Question and Answer Category Results

Weight loss is defined as losing 5% or more of body weight within the last six months. It may be intentional or unintentional. Important health problems such as cancers, chronic infections, endocrine causes such as diabetes and thyroid disease, and psychological illnesses may underlie weight loss. Patients presenting with weight loss undergo a general screening in light of their complaints, history and physical examination findings. While some diseases can be diagnosed quickly, further tests and more time may be needed to diagnose others. In our department, patients with weight loss are investigated meticulously.

Hypertension is high blood pressure and is quite common in our society. Hypertension is a chronic disease. Uncontrolled hypertension leaves permanent damage in many organs such as the heart, brain, kidneys and eyes. Sudden death, heart attack, heart failure, stroke, vision loss and kidney failure that may require dialysis are important health problems that hypertension patients may encounter. Therefore, blood pressure must be kept below the target limits through lifestyle changes and, when necessary, medication. In our department, the examination and treatment of hypertension patients are carried out and periodic follow-ups are performed.

Obesity can be defined as excessive accumulation of fat in the body. Obesity is a condition that can lead to many health, psychological and social problems. The most widely used tool for defining and classifying obesity is the body mass index. A body mass index of >30 kg/m2 is considered obesity, and >40 kg/m2 is considered morbid obesity. Treatment methods include investigating the underlying cause that may lead to obesity, such as hormonal diseases, and managing its treatment if present, making recommendations to correct obesity, and correcting the problems caused by obesity.

The thyroid is a gland located at the front of our neck, in front of and on both sides of the windpipe, which produces the thyroid hormones that regulate the body's metabolism. Enlargement of the thyroid gland is called goiter. In addition, there may be one or more nodules in the thyroid gland; these nodules may be benign or malignant. They may cause complaints such as swelling in the neck, pain and difficulty swallowing. Diseases due to an underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism) or an overactive one (hyperthyroidism) are also seen. In hypothyroidism, there may be unintentional weight gain, hair loss, dry skin, fatigue and generalized edema in the body. In hyperthyroidism, there may be symptoms such as weight loss despite increased appetite, palpitations, sweating, tremor of the hands and sometimes fever. The diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of thyroid-related diseases are carried out in our department.

Anemia is a low level of red blood cells, and it is diagnosed when the hemoglobin level is below 12 g/dl in women and 13.5 g/dl in men. Anemia has different types and different causes. It may be due to nutritional disorders, increased destruction of blood cells, or losses from the body. Anemia may be caused by iron deficiency, vitamin B12 deficiency or folic acid deficiency, or it may develop due to various blood diseases or cancers. People with anemia usually have symptoms such as fatigue, pallor, shortness of breath and tiring easily. Detecting anemia, determining its cause and managing its treatment are carried out in our department.

Infectious diseases are among the major causes of illness and death at every age. There are routine vaccination programs in childhood for vaccine-preventable infectious diseases. However, in light of information gained in recent years, vaccination is also recommended in adulthood to protect against certain infectious diseases. In particular, influenza, pneumonia and hepatitis vaccines are widely recommended for people with heart disease, diabetes, chronic lung disease, chronic liver disease, rheumatic disease, cancer or HIV/AIDS. In addition, because the protection provided by childhood vaccines declines with age, vaccines such as tetanus, diphtheria and adult whooping cough (pertussis) vaccines are also recommended. In adult patients, necessary vaccine recommendations are made, particularly for people at risk, in order to take preventive measures before disease occurs.

Today, the frequency of chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity and cancer is steadily increasing. Once these diseases have developed, their diagnosis, treatment and follow-up are tiring, long-lasting and costly for patients, and they result in disability or death. Today, taking precautions before diseases develop has become an accepted practice. For example, some diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, obesity and atherosclerotic heart disease can be prevented or delayed through simple lifestyle changes. Helping people quit smoking, which causes chronic lung disease and many cancers, and recommending vaccination to protect against infections are among the activities carried out in the field of preventive medicine.

Cigarettes contain thousands of harmful substances, cause serious diseases in the entire respiratory tract, primarily the lungs, and in other organs, and are a substance that causes physical dependence. Quitting smoking is often difficult because of this dependence, and people need support. Raising awareness about the harmful effects of smoking, supporting quitting, using medication when necessary and providing psychological motivation are among the services provided in our department.

Chronic disease means "long-term disease" and is frequently seen in middle and older ages. It usually has a slow and insidious course, has no definitive cure, meaning it does not disappear completely with a single treatment, continues for life, and leaves permanent disability unless treated. The most common chronic diseases in our society are hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, thyroid diseases and various cancers. Early diagnosis of these diseases is important for preventing permanent damage in the body and for benefiting from treatment. For example, if you detect a hypertension patient early and start treatment, you reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke. In many cases of cancer, complete recovery is achieved with early diagnosis, or healthy life expectancy is extended. Because chronic diseases are long-term, periodic follow-ups should be performed and treatment changes made when necessary. In our department, special importance is given to the early diagnosis and periodic follow-up of chronic diseases, and patients are informed in this regard.