Appendicitis: Causes and treatment

Appendicitis causes your appendix to become inflamed. It can lead to pain in the lower right side of the abdomen. As inflammation gets worse, the pain increases and becomes severe. Below, a gastroenterologist in Nashik lists the causes and treatment of appendicitis. 

Causes of appendicitis

According to a gastrointestinal specialist in Nashik, appendicitis can occur when your appendix becomes obstructed or blocked. Several factors can cause blockage of your appendix. Some of them have been listed below.

1. Intestinal worms
2. Buildup of hardened stool
3. Enlarged lymphoid follicles
4. Tumours
5. Traumatic injury

There are also several risk factors for appendicitis, such as-

Age

Appendicitis can affect teenagers and people in their twenties. However, people of any age can develop this condition. 

Gender

Appendicitis is more common in men than in women. 

Family history

People who have got a family history of appendicitis are at a greater risk of developing the condition.

Symptoms of Appendicitis

In case you notice any of the following symptoms, you must visit a gastrointestinal specialist to get diagnosed and treated for appendicitis. 

• Prolonged constipation
• Low fever
• Loss of appetite
• Abdominal tenderness or pain
• Diarrhoea
• Swollen belly
• Inability to release gas
• Nausea and vomiting

Treatments of appendicitis by a gastroenterologist

Most people who suffer from appendicitis require appendectomy, a procedure that removes the appendix. If the appendix has not ruptured, surgery prevents the rupture and the infection from spreading. 

Before you undergo surgery, your gastroenterologist will give you IV antibiotics to treat the infection. Mild appendicitis can get better with the help of antibiotics. During the course of your antibiotics, your doctor will check how the treatment is working and whether or not you need surgery. However, it is the only way to treat the abdominal infection when your appendix ruptures.

Nowadays, most appendectomies are done with a laparoscopic procedure which means small incisions are made in your abdomen. This minimally invasive approach enables you to heal quickly with less pain. In case the appendix ruptures, major surgery will be required.

We have discussed the causes and treatment of appendicitis. Reach out to a gastroenterologist to review your symptoms and check whether you have the condition. In case you get diagnosed with appendicitis, your doctor will be able to suggest a suitable treatment for you.

 

Treatment for inflammatory bowel disease: Explains gastroenterologist

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a type of disorder that causes pain and swelling along with chronic inflammation in your intestines. IBD includes ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Both these types affect your digestive system. Below, a gastroenterologist in Nashik explains the types of inflammatory bowel disease and their treatments.

Types of Inflammatory bowel disease

1. Crohn's disease

According to a gastrointestinal specialist in Nashik, Crohn's disease causes swelling and pain in your digestive tract. It can affect any part between the mouth and the anus. Usually, it affects the upper part of your large intestine along with the small intestine.

2. Ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis causes sores and swelling in your large intestine (rectum and colon).

Treatments for Inflammatory bowel disease

According to the best gastroenterologist in Nashik, these are the most suitable treatments for Inflammatory bowel disease.

1. Anti-inflammatory drugs

Anti-inflammatory drugs are suitable for treating ulcerative colitis. These drugs include aminosalicylates like Dipentum, Colazal, Delzicol, and Rowasa. The medication you take depends on the area of the colon that is affected.

2. Antibiotics

Antibiotics can be used with other medications as prescribed by your doctor when there is a concern about infection. Such antibiotics include metronidazole and ciprofloxacin.

● The medications that may be given to relieve your IBD symptoms are as follows.

● If you have mild pain, your doctor will recommend Tylenol and other pain relievers. 

● Anti-diarrheal medications include fibre supplements that relieve mild or moderate diarrhoea. 

3. Immune system suppressors 

These drugs suppress the immune responses that release chemicals into your body, inducing inflammation. These chemicals can damage the lining of your digestive tract.

4. Surgery

Surgeries are recommended if the above treatments are not effective in treating IBD.

Surgery for ulcerative colitis removes your entire rectum and colon, and the production of the internal pouch attached to your anus that allows movements of bowels without any bag.

Surgery for Crohn's disease removes the damaged portion of the digestive tract and reconnects it with the healthy parts. This surgery can be used for closing drain abscesses and fistulas.

We have mentioned above the treatments for Inflammatory bowel disease. If you find blood in your stool or suffer from recurrent diarrhea, consult a top gastroenterologist to see whether you have the disease and to know which treatment will be the most suitable for you.

Gastro Surgeon’s Tips for Keeping a Check on My Digestive Distress

Gastrointestinal or digestive distress can be caused by a number of factors, including stomach flu, food poisoning, parasite infections, and cancer. Foods, such as caffeine, alcohol, carbonated beverages, fried food, or high-fat food, are the leading causes of digestive distress. Abdominal discomfort, gas, cramps, heartburn, diarrhoea, constipation, weight gain or loss, and exhaustion are all common signs of gastrointestinal distress. You may experience digestive or gastrointestinal distress if you have persistent stomach trouble and digestive issues, says a renowned gastroenterologist in Nashik.

Tips to Keep Away Digestive Distress

·         Maintain a Healthy Diet – A balanced diet boosts your immune system and protects you from various ailments. A healthy diet should contain a low-lactose diet, which excludes dairy products, as well as a high-fibre diet, which can help with constipation and other gastrointestinal issues.

·         Avoid taking Fatty Food – If you have heartburn, you should avoid fatty and oily foods as well as aerated beverages. Lactase supplements and simethicone are some alternative options.

·         Probiotic Supplementation – Probiotics can help with stomach issues. According to the best gastrosurgeon in Nashik, these microorganisms aid in the improvement of intestinal health, which lowers stomach discomfort.

·         Manage your Stress – Stress hormones have a direct impact on your digestive system. Meditation and yoga can help you improve your digestion as well as your mindset.

·         Stay Hydrated — To avoid constipation, doctors recommend consuming 1.5-2 litres of water every day.

·         Have Zinc in your Diet – Zinc is an essential mineral for a healthy stomach, and a deficiency can lead to a variety of digestive issues. Zinc intake should be 8 mg for women and 11 mg for males per day, according to experts.

Conclusion

Our immune system relies heavily on our digestive system. Our stomach has a big number of immune cells that provide us with 70% of our immunity. As a result, keep the appropriate balance of bad and good bacteria in your gut to maintain a healthy immune system, advises the gastrointestinalspecialist.

How to Manage Ulcerative Colitis – Hear from a Gastroenterologist

 Ulcerative colitis, also known as UC and colitis ulcerosa, is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes chronic inflammation and ulcers in the digestive tract, mainly in the colon and rectum's innermost lining. This is one of the most common gastrointestinal conditions that the best gastroenterologist in Nashik treats. There is currently no cure for UC. However, the appropriate combination of drugs, as well as surgery if necessary, can greatly reduce symptoms and even provide patients with long-term remission.

What Treatment Options are Available

When a patient is diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis, the most common treatment method doctors offer is medication. There are a number of drugs that can help reduce symptoms and possibly induce remission. The severity of each patient's symptoms and how they respond to treatments differ. A consultation with a gastroenterologist in Nashik will aid in determining the best treatment option.

Medicinal Treatment

Mesalamine

Mesalamine reduces inflammation by inhibiting the generation of inflammatory chemicals (cyclooxygenase and prostaglandin). This is a tried-and-true medication that doctors utilise as a first-line treatment for patients with mild to moderate illnesses.z

Immune System Suppressors

Azathioprine and mercaptopurine (6-MP) are examples of purine synthesis inhibitors. Purines are essential components of DNA and RNA. When purine synthesis is inhibited, it results in less DNA and RNA synthesis for the production of white blood cells, resulting in immunosuppression, says the gastrointestinalspecialist in Nashik. Over time, as the immune system weakens, inflammation decreases.

Biologics

Multiple biologics are currently on the market that belongs to three different pharmacological classes, implying two different modes of action. The anti-TNF-class of action includes infliximab, adalimumab, and golimumab, which have been on the market the longest. According to the top gastroenterologist in Nashik, these drugs help to repair the gut lining by reducing inflammation rapidly and effectively.

Surgical Treatment

Total-proctocolectomy, or removing the colon, is an effective treatment that is usually reserved for individuals who do not respond to treatments or have a disease that is rapidly progressing. However, there may be difficulties. Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), or inflammation of the bile ducts, is a problem that can persist after surgery. Even years after the colon has been removed, this might occur as a consequence of ulcerative colitis. As a result, patients should see their gastroenterologist at least once a year to ensure that they are under observation for this.

Are You At Risk Of Stomach Cancer? Gastroenterologist Answers

 What is stomach cancer

Gastric cancer or stomach cancer is the 5th most common cancer in the world and the 3rd most lethal due to its late diagnosis. It happens when abnormal cells in the stomach lining begin to develop out of control, resulting in the development of a tumour. The cancer will begin to develop in the innermost layer of the stomach wall, the mucosa, and spread outwards as time goes on. If left unchecked, it spreads to other areas of the body, most often through the lymphatic system, says the gastroenterologistin Nashik.

Who is at risk

Stomach cancer is related to lifestyle factors in the vast majority of cases, explaining why it rarely affects young people. Men are twice as likely to acquire the disorder as women, with 95 percent of cases occurring in those over 55, but lifestyle decisions often play a big role:

·         Smoking: Inhaled smoke can end up in the stomach, causing damage to the stomach cells. According to the best gastrointestinal cancer specialist in Nashik, smokers are twice as likely to develop the disease.

·         Diet: Stomach cancer is more common in countries with a diet high in pickled vegetables, salted fish, and smoked meats. If this sounds like you, consider your fibre intake and eat more fresh fruits and vegetables. High salt consumption, according to Cancer Research UK, is a hazardous risk factor for stomach cancer. If you find you're consuming more than the recommended 6g of salt a day (roughly a teaspoon), consider cutting back.

·         History of cancer in the family: It's unclear if this is due to shared lifestyles or genetics.

·         Those who have had cancer before: Previous cancer patients, unfortunately, have a higher chance of contracting the disease.

·         Certain medical problems:  Patients with pernicious anaemia (B12 deficiency) and those with peptic ulcers or helicobacter pylori infections are examples.

Conclusion

Although there is no sure-fire way to avoid stomach cancer, there are measures you may take to reduce the risk.

The top gastroenterologist in Nashik says that being overweight or obese raises your risk of certain types of stomach cancer, so achieving and maintaining a healthy weight can help. Regular physical activity can also aid in the prevention of stomach cancer. A diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables is also thought to reduce the risk of stomach cancer.