Gallstones are pieces of solid material that form in the body from special digestive fluids. They affect a small but important area of the body—the gallbladder. The gallbladder’s primary purpose is to store bile—a fluid that aids in the digestion process. Gallstones come in varying sizes and can result in a number of complications including blockage, inflammation and, in rare cases, cancer.
Types of Gallstones There are two primary kinds of gallstones:
Causes and Risk Factors Gallstones typically form due to three main reasons:
Symptoms Most gallstones never cause problems. Roughly 90 percent of gallstones are tiny, don’t lead to any symptoms and are nothing to worry about. If a gallstone leads to a blockage, either of the gallbladder or the tubing system that connects the liver and the gallbladder to the small intestines, symptoms can develop. These symptoms may include:
Possible Complications In some cases, gallstones can lead to additional complications including:
Treatment and Prevention Doctors use various tests to determine if symptoms are related to gallstones. Again, most gallstones are innocent bystanders and are nothing to worry about. Gallbladder problems, however, are common problems. If you have abdominal pain, nausea or other symptoms that may be due to gallstones, your doctor may use blood tests, special x-rays, ultrasounds, CT scans or other similar diagnostic tests to further evaluate your symptoms. If treatment is necessary, the following are possible approaches to gallstone problems:
If you’re concerned you might have problems related to your gallbladder or gallstones, speak to your doctor about your treatment options. I grew up in Utah County and graduated from Brigham Young University. I received my medical degree from the University of Virginia, and I finished my residency in internal medicine at the University of Utah where I also served as chief medical resident. As a doctor, I recognize the tremendous trust my patients place in me, and I do my best to help them understand not only their medical issues but also the plan—the how and why—behind helping them feel better. I love the challenge posed by all gastrointestinal disorders but especially enjoy the challenges and intricacies of Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative Colitis. The Blog “Abdominal Pain: Gallstones” was initially posted Here
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One of the joyful moments in life is ‘the birth of a child”, but for many new mothers, following the fourth trimester can become challenging. If a mom wants to ensure a smooth and easy transition into parenting, she must prioritize her postpartum care.
Mother and newborn babies undergo essential changes during the first three months of delivery, referred to as the fourth trimester. It is a stage of change, and adopting self-care becomes necessary at this time. Here’s what’s essential: ● Rest and Recovery Even though rest is significant for postpartum recovery in a busy lifestyle and culture, the required sleeping could be difficult for new parents in a busy lifestyle and culture. Whenever you have free time or feel tired, take a few moments for yourself, and do not hesitate to ask for help to reduce your workload. ● Establish good Connections with Supportive Groups The community has excellent and intense feelings, so it might benefit new moms if they join a local club. Meeting with other mothers and sharing similar experiences among them is uplifting and comforting. ● Keep Mental Health as a First Priority Moms may suffer from severe difficulties like blues or moderate postpartum depression. There are good options available to assist moms with mental health. It is advisable never to be afraid to ask an OB-GYN doctor based on ‘how you are feeling’ and to be honest with family and friends. ● Safe Exercise A little bit of exercise may help with postpartum recovery. The beautiful landscape offers an excellent environment for free-time activities such as walks or yoga sessions. It would help to focus on your body by keeping your head down. Before starting any workout, you should consult a healthcare provider, such as an obstetrician or gynecologist, for safety purposes. ● Establish Balance during Sleep Caring for a newborn baby may cause sleep difficulties for its parents. Establish a sleep routine that you and your child can follow. Offering evening tasks to a spouse ensures that everyone gets the necessary sleep. ● Communicating with Your Loved One Communication between you and your wife during the fourth trimester should be open and transparent. You can share your expectations, express your thoughts, and collaborate. A family-friendly atmosphere encourages partners to take part actively in the parenting process. ● Celebration of Tiny win Take pleasure in the small positive things in life; however, the fourth trimester is hectic for new moms. Reward yourself for your successes, such as receiving some quiet time or effectively breastfeeding your kid. It undoubtedly boosts your confidence level and self-esteem. Conclusion You and your family must balance well to navigate the fourth trimester successfully. Prioritizing self-care, getting assistance and help, and using resources that are available locally will help you have a meaningful transitioning phase. Remember that it is okay to participate in and take advantage of the community. It offers good support and help from a primary care doctor in Utah. Do you often have trouble getting to sleep, staying asleep, or are unable to fall back to sleep after waking up early? You might have a sleep disorder known as insomnia. Insomnia affects sleep patterns, but this disorder can affect other aspects like energy levels, overall health, and basic quality of life.
Many adults experience short-term insomnia (known as “acute” insomnia) at some point in their lives, which lasts for a few days or a few weeks. Other cases can be chronic and affect people over long periods of time. Here are some basic facts you need to know about insomnia. Types of InsomniaThere are two distinct types of insomnia: • Primary insomnia: Characterized by sleep problems that are independent of any other health conditions
Causes and Risk FactorsFor individual cases of acute insomnia, causes include:
You can also make several routine or lifestyle changes to combat insomnia:
Schedule an appointment with a Revere Health Internal Medicine provider today! The Blog “I Can’t Sleep: Do I Have Insomnia?” was initially posted Here How to Prevent Acne
After waking up to discover a big, red zit on your face, one of the first things you might ask yourself is: “What did I do wrong?!” The causes of acne are complex and varied, and its treatment is often even more complicated. If you have ever heard the phrase “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” you’ll see why these 15 secrets for preventing acne can truly change your life in the long run. 1. Don’t stress. Stress is a leading cause of acne, but acne itself can also cause stress. Examine your schedule and see if there is something you can cut out to make your life just a little less stressful. If you can’t change your workload, change your attitude. This can be as simple as changing the way you think from “My boss has made me work overtime for three weeks now,” to “All of this extra work has really boosted my savings and will look great on my resume.” 2. Drink water. Particularly for those with dry skin, drinking water keeps your skin continually hydrated and flushes out impurities that can cause acne. 3. Choose your makeup wisely. If your skin is acne-prone, try to have at least a couple of bare-faced days per week. On the days that you do wear makeup, opt for a base with salicylic acid and ingredients like aloe and witch hazel that are known to soothe irritated skin. Use a primer to better protect your skin and ensure a smooth application, and don’t forget to wash all brushes and applicators regularly. 4. Never sleep with makeup on. Ideally, you should wash your face before bed every night, but at the very least, use a gentle facial cleansing wipe to fully remove makeup on days when you’re truly exhausted. 5. Use a gentle exfoliant. Exfoliating your skin is great for deep cleanings and removing dead skin cells, but you’ll want to avoid being too harsh. Wash your skin no more than twice per day with lukewarm water, using just your hands instead of washcloths, brushes, or other harsh materials. A few times per week, you can use gentle, all-natural exfoliants (like oatmeal or raw honey) to thoroughly cleanse without irritating your skin. 6. Wear sunscreen. Sunscreen not only protects against skin cancer and signs of aging, but it can also prevent breakouts and reduce scarring. 7. Never pop or pick at your skin. Popping and picking can cause bacteria to sink even deeper into surrounding pores and cause scarring that takes months to heal. When the urge feels too great, apply a spot treatment to problem areas instead. 8. Shampoo daily. Your hairdresser might disagree, but oily hair leads to oily skin that can cause acne. Use dry shampoo and baby powder to further reduce hair oils throughout the day. 9. Avoid high glycemic foods. Avoid foods with a high glycemic index, such as white grains, sweets, and certain dairy products. 10. Eat foods with anti-inflammatory benefits. Fish, nuts, flaxseed, and others high in omega-3 fatty acids can help tame inflammation, as well as probiotics found in yogurt, sauerkraut, and miso soup. 11. Talk to your doctor about oral contraceptives. A study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology found that oral contraceptives can reduce acne by 55 percent, compared to 53 percent for antibiotics. Oral contraceptives help to regulate hormones, thus preventing breakouts caused by imbalance. 12. Change your pillow sheets. As you sleep, your bedding—particularly, your pillow sheet—gathers dirt, oil, and other contaminants from your skin and hair. Changing your pillow sheet nightly and washing your bedding regularly prevents the spread of bacteria, thus preventing acne. 13. Visit a dermatologist. Mild cases of acne can sometimes get worse before they get better. Visit a dermatologist early to determine the exact cause of your acne and treat the problem on the spot. 14. Use all-natural facial masks. At least once per week, give your skin a spa treatment with all-natural facial masks. Turmeric and honey are two particularly beneficial facial mask ingredients that prevent and treat acne, while also reducing scars and promoting a healthy glow. 15. Moisturize. Even if you have oil-prone skin, moisturizing your skin is important for maintaining health and balance. Aloe Vera is a particularly effective, natural moisturizer to limits oil production and calm redness for adult patients with acne-prone skin. These simple lifestyle changes will undoubtedly benefit your skin, but sometimes getting deep into the root of the problem requires some professional help. Our experienced physicians share a collaborative approach that puts our patients’ needs first. Our focus includes surgical dermatology, skin cancer, pediatric dermatology, and general dermatological issues and conditions. We provide cutting-edge diagnostics and treatments to help you maintain good health and great skin. The Blog “15 Secrets for Preventing Acne” was initially posted Here You’ve noticed that your 15-year-old daughter has been coughing a lot lately. You’re worried she might be sick. You ask her if she’s ever tried vaping, and she admits that she has been doing it for a while, and now vapes multiple times a day. You’ve heard about the dangers of vaping in the news, but how can you educate yourself with the facts about vaping and keep your child safe and informed too?
The Facts We don’t yet know all the side effects of vaping, but doctors do have a good idea of what the risks are. We asked Revere Health pulmonologist Dr. Al-Shuqairat and physician assistant Shawn Hill about their thoughts on vaping. Here are a few things they shared with us:
What should parents look out for? The manufacturers of vape machines do a great job of making their products hard to identify. We’ve outlined a few things that you can look out for if you think your child may be vaping. Vaping Equipment: Devices will often look like small pens or thumb drives. Also, be on the lookout for bottles filled with juice or gels. Smell: You may notice a pleasant smell but have no idea where it is coming from. If you smell something like bubble gum, cotton candy or chocolate cake, take note. Increased Thirst/Nosebleeds: Some of the chemicals used in vaping products can dehydrate the body. If your child is drinking more water, or their noses and sinuses are dry, this could be a sign. Vaping Lingo: You may see vape lingo in text messages such as “atty” for an atomizer, “VG” for vegetable glycerin found in e-juice or “sauce,” referring to e-juice. Kids often brag about their vaping exploits on social media. Look for pictures on Instagram or YouTube, or check their Twitter accounts. As a parent, what can I do? Be equipped with the facts: Knowing about the risks associated with vaping and having statistics to back up your claims can be very useful. It is also important to be familiar with different vape devices so you can spot them. Initiate conversations: Use outside media such as letters from school, TV shows or advertisements to start conversations about vaping. Use open-ended questions such as “what do you think about vaping?” to start the conversation and help your child open up. Convey your expectations: Make sure you are clear about your views on vaping. Express your understanding of the risks but also why you could see someone being interested in vaping. If you choose to set consequences, be sure to follow through while also reinforcing healthier choices. Be a good role model: Set a positive example by being vape- and tobacco-free. It is easier for your children to justify vaping if they see you using the product. Our physicians are specialized in a variety of respiratory illnesses and work with your primary care physician to customize your treatment plan. Our specialists understand the connection between the lungs and other areas of medicine including cardiology and endocrinology. Revere Health is your best option if you're looking for pediatric urgent care near you. Revere Health is your trusted partner for top-notch pediatric urgent care services. The Blog “What Parents Should Know About Vaping” was initially posted Here |
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