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Signs, Symptoms and Treatment of Ovarian Cysts by Lauren VonOehsen
There are multiple different kinds of benign (non cancerous) ovarian cysts. Two of the most common include follicle cysts and corpus luteum cysts. A follicular cyst forms when a woman is on or near her menstrual cycle. The egg does not burst out of its follicle to travel down the fallopian tube and is not released, resulting in a cyst growing on the ovary. A corpus luteum cyst occurs also when a woman is on or near her menstrual cycle. This specific cyst forms when the opening for the egg to travel to the fallopian tube is closed off and fluid accumulates within the follicle, causing a cyst within the ovary. Other cysts that are usually benign but sometimes cancerous and not related to the menstrual cycle are dermoid cysts, cystadenomas, and endometriomas. These cysts develop due to growth of different types of tissues and produce a liquid substance forming the cyst inside or on the ovary. In general, most ovarian cysts are not cancerous but a small portion of them can be or can turn into cancerous tumors (ovarian cancer) and the risk for ovarian cancer increases with age.
There are few signs and symptoms of suffering from an ovarian cyst, especially because most are smaller and don’t give off pain or are felt. The few symptoms that would indicate a woman having one would be lower abdominal pain, pressure, or swelling and sensitivity. If an ovarian cyst ruptures that is when it is felt the most, causing severe sharp pain and needing medical attention. Also, it is possible for a cyst to be twisted around an ovary, fallopian tube, or any other anatomical part of a woman. This would cause dull to severe pain and even nausea and vomiting from anywhere to weeks or months. If any of these symptoms or signs are suspected contact your OBGYN immediately.
To identify a cyst an ultrasound is performed to help examine how big, what kind, the shape, and so on. A pregnancy test is also taken to rule out the chance of pregnancy and sometimes blood tests are done. If a cyst does not go away on its own within a month or so, a doctor may prescribe a pill to help move along the process. If that does not help surgery may be required, especially if pain occurs. Ovarian cysts can be removed through laparoscopy surgery, which is performed by making two small incisions below the underwear line and sucking the fluid out of the cyst, removing the cyst, as well as the surrounding tissue. Laparoscopic surgery is usually done with smaller cysts and takes about an hour to perform. The other surgery performed to remove larger cysts is called laparotomy surgery. The abdomen is cut open to remove the cyst and surrounding tissue, and if needed the whole uterus.
Unfortunately, there is nothing a woman can do to prevent an ovarian cyst from occurring but birth control is a common method to help prevent. A popular question that is often asked is if ovarian cysts are genetic but there is no official word on if they are. I have had a firsthand experience with ovarian cysts, specifically endometriomas, which caused me to research this. I had a grapefruit size cyst wrapped around my fallopian tube, which caused me to be in pain for several months and finally had surgery to remove it. My mom has also suffered from large ovarian cysts as well as my great- grandma; for this reason I suspect that ovarian cysts may be genetic, but I do not know for sure. I hope this paper can help and inform others on ovarian cysts and what they all entail. It is not a pleasant thing to go through, especially if it is felt but with the right precautions and doctors, it can be fixed!
References:
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ovarian-cysts/basics/causes/con-20019937
http://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/ovarian-cysts.html
http://www.healthline.com/health/cancer/ovarian-cancer-cysts#Symptoms3
Does Race and Gender Affect Osteoporosis by Ngohile Yakubu
Osteoporosis is the decrease in bone mass due to high bone resorption. People are more likely to have osteoporosis as they age. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), in a 100% population, 10% of women are likely to have Osteoporosis and 2% of men in the same population have Osteoporosis which is a ratio of 1:5. Osteoporosis can affect anyone, but there are some natural factors that are associated with the disease that cannot be reversed as they are linked to the lifespan and background of an individual.
- Age- as an individual ages, chances of osteoporosis also increase. in women, the peak of bone mass is usually 20-30 years. At 30 years, women are likely to start experiencing symptom of osteoporosis such as lower, hip fracture etc. these symptoms are not necessary osteoporosis but in most cases are related to the disease. Osteoporosis in older women starts at 50years and above while in men, they may experience osteoporosis starting at 70years and above as well.
- Race and body size-osteoporosis is mostly common among white/Asian women (mayo clinic). More white and Asian women have less body/ bone mass and are more prone to osteoporosis.
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- Genetic traits- Osteoporosis might run in the family. For people whose biological family members have recently suffered a hip fracture and is diagnosed with osteoporosis should check with the doctor because it could be genetic and their chances of suffering from osteoporosis are increased.
- Sex- Osteoporosis is more common in women than in men. Women experience a decrease in their estrogen levels at an earlier age than men, as they age and that increases their chances of having osteoporosis as well.
Other reversible factors may also lead to osteoporosis. These factors include:
- Prolonged use of medications for chronic illnesses in elderly people may impede the absorption of calcium according to the National Institute for heals for Health. Aluminum- containing medications also decrease the composition of bone if consumed for a long time (NIH).
- Malnutrition or poor diet -people whose diet has less calcium would have lesser bone mass and their chance of osteoporosis is great. Malnutrition might also be as a result of Anorexia, Gastrointestinal surgeries which is decreasing the size of the intestinal organs, can reduce the absorption of calcium into the blood stream.
- Lack of weight-bearing exercise- people who perform less weight-bearing exercise are at a higher risk of getting osteoporosis. Exercise increases the density of bones is also decreases the chances of osteoporosis. People who perform less or no exercise are very prone to the disease.
Symptoms such as chronic back pain, a sudden decrease in height, hip fractures and vertebra injuries are sign related with osteoporosis, although it might not necessary be the disease. Anyone experiencing these symptoms needs to consult with the doctor immediately.
Prevention and control of Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a disease does not have a precise treatment but there are strategies used to lower the rate of bone loss and prevent the disease and other common symptoms associated with it.
- Calcium makes two-third of bones and is a very vital component of the body. Consuming the right proportion of calcium will increase bone density and hardness. A normal diet should contain at least 1000mg of calcium per day. Calcium supplements are also a good source of calcium for people who have low calcium absorption through food.
- Exercise is a second necessary routine that helps increase bone mass. Exercises such as weight-lifting, soccer, basketball, running and biking are good for not only increasing the size of bone but also helping you maintain a healthy lifestyle. Exercising at least 30 minutes a day is a great way to strengthen your bones.
- Vitamin D is essential for calcium absorption in the body. A very good source of vitamin D besides milk and other foods is sunlight. Early morning sunlight is warm and a good source of vitamin D. But too much exposure to sunlight can cause skin cancer.
- Avoid clutter in the home which may cause you to trip and fall especially in adult as they are likely to get hurt. Take precaution when climbing the stairs as well.
Reference
“Disease and Conditions: Osteoporosis.” Mayo Clinic. Mayor Clinic Staff, 13 Dec. 2014. Web. 17 Mar. 2015. <http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/osteoporosis/basics/definition/con-20019924>.
“Genomics, Family History & Osteoporosis.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 19 May 2014. Web. 17 Mar. 2015. <http://www.cdc.gov/features/osteoporosis/>.
Office of Public Health Genomics. CDC, 19 May 2014. Web. 17 Mar. 2015.
“Osteoporosis.” – NIH Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases National Resource Center. National Institute of Health, n.d. Web. 17 Mar. 2015. <http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Bone/SGR/surgeon_generals_report.asp>.
“Osteoporosis.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 27 Feb. 2015. Web. 18 Mar. 2015. <http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/osteoporosis.htm>.
Stereotactic Biopsies in Detecting Breast Cancer by Angela Lindner
The first step of a stereotactic biopsy is a standard diagnostic mammogram by a technician. After taking several x-rays of the breasts from different angles, a radiologist will examine the images to check for any irregularities. If the radiologist detects anything suspicious, the patient may be given an ultrasound on the area of suspicion. If those results are still irregular and still suspected to be cancerous, a biopsy may be performed.
In preparation for the biopsy, the patient will undress from the waist up. The breast will be cleansed and injected with numbing medicine so that the patient will experience minimal pain and stress. The patient will then lay face down on a table with a hole that he or she will place their breast inside. The breast will hang through the hole and be compressed by two plates. These plates will keep the breast in place while the doctor makes a superficial incision, which will guide the needle. A vacuum assisted device (VAD) will proceed to insert the biopsy needle into the abnormal area until is reaches the possible cancerous growth. Several samples of tissue will be taken to a laboratory where a pathologist will determine whether or not the growth is benign or malignant.
After the tissue is collected from the patient, the doctor may insert a small metal clip into the incision, just in case further surgery is needed. These clips are used to mark the breast for a surgical biopsy, if it is needed. Pressure and ice will be applied to the breast to prevent any further bleeding and swelling, and the incision will be closed with adhesive strips. The patient may then return home and wait for the results of the samples, which will determine whether or not he or she will need to return for further action.
If the tissue is found to be cancerous by the pathologist, there are many possibilities of what kind of breast cancer is present. These could be invasive cancers like Invasiveductal carcinoma (IDC). IDC is when cancer cells start to grow in the milk ducts of the breast, further spreading to the rest of the fatty breast tissue and then the bloodstream. But there is also a possibility of the tissue being found non-cancerous. Non-cancerous lumps such as the benign lumps called adenofibroma can either be removed by lumpectomy, or left in the breast to be checked up on later.
Thanks to procedures like stereotactic breast biopsies, more and more men and women are given a better chance of survival and a longer life. Like anything, this procedure is not perfect. There is constant research that is being put into discovering even more effective methods of breast cancer detection and treatment.
References:
http://www.webmd.com/breast-cancer/guide/invasive-breast-cancer
http://www.healthline.com/health/breast-biopsy-stereotactic#Results7
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/007433.htm
http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/understand_bc/statistics
http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=breastbixr
http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/breast-biopsy/basics/what-you-can-expect/prc-20020395