Understanding Anal Fistula
An anal fistula is a small tunnel that forms between an abscess, or infected cavity, in the anus and an opening on the skin near the anus. The anus is the external opening through which feces are expelled from the body. Inside the anus, there are small glands that produce mucus. Occasionally, these glands can become blocked, leading to an infection in the anal region, which can result in an abscess and eventually a fistula.

Causes of Anal Fistula
The primary cause of an anal fistula is blocked anal glands, which can lead to anal abscesses. However, there are several other factors that can contribute to the development of an anal fistula, including:

Physical trauma
Radiation treatment, often used in cancer therapy
Crohn’s disease, an inflammatory bowel disease
Tuberculosis
Cancer
Diverticulitis, a condition characterized by inflamed pouches in the large intestine
Sexually transmitted diseases
Recognizing the Symptoms of Anal Fistula
Common symptoms of an anal fistula include:

Pain and swelling around the anus
Frequent anal abscesses
Foul-smelling drainage (pus) or blood from an opening near the anus
Skin irritation around the anus due to the drainage
Bleeding
Pain during bowel movements
Chills, fever, and fatigue
If you notice any of these symptoms, it is crucial to seek medical attention immediately.

Diagnosing and Treating Anal Fistula
Anal fistulas are typically diagnosed through a physical examination of the area around the anus. Doctors will inspect the fistula tract, the opening on the skin, and try to determine the depth and direction of the tract. In most cases, drainage is observed from the external opening.

If the fistula does not show any visible signs on the skin, additional tests may be required, such as:

An ultrasound or MRI of the anal area for a better view of the fistula tract
Anoscopy, which involves using a special instrument to examine the rectum or anus
Examination under anesthesia in the operating room
Most fistulas can be treated with over-the-counter medications. However, in some cases, minor surgery may be necessary. This can often be performed in local clinics, eliminating the need for a hospital visit.

Upon detecting a fistula, doctors may perform additional tests to rule out underlying conditions, such as Crohn’s disease. According to a study by WebMd, approximately 30% of people with Crohn’s disease develop fistulas. In some cases, a colonoscopy may be performed to further assess internal damage.

Most fistulas respond well to medication and surgery. Post-surgery, patients may be advised to soak the affected area in a warm bath, known as a Sitz Bath, to soften the stool. Stool softeners and laxatives may also be recommended for a week following the surgery.

To manage post-surgery pain, physicians may administer local anesthesia such as lidocaine and prescribe short-term painkillers. Medication is continued until the fistula has fully healed and there is no residual pain.

Depending on the location of the fistula, doctors may need to cut the sphincter muscle responsible for opening and closing the anus. While care is taken to avoid damaging the skin, bowel control may be temporarily affected post-procedure. However, with proper treatment and medication, this can be managed effectively.

Why Choose Redheal?
Our experts are readily available for online consultations.
Our hospital premises adhere to strict COVID safety protocols.
Our doctors take the time to thoroughly evaluate your condition before recommending surgery.
Our staff provides personal assistance and guidance at all stages of treatment.
We offer competitive pricing and insurance options.

Varicose Veins: What are they and how to treat them

Varicose veins, also known by the name of varicosities or varicoses is commonly called spider veins. It occurs when your veins become swollen, enlarged and dilated with blood. The veins start appearing blue/dark purple in colour. Varicose Veins are a result when the blood flows in the wrong direction through faulty valves. Pregnant women and overweight individuals are more susceptible to the Varicose Vein. As estimated by the healthline, around 25% of the adults are having varicose veins. In most cases, the lower legs are affected.

Varicose Vein causes

Varicose veins are caused when there is an abnormality in the functioning of veins. With the veins having a one-way valve for the blood to travel in one direction, varicose causes the walls of veins to stretch and weaken them. They make the blood flow in the reverse direction, thus causing it to accumulate into the vein(s). Causing it to become swollen and enlarged in size. These veins are far from the heart and therefore, the gravity pull makes it tough for the blood to flow upward.

Some of the general causes for Varicose Veins include:

Menopause
Pregnancy
50+ age
Obesity
Longer standing positions
Prevailing in family history

Varicose Veins Symptoms

The primary symptom of Varicose can be felt and are highly visible. The general symptoms include – leg ache, swollen ankles and visible spider veins. Often not harmful, in severe cases, the varicose veins rupture and cause ulcers on the skin. With some people, it can even cause swelling and discoloration.

The common symptoms of Varicose Vein are:

Pain in legs
Heaviness in leg
Swollen ankles
Leg cramps

Varicose Veins in Pregnancy

Pregnant women are more likely to develop varicose veins legs during pregnancy. Since they have more blood in their body, it tends to put extra pressure on the circulatory system. Also, changes in hormone levels can lead to a relaxation of the blood vessel walls.

Varicose Veins Diagnosis

Varicose Veins are visible and are often diagnosed by the Doctor in your standing or sitting position. They may ask you about the pain or underlying symptoms. In some case your Doctor may recommend you for ultrasound to know the blood flow in veins. Ultrasound is a non-invasive test that confirms the blood flow using high frequency sound waves.

A venogram can also be done to further assess the situation. In this, the Doctor injects a dye in your legs and takes an X-ray of the area. The dye makes sure to provide a clear view of the blood flow inside.

Tests such as venograms and ultrasounds ensure that there isn’t a blockage or blood cot that is causing swelling and pain in the legs. .

Varicose Veins Treatment & Procedures

If the visibility of Varicose Vein is temporary, it does not require any treatment. However, to reduce pain and discomfort there are treatments available.

Surgery: For large visible varicose veins, the alternate available is surgery. Performed under general anaesthesia, this is a one-day surgery. Could also be performed under laser treatment.

Ligitation and Stripping: An incision is made and the vein is taken out. This procedure is a bit risky and painful for the reasons that cause bruising, pain and bleeding. In a rare occasion, it could lead to deep vein thrombosis.

Radiofrequency ablation: A small incision is made above or below the knee and a narrow tube is inserted into the vein with the help of an ultrasound.

Varicose Veins Home Remedies

Exercise
Losing weight
Raising the legs
Voiding prolonged sitting or standing

Varicose veins usually get worse if they exist for a prolonged period of time. It is true even when you make the mandatory lifestyle changes and try to manage your pain. Though they don’t cause any long term medical problems, in some cases it can lead to ulcers or leg soreness, blood clots and chronic inflammation. In severe cases, the veins rupture.

We at Redheal recommend you to see your Doctor as soon you develop any of the above mentioned symptoms. A more aggressive approach guided by an expert could help better in the treatment.

Why Redheal?

Experts at Redheal are easily available for Online consultations.
Our hospital premises are CoVID safe and all the necessary precautions are taken for the treatment.
Our Doctors will take a good amount of time before they recommend the final step of surgery.
You are assisted and guided personally by our staff at all the stages. Don’t worry about the finances! We have the best deals and insurance lying on table for you.

Glaucoma Surgery: Risks and Home remedies

Glaucoma is a term used for progressive degradation of the optic nerve. The condition is mostly chronic. The optic nerve is a group of nerve fibres at the back of the eye. They are responsible for carrying visual messages from the retina to the brain. Glaucoma is caused when there is a pressure inside the eye more than the retina can take. This puts direct pressure on the eye nerve, thus causing the breakdown.

The only treatment so far available for Glaucoma is to lower the eye pressure in order to further damage the optic nerve.

Glaucoma Surgeries: What Is It?

Glaucoma surgery involves the microscopic incisional trabeculectomy, tube shunt implantation, and cyclophotocoagulation. The newer processes such as minimal invasive glaucoma surgery and MIGS are also delicate surgeries that help treat the underlying pressure on the eye nerve. While considering a glaucoma surgery, have a detailed discussion with your eye doctor. Understand the risk involved in each and the benefits to each.

Diagnosis of Glaucoma

Your eye doctor will thoroughly review your medical history and conduct an in-detail eye examination. The Doctor will perform several tests before concluding the type of glaucoma surgery you can undergo. These tests include:

Tonometry- Measuring intraocular pressure
Vision field test – Checking for the areas of vision loss
Gonioscopy- Checking the drainage angle
Imaging test & dilated eye examination – Testing the optic nerve damage
Pachymetry- Measuring the cornea thickness

Treatment of Glaucoma
The damage caused by Glaucoma is severe and can not be reversed. But with regular check up and following a treatment the vision loss can be slowed down over time. Depending on how severely you are affected, the prescription goes for oral medications, eyedrops, surgery, laser treatment, etc.

Lifestyle and Home Remedies to Prevent Glaucoma

The below mentioned tips are not sure shot that Glaucoma will never happen, but helps you control high pressure on eye and promote healthy eye. Check out:

A healthy diet
Eating a healthy diet is a must to prevent glaucoma. It can prevent your chances of having it in the first place. Make sure your diet is rich in vitamins and nutrients that are important for eye health. This includes – copper, zinc, potassium, antioxidants, vitamin E, vitamin C, vitamin A and selenium.

Exercise Safely
Regular exercise is known to reduce pressure on the eye in case of open-angle glaucoma. Talk to your doctor about safe exercises which can cure your glaucoma.

Limit the intake of caffeine
Consuming too much caffeine increases the pressure on your eyes. Limit the intake.

Keep sipping fluids frequently
Drink only a moderate amount of fluid at a time. Drinking too much fluid at one go increases pressure on eyes. Drink a quarter any liquid in a given time. Take a break for a minute and sip another quarter.

Sleep with your head elevated
Use a wedge pillow or slightly fluffy pillow that is able to keep your head to an elevated position of at least 20 degrees. This is known to reduce the intraocular pressure on the eye while you are asleep.

Take the Doctor prescribed medicine only
Don’t use any eye drop or medicine randomly. Take the medicine as prescribed by your eye Doctor only as a wrong medicine can lead to casualties. Make sure you use the drops exactly as prescribed. A further damage to the optic nerve could lead to complete loss of the vision too.

To Prepare for your appointment with the eye Doctor

Before you make an appointment with the Doctor for consultation make a list of the following details:

Symptoms you are observing and for how long
All the supplements, medications and vitamins you are taking and the exact amount of dose
Any eye problem you have/had in the past that includes change in vision or eye discomfort
Any family history of glaucoma. If yes, then what type of glaucoma they had and how severe it was
If any test for the glaucoma is done in the past or any test related to visual field, eye exam, or imaging.
All the questions you need to ask from the Doctor for better understanding.

While it is important to understand the risk involved, there is nothing to panic about. A good number of glaucoma surgeries are successful. It is important for you to consult the right ophthalmologist and get the right treatment at the right time. We at Redheal work 24×7 towards connecting you to the best eye specialist in town for the right advice. Feel free to drop us a text or call us for any discomfort. We will connect you to the best consultant at a price that is easy on your pocket.

While the COVID-19 vaccines now on the market in the United States have been proven to be safe and effective, reports of uncommon adverse events, or side effects, have prompted concerns. The Food and Drug Administration approved an amendment to the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine fact sheet on July 12, 2021, to add an elevated risk of Guillain-Barré syndrome, a rare nerve illness. Previous research has linked the J&J vaccine to a rare blood clot.

While such reports can be frightening, they are proof that the vaccine safety reporting system is working. They also emphasize the importance of putting the relative risks of rare side effects like this into context.

I’ve witnessed how uncertainty and fear of potential side effects can cause vaccine hesitation as a pharmacist leading operations for the University of Virginia Health System’s COVID-19 vaccine program for the past seven months. Understanding how adverse event data is gathered and what it means for vaccine safety may help consumers make more educated health decisions.

Safety monitoring before, during, and after approval
Before a new vaccination may be made available to the public, the FDA requires manufacturers to go through rigorous testing and approval processes. The methods necessary to test new medicine for safety and effectiveness are the same whether it is approved through the traditional FDA approval process or under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). By expediting the regulatory process, a EUA can bring a vaccine to the public faster, but no shortcuts are taken. Every precaution is taken to assure the vaccine’s safety and efficacy.

Clinical studies for vaccines are divided into four stages. Study investigators are the ones who detect, quantify, and document safety hazards in the first three phases. In Phase 1, the vaccine is given to fewer than 100 patients over several months in a controlled environment. In most cases, the majority of probable adverse events are discovered at this point.

After the FDA examines phase 1 data and determines that the vaccine is safe enough to be tested further, it will be administered to bigger groups of people over longer periods in phases 2 and 3. Investigators use this stage to figure out the best dosage and look for any unusual adverse effects.

If the evidence from phases 2 and 3 satisfies FDA clearance criteria, the vaccine will advance to phase 4 and become available to the general public. The vaccine is tested on far bigger groups of people over long periods, and producers are obligated to monitor and report any potential safety problems to the FDA regularly.

The public can also participate in safety reporting in this final step, which is unique. The FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention run the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS), which is a national safety monitoring system. While health care providers are required to report some types of adverse events, such as injuries during vaccination delivery and major consequences, anybody can file a report. VAERS has detected recent adverse events linked to the COVID-19 vaccination, including Guillain-Barré syndrome and thrombosis for Johnson & Johnson and myocarditis for Pfizer.

Vaccines have a low risk of serious side events
A rare adverse occurrence can take months or even years to discover for one simple reason: it’s uncommon. Because a very small number of patients use some pharmaceuticals that are less generally used, new safety data takes longer to discover. The shingles vaccination Shingrix, for example, was approved in 2017, but it wasn’t until March 2021, after more than 3.7 million patients had received the shot, that the FDA announced a possible elevated risk of Guillain-Barré syndrome. And it’s still unclear whether the Shringrix vaccine is to blame for the nerve issue.

COVID-19 poses a greater threat than vaccine-related adverse effects
Understandably, individuals would be reticent to take on any more danger than they had to during such unusual circumstances as a pandemic. However, there are safety nets in place to monitor the COVID-19 vaccines, and they continue to function properly.

The COVID-19 vaccines are extremely safe for the vast majority of people. J&J’s clinical trials enrolled over 40,000 patients before the company sought emergency use authorization, similar to Pfizer’s and Moderna’s study sample sizes. In the J&J trial, 0.4 percent of individuals had significant adverse effects unrelated to COVID-19 infection.