August 2022

Fecal incontinence, or bowel incontinence, is the inability to control one’s bowel movements, resulting in fecal matter leakage. For millions of individuals, it’s a frustrating and unpleasant situation. The good news is that Lone Star Gastroenterology has effective treatment options to help you manage fecal incontinence and enjoy your life.

Understanding fecal incontinence

Whether you sometimes leak stool or have lost control of your bladder, fecal incontinence often arises from dysfunction with your rectum and anus muscles.

Your rectum has to be able to stretch to hold the feces, and your anal muscle must be able to close appropriately until you reach the bathroom to relieve yourself. Failure of bowel control may manifest in various forms:

Urge incontinence

Most people experience this problem when they are overcome with an intense need to defecate but are unable to get to a restroom in time to do so.

Passive incontinence

If you have this kind of incontinence, you may not notice leaks until it’s too late to do anything about it. As a result of passive incontinence, it may not be easy to detect whether your rectum is full.

 Constipation, diarrhea, constipation, bloating, and gas may accompany fecal incontinence.

Causes of fecal incontinence

Fecal incontinence may result from a variety of factors. Your doctor can help you figure out what’s causing your fecal incontinence. Common causes of fecal incontinence include;

• Muscle or nerve damage from childbirth
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Hemorrhoids
• Prolapse of the rectal tube
•  Rectocele

Fecal incontinence is more frequent in adults 65 or older since the muscles in your intestines become weaker with aging. If you have undergone a surgery like radiation that forces your muscles to stiffen, you can also be at an increased possibility of developing fecal incontinence.

Treatment and management alternatives

There are different treatment options for fecal incontinence, but they differ based on the underlying cause of your illness. Some of the treatment options include;

Diet changes

List everything you eat and drink for several days to see if any of the food is the source of your condition. Consuming caffeinated drinks, alcohol, fatty food,  dairy products, spicy food, and dairy goods might aggravate incontinence as well as cause gas and diarrhea in the bowel.

Dietary adjustments, such as eating more fiber-rich meals may also assist with incontinence caused by constipation. Drinking extra water may also soften feces, making it easier to pass.

Therapies and exercises

Strengthening your pelvic floor muscles with physical therapy, such as biofeedback and Kegel exercises, may help you release stool while supporting your bladder and intestines.

Bowel training is a technique for ensuring that you have bowel movements at set periods throughout the day. Other treatments include radiofrequency therapy, posterior tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS/TENS), and sacral nerve stimulation with InterStim™.

Medications and surgery

If diarrhea is the cause of your fecal incontinence, anti-diarrheal medications may aid, and bulk laxatives can help with severe constipation. Surgical alternatives include colostomy, Sphincteroplasty, and surgical treatment of hemorrhoids, prolapse,  and rectocele problems.

Don’t allow the shame of fecal incontinence to keep you down any longer. Contact your specialist to get the treatment you deserve for fecal continence.

It is very common to opt for physiotherapy sessions when you have sudden pain in your back, knees, or shoulders. But how many of you would actually think about going to the therapist after witnessing issues with your pelvic floor muscles? There are many individuals who have been diagnosed with floor muscle problems and have been referred to the physios but had absolutely no clue about how they could help them. But the right therapists can help you overcome a number of pelvic floor dysfunctional problems. 

Bladder weakness

It is a common symptom arising out of the pelvic floor muscle’s inability to perform in the best manner. One will witness a series of episodes where their urine leaks after they laugh, cough, or sit. Also, one can feel the need to urinate multiple times for they feel they have leaky bladders. This situation is known as urinary incontinence and is a completely involuntary reaction of the body. Pelvic floor physiotherapy is a first-line treatment option for this. There is 85% chance that the situation will improve. 

Vaginal prolapse

This is the situation where the pelvic organs of the individual like the bladder, bowel, and womb descend and bulge into the areas of the vagina. The symptoms that are commonly felt are heaviness in the pelvic regions or the vagina or difficulties in having clear bowel movements. Most cases of mild prolapse can be treated with the physiotherapy techniques. With this, the strength and coordination of other important muscles will improve, and the pressure on the floor muscles will be lowered. 

Painful intercourse 

It is common for many women to witness pain during or after the intercourse in their vagina or in the pelvic regions. There may be many reasons contributing to the pain, but floor muscle dysfunction is the main issue. The internal and external physiotherapy techniques will help you alleviate this pain and resolve the issue completely. 

Pelvic girdle pain

Pelvic girdle pain is a common occurrence during pregnancy. This problem may also exist even after you had your baby a few months back. Every one out of five women is known to suffer from this issue during their pregnancy phase, and pelvic floor physiotherapy is going to be the right solution for this. The therapists will assess your pain and devise appropriate exercises to give you relief. 

If you are facing any of the above problems, contact the Integral Performance Physiotherapy clinic right away.

The meniscus is a c-shaped pad of cartilage situated within the knee that serves as a shock absorber for the knee joint. Each knee has two menisci that lie between the femur and tibia, and meniscus tears are common knee injuries, especially among sports players.

The menisci also help stabilise the knee joint and keep knee movement smooth. Although meniscus tears are most common in sports players, it is also possible to get them through wear and tear as you  age. 

Meniscus tears are given different grades depending on how severe an injury is. For example, a sprained knee can involve the meniscus and other parts of the knee, such as the anterior cruciate ligament.

Younger people can sustain meniscus tears after twisting their knee while playing sports such as football or tennis etc. Older people can experience meniscus tears after the menisci become worn down and can be damaged by simply standing up. These are known as degenerative tears. 

Occasionally the menisci can develop as a block or disk shape in children, which is called a discoid meniscus. A discoid meniscus is more likely to tear.

Symptoms of meniscus tears

Patients can report feeling a pop in their knee joint that indicates a problem. Some patients may still be able to walk on their injured knee but may find their knee stiffens over the next 48 hours. They may delay seeking help from their doctor until their knee causes pain.

Other symptoms of a meniscus tear can include:

• A feeling that the knee is locking, catching or clicking, usually when bending the knee
• An inability to flex and extend the knee fully
• Limping while walking
• Mild, severe or intermittent pain in the knee that comes and goes
• Swelling and inflammation of the knee, usually experienced a few hours after the meniscus injury
• The knee feels loose or unstable and about to give way 
• The knee feels tender along the line of the joint

Are you a medical professional involved in patient assessment and treatment?

PDUK offers a Minor injury essentials Face to Face course, Accredited by the RCN Centre for Professional Accreditation. This fully interactive course focuses on the needs of community practitioners who are now expected to include basic injury review and care.

The course has been designed to help junior doctors, nurse practitioners, practice nurses, school nurses and allied health professionals to assess and manage minor injuries with greater skill and confidence. 

Participants will get practical hands-on experience in a wide range of tasks, including: 

• Apply history-taking essentials, thereby promoting safe practice.
• Link and apply anatomy of upper and lower body musculoskeletal (MSK) structures to various physical assessment techniques.
• Discuss appropriate management of common traumatic MSK presentations, including analgesia and supportive therapy principles.
• Examining and managing various types of wounds, including closure techniques and patient education.
• Develop competency in some standard basic minor clinical procedures.

Junior doctors, nurse practitioners, practice nurses, school nurses and allied health professionals may also be interested in participating in our Minor injury essentials Online workshop, which is Accredited by the RCN Centre for Professional Accreditation.

This three-day workshop in a virtual classroom covers many of the same skills as our face-to-face workshop. Participants get to focus on practical assessment and management of basic injuries. The workshop aims to enable participants to feel more confident in dealing with patients presenting with minor injuries. 

By the end of the 3-day workshop, you will have gained knowledge in how to:

• Apply history-taking essentials, thereby promoting safe practice.
• Link and apply anatomy of upper and lower body musculoskeletal (MSK) structures to various physical assessment techniques.
• Discuss appropriate management of common traumatic MSK presentations, including analgesia and supportive therapy principles.
• Be able to examine and manage various types of wounds. 

Gout patients are prescribed Febuxostat to lower their uric acid levels. Februaryostat works because it reduces uric acid production in the body. When uric acid levels are too high, the resulting pain and inflammation is known as Gout. If therapy with the drug known as allopurinol fails to decrease your uric acid level, has major adverse effects, or is not suggested by your doctor, you should only take febuxostat after you have exhausted all other treatment options. To put it simply, febuxostat has been linked to a significant rise in heart-related complications and strokes. Taking febuxostat is only recommended if you have a high uric acid concentration in your blood.

Uloric: A Quick Guide to Its Use

Always read the Patient’s Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist before commencing febuxostat treatment and whenever your prescription is renewed. If you’re unsure about anything, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Follow your doctor’s instructions carefully and only take this medication once daily as prescribed, with or without food. Here are about uloric side effects:

The right dosage is based on your present health and how well you react to treatment. If you want this medication to work, you must take it exactly as the label instructs. Make a habit of taking it at the same time each day to avoid forgetting to take it.

For many months after starting this medicine, you may experience an increase in the frequency of gout attacks while your body works to clear more uric acid. The drug febuxostat does not have any analgesic properties. While using febuxostat, your doctor may prescribe extra gout medicine to help keep you safe from attacks. Some of these treatments include colchicine and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as indomethacin, naproxen, and ibuprofen among others. Keep taking the drugs prescribed by your doctor to treat gout attacks precisely as prescribed.

If your problem continues or worsens, notify your health care physician.

A xanthine oxidase inhibitor called uloric (febuxostat) is used to treat hyperuricemia, a condition in which the blood’s uric acid level is excessive in gout sufferers.

Uloric has a number of potential drawbacks. What are they?

The adverse effects of Uloric include nausea, skin rashes, joint pain, and disorientation.

Uloric has the potential to have significant side effects, including heart attacks, liver enzyme abnormalities, shortness of breath, muscle weakness, and numbness.

Uloric dosage information is available here. It comes in tablet form, with a dose of either 40 or 80 milligrammes per pill for Uloric (febuxostat). Starting doses for most patients are 40 milligrammes once a day.

Uloric may interact with what other drugs, chemicals, or supplements?

Uloric with theophylline, azathioprine, or mercaptopurine may interact in certain cases. If you use any medications or dietary supplements, be sure to tell your primary care physician about them.

Do you want to try red light treatment at home? The Omnilux Contour Face is the first FDA-approved light treatment flexible mask with therapeutic outcomes in just one session. It’s the ideal method for obtaining the finest benefits with the top LED light mask.

What is the purpose of Omnilux LED red light therapy?

Omnilux LED Red Light Treatment is a versatile, portable, and economical home-use gadget that employs light-emitting diodes (LED) to enhance general skin tone, firmness, and health. Omnilux Contour is FDA certified and authorized based on the world’s leading Omnilux MedicalTM light treatment technology.

What is the mechanism of action of Omnilux LED red light therapy?

An enhanced power output and two clinically validated light wavelengths act on a cellular level to generate new collagen, minimize wrinkles and fine lines, and prevent sun damage and apparent symptoms of aging.

You might be asking if LED red light treatment is safe.

It’s a reasonable concern, and over 40 clinical studies and almost 20 years of experience have demonstrated that Omnilux LED Red Light Therapy is extremely safe, with no negative side effects, discomfort, or downtime.

Omnilux Contour products have been FDA approved for their safety and efficacy on all skin types. It emits no heat or Ultraviolet light and is suitable for people of all ages and genetic variants. Omnilux products meet all US and global safety requirements, including eye safety.

What is the therapy protocol?

Omnilux suggests a 3-5,10-minute treatment each week for the first 4-6 weeks, continued by regular maintenance as needed. But there’s no reason why you can’t even keep up the beginning ritual; it’s all up to you.

Can Omnilux Contour be used in conjunction with my existing skincare products?

Omnilux Contour is suitable for the majority of skincare regimens. Additionally, you may combine Omnilux Contour with other expert skin treatments like micro-needling, peels, wastes, valuable vitamin infusion, laser treatments, and anti-wrinkle injectable or lip fillers to improve healing after your other therapies to maximize results.

Do you require eye protection when wearing the Omnilux Contour FACE mask?

The simple answer is no. Although you do not need to cover your eyes, you may prefer to remain closed at first because the red light is extremely intense.

What is the difference between Contour and the Omnilux Medical expert system?

The Omnilux Defibrillator has a 105mW/cm2 output, but because the LEDs on the Omnlux Contour are firmly on the skin, it gives a greater concentration of light. It’s like shining a spotlight on a wall: the closer you get, the stronger the light becomes. Consequently, the dose administered during Contour therapy is comparable to that administered with Omnilux Medical specialized equipment, implying that the effects are comparable.

Is it possible to use Omnilux Contour when moving about, or must it be connected to a power outlet?

Because the Omnilux Contour is completely portable and battery-powered, you may walk or move about while wearing it. However, I urge exercising caution when moving about because some of your eyesight may be reduced due to the mask’s position on your face. I love to sit back and contemplate for 10 minutes while basking in the glory of red or near-infrared light. To charge batteries, plug the control system into an outlet for roughly 140 mins or 14 treatment options.

Is it possible to use your home gadget more often than the 2-3 times per week recommended in your user manual?

Yes, if you wish to, as there is no disadvantage to its use more regularly. However, utilizing it more frequently will not usually result in faster or better outcomes.

What effects can LED light treatment have on your skin?

LED light treatment stimulates the body’s natural healing processes by using certain wavelength (colors) of lights and energy levels (brightness). LED light operates at the molecular level, causing a chain reaction of biological processes that target certain skin diseases and results.

Is it okay to utilize LED light therapy with retinol?

We do not advocate utilizing light devices if you are on prescribed amounts of Retin A, such as Tretinoin. Omnilux suggests having to wait five days before beginning LED light therapy procedures. Those who use retinol-containing skincare products should carefully read the skincare guidelines for any warnings or precautions regarding light exposure. Cosmetics/skincare results in significant retinol may be utilized with Contour systems if no restrictions regarding light exposure are taken. You may contact me here if you need additional information before purchasing. For Skinceuticals skin care products – visit The Skin Care Clinic.

The heart performs an essential role in the body because it pumps blood rich in oxygen and nutrients to all the cells in the body. When the heart develops any slight issue, you are at risk of permanent incapacity and even death. Bhupinder Singh MD is the best cardiologist in Plano, Texas, who has come to the rescue of many people with complex heart issues. Heart attack is one of the most serious issues for the cardiovascular system. Did you know that over eight hundred people in the country experience a heart attack annually? Most of these people have their first heart attack, while the rest have subsequent attacks. Steps taken after one has a possible heart attack determine the survival rate. Therefore in this article, you will learn important facts about heart attacks.

• How Do You Know You Are Having a Heart Attack?

Before you diagnose that you are experiencing a heart attack, you will have experienced some preceding signs and symptoms, such as chest pain. It would be best if you did not ignore the chest pain because you think it resulted from pneumonia. It can cost your life. Other signs include the inability to breathe normally and too much sweat. You can also experience light-headedness and a rapid heartbeat.

• What You Need To Do

If you are alone and experience the above symptoms, you will need to call 911 for an immediate response. Cardiologists have established that they can effectively prevent detrimental effects of the heart attack within the first ninety minutes of the onset of the heart attack. 

You can ask your companion to get you Aspirin if you are with someone. If you take Aspirin at the onset of the symptoms, it will enable you to prevent further clotting of blood because it is a blood thinner. Your companion can then call the emergency response team or rush you to the nearest hospital.

• What Happens in the Hospital?

The cardiologist will establish the diagnosis by conducting an electrocardiogram and blood work tests. The electrocardiogram evaluates how your heart produces electrical pulses. If you are experiencing a heart attack, the electrocardiogram will show a deviation of the heart impulses. The ECG is a powerful test because it also tells the cardiologist whether you have previously experienced a heart attack. The blood tests will evaluate whether enzymes related to a blocked heart are in the blood.

• Treatments

Since a heart attack is a life-threatening condition, the tests and the treatment occurs within a brief period. The cardiologists will perform a minimally invasive procedure such as a coronary stent, which involves running a catheter to the affected artery. At the catheter’s end is a balloon that the cardiologist inflates to unclog the artery and insert a stent to keep the artery open. Also, if the cardiologist establishes that your heart is weak after the attack, you will get Impella, a small pump. After treatment, you will require health education and clinics as advised by the cardiologist.

If you are looking for the best cardiologist to take care of your heart, you will find one at the Heart and Vascular Care facility. You will get the best-personalized preventative and curative services from the best cardiologists. You can consult online and book an appointment today.