Recent findings by the researchers from Leeds Metropolitan University in England indicate that young men throughout the world have higher death rates than women because of their riskier lifestyles.
Deaths from illnesses such as heart disease, cancer and chronic liver disease rise sharply in 35- to 44-year-olds. The researchers said deaths due to cancer, heart disease and chronic liver disease showed the importance of lifestyle habits such as smoking and alcohol consumption which are known to raise the risk of developing the disorders.
Men tend to have higher chances of developing the majority of cancers. Also, they are dying from it sooner.
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
What is liver biopsy and why is it done?
Liver biopsy is the removal of a small piece of tissue from the liver using a special needle.
The tissue is examined under a microscope to look for the presence of inflammation or liver damage and hence to determine the cause of the liver disease.
A liver biopsy is normally carried out to:
1) evaluate the cause of jaundice and to help diagnose certain liver diseases such as cirrhosis, hepatitis, and liver tumors.
2) evaluate the cause of abnormal liver function blood test results, especially AST (Aspartate aminotransferase) and ALT (Alanine aminotransferase). Both ALT and AST levels are indicators of possible liver damage.
3) determine the degree of scarring and inflammation as a result of hepatitis or other liver diseases.
4) monitor the effectiveness of a selected treatment for liver disease.
5) measure whether a certain medication, such as cholesterol reducing medication, is producing a negative toxic effect on the liver.
6) monitor the function of a transplanted or donor liver.
The tissue is examined under a microscope to look for the presence of inflammation or liver damage and hence to determine the cause of the liver disease.
A liver biopsy is normally carried out to:
1) evaluate the cause of jaundice and to help diagnose certain liver diseases such as cirrhosis, hepatitis, and liver tumors.
2) evaluate the cause of abnormal liver function blood test results, especially AST (Aspartate aminotransferase) and ALT (Alanine aminotransferase). Both ALT and AST levels are indicators of possible liver damage.
3) determine the degree of scarring and inflammation as a result of hepatitis or other liver diseases.
4) monitor the effectiveness of a selected treatment for liver disease.
5) measure whether a certain medication, such as cholesterol reducing medication, is producing a negative toxic effect on the liver.
6) monitor the function of a transplanted or donor liver.
Sunday, July 23, 2006
What is Hepatitis?
Hepatitis is the inflammation of the liver mainly caused by virus. The main characteristics are fatigue, malaise, joint aches, abdominal pain, vomiting 2-3 times per day for the first 5 days, loss of appetite, dark urine, fever, enlarged liver (hepatomegaly) and jaundice. Unfortunately some chronic forms of hepatitis show very few of these symptoms until the persistent inflammation has led to the replacement of liver cells by connective tissues resulting in the formation of cirrhosis.
There are basically 5 types of Hepatitis i.e. Hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E.
There are basically 5 types of Hepatitis i.e. Hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E.
What are the main types of Hepatitis?
1) Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A or infectious jaundice is caused by a virus transmitted by the orofecal route i.e. from the stool (or remnants of it) of one person the mouth of another. It can also be transmitted through contaminated food especially raw sea food and drinks. It causes an acute form of hepatitis and does not have a chronic stage. People with hepatitis A are advised to rest, stay hydrated and avoid alcohol. A vaccine is available that will prevent infection from hepatitis. Strict personal hygiene and the avoidance of raw and unpeeled foods are very important to help prevent an infection.
2) Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B can be both acute and chronic. The virus is normally transmitted through blood (e.g. sharing of syringes and shaving accessories such as razor blades), tattoos (including those professionally done), sexual contact (i.e. Vaginal intercourse, oral sex, and/or anal sex), from mother to her unborn child. However, in about half of cases the source of infection cannot be determined. In the US, 95% of patients clear their infection and develop antibodies against hepatitis B virus. 5% of patients for some reasons could not clear the infection and they could eventually develop seriouschronic problems such as cirrhosis and cancer.
The good news is a vaccine is available that will prevent infection from hepatitis B for life. Hepatitis B infections result in 500,000 to 1,200,000 deaths per year worldwide due to the complications of chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and cancer.
3) Hepatitis C
Hepatitis (originally "non-A non-B hepatitis") is transmitted through sexual contact and contact with infected blood. It may also lead to a chronic form of hepatitis, resulting in cirrhosis. Unfortunately, it can remain asymptomatic (i.e. showing no symptoms) for 10-20 years. Another bad news is that no vaccine is available for hepatitis C.
4) Hepatitis D
Hepatitis D virus is a passenger virus that cannot proliferate without the presence of Hepatitis B virus. A passenger virus is a virus that simply adhere to the body of a person or infects the body without causing symptoms, illness and disease. However it is possible to detect the presence of a passenger virus through testing for antigen and antibody.
5) Hepatitis E
Hepatitis E produces symptoms similar to those of Hepatitis A.
Hepatitis A or infectious jaundice is caused by a virus transmitted by the orofecal route i.e. from the stool (or remnants of it) of one person the mouth of another. It can also be transmitted through contaminated food especially raw sea food and drinks. It causes an acute form of hepatitis and does not have a chronic stage. People with hepatitis A are advised to rest, stay hydrated and avoid alcohol. A vaccine is available that will prevent infection from hepatitis. Strict personal hygiene and the avoidance of raw and unpeeled foods are very important to help prevent an infection.
2) Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B can be both acute and chronic. The virus is normally transmitted through blood (e.g. sharing of syringes and shaving accessories such as razor blades), tattoos (including those professionally done), sexual contact (i.e. Vaginal intercourse, oral sex, and/or anal sex), from mother to her unborn child. However, in about half of cases the source of infection cannot be determined. In the US, 95% of patients clear their infection and develop antibodies against hepatitis B virus. 5% of patients for some reasons could not clear the infection and they could eventually develop seriouschronic problems such as cirrhosis and cancer.
The good news is a vaccine is available that will prevent infection from hepatitis B for life. Hepatitis B infections result in 500,000 to 1,200,000 deaths per year worldwide due to the complications of chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and cancer.
3) Hepatitis C
Hepatitis (originally "non-A non-B hepatitis") is transmitted through sexual contact and contact with infected blood. It may also lead to a chronic form of hepatitis, resulting in cirrhosis. Unfortunately, it can remain asymptomatic (i.e. showing no symptoms) for 10-20 years. Another bad news is that no vaccine is available for hepatitis C.
4) Hepatitis D
Hepatitis D virus is a passenger virus that cannot proliferate without the presence of Hepatitis B virus. A passenger virus is a virus that simply adhere to the body of a person or infects the body without causing symptoms, illness and disease. However it is possible to detect the presence of a passenger virus through testing for antigen and antibody.
5) Hepatitis E
Hepatitis E produces symptoms similar to those of Hepatitis A.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)