Yes you can now swallow a balloon for weight loss. The material used is polyurethane, which is soft, much more thinner, pliable and lighter than silicon which is the material normally. Hence the swallow balloon is much gentler on the stomach and well tolerated. Balloon is deflated and rolled up into a capsule attached to a thin catheter, few millimetres in diameter. The capsule is soft and can be swallowed along with water under medical supervision. As one drinks water, the balloon keeps on advancing and finally enters the stomach. This is known when the mark on the catheter is reached.

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The catheter can be seen on xray, hence confirmation is required that the capsule is within the stomach and not in the oesophagus. This is important so that we do not inflate the balloon in the oesophagus. Once in the stomach, the vegan capsule dissolves and the deflated balloon unfolds. The catheter attached to the capsule is now connected to the Fluid bag and the balloon is filled up. After this, the catheter is given a slight tug, and it gets detached. Another confirmation by fluoroscopy is done to see the position of the inflated balloon.

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No anaesthesia and no endoscopy is required to insert balloon. This swallow balloon capsule is done on a day care basis. Procedure takes approximately 20 minutes. The balloon will start deflating towards the end of 4 months and hence it’s not required to be removed. The balloon will pass out into the excreta the balloon has a time activated release valve which is triggered by the content of the fluid that is instilled.

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Quantity of food intake will be reduced as the balloon occupies nearly 60% of the space in the stomach. Cautious control on what is eaten combined with exercise daily will give good results with this swallow pill balloon in the overweight, class 1 and class 2 obese people .

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All the overweight and the obese love the idea of losing weight and fitting into the clothes they are no longer to fit. If a magic pill were available to lose weight, it would be like a dream come true for them. Control on diet and exercising are the mantras used since time immemorial, and are indeed the best safest and most effective ways for losing weight. In the earlier days people used to maintain weight as there was a balance between the energy intake (food intake, homemade food, eating at regular intervals, occasional partying ) and energy expenditure( walking , exercising , outdoor soprts etc). But with the introduction of fast foods, increased sedentary life – be it for on line studying , online games, online software jobs, online projects, we have seen a mismatch in the energy intake and expenditure. Hence the energy intake is much more than the energy expenditure. Moreover the demands of the present day high salaried jobs are highly stressful. This stress leads to binge eating and this binge eating or giving vent to stress by overeating goes unnoticed and over a few months or years people do put on weight. Lets get our thought process clear. There is no Magic Pill to lose weight. So, discipline in our lifestyle on a day to day basis is key to maintaining health and thus good health. Based on height and weight , one can calculate the Body mass Index ( BMI). This BMI determines whether a person is normal weight , overweight, obese. In the obese category we have the morbidly obese, superobese and above. Why this categorizatio of BMI??? The simple reason is that the BMI gives an insight to which method of weight loss one can opt for and which method will be successful. A BIG mistake people are making is that without consulting the doctor, people are opting for ways and means of weight loss as per their knowledge , not taking into consideration the BMI, and whether there are medical conditions or medications that could be the reason for weight gain.

These are few reasons to substantiate .

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Mechanical compression: Covid 19 virus affects many organgs , but the worst and mist affected is the lungs. Obesity causes substantial changes to the mechanics of the lungs and chest wall, leading to mechanical compression of the diaphragm, lungs, and chest cavity, which can lead to restrictive lung  (pulmonary) damage. These  changes lead to difficulty in breathing called dyspnoea, which initially is only on exertion , but in later stages leads to heavy breathing even at rest. This makes them more prone to contract the Covid virus.

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Obesity is associated with  impaired immunity

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Chronic inflammation: Excess adiposity is also associated with increased production of inflammatory cytokines causing a continuous state of inflammation in an obese person, including lung tissue inflammation and more tendency to develop covid 19 

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Insulin resistance and diabetes: It is seen that diabetics are more affected by the covid 19 virus . Obesity leads to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes . Insulin is a critical regulator of many cellular pathways. This is another reason which makes the obese mote prone to develop the covid 19 infection

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Vascular damage and clotting : Increase in circulating free fatty acids are seen in obesity. Also,  the chronic inflammatory state seen in obesity damages the endothelium of blood vessels. Both these factors lead  to an increased tendency for blood clotting in the vessels of obese people . This superadds to  the increased clotting seen in Covid 19 disease , making the obese more prone to contract covid 19 virus.

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Leptin : Increased leves of leptin are seen in obese patients . High levels of Leptin are  associated with increase in pulmonary inflammation , which again predisposes the obese to Covid 19 virus To summarise, obesity is a mojor risk factor to develop corona infection . Obese people  once they develop corona infection, it is very difficult to treat them because of the reduced and restricted  lung function . Obesity s treatable , whayever be the severity of obesity. It is easier and safer to treat obesity rather than to treat an obese person affected with the covid 19 virus . You can make the right decision - decision is entirely yours. Prevention is better than cure . Treatment to get rid of morbid obesity even in the covid pandemic is absolutely safe.

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Piles / Haemorrhoids is a common term, known by many, as it is seen to affect a good percentage of the population. The common causes of piles are well known like low fibre in the diet, less water intake, constipation, straining while passing stools, Piles are also commonly seen in pregnant women as the pregnancy advances.

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Here we are dealing in details with the correlation between obesity and piles.
To have a better understanding of how obesity affects piles, it is better to have an understanding of the anal cushions which have a major role to play.

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The blood supply is derived from the superior rectal artery, the middle rectal arteries, and the inferior rectal arteries arising. The venous drainage is to the portal venous system above the dentate line and to the systemic circulation below the dentate line.

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There are three vascular cushions in the anus, positioned at the 3-, 7- and 11- o'clock positions
The pathologic, downward displacement of these cushions is probably caused by factors such as constipation, prolonged straining, pregnancy, ageing, and increased intraabdominal pressure. This displacement is thought to result in the distension of cushion venules, which causes symptomatic haemorrhoids.

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The cushions are supported by a well-developed arrangement of smooth muscle and elastic tissue. It emerges from the inner surface of the internal sphincter as a series of bands in 2 or 3 overlapping rows to coalesce lower down in a web-like scaffold around the dilatations of the venous plexus. Encircled by the internal and external sphincters it assists in anal closure and adjustment of continence.

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Normally, on defaecation, the anal cushions are held out of the way by the anal submucosal muscle, whose contraction flattens and braces them against the internal sphincter. Contractions of the anal submucosal muscle flatten the cushions and hold them up against the internal sphincter.

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'First-degree piles': only the mucosal moiety of a cushion is descending and bleeding occurs in the absence of detectable prolapse.

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'Second or third-degree piles': the entire cushion is disrupted from its attachments. The venous saccules, no longer supported, are engorged.

Obesity exerts a forced pressure on the veins and blood vessels around your anus and colon due to the raised intraabdominal pressure in the obese. This leads to enhanced engorgement of the vascular cushions in the anal submucosa. As the degree of obesity increases, i.e as the BMI increases, the chances of the increased pressure on the cushions is higher.

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Among the obese, the people having a greater degree of central obesity are affected more. Central obesity translates to more amount of visceral fat to an extent. Visceral fat is known to secrete inflammatory factors/ adipokines and that is why obesity is considered a chronic inflammatory state.

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These inflammatory factors affect the vessels in the anal cushion and further aggravate the already increased squeezing pressure on the anal cushions caused by increased intraabdominal pressure in obesity. These changes include abnormal venous dilatation, a severe inflammation involving the vascular wall and surrounding connective tissue in haemorrhoids, vascular thrombosis, a degenerative process in the collagen fibres and fibroelastic tissues.

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In addition to this, obese individuals are more susceptible to developing haemorrhoids as a result of poor nutrition consisting of foods rich in fat, high carbs, fermented sugars, salt and low fibre, which enhances the risk of piles by the formation of hard stools and constipation, leading to straining and damage to the anal cushions.

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To summarise, the chances of piles in obesity could be increased due to the following factors:

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Increased intraabdominal pressure translating to the vessels around the rectum and anal canal, in turn, transferred to the anal cushions.

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Inflammatory adipokines secreted in obese by increased visceral fat cause inflammation in the vessels in the anal cushions.

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Excess weight and tendency to choose sedentary jobs, leave the obese population sitting for prolonged hours and adding pressure to the veins in the anal cushions pushing them downwards.

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Less fibre and fatty diet choice in the obese can lead to constipation, hard stools, more straining and eventually piles and bleeding.

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Precautions that can be taken in the obese having piles:

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Reduce weight.

Exercise regularly to help bowel movement.

Avoiding sedentary jobs or sitting for long hours.

Increase fibre in the diet

Increase water intake

Medications like laxatives, ointments, sitz bath, surgery if all the above are not working.

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People who suffer from hemorrhoids can significantly reduce the risk of this health condition by increasing fiber intake, drinking more water, and exercising regularly.

Introduction: Taking a Step Towards a Healthier Future

In today's fast-paced world, obesity has become a major concern affecting millions of people worldwide. However, thanks to advancements in medical science, individuals struggling with excessive weight can find hope in the form of bariatric surgery. Bangalore, known as the Silicon Valley of India, is emerging as a leading destination for bariatric surgery due to its state-of-the-art facilities and renowned surgeons.

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Understanding Bariatric Surgery: A Life-Changing Procedure

Bariatric surgery, also known as weight loss surgery, is a surgical procedure aimed at helping individuals with obesity achieve significant weight loss by altering their digestive system. This procedure involves various techniques, such as gastric bypass, gastric sleeve, and gastric banding, each catering to specific patient needs.

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Gastric Bypass: The Gold Standard

Gastric bypass, the most commonly performed bariatric surgery, involves creating a smaller stomach pouch and rerouting a part of the small intestine. This procedure not only restricts food intake but also reduces the absorption of nutrients, leading to substantial weight loss and improved overall health.

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Gastric Sleeve: A Surgical Solution for Sustainable Weight Loss

Gastric sleeve surgery involves removing a portion of the stomach, resulting in a smaller stomach size. This procedure reduces hunger and limits food intake, enabling patients to achieve significant weight loss. It also helps in controlling various obesity-related health conditions like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and sleep apnea.

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Gastric Banding: Customizable Weight Loss Approach

Gastric banding, also known as adjustable gastric band surgery, involves placing an inflatable band around the upper part of the stomach. By creating a smaller stomach pouch, it restricts food intake and promotes a feeling of fullness. The band's tightness can be adjusted, allowing for personalized weight loss progress.

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Why Choose Bariatric Surgery in Bangalore?

Bangalore has earned a reputation as a premier destination for bariatric surgery, attracting patients from across the globe. Here are some compelling reasons why people choose Bangalore for their weight loss journey:

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1. World-Class Infrastructure and Facilities

Bangalore boasts state-of-the-art hospitals equipped with advanced technology and modern infrastructure. These facilities provide a safe and comfortable environment for patients undergoing bariatric surgery.

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2. Expert Surgeons with Unparalleled Expertise

The city is home to highly skilled and experienced bariatric surgeons who have received extensive training in renowned institutions worldwide. Their expertise, combined with a patient-centric approach, ensures optimal outcomes and patient satisfaction.

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3. Affordable Treatment Costs

Bariatric surgery in Bangalore offers excellent value for money. The cost of the procedure is significantly lower compared to Western countries, without compromising on quality. Patients can avail themselves of top-notch medical care at a fraction of the cost.

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4. Holistic Support and Aftercare

The bariatric surgery centers in Bangalore prioritize comprehensive patient support, extending beyond the surgical procedure. They provide guidance on dietary modifications, exercise routines, and emotional support, ensuring patients' long-term success in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

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Meta Description:

Explore the causes, symptoms, treatment options, and recovery processes for umbilical hernias and incisional hernias in this comprehensive guide. Answering common questions and providing clear explanations, this article empowers you with knowledge to effectively manage these conditions. Discover the unique characteristics of each hernia type and gain insights for a smooth recovery.

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Introduction:

Welcome to this comprehensive guide that aims to provide a clear understanding of umbilical hernias and incisional hernias. Whether you're experiencing symptoms or seeking information for someone you care about, this article will equip you with valuable insights. Through a question-and-answer format, we will explore the causes, diagnosis methods, available treatment options, and the recovery process for both types of hernias. Let's dive into this informative journey and gain a comprehensive understanding of managing umbilical hernias and incisional hernias.

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Understanding Umbilical Hernia: Unveiling the Mystery

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What causes an umbilical hernia?

An umbilical hernia occurs when there is a weakness or gap in the abdominal muscles around the belly button. Factors such as obesity, pregnancy, or previous abdominal surgeries can contribute to its development.

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What are the symptoms of an umbilical hernia?

The main symptom is a visible bulge or swelling near the belly button. Some individuals may also experience discomfort or pain, especially during physical activities or when straining.

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When should I seek medical attention for an umbilical hernia?

It is essential to consult a healthcare professional if the hernia becomes painful, grows larger, or becomes trapped (incarcerated) or strangulated, which can lead to serious complications.

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What are the treatment options for umbilical hernias?

In infants, umbilical hernias often resolve on their own as the abdominal muscles strengthen. For adults, treatment may involve watchful waiting, lifestyle modifications (such as weight loss), or surgical repair to reinforce the weakened abdominal wall.

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Decoding Incisional Hernia: Challenges of Surgical Scars

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What causes an incisional hernia?

Incisional hernias occur when tissues or organs protrude through a previous surgical incision site. Factors such as obesity, infection, or inadequate healing of the incision can contribute to their development.

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What are the symptoms of an incisional hernia?

The primary symptom is a visible bulge or swelling near the surgical incision site. Some individuals may experience pain, discomfort, or a feeling of heaviness in the area.

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When should I seek medical attention for an incisional hernia?

It is important to consult a healthcare professional if you notice any changes in the size or appearance of the hernia, experience severe pain, or if the hernia becomes trapped or strangulated.

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What are the treatment options for incisional hernias?

Treatment options for incisional hernias include lifestyle modifications, such as avoiding heavy lifting, supportive garments or trusses, and surgical repair. The surgical procedure involves closing the hernia defect and reinforcing the abdominal wall with sutures or a mesh.

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Comparing Umbilical Hernia and Incisional Hernia: Understanding the Differences

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What are the key differences between umbilical hernias and incisional hernias?

While both types of hernias involve protrusion through weakened muscle or tissue, umbilical hernias occur around the belly button area, whereas incisional hernias develop near a previous surgical incision. The causes, risk factors, and treatment options may also vary.

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Treatment Options for Umbilical Hernias: Restoring Strength and Function

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How can umbilical hernias be treated without surgery?

In some cases, watchful waiting with regular check-ups and lifestyle modifications, such as weight loss and avoiding activities that strain the abdomen, may be recommended. These measures aim to monitor the hernia and manage symptoms.

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When is surgical intervention necessary for umbilical hernias?

Surgical repair is typically recommended if the hernia causes significant pain, grows larger, or if complications such as incarceration or strangulation occur. The surgery involves closing the hernia defect and reinforcing the weakened abdominal wall with sutures or a mesh.

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Addressing Incisional Hernias: Regaining Confidence and Well-being

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Can incisional hernias be managed without surgery?

Non-surgical options, such as lifestyle modifications, supportive garments, or trusses, may be considered for individuals who are not suitable candidates for surgery. These measures aim to provide support and alleviate symptoms.

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When is surgical intervention necessary for incisional hernias?

Surgical repair is typically recommended to prevent complications and improve quality of life. The procedure involves closing the hernia defect and reinforcing the abdominal wall with sutures or a mesh.

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Recovery and Beyond: Nurturing Your Body and Mind

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What can I expect during the recovery process after hernia surgery?

Recovery after hernia surgery varies, but it often involves some discomfort, swelling, and restrictions on physical activities. Your healthcare provider will provide specific instructions on pain management, wound care, and gradually resuming normal activities.

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How can I support my recovery and overall well-being?

Nurturing your body and mind is essential during the recovery process. Follow your healthcare provider's recommendations, engage in light physical activities as advised, maintain a healthy lifestyle, and seek emotional support when needed.

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Conclusion:

By understanding the causes, symptoms, treatment options, and recovery processes for umbilical hernias and incisional hernias, you are better equipped to navigate these conditions. Remember, consulting with a healthcare professional is vital for accurate diagnosis, personalized treatment plans, and ongoing care. With this comprehensive guide, you have gained valuable insights to help you make informed decisions, manage your hernia effectively, and embark on a path toward recovery and improved well-being.

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