Abdominal pain is one of the most commonly experienced ailments in the world. The abdominal region ranges anywhere between the chest and pelvic regions, any form of pain in these regions can be termed as abdominal pain.
The causes for abdominal pain can be various and can, range from minor illnesses to medical emergencies.
Here are a few causes of abdominal pain, their symptoms, and prevention.
Viral Gastroenteritis
Viral Gastroenteritis also known as the stomach flu. The symptoms can consist of inflammation of the belly and intestines and has numerous causes, The stomach flu or stomach bug is highly contagious and can spread through proximity to people or through contaminated water and food.
The most vulnerable groups to this disease are:
Children under five years of age.
Elderly.
Anyone with a weak immunity system.
There can be numerous ways to catch a form of viral gastroenteritis, some of them are listed below:
Unsanitary methods of food storage.
Preparation of the food is not sanitary.
Contamination of water and food.
Food is exposed to unhealthy bacteria during transport.
The Symptoms of Viral Gastroenteritis are:
diarrhea
vomiting and nausea
fever
pain in the stomach, head, joints or muscles
excessive sweating
Clammy skin
Precautions against Viral Gastroenteritis:
Washing hands often and thoroughly.
The condition is transferable. The Utensils, towels or any other personal things of infected person should not be shared.
Proper cleaning of fruits and vegetables.
avoidance in eating raw or uncooked food.
Vaccination for rotavirus.
Food Poisoning
Food poisoning is a common ailment that affects most people when they eat food that is either rotten or is close to rotting. Food poisoning if not treated properly and on time has the possibility of becoming fatal. It is recommended that medical assistance is sought in order to effectively treat this illness.
Symptoms of food poisoning:
Stomach Ache
Diarrhea for extended periods, If diarrhea persists beyond three days it can be a sign of severe food poisoning
Fever – Mild fevers are common with mild food poisoning. If the temperature continues beyond one hundred and one degrees for an extended period, it can be a symptom of severe food poisoning
Severe dehydration – This includes symptoms like dry mouth and a lack of flow in the urinary stream.
Nausea and Vomiting
General lack of energy and loss of strength
Headaches
Loss of appetite
Precautions against food poisoning:
The most effective way to combat food poisoning is to ensure a healthy diet and hygienic food practices.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS
It is also known as spastic colon, irritable colon, mucous colitis, and spastic colitis. IBS is a chronic condition that can impact daily life in extreme manners. Below are some of the symptoms of IBS
The symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome are:
Stomach aches
Stomach Cramps
Abdominal Bloating.
Constipation
Diarrhea
Stress is a common cause for IBS and stress relieving forms of therapy is recommended to patients.
Indigestion
Indigestion also known as dyspepsia is the most common and least severe cause for abdominal discomfort. Below are some symptoms of indigestion.
Symptoms of Indigestion:
Vomiting
Gas
inflammation in the stomach
Most common causes of Indigestion are:
Smoking
More than average consumption of alcohol
Side effects of medicines
Spicy food
Stress
Chronic migraine is a condition where the affected person experiences at least 15 headache days a month. It is observed that at least 8 out of these 15 days are migraine headaches with severe symptoms, and this pattern of discomfort remains consistent for 3 months. Initially, it may not be a frequently occurring episode, however, with time, the episodes may get regular with chronic headaches. If left untreated, this condition can affect a person’s life.
Causes
Several factors determine the onset of this kind of migraine. One of them includes a steady increase in the frequency of episodic headaches. Over-the-counter treatment options that are used to treat frequent headaches stop affecting over time, leading to side effects that develop into chronic headaches. Some other factors that can put an individual at a high risk of developing this condition include mood disorders like anxiety or depression, snoring, excessive caffeine intake, ongoing disturbed sleep patterns, and a history of stressful life events causing emotional or physical trauma. An unhealthy lifestyle leading to an increase in the body mass index (BMI) can also be a causal factor.
Symptoms
There is no difference between symptoms of chronic migraines and episodic migraines. However, the only thing to notice is the increased frequency of episodic headaches in a month. Some typical symptoms of this illness can be observed for timely diagnosis and treatment.
Transitioning symptoms (episodic to chronic migraines)
Diagnosis
A health professional will take a look at the affected person’s health history. If needed, the doctor may ask questions that help understand the migraine patterns. The questions include how and when the migraines begin, how long they last, are there any notable physical factors or triggers that worsen the condition, and where the location of the pain is.
The professional may also ask for a detailed history of other health conditions like anxiety, depression, lifestyle choices that may trigger these headaches, any treatment options used, and possible side effects that could be factored into the diagnosis. Based on the results, appropriate treatment methods will be advised and implemented.
Treatment options
Most of the treatment methods focus on managing the symptoms, the migraine attacks, and reducing the episodes and pain.
One of the treatment therapies includes focusing on lifestyle changes.
Some other treatment options for managing migraine attacks include:
Other techniques include:
Also, maintain a headache diary and note down the possible triggers and the number of migraine attacks in a month. If there’s a notable increase in the attacks, consult a doctor at the earliest. Knowing the triggers can help the doctor chalk out an effective treatment plan.
Preventive treatments and methods
Apart from treatment options that help manage the symptoms, there are preventive treatment methods that reduce the episodes of these headaches to a certain extent. These include using beta blockers and other therapies. One such treatment method also includes using an Allergan product named BOTOX®, which doctors recommend for those 18 years and older. The intravenous treatment method is administered around the neck or the head, where the migraine pain usually affects the person. This ten-minute procedure is not painful and can prevent headaches for three months. The procedure takes place in a doctor’s clinic under close supervision.
Chronic migraine can be painful and disrupt everyday life activities, so choosing the right treatment plan is crucial. Get all the information from a licensed health professional and seek the best possible treatment plan according to a detailed diagnosis.
Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that develops in the cells that produce melanin. The pigment melanin is responsible for giving the skin its color. Advanced melanoma can form inside one’s nose, throat, or digestive tract. Studies show that the risk of melanoma increases in people under 40, especially women. Knowing the early signs of the disease is crucial since melanoma can be treated successfully if detected early.
Stages
There are five stages of melanoma. The cancer cells of Stage 0 melanoma are restricted to the epidermis, the top layer of skin. The epidermis and dermis, the deeper layer of the skin, both contain cancer cells in Stage I melanoma. Stage II melanoma is marked by tumor thickness and ulceration, while Stage III is marked by melanoma deposits in the skin and cancer spreading to nearby lymph nodes. The advanced stage of melanoma, also called metastatic skin cancer, shows the further spread of cancer to distant areas of the body.
Causes of advanced melanoma
The exact cause of melanoma is unknown, although exposure to harsh ultraviolet (UV) radiation, tanning beds, or lamps has been shown to increase one’s risk of getting the disease. One can develop skin disease anywhere in one’s body. Those with a family history of the disease or exposure to radiation or vinyl chloride are also vulnerable to metastatic melanoma.
Signs of advanced melanoma
An early sign of melanoma is the development of an unusual mole. Normal moles are minor and uniform in size and color. But melanoma moles have irregular shapes or borders and can be larger than 6 millimeters. If a mole grows in size, color, and shape and causes itchiness, it’s best to get it checked. Advanced melanoma may lead to chronic fatigue, swollen lymph nodes or liver, loss of appetite, jaundice, skin itchiness, headaches, and even seizures. Depending on where the metastatic melanoma has spread, one may experience chest pain, breathing issues, aching bones, paralysis, sleepiness, and swelling in one’s legs or abdomen.
Melanoma treatment options
The American Cancer Society reports that the five-year survival rate for patients with melanoma that has spread to surrounding lymph nodes is 66%. Surgery is a common way to treat it. Targeted therapy is another method to eliminate the tumor and its metastases selectively. Alternatively, immunotherapy aids a person’s immune system in recognizing and shrinking cancer cells. Other treatments for metastatic skin cancer include chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
Conclusion
Opdulag is a standard treatment for advanced melanoma skin cancer. The therapy, given by intravenous (IV) infusions, works with one’s immune system and is used to fight cancer that has spread or cannot be surgically removed. If one experiences any early signs of melanoma skin cancer, it’s recommended to consult a doctor immediately.