Tuesday, February 23, 2010
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Letters | Opinion | Editorial | Weekend Report |
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Ask the doctor By Dr. Shamanique Bodie: Dear Dr. Bodie I am a 36-year-old female and I have a sister who had heavy vaginal bleeding with her periods. She was diagnosed with fibroids. What are fibroids?
Answer: Fibroids also known as leiomyomas or myomas are non-cancerous (benign) growths from smooth muscle. They are the most common tumors that women have. Fibroids are found in as much as half of all women by the time they reach age 50. Most of them are found in the uterus (womb), however, fibroids can be found throughout the body. Fibroids are named based on their location in the uterus and the location usually determines the symptoms that they cause. Myomas vary in size and shape. For example, they may be smaller than the eyes can see or weigh more than 50 pounds, filling the entire abdomen. Things that affect your risk for developing fibroids include ethnicity, age, age of first period, diet, a family history of fibroids, obesity, and certain medications. Symptoms develop in one out of three women that have fibroids and include but are not limited to: Heavy/long/ and or painful menstrual cycles (menorrhagia). Pain or pressure in the pelvic area/backache. Pregnancy loss (miscarriage). Labor before 37 weeks of pregnancy (pre-term labor). Inability to conceive (infertility). To diagnose fibroids, doctors use a combination of a medical history, a pelvic exam, and imaging studies — mostly an ultrasound of the pelvis. Other imaging studies include CT and MRI of the pelvis may also be used in diagnosis and treatment planning. Common treatment options include * Medications to shrink the fibroids. * Surgery to remove the fibroids — (myomectomy). * Surgery to remove the uterus — (hysterectomy). * Surgery to stop the blood supply to the fibroids (uterine artery embolization). Ladies may also, after talking with their doctor, choose to monitor the growth of the fibroids with pelvic exams and or ultrasounds of the pelvis. Treatment options will depend on your individual needs, your type of fibroid, past medical and surgical history.
Dr. Shamanique Bodie Obstetrician/Gynecologist
Do you have a medical question that needs answering? We would love to hear from you. Send us your question and look out for the next "Ask the Doctor" column. You can send your question via e-mail to askthedoctor@doctorshosp.com, or to Doctors Hospital P.O. Box N 3018, Nassau, Bahamas or The Nassau Guardian.
This informative column is intended to educate the community about important issues regarding their health and is not intended as a substitute for consultation with a primary physician. For more information or for a physician referral, please call 302-4707.
Monday January 25, 2010 |
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