Hepatitis A

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Similar to Hepatitis B and C, Hepatitis A also affects the liver, causing inflammation. However, unlike Hepatitis B and C, Hepatitis A does not become chronic and is instead an acute infection – meaning its onset is abrupt and typically requires short-term care.

If you are interested in learning more about Hepatitis B or C, read Dr. Ali Ghahary’s articles titled ‘Information on Hepatitis B (HBV)’ and ‘Contracting Hepatitis C’, which can be found on Wordpress at http://alighahary.wordpress.com and on Weebly at http://alighahary.weebly.com

Hepatitis A is contracted through feces, and is commonly found in regions such as The Caribbean and South America. While outbreaks of Hepatitis A are uncommon in Canada, they can still occur. These outbreaks are often the result of having sexual contact with someone who is already infected with the Hepatitis A virus, or by eating contaminated food that has been prepared by someone with Hepatitis A who has not washed their hands prior. Eating raw or undercooked seafood that has been in sewage-polluted water can also result in the contraction of Hepatitis A.

While most individuals with Hepatitis A will develop symptoms, not everyone does. Symptoms can occur as little as one-week from the initial contact with the virus, or as long as 50 days later. Symptoms of Hepatitis A include: Abdominal pain, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, low-grade fever, loss of appetite, dark urine and jaundice. Typically, children who have been infected with Hepatitis A will experience milder symptoms. However, the older you are, the more severe your symptoms may be. Symptoms can last as little as 1 to 2 weeks or for several months. If you have pre-existing conditions such as chronic liver disease, Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C, you are at a higher risk of developing complications from Hepatitis A.

The best way to avoid contracting Hepatitis A is to get vaccinated. The vaccine is usually given in 2 doses 6 months apart, and it will protect you from the virus for up to 20 years. Alternatively, a combined Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B vaccine is also available and is something that Vancouver physicians like Dr. Ali Ghahary recommend, especially for individuals who have not yet been vaccinated.

Parkinson's Disease Information and Resources

Parkinson’s Disease, famously named after James Parker who published an essay on the neurodegenerative disease in 1918, is a condition that affects the body’s ability to move. Parkinson’s Disease occurs when cells that produce a chemical known as dopamine die, resulting in symptoms such as body tremors, stiffness, slowness and muscle rigidity. Parkinson’s Disease currently affects over 100,000 Canadians, with approximately 6,000 new cases of the disease being diagnosed in Canada every year.

Most diagnoses of Parkinson’s Disease are in individuals over the age of 60. However, although rare, individuals under the age of 50 (sometimes as young as 40) can also develop the disease. This is known as young-onset Parkinson’s. While there are no known causes of Parkinson’s Disease, genetics and exposure to certain toxins have been thought to play a part, in addition to viral infections. Individuals who have a parent or sibling with Parkinson’s Disease are also twice as likely to develop it themselves in the future.

Parkinson’s Disease is separated by two stages. Early stage, where symptoms appear and affect one’s everyday routines such as dressing themselves, hygiene, and even walking; and Advanced stage, when motor complications begin to occur.

Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease usually only affect one side of the body. The most common symptom of Parkinson’s Disease is tremors – uncontrollable shaking that usually starts with the hands. Muscles can also become stiff or tense, causing pain, and you may also notice loss or slowness of movement, which is scientifically known as Brandykinesia. In advanced stages of Parkinson’s, patients may also experience lack of coordination and balance, which can lead to falling. Tiredness, sleep problems, cognitive impairment, depression, and difficulty eating or swallowing are all also symptoms of the disease.

Given that there is no known cause of Parkinson’s or tests that can help diagnose the disease, treatment is based solely on the symptoms presented by the patient. Dr. Ali Ghahary, a Vancouver physician, will not only pay attention to the manifestations of Parkinson’s, but will also usually go over a patient’s complete medical history to help determine appropriate treatment. One of the most commonly prescribed and effective medications used to help treat Parkinson’s Disease is a medication called Carbidopa-Levodopa, which releases a natural chemical into the brain that converts to dopamine. MAO-B Inhibitors may also be used to help prevent dopamine from breaking down, as well as Anticholinergics to control tremors associated with Parkinson’s. Side-effects to these medications can include light-headedness, nausea, insomnia, constipation, dry mouth, confusion and hallucinations, so it is important to discuss the risks and benefits of these medications with your physician.

In addition to receiving continued care from Vancouver physicians like Dr. Ghahary, there are also various support groups in Canada for individuals living with Parkinson’s Disease. Parkinson’s Canada, the national voice for Canadians living with Parkinson’s, has been operating since 1965 and provides a broad range of resources for people and families of those living with Parkinson’s Disease, as well as have educational workshops, seminars and other support services. Similarly, the Parkinson’s Society of British Columbia, which is located in Vancouver, also helps to support individuals with Parkinson’s in addition to working on research in effort to find a cure.

For more information on Parkinson’s Disease, you can call Parkinson’s Canada at 1-800-565-3000.

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

Deep Vein Thrombosis

Affecting up to as many as 200,000 Canadians each year, Deep Vein Thrombosis (commonly referred to as DVT) is a condition that occurs when blood clots form in the veins located in your body – typically affecting the thigh or lower leg. However, it is not unlikely for them to also develop in other areas of the body.

DVT usually occurs most commonly in Canadian adults aged 50 or older, and can be the result of many risk factors and health conditions that change how blood moves throughout your veins, such as injury to the veins, obesity, smoking, birth control pills, hormonal therapy, smoking, and staying seated for long periods of time. Certain forms of cancer, inflammatory bowel disease and heart failure have also been found to be linked to Deep Vein Thrombosis, and it can also occur as a result of pregnancy due to an increase in hormone levels and slower blood flow as the uterus expands. The increased risk of developing DVT can last as many as 6 weeks after giving birth. Certain surgical procedures can also lead to the development of DVT, so it is important to talk to your physician about the risks and benefits of surgery.

Dr. Ali Ghahary, a physician in Vancouver, treats patients with DVT based on the symptoms they present with. However, not all individuals with Deep Vein Thrombosis are even aware that they have this condition, as symptoms usually only occur in approximately half of individuals with DVT. The most common symptoms of DVT include swelling in extremities such as the ankles, legs, or feet, cramping or severe and unexplained pain, skin that feels warm to the touch or an area of skin turning blue or reddish in colour. One complication of DVT is known as a Pulmonary Embolism, a life-threatening condition that results in arteries in the lungs being blocked. Signs and symptoms of a Pulmonary Embolism include dizziness, sweating, chest pain, fast breathing, rapid heart rate and coughing up blood. If you experience any of these symptoms it is recommended that you seek medical attention immediately.

As mentioned, Deep Vein Thrombosis is usually diagnosed in combination with the symptoms patients present with. Dr. Ali Ghahary and other Vancouver physicians may order tests such as an ultrasound study, venogram, MRI, and a blood test known as a d-dimer. If you are diagnosed with DVT, medications such as Heparin or Warfarin may be prescribed. These medications help to thin the blood, thus making it difficult for the blood to clot and decrease the risk of developing blood clots in the future. If blood thinners are not successful, you may be given medication known as a Thrombolytic drug via intravenous. Thrombolytic therapy works to break up blood clots. 

To prevent DVT, it is important to make certain lifestyle changes. These changes include smoking cessation, weight loss, and physical activity.