What Are Adhesions?

This article describes abdominal adhesions, bowel (intestinal) adhesions and pelvic adhesions.

Adhesions (Latin adhere= to stick, to hold tight) are abnormal bands of scar tissue that form between internal organs and glue them together. Normally, scar tissue is formed only within an injured area, as part of a healing process, but in case of adhesions, it also appears on adjacent surfaces and can connect them.

Abdominal adhesions mostly appear after abdominal surgery or inflammation, and pelvic adhesions after gynecological operations or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), mostly resulting from sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

Abdominal or pelvic adhesions may develop inside the intestine and uterus, or between surfaces of organs and abdominal membrane (peritoneum), thus pulling organs from their original positions, obstructing passage of food and blood supply, causing abdominal or pelvic pain, bloating, constipation, urinary retention, irregular menstrual bleeding or infertility.

Pictures of abdominal adhesions

continue reading Adhesions: Abdominal, Bowel, Pelvic – Symptoms, Treatment, Pictures

In breast augmentation surgery, silicone gel or saline-filled implants are used either to produce fuller breasts (breast enlargement) or restore breast volume after pregnancy or weight loss (breast enhancement). The decision to have breast augmentation surgery should be taken only after careful consideration of the risks and dangers associated with the surgery and the potential complications.

continue reading Complications of Breast Augmentation – Implants, Enhancement

What is Ovulation?

Ovulation is the release of a mature egg cell from the ovaries, marking the onset of the most fertile period in a woman’s cycle. The egg (also referred to as an oocyte or ovum) travels down the fallopian tube where it may be fertilized by a sperm. Identifying the most fertile period is important when planning conception.

Ovulation is controlled by two female hormones, known as follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) which may be monitored in cases of infertility or difficulty in conceiving. A regular menstrual cycle lasts between 28 to 32 days although a cycle as short as 26 days or as long as 35 days is considered within the norm. Ovulation usually occurs approximately 14 to 16 days before the next period but this may vary depending on the length of the individual menstrual cycle. The most fertile period is considered to last approximately 3 to 4 days within the cycle starting a day or two before ovulation. If the egg cell is not fertilized within this time period, it is ‘discarded’.

continue reading Ovulation Schedule – Test, Calendar & Due Date Calculator

What is Hirsutism?

Hirsutism is the excessive growth of thick hair, particularly on areas of the body not commonly seen in women. The hair growth in hirsutism is typical of male hair growth patterns, affecting the face (moustache/mustache or beard), chest, abdomen or back. While most women may have fine hair on these parts of the body, in hirsutism, the type of hair growth is usually associated with androgenic hair growth (hair as a result of high levels of male hormones, androgens).

Excessive Body Hair in Women & Men

Hair growth and distribution may vary among different ethnic groups but thick female facial hair, the presence of a visible mustache or beard in women, are considered to be uncharacteristic of the female gender. Hair growth is primarily dependent on the sex hormones, androgens and estrogen. Androgens, like testosterone are usually responsible for thicker hair while the female sex hormones like estrogen are responsible for fine hair.

continue reading Causes of Female Facial Hair, Beard – Hirsutism in Women

Urine with a reddish color does not always indicate the presence of blood or bleeding within the urinary tract. Similarly, the presence of blood in the urine may not be visible to the naked eye. In order to differentiate between reddish brown discoloration of urine and bloody urine, it is important to test for the presence of red blood cells.

Red blood cells in the urine is  a clear indication of bleeding, usually within the urinary tract. The bleeding may stem from the kidneys, ureter, bladder, prostate (males) or urethra. The presence of red blood cells in the urine is known by the medical term, hematuria (hema ~ blood, uria ~ in urine). Hematuria is not always a cause for concern and may resolves spontaneously with no treatment. However persistent blood in the urine usually indicates a more serious problem that requires further investigation and the appropriate treatment.

continue reading Bloody Urine – Causes of Red Color, Blood in Urine

Nipple discharge affects many women who are not pregnant or breastfeeding and the presence of breast secretions do not always indicate any serious problem. While breast milk is expected in pregnancy and after child birth, other secretions from the breast may also occur in women of any age. Young women may experience nipple discharge without any cause for concern but persistent discharge in older women may be a sign of an underlying condition.

continue reading Causes of Breast Secretion, Nipple Discharge

What is breast pain?

Breast pains are severe, sharp, stabbing, shooting or throbbing pains of the breast either felt on the outside of the breast (superficial) or deeper within the breast tissue. Pain may be a result of breast inflammation and can be accompanied by breast swelling, warmth/heat and/or redness of the skin.

Breast pain (medical term ~ mastalgia) is an indication of pathology of the breast itself or underlying organs within the thoracic cavity (thorax or chest). Less commonly, breast pain may indicate pathology at other areas with referred pain to the breast.

continue reading Causes of Breast Pains – Diagnosis of Breast Pain Symptoms

The exact cause of nocturnal leg cramps is unknown (idiopathic). However certain individuals with chronic conditions may be at risk of leg cramps at night. Nocturnal leg cramps are more common in older persons, especially women, and primarily affects the calf muscles and small muscles of the feet.

Leg cramps may occur as a symptom, side effect or complication to a multitude of secondary causes.

continue reading Risk Factors & Causes of Severe Leg Cramps at Night

Definition of Breast Swelling

Breast swelling is an enlargement of the breast or both breasts compared to the regular breast size and may be accompanied by other symptoms like tenderness (soreness), pain, lump(s), changes of the areola or nipple and any secretion from the nipple. Swollen breasts may be a normal physiological process as seen in puberty or pregnancy or may be a sign of a medical disorder.

Tender or Sore Breast

Breast tenderness or soreness is a mild to moderate discomfort of the breast, sensitive to touch or pressure and often accompanied with redness. Tenderness and soreness should be differentiated from breast pain although this may be subjective and dependent on an individual’s pain tolerance levels.

Breast Pain

Breast pain should be differentiated from soreness or tenderness of the breast. Pain usually  indicates serious pathology that needs to be investigated and treated. Breast pain may be referred to other areas on the body like the axillae (armpits), abdomen, neck and back.

continue reading Breast Swelling – Tender, Sore & Painful Swollen Breasts

Causes of Diarrhea in Pregnancy

Causes of diarrhea in pregnant women are pretty much the same as in other populations and so is the treatment (1). Some women experience diarrhea, nausea or vomiting just before the labor starts (2).

FOODS TO AVOID in Pregnancy

Pregnant women should avoid risk of food poisoning:

• Salads in restaurants
• Fast food
• Soft cheeses
• Refrigerated smoked seafood

continue reading Diarrhea in Pregnancy – Safe and Non-Safe Diagnostic & Treatment