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| Sunday, 12 December 2004 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Abdominal pain
A pain in the stomach is Nature's danger signal. Do not ignore it. It is foolhardy to be brave about abdominal pain which, although it is often due to trivia like dietary indiscretion, constipation, or mild food poisoning, can be a pointer to serious disease. Particular Attention must be paid if: Pain is severe and recent. Distension accompanies it. Nausea and vomiting also. Abdomen is hard. Great tenderness to pressure. Blood or tarry colour in movements. Severe abdominal pain lasting several hours, after previously reasonable good health, requires immediate investigation by a doctor. The sooner, the safer. It is particularly dangerous to take a purgative when suffering from unexplained abdominal pain, even if the bowels have not been opened. Types of Pain Colicky Peritonitis-type Inflammatory Others Colicky Pain Sharp, agonising bouts that cause writhing or doubling up, and are sometimes associated with cold and vomiting. The abdomen is not hard except during the spasms of pain, nor is it particularly distended. Pressing the abdomen, which the sufferer does automatically, slightly relieves the pain of colic, but of no other abdominal pain. Intestinal colic: That which is usually understood by the term colic. Pain griping, in upper abdomen and around navel, sometimes gurgling sounds and patches of gas; sometimes vomiting. Infection: enteritis Diarrhoea follows pain. Irritation from indigestible or tainted foods, or the toxins of some fever, eg. typhoid. Lead poisoning, in painters or in children eating wall plaster. Constipation. Obstruction by enlarged glands, adhesions, tuberculosis, cancer, strangulated hernia. Distension. No diarrhoea. Colic of colon: Commoner and less acute than small intestine colic described above. Pain mainly below navel. Colitis. Dysentery: Very severe constipation. Cancer, with recurrent attacks of distension, colic, and constipation, should be considered. Appendicitis colic: In early appendicitis the pain is like intestinal colic, around the navel. Pain. Much restlessness. Due to overstretching of one of the muscular tubes of the abdomen, either because of a stone or in an effort to get the normal fluids past an obstruction. Kidney stone colic: Sudden pain in loin shooting down into groin, testicle, or urethra in some. Frequent and painful passing of water, which may be bloodstained in some cases. Vomiting common. Gastric colic: Pain in upper abdomen, due to blockage of stomach exit by ulcer or cancer. Stomach haemorrhage is similar but blood is vomited. Womb colic: Pain felt in lower abdomen, lower back and sometimes down thighs. Due to passage of a clot, miscarriage, a polyp or_childbirth. Period pain may be severe. Bleeding likely. Gallstone colic: Pain on right side either just below ribs or by shoulder blade, or sometimes right around: 'girdle pain'. Very severe. Maybe also jaundice. Abdomen may be rigid if there is inflammation of the gall bladder. Tubal pregnancy, causing colic: A developing egg may lodge in the narrow Fallopian tube instead of the womb. As the egg grows, it may cause the tube to be painfully overstretched, or actually burst. The pain can occur on either side and come on with such sudden severity as to make the sufferer faint. Missed or irregular periods provide a clue. Peritonitis Pain Great, extensive, and persistent abdominal pain, usually coming with catastrophic suddenness, severe enough to cause fainting. May wake the victim from sleep. Cold sweat and vomiting, and a hard tender abdomen are associated. Breathing rapid and shallow. Abdomen becomes distended. Caused by: Perforation, ie. bursting of an abscesslike area, or gradual erosion by an ulcer, of the appendix, gall bladder, any part of the intestine, or peptic ulcer. In the latter case the pain is of a burning character, and there may also be pain in the shoulders. Spread of infection from, for instance, womb, tubes appendix, colon, gall bladder, pancreas. Contact doctor immediately. Inflammatory Pain Constant, not spasmodic: sharp or dull aching, followed by slight vomiting and slight fever. Localised. Right upper quadrant of abdomen: due to inflamed gall bladder, pancreas, or liver or to duodenal ulcer. Right lower quadrant: inflamed appendix, enlarged glands in children. Lower part of abdomen (including right lower quadrant): diverticulitis, often on the left side; other colitis; inflammation of female organs, or bladder. Loin, coming around and down to groin: kidney infection. Other Pains Shingles: burning pain in the side, skin very sensitive. Distended bladder: becomes very painful if it cannot be emptied. Aneurysm: pain felt first in chest, then descends to abdomen. Conditions that may be mistaken for acute trouble Influenza and other fevers: especially in children, may start with abdominal pain and vomiting. Diabetics have abdominal pain and vomiting often before a coma. Food poisoning: Several people probably effected at same time. Pneumonia. Pleurisy. Heart attack. Kidney failure: Vomiting and distension.
From 'A Dictionary of Medical Symptoms. **** "Front Sites of Pain in Acute Trouble in the Abdomen" (a) Gall Bladder (b) Stomach; Duodenum; Pancreas (c) Gall Bladder (d) Small Intestine; Appendix (e) Kidney (f) Appendix; Pregnancy in a tube; Inflammation in a tube (g) Colon; Bladder (h) Hernia; Kidney trouble "Back: Sites of Pain in Acute Trouble in the Abdomen" (a) Perforated Ulcer (b) Biliary Colic; Gall Bladder (c) Kidney; Pancreas (d) Rectum; Womb Know your germs You may think germs are something you don't have to worry about - only the people selling toilet cleaners on TV are concerned with germs. But germs are tiny organisms that can cause disease - and they're so small that they can creep into your system without your noticing. You even need a microscope to see them. To stay healthy, it's time you gave some thought to germs. The term germ is really just a generic word for four different types of organisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa. Bacteria (pronounced: back-teer-ee-uh) are tiny, single-celled organisms that get nutrients from their environments. In some cases, that environment is you or some other living being. A certain number of bacteria are good for our bodies - they help keep the digestive system in working order and keep harmful bacteria from moving in. Some bacteria are even used to produce medicines and vaccines. But bacteria can cause trouble, too - ever had a cavity, urinary tract infection, or strep throat? These infections are all caused by bacteria. Viruses (pronounced: vy-russ-iz) are dependent little creatures - they can't survive, grow, and reproduce unless you, another person, or an animal puts up rental space. Viruses can't live outside other living cells. But once they've moved in, viruses spread easily and can make you and other people sick. Viruses can cause not-so-serious diseases like colds or chicken pox or extremely serious diseases like smallpox or AIDS, which is caused by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Fungi (pronounced: fun-jee) are multi-celled, plant-like organisms that usually aren't dangerous in a healthy person. Fungi can't produce their own food from soil, water, and air, so instead, they get nutrition from plants, food, and animals in damp, warm environments. Two common fungal infections include athlete's foot and yeast infections. People who have weakened immune systems (from diseases like AIDS or cancer) may develop more serious fungal infections. Protozoa (pronounced: pro-toe-zo-uh) are one-celled organisms like bacteria. Protozoa love moisture, so intestinal infections and other diseases they cause are often spread through contaminated water. Once organisms like bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa invade your body, they get ready to stay for a while. These germs draw all their energy from you! They may damage or destroy your own healthy cells. As they use up your nutrients and energy, most will produce waste products, known as toxins. Some toxins cause the annoying symptoms of common colds or flu-like infections, such as sniffles, sneezing, coughing, and diarrhoea. But other toxins can cause high fever, increased heart rate, and even life-threatening illness. If you're not feeling well and visit your doctor, he or she may examine your blood and other fluids under a microscope or perform cultures to determine which germs (if any) are making you sick. How Can I Protect Myself From Germs? The best way to prevent the infections that germs cause is by protecting yourself. Because most germs are spread through the air in sneezes or coughs or through bodily fluids like sweat, saliva, semen, vaginal fluid, or blood, your best bet is to limit contact with those substances. Washing your hands often is absolutely the best way to stop germs from getting into your body. When should you wash? After using the bathroom, after blowing your nose or coughing, after touching any pets or animals, after gardening, or before and after visiting a sick relative or friend. These are the best times to soap up with warm water, plenty of lather, and a clean towel. If you spend any time in the kitchen, you'll have many opportunities to get rid of germs. Be sure to use proper food-handling techniques, like using separate cutting boards, utensils, and towels for preparing uncooked meat and poultry. Another way to fight infections from germs is to make sure you have the right immunisations. If you are sexually active, you should use condoms to prevent infection because viruses, bacteria, fungi, and protozoa can be spread via oral, anal, or vaginal contact. . With a little prevention, you can keep harmful germs out of your way! De Soysa Hospital celebrates 125th anniversary by Shanika Sriyananda The oldest maternity hospital in Sri Lanka and the second oldest in Asia - the De Soysa Hospital for Women (DSHW) celebrates its 125 'birthday', tomorrow (13). Over 1.3 million babies have been born here from December 13, 1879 upto date. The hospital was established in a five-acre property donated by Sir Charles De Soysa. His sole objective - provide safe care in a hospital during child birth - was achieved in the very first year of the establishment of the 'De Soysa Lying-in-Home' as it gave safe birth to 52 children. The number of children born in the DSHW increased, annually and today over 14,000 children are born in the DSHW, each year. The DSHW has the pride of performing the country's first caesarean delivery in 1905. The first operating theatre was commenced the same year. It became the premier training institute in midwifery and later commenced training medical students in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. The establishment of the first Ante Natal Clinic in Asia was another landmark achievement. Moving towards community health care and promoting preventive healthcare, giving priority to maternal and child health, the first Community Based Health Unit was commenced in 1926. It became the centre for maternal and child health as a tertiary care institution to train all grades of staff. The De Soysa Lying-in-Home was renamed the De Soysa Hospital for Women in 1940 and clinical care and training and clinical research were gradually introduced. In recognition of its improved care facilities for high risk and life threatening situations, the DSHW was declared a 'Baby-Friendly Hospital' by the UNICEF and the Sri Lankan Government in 1992. The DSHW also won the 'Taiki Akimoto 5S Award' in 2003 for the best implementation of '5S' in their services. "These achievements have been possible due to the joint efforts of generations of all grades of staff of the institution, the members of the DSHW, hospital welfare committee and the hospital administration", said Prof. H.R. Seneviratne, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, Colombo University at a media briefing. "With advanced facilities the DSHW will provide improved health care service for the women in this country. The DSHW will remain as the mother of maternity services in Sri Lank in future", he added. New e-Resource Centre to SLMA Hemas Healthcare Sector donated an ultra-modern audio visual resource centre to the Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) recently. Situated at the SLMA's headquarters at Wijerama Mawatha Colombo, this e-Resource Centre was tailor-made for the medical profession, following a proposal by SLMA President Prof. Ravindra Fernando. CEO Hemas Holdings Husein Esufally said that the company identified this centre as the best possible gift it could make to the medical profession. "As a responsible stakeholder, we've always wanted to do something unique to demonstrate our long-term commitment and support for the profession. This Centre, I believe, embodies just that", Esufally said. This fully-equipped e-Resource Centre will serve as a 'knowledge' Centre for members of the SLMA allowing them to access many international medical journals and import medical sites with the latest innovations and findings in the medical field. The Centre will be manned by a full time administrator who will assist users and send relevant information to doctors, on request. As a further convenience, the centre will subsequently introduce a system whereby doctors can even access the e-Resource centre from their homes. Diabetes on line A valuable new information resource on diabetes - a disease that afflicts one in seven Sri Lankans - is now on-line following the commissioning of the official website of the Ceylinco Diabetes Centre. The interactive website ( www.ceylincodiabetes.com ) was formally launched on November 14, World Diabetes Day, in the course of a series of presentations for the public on the disease and its complications. Besides information on the centre and the services it provides.the website also provides valuable information on diabetes, its prevalence in Sri Lanka, important links to other sources of information and answers questions on whether the disease can be prevented. "The Internet is widely used to search for information on health and medical problems," Ceylinco Healthcare Services Deputy Chairman R. Renganathan said. |
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