Here’s How To Go About Selecting The Best Gastroenterologist

 Gastroenterology is a stream of medicine that deals with the study of the digestive system including the pancreas, gall bladder, bile ducts and liver and various disorders related to these organs. This is a vast field of study as it requires the knowledge of so many different organs and the expertise to correctly diagnose the issues related to them. As such, you need to be very sure about the efficiency and expertise of the doctor before consulting one. Here’s how you can go about looking for the best gastroenterologist.

Ask for recommendations: Whether you are looking to consult a gastroenterologist in Delhi or in Bangalore, Hyderabad or any city for that matter, you should always first ask around for some recommendations. If any one of your acquaintances has had a good experience with a certain doctor you can always trust that doctor for a good diagnosis, treatment and management of your condition.

Check online for recommendations: Nowadays there are some very good websites and apps with the help of which you can book doctor’s appointments and even read reviews about them. These websites offer detailed information about the doctor’s qualification, their experience, schedule and everything else that patients might need to know.

Read the Reviews: While recommendations from friends and family are definitely helpful in finding a good doctor, reading reviews online can be extremely helpful as there you can see what people with different issues have to say about the doctor. The reviews help you get an overall understanding of the doctor’s behaviour as well as the approach towards patients.

Check the associated medical facility: In disciplines like gastroenterology, the doctor may often need to perform investigative procedures like endoscopy for which the patient may need to be admitted to the hospital the doctor is associated with. As such, it is very important to know all you can about the medical facility.

Try to know about the fee: Before you go to a gastroenterologist in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai or any city, you must try to find out about the doctor’s fee. You can always get detailed information about the doctor’s visit from different sites or even the website of the hospital that the doctor may be associated with.

An Insight into Diverse Types of Liver Tumors

There are many severe medical conditions associated with the liver, hepatic tumours being one of them. It basically refers to a type of growth occurring in or on the liver. Liver tumours can be divided into primary and secondary. In the former case, the tumour arises in the liver, while in the latter the tumour starts in some other organ but gradually spreads to the liver. No matter which of the conditions you are diagnosed with, it is important to consult the best liver specialist at Sir Ganga Ram hospital or some other renowned healthcare facility, for its treatment. 

The liver often becomes a site for metastatic tumours as it receives blood from multiple other organs. Hence, secondary tumours are way more prevalent than the ones developing in the liver itself. They can be either benign or malignant.

Benign liver Tumours

• Hemangioma: This is the most common type of benign liver tumour. Even though they usually do not cause any major symptom, such tumours do lead to bleeding at times, and subsequently, have to be removed. 
• Hepatic adenomas: Such epithelial tumours develop in the liver itself, and are usually seen among women using estrogens as contraceptives, as well as individuals taking steroids. These tumours are located in the right hepatic lobe and may cause extreme abdominal pain.
• Focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH): Such tumours generally develop due to localized hepatocyte response to underlying congenital arteriovenous malformation.

A malignant or cancerous tumour of liver

• Hepatocellular carcinoma: This type of liver cancer develops due to chronic liver inflammation.
• Hepatoblastoma: Developing in children and infants, this is a rare variety of malignant liver tumours. 
• Cholangiocarcinoma: Comprising of mutated epithelial cells, this is also known as bile duct cancer.

Most of such tumours are metastases from other tumours, usually the ones developing in the GI tract. They may also spread from renal cancer, ovarian cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, and more. 

Regardless of the specific type of liver tumour, you may have, their proper management and treatment are extremely crucial. For this purpose, you must contact the best liver specialist at Sir Ganga Ram hospital or any other leading medical centre. Due to the high severity of many liver tumours, you should try to get treated at the best possible facility.

Here’s All You Need to Know About POEM

POEM is a minimally invasive endoscopic procedure that helps in the treatment of Achalasia. This procedure has made the treatment of the poem for Achalasia much less complicated and painful for the patient. 

The write-up focuses on the condition of Achalasia as well as this innovative treatment procedure.

What is POEM for Achalasia?

Achalasia is a condition in which the lower oesophagal sphincter gets damaged due to which food that is swallowed does not empty into the abdomen. This leads to a condition known as dysphagia wherein the person always has a feeling of food stuck in the throat and even feels nauseated. People suffering from Achalasia eventually develop other serious conditions like weight loss, chest pain, difficulty in swallowing, etc.

POEM: An Effective Treatment for Achalasia

While earlier Laparoscopic Heller Myotomy was considered the most effective treatment for Achalasia, it required making multiple incisions in the abdomen. POEM, which is the abbreviated form of Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy, however, replaced this procedure as it requires just one incision and is more efficient. 

In this procedure, a flexible upper endoscope is first used to create an incision into the mucosa of the oesophagus. The endoscope is then pushed down into the oesophagus after which an endoscopic myotomy is carried out. After the procedure is completed, the oesophageal mucosal incision is sealed with the help of clips. The entire procedure of POEM is done under general anaesthesia and takes about 2-3 hours to complete. 

After the adequate recuperation time, the next morning, an upper GI is performed in order to assess how well the patient can swallow. The patient is given a full liquid diet for two consecutive weeks after the procedure. For the follow-ups after POEM for Achalasia, be it in Delhi or any other city, doctors call the patients to the hospital or their clinics after a span of two weeks and then again after a span of six weeks. 

Advantages of POEM

Since POEM involves making a single small incision, it ensures minimal discomfort for the patient. People undergoing POEM also enjoy quick recovery with no visible scars. With POEM for Achalasia done by doctors in Delhi, Kolkata, Bangalore or any other city, there is also a minimal chance of injury to other organs along with fewer chances of incisional hernias.

All You Need to Know About Esophagitis

Esophagitis refers to the inflammation of the esophagus (the muscular tube that transports food from the mouth to the stomach.) Esophagitis may even cause damage to the tissues of the esophagus. The causes of this condition may include stomach acids backing up into the esophagus (acid reflux), an oral infection, and certain medications or allergies. Let us know more about esophagitis: 

Symptoms

Some of the common symptoms of esophagitis are:

• trouble in swallowing
• sore throat
• pain in the chest 
• hoarse voice
• nausea
• low appetite 
• cough 

Types of Esophagitis

There are majorly four different types of esophagitis: 

1. Eosinophilic esophagitis

Eosinophilic esophagitis occurs when there is a high concentration of white blood cells (eosinophils) in the esophagus. This usually happens in response to an allergen. Some of the most common triggers may include:

• milk
• eggs
• tree nuts
• soy
• peanuts
• wheat
• shellfish

2. Reflux esophagitis

Reflux esophagitis refers to the issue caused due to the frequent backflow of acid. This is also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). This may even cause long-lasting inflammation and constant irritation of the esophagus.

3. Drug-induced esophagitis

Drug-induced esophagitis takes place when certain medications remain in contact with the lining of the esophagus for a long period of time. This usually happens when an individual gulps down pills with little or no water. Pain relievers and antibiotics are some of the medications that may cause drug-induced esophagitis.

4. Infectious esophagitis

Infectious esophagitis is a rare condition and can be caused due to bacteria, fungi, viruses, or parasites. People with weakened immune system are at a higher risk of developing this condition. It is also common in people diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, cancer, or diabetes.

We hope that this information will help you get an idea of esophagitis. Also, it is important that one should get diagnosis from one of the best esophagus doctors Delhi or Gurgaon in case they observe any aforementioned symptoms.

Things to Know About Cirrhosis of the Liver

Cirrhosis is a late-stage liver disease, growing slowly over many years. In this condition, the healthy liver tissue is damaged and replaced by scarr tissue, damaging the liver permanently. With time, the condition becomes severe as it can begin blocking the blood flow through the liver. It also prevents the liver from working normally. Cirrhosis is a liver condition that involves irreversible scarring and loss of liver cells. Every time the liver gets damaged, it can repair itself and create hard scar tissue. However, when extreme scar tissue builds up, the liver stops working properly. One must visit a liver specialist if he or she feels any kind of symptoms. Early detection can help people keep the problem in check. Those who are looking forward to consulting the best liver specialist in Delhi can visit Gangaram Hospital.

Symptoms

Cirrhosis often shows no signs and symptoms until the condition gets extensive. However, when signs and symptoms occur, these may include:

• Loss of appetite
• Nausea and fatigue
• Weight loss
• Easily bleeding or bruising
• Itchy skin
• Pain in the area of the liver
• Swelling in feet, legs, or ankles
• Spiderlike blood vessels on the skin
• Fluid buildup in the abdomen 
• Jaundice or yellow discolouration in the eyes and skin    

Causes

Cirrhosis always develops due to another liver disease or problem. There are different types of conditions and problems that can damage the liver and cause cirrhosis. Some of the major causes include:

• Chronic hepatitis (hepatitis B, C, and D)
• Poorly formed bile ducts (biliary atresia)a
• A fat build-up in the liver which is a non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
• Chronic alcohol abuse
• Genetic digestive disorder 
• Infection, including syphilis or brucellosis
• Hereditary disorders of sugar metabolism
• Certain medication
• Liver disease caused by the body's immune system 

One can reduce their chances of cirrhosis by maintaining a healthy weight, eating a plant-based healthy diet, avoiding alcohol consumption, and avoiding the risks of hepatitis. Those who are concerned about the risks of liver cirrhosis or feel any discomfort associated with the liver must consult a Liver specialist at Gangaram Hospital in Delhi or any other reputed hospital in another city.

Pancreas: Functions and Disorders

The pancreas is an abdominal organ and is a vital part of the digestive system. Its function is to produce insulin and other important enzymes and hormones that help in breaking down food. It also has an endocrine function as it releases juices that go directly into the bloodstream where it regulates the system’s glucose or sugar levels. Issues with insulin control may lead to diabetes. Other than this, it also has an exocrine function since it releases juices into the ducts. The enzymes or digestive juices are secreted by the pancreas in the small intestine. This is where it continues breaking down food. Let us know more about its functions and the common disorders of the pancreas. 

Disorders

If the above-mentioned functions are not properly carried out by the pancreas, it can lead to various pancreatic disorders, like:

• Pancreatitis, or inflammation of the pancreas: This occurs when digestive enzymes begin digesting the pancreas itself. 
• Pancreatic cancer: formation of cancer cells in the pancreas. 
• Cystic fibrosis: This is a genetic disorder in which a thick and sticky mucus blocks tubes in the pancreas. 

Symptoms 

The pancreas plays multiple roles. Thus, there can be various symptoms that an individual may observe in case pancreas is not functioning well. Some of the most common symptoms are:

• fever
• abdominal tenderness
• nausea or vomiting
• weight loss
• bloating
• diarrhoea
• light-coloured stool
• foul-smelling stool

These symptoms could be because of an underlying condition like EPI or pancreatitis. Thus, one should not overlook these symptoms and should consult one of the best pancreas specialists in Delhi or Gurgaon. 

Prevention

By altering a few habits and bringing in some lifestyle changes, one can prevent various disorders related to the pancreas. Some of the ways, in which one can reduce the risk of developing pancreatic diseases are:

• Consuming little or no alcohol 
• Consuming a low-fat diet
• Leading an active lifestyle (exercise regularly and lose excess weight)
• Skipping crash diets
• Quitting smoking

Severe disorders like pancreatitis and pancreas cancer can be treated if diagnosed in the early stages. Thus, it is extremely important to consult a pancreas specialist as soon as the individual starts witnessing symptoms. 

An Overview of Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is a disease that occurs when digestive enzymes are activated while they are still in the pancreas. This irritates the cells in the pancreas can result in inflammation. The pancreas is located behind the stomach in the upper abdomen. It produces enzymes that help in digestion and hormones that regulate the way the body processes sugar (glucose). Pancreatitis is generally divided into two types- acute pancreatitis and chronic pancreatitis. 

Acute pancreatitis 

Acute pancreatitis refers to a sudden inflammation in the pancreas which lasts for a short period. Some of the most common signs and symptoms of acute pancreatitis could be:

• Abdominal pain 
• Vomiting
• Fever
• Rapid pulse
• Nausea

Chronic pancreatitis 

Chronic pancreatitis refers to long-lasting inflammation in the pancreas. Some of the major symptoms of chronic pancreatitis may include:

• Upper abdominal pain
• Unexpected weight loss
• Steatorrhea

Risk Factors

Various factors may increase the risk of developing pancreatitis. Some of the major risk factors include:

Cigarette smoking: On average, smokers are three times more likely to develop chronic pancreatitis as compared to non-smokers. However, giving up smoking may reduce this risk to half. 

Excessive alcohol consumption: According to research, people who consume alcohol regularly are at higher risk of developing pancreatitis.

Obesity: Obese people are more likely to develop pancreatitis. 

Family history: Genetics also play a major role and may be responsible for chronic pancreatitis in individuals. Thus, having a family history of pancreatitis may increase an individual’s chances of developing the condition. 

Treatment of pancreatitis usually depends on the type and severity of the disease. Thus, one should consult only the best pancreas specialist in Delhi NCR to avail proper treatment and medication for the disease. 

We hope that this information will help you get a better idea of the disease, its symptoms and causes.