HEALTH & NUTRITION SERVICES

  18- Ventral Hernia Hernias most commonly develop in the abdominal wall, where an area weakens and develops a tear or hole. Abdominal tissue or part of the intestines may push through this weakened area, causing pain and potentially serious complications. Ventral hernias are a type of abdominal hernia. They may develop as a defect at birth, resulting from incomplete closure of part of the abdominal wall, or develop where an incision was made during an abdominal surgery, occurring when the incision doesn't heal properly. Incisional hernias can develop soon after surgery or many years later. They affect as many as 30 percent of the patients who have abdominal surgery, such as an appendectomy. Signs & Symptoms: Ventral hernias cause a bulge or lump in the abdomen, which increases in size over time. In some cases, the lump may disappear when you lie down, and then reappear or enlarge when you put pressure on your abdomen, such as when you stand, or lift or push somethin

  17- Ulcers Contrary to popular belief, ulcers are not due to stress and diet. A bacterial infection brought on by the bacteria Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is the cause of the majority of all stomach ulcers. Prolonged use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or pain relievers such as aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen sodium, which affect the stomach's ability to protect itself from acidic stomach juices, also may lead to ulcers. Signs & Symptoms: If you have a peptic ulcer, you may only experience very mild symptoms or none at all. However, abdominal discomfort is the most common symptom associated with ulcers. Other symptoms include: - Weight loss - Poor appetite - Bloating - Burping - Nausea - Vomiting Diagnosis: Your doctor may first perform an upper gastrointestinal (GI) series and endoscopy to check for ulcers. An upper GI series involves X-rays of the esophagus, stomach and the beginning of the small intestine, called the duodenum.

  16- Ulcerative Colitis Ulcerative colitis, also called colitis or proctitis, is an inflammatory bowel disease of the large intestines. Although inflammation usually occurs in the rectum and lower part of the colon, it may affect the entire colon. Unlike Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis is limited to the colon. It is estimated that as many as one million Americans are affected with colitis or Crohn's disease. Most cases of colitis are diagnosed before the age of 30, although it can affect anyone, including children and older people between the ages of 50 and 70. There is a greater incidence of the disease among Caucasians and Jews than in other populations. The condition can be inherited and is common in some families. About 20 percent to 25 percent of those with ulcerative colitis have a close relative with the condition or Crohn's disease. The immune system's response to certain environmental antigens and the patient's own genetic makeup, are believed t

  15- Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) causes inflammation and scarring of the bile ducts located inside and outside the liver. The ducts carry bile — the liquid that helps break down fat in food  out of the liver. As scarring accumulates, the ducts become blocked causing bile to build up in the liver, which damages liver cells. Eventually, if left untreated, PSC can cause liver failure or hardening of the liver, called cirrhosis. PSC typically begins between the ages of 30 and 50, occurring most often in men. Although the cause of the condition is unknown, research has shown that it may be an autoimmune disorder, meaning that the immune system mistakes certain body parts and organs as foreign invaders and thus wrongly attacks them. PSC also may be genetically linked to another condition, called ulcerative colitis, which causes inflammation of the colon. It is estimated that 70 percent of PSC patients also suffer from ulcerative colitis. In addit

  14- Obesity An estimated 60 percent of Americans aged 20 years and older are considered overweight and one-quarter are considered obese. Being overweight means that you have an excess amount of body weight, including muscle, bone, fat and water. Being obese means that you have an excess amount of body fat. Obesity significantly increases your risk of developing life-threatening conditions, such as heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and some forms of cancer. Each year, approximately 280,000 adults die from an obesity-related condition in the United States. Additionally, studies have shown that people who are overweight often suffer from societal discrimination, which may lead to depression, self-esteem and body issue problems. Causes of Obesity Obesity is a complex and chronic disease with many causes. It is not simply a result of overeating. Research has shown that genetics can play a significant role in determining a person's body weight, particula