Around 45 million Americans suffer from a common condition called irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which causes symptoms like cramping, bloating, gas, diarrhea, and constipation. While IBS affects both men and women, it is more common in women. The exact causes of IBS are still unknown, but researchers are making progress in understanding and treating this condition.
IBS is characterized by chronic belly pain and changes in bowel habits. There are three types: diarrhea-dominant (IBS-D), constipation-dominant (IBS-C), and a combination of both. It is a common gastrointestinal condition, affecting up to 15% of Americans.
The causes of IBS can vary and include changes in the gut microbiome, abnormal muscle contractions in the intestines, faulty nerve signals, pelvic floor problems (especially in women), early life stress, and genetics.
IBS can be inconvenient and even debilitating, affecting daily life and causing distress. However, there are now more personalized treatment options available.
A recent drug advertisement for Entyvio (vedolizumab) has caught attention with its unique portrayal of toilets in every scene. This article aims to unravel the reasons behind this unconventional choice and shed light on important aspects that may have been overlooked.
Decoding the Symbolism:
The ad showcases a young woman engaging in various activities, with an interesting twist - she is seen sitting on toilet lids instead of regular seats. The voiceover hints at the daily struggles faced by individuals with moderate or severe Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, collectively known as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The toilets symbolize the constant reminders and uncertainties associated with these conditions, particularly the unpredictable bouts of diarrhea and urgent need for restroom access.
Key Information Presented in the Ad:
1. Treatment Mechanism: The ad effectively utilizes visually appealing animations and graphics to explain how vedolizumab, administered through infusions every two months, blocks cells responsible for inflammation in the intestinal tract.
2. Side Effects: In adherence to FDA regulations, the ad highlights common and potentially serious side effects of vedolizumab, including infusion and allergic reactions, liver problems, and increased susceptibility to infection. It also mentions a rare brain infection called PML.
3. Benefits: The ad confidently states that Entyvio has provided long-term relief and remission for many participants in clinical trials.
Precision is important when it comes to radiation therapy for prostate cancer, aiming to treat the cancer cells while sparing healthy tissues. Technological advancements have led to a newer technique called stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT), which can deliver highly targeted radiation to tumors from various angles. This method requires only five treatments over two weeks, making it more convenient than previous approaches. Integrating SBRT with real-time imaging scans, a technique known as magnetic resonance–guided daily adaptive SBRT (MRg-A-SBRT), further enhances precision by accounting for tumor movements caused by everyday activities like breathing or digestion.
A new study conducted by Dr. Jonathan Leeman and his team from Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston compared MRg-A-SBRT with a similar method called CT-SBRT, which utilizes computed tomography for imaging. The systematic review analyzed 29 clinical trials involving over 2,500 patients. The results showed that patients treated with MRg-A-SBRT experienced fewer side effects compared to those treated with CT-SBRT. Genitourinary side effects ranged from 5% to 33% in MRg-A-SBRT patients, while CT-guided treatments resulted in side effects between 9% and 47%. Similarly, gastrointestinal side effects ranged from 0% to 8% in MRg-A-SBRT patients, compared to 2% to 23% in CT-guided treatments.
If you're a man over 50, you might be familiar with the challenges of an enlarged prostate. This walnut-shaped gland near your bladder tends to grow as you age, causing issues like a weak urine stream, trouble emptying your bladder, and frequent bathroom trips.
If you experience these symptoms, it's important to consult your doctor for proper evaluation. However, there are some simple changes you can make to ease urinary problems:
- Avoid drinking fluids 1-2 hours before bedtime.
- Limit fluid intake before going out or starting a journey.
- Urinate as soon as you feel the need.
- Follow a timed schedule for bathroom visits, even if you don't feel the urge.
- Take your time while urinating to empty your bladder completely, reducing the need for frequent trips.
It's also essential to avoid over-the-counter drugs like antihistamines and decongestants, as they can further slow your urine stream and hinder bladder emptying.
If you want to learn more about benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), its causes, symptoms, and treatments, check out "Living Better with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia," an online guide from Harvard Medical School.
If constipation becomes chronic, stop playing the laxative roulette wheel. Examine with your doctor.
Occasional irregularity is unavoidable, but you can reduce it with a few simple methods. You should consume a fiber-rich diet, drink plenty of water, and stay physically active.
When it comes to constipation, however, the ideal laxative is the gentlest and safest alternative, such as a bulk-forming laxative. If laxatives do not work, seek assistance. If you require laxatives on a regular basis, you should consult your doctor.
How do stool softeners function?
Stool softeners soften stools, making them easier to pass. They are commonly used before bedtime and come in capsule, tablet, liquid, or syrup form. Take stool softeners exactly as instructed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more frequently than your doctor has suggested.
Laxatives that create bulk are the first choice.
Bulk-forming laxatives attract water into the stool, softening it and making it easier to pass. However, don't expect immediate relief; these can take anywhere from a half-day to several days to offer relief. They are suitable for daily use. They contain a variety of substances, and you may need to test more than one to find one that works for you while causing minimal side effects such as flatulence and bloating. They could be sold as laxatives or fiber supplements.
Owning a dog offers a number of health benefits, including companionship, unconditional affection, and the increased physical activity needed to play with and walk your pet. However, exercise caution when walking Fido on a regular basis. A study that linked dog walking to a dramatic increase in injuries among those holding a puppy's leash was published online on April 14, 2023, by Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. Nearly 423,000 patients (average age 53) who visited emergency rooms after being pulled or tripped by a leash were found when researchers examined data from a national health database between 2001 and 2020. Over the course of the study, the yearly injury rate climbed by more than four times, from around 7,200 in 2001 to about 32,000 in 2020.
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