Lupus Rash

Lupus Rash Lupus rash is a type of autoimmune disorder in which the body’s own immune system will attack and destroy tissues and organs. Inflammation of the skin occurs in many parts of the body affecting every joint. Lupus rash is characterized by the presence of distinctive rashes on the face resembling a butterfly. The shape of the rash may be similar to that of the wings of the butterfly and is present on both the cheeks.

Most of the cases diagnosed with lupus will not have any major problem except for minor discomfort. In rare cases, lupus can affect vital organs significantly causing lifelong disability. It can impair the functions of kidneys, brain and even the heart making life more serious. There is no specific treatment for lupus rash but the symptoms can be managed by effective medications.

Types :

Two kinds of lupus rash are being recognized :

One is discoid lupus DLE and it affects the skin that is overly exposed to powerful ultra violet rays of the sun. It causes skin lesions and leaves scars on the surface of the skin after it has healed completely.

Second type of lupus is systemic lupus erythematosus which is very serious. It can affect the functions of internal organs and it produces the distinctive symptom of butterfly shaped rashes on the cheeks. The connective tissues of the various joints and muscles are badly damaged and in some cases it can also affect the membranes of the lungs and heart and even the brain. It will not spare blood vessels also. This type can cause painful lesions on the skin more on the fingers. The normal blood flow to the extremities can get seriously affected causing numbness on the toes and fingers.

Symptoms :

An individual affected with lupus rash may not have the same signs like that of other person. The symptoms may flare on certain periods and remission follows immediately. The intensity of the symptom can vary certainly on the extent of weakened immunity and also on the part of the body which has been affected.

Some of the common signs of lupus rash are fever, joint pain, stiffness on the joints, butterfly shaped rashes on the cheeks, lesions on the skin, pain on the fingers and toes (more during winter time) and fatigue. They become extremely sensitive to sunlight and can cause unexplained weight loss. It can cause chest pain, painful sores on the mouth and throat and enlargement of lymph nodes on the throat and mouth. Some people may get severe headache, loss of memory and confusion of thoughts if the brain tissues are affected by lupus.

Causes :

Exact cause of lupus remains a mystery. It is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system will attack its own tissues and muscles. It can be due to hormone imbalance, genetic factor and also due to environmental factor. An individual with a history of lupus rash from his parents is predisposed for inheriting this disorder.

A person who is overly exposed to sunlight can develop lupus rash. Similarly a person who is consuming neurological medications for managing seizure can also get lupus. Lupus affects more number of women than men for reasons unknown. People who are in the age group of 15-40 years have increased risk for developing lupus. This disease is common in certain race like Hispanics, African American and Asians.

Complications :

In severe cases, lupus can infect the kidneys leading to renal failure. In some cases, the tissues surrounding the brain are affected causing various brain related problems. Lung inflammation is common among people who have lupus rash for long period. Having lupus rash for long time puts you under high risk for getting various infectious diseases and even cancer. Pregnant women suffering from lupus can develop complications of preterm birth.

Diagnosis :

It is difficult to diagnose lupus rash since the symptoms are vague and similar to other diseases. After considering the symptoms of the patient, the doctor may order for complete blood test for measuring the RBC, WBC and platelets. It is useful for find the erythrocyte sedimentation rate.

He would also check whether the kidney and liver functions are normal to ensure that lupus has not affected any vital organ. Increased level of protein in urine indicates lupus has affected kidneys. Your doctor may also ask for imaging tests like X-ray of the chest to rule out lung inflammation and for Echo to assess the function of the heart.

Treatment :

The mode of treatment is not the same for all people affected with lupus rash. Your doctor will decide the course of treatment depending on the intensity of the symptoms and your health condition. Anti-inflammatory medications (non-steroid) like Ibuprofen or naproxen is prescribed for getting relief from pain and fever. Hydroxychloroquine is also a good medicine for controlling lupus.

For more severe cases, corticosteroids are prescribed but this would produce some undesirable effects if continued for long term. Since the disease is caused by weakened immunity immunosuppressant like cytoxan, imuran and arava are prescribed.

Pictures of Lupus Rash :

Images, Pics, Pictures and Photos of Lupus Rash

Lifestyle Changes :

Lupus rash is not a simple disease that can be managed overnight. It takes enough time for the medications to control the symptoms. Flaring and remissions are common with lupus and hence one has to bear with it. Get enough rest as and when you require it since you may become extremely tired due to weakened immunity. Avoid going out in hot sun since it can worsen your skin condition. Eat a well balanced diet and do regular exercises to get enough strength to fight the disease.

Some people are using alternative medicine like flaxseed, fish-oil and dehydro-epiandro-sterone for managing flare-ups. It may be a shock to know that you have lupus, but try to understand that you are not alone. Know more information about the disease and identify the period of remissions and flare-ups. Find a support group and stay connected with them.

Fissured Tongue

Fissured Tongue Fissured tongue is characterized by the presence of cracks or grooves on the upper portion of the tongue. This is called lingua plicata or scrotal tongue in medical terms and this condition is harmless. Often, the cracks are seen on the top of the tongue and sometimes on the sides. These grooves can vary in depth and length and some may be very deep and others may be elongated in shape. In some people there can be various partitions on the grooves thus dividing the entire tongue into many grooves and lobes. Fissures on the tongue are usually harmless and in rare cases it can get infected if debris builds on it.

Who are at risk?

About 5% of the people may develop a fissured tongue. Men are more likely to have fissured tongue than women. It is believed to run in families and can be genetic.

Causes :

Exact cause of fissured tongue is not known. But it is considered to develop due to certain conditions or diseases like Down’s syndrome or Melkersson Rosenthal syndrome. In both these cases, the children will have fissured tongue along with facial swelling or paralysis on the face. In children with benign migratory glossitis this condition can develop.

It can occur due to injury or trauma to the tongue or due to teeth grinding. Swelling or inflammation on the tongue can cause mild cracks on the tongue. The tongue can get irritated due to repeated consumption of tobacco or alcohol and develops fissures gradually. It can occur due to allergic reactions, reflux disease or in rare cases due to tongue cancer.

Symptoms :

Presence of grooves or cracks on the tongue is characteristic marks of fissured tongue. The tongue may be separated into many sections or lobes by fissured tongue. Individuals with geographic tongue may not have the regular papillae or raised bumps on the tongue. Their tongue will resemble the geographic map having contours.

Diagnosis :

Your doctor can easily detect fissured tongue by mere examination of the tongue.

Pictures of Fissured Tongue :

Images, Pics, Pictures and Photos of Fissured Tongue

Treatment :

No treatment is required in most of the cases having fissured tongue. You can gently brush the tongue using soft toothbrush for removing the built-in debris. In case there is pain in the cracks, you can visit your dentist. Over the counter pain-killers are effective in giving relief from pain. Avoid eating spicy or hot foods which may worsen the grooves and inflammation.

Brush your tongue properly and practice good hygiene. Bacteria can accumulate on the cracks causing infection and hence remove the leftover food particles on the fissured tongue by cleaning it regularly. Fissured tongue is harmless and may not cause any problem unless it is attacked by bacteria.

Reactive Arthritis

Reactive Arthritis Arthritis refers to swollen joints. Reactive arthritis is the condition in which inflammation of genital parts or gastro intestinal systems take place. It often develops after a person had genital infection or problems in bowel movement. The symptoms of reactive arthritis are similar to that of psoriatic arthritis and ulcerative colitis. This condition can occur in any part of the joint but often affects the eyes, mouth and the urinary tract. In rare cases it can infect the heart. Treatment is given for reducing the intensity of stiffness in the joints.

Reactive arthritis is marked by three conditions namely :

• Inflammation of joints


• Swelling of eyes or conjunctivitis


• Inflammation of urinary and genitals and gastrointestine

This disease was also known as ‘Reiter’s syndrome’ in olden days. This type of chronic arthritis affects the people of age group 30-40 years largely but can occur in any age group.

Symptoms :

The signs of reactive arthritis occur often after an infection. The initial symptoms can occur anywhere from 1-3 weeks of urinary or eye infection. There will be intense joint pain due to swelling of joints in the knees and ankles. Some people may develop joint inflammation on the lower back. Swelling of eyes is common in reactive arthritis. Many people will develop urinary problems and there will be compulsive urge for urinating frequently. The extremities are swollen and there will be difficulty in writing and walking.

Causes :

Exact cause of arthritis is unknown. It is believed to be autoimmune disorder. People who are frequently infected have increased chance of getting reactive arthritis. Genetics play a role in causing this disease. The presence of HLA B27 genes is indicative of developing this disease in later ages. Bacterial infection can cause reactive arthritis. It can be caused by Chalmydia, shigella or salmonella bacterium.

Though this disease is not contagious still there is every chance for contacting it through unsafe sex. Chlamydia trachomatis is the bacterium causing venereal infections which is followed by reactive arthritis in many cases. An individual with infectious dysentery can develop this problem after few weeks of infection.

Risk Factors :

For reasons not known, men are more prone to develop reactive arthritis than women. People with HLA B27 genes inherited from parents have increased risk. A person having sex with multiple partners and having dysentery infection often have more chance for getting reactive arthritis.

Diagnosis :

The doctor may physically examine the body to check the signs of warmth and swelling. He may request for blood test and joint fluid test for confirming his diagnoses. A thin needle is inserted to the inflamed joint to draw sample of fluid for testing the WBC and infectious organisms.

Treatment :

No specific medications are available for treating reactive arthritis. But drugs are helpful to manage joint pain and further inflammation. Antibiotics are prescribed for controlling bacterial infection. Nonsteroidal anti inflammatory drugs like Indocin is given for getting quick relief from joint pain. For severe pain corticosteroid is injected directly into the joints which will considerably reduce swelling.

Stiffness of joint can be reduced by rheumatoid arthritis medications like sulfasalazine or methotrexate drugs. Regular physiotherapy can make mobility easier for people affected with joint pain. Practicing strengthening exercise will give flexibility to joint muscles and reduce stiffness. People with autoimmune disorder like AIDS and severe viral infections have to be more precautious than others. Eye inflammation or conjunctivitis is treated with suitable anti-inflammatory eye drops.

Prevention :

You cannot do anything to prevent reactive arthritis. But you can always reduce the chance of getting bacterial and viral infection. Practice safe sex and always wear condoms while having sex with strangers. Eat healthy foods and fully cooked stuff to prevent bacterial infection. Do not send your child to school or day care center if he has developed dysentery since infection can spread to other children.

Astigmatism

Astigmatism Astigmatism is a mild imperfection in your eyes that can cause mild vision problems. It can easily be corrected by wearing contact lenses, eyeglasses or through surgery. It occurs due to minor imperfection in the curvature of the eyes. A person having astigmatism will have slightly different curvature in one or both of his eyes. The curvature may not be smooth in all the sides in the cornea. For some people it occurs if the eye is not fully in round shape having slight difference in corners or on one side.

How it occurs?

Eyes are normally round shaped resembling a sphere. On seeing an object, the light enters the eye and by reflection it creates an image of the object in the lens thus giving clear view of the object. But a person with astigmatism the reflection may not be even causing blurry images or wavy images of the object.

Symptoms :

Blurred vision, trouble in seeing distant objects, strain on the affect eye/eyes, and headaches are some of the indicators of astigmatism. If you have any of the above symptoms or if your vision is not clear as before or if you have trouble reading/writing then it is time for you to get your eyes tested with the doctor.

Risk Factors :

People who are above 50 years, people with diabetes (for long period), and people with high blood pressure are more prone to develop astigmatism than others. There will be some degree of astigmatism for all the persons who have crossed 40 years.

Causes :

Astigmatism occurs when the cornea is not evenly shaped leading to refractive error. When there is smooth curvature then the image will be perfectly shaped. But if the surface curvature is not smooth or bent on one side then it produces distortive image. An individual with astigmatism will have cornea that is not smoothly curved causing uneven focus producing refractive error.

Astigmatism can occur along with other errors like myopia and hyperopia. In the case of myopia (nearsightedness) the cornea is curved in excess which causes the light to be focused in front portion of the retina (not exactly on the retina) causing blurry vision. In the case of hyperopia (farsightedness) the cornea is curved very little causing focus on the back of the eyes. In most of the cases astigmatism is present from birth and not caused by watching television (for long periods) or by reading in poor light.

Diagnosis :

Your ophthalmologist will check for the above symptoms and conduct simple vision test or examine your eyes in special device called keratometer. She will study the nature of curvature of the cornea or the lens thoroughly. Retinoscopy is done to measure the extent of focusing light by the eyes and to assess the degree of refractive error in your eyes.

Treatment :

Depending on the nature of refractive error special eyeglasses or corrective lenses are prescribed. By wearing lenses the improper focus is corrected thereby giving a clear image of the object. Eyeglasses made of special lenses are given for correcting the uneven shape of the cornea. This would also help in correcting the refractive error.

Many people prefer to wear contact lenses in the place of eyeglasses and it comes in wide range of options. You can discuss with your doctor about the benefits of wearing contact lenses. But using lenses for long periods can makes one prone to eye infection.

Surgery :

Refractive surgery is done for reshaping the cornea of the eyes. Lasik surgery is done using a special instrument for making a small round shaped hinge is made in the cornea. The surgeon will gently resize the shape of the cornea in this procedure. Not all the people having astigmatism will have to undergo surgery. Your doctor will try different options for correcting the cornea shape before deciding on refractive surgery.

Spinal Meningitis

Spinal Meningitis The brain and the spinal cord are surrounded by soft membranes to protect the inner tissues. Spinal meningitis occurs when these membranes get swollen due to some reason and develops inflammation. An important feature of meningitis is high fever with a stiff neck. Meningitis is caused by viral infection or fungal infection. The disease can be treated by medications and early intervention but sometimes it can be serious and life threatening.

Symptoms :

Early signs of meningitis will be high fever or flu like symptoms. For this reason many people fail to recognize the disease leading to complications. Meningitis symptoms can develop within hours or few days depending on the intensity of infection.

Some of the important signs of spinal meningitis are:

• Stiffness in neck region


• High fever (occurs suddenly)


• Muscle spasm, joint pain and more intense pain in spine region


• Difficulty in concentrating or confusion of thoughts


• Extreme tiredness


• Severe headache/nausea/vomiting


• Trouble in getting quality sleep and difficulty in waking up

In some cases, the affected person may get sudden seizures or skin rashes and he becomes sensitive to light.Spinal meningitis may develop in infants and newborns also. If the infant develops sudden high fever accompanied with stiff neck then you must rush to the doctor immediately.

Some infants will have symptoms like excess of sleepiness, inactivity, trouble in feeding and constant crying with irritation. In some cases a soft bulging may appear on the baby’s head and it has great discomfort.When compared with bacterial meningitis, viral meningitis is better since the symptoms can improve even without treatment. Delay in taking treatment can cause complications or severe brain damage. In severe cases meningitis can cause death.

Causes :

Meningitis can be caused by viral or bacterial infection. Bacterial infection is more serious and life threatening than viral infection.

Bacterial Infection :

Bacteria can enter the bloodstream through ear/sinus infection or sometimes it can directly attack the meninges (membranes that envelops the brain/spinal cord) causing infection. Streptococcus pneumoniae (which causes ear infection/throat infection), Neisseria meningitides (that cause respiratory infection), Haemophilus influenzae Type B and Listeria monocytogenes (present in hot dogs and cheese) are some of the bacterium that causes spinal meningitis.

Viral Meningitis :

Viral meningitis is often mild and symptoms can improve on their own. Enteroviruses are often responsible for causing spinal infection. Herpes simplex virus, West Nile virus and mumps are some of the viral infections that cause meningitis. Chronic meningitis can develop when the organisms invade the cerebrospinal fluid. Acute form of meningitis can develop suddenly but chronic form may take weeks together. In rare cases fungus can cause meningitis. Sometimes strong drug allergy, chemical reactions and other infectious diseases can cause spinal meningitis.

Who are at risk?

A child who skips his scheduled vaccine may develop meningitis in later ages. Infants and newborns are prone to bacterial infections at high rate. Individual living in community setting like that of military camps, dormitories, boarding schools or colleges have increased risk of developing contagious meningococcal meningitis. Pregnant women (with weakened immunity) have risk of developing listeriosis leading to meningitis.

In general, people with weakened immunity are vulnerable to many diseases including meningitis. Meningitis can cause various complications if not given proper treatment in time. Some of them may develop hearing loss, brain damage, learning disability, seizure and various other brain damage.

Diagnosis :

The doctor will look for the above symptoms and check for ear/nose/throat infections and skin rashes. Since the symptoms of meningitis are confusing it is difficult to detect spinal meningitis. He may order for blood profile to detect growth of micro-organisms, imaging tests (like X-ray, CT scan), and lumbar puncture. He would collect small amount of cerebrospinal fluid from the spine using spinal tap procedure and test it in the laboratory. Any abnormal increase in the WBC count can be due to meningitis. To diagnose viral meningitis your doctor may request for polymerase chain reaction test.

Treatment :

Firstly the doctor should make sure about the type of microorganisms that has caused meningitis. The treatment may vary depending on the infection the person/child has. Antibiotics are prescribed for treating bacterial meningitis. In severe infection, your doctor may give steroid medications (in high doses) and taper it slowly. The root cause of bacterial infection like ear infection or sinus should be treated.

Viral infections cannot be treated with antibiotics and the symptoms will improve within a week. Simple home remedies like drinking plenty of fluids and taking complete rest can give some relief. In severe cases, antiviral medications are prescribed. Antifungal drugs are given for meningitis caused by fungus.

Prevention :

Meningitis develops through infections and hence one should always practice good hygiene both at home and at workplace. Children should be instructed to wash the hands thoroughly before they eat and after using toilet. Avoid sharing foods and personal items with others. Cover your mouth while sneezing.

Vaccinations are available to prevent bacterial meningitis. Do not skip the doses of vaccination and follow instructions of your pediatrician for your children. Meningococcal conjugate vaccine is given in single dose for children of 11-12 years followed by booster shot at 16 years.

Psoriatic Arthritis

Psoriatic Arthritis Psoriatic arthritis is a condition associated with arthritis (inflammation of joints) where people will develop small red patches on the skin causing stiffness and swelling of joints. Often psoriasis develops first and after few days arthritis may develop but for some people initially they develop arthritis, a chronic inflammatory condition of joints and later they develop skin rashes on it.

This condition can affect any joints and even the fingertips causing severe pain. This disease will have remission period followed by flares. Treatment can be given for managing the symptoms but the disease cannot be cured completely.

Symptoms :

Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic disease where people may have flare-ups (symptoms worsen) and remission (symptoms disappear). Very often the joints on one side of your body get affected. It can affect any joints of the body causing inflammation and pain. This disease is characterized by swollen extremities. The fingers and toes become swollen causing severe pain. The affected person will have difficulty in lifting objects using fingers and may have problems with simple task of writing their names.

For some people there will be back pain (inflammation of joints of the spine) and foot pain affecting the ligaments of the heel and soles of the foot. Due to this the mobility of the person gets affected. The joints become rigid and stiff due to swelling giving intense pain while movement. In many cases, the stiffness is very severe in the mornings which may reduce in the afternoon. The symptoms can be mild to severe depending on the intensity of the disease. For some people it may take months together for showing initial symptoms but for others it can be quick and severe.

Causes :

The main cause for psoriatic arthritis is weakened immunity. The body’s immune system will attack the joints and tendons by mistake causing inflammation and pain. However it is still not clear what exactly triggers the immune system for self-attack. People with family history of psoriasis or rheumatoid arthritis are likely to develop this disease. It is possible that physical injury on the joints or bacterial infection (left untreated) can trigger this condition.

Risk Factors :

People having family history of psoriatic arthritis, people having psoriasis with weakened immunity, and people who are in the middle age are prone to develop this disease.

Diagnosis :

Your doctor will look for the symptoms and check the joints for inflammation. He may do a biopsy by removing a small tissue from the joints and testing it in the lab.

Treatment :

There is no cure for psoriatic arthritis and it is a chronic condition. Medications are given to lessen the joint pain and for facilitating the mobility problem. NSAID drugs like Advil or naproxen sodium are given to reduce inflammation of the joints. But long term use of these drugs can cause side effects. Anti-rheumatic drugs are highly effective in slowing down the process of tissue damage on the joints. Some of the common drugs of this category are methotrexate, leflunomide and sulfasalazine.

Since this disease is an autoimmune disorder immune-suppressant drugs like azathioprine or cyclosporine are prescribed for suppressing the immune system. Alpha inhibitors like Enbrel, Remicade and Humira of tumor necrosis factor TNF is given for controlling pain and stuffiness in the joints. In severe cases, the person is given steroid injection for getting quick relief from pain. Surgery is done if the joints are severely damaged by the disease making movement impossible.

Pictures of Psoriatic Arthritis :

Images, Pics, Pictures and Photos of Psoriatic Arthritis

Home Remedies :

Minimize the use of your fingers. Avoid opening the containers using fingers instead you can use tools or gadgets for opening the jars. Maintain your weight since obesity can give rise to joint pain and inflammation. Make it a practice to go for a walk daily. Walking and jogging can increase blood circulation and improves muscle flexibility. If you have severe pain due to swelling of joints, you can apply cold/hot packs alternatively to get some relief and to reduce stiffness. Reduce your stress by joining yoga class and meditation.

Shigellosis

Shigellosis Shigellosis is a bacterial infection causing fever, diarrhea (bloody stool) and severe abdominal cramps. Most of the time, the symptoms will resolve on its own without wanting any treatment. Shigella can be contracted by other members by touching the fecal particles that contains bacteria. People working in day care centers are prone to pass on this infection by not washing hands properly while changing diapers. Children of age group 2-4 are more prone to get this bacterial infection. The infection can be fully treated by powerful antibiotics.

Causes :

Shigella is a group of bacteria that causes shigellosis infection. This family of microbe was first discovered by Japanese scientist Shiga and hence this name. Though there are many kinds of shigella bacteria like Shigella sonnei, Shigella flexneri etc. it is the “Group B” shigella bacteria that cause this infection.

There are 3 possible ways by which a child/person contracts this infectious bacterium.

• One is by touching the eyes/nose or mouth after changing the diaper for children and not washing the hands properly. The bacteria is present in the feces of the child which gets into the body by direct skin contact. Toddlers who are not toilet trained may not wash their hands properly and pass on the infection to other children who play with them.


• Second is by eating contaminated food. In restaurants and hotels, people (with this infection) can pass on the infectious bacteria to many people while handling food.


• Third method of transmitting the infection is by drinking contaminated water that contains shigella infection.

Symptoms :

The initial symptoms of Shigellosis begin in a day or two after getting infected. Some of the prominent symptoms of this disease are mild fever, headache, diarrhea (that contains bloody stool) and abdominal cramps. Many people may not have any symptoms but still may carry the infectious bacteria in their feces.

Tests :

Having diarrhea with blood discharge is the best way to identify this infection. Your doctor may order for testing of stool sample to confirm the diagnoses.

Who are at risk?

Toddlers (who are not toilet trained), people who are working in day care centers (handling diapers), workers employed in hospitals, nursing homes, and any group of people who have close contact with others (like those in jails and military barracks are likely to spread infection even if one person is infected) and gay population who are sexually active with other men with infection have increased risk of getting infected.

Complications :

Shigellosis does not create any complications and the symptoms would clear up within a week or two even without any treatment. In rare cases it may cause dehydration (due to continuous diarrhea), seizures (due to high fever), rectal prolapse (due to excess of strain caused by bowel movements), toxic megacolon and reactive arthritis.

Treatment :

For mild form of infection, no treatment is required. In moderate cases you will be given antibiotics like amphicillin trimethoprim or sulfamethoxazole or ciprofloxacin. Sometimes the bacteria become resistant to antibiotics when the infection spreads in a community.

It is true that affected child/adult will get back to normalcy within a week, but the bowel habits may take some time to become normal. For some it may take several weeks or month for getting back the right bowel habit. Some people may develop joint pains due to infection of shigella which is known as post infectious arthritis. Good news about shigellosis is any person who gets this disease become resistant to this particular type of bacteria and hence will not get infected again for several years.

Home Remedies :

If you are a healthy adult it is enough if you drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and to arrest diarrhea. In case of children Pedialyte can be given to balance the loss of water.

Prevention :

• No vaccine is available for preventing shigellosis.


• One can take precautions for not getting infected by shigella.


• Workers employed in day care centers should wash their hands thoroughly to prevent spreading infection to others.


• Children should be instructed to wash their hands with soap water after using toilet.


• People who are working in restaurants should abstain themselves from duty if they have diarrhea.


• Do not send your child to school or day care center if they have diarrhea.


• Avoid drinking contaminated water.

Avoidant Personality Disorder

Avoidant Personality Disorder Some people are overly shy in nature and keep isolated. But avoidant personality is more than this shy nature. He is marked with high rate of social inhibition and he is highly sensitive to criticism. He cannot tolerate being criticized by others. He would have serious problem in maintaining relationships with loved ones and family. About 1-2% of the general population has avoidant personality disorder.

Symptoms :

These people avoid social gathering or any activity that involves group of people in the fear of being criticized. According to them they are unwanted elements in the society though in reality that is not so. They believe that they are far inferior to others and hence have low self esteem which prevents them from interaction with the society.

Some of the prominent signs of avoidant personality disorder are:-

•  Avoiding activities that involve interpersonal contacts in the fear of being rejected or criticized


•  Generally they are unwilling to interact with strangers


•  Even with intimate relations they maintain self control due to the fear of being ridiculed


•  Most of the time they are preoccupied with thoughts of being rejected and criticized


•  Perceive themselves to be far inferior to others


•  Cannot tolerate any new relations or task involving new interpersonal action


•  They hesitate to take personal risks in involving with new activities in the fear of getting embarrassed

Many types of personality disorder become significant only when the person attains adulthood. Few of the symptoms may appear during adolescence but the person is still under development which would shape his/her personality further. By the time the person reaches 45-50 years they would experience extreme range of symptoms leading to distressed relationships.

People with avoidant personality will have social phobia or anxiety. They have overwhelming feelings of shyness, inferiority feeling and hypersensitivity. They have in-built negative emotions like fear of being rejected, detachment (withdrawal) which would cause significant distress for him/her in the society affecting their job or family life. These people will lack self confidence and a sense of belonging. They are scared to maintain intimate relationship with others. A person can be categorized with avoidant personality nature only if he/she has at least 4 of the above symptoms, according to American Psychiatric Association.

Diagnoses :

People with avoidant personality will not seek any treatment though they are fully aware of their problem. If any of your loved ones or friends have some of the above signs you can take him to psychologist for further evaluation and testing. A trained psychologist will listen to the problems and ask few questions regarding your interpersonal relations with the society before concluding about your personality type.

Causes :

There are many theories and factors that are known to cause avoidant personality disorder. It can be due to genetic factors, psychological or social factors. The personality of a person is influenced by various factors like environment, the family in which he is brought up and the way in which he perceives the world. Personality is complex is nature and keeps changing until one reaches adulthood.

Treatment :

Firstly you have to get in touch with an expert therapist who deals with various types of personality disorder. Psychotherapy is given by the therapist for long term after establishing rapport with the client. In case of severe symptoms that disrupts having intimate relationship with others, medications are given by psychiatrist. The client should be made aware of his problem so that he would willingly cooperate with the therapist for attending future sessions. It would take long term for changing particular thought or perception of thinking of an individual and you cannot expect magic results in few sittings.

Individuals with avoidant personality will have poor self image and will have inordinate fear of being ridiculed. He would see only the negative aspects in life and would take the comments passed casually in serious way. The therapist would be smart enough to observe any cues given by the client when he/she is withholding any feelings.

Initially the psychologist would make complete evaluation of his personality by repeating the questionnaire or interview sessions to find out if there is any other personality disorder with him. There is every possibility for hidden social phobia or dependent/borderline personality disorder with the client since many symptoms are commonly shared with these disorders. Once the therapist overcomes the initial inhibitions is would be easy for her to establish rapport with the client to explore his hidden problems of self image and esteem. A good therapeutic relationship is one that can inculcate formation of new relationships with others.

Sleeping Sickness

Sleeping Sickness In medical terms, sleeping sickness is called as “African Trypanosomiasis” which is caused by parasites that is distributed by tsetse fly. This disease is currently restricted to rural African regions and some areas of Saharan Africa. Each year, more than 10,000 fresh cases are being reported by World Health Organization and it is considered that more numbers go unnoticed. Sleeping sickness can be treated by medications.

How it is contracted?

A person will get infected with African trypanosomiasis when he is bitten by tsetse fly that carries the parasite by name Trypanosoma brucei. In some cases, the infection received from the fly can be transmitted to the baby by pregnant mother and by way of blood transfusion. Two types of trypanosomiasis are being recognized namely East African and West African trypanosomiasis.

Causes :

Sleeping sickness is caused by parasite Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense or Trypanosoma brucei gambiense. Tsetse flies are considered to be the carriers of these parasites and the person gets infected by the parasite when being bitten by tsetse flies.

Who are at risk?

People living in the regions of Central Africa and those who are frequently traveling to affected countries are prone to get this infection. Tsetse fly lives in the restricted areas of Africa and infects only selected population. Tsetse fly is abundant in the woodland and savannah regions of Africa. Hence tourists and hunters who are visiting that area are prone to get infection when bitten by tsetse fly. It is advised that visitors should not spend more time in the thick bushes and river-side since they have chance of getting bitten many times.

Symptoms :

There is an incubation period for the parasite which is the interval between the bite of tsetse fly and the initial onset of symptoms. It can be anywhere from 1-4 weeks when the person is infected with East African trypanosomiasis and it can take months together for a person who is infected with West African trypanosomiasis. The symptoms of sleeping sickness include fever (mild to moderate), anxiety, dizziness, headache, loss of quality sleep, mood swings, feeling overly sleepy, excess of sweating, and fatigue. For many people the place (spot) where the fly bites will become red and swollen and may cause pain due to the formation of sores.

Once the disease progresses, it can cause serious symptoms like confusion of thoughts, changes in personality, slurred speech, epilepsy, and difficulty in walking. This occurs when the central nervous system gets affected. At this stage, the person should receive treatment immediately, failing which it can become fatal causing death.

When to see the doctor?

If you think you are infected with African trypanosomiasis or bitten by tsetse fly, having some of the symptoms above, you need to consult your doctor without any delay.

Diagnoses :

Your doctor will inspect the bitten area of the skin checking for painful sores or swollen lymph nodes. He would order for blood tests, skin biopsy and biopsy of the tissue from spinal cord. He will collect the fluid sample from the lymph nodes (known as lymph nodes aspiration) that become swollen due to infection. Once cerebrospinal fluid is collected, the lab technician would check for specific IgM level for confirming the presence of parasite.

Treatment :

The method of treatment varies with individuals depending on the intensity of the symptoms. Treatment should begin immediately if the symptoms are severe and medical reports confirm the diagnoses. Medications like Eflornithine, Pentamidine, Melarsoprol and Suramin are prescribed for treating sleeping sickness. Many patients will be hospitalized and put on IV fluids for arresting the growth of parasite inside the body. Follow up care and testing of spinal tap is necessary for at least 2 years if the diagnosis is confirmed. The infected person will not become immune to the parasite and hence he/she has every chance of getting infected again.

Prevention :

At present, no vaccination is available to prevent sleeping sickness. You can follow some of the preventive tips to avoid getting bitten by tsetse flies. You can avoid traveling to areas which are abundant with these insects. Use insect repellant creams liberally, wear long sleeved clothing that is thick. Do not use bright colored clothing since flies are attracted with dark/bright colors. In case you are sleeping in that area, use fool-proof netting. Avoid visiting bushy areas.

What happens when you are not treated?

Sleeping sickness can cause death due to cardiac arrest within 6 months, if the person is not taking treatment. The parasite will spread throughout the body releasing more of toxins causing heavy sleep and damage to the nervous system. The infected person may go into coma and eventually die.

Malabsorption

Malabsorption We all depend on food and drinks for meeting the demands of our body. As long as the system has the ability to absorb the required* nutrients from the food, there is no problem. But when the body cannot absorb the necessary vitamins and minerals from the food, it causes deficiency. The inability of the body to absorb the necessary nutrients from the food is known as malabsorption. The energy derived from the source of food is sent into the blood through the intestine to carryout various functions.

Symptoms :

Some of the signs of malabsorption are foul smelling stools, bloating, fullness in the stomach, discomfort in your abdomen, loss of weight (unintentional), frequent diarrhea and flatulence and fatigue. The intestine can no longer absorb necessary nutrients like iron/Vitamin B12 which can adversely affect the general health condition of your body.

Deficiency of fat particles in your body can produce foul smelling stools which are difficult to flush out. Similarly deficiency or malabsorption of proteins in the blood can cause edema and hair loss. When there is increased deficiency of sugars in your blood it can cause bloating and frequent diarrhea. Loss of vitamins can lead to anemia, low blood pressure and loss of weight.

Causes :

Number of diseases and disorders can cause malabsorption. Any abnormality in the intestine or gastrointestinal tract will seriously affect the rate of absorption. Malabsorption can be caused due to celiac disease, any diseases in the gallbladder or liver, lactose intolerance, AIDS or other autoimmune disorders, Whipple disease, excessive growth of bacteria, excess production of gastric acid and damage to the intestine due to injury or surgery or infection.

Some other factors that cause malabsorption are overuse of antibiotics, pancreatitis, and birth defects in the gallbladder, undergoing radiation or chemotherapy and inflammation of the intestine. Diseases like short bowel syndrome and tropical sprue can also affect the function of intestine leading to malabsorption.

Who are at risk?

Long term use of antibiotics, certain diseases like cystic fibrosis or celiac disease, undergoing surgery on the intestine, excess use of laxatives, and over consumption of alcohol can cause increased risk of developing malabsorption. People who travel frequently to regions of Southeast Asia and India where tropical sprue is prevalent are at increased risk of developing malabsorption.

Tests and Diagnoses :

Your doctor will listen to your symptoms after collecting your medical history. He may order for blood tests for determining the levels of minerals and nutrients. If necessary pancreatic function test will be done for confirming the lab report. Stool test is to be done for testing the presence of excess of fat. To identify the rate of intestine absorption Xylose absorption test is done. In some cases, a biopsy is done by taking out small tissue sample from the intestine.

Treatment :

The aim of the treatment is to make good the deficiency of required nutrition. Hence giving supplemental nutrition is the best choice. The affected person should include a diet rich in minerals and vitamins that has necessary nutrients like fat, vitamins and proteins. In severe cases extra nutrients will be given through intravenous fluids by admitting the patient in hospital.

Anyone having the symptoms of malabsorption or diagnosed with this problem should get in touch with a dietician for adding the required nutrients in food. Eat small quantities of meals frequently to overcome excess of fatigue and dizziness. Absorption of nutrients from the food becomes easy for the intestine if you take small meals number of times per day. Subsequently weight loss can be overcome if you follow the diet chart of your dietician.

Prevention :

Many diseases and conditions that cause malabsorption can be managed by you by taking appropriate measures. Follow the instructions of your doctor and include plenty of supplementary nutrition in your diet.

Histrionic Personality Disorder

Histrionic Personality Disorder Individuals with histrionic personality will be craving for attention and emotionally unstable. They cannot be comfortable when they are not the center of attention in a gathering. They exhibit inappropriate behavior to draw the attention of opposite sex. In their view physical appearances counts a lot for drawing attention and hence they spend more time on showing themselves as attractive.

The other name for histrionic personality disorder is “dramatic” personality disorder since people with this problem will be highly emotional and do anything for the approval of others. They often behave inappropriate or dramatic manner for getting noticed. Their expressions are highly dramatic and theoretical. They can be easily influenced by situations and circumstances. They give more attention for relationship than for their self-worthiness.

Salient Features :

Important traits of histrionic personality are :

• Emotionally unstable and unrealistic


• Exhibit more of dramatic expression


• Attention seeking behavior all the time


• Lack of genuineness and chastity


• Not bothered about the consequences of their behavior

Their emotional instability and antagonistic behavior will put them in trouble in school or workplace, but they don’t care for the consequences. Very often histrionic type of behavior begins in childhood or early teens. These people are highly dependent on their partners and seek to control them through emotional blackmailing and seductive acts.

These people don’t give importance for old relationships since they are excited to make new relations. Their emotional instability will induce them to change their emotions rapidly. It is difficult to predict about their emotions since they are highly unstable in controlling their emotions. The symptoms are visible during adolescence and histrionic personality disorder is more prevalent in women than men.

Symptoms :

The individual with histrionic disorder will remain uncomfortable and restless if he/she is not the center of attraction. Some experts are of view that attention craving behavior will start as early as childhood in these people. Their dressing manner is provocative and often they exhibit seductive behavior. Their emotions will change rapidly and they act dramatically with heightened emotions. There will not be any sincerity or genuineness in their expressions.

These people give utmost preference for their appearance. They can be easily cheated by others since they never think before acting. They are extremely sensitive to criticism. For getting noticed they will go to any extent even making suicide attempts. They seldom maintain relationships since they keep on changing relationships.

Causes :

Exact cause of histrionic personality disorder is unknown, but experts believe that it can be inherited. The same personality disorder may run in families suggesting that genes play a vital role in shaping the personality.

Neuro-Chemical Approach :

It has been proved that people with histrionic personality have malfunction of neurotransmitters. Signals are received and transmitted by nerve cells through nor-epinephrine. Only these signals determine the way in which a person behaves. For people with HPD these impulses will not function at normal rate. This can be the reason for such behavior.

Developmental Factor :

Traumatic experience in childhood can influence his behavior and change his personality. Severe forms of histrionic personality disorder can occur if the child suffers disapproval from his parents during early childhood. Environmental factors can also influence one’s personality.

Diagnoses :

The doctor will look for the above signs and symptoms and gather information about the character of the affected person. He may order for blood tests and imaging tests to rule out any possibilities of physical illness. A psychiatrist will be assigned to diagnose the nature of mental illness. She will use different set of tools for assessing the type of personality.

Treatment :

Following any treatment plan is really a difficult task for the concerned person, because they might not like routine tasks. Also they often give excuses of various reasons for their behavior and exaggerated feelings. Psychotherapy is the effective approach for treating a person with histrionic type personality. Through repeated cognitive therapy the person will become aware of his problem which may be helpful in changing his feelings and behavior. Psychologists will motivate them and help them to learn about the ways in which one is expected to behave in a society.

Cognitive behavior therapy uses more systematic approach for focusing on the problems faced by people with histrionic type personality. This therapy is aimed in reducing the irrelevant thoughts of those affected with HPD and stresses on the importance of taking care of “self”. It would also focus on identifying the automatic thoughts to reduce their impulsive behavior. Therapists would use many novel methods for decreasing their dramatic behavior. They would also adopt modeling techniques to teach them about the ill effects of theatrical behavior on others.

Group therapy and family therapy are also effective in overcoming the dramatic behavior of these people. In case of severe depression medications are prescribed to overcome the symptoms. Except for few severe cases, others who have histrionic personality disorder can manage their lives with the help of psychologist and family support. Meditation techniques have been widely used to help the HPD patients to improve their concentration on their inner feelings. Hypnosis method is administered by psychologists to relax their inner mind to overcome their dramatic behavior.

Pneumonia

Pneumonia Your lungs are filled with plenty of air sacs and if there is any infection causing swelling of air sacs, it is known as pneumonia. The air sacs are filled with pus like fluid or mucus or phlegm making it difficult for you to breathe. Bacteria and virus are the main organisms that cause pneumonia. Infants and old aged people are more prone to get this infection than healthy adults, since they have weakened immunity. It is easy to treat pneumonia since plenty of good medications are available.

Symptoms :

Pneumonia signs may vary from mild to very serious depending on the organism that has caused infection. Symptoms also vary with respect to the age of the person, his immunity status and general health condition. It begins as mild fever, chills with sweating. After some days the person will cough persistently producing thick phlegm or mucus. Some people of old age may report chest pain and difficulty in breathing. Chest pain may get worse when the person tries to cough or take a long breathe. It may cause fatigue and body pain. In certain cases, it can cause nausea and vomiting.

Newborn or infants will not show any indication of pneumonia but they would be restless or looking tired. They may develop mild fever or look energy less most of the time. They will refuse to take food due to breathing difficulty. It is important to visit your doctor if your child has one or more of the above symptoms.

Who are at risk?

People with weakened immunity (infants, children and old aged) and people with underlying health problems or autoimmune disorders are more prone to develop pneumonia than others. Individuals who are receiving chemotherapy or any other chemo drugs for suppressing the immunity may get this disease. People who are hospitalized for long periods or those who are on ventilator support have increased risk of developing pneumonia. The habit of smoking disturbs body’s immune system making one prone to develop many diseases.

Causes :

Microorganisms like bacteria and virus are the most important cause for pneumonia. Most of the time, our body will prevent these organisms from entering our lungs but when the immunity is weak due to certain health conditions or disease you are likely to develop infection.

Types :

Community based pneumonia is the one that a person gets infected when he stays outside a clinic or hospital. Streptococcus pneumoniae, mycoplasmic pneumonia and other virus often cause it. Viral pneumonia is usually mild and can be cured easily except for influenza virus.

Hospital acquired pneumonia is one that a person develops during his hospitalization. Bacterial infection is the main source for this pneumonia and is difficult to be treated. Individuals who are on artificial breathing machines are at high risk of developing this pneumonia. Pneumonia acquired through health care centers is one that affects people who are working in hospitals or clinics or those who are taking frequent treatment in outpatient clinics. Aspiration pneumonia develops through food or drinks.

Complications :

Pneumonia can cause serious problems in people with weakened immunity. Bacteria may enter the blood escaping from your lungs thus spreading infection to other parts of the body. Sometimes infants may develop lung abscess when the air sacs are filled with pus like liquid. It can cause pleural effusion causing accumulation of fluid in the small space between the lung tissues which has to be removed by surgery. In severe causes it can cause breathing problems warranting hospitalization.

Tests :

The doctor will examine the general health condition of the patient taking into account his age and immunity status. He would order for chest X-rays for determining the extent of infection. A series of lab tests like blood profile, sputum test and fluid culture is to be done for detecting the type of organism that has caused infection. Bronchoscopy is done in some cases if the doctor suspects some other factor (like blockage) for pneumonia.

Treatment :

The method of treatment depends on the organism that has caused pneumonia. In case of bacterial infection, antibiotics are prescribed. The course of medication has to be completed in full failing which the infection may recur. Most of the symptoms like cough, fever, vomiting and nausea will fade within 2 or 3 days after starting antibiotics. If the person does not feel better in few days then the doctor will change the antibiotic suggesting strong dosage.

Antiviral medications are prescribed for treating viral pneumonia. Apart from these, you will be given Ibuprofen for controlling fever and body pain. Cough syrup is also given for thinning the mucus thus clearing the block of airway. The person affected with pneumonia should take complete rest and get plenty of sleep. Smokers must quit smoking at this stage.

In case of severe complications, the patient will be hospitalized and put on IV fluids to control the infection. Hospitalization may be required for infants, children below 2 years and old aged people and individuals with weakened immunity. If the person has any problem in normal breathing or if he develops sudden low blood pressure then he has to be hospitalized.

Pictures of Pneumonia :

Images, Pics, Pictures and Photos of Pneumonia

Home Care :

Get good sleep and plenty of rest. Drink lot of fluids which helps in loosening the mucus. Follow the instructions of your doctor and complete the course of medication. Take off from school or workplace until you have fully recovered.

Prevention :

You can prevent getting viral pneumonia by taking preventive injection for flu. It is better to take seasonal injection for flu to get maximum protection. Nowadays pneumonia vaccination is available for people who are above 65 years to prevent getting streptococcus pneumonia. A single shot of vaccine is enough to prevent infection. Sometimes the dosage has to be repeated once in five years.

Children below 2 years can get pneumonia vaccination and seasonal flu shots. It is good to follow healthy habits like washing the hands properly before taking food and after using toilet. Quit smoking since it can cause serious damage to your lungs making it prone to many infections.

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis Tuberculosis shortly called TB is a serious disease that causes infection on the lungs. Bacteria are the main cause for TB which spreads easily through air or tiny droplets of cough that is released from infected person. Tuberculosis can be treated by taking right set of medications for months together. Tuberculosis still remains a concern in many countries across the world since the bacterium develops newer strains rapidly and hence become resistant to the available drugs.

Individuals with weakened immune system like elderly people and those affected with HIV are more prone to develop TB infection than healthy adults. If left untreated, tuberculosis can become fatal. Bacteria normally stay latent for many years in the body of the person and become active when the conditions are favorable. Hence it is necessary for every person detected with latent bacteria to receive complete treatment so that it will not become active.

Types :

Latent TB : The affected person will have infected bacteria in his body which remains inactive and hence signs or symptoms are detected. At this stage, the infection is not contagious. But the bacteria can turn active anytime and hence the person should receive medical attention.

Active TB : In this stage, the infected bacteria remain active. The infection will rapidly spread to others when the person sneezes or coughs. For some person the initial symptoms may appear within few weeks while some others it might take years.

Symptoms :

Some of the common signs of tuberculosis are persistent cough, unusual tiredness, weight loss (unintentional), fever, chills, night sweats, and loss of appetite. TB attacks the lungs and causes infection. The affected person may cough blood in his sputum and he may have chest pain which may worsen while coughing or breathing.

For some people, the infection may spread to other organs like spinal cord causing intense back pain. For some others it would enter the kidneys causing bloody discharge in urine. Hence signs may vary significantly according to the organs it has affected.

Causes :

Bacteria are the main cause for tuberculosis which spreads through tiny droplets of air. Any person with active TB can easily spread the infection to others. Whenever he speaks, coughs or even sneezes without closing his mouth he spreads millions of infectious bacteria into the air. Hence it is necessary for all diagnosed with TB to take proper treatment so that the infection will not become contagious.

Who are at risk?

Individuals with weakened immunity like those having HIV, diabetes, cancer (of any type), those receiving chemotherapy, those with kidney disease, those who are taking drugs for rheumatoid arthritis and those who are malnourished and finally those who are very young adults or old aged are at high risk of developing TB.

People who travel frequently to countries like India, China and some of the islands of Southeast Asia are on high state of risk for developing tuberculosis. Those who are using alcohol or substance for long term, those who are using tobacco (in any form) for long period, those who are below poverty line living with low medical care and those who are in touch with many TB infected people (like the ones who work in hospital, clinics and health care centers) have increased risk for developing this disease.

Complications :

If not given proper treatment, TB can infect the cells causing death of tissues inside. It may affect the nervous system infecting brain causing meningitis or spine TB. Sometimes it may infect liver or kidneys and even heart thus becoming fatal.

Tests :

After completing the physical examination and collecting the medical history of the patient, the doctor would order for skin test. During this process the nurse would inject a tiny amount of PPD tuberculin into the skin of the forearm. It would cause swelling with raised bumps in that area, within 48 hours if the injected person has TB. However this test is not completely right. The results may be contradicting for many people.

The doctor would order for complete blood profile for detecting active TB in the lymph nodes. Examining the chest X-ray of the infected person will indicate several white spots on the lungs showing areas of infection. Further sputum testing is done on the laboratory which would also confirm the results.

Treatment :

Unlike many other diseases that get cured within short period, TB takes pretty long time to get treated. The infected person should take antibiotics for at least 6-9 months continuously. The intensity and term of treatment varies widely with the rate and extent of infection and how far the disease has progressed. Some of the medications that are prescribed for TB are Isoniazid, Rifadin, Ethambutol and Pyrazinamide. It is reported that supplementing the medicines with D vitamin helps the efficiency of treatment. However these drugs may produce unwanted side effects like loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, jaundice like symptoms and mild fever.

Once you start with medications, it is necessary to finish the course of treatment, even if the bacteria become latent. There is every chance for getting recurring infection if someone stops the medicine abruptly. DOT (Directly Observed Therapy) therapy is a new method of treating TB in which the health care provider directly gives the medication to the infected person so that he never forgets or ignore taking it.

Prevention :

People who are tested for negative or latent TB should also take required medications as per the advice of the doctor. By doing this simple task, the bacteria remains completely inactive causing no longer infection to others. As soon as a person is detected with active TB he should be separated from family and workplace until such period that the infection is no longer contagious. It is necessary to stay alone in a room without mingling with others for the first few weeks of treatment. The room should be kept well ventilated so that it reduces the chance of bacteria from spreading.

Remember to close your mouth while coughing or sneezing so that it reduces the chance of spreading. People who are in close contact with infected people (like the nurse or doctors) should always wear a protective mask to prevent the risk of transmission. Complete the course of vaccination BCG in children so that they develop immunity for such deadly bacteria.

Pneumothorax

Pneumothorax Pneumothorax is a condition that collapses the lung due to accumulation of air in the thoracic cavity. Spontaneously pneumothorax can occur without any underlying disease or condition. Sometimes it develops as a process due to underlying disease. Slowly, the air leaks into the gap available between the lungs and chest wall exerting force on the lungs making it to collapse. Even injury or strong blow to the lungs (during surgical procedures) can cause pneumothorax. This condition can be treated by aspiration or removal of free air collected in the chest cavity. In some cases the entire lungs collapses due to pneumothorax and in other cases only a portion of the lung collapses.

Symptoms :

Sudden chest pain is the first symptom of pneumothorax. Unlike other chest pain which worsens during inhaling air this type of chest pain stays on the same position and intensity. As the lung collapses either partially or fully it causes shortness of breath either in mild form or severely. If there is breathing difficulty and sudden chest pain you should visit the nearest hospital without delay. Prompt treatment is necessary when a person suffers from breathing problem with chest pain. It can be indicative of other problems also.

Causes :

Lung collapse or pneumothorax can occur due to sudden chest injury or due to lung infection or disease. In some cases, pneumothorax may develop without any obvious reason. Chest injury can be the outcome of gunshot, car accident, sudden blow, and fracture in the ribs, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, lung biopsy and certain medical procedures.

Underlying lung infection like pneumonia, tuberculosis, emphysema, lung cancer, cystic fibrosis and pulmonary fibrosis can cause pneumothorax. Sometimes, minute quantities of air blisters (called blebs) may develop on the top of lungs. Apparently there is no cause why only certain people develop these blebs. Certain procedures of flying or scuba diving may lead to the formation of blebs. People who are put on artificial respiration methods like ventilator have chance for developing pneumothorax. It can also develop due to prolonged asthma, COPD and lung cancer.

Who are at risk?

Men are at increased risk for developing pneumothorax when compared with women. Individuals of age group 20-40 years and those who are very thin and tall are prone to develop this problem. Having lung disease like pulmonary fibrosis or cystic fibrosis and prolonged use of ventilator machine for breathing can also develop pneumothorax. Genetics play a role for causing this disease. People with family history of pneumothorax are prone to this sudden lung collapse.

Complications :

Pneumothorax if unattended can lead to cardiac arrest and respiratory failure. In severe cases it can cause death.

Tests :

Chest X-ray of the affected person can show exact picture of lung collapse. Sometimes your doctor may request for imaging tests like CT for getting detailed image of the disease.

Treatment :

The aim of the treatment is to relieve the pressure caused by air leakage from the lungs. The method of treatment depends on the severity of pneumothorax and how far the lung has collapsed causing damage. Observation and monitoring is enough for individuals who have small portion of lung collapse. Your doctor will monitor the health condition by chest X-rays and watch whether the air is getting absorbed completely and if the lung has expanded fully to the normal position. If required, your doctor may give supplemental oxygen for speeding up the process.

Chest tube insertion is the process in which hollow tube is inserted into the ribs of the lung cage to remove the air. Through the needle a syringe is attached on the other end so that the doctor can blow out the excess of air. For some people, chest tubes are attached for several days to the patient so that suction device can be used to pump out the excess air.

Surgery :

Surgery is done for closing the air leakage in the lungs. It can be done by making small incision through special long handled tools. The surgeon will look for blebs inside and sew it properly. He would also apply talk like material in the space so that it prevents leakage of air in future.

Pictures of Pneumothorax :

Images, Pics, Pictures and Photos of Pneumothorax

Prognosis :

Most of the cases of pneumothorax surgery will resolve. Small air leakage will not require any surgery and can be managed by other methods like chest tube insertion. In case if the problem arises due to long term lung infections then it carries risk. Further such type of pneumothorax requires immediate medical attention. In many cases pneumothorax (lung collapse) may recur again (about 40%). Hence once you are diagnosed with pneumothorax it is necessary to monitor your health condition continuously.

Coronary Artery Disease

Coronary Artery Disease Coronary artery disease is considered to be the leading killer disease in America. Coronary artery is the major blood vessel that supplies blood to the heart and due to repeated deposits of fatty substances on the blood vessel it gets blocked due to plaque formation. There will not be normal blood flow on the arteries leading to heart attack or stroke. This condition of plaque formation on the arteries is called arthrosclerosis causing intense blockage.

How does it happen?

Coronary artery disease does not develop overnight but it occurs as a process. A high level of cholesterol in the blood poses risk leading to the formation of plaque like matter on the blood vessel. High cholesterol can develop due to obesity, lack of exercise, wrong diet, and unhealthy food habits. Blood cholesterol has two types of lipoprotein namely Low Density Lipoprotein LDL (bad cholesterol) and High Density Lipoprotein HDL (called as good cholesterol). The piling up of plaque occurs when there is excess of LDL and also due to low level of HDL. This condition occurs due to number of factors including high blood pressure, smoking and obesity.

Gradually the blood vessel gets narrowed due to repeated deposits of cholesterol thus interrupting the normal blood flow. As a result the heart may not receive the vital nutrients like oxygen and other substances. The plague like particles would subsequently make the inner walls of the artery sticky thus facilitating other particles like calcium and lipoproteins to stick on to it thus blocking the vessel still more. To rectify this condition the artery will develop new blood vessel to restore proper blood supply to the heart. However this blood vessel may not be able to manage high input of blood at the time of stress forming blood clots leading to heart attack/ischemia or hemorrhagic stroke. Since the entire process of plaque formation takes years together, unless a person gets heart attack or stroke, it goes totally unnoticed.

Signs and Symptoms :

As the plaque like fatty deposits continue to build up on the arteries it first cuts down the oxygenated blood supply to the heart. So when the person gets stressed or doing workouts he may feel it difficult to breathe. He may develop sharp chest pain and tightness in the chest area. This sharp chest pain is called angina and it would stop within few minutes. The affected person may develop shortness of breath and subsequently he may get a heart attack.

Other symptoms of coronary artery disease are rapid heartbeat, nausea, weakness, shortness of breath and excess of sweating. During an attack, the person may get crushing pressure on his shoulder area, left arm and on his chest along with profuse sweating. Women may not get all these symptoms and sometimes they develop sharp back pain and pain on the left arm. In some cases, heart attack occurs without any symptoms.

Causes :

As said earlier, coronary artery disease develops due to accumulation of fat deposits on the artery. It occurs due to high cholesterol in blood, high blood pressure, prolonged diabetes and smoking and due to radiation therapy on the chest. Similarly this condition develops due to high level of bad cholesterol in blood or due to low level of good cholesterol.

Who are at risk?

Getting older, having family history of heart disease, smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, being in the state of heightened stress or anxiety, prolonged diabetes and lack of physical exercise may contribute for developing coronary artery disease. Being overweight, having sleep apnea, having abnormal levels of C-reactive protein in blood, having increased level of homocysteine and fibrinogen also causes CAD.

Complications :

Coronary artery disease may lead to heart attack, ischemia, stroke, heart failure, chest pain and abnormal heartbeat.

Tests :

Depending on the need of the hour, your doctor will conduct many tests for detecting coronary artery disease. He will collect the medical history of the patient after checking his blood pressure. He may order of blood cholesterol test, electrocardiogram test (for detecting any heart attack), echocardiogram (for detecting any damage in the pumping activity of the heart) and stress test.

During stress test, your will asked to work on a treadmill giving artificial test and test the heart’s function during high stress level. Angiogram is a procedure in which the doctor would send a shot of dye into one of the arteries of your heart through a tiny catheter. This dye would then clearly indicate the areas of block or damage inside the artery. CT scan is also done for getting clear image of the arteries. For advanced result, Magnetic Resonance Angiography imaging test is done.

Treatment :

Variety of medications is available for treating coronary artery disease. If the condition is due to high rate of bad cholesterol in blood, then your doctor will prescribe suitable drugs for reducing LDL cholesterol and increase the HDL (good) cholesterol. Medications like niacin, statins and fibrates are given.

Aspirin is an excellent blood thinner given for preventing heart attacks. It would also prevent blood clot formation or plaque formation in the arteries. Beta blockers are prescribed for reducing blood pressure and for preventing stroke or attack. Nitroglycerin is given for reducing chest pain and ACE inhibitors are prescribed for some people for maintaining blood pressure under control.

In severe cases of coronary artery disease angioplasty is done. A lengthy tubing (catheter) is inserted into the artery of the heart through which deflated balloon is sent. This balloon is inflated inside to remove the blockage or plaque deposits on the artery. Bypass surgery is done for many people with coronary artery disease in which the surgeon would create a graft through which free flow of blood is maintained. This surgery is done for people with number of blockages in the coronary artery.

Alternative Medication :

Omega 3 fatty acid is effective for reducing the blockage in the arteries. Fish oil of salmon contains plenty of omega 3 acid and hence it is useful for reducing cholesterol in blood. Flaxseed oil, canola oil, soybean oil is good diet for reducing blood cholesterol. Similarly garlic, barley, artichoke and oat bran is highly useful in reducing fatty deposits in blood.

Pictures of Coronary Artery Disease :

Images, Pics, Pictures and Photos of Coronary artery disease

Lifestyle Modification :

You can prevent further attacks by making small changes in your daily life and your diet. Eat healthy foods which include plenty of fruits and vegetables. If you are overweight, make all possible efforts to reduce weight. Quit smoking and practice yoga and meditation which will help in reducing stress. Do regular exercises. In case you have blood pressure you should monitor what you eat and follow the instructions of your doctor in taking right medications. The optimum blood pressure for average adult is 80/120 mm of Hg. Go for regular checkups and follow the right diet.

Every person above 30 years should monitor his level of cholesterol once in a year. If there is any discrepancy in the results consult your doctor and take suitable medications for controlling cholesterol. LDL cholesterol level should be below 130 mg/dL. If you are diabetic you need to take measures to keep it under control. Do aerobic exercises at least for 30 minutes a day you can burn more of calories.

What is Multiple Sclerosis

What is Multiple Sclerosis Myelin is the outer protective sheath covering the nerves in your body. When the body’s immune system gets affected it destroys this outer layer of the nervous system thereby disturbing the communication signals between the brain and other parts of the body. This condition is called as multiple sclerosis. It is a potentially serious disorder and the effect of this disease can cause irreversible damage to the nerves. People affected with multiple sclerosis may have difficulty in speaking and walking. In some cases, the disorder would affect the normal thinking ability of the person concerned. This disorder cannot be cured but the symptoms can be managed with medications and therapy.

Once the outer protective sheath covering the nerves is destroyed it exposes the underlying nerves. The body’s immune system destroys the nerves forming plaque like tissues on the brain which is known as sclerosis. Hence this disorder is called multiple sclerosis. The process of destroying the myelin sheath is known as demyelination. Once the myelin sheath is destroyed the brain cannot transmit the signals as before causing various problems.

Symptoms :

Some of the common symptoms of multiple sclerosis include tingling sensation or numbness in the limbs, partial loss of vision/pain while moving the eyes, blurred vision or double vision, intense shock like sensation while making head movements, slurred speech, and difficulty in walking, fatigue, and lack of coordinated thinking, loss of balance, dizziness and extreme heat sensitivity.

The symptoms of multiple sclerosis may vary depending on the extent of damage caused to the nerves. Some people may have benign type of multiple sclerosis wherein the symptoms are mild and will not progress. For some others, the symptoms get worse within few months or even weeks. Very often, the initial symptoms of multiple sclerosis begin as tingling sensation in limbs or a burning pain in some part of the body. Most of them will have bladder problems compelling one to visit the restroom often.

Causes :

Multiple sclerosis occurs due to the damage caused to the myelin sheath (outer protective layer of the nerves). When the myelin sheath gets affected it leads to the formation of plaque like tissue on the nerves making it difficult to transmit signals from the brain. This causes unusual delay in communicating signals from the brain leading to abnormal symptoms.

Genetics play a role in causing multiple sclerosis since it can be inherited by birth. Research indicates that certain viruses like Epstein Barr and Varicella Zoster is likely to cause MS but this theory is not proved. What exactly triggers auto-destruction of myelin sheath is not known clearly.

Risk Factors :

People of age group 20-40 are more prone to develop multiple sclerosis than elderly adults. The number of women affected with multiple sclerosis is double when compared with men. This disorder tends to run in families and the person has more chance for developing multiple sclerosis if one of the parents has this problem.

A person affected with infectious diseases like Epstein Barr virus is likely to get multiple sclerosis. This disorder is common in certain geographical regions like Canada, Europe and northern United States. Similarly an individual with autoimmune disorder like diabetes or thyroid problem is more prone to get this disorder. In severe cases, the affected person may develop spasms, paralysis, and serious problems in bladder. Some people may develop forgetfulness and can develop depression or other mental health problems.

Diagnoses :

The doctor will conduct physical exam of the affected person and collect complete medical history from him/her. He may request for diagnostic procedures like blood test, lumbar puncture and imaging tests like CT/MRI scan for detecting any abnormal changes in brain caused by destruction of myelin sheath. Electrical signals transmitted by the brain is measured using evoked potential test to study and diagnose lesions or nerve damage in the spinal cord or optical nerves.

Treatment :

Multiple sclerosis has no cure, but the symptoms of the disorder can be reduced by medications. Drugs like Aubagio, Betaseron, Gilenya, Copaxone and Novantrone can slow down the progression of the disease. These drugs act by suppressing the body’s immune system thereby decreasing the attack on myelin sheath. Many people use these drugs to improve the quality of life and doctors would start with one of the above medications once the patient is diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

You may not require any treatment if the symptoms are mild. Corticosteroids are commonly prescribed for decreasing the swelling that occurs during a relapse. Prednisone or methylpredinisolone are given depending on the intensity of symptoms. Plasmapheresis is a method by which certain volume of blood is removed from the affected person’s body. The removed blood cells are mixed with replacement solution for plasma exchange and the person is injected to the person again.

This method is highly useful for controlling the relapse in affected people. Beta interferons like Avonex or Betaseron are given to slow down the progress of symptoms thereby reducing the number of attacks. Some doctors use Copaxone in the place of interferons for blocking the immune system that attacks the myelin sheath. There are some side effects of these drugs and hence the health of the patient is to be monitored continuously after this drug therapy is started. Similarly Tysabril is also used for reducing the attacks and is recommended for people who cannot tolerate other drugs.

Immunosuppressant like Mitoxantrone is given to reduce the intensity of symptoms and attacks but this drug can be given only for severe patients since it can produce adverse effect to your heart. Physiotherapy is given for people for improve their walking style. It gives lot of benefit by doing stretching exercises daily for affected people. Ampyra is another drug given for improving the speed of walking but it can cause seizures.

Baclofen or Zanaflex is given for reducing muscle stiffness on your legs. Fatigue can be managed by amantadine. The person affected with severe multiple sclerosis should be under the care of doctor continuously for monitoring any changes in bladder or stomach. Stem cell transplantation is done for many patients for injecting healthy stem cells into their blood.

Alternative Therapies :

Deep brain stimulation is a procedure used for treating people with tremors related with multiple sclerosis. In this method electrodes are placed inside the thalamus region of the brain for stimulating the affected part and destroying the inactivate parts of the brain. This method is advantageous when compared with surgery and the position of stimulation can be adjusted easily without conducting another surgery. The stimulator electrode can be switched off if the patient starts responding to other therapies. The tremor caused by this disorder can be managed by deep brain stimulation.

Acupuncture is effective in treating the symptoms of muscle spasms and bladder related problems. Some remedy can be obtained by taking linoleic acid found in sunflower seeds. The patient affected with MS should maintain healthy balanced diet to prevent bladder control problems.

Lifestyle Changes :

The affected person should get plenty of rest avoiding stressful activities. Doing regular exercises can be beneficial for controlling weight and improving muscle strength. Keep your body cool by running plain water on the wrists or (if possible) stay inside the air-conditioned room since the symptoms of multiple sclerosis may worsen when the body temperature rises. Practice yoga and meditation techniques and listen to music so that it gives you great relief from stress.

Gastritis

Gastritis Gastritis is the general term given for inflammation in the stomach. It can occur due to bacterium or injury or many other factors. The soft inner lining (gastric mucosa) of the stomach is inflamed. Gastritis is of two types namely, acute (occurring suddenly) and chronic (long term). Acute gastritis can be erosive or non-erosive type causing damage of mucosal cells. The intensity of chronic gastritis is found by the appearance of inner lining of the stomach.

Symptoms :

Gastritis can cause feeling of fullness or bloated sensation in your stomach after eating. It can cause burning ache or moderate pain in the upper abdomen which may worsen after eating food. In some cases it causes nausea and vomiting, diarrhea.

Most of the time gastritis will not show any symptom. But the affected person may always feel “full” and bloated with lots of burping and belching. The symptoms are not seen daily but they come and go. If your stool is of different color (black) and you have some of the above symptoms you can fix up appointment with your doctor.

Causes :

Infection is the major cause of gastritis. Helicobacter pylori are the bacteria that affect the delicate lining of the stomach causing infection. It would first infect the gastric mucosa (lining) and further proceed to other areas of the stomach. It may remain there for years being both dormant and active. Prolonged usage of Non steroidal Anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) can also develop infection. Certain drugs like cocaine and continuous consumption of alcohol can damage the mucosa of the stomach.

Stressful events, allergic reactions and radiation therapy can also cause infection of the stomach. Severe type of food poisoning can damage cells of the intestine leading to infection. There is a thick protective layer which serves as a barrier from the enzymes and acids discharged during digestion of food. Sometimes, this barrier gets affected allowing the digestive juices to enter the lining causing inflammation.

Risk Factors :

Individuals who are once infected with Helicobacter pylori would experience symptoms of chronic gastritis. Some other risk factors include old age, overuse of corticosteroids and pain relievers and alcohol consumption can cause inflammation of the stomach lining. Stress undergone during major surgery or severe injury/trauma to the stomach can cause gastritis suddenly.

Bile reflux disease is caused by the action of bile (an enzyme) which travels through small intestine affecting the layers of stomach. Pyloric valve normally prevents the entry of bile into the stomach but sometimes it may not work properly thus causing the discharge of bile into the stomach. People with autoimmune diseases like HIV, cancer and Crohn’s disease are prone to chronic gastritis.

Tests :

The medical history of the affected person is collected by the doctor before treating gastritis. The doctor would ask a series of questions about the list of medications you are taking and about alcohol consumption. He would collect small tissue sample of the stomach by biopsy for testing the presence of H. pylori. Further blood culture, urine and stool analysis of the person is done for detecting any changes. X-ray and barium enema test is conducted for getting clear picture of the abdomen. Stomach endoscopy is done by passing thin tubing through the throat into the stomach and till the intestine. The doctor would then look for symptoms of inflammation and finally collects sample tissue for testing.

Treatment :

Medications are given either for blocking the acid production or for destroying the bacteria. Antibiotics like Biaxin, Flagyl, Amoxicilin, clarithromycin, and tetracycline are prescribed for destroying H. pylori. Follow the instructions of your doctor for completing the course of antibiotics.

Drugs like Omeprazole, lansoprazole and rabeprazole are effective in blocking the acid production. They are proton pump inhibitors in treating acute and chronic gastritis. However long term use of these drugs can cause damage to your hip bone and hence consult your doctor before taking this medication. Antacids helps in neutralizing the acid produced in the stomach and also gives relief from pain.

Pictures of Gastritis :

Images, Pics, Pictures and Photos of Gastritis

Home Remedies :

Take small amount of meals frequently instead of eating large quantities of food. It helps in easy digestion and absorption. Avoid taking spicy and hot foods and fried items that can cause irritation to the soft lining. Restrict the amount of alcohol you consume. In case you are using pain relievers consider stopping it or try using alternate drugs. H. pylori can be transmitted through food or water. Hence wash the hands thoroughly before eating and always take fully cooked foods. Follow healthy habits in eating and drinking.

Viral Hepatitis

Viral Hepatitis Hepatitis is the condition of liver inflammation. Though there are many factors that cause hepatitis, virus is the most important reason for developing hepatitis. There are many types of hepatitis viruses but among them Type A, B and C are very popular. People who are employed in clinics, hospitals and those who have sex with many persons and those who are using drug through veins are having risk for developing viral hepatitis. Apart from liver these viruses can attack and cause inflammation of other organs also. Hepatitis can be either acute (suddenly) or chronic (long term).

Important Functions of Liver :

Liver is one of the major vital organs in your body. It helps in purifying the blood by acting on harmful chemicals present in it and destroying it. Harmful materials are broken down into small pieces and sent through excretory organs. Liver acts as a store-house for many vitamins, fats and sugars. Albumin is the main protein produced in the liver which is important for clotting of blood. When there is inflammation of the liver, it may not be able to do its work properly thus interrupting normal functions of the body.

Types :

Viral hepatitis can be broadly divided into acute hepatitis and chronic hepatitis. But some experts classify them into HAV, HBV and HCV types.

HAV Hepatitis A :

It is one form of acute hepatitis causing sudden symptoms. In very rare cases it may cause liver failure. Initially hepatitis A was considered to be infectious spreading from one person to the other. The virus can easily spread through water or contaminated food. Hence Hepatitis A is common among people who follow unhygienic health habits. The viruses get transferred through oral secretions during kissing or through stool or human feces. Unclean sanitary conditions can cause spreading of this virus through restaurants and other public places.

Hepatitis B :

Hepatitis B travels through serum or blood transfer. It gets transferred to others through blood transfusions, sexual contacts, and commonly in drug abusers who use the same needle for injecting drugs. This viral infection can spread through body piercing, tattooing process and by sharing razors/toothbrushes with infected people. HBV is chronic type and the infection may last up to years also.

HCV or Hepatitis C :

This type of viruses can spread through shared needles, sexual intercourse, and blood transfusion and drug abusers and hence it is considered to cause chronic infection. Patients with HCV are at the risk of developing liver cancer and liver failure.

Other Types :

Viral hepatitis of Type D, E and G are recognized. HDV is called delta virus which needs another HBV virus to survive. HEV spreads through contaminated water.

Who are at risk?

People who have multiple sex partners, who work in hospitals, clinics and other health care centers, who are involved in sewage cleaning and water treatment plants, who use drugs frequently through veins, who are infected with HIV and hemophiliacs are at high risk of developing viral hepatitis.

Symptoms :

These viruses that cause inflammation of liver initially enter into the host’s body and remain on incubation period for some time. Incubation period is the time interval between the exposure to virus and the onset of illness. Often people infected with HAV or HBV or HCV do not show any symptoms. In some people it causes flu like signs with fever, loss of appetite, nausea/vomiting and fatigue. In severe cases, it may cause yellow coloration on the skin producing jaundice like symptoms.

Tests :

Blood test is the main source for identifying acute viral hepatitis. The doctor will look for the symptoms of fatigue, abdominal pain, dark urine and vomiting sensation. Acute hepatitis can be easily diagnosed by blood test whereas it is difficult to diagnose chronic hepatitis since symptoms will not show unless the infection is advanced.

Liver enzymes called aminotransferases (AST) are normally present within the liver cells. However in case of liver inflammation/injury these enzymes split apart entering into the bloodstream indicating that something is wrong with the liver. In the infected person, blood test report will contain abnormally high levels of AST enzyme indicating liver damage. But this result is reflected only in the case of acute viral hepatitis and not chronic one. In the case of chronic hepatitis the levels of AST are only mildly high thus misleading the doctor.

Blood is also tested for the presence of viral antibodies which are protein particles produced by WBC when they attack bacteria or viruses. These viral antibodies can be detected in blood both in the case of acute and chronic viral hepatitis. Again for chronic hepatitis patients viral antibodies as well as viral proteins are detected in the blood test. The doctor will look for the symptoms closely and order for specific type of viral hepatitis and genetic material tests. Hepatitis A viral protein test, hepatitis B surface antigen test or hepatitis B DNA test is ordered.

Treatment :

In case of acute viral hepatitis your doctor will give suitable medications to give relief from symptoms immediately. However in the case of chronic hepatitis treatment takes a long time. For treating acute viral hepatitis special care will be taken by the doctor while prescribing medications since they may affect the liver further. Liver may not be able to eliminate drugs when it is not functioning normally. Hence some drugs may continue to remain in your blood producing toxicity. Nausea/vomiting symptoms are first arrested through effective drugs. In case of severe dehydration, the person will be put on IV fluids to stop vomiting.

Chronic Hepatitis :

Combination of medications is necessary for eradicating viruses that remain for long term inside the liver. First and foremost stop drinking since alcohol can make the conditions of your liver worse leading to liver cirrhosis. Progressive liver damage can lead to liver cancer or liver failure causing death. Depending on the condition of the patient the doctor will start with medications like interferon (given intravenously) and Rebetol or telaprevir.

In case of HCV alpha interferon is injected and oral drugs like Epivir or hepsera are prescribed. Diagnosing the right type of viral hepatitis is really a challenging task for the doctors. It is necessary to consult gastroenterologists or hepatologists for liver problem. For some cases, the doctor may perform liver biopsy to study the extent of liver damage. It is not enough if you take medications for some time and stop further. Chronic infection is long-lasting and hence prolonged treatment is absolutely necessary for destroying the viruses ultimately. Liver transplantation surgery is done for more serious cases of fulminant hepatitis.

Prevention :

Prevention of viral hepatitis is better than treatment. Vaccination and immunoglobulin are highly effective to prevent this disease. One need to be cautious while using needles/syringes from others. You can avoid getting exposed to the blood of infected people. Avoid having sex with strangers since viruses can spread through semen. Take precaution while sharing public toilets since it can get transmitted through fecal particles.

ISG Immune Serum Globulin is an effective human serum given for hepatitis A. One shot of ISG gives protection against hepatitis A for several months. HBIG hepatitis B immune globulin is effective human serum given for hepatitis B. The rate of success is high if the dosage is given within a week of exposure to hepatitis B viruses. Apart from immune globulin, vaccinations like Havrix and Vaqta are available for preventing hepatitis A.