#Surgery for Crohn’s disease

[balajihospital]

Balaji Hospital | Contact Us for Expert Healthcare Services

Balaji Hospital's Contact Us connects patients & visitors with their dedicated healthcare team, offering phone numbers & email addresses focusing on satisfaction

[ghcstcd]

WIP // Hey, don't tell anyone but

[space-spring]

Ostomy Awareness

October 7th 2023 is Ostomy Awareness Day! So I'm going to make you aware of ostomies whether you like it or not!

If you've never heard of an ostomy before, the first definition I get searching it is, "Surgical construction of an artificial excretory opening, as a colostomy or ileostomy." Which is just sort of a complicated way of saying, "the end of your intestines/urinary tract is surgically placed outside the skin such that the stuff that comes out of it ends up in a disposable bag."

Ostomies are, in general, considered a gross thing to talk about for a lot of people (which, alright. it's poop/pee. fair). But getting an ostomy is a life-saving procedure that about 100,000 people undergo in the US alone each year. The most common reasons for getting an ostomy are:

medical issues where the intestine or urinary tract is causing active harm to the individual, e.g. ulcerative colitis or colorectal cancer

specific injuries like car crashes that result in trauma to the abdomen

things like bowel obstructions that require surgery or removal of parts of the intestines

I couldn't find a great public domain image of what they look like, so here's a quick drawing:

The red bit is called a stoma, and is made up of a part of your intestines/urinary tract. The placement will differ slightly depending on the situation, but it'll always be roughly in that lower abdominal area. The bag is made up of plastic and rubber, and is made up of two parts: a base and the pouch itself. The base is made of a circular rubber "wafer" adhered to the skin using strong glue, and is replaced every few days or once a week. The pouch is attached to the wafer, and is replaced more often as needed. The one I have pictured here has a clear plastic front, but most people who have ostomies for an extended period of time end up using ones with non-transparent fronts (some people also get cloth coverings to go over the pouch that have fun designs).

I had an ostomy nearly a decade ago as just a temporary thing between surgeries, but I still think about it a lot. For me personally, my ostomy ended up being a really painful, embarrassing experience. I was in high school at the time, and having the whole "there is bodily waste coming out of my stomach" thing going on on top of just the general stress of having severe health issues was a lot. Nowadays I feel strongly about making it a more normal, commonplace thing to talk about, if just for kids who have to go through that sort of thing themselves.

But all of that said, I'd be wrong not to mention that there's a ton of people who have had ostomies for the majority of their lives and feel really happy with them. Ostomies can mean a huge relief in terms of chronic pain, and over time, it just becomes a normal part of people's lives. Chances are you've met someone with an ostomy before and never realized, due to the fact that it's often hidden under clothing.

[diningwiththeasquiths]

Me: *drank the MRI contrast fluid and water too quickly, messing up the schedule a bit*

Me: I am getting a bad grade in getting an MRI scan, something which is both normal not to want and possible to get

[spartanmemesmedical]

Vitamin B12: What to Know

Vitamin B12: What to Know

Introduction: Vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, is a vital nutrient that plays a crucial role in maintaining overall health and well-being. Despite its importance, many individuals may not be aware of the signs of B12 deficiency or how it can impact their health. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the significance of vitamin B12, common symptoms of deficiency, and strategies for…

[pelipper]

I had my bowel resection surgery yesterday evening! My surgeon was very happy with the results and told me that everything went super well. After the epidural I had wore off I was in some serious pain, but thankfully the nurses here gave me something stronger after Tylenol did nothing.

I was able to do a few laps around my hospital floor, and while I still feel pain right now it's pretty manageable, especially considering how much pain I was in before I was admitted. This doesn't come close to what I felt with my bowel obstruction back in March, and I just know remission is right around the corner! 💪✨️

[ostomyeducation]

Hi Sky, I saw that you recommend maybe watching videos about ostomies for people who have just gotten them. Are there any particular videos you recommend for info?

Absolutely!

This is a super helpful video from a YouTube vlogger, LetsTalkIBD, who is both a person with an ostomy and a registered nurse. This is one of the best demonstrations and explanations for the placement of a new ostomy bag I have seen!

The same vlogger has a super considerate and insightful video on intimacy with an ostomy. It is helpful hearing these thoughts from a young person with a good sense of humor.

A YouTube channel, Truly, shares the story of Paula who went from dying of a bowel infection to being a fashion designer - for ostomy bags! - and content creator on TikTok. She describes her grieving process and how she discovered her love of sewing by making ostomy bag covers that match her outfits.

Truly also shares the story of a young man named Joel who learned about his condition through intense flares. He describes his battle of coping and grieving his condition and learning to love himself despite his ostomy and autoimmune condition. He says that his ostomy saved his life.

Shield HealthCare shares the story of Laura Cox's decision to have her ostomy surgery before her disease process progressed to an emergent state. She discusses the things she wishes that someone told her before her surgery; all of her points are inspiring and informative to a person considering an ostomy placement. Laura shares a similar video regarding top concerns with ostomies on the same channel.

To pair with LetsTalkIBD's video on new ostomy bag placement, Mr. ColitisCrohns shows both how to remove an old bag and place a new one. This video is particularly helpful for men or those who have extra body hair on their abdomen.

I am so thankful that the Internet has brought so many people with "invisible" illnesses together! The resources are truly abundant when you know what to look for.

[crohnsawarenessproject]

‘One Ring’ August 16th, 2022 #onering © Outhouse Cartoons/C.A.P 2022

Last week the day we’ve been waiting for all year finally came to be. My surgery wasn’t supposed to be until September/October but two weeks ago, I was woken by a call from my surgeon telling me that I’d been scheduled right away. At first, I was rather freaked out. We had all these plans to throw my pre-ileostomy body a going away party but the disappointment of fallen plans quickly changed into the hopes for a better life. We immediately hit the ground running. Within a day we were out to see my new Ostomy nurse while getting pre-op bloodwork done. The nurse ran us through a bunch of the basics of life with a bag, giving us a general idea of what was to come. He even sent us home with some sample bags.

I wanted to really get a feel for what I was in for, so I decided to wear one of the bags for 48hrs. Through the day and through the night, I even went and ran errands with it. It was a good primer but not quite the same. It was an empty bag that could only partially simulate what my ileostomy would be like but it was enough to stop some worries. My wife and I also made sure to do a lot of research, choosing not to let others tell us ALL the ins and outs. This made it easier to come up with questions to ask at my first post-op appointment. For the rest of the week my wife would treat me to every craving I could think of! You name it, pizza (artisan), carnitas, steak, ice cream; if I wanted it, she got it for me.

When Tuesday came, I was as prepared as I was ever going to be going through the second major surgery of my life. As these things tend to be, my surgery was bumped by about an hour and a half. Someone in need of an emergency surgery jumped ahead of me but that was okay. I just had to stay out of my head, at that point, alone in the pre-op waiting room. At least they let you keep your phone with you so I was in constant contact with my wife up until the last moment. Once in the OR room the surgeons joked that it was a crowded affair. I was getting a lot of work done with two surgeons working on me simultaneously. I had some laughs with the lovely staff before they put me under and before long I was awake with my new buddy, Shawn. My stoma.

Those who follow me may remember that I call my guts, Gus, after a character in one of my favourite shows called Psych. So I thought it only fitting to name my stoma, Shawn, his partner in crime from the show. Now Shawn & Gus are back together, friends for life.

The first night was decently rough but honestly, I think it wasn’t anything like my first resection. I was off of the button morphine within 24hrs and stopped hydromorphone within 56hrs. I was out of the hospital and back home on day 4. I was up on my feet walking around the house the next day. Another day later I made it out of the house for a quick spell. My energy levels have been growing and it’s been getting much easier to walk & stand up straight. A lot of people were rather surprised with this and, to be honest, I was one of them. But it all came down to the fact that this time around I was the lucky guy who ended up with one of the leading surgeons in the province for non-invasive surgical techniques. They actually pulled all of my colon out through my rectum, having only two laparoscopic points of entry on my stomach. One atop my stoma, the other inside my belly button. It’s really the barbie butt that is causing me to slow down and make sure to not over do it.

My speedier recovery can also be attributed to my amazing wife. Helping to make sure I have what I need but also making sure that I don’t push myself too hard as I tend to do. I’m not a fan of being looked after, so it takes a lot of strength and willpower to not just do everything myself. It’s because of this that I know I will get through this stage without many issues. We are a team and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Have you had IBD/Ostomy surgery? How did it go for you? What were your experiences? Tell us in the comments below.

[herefortheships]

I have an afternoon doctor's appointment today so of course I'm filled with anxiety and spending some time on Tumblr to relax a little lol

I think I'm going to read also and just get my mind off the freaking appointment. I hate afternoon appointments! I only want morning appointments.

[wellhealthhub]

“Type of ostomies”

Ostomies: they are more than just surgical procedures; they are bridges between medical necessity and the tenacity of the human spirit. In this extended exploration, we will embark on a journey through the world of ostomies, delving into their types, reasons for their existence, the intricacies of their creation, and the art of mastering life with them. Diving into Ostomies: A Multifaceted…

[drpriya]

The treatment for gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding depends on the cause, severity of bleeding, and the patient's overall health condition. Here are some common treatment approaches for GI bleeding:

Supportive care: Initially, supportive care focuses on stabilizing the patient's condition. This may include providing intravenous fluids, blood transfusions, and medications to maintain blood pressure and address symptoms of shock.

Endoscopic therapy: Endoscopy is a common procedure used to diagnose and treat GI bleeding. During an endoscopy, a flexible tube with a camera is inserted into the digestive tract to identify the bleeding source.

Endoscopic therapy can involve various interventions, such as:

Injection therapy: Injecting medications, such as epinephrine or sclerosing agents, directly into the bleeding site to promote blood vessel constriction and clot formation.

Thermal therapy: Applying heat energy (thermal coagulation) or cold therapy (cryotherapy) to the bleeding site to cauterize or freeze the bleeding vessel and stop the bleeding.

Mechanical therapy: Using clips or bands to ligate or compress the bleeding vessel, providing hemostasis.

Medications: Certain medications may be prescribed to control or reduce GI bleeding, depending on the underlying cause. For example:

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs): These medications reduce stomach acid production and can be used to treat bleeding caused by peptic ulcers or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

H. pylori eradication therapy: If the bleeding is due to an infection with Helicobacter pylori, a combination of antibiotics and PPIs may be prescribed to eradicate the bacteria and promote ulcer healing.

Antacids and cytoprotective agents: These medications can help protect the lining of the stomach and reduce irritation in cases of gastritis or gastric ulcers.

Blood clotting medications: In some cases, medications that promote blood clotting, such as desmopressin or recombinant factor VIIa, may be used to control bleeding.

Surgery: In cases of severe or recurrent bleeding that does not respond to other treatments, surgical intervention may be necessary. Surgery may involve removing a bleeding segment of the digestive tract, repairing an ulcer or perforation, or addressing underlying conditions like gastrointestinal tumors.

Transcatheter embolization: In this procedure, a catheter is threaded through blood vessels to the site of bleeding. Embolic materials are then injected to block or reduce blood flow to the bleeding vessel, achieving hemostasis.

The choice of treatment depends on the specific circumstances, and individualized care is essential. It is crucial to consult with a healthcare professional or a gastroenterologist who can evaluate the severity of the bleeding and recommend the most appropriate treatment approach for the specific situation. There are some best specialists doctors like Dr Amit Maydeo, who is a highly efficient gastroenterologist and is associated with HN Reliance hospital in Mumbai. You may visit him to get the most accurate diagnosis and treatment plan for GI bleeding.

[balajihospital]

Balaji Hospital | Minimally Laparoscopic Surgery for Recovery

Balaji Hospital's Laparoscopic Surgery showcases their expertise in minimally invasive procedures focusing on patient safety & comfort resulting in faster recovery

[ghcstcd]

👀 I'm not sure if this has been asked before but do you do commissions? I saw in the tags you mentioned it but wanted to make sure. I love your art and the way you draw ghouls. - ♉

Thank you! The ghouls are a lot of fun to draw and currently rule my brain. I thought I had enough demons up there already :/

I do take commissions! They're currently not open as I have quite a few I need to catch up on, but I plan on reopening them hopefully by either mid or end of January.

[hatterstea]

Time to play our favourite game!

Am I feverish or am I tired?

[joseywritesng]

Crohn's disease

Crohn’s disease

By Ryan Ungaro, MD, as told to Barbara Brody When I was in medical school, I decided to specialize in gastroenterology because I found it a fascinating field. I still do. Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including those with Crohn’s disease, are particularly rewarding to treat because I really get to know them and support them closely for years. It is my job to guide them through…

[spartanmemesmedical]

Exploring the Root Causes of Vitamin B12 Deficiency: Understanding the Culprits Behind this Common Condition

Introduction: Vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, plays a crucial role in various bodily functions, including nerve function, red blood cell production, and DNA synthesis. Despite its importance, many individuals suffer from vitamin B12 deficiency, which can lead to a range of health problems if left untreated. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into the various factors that can cause a…