Dehydration Archives - Health Beat

What is Ulcerative Colitis?

Posted on December 28, 2018 by Michael Hinck

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic bowel disease that affects the large intestine, or colon. People with UC experience inflammation of the colon, which is typically marked by swelling and irritation that eventually leads to the development of ulcers (open sores) that produce blood, pus, and mucus. There is currently no cure for UC so those with the disease usually have symptom flare-ups off and on for life.

Ulcerative colitis occurs when the immune mistakenly identifies food, good gut bacteria, and the cells that line your colon as intruders. When this happens, the white blood cells that usually protect us, attack the lining of our colon instead, which causes inflammation and ulcers.

While doctors don’t know definitively what causes UC, some believe that both genetics and environmental factors may play a role in the development of the disease for some. While other factors such as food and stress don’t cause UC, they can trigger a flare-up of symptoms.

The main symptom of u ulcerative colitis is bloody diarrhea. Other problems may include:

Crampy belly pain
Sudden urges to empty your colon right away
Lack of appetite
Weight loss
Feeling tired
Fever
Dehydration
Feeling like you haven’t completely emptied your colon after you use the bathroom
Not being able to hold your stools in

Your doctor will use different tests to determine if you have UC or another type of gut disease. Tests typically include stool and blood samples, x-rays, or a flexible sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy where tubes containing cameras are used to view the inside of the colon and take a biopsy of its lining.

If UC is confirmed, your doctor will work with you to address your symptoms and prevent future flare-ups. This may include altering your diet and prescribing certain medications to reduce inflammation and stop your immune system from attacking your colon. In severe cases, a surgical procedure to remove your colon (colectomy) may be required.

If you are experiencing symptoms of colitis, you should schedule an appointment with your doctor. If you do not have one, Jamaica Hospital has qualified physicians that can diagnose and help you manage this condition. To make an appointment, please call 718-206-7001.

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

The Facts About the Stomach Flu

Posted on January 20, 2017 by Michael Hinck

The flu isn’t the only virus that we need to protect ourselves against this time of year. Gastroenteritis, or the stomach flu is a very contagious bug that is common in our region beginning in the fall and winter months.

Unlike influenza, which affects your respiratory system, the stomach flu attacks your intestines causing the following symptoms:

• Watery, non-bloody diarrhea
• Abdominal cramps and pain
• Nausea, vomiting or both
• Occasional muscle aches, headache, and low-grade fever

Gastroenteritis is typically spread through the sharing of food or drink with someone who is infected or sharing other items with them such as utensils or towels. Children can also spread the illness by placing their hands in their mouths after touching contaminated items or surfaces.

Symptoms usually appear within one to three days after exposure and can range from mild to severe. Typically symptoms last only a day or two, but in some cases, they may persist for up to ten days.

The main complication from viral gastroenteritis is dehydration — a severe loss of water and essential salts and minerals. If you’re healthy and drink enough to replace fluids you lose from vomiting and diarrhea, dehydration shouldn’t be a problem. However, infants, older adults and people with suppressed immune systems may become severely dehydrated when they lose more fluids than they can replace. Hospitalization might be needed so that lost fluids can be replaced intravenously. Dehydration can be fatal, but rarely.

To avoid catching the stomach flu, it is recommended that individuals wash their hands thoroughly, use separate items around the home, disinfect all potentially infected items and surfaces, and keep your distance from those who are infected.

If you do contract gastroenteritis, follow these tips:

• Let your stomach settle. Stop eating solid foods for a few hours.
• Try sucking on ice chips or taking small sips of water. You might also try drinking clear liquids or broths or non-caffeinated sports drinks. Drink plenty of liquid every day, taking small, frequent sips.
• Ease back into eating. Gradually begin to eat bland, easy-to-digest foods, such as ginger ale crackers, toast, gelatin, bananas, rice and chicken. Stop eating if your nausea returns.
• Avoid certain foods and substances until you feel better. These include dairy products, caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, and fatty or highly seasoned foods.
• Get plenty of rest. The illness and dehydration may have made you weak and tired.

See a doctor if you become dehydrated (characterized by excessive thirst, dry mouth, dark yellow or no urine, severe weakness or dizziness), if symptoms persist for over 24 hours, if you are vomiting blood or have blood in your stool, or if you have a temperature of 104 degrees or above.

Jamaica Hospital Urologists Warn: Stay Hydrated This Summer to Avoid Kidney Stones

Posted on June 19, 2015 by Michael Hinck

You are out on a hot summer day participating in some type of physical activity and you feel a sudden sharp pain on your side or back. While the pain could be a number of things, there is a good chance that you have a kidney stone.

With summer’s heat and more increased physical activity, dehydration is a much more likely occurrence. With adequate hydration, calcium and other crystal forming substances cannot concentrate in the urine, but when someone is dehydrated, there is not enough fluid to dilute these substances, potentially causing kidney stones to form. Even though kidney stones are less than a centimeter in size, they can still cause intense discomfort.

Urologists at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center offer the following tips to reduce your chances of developing kidney stones this summer:

• Drink enough water – If you’re prone to kidney stones, your best defense is to stay hydrated during hot summer months. Hot temperatures make your body lose more water than usual, so it is important to replenish it throughout the day. You may need more than 64 ounces of water per day, depending on your weight and activity level.

• Eat less meat – A diet rich in animal protein can increase your risk for kidney stones, so try to minimize your consumption of burgers and other barbeque favorites and substitute them with other protein sources, such as beans, nuts and seeds.

• Limit your salt intake – Excess salt absorbs water in your system, which can also dehydrate you. Limit your daily sodium intake to 1500 mg or less per day by avoiding fast food, reading nutrition labels when you buy groceries, and cooking with less salt and more herbs and spices.

• Drink less caffeine – Even though you may think you are getting enough liquid by consuming caffeinated sodas, coffee, or tea, caffeine is a diuretic, meaning it can dehydrate you

Kidney stones sometimes do not cause symptoms. If the crystals are small enough, they may pass through urinary tract and out of the body without being felt. However, if a stone is large enough to attract attention, the first symptom is usually severe pain in the back and side that begins when the stone moves into the urinary tract, blocking the flow of urine. The pain may later spread to the groin and lower abdomen. Other symptoms include a persistent urge to urinate, painful urination, and pink, red, or brown urine

Seek medical attention if you have pain accompanied by nausea and vomiting or fever and chills, or if pain is so severe that you cannot sit still or find a comfortable position.

Jamaica Hospital’s Department of Urology offers a wide variety of treatment options for those suffering with kidney stones as well as many other conditions. For more information, or to schedule an appointment, please call 718-206-7110.