Archive for September, 2009

Decoding Vital Inklings To Ovarian Cancer – Part II

Women that whinge about feeling bloated are most often put through a physical examination by their doctors, and probably recommended to go in for a CA-125 blood screening test. The CA-125 test is employed to measure the protein detected in the blood stream of several women that have ovarian cancer. Alternately, a trans-vaginal ultrasound is done to scan the uterus. The American Cancer Society has stated that regular blood screening using the CA-125 and the trans-vaginal ultrasound scanning is normally not undertaken in the common populace. These screening procedures for ovarian cancer detection were not advised even by the American Cancer Society or several other medical establishments. However, these screening procedures are mostly recommended to those women that were in the high risk bracket,  [...]

Decoding Vital Inklings To Ovarian Cancer – Part I

In accordance with a latest study conducted in the U.K., a set of symptoms have repeatedly been brought to the notice of the doctors that are linked with ovarian cancer, thus shattering the notion that professes that the lethal cancer is a hushed destroyer that display hardly any signs till the final stages. A senior lecturer at the University of Bristol, Mr. William Hamilton, M.D. whose research is available online in BMJ.com has stated that contrary to the saying, ovarian cancer is in no way a silent disease, rather it is quite strident. The problem is that many are not adept enough to interpret that sound. Hamilton states that ovarian cancer has accounted for four percent of the entire cancers found in women, but regrettably has the worst possible diagnosis in comparison to all gynaecologic  [...]

Cervix Removal Or Retaining During Hysterectomy – A Surgical Conundrum – Part II

There has been a rising trend of sway towards the subtotal or supracervical hysterectomy (STH) approach noticed especially in the certain European countries. The cervix retaining or sparing approach is beyond doubt, deemed technically uncomplicated and safer surgery in comparison to the total abdominal hysterectomy (TAH). The reason being this approach averts the requirement to dissect through the vastly vascular para-vaginal cuff in close quarters to the ureter. The procedure is entirely an intra-peritoneal one and evades contact between the potentially contaminated vagina and abdominal cavity. There have been persistent suggestions that there direct outcomes of the approach are related with the clinical advantages. A latest review has suggested that has been a greater inclination towards  [...]

Cervix Removal Or Retaining During Hysterectomy – A Surgical Conundrum – Part I

Must the cervix be done away with as a regular practise of Hysterectomy in cases of benign disease? This surgical riddle has since long been a part of the incessant discussions in the field of gynaecology. The puzzlement is accentuated in the terms employed in that matter. A majority of gynaecologists utilize the expression ‘subtotal hysterectomy’ (STH) with inference of an unsatisfactory or unfinished procedure, while several others use the terminology ‘supracervical hysterectomy’ with its suggestions of being a better and enhanced technique. The subtotal or supracervical hysterectomy approach has adeptly garnered phases of recognition with varying benefits and downsides being regularly brought to light by both supporters and challengers. Even the highly eminent gynaecological laparoscopists  [...]

GnRH-a Therapy: An Effectual Endometriosis Treatment – Part II

GnRH-a treatment for endometriosis has side effects that mimic menopausal symptoms caused due to reduced estrogen levels. However, the side effects end once the course of the GnRH-a treatment is completed. The side effects that are experienced comprise of: Increased bone loss of close to one percent every month that would to some extent is repealed by additionally consuming low-estrogen dosages. A majority of women reverted to the pre-therapy bone density subsequent to halting the GnRH-a treatment. Since the therapy is intended to arrest menses, if one still gets normal menses during the therapy period, then one’s doctor must be promptly informed about it. Some women suddenly experience feelings of quite high body heat accompanied by intense perspiration, with redness in the area above the  [...]

GnRH-a Therapy: An Effectual Endometriosis Treatment – Part I

GnRH-a , also known as the booster of the Gonadotrophin releasing hormone, is a therapy extensively employed to stunt endometriosis that are embedded in the uterus, that immensely aids in alleviating associated pain. GnRH-a treatment is widely followed as a next line of treatment subsequent to unproductive outcome of many months of birth-control pill treatment. GnRH-a therapy is occasionally engaged prior to surgical intervention to assist in easier elimination of endometrial engrafts and also aids in decreasing the scar tissue formation caused due to surgery. Though, GnRH-a therapy is not employed for treatment of sterility, it could be employed prior to in-vitro fertilization or IVF. Quite similar to other hormone treatments and surgery done for treating endometriosis, GnRH-a treatment doesn’t  [...]

Managing Epilepsy And Pregnancy – Part II

The apparent alterations in seizure frequency during pregnancy are possibly caused to various factors like: Hormonal fluctuations in the levels of estrogen and progesterone. Metabolic causes due to increased water and sodium retention. Psychological reasons like stress, anxiety that is associated with pregnancy or other factors. Lowered serum levels of Anti-epileptic drugs either due to nonconformity, delusional effect or varying drug approval. Physiological causes due to sleep deficit and Physical tension. It is normally considered that WWE have decreased fertility rate. It is also noticed that women with epilepsy are more prone to polycystic ovarian disease or PCOD. The use of the anti-epileptic drug sodium valproate or VPA has been shown to be linked with the presence of PCOD that reverses  [...]

Managing Epilepsy And Pregnancy – Part I

There are a staggering one and half million women in the fertile age group that are ailing with epilepsy in just India alone. Women with Epilepsy or WWE that are in the reproductive age band have been observed to have fewer offspring than other age matched controls. Neurologists and gynaecologists are frequently being faced with WWE cases during their pregnancy, a majority of who are not adeptly clued-up regarding optimal means of managing it. Pregnancy has been known to influence the innate history of epilepsy, with seizure attacks likely to intensify in nearly a third of them. When such WWE take anti-epileptic drugs or AED course, the looming risk of significant malformation of the foetus may be increased by nearly 1.5-3 times, particularly so when the AED drug Sodium valproate in greater  [...]

Paying Heed To Bothersome Cancer Indicators – Part IV

As is wisely said that safety is the best remedy, one can be safe from malignant cancerous forms by just being cautious about any tell-tale signs and seeking medical assistance to clear any possible miasma that might not necessarily be a disease pointer. Ageing mostly seems to carry its load of aching and pains, though as hazy as it might seem, could well be an initial sign of a particular cancer, though complaints about aches and pain are not derived from cancer. Perpetual, inexplicable aches and pain need medical examination wherein on the basis of the data collected from a questionnaire regarding the person, the necessary testing is recommended. If there has been a lump, bulge or bump formation or the lymph nodes engorging in the underarm area, neck or other parts of the body that seem  [...]

Paying Heed To Bothersome Cancer Indicators – Part III

Being observant about what one’s body is trying to reveal, is crucial to the timely detection and prompt, relevant treatment being meted out, that would go a long way in averting any fatalities. When bleeding occurs during urination or while passing stool, it would be wrong to presume that it could have occurred solely due to haemorrhoids as it might also be a symptom of colon cancer. Many women during their periods emit blood while urinating, but if it otherwise occurs then a medical exam is necessary to check the presence of bladder or kidney cancer. Even if one coughs up blood, there could be an underlying problem.  However, if there has been more than one instance of blood lost in the most unlikely ways, then one needs to promptly seek medical assistance wherein after a detailed questioning  [...]