Cholecystitis Case Study Essay

The current recommendation is that women over the age of 40 should receive a mammogram every 1-2 years (Kidd, Colbert & Jatoi, 2015). Breast cancer mortality is higher in ethnic minorities including, Blacks, Hispanics, and Native Americans (O’Keefe, Meltzer, & Bethea, 2015). With Black, Hispanic, Asian, and White women with breast cancer in a low socioeconomic status, there is also an association with higher mortality rates (O’Keefe et al., 2015). The causes for these disparities is multifactorial and include knowledge deficit, incorrect perceptions about cancer, embarrassment, and prioritization of competing personal obligations, such as working or taking care of family members (Nonzee, et al., 2015). To add to the problem, minority women are much more likely to have high deductible insurance plans, or no insurance coverage at all (Tangka, et al., 2017). These issues lead to later stages of diagnosis of breast cancer, going longer between mammograms, lack of follow-up after suspicious findings on mammograms, and once diagnosed, incomplete treatment of breast cancer (O’Keefe et al.,

One of these symptoms is jaundice, which is characterized by yellowish skin and eyes because of an inability of the liver to remove bilirubin from the blood. Patient with cirrhosis also suffering from itching, due to deposited bile's products in the skin. This patient also suffers from accumulation of fluid in legs that is called edema. As a result of the blockage of blood flow via the liver, fluid accumulation in abdomen which is worsen by the decrease in protein production. Other symptoms include fatigue, weakness, loss of appetite, weight loss and nausea. As the disease progress, complications may develop ,such as varices that happens with cirrhosis patient when the blood flow through the liver slows, so the blood from intestine go back to the vessels of the stomach and esophagus, these vessels are not meant to carry this much of blood so they dilate (varices), with increasing

This will explore the role gender, ethnicity, race and socio-economics play in the acquisition, maintenance and experience of health care. A particular focus is the interaction (intersection) between these elements and their effect on awareness, education, active prevention and early detection of cancer, particularly breast cancer in women. Cancer is a disease caused by a mutation and rapid division of cells. Cancer is a general term describing many diseases; essentially there is a wide array of types of cancers. This vast differentiation makes it difficult to combat this disease and similarly the differences among individuals cause the course of this disease to vary greatly, cancer effects people differently. Breast cancer is one of the more well-known forms of cancer and is frequently touched upon or glazed over in discussion. A conversation may start with “I know someone who has or had cancer” but way to often this is where the conversation ends. The discussion on breast cancer needs to expand, to further the spread of information and understanding of the many aspects of this disease. “Breast cancer is a malignant tumor that starts in the cells of the breast. A malignant tumor is a group of cancer cells that can grow into (invade) surrounding tissues or spread (metastasize) to distant areas of the body” (What is Breast cancer). Breast cancer can be found in both male and female populations but it is particularly, prevalent among women, Breast cancer is the most pervasive

Testing positive for the BRCA 1 mutation, I have an eight-five percent chance of developing cancer in my lifetime. Although being BRCA 1 doesn't define me, it does change the way others perceive my existence. Reaching out to other women in the BRCA community who could truly empathize with my diagnosis empowered me. Through the organization Bright Pink, I now mentor other high-risk women in their Pink Pal program. I am committed to educating and supporting BRCA women as they face the emotional challenges of this intimidating diagnosis. In our lives we all will encounter various obstacles that allow us to empathize with one another. Willingness to share our struggles makes these difficult journeys less

SEIDAL, H, M., BALL, J, W., DAINS, J, E., BENEDICT, G, W. (2006) Mosby’s Guide to Physical Examination. 6th edn. Philadelphia: Elsevier.

Gallstones may sometimes cause certain symptoms. These symptoms include Chronic Indigestion, which have symptoms such as nausea, heartburn and bloating.

In 2006, a preventative study was done on 3 ethnic groups of women (Blacks, Arab, Latinos). Where they studied in a community-based setting their knowledge and socioeconomic factors associated with 3 types of breast cancer screening.4 (Self Examination, Clinical Examination,

Different approaches are available to the surgeon for treatment of congenital cholesteatomas depending on the location and extent of the disease. Here we introduce a novel approach for a cholesteatoma seen through the anterior superior quadrant of the tympanic membrane. For three patients with such a cholesteatoma we removed their cholesteatomas after the amputation of the malleus handle using a semiconductor laser with or without reconstruction of the handle.

It is commonly known that Breast Cancer is one of the most insidious diseases that mankind has had to deal with. With the discovery of the BRCA1( BReast Cancer gene one) and BRCA2 (BReast Cancer gene two) genes, breast cancer can be detected with a great amount of certainty on a genetic level in some women and men. 40,000 women and men die of breast cancer each year. Knowing this it is very important to try to detect the mutation in the gene as early as possible. In the United States alone between 1 in 800 people are diagnosed with the BRCA gene mutation. However, among the Ashkenazi jews,( jews from primarily eastern european decent) men and women are about one in forty to have the mutation. Even though battling this disease provides many challenges to those afflicted, advancement in treatment and in research have increased the ability to survive tremendously.

The following questions may be asked to aid in helping to assess Patient A for cholelithiasis or cholescystitis: “Have you had any trouble with heartburn, passing gas, epigastric pain, or any trouble with eating fatty food or cabbage?” (Huether & McCance, 2012). The patient may be able to describe pain in the right upper quadrant 30 minutes after eating a fatty meal. If the pain is intermittent or steady with pain radiating to the mid upper back it could indicate a gallstone is located in the common duct (Huether & McCance, 2012). Ultrasounds and abdominal CT scans with contrast would be beneficial in helping to determining if there is any blockage and the next step in treatment. The doctor may also chose to have lab work done and order the follow lab work: amylase, and lipase, bilirubin, CBC, and liver function tests. AST and ALT values may be elevated as well as increased Bilirubin levels if a patient is suffering from cholelithiasis. The greater the serum Bilirubin level (greater than 3mg/dL) the greater indicator the patient has gallstones (Heuman, 2015). If the Patient A is suffering from acute cholecystitis (inflammation of the bile duct) it may clear up on its own with antibiotics dietary changes, pain medications and rest. If Patient A is dealing with acute cholethiasis (gallstones visible on ultrasounds and CT scans) then laparoscopic cholecystectomy is recommended course of treatment verses open abdominal

The gallbladder stores and concentrates bile. If the gallbladder was damaged or dysfunctional there would be softer and more frequent stools. (Audesirk, T., & Audesirk, G. (1999). Retrieved November 21, 2015 from Chapter 29: Nutrition and Digestion. In Biology: Life on Earth (5th ed., p. 585, 586). Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Prentice Hall.) (General Surgery- Gallstones (Cholelithiasis). (n.d.). Retrieved November 21, 2015, from

S: Patient complaining about breast pain. States that the pain has gotten worse since when it first started. There was a change in size and a lump on the left breast.

The patient's symptoms along with the lab results provided a very similar match to Acute Acalculous Cholecystitis. Acalculous Cholecystitis refers to inflammation of the gallbladder where gallstones are NOT the contributing factor. This is significant because patient had a negative test result for gallstones. In this case, i think that it was most likely caused by an increase in bile viscosity that occurs from stasis. And in turn, leads to blockage of the cystic duct. The cystic duct connects the gallbladder to the common bile duct.

The purpose of this assignment is to use a case study to show how a diagnosis has been decided on. The assignment will look at a patient’s diagnosis of cholecystitis and will explain the pathophysiology of the diagnosed illness. Next it will talk about the patients presenting complaint and some of the health history. It will then explain the results from the clinical examination and the diagnostic tests that were conducted and the rationale behind why they were done. Finally this assignment will show how the diagnosis was determined.

Acute cholecystitis is the acute inflammation of the gall bladder, which is most commonly caused by gall stones [1]. Gall stones affect about 10% of the western population [2]. Asymptomatic gall stones are present in more than 80% of the patients and among the patients of symptomatic gall stones only 1-3% develop acute cholecystitis [1], [3]. Hence acute cholecystitis is considered the most common severe complication of gall stones [3]. Ascariasis- a major cause of biliary disease also results in acute cholecystitis b/c the cystic duct obstruction caused by the helminth causes an inflammatory process to start [4]. Acute cholecystitis is diagnosed on the basis of clinical features and ultrasonography [1]. Literature gives two opinions regarding the surgical treatment of acute cholecystitis- first is the early surgery within few days