Health

5 Things You Need to Know About Breast Reconstruction

Published

11 months ago

May 15, 2023

5 Things You Need to Know About Breast Reconstruction

After you have been diagnosed with breast cancer, one of the most important decisions is whether to have reconstruction surgery. Reconstruction can restore your confidence and improve your quality of life after cancer treatment.

Choosing the right option is personal and should be made in consultation with your plastic surgeon. Depending on your condition and preferences, you may need breast reconstruction at the same time as or after mastectomy surgery.

Table of Contents

Mastectomy

A mastectomy is a surgical procedure that removes all or part of your breast tissue. It’s used for both treatment and prevention of breast cancer.

The surgery is usually done under general anesthesia. It takes about 90 minutes, and most people go home the same day.

It can take up to four weeks for your chest and arm area to fully heal after a mastectomy. Your doctor may put one or two drainage tubes in place to stop fluids from accumulating in the breast space.

A sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is sometimes done simultaneously with your mastectomy to check for cancer cells that have spread to the nearby lymph nodes. This will be done with a radioactive tracer and blue dye to help the surgeon see which lymph nodes need removal.

Breast Reconstruction

Breast reconstruction is restoring the shape of the breast after a mastectomy. This can be done at the same time as surgery (immediate reconstruction) or, many years later, at a separate procedure (delayed reconstruction).

The type of reconstruction a woman chooses will depend on her medical needs and personal preferences. Her gender will also influence whether she will need radiation therapy after surgery.

Reconstruction can take several procedures over many months to achieve the final result and may involve several visits to the hospital for further surgery and appointments. It can be a very difficult decision, and it is important to discuss this with your doctor, surgeon and specialist team in detail.

TRAM Flap

A TRAM flap is a procedure that uses parts of your skin, fat and muscle to reconstruct a breast after mastectomy. The Bellevue plastic surgeon takes a section of your rectus abdominis muscle (in the lower abdomen between your waist and pubic bone) and moves it to your chest wall.

The blood supply is then connected to the blood vessels in your chest or armpit area using microsurgery. This reduces the risk of a “bulge” and improves blood supply to your breast, lowering the chance of fat necrosis.

There are two main types of TRAM flaps: pedicled and free. A pedicled TRAM flap is the most common type of TRAM surgery.

DIEP Flap

A DIEP Flap is a type of natural tissue breast reconstruction surgery. It uses tissue from the lower abdomen to reconstruct a new breast.

It is similar to a TRAM flap, but only skin and fat are removed instead of the whole rectus abdominis muscle. This allows your abdominal muscles to be spared, helping you retain more strength after surgery.

Another benefit is that a DIEP flap can improve the shape of your abdominal area, giving you slimmer, more toned thighs or a tummy tuck.

A DIEP flap uses microsurgical techniques to reattach blood vessels from the donor site to the chest wall. This requires expertise in surgery through a microscope (microsurgery).

TUG Flap

The TUG flap is a relatively new breast reconstruction procedure that utilizes skin, fat and a small amount of gracilis muscle from the inner thigh to reconstruct a breast. Unlike other major body muscles, the gracilis power can be spared without significant functional deficits.

During the TUG flap elevation, the skin paddle and underlying fat are harvested from a horizontally oriented ellipse along the proximal upper one-third of the gracilis muscle in a myocutaneous flap perfused by the medial circumflex artery and its venue.

TUG flaps are ideal for patients who do not qualify for TRAM, DIEP or latissimus flap procedures and who have had problems with these reconstructions. They also offer a more aesthetically pleasing donor site closure than TRAM and DIEP flaps.

Up Next

How Your Weight Can Impact Your Pregnancy: Expert Advice for a Healthy Journey

Don't Miss

5 Tips for Providing Effective Dementia Care at Home

Health

Managing Chronic Pain: Integrative Techniques for Wellness

Published

2 weeks ago

April 4, 2024

admin

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

Understanding chronic pain and its various treatment options is essential for effective management.
Lifestyle factors, including diet, exercise, and sleep, can significantly influence chronic pain.
Integrative techniques, including medical treatments and complementary therapies, are vital in tackling pain holistically.

Understanding Chronic Pain

Chronic pain is a persistent type of pain that can last for months or years and may be caused by various factors. In contrast to acute pain, it can continue even after the original injury has healed. Healthcare professionals evaluate a patient’s self-reported pain level and the impact it has on their daily activities to address the complexity of chronic pain. When the underlying cause is unknown, multidisciplinary approaches are necessary to relieve pain.

The Role of Lifestyle in Chronic Pain Management

In the quest for relief, many find solace in discovering a reputable pain clinic near me that employs a range of treatment options. Diet and chronic pain have a significant, if not entirely understood, relationship. Pro-inflammatory foods, excessive caffeine, alcohol, and refined sugars tend to exacerbate inflammation, potentially intensifying pain. On the other hand, anti-inflammatory foods such as fatty fish, greens, nuts, and seeds may help reduce inflammation and, as a result, pain. Consistent hydration and balanced meals can support the body’s natural coping mechanisms. Creating a personalized diet plan with a nutritionist or dietician can be a proactive step in managing chronic pain through lifestyle. Being physically active is critical to managing chronic pain.

Medical Treatments for Chronic Pain Relief

Medications often serve as the first line of defense in chronic pain management. NSAIDs, for example, are commonly used to alleviate inflammation and pain. Antidepressants and anticonvulsants can also be prescribed for their pain-relieving properties. Caution must be taken, especially with more robust, potentially habit-forming medications such as opioids; these should only be used when necessary and with a strict plan for monitoring and tapering. Furthermore, patients are encouraged to ask their healthcare providers about potential side effects and interactions with other medications.

Beyond pharmacological measures, interventional treatments like nerve blocks, epidural steroid injections, and radiofrequency ablation offer non-surgical pain relief for various conditions. In some cases, these targeted procedures may provide lengthy periods of relief and help patients engage in physical therapy and rehabilitation more effectively.

With chronic pain being such a dynamic and individualized issue, research into new therapeutic methods is ongoing. Treatments such as platelet-rich plasma therapy (PRP) and stem cell injections are emerging as potential alternatives. They focus on repairing damaged tissues and reducing pain naturally. However, consulting with experienced pain management specialists before considering these advanced options is essential.

Psychological Approaches to Pain Management

Chronic pain has deep psychological and emotional roots in addition to physical causes. Therapies like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) address the thought patterns that can worsen pain perception and decrease the quality of life. Patients can learn to change these thoughts, engage in positive behaviors, and develop strategies to manage setbacks in their pain journey. Biofeedback is a technique that measures and provides real-time data on bodily functions, such as heart rate, muscle tension, and skin temperature. It helps patients gain voluntary control over these functions, and mastering such autonomic processes can improve pain management and give a greater sense of personal power.

Emotional well-being is integral to pain management, as negative emotions can intensify pain perception. Healthcare providers may recommend therapy sessions to address the psychological impacts of chronic pain, helping individuals cope with associated feelings of frustration, depression, or isolation. These therapeutic approaches highlight the importance of treating chronic pain as a comprehensive, biopsychosocial condition.

Navigating the Healthcare System

The complexity of healthcare systems can add a layer of stress for those managing chronic pain. Advocacy is critical. Patients must feel empowered to ask questions and make informed decisions regarding their care. Understanding how health insurance works, what treatments are covered, and how to access necessary medications is imperative. Healthcare professionals can also be invaluable allies in helping patients navigate these systems and ensure that they receive appropriate and timely care.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Pain Management

As we learn more about pain, there is hope for better pain management through new treatments and technologies. For example, virtual reality therapies can help distract patients from pain and reduce its intensity by immersing them in relaxing environments. Scientists are also exploring innovations in pharmaceuticals, non-invasive brain stimulation techniques, and cognitive behavioral therapy apps to treat chronic pain more effectively. Additionally, personalized medicine, which considers an individual’s genetic makeup, lifestyle, and environmental factors, is set to revolutionize pain management.

Health

Benefits of okra Health

Published

1 month ago

March 9, 2024

admin

Table of Contents

What happens when you eat okra every day?
Okra sexually
What does okra do to a woman?
What are the side effects of eatin g okra?
What is the best time to drink okra water?
What is the benefit of drinking okra water?
What fruit is a natural Viagra?
What is the best way to eat okra?
Is okra good for your skin?
Does okra water help sexually?
What is the slime in okra?
Is okra good for high blood pressure?
Other benefits of okra
5. To restore vitality
6. Against cough
- 7. For vessels and capillaries
Related
Okra is an amazing exotic plant that produces elongated green pods that look like bell peppers. The culture has many names: gombo, ladies’ fingers, abelmosh, okra.It is a vegetable that has a specific flavor. Someone compares okra with beans, someone tastes like eggplant, zucchini, and even asparagus.Okra is widespread in Africa, southern Europe, Asia, America. In Russia, okra can be found in the Stavropol and Krasnodar Territories, there are small plantations, from which vegetables spread throughout the country.The delicate taste of okra allows you to use it in various culinary masterpieces: the vegetable is cooked and served as a side dish for meat or fish. Okra can be cooked with grain or other vegetables, the pods are often pickled and added to salads.
Okra grows very quickly, the cultivated pods must be cut promptly, otherwise, they will ripen, become wrinkled and tough.

At the same time, fresh okra is stored for a short time – only a few days. For this reason, people try to preserve the pods for a long time – preserve or freeze vegetables.

This is done to enjoy the delicate taste of the green pod in winter and receive from it only the most valuable and useful.

After all, the composition of okra is amazing – there is a huge amount of ascorbic acid and other vitamins. Okra is rich in proteins, carbohydrates, organic acids, mineral salts.

In the seeds, there is a special oil that makes the product resemble olives. Okra has a peculiar slimy structure: this mucus envelops the walls of the stomach and allows you to cope with many diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. That okra is still useful, we will try to understand.
Table of Contents
Toggle
What happens when you eat okra every day?

Okra is rich in vitamins A and C, as well as antioxidants that help reduce the risk of serious diseases such as cancer, diabetes, stroke, and heart disease. Okra is also a good source of magnesium. Folate.

Okra sexually

Okra is another renowned love vegetable. Rich in magnesium, it is a natural relaxant. It’s also full of iron, folic acid, zinc, and B vitamins, all nutrients that keep your sex organs healthy and happy.

What does okra do to a woman?

Okra is a good source of folic acid, with 1 cup (100 grams) providing 15% of a woman’s daily needs for this nutrient. Summary Eating okra may help pregnant women meet their daily folate needs. Folate is important in preventing neural tube defects.

What are the side effects of eating okra?

Eating too much okra can negatively affect some people. Gastrointestinal issues: Okra contains fructans, which is a type of carbohydrate.

Fructans can cause diarrhea, gas, cramps, and bloating in people with existing intestinal problems. Kidney stones: Okra is high in oxalates.

What is the best time to drink okra water?

Okra is a common Ayurvedic food that is used to help lower blood sugar levels and control different types of diabetes. Some people with diabetes have reported that drinking okra water in the morning on an empty stomach helps improve blood sugar control.

What is the benefit of drinking okra water?

Drinking “okra water” is a popular new method of using okra. Some have even suggested that drinking helps lessen the symptoms of diabetes.

The drink is prepared by putting okra pods in water and soaking them overnight. Some of the valuable nutrients from the skin and seed pods will be absorbed into the water.

What fruit is a natural Viagra?

Watermelon may be a natural Viagra, says the researcher. That’s because the popular summer fruit is richer than experts believe in an amino acid called citrulline, which relaxes and dilates blood vessels much like Viagra and other drugs used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED). )..

What is the best way to eat okra?

If this amazing vegetable came into your hands, wrap it in newspaper or food paper and put it in the refrigerator so that you can store the pods for several days. And it is better to cook okra at once since there can be many options for dishes. of the product.

1. Garnish

Pour a little oil into a dry frying pan, fry the onions and garlic. Okra needs to be prepared: cut the stem so the seeds don’t split open.

Be sure to rinse the pods and clean them of villi. Cleaned okra is sent to the pan along with the onion and garlic.

The product is extinguished not for a long time – about 15 minutes. So that the okra doesn’t boil over softly and break apart, try not to disturb the dish too often.

Before ready, add the garnish with salt and pepper, if desired, add chopped tomato and lemon juice. Serve hot or cold, it is the perfect combination for any meat or fish product.

2. Marinated okra.

Marinating okra is not difficult, just like cucumbers. At the bottom of the jar, vegetables are put to taste, garlic, a couple of black peppercorns, and okra pods are placed firmly on top.

Pour boiling water, leave to sterilize for 5 minutes, repeat the procedure twice. For the third time, sugar, salt, and vinegar are added to the water.

In a liter of water, about a dessert spoon of salt, a teaspoon of sugar, and the same amount of vinegar.

To make the okra crisp, you can add a little alcohol or vodka to the pickle. When the brine boils, the third time they pour and roll the banks with sterilized lids. A delicacy that will surprise your guests.

3. Okra with meat.

The meat must be cut into pieces, fry in a pan. If the meat is tough, it is additionally filled with water and stewed for about half an hour. Okra must be prepared and rinsed.

Vegetables are usually stewed together, too large pods can be cut in half. Okra has a special mucus. If you want the dish to be slimy, add okra directly to the meat and simmer another 20-30 minutes.

If you want to get the dish in slices, stew the pods separately to get rid of the slimy mass, and only then mix the ingredients. Before preparation, garlic, spices, tomato meat, and parsley are added to the dish.

And the okra is frozen: the prepared pods are placed on a flat surface, and once frozen, they are removed into bags or containers. In winter, you can add the right amount of vegetables to dishes.

Overripe okra fruits turn dark, hard, and stringy; they are rarely eaten. But on the other hand, coffee is prepared from overripe pods: the beans are dried, roasted and an aromatic drink is made from them.

Is okra good for your skin?

Okra contains several healthy components including vitamins and minerals, and antioxidants such as B1 and B2, quercetin, rutin, catechin, and epicatechin.

It is also known for its high content of vitamin C, vitamin K, and folic acid. Studies have indicated that okra’s vitamin C content could help with asthma and even skin conditions.

Does okra water help sexually?

Okra and carrots are vegetables that are known to help balance libido thanks to their high amounts of beta-carotene, and seaweeds are abundant in nutrients and minerals that support the entire endocrine system, which promotes libido, stimulates metabolism, and strengthens the kidneys.

What is the slime in okra?

Okra pods are known as “mucilaginous”, which produces a slimy or sticky mouthfeel when cooked.

This “mucilage” or slime contains soluble fiber that we can digest. … Keeping the pods intact and cooking them briefly (think stir fry) can help minimize pod stickiness.

Is okra good for high blood pressure?

Fruits and vegetables provide excellent sources of nutrients that lower blood pressure, such as potassium and magnesium. Magnesium-rich foods include black beans, okra, spinach, pumpkin seeds, and squash seeds.

Other benefits of okra

1. During pregnancy

The composition of okra is folic acid – one of the most important vitamins for a pregnant woman. When the future mother finds out about her situation, she will surely have to drink folic acid separately or introduce foods rich in this substance in her diet. Folic acid helps the fetus to form properly, reduces the risk of developing pathologies of the baby’s nervous system.

2. With diabetes

Slime, which is rich in okra pods, is a natural regulator of blood sugar levels. Okra is certainly recommended to introduce diabetics in the diet.

3. For the digestive tract.

As noted, the mucus in the composition of the sheath, falling on the walls of the stomach, gently envelops the mucous membrane, relieves inflammation, soothes and relieves pain.

Okra has a similar effect with a decoction of oatmeal. These dishes are very effective in diseases of the stomach, they do not irritate the mucus. And okra is good for the intestines: Enter vegetables in the diet and forget about constipation and bloating, okra provides a boost in the number of good bacteria.

. By losing weight

Okra is not only a useful medicine but also an incredibly tasty vegetable, which has a soft and delicate structure. At the same time, its calorie content is very small – only 25-30 calories per 100 grams of the product.

Okra allows you to get enough from a small amount of food, gives the body vitamins and trace elements, which are lacking with a limited diet.

And okra has a mild diuretic effect, which means that it can get rid of excess water in the body, swelling in the legs and arms, bags under the eyes will gradually disappear.

Okra cleanses the body of toxins and slags, removes excess bile. This purification is especially important in the first stage of weight loss so that the body eliminates extra kilos without problems.

5. To restore vitality

And okra is also an excellent immunostimulant that can be used during and after illness for recovery. And if you take okra all the time, this is an excellent prevention of colds.

Okra should be given to children after infections, the elderly, women after childbirth, and breastfeeding. Vegetal protects the body from diseases, gives vitality, and leads to tone.

6. Against cough

Okra pods and seeds have an excellent expectorant effect, a decoction should be prepared and drunk as often as possible.

It dilutes sputum, removes it from the lungs, and allows you to quickly get rid of cough of any nature. Regular consumption of okra will help reduce the number of asthmatic attacks and make them less intense and dangerous.

7. For vessels and capillaries

According to statistics, people whose diet is rich in okra, are much less likely to suffer from diseases of the cardiovascular system.

Regular consumption of vegetables strengthens the walls of blood vessels, makes them more elastic and mobile, lowers the level of cholesterol in the blood, and fights atherosclerosis.

Also, okra reduces the risk of developing cancer, especially bowel cancer. Vegetables are so diverse that you should not think about their beneficial properties, there are so many of them.

Health

10 shocking health benefits of tequila

Published

1 month ago

March 9, 2024

admin

Table of Contents

Health benefits of tequila
What is Tequila?
Types Of Tequila
Nutritional value of tequila
How To Make Tequila At Home?
Side Effects of Tequila
- Related
Tequila is one of the most popular spirits in the world, famous for its key role in legendary cocktails and its strong cultural roots, but it also has certain health benefits that many people are unaware of!
- Did you ever know that tequila can help you lose weight? While tequila is not a “health food,” it has several surprising health benefits. Look for “100% agave” tequila, get the best health benefits, and take 1 or 2 shots. Here are 10 surprising benefits of tequila.
Health benefits of tequila

There are several surprising benefits of tequila that can help you with your health, including its ability to do the following:

• Regulates blood sugar levels

• Improves digestion

• Weightloss

• Minimize hangover symptoms

• Prevent dementia

• Prevent nausea

• Boost immunity

1.-Benefits of tequila for weight loss

Being lower in calories than most other forms of liquor, this Mexican specialty can help you lose weight by cutting a few calories from your daily or weekly alcohol intake.

Crazy, right? In general, the rule of thumb is that if you want to lose weight, don’t drink alcohol.
Remember, liquid calories go down much more easily than we think, so it’s still true; But if you can drink a controlled amount of tequila, you can benefit from the weight loss properties of agavins, which are a particular type of sugar in tequila.
Not to be confused with agave nectar, agavies have a less refined molecular structure that does not raise blood sugar levels.

As a result, many of the calories pass through the system unused compared to other sugars in alcohol, which are not as glycemic-friendly. It also stimulates the metabolism and helps dissolve fats.

2.- Tequila for Digestion

Research has shown that the benefits of tequila are capable of stimulating the activity of probiotics in the gut, and thanks to the yeast present in this alcohol, it can help balance the bacterial environment in your gut.
Taking a shot of tequila after a meal has also been linked to aiding digestion. Some suggest a drink before a meal to boost your metabolism and appetite, followed by a shot to calm and aid digestion.

3.- Tequila for Diabetes

The fructans present in this alcohol have been shown to slow the release of glucose into the bloodstream, which improves the symptoms of diabetes.
4.- Tequila for Dementia

Some studies claim that the agavines present in tequila benefits and other active ingredients in this alcohol can help stimulate neuronal activity and slow down the onset of neurodegenerative diseases.
The BBC reported studies showing a link between people who drink moderate amounts of alcohol (including tequila) and a lower incidence of dementia later in life.
But be careful! It also showed a correlation between people who drank too much alcohol and those who had much higher rates of dementia onset.

5.- Tequila for insomnia

Like many alcohols, tequila is a sport, in the sense that it will make it easier for the body to calm down and sleep; however, excessive consumption can cause unconscious and unhealthy sleep, so it should be consumed in moderation.

Thanks to its relaxing benefits, tequila can help calm the nerves and can even help induce sleep for the homeless; It is best not to depend on any substance, particularly alcohol, regularly. But now and then it can be something extra that you can enjoy to relax. And doze!

6.- Hangover

Unlike many other types of alcohol, this liquor is believed to minimize many side effects of a hangover.

That’s if you drink things off the high shelf. Again, you must drink “100% agave” tequila to get this benefit; the cheaper brands will be filled with other sugar alcohols, which will blow you away.

No alcohol is healthy, but if you’re inclined to have a drink now and then, tequila might not be such a bad option. Cheers!

7.- Tequila boost the immune system

Popular natural remedies for the common cold and flu include the use of lime and tequila.

8.- Helps the necessary medications reach the colon

People with illnesses that affect their digestive systems, such as Crohn’s disease, IBS, and colitis, could be getting a boost from the fructans present in tequila, as it contains natural chemical vehicles that protect the medications necessary for them to can pass acid from the stomach and into the colon where it is needed. Scientists are studying the use of these fructans in prescription drugs for these diseases.

9.- It can help prevent type 2 diabetes.

It also presents the opportunity for diabetics to enjoy the benefits of tequila from time to time, since fructans are indigestible, it acts like fiber. Bypassing through the body undigested prevents the dangerous spike in blood sugar and stimulates insulin production.

If you have diabetes, talk to your doctor before starting tequila, as each individual is different and reactions can vary.

10.- It can help fight osteoporosis

Again with those agavins, the benefits of tequila have been linked in several studies to its ability to aid the body in absorbing calcium, and therefore could be a viable option to prevent the development of brittle or brittle bones.

• It’s pro-biotic: You’ve probably heard about probiotics by now, but if not, probiotics are the healthy bacteria that populate our intestines; They are responsible for the majority of our immune system and help our bodies maintain a healthy balance.

Some of the fructans that tequila is derived from really supply these good guys; Again, we are talking about small amounts of tequila; Getting drunk will do the exact opposite and wipe out your natural stores of healthy bacteria, as your immune system is forced to work overtime with the toxins inherent in any alcohol.

• It’s pre-biotic: Setting the stage for good bacteria, prebiotics help take care of the soil, so to speak. They create a living space for themselves.

According to this study, the prebiotic attributes of tequila help make the intestines a friendlier environment for healthy bacteria to thrive.

What is Tequila?

Tequila is a popular type of liquor made from the blue agave plant, and limited in terms of production to the Jalisco region of Mexico. The extracted agave juice is allowed to ferment, which eventually leads to the formation of alcohol in the liquid.

The name itself comes from the city of Tequila, where a large percentage of the production is still produced. It is often confused with mezcal and is a type of mezcal, but mezcal can be made from any type of agave.

Types Of Tequila

There are over 300 different types of tequila on the market, and they range in color from completely pure to dark brown. The aroma is similarly diverse, depending on the type of alcohol you are consuming. There are four main types of tequila:

• White: a pure or transparent white liquor that has been allowed to age less than 2 months

• Reposado – Aged between 2 months and 1 year in oak barrels

• Anejo – Aged between 1 year and 3 years in oak barrels

• Extra Anejo – Aged for at least 3 years

Nutritional value of tequila

When it comes to nutrition, this liquor contains just 64 calories per serving, compared to nearly 100 calories in a vodka dose.

Also, you are less likely to require sugary mixers with this alcohol, as it has a natural sweetness, thus reducing your average caloric intake with this type of cocktail.

This Mexican favorite is also gluten-free, making it ideal for celiac patients. There are also against and fructans in tequila, unique compounds that have various effects on our health.

In terms of alcohol content, this liquor generally ranges from 32% -60%.

How To Make Tequila At Home?

For those who love this alcohol, it is possible to make your tequila at home, but it can be a complicated process.

• First, you must harvest the agave from one of the limited regions where blue agave plants grow in Mexico.

• You will need to cook the agave and then crush the agave hearts, which grind and squeeze the juice that is necessary for the production of the alcohol.

• Next, you need to store a large amount of agave juice in a fermentation tub until the alcohol begins to form.

• At this point, you can store the alcohol in large oak barrels and allow it to age between two months and five years.

It is possible to make your own, but given the time-consuming nature of production, people usually leave it to the professionals.

Side Effects of Tequila

If consumed in excess, tequila will result in the following:

• Potential nausea

• Dizziness

• Lack of coordination

• Dehydration

• Constipation

• Headaches

• Throwing up

• Body pain

• Soft spot

Essentially, tequila is a form of alcohol that can get you drunk, and while hangovers are less likely, binge drinking will result in a painful morning.