Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) - Capturing What's Inside You!

The internal design of a human body is complicated, and hence, an X-Ray examination cannot reveal everything. To understand the minute insights better, doctors instruct MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging). An MRI machine is a tube-shaped device which creates detailed images of tissues and organs of a human body under the influence of magnetic field and radio waves. When a patient lies inside an MRI machine, his body's hydrogen atoms are realigned by the magnetic field. Then, the radio waves in parallel produce faint signals to develop cross-sectional MRI images. The images can be created either in two dimensions or three dimensions as per requirement. 

Why is MRI done?

MRI is a noninvasive method of capturing high-resolution images of internal organs, tissues and skeletal system to diagnose the problems happening inside the body. 

MRI of Spinal Cord and Brain

Often patients undergo this examination for brain or spinal cord to diagnose:

• Spinal cord injuries
• Tumors
• Multiple sclerosis
• Aneurysms of cerebral vessels
• Disorders of the eye and inner ear
• Brain injury from trauma 

Apart from these variants, a particular type of MRI known as function MRI (fMRI) is done to measure the metabolic changes occurring inside the brain. It examines the brain's anatomy and determines how the parts of the brain are functioning. fMRI is also used to determine the damage caused due to head injury or diseases like Alzheimer's disease. 

MRI of Internal Organs

Medical science has earned numerous advantages since the launch of MRI technology. It can be used to identify abnormalities prevailing in body parts like:

• Ovaries
• Liver and bile ducts
• Spleen
• Prostate
• Kidneys
• Uterus
• Pancreas 

MRI of Heart and Blood Vessels

• For heart and blood vessels this technique can assess:
• The thickness and the movement of heart's walls.
• The structural problems of the aorta.
• The functions and size of the chambers of the heart.
• The blockage and inflammation in blood vessels.
• The seriousness of damage caused by heart disease or heart attack. 

MRI of Bones and Joints

• Here, this magnetic technology helps to evaluate:
• Disk abnormalities in the spine
• Bone infections
• Tumors of the bones and soft tissues
• Joint defects caused by traumatic or repetitive injuries 

Radiology Service Centers in San Antonio

If you want to undergo MRI or any other radiology procedure, then reach out to the experts of Gonzaba Medical Group. They are one of the leading providers of Diagnostic Imaging Services in San Antonio.

Acid Reflux Disease- Causes, Symptoms, and Cure

What is Acid Reflux Disease?

The human body is composed of several valves, and one such valve exists at the entrance of our stomach. It is known as lower esophageal sphincter (LES) which closes as soon as food passes through it. When it doesn't close at all or closes but opens up too often, then the acid produced in our stomach finds a way to travel upwards to the esophagus. This action causes burning chest pain (commonly called as heartburn) which in medical terms is known as acid reflux. If it happens more than two times in a week, then this abnormality is termed as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

What Causes Acid Reflux Disease?

The following list mentions the common risk factors for reflux disease:

• Eating large meals.
• Being obese or overweight.
• After a heavy meal lying on back or bending at the waist.
• Eating spicy or fatty foods or sometimes eating tomatoes, chocolate, garlic, onion or citrus foods also causes acid reflux action.
• Smoking.
• Being pregnant.
• Eating snacks before bedtime.
• Taking aspirin, blood pressure medications, ibuprofen, or muscle relaxers
• Drinking beverages like tea, coffee, carbonated drinks or alcohol. 

What Are the Indications of Acid Reflux Disease?

• Heartburn- A burning pain or discomfort starting from stomach towards abdomen or chest till throat.
• Regurgitation- A sour or bitter acid taste backing up in mouth or throat.
• Bloody or black stools
• Bloody vomiting
• Burping
• Dysphagia- A feeling of narrowing esophagus as if food is stuck in the throat.
• Bloating
• Nausea
• Wheezing, hoarseness, chronic sore throat, or a dry cough.
• Sometimes weight loss 

Can Acid Reflux Disease Be Cured with Lifestyle Changes?

One of the best ways to avoid acid reflux is to elude the foods which trigger this action. Follow the below guidelines:

• Avoid eating large meals and instead eat small meals frequently throughout the day.
• Quit smoking.
• Avoid eating anything at least two to three hours before sleep.
• If you are obese or overweight, then adopt a healthy lifestyle to reduce weight.
• Try taking daytime naps in a chair.
• Avoid wearing tight apparels.
• Try keeping your head four to six inches high while sleeping. 

Acid Reflux Treatment in San Antonio

If the lifestyle as mentioned above changes don't help, then immediately connect with the experienced doctors at Digestive & Liver Disease Center of San Antonio PLLC. They use advanced diagnostic methods for treating conditions like heartburn, acid reflux, liver diseases, colon cancer and many more. For more information book an appointment now.

Does Arthritis Require an Urgent Care?

Are you suffering from severe joint pain problem? If so, then stay attentive and consult a specialist immediately because joint issues are an indication of arthritis. This problem of joints is said to cause permanent damage to joint bones if treatment is delayed.  

When to See a Doctor? 

If you face the following potential signs of joint problems, then see an arthritis specialist immediately: 

• Joint tenderness or stiffness 
• Pain in joints 
• Swelling of joints 
• Stiffness while motioning of joints 
• Redness or warmth in joints 
• Difficulty in moving a joint or while doing everyday activities 
• Joint symptoms that cause concern 
• Joint problems that last longer than two days 
• Several cases of joint issues in a single month

 

When is Arthritis Urgent Care Required? 

Arthritis isn't a diagnosis, and many people confuse it this way. It is a medical disorder which covers a hundred diseases and related conditions. If you are diagnosed with arthritis, then knowing the type of arthritis is the first step to getting the right treatment. 

Some types of arthritis like septic require treatment on a prompt basis. The reason is these conditions create permanent damage and getting an immediate treatment can bring the situation under control. Medications prevent damage to the functions of joints and other related problems. 

Experts suggest that infrequent or mild joint problems should be addressed on an urgent basis to keep damages out of the way. Additionally, it is advisable to discuss your bones with the specialist in your regular health check-ups.  

 

How to Ease Arthritis Pain? 

• Exercising- A body which stays inactive and sedentary while suffering from arthritis worsens the situation and invites other health issues too. Pool exercises, yoga or prescribed exercises keeps an arthritis patient physically fit. 
• Start Your Day with Warm Water and Stretching- Our body is tight when we wake up in the morning, therefore to loosen it up, take a shower with warm water to relax your muscles and then do some stretching. 
• Maintain your Weight- Researchers believe that excess fat tissues create a chemical that causes inflammation. To cure arthritis, you need to avoid inflammation strictly because it usually happens in joints due to the accumulation of weighty muscles. 
• Eat a Balanced and Low Cholesterol Diet- Some foods cause inflammation and extreme pain in joints. Avoid eating foods with high sodium content (salt), sugar, corn oil, fried or oily foods and processed foods. 

 

Arthritis Treatment in San Antonio 

Gonzaba Urgent Care Center is an arthritis treatment center also to other urgent care problems. They work seven days a week and treat conditions of people greater than two years of age. For more details book an appointment now.

Different pain management techniques

Pain management plays an important role if you are suffering from ongoing pain control, particularly if it is a long-term or chronic pain. After getting proper pain assessment, your physician will prescribe you pain medicines, treatment or physiotherapy to help with pain relief.  Patients are advised to check with with their physician regarding any questions about a specific program.

Chronic pain can be caused due to a number of reasons. Some of the commonly occurring conditions due to ageing may affect bones and joints in a way that it leads to cause chronic pain. Other common causes are nerve damage and injuries that fail to heal properly. Other common causes include nerve damage and injuries that fail to heal properly. Certain kind of chronic pain have numerous causes, however it may be caused due to a single factor or due to a combination of factors.

Whether your pain has just come on or you’ve lived with it for years, these following are some of the easy to follow pain management techniques that can bring you relief. Continuous clinical research has be conducted to help determine, which pain management therapies are the most effective in treating back pain and neck pain.

The pain management techniques can be classified in terms of their invasiveness.

1. Some of the non-invasive technique for pain management are exercise, manual technique, behavioral management, physiotherapy, massage, acupuncture, hypnotherapy, hot & Cold therapy, biofeedback therapy, etc.    

2. Other pain management techniques, that includes medications, are purely pharmacologic in nature

·         NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), including ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin

·         Anti-seizure medications, which can be effective in treating pain related to nerve damage or injury

·         Antidepressants, which can improve sleep and alleviate pain

·         Steroids, like dexamethasone and prednisone, to alleviate inflammation and pain

·         Acetaminophen (Tylenol)

3. Pain management techniques that involve invasive techniques, such as injections or operations.

As you are trying out these techniques, it is important to be patient with yourself. If you try them, but if it fails to help you relive the pain, do not be dishearten or lose hope in medical science. Inform you doctor about the same as he may suggest you some alternative medication or treatment to help you overcome this distressful condition. With the right treatment and little lifestyle modification, the pain will get better and you will be able to lead a healthy and pain free life again.

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