Chlamydia

Chlamydia Chlamydia is the most common type of sexual disease transmitted by sex partners. It can cause vaginal discharge and burning sensation while passing urine. This infection is common for both men and women and this bacterial infection is transmitted through sexual intercourse from affected partner. Chlamydia can be treated fully with effective antibiotics.

Symptoms :

You may not have any symptom as soon as you receive the Chlamydia infection. It might take a week or even more for you to notice some symptoms. It can cause pain in genitals while having sex, burning pain while urination, vaginal discharge in women and pain in testicles in men. It can also cause abdominal pain, bleeding between periods, itching sensation on the genitals, mild fever and painful urination. In men the tip of the penis develops swelling and it can cause cloudy discharge.

Causes :

Chlamydia is a bacterial infection that spreads through sex. You can receive the infection while having oral sex or anal sex also. In rare cases, the pregnant mother can transmit this infection to the fetus during delivery.

Who are at risk?

People who have multiple sex partners, who start with having sex in early ages, and those employed as sex workers have increased risk of getting Chlamydia. Often Chlamydia does not cause any complications but sometimes it can cause pelvic inflammation in women and prostate gland infection in men. In rare cases it can cause infertility in women. If left untreated, Chlamydia can lead to ectopic pregnancy for women.

Tests :

The centre for prevention and control of disease in the USA recommends yearly screening for Chlamydia for all sexually active people of young ages and pregnant women to avoid any complications. Men and women with multiple sex partners have high risk of getting Chlamydia infection even with using condoms.

Your doctor would do a swab test obtained from the discharge of vagina to test it on the lab. For men discharge from the penis is collected or sample is taken from urethra for testing. A simple urine test can also be done to diagnose Chlamydia infection.

Treatment :

Antibiotics are given in suitable doses for Chlamydia. Your doctor will give instructions about continuing antibiotics for few days or even weeks. Avoid having sex while you are diagnosed with infection since you can pass on the infection to your sex partner. Even if you don’t have any symptoms given above there is still the chance of spreading the infection to others while having sex.

Prevention :

• Have always safe sex by using condoms.


• Avoid having sex with multiple partners.


• Go for regular screening tests if you are sexually active with many partners, even if you don’t have any symptoms.


• Women should avoid douching since cleaning the vagina very often can increase the risk of getting infected.

Achilles Tendonitis

Achilles Tendonitis The term ‘Achilles’ refers to the bone surrounded by group of tissues connecting the muscles of the lower leg to your heel. Any injury to the tendon of Achilles can cause inflammation leading to Achilles tendonitis. It is a common phenomenon that occurs in adults who over use this tendon tissues only for a day or two of the week. There are people who play basketball or any kind of sports only on Sundays or weekends. This can cause swelling of tendon causing intense pain. Often the pain can be managed by self care methods but in severe cases the tendon may get rupture inside requiring surgery.

Causes :

• Vigorous practice of sports activities like running or jumping can cause injury of Achilles tendon muscles.


• Participating in a marathon race without any practice can cause injury to the soft muscles and tissues that surrounds the tendon.


• Using poorly fitting shoes and footwear and putting extra tension on the foot muscles can cause inflammation of Achilles tendon.


• Using certain antibiotics like ciprofloxacin can affect the tendon muscles leading to easy rupture of tendon.


• Increasing age can also contribute for Achilles tendonitis since the tendon would become weak with age.

Symptoms :

• Mild to moderate injury of Achilles tendon can cause stiffness and pain. Often the pain reduces when you start walking but sometimes the pain can increase if you perform any vigorous action involving foot muscles.


• It can cause tenderness and swelling of tendon. Palpitation can be felt on the tendon. There would be intense pain while you move the ankle joint.


• Achilles tendonitis can cause mild pain in the lower leg just above the heel portion after you have completed running or any sports activity.


• Some people can feel intense pain after climbing stairs. Morning stiffness is common with this problem which would improve after you start walking.

Who are at risk?

For reasons unknown, men are more prone to develop Achilles tendonitis than women. Elderly people, people with physical problems in their foot, obese people, people who use ill fitting shoes, people who suddenly take part in any sports events, people with certain medical issues like hypertension or diabetes and prolonged use of antibiotics like fluoroquinone can get Achilles tendonitis. In rare cases the tendon can become weak causing internal rupture leading to severe pain that demands surgical correction.

Diagnosis :

Any intense pain on the back of your heel area can be Achilles tendonitis. Your doctor will apply little pressure on the area to feel any swelling or tenderness. He may request for X-ray of tendon or imaging tests like CT/MRI scanning to get accurate picture of the tendon.

Treatment :

Mild form of Achilles tendonitis does not require any treatment. Applying hot pack on the area can give relief from pain and swelling. You can get comfort by taking pain killers like Ibuprofen or naproxen for few days. Your doctor may prescribe strong doses of anti-inflammatory agents and pain killers depending on the symptoms. Physiotherapy exercises like stretching can facilitate healing of muscles and give strength to the injured tendon. Using orthotic instruments like wedge or shoe insert can reduce inflammation of the tendon and relieve extra pressure on it.

Surgery is the option if there is rupture of tendon. Rupture/tear of tendon can occur in any age group but is more particular in old age people. Sports personalities who are taking part in football or running events can develop rupture of tendon. Any injury or sudden fall can cause sudden stretching of tendon leading to rupture. Your surgeon will repair/correct the tendon and you need to take complete rest until the injury heals.

Home Remedies :

• For managing mild pain on the tendon or lower foot area you can try any of the following techniques.


• Avoid doing any exercises for few days so that the inflammation completely heals.


• Apply ice pack on the area for few minutes and this can be repeated soon after you complete exercise or sports.


• Wearing compression bandage on your foot can reduce tension.


• Keep the foot well elevated to reduce swelling.

Prevention :

Don’t start vigorous practice on the very first day. Always increase the duration of activity gradually to prevent sudden inflammation of the tendon. Avoid running in rugged terrain and wear shoes that are comfortable to your heels giving extra cushion. Practice stretching exercises regularly to strengthen your calf muscles.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Post traumatic stress disorder was earlier known as “shell shock” is a serious mental condition that occurs to a person who undergoes or witness a traumatic event. People who experience terrifying event in their life would take some time to overgrow the trauma. But for few people, the symptoms of helplessness, intense fear, flashbacks, nightmares, negative feelings and avoiding social life would continue for years after the event.

Actual cause of PTSD is not known clearly, since not all the people who witness traumatic events in their life are developing this disorder. It is believed to occur due to certain changes in chemical reaction in the brain. The symptoms can be managed with effective medications and therapy. Report indicates that 3.5-4% of Americans have PTSD (about 7.8 million Americans). This disorder can occur to anyone at any age and more women than men suffer from this anxiety disorder.

Symptoms :

Initial symptoms would start anytime after a person experiences traumatic event. The signs and symptoms can be broadly categorized into 4 main streams namely disturbed memories, avoidance, having negative changes in mood and finally change in emotions. Disturbed memories can cause recurrent thoughts about traumatic event, flashbacks, nightmares, upsetting dreams and intense emotional disturbance.

Symptoms of avoidance include avoiding people, avoiding certain places and avoiding thinking or talking about the stressful event. Negative changes in mood and thought can cause guilt feeling, low self esteem, hopelessness, lack of interest and inability to maintain relationships. The person may not remember certain aspects of the event and he may lose interest in important activities.

Changes in emotions can cause difficulty in sleeping, concentrating, guilt feeling, and trouble in remembering and concentrating, always expecting some danger and engaging in self destructive behavior. The person may get frightened easily even by small events. The intensity of symptoms may not be the same for all. The memories would become severe when the person is stressed or witness certain events that remind them about the past. Children with PTSD at young ages can have delayed development of motor skills.

Causes :

PTSD is classified as an anxiety disorder affecting certain people who witness terrifying event or undergo increased stress. A child who is sexually abused for prolonged period may develop PTSD. An individual who witness gruesome accident, who is in part of personal assault, who sees violent deaths of loved ones and military combat can develop this disorder.

People who are held as captives by terrorists and those who are part of natural disasters can have high risk of developing traumatic disorder. Symptoms can begin shortly within weeks but for some people it might take months or years also. PTSD is believed to occur due to inherited mental aspects of your personality and the response of your body to stressful events and changes in chemical reaction in your brain.

Who are at Risk?

• Military personnel and people facing prolonged physical or mental abuse are at high risk of developing PTSD.


• People who lack good family system and grow up in neglected childhood have increased chance of getting this disorder.


• You are at risk of getting this problem if you have family history of anxiety disorder or other mental health problem.


• People who are involved in natural disasters like flood, earthquake and who witness’s accident or plane crash may develop PTSD.


• As such PTSD can cause complications like depression, anxiety and emotional disturbance if not treated. It can cause complications like developing addiction to alcohol or substance and increased suicidal thoughts.

Diagnosis :

PTSD can be detected based on symptoms. Your doctor will refer the case to a psychologist who will evaluate the disorder by asking series of questions. She would ask you about the traumatic events in your life. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of psychiatric disorders, a person is said to have PTSD if he/she has some of the above mentioned symptoms for more than a month or two. For some people it can cause great distress and make them unable to carry on with daily tasks.

Treatment :

The main purpose of treating PTSD is to help the person to overcome the stress caused by traumatic event or experience. Based on the severity of the symptoms, the person will be given psychotherapy and medications.

• Psychotherapy :

Cognitive behavior therapy can help the person to change his thought patterns and manage his feelings and emotions caused by trauma. Exposure therapy is one in which the therapist will take the person through artificially created traumatic experience and teach him to confront the fear. Many approaches like psychodynamic therapy, family and group therapy are used to change the behavior of the person effectively and to remove the distress caused by traumatic experience.

• Medications :

Antidepressants like sertraline or paroxetine are prescribed for relieving symptoms of anxiety and depression. Anti anxiety drugs can help the person to overcome stress and improve his sleeping pattern. Prazosin is an effective drug used to control nightmares and relieve the symptoms of PTSD. You need to consult your doctor about the side effects of these medications and follow his instructions and usage and dose.

Discuss with your doctor and therapist freely about PTSD. Stick on to your treatment plan even if you feel better and continue taking medications till your doctor says to stop them. Do regular exercise and eat healthy diet. Get in touch with your family and friends and share your feelings. You can also join a support group to get ideas about their coping strategies.

Many of us would confront with traumatic experience in life, but not all of us develop symptoms of PTSD. You will be able to come out of it within few days. Do not delay in getting treatment if you feel that you are not able to overcome the stress caused by traumatic experience. The more you delay the treatment, the more will be the severity of symptoms of PTSD.

Prognosis :

In most of the cases, recovery is possible but it can take some time since it is a gradual process. You cannot totally forget the event but you can manage to carry on with life with well developed coping methods.

Postpartum Depression

Postpartum Depression Lot of changes happens to a woman when she becomes pregnant and subsequently gives birth to a child. In addition to physical changes, she also undergoes emotional and mental changes. Ranging from excitement to anxiety she experiences fear also. This might land up in postpartum depression. Depression arising from childbirth is known as postpartum depression. It is quite common for most of the new moms to experience mood swings for some time. But this would not continue for long.

In the case of postpartum depression, it becomes long lasting and may continue for several months or even years after childbirth. It can interrupt her daily activities and many times the mother will not even bother about her new baby due to depression. Postpartum depression has nothing to do with character of mother. It is neither weakness nor “baby blues” but it occurs as a result of bundle of hormonal changes in the brain. It is a rare and severe form of mental illness that occurs after childbirth. In extreme cases, postpartum depression develops into more severe form called postpartum psychosis which is a medical emergency. Postpartum depression can be treated but early intervention is essential for complete recovery.

Symptoms :

Prominent symptom of postpartum depression is feeling hopeless and sad each day and losing interest in pleasurable activities. Intensity of symptoms of PPD may vary from one mother to another, but these are the general signs of this disorder. A mother having “baby blues” might show symptoms of mood swings, sadness, anxiety, irritability and trouble sleeping, but these symptoms would go within few days or weeks after childbirth. The major difference in PPD is the symptoms grow intense day by day and it can significantly interfere with her daily tasks.

Loss of appetite, trouble in sleeping, increased irritation/anger, extreme tiredness, lack of interest in life/sex, severe mood swings, feeling of guilt/shame and withdrawal from family are some of the symptoms of PPD. The mother may have difficulty bonding with the child and she would completely ignore the baby, without caring to feed. Some mothers would harm their baby assuming that it is the reason for their sadness.

In severe cases they get thoughts about suicide/death. They may gain or lose weight and feel restless or sit quietly for hours together. A woman with postpartum psychosis may show symptoms of confusion, delusions and hallucinations (seeing/hearing non-existing things) and severely doubting others. She may not be able to recognize day or night and the place where she lives. Most of these symptoms may develop within few weeks after childbirth.

Causes :

Still experts cannot pinpoint the right cause of PPD and one cannot say why certain mothers develop this disorder and others not. It is believed to occur due to plenty of physical and emotional changes that happen to pregnant woman. Lots of hormonal changes occur in the body of pregnant women and after delivery there will be considerable drop in hormone levels.

It can cause dramatic changes in her metabolism, leaving her extremely tired and weak. It can also cause mood swings leading to postpartum depression. A new mother cannot sleep properly and may have trouble in handling her baby. She may feel that she is worthless and lost control. Such feelings can contribute for postpartum depression. A mother delivering stillborn baby or a child with serious illness can develop PPD.

Who are at risk?

Any woman can develop PPD after childbirth. But there are certain factors that increase the risk. Financial trouble, lack of care/love from spouse, poor support from family, increased stress and sudden death of husband are some of the factors that makes a woman prone to develop PPD.

Having a sick child, undergoing depression during pregnancy and family history of bipolar disorder increases the risk of developing this disorder. A child born for postpartum depression mother can have behavioral problems in life. If left untreated, PPD can develop further to postpartum psychosis.

Tests :

According to DSM, PPD is a kind of major depression. To be classified under PPD, a new mother should have at least 3-4 of the symptoms like depressed mood every day, lack of interest in any activity, loss of appetite, trouble in sleeping, restlessness, fatigue, difficulty to make decisions and think clearly and repeated thoughts about suicide/death.

Treatment :

Medications are given to reduce the symptom of depression and individual counseling and therapy are effective for postpartum depression. Based on your symptoms, your doctor would refer to a psychiatrist or psychologist for counseling. Family counseling is helpful in building relationships. Antidepressant drugs are prescribed with precaution for new mothers. Your psychiatrist would start with low doses since you would be breast-feeding.

If your hormone levels are imbalanced, suitable hormone therapy is given. Often, most of the symptoms of PPD go away with effective treatment, but you should follow the instructions of your doctor in taking medicines to prevent relapse. If you can afford, engage a full-time helper for your baby. Spend quality time for yourself. Eat healthy foods and do regular exercises which can help in regulating your mood.

Prevention :

You can do nothing to prevent PPD since it is not your fault. However if you have a family history of depression you can consult your doctor once you become pregnant. He might give suitable antidepressants to prevent worsening of symptoms.

Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia Preeclampsia is a condition that occurs to some pregnant women, during which there would be high blood pressure and high protein level in the urine. Often it occurs during the third trimester of pregnancy (30-35th week) and in rare cases it can occur after delivery. Preeclampsia can cause sudden seizures during pregnancy which can affect the normal growth of fetus. Not all the pregnant women would develop preeclampsia. And in case any pregnant woman has this condition, the doctor would closely monitor her health and fetus health.

Causes :

Why only some pregnant women develop preeclampsia and others not? There is no clear reason to explain this question. Not having proper nutritious diet during pregnancy can cause this problem. It is believed to occur when there is not sufficient blood supply in the uterus. Women who have weak immunity have increased risk of developing preeclampsia during pregnancy.

Who are at risk?

Teenage women who are pregnant have more chance to develop preeclampsia, since the uterus would not have developed fully preparing itself for the growing fetus. Women with a family history of this problem have high risk. If a pregnant woman already has blood pressure she may develop preeclampsia. Women with immune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis or lupus before pregnancy may get preeclampsia.

Symptoms :

Preeclampsia is a condition and not a disease. It can cause increase in blood pressure, increase in the level of protein, and increase in weight. It is quite common for pregnant women to have weight gain due to the growing fetus. But if this weight gain is due to rapid increase in the level of bodily fluids it may be due to preeclampsia.

Some women may show symptoms of dizziness, confusion, tiredness and headache due to preeclampsia. Normal urine outflow may get decreased during this stage. In case any pregnant woman develops sudden weight gain with blurring of vision and decreased urine output, it can be due to preeclampsia. It is wise to monitor your health regularly if you are pregnant and report any changes in blood pressure to prevent further damage.

Tests :

If your doctor suspects preeclampsia, she may order for urine analysis. Increased level of protein in urine and increased blood pressure can indicate this condition. She may order for complete blood tests to confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment :

No medications are available to treat preeclampsia. Treatment can be given only for managing the symptoms. Often, the symptoms of preeclampsia will resolve after childbirth without any treatment. Blood pressure can be controlled using suitable drugs if there is sudden increase in blood pressure. As a protective measure, the doctor would give steroid medications to improve the growth of fetus properly with the condition of preeclampsia.

Women with this condition should be careful in managing their health as well as the fetus. Taking complete rest can help in controlling blood pressure. For women who develop seizures due to preeclampsia, Lorazepam can be given. If the doctor feels that baby’s growth is complete, she may consider making C-section delivery if the pregnant women has completed 34th week.

In severe cases, the women would be hospitalized and given emergency treatment until the completion of delivery. In rare cases, preeclampsia can affect the growth of fetus with sudden decrease in blood flow to the uterus. Hence both the women and the baby’s health will be monitored closely by the doctor. In rare cases placenta can get cut off from the uterus leading to abrupt stoppage of fetus growth. In that case, surgical procedure is done to save the life of the baby. Kidney or liver of the fetus can get damaged due to severe types of preeclampsia.

Prevention :

You can do nothing to prevent preeclampsia. But you can always be more careful when you are pregnant. Visit your doctor regularly and report any changes to her. Check your blood pressure and monitor your weight and tell your doctor if you find any abnormalities. With little care and close monitoring of your health, you can avoid complications caused by preeclampsia.

Couvade Syndrome

Couvade Syndrome Couvade syndrome is a strange condition in which the would-be father experience some of the symptoms associated with pregnancy. It is also known as sympathetic pregnancy wherein the husband would have the feelings of expectant mother and experience similar symptoms and behavior. Some of the common symptoms of this syndrome are alteration in hormone levels, vomiting, morning sickness and increase in weight. In reality Couvade syndrome is not a medical condition but is considered to be psychosomatic disorder.

Symptoms :

The signs and symptoms of Couvade syndrome is typical of the symptoms experienced by pregnant women during her pregnancy. The expectant father would show signs of nausea, morning sickness, heartburn, weight gain, bloating, abdominal cramps, backaches and leg pain. He may also experience genital irritations that are common during the term of pregnancy. In addition he may also have disturbance in sleep, anxiety and depression feelings and reduced sex drive.

It would be exciting to know for a man that he would father a child very soon. These feelings would induce emotions and bring changes in certain enzymes causing hormonal imbalance. These symptoms can be attributed to the stress that is caused due to fatherhood. There are men who had developed cravings for food and even breast augmentation like pregnant women.

Causes :

• Some expectant fathers are so anxious of becoming father which may induce physiological symptoms mentioned above.


• They are worried about the expected life change and start eating more gaining more weight.


• Psychological theory explains Couvade syndrome as feeling empathetic for the expectant mother. Mood swings can occur due to hormonal changes when a man starts secreting more of estrogen than testosterone.


• Till now, there is no medical theory to explain this phenomenon.


• Increased stress and anxiety may produce chemicals in the body causing sympathetic pregnancy.

Who are at risk?

Any man who is more concerned for his wife and developing fetus may develop Couvade syndrome. But this is more common in men who have come a long way facing fertility problems and pregnancy loss than others.

Diagnosis :

No special tests are needed to detect Couvade syndrome. It can develop in men who are expecting fatherhood and have more concerns about wife and child.

Treatment :

Couvade syndrome needs no treatment and is only temporary. Once the expecting mother delivers the child all the symptoms of the father would resolve spontaneously. Only in rare cases symptoms of fatigue and bloated stomach may continue after child-birth. This can be due to change in hormone levels and can be dealt with medical help. Counseling for the couple will help to reduce anxiety during the term of pregnancy.

Ringworm Fungal Infections

Ringworm Fungal Infections Ringworm is a fungal infection on the skin that causes rashes on the top layer of the skin. It is marked by lesions that are clearly defined with a red circular border. In medical terms ringworm fungal infection is called as tinea corporis. It can be treated by antifungal creams and medications.

Symptoms :

Initially ringworm infection develops as small scaly patches on the skin. These patches will have a clear defined area that has a red circular border. The shape of the ring can be either circular or irregular or sometimes like a wavy outline. It can be itchy for some and not for others.

Causes :

Ringworm infection is caused by fungus which thrives on the cells of human beings. It can either spread by human to human contact (direct skin contact) or by animal to human contact (through pet animals) or by object to human contact (touching the clothing, combs or towels of infected person). In rare cases if you accidentally touch the contaminated soil that contains fungi you can get this infection.

Who are at risk?

Children below 15 years of age, those living in moisture area or in humid climate, those having close contact with animals (like farmers, cattle workers), those who share clothing of infected person, and those have weakened immunity are prone to develop ringworm fungal infection.

Tests :

Simple physical examination of the body is enough to detect ringworm infection.

Treatment :

Treatment is simple for ringworm fungal infection. Lifestyle changes and over the counter antifungal creams are used for treating the symptoms. Medications or creams that contain terbinafine, clotrimazole or miconazole are highly effective in controlling the symptoms. Within few days or a week, the rash will disappear.

For more severe infections, your doctor may prescribe mild steroid cream for some days along with antifungal oral pills. You need to complete the full course of medication if you have severe infection. Some of the common drugs used for treating ringworm fungal infection are terbinafine (lamisil), Azoles (diflucan), Griseofulvin and Tinactin. For moderate infection with itching, clotrimazole (Lotrisone) is effective.

Ringworm Fungal Infections Pictures :

Images, Pics, Pictures and Photos of Ringworm Fungal Infections

Prevention :

Ringworm infection is contagious and before you plan it can infect you. Instruct your children about the way of playing with pets and practicing good hygiene. Wash your hands thoroughly before taking food. Stay in a cool room and avoid too much of sweating. Avoid sharing personal items like clothing or towels or combs with others.

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.

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.

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.

Mental Illness

Mental Illness “Mental illness” is the general term given to various kinds of mental disorders that affect the thinking and behavior of a person. It can be anything ranging from mild anxiety to most severe forms of schizophrenia. Some types of mental illness can seriously affect the quality of your life disturbing your relationships in office and in your family. Any medical condition that affects the normal functioning of thinking and feeling interrupting the daily activities can be called as mental illness. A mental illness can make life miserable by causing problems and affecting relationships at office or family.

Some of the common mental illness is bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, eating disorder, major depression, panic disorder and anxiety disorder. It is possible to cure all illnesses with continued medications or psychotherapy.

Causes :

What exactly causes mental illness is still a mystery. Certain conditions or combination of factors can produce such illness according to the opinion of medical experts. Genetics play a role in causing mental illness because certain types of disorders run in families and passed on from parents to their offspring. Genes are the fundamental units that decide how you think and act in a given situation.

Biological factors like abnormal functioning of neurotransmitters can affect the normal thinking of a person causing mental illness. Neurotransmitters act as communication receptors of the brain sending and receiving signals. Any change or chemical reactions in the neurotransmitters can affect normal thinking pattern. Psychological factors like child abuse, emotional trauma or sudden loss/death can affect the brain causing mental illness.

Symptoms :

Symptoms of mental illness are not the same for all disorders. It varies considerably according to the nature and intensity of the disorder. For example depression can produce sadness, anxiety disorder can produce restlessness and excessive fears, borderline personality disorder can impair the normal thinking causing poor concentration and confused thinking, avoidant personality disorder can produce social phobia and anxiety, eating disorder can produce major changes in one’s eating habits etc.

Some of the common symptoms of mental illness include extreme mood swings, excess of fear/worries, guilt feelings, withdrawal from family/friends, confused thinking, change in behavior, detachment from reality, hypersensitivity, loss of sleep and extreme tiredness. In many cases mental illness can cause physiological changes causing headache, back pain and unexplained pain on many parts of the body.

When to see a doctor?

Any feeling or behavior affecting normal functioning of life can be mental illness. Mental illness can become worse if not treated on time. Most of the personality disorder and other illnesses can be treated by effective psychotherapy. Some people can develop suicidal thoughts due to major depression. Nonverbal communication and body language can reveal their intention of committing suicide. In such cases it is necessary to consult your doctor immediately.

Who are at risk?

Any person can develop mental illness. But there are certain factors which make you prone to mental illness. Having parents or close relatives with schizophrenia or other disorder, exposure of fetus to drug abuse or excess of alcohol in the womb, experiencing traumatic childhood, getting neglected as a child, serious injury on the brain and having chronic physical illness like cancer/AIDS etc. makes one prone to develop mental illness.

Tests :

Your doctor may get complete medical history and order for few lab tests including blood profile, hormone tests etc. He may refer you to mental health provider for evaluating the nature of disorder. Psychologists or therapists would ask you series of questions and determine about your state of mind by the way in which you are answering them.

Types :

• Mental illnesses are of many types with varying intensity.


• Mood disorders are one that affect your thinking, behavior and emotions like major depression, bipolar disorder etc.


• Anxiety disorders are one that causes frequent worries, fears and uncomfortable feeling like panic disorder, OCD and phobias.


• Disorder caused by substance/drug/alcohol abuse.


• Psychotic disorders are one that causes delusions and hallucination affecting daily activity of a person. Example: schizophrenia that makes one to lose touch with reality.


• Cognitive disorder that affects one’s reasoning ability and thinking like dementia and delirium and Alzheimer’s disease.


• Developmental disorders (autism/ADHD), personality disorders (paranoid personality, avoidant personality) and other disorders can also seriously affect one’s quality of life.

Treatment :

Psychiatrist or psychologist will examine the concerned person and check the severity of the illness. Treatment methods vary according to the nature of disease and intensity of the mental illness. Often, combination of medications and psychotherapy is effective in treating many disorders.

Medications are given depending on the symptoms of the patient. Antidepressant drugs are given for treating symptoms of hopelessness, helplessness and lack of interest. Mood stabilizing drugs are given for bipolar disorder, anxiety medications are useful for giving relief from irrational fear and anxiety and antipsychotic drugs are given for controlling more serious forms of mental illness like schizophrenia.

Psychotherapy :

Most of the mental illness responds well to psychotherapy. A therapist will make you talk freely about your inner feelings giving let-out for the pent up feelings to explore problems in inner mind. The therapist will establish rapport with the client making him/her comfortable so that he can ventilate the feelings without any inhibition. She would use total relaxation technique and psychoanalysis to explore your inner state of mind. Slowly the client will be able to overcome the stress and learn the ways to cope up with the problem. Even serious types of mental illness like phobias and anxiety can be treated by psychotherapy.

For some people doctor would use brain stimulation methods like electroconvulsive therapy and magnetic stimulation methods. For more severe cases, the patient will be hospitalized requiring residential treatment. To recover from alcohol or substance abuse, combined treatments of medications and psychotherapy is given.

Lifestyle Changes :

It is difficult to accept that you have some problem. But you can get well soon if you cooperate with your family/friends to overcome the issue. Follow the instructions of your doctor/therapist and stick on to the treatment schedule. Do exercises regularly and eat healthy foods. Go for a walk or join a gym to stay healthy and active. Don’t stop any medication without consulting your doctor. If you are not able to make important decisions get help from your family or friends. Be optimistic in approach and try to accept changes.

Prevention :

Nobody can prevent mental illness. It is not certain that mental illness develops only on weak-minded person and not on others. Some changes in chemical reaction on the brain can cause significant changes in your thinking and behavior. Don’t ignore warning signals if you suspect any symptoms. Talk to your therapist freely and get medical checkups done regularly.

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.

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.

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.

Peripheral Vascular Disease

Peripheral Vascular Disease Peripheral Vascular Disease refers to the collection of diseases that develops on the arteries/veins found outside the heart. This is the common term referred by doctors to indicate peripheral artery disease. The major artery that supplies blood to vital organs like heart, brain, arms or legs can get either partially or completely blocked due to atherosclerosis. The blood vessel becomes narrow and constricted due to plaque like fatty deposits thereby blocking the oxygenated blood supply to vital organs. Peripheral vascular disease can be caused by diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and obesity. This disease poses potential risk for developing infections in the brain. In rare cases peripheral vascular disease can cause ulcers and gangrene and death of the cells on the arms and legs requiring amputation.

Causes :

Peripheral vascular disease is caused due to number of factors. Basically the artery of the major blood vessel gets blocked by plaque like deposits causing blockage in the normal blood flow. This occurs due to conditions like prolonged diabetes, high cholesterol, hypertension, infectious diseases like lupus and old age.

A person above 50 years has increased risk of developing PVD. Inflammation of blood vessels can occur due to connective tissue damage or injury due to accidents or blood clotting disorders. Surgery on the heart can affect the major artery causing damage. Smoking or prolonged use of tobacco or stressful lifestyle can cause damage to the blood vessels causing PVD. Reynaud’s disease can cause arthrosclerosis thus blocking the blood vessel.

Who are at risk?

Old age people, individuals with high cholesterol, with high blood pressure, with diabetes, with family history of arthrosclerosis, with smoking habit and obese people are prone to develop peripheral vascular disease. A person with one or more risk factors given above has increased chances of developing this disease.

Signs and Symptoms :

Most of the time peripheral vascular disease does not produce any symptoms. Some people may have rest pain when there is not enough blood supply to the extremities (arms and legs) even while they are resting. This condition is somewhat serious causing sharp pain on the feet and hands and often pain is felt during night when the person is at complete rest. Another sign of PVD is intermittent claudication. In other words the pain is felt in the form of severe cramps on the legs or arms and the pain becomes worse while doing exercises.

The extent of pain varies according to the extent of blockage inside the artery. Very often claudication pain is felt on the calf muscles of the leg while walking. The pain would subside abruptly once the person begins to rest. For some people the pain becomes intolerable that they have to stop walking or doing exercise. In addition to the above, weakness on the calf muscle, numbness on the legs/hands, changes in the color of the feet, feeling of coldness on the feet, loss of hair on the feet and formation of painful ulcers in the toes are some other symptoms.

Diagnoses :

The doctor would look for signs of peripheral vascular disease given above. He would look for change of skin color on the feet and hands and check the blood pressure on the limbs. He may order for ultrasound scan of legs or arms to check for the collection of plaque particles or fatty deposits on the artery. CT or MRI scanning is done for more severe cases.

Angiography is done for studying the blood vessels of hands and legs. In this procedure a thin long plastic tube is inserted into the groin and dye is injected into it. The surgeon would monitor the path of the dye which gives the right picture of problematic areas of artery.

Treatment :

The aim of the treatment is to give relief from the pain caused by claudication. The person should be at comfort even while walking or doing exercise. The methods of treatment include medications combined with exercises, angioplasty or surgery. Medications of anti-clotting drugs like statins are prescribed to prevent blood clotting on the extremities. For restoring the normal blood flow on the legs and arms drugs like cilostazol or Trental are given.

Aspirin is given to prevent further blood clots and to prevent heart attack. Usually the doctor starts with low dosage of aspirin and subsequently may increase the power according to the extent of peripheral vascular disease. Anti-platelet drugs are also given after bypass surgery or angioplasty. Warfarin or heparin is effective anti-coagulant drugs to prevent formation of blood clots. For individuals with high blood pressure and high cholesterol statin medications are prescribed. For boosting the physical activity of the person Pletal is given.

Angioplasty :

In this procedure, a long thin tube called catheter is inserted into the arm or groin. A balloon in deflated condition is sent through it and inflated inside the artery for widening the gap to facilitate normal blood flow. This procedure is effective for dilating the constricted arteries. Local anesthesia is given to the person with mild sedative so that he/she can stay comfort during the entire procedure. Angioplasty is highly recommended treatment for PVD since it does not require surgery. Further the person can get back to his work in a couple of days after angioplasty.

Surgery is done to the person if all methods of treatment are not useful. Bypass surgery is one in which the surgeon will bypass the route that supplies blood to the heart and create graft for facilitating good blood flow. People with lesions inside the artery or blood vessel with number of constrictions in the artery can be corrected by surgical procedure.

Pictures of Peripheral Vascular Disease :

Images, Pics, Pictures and Photos of Peripheral Vascular Disease

Healthy Lifestyle :

The person affected with PVD should make necessary changes in his lifestyle. He should not eat fat rich diet and stick on to diet that helps in lowering the blood cholesterol. Obesity can be reduced by eating balanced diet and doing regular exercise. Smoking can definitely increase the chance of getting heart attack or stroke and hence quitting smoking is the only way to prevent it.

One should follow the instructions of the doctor with respect to diet modifications and lifestyle and take medications as instructed to get maximum benefits. You can get help from physiotherapist for giving suitable exercises to the calf muscles. Exercise programs are effective in controlling claudication and rest pain.