Author - Dean Spilias
Asian Pacific HPBA Congress
22/06/13 16:45
Dean Spilias has been attending the AP-HPBA Congress held in Melbourne from 27-30 September 2011. There have been some updates in pancreatic surgery, in particular the management of cystic disease of the pancreas.
Are there alternative medicine options for gallstones?
23/02/13 15:19
In response to a question on healthshare.com.au
For most people, surgery is the most reliable treatment for gallstones. There are, however, alternative treatments that are used on occasion. Read More...
For most people, surgery is the most reliable treatment for gallstones. There are, however, alternative treatments that are used on occasion. Read More...
Will losing weight reduce my snoring?
22/01/13 21:43
In response to a question on healthshare.com.au
Snoring doesn't go away completely with weight loss. However, sleep apnoea can improve significantly with weight loss, and sleep apnoea is one of the medical conditions associated with snoring.
Read More...
Snoring doesn't go away completely with weight loss. However, sleep apnoea can improve significantly with weight loss, and sleep apnoea is one of the medical conditions associated with snoring.
Read More...
What can I eat other than food substitute shakes for weight loss?
21/01/13 18:02
In response to a question on healthshare.com.au
If you are 60kg overweight, with limitations on your activities, weight loss can be a significant challenge. In particular, portion and calorie control can induce hunger, particularly in the first three weeks or so, and this can make it very difficult to stick with a calorie-restricted eating plan. In addition, remember that the healthy eating guidelines we use are designed for maintaining an overall active, healthy lifestyle - if you are starting from a different health position, and especially if you can't exercise, it can be difficult to lose weight with a “normal” diet. Read More...
If you are 60kg overweight, with limitations on your activities, weight loss can be a significant challenge. In particular, portion and calorie control can induce hunger, particularly in the first three weeks or so, and this can make it very difficult to stick with a calorie-restricted eating plan. In addition, remember that the healthy eating guidelines we use are designed for maintaining an overall active, healthy lifestyle - if you are starting from a different health position, and especially if you can't exercise, it can be difficult to lose weight with a “normal” diet. Read More...
What is the treatment for type 2 diabetes?
20/01/13 22:45
In response to a question on healthshare.com.au
Weight loss is an important aspect of type 2 diabetes management.
70-80% of people with recently-diagnosed type 2 diabetes and obesity are able to achieve normal blood glucose levels if they lose a significant amount of weight. Read More...
Weight loss is an important aspect of type 2 diabetes management.
70-80% of people with recently-diagnosed type 2 diabetes and obesity are able to achieve normal blood glucose levels if they lose a significant amount of weight. Read More...
How can I include the occasional sweet treats in my diet if I have type II diabetes?
19/01/13 00:00
In response to a question on healthshare.com.au
An occasional sweet is OK. However, as a type II diabetic, your body will not cope with additional sugar - or even excess starch, which the body quickly converts into sugar - as effectively as if you were not diabetic. In addition to limiting how often you have sweets and how much you consume, here are some strategies to help deal with this: Read More...
An occasional sweet is OK. However, as a type II diabetic, your body will not cope with additional sugar - or even excess starch, which the body quickly converts into sugar - as effectively as if you were not diabetic. In addition to limiting how often you have sweets and how much you consume, here are some strategies to help deal with this: Read More...
What is the treatment for gastric cancer?
18/01/13 15:39
In response to a question on healthshare.com.au
Treatment for gastric cancer depends very much on the stage of the disease, particularly on whether the cancer is localised to the stomach or whether it has spread to other areas. Read More...
Treatment for gastric cancer depends very much on the stage of the disease, particularly on whether the cancer is localised to the stomach or whether it has spread to other areas. Read More...
What does the Nissen fundoplication procedure involve and how successful is it in treating recurrent heartburn?
17/01/13 22:02
In response to a question on healthshare.com.au
A fundoplication is an operation to wrap the top part of the stomach around the oesophagus, so that when the stomach fills it puts pressure on the oesophagus to decrease the amount of fluid that can reflux back up into the oesophagus. Read More...
A fundoplication is an operation to wrap the top part of the stomach around the oesophagus, so that when the stomach fills it puts pressure on the oesophagus to decrease the amount of fluid that can reflux back up into the oesophagus. Read More...
What causes stomach ulcers?
16/01/13 16:41
In response to a question on healthshare.com.au
The commonest causes of stomach and duodenal ulcers are:
Read More...
The commonest causes of stomach and duodenal ulcers are:
Read More...
Surgery for gastric cancer - what is the success rate and what should a patient expect following the procedure?
15/01/13 18:58
In response to a question on healthshare.com.au
The cure rate of gastric cancer depends on the tissue type of the cancer, the stage of the cancer, and the fitness and symptoms of the person affected by the cancer.
The common tissue type of gastric cancer is called an adenocarcinoma. This is a cancer that arises from the glands in the lining of the stomach. Read More...
The cure rate of gastric cancer depends on the tissue type of the cancer, the stage of the cancer, and the fitness and symptoms of the person affected by the cancer.
The common tissue type of gastric cancer is called an adenocarcinoma. This is a cancer that arises from the glands in the lining of the stomach. Read More...
What is the treatment for pancreatic cancer?
14/01/13 20:49
In response to a question on healthshare.com.au
The treatment of pancreatic cancer requires a team approach to maximise the chances of a good outcome. Read More...
The treatment of pancreatic cancer requires a team approach to maximise the chances of a good outcome. Read More...
What are ways that can help prevent pancreatic cancer?
13/01/13 19:05
In response to a question on healthshare.com.au
Unfortunately we don't yet know enough about the causes of pancreatic cancer to have reliable advice about the prevention of pancreatic cancer.
There is a link between smoking and pancreatic cancer, with smokers probably at two or three times the risk of non-smokers, but there are certainly many people who develop pancreatic cancer without ever smoking. Read More...
Unfortunately we don't yet know enough about the causes of pancreatic cancer to have reliable advice about the prevention of pancreatic cancer.
There is a link between smoking and pancreatic cancer, with smokers probably at two or three times the risk of non-smokers, but there are certainly many people who develop pancreatic cancer without ever smoking. Read More...
How is pancreatic cancer diagnosed?
12/01/13 20:19
In response to a question on healthshare.com.au
Pancreatic cancer can be difficult to diagnose; sometimes it causes no symptoms, and the symptoms that do occur can be caused by many other condiitons. Read More...
Pancreatic cancer can be difficult to diagnose; sometimes it causes no symptoms, and the symptoms that do occur can be caused by many other condiitons. Read More...
What lifestyle measures can help prevent oesophageal cancer?
11/01/13 21:52
In response to a question on healthshare.com.au
Lifestyle is important, but there is no “magic bullet”, and oesophageal cancer is one of the cancers that is becoming more and more common. Read More...
Lifestyle is important, but there is no “magic bullet”, and oesophageal cancer is one of the cancers that is becoming more and more common. Read More...
What is the difference between heartburn and acid reflux?
10/01/13 22:02
In response to a question on healthshare.com.au
Heartburn is a symptom - something you experience - the burning feeling in the chest or neck that can occur when acid flows up from the stomach into the oesophagus.
Read More...
Heartburn is a symptom - something you experience - the burning feeling in the chest or neck that can occur when acid flows up from the stomach into the oesophagus.
Read More...
What are the best treatments for heartburn / acid reflux?
09/01/13 23:04
In response to a question on healthshare.com.au
Treatments for acid reflux need to address both the symptoms of heartburn and regurgitation and the potential future health risks such as narrowings or cancers of the oesophagus.
Heartburn - the burning sensation or acid taste that can accompany reflux - can be treated symptomatically with antacids and lifestyle measures, as long as it is only an occasional problem. Read More...
Treatments for acid reflux need to address both the symptoms of heartburn and regurgitation and the potential future health risks such as narrowings or cancers of the oesophagus.
Heartburn - the burning sensation or acid taste that can accompany reflux - can be treated symptomatically with antacids and lifestyle measures, as long as it is only an occasional problem. Read More...
Can smoking cause heartburn?
08/01/13 14:05
In response to a question on healthshare.com.au
Smoking can certainly cause heartburn.
Heartburn is generally caused by the acid contents of the stomach flowing back up into the oesophagus. This is usually prevented by muscle fibres at the lower end of the oesophagus (the lower oesophageal sphincter). Read More...
Smoking can certainly cause heartburn.
Heartburn is generally caused by the acid contents of the stomach flowing back up into the oesophagus. This is usually prevented by muscle fibres at the lower end of the oesophagus (the lower oesophageal sphincter). Read More...
When is a liver transplant necessary for liver cancer?
07/01/13 13:53
In response to a question on healthshare.com.au
Liver transplantation is one of the treatments that can be effective for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), also called primary liver-cell cancer or sometimes called hepatoma. Read More...
Liver transplantation is one of the treatments that can be effective for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), also called primary liver-cell cancer or sometimes called hepatoma. Read More...
What is the treatment for liver cancer?
06/01/13 22:55
In response to a question on healthshare.com.au
Treatment of liver cancer depends on the type of cancer, the stage or severity of the cancer, and the health of the individual (and in particular how healthy the liver is). Read More...
Treatment of liver cancer depends on the type of cancer, the stage or severity of the cancer, and the health of the individual (and in particular how healthy the liver is). Read More...
What are possible causes of liver cancer?
05/01/13 14:54
In response to a question on healthshare.com.au
Liver cancers can be primary liver cancers that arise in the liver, or secondary (metastatic) cancers that spread form a primary cancer elsewhere in the body.
The commonest primary liver cancer is a hepatocellular carcinoma, also called an HCC or sometimes a hepatoma. The commonest causes of hepatocellular carcinoma in adults are: Read More...
Liver cancers can be primary liver cancers that arise in the liver, or secondary (metastatic) cancers that spread form a primary cancer elsewhere in the body.
The commonest primary liver cancer is a hepatocellular carcinoma, also called an HCC or sometimes a hepatoma. The commonest causes of hepatocellular carcinoma in adults are: Read More...
What is the treatment for a hernia?
04/01/13 16:06
In response to a question on healthshare.com.au
Most hernias need surgery for effective treatment. Read More...
Most hernias need surgery for effective treatment. Read More...
What are the side effects of gallbladder removal?
02/01/13 18:56
In response to a question on healthshare.com.au
Most people who have their gall bladder removed have no side effects at all, other than some discomfort from the surgery.
It is usual to have pain in the incisions and in the right shoulder for about three days after surgery; the shoulder pain is caused by irritation of the diaphragm by gas, this irritation causes “referred pain” which is experienced as shoulder pain. After the initial pain has settled, there is usually some mild discomfort in the incisions for two to three weeks. Read More...
Most people who have their gall bladder removed have no side effects at all, other than some discomfort from the surgery.
It is usual to have pain in the incisions and in the right shoulder for about three days after surgery; the shoulder pain is caused by irritation of the diaphragm by gas, this irritation causes “referred pain” which is experienced as shoulder pain. After the initial pain has settled, there is usually some mild discomfort in the incisions for two to three weeks. Read More...
What is an incisional hernia and how can it be treated?
02/01/13 17:17
In response to a question on healthshare.com.au
A hernia is where the internal parts of the body - such as the fat or the intestines inside the abdominal cavity (belly) - protrude through a gap or weakness in the muscles over them. The weakness can be natural, for example at the umbilicus (belly button) or in the groin; or it can be acquired as a result of an injury or a surgical incision.
Read More...
A hernia is where the internal parts of the body - such as the fat or the intestines inside the abdominal cavity (belly) - protrude through a gap or weakness in the muscles over them. The weakness can be natural, for example at the umbilicus (belly button) or in the groin; or it can be acquired as a result of an injury or a surgical incision.
Read More...
International conference - Sri Lanka
27/08/11 14:00
Dean Spilias is an invited speaker and resource person at the Annual Academic Sessions of the College of Surgeons of Sri Lanka. Dean is talking on management of gastroesophageal reflux disease and repair of hiatus hernia.