Blog Archive
A pilonidal cyst is a fluid-filled sac that forms at the base of your tailbone, near the cleft of the buttocks. They’re a common — yet often misunderstood — medical condition that can cause significant discomfort, but treatment is available. If you think you have a pilonidal cyst, it’s time...
If you’ve been diagnosed with a hernia, you’re probably wondering about your treatment options. Hernias don’t heal on their own, and they can only be repaired with surgery — but the good news is that you could be a good candidate for laparoscopic hernia repair. Laparoscopic hernia repair is a...
Gallstones are hardened deposits that form in your gallbladder. They can be painful and cause other digestive issues — and dealing with frequent gallstones can disrupt your life and interfere with your overall well-being. If you have recurrent gallstones and you’re thinking it might be time to consider surgery, you’re...
You glance down into the toilet bowl and notice something unusual: streaks of red in your stool. The sight of bloody stool is alarming, and it’s normal to wonder what could be causing it — and if you should be concerned. It might be due to something harmless like hemorrhoids,...
The human body is an amazing network of intricate systems. From hearing to digestion, these systems work in harmony to carry you through life — and your endocrine system plays a crucial role in many essential bodily functions. Balaguru Sambandam, MD, FACS, and our team at North Tarrant Health Providers...
About five million people in the United States develop hernias each year. It’s an incredibly common injury, yet many people misunderstand the problem and underestimate its risks. Hernias aren’t always painful, and it can be tempting to ignore the injury or hope it repairs on its own. However, the reality...
Lipomas are soft lumps of tissue that form under the surface of your skin. Made up of fat cells, they’re rubbery and easily movable with slight pressure. And while they’re generally harmless, it’s normal to be worried if you notice one on your body. About one in every 1,000 people...
Robotic surgery is an advanced surgical technique that offers many benefits over traditional open surgery. This type of surgery not only optimizes your procedure outcome, but it also offers benefits that extend into your recovery. At North Tarrant Health Providers in Fort Worth, Texas, Balaguru Sambandam, MD, FACS, uses robotic...
Gallbladder removal surgery isn’t always the first line of treatment for conditions that affect the gallbladder. But if medications and other therapies aren’t working, surgical treatment is usually the only way to resolve the problem and restore your health. At North Tarrant Health Providers in Fort Worth, Texas, our board-certified...
Hemorrhoids are pesky and painful swollen blood vessels in your rectum and anus. About one in 20 Americans has hemorrhoids, and for some, they can become a recurring nightmare. If you find yourself repeatedly dealing with this uncomfortable and embarrassing condition, it’s time to do something about it. Balaguru Sambandam,...
When it comes to hernia treatment, surgery is often one of the best (and most permanent) solutions. Hernia surgery repairs the weakened or separated connective tissue that allows your organs to protrude, and it’s a relatively straightforward procedure. Surgery can deliver much-needed relief from hernia pain and discomfort — but...
Nearly everyone experiences abdominal pain at some point in their lifetime. It can arise for a multitude of reasons, and many of which — like overindulging at dinner — are benign, and symptoms fade on their own with time. However, some types of abdominal pain can indicate a more serious...
A lump under your skin can be worrisome. You might be concerned that it’s a tumor — but two of the most common types of skin lumps are lipomas and cysts. Both are almost always harmless, but understanding the differences is the first step to getting the care you need. Balaguru Sambandam,...
Inguinal hernias make up about 75% of all hernias in the United States. An inguinal hernia develops when a part of your intestine or abdominal tissue pushes through a weak spot in your inguinal canal, near your groin area. Up to 25% of men get inguinal hernias in their lifetimes,...
Suddenly noticing a lump on the front of your neck can be distressing. You might wonder where it came from and what it means for your health — but it’s important not to panic. About 5% of Americans have thyroid goiters. They’re not usually dangerous, but they do need proper evaluation...
About half of all Americans get hemorrhoids by the age of 50. Hemorrhoids occur when the veins in your rectum or anus get swollen and irritated. They’re uncomfortable, sometimes painful, and for many people, they’re also embarrassing. Fortunately, there’s a lot you can do to treat hemorrhoids and prevent them...
A lipoma is a benign, fatty tumor that forms underneath your skin. About one in 1,000 people have lipomas, and they’re most common on the trunk, arms, and legs. Lipomas are soft, moveable lumps — and they’re almost always harmless. But if you have one, it’s normal to wonder where...
Your appendix is a small pouch attached to your large intestine. It’s not essential to life, but about one in 1,000 Americans experiences appendicitis, or an appendix infection, in their lifetimes. Appendicitis comes on suddenly, causing intense abdominal pain and putting you at risk of some serious complications. It can...
Hidradenitis suppurativa is a chronic skin condition characterized by recurrent painful lumps in places where your skin rubs together, like your armpits, groin, buttocks, or breasts. It affects up to 4% of people worldwide, and it can have a serious impact on your health and your quality of life. Hidradenitis suppurativa lumps...
A hiatal hernia develops when part of your stomach protrudes through an opening in your diaphragm, or the muscle that separates your abdomen from your chest cavity. Hiatal hernias are one of the most common types of hernia, and more than half of people over the age of 60 have one. Some...
Your thyroid is a small, bowtie-shaped gland in your neck. It makes hormones that regulate your metabolism, which is the process that converts food into energy to fuel your body. The thyroid plays an essential role — yet millions of Americans live with thyroid disease, which includes hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, goiters, thyroid...
Your stomach contains acid that breaks down food. Your esophageal sphincter muscle at the top of your stomach keeps the acid inside, but sometimes, it relaxes at the wrong time and the contents of your stomach travel back up your esophagus. When this happens, you get acid reflux — or...
About 1 in 1,000 people has a lipoma, or a lump of fatty tissue that grows just beneath the surface of their skin. Anyone can get a lipoma, and they can appear at any time. Fortunately, they’re almost always noncancerous and completely harmless. If you’ve noticed a small, soft lump...
From indigestion to the stomach flu, abdominal pain is a common complaint among people of all ages. And with all the possible causes, that pain isn’t easy to diagnose on your own. Most types of stomach pain aren’t serious, but some are — and it’s important to know the difference....
A hernia is an internal injury that happens when abdominal tissues or organs push through your abdominal wall. It’s extremely common: An estimated 27% of men and 3% of women develop inguinal hernias during their lifetimes. Hernias don’t always cause pain, but that doesn’t mean they can be ignored. In fact, a...
Every hair on your body grows from a follicle. Hair follicles are tiny tubes that penetrate the outer layer of your skin, and hair grows through the tubes to the surface. But sometimes, hair can get trapped under your skin. Ingrown hairs are prone to infection, and when these infected...
Your thyroid is a small gland at the front of your neck. It’s normally not visible, but certain thyroid conditions can make it grow larger and look swollen. An enlarged thyroid is called a goiter. In the United States, about 5% of adults have goiters. While a goiter doesn’t automatically mean you...
Almost everyone suffers abdominal discomfort now and then. If you develop abdominal pain, you might be tempted to wait it out to see if it improves on its own. However, some types of abdominal pain necessitate treatment right away — and there are a few accompanying symptoms that mean you shouldn’t...
Colon polyps are small clusters of cells that grow on the lining of your colon (large intestine). They’re quite common, and up to 40% of American adults have them. While experts aren’t sure what causes colon polyps to form, your risk of developing them increases as you get older. In fact, most...
Your gallbladder is a small, nonessential organ that stores bile in your abdomen. Bile is an important digestive fluid that helps break down dietary fats, but sometimes, it can form into hard deposits called gallstones. Gallstones can trigger gallbladder inflammation, bile duct blockage (choledocholithiasis), and a range of other painful...
Your thyroid is one of several endocrine glands in your body. Endocrine glands produce and regulate hormones, which are specialized chemicals that control virtually every bodily function, from metabolism to libido. The thyroid in particular controls metabolism, heart rate, and other essential functions. But an estimated 20 million Americans have...
Your abdominal wall surrounds and protects your internal organs. It’s made up of strong muscle and connective tissue, but sometimes, a gap develops and the contents behind your abdomen begin to push outward. This gap is called a hernia. Hernias are commonly considered a men’s health issue — after all,...
A hernia isn’t a single type of medical problem. It describes any condition where an organ or other body part passes through tissue that usually contains it, like a muscle wall. These are most often noticeable when they occur on the abdomen or groin, such as an inguinal hernia, often...