Category Archives: Medical

How to deal with peptic ulcer disease?

Peptic ulcers occur when the lining of the stomach and small intestine gets open sores. These open sores induce a lot of pain and discomfort and are sometimes a source of bleeding as well. Read on to know more about peptic ulcer disease and how you can prevent it:

What causes peptic ulcer disease?

As with the pathophysiology of almost all the gastric diseases, eating habits and lifestyle play a vital role. An important cause of peptic ulcer disease also lies with what we tend to eat. Ulcers form in the gastric lining when there is excessive production of gastric acid, or there is breakdown of the protective mucus layer. As a result, the stomach lining gets irritated by the acidic environment, and inflammation and pain ensues.

In our setting, Helicobacter pylori infections are a major cause of peptic ulcer disease. H.pylori spreads through eating unclean food and water, as well as, close contact. While many people who are carriers of H.pylori do not get ulcers, in some, it can break down the mucus layer and raise the amount of acid. This can end up causing severe and resistant to treatment peptic ulcer disease, which often returns despite treatment.

peptic ulcer disease

Frequent and indiscriminate use of painkillers also leads to peptic ulcer disease. NSAIDs like Aspirin can interfere with the protective mucus barrier over the stomach lining, which makes it vulnerable for the stomach acid. This also occurs with other NSAIDs like naproxen and ibuprofen, as they have the same mechanism of action, and occurs more often when these drugs are taken for a long time. For this reason, self-medication is often not a great idea, as seemingly harmless drugs can also have potential adverse effects people are unaware of.

Other types of painkillers like acetaminophen, however, do not have the same adverse effect on the stomach lining and are often prescribed as an alternate.

Stress can be an unavoidable risk factor and causative agent for peptic ulcer disease, as can be eating spicy food and smoking cigarettes.

What are the symptoms of peptic ulcer disease?

With excessive gastric acid production, there is discomfort in the belly, especially on an empty stomach. There can also be acid reflux in a recumbent position, especially at night, or on lying down shortly after eating. In severe cases, there can be a grinding pain under the breastbone, which goes away on taking antacids, but returns when the effect of the drug wears off.

Small ulcers more often only cause pain. However, big ulcers can be problematic and can show alarming signs like blood in vomitus, bloody or dark stools, or weight loss. If any of the aforementioned symptoms are observed, you should visit a hospital which has a multi-speciality panel as soon as possible. Mid City hospital is a good option in this regard.

How to manage peptic ulcer disease?

The goal of therapy in peptic ulcer disease is: to relieve the symptoms of the patient, and deal with the cause of excessive acid production. Small ulcers can heal on their own, but some ulcers can be recurrent if proper care is not taken. In most cases, treatment is tailored according to the cause behind the ulcer.

In case of H.pylori infection, a mix of antibiotics are used to kill the bacteria. Triple therapy is used—with two kinds of antibiotics, and one proton pump inhibitor, for some time for complete eradication of bacteria. Any interruption in treatment can lead to recurrence of infection, therefore, adherence and compliance are essential for treatment to be successful.

If the cause behind peptic ulcers disease is too much use of NSAIDs and painkillers, then their use must be tapered for relief. Reducing the dose of painkiller can also be effective; you can talk to your healthcare provider to switch your medication to one that does not disturb the gastric mucosa.

There are certain medications for peptic ulcer disease that help to reduce the secretion of gastric acid. These include drugs called: proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and histamine blockers. PPIs help in reducing the secretion of gastric acid, and therefore protect the lining of stomach and duodenum, and allow it time to heal. In fact, PPIs are also used in fighting H.pylori infection. PPIs are great for managing peptic ulcer disease; however, they too aren’t without side effects. PPIs should be used only for the duration of the period they have been advised by the healthcare provider and not longer. Studies show that in Pakistan, many people self-medicate with PPIs, which is not a good thing in the long term. Examples of PPIs include: omeprazole, esomeprazole, pantoprazole, lansoprazole.

Histamine receptor blockers also help to reduce the secretion of acid through blocking the histamine pathway. They also work in a similar manner to PPIs and give time for the peptic ulcer to heal while there is reduced secretion of acid. Examples of histamine receptor blockers include: famotidine, cimetidine, ranitidine.

Another class of drug that helps to protect the gastric mucosa is called protectants. They work by coating the ulcers in a way that gastric acid cannot come in contact with the ulcer. Sucralfate is a commonly prescribed protectant that doctors use for peptic ulcer disease. Antacids can also be prescribed to help neutralize the acid already present in the stomach.

Peptic ulcer is a serious condition and requires immediate attention from a gastroenterologist. You should thus visit a hospital at your earliest with a competent gastroenterologist panel. The National Medical Center is one such facility.

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Tattoo Removal: Type of Q-Switched Lasers and Beams

Laser treatment is a mainstay when tattoo removal is concerned. This treatment is considered to be less painful than some other methods.  Laser treatments are segmented. This means that the laser applied to remove a specific tattoo may be different from the one used to remove another type of tattoo. Some people may not know this, but there are different wavelengths that can be used to remove tattoo colours.

There is a reason why laser beams are very useful in removing tattoos. These tattoos are visible on the skin because the ink cannot be broken down easily. The laser removal tools work through the decomposition of ink in the skin. This device breaks up the ink in the skin for easier processing and disposal.

Laser Tattoo Removal

You may be living in Sydney and require help in removing your tattoo. This service can be easily offered with the highest quality at the tattoo removal services available.

The article gives you an idea of the various types of Q-switched laser beams. You will also get to see the functions of each beam on the skin during operation.

The Q-Switched laser beams are the most used in the tattoo removal market. This is because the laser beam produces the best results with little side effects. Here are some of the Q-switched laser beams currently in the market:

Q-Switched Ruby:

The Ruby produces a red beam which enhances the decomposition of very dark-coloured tattoos. This fast acting laser removes the tattoos well into the dermis. The results are mostly favourable. Also, fewer visits are required to get the skin healed depending on the size of the tattoo.

Q-Switched Frequency-Doubled YAG:

This laser produces a very direct effect on the ink in the skin. This laser produces a green beam. It is very effective in erasing tattoos that were designed with a range of bright colours. This laser is also very effective in taking off some unwanted spots in the body. The wavelength from the laser easily absorbs into the skin and breaks down the pigment in the skin. This makes it easier for the body to process the ink and pass it out.

Q-Switched YAG:

The Q-switched YAG is built with a very low light which is difficult to see with the naked eye. This laser is best for customers with dark skin. This laser has a low absorption ratio to the melanin content of the body. For those who may not know what melanin is – it’s what gives the human skin colour. This is why it is good for darker pigments.  This laser is very suitable for darker skin. It is also suitable for dark ink pigments.

Q-Switched Alexandrite:

The Q-switched Alexandrite creates a red beam and is suitable for small-sized tattoos. This laser is also very suitable for dark skin. This is because the laser is absorbed into the melanin at a slow rate. This prevents the incidence of any unwanted skin problems. This laser is popular because it has a lesser wavelength which works well on small tattoos made with dark ink.

Conclusion

The Q-switched lasers continue to gain prominence in the tattoo removal market. All of these beams are available at the nearest tattoo Sydney removal service you desire. With the help of a trained expert in tattoo removal, your skin will regenerate very well. It is important to note that the results you experience depend on the individual that is in charge of the removal.

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Can CBD Be Beneficial to College Students?

From the past few years, CBD or Cannabinoid is gaining huge popularity around the world for its amazing health benefits. It has become an essential part of adult life due to its incredible abilities to treat symptoms and stress and anxiety. Many experienced medical health experts even prefer to prescribe CBD to treat depression among college students.

There is no doubt to say that college time creates the most exciting experience for life. But at the same time, this duration can be too demanding as well. Students have to undergo a variety of troubles, including social anxiety, parental expectations, fear of career and exams as well. Sometimes these matters even become uncontrollable, and students start facing depression and stress.

Although many medications have been developed earlier to treat depression in adults; but not all of them are equally reliable. The true fact is that most of these medicals cause serious side effects. In such situations, CBD appears the best solution to deal with the troublesome symptoms of depression. Moreover, college students find it easier to consume as this natural compound these days is available in several forms.

In order to know more about how CBD can be beneficial for college students, it is good to go through the details below.

What is CBD?

Cannabidiol or CBD is one of the most popular natural occurring compounds with ultimate health benefits. It is extracted from cannabis plants such as marijuana or hemp and is further processed to create several products. You can find CBD in the form of edibles, oils, tinctures, creams, capsules and many more. These forms of CBD are easier to consume and ensure efficient therapeutic and medical health benefits.

CBD works by interacting with the Endocannabinoid system (ECS) in the human body. Note that, ECS has primarily two types of receptors, and they are located in the entire body, including the central nervous system. The major use of these receptors is to regulate mood, treat inflammation, pain response and manage sleep levels. CBD improves the production of these receptors to promote healthy functionality of the human body. With this, college students can enjoy better concentration levels and stay active all the time.

The biggest reason to use CBD for college students is that it doesn’t get high like THC compounds. CBD is basically a non-psychoactive substance, and it cannot cause addiction among students. However, its natural anti-inflammatory properties can enhance the sensory response and consciousness by a great extent.

Benefits of CBD for college students:

As already discussed, CBD leaves several positive impacts on the human body. However, if you are interested to know how it can be useful for college students, it is good to check a few points listed below:

  • Treat social anxiety:

A wide range of college students suffers from social anxiety. It can be related to public speaking or even about approaching their crush. CBD can help them to obtain a peaceful and calm state of mind. CBD Education Online can help you understand its amazing health benefits.

  • Manage test anxiety:

Many students feel nervous during exam time. Even after studying books for several hours, they get a feeling of forgetting everything right before the exam. It happens just because of stress and nervousness. CBD can help to promote consciousness and clearer state of mind. Prefer to find best CBD for tendonitis.

  • Improve sleep quality:

Millions of college students around the world are suffering from sleep problems. It has a direct impact on their routines, including class activity, studies, and extracurricular work. CBD can help students to develop a positive and healthy mindset by avoiding sleepless nights. At the same time, it improves their mental health as well.

  • Relieve physical pain:

Last but not the least amazing health benefit of CBD is its ability to relieve acute as well as chronic pain. The potential anti-inflammatory properties of this natural compound can improve joint pain and muscle health with ease.

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Top 10 Tips to Stay Awake While Studying

Sleep is the enemy when it comes to studying for long hours late at night to cram for an important exam or test. Sleep gets in the way of you reaching your goals. If you study early on in the morning and you’ve got a fresh mind then things come easily enough, but if you try to study in the afternoon or late at night, the urge to sleep rises as you try to study for longer. There comes a point where you just get restless and you’re left with two choices; you can put the books down and try to get some rest, or you can fight the urge to sleep and continue studying. The problem is that it’s all too easy to fall asleep when studying. What you want to do is stay awake and fight off the need for sleep.

sleep

Here we have ten effective tips to help you fight away sleep while studying late into the night. Take note of how making small changes to your study schedule could make it easy to cast off the drowsiness and continue studying long into the night.

  • Keep the Study Room Well Lit

The first – and biggest – mistake many students make is that they study with just the light of a table lamp to keep them company. This leaves much of their room left unlit, which creates a cosy and comfortable environment that is going to tempt you into going to bed and falling asleep. Keep the room well lit to avoid this and make it easier to stay awake.

  • Sit On your Chair, not your Bed

Where you sit can go a long way when studying for a long time. Try to sit at a chair with good back support and a table in front of you. This helps you to stay alert and active when studying. If you were to lie down when studying it makes it all too easy to feel lazy and sleepy. Make sure that you regularly move your body parts while sat at the chair too to prevent them from going dormant.

  • Avoid Eating Heavy Meals

We’ve all had a heavy meal that leaves us feeling drowsy. If you go into studying in that kind of mood then you won’t be able to help falling asleep. Eating a heavy meal leaves you relaxed and full and can make it difficult to keep your eyes open. The lethargy that comes with eating a heavy meal also makes it harder to retain information, on top of making you more likely to go to bed. Don’t think that you’ll have to starve yourself to study though. Just eat a little earlier and choose a lighter meal option.

  • Get Plenty of Water

Water is recommended to students not only to keep them hydrated but also because it keeps you alert. This is one of the best studying hacks around. If you drink a lot then you need to get up regularly to pee. Having to pee like that keeps you alert and ensures you move around enough to stay awake. Getting a lot of water also hydrates your brain and makes it better able to read, process, and retain information.

  • Stick to “Early to Bed, Early to Rise”

They say that being early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise. There’s some truth to that saying as getting to bed early will mean that you sleep enough to wake up feeling refreshed and energized. You can take that fresh mind and better concentrate on your studies. Fresh and ready minds are better able to concentrate and retain information.

  • Take an Afternoon Nap

If you’ve been stuck studying since morning, then you should be sure to take an afternoon nap. Getting a nice nap will stop your brain from getting too exhausted. It can also help you to avoid sleeping when studying late at night. Just a short nap is all you need to keep the drowsiness at bay.

  • Keep Your Body Awake and Alert

If you study in the same position for too long then you’re more likely to be hit by drowsiness and sleepiness. When you start to feel sleepy you should get up out of your chair and stretch your arms and legs. Take a few steps around your room and consider studying while walking. Studying while walking has been shown to improve concentration and stave off sleep.

  • Read Out Loud When Studying

This trick is a simple but effective way to stave off lethargy. Reading out loud minimizes the risk of sleeping while studying. This has something to do with listening to your own voice. You should teach yourself similar to how a teacher would explain topics in the classroom. Read out loud as if you were a teacher teaching yourself. This improves your learning power while making it easier to stay wake while studying.

  • Learn by Writing

Doing nothing but reading text on a page is just monotonous and it makes it more likely to feel bored. Boredom is the first step towards sleepiness. Keep the lethargy at bay by being more active in your studying. Learn by writing by taking down notes and other such things. This keeps your brain active because it focuses on using the pen and paper and it makes it easier to recall what you learn.

  • Avoid Hitting Heavy Subjects at Night

You’ll feel more sluggish at night if you try to solve complex problems or learn more difficult subjects. It’s recommended that you stick to easy and light sections of the syllabus at night. Leave those tough subjects for the day time when you are more fresh and alert. Late night studying should be for easy and interesting topics that you enjoy.

If you’re a student who is ready to sacrifice their sleep for grades, then these tips will certainly help you to reach those all-important academic goals.

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Things to Consider with Open Enrollment

If you are planning to be enrolled in Medicare plans 2020, then you should already be familiar with open enrollment. Open enrollment is a time each which gives you the opportunity to adjust your employee benefits. It allows you to sign up for health insurance, add a child or make changes to other benefits. Many employers will slightly change their plans, and you may have to adjust accordingly to the plans that are being offered to you.

Some employers will also require action on your part or you may be unrolled from plans. It is important to carefully read the documents that are given to you so you can adjust it with you and your family’s needs.

Below are the things that you should keep in mind during the open enrollment:

  1. Your needs

First you need to determine if your needs have changed over the last year or if they will change in the course of next year. For example, if you are turning 26, then you have to get your own coverage. It is easier to sign up during open enrollment. There is no other way to sign up to a health insurance plan, unless if you have life-changing events.

open enrollment

  1. Changes

When you receive your open enrollment materials, you will need to look for changes in the plan that were being offered. You may see differences in more than just premiums for the plans, but also detailed differences in the co-insurance and co-payment amounts. You should also check to see if there is different deductible amount. Depending on the size of your employer, you may have several different plans to choose from.

It is important for you to consider all of our out of pocket costs for each year, and the likelihood that you will meet those maximums. This might change from year to year.

You need to also consider if there are changes in the providers of your benefits. Your employer may switch insurance companies depending on the overall cost for them for coverage. It there is a change in the insurance provider, your dentist or doctor may no longer be covered under your new provider. Therefore you need to check with your new provider’s list of hospitals and care networks that they are using.

Check about the procedures that are being used as well, because there are some companies that will require you to file for pre-approval.

  1. Insurance that you require

You need to consider the insurance that you need for coverage. If you do not have any family history of a certain disease, then you can skip that particular insurance. If you do not wear glasses, then you might not need any vision insurance.

You can also consider purchasing term life insurance in case if you are changing jobs so that you do not need to worry about not having any coverage during this time.

This work similarly if you are in your twenties or thirties, you may not need long term disability insurance.

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