Struggling with Constipation? Discover Constipation Causes, Symptoms, and Risk Factors
Table of Contents Help Others Discover – Click to Share! Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Table of Contents Tyson had been complaining of constipation for months. He was a 34-year-old busy professional, and this condition: the bloating, aching, and irregular bowel movements, was curtailing his energy and productivity. He had tried over-the-counter medicines without much success before finally he deciding to see a doctor. However, his busy scheduled meant he neither had time for a phone call nor a long wait at the clinic. Fortunately, with Cellmaflex, within minutes, Tyson successfully booked an online appointment with a specialist without any phone call and chose the best available time for himself. Based on the symptoms presented to him, the doctor concluded that Tyson suffered from chronic constipation and prescribed a treatment plan tailored to his case. It was a relief to learn that technology was not just able to make booking easier but could, in fact, also make the healthcare journey simpler. This blog goes through constipation causes, its symptoms, complications, and how it can affect quality of life. Lifestyle determinants, potential treatments, and how Cellmaflex is modernising the face of healthcare. What is Constipation? Constipation is one of the common gastrointestinal problems and is defined as a bowel movement that occurs less than three times a week; these bowel movements may be painful, hard, dry, and difficult to pass. Although occasional constipation is normal, persistent cases can have a more considerable influence on the quality of life of an individual. According to National Library of Medicine, approximately 12% of the global population experiences constipation. And according to the Lancet Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Constipation affects between one in six and one in ten people globally at any point in time. Influence of Age, Gender, and Lifestyle Constipation does not discriminate according to age and gender; however, some people are more susceptible than others. Some of the most affected include women, particularly when pregnant or post-partum due to hormonal fluctuations. Older people are also at risk due to slow digestion and other factors of old age. Lifestyle influences, such as a lack of physical activities, inadequate hydration, and poor dieting habits, also contribute to constipation. People who are accustomed to jobs that have extended periods of sitting on a daily basis contribute to constipation. What are the Constipation Causes? Constipation occurs because the colon absorbs too much water, or the large intestine makes the poop turn hard in consistency, making it difficult to be pushed out. Typically, as the food travels up the digestive tract, your intestines absorb the nutrients, and the digested food (waste) that goes from your small intestine to your large intestine is the stuff that becomes your poop. This waste contains water that your colon absorbs so as to make it more solid. In the case of constipation, food moves slowly through your digestive tract. This occurs because the colon has too much time–more than enough time–to absorb water from the waste, thereby leaving the stool dry and hard, and unable to pass without much resistance. Lifestyle causes: Slow movement of stool may result when a patient does not: Drink sufficient fluids. Consume enough dietary fibre. Exercise regularly. Use the toilet when the urge to pass stool arises. Medications:Constipation may be a side effect of some medications, such as pain relievers. Some medicines used to treat the following conditions may also be constipation causes: High blood pressure Convulsions Depression Diseases of the nervous system Allergies Diseases of the pelvic floor musculature:The pelvic floor muscles add support for the walls of the torso. The elimination process for stool from the rectum requires relaxation and straining of these muscles. Chronic constipation may be caused by weaknesses or coordination issues with these muscles. Obstruction of the colon or rectum:Damage or alteration of the tissues in the colon or rectum can block the flow of stool. It can also be caused by tumours in the colon, rectum or other tissues nearby. Different aspects:Several diseases may affect the muscles, nerves, or hormones that regulate the passage of stool, thus causing chronic constipation. The following could be responsible: Irritable Bowel Syndrome Diabetes Multiple sclerosis Nerve dysfunction or damage Overactive thyroids, also known as hyperthyroidism Parkinson’s disease Pregnancy In some situations, the constipation causes are unknown. The Symptoms of Constipation Include Having fewer than three bowel movements a week. Having had dry, lumpy or hard stools. Stools being either painful or difficult to pass. Getting cramps or stomach-ache. Feeling bloated and nauseated. Feeling that you did not entirely empty your bowels after that movement. What are the Risk Factors for Constipation? Constipation can happen to anyone at any age. But there are some risk factors, wherein certain characteristics increase a person’s chances of becoming chronically constipated (chronic constipation) Dietary and behavioural risk factors:Some dietary and behavioural habits pose the risk for chronic constipation. Low fibre intake: Fibre helps add bulk to stools and promotes regular bowel movements. Poor fluid intake: Fluids soften the stool so that passing it becomes easier. Inactivity: Exercise causes stimulation of intestinal muscles and aids in the smooth running of the digestive system. Overlooking the urge to go: Very often, overlooking the urge to use the bathroom can cause an imbalance of bowel function, leading to constipation in time. Often, by upgrading diet and lifestyle, most people prevent and control constipation from occurring well. What are the Complications? Chronic constipation complications can be: Swollen tissues around the anus, known as haemorrhoids. Ripped tissues of the anus, also known as anal fissures. Hard stools that build up in the large intestine, called faecal impaction. Exposed tissues of the rectum that have slipped out of the anal opening, popularly known as rectal prolapse. Effective Treatments and Lifestyle Changes Treatment depends on the intensity as well as the causes. These are regular treatments that include: Dietary supplements and changes: Taking more fibre through fruits, vegetables, and whole grains helps soften the stool and regulate bowel movement. Laxatives: Over-the-counter drugs should not be used for long-term
Boosting Efficiency in Sexual Health Departments with Cellma our Pioneering Electronic Medical Records Software.
Table of Contents Help Others Discover – Click to Share! Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Table of Contents Sexual health involves an essential dimension of health care, which includes reproductive health, sexual relations, and safe practice. In health facilities, sexual health concerns include sexually transmitted infections (STIs), education on reproduction, family planning, and counselling for sexual health issues. However, running such a sensitive and complex department requires the state-of-the-art technology that can promise confidentiality, precision, and smooth operations. Cellma is our electronic medical records software, the high-tech HIMS, designed especially for healthcare providers as well as patients. When patient records are digitised with automated workflows and modules available in the sexual health field, Cellma is changing departments’ workplace ways in sexual health. Continue reading the blog to discover how Cellma, our electronic medical records software helps in sexual health department management. Relevant challenges with the department facing the sexual health in UK range from patient confidentiality, accurate record-keeping to effectively handling large numbers. Sexual health services are crucial. Numbers and statistics demonstrate the rise in demands for comprehensive sexual health care. According to the UK Government, in 2023, UK saw a spike in the number of reported STI cases. With a 4.7% rise from the previous year, new diagnoses jumped from 383,789 to a hefty 401,800. Gonorrhoea cases jumped up as well, increasing by 7.5%, rising from 79,268 cases in 2022 to 85,223 in 2023. With a 9.4% boost, syphilis diagnoses have reached 9,513 diagnoses up from 8,693. It is a reminder for everyone to stay informed, stay safe, and keep health at the top of the checklist! Common Challenges in Sexual Health Departments Include Patient Confidentiality: Safeguarding patient privacy and sensitive health information is crucial yet challenging in traditional paper-based systems. Resource Limitations: Departments often face staffing limitations, impacting service quality and efficiency. High Patient Volume: A high patient volume requires effective management that ensures the diversification of needs and is apt to not cause long wait times, thus improving the patient experience. Documentation: Manual documentation is a very time-consuming process and also probable to make errors. Digital Management: Most of the cases involve follow-up and follow-through; hence most follow-up is hectic to monitor unless managed digitally. How Cellma Revolutionises Sexual Health Department Management As the leading electronic medical records software, Cellma provides an integrated electronic means of managing patient data, automating workflows, and, respectively, ensuring better communication between healthcare professionals and their patients. Here’s How Cellma Directly Aids the Sexual Health Department Electronic Patient Records (EPR) module: In the Electronic Patient Records module of Cellma, information pertaining to a patient can be stored in one location, thereby keeping it safe. This module allows health care providers to record structured consultations with the patient; their medical histories; made diagnoses; treatment plans; and follow-up notes. This, therefore, is significantly important in an area like sexual health where information must be restricted to just the right personnel only and all those risks that accompany paper records. Only the personnel with appropriate role access can have direct access to patients’ information and the opportunity to review past treatments, test results, and previous consults for truly timely decisions in appointments. Patient Administration System (PAS) module The PAS module in Cellma makes the process of registration fast and efficient; it manages patient appointments, check-in, and waiting lists for departments to take large volumes of patients. As large number of patients pass through some specific points of the day in departments, PAS automates various administrative tasks that free the time of staff to focus on urgent issues relating to the patients. In addition, a patient who requires follow-up can be monitored through PAS to maintain continuity in care. Document Management ModuleSexual health department have tons of paperwork: consent forms, treatment summaries, etc. Cellma’s document management module allows these documents to be administered electronically, from where authorised personnel can access them, upload, retrieve, or even update them without needing any physical storage space; all this would bring down clutter in a room, providing so much transparency and engagement with patients. E-Pharmacy The module streamlines the prescription process for patients who need treatment through medication with STIs or other sexual health-related complaints. The Cellma’s E-Pharmacy module enables doctors to send prescriptions electronically such that the patient may retrieve them at the associated pharmacies. It eases medication processes, saves time, and ensures that the patients may start their treatments promptly. Lab ModuleThis module streamlines the whole process of diagnostic testing with full integration between the patient record and lab results, direct assistance for sexual health departments conducting high volumes of STI screens, HIV tests, and other diagnostics in an orderly workflow from order placement to result entry. Because lab results are automatically linked to the electronic record of a patient as soon as they become available, wait times are lowered and so is the likelihood of lost paper. Results can be immediately accessed by healthcare providers for immediate discussion with patients and thus, prompt and informed decisions regarding treatment. Imaging Module Cellma’s imaging module is designed to be used within the departments of diagnostic imaging for accurate assessments, such as ultrasound or radiology services often required in reproductive health settings. The imaging module integrates directly with the imaging devices and systems and allows the healthcare providers to view and review the diagnostic images right there within the electronic record of the patient. Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) module Cellma’s MDT module enables comprehensive treatment of complicated cases through frictionless collaboration among teams consisting of healthcare providers with different specialties while developing an integrated treatment plan. Sexual health departments often pose a case that requires coordinated care. This module supports case reviews, and easy documentation to enable holistic, time-effective patient care. With streamlined teamwork, the MDT module enhances communication, so there is minimal delay and further improved outcomes for patients. Reporting ModuleSexual health department needs proper data analysis and reporting about current operations. The Reporting and Analytics module within Cellma allows one to know demographics about patients, treatment outcomes, and resource utilisation. This is important in identifying trends, understanding what the patient needs are, and improving service delivery based on data-driven decisions. Patient Portal Patient portal of Cellma empowers patients as they get
Cellma, Our EMR Software for Rheumatology: Streamlining Care and Boosting Patient Outcomes
Table of Contents Help Others Discover – Click to Share! Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Table of Contents The rheumatology department in any healthcare facility has a very unique challenge. The rising number of patients with chronic joint and autoimmune conditions means that hospitals are severely strained in terms of resource and care coordination. While treatment in medicine is advanced, patients often require the services of multiple healthcare providers: a rheumatologist, physical therapist, and pain management specialist, among others. Consequently, there is constant demand by these chronic conditions for greater efficiency in the sharing of information, seamless tracking of patients, and for flexible scheduling. This is where Cellma, an EMR software, comes in-by offering fully digital solutions designed to streamline rheumatology care. Read the blog to learn how our EMR software, Cellma transforms rheumatology care and hospital’s management and operations. Rheumatology is a branch of medicine that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases affecting joints, muscles, and bones. Examples of common conditions include rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, osteoarthritis, and gout. All these diseases are lifelong; hence, they require long-term medical attention and alteration in treatment plans. Therefore, it is important for the healthcare providers to have ready access to accurate patient records quickly and coordinate care with minimal hassle. According to Versus Arthritis report published in 2024, over 10 million people in the UK have arthritis. That is one in six people living with the pain, fatigue, and reduced dexterity that it can cause. Prevalence estimates are available for many types of arthritis. There are an estimated 10 million people with Osteoarthritis (OA) in the UK, an estimated 5.4 million with knee OA, and an estimated 3.2 million with hip OA. 450,000 adults have a recorded diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis, and 190,000 adults are estimated to have Psoriatic Arthritis. One in three people in the UK has an Musculoskeletal condition – over 20 million people (20,295,706). This includes: 11.6 million women and 8.7 million men of all ages. The Strain on Rheumatology Departments: With such a high prevalence, departments across the UK are overwhelmed with that many patients every day. The demands pose complex lifelong conditions that call for specialised, and often repeated, after-care. These demands stretch the resources thin, and hence, it becomes very challenging for healthcare providers to maintain quality and personalised care for every patient. Factors that challenge the departments include: High patient load management: With the high number of patients, it’s hard to provide immediate care to all the patients in time, leading to lengthy waiting times and possible delayed care. Care coordination: Patients often need medication and therapy along with continuous monitoring, which calls for timely care coordination and proper treatment plan tracking. Access to Detailed Patient Records: Rheumatologists need immediate access to patient histories, lab results, and past treatment responses. However, limited data management tools can limit such access. Follow-Up Adherence: It is a chronic condition, and the patient needs follow-up consistently, but it does become challenging to track when each one of them follows a unique schedule. How does Cellma Help Manage Rheumatology Care? Core modules Cellma provides several modules that are suited to improve efficiency and outcomes. Here is how each module plays an important role in supporting the needs of the rheumatology departments: Electronic Patient Record (EPR) Module: Cellma’s EPR module contains all patient information in a central, electronic location, thus providing the most accessible source of information to authorised healthcare providers. All details ranging from the first assessments up to the ongoing treatment records are logged and stored with complete security. The EPR module captures all the patient data in the whole care pathway regardless of where the services were rendered for a seamless flow of information. With its two-way connectivity, this easily lets the rheumatologist gain and up-date access into the information, so coordinating care can be effectively achieved while having the option of getting information and making wise judgments over the complex condition concerned. Patient Administration System (PAS) Module: Cellma PAS module helps in the simplification of administrative procedures. This module contains patient registration, scheduling of appointments, and admitting/discharge. For the department, where routine follow-ups and specialist consultations are made, the PAS streamlines the process. Patients can also book appointments through a web portal or app from Cellma, making it easier to access and easing administrative burdens on the department. Document Management Module: Most care plans involve several documents that sometimes need to be prepared. Among them are consent forms, treatment plans, diagnostic reports, and care summaries for ongoing care. The Cellma Document Management module brings all the documents together into a digital repository. Through this digital repository, healthcare providers can easily locate their necessary documents without any trouble of hunting through files in paper format. This system minimizes misplaced or lost documents and contributes to operational efficiency and safety in data storage. It saves rheumatologists the task of referring back to earlier treatments in formulating care decisions for chronic care patients. Imaging Module: Imaging module plays a key role in diagnosis and tracking conditions such as musculoskeletal in rheumatology through assessment of joint damage among patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. Cellma’s imaging module makes integrating reports and digital images which include X-rays, MRIs, and ultrasounds with the patient electronic records straightforward. This enables the healthcare providers to observe and analyse the images at their place within Cellma, which improves the time and accuracy of diagnostics. Besides, it allows for imaging across departments and specialists who can collaborate quickly and reach proper assessments with timely intervention. Lab Module: The majority of patients with rheumatology need lab tests for the follow-up of inflammatory markers, renal functions, and other appropriate measures. Cellma’s Lab module incorporates the direct results of the laboratory in the EPR to let providers view real-time critical test results. Utilising automatic workflows, test results such as ESR, CRP, and kidney function are noted on the records of patients right away they are generated. This minimises delays and prevents errors. E-Pharmacy The E-Pharmacy module of Cellma offers prescription
From GERD Symptoms to Causes: A Complete Guide to GERD
Table of Contents From GERD Symptoms to Causes: A Complete Guide to Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Help Others Discover – Click to Share! Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Table of Contents Lately, Katie has been suffering heartburn, a nagging cough, and an unsettling feeling of acid reflux. Caught between family, work, and life’s demands, she often brushed her symptoms off as stress-related. She knew, however, as her discomfort grew, it was time to take action. With a busy schedule, making the call to book an appointment was challenging. That is when she stumbled upon Cellmaflex, a very user-friendly platform that lets her book an appointment, online, without any phone calls, with a gastroenterologist. During her visit, Katie learned that her symptoms were characteristic of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), a condition currently afflicting millions around the globe. Today’s blog will take you through a detailed and all-inclusive look into GERD, including what GERD is, GERD symptoms, stages, risk factors, complications, and various available treatments. What is Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)? Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD for short, is an illness in which stomach acid returns periodically into the oesophagus – the tube connecting the mouth to the stomach. The backwash is termed acid reflux, which might irritate the oesophageal lining. Such backflow can cause many uncomfortable symptoms as well as complications. The condition develops when the gastroesophageal sphincter fails to close completely and causes leakage of stomach content into the lower part of the oesophagus. According to the report published by National Centre for Biotechnology Information, globally, there were 783.9 million cases worldwide in 2019. GERD is more prevalent in females than in males and rises with age. In patients older than 50 years, GERD prevalence is related to increased age. What are the Causes of GERD? GERD is caused by frequent acid reflux. When you swallow, a circular band of muscle surrounding the bottom of the oesophagus relaxes in order to let food and liquid into the stomach. Then, it closes. If the sphincter relaxes less than it should or is weakened, stomach acid can spray back into the oesophagus. Acid backwash constantly irritates the lining of the oesophagus, frequently causing the area to become inflamed. GERD symptoms include: Backwash: You may experience acid, food or liquids backwashing from your stomach into your throat after eating. This is also known as regurgitation. You may notice the sour taste of the acid. A burning feeling: Acid literally burns the tissues in your oesophagus. If it feels like it’s in your chest, it’s called heartburn. If it feels closer to your stomach, you might call it acid indigestion. Noncardiac chest pain: Some people feel pain in their oesophagus that doesn’t feel like burning. Oesophagus pain triggers the same nerves as heart-related pain does, so it might feel like that. Nausea: Backwash or acid reflux may lead to your disgust at food or nausea, although it has been a long time since you last ate. You could feel as though food is left to be digested. Sore throat: If acid flows back into your throat, it can cause pain. You may feel like you have a lump in your throat, or like it’s hard to swallow. Acid flowing back into your throat usually happens at night. Asthma-like symptoms: GERD can cause asthma-like symptoms, including persistent coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. Acid droplets going into your airways can make them constrict. Your GERD symptoms may be worse: At night or when lying After rich fatty foods After forward bending After smoking or alcohol consumption. Stages of GERD Stage 1: Mild GERDOnly once or twice a month, there is minimal acid reflux. GERD symptoms at this stage can often be managed with diet and lifestyle modifications along with over-the-counter medication to help alleviate acid reflux as necessary. Stage 2: Moderate GERDSymptoms in this stage are chronic and recurring and hence, prescribed medication is required as acid reflux occurs often. Symptoms do interfere with activities of daily living. Stage 3: Advanced GERDHere, symptoms are also very painful and do not have improvement even when taken the prescription medication. It would therefore interfere with quality of life and your doctor may prescribe GERD surgical intervention at this point. Stage 4: Pre-cancer or cancerAfter several years of untreated severe GERD symptoms, the oesophagus may develop a condition called Barrett’s oesophagus, which is a precancerous condition. Left untreated, precancerous lesions may progress into oesophageal cancer. Symptoms at Each Stage Mild stage, the symptoms are:Heartburn and regurgitation occurring infrequently (less than once a week). Moderate stage, the symptoms are:Heartburn and regurgitation occurring a few times a week. Advanced stage, the symptoms are:Heartburn, regurgitation, atypical GERD. Pre-cancer or cancer stage, the symptoms are:Heartburn, regurgitation, atypical GERD, dysphagia (difficulty in swallowing), endoscopic findings of strictures, Barrett’s oesophagus, oesophageal cancers. Risk Factors Associated with GERD Conditions that may increase the risk of GERD include: Obesity Bulging of the top of the stomach up above the diaphragm, known as a hiatal hernia Pregnancy Connective tissue disorders, such as scleroderma Delayed stomach emptying Things that can make acid reflux worse include: Smoking Eating large meals or eating late at night Eating certain foods, such as fatty or fried foods Drinking certain beverages, such as alcohol or coffee Taking certain medicines, such as aspirin Complications from Untreated GERD Chronic inflammation in the oesophagus over time can cause: Esophagitis: This is an inflammation of the oesophagus caused by exposure to stomach acid. The stomach acid attacks the tissues in the oesophagus. The inflammation may cause an open sore that is known as an ulcer which can sometimes bleed. Esophagitis causes severe pain and might make it hard to swallow. Narrowing of the oesophagus, called an oesophageal stricture: Narrowing of the oesophagus, technically known as oesophageal stricture. Scarring and resulting narrowing of the lower oesophagus usually occur from damage caused by the stomach acid itself. The scar tissue extends across the path of the food, causing problems with swallowing. Precancerous changes to the oesophagus, known as Barrett oesophagus:Acid damage can
RioMed Achieves Key NHS Integrations: CIS2 and PDS Now Integrated
Help Others Discover – Click to Share! Facebook Twitter LinkedIn RioMed’s best-in-class EHR solution Cellma has successfully achieved integration with the NHS – CIS2 (Care Identity Service 2), and PDS (Personal Demographics Service). These integrations represent a significant step forward in providing seamless healthcare solutions, ensuring that RioMed’s EPR platform aligns with NHS standards in the UK and helps deliver enhanced patient care. CIS2 and PDS integrations form an important part of UK’s NHS healthcare delivery. CIS2 refers to the Care Identity Service 2, which is a secure standardised framework for identity verification and authentication in the health care system, thus allowing health professionals to access patients’ data while keeping sensitive information secure. The PDS or Personal Demographics Service is a central registry of basic patient data along with their associated information such as names and addresses, and also their NHS number. It contributes to the correct identification of patients and continuation of care by making the latest records of the patients accessible to the providers of primary care in order to be updated across various health service locations. CIS2 and PDS integrations are very valuable integrations for healthcare providers in UK’s NHS streamlining the management of patient data, enhancing security over data, and improving clinical workflows. In this regard, the integrations are in line with NHS standards for accessing data and identity verification to ensure that providers have data at its most protected level, hence a minimal chance of unauthorised access or data breaches. Furthermore, these integrations ensure improved efficiency with better care coordination, support for digital services such as patient appointments, EPS, e-RS, multi-factor authentication, and real-time access to data from anywhere in the UK. This is in line with the commitment towards patient privacy of NHS Digital, therefore ensuring care services are always in conformity with the protocol as set by NHS. A Word from RioMed’s Managing Director – Mario M. With the incorporation of CIS2 and PDS, RioMed’s top-notch EHR platform Cellma now offers an even more robust, secure, and effective healthcare experience for users. These integrations will provide direct access for healthcare professionals to correct patient demographics while offering secure authentication within easy, seamless workflows with administrative burdens reduced. This interoperability with the NHS also positions RioMed to better serve its clients by aligning its digital solutions with the NHS’s stringent data protection standards. For healthcare organisations relying on RioMed’s EPR platform Cellma, this means that patient safety and data security are prioritised, which is critical in today’s digital healthcare landscape. Having successfully integrated CIS2 and PDS, RioMed reiterates its commitment to the continued support of healthcare professionals with secure, effective digital tools. Additionally, RioMed is actively working on securing necessary approvals for the NHS integration of EPS, e-RS, GP Connect, and SCR, aiming to enhance patient care and operational efficiency. This way, in future, RioMed will continue to push the boundaries in healthcare in alignment with industry standards for safe, efficient, and connected patient care. About RioMed: RioMed is your trusted partner in digital healthcare. Our cloud-based all-in-one Hospital Information Management System (HIMS) – Cellma, enhances the efficiency, quality and safety of patient’s information and smoothens the management and operations of healthcare organisations, both private and public. Along with that, our Cellmaflex is all-in-one healthcare hub for doctors and patients. It’s an end-to-end practice management software solution to cater to small clinics, pharmacies, imaging services, and lab services across the Caribbean region. On the other hand, it is a digital healthcare hub that helps patients book appointments, manage medical records, and find nearby care anytime, anywhere. RioMed offers apps for healthcare practitioners, providers and patients. Additionally, we offer interactive dashboards that bring together statistics and figures in an easy-to-read format. We also provide personalised portals that allows referral management, access to patient data and to smoothly collaborate with other healthcare providers. We are passionate about enhancing the healthcare IT, and its vital role in the future of healthcare. Visit www.riomed.com or call +44 02380 277 044 to learn how our solutions can transform your organisation. Recent News Let’s transform healthcare together. Speak with RioMed for a tailored solution. Get in Touch
Gastroenteritis (Stomach Flu): Symptoms, Causes, and Prevention
Table of Contents Help Others Discover – Click to Share! Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Table of Contents Jane was excitedly waiting to attend her family gathering, however, hours before the event, she felt a sudden wave of nausea, diarrhoea and cramps. She felt mild pains at first, it became severe episodes of vomiting and weakness. She knew she required medical attention but dreaded to be on hold to book an appointment. Rather than waiting for hours in the queue at the clinic, Jane accessed Cellmaflex on her mobile phone and, within minutes, booked an online appointment without ever needing to make any phone call. Little did she know she was experiencing gastroenteritis, also known as, stomach flu, a common yet often misdiagnosed condition. Read the blog to know more about gastroenteritis, how it affects the stomach and intestines, its symptoms, causes, risk factors and how it can be prevented. What is Gastroenteritis (Stomach Flu)? Gastroenteritis also known as, stomach flu, is an inflammation of the stomach and intestines. It is not related to influenza, but rather usually the result of infections by viruses, bacteria, or parasites. “Gastro” refers to the stomach and “enter” means intestine, “itis” refers to inflammation, usually caused by an infection. The condition causes painful symptoms like diarrhoea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps. Most cases of the infections are mild, but if symptoms become more serious, medical attention may be needed. Gastroenteritis is extremely contagious. You can avoid spreading and catching it through simple hygiene measures such as washing your hands. According to the report by Centre of Disease Control and Prevention, published in May 2024, annually on average, there are 685 million total cases of gastroenteritis worldwide. Also, there are 200 million annual cases in children under 5 years old. How Does Gastroenteritis Affect the Stomach and Intestines? The infection causes irritation and inflammation of the lining of the stomach and intestines. The body tries to eliminate the infectious agents by inducing vomiting and diarrhoea but, unfortunately, can rapidly lead to dehydration, especially in young children, older adults, and those whose systems that are immunocompromised. What are the Symptoms? Symptoms caused by gastroenteritis include: Diarrhoea Nausea, Vomiting Decreased appetite Abdominal cramps and spasms Fever Chills Fatigue Muscle aches What is the Main Cause of Gastroenteritis? Many different bacteria, parasites and viruses can infect your gastrointestinal system. Infectious diseases lead to acute gastroenteritis. Infectious gastroenteritis is caused by infection in your gastrointestinal tract. These include: Viral infection Bacterial infection Parasitic infection Fungal infection These infections are the leading causes of acute gastroenteritis. Viral gastroenteritis: Viral infections lead to viral gastroenteritis. This is the most prevalent type. The viruses responsible are: Norovirus Rotavirus Astrovirus Adenovirus Calicivirus Sapovirus Bacterial gastroenteritis: There are different bacteria responsible for bacterial gastroenteritis. Some of the common bacterial gastrointestinal infections include: Salmonella Campylobacter Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) Escherichia coli (E. coli) Shigella Staphylococci (Staph) Parasitic gastroenteritis: Parasite infections give rise to parasitic gastroenteritis. The commonly occurring infections are: Giardiasis Cryptosporidiosis Cyclosporiasis Amebiasis (amoebic dysentery) Fungal gastroenteritis: Fungal infections cause fungal gastroenteritis. The most common fungal infections include the following: Candidiasis Aspergillosis Risk Factors for Gastroenteritis Certain factors can increase the likelihood of contracting gastroenteritis or developing more severe symptoms: Age: Young children (under 5) and older adults are more vulnerable due to weaker immune systems. Compromised Immune System: People with conditions like HIV/AIDS, cancer, or those on immunosuppressant medications are at higher risk. Living or Working in Crowded Environments: Schools, nursing homes, daycare centres, and cruise ships are hotspots for outbreaks due to close contact among individuals. Poor Hygiene Practices: Inadequate handwashing and unsanitary practices increase the risk of viral and bacterial infections. Travel to High-Risk Areas: Visiting regions with poor sanitation and unsafe drinking water raises the risk of exposure to contaminated food or water. Consumption of Contaminated Food or Water: Eating undercooked foods or drinking contaminated water can lead to infections. Close Contact with Infected Individuals: Caring for someone who is sick or sharing utensils increases the chances of catching the infection. Underlying Health Conditions: Patients with chronic digestive disorders like IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) or other gastrointestinal issues may experience more severe symptoms. Understanding these risk factors helps individuals take proactive steps to prevent gastroenteritis and protect their health. Is Gastroenteritis Infectious? Infectious gastroenteritis is communicable. If you have an infection in your gut, it infects your stool. Infections can then be transferred from your stool to anyone that comes in contact with it. Minute traces of stool remain on bathroom surfaces, diaper-changing areas and peoples’ hands if they don’t clean them well. These minute traces are transferred to other people that touch them, or to their food or water. How Can the Gastroenteritis be Prevented? Good hygiene may reduce your chance of getting stomach flu or passing it on to other people. This includes: Hand washing: Good hand washing is a primary defence against stomach flu viruses since hand sanitiser is not always effective. This is particularly important after using the bathroom or after changing a diaper and before touching food. Sanitation: Clean and disinfect any surfaces or objects you or the infected person has come into contact with. Use bleach and water with a concentration to disinfect surfaces, especially in the bathroom. Use hot temperatures in your washing machine for bed linens and clothes. Safe food handling: Food can become contaminated with stomach flu viruses, bacteria or other organisms. Safe food preparation helps prevent this. Those who have already been infected with stomach flu should avoid preparing food for others when possible. How Cellmaflex Helps Patients? Cellmaflex is an all-in-one digital healthcare hub for the patients. With Cellmaflex, patient can sign up free and easily find a suitable healthcare provider. In one click, patients can browse through the directory of the specialists they can see, check the availability of their preferred doctors, and even book appointments online without having to make any calls or waste hours in waiting rooms. Direct results of the tests can be accessed by the patients,
Cellma and Diabetes Care: A New Era of Patient – Centred Management
Table of Contents Help Others Discover – Click to Share! Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Table of Contents Every day, the departments of diabetes care face a challenge in managing the complex needs of patients with diabetes. From the care plans for patients at different levels of conditions to managing data and ensuring proper communication among care teams, diabetes care has become highly multifaceted. According to diabetes UK, over 5.6 million people are living with diabetes including both diagnosed and undiagnosed cases. Each of these patients requires customised care, continuous monitoring, and fluid access to healthcare professionals–all demands that often push the resources and healthcare givers to their limits. For the diabetes care unit to cater to these requirements, a system that provides effective management of patient details, appointment management, and customised care plans is required; enter Cellma. Cellma optimises the hospital’s operations and management. This not only alleviates the hospital administration, but also enhances patients’ experience. Through various modules of Cellma, patients’ hospital journey is smooth. Read the blog to learn how Cellma transforms diabetes care and hospital’s management and operations. What is diabetes? Diabetes is the underlying condition that causes elevated blood sugar. It develops when the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin or any at all, or when the body isn’t responding to the effects of insulin properly. Diabetes affects people of all ages. For diabetic patients, managing diabetes involves handling multiple aspects of care. The Challenges of Diabetes Management a hospital and clinic face are: Regular blood sugar monitoring Following up the medication and lifestyle changes Document and prescriptions management Keeping track of lab results and medical history Frequent visits to healthcare providers for consultation Due to the lack of an integrated system healthcare providers face incomplete or delayed access to vital information, affecting the quality of care and patient outcomes. How Cellma Transforms Diabetes Care Cellma is an all-in-one HIMS solution that addresses challenges by providing a platform that streamlines all aspects of diabetes management. With administrative tasks and clinical management, Cellma brings together all aspects of patient care. Cellma can integrate across various hospital departments and ensure that healthcare providers have quick access to important information. Here’s how Cellma enhances diabetes care with its modules: Electronic Patient Record (EPR): The Electronic Patient Record (EPR) module of Cellma has a centralised digital storage for all patient information. From demographics to medical history, every piece of data is easily accessible to authorised healthcare providers. In the EPR module, the patient’s data is recorded throughout their care pathways irrespective of where the services were delivered. EPR module is completely integrated for bi-directional connectivity. Patient Administration System (PAS): With Cellma’s Patient Administration System (PAS), administrative tasks such as patient registration, appointment scheduling, and admission/discharge processes are simplified. PAS module includes the referral procedure to specialised consultants. Also, in Cellma, appointments can be booked using the web portal or app. Document Management: Cellma’s document management module stores all the patient documents related to diabetes, including consent forms, diabetes treatment plans, summaries, securely and are easily accessible to the healthcare providers. This reduces the risk of lost paperwork and enhances the efficiency of hospital operations by providing a centralised storage for all important documents. Lab Management: Regular lab tests are important for monitoring diabetes. With Cellma’s lab module test results are seamlessly integrated into the patient’s record. With automated workflows, HbA1c levels, kidney function tests, and cholesterol levels are automatically updated in the EPR of diabetic patients, reducing the risk of errors and ensuring timely interventions. Through Cellma’s lab module, patient care providers effectively manage all pathology requests, reports, and findings within their institution linked to their patient’s records. Cellma can integrate with the existing lab analysers or third-party technology and transfer all the information. E-Pharmacy: The E-Pharmacy module of Cellma integrates prescription management with the hospital’s pharmacy. Diabetes medications can be prescribed electronically, and pharmacists receive the prescriptions in real-time. Cellma’s Pharmacy Medicines Management & Medicines Administration are seamlessly integrated with each other and ensures quality, safety, and efficiency for all prescribed and dispensed items. Cellma’s E-pharmacy & E-prescribing module is integrated with the billing module and hence, it automatically records and generates patient-level costing. Communication: Communication is important for smooth diabetes care. Cellma’s communication module allows healthcare providers to communicate without any issues and provides secure messaging and collaboration tools. Patient can participate and take their health care in their own hands through self-registration, feedback, and access to specific parts of their medical record. Hospital administration can inform the patient about their tests results, upcoming appointments and treatment options. Telemedicine Solution: Cellma supports telehealth services, enabling virtual consultations and remote monitoring. Diabetic patient can confirm, cancel, or re-schedule telemedicine appointments to suit their availability. It reduces no-shows significantly with appointment confirmations and reminders about upcoming remote consultations via the patient app and portal. Finance and Billing: Cellma’s Finance and Billing module simplifies the financial operations of a hospital. It handles everything from the patient’s diabetes treatment’s billing to insurance claims processing and ensures accuracy and transparency. The finance and appointment module in Cellma is completely connected. As a result, patients get automatic billing for each treatment episode and the service provided at the department. For the local, national or procurement requirements, automatic reports are generated. Automatic reports are created whenever needed for local, national, or procurement requirements. With such filtered data, you can see where resources can be managed more ideally. Business Intelligence and Reporting: The Business Intelligence and Reporting module provides diabetes department and the hospital as whole with valuable insights into the departments and hospital’s operations, through advanced analytics and reporting tools. Cellma’s Business Intelligence and Reporting module provides clinical, managerial and financial reports on all data stored within an organisation. Every single piece of data can be accessed in three easy-to-read formats. Our dynamic dashboards give you a snapshot of any specific key performance indicators, customisable to present only the data you need. Patient Portal: Cellma’s Patient Portal provides one-stop access for those dealing with diabetes to their medical information. Through a safe login, patients can monitor
Ophthalmology Department Management Simplified with Cellma
Table of Contents Help Others Discover – Click to Share! Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Table of Contents Eyes are the windows to the soul and keeping them in great health helps in improving general well-being. Ophthalmology, which is the specialised branch of medicine dealing with eye anatomy, physiology, and diseases, is crucial to enabling diagnosis and treatment of anything that involves vision. Over the years, with the evolution of technology, ophthalmology has gradually become more intricate and needs to be equipped with relevant management systems in order to create an efficient clinical workflow whilst enhancing patient care. A report provided by NHS England estimates about 7.5 million ophthalmology patient episodes in England during 2022. Read the blog to know the challenges faced by the ophthalmology departments and how an advanced ophthalmology EHR software like Cellma can revolutionise operations. Challenges Faced by the Ophthalmology Department: The ophthalmology department faces several challenges such as: Long waiting times: Inability to deal with the great number of patients leads to longer waiting times for clinics and procedures. Coordination of Care: The inefficient transition from one level of care to another hinders a speedy decision-making process when there is a lack of relevant patient information. Data Management: The management of large volumes of patient data such as medical history, tests, and treatment plans is complicated, tedious, and potentially prone to error. Resource Allocation: For effective service delivery, one should focus on the effective utilisation of the resources, which include manpower and available equipment. How Cellma Helps Cellma is an integrated comprehensive healthcare information management system that is aimed to manage the needs specific to the departments, clinics, and hospitals. For ophthalmology practices, Cellma functions as an ophthalmology EMR, optimising workflows, enhancing patient care, and improving operational efficiency through its various modules and features. Here’s How Cellma Can Make a Difference: Patient Administration and Scheduling (PAS) Module: The PAS module of Cellma facilitates the whole patient management process. PAS’s built-in appointment scheduling system assures the appointment of patients with minimum wait time while optimising the schedules of ophthalmologists. The module contains functions for automated reminders, which send out notifications to patients about their next appointments via either SMS or email. This function greatly decreases the incidence of missed appointments. Electronic Patient Record (EPR) module: The EPR module of Cellma centralises and securely stores important patient information in a single accessible platform. This consists of exhaustive medical history, investigation reports, and treatment plans, enabling the ophthalmologist to view very vital information at anytime and anywhere. The EPR module thus gives a full view of a patient’s medical histories and ensures continuity of care by allowing the clinician to have all of the relevant information readily available during his or her consultation. That is, the EPR allows to document electronic findings and treatment plans, enhancing efficiency and reducing the likelihood of error due to paper records. Imaging Module: The imaging module is one of the most potent modules of Cellma, as it brings together all imaging associated with ophthalmic diagnostics such as OCT, fundus photography, and visual field tests. It allows the ophthalmologist to incorporate imaging results easily into a patient’s electronic record, resulting in improved clinical decision-making. The module has a provision for access to the latest imaging data to support the accurate communication of diagnosis and treatment options between clinicians and the patient. Lab Module: Making, ordering and tracking of lab tests, including all the necessary blood work and genetics testing related to eye health, much simpler, the lab module of Cellma also addresses pathology requests and reports-all within the electronic patient record. It improves workflow efficiency significantly while making critical test results available in real time for timely clinical decisions. This reduces the administrative burden associated with lab management and affords ophthalmologists more time to treat and care for their patients. ePharmacy Module: The e-pharmacy module facilitates smooth prescription management. The module makes sure that the medications and ophthalmic supplies are supplied and tracked. The module allows ophthalmologists to view medication histories, dosages, and prescription statuses all in one location. Alerts for potential drug interactions have been incorporated in the module, ensuring that prescribing practices contribute to the safety of the patients. This oversight thus enables ophthalmologists to offer relevant care and avoid complications related to management by drugs. Document Management Module: The document management module allows for document storage and administration pertaining to treatment regarding consent and treatment plans. Centralised storage solutions avoid the risk of the paper lost and streamline operations because all critical documents are easily accessible to the relevant staff. Business Intelligence and Reporting Module: The business intelligence and reporting module enables advanced analytics tools for tracking clinical outcomes, patient demographics, and departmental performances for the profession. It enables healthcare providers to generate detailed reports tailored to the specific requirements; the reports provide an insight into different aspects of practices. The approach allows ophthalmologists to be guided by data to improve patient care and optimise departmental efficiencies. Patient Portal: Cellma’s patient portal allows patients to take a more active role in their healthcare. The portal allows them to schedule appointments with their ophthalmologists online and save time by this way. It also educates patients regarding aspects of eye health, the treatment plan, and when to show up for the next appointment, hence they are more informed. Patients can fill in pre-visit forms online with important information about symptoms and medical histories, which must be done before in-office appointments. Automated reminders via e-mail or SMS nudge patients to remain committed to their appointments while reducing no-shows. The connection between patients and the hospital department is enhanced by the Patient Portal through provision of communication and information exchange; hence patient engagement and satisfaction are improved. Functionality and Security Enhancements: Multi-Language Support: Ensures a variety of patient populations can be served by providing forms and education materials in multiple languages. Documenting in Real-time: Information is up-to-date and promptly recorded for all patient contacts along with the treatment plans therein. Audit Trail: Ensures that there is an open record for all amendments made on the patient records in terms of quality assurance and compliance. Video Consultation: Cellma’s video consultation functionality feature allows for virtual consultations between
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): An Overview of IBS symptoms, causes and types
Table of Contents Help Others Discover – Click to Share! Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Table of Contents For several years, Kimberly, has been suffering from constant stomach cramps and irregular bowel movement. She attributed this to stress of her job. However, when the symptoms started interfering with her daily life and social activities, she knew it was high time to go see a doctor. For weeks, booking appointments and searching for a suitable specialist overwhelmed her until she discovered Cellmaflex. Through Cellmaflex, without any phone calls, Kimberly made an online appointment with a gastroenterologist and received automatic reminders that kept her focused for her intended care. This blog delves into what Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is, its prevalence, IBS symptoms, types, causes, diagnosis and the available treatment options. What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome? Irritable bowel syndrome, also known as IBS, is a term for a group of symptoms that affect your digestive system. This is, in fact, a common but rather awkward gastrointestinal disease or medical condition affecting your intestines. Symptoms in people with IBS vary from pain in the abdomen and cramping to diarrhoea or constipation and it alternates frequently. With IBS you may also have diarrhoea, constipation, or an alternating type of pattern where it switches back and forth. IBS does not cause damage in your GI (gastrointestinal) tract, nor does it increase the risk of worse problems like colon cancer. Instead, it is one chronic condition that most people can keep under control through changing their habits and what they eat, taking medications and receiving behavioral therapy. Females are at about twice the risk of suffering from IBS compared to men and most females’ symptoms worsen around the time of menstruation. The National Institute of Health states that the prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome is around 11% worldwide as of 2023, based on different clinical criteria used for diagnosis. What are the Types of IBS? There are three categories of IBS. Researchers classify IBS based on how your stools look on days when you are having symptom flare-ups. Most people with IBS have normal bowel movements some days and abnormal ones on others. The abnormal days explain what type of IBS you have. IBS with constipation (IBS-C): Stools are mostly hard and lumpy. IBS with diarrhoea (IBS-D): You mostly experience loose, watery stools. IBS with mixed bowel habits (IBS-M): You experience both the diarrheal type and the constipated type combined, such that you both have hard and lumpy bowel movements and loose and watery movements. The differences are important as certain treatments only work for specific types of IBS. IBS Symptoms IBS may appear with frequent symptoms or symptoms may occur during flare-ups. In other words, you do not always have symptoms. Rather, symptoms may stop occurring (and you’ll again have normal bowel movements). At other times, symptoms will recur. IBS symptoms are: Pain or cramping in the abdomen, often accompanied by a desire to have a bowel movement. Gas or bloating. Diarrhoea – loose stools. Constipation – few stools. Alternating between periods of diarrhoea and constipation. You have mucus in your stool, which can appear whitish in color. You do not feel as if you have entirely eliminated stool from your body after a bowel movement. Causes of IBS The definite etiology of IBS is not determined, but some possible causes that can be connected with its development are as follows: Gut-brain interaction: Abnormal communication between the gut and brain may affect bowel function. Food sensitivities: Some individuals may be sensitive to other foods, especially dairy, gluten, and high FODMAPs. Infections: Infection of the gastrointestinal tract or the overgrowth of bacteria in the intestines may contribute to IBS. Stress and Psychological Factors: Anxiety and depression are commonly associated with IBS. Hormonal Changes: Women show worsening of IBS symptoms during their menstrual cycles. How is IBS Diagnosed? There is no test for diagnosing IBS. Therefore, diagnosis relies mainly on: History and Medical Check-up: Physicians examine the symptoms and for how long they have been present. The Rome IV Criteria: It is used in assessing symptoms involving abdominal pain, change in bowel habits, etc. Exclusion of other conditions: Blood tests and stool tests or imaging may be requested in order to exclude all the other conditions such as celiac disease or inflammatory bowel disease. Treatment Options for IBS IBS has no known cure. However, there are some options that are used to manage their symptoms. These include: Dietary modification: Patients can identify their trigger foods and avoid them as a possible method of alleviating symptoms. Low-FODMAP is commonly recommended. Medications: Depending upon the type of IBS, a person may be prescribed antispasmodics, laxatives, or anti-diarrheal medication. Psychological therapies: Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) and other relaxation techniques may help to alleviate symptoms associated with stress. Probiotics: These may help improve the health of the gut, hence reducing symptoms. Lifestyle modification: Exercise and adequate hydration also help in improving the symptoms. How Cellmaflex Helps Patients Cellmaflex is an all-in-one digital healthcare hub for the patients. With Cellmaflex, an IBS patient can sign up free and easily find a suitable gastroenterologist or digestive health expert. In one click, patients can browse through the directory of the specialists they can see, check the availability of their preferred doctors, and even book appointments online without having to make any calls or waste hours in waiting rooms. Direct results of the tests can be accessed by the patients, and they may access test results anywhere at any time. In addition, patients can locate pharmacies nearest to them through Cellmaflex. This ensures prompt availability of various medications and supplements that may aid in better management of IBS. Continuous, timely intervention and real access to healthcare professionals form the important aspects of IBS management. Cellmaflex empowers patients to take charge of their health with smooth appointment scheduling, rapid viewing of test results, and even hassle-free coordination with specialists for the required care. Cellmaflex provides patients with the support they need every step of their journey. Book
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD): causes, risk factors, and CKD stages explained.
Table of Contents Help Others Discover – Click to Share! Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Table of Contents Serena, a busy mother of two, had always thought of her fatigue and swollen ankles as just part of her hectic lifestyle. But when those symptoms stuck around, without any phone calls, she decided to book an online appointment on Cellmaflex — a platform she knew that makes booking healthcare appointments easier. Little did she know that this appointment would lead to the revelation of a condition that affects millions of women worldwide—Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). In this blog, we’ll explore what chronic kidney disease is, CKD stages, its causes, symptoms and risk factors and how it is diagnosed. What is Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)? Chronic Kidney Disease is the gradual loss of kidney function. The kidneys are a vital excretory organ that cleans the blood to extract waste products and fluids. When CKD progresses, the kidneys can no longer efficiently remove wastes from the body, leading to a dangerous accumulation of wastes in the blood. If unchecked, it can lead to serious health complications. It is referred to as “chronic” because it gradually reduces kidney function. CKD might cause the kidney to fail, which is otherwise referred to as end-stage kidney disease. Everyone with CKD will not experience kidney failure, but the disease will often degenerate without treatment. Although there’s no cure for chronic kidney disease, you can slow down the damage on your kidneys with treatments. According to the International Society of Nephrology, in 2023, the prevalence of CKD worldwide is 10.4% among men and 11.8% among women. Acute kidney injury (AKI) is experienced by 13.3 million people each year and may resolve or lead to CKD or kidney failure in the future. How Do the Kidneys Work? The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs connected to each side of the spine. Their primary role is taking waste and excess fluids from the blood to create urine. They also participate in blood pressure, electrolyte balances, and the production of red blood cells. In women, kidney function is very vital during pregnancy and menopause because hormonal changes add to the pressure on the kidneys. CKD can thus be well handled if caught early when it has not reached critical levels. CKD Stages There are five CKD stages, starting with very mild stage 1 and progressing to stage 5: kidney failure. The healthcare provider will determine the stage of kidney function through the glomerular filtration rate (GFR). GFR is a number derived from the amount of creatinine, a waste product, circulating in the blood. Stage GFR (mL/min) What it means Stage 1 90 or above Normal, but it is possible to have stage 1 kidney disease and still have normal eGFR Stage 2 60-89 Kidney damage with mild loss of kidney function Stage 3a 45-59 Mild to moderate kidney damage. Kidneys do not work as well as they should Stage 3b 30-44 Moderate to severe damage Stage 4 15-29 Severely kidney damage. Kidneys are close to not working at all Stage 5 less than 15 Kidney failure or end-stage renal disease, requires either dialysis or a kidney transplant CKD often goes unnoticed in many women until its advanced stage, which is why regular checkups and close monitoring of symptoms are highly needed. Most Common Causes of CKD Several causes contribute to the formation of CKD. Among the most prevalent causes in women include the following: High Blood Pressure: In the course of time, high blood pressure damages the blood vessels that carry blood to the kidneys. Diabetes: This is one potential cause of CKD and can affect women who have experienced gestational diabetes during pregnancy, increasing their risk of developing the condition later in life. Autoimmune Diseases: While lupus and other autoimmune diseases affect more women than men, they will trigger CKD. Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): Recurrent UTI’s involving the kidneys can eventually lead to CKD Risk Factors in Females Due to CKD There are a few intrinsic risk factors for developing CKD, in particular among women: Pregnancy Associated Disorders: Preeclampsia and other disorders associated with pregnancy are linked to a higher risk of kidney disease. Family History: The risk of suffering from kidney disease is high if a woman has a family history of the disease. Age: It tends to be more common with advancing age, particularly post-menopause, as well as due to hormonal changes. Obesity: This has strong associated cases with Diabetes and Hypertension, which are risk factors in kidney complications. Early Signs and Symptoms of CKD in Women Women generally develop very mild signs of CKD, making the disease hard to detect. The earliest symptoms include: Fatigue Swollen ankles, feet, or hands Changes in urination Severe itching Not being able to focus Later Signs of CKD: The signs of CKD are generally worse with worsening disease, and severely affect the daily activities of the patient. These include the following: Nausea and vomiting Increased fatigue Breathlessness Chest pain Muscle cramps Anaemia For women, these signs tend to be advanced together with other health conditions, most notably menopause, and thus it will be difficult to diagnose with absolute accuracy. Complications Due to CKD Chronic kidney disease is linked to several complications that affect health in general: Cardiovascular Disease: CKD results in cardiovascular disease being one of the major causes of death and morbidity among women. Osteoporosis: The imbalance of calcium and phosphorus due to CKD may result in weaker bones. Fluid Overload: Failure of the kidneys to filter waste properly leads to fluid overload, causing swelling and breathing difficulties. Kidney Failure: At the last stage of disease, the failure of the kidneys takes place. If untreated, the victim has to depend upon either dialysis or a kidney transplant. How is Chronic Kidney Disease Diagnosed? Early detection of chronic kidney disease is the only way to prevent its advancement. Most common tests that are done to diagnose CKD include blood and urine tests. These are: Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR): This test is used to
