry my bag and walk for few distant, my right middle tibia ache and pain, then when i rest for few mins, the pain disappear. secondly, sometimes,somewhere just below my right breast hurts, it hurts more when i breathe in, and i not sure is it the rib that hurts. thirdly, sometimes, when i lie down, my back hurts, after a few mins,it disappear,once again, i am not sure whether is it the spine that hurts.however, nowdays, the back pain seems to disappear. lastly, sometimes, my head suddenly feels numb. and, recently, when i stand with more force on my right leg and after that back to normal standing, my right pelvis area hurts for a while. now,are these symptoms of bone cancer?

Many international patients are put off by the high prices in Europe and the US and are traveling to India to get the same treatment at vastly reduced cost of 60% or more. the benefits of doing this are huge. Price advantage is a major selling point. the slogan thus is, “First World treatment’ at third World prices”. Cancer surgeries in Western countries cost three to four times as much as in India.  if you have never considered India for pancreatic cancer surgery; now is the time to start. the advantages make total sense – and the quality of the surgery is comparable with any hospital in Europe or the US. Price hospitals of pancreatic cancer surgery in India at Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai and Hyderabad are providing special assistance to international patients who are coming to india for their pancreatic cancer surgery.

The Pancreas

The pancreas is a gland located deep in the abdomen between the stomach and the spine (backbone). the liver, intestine, and other organs surround the pancreas. the pancreas is about 6 inches long and is shaped like a flat pear. the widest part of the pancreas is the head, the middle section is the body, and the thinnest part is the tail. the pancreas makes insulin and other hormones. these hormones enter the bloodstream and travel throughout the body. They help the body use or store the energy that comes from food. For example, insulin helps control the amount of sugar in the blood.

Understanding Cancer

Cancer is a group of many related diseases. all cancers begin in cells, the body’s basic unit of life. Cells make up tissues, and tissues make up the organs of the body. Normally, cells grow and divide to form new cells as the body needs them. when cells grow old and die, new cells take their place. sometimes this orderly process breaks down. new cells form when the body does not need them, or old cells do not die when they should. these extra cells can form a mass of tissue called a growth or tumor.

Symptoms

Pancreatic cancer is sometimes called a “silent disease” because early pancreatic cancer often does not cause symptoms. But, as the cancer grows, symptoms may include:  Pain in the upper abdomen or upper back, Yellow skin and eyes, and dark urine from jaundice, Weakness, Loss of appetite, Nausea and vomiting, Weight loss. these symptoms are not sure signs of pancreatic cancer. an infection or other problem could also cause these symptoms. Only a doctor can diagnose the cause of a person’s symptoms. Anyone with these symptoms should see a doctor so that the doctor can treat any problem as early as possible

Pancreatic Cancer: Who’s at Risk?

No one knows the exact causes of pancreatic cancer. Doctors can seldom explain why one person gets pancreatic cancer and another does not. However, it is clear that this disease is not contagious. No one can “catch” cancer from another person.

Studies have found the following risk factors:

 Age — the likelihood of developing pancreatic cancer increases with age. Most pancreatic cancers occur in people over the age of 60.

Smoking — Cigarette smokers are two or three times more likely than nonsmokers to develop pancreatic cancer.

Diabetes — Pancreatic cancer occurs more often in people who have diabetes than in people who do not.

Being male — more men than women are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

Being African American — African Americans are more likely than Asians, Hispanics, or whites to get pancreatic cancer.

Family history — the risk for developing pancreatic cancer triples if a person’s mother, father, sister, or brother had the disease. Also, a family history of colon or ovarian cancer increases the risk of pancreatic cancer.

Chronic pancreatitis — Chronic pancreatitis is a painful condition of the pancreas. Some evidence suggests that chronic pancreatitis may increase the risk of pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic cancer surgery in India is in high demand by the US patients due to availability of world class cancer surgeons at very low cost with international medical healthcare facilities. Pancreatic Surgery in India brings patients from US and Europe to the country. the demand for cheap and efficient healthcare is drawing medical tourists from western countries to India for their surgeries. Desperate Americans, Canadians and British tourists lead the way for the growing medical tourism industry in India. Surgical procedures in India are charged at a mere fraction of the price for the same surgeries in the USA, making it much easier for uninsured families to manage expensive medical bills. . In fact, Indian doctors are considered to be among the best in the world and their high level of surgical expertise evolves from many years of training – after studying in India many doctors train and work in the UK and USA. the Healthcare Facilities in India are the most cost-effective in the world with private hospitals offering treatment at a fraction of the price of those in the USA, UK and Canada.

I've had some pain in the lower portion of my back on both sides of my spine. my urine has a strong amonia smell to it no matter how much water I drink. how do you cure a kidney infection? Please help! thank you!

You need to see a doctor right away. if it is a kidney infection you may need antibiotics to cure the problem. Don't wait but schedule time to see a doctor first thing in the morning.

You may have blood in your urine also. the only way I know medically is to use an antibiotic. I have never heard of holistic remedies that has worked. Get it checked out. You don't want to take a chance and hurt your kidneys.

Sounds like u do have a kidney infection. After u urinate does it sting? You can call your dr and get meds called in like bactrim. You can also drink alot of cranberry juice, cran-grape or cran-apple and eat yogurt. good luck!

Go see your Doctor but until you can get an appointment..Drink Cranberry juice…Could be cystitis

Kidney infections (pyelonephritis) are serious as they can cause damage if not treated. the "typical" symptoms are fever, back pain, nausea, vomiting, pain or burning with urination, foul smelling or cloudy urine. You don't need to have all of these. go to a doctor for an exam and urinalysis which can detect infection. Pyelonephritis is treated with antibiotics and depending how sick the patient is hospitalization.

Please make an appointment to see the doctor ASAP.

Feel better!

pain in your lower back, blood or traces of blood in your urine, frequent and painful urination, fever, confusion and blurry vision (in advanced stages)
Ammonia smell doesn't normally indicate an infection, but it does indicate kidney problems.
See a doctor ASAP- kidneys are very sensitive, and an untreated infection or disease can cause serious consequences.

you should see your physician if you have increased your water consumption and tried cranberry juice (?) and your urine is still not clear. if it is an infection you will need an antibiotic. It could be something else though(basing this on the way you describe the odor of your urine-ammonia isn't exactly what the typical odor for a UTI) so definitely see your doctor.

i suggest you should read more about kidney infection on health websites. Kidney infection is a serious health issue. best is that you see a doctor. Are you diabetic or family history has diabete? Diabete makes kidney infection even worse, even if you are not diabetic but if your family history has diabete — You are safer to see a doctor.

Low grade fever, like 100 degrees, irritability, pain in the lower back. You should go to the doctor.

Step one, go to your urologist. Step two, pee in the container. Step three, go to pharmacy to pick up prescription for antibiotics. Step four take pills with lots of water. REPEAT every few years.

My mother was exposed to TB as a young woman and then later developed a severe curvature of the spine. One doctor said said there might be a connection.

Tb of the spine is known as "Potts disease"
Symptoms include back pain or stiffness. lower extremity paralysis occurs in as many as half the patients with undiagnosed Potts disease.