Peritoneal Mesothelioma is a tumor of the membrane Peritoneum.
The peritoneum is a thin membrane in the organs in the abdomen consisting of mesothelial cells.
Peritoneal mesothelioma is a disease that affects the lining of the abdomen or peritoneum.
It is caused by exposure to asbestos, which has been widely used in many industrial products, such as cement, brake linings, roof shingles, flooring products, textiles, and insulation.
The peritoneal form of mesothelioma is a relatively uncommon type of cancer that accounts for less than a quarter of all mesothelioma cases.
It is inconspicuous until decades after asbestos exposure.
Many cases are found through routine abdominal x-rays and CT scans showing something different than normal.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma Symptoms:-
Symptoms may include abdominal pain, abdominal swelling, a change in your bowel habits, such as more frequent diarrhea or constipation, lumps of tissue in the abdomen and unexplained weight loss.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma Treatment:-
Peritoneal mesothelioma treatments are classified into localized treatments and systemic treatments. Systemic treatments are whole body treatments like chemotherapy. Localized treatments include surgery and radiotherapy.
Radiation therapy or radiotherapy uses high energy rays (like x-rays) to kill cancer cells in the affected area.
Chemotherapy for peritoneal mesothelioma controls symptoms and tries to slow the cancer down. This therapy is used to kill mesothelioma cells by injecting anti-cancer drugs that are usually injected into a vein.
New treatments include Photodynamic, gene, angiogenesis, and immunotherapy that could hold the key to turning the tide on this deadly, debilitating, and tragic disease.
Hepatitis C Virus causes an inflammation of the liver. The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is found in the blood of persons who have this disease. HCV is spread by contact with the blood of an infected person.
What are the causes?
Hepatitis C infection is caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Persons who may be at risk for hepatitis C are those who:
(1) Received blood, blood products, or solid organs from a donor who has hepatitis C
(2) Have injected street drugs or shared a needle with someone who has hepatitis C
(3) Have been on long-term dialysis for kidney failure
(4) Have frequent contact with blood on the job such as doctors
(5) Share personal items, such as toothbrushes and razors, with someone who has hepatitis C
(6) Are born to hepatitis C infected mothers
What are the symptoms?
Many people who are infected with the hepatitis C do not have symptoms. Hepatitis C is often detected during blood tests for a routine physical or other medical procedure. The following symptoms could occur:
(1) Jaundice
(2)Abdominal pain in the right upper abdomen
(3) Fatigue
(4)Loss of appetite
(5)Nausea and vomiting
(6)Low-grade fever
(7)Pale or clay-colored stools
(8)Dark urine
(9)Generalized itching
How is it diagnosed?
There are several blood tests that can be done to determine if one has been infected with HCV. Your doctor may order one or a combination of these tests.
a) Anti-HCV (antibody to HCV) :-
EIA (enzyme immunoassay): This test is usually done first. If positive, it should be confirmed
RIBA (recombinant immunoblot assay): A supplemental test used to confirm a positive EIA test
Anti-HCV does not tell whether the infection is new (acute), chronic (long-term) or is no longer present
Qualitative tests to detect presence or absence of virus (HCV RNA)
Qualitative tests to detect amount (titre) of virus (HCV RNA)
Hepatitis virus serology with negative antibody to hepatitis A and hepatitis B
ELISA assay to detect hepatitis C antibody
Hepatitis C PCR test
Elevated liver enzymes
Liver biopsy showing acute or resolving hepatitis
What is the treatment?
Some patients with hepatitis C benefit from treatment with interferon alpha or a combination of interferon alpha and ribavirin.
Interferon alpha is given by injection just under the skin and has a number of side effects, including flu-like symptoms, headaches, fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, depression, and thinning of hair. Treatment with interferon alpha may also interfere with the production of white blood cells and platelets.
Ribavirin is a capsule taken twice daily, and the major side effects are severe anaemia (low red blood cells) and birth defects. Women should, therefore, avoid pregnancy during and for 6 months following treatment.
Recently, a version of interferon alpha with a longer half-life (pegylated interferon alpha) has been introduced, and the longer half-life means the injections are taken weekly instead of the three times a week with standard interferon alpha. Pegylated interferon alpha and ribavirin lead to a sustained response in approximately 50% of patients. A sustained response means that the patient remains free of hepatitis C virus 6 months after stopping therapy. People with hepatitis C should avoid any substances toxic to the liver (hepatotoxic). All patients with hepatitis C should be immunized against hepatitis A and B also.
People with hepatitis C should also be careful not to take vitamins, nutritional supplements, or new over-the-counter medications without first discussing it with their doctor. Patients with hepatitis C should avoid alcohol. Even moderate amounts of alcohol speed up the progression of hepatitis C, and alcohol reduces the effectiveness of the treatment.
What are the complications?
Chronic hepatitis
Cirrhosis
What is the prevention?
One should avoid contact with blood or blood products whenever possible. Health care workers should practice universal precautions when handling blood and body fluids.
One should not inject drugs of abuse, and especially not share needles with anyone. One should be cautious when getting tattoos and body piercings done.
Gastritis, a condition that involves the irritation and inflammation of the stomach, afflicts millions of people. Any number of things causes it, from injury to bacteria. In that respect, it is akin to a headache:
It can strike anyone, and it can be caused by a wide variety of factors both internal and external.
It can be divided into 3 categories:
(1)Erosive and hemorrhagic gastritis
(2)Non erosive and nonspecific gastritis
(3)Specific gastritis indicative of a disorder.
Gastritis Symptoms:-
(1)A burning pain similar to indigestion in your upper abdomen.
(2)Nausea. A “sick-to-your-stomach” kind of feeling, which may or may not be accompanied by vomiting.
(3)Loss of appetite. This tends to go along with nausea, but many gastritis patients find they have no appetite even when they’re not feeling nauseated. After a couple of mouthfuls they’re done.
(4)Belching or bloating. This can simply be gas, but if it’s chronic or severe, it could be caused by gastritis.
(5)Feeling particularly “full” in your upper abdomen after a meal.
(6) Unexplained weight loss.
Gastritis Causes Risk Factors:-
Gastritis is more common with age and most sufferers complain of indigestion.
People with acute gastritis caused by illness or injury have already been hospitalized for treatment of their underlying condition; therefore, symptoms of gastritis are managed in the course of their intensive care.
The most frequent cause of gastritis is a dietetic indiscretion such as habitual overeating; eating of badly combined or improperly cooked foods, excessive intake of strong tea, coffee or alcoholic drinks, habitual use of large quantities of condiments, sauces.
It may sometimes follow certain diseases such measles, diptheria, influenza, virus pneumonia.
It also results from worry, anxiety, grief and prolonged tension. Use of certain drugs, strong acids and caustic substances may also give rise to gastritis.
Gastritis Treatment Home Remedies:-
(1)Only rice that has been aged for one year must be used. Wheat and barley are beneficial.
(2)Among vegetables white pumpkin, bitter gourd, cucumber, green banana and banana flower are effective.
(3)Cow’s milk is preferable to buffalo’s milk.
(4)People suffering from gastritis must not confuse their stomach glands with different kinds of foods at the same time. It is beneficial if the person is kept on a single diet. Ideally the person must be kept on a milk diet or on a diet of old rice.
(5)Vitamin C has the capacity to help in the absorption of iron and calcium salts in the body. This eases the digestive process. Therefore, the diet must be rich in vitamin C. Foods that contain vitamin C to a commendable quantity are amlas, oranges, etc.
(6)Pungent and sour tastes must be avoided. Even chocolates, tea and coffee must be avoided as these can increase the acidic contents in the stomach.
(7)The person must never eat till the stomach is fool. In gastritis it is better to eat little quantities each time, so that the stomach gets proper time to digest the food.
(8)Sesame seeds and curds must be avoided.
(9)Have a banana early in the morning. Drown them with milk. This reduces the acidity within the stomach in some days.
