How Is Liver Disease Diagnosed
Screening for liver disease typically starts with blood tests that check what is called liver biochemistries, or tests of the liver function, says Lindenmeyer.
If those are abnormal, then frequently we follow that up with an imaging study of the liver, whether it be an ultrasound, a CT scan, or an MRI, she says. A specialized ultrasound device called FibroScan can give an estimate of the amount of scarring and fatty buildup in the liver.
Its important to note that sometimes people who have liver disease may have no evidence of abnormalities in their blood, says Lindenmeyer.
In some cases, a liver biopsy may be necessary to see how much scarring is in the liver.
Given that hepatitis C is often asymptomatic, screening baby boomers is critical for early diagnosis, says Lindenmeyer. We have excellent medications for hepatitis C that have excellent cure rates. Its something that can halt the progression of liver disease and potentially even improve the liver once its been treated, she says.
People who have a history of alcohol abuse or are known to drink alcohol excessively should have their liver function tested, along with those with a history of liver disease, as well as people at risk for having a genetically inherited form of liver disease, says Lindenmeyer.
Treatment And Prevention Of Bloating
You can reduce bloating by making various lifestyle adjustments. These changes in behavior may also help you prevent bloating from occurring.
- Change your diet: Avoid foods that cause bloating. These include fatty foods, vegetables known to cause extra gas, and dairy products. Also, skip overly processed foods, which have high levels of sugar and salt.
- Exercise more frequently: Try to work out several times a week, and keep your activity varied from cardiovascular exercises to strength-building ones.
- Skip chewing gum and carbonated beverages: These can fill up your stomach with air, leaving you with a bloated abdomen.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol: These can increase bloating.
- Drink plenty of water: You may experience bloating if you dont stay hydrated enough.
There are other ways to prevent and treat bloating that involve over-the-counter and prescription medications:
Five: Signs Your Bloating Is Something More Serious
Bloating is usually nothing to worry about and generally can be attributed to poor diet, an intolerance or a gut problem. Some people find they bloat when stressed or before, during or after their menstrual cycle.
However, in some cases if symptoms are pro-longed and there are other side effects, it would be advised to speak to your GP to get to the root of the problem and find out whether it could be something more serious.
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Treatment For Uterine Cancer
Ultimately, treatment for uterine cancer depends on the type of cancer and how extensive it is, as well as whether it is localized or has spread . Other factors include overall health, age, and personal preferences, such as whether it is important to preserve fertility.
Uterine cancer is treated by one or a combination of treatments, including surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and hormone therapy.
Surgery A hysterectomy, the removal of the uterus and the cervix, is the main surgical treatment. A bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, removal of the ovaries and fallopian tubes, is also an option. Your doctor may remove lymph nodes from the pelvic area to test for any cancer that may have spread outside of the uterus.
Hormone Therapy Medication is prescribed to lower the bodys hormone levels so that uterine cancer cells, which grow in response to hormones, might die off.
Chemotherapy Chemotherapy is the use of a several drugs in conjunction with one another to kill cancer cells.
Radiation Therapy Internal and external-beam radiation employ high-energy rays to kill cancer cells.
Targeted Drugs Targeted drug treatments home in on specific markers in cells. They are often combined with chemotherapy.
Types Of Ovarian Tumors
The ovaries are made up of three types of cells, each of which has the potential to become malignant.
Epithelial ovarian tumors;These;are by far the most common type of ovarian tumors and the most likely to be malignant. They develop from cells that cover the outside surface of the ovaries.
These tumors can be benign , borderline , or malignant.
The last group, also called carcinomas, account for between 85 and 90 percent of all;ovarian cancers.
Ovarian germ cell tumors;These;develop in the ova and are usually benign. This category includes a type called a dermoid cyst.
The malignant kind accounts for less than 2 percent of all ovarian cancers.
Ovarian stromal tumors;These;develop in the structural tissue cells that hold the ovary together and produce estrogen and progesterone.
They make up only about 1 percent of all ovarian cancers.
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Is Bloating A Sign Of Something More Serious
Watch Out for Other Symptoms
Simple bloating is usually not a cause for concern, but it may be a warning sign of a more serious health condition in some cases. If you experience other symptoms, including diarrhea, nausea, fever, abdominal pain, weight loss, weakness, loss of appetite, or blood in the stool, see your doctor to rule out potentially more serious conditions. The doctor may order a stool sample or take images of your small intestine to assess for digestive problems and other conditions. Tests are available to check for lactose intolerance, celiac disease, ovarian cancer, liver disease, and other health problems.
What You Need To Know About Hepatitis
Hepatitis is a serious liver disease that affects millions of Americans. Get the facts on hepatitis types, causes, and treatments.
Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver, and it is most often caused by viral infections. Some types of hepatitis will cause discomfort but eventually go away, while others, like chronic hepatitis C, can be deadly.
Viral types of hepatitis A, B,C, D, and E are contracted in various ways. Other non-viral causes of hepatitis relate to toxic exposures and autoimmune disease.
Hepatitis C is the leading cause of liver cancer and also the number one reason for liver transplants in the United States. More than 1.2 million Americans are affected by hepatitis B, and over 3 million have chronic hepatitis C, though many don’t know they are infected.
The liver is responsible for filtering from the bloodstream harmful substances such as dead cells, toxins, fats, hormones, and a yellowish substance called bilirubin, a byproduct of the breakdown of old red blood cells, says Rashmi Gulati, MD, medical director of Patients Medical in New York City.
If the liver is inflamed, tender, and enlarged, it becomes unable to function normally. As a result, toxins that would normally be filtered out by the liver build up in the body, and certain nutrients are not processed and stored as they should be.
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Black Americans And Ovarian Cancer
While ovarian cancer is more common in white women, studies show Black American women who have this type of cancer dont survive as long. Although there have been advances in treatments, not all racial groups have benefited equally when it comes to survival.
For instance, between 1975 and 2016, the five-year survival rate for ovarian cancer increased from 33 percent to 48 percent in white women but decreased from 44 percent to 41 percent in Black women.
Though the exact causes for these disparities arent known, some evidence has suggested that socioeconomic factors, such as access to healthcare, may play a role.
Researchers are currently conducting studies to try and understand more about why this discrepancy exists.;
Causes Of A Bloated Stomach
Although most people will describe their bloating differently than the next person, most cases come down to a few key causes. In general, these are lifestyle factors that can be mitigated or resolved with some simple tweaks to your diet and habits. But theres never any harm with discussing how youre feeling and what steps you can take to feel better with your doctor if youre concerned.
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A More Serious Condition Such As Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, is a common condition that causes abdominal pain with bloating, diarrhea or constipation. The cause of IBS is unknown, but it may be brought on by certain triggers, including:
- Bacterial infections
- Food sensitivity
- Stressful events
If you think you may have IBS, reach out to your doctor for an evaluation. Many times, lifestyle modifications and medicines can help ease symptoms. You may also try some at-home techniques to relieve your bloating.
What To Do About Hepatitis
If you have hepatitis A or B, in most cases youll get better with a doctors care and supportive treatment without specific anti-viral treatments.
Hepatitis C and other chronic forms will probably affect your life more profoundly, but you can do a lot to manage the condition and keep it under control.
If someone in your home has hepatitis, it is also important to take appropriate precautions to avoid spreading the disease.
For hepatitis A, handwashing is extremely important. For hepatitis B and C, care should be taken to avoid contact with the blood of the infected individual, even the microscopic amounts that hide in toothbrushes and on razors, so never share these items.
Treatment can suppress or even eradicate hepatitis C. Older;treatments for hepatitis C are combination antiviral therapy with pegylated interferon and ribavirin.
The treatment came with difficult side effects, and was effective for only about 40 to 80 percent of patients, depending on the type of hepatitis C they carried.
Newer drugs approved by the FDA in 2013 and 2014 are more effective, curing the viral infection for 90 percent of patients or more. New antiviral medications to;treat hepatitis C include;simeprevir and sofosbuvir , and combination therapies include;Harvoni and;Viekira Pak.
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Is Bloating A Sign Of Period Or Pregnancy
Bloating could be a symptom of either PMS or early pregnancy. Bloating before and during a period is triggered by changes in the levels of estrogen and progesterone. Hormonal changes in early pregnancy also cause a feeling of bloating, similar to common symptoms just before the start of your period. Bloating in early pregnancy makes some people feel more snug than usual in their clothes.
Are Gas And Bloating The Same Thing
Short answer: no. Gas and bloating are two separate symptoms that can both cause you discomfort after eating. While intestinal gas can be one;cause;of bloating, bloating is not synonymous with gassiness. In addition to the buildup of gas in the intestines, bloating may also result from excess liquids or solids in your system, as well as other medical causes some of which include IBS, IBD, celiac disease and ovarian cancer, as previously discussed.;
Many people also confuse bloating with water retention. In reality, the symptoms of bloating reach far beyond the mere retention of fluids. Sometimes, there may not even be a physical cause of bloating in the sense that you may feel excess pressure in your abdomen, even when nothing is physically present there or overeating isnt a factor. If youre still confused about whether what youre experiencing is bloating or merely gas, we recommend consulting your primary care provider for a more thorough evaluation of your symptoms.;
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When To See Your Doctor Concerning Bloating:
We want to always encourage you to see your doctor whenever you suspect something wrong, but you should make sure to see your doctor if your bloating is prolonged and is accompanied by:
Vaginal Bleeding or Bloody Stool– any vaginal bleeding between menstrual cycles or bloody stools should be immediately reported to your physician. They could be a warning sign of cancer.
Diverticulitis – infected pouches on the lining of the colon can cause stomach bloating, abdominal pain, and fever. Treatment for diverticulitis can be as simple as bowel rest and liquid diet to antibiotics or surgery. Only your doctor can recommend the right treatment for you.
Fever – if your stomach bloating is accompanied by a fever, it could be a warning sign of an infection or inflammation. Blood work may be needed to determine the level of white blood cell count.
Ascites – this condition, which is an abnormal buildup of fluid in the abdomen, is often associated with liver disease. If it is also present with jaundice, it could be a sign of liver cancer.
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease – PID occurs when the ovaries, uterine lining or fallopian tubes become infected. Bloating, fever, tenderness and pain in the pelvic area is also usually present. It is very important to seek medical attention quickly if you suspect PID because it can result in infertility or tubal pregnancies.
Are You Actually Experiencing Bloating Symptoms During Pregnancy
Are you sexually active and have doubts about the efficiency of your contraception? Then it is of course possible you are pregnant, especially if you feel bloated for no obvious reason. However, since bloating can be related to other conditions, a bloated stomach doesnt necessarily mean pregnancy. Here are some tips that could help you determine if you could be pregnant:
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What Happens If Liver Disease Goes Untreated
Untreated liver disease can result in cirrhosis and end-stage liver disease, which carries its own spectrum of complications, according to;Lindenmeyer. Once patients have cirrhosis, or end stages scarring of the liver, theyre at risk for developing whats called portal hypertension, she says.
Portal hypertension is a high pressure system in the liver that causes complications that can be associated with ascites; and edema , as well as gastrointestinal bleeding.
Confusion can result from advanced or end-stage liver disease and infections, says Lindenmeyer. This happens when the liver isnt adequately removing toxins from your blood and they build up in the brain.
Black Americans And Uterine Cancer
Although uterine cancer rates are slightly higher among white women than Black women, Black women are more likely to die from uterine cancer than white women. Racial disparities are reflected in higher rates and shorter survival among Black women, according to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. One reason for the shorter survival time is late diagnosis. Approximately 69 percent of white women are diagnosed when the cancer is local compared with 54 percent of Black women. Because Black women are less likely to be diagnosed in the early stage of the disease, their survival rate is lower at every stage.
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How Is Ovarian Cancer Diagnosed
In;diagnosing ovarian cancer, your doctor may initially perform a pelvic exam to look for changes that indicate the presence of a tumor. But smaller cancers may not be discovered through a pelvic exam. Imaging tests, such as ultrasound,;computerized tomography scans, and positron emission tomography scans, can aid doctors in finding tumors and making an ovarian cancer diagnosis. Analyzing a tissue sample, usually obtained through;biopsy , is the only way to tell for sure if a mass is cancerous.
Staging ovarian cancer;means evaluating how extensive it is in order to come up with the best treatment plan. Staging typically involves biopsy. Doctors will find out the answers to a series of questions about the primary tumor, including whether or not it is confined to the ovary and fallopian tube and how big it is. They will also determine if cancer cells are present in lymph nodes near the ovaries, and they will look for signs that the cancer has spread to tissues or organs further away, such as the brain. An analysis that factors in all these criteria will arrive at a cancer stage between 1 and 4 , with substages that provide more detail.
Can Bloating Be Prevented
To keep your digestive system working well, follow a healthy diet and eat at least 30g of fibre every day. Cut down on processed and fatty foods, and drink less alcohol. Drink plenty of water and take any medicines as directed by your doctor.
Dont overeat, and try to eat more slowly. Eating regularly will help to prevent digestive problems.
Regular exercise is also important for your gut because it strengthens the muscles in your tummy and stimulates the digestive system to push food through. It also helps with stress, which affects the nerves in the digestive system and can slow down digestion.
Smoking is very bad for your digestion. If you smoke, try to quit now.
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Am I At Risk Of Heart Failure
Heart failure is often the result of a number of problems affecting the heart at the same time, added the national health body.
This can include heart disease, high blood pressure, arrhythmias, and cardiomyopathy.
In some cases, anaemia, drinking too much alcohol, an overactive thyroid or pulmonary hypertension can lead to heart failure.
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