Archive for the ‘Diseases’ Category



Gastroparesis is the failure of the stomach to empty because of decreased gastric motility. It is also called delayed gastric emptying. Diabetes is the most common cause of gastroparesis. Gastroparesis can also occur after stomach surgery for other conditions. Gastroparesis is a weak stomach. It can be the cause of a number of abdominal complaints. The stomach is a hollow organ composed primarily of muscle that serves as a storage container for food. It can make diabetes worse by adding to the difficulty of controlling blood glucose. When food that has been delayed in the stomach finally enters the small intestine and is absorbed, blood glucose levels rise. Since gastroparesis makes stomach emptying unpredictable, a person’s blood glucose levels can be erratic and difficult to control. Patients who undergo gastric surgery may develop gastroparesis, especially those who have had preoperative gastric outlet obstruction as a complication of peptic ulcer disease. Patients with pseudo-obstruction often have delayed gastric emptying as well.

Gastroparesis can make diabetes worse by adding to the difficulty of controlling blood glucose. People with scleroderma, those on anticholinergic medications commonly used for treatment of conditions such as asthma and Parkinson’s disease, and those who have had surgery for treatment of a duodenal ulcer may also suffer from gastroparesis. Gastroparesis may be caused by motor dysfunction or paralysis of stomach muscles or may be associated with other systemic diseases such as diabetes mellitus. When the condition of gastroparesis is present the stomach is unable to contract normally, and therefore cannot crush food nor propel food into the small intestine properly. With gastroparesis, the stomach is paralyzed, so its function is greatly reduced or lost. Dietary changes and certain medications sometimes help control symptoms of gastroparesis, but they’re not effective in every case. Gastroparesis results in delayed emptying of food from the stomach into the small intestine.

Causes of Gastroparesis

The common causes and risk factor’s of Gastroparesis include the following:

Medications, particularly anticholinergics and narcotics (drugs that slow contractions in the intestine).

Diabetes.

Systemic sclerosis.

Postviral syndromes.

Drinking alcoholic beverages and coffee.

Smoking.

previous gastrectomy.

Metabolic disorders, including hypothyroidism.

Use of anticholinergic medication.

Imbalances of minerals in the blood such as potassium.

Gastroparesis may also be a complication of stomach surgery for ulcer disease or weight loss.

Symptoms of Gastroparesis

Some sign and symptoms related to Gastroparesis are as follows:

A feeling of fullness after just a few bites (early satiety).

Abdominal bloating.

Nausea and vomiting.

Premature abdominal fullness after meals.

Lack of appetite.

Abdominal discomfort (These symptoms may be mild or severe, depending on the person.)

Tingling, burning, or prickling.

Sharp pains or cramps.

Upset stomach and/or vomiting.

Treatment of Gastroparesis

Here is list of the methods for treating Gastroparesis:

Diabetics may improve symptoms of gastroparesis by gaining better control of blood sugar levels.

Metoclopramide (Reglan): This drug stimulates stomach muscle contractions to help empty food. It also helps reduce nausea and vomiting.

Eating small meals and soft (well-cooked) foods may also help relieve some symptoms.

Cholinergic drugs, which act on acetylcholin nerve receptors.

Botulinum toxin (Botox) injected into the pylorus (outlet of the stomach).

If you have a bezoar, the doctor may use an endoscope to inject medication that will dissolve it.

Domperidone (Motilium, Janssen) is another drug that improves gastric emptying and may have less side-effects.

Nov
08

Benefits of Triphala

Posted by ewwink


Triphala, one of the most popular herbal preparations in the world. Triphala is used to help appetite and digestion, increase the number of red blood cells, and aid in removal of offensive fat in the body. Triphala can be used to clear congestion and headaches. Other claimed benefits include helping maintain normal blood sugar levels, as well as improvement in skin tone and colour. Triphala prevents aging, imparts immunity and improves mental faculties. It helps to detoxify the liver, restore digestion and purify blood. Triphala is widely used in a large number of medicinal preparations. It is also a laxative that rejuvenates the membrane lining the digestive tract and contributes to effective cleansing of the colon, a key condition in Ayurveda to maintaining optimum health.

Triphala is composed of three fruits, namely Harada (haritaki), Amla (amalaki) and Behada (bibhitaki). Triphala is available as a bulk powder or in tablets. The powder is generally used to make a tea, while the tablets provide a more convenient option for dministration. It helps in healing ulcers in cases of Pyoderma gangrenosum and in the treatment of Lipoma. Triphala can be used for constipation ,colon tonification ,gastrointestinal tract tonifier ,intestinal cleansing ,digestive balancer ,food assimilation support ,serum cholesterol balance ,better circulation , bile duct opener ,sluggish peristalsis ,antioxidant ,headaches ,kidney support and liver support. To help your skin make the most of Triphala’s cleansing power, avoid eating too many heavy, deep-fried foods or rich desserts.

Triphala, being a made of all three, is therefore balanced, making it useful as an within cleansing, to remove the toxic quality of a substance formula for everyone including more sensitive type individuals and vegetarians. Triphala is also widely taken for all eye diseases including the treatment of redness of the lining of the white part of the eye , progressive myopia, the early stages of glaucoma and cataracts. Steep one tablespoonful of the powder or six capsules select in an 8 ounce glass of water overnight. Taken in this way for at least three months, Triphala becomes an herbal eye tonic. Triphala includes the three tastes that pacify the fire element–bitter, sweet and astringent. Triphala helps pacify Pitta and decreases the skin’s vulnerability to photosensitivity.

Triphala provides overall support for the substance that aids digestion function and helps ensure that the digestive tract works at the optimal level. Triphala aids in digestion, relieves constipation, and helps regularises the digestive system. Triphala rejuvenates the digestive tract membrane and contributes to effective cleansing of the colon. Triphala prevents aging, give immunity, and improves mental faculties. Triphala helps to detoxify the liver and purify blood. Triphala possesses anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties useful in the treatment of opthalmia. Triphala is used to prevent the development of a cataract, such as in diabetic patients.



If you hear of an illness that ends in mycosis, it was probably caused by a mold. Those who are particularly at risk to contract this class of diseases are those with compromised immune systems and this often occurs in people who have a cancer of the blood, chemotherapy patients, those with HIV or AIDs, anyone with serious blood disorders.

Even those these diseases are far more likely to affect those with compromised immune systems, they can develop after a person has surgery or any other invasive procedure. It can also be transmitted by contaminated surgical instruments.

Generally the first symptoms of these mycotic diseases are those that are similar to the flu, such as chills, coughing, pain in the muscles and the joints, and fever.

Medications that are antifungal can cause some of these symptoms, as well, even though the fungal infection that it is intended to treat cause these exact same symptoms.

These drugs can also cause kidney damage and end up affecting the eyes, skin, or liver and a doctor will probably ask for labwork often in order to catch some of these serious side effects before they become out of control.

Some of the diseases that can be caught from a mold are histoplasmosis, cryptococcosis, coccidioidomycosis, candidiasis, blastomycosis, and aspergillosis. These are serious fungal diseases and should be treated as such.

Aspergillosis is caused by molds in the Aspergillus genus and tends to be found in many places including buildings, plants, food, water, and soil.

Blastomycosis is caused by Blastomyces and is found soils that are rich in nutrients and very moist. It has been known to affect both animals and humans.

Candidiasis is caused from the mold Candida and can cause mouth infections or genital yeast infections, but it is even more serious when it ends up invading the bloodstream. Candida is found in the intestines naturally, however.

Coccidioidomycosis is caused by the mold coccidioides and this is found most often in the dry soil in the southwestern United States, and central and South America. It starts as a flu-like disease, but can infect the lungs and infect the other organs in the body, including the brain.

Cryptococcosis is caused by Cryptococcus and associated the most with Eucalyptus trees and bird droppings. It typically begins in the lungs, but has no symptoms until it spreads to the rest of the body.

Histoplasmosis is caused by Histoplasma and tends to infect the lungs. Like other fungal infections, it includes flu-like symptoms and can spread to the rest of the body.