BLADDER STONES CAUSES AND DIAGNOSIS

Bladder stones are small mineral masses that develop in the bladder, usually when the urine becomes concentrated. Urolithiasis refers to stones in any part of the urinary tract, including the kidneys, bladder or urethra. The stones can be called calculi. Spinal cord injuries that result in urinary incontinence, an enlarged prostate, or recurring urinary tract infections are common causes of concentrated and stagnant urine. If urine remains too long in the bladder, urine chemicals start clumping together, forming crystals which grow and eventually develop into bladder stones.

Bladder stones used to be much more common in the UK, USA and other developed countries, when people's diets lacked a good balance of carbohydrates and proteins. Today, however, most patients in industrialized nations with bladder stones have an underlying bladder problem.

Sometimes, patients with bladder stones first know about it after tests for other problems reveal them - they may exist without any symptoms. Signs and symptoms of bladder stones may include abdominal pain, pain when urinating, or blood in urine.

A tiny bladder stone may pass out of the body on its own. However, larger ones require medical intervention to get them out. Untreated bladder stones can eventually result in infections and complications.

CAUSES

Bladder stones generally begin when your bladder doesn't empty completely. The urine that's left in your bladder can form crystals that eventually become bladder stones. In most cases, an underlying condition affects your bladder's ability to empty completely.

THE MOST COMMON CONDITIONS THAT CAUSE BLADDER STONES INCLUDE:

Prostate Gland Enlargement: An enlarged prostate, or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), can cause bladder stones in men. As the prostate enlarges, it can compress the urethra and interrupt urine flow, causing urine to remain in your bladder.

DAMAGED NERVES (neurogenic bladder): Normally, nerves carry messages from your brain to your bladder muscles, directing your bladder muscles to tighten or release. If these nerves are damaged — from a stroke, spinal cord injury or other health problem — your bladder may not empty completely.
Other conditions that can cause bladder stones include:

Inflammation: Bladder stones can develop if your bladder becomes inflamed. Urinary tract infections and radiation therapy to your pelvic area can both cause bladder inflammation.

Medical devices: Occasionally, bladder catheters — slender tubes inserted through the urethra to help urine drain from your bladder — can cause bladder stones. So can objects that accidentally migrate to your bladder, such as a contraceptive device or stent. Mineral crystals, which later become stones, tend to form on the surface of these devices.

Kidney Stones: Stones that form in your kidneys are not the same as bladder stones. They develop in different ways and often for different reasons. But small kidney stones occasionally travel down the urethras into your bladder and, if not expelled, can grow into bladder stones.

DIAGNOSING BLADDER STONES

A GP (general practitioner, primary care physician), often the first health care professional the sufferer will go to, will interview the patient and carry out a physical exam. The doctor will feel the lower abdomen to determine whether there is any bladder distention (swelling). If the individual is male a rectal exam may be done, to check the size of the prostate.

If the GP suspects there may be bladder stones, the patient will be referred to a hospital for tests, which may include:

Urine test (urinalysis) - a urine sample is examined for blood, bacteria and crystallization of minerals.

Cystoscopy - a cystoscope, a slender tube with a tiny camera at the end is inserted through the urethra and into the bladder. Water flows through the cystoscope into the bladder, filling it up. This stretches the bladder wall so that the doctor can see the inside of it more clearly. With a cystoscope the doctor can determine whether there are any bladder stones, how many there are, what they are like, and where exactly they all are.

Spiral CT (computerized tomography) scan - the CT scanner uses digital geometry processing to generate a 3-dimensional (3-D) image of the inside of an object. The 3-D image is made after many 2-dimensional (2-D) X-ray images are taken around a single axis of rotation - in other words, many pictures of the same area are taken from many angles and then placed together to produce a 3-D image. It is a painless procedure. A spiral CT scans more rapidly and with greater definition - even tiny stones can be detected. This is considered the most sensitive test for detecting all types of bladder stones.

Ultrasound scan - this device uses ultrasound waves which bounce off tissues; the echoes are converted into a sonogram (an image) which the doctor can see on a monitor. The doctor can get an inside view of soft tissues and body cavities; which in this case would be the bladder and inside the bladder.

X-ray - may be used to determine whether there are stones anywhere in the urinary system, including the kidneys, ureters and bladder. X-rays may not detect all types of stones.

Intravenous pyelogram (intravenous urogram) - a dye is injected into a vein in the arm. The dye flows into the kidneys, ureters and bladder, which are revealed in X-ray images. Several X-rays are taken, at specific points in time.

WHAT ARE THE TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR BLADDER STONES?

Bladder stones should not remain in the bladder. Small ones may usually be flushed out by drinking more water - at least 6 to 8 glasses (1.2 liters) of water a day. Patients should be guided by what their doctor tells them.

If the bladder stone is too large to be flushed out on its own, the doctor may need to remove it through surgery.

WHY WOMEN GAIN WEIGHT AFTER MARRIAGE

It's becoming a norm for a woman to gain weight after marriage.
She used to be very slim, and her friends used to call her lepa (a slim person). In fact, the maximum weight she recorded before she got married was 35kg, even at 32 years, and by hereditary, she didn’t look like someone who would likely grow fat because her parents and siblings had similar stature and outlook. But, soon after she got married, the story changed.

To the amazement of many, someone who used to be like a broomstick is now robust. Not only did she add weight, it became so obvious that some people thought she might have taken some pills, and anyone who never knew her would easily assume that she has always been fat.

This story is similar to what many newlyweds experience, especially women. Apart from the attendant weight addition that comes with pregnancy, studies have shown that women, more than men, are likely to experience weight gain after wedding.

The question then is "why do women add more weight after wedding?" There have been many explanations for this, ranging from change in lifestyle, feeding habits and other factors, while some people also argue that semen deposit, occasioned by increased sexual intercourse, could make the woman add weight. The proponents of the latter theory argue that there are certain ingredients in the sperm that could make a woman add weight.

But, in a study by the Ohio State University in the United States, the researchers, who sought to know whether marital change (marriage and divorce) have any effect on weight gain, examined about 10,000 men and women aged between 14 and 22 between 1986 and 2008, to measure their weight gain in the two years after their marriage or divorce.

The participants were asked to comment about their health and noticeable weight changes yearly between the time they got married and about two years after marriage.

The examining showed that women are more likely to put on weight after marriage, while men are more likely to add weight after a divorce. Suprised?  The researchers explained that there is an established relationship between weight and life events.

It was discovered that apart from lifestyle, habits, diet and physical activity, women tend to have less time to exercise so as to keep fit, whilst eating well. They found out that women tend to focus on taking care of their husbands than focussing on themselves, noting that men who are divorcees tend to add more weight largely because of their lifestyle.

The researchers, sociology professor, Zhenchao Qian, and his doctoral student, Dmitry Tumin, said, “Clearly, the effect of marital transitions on weight changes differs by gender. Divorces for men and, to some extent, marriages for women promote weight gains that may be large enough to pose a health risk if unchecked.

“Women may tend to eat more and exercise less after getting married because of the stress of starting a family and maintaining a household, coupled with the more duties they have around the house than men, which also deprive them of time to exercise.

“Marital transitions have an impact on people. There is a shock to these events, and our research shows that men and women deal with them differently. While women are more likely to add weight after marriage, men are more likely to add weight after a divorce because, for example, the wife who forces him to eat green food and helps him to stay off some drinks, is no longer there, giving room for unguided living and feeding style.

“For women in the mid-20s, there is not much of a difference in the probability of gaining weight between someone who just got married and someone who has not married. But later in life, there is much more of a difference. Thus, we found the effects to be strongest among those who were 30 or older at the time they married or divorced.

The researchers found that women are likely to be fatter after marriage because they tend to care less about their appearance unlike when they didn’t have a husband. They note that once women find their kind of man and they end up being married, the motivating factor for keeping in shape tends to drop.

A marriage educator and management consultant, Patty Newbold, on quora.com, observed that many women enjoy cooking for their mates and that they are more likely to eat more than they did before they got married.

Dr. Asha Jain a gynaecologist says when people get married, the comfort of being in a relationship and the associated sense of security make people to add weight. She advises that newlyweds who do not want to add weight after marriage to exercise regularly and maintain a healthy diet.

Commenting on the study, a medical practitioner, Dr. Rotimi Adesanya, notes that though there is no basic medical explanation for the weight gain after wedding, it could be attributed to the settled state of mind at that point in time.

“It is believed that once there is peace, the body tends to work well, and even those who don’t eat much ordinarily are likely to eat more, which is also applicable to men, and in the process, adding weight. But, there is no medical explanation that sexual intercourse or semen has a role to play in the weight gain,” he said.

Also, a consultant endocrinologist, Dr. Michael Olamoyegun, explained that for both men and women, weight gain sometimes come with age even though it tends to go down again, say after 50 years of age.

He added, “Beyond that, most of the hormones responsible for pregnancy are anabolic (associated with weight gain) in nature. So, when they get pregnant, they add weight and most people don’t lose that weight even after pregnancy. Also, some women in this part of the world see weight gain as a sign of affluence.”

He also said that there is no scientific explanation to support the claim that sex or semen could make a woman add weight. He added, “There are no studies to show that, and they are not related. The number of times a woman has sex has nothing to do with her weight. As an expert, I can tell you that there is nothing in sperm that could make a woman add weight.”

To most women, marriage is like a war. They take years preparing for it (keeping fit), immediately the wedding is gone, it could be like winning a war, coupled with the relaxation that comes with being victorious. It’s a time of relaxation, because all the fears and energy-sapping thoughts associated with getting a husband and wedding would have gone, which make them relaxed and put on weight.

Watch yourself, your body is all you have after all. Take care of it and stay in shape.

SALT AND YOUR HEALTH.

Sodium chloride, or table salt, supplies the electrolyte sodium to your diet. This mineral is essential for maintaining fluid balance within your cells, for contracting your muscles and for transmitting nerve impulses. It also plays a critical role in helping your digestive system absorb nutrients. Although you need a significant intake of sodium each day – up to 1,500 milligrams, or the amount contained in 3 grams of salt – most Americans consume far more than this, and ingesting too much salt can lead to adverse side effects.
It is a misconception that sea salt has a lower sodium content than table salt — they are both almost entirely sodium

WATER RETENTION

Sodium is concentrated on the outside of your cells, in contrast with potassium, which exists predominantly inside your cells. The amount of sodium in the extracellular fluid helps determine the amount of water your body retains. If your sodium intake is high, your kidneys cut back on releasing water into your urine so you can balance out the excess sodium surrounding your cells. This results in an increased blood volume due to water retention. Symptoms include edema, or swelling, in various parts of your body.

DEHYDRATION

Water retention can occur with high sodium intake when you are well hydrated; if you are not, however, or if you have a disorder or take medication that causes you to excrete too much water into your urine, you may experience dehydration. In this case, the extra sodium you consume still needs water to balance it out, but without sufficient water in your diet, your body may pull water from within your cells. You may then experience extreme thirst, nausea, dizziness, stomach cramps, vomiting and diarrhea as your system is unable to rid itself of excess sodium.

HYPERTENSION

Related to its role in maintaining blood volume, sodium can also affect blood pressure. Hormones act on your kidneys to help regulate how much sodium and water they excrete into urine. The higher the sodium level in your blood, the higher your blood volume, because your kidneys excrete less water in order to dilute the sodium in your blood. The increase in blood volume, in turn, raises blood pressure. Ingesting too much sodium, especially over long periods of time, can lead to a chronic increase in blood pressure as your body continually battles to maintain water balance. In addition, long-term overconsumption of sodium can damage the walls of your blood vessels and predispose you to developing high blood pressure, or hypertension.

CONSIDERATIONS

Consuming too much sodium in the presence of other disorders or dietary factors might increase your risk of stomach cancer, kidney stones or osteoporosis. Chronic high salt intake can damage the lining of your stomach, making it more susceptible to infection by Helicobacter pylori, a bacterium that can cause inflammation and lead to tumor growth. In addition, consuming excess salt can increase the amount of calcium you excrete in urine and may contribute to the development of kidney stones. This effect is also related to osteoporosis, as your body may leach calcium from your bones to make up for that lost in your urine.
Take your time and read the labels on your packaged foods, this will help you on knowing the amount of salt.

DO YOU KNOW ABOUT HERPES SIMPLEX VIRUS (HSV)?

WHAT IS HERPES SIMPLEX?
The herpes simplex virus, also known as HSV, is an infection that causes herpes. Herpes can appear in various parts of the body, most commonly on the genitals or mouth. There are two types of the herpes simplex virus. HSV-1, also known as oral herpes, can cause cold sores and fever blisters around the mouth and on the face. HSV-2 is generally responsible for genital herpes outbreaks.

WHAT CAUSES HERPES SIMPLEX?
The herpes simplex virus is a contagious virus that can be passed from person to person through direct contact. Children will often contract HSV-1 from early contact with an infected adult. They then carry the virus with them for the rest of their life.

Infection with HSV-1 can happen from general interactions such as eating from the same utensils, sharing lip balm, or kissing. The virus spreads more quickly when an infected person is experiencing an outbreak. Additionally, it is possible to get genital herpes from HSV-1 if the individual has had cold sores and performed sexual activities during that time.

HSV-2 is contracted through forms of sexual contact with a person who has HSV-2. It is estimated that around 20 percent of sexually active adults within the United States have been infected with HSV-2, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). (AAD) While HSV-2 infections are spread by coming into contact with a herpes sore, the AAD reports that most people get HSV-1 from an infected person who is asymptomatic, or does not have sores.

WHO IS AT RISK OF DEVELOPING HERPES SIMPLEX INFECTIONS?

Anyone can be infected with HSV, regardless of age. Your risk is determined almost entirely based on exposure to the infection.

In cases of sexually transmitted HSV, people are more at risk when they participate in risky sexual behavior without the use of protection, such as condoms. Other risk factors for HSV-2 include:

having multiple sex partners
being female
having another sexually transmitted infection (STI)
having a weakened immune system
If a mother is having an outbreak of genital herpes at the time of childbirth, it can expose the baby to both types of HSV, and may put them at risk for serious complications.

RECOGNIZING THE SIGNS OF HERPES SIMPLEX
It is important to understand that although someone may not have visible sores or symptoms, they may still be infected by the virus and may transmit the virus to others. Some of the symptoms associated with this virus include:

blistering sores (in the mouth or on the genitals)
pain during urination (genital herpes)
itching
Additionally, you may experience many symptoms that are similar to the flu. These symptoms can include fever, swollen lymph nodes, headaches, tiredness, and lack of appetite. HSV can also spread to the eyes, causing a condition called herpes keratitis. This can cause symptoms such as eye pain, discharge, and a gritty feeling in the eye.

HOW IS HERPES SIMPLEX  DIAGNOSED?

This type of virus is generally diagnosed with a physical exam. Your doctor may check your body for sores and ask you about some of your current symptoms. Your doctor may also request HSV testing, also known as a herpes culture, to confirm the diagnosis if you have sores on your genitals. During this test, your doctor will take a swab sample of fluid from the sore and then send it to a laboratory for testing.

Blood tests looking for antibodies to HSV-1 and HSV-2 may also be used to diagnose these infections. This is especially helpful when there are no sores present.

HOW IS HERPES SIMPLEX TREATED?
There is currently no cure for this virus. Treatment focuses on getting rid of sores and limiting outbreaks.

It is possible that your sores will disappear without treatment. However, your doctor may determine that you need one or more of the following medications:

acyclovir
famciclovir
valacyclovir
These medications can help infected individuals reduce the risk of spreading the virus to other people. The medications also help to lower the intensity and frequency of outbreaks. These medications may come in oral (pill) form, or may be applied as a cream. For severe outbreaks, these medications may also be administered by injection.

THE LONG-TERM OUTLOOK FOR HERPES SIMPLEX.
People who become infected with HSV will have the virus for the rest of their lives. Even if it does not manifest symptoms, the virus will continue to live in an infected person’s nerve cells. Some people may experience regular outbreaks. Others will only experience one outbreak after they have been infected, after which the virus may become dormant. Even if a virus is dormant, an outbreak can be triggered by certain stimuli, such as:

stress
menstrual periods
fever or illness
sun exposure or sunburn
It is believed that the outbreaks may become less intense over time because the body starts creating antibodies. If a generally healthy individual has been infected with the virus, there are usually no complications.

PREVENTING THE SPREAD
Although there is no cure for herpes, you can take precautionary measures to avoid becoming infected, or to prevent spreading HSV to another person.

If you are experiencing an outbreak of HSV-1, try to avoid direct physical contact with other people. Do not share any items that can pass the virus around, such as cups, towels, silverware, clothing, makeup, or lip balm. Doctors also recommend that infected individuals should not participate in oral sex, kissing, or any other type of sexual activity, during an outbreak. Additionally, if your hands have come into contact with your sores, you should wash them thoroughly and apply medication with cotton swabs to reduce contact.

Individuals with HSV-2 should avoid any type of sexual activity with other people during an outbreak. If the individual is not experiencing symptoms but has previously been diagnosed with the virus, a condom should be used during intercourse. Although a condom may be used, it may still be possible to pass herpes to your partner from uncovered skin. Women who are pregnant and infected may have to take medicine to prevent the virus from infecting their unborn child.