Stones in the urinary tract is a common problem which affects especially the economically productive middle age population. It can be formed in the kidney, ureter or bladder.

Depending on the site, the clinical presentation varies. Commonest presentation is unbearable, sharp shooting abdominal pain which radiate downwards. There may or may not be red coloured urine and associated vomiting.

The causes are also different. Urinary infection, urinary tract abnormality and hyper saturation of urine are some of the causes.

Burning sensation of the upper abdomen and the feeling of regurgitation of foods are common symptoms affecting economically productive middle age population. But it is not uncommon among elderly as well.

Have you noticed any significant alteration of bowel habits?
It may be the onset of a major disease of the bowel.

This alteration may be an alternative constipation and diarrhoea or an increased frequency. If this is associated with bleeding per rectum and mucus it should be taken seriously.

Especially in old age, a thorough examination is necessary to exclude the possibility of a bowel cancer. Bleeding per rectum may be due to a benign condition like piles, but a proper examination is mandatory to exclude other dangerous causes. Therefore it should not be attributed to piles always.

Although obesity is a main risk factor for lot of medical diseases like diabetes, high pressure and heart attacks, that can affect the surgical management also in various ways.

Diseases like abdominal wall hernias, deep vein thrombosis, arthritis, etc are more common among obese people.

Obese patients who are undergoing operations are at a higher risk than the normal population to develop surgical and anaesthetic complications. Surgical procedures are difficult and they can develop difficulty in breathing and the wound healing would be poor.

Most of the abdominal pains are due to surgical causes.Abdominal pain can be generalized abdominal pain or can occur in specialized regions of the abdomen.
If the abdominal pain is severe in nature and generalized,last for more than half hour duration it could be a surgical problem needing an operation.If so avoid eating or drinking and go to nearest hospital for further management.

Lets see some special types of abdominal pains.

Acute Appendicitis

Vaccines are important to prevent contagious disease like polio, chicken pox and tetanus. In fact the vaccination process has saved millions of lives in the world, much more than that by pills and operations.

Trauma is one of the main causes for mortality and morbidity in young productive population in the world. Even in sri lanka there is no difference to this. Road traffic accidents, domestic, occupational and sports accidents account for major part of it.
At present in sri lanka war and war related injuries also have contributed to cripple the young population.

Itching around the vagina and/or discharge from the vagina for women

Discharge from the penis for men

Pain during sex or when urinating

Pain in the pelvic area

Sore throats in people who have oral sex

Pain in or around the anus for people who have anal sex

Chancre sores (painless red sores) on the genital area, anus, tongue and/or throat

A scaly rash on the palms of your hands and the soles of your feet

Dark urine, loose, light-colored stools, and yellow eyes and skin

Small blisters that turn into scabs on the genital area