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Surgical Experts Dedicated to Improving Lives
At Lenox Hill Surgeons, our dedicated team of nyc surgeons and medical professionals provide compassionate care with the highest ethical & professional standards. In our state of the art facility, we offer surgical services using only the most cutting edge and current procedures and treatments.We specialize in general surgery, including extensive experience in performing hernia repair surgery. Our expertise is in minimally invasive surgery and robotic surgery. Minimally invasive and robotic surgery often allow patients to experience easier recovery than traditional open surgery. They also allow for more precise and less traumatic surgery. When robotic and minimally invasive surgery is not an option, we are also skilled and experienced in traditional open surgical procedures.
All of our doctors are experienced and skilled surgeons having undergone extensive training in school, residency and fellowships. They all practice medicine with ethical behavior, compassion and superb bedside manner. In the operating room they all exhibit precise mechanical abilities, analytical thinking and the ability to visualize tissue in three dimensions. These innate and learned skills allow our surgeons to be some of the most dexterous and skilled professionals in all of New York City and the Country.
Call us: 646-846-1136
Recent Awards
We are honored and deeply appreciative to have consistently received prestigious awards and recognition year after year, establishing us as one of New York’s foremost hospitals for a wide range of general surgeries, safety measures, specialized procedures, and overall excellence in healthcare. At Lenox Hill Surgeons, our unwavering commitment lies in delivering exceptional care and unwavering support to our patients, guaranteeing their safety and successful recovery throughout their entire surgical experience.
Hospital Quality Awards
America’s 50 Best Hospitals Award™ (2023, 2022)
Top 1% in the nation for providing the highest clinical quality year over year.
America’s 100 Best Hospitals Award™ (2021)
Top 2% in the nation for consistently delivering clinical quality year over year.
America’s 250 Best Hospitals Award™ (2023, 2022, 2021)
Top 5% in the nation for consistently delivering clinical quality.
Patient Safety Excellence Award™ (2023, 2022)
Top in the nation for providing excellence in patient safety by preventing infections, medical errors, and other preventable complications.
Specialty Clinical Quality Awards
America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Cardiac Care Award™ (2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019)
Superior clinical outcomes in heart bypass surgery, coronary interventional procedures, heart attack treatment, heart failure treatment, and heart valve surgery.
America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Coronary Intervention Award™ (2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019)
Superior clinical outcomes in coronary intervention procedures (angioplasty with stent).
America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Prostate Surgery Award™ (2023, 2022, 2021)
Superior clinical outcomes in prostate removal surgery and transurethral resection of the prostate.
Click to see all of our Healthgrades best doctors awards
Visit our main website at www.LenoxHillSurgeons.com
Blog Posts are Below:
Hernia Repair Surgery – NYC Surgeon
Hernia Repair Surgery: Steps, Benefits, Side-Effects, Precautions & Prognosis
Hernia repair surgery entails the application of instrumental and manual procedures for correcting herniation of tissues or viscera including groin, abdomen, brain, and diaphragm. Internal organs, composed of tissues, could get herniated or bulged, forcing them to protrude via the wall encasing them. Hernias involving the groin (an inguinal hernia) and the umbilical cord (an umbilical hernia) are two of the most prevalent forms of a hernia.
Since a hernia does not heal on its own but rather expands over time, it is crucial that you opt for surgical treatment to avoid unnecessary/preventable complications in the long run. Hernia surgery, usually performed on an outpatient basis, is a moderately simple operation that can help remedy the organ’s bulging and restore it to its original position.
Steps
Two of the most popular types of hernia repair surgery is ‘herniorrhaphy’ and ‘hernioplasty’. Herniorrhaphy-the traditional hernia repair technique-is still conducted extensively where the surgeon makes a wide and long notch over the herniated organ. Thereafter, the physician removes the protrusion and reinstates the dislodged organ or tissues to its actual site.
Finally, the doctor sutures the hole in the muscle via which the protuberance developed, sterilizes the incision, and sews it up. Hernioplasty is very much similar to herniorrhaphy procedurally excepting that in the final step, the surgeon overlays a sterile mesh (produced from animal tissues or polypropylene) on the muscular notch rather than suturing it. The nature or type of your herniation will determine the mode of repair surgery you’ll need to opt for.
Strangulated, reducible, and irreducible hernias are the three most widespread kinds of hernias. Both of the aforementioned surgical operation procedures can be carried out using a laparoscope or via open surgery.
Benefits
Both hernioplasty and herniorrhaphy are straightforward and uncomplicated surgical repair processes that take about 30-40 minutes to complete. You won’t feel any pain as the surgery will be done using either local or general anesthesia. Majority of patients are discharged from the hospital or medical center on the very day the laparoscopic surgery is performed. The usual benefits of the laparoscopic repair operation include:-
- Very short duration of stay
- Faster healing
- Reduced pain post surgery
- Quicker return to normal life
- Minimal costs (including all the expense heads)
- Lower risks of infection
Side Effects
The side effects of this type of surgery, most of which are rare, involve:-
- Swelling and redness around the incision or opening
- Blood clot
- Mesh pain
- Urinary tract infection
- Urinary incontinence
- Infection
- Difficulty urinating
- Hernia recurrence
- Neuralgia or nerve damage
- Constipation
- Kidney failure or complications
- Breathing problems or pneumonia
Precautions
You must abide by the surgeon’s instructions once you return home (which are usually on the same day the surgery is carried out) for a speedy recovery. Take all the prescribed medications on time, including the anti-inflammatory drugs for minimizing the possibilities of incision swelling. Contact your surgeon instantly if you’ve recurrent spells of fever, coughs, chills, nausea, abdominal swelling, bleeding as well as experience difficulty in urinating. Make sure you get sufficient rest for at least two weeks following the operation so that you can get back to work at the earliest.
Prognosis
Most hernia surgeries are effective, enabling patients to recover fully within 4-6 weeks. A typical person who has undergone hernia repair surgery can resume normal activities 2 weeks after the procedure.
Concluding Remarks
Opting for a surgical procedure for remedying a hernia is highly recommended not only for avoiding complications which could take a fatal turn (though very rare) but also for going back to leading a normal life. You can make an appointment with our general surgeon for a detailed, one-to-one consultation.
References
- http://www.medtronic.com/us-en/patients/treatments-therapies/hernia-surgery/about-recovery.html
- https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/inguinal-hernia#1
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319753.php
- https://www.highgatehospital.co.uk/things-you-need-to-know-hernia-operation/
- https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/need-surgery-hernia#1
- http://columbiasurgery.org/news/2014/04/15/hernias-what-you-need-know
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hernia_repair
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/6905-laparoscopic-surgery-for-hernia-repair/risks–benefits
General Surgery
Here are some brief descriptions about the different types of general surgery we perform:
Laparoscopic surgery
This is a relatively new specialty dealing with minimal access techniques using cameras and small instruments inserted through 0.3 to 1 cm incisions. Robotic surgery is now evolving from this concept (see below). Gallbladders, appendices, and colons can all be removed with this technique. Hernias are now repaired mostly laparoscopically. Most bariatric surgery is performed laparoscopically.[citation needed] General surgeons that are trained today are expected to be proficient in laparoscopic procedures.
Colorectal surgery
General surgeons treat a wide variety of major and minor colon and rectal diseases including inflammatory bowel diseases (such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease), diverticulitis, colon and rectal cancer, gastrointestinal bleeding and hemorrhoids.
Endocrine surgery
General surgeons are trained to remove all or part of the thyroid and parathyroid glands in the neck and the adrenal glands just above each kidney in the abdomen. In many communities, they are the only surgeon trained to do this. In communities that have a number of subspecialists, other subspecialty surgeons may assume responsibility for these procedures.
Surgical oncology
Surgical oncologist refers to a general surgical oncologist (a specialty of a general surgeon), but thoracic surgical oncologists, gynecologist and so forth can all be considered surgeons who specialize in treating cancer patients. The importance of training surgeons who sub-specialize in cancer surgery lies in evidence, supported by a number of clinical trials, that outcomes in surgical cancer care are positively associated to surgeon volume—i.e., the more cancer cases a surgeon treats, the more proficient he or she becomes, and his or her patients experience improved survival rates as a result. This is another controversial point, but it is generally accepted—even as common sense—that a surgeon who performs a given operation more often, will achieve superior results when compared with a surgeon who rarely performs the same procedure. This is particularly true of complex cancer resections such as pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic cancer, and gastrectomy with extended (D2) lymphadenectomy for gastric cancer. Surgical oncology is generally a 2 year fellowship following completion of a general surgery residency (5-7 years).
Contact us at 646-846-1136 to schedule an appointment.
Types of Hernias: Ventral Hernia
What is a ventral hernia? Hernias can occur in any part of your body. Each different type of hernia gets its name depending on where it occurs. In its true nature, a hernia refers to a condition in which the internal muscle tissue weakens or becomes thin. In this case, the abdominal or whichever muscle cavity resting on that body protrudes outwards since the muscle is no longer holding it in place.
What is a Ventral Hernia?
A ventral hernia is a condition that occurs in the abdominal areas. It is just like any other abdominal hernia. Instead, it consists of a bulge of tissues pushing out from an opening of a weak muscular wall or scar tissue. This type of hernia can occur in any part of the stomach region.
People call abdominal hernias incisional hernia when it occurs on the healed incisions of past surgery. In this case, the abdominal regions tend to weaken because of the surgical incisions on the stomach. Due to this, the stomach tissues can bulge outwards and cause a lump in the area where the surgeons performed incisions.
Ventral Hernias can also become life-threatening due to strangulation. When a ventral hernia is strangulated, the blood stops entering into the protruding tissues. This is a serious sign of worry for the patient. In this scenario, the patients require urgent treatment in the form of surgery. Plus, in the case of strangulated ventral hernia, you cannot push it back because it gets stuck to the abdominal wall opening.
Causes
The most frequent cause of the ventral hernia is a post-surgical muscle weakening. After abdominal surgery, the incisions on your stomach tend to make your muscle linings weaker. Most of the time, people start to develop scar tissue in the abdominal region where the incisions took place. Scar tissue usually thins down the muscle wall, keeping a person open to the risks of ventral hernia.
Therefore, there is a high chance that a ventral hernia occurs in the exact region around the scar tissues. Other times, a ventral hernia may also occur due to hereditary reasons and as a symptom of adulthood. Nevertheless, there is no primary cause of a ventral hernia.
Symptoms
Symptoms of a ventral hernia vary to a great extent. They range not only in types but also the severity. It is also entirely possible that one does not feel any symptoms at all apart from the lump on the abdomen area. Furthermore, serious symptoms of the ventral hernia may take about weeks or months to appear.
Other symptoms include pain, discomfort, nausea, and even vomiting. These symptoms may take longer to show. Therefore, you must not keep waiting until you get a diagnosis and go instantly to a physician in the early stages of the hernia. Prolonging the condition will only make it worse and may lead to other complications.
The pain in the abdomen region also varies from person to person. If you have mild pain in the hernia, do not take that lightly, as the intensity of the pain may increase if you leave the hernia unchecked. Strangulation is a serious complication that can result over time.
Risks
The risk factors of ventral hernias are many. However, most patients become victim to a gene default, and hereditary reasons stand out amongst the rest. You need to take extra precautions if hernia is a common medical issue in your family.
These precautions include avoiding activities that put strain and stress on your abdomen. For instance, heavy lifting puts the most tension on your abdomen. Therefore, a person susceptible to a hernia should avoid it at all costs.
Other activities involve excessive smoking. It not only disrupts your gut health and causes it to weaken but also causes you to cough persistently. Coughing, sneezing, and laughing can also cause the hernia to occur.
Diagnosis
The most obvious diagnosis for the ventral hernia is to look for lumps in the abdomen region. Other times, a physician will also consider imaging tests such as abdominal ultrasound, CT scan, and MRI scan. These tests ultimately confirm the presence of the ventral hernia inside your abdomen.
Treatment
There are many treatment options available for the ventral hernia condition. The treatment depends on the severity of the condition. In cases of strangulation, the doctor will recommend the patient to a hernia repair surgeon. If an individual has an acute case of hernia, the doctor can physically push the hernia back into the stomach lining and prescribe over-the-counter medicines and rest for recovery.
Ventral Hernia: To Conclude
Abdominal issues are very complicated and require the expertise of experienced doctors for treatment. If you are looking for professional surgeons that specialize in hernia treatments, visit us at Lenox Hill Surgeons in New York. Our state of the art facilities offers incredible surgical services and the best minimally invasive surgeries. Visit our main website or call us at 646-846-1136.
Types of Hernias: Inguinal Hernia
An Inguinal Hernia is a condition in which one spot of the abdominal muscle weakens, and this causes muscle tissue to protrude outwards, causing a bulge. Therefore, you can call this hernia a protrusion bulge as well. It is the projection of an organ through the muscle tissues that make up the body wall. Mostly, an Inguinal Hernia encompasses the projection of a particular part of an organ instead. Hernias can be either external or internal in classification.
What is Inguinal Hernia?
An Inguinal Hernia is a type of external hernia that occurs around the intestine and bladder region. Other people refer to this region as the groin area in the body. This type of hernia is the most common amongst other hernias. About 96 percent of hernia patients suffer from inguinal hernias.
In this type of hernia, the inguinal canals in the abdomens tend to weaken. This weakness is mostly a natural occurrence, while other times, it occurs due to excessive abdominal strain. Therefore, this weakening of the inguinal tissue causes intestinal tissue to protrude through and cause a lump in either the left or right side of the groin. This area makes up the base of the abdomen, just below the waistline.
Both men and women have inguinal canals and can suffer from inguinal hernia. A protruding bulge around this area is a clear indication that you are suffering from this condition. Many people tend to overlook this sign and leave it unnoticed. This is a highly dangerous circumstance, as leaving the bulge untreated for a long time can lead to further protrusion and serious conditions.
Types of Inguinal Hernias
There are four types of inguinal hernias, indirect, direct, incarcerated, and strangulated. Each type of inguinal hernias has differing severity and causes.
Indirect Inguinal Hernia
This is one of the most common types of inguinal hernias. It has an often occurrence amongst premature births. It is also a very common condition between males, even though it happens mostly at birth. You can be subject to it anytime in your life. The closing of the inguinal canal at the time of birth has much to do with this condition.
Direct Inguinal Hernia
The primary cause of direct inguinal hernia is old age. As you get older, the internal and external muscles in your body start to weaken. Therefore, doctors believe that a direct inguinal hernia happens because of the weakening of interior muscle tissues due to old age. This is evident because this type of hernia more commonly occurs in adult men.
Incarcerated Inguinal Hernia
In this situation, a person becomes unable to push back a bulge. This is because the bulging is stuck in the lower groin region and has no space to retrace inside.
Strangulated Inguinal Hernia
This is a critical condition of an inguinal hernia. It requires intensive and immediate medical care, and you need to treat it surgically. In this condition, the blood flow entering the inguinal hernia stops, and you start losing feeling in that specific region.
Symptoms
The most noticeable symptom of the inguinal hernia is the protruding bulge. The lumpy surface of the groin area is a clear indication that you have an inguinal hernia. Furthermore, the inguinal hernia tends to increase in size depending on your abdomen position. When the inguinal hernia worsens, it can lead to other complications such as pain, burning sensation, and even swelling.
Causes/Risk Factors
There is not a particular cause of a hernia that you can single out. Adults and senior citizens that suffer from hernias usually pay the price of lifelong stress on the abdominal region. The accumulated stress on the abdomen area can cause a person to undergo a groin hernia.
Furthermore, an inguinal hernia may also be a hereditary defect in a person. In this case, a person needs to be extra careful while lifting heavy objects. Not to mention, lifting heavy objects from the ground-up is a very common cause of hernias.
People make the mistake of carrying a heavy load without stabilizing their core. This leads to herniated complications in their abdomen. Other risk factors include being male, overweight, premature birth, constipation, and pregnancy.
Diagnosis and Treatment
An external hernia is very simple to diagnose for a physician. A physical examination of the patient shows the doctor a view of the bulging protrusion. By carefully looking at it, a doctor can tell what kind of a hernia it is. If the bulging lump is reducible and acute, your doctor will simply push the protrusion back while you lie down flat. For more serious and painful hernias, surgery will be required.
Prevention
The best way to stay away from the inguinal hernia is to live a healthy lifestyle. This involves frequently exercising so that you can maintain your body weight and strengthen your core. Moreover, you should also keep a good nutrition intake that is full of fiber and proteins. Fiber keeps your gut health in check and prevents you from constipation. It is also advisable to avoid smoking and lifting weights beyond your strength capacity.
Inguinal Hernia Conclusion: Contact Expert General Surgeons
If you or anyone you know is suffering from an inguinal hernia or any other type of hernia, then contact Lenox Hills Surgeons. We provide you with excellent treatment and professional consultation. Call us now on 646-846-1136 to book an appointment or visit our website for more information.
LENOX HILL SURGEONS
155 East 76th Street
Suite 1C
New York, NY 10021
646-846-1136
lenoxhillsurgeons@gmail.com
General Surgery: Colon Cancer
People with colon cancer mostly have to undergo general surgery. It is the primary treatment for people with early stages of colon cancer. Furthermore, there are different types of colon surgeries. The doctors choose to perform between each of the surgery by considering certain factors. These factors involve the severity of cancer, location of the abnormal growth in the colon, and the exact purpose of the surgery.
Polypectomy
Surgeons use this type of colon surgery procedure for patients that are just in the early stages of tumor. In this stage, polyps start to spear in the colon. These polyps are small abnormal growth in the colon that share the size of a mushroom. In hindsight, they look like small bumps or dents in the colon.
Since polyps do not cause sizable disruption, a doctor can simply use a colonoscopy tube to get rid of them. A polypectomy is a procedure in which the doctor inserts a long tube inside a patient and attaches a camera to it. The camera helps the doctor navigate around the colon to look for cancerous polyps.
After the careful spotting of the polyp, the doctor uses a wire to loop around the stem of the polyp and then cut it off with the help of an electric current. This a very careful procedure; the doctor takes plenty of precautions before they can remove the cancerous cavity. Nevertheless, it is relatively easier and less time consuming than other surgeries for colon cancer.
Local Excision
Local excision is another minimally invasive procedure like polypectomy. For procedures such as these, the doctor does not have to make incisions in the stomach. However, this procedure requires slightly more involvement from the professional. The doctor not only removes the cancerous polyps inside the colon but also the surrounding healthy tissues.
This prevents further spread. However, this does not promise the prevention of further growth of cancerous cells. If the doctor believes that the cancer is likely to spread, then they will opt for another procedure, such as Colectomy.
Colectomy
Colectomy is one of the solutions to treat colon cancer. The doctor removes the colon or some parts of the colon in this surgery. The doctor decides whether they will perform a total colectomy or partial colectomy depending on the intensity of the abnormal growth.
Partial Colectomy
In a partial colectomy, surgeons remove one-third or one-fourth of the colon along with some of the lymph nodes so they can check them for cancer. This surgery only removes the portion of the colon that has cancerous growth and then sews the remaining colon together. You can also call this surgery segmental colectomy and hemicolectomy.
Total Colectomy
In a total colectomy, a person undergoes a complete colon removal. The doctor goes for this option when the polyp growth extends beyond control. Furthermore, doctors may also resort to this solution when the person with colon cancer starts having other problems with their colon.
Colostomy
If the doctor is unable to instantly sew the colon together after partial colectomy, then the patient undergoes a colostomy. For this surgery, the doctor attaches a colostomy bag to the colon until the other part of the colon heals. The plastic bag allows the patient to pass stool from the colon since the bag acts as a collective source of the stool. The bag directly attaches to the stoma of the colon; the stoma is the opening of the operated colon.
Colectomy – The Procedure
There are two ways a doctor can perform a colectomy: Open colectomy and laparoscopic-assisted colectomy.
Open Colectomy
For this procedure, the doctor makes a long incision in the abdominal region of the body. Surgeons use a scalpel for this surgery, and it creates an opening into the colon for operation.
Laparoscopic Assisted Colectomy
Unlike open surgery, the surgeons make multiple small incisions and use a laparoscope, along with other tools to perform this operation. The laparoscope is a long and thin tube, having a micro camera and lights at the end of it. This allows surgeons to move around the abdomen with the help of this tool and have clear visibility. In comparison to open colectomy, this procedure is less invasive.
Since the incisions in this procedure are small, the patient recovery time decreases to a significant amount. Thus, a patient does not have to be under bed rest for too long in this surgery. Nevertheless, this is a much more technical procedure because of the use of highly advanced tools. Only surgeons that have the expertise and experience of performing a laparoscopic surgery will offer you the best procedure.
General Surgery Colon Cancer: Consult with Experienced Surgeons
If you want access to professional and expert colon surgery in New York, then head on to Lenox Hill Surgeons. We offer the best surgical services, along with the expertise of surgeons that specialize in colon surgery. Visit our website now, or call us at 646-846-1136 to book an appointment.
Do you Think you May Have a Hernia?
Do you think you may have a hernia? Read on to learn all about what hernias are and how they are caused. Many people classify Hernias into different kinds, Inguinal, Femoral, Incisional, and Umbilical. However, few understand the exact occurrence of the Hernia. You will find most of the hernia occurrences in the abdominal regions of the body. That said, a hernia can also make an appearance in the thighs and groin areas as well. Although most of the hernia conditions are not life-threatening, some can send patients into intensive care.
What is a Hernia?
A Hernia-induced pain is a pressure exerted by an internal organ on the tissue walls that are holding it. Organs tend to show protuberance around muscle linings, and this causes a person to feel intense pressure. If the hernia is abdominal, you may feel intense pain in the stomach, and depending on the severity, you may also need intensive care.
Since a hernia usually causes an organ to put pressure on the tissue or muscle, you can also notice an outward bulge on the stomach area in the case of an abdominal Hernia. Thus, a physician may simply look for an outward bulge for the diagnosis of a hernia.
The most obvious cause of a hernia is the weakening of a muscular wall that is keeping a specific organ in place. When a specific muscular wall is unable to withstand the pressure of an organ, then the organ pushes the wall, causing a lump. This bulging lump may diminish after wishful waiting and lying down. Furthermore, it can also make an appearance after intense coughing.
Common Causes of a Hernia
Ultimately, the only reason an organ will cause a muscle to bend is when a certain muscle is weak. Therefore, weak muscle linings and tissue is the sole cause of a hernia. The weakened spot on the tissue is a birth defect in some cases, while it can also be a cause of certain activities later on in life. Excessively performing any movement that imposes pressure on internal muscle organs is likely to cause a hernia over a long period. The following are some of the activities.
- Straining your abdominal muscles while defecating in the toilet (People who have a bad case of constipation are vulnerable to hernia as well)
- Excessive coughing (Dry coughs usually cause your abdominal muscles to tighten. Thus, repetitive coughing episodes put unnecessary strain on the stomach)
- Persistent sneezing
- Obesity
- Smoking (Smoking causes excessive coughing, and long term smoking can also potentially cause internal damage to abdominal muscles)
- Heavy Lifting (you can run the risk of a hernia when you lift a heavy object from the ground without stabilizing your abdominal core. You must always engage your core before you lift a heavy object from the ground to avoid excessive strain on your muscles.)
- Physical Exertion
Symptoms
In most instances, a hernia will cause a swelling in the particular region. In this circumstance, the hernia poses no immediate danger, and resting will cause it to diminish over time. Other symptoms of acute hernia such as this include pain, discomfort, and excessive strain while walking.
However, some cases are more severe and can lead to other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and even blood in the stool. In these cases, a person needs immediate surgery for the herniated area. In the case of a Hiatal Hernia, the swelling is not present on the surface. The person experiences symptoms such as heartburn, indigestion, chest pain, and difficulty swallowing.
Furthermore, you can also push the hernia-induced lump or bulge back in the stomach. Most people opt for lying straight down to flatten the lump. It also helps to avoid activities that can trigger a bulgy reaction on the stomach. These activities include laughing, coughing, crying, or any other form of physical exertion.
Prevention
If you want to minimize your risk of a hernia, then it is ideal that you maintain your body weight. Regular exercises and a healthy diet result in the strengthening of muscles. Moreover, you can also train your abdominal muscles to withstand an excessive amount of pressure.
Besides training and exercising, you also have to make sure that you avoid lifting heavy objects. Even if you want to lift heavy weights, make sure that you go through proper training, warm-up, and technical insight over core engagement.
Additionally, you must take care of your nutrition. Avoid meals that evoke constipation and stomach issues. Make sure that your meals involve adequate micronutrients and fiber so that you can pass stool smoothly, without complications.
Lastly, avoid the habit of smoking. Smoking is not just harmful to your lungs but also causes persistent coughing and sneezing. This ultimately can result in a hernia if you do not treat it soon enough. Make sure that you visit the doctor in the case of coughs.
Do You Have a Hernia? Consult a Top Surgeon
If you feel like you have a hernia, make a quick self-diagnosis and do not prolong the symptoms. Seek professional help immediately. Waiting on a hernia can make the situation worse; the earlier the treatment, the better. Lenox Hill Surgeons provide the best Hernia treatment, diagnosis, and services in New York. Contact them at 646-846-1136 to book an appointment now.
Inguinal Hernia
An Inguinal Hernia is a condition in which one spot of the abdominal muscle weakens, and this causes muscle tissue to protrude outwards, causing a bulge. Therefore, you can call this hernia a protrusion bulge as well. It is the projection of an organ through the muscle tissues that make up the body wall. Mostly, an Inguinal Hernia encompasses the projection of a particular part of an organ instead. Hernias can be either external or internal in classification.
What is Inguinal Hernia?
An Inguinal Hernia is a type of external hernia that occurs around the intestine and bladder region. Other people refer to this region as the groin area in the body. This type of hernia is the most common amongst other hernias. About 96 percent of hernia patients suffer from inguinal hernias.
In this type of hernia, the inguinal canals in the abdomens tend to weaken. This weakness is mostly a natural occurrence, while other times, it occurs due to excessive abdominal strain. Therefore, this weakening of the inguinal tissue causes intestinal tissue to protrude through and cause a lump in either the left or right side of the groin. This area makes up the base of the abdomen, just below the waistline.
Both men and women have inguinal canals and can suffer from inguinal hernia. A protruding bulge around this area is a clear indication that you are suffering from this condition. Many people tend to overlook this sign and leave it unnoticed. This is a highly dangerous circumstance, as leaving the bulge untreated for a long time can lead to further protrusion and serious conditions.
Types
There are four types of inguinal hernias, indirect, direct, incarcerated, and strangulated. Each type of inguinal hernias has differing severity and causes.
Indirect Inguinal Hernia
This is one of the most common types of inguinal hernias. It has an often occurrence amongst premature births. It is also a very common condition between males, even though it happens mostly at birth. You can be subject to it anytime in your life. The closing of the inguinal canal at the time of birth has much to do with this condition.
Direct Inguinal Hernia
The primary cause of direct inguinal hernia is old age. As you get older, the internal and external muscles in your body start to weaken. Therefore, doctors believe that a direct inguinal hernia happens because of the weakening of interior muscle tissues due to old age. This is evident because this type of hernia more commonly occurs in adult men.
Incarcerated Inguinal Hernia
In this situation, a person becomes unable to push back a bulge. This is because the bulging is stuck in the lower groin region and has no space to retrace inside.
Strangulated Inguinal Hernia
This is a critical condition of an inguinal hernia. It requires intensive and immediate medical care, and you need to treat it surgically. In this condition, the blood flow entering the inguinal hernia stops, and you start losing feeling in that specific region.
Symptoms
The most noticeable symptom of the inguinal hernia is the protruding bulge. The lumpy surface of the groin area is a clear indication that you have an inguinal hernia. Furthermore, the inguinal hernia tends to increase in size depending on your abdomen position. When the inguinal hernia worsens, it can lead to other complications such as pain, burning sensation, and even swelling.
Causes/Risk Factors
There is not a particular cause of a hernia that you can single out. Adults and senior citizens that suffer from hernia usually pay the price of lifelong stress on the abdominal region. The accumulated stress on the abdomen area can cause a person to undergo a groin hernia.
Furthermore, an inguinal hernia may also be a hereditary defect in a person. In this case, a person needs to be extra careful while lifting heavy objects. Not to mention, lifting heavy objects from the ground-up is a very common cause of hernias.
People make the mistake of carrying a heavy load without stabilizing their core. This leads to herniated complications in their abdomen. Other risk factors include being male, overweight, premature birth, constipation, and pregnancy.
Diagnosis and Treatment
An external hernia is very simple to diagnose for a physician. A physical examination of the patient shows the doctor a view of the bulging protrusion. By carefully looking at it, a doctor can tell what kind of a hernia it is. If the bulging lump is reducible and acute, your doctor will simply push the protrusion back while you lie down flat.
Prevention
The best way to stay away from this type of hernia is to live a healthy lifestyle. This involves frequently exercising so that you can maintain your body weight and strengthen your core. Moreover, you should also keep a good nutrition intake that is full of fiber and proteins. Fiber keeps your gut health in check and prevents you from constipation. It is also advisable to avoid smoking and lifting weights beyond your strength capacity.
Conclusion: Consult the Hernia Experts at Lenox Hill Surgeons
If you or anyone you know is suffering from an inguinal hernia or any other type of hernia, then contact Lenox Hill Surgeons. Their highly experienced hernia surgeons will provide you with the best treatment options and professional consultation.
Call us now at 646-846-1136 to book an appointment or visit our website for more information.
Pancreas Disease and Surgery
This article will cover important information about pancreas disease and surgery. The pancreas is a pivotal organ of the human body. It is responsible for the regulation of vital enzymes inside the body. These enzymes help regulate important chemical processes inside the body. Furthermore, it also produces insulin, which is an essential chemical that controls the blood sugar level. Enzymes and chemicals such as these help you absorb micro and macronutrients. Not to mention, the Pancreas plays an emphatic role in the digestion process as well.
Pancreatic Disorders
Pancreatic disorders are one of the toughest medical issues to treat. The two most serious pancreatic disorders are exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) and pancreatitis. EPI is an extremely harmful disorder that can lead to chronic pancreatitis.
Other disorders in the pancreas include cystic fibrosis, diabetes, and pancreatic cancer. Each of these conditions comes with varying symptoms and causes.
Pancreatitis
Condition of pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas. An individual can have three types of pancreatitis, acute, chronic, and hereditary. Each of these three types constitutes a different cause and severity.
Acute Pancreatitis
Acute pancreatitis can be an underlying cause of another condition, such as gallstones. It is a short term and sudden inflammation that you can face due to excessive use of harmful substances. These substances include drugs, alcohol, and unhealthy edibles that influence hormonal imbalance in the body. Therefore, any abnormalities in the electrolytes and lipids can lead to acute pancreatitis.
The pain associated with this condition is very severe. You can expect intense pain in the upper abdomen region, followed by nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever. Apart from the many habitual triggers of this disease, it can also be a result of inheritance. Hence, doctors carry out the treatment for this disease according to the cause.
Chronic Pancreatitis
Unlike acute pancreatitis, the development of chronic pancreatitis is slow and progressive. Therefore, the symptoms gradually occur and can last much longer than acute pancreatitis. This condition can also lead to exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. A person suffering from chronic pancreatitis encounters symptomatic episodes of diarrhea and abdominal discomfort.
One can also begin to lose weight. The slow progression of this disease can cause long-term damage to the pancreas. Lastly, since the pancreas regulates the blood glucose level and nutrient absorption, a person with chronic pancreatitis becomes highly vulnerable to diabetes and malnutrition.
Hereditary Pancreatitis
Like chronic pancreatitis, hereditary pancreatitis is also a progressive condition. Genetic mutations cause the occurrence of this condition in an individual. With this disease, a person can start showing symptoms as early as 30 years old. Further complications will also cause a person to develop the symptoms of chronic pancreatitis. Doctors usually treat this condition with the help of PERT and pain management.
EPI (Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency)
EPI is a condition that makes a person highly enzyme deficient. The deficiency of enzymes can lead to severe consequences. The pancreas loses its functionality to release nutrient-absorbing enzymes and causes malnourishment. Another indication of this disorder is the excessive fat in a person’s stool.
Surgery for Pancreatitis
A doctor resorts to surgical solutions for pancreatitis when the pancreas becomes unable to secrete essential fluids. This inability is usually due to tissue scarring of the pancreas, which the inflammation causes. Surgeons will either create a new passageway from the pancreas to the small intestine to exhibit the flow of the fluids. Alternatively, the surgeons will remove the infected tissue from the pancreas.
Lateral Pancreaticojejunostomy
This surgical procedure heals the central part and the tails of the pancreas. This particular surgical approach involves the surgeons operating on the pancreatic duct. This duct is an organic tube that covers the pancreas and makes the essential fluids flow inside.
The surgeons take this duct and attach it to the small intestine, where most of the digestion and absorption takes place. By doing so, the doctors counter the problems with nutrient absorption. Once they form the connection between the digestive enzymes and the food particles, the patient starts to build back their nutrition intake.
Pancreatic Resection
Surgeons decide to take this surgical approach when the infectious cavity starts causing massive damage to the pancreas. The spread of inflammation in a muscle cavity will cause the pancreas muscles to die. In this case, the doctor needs to proceed with a pancreatic resection to stop the inflammation from causing further destruction. For this procedure, the doctor removes the infectious areas of the pancreas to keep it from spreading and causing other complications.
Recovery
The recovery time of the surgery can depend on the type of the surgery also your condition. Open surgery usually accounts for a longer recovery time because the incision wound needs rest time to heal. However, if the surgeon uses another technique in which the incisions are small, then you can expect the recovery to be faster.
Pancreas Disease and Surgery: To Conclude
If you or anyone you know are suffering from pancreatic problems, then visit Lenox Hill Surgeons. We provide you with the best surgeons, specialized in treating pancreas diseases. Visit our website or call us today to schedule an appointment:
LENOX HILL SURGEONS
155 East 76th Street
Suite 1C
New York, NY 10021
Phone: 646-846-1136
Email: lenoxhillsurgeons@gmail.com
Website: https://www.lenoxhillsurgeons.com/
Hiatal Hernia
What is a hiatal hernia? Hernias are disruptive conditions in which the tissue linings or muscle walls become unable to hold the tissue cavities in place. It happens due to the weakening or thinning down of muscle tissue. Abdominal hernias are the most common type of hernias. Hernias come in two forms, either external or internal. The more common external hernia causes a lump to form on the surface of the skin. In comparison, the internal hernias show a different set of symptoms. However, symptoms vary depending on severity.
Hiatal Hernia
A Hiatal hernia is an internal hernia. The name “Hiatal hernia” comes from its region of occurrence, which is the hiatus. The hiatus is a small opening in the diaphragm through the esophagus or the food tube passing from your chest to your stomach.
In the case of a Hiatal Hernia, the upper region of your stomach cavity starts to bulge out of the hiatus and into the chest. The severity of the Hiatal Hernia depends on whether it is a sliding hiatal hernia or a paraesophageal hernia.
Sliding Hiatal Hernia
A sliding hiatal hernia is normally not that big of an issue. Although they can cause slight discomfort, they do not pose a serious threat to an individual. The outward bulge of the stomach cavity is rather small, and the stomach, along with the lower esophagus, slides slightly into the chest region. A person that encounters this hernia will experience heartburn or acidity.
Fixed Hiatal Hernia or Paraesophageal Hernia
This type of hernia is more of a threat for an individual. This occurrence does not involve the shifting of the stomach or the esophagus. Instead, a part of your stomach’s cavity squeezes its way into the hiatus. In this circumstance, a person enters the danger of losing blood supply to that specific region because of the tight squeeze.
Doctors even refer to this condition as strangulation of the hernia. The most alarming thing about this hernia is that a person will rarely experience any symptoms. Therefore, if a doctor comes to a conclusive diagnosis of this condition while judging other underlying symptoms, then it may be too late.
Symptoms
It is rare for a person with Hiatal Hernia to show symptoms. Usually, the symptoms encompass a series of problems that relate to ingestion and digestion. This is obvious because both the fixed hernia and sliding hernia have to do with the displacement in the abdomen region.
Therefore, people suffering from these conditions will experience heartburns or acid reflux. Since the stomach and esophagus get closer to the chest region, a person may have trouble with stomach acid and experience acidity. Other symptoms may include:
- Chest pain
- Excessive Burping
- Harsh taste in the mouth
- Stomach ache
- Vomiting
- Shortness of breath
- Bloating
- Swallowing issues
- Bolus Backflow
Furthermore, symptoms such as excruciating stomach pain, vomiting, or inability to pass stool require immediate medical attention. These symptoms are indications of the worsening of fixed hernias and call for an emergency.
Causes
Hernias are nothing but the weakening of internal tissues and their inability to withstand the pressure of the organ or organ cavity against it. Thus, there is no clear reason why a person undergoes a hernia. That said, doctors believe that a hiatal hernia is most likely a case of old age.
As a person gets older, their muscular firmness tends to weaken, and the muscle lining can become thin. Another possibility for the development of a hernia can be the changes in the diaphragm that can come with adulthood and worsen as you get older.
Damage to the diaphragm due to an injury is also another cause of hiatal hernia. Muscular damage can weaken the diaphragm and the hiatus. This injury can be a result of an accident or even activities that put a strain on your diaphragm, such as coughing, heavy lifting, vomiting, and others.
Diagnosis
Since a hiatal hernia is an internal hernia, the doctor cannot diagnose this condition with a routine physical examination. For the diagnosis of a Hiatal hernia, a doctor analyzes the underlying symptoms. If the symptoms correspond to this type of hernia, the doctor is likely to run some test procedures. These tests include:
- X-RAY (x-ray photographs can reveal abnormal displacements of your stomach, making it easier to diagnose Hiatal hernia)
- Endoscopy (This is a thin tube with a camera. The doctor inserts this tube into your esophagus for this test)
- Esophageal Manometry (This test reveals the rhythmic pattern of the esophageal muscle contractions when a person swallows.)
Hiatal Hernia: To Conclude
Lenox Hill Surgeons is a state of the art facility in New York City. Our team of surgeons specialize in Hernia treatment and surgery. If you or your loved one is suffering from such a condition, then visit us for expert consultancy and treatment.
You can find more information on our website, or call us at 646-846-1136.
All About Appendix Surgery
Appendix surgery, more commonly known as appendectomy, is the surgical removal of an appendix from inside a person’s body. This rather common procedure has no negative implications and is a result of very few complications. The appendix is a small pouch-shaped organ inside our body. It takes space in the lower right side of the abdomen.
An interesting thing about the appendix is that it is of no functional use to the human body. Scientists do not know of the purpose of the appendix. Therefore, the removal of this organ results in no impact on a person’s health.
The most common reasons for the appendix are that it helps a person recover from stomach issues, such as diarrhea, infections, and inflammations of the abdomen. However, many people undergo appendix surgery and live healthy and long lives, which makes these claims unfounded speculations.
Appendix Surgery: Issues
People are often victims of an inflamed and infected appendix. The appendix is often vulnerable to bacteria and disease invasion. In some cases, the bacterial invasion inside an appendix causes pus and inflammation to grow rapidly. Thus, a person usually experiences excruciating pain in the lower right side of their stomach. Often people mistake this pain for a stomachache and avoid medical attention.
However, this is an alarming situation. Leaving appendicitis unnoticed will lead to the overdevelopment of bacteria, and this can lead to harsh conditions, such as nausea, weakness, vomiting, and diarrhea. Thus, urgent medical attention becomes a requirement. In situations such as this, it is ideal for someone to stay rested since walking and movement can cause more pressure in the stomach.
Prolonging this condition can be critical and life-threatening. You must seek treatment as soon as possible. An infected appendix accumulates an infectious cavity inside. The excessive accumulation of this cavity can start putting pressure on the appendix when it has no place to escape.
Therefore, this pressure causes unrelenting pain, and leaving this condition untreated for a long period can result in the bursting of the appendix. A perforated appendix will release the infectious puss and material onto the abdominal cavity. This will lead to an array of further complications and, quite possibly, death.
Appendectomy
A person has to go through an appendectomy in the case of a swollen or inflamed appendix. An appendectomy is the only treatment for appendicitis. Since the appendix has no purpose in the human body, removal solves all the problems that come with a perforated appendix. However, a person must get an appendectomy before the bursting of the appendix.
An appendectomy is a surgical procedure that completely rids a person of all the intense symptoms of appendix inflammation. The symptoms include:
- Stomach pain, starting from the bottom and spreading across until settling into the lower right side.
- Swelling of the stomach
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Appetite loss
- Slight fever
- Abdominal Rigidity
Types of Appendectomy
You will find two types of appendectomy procedures. The first one involves an open surgery, and the second one involves the laparoscopic tool. Both surgeries share a similar purpose. However, the methods differ slightly. Your doctor can opt for the choice of method by looking at a patient’s severity and also medical history.
Open Appendectomy
An open appendectomy simply involves the surgeon making an incision on the lower right side of your abdomen, where your appendix is located. This incision gives the surgeon a clear opening towards the appendix. The team of doctors will then remove the appendix and stitch the incision wound close. The surgeon has to perform a step further and clean your abdominal cavity if the appendix burst and released harmful substances. Therefore, rupturing of the appendix is also a reason why the doctor chooses this surgical procedure.
Laparoscopic Appendectomy
For this appendectomy procedure, the surgeon makes small incisions on a person’s stomach instead of a big one. After that, the surgeon inflates the abdomen by inserting a tube that releases carbon dioxide gas inside. Inflating the stomach makes the surgeon’s visibility better so that they can perform this procedure with precision and accuracy.
After that, the surgeon will insert the laparoscope inside the abdomen. This is a tube-like tool that has a camera on its end. The high-resolution camera allows the doctor to have a clear view of the internal abdomen. After locating the appendix with the laparoscope, the surgeon performs the removal of the inflamed organ. Lastly, they clean the incisions and close them. This method is less invasive and gives the patient a much quicker recovery time.
All About Appendix Surgery: Conclusion
If you have abdominal discomfort and want access to the best testing and treatment facility in New York, visit Lenox Hill Surgeons. Get experienced consultancy from specialists in the field. Call us now at (212) 988-1136. For more information, visit our website.
The Colon: Common Problems & Surgery
What surgery and problems are common to the colon? The colon is a long tube-like organ that makes up most of the large intestine. It is one of the major parts of the digestive tract, responsible for the formation and disposal of our indigested stool. Once the food enters into the small intestine and all the nutrients, it goes through many enzymes for nutrient absorption and then makes its entry into the colon. Here, the colon absorbs the leftover vitamins, water, and salts from the food, converting it into the fecal matter and excreting it as waste.
Common Problems of the Colon
Problems with the colon classify as abdominal issues since it makes up a huge part of the stomach. Having an irritable bowel is very common amongst people. A dysfunctional colon will often lead to constipation. The colon is responsible for the formation of your stool, the over absorption of water from the stool makes it hard and dry. Consequently, this causes the occurrence of constipation.
Apart from constipation, problems with the colon can also result in stomachaches, diarrhea, bloating, fatigue and stomach cramps. Thus, colon health is emphatic for an individual if they want to avoid abdominal discomfort. The best way to maintain colon health is through dietary changes.
Dietary Changes
The most common cause of bad colon health is a person’s dietary choice. Eating a diet that lacks nutritional value, especially fiber, can have adverse effects on the colon. Thus, the best way to deal with colon problems is to make changes to your diet.
Foods that put stress on a weak stomach include red meat, processed carbohydrates and sugar, alcohol, and coffee. The ideal food for colon issues is fresh vegetables and fruits. You should also consider foods that are high in fiber since fiber eases the passing down of food particles.
Types of Colon Disorders
The following are some of the disorders related to the large intestine. These problems are ordinary, especially amongst older men.
- Diverticulitis (this is a disease that causes pouch formation inside the linings of the colon, it leads to disturbing symptoms and discomfort)
- Crohn’s Disease (a person suffering from this disease faces intense pain in their abdomen)
- Colorectal Cancer(this disease does not show any symptoms, however, it is very severe)
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome(this disease causes frequent pain in the lower left side of the abdomen)
- Ulcerative Colitis
Prevention
Abdominal diseases and colon problems are now more common than they ever were. This is mostly because the general population leads an unhealthy lifestyle. Your gut health is a clear reflection of your lifestyle choices. Eating unhealthy food, and living a sedentary lifestyle can put you at high risk of colon problems.
This is why it is important to exercise and make the right nutritional choices. A good intake of fibrous food allows for a smoother stool. Furthermore, it also decreases your risks of high blood pressure, obesity, hernias, hemorrhoids, and colon cancer. Moreover, smoking is also a leading cause of colon issues that you can avoid.
Colon Surgery
In extreme cases, lifestyle changes and medication are not enough for the intense colon pain. Instances such as these call for surgical measures to overcome colon pain. A patient needs surgery when the colon damage starts to affect the health and leads to life-threatening concerns. In the case of inflammatory spread, surgery becomes the only option for the removal of the infected colon cavity.
Types of Colon Surgery
The choice of the surgical procedure depends on where exactly is the bacterial damage on the colon. Furthermore, the severity of the patient’s condition is the determining factor of the surgical technique. There are two approaches to colon surgery, open surgery or resection, and laparoscopic surgery.
Open Surgery
In this surgery, the surgeon uses a local excision technique. A simple procedure involves making a big incision on the abdomen so that they can operate on your stomach. Doctors can use this surgical approach regardless of the colon problems. The purpose of the surgery is to remove the part of the colon that under bacterial invasion. The large cut on your abdomen allows the surgeon good visibility and room to clean the abdominal regions after removal.
Laparoscopic Surgery
A surgeon usually opts for this surgery when the patient is old or has other underlying conditions. This surgery is not invasive, because the incisions are smaller, therefore, a patient can recover from it much faster. In this surgery, the surgeon inserts a laparoscope inside the small incisions and into the abdominal cavity. This device is tube-like in shape, with a camera attached to its end and light for visibility. This tool sends a clear picture to the doctor about the infectious spread on the colon.
To Conclude: Consult the Top NYC General Surgeons at Lenox Hill Surgeons
If you are one of the many people that deal with abdominal issues, then you should seek urgent medical attention. Prolonging colon problems can lead to serious conditions after a long time. Visit Lenox Hill Surgeons in New York for the best treatments and incredible results.
LENOX HILL SURGEONS
155 East 76th Street
Suite 1C
New York, NY 10021
Gallbladder Disease: Will You Need Serious Surgery?
Do you need serious surgery for gallbladder disease? A gallbladder is an organ that aids a person’s digestion by storing bile and releasing it in the small intestine. It’s a small organ located right under the liver, with a highly purposeful functionality in the body. Bile is a yellowish liquid that the liver makes and transfers to the gallbladder. This liquid helps break down tiny food particles in the small intestine. Furthermore, it also helps eradicate the waste material.
Types of Gallbladder Diseases
The number of complications of the gallbladder is immense. However, the most common medical issues include gallbladder disease. Gallstones and Cholecystitis are just some of the gallbladder diseases amongst many others.
Gallstones
Gallstones may be the most common gallbladder diseases of all time. This may be due to the average person’s diet since gallstones consist of cholesterol and solidified bile. It shares commonality because people are now more accustomed to eating cholesterol-rich food.
Symptoms
In this gallbladder disease, a person may or may not experience any distinctive symptoms. However, if the gallstone is in any of the openings, an individual can experience severe pain. They will feel a sudden striking pain between the belly button and the right rib.
Furthermore, other symptoms of the gallstones include:
- Intense abdominal pain lasting several hours
- Fever, along with chills
- Itchiness sensation on the skin
- Sweatiness
- Dark coloration of urine
- The pale color of stool
- Yellowish color on the skin
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Muscular contractions inside the abdomen (this occurs when a gallbladder makes contraction to expel a gallstone)
When facing any of these issues, a person should stay away from foods that contain fat. In some cases, fatty foods act as triggers or initiators of abdominal discomfort. A person must be quick to visit a doctor if they experience pain or discomfort.
Cholecystitis
This condition supersedes gallstones in terms of severity. When tiny gallstones start accumulating inside the gallbladder, they cause blockages inside the bile duct. These blockages tend to swell up over some time, and this swelling inside the bile duct is cholecystitis. It’s a condition that involves gallstones stuck inside the bile duct, causing blockages, swelling, and other serious complications.
In this case, instant treatment becomes a necessary endeavor. However, there are two stages of Cholecystitis, acute and chronic.
Acute Cholecystitis
Acute Cholecystitis is a condition in which a person experiences pain that lasts only about 6 to 12 hours. The severity of this condition depends on the frequency of the painful episodes. A doctor determines that a person has acute cholecystitis when their pain lasts for a week.
If the painful episodes start lasting beyond seven days, it is an indication that the condition is more severe and may lead to chronic cholecystitis. Other symptoms of this disease, in addition to pain, can involve vomiting, nausea, yellowing, swelling, and fever.
This disease also has other causes apart from gallstones. Major surgeries, inflammation, and illness can also spike cholecystitis in a person. Increased inflammation in the gallbladder has terrible impacts, including the rupture and damage of the gallbladder.
Chronic Cholecystitis
Long-term inflammation in the gallbladder causes Chronic Cholecystitis. In this condition, you can undergo serious complications, as the gallbladder fails to empty the gallstones, and they deposit further inside. This has serious outcomes. When gallstones block out the exit points inside the gallbladder, bile tends to accumulate excessively inside.
Therefore, stagnant bile fluid becomes vulnerable to infections and inflammation. Gangrene can occur inside the gallbladder, causing the tissues to die. This critical condition can also possibly burst or tear the gallbladder because of excess bile liquid.
Will You Need Surgery?
The decision of whether you need gallbladder surgery depends on the severity of your pain. It also depends on your underlying condition, health, and age. Surgeons take many considerations before they decide to send you into surgery.
Furthermore, you will be glad to hear that a gallbladder removal surgery is very safe and has no side effects. You do not even need your gallbladder. Thus, removing it will have no significant impact on your overall health.
If you are suffering from severe symptoms, the best option for you is to go into surgery. Hence, if you show up to the doctor with a series of gallbladder disease symptoms, they are likely to link you to professional gallbladder surgeons.
Gallbladder Disease: To Conclude
If you are looking for minimally invasive gallbladder surgery, visit us at Lenox Hill Surgeons. Our team consists of the most experienced surgeons in New York. More importantly, gallbladder surgery is our specialty. We provide you with the best services, easy operations, and friendly and professional staff. Visit our website for more information, or call us at (212) 988-1136.
Ventral Hernia Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
What is a ventral hernia? Hernias can occur in any part of your body. Each different type of hernia gets its name depending on where it occurs. In its true nature, a hernia refers to a condition in which the internal muscle tissue weakens or becomes thin. In this case, the abdominal or whichever muscle cavity resting on that body protrudes outwards since the muscle is no longer holding it in place.
What is a Ventral Hernia?
A ventral hernia is a condition that occurs in the abdominal areas. It is just like any other abdominal hernia. Instead, it consists of a bulge of tissues pushing out from an opening of a weak muscular wall or scar tissue. This type of hernia can occur in any part of the stomach region.
People call abdominal hernias incisional hernia when it occurs on the healed incisions of past surgery. In this case, the abdominal regions tend to weaken because of the surgical incisions on the stomach. Due to this, the stomach tissues can bulge outwards and cause a lump in the area where the surgeons performed incisions.
Ventral Hernias can also become life-threatening due to strangulation. When a ventral hernia is strangulated, the blood stops entering into the protruding tissues. This is a serious sign of worry for the patient. In this scenario, the patients require urgent treatment in the form of surgery. Plus, in the case of strangulated ventral hernia, you cannot push it back because it gets stuck to the abdominal wall opening.
Ventral Hernia: Causes
The most frequent cause of the ventral hernia is a post-surgical muscle weakening. After abdominal surgery, the incisions on your stomach tend to make your muscle linings weaker. Most of the time, people start to develop scar tissue in the abdominal region where the incisions took place. Scar tissue usually thins down the muscle wall, keeping a person open to the risks of ventral hernia.
Therefore, there is a high chance that a ventral hernia occurs in the exact region around the scar tissues. Other times, a ventral hernia may also occur due to hereditary reasons and as a symptom of adulthood. Nevertheless, there is no primary cause of a ventral hernia.
Ventral Hernia: Symptoms
Symptoms of a ventral hernia vary to a great extent. They range not only in types but also the severity. It is also entirely possible that one does not feel any symptoms at all apart from the lump on the abdomen area. Furthermore, serious symptoms of the ventral hernia may take about weeks or months to appear.
Other symptoms include pain, discomfort, nausea, and even vomiting. These symptoms may take longer to show. Therefore, you must not keep waiting until you get a diagnosis and go instantly to a physician in the early stages of the hernia. Prolonging the condition will only make it worse and may lead to other complications.
The pain in the abdomen region also varies from person to person. If you have mild pain in the hernia, do not take that lightly, as the intensity of the pain may increase if you leave the hernia unchecked. Strangulation is a serious complication that can result over time.
Risks
The risk factors of ventral hernias are many. However, most patients become victim to a gene default, and hereditary reasons stand out amongst the rest. You need to take extra precautions if hernia is a common medical issue in your family.
These precautions include avoiding activities that put strain and stress on your abdomen. For instance, heavy lifting puts the most tension on your abdomen. Therefore, a person susceptible to a hernia should avoid it at all costs.
Other activities involve excessive smoking. It not only disrupts your gut health and causes it to weaken but also causes you to cough persistently. Coughing, sneezing, and laughing can also cause the hernia to occur.
Diagnosis
The most obvious diagnosis for the ventral hernia is to look for lumps in the abdomen region. Other times, a physician will also consider imaging tests such as abdominal ultrasound, CT scan, and MRI scan. These tests ultimately confirm the presence of the ventral hernia inside your abdomen.
Ventral Hernia: Treatment
There are many treatment options available for the ventral hernia condition. The treatment depends on the severity of the condition. In cases of strangulation, the doctor will recommend the patient to a hernia repair surgeon. If an individual has an acute case of hernia, the doctor can physically push the hernia back into the stomach lining and prescribe over-the-counter medicines and rest for recovery.
To Conclude: Consult Lenox Hill Surgeons
Abdominal issues are very complicated and require the expertise of experienced doctors for treatment. If you are looking for professional surgeons that specialize in hernia treatments, visit us at Lenox Hill Surgeons in New York. Our state of the art facilities offer incredible surgical services and the best minimally invasive surgeries. Visit our website or call us at (212) 988- 1136.
The Esophagus: Common Problems & Surgery
What are the common problems and surgery of the esophagus? Esophagus refers to the tube that takes food that you put in your mouth and sends it down the digestive tract for absorption. Through peristalsis, the esophagus ensures that the food bolus travels smoothly down to your stomach, where it becomes ready for digestion. However, you can face many problems with the esophagus.
Common Problems of the Esophagus
One of the most common issues of the esophagus includes acid reflux. In acid reflux, gastric acid enters the esophagus, causing severe heartburn and disturbance. This condition is usually a side effect of other infections and medications.
One can simply treat this condition by avoiding certain medications and food that cause esophagitis. However, some severe cases of this condition can also cause complex and intense issues. Esophagus issues are also associated with swallowing issues and prolonged sore throat.
Immune-compromised people take very long to recover from esophagus problems. However, healthy people may only take a couple of days to recover from the case of acid reflux. Over the counter medicine works just as well as any other treatment concerning acid reflux. Another useful option takes shape in the form of dietary changes.
Types of Esophagus Problems
Problems with the esophagus may arise because of many reasons. However, some causes are more common than others. Hence, a person can be suffering from esophagus problems and the cause of it will determine the treatment.
Eosinophilic Esophagitis
Eosinophils are a form of white blood cells that fight diseases. These cells can sometimes over-respond when a foreign allergen enters into the throat. This type of esophagus problem is very common amongst small children. Furthermore, it is also an example of an allergic reaction and has many triggers that cause it to go into overdrive. A person facing this problem will have trouble eating food. Common triggers of this disease include:
- Milk
- Soy
- Eggs
- Wheat
- Tree nuts
- Peanuts
- Shellfish
- Pollen
The entry point of these allergens can either be from ingestion into the esophagus or the nasal region inside the nose. Regardless of where they enter from, a person can suffer from Eosinophilic Esophagitis.
Reflux Esophagitis
Reflux esophagitis is the resulting condition of another underlying condition. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease or GERD, this condition causes an involuntary reaction inside a body. The stomach contents, along with the acids jump back into the esophagus and cause a burning sensation in the chest. The irritation in the esophagus can lead to severe consequences like inflammation and even damage.
Esophagitis Due to Drugs
Some pharmaceutical medications and drugs cause problems in the esophagus if you do not ingest them with sufficient water. Since these medications are not water-soluble, they can end up being stuck inside your throat and lead to disturbance and pain in the esophagus.
Esophagitis Due to Infections
If an infection is causing esophagus disturbance, then this condition can lead to serious consequences. Infectious esophagitis is a rare condition and an outcome of bacterial or viral infection inside the esophagus. This infection can be either fungal or even parasitic. People who have a weak immune system are vulnerable to this condition. Therefore, individuals already suffering from conditions that weaken the immune system need to be wary of this infectious disease.
Symptoms of Esophagus Problems
A person can face several symptoms when suffering from esophagus issues. This is largely due to the underlying conditions from which esophagitis manifests. Symptoms can include:
- Swallowing difficulties
- Pain while gulping and swallowing
- Sore throat
- Acid reflux
- Heartburn
- Cracked voice
- Chest pain
- Coughing
- Loss in appetite (this may be due to esophagus pain)
- Nausea
- Fever(this symptom is possible in times of viral infection)
Esophagus Surgery
A doctor usually opts for esophagus surgery when the conditions start worsening and no other treatment works. Otherwise, surgery is imminent for someone with esophagus cancer. The primary goal of the surgery is to make an incision on your throat for an entry at the esophagus tube.
Once the surgeon has clear access to the inflamed esophagus, they can operate by removing the infectious cavity or the tumor (in case of cancer) from the esophagus. There are two main techniques for performing this type of surgery. Open surgery and minimally invasive surgery (laparoscopic).
In open surgery, the surgeon makes a big incision on the throat, chest, or abdomen region. The placement for the incision depends on where the damage takes place, along the esophagus tube. However, doctors make small incisions to perform minimally invasive surgery. For this surgery, the incisions have to be big enough for the laparoscope to enter. This is a long thin tube used for surgeries.
Esophagus Problems & Surgery: Conclusion
If you want access to the best surgeons, techniques, equipment, and medical consulting in New York, then visit Lenox Hill Surgeons. Book an in-person appointment or telehealth appointment today at (212) 988-1136.
General Surgery: Diverticular Disease
Diverticular disease is a condition in which small sacs and pouches form inside the walls of the large intestine. Plus, the diverticular disease involves the damage or inflammation of the interior linings of the colon. When a person reaches adulthood, their colon can start to show the formation of diverticula. Thus, suffering from diverticular disease can make you susceptible to concerning symptoms.
What is Diverticulitis?
Diverticulitis is the most serious type of diverticular disease. It is also one of the most common abdominal problems of the west. It constitutes a series of conditions that harm your digestive tract. Furthermore, it can lead to disturbing and harsh symptoms that may require surgery for treatment.
Diverticular Disease: Symptoms
The symptoms of diverticulitis can range in intensity. Moreover, symptoms also vary in frequency. Some experience instance symptoms. While others stay asymptomatic for a long time and gradually start experiencing symptoms over a couple of days. The most common symptoms of diverticular diseases are:
- Stomachache
- Bloating in your stomach
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
However, in terms of diverticulitis, symptoms happen to be more severe and extreme, such as:
- Frequent and constant stomach pain.
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Rectal Bleeding
The most recurring and evident symptom of diverticular disease is abdominal pain. Developing symptoms that translate with the diverticulitis is a clear indication that you need instant medical help.
Diagnosis of Diverticulitis
The doctor will diagnose diverticulitis firstly by carrying out a physical exam. It is important to notice that this disease often has no symptoms at all. The diagnosis of this disease usually results from a routine colonoscopy procedure. This makes it incredibly difficult to diagnose this disease without the help of tests.
However, doctors do check the patient’s stomach to see if it is showing any signs of tenderness. Ideally, the diagnosis of this disease involves running a few tests on the patient. These tests include a series of abdominal tests that allow the doctor to have a clear vision of the interior linings of the large intestine or colon.
Tests such as abdominal ultrasound, MRI scan, CT scan, and X-ray provide doctors with an extensive view of the patient’s gastrointestinal tract. Another great diagnosis method is the use of colonoscopy procedures. This may even be better since the doctor has control of the camera, and they can navigate it for a closer and clearer view of the problem. With a colonoscopy tube, a doctor has a better resolution of the disrupting pouches. Hence, they can make a better diagnosis and formulate an excellent treatment plan to tackle the problem.
Diverticular Disease: Treatment
Surgery is imminent in cases where the diverticulitis starts developing complications. On the other hand, you can treat uncomplicated diverticulitis easily by making slight changes to your diet. Furthermore, your doctor can also prescribe you over-the-counter medicine.
Doctors can also treat some cases of complicated diverticulitis with IV fluids and intravenous medication. The treatment for this condition varies on the severity of the disease and the age of the person. Other factors also come into play when deciding the treatment, but these two are crucial.
General Surgery for Diverticulitis
Surgery is usually the last resort in terms of the treatment of diverticular diseases. When medications and dietary changes fail to work, and the pain begins to worsen as time passes by, a person has no option but to opt for surgery. An effective surgery can be extremely helpful for a patient. It can alleviate pain, diminish symptoms, and make bowel movements better. You will find two main types of surgeries for diverticular diseases.
Bowel Resection – Anastomosis
This surgery is a simple procedure in which the surgeon makes an incision in your abdomen to enter the colon. The surgeon then removes the infectious segments and pouches in the linings of your colon. After the removal process, the surgeon attaches the healthy part of your colon either by sewing them or using a staple.
Bowel Resection – Colostomy
Bowel resection with colostomy involves the removal of the diverticula in your intestine walls. The surgeon cuts off the inflamed region of your colon and then attaches the two regions to the openings of each other.
Surgeons can perform both of these surgeries using an open method and also with the help of laparoscopy. The latter option is less invasive and accounts for a quicker recovery time. Regardless of the options, both techniques yield results in regards to treatment.
Diverticular Disease Conclusion: Consult Lenox Hill Surgeons Today
If you have abdominal issues and require expert consultancy and treatment, then visit us at Lenox Hill Surgeons. We provide the best surgeons in NYC concerning colon and abdomen issues. Visit our website for more information or call us at (212) 988-1136 to book an appointment.
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