What are the Precautions to be taken before you Undergo a POEM procedure?

Patients suffering from esophageal problems are sometimes required to undergo Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy (POEM) procedure. This procedure is primarily used to cure patients suffering from Achalasia. This is a disorder where the Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES) which is a valve connecting the esophagus to the stomach fails to open while swallowing. This disorder can prove to be extremely dangerous and can be corrected by a POEM procedure. However, before you can undergo the procedure there are some precautions that you must take, some of which have been discussed below.

Precautions for Undergoing a POEM Procedure

If you are consulting a POEM for Achalasia doctor Delhi then the gastroenterologist will advise you to first book a bed in the hospital for a thorough check-up. After evaluating the extent of the problem, the doctor will set a date for the procedure. Before you can undergo the procedure, you must take the following precautions:

· You will be put on a liquid diet for at least forty-eight hours before the procedure. This will ensure that there is no hindrance during the procedure.

· The doctor will instruct you not to eat or drink anything twelve hours prior to the procedure. This will keep the esophagus clear of any food particles.

· You must inform the doctor regarding any allergies that you suffer from.

· If you are on any prescription drugs, then ensure that you have informed your doctor of the same. The doctor will advise you regarding the medications that you are allowed to take before the procedure.

The POEM procedure is followed by a course of antibiotics to prevent any infection. You will be allowed to consume soft food two days after the procedure. The POEM procedure produces conclusive results and you can go back to your regular life after the post-operative care period is over.

Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy – An endoscopic procedure to treat Achalasia

Achalasia is a severe condition where the Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES) fails to open up during the swallowing of food. This leads to a backup of food within your esophagus and ultimately damages nerves in your esophagus. Individuals who are middle-aged and older are found to be at a higher risk of suffering from this condition. But nowadays, with the help of advanced tools and procedures, it has become quite easy to diagnose the conditions affecting the esophagus, small intestine, stomach and biliary system.

If you are Achalasia patient, you can take assistance from the best Achalasia doctors in Delhi that offer a less-invasive approach to cure swallowing disorders. One such approach involved in treating Achalasia is POEM (Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy). It is relatively a novel procedure in which the Gastroenterologist uses endoscopic technology to examine the surface of the food pipe, stomach, intestine, and colon without making a large incision elsewhere on the body. Therefore, if you are suffering from a similar condition, you can undergo poem for Achalasia doctor delhi.  It takes approximately two to three hours to complete the procedure and you are expected to stay in the hospital for an average of two days to ensure careful monitoring.

Prior to the POEM procedure, you need to follow two specific preparation instructions, which are as follows –

· For two days, you have to stay on a liquid diet.

· Before the procedure starts, you cannot eat or drink for 12 hours.  It ensures that your esophagus is clear of food products.

Symptoms of Achalasia –

People with Achalasia will often feel as if food is stuck in their food pipe. This is also known as Dysphagia. The symptoms that show you are an Achalasia patient includes –

· Intense chest pain

· Heartburn

· Weight loss

· Feeling discomfort after eating

How is Achalasia diagnosed?

To diagnose Achalasia, a doctor uses esophageal manometry to measure the function of the lower esophageal sphincter. It involves placing a tube in your food pipe while you swallow. The tube records the muscle activity and ensures that your esophagus is functioning properly.

Diseases of the Pancreas- Their Symptoms and Treatments

The pancreas is a large gland in the abdomen. It is a significant part of the digestive system and a critical controller of blood sugar levels. So, if any problem occurs in this gland, then the entire function of the body gets affected. Some of the common problems of pancreas are listed below:

• Acute or chronic pancreatitis
• Pancreatic pseudocyst
• Pancreatic tumors
• Cholangiocarcinoma
• Gallbladder cancer
• Common bile duct stone
• Gallbladder stone

Symptoms that Indicate that the Pancreas is not Working Properly:

If the pancreas is not working correctly, various health problems can occur. The pancreas can become swollen, develop obstructions and can get affected by cancer. It is vital to recognize the symptoms of a pancreatic disease, so as to start the treatment as soon as possible. The common symptom that may occur is the pain in the abdomen usually in the upper portion. The pain usually develops after eating and gradually worsens over time. An individual may complain of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea in case the digestive juices are no longer secreted by the pancreas.

Apart from these, some of the other symptoms that an individual may experience include unusual weight loss, general feeling of weakness, exhaustion, and malaise. The patient may also have symptoms such as loss of appetite and bloated stomach etc. It is important to consult a pancreas specialist in Delhi to ensure that these symptoms are correctly diagnosed.

How to Avoid Pancreatic Diseases ?

Adopting a healthy lifestyle and the intake of balanced diet can help in keeping the pancreatic diseases at bay. Restricting use of tobacco and alcohol may help in keeping the pancreas healthy. Moreover, taking foods that are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids can also be of great help. Avoiding excessive fat and carbohydrates and drinking fresh juices are also quite beneficial. Maintaining the blood sugar at the normal level and keeping the body weight in check can also help in keeping the pancreas healthy.

Specialists also suggest that as soon as any symptoms mentioned above are noticed, you should always get in touch with a pancreas specialist so that the treatment can be started early. Early treatment of the pancreas may include administration of medications along with a successful overall treatment of pancreatitis which requires a team approach. The problems detected at a later stage are difficult to treat and may include treatments like nerve blocks, chemotherapy, surgery, radiation therapy and other supportive care depending on the extent of the disease.

Tests that are used to Diagnose Pancreas Problems

The physician in order to diagnose pancreas problem may suggest tests such as Blood Test, Secretin Stimulation Test, CT scan with Contrast Dye, Abdominal Ultrasound, Fecal Elastase Test or Endoscopic Ultrasound.

Thus, it is important to consult an experienced pancreas specialist so that the pancreatic diseases can be diagnosed and treated in a timely manner. 

Diseases of the Pancreas- Their Symptoms and Treatments

The pancreas is a large gland in the abdomen. It is a significant part of the digestive system and a critical controller of blood sugar levels. So, if any problem occurs in this gland, then the entire function of the body gets affected. Some of the common problems of pancreas are listed below:

• Acute or chronic pancreatitis
• Pancreatic pseudocyst
• Pancreatic tumors
• Cholangiocarcinoma
• Gallbladder cancer
• Common bile duct stone
• Gallbladder stone

Symptoms that indicate that the pancreas is not working properly:

If the pancreas is not working correctly, various health problems can occur. The pancreas can become swollen, develop obstructions and can get affected by cancer. It is vital to recognize the symptoms of a pancreatic disease, so as to start the treatment as soon as possible. The common symptom that may occur is the pain in the abdomen usually in the upper portion. The pain usually develops after eating and gradually worsens over time. An individual may complain of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea in case the digestive juices are no longer secreted by the pancreas.

Apart from these, some of the other symptoms that an individual may experience include unusual weight loss, general feeling of weakness, exhaustion, and malaise. The patient may also have symptoms such as loss of appetite and bloated stomach etc. It is important to consult a pancreas specialist in Delhi to ensure that these symptoms are correctly diagnosed.

How to Avoid Pancreatic Diseases ?

Adopting a healthy lifestyle and the intake of balanced diet can help in keeping the pancreatic diseases at bay. Restricting use of tobacco and alcohol may help in keeping the pancreas healthy. Moreover, taking foods that are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids can also be of great help. Avoiding excessive fat and carbohydrates and drinking fresh juices are also quite beneficial. Maintaining the blood sugar at the normal level and keeping the body weight in check can also help in keeping the pancreas healthy.

Specialists also suggest that as soon as any symptoms mentioned above are noticed, you should always get in touch with a pancreas specialist so that the treatment can be started early. Early treatment of the pancreas may include administration of medications along with a successful overall treatment of pancreatitis which requires a team approach. The problems detected at a later stage are difficult to treat and may include treatments like nerve blocks, chemotherapy, surgery, radiation therapy and other supportive care depending on the extent of the disease.

Tests that are used to Diagnose Pancreas Problems

The physician in order to diagnose pancreas problem may suggest tests such as Blood Test, Secretin Stimulation Test, CT scan with Contrast Dye, Abdominal Ultrasound, Fecal Elastase Test or Endoscopic Ultrasound.

Thus, it is important to consult an experienced pancreas specialist so that the pancreatic diseases can be diagnosed and treated in a timely manner. 

The Importance of Consulting a Gastroenterologist in India for Gastrointestinal Diseases

Gastroenterology is the study of the diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (or digestive system) and liver. This includes stomach, small intestine, pancreas, gall bladder, esophagus, bile ducts, colon and rectum. There are many types of gastrointestinal conditions that can have a very negative impact on an individual’s health. All types of gastrointestinal diseases are treated by Gastroenterologists.

A gastroenterologist is a physician who specializes in gastrointestinal diseases. They study the movement of food through the digestive tract. Gastroenterologists receive extensive training in the diagnosis and treatment of the diseases related to the digestive system. They evaluate the symptoms of gastrointestinal diseases.

These include stomach pain, constipation, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, ulcers, difficulty in swallowing, bleeding in the digestive tract etc. On the basis of these symptoms they diagnose the disease and suggest the right treatment.

Gastrointestinal diseases can be classified into the following four categories- 

  1. Esophageal and Stomach Diseases

There are many esophageal and stomach diseases that require proper diagnosis and treatment. These include stomach cancer, peptic ulcer diseases, esophageal cancer, swallowing disorders etc. It is important to treat these diseases on time. Right from medications to surgery and chemotherapy, there are several treatments available for these diseases. Depending on the type and the extent of a disease, a gastroenterologist in India can suggest the right treatment.

  2. Liver Diseases

There are many diseases that can affect the normal functioning of the liver. Alcoholic liver disease is one of the most common types of liver diseases. This disease is caused by alcohol abuse. Drinking excessive alcohol can cause serious damage to the liver. Hemochromatosis, portal hypertension and viral hepatitis are some of the other common liver diseases. While the liver diseases can be treated and controlled with medications, surgery may be required in advanced stages.

  3. Pancreatic Diseases

Acute Pancreatitis, Chronic Pancreatitis, Pancreatic Cancer and Pancreatic Pseudocyst are some of the common pancreatic diseases that affect people. Acute Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas that is characterized by gradual or sudden pain in the upper abdomen. It can be caused by gallbladder stones, excessive alcohol consumption and high calcium levels in the blood. A Pancreatic Pseudocyst is a fluid-filled sac that develops in the abdomen.  It is mainly caused by sudden pancreatitis or sudden swelling of the pancreas. It is important to seek the best treatment for these diseases.

  4. The Diseases of the Small and Large Intestine 

Colorectal cancer, irritable bowel syndrome, collagenous and ulcerative colitis are some of the common diseases related to the small and large intestine. A gastroenterologist can help diagnose these diseases and suggest the right treatment.

If not treated on time, many of the gastrointestinal diseases can be dangerous. For this reason, it is important not to ignore the symptoms of these diseases and consult the best gastroenterologist at Gangaram Hospital or any other renowned hospital in Delhi. This will help in proper diagnosis and timely treatment of these diseases. 

4 Major Pancreatic Diseases and Their symptoms

The human body can work effectively only if all its body organs are working in sync and are in a healthy condition. This is why it is very important to be healthy and opt for a periodic annual checkup.

Due to the high level of environmental pollution in the country’s capital and adulteration in food, the human body is becoming more prone to diseases. Besides the Heart, Liver and Kidneys, Pancreas is another glandular organ, which is getting affected due to this pollution.

The function of Pancreas in the body 

This organ performs both endocrine and exocrine functions and is responsible for secreting hormones and enzyme respectively. Two of the most important body hormones, insulin and glucagon are secreted by it. Insulin is responsible for lowering the sugar level in blood and Glucagon acts to raise the sugar level when needed.

These two hormones are very essential for the proper functioning of the Brain, liver and kidney. As for the enzymes, the pancreatic juices are transported to the Duodenum via the pancreatic duct, which ends up in the common bile duct.

   1. Acute Pancreatitis 

Acute Pancreatitis is the sudden onset of pain in the upper abdomen, which is due to the inflammation of the pancreases. Gallstones are the one of the main reasons of this inflammation. Besides Gall Bladder Stones alcohol intake, increased lipids in blood, Hypercalcemia, Drugs, Hypertriglyceridemia, Worms in pancreatic duct etc., are the other common causes of this inflammation. It is important to treat this on time to avoid any severe situation. One should get the best pancreas specialist in Delhi for the treatment of the same.

   2. Chronic Pancreatitis 

Chronic Pancreatitis is the prolonged degradation of the pancreas. The symptoms are somewhat similar to acute pancreatitis. The most common symptoms are acute pain in the upper abdomen followed by diarrhea. Heavy alcohol consumption is one of the primary causes of the diseases.
The chronic stage leads to malnutrition and weight loss. The destruction of pancreas leads to diabetes mellitus in the patient, which is commonly known as blood sugar. The patient needs to take in insulin to regulate the blood sugar levels.

   3. Pancreatic Tumors 

There are two types of pancreatic tumors, benign and malignant. These are classified into three categories adenocarcinoma, neuroendocrine tumors, and cystic neoplasm. The most common cause of these is cigarette smoking, tobacco chewing and chronic pancreatitis.  The symptoms include Jaundice, abdominal pain and loss of appetite. To keep such diseases at bay it is imperative that one avoids the intake of excessive alcohol and keep a track of his health by consulting a good Pancreas specialist in Delhi.

   4. Pancreatic Pseudocysts 

Pseudocysts are the formation of watery cysts around the pancreas. There are common in chronic pancreatitis than in Acute Pancreatitis. The common symptoms include abdominal pain, vomiting, Jaundice, and fever in advanced stages. These cysts are generally benign in nature and inflammatory. Different types of cysts contain different types of fluids. The Asymptomatic cysts are treatable in nature. Many of these cysts gradually decrease in size and do not require any special treatment.

A Guide about Problems Associated With Pancreas

The pancreas is a gland organ and forms a part of the digestive system. Located in the abdomen, it generates important hormones and enzymes that help in the breakdown of food particles. The two main functions of the pancreas are:

1. It helps in the digestion of food by producing powerful enzymes.
2. It releases glucagon and insulin hormones into the bloodstream that regulate glucose metabolism

Many problems are associated with the pancreas.

Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is a disease that leads to acute or chronic inflammation of the pancreas. In case, the main duct from the pancreas is choked by a tumor or gallstone, inflammation can occur. This blockage results in accumulation of pancreatic juices in the organ that may further damage the pancreas. Mumps, alcohol use, drugs, steroids and trauma are some of the other reasons for pancreatitis. There are two type of Pancreatitis – acute and chronic.

In case you are diagnosed with acute pancreatitis, the rarer of the two, you should immediately consult a Pancreas specialist in Delhi. Stomach pain, fever, nausea & vomiting, abdominal tenderness & swelling and muscle aches are some of its common symptoms. Patients are recommended a fluid diet and are restricted from ingesting any solid food. It is first treated with painkillers but in case of secondary infections, the need of surgery becomes imminent.

Chronic pancreatitis can be the result of permanent damage to the organ by acute pancreatitis. Excessive consumption of alcohol can be the prime reason for it. Some of its symptoms are weight loss, diarrhea, persistent pain in the upper abdomen and back, diabetes and mild jaundice.

Pancreatic Cancer 

You might have heard about pancreatic cancer many a times, which is fast affecting the health of many Indians. Smoking or excessive drinking is considered the main cause for this disease. Until it does not reach an advanced stage, the symptoms are hard to appear, which makes it too late for successful treatment. Some of the symptoms of pancreatic cancer are:

1. Loss of appetite, vomiting and nausea
2. Weight loss and weakness
3. Pain in the upper abdomen
4. Jaundice 
5. Alchoholic stool and steatorrhea

Treating pancreatic cancer is a long process. Patients usually receive radiation, chemotherapy, surgery or a combination of treatments. Besides, the treatment is quite calming and focuses on reducing pain.  

As soon as you discover that you are suffering from such a disease, the very first thing is to contact your family doctor or general practitioner. They may suggest you the best pancreas specialist. Do not waste time in setting an appointment with the doctor. Let the doctor know your problem in detail, and then only he/she will be able to treat the disease properly.

Checking doctors’ credentials and experience are some of the measures that one can take before seeking treatment. If you feel comfortable and satisfied with your first meeting with the doctor, proceed with him for the treatment. Otherwise, do not hesitate to consider other options.