Crohn's Disease

The gastrointestinal tract is a long passage that begins at the mouth or oral cavity and ends in the anus. This tract is a part of the digestive system, which also consists of organs like the stomach, spleen, pancreas etc. The main function of this vital system is digestion and assimilation of food. Since the food that we eat may sometimes be contaminated, it can lead to a number of disorders in the digestive system. One such disorder that affects the gastrointestinal tract that results in its inflammation is Crohn's disease, which is also known as Chrome disease. Crohn's disease is named in honor of the renowned gastroenterologist Burrill Bernard Crohn, an American who was the first to come across this disease in patients. This health disorder can be quite painful and can cause a hindrance to one's routine activity. Sometimes the pain is so excruciating that the person may be unable to even move.

Chrome disease is a kind of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which affects the intestines, particularly the small intestines. This disease is also known by various other names like ileitis, granulomatous colitis or enteritis and regional enteritis. This chronic disorder is similar to an inflammatory disease of the colon (or the large intestine) which is called ulcerative colitis. The main cause of this intestinal problem is the fact that the inner lining of the intestine ruptures. Though this disease is particularly known to affect the intestines, it can also affect the mouth and other parts of the human digestive system. Let us discuss about the symptoms cautions and treatments available for Chrome disease.

Symptoms of Chrome Disease

Observing Chrome disease symptoms will help detect the severity and spread of this health disorder. The signs of this disease may range from mild to intense and can also affect a person without any warning. There are also certain phases, where this disease may go into remission, where no symptoms are exhibited. The symptoms, that are given below, can be noticed only when the disease is in active phase.

    * One of the primary symptoms of this chronic intestinal disease is severe abdominal pain, specially in the lower abdominal region, accompanied by cramping. The individual may also experience a feeling of fullness or bloating sensation due to the swelling of the intestines.
    * Ulcers in the mouth, similar to canker sores may also develop. The reason for the eruption of mouth sores may be because the ulcers in the intestine may have spread to the oral cavity.
    * Blood In stool is also one of the symptoms of Crohn's disease. Due to internal bleeding from the intestines the person may notice bloody or tarry stools.
    * Other symptoms that can be observed in a patient suffering from Crohn's disease are loss of appetite, unexplained weight loss, persistent fever, fatigue and skin disorders, that may take a longer time to heal.

Chrome Disease Treatment

Unfortunately, there is no remedial treatment for Chrome disease as yet. The treatment provided for this disease can help bring down the inflammation and reduce the severity of this disorder. After conducting the diagnostic tests related to this illness, the doctor may prescribe medications like antibiotics, to treat the fistulas in the intestine, anti inflammatory drugs to reduce the inflammation, and immunosuppressant drugs to reduce the response of the immune system to Crohn's disease. Sometimes internal bleeding in the intestines may result in anemia. So in order to fight against this health disorder, iron supplements may be prescribed. The doctor may also chalk out a Crohn's disease diet plan for the patient to follow, that is easily digested by the body. Following this medication and diet regimen will help individuals with Chrome disease lead a near normal life.

This was all about Chrome disease. Following a regular Crohn's diet plan will help reduce the severity of this disorder. To maintain a proper digestive health, following a proper diet plan, a routine exercise regimen and staying away from alcohol and other vices is essential. Eat nutritious to stay healthy. Take care!

Cradle Cap

What is Cradle Cap?

Cradle cap is a rather temporary and harmless skin disease generally suffered by infants of two months to two years of age. In the dermatological terminology, this skin condition is termed as infantile or neonatal seborrhoeic dermatitis. The ailment is also known as crusta lactea, milk crust, or honeycomb disease. Generally, it is not itchy; hence, it does not bother the baby very much.

What are the symptoms?

In Cradle Cap, the effected area gets covered with yellowish, patchy, greasy, scaly, and crusty skin rashes. The rashes occur on the scalp of recently born babies and are often prominent around the ear, the eyebrows or the eyelids. Most commonly, it begins to occur sometime in the first 3 months after the birth of the baby. The same skin condition may appear in other locations as well. But in that case, it is called seborrhoeic dermatitis rather than cradle cap.

What are the causes?

In fact, the cause behind cradle cap is not clearly defined yet. However, it is certain that the disease is not caused by any infection, allergy or from maintaining poor hygiene. It is believed that cradle cap has to do with overactive sebaceous glands in the skin of newborn babies. The overactivity of the sebaceous glands is due to the presence of mother's hormones in the baby's circulation.

Scientists also believe that skin yeasts, scientifically known as Pityrosporum ovale and newly renamed as Malassezia furfur, is responsible for cradle cap. It has been speculated by nutritionally oriented practitioners that the disorder is caused by the baby's immature digestive system. They opine that the digestive system of the patient cannot absorb sufficient biotin and other vitamins of the B-complex.

What is the remedy?

Since the actual cause behind cradle cap is not clear yet, there is no absolute treatment for it. Dermatologists commonly advice to apply vegetable or mineral oil liberally to the scalp and let it soak in overnight. Considering the fact that Malassezia yeasts thrive in oily environments, some are advised to leave the oil for lesser periods of time. The softened scales can then be brushed away with a soft brush, toothbrush, comb, or cloth.

Some of the dermatologists recommend application of petroleum jelly (e.g., Vaseline) liberally overnight as another popular treatment. Mild baby shampoo is often recommended; but specialists are not unanimous about it. Yet, ketoconazole shampoos and creams are taking first place in medical treatment of moderate to serious cradle cap. In mild cradle cap cases, home remedies are thought to be the appropriate treatment. Fore more information visit www.purebabyuk.com.

Colon Cancer

Colon cancer, in medical nomenclature is referred to as colorectal cancer. The colon cancer has its origination points in the large intestine and terminates in the colon. Colon, or colorectal cancer, is a cancer that starts in the large intestine (colon) or the rectum (end of the colon). Colon cancer staging describes the extent to which the cancer has navigated. The staging gives the oncologist a clear perspective of the sight so as to determine the line of treatment and consequential prognosis. The result of the staging is dependent on how far the cancer has reached, whether or not it has spread farther in the intestine and whether or not the cancer has reached the neighboring organs of the body. Colon cancer staging is the process to discover the extent and the degree to which colon cancer has reached. CT scans and MRI's, X-rays and PET scans, physical examinations and biopsies are conducted in order to understand the staging of colon cancer.

Methods of Staging

There are two reliable methods of staging. They are termed as clinical method of staging and the pathological method of staging.

Clinical Method of Staging: This is the preliminary method of staging in which physical examinations serve to be a tool to measure the extent of damage that has been caused and how far the cancer has reached.

Pathological Method of Staging: If surgery is the resort that your consultant oncologist has prescribed, then the results are dependent and based on the clinical staging coupled with the diagnosis that is conducted during the surgery is also revealed.

Pathological staging is all the more accurate as the surgeon gets an impression of the extent and the spread of the disease. There can be possibilities that cancer or any discrepancies that did not show in the clinical biopsies are now revealed by the doctor through surgery, thereby increasing the pathological staging and the diagnostic standards.

Symptoms of Colon Cancer

    * Abdominal Pain
    * Tenderness in the affected area of the lower abdomen
    * Weight Loss
    * Blood in Stool
    * Narrow, Slim stools
    * Diarrhea
    * Constipation
    * Intestinal Obstruction
    * Loss of Appetite

Stages of Colon Cancer

There are four stages of colon cancer with an additional fifth stage called the recurring stage.

Stage 0
Stage 0 is the earliest stage of colon cancer where detection time is concerned. The cancer at this stage only involves the lining of the colon being affected. The physical examination reveals the presence of polyps. Polyps are tiny pustule-like structures and are tissues that bulge or protrude though the organ. During a procedure called colonoscopy, the tissues are removed, thus the chance of cancer progressing to the next stage is discarded. Colonoscopy is a test in which the practitioner inserts a device, namely a video camera, that navigates inside the anus, progressing into the colon. This device is operated by the doctor. The device is meant to capture images of the affected colon area and shows the discrepancy in the colon on the screen that is being viewed by the doctor. The extent of damage is very well judged by a colonoscopy also known as polypectomy.

Stage I
Stage I of cancer involves more than the inner walls covered by polyps. The polyps have now transformed into a tumor and extend up to the wall of the rectum. The section of colon that is affected by the tumor can be surgically removed. The healthy section of the colon can be joined back together. This is a surgery that is referred to as resection. This surgery increases and adheres to the 5 percent survival rate

Stage II
This stage is characterized by cancer that has spread beyond the colon, however the cancer has not spread to the lymph nodes. When cancer spreads form one part of the body to another, it is called metastasis. The resection surgery applies to this stage as well, with the five-years survival rate dropping to 60 percent.

Stage III
The cancer has spread outside the colon and has extended to the lymph nodes in the area around the colon. The cancer in this stage is still controlled as the cancer has not spread to other organs of the body. A Surgical resection, chemotherapy and medical supplements are necessary at this stage. The five year survival rate drops to 35 to 60 percent.

Stage IV
In this stage, the cancer has spread to other parts of the body such as the lungs or the liver. Radiation, chemotherapy and surgical resection become mandatory in this stage of cancer. There are only 3 percent chances of reaching the five year survival rate.

Recurrent Cancer
After cancer is treated there are chances that the cancer may come back. If after five years have lapsed and the cancer does not come back, then the person is said to be completely cured.

Treatment for Colon Cancer

    * Radiation Therapy
    * Colectomy Surgery (to remove the section that is cancerous)
    * Chemotherapy

This was all about the colon cancer staging and the methods that have been used to consider and diagnose the staging. Hope this article has helped you to the core.

Cholesterol

Cholesterol is found in cell walls and cell membranes, almost everywhere in the body. It is a waxy, fat like substance that is naturally present in the body. Cholesterol is necessary to produce many hormones, vitamin D, and the bile acids. Though it is required for various metabolic processes, a very small amount of cholesterol in blood is enough to meet the needs. Cholesterol is produced by the body mainly in the liver and also comes from the food (animal products) we eat. Before taking a look at the high cholesterol symptoms, let us take a look at the cholesterol types and normal levels.

Normal Levels of Cholesterol

There are two types of cholesterol, HDL (High-density lipoprotein) or "good" cholesterol and LDL (Low-density lipoprotein) or "bad" cholesterol. HDL does not allow LDL (bad) cholesterol to get lodged into your artery walls. High LDL levels can block your arteries, and thus can increase your risk of heart attack and stroke. According to the cholesterol range chart, normal blood cholesterol should be less than 200 mg/dL. HDL cholesterol should be 60 mg/dl or higher and LDL cholesterol should be in the range of 100 - 129 mg/dl. Remember, 200 - 239 mg/dl cholesterol is considered as borderline high while cholesterol more than 240 mg/dl is considered as high cholesterol. It is a good sign that most people are aware of high cholesterol risks. Here is a list of high cholesterol symptoms.

High Cholesterol Symptoms

Actually, high cholesterol does not exhibit any symptoms as such and it does not make you feel sick. It is generally detected in routine medical check-ups. But we can enlist certain conditions which indicate high cholesterol levels. Some conditions indicate severely elevated cholesterol levels.

    * Chest pain
    * A heart condition
    * A problem with your pancreas
    * White patches around the eyes
    * Cholesterol deposits around the cornea
    * Whitish edges around the cornea
    * Corneal arcus (rings are noticed around the cornea)
    * Yellow patches around the eyelids
    * Change in the color of peripheral cornea
    * Skin changes; fatty deposits observed under the skin and around the eyes
    * Fatty nodules over tendons
    * Due to build up of cholesterol and fat (fatty deposits or plaques) in the artery walls, there can be insufficient supply of blood to the organs. Leg pain while walking or running, angina, reduced heart function or other heart diseases can be considered as symptoms of high cholesterol.
    * A headache felt in different locations of the head and neck, sometimes may cause visual disturbances. This type of headache is known as migraine with "aura." Nausea, vomiting and light sensitivity can be experienced in case of severe migraine. Studies show that it can be one of the high cholesterol symptoms. Headache like a migraine with aura indicates high cholesterol levels.

If the question 'how to lower cholesterol' is haunting you, here is the answer. You need to increase your physical activity, and reduce the amount of saturated fats and trans fats in your diet. Following a healthy balanced diet is the best way to increase HDL. You may consult your healthcare practitioner for proper medication to increase your HDL. He may suggest a low cholesterol diet plan to reduce the severity of high cholesterol signs and symptoms.

High cholesterol symptoms in women are usually noticed in women older than 55 years while high cholesterol symptoms in men are commonly observed in men younger than 55 years. In general, aging increases the risk of high cholesterol. Obesity, lack of physical activity, eating excessive junk food, family history, excessive stress, alcohol abuse, increase the risk of high cholesterol. If you notice any symptoms of high cholesterol, you need to check the cholesterol levels by performing a simple blood test. Certain lifestyle changes and dietary changes such as including more HDL cholesterol foods in your diet can help lower cholesterol levels. It is necessary to monitor your cholesterol levels regularly by performing the specific blood tests under the guidance of your physician.

Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer originates in the cervix uteri or cervical region and spreads throughout the body in later stages. The major cause of cervical cancer is the infection of a strain of human papillomavirus. The virus triggers the cells of the cervix to undergo alteration, which leads to cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, which further leads to cancer. Other co-factors include HIV infection, smoking, multiple pregnancies and unsafe sex with multiple partners.

Diagnosis
Cervical cancer can be diagnosed by conducting several tests like X-Ray, ultrasound, CT scan, MRI scan, and Lymphangiogram. Pap smear test is known to be the most reliable for the detection of cervical cancer, as it can identify potentially precancerous changes. Detection of cancer in the early stages can improve survival chances to a great extent.

Symptoms
The worst part about cervical cancer is that it fails to show peculiar symptoms, making it impossible to detect in the early stages. Late stages are characterized by vaginal bleeding, pain during sexual intercourse and vaginal discharge. As several other disorders show similar symptoms, these signs cannot be attributed to the development of cervical cancer alone. Hence, proper diagnosis is necessary in the initial stages itself.

Stages of Cervical Cancer
Cervical cancer is divided into five stages depending upon their severity and invasion of cancerous cells. These stages are:

Stage 0
Stage 0 cancer is also called as 'cancer in situ.' The growth of cancerous cells is found on the surface of cervix only and not anywhere else. Cervical cancer can be treated easily if detected in this stage. This stage also shows a very high survival rate.

Stage I
In this stage, the cancer cells no more confine themselves to the surface of the cervix, nevertheless, the growth is still within the cervical region. Stage 1 is subdivided in two substages - Stage IA and Stage IB.

    * Stage IA: Cancer cells are visible through a microscope. Stage IA cancer cells can be further divided into two categories depending upon the size of the tumor. IA1 includes tumors that are less than 3mm deep and less than 7mm wide. While IA2 tumors are between 3 mm to 5 mm deep and less than 7 mm wide.
    * Stage IB:Tumor is visible even without a microscope. Stage 1B tumors are divided into two categories, IB1 and IB2, depending upon the size of the tumor. In IB1, the tumor is less than 4 centimeters while in IB2 it is larger than 4 centimeters.

Stage II
Stage II cervical cancer is the stage in which cancer has invaded beyond cervix but still within the confinement of pelvic region. It is further divided into two substages:

    * Stage IIA: It is the stage in which cancer has invaded upper two thirds of vagina, but has not yet reached tissues surrounding uterus
    * Stage IIB: It is the stage in which cancer starts spreading around uterus.

Stage III
This is the second last stage in which cancer spreads to lower vagina and pelvic walls, posing threat to kidneys as well. It is further divided into two substages:

    * Stage IIIA: Cancer spreads to lower vagina but remains restricted within that area.
    * Stage IIIB: Cancer spreads upto the pelvic walls. The tumor becomes so large that it may obstruct the flow of urine from bladder to kidneys, thus damaging kidneys.

Stage IV
This is the final stage in which the cancer leaves the pelvic region and invades rest of the body organs. It is divided in two substages:

    * Stage IVA: It is the stage in which cancer invades organs like bladder and rectum which are closely located to the cervix.
    * Stage IVB: It is the stage in which the cancer reaches distant organs like abdomen, liver, lungs etc.

As evident from above, cancer can be best treated if it is detected during early stages. And as cervical cancer does not show any peculiar symptoms, it is better to get a routine check-up done. Especially, women above 35 years of age should regularly undergo pap-smear screening.

Celiac Disease

Silent and deadly, celiac disease is an autoimmune digestive disorder, affecting nearly three million people in America. The disorder is triggered in genetically susceptible people of all ages by the consumption of gluten protein found in wheat, barley and rye. This results in the destruction of the villi of small intestine, by the immune reaction leading not only to the malabsorption of nutrients but also causing a damage to the intestinal walls.

The history of celiac disease is a thought provoking tale. It has been in existence since the prehistoric ages, when the nomadic man stopped gathering fruits and nuts to settle down. This eventually lead to civilization and growth of agriculture. With this spurt in agriculture and domestication of animals, the Neolithic man was introduced to a new diet which differed starkly from his previous diet. While some people were able to adapt to this new food diet, comprising cereals and animal protein, others developed food intolerances. This led to the birth of celiac disease also known as the coeliac disease, celiac sprue, endemic sprue, gluten enteropathy and gluten intolerence.

The earliest known record of this disease was when the Greek physician, Aretaeus of Cappadocia, wrote about 'the coeliac affection' in the second century A.D. He described the condition as, "If the stomach be irretentive of the food and if it pass through undigested and crude, and nothing ascends into the body, we call such persons coeliacs". He termed the Greek word 'koiliakos' to describe the people afflicted with the disorder. The book contains references of fatty diarrhea and also provides the symptoms of the disease in adults and children. Translated in 1856 by Francis Adams, the original Greek text is believed to have been a remarkable insight into the disease.

Around seventeen centuries later, the next clinical account of the disease by Mr. Mathew Baillie followed. He recorded his observations on chronic diarrheal disorder and even suggested dietary remedies for it. However it was the work of an English doctor, Mr. Samuel Gee who provided the modern description of the disease and documented the importance of the gluten free diet. Subsequent contributions were made by Herter, a pediatrician who observed that fats are tolerated better than carbohydrates. This theory was supported by Sir Frederick Sill and further developed by Howland. He propounded the three stage diet where carbohydrates were introduced in the last stage.

In 1924, a dietetic therapy was introduced by Sidney Haas known as the 'banana diet'. It was based on the successful treatment of eight anorexic children, with the banana diet. He concluded that the culprit of the disease was carbohydrates. Although this theory held ground for nearly two decades, the myth was shattered through a fundamental discovery made by professor Dicke. He documented that it was wheat protein and not starch which caused celiac disease. The next breakthrough came with the discovery of the introduction of jejunal biopsy apparatus by Margaret Shiner. Thus at the turn of the century it had been established that the disorder was the result of gluten, that the mucosal lesion became easily identifiable and intestinal biopsy became the standard diagnosis.

An encouraging insight gained by the continual research in the symptoms and treatment of celiac disease is that, with a strict gluten free diet the flat lining of the coeliac small intestine could be recovered. The results were highly positive for the younger patients who were tested on.

Referred to as the most under diagnosed disease in the United States, only three percent of the afflicted people are actually diagnosed with the disease. Since the symptoms of the disease are similar to other diseases, it is difficult to identify. However with doctors becoming aware of the symptoms of celiac disease and with reliable blood tests, diagnosis rates have shown an upturn.

Canker Sores

The medical term used to describe canker sores is aphthous ulcers or aphthous stomatitis. They have an ulcer like structure that are formed on various parts of the mouth. Canker sores on gums, tongue, on inner part of the cheek and lips are most common. So far, the exact canker sores causes are not clear to the medical world. Due to some unknown reasons, women are at a higher risk of getting this problem as compared to men. It can happen to people of any age group. You can find canker sores in children and teenagers as well.

Canker Sores Causes and Symptoms

If the inside part of your mouth got any kind of injury due to dental work, biting of the cheek, brushing with hard brushes or during some sports activities, then canker sores may develop on the injury site. In general, eating spicy foods or acidic foods can cause these kind of sores. Even hot food can do the same. Some people are sensitive particularly towards certain foods like chocolate, eggs, strawberry, cheese, nuts, caffeine. When they eat any of these foods, then canker sores tend to develop inside the mouth.

For those who get canker sores repeatedly, it could be a hereditary condition. Or else, it is a symptom of any inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn's disease. It is an indication that the bowel disease is worsening further. Nutritional deficiency particularly that of iron, vitamin C, vitamin B12 or folic acid are also associated with this problem. Diseases that affect the immune system like lupus and Behcet's disease, bacterial infection, allergies, side effects of some medicines, hormonal imbalances, mental stress, certain component of toothpaste or mouthwash are the other causes that can trigger this problem.

Initially, when the sore first appear, they are almost round in shape and white or gray in color. There is also a red halo surrounding the gray part. Within a day or two, the sore get ruptured and get covered by a white membrane. At a time, one or more number of sores may develop. The size of the sores may vary in between one to ten millimeters. Depending on the size, the entire mouth become extremely painful and sensitive that can make normal activities like talking or eating bothersome. It may be accompanied by other symptoms like fever, swelling in the lymph nodes and fatigue.

Canker Sores Treatment

Most canker sores heal up on their own within one or two weeks and do not require any treatment. Till that time, certain topical medicines can be used to provide relief from the discomfort associated with it. Doctors prescribe medicated mouth rinses and toothpastes that can help in faster healing of the canker sores. In some cases, antibiotics and steriods are given for oral administration but most of the time they are avoided due to their adverse side effects. Nutritional supplements are recommended in cases of deficiency of some nutrients in the body. Sometimes, canker sores causes and treatment are inter-related. In other words, when canker sores have occurred due to some major health problems, then the underlying health disorder need to be treated in order to get rid of the sores. Learn more on how to treat canker sores.

Hope you have got a clear idea about various canker sores causes. Many people often have this query in their mind 'is canker sores contagious?'. For them, I would like to say that canker sores may look like herpes or fever blisters, but these two are totally different. Unlike fever blisters, canker sores are neither caused by any virus nor they are contagious.