Acute Cholecystitis

Acute Cholecystitis: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Acute cholecystitis is a sudden inflammation of the gallbladder, often triggered by a gallstone obstructing the cystic duct—the channel through which bile exits the gallbladder. This condition requires prompt medical attention due to the potential for serious complications if left untreated.

What Is the Gallbladder and Why Is It Important?

The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ situated beneath the liver. Its primary function is to store and concentrate bile, a digestive fluid produced by the liver that helps in breaking down dietary fats. When food, especially fatty meals, enters the digestive tract, the gallbladder releases bile into the small intestine.

Although the gallbladder plays a role in digestion, it is not essential. People can live healthy lives without it, especially if gallbladder issues become recurrent or severe.

Restless legs syndrome

Understanding Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)

Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS), also referred to as Willis-Ekbom Disease, is a common neurological condition characterized by an overwhelming and uncontrollable urge to move the legs. The condition often leads to a variety of uncomfortable sensations and can significantly disrupt sleep, leading to daytime fatigue and impacting quality of life. RLS affects both men and women, though it is more common among women and typically develops in middle age.

What Are the Symptoms of Restless Legs Syndrome?

The primary symptom of Restless Legs Syndrome is an intense, irresistible urge to move the legs. This sensation is often described as an uncomfortable, creeping, or crawling feeling that is difficult to ignore. The sensations may also extend to other parts of the body, including the arms, chest, or even the face. These sensations can vary widely in intensity, ranging from mild discomfort to painful and unbearable experiences.

CT scan - Computed Tomography scan

A CT scan (computed tomography scan), also known as a CAT scan, is a diagnostic imaging test that captures detailed, cross-sectional images of the inside of your body. It uses a combination of X-rays and computer technology to create high-resolution pictures that help doctors assess various medical conditions, evaluate treatment effectiveness, and guide surgical procedures.

Why Would a CT Scan Be Recommended?

A CT scan is commonly recommended for several reasons. Your doctor may suggest this test to:

• Assess injuries: After an accident, CT scans can evaluate damage to bones, tissues, and organs, helping doctors plan appropriate treatment.
• Diagnose medical conditions: If you’re experiencing symptoms like unexplained pain or discomfort, a CT scan can help identify underlying issues such as infections, tumors, or organ dysfunction.
• Monitor ongoing treatments: For patients undergoing cancer treatment, CT scans are vital in monitoring the size of tumors to assess the effectiveness of therapies such as chemotherapy or radiation.
• Aid in surgical procedures: CT imaging can provide real-time insight during certain medical procedures, such as biopsies (tissue samples) or abscess drainage, ensuring precision and safety.

Anxiety disorders in children

It's entirely normal for children and young people to experience occasional bouts of anxiety or worry. For instance, they may feel nervous when starting school, attending nursery for the first time, or moving to a new area. These feelings can arise during times of change, and often, with time and support, they naturally fade away as the child settles into their new environment.

However, for some children, anxiety is a constant presence in their daily lives. It can affect not just their emotions, but also their behavior, thoughts, and physical well-being, making it hard for them to cope with everyday situations like going to school, interacting with friends, or even participating in family activities. This type of anxiety can begin to interfere with a child's school performance, home life, and social interactions, making it more difficult for them to thrive.

In these cases, professional help may be needed to manage the anxiety effectively and support the child in overcoming the challenges they face.

Coeliac disease

Coeliac disease is a common digestive condition where the small intestine becomes inflamed and unable to absorb nutrients. It can cause a range of symptoms including diarrhoea, abdominal pain and bloating.

Coeliac disease is caused by an adverse reaction to gluten, a dietary protein found in three types of cereal:

• wheat 
• barley 
• rye 

Gluten is found in any food that contains the above cereals, including:

• pasta 
• cakes 
• breakfast cereals 
• most types of bread 
• certain types of sauces 
• some types of ready meals 

In addition, most beers are made from barley.

Abscess

An abscess is a painful collection of pus, usually caused by a bacterial infection. Abscesses can develop anywhere in the body. This article focuses on two types of abscess:

• skin abscesses – which develop under the skin 
• internal abscesses – which develop inside the body, in an organ or in the spaces between organs 

Symptoms of an abscess

A skin abscess often appears as a swollen, pus-filled lump under the surface of the skin. You may also have other symptoms of an infection, such as a high temperature (fever) and chills. It is more difficult to identify an abscess inside the body, but signs include:

• pain in the affected area 
• a high temperature 
• generally feeling unwell 

Von Willebrand disease

Von Willebrand disease (VWD) is a common inherited condition that can sometimes cause heavy bleeding. People with VWD have a low level of a substance called von Willebrand factor in their blood, or this substance doesn't work very well.

Von Willebrand factor helps blood cells stick together (clot) when you bleed. If there isn't enough of it or it doesn't work properly, it takes longer for bleeding to stop. There is currently no cure for VWD, but it doesn't usually cause serious problems and most people with it can live normal, active lives.

Bunions

Bunions are bony lumps that form on the side of the feet. Surgery is the only way to get rid of them, but there are things you can do to ease any pain they cause.

Symptoms of bunions include:

You may also have pain along the side or bottom of your feet. This is usually worse when wearing shoes and walking.

X-Ray

An X-ray is a quick and painless procedure commonly used to produce images of the inside of the body. It's a very effective way of looking at the bones and can be used to help detect a range of conditions.

X-rays are usually carried out in hospital X-ray departments by trained specialists called radiographers, although they can also be done by other healthcare professionals, such as dentists.

How X-rays work

X-rays are a type of radiation that can pass through the body. They can't be seen by the naked eye and you can't feel them. As they pass through the body, the energy from X-rays is absorbed at different rates by different parts of the body. A detector on the other side of the body picks up the X-rays after they've passed through and turns them into an image.

Heavy Periods

Heavy periods are common, but they can have a big effect on a woman's everyday life.

They don't always have an underlying cause, but they can result from problems such as fibroids or endometriosis, so it's important to get your symptoms checked out.
You must see your GP if:

• you're worried about your bleeding
• your periods have got heavier
• you're also having other symptoms, such as period pain or bleeding between your periods
• Various treatments are available for heavy periods, including:
• some types of contraception, like an intrauterine system (IUS) or the combined pill
• medicines, like tranexamic acid
• surgery