Category Archives: General Surgery

Is there a cure for severe altitude sickness?

Severe Altitude Sickness Treatment Severe altitude sickness, though presenting with severe symptoms, offers a chance for patients to be treated effectively if the correct measures are taken promptly. Altitude sickness is a collection of discomfort symptoms that occur when the human body is in a hypoxic environment at high altitudes. Severe cases might manifest as intense headaches, nausea, vomiting, heart palpitations, and difficulty breathing, potentially leading to confusion and unconsciousness. In such scenarios, it is crucial to take the following actions immediately: Immediate Descent in Altitude Quickly relocating the patient to a lower altitude is the primary step to mitigate... Learn more

What does serum CA125 mean?

Understanding CA125 in Ovarian Cancer CA-125, also known as cancer antigen 125, is a high-molecular-weight glycoprotein. It is not present in normal ovarian tissue but is found in elevated levels in the serum of patients with ovarian epithelial tumors, making it a valuable tool for early detection and monitoring of ovarian cancer. Additionally, serum CA-125 levels may be elevated in patients with non-ovarian malignancies such as fallopian tube adenocarcinoma, endometrial cancer, cervical cancer, pancreatic cancer, colorectal cancer, breast cancer, and lung cancer, although with a lower positive predictive accuracy compared to ovarian cancer. For individuals with ovarian cancer, the monitoring... Learn more

Why does chemotherapy cause hair loss?

Chemotherapy and Hair Loss Chemotherapy drugs are notorious for their ability to cause hair loss, a side effect that many individuals undergoing treatment for cancer will experience. The primary reason for this is that these drugs are designed to target rapidly dividing cells, which is a characteristic of both cancer cells and hair follicle cells. This non-specific targeting means that while the drugs are effective at killing cancer cells, they also inadvertently damage healthy cells, leading to hair loss. When chemotherapy drugs are administered, their action is to disrupt or halt the growth and proliferation of cancer cells. However, these... Learn more

Can you run after an appendectomy?

Running After Appendectomy Following appendectomy, individuals who are recovering well can engage in running, but the timing and intensity of physical activity should be determined based on individual recovery and medical advice. Running is a rather strenuous activity, and for someone who has recently undergone an appendectomy, it’s important to give the body ample time to recover. The surgical wound requires time to heal, and internal tissues need time to repair. Therefore, in the early postoperative period, patients should avoid vigorous exercise to prevent any negative impact on wound healing. Patients need to have regular follow-up visits after surgery, where... Learn more

Can You Rinse a Burn?

Burn Treatment and Management Burns are a common type of accidental injury, and prompt initial treatment is crucial for mitigating the damage and facilitating subsequent medical care. The first step in emergency treatment for burns is to flush the affected area, which primarily aims to rapidly reduce the temperature of the wound and minimize further tissue damage from heat. Appropriate Situations for Flushing After Burns For small surface burns such as those caused by hot water or minor contact, such as from touching a hot object, immediate flushing with tap water can be helpful. If the burn site has intact... Learn more