Abdomen
Melena
• Melena is the symptom of an abnormally dark bowel movement (stool).
• Melena may also be associated with a tarry texture can a be sign of bleeding in the stomach or intestines. Bacteria in the intestine change blood (hemoglobin) in blood to a dark pigment.
• Melena may or may not be associated with abdominal discomfort.
• Melena may be caused by:
· bleeding stomach inflammation (gastritis) of stomach ulcer
· swallowing blood from bleeding nose
· bleeding veins in the esophagus
· inflammation of the esophagus (esophagitis)
· Hiatal hernia
· stomach or colon cancer
· inflammation of the colon (colitis)
• Melena should always be evaluated by your doctor.
Read more – January 2, 2009
GI Bleeding
• GI bleeding is the symptom of bleeding from the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, 
colon or rectum.
• GI bleeding can be caused by:
· anal fissures
· arterial vascular malformation (malformed blood vessels in the stomach or intestine)
· aspirin use
· Celiac Disease (Nontropical sprue)
· colitis (inflammation or infection of the colon)
· colon cancer
· colonic polyp
· esophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus)
· gastritis (stomach inflammation)
· hemorrhoids
· stomach ulcer
· stomach cancer
· Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAID) such as Ibuprofen (Advil/Mortin), Naprosyn (Aleve),or Diclofenac
• GI bleeding should always be evaluated by your doctor.
Read more – December 16, 2008
Gastrointestinal bleeding
• Gastrointestinal bleeding is the symptom of vomiting up of blood or bleeding from the rectum.
• Gastrointestinal bleeding can come from the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon or rectum.
• Gastrointestinal bleeding can be caused by:
· anal fissures
· arterial vascular malformation ( malformed blood vessels in the stomach or intestine
· aspirin use
· Celiac Disease (Nontropical sprue)
· colitis (inflammation or infection of the colon)
· colon cancer
· colonic polyp
· esophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus)
· gastritis (stomach inflammation)
· hemorrhoids
· stomach ulcer
· stomach cancer
· Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAID) such as Ibuprofen (Advil/Mortin), Naprosyn (Aleve), Diclofenac
• Gastrointestinal bleeding should always be evaluated by your doctor
Drowsiness
• Drowsiness (hypersomnolence) is the symptom of the inability to sustain a wakeful state.
• Drowsiness can be a sign of:
· impaired sleep
· sleep deprivation
· obstructive sleep apnea
· intoxication with alcohol or sedative drugs
· metabolic abnormalities such as hypothyroidism or adrenal gland dysfunction
• Drowsiness that persist or worsens should be evaluated by your doctor.
Read more – December 14, 2008
Diaphoresis
• Diaphoresis is the cumulation of anxiety, low blood pressure, and low blood glucose.
• Diaphoresis also is manifested by profuse sweating, and pale skin.
• Diaphoresis can be a sign leading to shock.
Cheilosis
• Cheilosis (Angular cheilitis) is a breakdown, scaling and irritation of the skin at the corners of the mouth.
• Cheilosis (Angular cheilitis) can be a sign of malnutrition, candida infection, diabetes, immunodeficiency states.
Read more – December 10, 2008
The Truth About Iron Deficiency
Iron deficiency anemia can be the first warning sign of colon cancer. About 150,000 people, or 6% of the
population will be diagnosed with colon cancer this year in the United States. About 56,000 are expected to die. This is the second most common cause of cancer death.
Colon cancer does not produce symptoms until it is advanced and screening tests are very important in catching colon cancer while in the early stages.
As part of a routine physical examination, physicians usually will obtain a complete blood cell count laboratory which can indicate iron deficiency anemia. In a man or postmenopausal woman, this can be a strong indication of colon cancer and needs to be investigated further.
November 24, 2008
Read more – November 24, 2008
Breathing difficulties
• Breathing difficulties is the symptom of the sensation of shortness of breath.
• Breathing difficulties is known as breathlessness and is the sensation of difficult or uncomfortable breathing or a feeling of not getting enough oxygen.
The sensation of shortness of breath is a common symptom in adults.
Shortness of breath is a subjective complaint and can be difficult to measure.
Shortness of breath can be caused by diseases of the lungs, heart or the chest wall.
Shortness of breath can result from anemia.
Shortness of breath can also be a manifestation of an anxiety disorder.
New shortness of breath or a change in chronic shortness of breath should always be evaluated by your doctor.
Read more – November 23, 2008
