Hernia Repair, Hiatal

Introduction A hiatus hernia means that part of your stomach has squeezed through an opening in your diaphragm and into your chest. The stomach normally sits in the abdomen, underneath a large, thin sheet of muscle called the diaphragm. The opening in the diaphragm that the stomach can push through is called the hiatus. Your oesophagus (tube that carries food to your stomach) passes through the hiatus to reach your stomach. How a...

Read More

Obesity

Introduction Obesity is a term used to describe somebody who is very overweight with a high degree of body fat. There are a number of ways a person’s weight can be assessed. The most widely used method is the body mass index. The body mass index (BMI) is your weight in kilograms divided by your height in metres squared. You can use  BMI healthy weight calculator to work out your own BMI. If your BMI is between 25 and 29, you would be...

Read More

Constipation

Introduction Constipation is a common condition that affects people of all ages. It can mean that you are not passing stools (poo) regularly, or you are unable to completely empty your bowels. Constipation can also cause your stools to be hard, lumpy, large or small. The severity of constipation varies from person to person. Many people only experience constipation for a short time, but for others, constipation can be a chronic...

Read More

Chemotherapy

Introduction Chemotherapy is a type of treatment for cancer where medicine is used to kill cancer cells. It can be given either as a tablet, or as an injection or infusion directly into a vein. Cancer Cancer refers to a number of conditions where the body’s cells grow and reproduce uncontrollably. The rapid growth of cancerous cells is known as a malignant tumour. These cells can spread out of the tumour and into other parts of the...

Read More

Heartburn and Gastro-esophageal Reflux Disease

Introduction Gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common condition where stomach acid leaks out of the stomach and into the esophagus (gullet). The esophagus is a long tube of muscle than runs from the mouth to the stomach. Common symptoms of GERD include: Heartburn – burning chest pain or discomfort that occurs after eating An unpleasant sour taste in the mouth – caused by stomach acid coming back up into the mouth (known as...

Read More

Deep Vein Thrombosis

Introduction Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot in one of the deep veins in the body. Blood clots that develop in a vein are also known as venous thrombosis. DVT usually occurs in a deep leg vein, a larger vein that runs through the muscles of the calf and the thigh. It can cause pain and swelling in the leg and may lead to complications such as pulmonary embolism. This is when a piece of blood clot breaks off into the...

Read More
Page 2 of 17
1 2 3 4 17