Cyanosis

Cyanosis
Cyanosis occurs when the blood lacks oxygen causing the skin to appear bluish or purplish. This condition could involve the lips, gums, tongue, nail beds, fingers, toes and mucous membranes. People affected by this could be suffering from some kind of cardio or respiratory disease or blood disorder. The onset of bluish skin discoloration in children or infants can be terribly alarming to parents and so the condition calls for immediate medical evaluation especially when signs of distress are evident.

People affected by cyanosis are treated based on the underlying medical disorder. Treatment will not only address the problems caused by the underlying disease but prevent permanent damage and life-threatening complications from happening. Without treatment, bluish skin discoloration could mean heart or respiratory failure.

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2 When does Cyanosis need immediate medical attention?

3 What are the forms of Cyanosis?

4 How is Cyanosis diagnosed?

5 Cyanosis pictures

Why does the skin turn blue?

An oxygen-rich blood produces red-pink skin while oxygen-poor blood results in blue-purple skin discoloration. Cyanosis develops due to poorly oxygenated blood. Oxygen is important for healthy cells and tissues and it is transported by hemoglobin. During respiration, oxygen gets into the body through the lungs and the hemoglobin distributes it to the cells and tissues all over the body. Oxygen-poor blood is circulated back to the lungs for replenishment.

There are several reasons behind the bluish discoloration of the skin and this could involve:

• 
  Lung problems
  

Respiratory problem permits the flow of oxygen-poor blood without getting the needed oxygen for replenishment. This problem could come in the form of severe pneumonia, COPD, pulmonary hypertension, asthma, bronchitis or inflamed bronchioles. In infants, bluish skin discoloration could be due to hyaline membrane disease – a condition that primarily affects preterm babies.

• 
  Heart defects or abnormalities
  

Heart problems may also allow the blood to pass through the lungs without getting oxygen. This could either be due to a blood clot or some form of congenital heart defect.

• 
  Blood abnormalities
  

Blood disorders drastically impair oxygen absorption resulting in cyanosis. These disorders could involve excessively high levels of abnormal hemoglobin or Raynaud’s phenomenon – a condition in which the small arteries in the toes and fingers constrict, preventing blood to circulate.

Several other things can also cause the bluish discoloration of the skin, like prolonged seizures, cold exposure and drug overdose. Cyanosis is actually a symptom of an underlying medical issue than a disorder in itself.

When does Cyanosis need immediate medical attention?

Bluish skin discoloration should not be ignored because it could be indicative of life-threatening conditions such as cardiopulmonary arrest, congestive heart failure and pulmonary embolism. The first 5 minutes is very crucial for immediate medical intervention and patients should be taken to the nearest hospital if cyanosis is accompanied by:

• Breathing difficulties


• Chest pain


• Shortness of breath


• Grunting


• Confusion

Also, parents should never delay bringing their babies to the hospital if the child is also irritable, fussy, difficult to feed and lethargic.

What are the forms of Cyanosis?

The difference between the two forms of cyanosis has something to do with the part of the body where bluish discoloration is noted. Cyanosis can be peripheral or central.

• Peripheral

As the name suggests, the bluish discoloration is noted on the peripheral parts like the nail beds, fingers, arms, toes and legs. The extremities receive oxygen-poor blood due to slow blood circulation to the limbs. This could also be attributed to constricted small blood vessels. There is no lung or heart failure involved is this form of cyanosis.

• Central

This is a serious form of bluish skin discoloration that causes bluish tongue and lips. It may or may not occur with bluish toes and fingers. There might be lung or heart involvement or high level of abnormal hemoglobin.

How is Cyanosis diagnosed?

The doctor will run several tests to determine the cause of the bluish discoloration of the skin. This may involve a series of blood work, X-ray, and echocardiogram. The doctor may also request for cardiac catheterization and monitor the oxygen saturation.

Treatment is primarily targeted towards replenishing the lacking oxygen in the blood. The underlying cause will also be treated. Tissues will eventually die if there is a lack of oxygen in the blood. Treatment may involve:

• Warming

Warming could be all that is needed to treat bluish fingernails and toes as this will promote blood circulation to the extremities.

• Oxygenation

Oxygenation is done in combination with other strategies to increase the amount of oxygen in the blood, such as the use of breathing machine, ventilator, medication and substances that contain oxygen.

• Surgery

This is commonly done in patients with congenital heart defects. Babies born with congenital heart defects are placed on breathing machines to support breathing. Surgery could be done immediately after birth or months or a few years after.

Babies born with heart problems must receive up-to-date immunizations and monitored by the doctor regularly. Older patients may require permanent pacemaker to normalize the heart rate. People suffering from heart problems may also need diuretics and medicines to cause the heart to pump harder. Respiratory infections are also treated using antibiotics.

Cyanosis pictures

Trisomy 13 – Life Expectancy, Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, Pictures

Trisomy 13 – Life Expectancy, Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, Pictures
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What is Trisomy 13?

Also known as Patau Syndrome, Trisomy 13 is a genetic disorder in which the person gets three copies of chromosome 13, which in normal cases is two copies. This extra copy of chromosome may cause neurological and heart defects making it challenging for infants to survive.

Based on extra DNA from chromosome 13 present in some or all body cells, Trisomy 13 can be further classified into following types:

i.                              Trisomy 13- When DNA from chromosome 13 is present in all body’s cells.

ii.                             Trisomy 13 mosaicism- When DNA from chromosome 13 is present in some of the cells.

iii.                            Partial trisomy – When only a part of third chromosome is present in the body cells.

The occurrence of this syndrome is least common among the three autosomal trisomies: Trisomy 21, Trisomy 18 and Trisomy 13. Patau Syndrome usually affect females more than males because of the fact that male fetus having this syndrome could not survive till birth.

Trisomy 13 is found in every 1 of 10,000 babies born. Trisomy 13 is associated with the age of the mother and can affect people of any background. Generally Patau syndrome is not passed down through heredity but the syndrome occurs due to abnormalities in sperm or egg during fetus formation.

Trisomy 13 life expectancy

More than 80% of the children born with Trisomy 13 die within the first year. Sad but true, prognosis for child born with Trisomy 13 is very less but such babies are still born. Some babies with Trisomy 13 will survive the pregnancy and some of the babies survive only their first month of birth. However it becomes difficult to predict the life expectancy of a child born with Trisomy 13 if no life threatening problems exist at the time of birth. In rarest of the rare case, the child may survive teenage as well.

Causes

In a normal case, sperm and egg unite at the time of fertilization to form 23 chromosome pairs or 46 chromosomes. However abnormality occurs when sperm and egg are forming and an extra chromosome i.e. chromosome 13 is released to the embryo. This extra chromosome can come either from father’s sperm cell or mother’s egg cell.

Sometimes chromosome 13 is already attached to another chromosome in the sperm or egg. This condition is also known as translocation. If this occurs, trisomy 13 is inherited in the family.

Trisomy 13 Symptoms

The symptoms of characteristics of Trisomy 13 include:

•             Polydactyl i.e. extra toe or finger may be present

•             Clenched hands

•             Small eyes or eyes may fuse into one another to form close-set eyes

•             Reduced muscle tone

•             Umbilical and Inguinal hernia

•             Split, cleft or hole present in the iris.

•             Scalp defects including missing skin on the scalp

•             Micrognathia- small lower jaw

•             Cryptorchidism – undescended testicle

•             Seizures and limb abnormalities

•             Rocker bottom (deformed) feet

•             Heart and kidney defects

•             Neurological defects- microcephaly i.e. small head, holoprosencephaly i.e. brain doesn’t divide into two during gestation period and mental problems.

•             Other facial defects- Microphthalmia i.e. small eyes, deformed nose and cleft palate or lip.

Diagnosis

The symptoms of Trisomy 13 are evident at the time of birth. It has been reported that sometimes Trisomy 13 is mistaken with Trisomy 18 which can be prevented by conducting genetic testing. Usually computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are done to detect the condition of heart, brain and kidney. Echocardiogram which is an ultrasound of heart can be done to know more about associated heart defects.

Gastrointestinal X-ray and ultrasounds can be done to detect the rotation of internal organs. Chromosome studies can be conducted to know whether it’s partial, full or mosaicism.

Trisomy 13 treatment

Treatment of Trisomy 13 depends on individual developing the kind of abnormality from this syndrome. It is seen that in most of the cases infants have problem in surviving the first few weeks owing to severe heart and neurological problems. For facial deformations like cleft lip or cleft palate and for heart defects, surgery is required.

Also, physical and speech therapy help the patients in attaining full developmental potential to a great extent.

Prognosis and complications

Trisomy 13 is associated with a number of complications which begin immediately. Some of the complications include:

•             Congenital heart disease

•             Problem in feeding

•             Seizures

•             Deafness

•             Difficulty in breathing or breathlessness

•             Vision problems

•             Heart failure

If you see any symptom of Trisomy 13 in your child, see your health care provider immediately. Also if you already have one child with Trisomy 13 and you are planning for the next child, you should see the doctor first. Genetic counseling can help a great way in understanding the condition and ways to prevent risk of inheriting it further.

Prevention

Trisomy 13 is a genetic disorder and is difficult to prevent. But it can be diagnosed before birth by amniocentesis. Parents with Trisomy 13 should get genetic testing and counseling done to know the likelihood of their baby developing this condition.

Trisomy 13 pictures

Prickly Heat Rash

Prickly Heat Rash
Getting prickly heat rash can be both irritating and discomforting. These tiny red bumps, which are usually very itchy, commonly appear during hot and humid climate as they are triggered by profuse sweating. The rash typically affects the areas on which the skin and clothes rub against each other, like the armpits, neck, back, upper chest, abdomen and groin. A small number of people experience severe rashes which interfere with the heat mechanism of the body.

Treatment for prickly heat is not always necessary because it generally clears up over time even without treatment. However, severe cases of heat rash require medical treatment because the rash could invite bacteria and cause infection. Besides, severe form of heat rash could lead to heat exhaustion and cause other unpleasant symptoms. Much worse, it could aggravate into a more serious condition, such as heatstroke, if left untreated.

Causes of prickly heat rash

Prickly heat or miliaria occurs when the skin pores are blocked, thereby trapping sweat under the skin. This is usually brought about by heavy sweating during hot and humid weather. Perspiration gives way for bacteria and dead skin cells to block the pores of the skin. This prevents sweat from evaporating and gets trapped instead under the skin, resulting in bumps or rash to appear. The release of sweat causes stinging or prickly sensation on the affected region.

This skin problem afflicts both young and adults. However, it has been found to primarily affect newborns and infants. High incidence of miliaria is reported in tropical regions as well as from people who are living very active lifestyles. The odds of developing prickly heat rash are also high among those who do not wear moisture-absorbent clothing.

Appearance of prickly heat rash

Miliaria comes in various forms, ranging from mild to extremely itchy. The rash is classified based on affected part of the skin.

• Miliaria rubra

The outer skin layer is blocked in this form of heat rash which causes inflammation and blister-like red bumps on the skin. The affected site feels itchy and prickly with little to no sweating at all.

• Miliaria crystallina

Blockage occurs on the outermost layer of the skin in miliaria crystallina which give rise to very small, clear blisters on the skin. There is no inflammation and the bumps are neither itchy nor painful.

• Miliaria profunda

Blockage is present in the deeper skin layer and causes hard, large and pinkish bumps. These usually appear immediately after engaging in activities that cause the body to sweat. Sufferers can sometimes feel dizzy and nauseous and suffer rapid pulse. Miliaria profunda could aggravate into heat exhaustion once ignored.

Preventing prickly heat rash

There are steps that can be taken to avoid getting prickly heat rash. First of all, the skin must be kept cool and dry by wearing light cotton fabrics and loose clothing. Second, do away with applying thick creams, moisturizers and ointments; rather, opt for light water-based lotions. Third, stay under the shade or inside cool or air-conditioned rooms to keep oneself fresh. If infection occurs or if the rashes spread to other parts of the body, then consultation with the doctor is necessary to determine the best treatment course.

Prickly Heat Rash Pictures

Asperger’s Syndrome

Asperger’s Syndrome
 Asperger’s syndrome is characterized by the inability to mingle and communicate with others properly. The affected individual finds it extremely difficult to start a conversation and stay with it. Those afflicted with the said condition likewise struggle in expressing themselves. They usually suffer from certain types of behavioral problems as well, which make them believe that isolating themselves from other people is the best way to go.

Remarkably, individuals affected by Asperger’s syndrome (AS) are talented and have above-average intelligence, not much dissimilar to Autism, of which AS is often confused with. However, AS is a milder form of autism that with proper guidance and support, those who have it can still live successful and fulfilling lives.

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4 How is Asperger’s syndrome diagnosed?

Why does Asperger’s syndrome occur?

The syndrome is not yet fully understood by medical experts and scientists. Yet, they all believe that mutations in some genes cause the syndrome to happen. But with regards to the specific genes involved in the development of the syndrome, no one knows. One thing is for sure though, the condition is not related to childhood immunizations. Studies have shown that the syndrome is inherited and it had been found that the cognitive functions of the brain are affected. This part of the brain is responsible for thought, emotions and behavior. The problem tends to originate during the earliest stage of brain development, when the brain cells do not settle in their rightful places.

How common is Asperger’s syndrome?

AS affects 1 out of 150 children and is two times more common in males than in females. It is often diagnosed within the 2nd and 6th year of the child’s life. However, in most cases, the symptoms do surface when the child is 3 years old, which is the period when his/her social skills start to develop. The syndrome is relatively unknown in the previous years and has only gained popularity with the recent advancements in medical technology and understanding. Among the famous personalities affected by the syndrome include Isaac Newton, Wolfgang Mozart, Benjamin Franklin, Albert Einstein, Bill Gates and even Michael Jackson.

Parents should never underestimate the presence of AS symptoms because there is a possibility that the syndrome may aggravate into more serious psychiatric and behavioral disorders, like obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression, anxiety and ADHD (attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder).

What happens to people affected by Asperger’s syndrome?

The following are some of the manifestations in children affected by AS.

• 
  Above-average intelligence
  

Individuals affected by AS are normally talented and have above-average level of intelligence. However, they find it hard to keep even casual conversations and decipher non-verbal expressions and body language. They also display strange mannerisms and find it hard to foster friendships easily.

• 
  Impaired motor skills
  

The AS sufferers’ motor skills are not just delayed but mildly impaired as well. This is apparent during infancy when the child is supposed to practice crawling and learn how to walk.

• 
  Problems with coordination
  

Those with AS find it impossible to engage in some forms of physically demanding activities like sports or biking because they are simply clumsy.

• 
  Strong interest in one particular subject
  

Sufferers of AS exhibit strong interest in one particular subject, either in academics or some kind of hobby. Two of the most prominent people who make good examples are Albert Einstein and Isaac Newton.  AS patients may also be extraordinarily interested in music, computer programming, math or science.

• 
  Firm in their routines
  

Individuals with Asperger’s syndrome are also firm when it comes to their habitual routines and strongly oppose any change made.

People with Asperger’s syndrome often live up to adulthood and obtain satisfying jobs due to their remarkable level of intelligence.

How is Asperger’s syndrome diagnosed?

The extent of AS symptoms differs with every individual, and this makes diagnosis of the condition quite tricky. Besides, the diagnosis involves working with a team of healthcare professionals for a more accurate diagnosis and an effective treatment. Patients may need to undergo the following tests to confirm the syndrome.

• Physical examination

There may be no tests specially designed for diagnosing AS, however, several tests like blood exams and X-rays, help in determining the presence of any physical disorder that causes AS symptoms to surface.

• Medical history

This will help doctors determine how the syndrome affects the overall well-being of the child.  This likewise involves considering his/her friendships, communication skills and social interaction. The doctor may also have to conduct behavioral, speech and psychological tests to determine the child’s level of intelligence, including his/her academic abilities.

Pain Under Left Rib

Pain Under Left Rib
Pain under left rib, which could appear suddenly or develop gradually, can be due to an assortment of factors.  Pain below the left rib could a result of gas build up or indigestion. In some instances, the pain is psychological in nature, but more often than not, pain felt underneath the left rib has something to do with a fractured or injured rib. However, it may also be indicative of a more serious medical condition that needs prompt treatment.

Pain under the left rib can have a great impact on a person’s overall disposition and well-being, so addressing it is very important. There are several treatment options to choose from depending on the cause of the pain. But those who experience severe pain shouldn’t wait until the pain or other symptoms aggravate. Indeed, persistent and intense pain below the left rib warrants a careful professional medical evaluation.

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2 Treatment of pain under left rib

Causes of pain under left rib 

Pain under the left rib usually occurs when there is a fractured or injured rib. However, the pain could also stem from other structures within the left side of upper abdominal area. Some of the possible causes of pain under the left rib are:

• 
  Gas
  

A painful sensation develops when gas builds up and is blocked in the left side of the colon, causing a great deal of discomfort and pain.

• 
  Heartburn
  

This occurs when an individual consumes significant amounts of acidic foods and beverages, resulting in stomach bloating and pain on the left side of the rib.

• 
  Constipation
  

Hardened stool causes one to put extra effort when having a bowel movement, hence, resulting in stomach and rib pain.

• 
  Inflamed cartilage
  

When cartilage between the rib and breastbone is swollen, this can also cause pain under the left rib and bring a lot of discomfort. This inflammation could be due to injury, cartilage disorders and aging.

• 
  Pinched nerve
  

The affected nerve could be on the chest or neck on the left side of the body. The compressed nerve causes left-sided rib pain and tingling sensation that gets worse when moving to certain positions.

Medical conditions related to pain under left rib
It should be noted that pain under the left rib could stem from other structures resting on the left side of the body, such as the left kidney, intestine, spleen and left lung. A problem in any of these structures can be manifested as pain under the left rib. These include issues concerning the kidney stones, gastritis, costochondritis, spleen damage, Irritable Bowel syndrome, pleuritis, pneumonia, and pneumothorax.

Depending on the causative factor, pain felt below the left rib could occur gradually or spontaneously and can be short-lived or long-lasting. The pain may also affect upper body movement as  well as the breathing process.

Treatment of pain under left rib

The doctor will first determine what is causing the pain under the left rib before prescribing any medication or treatment method. The patient can greatly help in arriving at a correct diagnosis by noting all the discomforts experienced, their respective duration and severity. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are generally sufficient to manage mild cases of pain under the left rib that involve inflammation and pain. However, serious cases require more intensive treatment.

Coriander vs Cilantro – The Truth behind the Confusion

Coriander vs Cilantro – The Truth behind the Confusion

High Ketones in Urine

High Ketones in Urine
The presence of ketones in urine indicates that the body is making use of fat as energy source instead of glucose. Ketonuria, as this condition is referred to, is characterized by the high quantity of ketone bodies in the urine. This arises when the body has to metabolize stored fat rather than glucose for fuel. Various factors could bring forth ketonuria including starvation, severe physical activity, prolonged exposure to cold, constant vomiting and diabetes. 

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What are the causes of ketones in urine? 

Normally, the body gets energy from glucose. If, for some reason, there is not enough glucose that the body can use, it will switch to using stored fats. As fatty acids are metabolized, ketones will be produced by the liver. In a normal state, the amount of ketone that gets into the urine is minimal or nothing at all. But when the primary source of energy is stored fat, the quantity of unmetabolized ketones become significant it can be detected in the urine. This condition is known as ketonuria. 

Ketonuria could be caused by a number of things. Some of these are:

• Starvation

When the body isn’t sufficiently nourished, there will be a shortage of carbohydrates to supply the body’s energy requirements. And so, stored fat will be processed in its place. Starvation could be a result of not eating for a long time, alcoholism, bulimia and anorexia. Fasting, high protein-low carbohydrate diets, severe vomiting and frequent diarrhea could likewise lead to starvation.

• Diabetes

Uncontrolled diabetes milletus can cause high ketones in urine. In diabetes, the body is not able to break down glucose due to the lack of insulin. And so fat is metabolized to serve as fuel, instead.

• Other causes

Some other conditions could factor in the appearance of ketone bodies in the urine. These are long-term illnesses, fever, dehydration, hyperthyroidism and other disorders in which the metabolism is increased, glycogen storage disease, renal glycosuria, poisoning, alkalosis, pregnancy and lactation.

How is ketonuria diagnosed? 

The presence of ketones in urine can be determined through a urine test. Before the test, any medications or drugs that could affect the test results must be stopped. In addition, a specialized diet may have to be recommended. Urine sample will be collected and placed in a sterile container. The detection of ketone bodies in urine is usually done as a “spot test”. A test strip specific for the identification of ketones is dipped in the urine sample. The color will change depending on the level of ketone bodies in the urine. 

Though standard normal values may differ from one laboratory to another, generally they follow the following with only slight variations.

• Small: less than 20 mg/dL


• Moderate: 30 – 40 mg/dL


• Large: greater than 80 mg/dL

There are instances when the results return false positives but no ketones are present. This may be attributed to certain medications like vitamin C, valporic acid, and levodopa. 

What are the symptoms of ketones in urine? 

The level of ketones in the urine is an indicator of the status of the body. The symptoms that accompany ketonuria depend on the underlying cause. The following are some of the symptoms that usually accompany high amounts of ketone:

• breathing heavily


• dehydration


• dilated pupils


• frequent urination


• sweet smell of breath


• thirst

What are the problems that may arise  with high ketones in urine? 

The accumulation of ketones in the body could lead to serious health problems especially for individuals with diabetes. If the condition is left unattended it could eventually result in ketoacidosis and hyperglycemia. The former is characterized by the presence of excessive ketones in the blood; whereas the latter is a condition in which the blood has high sugar levels. 

How is ketonuria treated? 

The presence of ketones in urine, especially if it is small, may be harmless. However, the cause must be determined first so that the appropriate treatment method can be applied. If it is found out that the condition is a result of starvation, diet modification to ensure that there will be sufficient source of carbohydrates will be recommended. For ketonuria resulting from insufficient level of insulin, the amount of insulin shot may need to be modified. Those with diabetes who test positive for ketones in urine must see their doctor so that management of the disease can be improved. On the other hand, increased ketone bodies in urine due to illnesses or metabolic disorders must be dealt with based on the underlying problem. 

Can ketonuria be prevented?

High level of ketones in urine can be avoided by maintaining a well-balanced diet to ensure that the body has the right amount of energy source. Diabetics should also make sure that their disease is well under control. Insulin injection schedules must be followed religiously.