Month: December 2019

Interventional Radiology Australia
Health

Highly Specialized Treatment

Interventional Radiology pertains to a range of techniques relying on the utilization of radiological image guidance to accurately target therapy. It is also called Pinhole Surgery as procedures generally commence by passing a needle through the skin to the target organ. Ultrasonography, X-ray Fluoroscopy, Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging are the more commonly used radiological technologies for this purpose. Interventional Radiology treatments are mostly minimally invasive alternatives to surgery, both open and laparoscopic. Thus, the need for general anesthesia or heavy sedation, and consequently, risks are eliminated when undergoing these procedures.

Interventional Radiologists are medical doctors who went through extra years of training and experience thereby becoming highly specialized in performing Interventional Radiology procedures with utmost safety and accuracy. They are especially skilled in the interpretation of the diagnostic images as well as the manipulation and use of needles and fine catheter tubes or wires in navigating around the body under imaging control.

Interventional Radiology can treat a wide range of medical and surgical conditions and, as of the present, is still continuously expanding. It is currently getting a lot of recognition, and rightly so, due to the numerous known advantages of this minimally invasive technology:

  • risks for patients are markedly reduced
  • shorter hospital confinement
  • reduced costs
  • provides greater comfort and convenience
  • faster recovery and convalescence

In most cases, Interventional Radiology is deemed more effective than traditional medical and surgical treatments.

The following are some conditions effectively treated with Interventional Radiology:

Blood Vessel Diseases

  • peripheral vascular disease – narrowed arteries
  • aneurysms – expanded arteries at risk of rupture
  • hemorrhage – bleeding
  • pulmonary embolism – blood clots in the lungs
  • varicose veins – dilated veins commonly seen on the legs

Non-Vascular Conditions

  • Interventional Oncology – tumor therapies are performed to destroy or shrink tumors at their primary focus or at sites to which they have spread.

– treats the cancerous tumor

– alleviates the effects of the malignancy on other body systems

– drains accumulated fluid or pus in the body cavities or organs

– inserts feeding tubes

– manages collapsed spinal vertebrae

Stone Forming Diseases        

  • kidney stones – may lead to irreversible kidney damage
  • gall stones – may cause damage to the liver resulting in the yellow discoloration of the skin and sclera of the eyes (jaundice)

Interventional Radiologists are the only medical specialists who underwent thorough training in both Radiology and Interventional Treatment and have increasingly been making a huge contribution to the overall management of patients’ health status. Choose an esteemed and trustworthy interventional radiology Australia clinic and doctor to give you the professional yet caring treatment that will put that spring back to your step.

Tips To Getting Ready For A Root Canal Procedure
Dental

Tips To Getting Ready For A Root Canal Procedure

Is this your first root canal procedure? You are probably scared of what is about to happen. For sure you have heard horror stories of root canal procedure. But in reality, if you ask the dentists these days, there is no reason for you to worry. Gone are the days when a root canal takes such a long and painful time to finish. These days, with the advancements of technology, root canals are faster, safer, and way more comfortable than it used to be.

But before you go to your root canal appointment at your preferred Bishan dental clinic, you have to prepare yourself. Here are some important tips to make yourself ready for your procedure:

Avoid Smoking Before Your Root Canal

Nicotine can affect the way blood flows through your body. It can also lengthen the recovery process from your procedure. So if you have a root canal appointment, you might as well lay off on your tobacco smoking for a while before and until you fully recover.

bishan dental clinic

Talk About Antibiotics Allergies

Before, or even after your root canal procedure, your dentist might advise you to take antibiotics. This can help reduce pain before your root canal and also ensure that you will not be experiencing any infection as a result. So if you have allergies to antibiotics, talk to your dentist about it to know your options.

Pain Medication Is Strongly Advised

How is your pain tolerance doing? If you think even a little bit of pain will bother you, then it is strongly advised that you take pain medication like ibuprofen, before the procedure and after. This is to reduce the inflammation around your affected tooth. Pain medication will also help with pain management.

Eat Before Your Root Canal!

Anesthesia will be used all throughout the process. This way, it can numb the area so that you will not feel any pain while the dentist is working on your root canal. The strength of anesthesia that is being used these days is stronger compared to the ones used back in the day. This is why dentists can assure you that if you have a root canal these days, it would less painful than what your parents probably experienced.

However, because of the strength of the anesthesia, you will not be able to eat comfortably a couple of hours after the procedure. So it is best to have a meal two hours before your appointment. This way, you will not have to worry about getting hungry after. 

Do Not Be Afraid To Ask Questions

Nowadays, root canals are commonly done procedures. Nevertheless, if you have questions about the procedure, do not be afraid to ask. The more knowledgeable you are regarding the procedure, the less stressful it would be for you, especially if this is your first root canal. This can help ease the tension or anxiety that you are feeling towards your appointment. Remember that your comfort all throughout is the most important to consider.

Having a root canal these days is no longer a thing to worry about. In fact, this is most recommended to help reserve your damaged tooth for years without needing a tooth extraction. If you think you need a root canal, get in touch with your dentist at Bishan. You can make an appointment so that the dentist can assess and determine if you need a root canal or not.

Dental

Teeth Whitening Tips

Teeth discoloration is one of the most common dental imperfections. It is probably the most common reason why people seek cosmetic dentistry services. Americans spend billions of dollars annually on teeth whitening products and services. When it comes to teeth whitening, there are plenty of products that promise to give great results. Unfortunately, most of them are not effective. Besides, their chemical composition is usually a critical issue for many people concerned about safety. As such, you need to talk to a reliable dentist such as Dana Samet DDS before you can settle for any given teeth whitening technique. Below is a rundown of some dentist-approved tips that you can count on to avoid teeth discoloration and even make your teeth more white.

Regular Dental Appointments

Teeth whitening is a cosmetic dental procedure. Therefore, before you can think about it, you have to ensure that every other issue to do with your dental health is taken care of. For instance, if you have dental cavities or gum disease, applying teeth whitening chemicals to your teeth can make things worse. In a nutshell, you have to cultivate good dental habits, visit your dentists for regular dental checkups, and get treated for any dental health issues before considering teeth whitening.

Know what to Avoid Eating/Drinking

You probably know that red wine and too much coffee can stain your teeth. However, these are not the only culprits. There are plenty of other drinks and foods that have the potential to stain your teeth. Some of the most common ones include blueberries, blackberries, soda, white wine, barbeque sauce, black tea, curry, marinara, turmeric, pomegranates, and sugary treats. Luckily, these foods and drinks usually contribute to extrinsic stains, which are quite easy to get rid of. On the other hand, intrinsic stains may have been caused by antibiotics on drinking water rich in fluoride, and they can be more difficult to get rid of.

If you cannot manage to quit one of the above drinks and foods, it is wise for you to ensure that you rinse your mouth with warm water within thirty minutes of eating or drinking. Some of the foods that can improve your overall dental health and help your teeth whitening efforts include apples, cheese, milk, nuts, carrots, broccoli, raw onions, and strawberries.

Brush and Floss

To make your teeth whiter and keep them stain-free, it is imperative for you to brush and floss at least two times per day. However, you have to be careful not to scrub away the enamel. Ask your doctor about the right types of toothbrushes and toothpaste to apply in this regard.

The Bottom Line

Overall, it is apparent that teeth discoloration is one of the most common dental imperfections that deny millions of people a perfect smile. Luckily, this is an issue that is easy to deal with, especially in cases of extrinsic stains. If you are looking for a reliable dentist offering professional teeth whitening in South Bay, Torrance, CA, Dental Art of South Bay is an excellent dental facility to consider. Feel free to contact them today for more information about their services.

Everything About Diabetes
Health

Everything About Diabetes

Defining diabetes

The disease or disorder in the body that takes place when the hormone known as insulin is not properly utilized, or it is produced in very small amounts is known as diabetes. When insulin is produced in inadequate amounts or not properly utilized, it causes the level of blood sugar in the blood to increase rapidly, causing a buildup. Diabetes is broadly categorized into two main categories, known as Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is also referred to as juvenile diabetes, and it is characterized by the absence of any insulin production in the body. This type of diabetes is mainly diagnosed in teenagers, children and occasionally in adults. Type two diabetes is characterized by the failure of the body to produce adequate amounts of insulin or failure to utilize it properly. It was previously assumed that only adults could suffer from this type of diabetes, but recent surveys show that children are also at risk. The number of children suffering from Type 2 diabetes in Lady Lake is growing with each passing day, and family physicians suspect that the increase in obesity and overweight children might be the cause.

Prediabetes

Prediabetes is the state in which the amount of blood glucose in the body is extremely high as compared to the normal range, but it is still not high enough to be considered as diabetes. Having prediabetes significantly increases the chances of an individual getting Type 2 diabetes. If diagnosed with prediabetes an individual can easily make some adjustments to their lifestyle to prevent the onset of fully developed Type 2 diabetes. Some of these lifestyle changes include being physically active, intake of a healthy diet and ensuring your weight is within an acceptable range.

Signs and symptoms

The signs and symptoms that indicate the onset of the various types of diabetes vary from one person to another. During the initial stages of diabetes, the symptoms are very mild and negligible, and many people do not realize they are sick. Despite the symptoms being mild, there might be significant damage and harm taking place in the body organs such as the kidneys, cardiovascular system, and eyes. The main symptoms experienced by people suffering from diabetes include excess thirst, urinating frequently, excess hunger, drastic weight loss, blurry vision, drowsiness, bruises, sores or wounds that take a prolonged period of time to heal, fatigue, itchy or dry skin numbing or tingling feeling in hands or feet and a recurring vaginal yeast, bladder, skin or gum infections. For many individuals suffering from Type 2 diabetes insulin resistance symptoms like skipped or no menstruation in females, darkening of the skin around armpits or neck and high blood. If Type 2 diabetes is left untreated, the symptoms become more severe, and individuals may experience irregular breathing, vomiting, confusion, nausea, drowsiness, weakness and muscle movement that is uncoordinated. This is because when diabetes is uncontrolled for a long period, the blood sugar level accumulates intensely causing the symptoms to become more severe and can even lead to death.

Cause of diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is caused by the failure of the body to produce insulin as a result of the pancreas cells being destroyed by the immune system attacks. Health specialists are still not certain why or how this occurs. Type 2 diabetes is caused by the failure of the pancreas to produce enough insulin, which can effectively allow glucose into the bloodstream. Excessive buildup of blood sugar in the nerves, heart, kidneys, eyes and blood vessels damage these organs.

I Dream of White Teeth
Dental

I Dream of White Teeth

Everyone dreams of having the perfect white teeth. Everyone does our very best to get it. Brushing teeth thrice a day with gentle whitening toothpaste, dentist appointments, and anything else they can think of. Having the perfect white teeth is everyone’s dream and many people will do everything they can to make sure they achieve it. After all, smiling looks better when teeth are not colored with any other color.

If you are in the area, there are dentists Hoppers Crossing who would gladly assist you. They offer a full-circle service which can help you feel more confident about your smile. So heads up, grins wide, and head on over to Evident Dental!

This dental clinic welcomes every patient they can get. Their clinic has modern vibes and is a comfortable facility. The dental team will take its time to head your dental needs and provide you with the utmost quality of dental care. Providing their patients with the best dental care they can in an environment of comfort and compassion is their goal.

They are proud to have…:

  1. High Standards – they continue to give the best care for their patients, they are strict when it comes to quality and capability
  2. Uncompromising Safety – for the patient’s safety, their dental tools, surfaces, and chairs are sanitized from one patient to the other
  3. Professional Staff – again, only high-quality staff are picked to make sure the patients feel safe and comfortable around them
  4. Affordable Prices – everyone wants to visit a clinic with affordable prices, they keep an eye on their prices and make it affordable for an average family
  5. Certified Dental Clinic – they are International Standard Organisation approved

Their services include:

  • General and Restorative dentistry
  • Cosmetic dentistry
  • Implant dentistry
  • Wisdom Tooth Removal
  • Endodontic
  • Periodontic dentistry
  • Teeth Whitening
  • Sedation dentistry
  • Dental Crowns
  • Children Dental Benefits Schedule
  • Referring Dentist
  • Dentures
  • Emergency Dental Services

Evident Dental makes sure that your dreams of having a perfect white set of teeth will come true. They are there to help you out and will be with you every step of the way. They are ready to go through trials just to reach your goals. And not only do they wish for those pearly whites, but their other services can be a big help to anyone who needs it as well.

Rest assured that Evident Dental is safe and secure for you and your loved ones. They do their practice and they do it well. Do not fret and head on over to their clinic, it is the first step to reach your goal.

Their exact location is in 2 Baggott Dr, Hoppers Crossing VIC 3029. Call them at (03) 9748 6552. Or email them at eve-dent@bigpond.com. They are open from Mondays to Saturdays and allow emergency appointments on Sundays, too.

Dental

Vaping and your Oral Health: Here is what Dental Experts Say

Despite all the recent scary news headlines around vaping – like how an e-cigar can explode in your mouth and perhaps cause a rare type of pneumonia – the use of this USB-like device still seems like a trendy thing for Americans.

While it’s proving beyond any reasonable doubt that it’s as unhealthy as the traditional cigarette, one critical question seems to pop up quite a bit: what’s the impact of vaping on your oral health? Is vaping any better or worse than regular cigarettes when it comes to your oral health? Sure, a Juul attorney could help you seek compensation after suffering harm while using the device. However, there are negative oral health associated with this practice that no one will compensate you for.

Excess bacteria

A study done in 2018 revealed that teeth and gums that have been exposed to e-cigarette aerosol developed a higher level of bacteria than those that didn’t. This difference is believed to be greater in pits and teeth crevices of teeth. Perhaps you’re wondering whether excess bacteria is good or bad. Dentists associated excess bacteria with the development of cavities, gum disease, and teeth decay.

Dental Experts Say

Death of cells

A 2018 study review of various studies of live cells from gums indicated that vaping aerosols could worsen inflammation and cause DNA damage. This can result in cells losing their cell division power and grow. This can speed up the cell aging process and eventually cause cell death. This is a significant cause of oral health problems such as bone loss, teeth decay, periodontal disease, bad breath, loss of teeth, and dry mouth.

Results from in vitro studies and analysis are not necessarily generalizable to a real-life scenario because the cells are usually removed from their environment during examination and analysis. Thus, further research is necessary to fully understand the overall impact of vaping on cell health.

Irritation

Different studies reviewed in 2014 showed that continued vaping could cause irritation of mouth and throat. Some of the common gum signs include swelling, redness, and tenderness. If you’re already experiencing these symptoms, seek medical attention as soon as you can.

Dry mouth

According to various studies, some e-cigarette base liquids, especially propylene glycol, are a leading cause of mouth dryness. Mouth sores, teeth decay, and bad breath are often caused by excessive mouth dryness.

Gum inflammation

Different studies, especially one carried out in 2016, suggest that the use of e-cigars can trigger an inflammatory response in your gum tissues. And if left untreated, gum inflammation is a leading cause of periodontal disease.

Wrap up

Now that you know that vaping can impact your oral health in different ways, there’s something you can do to combat the impact of these issues. Be sure to get regular dental checkups. This way, your dentist can identify the earliest signs of dental problems long before they become a big problem. And if you vape, you can stop it.

Dental

Looking after Dental Implants

When you’ve had teeth missing and you’ve had dental implants put in as artificial teeth it can be confusing how to look after them. Dental implants are very like natural teeth in the way they look and feel, and are about as close to natural teeth as anything else is going to get. Dental implants also ensure that there is structural integrity to your mouth preventing other teeth moving around.

What is  an implant?

Essentially a dental implant is an artificial tooth on top of the metal post. The metal pole goes into the gum and jaw to create a solid tooth base, much like the root.

Dental implants tend to be a successful procedure, but there are certain things you can do a long way to help keep them in good condition.

Follow good oral hygiene practices

With dental implants, just as with normal teeth, you should floss daily and brush twice per day. It’s a good idea to choose an interdental brush, which can get between the teeth and can help to freshen up and clean the areas are difficult to reach in between your teeth and your implants. Most advice for normal teeth is applicable to dental implants when it comes to oral hygiene.

Stop smoking

Smoking can have the effect of weakening the bones of your jawlineand therefore making your implants less strong. Implants can fail if the jawline hasn’t healed properly around the implant post, or if the jawline weakens and smoking can contribute to this.

See your dentist regularly

You want to visit a dentist at least every six months in order to make sure that your implants are in good condition and that everything is going along nicely. Your dentist will examine and clean your teeth and implants, and assess whether anything else needs to be done in order to maintain the health of your teeth and your implants.

Avoid foods that are particularly hard

You need to be a little bit careful when you have dental implants that you don’t put them under too much stress. Hard sweets, ice, bones and other hard foods can cause your teeth to break, just as they could brittle natural teeth.

You just need to think, and be aware about your implants when you are choosing what to eat and be aware that you can cause damage if you are putting too much pressure through your teeth, or chewing at the wrong angle.

Dental implants are an excellent way to replace teeth. It is possible to get multiple dental implants are even a full top to bottom implants as an alternative to dentures. Dental implants should last a decade or more if you take care of them, but treat them with respect and understand that they may break or function less optimally if you do not look after them or put them under too much pressure.

Dental Care

All About Dental Implants

Despite the developments that dental care has seen in the last couple of decades, teeth loss is still a common dental issue in the US. It results from issues such as tooth decay, gum disease, and even trauma. Traditionally, dental bridges and dentures were the main ways of treating people with missing teeth. Unfortunately, these methods are usually associated with a number of demerits. For instance, they look and feel unnatural, and this can affect a patient’s ability to perform basic day-to-day tasks such as chewing and speaking. This is why dental implants in Emerson come in handy.

Below are some important things you should know about dental implants:

What are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are artificial tooth roots made of titanium. They are surgically inserted into the jawbones with the aim of replacing the roots of the natural teeth. The artificial replacement may then be attached to these implants. In other words, the titanium implants work as the anchors that hold the replacement teeth in position.

Dental Implants

What the Procedure Entails

The procedure of getting a dental implant is usually a three-part process that can take several months. Your family dentist may perform the procedure, or you may be referred to a periodontist, a prosthodontist, or an oral surgeon. The first step involves placing the titanium implant on the jawbone. A screw is inserted into the implant to ensure that debris and gum tissues do not get in. Then the surgeon will secure the gum over the implant where it has to remain covered for about six months as it fuses with the bone. Some pain after the surgery is normal, and it can be treated with pain medication.

The second step begins after about six months, and it involves uncovering the implant and attaching an extension known as “post” to the implant. Once the gum tissues around the post have healed, the implant and the post will serve as the foundations of the replacement tooth.

In the final step, the dentist will make a custom artificial tooth, also known as a dental crown, with exactly the same size and shape as the missing tooth. The crown is then attached to the post.

The Procedure’s Success Rate

All surgical operations involve the risk of failure. However, dental implants are highly successful, with a success rate of between 75 percent and 95 percent. The success of the procedure largely depends on a patient’s oral hygiene and how healthy the jaw bone is. The success rate is generally lower among patients who smoke.

The Bottom Line

Overall, it is apparent that dental implants are an excellent way of replacing missing teeth. Implants are great because they are durable and they look and feel like natural teeth. Therefore, if you have lost one or several teeth, the best way for you to replace them is by going in for dental implants. If you are looking for a reliable dentist who is experienced in dental implants, Emerson Dental Arts is an excellent dental facility to visit.

Health

All About Skin Cancer

Skin cancer can be understood as an abnormal growth of cells that mostly occur in the skin that is exposed to the sun. However, it can also occur on the skin that is not usually exposed to the sun. Some of the common types of skin cancer include squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the US. In fact, more Americans are diagnosed with skin cancer more than any other type of cancer every year. Although this may sound shocking, the good news is that if it is detected early, skin can easily be treated by a reliable Midtown East dermatologist. Below are some important things you should know about skin cancer.

Symptoms

Skin cancer primarily develops in areas that are most exposed to the sun, including the face, scalp, ears, neck, lips, chest, neck, arms, hands, and legs. It can also form on areas that are not exposed to the sun, including the palms, beneath the toenails and fingernails, and around the genitals. It affects people of all skin tones. Depending on the type of skin cancer that a patient is suffering from, there are several symptoms that they can experience.

Skin Cancer

Some of them include:

A waxy or pearly bump

A flesh-colored or brown flat scar-like lesion

A scabbing or bleeding sore that heals and returns

A firm, red nodule

A flat lesion with a crusted, scaly surface

A large brownish spot with dark speckles

A mole that bleeds or changes in feel, size, and color

Dark lesion on toes, fingertips, soles, or palms

Causes

Skin cancer results from mutations in the skin cell’s DNA, which causes the skin cells to grow uncontrollably and form a mass of cancerous cells. In most cases, skin cancer results from exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet radiation. However, exposure to the sunlight does not explain why parts of the skin that are not ordinarily exposed to the sun can get cancer. This implies that there are other factors that can contribute to skin cancer. For instance, having a condition that weakens the immune system or exposure to some toxins can cause skin cancer.

Some risk factors that are associated with skin cancer include:

History of sunburns

Excessive exposure to the sun

Having less melanin or skin pigment

Living in high altitude or sunny areas

Family history of skin cancer

Having a weak immune system

Exposure to radiations

Exposure to certain toxic substances

Treatment

If you have been diagnosed with skin cancer, your doctor will subject you to more tests to demine the extent of cancer. Small skin cancers that have not gone beyond the surface of the skin may not require any treatment beyond the initial biopsy removing the growth as a whole. Other common skin cancer treatments include freezing, excisional surgery, Mohs surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, biological therapy, and photodynamic therapy.

The Takeaway

Overall, it is apparent that although skin cancer is quite common, it is an issue that can easily be treated, especially when it is diagnosed at its earliest stages of development when it is still easy to localize. Therefore, if you have any signs that indicate that you might have skin cancer, it is wise to seek the attention of a dermatologist immediately for diagnosis and treatment.

Pregnancy Care Tips
Health Tips

Pregnancy Care Tips

Getting pregnant can be quite an exciting experience. However, it comes with new responsibilities. For instance, you have to stay healthy for the sake of your baby and your well-being. Therefore, in addition to working closely with a reliable San Antonio women’s health nurse practitioner or OB/GYN, it is imperative for you to adopt healthy lifestyle habits and discard the bad ones. For instance, if you smoke or abuse alcohol or other drugs, then you may have to stop for you and your baby to stay healthy. Below is a rundown of some health tips for expectant women.

Get an OB/GYN

If you have not visited an OB/GYN yet, then it is imperative for you to see one as soon as you learn that you are pregnant. This is because pregnancy comes with the need for specialized care. An OB/GYN will perform several tests to ensure that the pregnancy is developing properly and in the right place. Your blood pressure and blood sugar level will also be monitored. In case of any complication, an OB/GYN will advise you on the best way to move forward.

Eat Right

A healthy diet is a necessity for pregnant women. This is because the developing baby needs healthy foods as opposed to fat and sugar. Therefore, you should start eating plenty of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Your diet should be low in saturated fats and rich in calcium. During pregnancy, it is also necessary for the mother to take a lot of water to prevent fatigue, hemorrhoid, headaches, UTIs, constipation, and other unpleasant pregnancy symptoms.

Pregnancy Care Tips

Avoid Toxins

Toxins such as illicit drugs, alcohol, tobacco, nail polish removers, and paint thinners are closely linked to miscarriages, congenital disabilities, and other problems. Therefore, it is imperative for you to avoid them during pregnancy. If you cannot easily quit smoking and abusing drugs, it is important for you to let your doctor know about it. A good OB/GYN can offer the necessary support and advice, and even refer you to programs that help women like you.

Exercise

Staying active is necessary for a person’s general health. It plays critical roles in reducing stress, improving sleep, boosting moods, and managing weight. You can choose to take a pregnancy exercise class or simply walk for about 20 minutes at a moderate pace on a daily basis. You can also try swimming, yoga, or Pilates. However, it is imperative for you to inquire from your OB/GYN before you start any exercise program during pregnancy.

The Takeaway

Overall, it is apparent that when you learn that you are pregnant, there are several things that you are supposed to do for you to remain healthy and keep your baby safe. For instance, you have to eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly. It is also important for you to get a reliable OB/GYN to take care of any pregnancy-related healthcare needs. If you are looking for a reliable OB/GYN to help you with pregnancy care, Bluebonnet OB/GYN is an excellent facility to choose from. Feel free to contact or visit them today for more information about their practitioners and services.