4 February 2012 | Last updated 1 day, 13 hours ago.

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Laser balloon ablation for atrial fibrillation

By Dr Oliver Segal, Consultant CardiologistContact

Atrial fibrillationAbnormally fast and uneven contractions of the heart muscle, so that blood cannot be pumped efficiently is the most common heart rhythm disorder in the developed world and it is estimated 1 million people in the UK have this condition. Atrial fibrillation, or AFAn abbreviation for atrial fibrillation for short, is the leading cause of strokeAny sudden neurological problem caused by a bleed or a clot in a blood vessel. in the country and may also cause heart failureFailure of the heart to pump adequately. in some patients. It results from abnormal electrical impulses in the top chambers of the heart, the atriaThe two upper chambers of the heart., which can lead to rapid, irregular palpitationsThe feeling when you become aware of your heartbeat - when frightened, for example., breathlessness, chest pain light-headedness and tiredness. AF increases with age and is very frequently associated with having high blood pressureThe pressure of blood within the arteries. but can also occur in patients with no other medical problems.

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Surgical removal of wisdom teeth
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Latest Health News

Prostate cancer drug rejected by NHS

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence has rejected calls by cancerAbnormal, uncontrolled cell division resulting in a malignant tumour that may invade surrounding tissues or spread to distant parts of the body. charities to make the advanced prostateA gland that surrounds the urethra near the bladder. It produces a fluid that forms part of the semen. cancer drug, abiraterone, available on the NHS. The drug, which costs £3000 a month, is able to prolong the life of sufferers for over three months.

Independent advice on hip replacements - Top ten tips

What is the ideal hip replacement? totalhealth Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon provides expert advice on the options open to patients and the questions they should ask before going ahead with the surgery.

Featured conditions

Soft-tissue cancer

Soft tissueA group of cells with a similar structure and a specialised function. lumps and bumps can appear in a variety of forms and types whether tumourous or non-tumourous, cancerousMalignant, a tumour that may invade surrounding tissues or spread to distant parts of the body. or non-cancerous. Finding a lump can be a very worrying occurrence. This series of articles written by expert Surgical Oncologist, Dirk Strauss, outlines the different diagnosisThe process of determining which condition a patient may have. methods, treatments and prognosisAn assessment of the likely progress of a condition. for a wide variety of soft tissue tumours.

For an easy-to-navigate introduction see our soft tissue sarcoma guide.

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Pain Management

Ever since ancient man discovered that headaches miraculously disappeared after chewing on a piece of willow tree bark, ‘pain management’ has been one of the most fundamental of medical disciplines. Pain is generally subjective and can be very difficult to manage. Pain is unpleasant and presents itself in a variety of form. Our series of articles on pain management are written by top UK consultants to help patients understand the causes of and treatments for their pain.

Latest articles:

Diagnosing and Treating Heart Disease

Coronary heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United Kingdom, killing more than 90,000 people each year with the most common symptom being chest pains. Chest pains can be very scary for the sufferer and it is important to remember that these can be caused by factors such as indigestionDiscomfort after eating. and are not necessarily the result of a heart attackThe death of a section of heart muscle caused by an interruption in its blood supply. Also called a myocardial infarction..

‘I’ve got chest pains – have I had a heart attack?’ is an article written in plain English covering types of chest pains and tests that can be carried out to confirm to ascertain whether the pain is due to a heart attack or another cause. Clinical Cardiologist Professor Avijit Lahiri has written a series of articles surrounding heart disease, its risks, symptoms and treatments.

Digestive Health

Irritable Bowel Syndrome, or IBSirritable bowel syndrome, a combination of abdominal pain and constipation, diarrhoea, or bouts of each that occur in the absence of any other diagnosed disease for short, is a very common condition with many cases being controlled through diet or relaxation techniques. Approximately one in six adults suffers from the condition but it is important for doctors and patients to be aware of the rarer, more serious bowelA common name for the large and/or small intestines. complaints associated with similar side effects.

In these informative articles our Consultant Gastroenterologists; Dr Andrew Millar, Dr Charles Murray and Dr Purushothaman Premchand, discuss the signs, symptoms and treatments of common bowel disorders such as IBS and Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Latest articles:

Head and Neck Lumps

Lumps in the neck are an extremely common symptom and they are usually quite harmless. Occasionally, however, the underlying cause of a neck lump will be head or neck cancerAbnormal, uncontrolled cell division resulting in a malignant tumour that may invade surrounding tissues or spread to distant parts of the body. and it is therefore important for any neck lump to be assessed as quickly as possible. Mr Francis Vaz, Consultant Head and Neck Surgeon, explains how neck lumps are investigated in a modern Rapid Access Neck Lump Clinic and what the various treatment options are.

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Foot and Ankle

Pain in the heel is often caused by inflammationThe body’s response to injury. of the plantar fascia, which is a fibrous band of tissueA group of cells with a similar structure and a specialised function. in the bottom of the foot. Consultant Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgeon Nick Savva explains how a novel form of therapy that uses shockwaves to promote healing is being used to treat this condition.

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Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancerAbnormal, uncontrolled cell division resulting in a malignant tumour that may invade surrounding tissues or spread to distant parts of the body. is cancer of the neck of the wombThe uterus. and it is the second most common cancer in women worldwide, second only to breast cancer; however in the UK it is relatively uncommon. The reason for this is the National Screening Programme for Cervical Cancer, which scientists believe saves 5000 women’s lives in the UK each year. Consultant Gynaecologist Adeola Olaitan, who specialises in the diagnosisThe process of determining which condition a patient may have. and treatment of all types of gynaecological cancers, discusses the causes of cervicalRelating either to the cervix (the neck of the womb) or to the cervical vertebrae in the neck (cervical spine). cancer, the importance of screeningA way to identify people who may have a certain condition, among a group of people who may or may not seem to and the possible treatment options for the disease.

Latest articles:

Healthy Interests

Winter foods for a cancer patient

In this interesting article, a breast cancerAbnormal, uncontrolled cell division resulting in a malignant tumour that may invade surrounding tissues or spread to distant parts of the body. survivor looks at whether vitaminEssential substances that cannot be produced by the body and so must be acquired from the diet. supplements are really necessary for cancer patients and what the best sources of vitamins might be. From fruit and veg, to expensive pills, what really is best for a cancer patient to eat at this time of year?

How can you treat chronically active Crohn’s disease?

totalhealth Consultant Gastroenterologist answers questions regarding the latest treatment options for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitisA form of inflammatory bowel disease causing inflammation and ulceration of the colon. including GMA and white cellThe basic unit of all living organisms. apheresis. These avoid the need for surgery and can be successful where other treatments may have failed.

Cancer
Childhood Conditions
Diabetes
Ear, Nose and Throat
Heart Disease
Immune Disorders
Infectious Diseases
Mental health
Men’s Health
Neurological Conditions (brain and nerves)
Nutrition
Ophthalmology
Oral Health
Orthopaedic Conditions
Pain Management
Plastic Surgery
Reproductive Health
Respiratory Disorders
Speech disorders
Stomach, Abdomen, Intestines and Bowel disorders
Vascular Conditions
Women’s Health

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Medical Consultation Checklist

Modern medicine and technology are enabling patients to be better informed when diagnosed with a medical condition. It is important to make yourself aware of all the treatment options available and that your GP or Consultant answers any questions you may have. By planning for your medical consultation you can ensure that both you and your doctor will get all the necessary information and you will be treated in the most efficient and effective way possible.

This handy checklist provides a list of questions you may wish to ask your doctor and those questions which your doctor is likely to ask you, such as ‘How long have you been experiencing your symptoms?’ and ‘Do your symptoms vary on a daily or weekly basis?’

 
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