Can Diabetes Cause Numbness on Only One Side?
Numbness on one side of a large portion of the body is not normally caused by diabetes. Other causes can be an emergency.
It also depends on how much of the body you’re referring to. (more…)
Can Anemia Cause Muscle Weakness?
One of the classic signs of anemia is a feeling of overall weakness and fatigue that may seem to originate from the muscles.
Symptoms of anemia can be anything from mild to severe, and there’s quite a few potential symptoms. (more…)
How Well Can Amitzia Treat IBS-C ?
Have you tried Amitzia as a treatment for your IBS-C?
Many people who suffer from IBS-C notice that over time, laxatives that once worked begin to lose their steam.
They ultimately become ineffective and the patient is back to square one with their constipation.
Amitzia (generic name lubiprostone) has been FDA approved for treating chronic constipation of unknown origin.
Irritable bowel syndrome is a condition of exclusion — a diagnosis given when all other possible causes of the constipation (through extensive testing including colonoscopy) have been ruled out.
“Amitzia is a medication to improve bowel movements in constipated people,” says Lawrence Hoberman, MD, a board certified gastroenterologist and creator of EndoMune probiotic products.
“Side effects include nausea, bloating, cramps and diarrhea.”
Though for some people, diarrhea may be preferable to constipation, it’s also possible that Amitzia can result in stool formation that doesn’t quite qualify for diarrhea, and is a lot easier to void than the previous constipated bowel movements.
But then there are also the possible other side effects, as mentioned.
Dr. Hoberman says, “Because of the side effects, it is not the drug of choice for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D).”
Nevertheless, all the patient can do is try it and see what happens.
This should be discussed with the patient’s gastroenterologist.
A study in Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics (Jan. 2008, Johanson et al) notes that though Amitzia can be effective even at low doses, it’s associated with more GI side effects at higher doses (especially 48 mg/day).
With 40+ years’ experience, Dr. Hoberman is an expert in probiotics. He has extensive first-hand experience treating a variety of digestive health issues and has seen the dramatic results probiotics have had on his patients. endomune.com/meet-dr-hoberman
Lorra Garrick has been covering medical, fitness and cybersecurity topics for many years, having written thousands of articles for print magazines and websites, including as a ghostwriter. She’s also a former ACE-certified personal trainer.
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Top image: Shutterstock/Aaron Amat
Sources
gastrojournal.org/article/S0016-5085(07)00793-7/abstract
springer.com/article/10.1007/s10620-011-1702-2
tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1517/14656560802631319
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2036.2008.03629.x/full
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2036.2011.04983.x/full
Can Aneurysm Cause One Pupil to Be More Dilated than the Other?
If one pupil is dilated this CAN be from an aneurysm.
One dilated pupil usually represents a recent change in the aneurysm or possible small sentinel (early warning) bleed. In the case of bleeding, usually there is associated sudden onset headache.
Most medical sites will list “dilated pupils” as a possible symptom of an aneurysm.
However, when only one pupil is dilated in a person, this is far more concerning than when both are.
When only one pupil is dilated, or unilateral dilation, this is called anisocoria.
Pupils of uneven size may also be a benign finding, and in this case is called physiological anisocoria.
Physiological anisocoria. Russavia [CC BY 3.0
“Typically, the difference in pupil diameters is less than 1.0 mm and may vary from day to day,” says Dr. Siddiq.
“Aneurysms can also cause anisocoria, particularly in a location known as the posterior communicating artery or PCOM.”
Aneurysms and Unequal Pupil Size
“Here, aneurysm grows close to the third cranial nerve and can sometimes cause sudden compression of the nerve and cause a third cranial nerve palsy, which will occasionally manifest as dilatation [dilation] of the pupil on the side of the aneurysm,” continues Dr. Siddiq.
“Usually this dilatation is painless, but pain could be associated with it, indicating a possible recent rupture of the aneurysm.
“The pupillary dilatation is not a variable but may still be responsive to light. There may or may not be double vision associated.
“Any sudden change in the size of the pupil on a previously normal individual should raise suspicion.
“Interestingly, diabetes can also cause these symptoms, so urgent tests are required to rule out a ruptured PCOM aneurysm.”
As frightening as this may sound, there is no reason to obsess over the size of your pupils by frequently inspecting them in magnifying mirrors.
Nevertheless, it’s always a smart idea to be informed. People have suffered from ruptured aneurysms because they ignored the warning signs.
Other Dangerous Causes of Uneven Pupil Size
“Anisocoria, or unequal pupil size, may be an early sign of an impending neurologic emergency and often suggestive of a life threatening condition affecting cranial nerve function, such as tumour compression, intracranial hypertension with impending uncal herniation, expanding intracranial aneurysm, or haemorrhage,” says a paper in the Indian Journal of Anaesthesia (July/August 2010, Yalcin et al).
Symptoms that an Unruptured Aneurysm May Cause
• Pain above and behind an eye
• A dilated pupil
• Change in vision
• Numbness, weakness or paralysis of one side of the face
• Drooping eyelid (ptosis)
Note the word “A” before “dilated.” This means one pupil – which means pupils of unequal size.
The challenge of physicians is to determine if one pupil is actually dilated more than it should be, given the lighting conditions, or if one pupil is more constricted than it should be.
Other symptoms that are present, plus recent medical history, are crucial in the determination of how to proceed with a patient who presents with unequal pupil size.
Dr. Siddiq is fellowship-trained in endovascular surgical neuroradiology and vascular neurology from the University of Minnesota Medical Center. His areas of special focus also include brain aneurysms and carotid disease.
Lorra Garrick has been covering medical, fitness and cybersecurity topics for many years, having written thousands of articles for print magazines and websites, including as a ghostwriter. She’s also a former ACE-certified personal trainer.
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Top image: Shutterstock/Blamb
Sources
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2943725/
mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/brain-aneurysm/basics/symptoms/con-20028457
Can a CT Scan Show Crohn’s Disease?
“A CT scan can show signs of Crohn’s disease,” says Alan Gingold, DO, a board certified gastroenterologist with Central Jersey Ambulatory Surgical Center.
A CT scan can easily show the thickened bowel wall that comes with Crohn’s disease.
And that’s just the beginning of what computerized axial tomography can show with this inflammatory bowel disease.
However, this doesn’t mean that a CT scan, all by itself, diagnose Crohn’s disease. It’s one of many routes to the correct diagnosis.
An abdominal CT scan takes five to 20 minutes and may involve contrast dye to improve viewing.
The value in a CT scan is that it rules out complications from Crohn’s disease such as infections, obstructions, strictures and bowel perforation.
“Inflammation, enlarged lymph nodes, fistulas, abscesses, strictures can all be seen in Crohn’s disease and can be seen on CT scan,” says Dr. Gingold.
There is a type of CT scan called enterography which translates to mapping out the intestines.
It requires a contrast dye for enhanced quality of the image of the small bowel relative to other organs. Areas of inflammation or more subtle blockages can be seen.
According to a 2014 report in the American Journal of Roentgenology (Gore et al), the CT scan is the “premier imaging procedure for evaluating mural and extraintestinal manifestations of IBD.”
CT plays a crucial role in the detection of abscesses (infections), complications beyond the intestinal tract and other issues associated with Crohn’s.
“Pathology from biopsy taken during an endoscopic examination in the proper clinical setting is the gold standard for diagnosis of Crohn’s disease,” says Dr. Gingold.
“CT scanning is usually used to help aid in the initial diagnosis or to follow progression of disease or response to treatment.”
Why CT Scan Is not the Gold Standard for Diagnosis
Dr. Gingold explains, “Other things that can look similar to Crohn’s disease on CT scan would include cancer, appendicitis and certain infections such as Yersinia, campylobacter, salmonella Entamoeba and rarely tuberculosis.”
Dr. Gingold attributes his success to the extra time he spends with his patients. His areas of expertise include reflux disease, Barrett’s esophagus, capsule endoscopy, chronic liver disease and inflammatory bowel disease. Dr. Alan Gingold is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in Gastroenterology
Lorra Garrick has been covering medical, fitness and cybersecurity topics for many years, having written thousands of articles for print magazines and websites, including as a ghostwriter. She’s also a former ACE-certified personal trainer.
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Top image: Shutterstock/Simon Kadula
Source
ajronline.org/doi/pdf/10.2214/ajr.167.1.8659415
26 Conditions that Mimic Stroke Including Cancer
People are misdiagnosed with stroke more often than you think because stroke mimics so many conditions – including cancer. (more…)
24 Conditions that Mimic Melanoma to the Naked Eye
Some melanoma mimickers are other forms of cancer, but most are benign.
Many people will present to a doctor with what they fear is melanoma, when in fact, it turns out to be a benign condition. (more…)
After Years of Lip Picking, Can Lips Ever Be Normal Again?
Relentless lip picking is a habit of anxiety, as is nail biting.
However, people will usually notice lips a lot more than nails when they interact with you. (more…)
Best Way to Get Rid of Acne Scars from Picking
Frequent picking of acne scars will do a number on your skin — and a very unsightly one.
Is there any hope ?
Even if you don’t have the money or insurance to pay for the cost of acne treatment — the last thing that you’ll ever want to do is pick at the blemishes!
Picking will just make the scene worse, creating unsightly scars.
And then what? These scars will never just go away on their own. You’ve dug a deeper hole. But … there is a way to fix this situation.
How to Get Rid of Scars Caused by Picking at Acne
“The only way to get rid of acne scars is with office treatments that resurface the skin,” says Estee Williams, MD, a board certified medical, cosmetic and surgical dermatologist and assistant clinical professor in dermatology at Mount Sinai Medical Center.
“Most skin resurfacing treatments involve creating controlled wounds in the skin, thereby turning on the body’s healing response which makes new skin,” explains Dr. Williams.
“Wounding — or resurfacing — can be accomplished via needles (‘microneedling’), lights (lasers), acids (‘chemical peels’).”
What does microneedling involve?
The microneedling procedure involves a microscopic needle (yes; do not picture the big needle that doctors use for injections) that creates puncture wounds – and it’s these very tiny wounds that kick up your body’s natural healing response: new collagen and skin.
“Focal tiny ice pick scars can be treated with TCA CROSS, a procedure using high strength acid,” continues Dr. Williams.
“Indented scars can be filled with Belafill filler.
“My favorite acne scar treatments are Fraxel [non-invasive laser therapy], microneedling and Belafill.”
Average cost of laser skin resurfacing?
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the average cost for this procedure, as of 2016, was about $2,330.
Note: This is an average.
Cost will very quite a bit depending on where the procedure is performed.
Keep in mind that if you have a medical coverage plan, it probably will not cover the cost, since the removal of acne scars is considered a cosmetic procedure.
Dr. Williams strives to be at the forefront of her field, being active in local, national and international medical and cosmetic dermatology conferences.
Lorra Garrick has been covering medical, fitness and cybersecurity topics for many years, having written thousands of articles for print magazines and websites, including as a ghostwriter. She’s also a former ACE-certified personal trainer.
Mole Removed Long Ago, Area Healed, but Now Is Itching
A mole gets removed, then a long time later it starts itching like mad.
One woman feared this meant a few mole cells were left behind and turned into cancer.
And that the cancer was causing the itching.
So what’s really going on when the area where a mole was removed begins itching a long time later?
“Scars are often itchy,” begins Estee Williams, MD, a board certified medical, cosmetic and surgical dermatologist and assistant clinical professor in dermatology at Mount Sinai Medical Center.
“A mole removed many years ago, and diagnosed by a pathology report as a normal mole, is rarely a concern,” continues Dr. Williams.
“If there is clearly regrowth of the mole, with brown pigment appearing in the scar or around the scar, it should be checked.
“But often moles do regrow since they are removed only partially and roots are left behind.
“If there is nothing to see, and just the symptom of itch, there is no need to re-biopsy right away.
“If the itching continues unexplained and brown pigment appears, it should be evaluated again.”
If you have many moles and find it grueling to inspect every one of them every month for signs of cancer, and you’re thinking of having some pre-emptively removed, there’s a better alternative:
Serial Digital Dermoscopy
It’s one thing to have a mole removed for cosmetic reasons, but “de-moling” a bunch of moles out of fear of melanoma is not the way to go.
Dr. Williams’ clinic provides the state-of-the-art technology of serial digital dermoscopy.
With SDD, all the patient’s moles are “mapped” photographically and fed into a computer database where they are rated on a suspicion index for melanoma.
Every year the same moles are photographed. The computer as well as the doctor’s naked-eye scrutiny of the magnified images of the moles on the computer screen make a comparison to past images to detect any changes.