Pneumonia

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

Symptoms :

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

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

Who are at risk?

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

Causes :

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

Types :

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

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

Complications :

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

Tests :

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

Treatment :

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

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

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

Pictures of Pneumonia :

Images, Pics, Pictures and Photos of Pneumonia

Home Care :

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

Prevention :

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

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

Tuberculosis

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

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

Types :

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

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

Symptoms :

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

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

Causes :

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

Who are at risk?

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

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

Complications :

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

Tests :

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

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

Treatment :

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

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

Prevention :

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

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

Pneumothorax

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

Symptoms :

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

Causes :

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

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

Who are at risk?

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

Complications :

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

Tests :

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

Treatment :

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

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

Surgery :

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

Pictures of Pneumothorax :

Images, Pics, Pictures and Photos of Pneumothorax

Prognosis :

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

Coronary Artery Disease

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

How does it happen?

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

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

Signs and Symptoms :

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

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

Causes :

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

Who are at risk?

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

Complications :

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

Tests :

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

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

Treatment :

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

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

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

Alternative Medication :

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

Pictures of Coronary Artery Disease :

Images, Pics, Pictures and Photos of Coronary artery disease

Lifestyle Modification :

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

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

What is Multiple Sclerosis

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

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

Symptoms :

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

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

Causes :

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

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

Risk Factors :

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

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

Diagnoses :

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

Treatment :

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

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

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

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

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

Alternative Therapies :

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

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

Lifestyle Changes :

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

Gastritis

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

Symptoms :

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

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

Causes :

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

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

Risk Factors :

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

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

Tests :

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

Treatment :

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

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

Pictures of Gastritis :

Images, Pics, Pictures and Photos of Gastritis

Home Remedies :

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

Viral Hepatitis

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

Important Functions of Liver :

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

Types :

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

HAV Hepatitis A :

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

Hepatitis B :

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

HCV or Hepatitis C :

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

Other Types :

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

Who are at risk?

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

Symptoms :

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

Tests :

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

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

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

Treatment :

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

Chronic Hepatitis :

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

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

Prevention :

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

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