Month: April 2024

  • The different types of stomach aches

    The different types of stomach aches

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    Heartburn is one of the most common stomach aches. They are characterized by pain in the sternum which can rise to the throat. These acid refluxes are due to a dysfunction of the sphincter. Normally, the contraction of this muscle helps prevent the contents of the stomach from flowing back into the esophagus. Heartburn is caused by a relaxation of the sphincter causing gastric fluid to rise .

    This type of stomach ache occurs after meals and can be worse when lying down . You may also have a sour or bitter taste in your mouth associated with acid reflux (GERD) . The causes of this pain can include a diet that is too rich, stress, pregnancy, a side effect linked to a medication, among others.

    Acute stomach pain results from cramps. These cause the muscles around the stomach to contract. These pains are very severe and can have various origins. They occur in the so-called epigastric region and are often linked to eating meals.

    When food is contaminated by bacteria or a virus, its ingestion causes a digestive disorder. In the case of diarrhea, the excessive acceleration of transit causes liquid stools which are accompanied by violent stomach cramps . During food poisoning, stomach cramps are associated with diarrhea and vomiting to expel the pathogen. Finally, in cases of gastroenteritis, inflammation of the lining of the stomach and intestine causes cramps, diarrhea and vomiting. Other causes can be sought such as pinworm infection , gastric ulcer (rarer) or transient gastritis (acute inflammation of the stomach lining).

    Stomach cramps can also be caused by irritable bowel syndrome . Also called functional colopathy , this chronic pathology is said to be “functional”, that is to say that no abnormality of the affected organs can be detected using traditional examinations. The dysfunction is mechanical and affects the small intestine and the colon . The latter experience an acceleration or slowdown of transit causing various symptoms that are sometimes very bothersome, such as stomach cramps, bloating and diarrhea.

    Please note: cramps can occur if you ingest a spicy or acidic food. These can cause irritation to the lining of the stomach and intestines.

    Lower stomach pain

    If you have pain in your lower abdomen, there could be several reasons and this may differ if you are a man or a woman. This can be due to appendicitis , peritonitis, cystitis , menstrual pain in women or prostatitis in men.

    Stomach ache due to Covid-19

    Stomach ache is a symptom of covid-19, but it is not the most common. It can manifest itself as diffuse pain in the stomach and lower abdomen and is accompanied by other digestive disorders (diarrhea, vomiting), but also by more common symptoms such as cough , fever, sore throat . If you experience symptoms suggestive of covid-19 , you must put in place barrier gestures and carry out a PCR test .

    Stomach ache during menstruation

    In women, painful periods are a very common cause of discomfort. They can in fact cause more or less intense stomach aches .

    This pain is located in the lower abdomen and can be very severe, which can become a real handicap. If you cannot relieve your stomach pain with treatments like paracetamol , you should talk to your doctor. In addition, if these pains repeat themselves with each cycle, it can help you find a longer-term solution to relieve them.

    Good to know : endometriosis , a disease that affects the female genital tract, is sometimes responsible for pain in the lower abdomen during menstruation. About 10% of women suffer from endometriosis .

    Stomach aches during pregnancy

    Pregnant women may experience cramps and pain in their lower abdomen during their pregnancy . This is due to the modification of the uterus and in particular the muscles and ligaments which stretch. If you are pregnant, your stomach aches are probably benign, but these pains should be monitored as they may be a sign of an abnormality.

    Furthermore, be aware that bleeding outside of your period and stomach ache can be a symptom of a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy . You must immediately consult.

    Stomach ache after eating

  • Aesthetic and plastic surgery for better aging

    Aesthetic and plastic surgery for better aging

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    Whether he is in the operating room, in consultation with his patients or with the residents he teaches, Dr. Karl  Schwarz works to undo the prejudices surrounding plastic surgery. Because when patients tell him that their lives are transformed after going under his knife, he recognizes the immense positive impact that surgery can have.

    What is an XTRA?

    For Dr. Karl Schwarz, the choice  to pursue a specialty in plastic surgery was obvious. It must be said that, before him, his father had distinguished himself as a plastic surgeon. Very early on, Dr. Schwarz  was able to see the art behind surgery: “Plastic surgery is the perfect combination of science, engineering and art,” he summarizes.

    The Montreal surgeon learned his lessons with the greats, notably at Georgetown University Hospital, one of the best plastic surgery residencies in North America. A certified member of the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, Dr. Schwarz  contributes to training the next generation in this field which fascinates him.

    By founding Clinique K, the renowned surgeon imagined an ultra-modern practice specializing in plastic and reconstructive surgery, a place where honesty with the patient and the achievement of natural results are prioritized. It is the ultimate compass that guides Dr. Schwarz  . “In my eyes, it is the plastic surgeon’s entire responsibility to ensure that the client understands what is possible and what is not, depending on their physiognomy and the limits of the human body,” explains- he. Our role is also to ensure that their expectations are realistic before going under the knife. » It is not uncommon, moreover, for Dr. Karl  Schwarz to refuse to perform an intervention on a patient.

    It must be remembered that these are cosmetic and elective procedures. The patient must be in good physical and mental health, and the reasons for choosing to have surgery must be well-founded.

    Although he advocates self-acceptance, Dr. Schwarz  is at the forefront of measuring the positive impact that surgery can have on the men and women who choose it. Sometimes considered frivolous, certain interventions can nevertheless change lives. “When a young girl has been self-conscious about her nose all her life, for example, rhinoplasty can help her gain confidence and relate to others,” illustrates the surgeon.

    However, it is when he works in reconstructive surgery that his work takes on its full meaning. Whether we think of breast reconstruction for breast cancer survivors or facial reconstruction after trauma, these surgical procedures often help the patient progress through the recovery process. In Canada, Clinique K is one of the rare private practices to offer breast reconstruction privately.

    Some women proudly wear their mastectomy scars as a badge of honor and I have great respect for them. For others, reconstructive surgery is part of the path to recovery. When they tell me that their lives are transformed after the operation, it gives meaning to what we do here.

    The human factor

    When we ask Dr. Schwarz  what explains Clinique K’s reputation for excellence, the answer is not long in coming: the team. “It is the human factor that limits the risks for the patient. It’s the anesthesiologist, it’s the nursing staff in the operating room, those in the recovery room; it is all these humans who ensure the safety of the patients who trust us,” he concludes.