Gastric Balloon Gastric Balloon Home G Overview The gastric balloon is a non-surgical weight loss procedure designed to help individuals manage their portion sizes and reduce caloric intake. It involves placing a soft, inflatable balloon in the stomach to occupy space, making it easier to eat smaller meals and feel full sooner. This method is often paired with professional coaching, which includes dietary guidance, psychological support, and exercise plans, lasting up to 12 months (6 months during the balloon placement and 6 months post-removal). Reasons for examination Your healthcare provider might recommend the gastric balloon for:Weight Loss Goals: If you need to lose weight but want to avoid surgical interventions.Medical Concerns: Obesity-related conditions like hypertension, diabetes, or sleep apnoea need management through weight reduction.Improved Lifestyle Habits: You require guidance to build long-term healthy eating and exercise habits. Preparation To prepare, you may be asked to:Fast for a few hours before the procedure.Discuss your medical history to ensure suitability for the gastric balloon.Undergo basic medical assessments like blood tests or imaging. Procedure The gastric balloon placement is quick, usually taking 20–30 minutes, and is performed on an outpatient basis.A mild sedative is administered to ensure comfort.A deflated balloon is inserted into the stomach through the mouth using an endoscope.The balloon is then filled with saline until it reaches the size of a grapefruit.After 6 months, the balloon is deflated and removed through the same process under mild sedation. What to Expect After the Procedure Initial Weight Loss: Most weight loss occurs during the first three months. Patients typically lose 3.1 times more weight than with diet and exercise alone.Sustained Effort: Success depends on your commitment to dietary changes and regular physical activity.Professional Support: Coaching from experts helps maintain the progress achieved during the treatment. Benefits Proven Efficacy: Decades of use with thousands of successful cases.FDA-Approved Safety: Offers a reliable alternative to more invasive weight loss procedures.Long-Term Impact: Encourages sustainable weight management even after the balloon is removed. Alternatives to the Gastric Balloon Bariatric Surgery: Such as gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy for more severe obesity cases.Pharmacological Interventions: Prescription medications for weight loss.Diet and Exercise Programs: Structured plans supervised by healthcare professionals. Side Effects and Risks Mild Discomfort: Nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain in the initial days after placement.Rare Complications: Balloon deflation, intestinal obstruction, or perforation. Read more about Gastric Balloon Filter Alphabet G
Gender Dysphoria Gender Dysphoria Home G Overview The term ‘transgender person’ describes an individual whose sex assigned at birth (typically referring to external genitalia) fails to match their gender identity (which is their personal sense of their gender). Some transgender individuals experience ‘gender dysphoria’, a kind of psychological distress arising from a contradiction between their assigned sex and gender identity. While gender dysphoria often starts in childhood, it can also emerge during puberty or later in life. Transgender people may seek various forms of gender affirmation, including:Social affirmation: Changing their name and pronouns.Legal affirmation: Updating gender markers on official documents.Medical affirmation: Utilizing treatments like pubertal suppression or hormone therapy.Surgical affirmation: Undergoing surgeries such as vaginoplasty, facial feminization, chest reconstruction, or breast augmentation.It’s important to recognise that not all transgender individuals will pursue every type of gender affirmation, since these choices are deeply personal and vary from person to person. Additionally, gender identity is distinct from sexual orientation, which refers to the genders towards which an individual is sexually attracted. Just like cisgender individuals (those whose assigned sex aligns with their gender identity), transgender people can have a wide range of sexual orientations. Read more about Gender Dysphoria Filter Alphabet G
General Anaesthesia General Anaesthesia Home G Overview General anaesthesia is the most well-known form of anaesthesia. wherein a drug (anaesthetic) is provided through a mask or is directly injected into the veins (intravenous injection) to artificially put the patient to sleep and make them insensitive to pain (unable to feel pain) during surgery. In some cases, a tube might be placed in your throat (intubation) to help with breathing.Many lifesaving and life-altering surgical procedures rely heavily on general anaesthesia as it enables medical professionals to perform prolonged, intricate, or invasive (involving access to internal tissues and organs by cutting the skin, inserting instruments, or penetrating the natural body openings) operative procedures—such as open-heart surgery, knee and hip replacement, organ transplant, tumour resection (removal), brain surgery, and abdominal surgery for ruptured organs—by ensuring that the patient remains unconscious, immobile (without movement) but relaxed, and pain-free. Without general anaesthesia, many of our surgical breakthroughs would not have been possible. Benefits General anaesthesia plays a central role in creating an optimal operation environment by ensuring the following:Complete immobility: By allowing full control over airway (the route that air takes to reach the lungs when one breathes, i.e., nose, mouth, throat, and windpipe), breathing, and circulation, general anaesthesia minimises undue stress to the patient, thereby ensuring complete body relaxation and stillness during surgical procedures.Flexibility: General anaesthesia allows for multiple surgical procedures to be performed simultaneously (at the same time) or consecutively (on after another) on different parts of the body.Freedom of movement for doctors: General anaesthesia can be administered without moving the patient from supine (lying on back with face up) or any other relevant position.Minimal psychological trauma: Patients who have undergone general anaesthesia have no memory of the operation, which can help reduce psychological trauma.Control over bodily functions: During general anaesthesia, anaesthesiologists are able to monitor and adjust vital functions like blood pressure, breathing, and heart rate during surgery, enabling stability during lengthy and complex surgical procedures.Broad applicability: General anaesthesia is suitable for use with surgical procedures of all lengths and complexities, all the while maintaining patient comfort throughout the procedure.Improved surgical precision: As general anaesthesia prevents involuntary movements (unexpected patient movements), surgeons can operate smoothly with minimal interference from patient reflexes or movements. Technique General anaesthesia is a carefully controlled process that involves multiple steps to ensure that the patient remains unconscious, immobile, and pain-free, while allowing for constant monitoring and adjustment of their vital functions during surgery. The key steps in general anaesthesia include:Preoperative assessment: Before administration of anaesthesia, the anaesthesiologist evaluates the patient’s medical history, current health, and any potential risks, while also taking into consideration factors like allergies, medications, and previous reactions to anaesthesia.Induction (starting the anaesthesia): This process typically involves the use of intravenous (IV) anaesthetic drugs like propofol or etomidate or inhaled gases to induce unconsciousness (sleep) within seconds. Following this, vital signs are closely monitored to ensure that the patient reaches the desired level of unconsciousness.Airway management: To ensure that the patient can breathe properly while being unconscious, the anaesthesiologist secures the airway by inserting a breathing tube (endotracheal tube) into the windpipe (trachea) or using a laryngeal mask airway (LMA). Then, the airway is connected to a ventilator to ensure that the patient gets sufficient oxygen during the operation.Maintenance (sustaining anaesthesia): Once the patient is unconscious, the anaesthesiologist maintains anaesthesia throughout the procedure using a combination of inhaled anaesthetic gases (e.g., nitrous oxide, sevoflurane, isoflurane) and intravenous (IV) medications (e.g., propofol, fentanyl, and muscle relaxants), while adjusting the dose of the drugs based on surgical needs, procedure duration, and patient condition.Monitoring: During the surgical procedure, the vital signs of the patient are continuously monitored to ensure that the patient remains stable throughout the operation.Emergence (waking the patient): Once the procedure is complete, the anaesthesiologist starts the emergence phase by gradually reducing the dose of the anaesthetic drugs, and the patient is allowed to wake up as the medications wear off. Once the patient is fully awake and able to breathe unassisted, the airway device(s) are removed.Postoperative care: After the patient emerges from anaesthesia, they are monitored for any anaesthesia-related complications, such as nausea (vomiting sensation) or difficulty in breathing; this monitoring is done till the patient is fully awake, alert, and stable. Pain relievers might be provided to reduce pain. Risks General anaesthesia is generally safe when administered by a trained professional, but like any other medical procedure, it is associate with some risks. These risks can vary depending on parameters, such as patient’s age and overall health, and the type of surgery being performed. Based on the type of risk, the potential risks associated with the use of general anaesthesia are:Short-term risks (very common risks that resolve quickly):Nausea and vomiting: These are very common after surgery and can be managed with medication.Sore throat or hoarseness: Intubation with a breathing tube might result in sore throat or hoarseness.Shivering or chills: This is caused by a drop in body temperature during surgery.Drowsiness or confusion: This is quite common in older patients.Less common risks:Allergic reactions: These are caused due to possible reactions to the anaesthetic drugs.Breathing problems: Patients with conditions like sleep apnoea might experience difficulty in breathing after a surgical procedure.Heart Problems: Changes in heart rate during the surgery are likely in individuals with pre-existing heart conditions.Lung Complications: The contents of the stomach can enter the lungs (aspiration) if fasting guidelines are not followed. Pneumonia and/or other breathing issues can occur in rare cases.Oral damage: Mouth, teeth, lips, gums, and/or tongue can get damaged as a result of intubation.Rare but serious risks:Anaesthesia awareness: This is an extremely rare condition where the patient becomes conscious during the procedure.Nerve Injury: Immobility for extended periods during an operation can sometimes result in nerve damage.Stroke/Heart attack: Though stroke and heart attack are extremely rare during anaesthesia, they might occur due to any underlying health issues or (in some cases) surgical stress.Malignant hyperthermia: This is a life-threatening genetic reaction to particular anaesthetic drugs, in which the patient develops high fever and muscle rigidity.Cognitive effects: In elderly patients, general anaesthesia might cause memory loss or difficulty in concentration.Death: In extremely rare cases (in around 1 in 100,000 to 200,000 people), general anaesthesia can cause death. This is usually related to severe underlying medical conditions. Read more about General Anaesthesia Filter Alphabet G
Gynaecomastia Gynaecomastia Home G Overview Gynecomastia is characterised by enlarged breast tissues in males, often due to hormonal imbalances between oestrogen and testosterone. It can occur during puberty, due to certain medications, or because of health conditions like liver or kidney disease. Symptoms Swollen breast tissue and tenderness. Gynecomastia is usually benign and can resolve on its own; however it can cause emotional distress. Diagnosis Physical exam, assessment of medical history, and sometimes blood tests or imaging studies. Treatment Treatment depends on the cause and severity. Options include observation, medications to adjust hormone levels, or surgery to remove excess tissue if gynecomastia persists or causes significant discomfort. Read more about Gynaecomastia Filter Alphabet G
Galactorrhoea Galactorrhoea Home G Overview Galactorrhoea is the unexpected discharge of milk from the breast that occurs without any relation to childbirth or nursing. It can result from hormonal imbalances, certain medications, or underlying medical conditions like thyroid disorders or pituitary tumours. Symptoms Persistent or intermittent milk discharge from one or both breasts. Diagnosis Medical history evaluation, physical exam, and blood tests to evaluate hormone levels. Imaging studies may be needed to identify any underlying tumours. Treatment Focuses on addressing the underlying cause, which may include adjusting medications, treating hormonal imbalances, or surgically removing tumours. Galactorrhoea management involves regular follow-up to ensure that symptoms are controlled. Read more about Galactorrhoea Filter Alphabet G
Graves’ Disease Graves’ Disease Home G Overview Graves’ disease is an autoimmune condition that leads to hyperthyroidism, characterised by excessive production of thyroid hormones by the thyroid gland. Symptoms Weight loss, rapid heartbeat, heat intolerance, and bulging eyes. Diagnosis Blood tests to assess thyroid hormone levels, TSH, and antibodies. Treatment Antithyroid medications to decrease hormone production, radioactive iodine for thyroid gland shrinkage, or surgery to excise a part of the thyroid. Managing Graves’ disease requires regular monitoring and adjusting treatment to maintain normal thyroid function and manage symptoms effectively. Read more about Graves’ Disease Filter Alphabet G
Glucose Tolerance Test Glucose Tolerance Test Home G Overview The glucose tolerance test (GTT) assesses how well the body processes sugar and is used to diagnose diabetes and Prediabetes.It includes:Fasting overnight (for minimum 8 hours)Drinking a sugary solutionHaving blood sugar levels checked at intervalsThe entire procedure may take up to 3 hours.A high blood sugar level after drinking the sugary solution indicates poor glucose metabolism. The test helps identify insulin resistance (when cells become resistant to insulin and fail to respond) and beta-cell (cells that make insulin) dysfunction.It is especially used in diagnosing gestational diabetes in pregnant women. Understanding GTT results helps manage and prevent diabetes through lifestyle changes, medications, or other interventions. Read more about Glucose Tolerance Test Filter Alphabet G
Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) Home G Overview Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) refers to a form of diabetes arising during pregnancy and usually resolves post childbirth. It is caused by hormonal changes occurring during pregnancy that tend to affect insulin sensitivity. Symptoms Often mild or absent, but GDM can lead to complications like high birth weight and preterm delivery (childbirth before 37 weeks of pregnancy). Diagnosis Screening tests like the GTT during pregnancy. Treatment & Prevention Dietary changesRegular physical activitySometimes insulin therapy to regulate blood sugar levels.Monitoring blood sugar levels and following medical advice are crucial for a healthy pregnancy and reducing the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes later. Read more about Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) Filter Alphabet G
Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis Home G Overview Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), formerly known as Wegener's granulomatosis, is a rare disorder characterised by inflammation of the blood vessels, which can restrict blood flow to various organs. It primarily affects the respiratory tract (upper as well as lower) and kidneys; however, it can affect other organs as well. Causes and Risk Factors The exact cause of GPA is unknown, but it is considered as an autoimmune disorder, where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own blood vessels. Genetic and environmental factors may contribute to its development. Symptoms Respiratory: Persistent nasal congestion, sinusitis, nosebleeds, cough, and shortness of breath.Renal: Blood in the urine, decreased kidney function, and in severe cases, kidney failure.General: Fatigue, fever, weight loss, and joint pain. Diagnosis Diagnosing GPA involves a combination of clinical evaluation, laboratory tests (including blood tests for specific antibodies like ANCA), imaging-based techniques (e.g., chest X-rays or CT scans), and sometimes biopsy of the affected tissues. Treatment GPA is typically treated with immunosuppressive medications to reduce inflammation and suppress the immune system. Commonly used drugs include corticosteroids and other immunosuppressants like cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, or rituximab. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to prevent organ damage.Prognosis: With prompt and appropriate treatment, the prognosis for GPA has improved significantly. However, the condition can be life-threatening if not treated early, and long-term follow-up is necessary as relapses can occur. Read more about Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis Filter Alphabet G
Glasgow Coma Scale Glasgow Coma Scale Home G Overview The Glasgow Coma Scale is a neurological assessment tool to measure the severity of brain injury based on a patient's response to stimuli, including eye opening, motor response, and verbal response. It assigns a score ranging from 3 to 15, with higher scores indicating better neurological function. Eye opening response Spontaneous: 4 pointsTo verbal stimuli, command, speech: 3 pointsTo pain only: 2 pointsNo response: 1 point Verbal response Oriented: 5 pointsConfused conversation, but able to answer questions: 4 pointsInappropriate words: 3 pointsIncomprehensible speech: 2 pointsNo response: 1 point Motor response Obeys commands: 6 pointsPurposeful movement to painful stimulus: 5 pointsWithdraws in response to pain: 4 pointsFlexion in response to pain (decorticate posturing): 3 pointsExtension response in response to pain (decerebrate posturing): 2 pointsNo response: 1 point Indications Evaluate brain functionCommunicate a patient’s conditionGroup patients into severity categories Read more about Glasgow Coma Scale Filter Alphabet G