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Showing posts from March, 2022

Bariatric Surgery: Types, Complications & Patient Needs

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  Bariatric surgery is any surgical procedure that involves the reduction of body fat, typically by reducing the size of the stomach with a gastric band or through removal of part of the stomach (sleeve gastrectomy or biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch) or by resecting and re-routing the small intestine to a small stomach pouch (gastric bypass surgery). Bariatric surgery has been shown to be effective in treating obesity along with associated comorbidities such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure, sleep apnea and cardiovascular disease. But it's not without risks. In fact, bariatric surgery is considered a major surgical procedure and requires careful consideration of risks and benefits. In this article, we'll review some of the complications that can arise from bariatric surgery and how to handle them. We'll also talk about nutritional considerations for patients who undergo these procedures. Types of Bariatric Surgery The most common types...

Vascular Surgery 101 - What Is This Medical Procedure?

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Vascular surgery is a medical specialty concerned with treating vascular conditions. These include problems connected to arteries, veins, and the lymphatic system. Vascular surgeons treat strokes and mini strokes (TIAs) due to carotid artery narrowing, aortic aneurysms, varicose veins, and poor leg circulation. Vascular surgeons specialize in the treatment of vascular problems, except those related to the heart. They can treat patients that have had diseases or traumas and those whose blood vessels are damaged and need blood flow restored to a particular area of the body. This is commonly seen in those who have diabetes. If a patient begins to experience blood flow issues in their extremities, they may be referred to a vascular surgeon for assessment as to whether surgery would help the situation. Vascular surgeons are trained to treat a variety of illnesses and injuries pertaining to the veins and arteries. Some of the treatments they administer include stenting of veins and arteries...

Signs, Types and Causes of Mental Illness in Children

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Mental illness is a disease or condition that influences the way a person thinks, feels, behaves, and/or relates to others and to his or her surroundings. Although the symptoms of mental illness can range from mild to severe and are different depending on the type of mental illness, a person with mental illness cannot simply will the symptoms away. Mental illness is not the result of personal weakness, lack of character or poor upbringing. Mental illnesses are associated with distress and/or problems functioning in social, work or family activities. Signs of Mental illness in children Symptoms of mental illness are varied and different for each person. Sometimes, symptoms of a mental health disorder appear as physical problems, such as stomach pain, back pain, headache, or other unexplained aches and pains. Many children suffer from more than one mental disorder at the same time. It's not uncommon for a child to have a combination of depression and an anxiety disorder, or depressio...

Muscle Cramps: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

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  Cramps in your muscles can create a lot of pain and limit your ability to function. There are a number of different causes for muscle cramping and knowing what it is can help you treat it. Approximately one half to two-thirds of people will experience a cramp at some point in their lifetime. In most cases, something has gone wrong in the electrolyte balance of the body. Causes of Muscle Cramps? The exact cause of muscle cramps is unknown. Several factors can increase your risk for developing a muscle cramp. These include: Dehydration or electrolyte imbalances (particularly sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium), which often occur with prolonged physical activity. Standing or exercising in the heat. Inadequate conditioning or warm-up before exercise. Poor posture while standing or resting in bed. Muscle fatigue during exercise, especially after a period of intense activity. Symptoms of Muscle Cramps Dehydration — If you don't drink enough fluids or lose too many fluids due to ...