Dealing with Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is an acute disease of the pancreas, an organ which is located behind the stomach. In case of pancreatitis, which can be either acute or chronic, digestive enzymes tend to digest the organ itself, thus resulting in serious complications. Acute pancreatitis may last for a short time, while the chronic disease keeps getting worse with passing time, thereby resulting in permanent damage. Chronic pancreatitis may be attributed to excessive alcohol intake, gallstones, or cystic fibrosis. Hence, it is always better to be aware of the signs and symptoms of the disease and to look for the best pancreas specialist in Delhi or near your home, as they have proper knowledge of the disease and can suggest a proper treatment.

What are the signs and symptoms of the disease?

Mild or severe pain in the upper side of the abdomen, which might spread to the back too, is a characteristic sign of both chronic and acute pancreatitis. However, those suffering from acute pancreatitis may feel the pain in a different way as compared to those afflicted with the chronic disease.  Some of the other symptoms of acute pancreatitis include vomiting, fever, increase in heartbeat, and swelling in the abdomen. However, in case of chronic pancreatitis, one might not observe any sign of the disease till the time there are complications. Some of the signs of this chronic disease are nausea, diarrhoea, reduction in weight, and greasy stools.

Why one should consult a pancreas specialist?

Seeking the right care at the right time is of utmost importance for curing this disease. Depending upon the condition, some of the best pancreas specialists in Delhi offer various treatment options to those afflicted with the disease. Patients suffering from acute pancreatitis might be given pain medicines as well as intravenous fluids, while some whose condition is severe, might have to be admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) for constant observation as the disease might damage other organs as well. Patients might also have to undergo gallbladder surgery or other processes for removing obstructions from the bile duct. Some of the specialists may also feel a need to perform pancreas surgery in order to drain liquid from the organ or to get rid of diseased tissue. For treating chronic pancreatitis, pancreas specialists might suggest some medicines for controlling pain or pancreatic enzyme supplements in order to assist the breaking down the food.

Hence, it is important to consult pancreatitis specialists at the earliest as they can offer quality care, which in turn can improve outcomes over a period of time.

Hepatology: All your questions answered!

You may be on the lookout for the best hepatologist in Delhi, Mumbai, or other cities, but do you actually know about what the specialization is actually about? Knowing more about Hepatology can actually help you a lot when it comes to finding the best hepatologist in Delhi or in other cities.

What is Hepatology?

It is one of the many branches of medical sciences and it covers prevention and cure of diseases of the liver, gall bladder, biliary tree, and pancreas. The term is derived from the Greek words “hepatikos” and “logia”, which mean liver and study, respectively. Hepatology covers jaundice and liver-related ailments such as cancer and transplantation. The field also covers drug overdose, pancreatitis, GIT bleeding, and biliary infection bleeding. The field is known for diagnosis, management, and prevention of ailments such as liver cirrhosis, hemochromatosis, and hepatitis.

Who is a Hepatologist?

A hepatologist is a doctor who has specialised in the diagnosis, prevention, and management of the liver and its associated ailments. The liver is one of the primary organs that require special attention in terms of treatment. A hepatologist is known to cure the diseases listed earlier. These cures also come along with management and effective treatment of the diseases. A hepatologist also follows up with patients who have undergone a liver transplant process, as it is quite a tedious process that may lead to severe complications in some cases.

Medical Procedures that hepatologists perform

There are several procedures related to diagnosing ailments of the liver, gall bladder, biliary tree, or pancreas that are conducted by hepatologists, some of which are:

· Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography – This process is used to diagnose and treat many biliary and pancreatic diseases.

· Transhepatic pancreato-cholangiography – It uses an X-ray to detect obstructions in the bile ducts or the liver.

· Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt – It is a process that involves an artificial channel that is made to create a connection between the portal and hepatic veins.

Ailments for which you should consult with a hepatologist

· Liver-related diseases which are caused by excess intake of alcohol. This also involves cases of fatty liver disease, liver cirrhosis, and liver cancer.

· Viral hepatitis infections (hepatitis A, B, C, and E).

· Prevalent cases of drug overdose, especially paracetamol overdose

· Jaundice

· Gastrointestinal bleeding caused by hypertension which is linked to liver injury

· Enzyme defects causing liver enlargement in children, known as liver storage diseases

· Cases of tropical infections such as hydatid cyst, kala-azar or schistosomiasis

· Cases of liver transplantation

· Acute and advanced cases of liver cancer

· Genetic and metabolic liver diseases

· Pancreatitis, caused by alcohol consumption or gallstones

· Drug metabolism

· Damage to the pancreas or biliary tract caused by infections, cancer, alcohol, bleeding, or obstruction

A hepatologist can play a major role in helping you maintain the health of your liver, gall bladder, biliary tree, and pancreas.

What is a Hepatologist’s Role in General?

A healthy human body defines a healthy human mind. Keeping your body clear of diseases and problems is what everyone looks forward to, but diseases are bound to plague you, and the most common of it all are problems related to the digestive system, which can occur due to unhealthy food habits or because of consumption of substances.

This is where a hepatologist comes in. A hepatologist is one who specialises in diagnosing and treating disorders of the liver and other organs related to it, such as the pancreas, gallbladder, and the biliary tree. Hepatology is a part of gastroenterology, which studies the entire digestive system.

The Role of a Hepatologist

Your liver and the other organs in connection with it are responsible for the digestion of your food and disorders related to the system can be treated by a hepatologist who specialises in these organs and is a better option in comparison to a gastroenterologist.

Diseases such as hepatitis, scarring liver diseases, liver cancer, gallstones, and others can be better treated at the hands of a hepatologist.

Treats your ailing liver (due to cancer and drug overdoses)

A hepatologist is the front-line doctor who is referred to when dealing with such dangerous diseases. They are trusted with the treatment of such diseases as they are the ones who can treat the organ that they specialise in to restore its normalcy. Go for the best hepatologist in Delhi or other major cities if your liver is ailing from such dreadful diseases.

Diagnosis before and after a liver transplant

A Hepatologist is well-versed with every part of your liver, and diagnosis after a successful liver transplant at their hands can be a more reliable one. You can also follow-up with a hepatologist for diagnosis during your pre-transplant days. A hepatologist doesn’t carry out the actual surgery.

Hepatologists can be well considered for such diagnosis due to their vast expertise related to this organ. They also make recommendations related to the patient’s transplant surgery when conventional medicines are not working. Therefore, get your liver treated by a hepatologist for a better diagnosis and results.

All You Need to Know about Esophagus Cancer

Esophagus can be defined as a distinct muscular tube that connects the throat or the pharynx to the stomach. In majority of adults, this tube is approximately eight inches long and is lined with a pink moist tissue referred to as mucosa. The esophagus runs behind the windpipe and the heart of a person, while passing through the diaphragm just as it enters the stomach. The key task of the esophagus is to ensure that food is transferred from the mouth to the stomach.

Esophagus cancer: An overview

Cancer of the esophagus typically starts in its inner layer, and can even spread to its other layers, as well as other parts of the body (metastasis). There are two prominent types of esophageal cancer known as Adenocarcinoma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma. People suffering from any of these two severe medical conditions should ideally choose to avail treatment from the best Esophagus doctor in Delhi. This city houses a number of renowned hospitals where one can get state-of-the-art treatment for this ailment.

There are a few factors that can augment the chances of developing esophageal cancer in a person. Here are a few of those risk factors:

· Smoking or even any other form of tobacco consumption

· Heavy alcohol consumption

· Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), in which acid and content from the stomach back up into the esophagus

· Barrett's esophagus, which basically is a medical condition affecting the lower part of the esophagus and can lead to esophageal cancer

In addition to the above mentioned factors, generally men, obese individuals and elderly people have a greater risk of suffering from esophageal cancer.

While in its early stages of esophageal cancer, there might not be any definitive symptoms, as the cancer advances more evident signs can be noticed. Some of them are:

· Coughing

· Hoarseness

· Indigestion and heartburn

· Difficulty or pain when swallowing

· Weight loss

· Pain in the chest, behind the breastbone

In case of any indication of this ailment, people should consult one of the best esophagus doctors in Delhi for a proper esophageal cancer diagnosis. Its diagnosis is ideally confirmed by endoscopy and biopsy, subsequent to which the doctors take adequate steps required for its treatment and management, depending on the stage of cancer. 

Endoscopy: Overview on the Procedure and its use in certain medical conditions

Endoscopy is typically used by doctors to check the internal organs of a human body. During the endoscopic procedure, anesthesia may be administered to the patient at times. Since, this procedure is used to inspect the interiors of the gastrointestinal tract endoscopies are usually carried out on those suffering from gastroenterological illnesses.

An endoscope is essentially a flexible tube which has light and a small camera affixed at the end of the tube. This device is ideally used by the doctor to see the digestive tract of the patient on a monitor, and identifies abnormalities if any which may be causing a certain health condition. Some of the best endoscopists in Delhi, Gurgaon and other major cities use advanced technology and the most modern practices in medicine to diagnose rare diseases of the pancreas, gastrointestinal tract and liver non-invasively.

Endoscopies are typically recommended by physicians so as to evaluate and inspect certain symptoms that may be indicative of a disorder in the digestive tract. Some conditions that may require an endoscopic assessment are explained below:

· Polyps in the colon

· Gastritis

· Ulcers and trouble with swallowing

· Stomach pain

· Digestive tract bleeding

· Chronic diarrhea

· Chronic constipation

Endoscopy is also used by the doctors to take a biopsy. Biopsy is essentially the process of eliminating a small bit of tissue from the body of the patient so as to test it for the presence of any abnormalities. But, it is always suggested that one should only look for qualified and best endoscopists in Delhi, Gurgaon and other major cities to carry out such complex procedures. Besides this, a physician may use an endoscopic procedure for other reasons too which are listed below:

· Verification of a previously made diagnosis via a biopsy. Conditions such as anemia, cancers and inflammation of the GI track can be checked via endoscopy

· Treating internal organs, for example clipping off a polyp, eliminating an object from the digestive tract, cauterizing a bleeding vessel or broadening of the esophagus

· The assessment of symptoms for example nausea, vomiting and stomach pain to diagnose conditions of the GI track.

Even though non-invasive, endoscopy is quite a critical and crucial procedure and needs to be performed with a lot of care so as not to injure the patient. It is as such advisable that whenever a procedure such as this needs to be carried out, only the best endoscopists in Delhi, Mumbai, Gurgaon and other major cities where there are good and renowned hospitals must be contacted so as to ensure complete safety of the patient as well as success of the procedure.

Achalasia: Its Causes and Symptoms

Achalasia is a medical condition that severely affects the esophagus. The term achalasia technically means "failure to relax" and it refers to the inability of the lower esophageal sphincter of a body to open up in order to let the food pass into the stomach. Basically, the lower esophageal sphincter is a distinct ring of muscle lying between the stomach and the lower esophagus. People suffering from this ailment may face problems in swallowing food, which then leads to a backup of food components within the esophagus.

Achalasia is also associated with certain abnormalities of esophageal peristalsis. This basically is the coordinated muscular activity of the esophagus that assists in transporting food components from throat to stomach of a person. To get a proper treatment for this condition, people should consult a renowned Achalasia doctor, preferably in Delhi, as the national capital has a number of renowned medical facilities and experienced doctors who can expertly cure and manage these ailments. 

Causes of Achalasia

Achalasia may develop due to a number of reasons. It can be the result of an autoimmune condition, or might even be a hereditary disorder. The advanced symptoms of achalasia can also be attributed to the degeneration of the nerves present in the esophagus.

While in most cases Achalasia occurs in the later stage of life, it might develop in children as well.  The middle-aged and elderly individuals face the highest risks of suffering from this medical condition. Achalasia is known to be more common among people having autoimmune disorders.

Symptoms of Achalasia

People suffering from this medical condition always feel like that there is food stuck in their esophagus and may even face problems in swallowing solid food. This symptom is referred to as dysphagia, and can subsequently lead to incessant coughing as well as an increased risk of aspiration. Aspiration basically implies to inhaling or choking on food. Some of the other symptoms of Achalasia are:

· Heartburn

· Weight loss

· Pain or discomfort in the chest

· Discomfort after eating

Achalasia, if left untreated can turn out to be extremely painful and as such on experiencing any of the above symptoms, people must contact an Achalasia doctor in Delhi as the national capital has many renowned hospitals and experienced doctors working with them who can properly diagnose and treat these kinds of ailments.

Here’s More on the Medical Conditions that can be Treated by Hepatologists

Hepatology is a branch of medicine which manages the study, prevention, treatment, diagnosis and management of diseases that affect the biliary tree, gallbladder, liver and the pancreas. Alcohol-related liver diseases and viral hepatitis are the common types of diseases that hepatologists are usually responsible for treating. Hepatitis affects millions of people across the world and the disease can often lead to life threatening conditions like hepatocellular carcinoma or even cirrhosis. Hepatitis B and C are especially known to be the major causes of liver cancer in individuals. On the other hand, alcohol abuse has been linked to conditions such as cirrhosis and liver fibrosis.

Most of the common diseases that are treated, diagnosed and managed by the best hepatologists in Gangaram hospital and other such medical facilities in the Delhi include the following:

· Viral hepatitis infections, for instance hepatitis A, B, C and E that affect thousands of people every year. Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C collectively cause more than 80% of all liver cancer cases.

· Diseases of the liver caused by extreme consumption of alcohol, such as chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and fatty liver disease.

· The process of liver transplantation in addition to all the related post surgical care and treatment that the patient needs.

· Liver injuries of several kinds and gastrointestinal bleeding caused by portal hypertension, which is associated with such injuries.

· Some infections common in tropical areas and countries such as kala-azar, schistosomiasis and hydatid cyst.

· Jaundice, which increases the bilirubin levels and causes yellowish and greenish pigmentation on the patient’s skin.

· Lasting damage to the pancreas or biliary tract that is caused by infection, cancer, alcohol, bleeding or some kind of obstruction.

· Drug metabolism and genetic or metabolic liver disease.

· Pancreatitis, mainly when it is caused by gallstones or excessive alcohol consumption

These are just some of the diseases that are commonly diagnosed and treated by hepatologists. You should, therefore, get in touch with the best hepatologists in Gangaram hospital or other medical facilities in the national capital in case you have been suffering from any symptoms of gastrointestinal or liver disease. The experts here use systematic procedures and state-of-the-art equipment to diagnose the health condition of the patient before prescribing any treatment. 

Hepatologists associated with renowned hospitals in the national capital have years of experience in the domain and can thus be trusted by patients for the best treatments.