Diseases & Conditions Blog

This is a condition in which fragments of endometrium, the tissue which lines the uterus, migrate to other parts of the body and become implanted there. In effect, the displaced tissue acts very much like a miniature uterus in a place where it has no business to be.

Under the influence of ovarian hormones, the displaced tissue bleeds (or “menstruates”) like normal endometrium lining the cavity of the uterus. This causes chemical irritation. Nature’s attempt to wall off these pockets of menstruating tissue results in formation of cysts filled with blood. The cysts may rupture and release tissue which forms additional implants.

These cysts are commonly in the ovaries, tubes, uterus, or the peritoneum lining the pelvic cavity. Endometrial implants in the ovary commonly cause so-called “chocolate cysts,” filled with chocolatecolored material.The cysts continue to grow under continued stimulation by the ovaries.

Signs and Symptoms Of Endometeriosis

Endometriosis symptoms arepainful periods, profuse and prolonged periods, or pelvic adhesions that result in various symptoms, depending on the location of tissues that become adherent. Endometriosis is frequently a factor in complaints of inability to become pregnant.

Endometriosis is fairly common in young women. Diagnosis may be difficult since there are rarely any external signs, although sometimes a vaginal examination may disclose local lesions. A number of other pelvic conditions which may produce somewhat similar symptoms must be distinguished. Positive diagnosis may require surgical exploration.

Endometeriosis Treatment

Treatment of endometriosis is not necessarily surgical. There is a great range in severity of symptoms. Small areas of endometriosis may cause few if any symptoms. Frequently explanation of the situation will encourage some patients to endure some premenstrual and pelvic discomfort if it is not severe.

Uterine Displacements

These conditions are often referred to as a “tipped uterus.” Such conditions are very common in women and rarely cause any serious symptoms. The great majority of women who have a uterus somewhat out of theoretically “ideal” position do not report any symptoms. A normal uterus is directed forward. Occasionally a large boggy uterus that is tipped backward (retroverted) may cause some feeling of heaviness in the pelvis, sometimes backache, and make pregnancy less likely but by no means impossible. A physician can usually replace a uterus and insert a supporting device (pessary) which holds it in satisfactory position, to see if symptoms complained of will be relieved.

Vaginal Relaxations

These occur commonly as women become older and their tissues become less firm and muscular. Although childbirth injuries may be important contributing factors, relaxation of adequate support of pelvic structures may occur in women who have not borne children, presumably due to inheritance of deficient supporting tissues. With weakened muscular tone and with stresses such as lifting and gravity, the uterus may “drop” into the lower part of the vaginal canal. This is usually associated with some variety of uterine displacement previously mentioned. Occasionally the uterus may actually protrude through the vaginal opening. This condition is known as prolapse of the uterus.

If supporting structures of the bladder become weakened, the base of the bladder may sag into the vaginal canal and bulge through the vaginal opening. This is known as a cystocele. It is a partial hernia. As the condition progresses there may be frequency of urination and involuntary passage of a small amount of urine when the patient is in an upright position. There is increased risk of bladder infection (cystitis) which may spread to the upper urinary tract.

In similar fashion, if supporting tissues of the lower bowel and rectum become weakened, this organ bulges (herniates) through the rear wall of the vagina. This is called a rectocele. It may cause pain and difficulties in defecation, although a mild herniation may not be particularly troublesome .

Cystoceles and rectoceles can be corrected surgically. Some women refuse surgical repair. Occasionally, the general physical condition of the patient may preclude the stresses of surgery, but this is quite rare today, for with modern surgery and local types of anesthesia, elderly women tolerate reconstructive vaginal surgery very well.

There are nonsurgical methods of support which may be used successfully, although permanent repair by surgery is usually preferable. Devices used to support the uterus and/or the vaginal walls are called pessaries. These are usually made of rubber or plastic material in a variety of shapes suited to individual need. Pessaries require careful fitting and removal at frequent intervals. Some women find it helpful, in giving some support to sagging uterus or vaginal structures, to insert into the vagina every morning a large cotton tampon with string attachment, which is removed and discarded at night.

Epilepsy has been known from antiquity but our understanding of it has developed only in the past century. When it appears, the family may not only be perplexed by the illness but confused by Cradictory information about it. An understanding of what it is, what its problems are, and what can and should be about it will provide the best basis for intelligent cooperation in an appropriate program of medical care .Answers to some of the more common questions about epilepsy are presented here but only the person’s own physician can solve individual problems.

What is epilepsy?

Epilepsy is a tendency to have seizures,or more technically, it is a tendency to recurrent episodes of alteration of consciousness or control, associated with indications of abnormal over activity of at least some part of the brain at the time of an attack.

What is the brain involved?

The brain is a complex organ, more complicated than the largest electronic computer. It is delicately balanced to control or modify everything a person does even the simplest sensations are registration ed in the brain and this information is used as the basis for actions ranging from the simplest of responses to highly complex activities such as using a typewriter or playing an instrument. The whole brain appears to be used for abstract thinking and planning, but various parts of the brain specialize for particular activities such as speaking or moving a particular part. Normally, these parts all work in smooth harmony together, but if even a small group of cells become abnormally active, this may result in a seizure. If the over activity remains in one area, the result is a localized or special kind of seizure. If it spreads throughout the brain, a more generalized seizure may result. After the attack is over, the brain cells return to their normal state. Thus, except for the brief time of a seizure, the person with epilepsy is usually able to function as normally as anyone else.

What are some of the names for seizures?

These include convulsions, “spells,” blackouts, “fits,” paroxysmal cerebral dysrhythmia, falling-out spells, fainting spells. Not everything called by one of these names is an epileptic seizure. For example, a person may lose conscious­ness, or faint, from inadequate blood flowing to the head as a result of a temporary heart irregularity or from lowering of blood pressure because of an emotional shock. Consciousness returns when blood flow is restored.

There are several characteristic kinds of epileptic seizures, depending partly upon the group of brain cells that become overactive and partly upon the person’s age and other factors.

What is the most common type of epileptic seizure?

Convulsions or grand mal seizures are the most common form and may occur at any age. In these, the attack may begin with a warning feeling or aura, after which a brief, unnatural cry may be heard. The person loses consciousness and his body stiffens and jerks, and his color becomes dusky because the muscles used in breathing are involved in the muscular spasms. This change in color is not serious, because breathing is re­stored when the muscles relax again within a very few minutes.

Is such a convulsion harmful?

No, not ordinarily, unless the person injures himself in falling, though he may injure his tongue or lips. If the bladder is full when the attack begins, the convulsive seizure may cause it to empty; or he may rarely soil himself, which may add greatly to the embarrassment of an epileptic attack.

What should be done by a person who witnesses the beginning of an attack?

Really, very little need be done, as the attack will come to an end by itself. The person having an attack should be eased to the ground and protected from injuring himself, but it is no longer thought necessary to attempt to insert anything between the jaws. Turning the person on his side toward the end of the seizure will help get rid of any saliva and eliminate risk of choking if there should be vomiting after the attack. A report of careful observation of the attack may greatly help the physician in understanding the problem.

Many persons can resume their regular activities almost immediately after a seizure, but others will need a short period of rest and reassurance. Since the person has no memory for what goes on during the seizure, he will be helped if the person who is with him avoids excitement and explains to him that nothing very serious has happened.

What should be done if the person seems to go into another attack before he is fully recovered from the previous one?

A series of attacks such as this is called “epileptic status” and is a medical emergency. The person’s physician should be notified immediately and his instructions followed explicitly. Most commonly, it is wise for the person to be treated for status at the doctor’s office or hospital, as injections of medication are usually needed.

What do Doctors call this Condition? Acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis

What is this Condition?

Acute glomerulonephritis is a relatively common inflammation of the glomeruli - tiny masses of capillary blood vessels that function to filter waste products from the blood. It affects people who have had a streptococcal infection of the respiratory tract or, less often, a skin infection such as impetigo.

Acute glomerulonephritis is most common in boys ages 3 to 7, but anyone can get it. Up to 95% of children and up to 70% of adults with acute glomerulonephritis recover fully. The rest may have serious complications, such as chronic kidney failure, within months.

What Causes it?

Acute glomerulonephritis is caused by an abnormal immune reaction, which produces clusters of antigen-antibody cells. The cell clusters become trapped in the glomeruli, inflaming them and interfering with their function. Sometimes this allows red blood cells and proteins to filter through, which can lead to uremic poisoning.

What are its Symptoms?

Acute glomerulonephritis begins within 1 to 3 weeks after the person has had an untreated sore throat. Symptoms include mild to moderate swelling, decreased urination, bloody urine, and fatigue. The person may have high blood pressure from sodium or water retention due to impaired kidney function. Symptoms may progress to congestive heart failure and fluid in the lungs.

How is it Diagnosed?

The doctor will ask about symptoms and any recent illness, then order lab tests, including urinalysis to assess kidney filtration, throat culture to check for Streptococcus, renal ultrasound to check for kidney enlargement, and biopsy of kidney tissue to confirm the diagnosis in a person with acute glomerulonephritis or assess the kidney’s status.

How is it Treated?

Treatment aims to relieve the person’s symptoms and prevent complications. The doctor will urge bed rest, fluid and dietary sodium restrictions, and correction of electrolyte imbalances (possibly with dialysis, although this is rarely necessary). The person may be given diuretics, such as Diulo or Lasix, to reduce fluid overload and blood pressure medicine, such as Alazine.

What can a Person with Acute Glomerulonephritis do?

If you are diagnosed with this serious kidney infection, your recovery, in the hospital and at home, will pass through several slow stages. It’s important to follow the doctor’s directions:

Follow a diet high in calories and low in protein, sodium, potassium, and fluids.

Stay in bed during the acute phase; then gradually resume normal activities as your symptoms subside.

If you must have dialysis, become familiar with the procedure.

If you have a history of chronic upper respiratory tract infections, immediately tell the doctor about any signs of infection (fever, sore throat).

Follow-up examinations are necessary to detect chronic kidney failure, especially if you are pregnant. To avoid complications, your blood pressure, urine protein level, and kidney function must be monitored for several months to detect any return of the disease. Your urine will need to be tested periodically. Other viral infections may cause bloody urine and the results of other urine tests may be abnormal for years to come.