Zenith Imaging Consultants and Wellness centre

06/10/2017

Zenith Imaging Consultants Owerri has commenced Interventional Radiology services.

What the big grammar means is that many diseases that would have required open surgery can now be handled through a pinhole in the body. In most cases patients can go home same day instead of 1 to 2 weeks hospital stay after open surgery.
Areas of expertise include:

>Ultrasound guided abscess drainage such as liver, pelvic and abdominal abscesses.
>Percutaneous nephrostomy.
>Limb angiography
>Percutaneous biliary drainage.
>Ultrasound guided pleural fluid drainage.
>Hydrostatic intussusception reduction.
>Biopsy guide
>etc.

20/06/2016

Health is wealth

12/10/2015

05/07/2015

MOST USELESS EXERCISES

1. Crunches on the Floor

Traditional crunches aren’t very dynamic because they target only a small group of muscles. What’s worse, crunches can cause serious damage, particularly to the discs in your spine. According to some studies, the stress put on the discs during a crunch is enough to cause herniation (disc rupture). In fact, crunches put a load on the spine that would never be allowed on the job. Finally, crunches get less effective as your physical condition improves, which means you need to do more of them to get the same benefit. Unfortunately, that also means you have to put more stress on your spine.

ALTERNATIVES

If you want great abs, the basic plank is actually one of the best abdominal exercises you can do . It offers a more natural alternative to the crunch and doesn’t stress the spine. To do a plank, put your toes and forearms on the floor with your butt pointing up and your body straight. The key is to tilt your pelvis and contract your abdominal muscles to keep your butt from sticking up. Hold for 60 seconds and repeat 3-5 times. It sounds easy, but it isn’t. The basic plank will only get you so far though. For advanced abdominal exercises, consider cable torso twists, the woodchopper, side planks, stability ball planks, and medicine ball side throws. Don’t forget that you should always strike a balance when working out, so remember to strengthen your back muscles along with your abs.

25/03/2015

Name all the signs you can see.....to Radiologists and residents.
Erect abdomen

25/03/2015

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE (HYPERTENSION)

Hypertension is defined as high pressure (tension) in the arteries.
Normal blood pressure is below 120/80; blood pressure between 120/80 and 139/89 is called "pre-hypertension," and a blood pressure of 140/90 or above is considered high.

WHAT CAUSES HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE?

The causes of hypertension are multifactorial, meaning that there are several factors whose combined effects produce hypertension.
• High salt intake or salt sensitivity:
• Genetic predisposition to high blood pressure: People who have one or two parents with hypertension.
• A particular abnormality of the arteries.

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE?

High blood pressure may not have any symptoms and so hypertension has been labeled "THE SILENT KILLER''. You can have high blood pressure (hypertension) for years without any symptoms. Even without symptoms, damage to blood vessels and your heart continues and can be detected. Uncontrolled high blood pressure increases your risk of serious health problems, including heart attack and stroke, impotence, kidney failure, eye problems etc.
Some people experience symptoms with their high blood pressure. These symptoms include:
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Shortness of breath
• Blurred vision
• Feeling of pulsations in the neck or head
• Nausea

WHAT IS THE TREATMENT FOR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE?

Blood pressure is caused by many different factors, so there are many different treatments. The goal of treating high blood pressure is to keep the blood pressure below 140/90.
Treatments for high blood pressure include:
• Lifestyle modifications:
o Quit smoking
o Lose weight
o Exercise
o Avoid alcohol
o Eat a low-sodium, low-fat diet

Medications: There are many different categories of blood pressure medications. Your doctor will work with you to find the right one.

HOW CAN HYPERTENSION BE PREVENTED?

Hypertension can best be prevented by adjusting your lifestyle so that proper diet and exercise are key components. It is important to maintain a healthy weight, reduce salt, cholesterol and saturated fat intake, quit smoking, reduce alcohol intake, and reduce stress. Engage in aerobic exercise at least 30 minutes daily for most days

In order to prevent damage to critical organs and conditions such as stroke, heart attack, and kidney failure that may be caused by high blood pressure, it is important to screen, diagnose, treat, and control hyper tension in its earliest stages. This can also be accomplished by increasing public awareness and increasing the frequency of screenings for the condition.

23/03/2015

ADVANTAGES OF IUDS (INTRAUTERINE DEVICES)

• According to Planned Parenthood, more than 95% of women who use IUDs are happy with them.
• A woman using an IUD is always protected from pregnancy with nothing to remember. She does not need to remember to take a pill every day, for instance.
• IUDs start working right away and can be removed at any time.
• IUDs are relatively inexpensive.
• The risk of side effects is low.
• IUDs can be inserted 6 weeks after the delivery of a baby or after an abortion.
• Women who use a copper IUD after childbirth can breastfeed safely.
• An IUD is usually not felt by a woman or her partner during s*x.
• Women who cannot use birth control pills because of cigarette smoking or conditions like hypertension may be able to use an IUD.

DISADVANTAGES OF IUDS

A doctor must insert and remove an IUD.

IUDs come out during the first year of use in about 5% of women who use them.

If an IUD is expelled unnoticed, a woman may easily become pregnant

Ectopic pregnancies may occur in women using.

An IUD may puncture the wall of the uterus when it is inserted. This occurs in 1-3 of 1,000 insertions.

Cramping and backache may occur in the first few hours after an IUD is placed.

Bleeding may occur for a couple of weeks after an IUD is placed.

Some women have increased menstrual pain and heavy periods while using the copper IUD.

IUDs do not protect against s*xually transmitted disease (STDs). The chance of getting an STD is higher during the first 4 months after they are placed.

WOMEN WHO SHOULD NOT USE AN IUD

• Women who are pregnant or who have abnormal bleeding or cancer of the cervix or cancer of the uterus should not use IUDs.

• Women who have had pelvic inflammatory disease, gonorrhea, or chlamydia within the past 12 months.

Women with other current reproductive organ infections should not use an IUD until their infection is resolved and their doctor says that an IUD can be used safely.

• Women with increased susceptibility to infections, such as those with leukemia, AIDS, and those who use intravenous (IV) drugs should not use IUDs

• If a woman has abnormalities of the cervix, uterus, or ovaries that would make insertion dangerous, an IUD is not appropriate.

• Women who are allergic to copper, are having heat treatments, or who have Wilson disease (a rare disease in which copper accumulates in body tissues) should not use the copper IUD.

• For women who have heart disease, an artificial heart valve, or aventricular septal defect that has not been repaired, a doctor will carefully evaluate whether an IUD is appropriate because of the possibility of infection.

• IUDs are generally not recommended for women who have not yet had any children who may want them, and women who have had difficulty conceiving.

WHEN TO CALL THE DOCTOR

If a woman does not feel the string, if the string feels too short or long, or if she feels the IUD itself.

Women who miss their periods or who notice unusual va**nal fluid or odor.

Women who have severe abdominal pain or cramps, pain or bleeding with s*x, unexplained fever and chills, or unexplained bleeding after the adjustment phase (usually fist 4 months).

Women using IUDs should have a checkup following the first menstrual period after an IUD is placed and should have regular examinations every year.

Any woman using an IUD who suspects they she is pregnant should contact her clinician immediately.

21/03/2015

Intrauterine device (IUD)

An intrauterine device (IUD) is a small T-shaped plastic device that is placed in the uterus to prevent pregnancy. A plastic string is attached to the end to ensure correct placement and for removal. IUDs are an easily reversible form of birth control, and they can be easily removed. However, an IUD should only be removed by a medical professional.
Numerous Nigerian women opt for IUDs. IUDs are the most inexpensive long-term birth control method available.

How an IUD Works

The precise mechanism of the contraceptive action of IUDs is not known. Hormonal and copper IUDs work in different ways. With a copper IUD, a small amount of copper is released into the uterus. Neither type of IUD affects ovulation or the menstrual cycle. Copper IUDs may prevent s***m from being able to go into the egg by immobilizing the s***m on the way to the fallopian tubes.
With hormonal IUDs, a small amount of progestin, a hormone similar to the natural hormone progesterone, is released into the uterine lining. This hormone thickens cervical mucus and make it difficult for s***m to enter the cervix. Hormonal IUDs also slow down the growth of the uterine lining, making it inhospitable for fertilized eggs

Placement of the IUD
Before an IUD is placed, a physical examination is important to make sure that the reproductive organs are normal and that no infections are present. The clinician will ask about medical and lifestyle history. Being open and honest is important when answering these questions. IUDs are not appropriate for every woman.
Before the IUD is placed, a woman should discuss any questions she has with her clinician. The clinician will also provide a consent form with detailed information about the IUD. The woman should make sure to read this form carefully and understand it before signing.
An IUD can be placed during an office visit and remains in place until a medical professional removes it. It can be inserted at any phase of the menstrual cycle, but the best time is during the menstrual period because this is when the cervix is softest and when women are least likely to be pregnant. Women may be instructed to take an over-the-counter pain reliever an hour before insertion to prevent cramps. Women may also be given an antibiotic to prevent possible infection associated with insertion; however, some studies disagree about the benefit of antibiotics.
To place the IUD, a speculum is used to hold the va**na open. An instrument is used to steady the cervix and uterus, and a tube is used to place the IUD. The arms of the T shape bend back in the tube and then open once the IUD is in the uterus. Once the IUD is in place, the instruments are withdrawn. The string hangs about an inch out of the cervix but does not hang out of the va**na.
Cramps may be uncomfortable during insertion, and some women feel dizzy. Breathing deeply and trying to relax should prevent these problems. Women may want to have someone with them to drive them home after IUD insertion.
Once the IUD is placed, women can return to normal activities such as s*x, exercise, and swimming as soon as they are comfortable. Strenuous physical activity does not affect the position of the IUD. Women can also use tampons as soon as they wish after an IUD is placed.

20/03/2015

Top 10 Tips to Help Children Develop Healthy Habits

You can help your child develop healthy habits early in life that will bring lifelong benefits. As a parent, you can encourage your kids to evaluate their food choice and physical activity habits. Here are some tips and guidelines to get you started.

1. Be a good role model - You don’t have to be perfect all the time, but if kids see you trying to eat right and getting physically active, they’ll take notice of your efforts. You’ll send a message that good health is important to your family.

2. Keep things positive - Kid’s don’t like to hear what they can’t do, tell them what they can do instead. Keep it fun and positive. Everyone likes to be praised for a job well done. Celebrate successes and help children and teens develop a good self-image.

3. Get the whole family moving - Plan times for everyone to get moving together. Take walks, ride bikes, go swimming, garden or just play hide-and-seek outside. Everyone will benefit from the exercise and the time together.

4. Be realistic - Setting realistic goals and limits are key to adopting any new behavior. Small steps and gradual changes can make a big difference in your health over time, so start small and build up.

5. Limit TV, video game and computer time - These habits lead to a sedentary lifestyle and excessive snacking, which increase risks for obesity and cardiovascular disease. Limit screen time to 2 hours per day.

6. Encourage physical activities that they’ll really enjoy - Every child is unique. Let your child experiment with different activities until they find something that they really love doing. They’ll stick with it longer if they love it. check out these activities for kids.

7. Pick truly rewarding rewards - Don’t reward children with tv, video games, candy or snacks for a job well done. Find other ways to celebrate good behavior.

8. Make dinnertime a family time - When everyone sits down together to eat, there’s less chance of children eating the wrong foods or snacking too much. Get your kids involved in cooking and planning meals. Everyone develops good eating habits together and the quality time with the family will be an added bonus.

9. Make a game of reading food labels - The whole family will learn what’s good for their health and be more conscious of what they eat. It’s a habit that helps change behavior for a lifetime. Learn more about reading nutrition labels.

10. Stay involved - Be an advocate for healthier children. Insist on good food choices at school. Make sure your children’s healthcare providers are monitoring cardiovascular indicators like BMI, blood pressure and cholesterol. Contact public officials on matters of the heart. Make your voice heard.

Culled from American Heart Association.