Health Care

An anal fissure is a rectal tear: a tear in the anal canal that causes rectal pain and rectal bleeding. Anal fissure can occur at any age, but are most common in infants: Up to eighty percent of babies develop an anal fissure before their first birthday. Causes of Anal Fissure A rectal tear is usually caused by constipation. Bowel movements involving hard, large stools damage the anal canal, causing a longitudinal rectal tear. An anal fissure runs along the length of the anal canal. Severe diarrhea or anal canal inflammation can also cause anal fissure: Both conditions irritate and dry the anal canal, increasing the risk of a rectal tear. In elderly individuals, reduced blood flow to the rectal area is one of the causes of anal fissure. Physical trauma and childbirth can also cause rectal tears. Abuse of laxatives is associated with a high risk of anal fissure. While anal intercourse is one of the least common causes of anal fissure, it can also result in a rectal tear. A...

Anorectal problems range from mild cases of hemorrhoids to serious conditions such as fecal incontinence and inflammation of the rectum. People are often embarrassed to discuss anorectal problems with their health professional. As anorectal problems can be serious, overcoming this embarrassment can be important. The Anus and Rectum The anus is located at the end of the digestive system, and is approximately an inch and a half in length. The portion of the digestive system terminating in the anus is called the rectum. Stool is stored in the rectum before being voided through the anus. To keep stool stored until voided from the rectum, the anus includes the anal sphincter, a ring of muscle which, when tightened, seals the anus. Anorectal Problems Some anorectal problems are well known, although popular thought about anorectal problems such as hemorrhoids is often clouded with myths and inaccuracies. Anorectal problems can cause worrisome symptoms, such as rectal pain a...

Gastroenteritis is a generic term for inflammation of the stomach and the large and small intestine. Gastroenteritis is characterized by diarrhea, abdominal cramps and vomiting. What Causes Gastroenteritis? The three main causes of gastroenteritis are viral infections, the consumption of bacteria-contaminated food or water and side effects of certain medications or other medical conditions. Gastroenteritis Symptoms Symptoms of gastroenteritis include: diarrhea : the main symptom and common to all types of gastroenteritis abdominal cramps : often severe and stabbing abdominal pain dehydration : severe dehydration in infants under the age of one may require hospitalization vomiting : often accompanied by nausea low-grade fever : usually only applies to viral gastroenteritis muscle spasms : pain ranges in severity from mild muscle ache to sharper stomach pains loss of appetite : sometimes combined with nausea. What is the Treatment for Gastroenteritis? As the sympto...

Gastric or stomach ulcers and duodenal ulcers both fall into the general category of peptic ulcers. Peptic Ulcers and the   H. pylori   Bacterium Peptic ulcers are sores or breaks in the lining of the gastrointestinal tract, primarily in the stomach or duodenum. Ulcers can vary in size, with the average ulcer between a quarter and half an inch in diameter. The most common cause of peptic ulcer is the bacterium  H. pylori  ( Helicobacter pylori ). What is Pepsin? Pepsin is a digestive enzyme produced by the gastric glands, which, along with hydrochloric acid, plays an important role in the breakdown of proteins, fats and starch. If the stomach or duodenal lining is irritated by medications or by H. pylori , pepsin and hydrochloric acid may erode the lining of the stomach and duodenumthe first part of the small intestine into which food passes after leaving the stomach. What is   H. pylori ? Helicobacter pylori  is a bacterium often found on t...

Rapid and delayed gastric emptying are functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) that occur when undigested foods, primarily sugars and carbohydrates, move too quickly from the stomach to the small intestine. Some people suffer from both rapid and delayed gastric emptying disorders. Symptoms for both types disorders range from mild to severe and treatment depends on the underlying symptoms. Diagnosis for Gastric Emptying Disorders Diagnosis may involve a barium x-ray, a  radioisotope gastric-emptying scan  and blood tests. A  gastric manometry test  may also be performed to measure muscle activity in the stomach. Rapid Gastric Emptying (Dumping Syndrome) Rapid or early gastric emptying (dumping syndrome) occurs when undigested food or fluid passes too quickly from the stomach into the lower section of the small intestine (jejunum), the part of the gastrointestinal tract involved with digestion. Rapid gastric dumping usually occurs immediately after ...

Stomach problems are an all too common facet of modern day living. Most of us at some time during our lifetime experience the discomfort of diarrhea, nausea, vomiting or abdominal cramps, that are associated with a wide range of common stomach disorders. Stomach problems range from mild stomach upset and indigestion to more troublesome conditions such as peptic ulcers and stomach cancer, not to mention the odd bout of debilitating gastroenteritis. With irregular eating schedules, travel, work stresses and the escalation of food disorders, it's no surprise that our stomachs pay the price. Now, fascinating research has shown that some people are more susceptible than others to stomach problems; that our driven contemporary lifestyles may aggravate existing problems and, in some cases, may even trigger the onset of certain stomach disorders. We overeat, we eat too quickly, we consume too much alcohol, we smoke, we become over-stressed, and our stomachs begin to rebel! Other stud...

Restless leg syndrome (RLS) is a common condition that can affect the lower limbs at any time of day. Uncomfortable sensations in the legs force individuals to stand and move about for relief. Symptoms can occur at any time, but RLS is often worse in the evening and nighttime. Restless leg syndrome can make it difficult to sleep well, so sufferers often report fatigue and daytime sleepiness. Restless Leg Syndrome Symptoms Many people find it difficult to describe restless leg syndrome symptoms. Irritating sensations include tingling, aching and burning deep inside the legs. The urge to move the legs becomes irresistible, making it difficult to stay still. Restless leg syndrome symptoms can affect anyone — even children — although older women seem to be most commonly affected. A high percentage of people diagnosed with RLS also suffer from periodic limb movement disorder — up to 80 percent, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (2010). People w...

Periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD) is a condition involving repetitive limb movements that disrupt sleep. PLMD usually affects the lower limbs from the hip to the big toe, but may also affect the upper limbs. PLMD or Sleep Myoclonus? Period limb movement disorder was originally called sleep myoclonus. A myoclonus is a sudden muscle contraction. The name was changed to periodic limb movement disorder because the sleep twitching associated with PLMD isn't the sudden spasm seen with true myoclonus. A condition called sleep myoclonus does exist. True sleep myoclonus is an unexpected muscle spasm that usually occurs just as the individual is drifting off to sleep. PLMD sleep twitching is less startling and occurs in light sleep. Periodic Limb Movement Disorder Symptoms The sleep twitching associated with PLMD is less noticeable than true sleep myoclonus, which awakens the sleeper. Periodic limb movement disorder sleep twitching does cause partial arousal, but the sleeper...

No cure for narcolepsy exists. Treatments for narcolepsy only relieve symptoms of the disorder. Narcolepsy medication provides relief from daytime sleepiness, cataplexy (loss of muscle tone that leads to sudden weakness) and other symptoms. Lifestyle changes can make it easier to achieve a restful night's sleep. Stimulants and Narcolepsy Medication Stimulants are a first-line narcolepsy treatment. However, stimulants can be habit-forming and should only be used as narcolepsy medication under a doctor's supervision. Preventing daytime sleepiness is the primary goal of stimulant narcolepsy treatment. Stimulant treatments for narcolepsy include methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine. While an effective treatment for daytime sleepiness, stimulants can disrupt nighttime sleep patterns, cause heart palpitations and increase anxiety. Provigil ®  Medication (Modafinil) Provigil ®  medication, or modafinil, is a newer stimulant that is typically the first choice for narcolep...

Narcolepsy is a chronic condition. While it is not a deadly illness, narcolepsy side effects can lead to health complications, and the effects of narcolepsy can take a toll on a person's quality of life, personal safety, relationships and job productivity. Narcolepsy Effects and Safety Accidents and injuries are potentially serious narcolepsy effects. People living with narcolepsy have an increased risk of accidents due to excessive daytime sleepiness, sleep attacks and cataplexy. A sleep attack while cooking can result in serious cuts or burns. A sleep attack while driving or operating heavy machinery could prove fatal, either to the person with narcolepsy or other people. The University of Maryland (2009) reports that up to 75 percent of people with narcolepsy have fallen asleep while driving. Cataplexy is a sudden loss of muscle tone and one of the more common effects of narcolepsy. A severe cataplexy attack can cause people to collapse, increasing the risk of injuries...

Exactly what causes narcolepsy is unknown, but researchers have identified several potential triggers of narcolepsy symptoms. Genetics, autoimmune disorders and environmental factors are all possible causes. Narcolepsy Symptoms and Normal Sleep An abnormal sleep cycle causes narcolepsy symptoms. Most people enter a period of light non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep when they fall asleep. Light NREM sleep gradually transitions into deeper, restful sleep. After deep NREM sleep, the sleep cycle alters again, switching to rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, when most dreaming occurs. During REM sleep the body is temporarily paralyzed to prevent the dreamer from physically acting out dreams. A person with narcolepsy symptoms has a very different sleep cycle. Upon falling asleep, someone with narcolepsy enters REM sleep within minutes. Narcolepsy symptoms during waking hours have elements of REM sleep stages, such as cataplexy (loss of muscle tone), or vivid dreams or hallucinations. ...

Narcolepsy symptoms include excessive daytime sleepiness, sleep paralysis, hallucinations and cataplexy. All cases of narcolepsy present with daytime sleepiness. Other symptoms vary depending on the individual, with few people displaying all four major narcolepsy symptoms. Excessive Daytime Sleepiness Daytime sleepiness describes both all-day drowsiness and sudden "sleep attacks." A person with narcolepsy may experience several sleep attacks a day, falling asleep at unexpected or inappropriate times. In most cases sleep attacks occur when the individual engages in passive activities such as sitting, reading or watching television. Less commonly, sleep attacks also occur when working, eating, driving or having sex. A sleep attack typically lasts from 15 to 60 minutes. How often daytime sleepiness causes sleep attacks depends on the individual. Daytime sleepiness caused by narcolepsy does not always result in sleep attacks. While some people experience several sleep a...

Few sleep disorders are as misunderstood as narcolepsy. Narcolepsy is a neurological disorder that causes abnormal rapid eye movement (REM) sleep activity. People with narcolepsy are prone to excessive daytime sleepiness, sometimes falling asleep while talking, watching television or performing other tasks. Narcolepsy affects 1 out of every 2,000 Americans, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (2010). Men and women are affected equally, and narcolepsy can be found among people of all ethnic backgrounds. What Causes Narcolepsy? Exactly what causes narcolepsy remains unclear. One popular theory is that disorders in REM sleep trigger narcolepsy. Most people have sleep cycles that begin with non-REM sleep and change to REM sleep after 80 to 100 minutes, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (2010). REM sleep is the stage of sleep where people dream. People with narcolepsy often enter REM sleep shortly afte...