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Directory:Foot Swelling

2010-09-28T12:24:28Z

Lagos1: Created page with '{{QuickAdd | Address = | City = | State = | Zip = | Country = | Phone = | Email = | Web = | Contact = | Title = }} === Share this page === <sharethis /> Hot air balloon…'

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Hot air balloons are beautiful, aren't they? Bright and colorful, they drift quietly through the air, removing the traveler from toil and endless trouble. Unfortunately, not all things that swell up like hot air balloons are beautiful or free from difficulty. Joints, for one, are decidedly less pleasant when they begin to swell. Fortunately, your friendly local podiatrist has the know how to help reduce swelling and get your joints to function a bit better.
Swelling is, of course, perfectly natural. It's the body's way of responding to injury or infection. After damage to a joint, more blood is sent to the area to try to heal it. Unfortunately, the increase of blood also causes a buildup of fluid in the tissues around the joint, which tends to cause pressure and pain.
Swelling may be caused by many things. It may be a result of trauma, such as an ankle sprain or break, or stubbing your toe. Or, swelling might accompany arthritis, which itself may be caused by crystal deposits in the joint (in the case of gout), degeneration of cartilage in the joint (osteoarthritis), an autoimmune disease attacking the joints (rheumatoid arthritis), and so on. Or, joint swelling may be caused by an infection.
Swelling may appear as one of the first symptoms of arthritis. Those who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, for instance, often list joint swelling as one of the earliest symptoms. In the case of gout, swelling may be so severe that the skin over the joint will appear stretched and shiny.
Joint swelling is usually accompanied by other symptoms, such as redness, warmth, stiffness in the joint, and pain. You may also find it difficult to walk, usually because of pain, but sometimes because your joint has lost some mobility.
Because the potential causes of joint swelling are so numerous, you should be prepared to give plenty of information to your podiatrist so he or she can make an accurate diagnosis. Your foot doctor will most likely perform a physical examination of your foot, check your joint for range of motion, and will inquire about your medical history and a history of your symptoms. Be prepared to answer questions such as how long the swelling has been present, whether it comes and goes, when it's worst (i.e. is it worse at night, or perhaps does it tend to get worse during certain activities such as running), and also whether or not you've ever ridden in a hot air balloon. (Actually, they may not ask that last question.)
There are a few tests your podiatrist may suggest to determine the cause of your joint swelling. These may include X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs to get an accurate picture of what's going on inside your joint. Additionally, your doctor may want to withdraw some fluid from your joint to test it for infection, or for uric acid crystals in the case of gout.
Treating swelling in the joint generally focuses on reducing bloodflow to the area. This may be accomplished by icing the joint (20 minutes on over a thin towel and 40 minutes off), and elevating your foot at hip level, or slightly higher. Your podiatrist may also recommend anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen, or sometimes cortisone injections.
Of course, your doctor will also want to address the underlying injury or problem that's actually causing the swelling. This may be done by using casts, braces, or orthotics (prescription shoe inserts) to provide support to the foot and prevent further injury. Physical therapy might be used to help strengthen your muscles. In some cases, surgery is necessary to reduce swelling and reestablish the functionality of the joint, or your foot surgeon may opt to fuse the joint to reduce pain and swelling.
Some patients also find it beneficial to soar through the sky in a basket suspended from a balloon filled with hot air. Actually, this may not really be the case. But hot air balloon rides (or even just looking at pictures of hot air balloons) will help you remember that, even though your joints may be painful and unpleasant when they swell up, some swollen things are actually pretty darn nice.

Directory:Gastric Bypass Operation

2010-09-24T22:03:29Z

Lagos1: Created page with '{{QuickAdd | Address = | City = | State = | Zip = | Country = | Phone = | Email = | Web = | Contact = | Title = }} === Share this page === <sharethis /> Losing excess w…'

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Losing excess weight can transform your life on the physical, social and emotional levels. However, in some cases, weight loss surgery is the only way to shed those unwanted pounds. One of the most effective surgical procedures is gastric bypass surgery and can produce amazing results.
Obesity is a condition which drastically lowers the quality of your life. It can causes serious health problems and makes many of the simple pleasures of life impossible. For example, choosing fashionable clothes and swimming are generally off-limits. If you find yourself in this condition, don't despair. Gastric bypass surgery may offer a solution to your dilemma.
Gastric bypass surgery is known as a restrictive/malabsorptive procedure. This means it combats obesity in two ways. Firstly the size of the stomach is restricted resulting in you taking in less food, and secondly a bypass of some part of the digestive system is carried out. This bypass reduces the amount of calories absorbed by the digestive system. This type of surgery has been shown to produce the greatest weight loss in the fastest time. Now, let's look at the procedure.
The most established and commonly-performed type of gastric bypass operation is called a Roux-en-Y. Here's how it works.
First, a section at the top of the stomach is completely closed off with staples to form a pouch. When you eat, this pouch fills quickly and sends a message to the brain to indicate it's full. Thus you feel full and stop eating after just a small amount of food.
Then, a new opening is formed in this pouch and a section of the small intestine is cut and attached to this new opening. Thus the food bypasses most of the stomach and a section of the small intestine. This results in drastically reduced absorption of calories. The surgeon will determine the length of intestine to be bypassed based on the amount of weight that needs to be lost.
Gastric bypass surgery is highly effective. Reductions of 80 per cent of excess weight in the first year are common. On average, a patient will lose up to three quarters of his excess weight in the two years following gastric bypass surgery. But the benefits will come far quicker, especially if you suffer from diabetes or high blood pressure. Your physical condition will improve and along with it, your self-confidence.
What's more it's relatively safe. The procedure can be carried out using laporoscopic (keyhole) or open surgery. However, like any form of surgery it comes with its own risks. Some general problems that occur rarely include anemia through loss of nutrients, leakage, and infection. Your doctor can advise you on ways to minimise any risk and so make your operation as safe and easy as possible. Bear in mind too that gastric bypass surgery requires lifelong changes in your diet and lifestyle.
So is gastric bypass surgery for you?
Firstly, you should have been seriously overweight for at least five years. In addition, you should have tried and failed to reduce your weight through traditional methods such as diet and exercise. These attempts should have been serious and prolonged, i.e. for at least six months.
Another factor is that your health is at serious risk owing to your weight. This is known as morbid, obesity and corresponds to a body mass index of over 40 or if you have a BMI of over 35 combined with an attendant medical condition.
In addition, you should not be suffering from any psychological or physical condition that precludes the weight loss operation. Consult your doctor for detailed information.
If you feel these conditions apply to you, the next step is to consult with a doctor specialising in bariatrics (obesity cure). He will be able to determine if gastric bypass surgery is for you. If so he will advise you on the procedure and make arrangements for you.
Losing excess weight can transform your life on the physical, social and emotional levels. So if you're obese and want to makeover your health and life, call a specialist and inquire about gastric bypass surgery today.

Directory:Toenail Fungus Treatment

2010-09-09T07:41:17Z

Lagos1: Created page with '{{QuickAdd | Address = | City = | State = | Zip = | Country = | Phone = | Email = | Web = | Contact = | Title = }} === Share this page === <sharethis /> Having a case o…'

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Having a case of toenail fungus is no fun at all. Not only is it embarrassing to have to hide your unsightly, yellowed toenails, but it's also a hassle to have to maintain a treatment regimen and to keep your toenails slathered in treatment around the clock. But preventing toenail fungus, on the other hand, is relatively easy. When you consider all the hassle you could save by taking steps to prevent a toenail fungus from taking hold in the first place, then it makes the few daily steps to maintaining good toenail health seem like a small price to pay.
The first rule of preventing toenail fungus is to make sure that your toenails are trimmed, clean, and dry. Clip your toenails regularly, making sure that you also file down any cracks that might be seen as an invitation to an invading fungus. Make sure that your toenails are clean and free of debris. And keep your toenails dry. Even after your shower, make sure that you dry your toenails as thoroughly as you dry the rest of your body. These are simple steps that won't take more than a few minutes on a daily basis, depending on how quickly your toenails grow.
You should also take proper precautions to prevent your feet from coming into contact with dermatophytes, the fungi that can cause toenail fungal infections. Infections like these are often picked up in public wet areas, such as pool decks and locker room showers. When entering a public wet area, make sure to wear sandals or some other foot protection that keeps your feet from touching surfaces that you aren't sure are completely clean. Preventing toenail fungus is often a simple matter of keeping your feet isolated from possible intruders. A cheap pair of flip-flops could be the only barrier you need against toenail fungus.
Finally, keeping an eye on your toenails can help you to catch toenail fungus in its early stages. Even if you do contract an infection, the earlier you catch it, the earlier it'll be to treat. If you catch an infection early enough, you can quickly clear it up with a simple treatment. But, ultimately, preventing toenail fungus is always easier than treating it. And by being vigilant and diligent to keep your toenails in good health, you can avoid the tedium of applying fungus treatments to your toenails for weeks on end.

Directory:Lasik Eye Surgeons

2010-09-08T05:19:07Z

Lagos1: Created page with '{{QuickAdd | Address = | City = | State = | Zip = | Country = | Phone = | Email = | Web = | Contact = | Title = }} === Share this page === <sharethis /> In summary, des…'

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In summary, despite the risks of LASIK, it has been proven to be safe and effective for most people. With careful patient screening and selection, reasonable expectations, and in the care of an experienced surgeon, most patients will be very pleased with their results. These are some of the other advantages of LASIK:
• LASIK is able to accurately correct most levels of myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism.
• The procedure is fast, usually lasting only five to 10 minutes, and is generally painless.
• Because the laser is guided by a computer, it is very precise and results are very accurate.
• In most cases, a single treatment will achieve the desired outcome; however, enhancements are possible if needed, even many years after the initial surgery.
What are the disadvantages of LASIK surgery?
• Because each patient will heal slightly differently, results may vary from patient to patient.
• LASIK could make some aspects of your vision worse, including night vision with glare and halos.
• LASIK may make dry-eye symptoms worse in certain individuals.
• In rare circumstances, LASIK can make your vision worse and not correctable with regular glasses or contact lenses.
LASIK checklist
1. Know your refractive error.
2. Know your treatment options.
3. Know the type of laser that has been recommended for your treatment and why this specific laser was chosen.
4. Know what to look for to determine if you are a good candidate for surgery.
o Career issues
o Vision stability
o Medical or eye diseases
o Age
o Corneal thickness
o Corneal Shape and curvature
o Pupil size
o Dry Eyes
o Previous refractive surgery
5. Know the risks possible with surgery.
o Over-correction or under-correction
o May still need glasses or contacts after surgery
o Results may not be permanent
o Visual aberrations
o Dry eye may worsen
o May lose vision
6. Know how to find the right surgeon.
o Experienced
o Good reputation in community
o Access to latest technology
o Available after surgery to manage any complications that may occur
o Beware of "guarantees"
7. Know what to expect before, during, and after surgery.

Directory:Health:Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass Surgery

2010-09-07T10:11:40Z

Lagos1: Created page with '{{QuickAdd | Address = | City = | State = | Zip = | Country = | Phone = | Email = | Web = | Contact = | Title = }} === Share this page === <sharethis /> Laparoscopic su…'

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Laparoscopic surgery is a modern surgical procedure in which operations in the abdomen are performed through small incisions - usually about 0.5 - 1.5 cm. This type of keyhole surgery uses images displayed on TV monitors to guide the surgeon through the operation.

This type of surgery is treated as minimally invasive and it has a number of advantages compared with open procedures, including reduced pain due to smaller incisions, less haemorrhaging and shorter recovery time. However, it is still a major surgical procedure and its increasing use as a surgical procedure for weight loss means that many more higher risk patients are undergoing what is often an unnecessary operation.

What is laparoscopic surgery?

The main element in laparoscopic surgery is the use of a laparoscope, of which there are 2 types - a telescopic rod lens system, that is usually connected to a video camera, a digital laparoscope. In the procedure, the abdomen is usually insufflated - basically blown up like a balloon, with carbon dioxide gas. This gives the surgeon a much larger cavity and plenty of room to work within.

The procedures that are actually performed with a laparoscope during weight loss surgery can be one of several, including:

* A Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, where more than 95% of the stomach is "bypassed" and a small portion (the size of an egg) remains functional.
* An adjustable gastric band procedure, where the stomach is restricted or "cinched" by the placement of the band, which can be adjusted after surgery as needed for further weight loss.
* A sleeve gastrectomy, which is the removal of two-thirds of the stomach with a "bypass" of the intestines.

What Happens After Surgery

After the surgery is completed the patient usually stays in hospital for up to 3 days and may be off work for up to 4 weeks. Post-surgery support should involve working with a dietician to follow specific eating guidelines and regular follow-up visits should be scheduled during the first 12 months after surgery to check the patient's overall physical and mental health, metabolism and nutritional status. Many patients will also need plastic surgery (abdominoplasty) 1 to 2 years after the procedure to remove skin folds around the abdomen.

So what are the benefits of laparoscopic weight loss surgery?

OK let's be honest - if you have this surgery, you will experience serious weight loss, which usually occurs in the first 12 months following the procedure. The loss of weight may also significantly reduce the effects of other medical problems such as diabetes, hypertension and coronary artery disease. That's the good news.

The dangers of this surgery

The bad news is that this type of procedure, like all major surgeries, involves a number of dangers. The death rate from these types of surgeries varies between 1 and 2% , about 1 in 5 patients need re-hospitalisation for corrective treatment and, in general, mortality and morbidity rates of follow-up operations are higher than those of initial surgeries.

Other dangers are too numerous to list, but they include a 10% chance of infection or disease, potential gaseous distention of the stomach, post-operative leaks with peritonitis and subsequent abdominal trauma. Other potentially serious health complications include internal hernias caused by the Roux limb, stomal stenosis and marginal ulcers, which are treatable with acid suppression therapy.

The reduction in nutrient uptake, caused by the bypass of the small intestine where most vitamins and minerals are absorbed, means that nutritional deficiencies will occur and will lead to long-term complications if patients do not maintain vitamin and mineral supplementation. After the majority of stomach bypass operations, lifelong vitamin B12 injection therapy and a daily multivitamin intake are mandatory. In addition, calcium and iron supplementation may often be required.

The bottom line is that weight loss surgery should only be a "last chance" solution for people serious medical problems. Disturbingly, many people are now voluntarily deciding to undergo these types of procedures, thereby placing themselves in danger, whilst failing to properly address the reasons for their weight gain and making a long term lifestyle change.