Medical App & Medical Advice with Hello Doctor

What are gallstones and why do we get them?

You ate hours ago, but your food feels like it’s lodged in your chest, unable to digest past a huge impenetrable barrier. Nothing helps, not deep breathing; water makes it worse, and you can’t lie down comfortably without a stabbing pain between your shoulder blades.

It may be gallstones. First thing to know: they are named as such but these lurkers aren’t really “stones.” Gallstones are more like solid bits of material that form in your gallbladder. They can be microscopic or grow into sizeable bits.

Get to know your gallbladder
This organ is shaped like a pear and lives just under the liver. We usually aren’t even aware of this little part until it starts causing a problem – and that problem is when gallstones block a bile duct. Think of your gallbladder as a transit point in your system. It connects to the intestine and liver through little tubes (bile ducts). Bile ducts carry bile that works as an absorbent liquid, breaking up fat into small droplets. Bile also helps your body absorb Vitamins A, D, E and K. Bile is concentrated and stored in the gallbladder, ready for use and only released when we eat.

When gallstones attack
You probably don’t even know you have gallstones! Most people aren’t aware of these insidious lurkers until the wall of the gallbladder becomes inflamed or the stones block passage to the intestine. The bad news is that this isn’t really a preventable condition. Gallstones can occur in extremely healthy people as well as those with poor diets. The two main kinds of stones are cholesterol stones (yellow-green), and are the most common gallstone gremlins. Then there are pigment stones, which are smaller and darker and filled with bile fluid (called bilirubin).

Why do gallstones attack?
It’s not easy to say as there isn’t a set template for what causes these stones to form. Amongst the most common factors:

  1. Genetics: unfortunately, there’s nothing to be done if your family is inclined to suffering from gallstones.
  2. Weight: this goes both ways; being overweight can lead to gallstones, and conversely, if you’ve lost a lot of weight recently, your body could form gallstones.
  3. Birth control: certain pills and therapies for menopause could result in extra oestrogen in your system. This increases cholesterol and fills up your gallbladder.
  4. Diabetes: higher levels of blood fat could be a risk factor for gallstones.
  5. Gender: females have a higher risk of gallstones, unfortunately.

When you start feeling any of these symptoms, it’s time to see a doctor. Gallstones can be as tiny as grains of rice or sand – and as large as a golf ball!

  • Sweating
  • Chills
  • Low-grade fever
  • Yellowish colour of the skin or whites of the eyes
  • Clay-coloured stools
  • Tight pain in the pack between your shoulder blades or under your right shoulder
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Bloated, distended stomach
  • Indigestion
  • A feeling of being “full” even hours after you’ve eaten.

Doctors can get rid of gallstones through laparoscopic surgery – this is extremely common these days and recovery time is minimal. The surgery essentially finds the gallstones through a little pinhole camera and removes the offenders.

Good to know: Unfortunately, gallstones can form again in a few years’ time – rare but possible.

References:

Don’t let a runny tummy ruin your day.

You’ve eaten something that’s upset your tummy, and you’re running to the bathroom every five minutes.

The runs aren’t the end of the world but can be painful and uncomfortable. Luckily, you can get quick and easy relief. Look no further than your kitchen cupboard for the perfect solution. These simple home remedies are just a few steps away, and will ensure you’re kept hydrated.

Mint tea

You will need:

  • 1 teaspoon of dried mint leaves.
  • A cup of boiling water.

What to do:
Add the peppermint leaves to a cup of boiling water. Let it stand for 10 minutes. Then, strain and drink immediately. Sip this refreshing tea a few times a day, especially after eating. You can also find peppermint tea bags in some grocery shops.

Why it works:
Mint contains menthol, which is a natural pain reliever. This makes it ideal for keeping stomach pangs and bloating at bay. It also stimulates bile flow, allowing your food to pass through your stomach more quickly, which means better digestion. Peppermint is also a helpful fix for nausea. Bonus: it also freshens your breath naturally!

 

Ginger brew

You will need:

  • Fresh ginger.
  • A cup of boiling water.

What to do:
Add a few slices of ginger to a cup of boiling water and allow the concoction to simmer for a few minutes. Let it cool for a bit, then drink immediately. Sip this brew a few times a day.

Why it works:
Ginger has antifungal and antibacterial properties known to soothe stomach pains and indigestion. As a natural anti-inflammatory, ginger can also help relax the muscles of the digestive tract, which can calm an upset stomach.


Apple cider vinegar and honey mix

You will need:

  • 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar.
  • 1 teaspoon of honey.
  • A glass of water.

What to do:
Add the apple cider vinegar and honey to the water and mix. Sip the blend slowly. Drink it with meals until you feel complete relief.

Why it works:
Apple cider vinegar contains enzymes that help improve the breakdown of foods and keep the bacteria in your gut healthy. Since it’s highly acidic, it can also help restore low acid levels in the stomach, which is responsible for digestion problems. The addition of honey is believed to enhance the benefits of cider vinegar as it’s rich in essential vitamins and minerals. The two together can help soothe an irritated stomach and ease nausea.

As with many home remedies, there isn’t concrete scientific evidence that these brews would help relieve your symptoms. However, the theories of how they could work are sensible, and the low enough for you to give them a try.

When to see a doctor:

The main goal with a standard gastro infection, is to stay well-hydrated until it clears up, but it’s time to consult your doctor, if:

  • your fever is higher than 39˚C
  • your diarrhoea doesn’t improve after 2-3 days.
  • you are dehydrating. Signs of dehydration:
    • Extreme thirst
    • Dry mouth
    • No urination
    • Feeling weak
    • Dizziness
    • Dark urine
  • you have severe tummy or rectal pain
  • you have bloody or black stools

References:

How to beat the bloat

You’re excited for a night out with your friends, but your mood immediately deflates when your bloated tummy starts acting up. Bloating is a result of excess gas in your intestines. There are many possible causes for this discomfort, ranging from air swallowing, overeating, and hormonal changes during PMS, to Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), and food intolerances. Bloating can be annoying, but you can banish the swell.

Bloating culprits:

Greasy foods
Your quick takeaway from the drive-through could be the reason for the bloating. Greasy fast foods like chips, fried chicken and deep-fried treats (hello samoosas!), can cause ballooning because it takes the stomach much longer to break down the fats and properly digest them.

Salty foods
High-sodium foods cause your body to retain water, which leads to that uncomfortable bloaty feeling. Read your food labels to check for high levels of sodium. For added flavour, swap salt for herbs instead.

Spicy foods
Spicy foods stimulate the release of stomach acid, which can cause irritation. Be frugal with your use of black pepper, nutmeg, cloves, chilli powder, curry, onions, garlic, mustard, BBQ sauce, horseradish, tomato sauce and vinegar.

Gassy vegetables
Feeling gassy after a plate of broccoli? Some vegetables produce more gas than others, and everyone varies in their ability to absorb and tolerate it. Go easy on gas-producing vegetables like baked beans, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, lentils, lima beans, onions and peppers.

Carbonated and high-acid drinks
Soft drinks with every meal might be a bad idea, as all carbonated drinks can cause bloating. This is because the carbon dioxide trapped in the bubbles creates gas in your stomach. Alcohol, caffeinated drinks, coffee, tea, hot chocolate and some fruit juices are high in acid which irritates your GI tract, resulting in swelling and bloating.

Top tips

  • Chew your food well, with your mouth closed. When you eat quickly you swallow a lot of air which may cause you to bloat.
  • Raw vegetables are often better for you, but they are more difficult to digest, which can lead to bloating. Cook or steam your vegetables more often.
  • Chewing gum is a mindless habit for many, but gum contains artificial sweeteners like sorbitol and aspartame which aren’t digestible and may trigger bloating.

Good to know

  • Just as some foods expand your tummy, others can keep it flat. Cucumber contains quercetin, a flavonoid antioxidant that helps reduce swelling. Slice and eat as a snack or add to your water.
  • Yoghurt has active cultures and good bacteria. The probiotics in yoghurt help regulate digestion and the overall health of your digestive tract. Enjoy your breakfast and a flat tummy!
  • Ginger is a natural anti-inflammatory and digestive aid. It soothes the digestive system and relaxes the muscles of the digestive tract, which can relieve bloating. It also contains an enzyme that absorbs proteins, which reduces protein-induced puffiness and gas.
  • Bananas and other foods rich in potassium like avocados, kiwis, oranges, and pistachios prevent water retention by regulating sodium levels in your body and reducing salt-induced bloating.

References

You have worms!?

Let’s flip a coin. Heads or tails? What are your chances of guessing correctly? 50%, right? Well, that’s about the same chance of you having worms in your gut at this very moment.

We know, it’s disgusting, and you’d rather not think about it. But think about it: if they’re in there right now, sharing your lunch, wouldn’t you want to get rid of them – heads and tails?

Continue reading “You have worms!?”

What you need to know about ulcers

How easy is it to get an ulcer? Do they just affect older people?

The answers are ‘easier than you think’, and ‘no’. Let’s look at the details:

What are ulcers?
Basically, an ulcer is an open wound. The most common kind are peptic ulcers which form in the stomach or the upper part of the small intestine.

What causes ulcers?
Previously, people used to believe that ulcers were caused by spicy food, alcohol or stress. Today we know that most peptic ulcers are caused by:

1. A certain group of bacteria. H. pylori is a group of bacteria that lives in the stomach and small intestine. This bacteria can cause an infection that leads to ulcers. They live and grow in the stomach, but not everyone with the bacteria gets ulcers. It seems that a combination of H. pylori infection and the level of acid in the stomach may be the cause.

2. Medications. Certain medications such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) painkillers (aspirin or ibuprofen) used to fight inflammation. If these are taken in high daily doses over a long period of time, they can cause ulcers in some people.

3. Smoking: Smoking increases ulcer risk because nicotine causes the stomach to produce more acid. Drinking a lot of alcohol each day for a period of time can also increase your chances of getting an ulcer. The reason? Over time alcohol can wear down the lining of the stomach and intestines.

4. Stress: In certain circumstances stress can help cause ulcers, but usually it’s the kind of stress triggered by serious illness.

How do I know if I have an ulcer?
Stomach pain is the most common symptom of an ulcer. It can feel like a series of sharp aches between your breastbone and belly button. While the pain often comes a few hours after eating, it can also happen during the night or early morning, when your stomach is empty. Taking an antacid medication or eating something may ease the pain for a while. Other symptoms of ulcers can include:

  • loss of appetite and weight loss
  • sudden, sharp stomach pains
  • nausea, frequent burping or bouts of hiccups
  • vomiting (if blood is in the vomit or the vomit looks like coffee grounds, call your doctor immediately)
  • bloody or blackish stool (this could indicate a serious problem, so see your doctor right away)

What can I do about it?

If you think you have an ulcer, see your doctor without delay.

If left untreated, an ulcer can go from being a discomfort to life-threatening problem.

Worms!!

Yes, yuck! But worms – especially pinworms – are really common, especially in young children. So here’s what you need to know about getting rid of them. Continue reading “Worms!!”

What could be causing your groin pain?

You’ve been out and about on the beach, moving more than usual this holiday, and now you have a niggling pain in your groin. From muscles to bones to joints – what could be the cause? Let’s take a closer look:

What area is referred to as “the groin”?

  • the groin areas are located in the skin fold areas, on either side of the body, where the abdomen/belly meets the top of the legs/thighs.
  • the pubic area is located between the groin areas

What are some of the possible causes of groin pain?

In many cases, an overuse strain or an injury can cause groin pain. However, it’s especially important to consider a variety of other possible causes, particularly if there hasn’t been an injury.

Different types of groin injuries:

1) An acute injury – such as a fall, direct blow, stab wound, or the leg being turned in an abnormal position.

2) A strained/pulled or torn groin muscle – this can occur when lifting or pushing/pulling heavy objects, or during sport or exercise.

3) An over-use injury – repeating the same activity day after day, or overdoing a particular activity (resulting in bursitis, tendonitis, a stress fracture or avulsion fracture etc.).

Hip-and back-related conditions:

1) Hip conditions (often more common in children and the elderly)

  • arthritis
  • infection of hip joint (septic arthritis)
  • fractures
  • avascular necrosis
  • Perthe’s disease
  • slipped femoral epiphysis
  • congenital dislocation of the hip
  • juvenile idiopathic arthritis
  • synovitis (when the lining of the hip joint space becomes inflamed/swollen)

2) Back conditions – such as a herniated disc or lumbar stenosis.

Other medical conditions:

1) Hernias – inguinal or femoral hernia (where bowel or soft tissue bulges through a weak spot in the abdominal wall).

2) Kidney stone – a stone passing from the kidney via the ureter to the bladder can cause pain in the groin area; a bladder infection.

3) Infections – can cause lymph glands in the groin to enlarge and become painful or tender (i.e. mumps, infection of skin of leg or foot).

4) Skin conditions- such as yeast or ringworm infections.

5) Male genital conditions – torsion of the testicle, orchitis, prostate infection, epididymitis, cancer (testis, penis, prostate), hydrocoele, varicocoele, spermatocoele.

6) Female pelvic and genital conditions – endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease/infections, ovarian cyst, ectopic pregnancy, cancer.

7) Colon/intestinal conditions – inflammation, infection, cancer, spasm, ischaemia/decreased blood flow.

8) Abdominal aortic aneurysm.

When should you see your doctor about groin pain?

  • if you have severe and/or sudden pain the groin.
  • if your groin pain is not improving, or if it is more frequent.
  • if you have a hernia that does not reduce with gentle pressure when lying down.
  • if you have difficulty or pain walking, or a limp.
  • if you have had unexplained weight loss.
  • if you have had night sweats or a fever.
  • if you have noticed a lump or swelling in your genital area (i.e. in the testicle).
  • if you have nausea and vomiting.
  • if you have tummy pain, constipation or cannot pass wind/flatulence.
  • if there is swelling in the area, redness, warmth, pus or tenderness.
  • if you have difficulty urinating, have lower backache or have noticed blood in your urine

What are piles?

Haemorrhoids, or piles, are rarely dangerous or life-threatening, but they can be a pain in the butt! They can bleed, itch and even protrude … and they are quite common. Continue reading “What are piles?”