Capsule Endoscopy- Role and importance. Who is it for?

Digestive problems have become prevalent in today’s time. Several causative factors are there which lead to different types of digestion problems like lifestyle problems, obesity, improper eating schedule, intermittent fasting, consumption of NSIDs and more. Out of different types of digestive problems, the upper GI tract is impacted the most. The upper gastrointestinal tract consists of the mouth, throat, esophagus, and the entire stomach.

In most cases, the infections or health problems occur in the internal layer of the GI tract which is why medical professionals need to adopt new processes for examining the issue properly and draw the right conclusion for the same. One of the major diagnosis processes that is used to examine the upper gastrointestinal tract is capsule endoscopy.

What is capsule endoscopy?

In the traditional form of endoscopy, doctors used a thin tubular pipe with a camera and light fitted to its mouth. However, the process is extremely painful and uncomfortable. Patients suffer from throat aches for at least 3 to 5 days post the procedure is completed.

In order to get rid of this problem, the concept of capsule endoscopy has been adopted by many hospitals and healthcare professionals. It is the process through which a wireless camera is used for seeing the condition of the inner mucosa layer of the upper GI tract.

For whom capsule endoscopy is suggested?

Capsule endoscopy is used for any person suffering from:

• Bleeding of the inner mucosa layer of the stomach

• Any form of problem in the esophagus like dried inner lining or collapsed tube

• Lesions formed on the inner lining of the stomach

• Intense burn and ache in the upper abdominal region

How does the capsule endoscopy process work?

The capsule endoscopy process is conducted in a much different manner as compared to the traditional form of endoscopic diagnosis. In this below section, we have explained how the procedure is carried on.

• First, you need to complete the preparatory methods. For this, you need to drink a solution that will clear any form of gas formed. If there is gas in your stomach, the pictures will be hazy and the professional will have to perform the examination once again.

• After this, you need to wear a special recording device around the waist region. It is meant to record and store the entire video of the capsule moving through the entire gut column.

• Sometimes, advanced recording devices are used where electrode patches are stuck with the skin over your chest and abdominal region.

• You have to swallow a small capsule inside which the camera will be present. For this, you can take water to ensure that the pill doesn’t get stuck in the throat region.

• You won’t have to wait for the doctor to check what’s going on with the inner GI tract.

• Instead, you can return back to your daily activities as the capsule will do its work. The duration usually varies between 8 and 10 hours.

• All the videos and pictures will be recorded and stored in the device you have worn around your stomach.

What facts should a person know about capsule endoscopy?

You just do not drink any liquid or take snacks for the next two hours after you have swallowed the pill. Make sure to follow the doctor’s instructions properly so that you don’t have to repeat the same process once again due to blurred images.

Conclusion

Capsule endoscopy is a recent development in the medical field that has obliterated the pain points of traditional endoscopy. However, many hospitals are yet to adopt this new process due to a lack of access to modern healthcare equipment units. This is why you need to ensure that you discuss capsule endoscopy with your doctor before you schedule an appointment for the examination. you can also visit Medipulse hospital or can consult with our Doctors to get the best information regarding Endoscopy

Endoscopy: Role and importance

Often you can feel a burning sensation in your stomach if you continue to starve for a prolonged time. Sometimes, you cannot digest any food and yet you vomit out even the slightest thing you have consumed. Apart from this, there are several other underlying problems that start from your stomach and may extend to the intestine, pancreas, liver, and so on.

To check whether there is any problem with the internal stomach lining or the esophagus, most doctors suggest getting an endoscopy done. It is one of the surest diagnostic methods with which a healthcare professional can easily check whether any issue persists or not. Apart from this, endoscopy plays some other roles too in medical science.

As many people get apprehensive the moment they see the word “ENDOSCOPY” written on the prescription, we have tried to ease the confusion. In this below section, we have explained the role this diagnosis process plays in the medical world along with its importance, the process followed, and more.

What is the importance of endoscopy in medical treatments?

Endoscopy is one of the major diagnostic approaches adopted to find out any type of issue in the upper gastrointestinal tract. The major organs that can be examined through this process are the esophagus and stomach, till the opening of the duodenum.

In the below part, we have explained the importance of endoscopy in medical treatments.

1. With the help of endoscopy, a medical professional can easily know about the presence of lesions in the internal lining of the stomach.

2. Sometimes, the esophagus can suffer constrictions and the muscular walls collapse. To know the exact location of the problem, healthcare professionals use the endoscopy process.

3. Through endoscopy, it is possible to know whether the mucosa lining of the stomach is bleeding or not.

4. Gastric ulcers can be easily identified through this medical approach which further helps doctors to understand the extent of the problem, its stage, and its spread.

How is endoscopy processed?

The process of endoscopy is done through the insertion of a thin tube into the gut of the concerned patient. One end of the pipe has a small camera and LED bulb while the other end is connected to the main device where the pictures will be transmitted. There is a controller attached to the tube with which healthcare professionals insert the pipe into the GI tract.

The process of endoscopy is described in the below section:

1. First, the patient’s gut is cleaned with the help of a medical solution.

2. A lube is used on the pipe’s outer circumference to ensure that it can easily slide through the esophagus.

3. After the doctor introduces it into the mouth, he will push down the pipe slowly.

4. Respective images and videos will be shown on the main device screen.

5. Pipe will be further pushed down till the camera shows what exactly the problem is with the upper GI tract.

6. Once the pipe’s tip enters the stomach region, the doctor will move around the pipe to check the entire organ and the status of internal mucosa layer of your stomach.

What role does endoscopy plays in healthcare system?

Endoscopy plays a very crucial role in ensuring that any infection or health issue in the upper gastrointestinal tract can be identified with ease. Besides, it also helps the professionals to decide whether a biopsy is required or not in case someone is coughing out blood, feeling intense burn in the stomach, or suffering from advance stage stomach ulcers.

Conclusion

Endoscopy might be a painful process for many people because when the tube is inserted into the mouth and pushed down the esophagus, it will cause aches. But this process is necessary for proper identification of the upper GI tract so that the doctor can take appropriate medical treatment procedures. and if you want you can also visit Medipulse hospital or can consult with our Doctors to get the best information regarding Endoscopy

Gallstones: Symptoms, Causes, Risks, Treatment, Diet, & More

The gallbladder is an organ in our digestive system that is located under the liver. The gallbladder stores bile that is produced by the liver. It is a green-yellow fluid that is used for the digestion of food. The gallbladder can be affected by gallstones if the cholesterol level in your bile is at an excessive amount.

Gallbladder stones can be painful and, in severe cases, may even require surgical intervention to remove the stones from your body. Here is all the information regarding the symptoms, causes, risks, and treatment of gallstones that you need to know.

Symptoms

One of the first gallstones symptoms can be intense pain in the upper right part of your abdomen. It can be triggered by your dietary habits, especially if you have a lot of fried food with high-fat content. The pain from gallstones does not last for a very long time. On average, the pain lasts for a few hours each time. Apart from the pain, there are other symptoms for gallstones as well, this includes:

• Vomiting

• Nausea

• Stomach Pain

• Dark urine

• Clay-coloured stool

• Diarrhoea

• Burping

• Indigestion

Asymptomatic gallstones

Gallstones are not painful by nature; the pain is caused by the blockage of bile movement from the gallbladder caused by gallstones. Since gallstones are inherently painless, studies by the American College of Gastroenterology have shown that almost 80% of people suffer from silent gallstones. In such cases, the usual symptoms of gallstones are not experienced by the patient. They are only discovered by the doctors in abdominal X-rays or when performing abdominal surgery on the patient.

Causes

A medical study has shown 80% of gallstones are made out of cholesterol, the remaining 20% is made out of bilirubin and calcium salts. As the major part of gallstones is made out of cholesterol, people with high cholesterol levels in their blood are more susceptible to gallstones. Some of the other causes of gallstones include:

When your bile consists of plenty of Bilirubin

Bilirubin is a chemical fluid produced by the liver. Its purpose is to destroy old red blood cells from the body. Due to liver disorders and some other types of blood disorders, the liver produces excessive amounts of Bilirubin. This excessive secretion of Bilirubin causes the formation of dark brown or black gallstones that are pigmented. These gallstones are formed due to the gallbladder being unable to break down the excessive amounts of Bilirubin.

When your bile consists of excessive amounts of cholesterol

Cholesterol rich gallstones develop when the cholesterol level produced by your liver is more than what bile available in your body can dissolve. Cholesterol rich gallstones tend to be yellow in colour.

When the gallbladder is unable to empty itself leading to concentrated bile

The gallbladder is an organ that functions best when it can properly store and empty its bile contents without any hindrance. When the gallbladder cannot empty its contents of bile in an orderly fashion, it leads to the development of concentrated bile that eventually leads to the formation of gallstones.

Risks

Gallstones have many risk factors, some of which are controllable while others are uncontrollable. The controllable risk factors generally relate to a person’s diet. The uncontrollable factors delve into the person’s gender, sex, age, race, family history. These factors can’t be changed; Hence they are called the uncontrollable risk factors of gallstones.

Controllable risk factors

• Having obesity or being overweight

• Suffering from diabetes mellitus

• Suffering from sudden weight loss in a very short period of time

• Eating a high fibre diet that is fat and cholesterol heavy and also low in fibre.

Uncontrollable risk factors

• Being Female

• Belonging to the Native American race

• Being over 40

• Belonging to the Hispanic and Mexican ethnicity

• Having liver disease

• Gallstones can lead to different types of complications they are mentioned below:

Complications

• Inflamed gallbladder: The inflammation of the gallbladder can be very painful and even cause fever. The inflammation is caused when a gallstone is created at the neck of the gallbladder. The gallstone stops the flow of bile out of your liver and causes the inflammation of the gallbladder.

• Gallbladder cancer: Gallbladder cancer is a condition that affects people that have a history of gallstones. This type of cancer is highly rare, and even with a history of gallstones, the probability of being affected by gallbladder cancer remains considerably low.

Treatment

The treatment of gallstones is commonly done through surgery. However, it is possible that you might not need surgery. This is because, more often than not, gallstones do not show any symptoms or pain. People often pass their stones without feeling any pain. In case you are feeling pain from gallstones, doctors might recommend getting surgery. In rare cases, even medicinal treatment is used for curing gallstones.

Diet

For dietary practices maintaining a low fat and cholesterol diet is one of the key factors to protect yourself from the risk of gallstones. Gallstones often contain mostly cholesterol, so it is essential to maintain the cholesterol levels in your body. Avoiding food that can increase your cholesterol levels can help you keep your gallstone risk in check.

Acute Liver Failure: Know What Experts Say

Experiencing an acute liver failure can be a real nightmare. There is only a small time-window, and the absence of urgent medical care can accelerate a patient's condition to a life-threatening stage.

Considering the risks associated with acute liver failure, it is surprising that most people, especially those with an ailing liver, are still unaware of the many complications a sick Liver can trigger without any prior notice. We thought it is time that we use our platform to educate people about this life-threatening condition. 

We sat down with Dr. Gaurav Gandhi, who is a Consultant- Dept. of Gastroenterology at Medipulse. Dr. Gaurav Gandhi gives us detailed information about acute liver failure, its cause symptoms, and treatment. We hope this information would help create awareness about the disease.

1. Who is a candidate for Acute Liver Failure?

The liver is a large organ with a size similar to that of a football. Hence, there would be signs of any inconsistencies in liver health. The primary ones include yellowish discoloration of the skin and eyes, swelling and pain around the abdominal region, chronic fatigue, nausea and vomiting, and itchy skin. In any of these cases, the best thing is to visit a doctor and get your liver checked immediately.

Normally, the first stage of Liver failure has no obvious pain. But jaundice, swelling, fatigue, and other signs must not be taken lightly. Once the liver has been severely damaged, severe complications start appearing fast and rapid.

2. What exactly is Acute Liver Failure?

Acute liver failure is the rapid deterioration of liver function. Within just a few weeks from the first signs of liver disease, 80–90% of liver cells are damaged, and the failure may occur within a matter of days.

3. What are its primary causes and related complications?

Viral infections (hepatitis A, B, and E) are the predominant causes of acute liver failure. Further drug-induced liver damage is another primary cause of acute liver failure. It accounts for nearly 50% of the global acute liver failure cases.

Acute liver failure, more often than not, causes severe complications, including:

• Excessive pressure in the brain (leading to Coma)

• Bleeding

• Renal failure

4. When Must One Press The Panic Button?

As early as possible!

Hyper-acute liver failure occurs within a week, sub-acute within 4–12 weeks and acute within 8–28 days. If untreated, the acute liver may lead to a complete shutdown of the liver functions.

Initial Signs:

• Fatigue

• Nausea

• Nausea

• Appetite Loss

Signs of Progressive Liver Failure

• Swollen abdomen

• Jaundice

• Bleeding

• Mental disorientation or confusion

In any of the cases, it is a must that the patients get medical care at the earliest.

5. How is Acute Liver Failure Treated?

Treatment primarily depends on whether the failure was detected on time or not. In case, it is detected early enough; the doctor can sometimes stop the damage from progressing beyond repairs and prevent complete organ failure.

Initially, the goal is to achieve metabolic and hemodynamic stability for preventing the risk of complications. However, the rate of survival is less without a transplant. For patients who can’t survive with medical support only, a liver transplant is a potential treatment option.

Going through an acute liver failure is a painfully fearsome experience. However, timely liver care can help potential patients avoid this life-threatening condition. At Medipulse Hospital, we have the medical infrastructure and the expertise to offer your liver the care it deserves. In Dr. Gaurav Gandhi, we have an expert who has years of experience in diagnosing and treating an ailing liver. Get your Liver checked and treated at Medipulse, the top private hospital in Jodhpur. Don’t let an ailing liver stop you from living a happy and healthy life. 

How To Avoid Gastric Problems This Diwali?

Diwali is that season of festivities when the entire country is bathed in light, celebrating happiness means sharing delicious food with near and dear ones. However, a number of people consider it a free pass to binge on their favourite food, which, more often than they can imagine, lead to a series of health issues. While the festivities should not stop during the most awaited festival of the year, it can be turned into a responsible way of celebration with a few simple precautions.

Overeating causes a lot of serious problems in a person, ranging from the heart to the digestive system. However, the problem that can dampen the spirits of a person and everyone around are gastric issues. So, in order to save festivities from getting ruined, here is a shortlist of items to prevent gastric issues from coming in the way of Post Diwali happiness.

How to Prevent Gastric Problems During Diwali?

While the problems may start to show up after Diwali, the most obvious reason that they are happening in the first place is the person’s habit of binge eating during the festival. So to avoid Gastric problems, the best way is to prevent them from happening. Here is what you can do:

●       Eat Correct: The worst enemy of a person’s health during Diwali is the wide abundance of salty, fried, and sweet food items. For the right balance of all nutrients, the first step is to eat fresh food and lay off the preservatives-rich food. Moreover, eating excessive salt causes water to be retained by the body, which, in turn, causes bloating. So, a person must avoid eating an excessive amount of salt.

●       No Caffeine: Caffeine not only causes bloating in the body, but it also worsens the condition by increasing the rate of bloating in a person.

●       Help The Digestive System: Even a little bit of extra food can cause the digestive system to work for longer. This is what causes issues like delayed sleep patterns and restlessness in people. Giving the digestive system a small push with the help of a few probiotics like yogurt, soup, and microalgae. These probiotics enhance the secretion of gut enzymes, which eventually help in effective digestion.

How to Get Rid of Gastric Problems?

Although prevention is better than cure, even after proper care and prevention, gastric problems appear due to one reason or others. There are a number of steps that can help the body cope up with all the harm that may have been done during the festival. Here are some of the best ways:

●       Detoxify: Detoxification for a few days after Diwali can go a long way in stopping the progress of any disease that the body may have received. Remember that while detoxification does require a person to follow certain rules, it does not necessarily mean starving. The main idea is to let the body and systems rest. So, drink cold-pressed juices in a required amount throughout the day to detoxify.

●       Sleep: Maintaining the Circadian clock of the body is as important as detoxifying. Hence, sleeping is another way that the body copes up with the events of the day as it rests and repairs itself. Take proper sleep so that the body heals itself and get rid of the gastric problems.

●       Hydration: Drinking water throughout the day is the best way to get rid of all the toxins. Therefore, drink as much water as possible to stay healthy.

While Diwali is easily the most loved festival of the year in India, it should definitely not be treated as a reason to binge-eat without a check. However, if you are unable to cope up with the health issues even after following the above tips, leave your other health concerns in the reliable hands of the top private hospital in Jodhpur, Medipulse. Our experienced doctors can take care of your every health issue at the earliest. With that said, the team at Medipulse wishes you a Happy Diwali and reaffirms that you celebrate it safely, for the sake of you and your family’s health.

What Binge Eating Does To The Body And How Not To Overeat This Diwali

Festivals are a means for families and friends to come together and celebrate in unison. This festival of lights is celebrated with a lot of love and enthusiasm in different ways, involving a lot of food. Indian festivals aren’t really complete without the involvement of at least a dozen varieties in food, with at least a dozen kinds of sweets for the festivities. And in these times, the tendency to overeat often takes over.

Winding up with a full belly with a little soreness is often the aftermath of overeating, and can be dealt with. However, binge eating as a habit can get seriously out of hands, resulting in health problems and conditions that stay with a person for the rest of his/her life. So what happens when a person overeats? And how harmful is that? Can it be avoided this Diwali? This article discusses it all.

What Overeating Does to the Body?

Overeating is a process that takes effect slowly and in parts. The ill-effects of overeating go far and beyond an excess of calories in the body and can be understood with these simple points.

●       Overeating expands the stomach beyond its standard size, causing extra pressure on the surrounding organs. This pressure causes the feeling of discomfort in people, with the additional feeling of lethargy and drowsiness.

●       Overeating also forces other organs to work harder, secreting extra hormones and enzymes.

●       Overeating may result in stomach acid to back up and enter the esophagus, causing heartburn.

●       It can also result in the formation of gas, causing high levels of discomfort.

●       Overeating may also put the metabolism in hyperdrive to digest all the extra food, leaving the person feeling suddenly hot, sweaty, and even dizzy.

How Harmful is Overeating?

Aside from all the above temporary harmful effects, overeating has been known to cause more profound and graver health problems in people. A human body functions typically by using certain calories to perform a certain set of actions, and stores the excess in the form of fat.

An excess of this fat then begins to collect in several different places in the body, causing what is commonly known as obesity. Research and studies from all around the world have long stated that obesity is the most common risk factor for various chronic conditions like heart problems and cancer. The enzymes that break down food to provide energy to the body are available in limited amounts, which means that overeating also causes pressure on the glands of the body as they have to overwork to digest the extra food or store it up as fat.

Another harmful effect of overeating is that it impacts the circadian clock or the biological clock of the body, causing erratic rises and falls in the sleep and hunger levels throughout the day.

 How to Avoid Overeating During Diwali?

Diwali is the most awaited festival in the country, but can easily become a drastic development instead of a pompous time, something that can take months, years, or even lifetime of corrective measures to undo, restrain, or regulate. A few simple steps can go a long way in avoiding overeating and must be included as an important part of life.

●       Eat-in moderate amounts

●       Avoid skipping any meal

●       Choose healthy over unhealthy, like dry fruits instead of sweets

●       Avoid sugar-rich drinks

●       Choose fresh food over stored food or food which uses preservatives

●       Eating slowly is a good habit

●       Include a good amount of physical activity

While celebrations are a necessary part of everyone’s life, overeating should certainly not be. And to create a habit out of it is certainly not good for the body. Celebrating responsibly is the only way forward, be it fireworks, restricted use of water, or even eating.

To enjoy festivals worry-free and in full fervor, it is always advisable to get a full-body checkup from the best hospital in Jodhpur. Medipulse Hospital is offering many exclusive preventive health care packages at affordable costs. With an expert staff that provides world-class medical services, we urge you to take care of the celebrations while being responsible, while we will take care of your health.