Chagas Disease Chagas disease also called as kissing bug disease is caused by protozoa named Trypanosoma cruzi. This disease will cause inflammation on the skin which would lead to infection on other vital organs like heart and intestine. The parasite would enter humans through bugs which act as carrier of parasites. The symptoms of chagas disease can be mild or severe depending on the phase of the disease. It can be controlled by antiparasitic medications completely. This disease is common in Central America and South America where there is abundance of triatomine bugs.
Symptoms :
The symptoms of chagas disease vary from mild to severe. It exists in two phase namely acute and chronic phase.
Acute Phase :
Often there are very less symptoms in this phase. Even there are any signs it would be minimal to get noticed. Some of the symptoms in the acute phase are mild fever, fatigue, body pain, headache, swelling of skin, loss of appetite and nausea/vomiting. Most of the symptoms would resolve by itself within a week.
Chronic Phase :
There is a chance for a person bitten with carrier bug to have severe symptoms even after 10-20 years of infection. Some of the chronic phase symptoms are enlargement of heart, inflammation of tissues, irregular heartbeat, enlargement of lymph nodes, and difficulty in swallowing, abdominal pain and sudden cardiac arrest. You need to see your doctor immediately if you have some of the above symptoms or if you have traveled recently to Chagas disease prone areas.
Causes :
Chagas disease is caused by protozoa (Trypanosoma cruzi) which spread through kissing bugs of Triatominae group. When the bug bites a person the parasite can easily enter into his bloodstream through the small break on his skin. There is a chance for the parasite to enter the host’s body through inhalation or ingestion also. These bugs would leave their feces near your lips or eyes through which the parasites find its entry into your body.
Triatomine bugs are largely found in thatch or mud or huts of Mexico and in South American region. Whenever the bug bites it leaves some parasites on your skin which would enter into your body when you scratch/rub the area. Chagas disease is also caused by eating contaminated food that contains fecal particles of T. cruzi bugs.
Risk Factors :
People living in the rural regions of Mexico, South America and Central America are prone to develop Chagas disease. Individuals who live in huts or thatched roofs that contains t. bugs and those who receive infected blood by blood transfusion have also risk of developing this illness.
Complications :
If left untreated even after the chronic phase symptoms the disease can cause severe complications like heart failure, cardiac arrest, enlargement of colon or esophagus causing intense pain in the abdomen or difficulty in swallowing.
Tests :
Your doctor will do a physical exam and collect information of your symptoms. He may order of blood tests (for checking the presence of T. cruzi) and also verify the count of antibodies present to fight against the new parasite. Additional diagnoses are also done to rule out whether the patient has entered the chronic phase of the disease. Your doctor may conduct ECG to check the heart’s function, endoscopy to test the functional capacity of esophagus and imaging tests of abdomen and intestine.
Treatment :
The primary focus of treatment is to destroy or kill the parasites inside the body. When a person has acute symptoms he will be given antiparasitic drugs to control the growth of parasites. Medications like benznidazole or nifultimox are prescribed for Chagas disease. In case of chronic phase or if the patient has complications then the mode of treatment depends on the intensity of symptoms.
If an individual is having irregular heartbeat or difficulty in breathing he would be fitted with pacemaker or similar device. Sometimes heart transplantation is to be done. For an individual with severe digestive complications, powerful medications like corticosteroids are prescribed. According to the Center for Disease Control and prevention, everyone who is infected with Chagas (irrespective of acute or chronic phase) should take medicine. Taking the medications early can prevent you from developing any complication. Most of the affected people would recover from illness if treated promptly. In rare cases Chagas disease can be fatal.
Prevention :
No vaccination is available to prevent Chagas disease. You can avoid traveling in bugs prone regions of Mexico or South America. Avoid sleeping in thatched hours or mud where there are plenty of t. bugs. You can use insecticide while you are sleeping in thatched/mud houses.
Monday, May 5, 2014
Eclampsia
Eclampsia Eclampsia and preeclampsia are the condition developed by pregnant women which is marked by increase in blood pressure and increased protein level in the urine. It occurs during or after the 34th week of gestation period and sometimes it can occur even after childbirth. If there is severe form of preeclampsia it can cause grand mal seizures in pregnant women which can become serious. Due to this condition the growing fetus may develop some complications and in some cases it can lead to preterm delivery also.
Medications are given to the pregnant women to prevent high blood pressure and the case is monitored closely until the time of delivery. There is no cure for eclampsia but the pregnant women can monitor her health with her physician to prevent its occurrence. Women who are first time pregnant and particularly those who are in teenage are at increased risk of developing eclampsia.
Causes :
Exact cause of eclampsia or preeclampsia is unknown. It is considered to be caused by poor nutrition or kind of disorder or abnormality in the blood vessels causing insufficient blood supply to the uterus. Some people are of opinion that eclampsia is hereditary and run in families. Obesity and lack of exercise during pregnancy can also be a cause of eclampsia. Similarly weakened immune system can cause the symptoms of preeclampsia.
Who are at risk?
Women who are in their teens and those who are above 40 years becoming pregnant are at high risk for developing eclampsia. Women with family history of eclampsia and those with the symptoms of eclampsia during previous pregnancy can also develop this condition. Women with hypertension prior to pregnancy and those who have undergone artificial pregnancy through insemination or egg donation are at increased risk. Women with specific diseases like arthritis, diabetes or lupus or sickle cell disease before pregnancy have more chance for developing eclampsia than others.
Symptoms :
Actually the symptoms given below develop during preeclampsia. If this condition is not treated then it may develop into eclampsia. Increased blood pressure, high level of protein in the urine, rapid weight gain (due to sudden increase in body fluids), abdominal pain (more on the upper right side), dizziness, moderate to severe headaches and decrease in urine output are some of the warning signals of preeclampsia.
It is quite common for most of the pregnant women to develop swelling on the feet and legs and hands, but this should not be confused with preeclampsia. You need to visit your doctor if you have sudden weight gain (particularly in few days) accompanied by blurred vision and decreased urine discharge.
Some pregnant women may also develop change in their vision and change in reflex and confusion of thoughts during preeclampsia. Bodily fluids get accumulated in their lungs and on their feet and there will be sudden decrease in urine output. Most of the signs would go away after childbirth but some women may develop these symptoms a week after delivery. In rare cases there may not be any symptoms given above except increased blood pressure. Hence it is necessary to monitor your blood pressure with your doctor during pregnancy period.
Diagnoses :
Preeclampsia can be easily detected during routine pregnancy checkups. A simple test of protein level in the urine and monitoring blood pressure is enough to detect eclampsia. If the reading of blood pressure is above 140/90 it can be due to eclampsia. Blood profile is done to detect the number of blood cell counts and platelets which is an indication for preeclampsia.
Treatment :
There is no particular medicine or therapy to cure preeclampsia. The doctor will have to monitor the symptoms of pregnant women and ensure that blood pressure is under control. All the symptoms of eclampsia will go away after the delivery. Steroid medications are given to ensure that the baby’s lungs are fully matured before delivery. Women who are diagnosed with preeclampsia are advised to take bed-rest with continuous monitoring of blood pressure and weight.
In severe cases, the doctor will have to decide whether to wait for the pregnancy period to complete or to induce labor or to make C-section delivery to save the life of both. Magnesium sulphate is given in suitable doses intravenously to such women to prevent seizures during delivery. In case the seizure is not controlled then your doctor may consider giving Lorazepam or phenytoin. Complications can occur both for the women and the fetus during severe cases of eclampsia. It is considered as medical emergency and appropriate treatments are given to bring the condition under control.
Complications :
Preterm delivery is done on emergency basis if the situation does not improve. Preeclampsia can cause reduced blood flow to the uterus depriving the fetus with blood. It can also cause reduced amount of amniotic fluid which is again a risk for the baby. When the conditions become severe it can cause life threatening damage to the women due to severe uncontrolled bleeding.
In some cases the placenta gets separated from the uterus or placental abruption may develop causing risk for the fetus life. Sometimes preeclampsia can cause kidney damage or liver damage for the fetus. Hemolysis (loss of red blood cells) and reduced platelet levels are the rare complication as a result of preeclampsia which is called as HELLP syndrome.
Prevention :
You cannot prevent preeclampsia or eclampsia but it can always be treated once diagnosed. You need to go for regular checkups with your doctor to monitor blood pressure and weight gain when you are pregnant. In serious condition eclampsia can be fatal and about 2% of the reported cases die due to eclampsia. Women with severe form of preeclampsia have increased risk of developing eclampsia during subsequent pregnancies.
Medications are given to the pregnant women to prevent high blood pressure and the case is monitored closely until the time of delivery. There is no cure for eclampsia but the pregnant women can monitor her health with her physician to prevent its occurrence. Women who are first time pregnant and particularly those who are in teenage are at increased risk of developing eclampsia.
Causes :
Exact cause of eclampsia or preeclampsia is unknown. It is considered to be caused by poor nutrition or kind of disorder or abnormality in the blood vessels causing insufficient blood supply to the uterus. Some people are of opinion that eclampsia is hereditary and run in families. Obesity and lack of exercise during pregnancy can also be a cause of eclampsia. Similarly weakened immune system can cause the symptoms of preeclampsia.
Who are at risk?
Women who are in their teens and those who are above 40 years becoming pregnant are at high risk for developing eclampsia. Women with family history of eclampsia and those with the symptoms of eclampsia during previous pregnancy can also develop this condition. Women with hypertension prior to pregnancy and those who have undergone artificial pregnancy through insemination or egg donation are at increased risk. Women with specific diseases like arthritis, diabetes or lupus or sickle cell disease before pregnancy have more chance for developing eclampsia than others.
Symptoms :
Actually the symptoms given below develop during preeclampsia. If this condition is not treated then it may develop into eclampsia. Increased blood pressure, high level of protein in the urine, rapid weight gain (due to sudden increase in body fluids), abdominal pain (more on the upper right side), dizziness, moderate to severe headaches and decrease in urine output are some of the warning signals of preeclampsia.
It is quite common for most of the pregnant women to develop swelling on the feet and legs and hands, but this should not be confused with preeclampsia. You need to visit your doctor if you have sudden weight gain (particularly in few days) accompanied by blurred vision and decreased urine discharge.
Some pregnant women may also develop change in their vision and change in reflex and confusion of thoughts during preeclampsia. Bodily fluids get accumulated in their lungs and on their feet and there will be sudden decrease in urine output. Most of the signs would go away after childbirth but some women may develop these symptoms a week after delivery. In rare cases there may not be any symptoms given above except increased blood pressure. Hence it is necessary to monitor your blood pressure with your doctor during pregnancy period.
Diagnoses :
Preeclampsia can be easily detected during routine pregnancy checkups. A simple test of protein level in the urine and monitoring blood pressure is enough to detect eclampsia. If the reading of blood pressure is above 140/90 it can be due to eclampsia. Blood profile is done to detect the number of blood cell counts and platelets which is an indication for preeclampsia.
Treatment :
There is no particular medicine or therapy to cure preeclampsia. The doctor will have to monitor the symptoms of pregnant women and ensure that blood pressure is under control. All the symptoms of eclampsia will go away after the delivery. Steroid medications are given to ensure that the baby’s lungs are fully matured before delivery. Women who are diagnosed with preeclampsia are advised to take bed-rest with continuous monitoring of blood pressure and weight.
In severe cases, the doctor will have to decide whether to wait for the pregnancy period to complete or to induce labor or to make C-section delivery to save the life of both. Magnesium sulphate is given in suitable doses intravenously to such women to prevent seizures during delivery. In case the seizure is not controlled then your doctor may consider giving Lorazepam or phenytoin. Complications can occur both for the women and the fetus during severe cases of eclampsia. It is considered as medical emergency and appropriate treatments are given to bring the condition under control.
Complications :
Preterm delivery is done on emergency basis if the situation does not improve. Preeclampsia can cause reduced blood flow to the uterus depriving the fetus with blood. It can also cause reduced amount of amniotic fluid which is again a risk for the baby. When the conditions become severe it can cause life threatening damage to the women due to severe uncontrolled bleeding.
In some cases the placenta gets separated from the uterus or placental abruption may develop causing risk for the fetus life. Sometimes preeclampsia can cause kidney damage or liver damage for the fetus. Hemolysis (loss of red blood cells) and reduced platelet levels are the rare complication as a result of preeclampsia which is called as HELLP syndrome.
Prevention :
You cannot prevent preeclampsia or eclampsia but it can always be treated once diagnosed. You need to go for regular checkups with your doctor to monitor blood pressure and weight gain when you are pregnant. In serious condition eclampsia can be fatal and about 2% of the reported cases die due to eclampsia. Women with severe form of preeclampsia have increased risk of developing eclampsia during subsequent pregnancies.
Alzheimers Disease
Alzheimers Disease Alzheimer’s disease is a common disease affecting the brain leading to loss of memory and impairment of reasoning and logical ability. This disease is one of the major causes of dementia (loss of social/intellectual skills). Alzheimer’s disease is a type of progressive disorder that does not occur overnight. Slowly the connections of brain cells are degenerated causing death of cells which leads to reduced mental function and memory loss. It occurs mostly in elderly people of age group 75-85 years.
Symptoms :
Alzheimer’s disease does not strike anyone overnight and it occurs as slow process. You can make note of the following 10 warning signals that leads to progressive disease.
Initially there may be only few symptoms like confusion of thoughts and increased forgetfulness but as the disease progresses there will be more and more loss of memory. The intensity of memory loss may not be the same for all people. Due to loss of memory you may not be able to remember even simple tasks like where you have put your keys, forget your appointments, misplace many things, and forget the names of close friends and even family members.
Disorientation is very common in people with Alzheimer’s disease. They may not able to tell what day it is or even what season it is. It becomes very difficult for them to understand about their current life and they often get lost even with familiar places. Trouble in choosing the right word while speaking/writing and difficulty in conversation is common in people with this disease.
Due to reduced reasoning skills and thinking ability it can be difficult for them to manage their financial needs and pay regular bills on time. Most of them affected with this disease will have increased difficulty in dealing with numbers. It becomes really challenging for them to do regular tasks like driving or making food. Sometimes they may have trouble in performing certain basic tasks like bathing or dressing as the disease progresses. As there is more of death of brain cells it can cause personality changes, mood swings and disturbed sleeping pattern.
Who are at risk?
Increasing age is the main risk factor for developing Alzheimer’s disease. People who are above 65 years have 10% chances and people who are above 80 years have about 50% chances for getting this disease. Individuals with Down’s syndrome are more prone to develop this disease than others. Genetics play an important role in this regard. You are prone to develop Alzheimer’s disease if any of your parent or close relative already has this disease. Gene mutation in specific e genes will make one prone to develop this disorder. Often, this disease runs in families.
Women are more prone to develop this disease than men for reasons unknown. A person identified with mild cognitive impairment has increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. An individual who have undergone severe head injury or accident is likely to get this disease. As the disease advances it would kill more and more of brain cells causing shrinkage of brain. When the brain tissues are examined under microscope it was found that a person having this disease can have more of plaque like deposits or protein (beta amyloid) molecules in his/her brain cells. This was believed to cause loss of memory due to reduced cell communication.
Another interesting fact is that a person having Alzheimer’s was found to have tau protein or abnormal tangles in his brain cells which are responsible for poor communication of the brain cells. High blood pressure, increased diabetics, lack of exercise and sedentary lifestyle can increase your risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease.
Causes :
Exact cause of Alzheimer’s disease is not known, but it is believed to be caused due to hereditary and genetic factors. Increasing age is one of the major causes for developing this disease. In people with rare gene mutation it is possible for them to show some of the symptoms above in early ages of 40-50.
Complications :
Severe memory loss and lack of communication can cause many complications in elderly people. A person affected with this disease may not be able to tell others if he/she is sick or having pain in particular part of his body. He may not even remember to take medications properly and follow-up the treatment plan as instructed by his doctor. Poor communication of the brain cells may lead to various health problems eventually.
Diagnoses :
Since no laboratory tests are available for diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease, the doctor will have to rely on the symptoms given above. He may suggest for neurological examination like reflexes and check your muscle tone and your judgment skills and reasoning ability. He may also conduct some types of mental tests for assessing your memory and other skills. Any deviation in the report will indicate that some changes are happening in the brain cells which may cause dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. In some cases imaging tests like CT/MRI scan is done for detecting any brain damage. Nowadays PET scan is done to find out if there is any plaque deposit in the brain.
Treatment :
A person suffering from Alzheimer’s can have various complicated psychotic problems like depression, anxiety, and hallucination. Most of the people can benefit from cognitive therapy and relaxation techniques used in psychotherapy. Medications are given only for severe cases of psychological problems for controlling the symptoms. Mood stabilizers, antipsychotic drugs, anxiolytics and beta blockers are given after complete analysis of the patient. Cholinesterase inhibitors are largely recommended for treating cognitive symptoms. Many cases are found to achieve good improvement in their symptoms after starting this drug. Doctors prescribe donepezil or Razadyne or Exelon depending on the intensity of the symptoms.
Another medication given for treating Alzheimer’s disease is Memantine which improves the brain cell communication. It is very much necessary to provide supportive and caring environment for the person affected with this disease. When any of your loved ones or friend is diagnosed with this disease you can take some steps to prevent any accidental injury at his house or workplace. It is suggested to remove unwanted furniture and install firm handrails to prevent fall. The affected person should wear comfortable shoes/slippers and always carry some identity card while going out.
Lifestyle Changes :
Doing regular exercise is very helpful in keeping the person healthy. It is good to go for daily walking to improve blood circulation and for getting quality sleep. The person can get help from caretaker or join a support group when he is going for a walk. Sometimes the affected person may not remember to eat or become bored to cook and eat. Ensure that he/she takes nutritious food daily and drinking enough water.
It is beneficial to take high calorie milkshakes or protein powders available in most of the grocery stores. Medical foods are available in various brands and being marketed in leading outlets for the help of people with Alzheimer’s disease. It is suggested that using omega 3 fatty acid products and vitamin E supplement is helpful for brain activity. Being active and socially connected is vital for people with this disease since it promotes intellectual stimulation.
Prevention :
There is no way you can prevent Alzheimer’s disease once you grow old. Stay active and do regular exercises and take care of your health so that you can reduce the risk of developing this disease.
Symptoms :
Alzheimer’s disease does not strike anyone overnight and it occurs as slow process. You can make note of the following 10 warning signals that leads to progressive disease.
- Loss of memory
- Difficulty in speaking/writing
- Confusion of thoughts
- Trouble in performing familiar tasks
- Difficulty in reasoning out time and place
- Impairment of judgment skills
- Difficulty in concentrating and remembering things
- Mood swings/changes in sleeping pattern
- Changes in behavior and personality
- Withdrawal from society/ depression
Initially there may be only few symptoms like confusion of thoughts and increased forgetfulness but as the disease progresses there will be more and more loss of memory. The intensity of memory loss may not be the same for all people. Due to loss of memory you may not be able to remember even simple tasks like where you have put your keys, forget your appointments, misplace many things, and forget the names of close friends and even family members.
Disorientation is very common in people with Alzheimer’s disease. They may not able to tell what day it is or even what season it is. It becomes very difficult for them to understand about their current life and they often get lost even with familiar places. Trouble in choosing the right word while speaking/writing and difficulty in conversation is common in people with this disease.
Due to reduced reasoning skills and thinking ability it can be difficult for them to manage their financial needs and pay regular bills on time. Most of them affected with this disease will have increased difficulty in dealing with numbers. It becomes really challenging for them to do regular tasks like driving or making food. Sometimes they may have trouble in performing certain basic tasks like bathing or dressing as the disease progresses. As there is more of death of brain cells it can cause personality changes, mood swings and disturbed sleeping pattern.
Who are at risk?
Increasing age is the main risk factor for developing Alzheimer’s disease. People who are above 65 years have 10% chances and people who are above 80 years have about 50% chances for getting this disease. Individuals with Down’s syndrome are more prone to develop this disease than others. Genetics play an important role in this regard. You are prone to develop Alzheimer’s disease if any of your parent or close relative already has this disease. Gene mutation in specific e genes will make one prone to develop this disorder. Often, this disease runs in families.
Women are more prone to develop this disease than men for reasons unknown. A person identified with mild cognitive impairment has increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. An individual who have undergone severe head injury or accident is likely to get this disease. As the disease advances it would kill more and more of brain cells causing shrinkage of brain. When the brain tissues are examined under microscope it was found that a person having this disease can have more of plaque like deposits or protein (beta amyloid) molecules in his/her brain cells. This was believed to cause loss of memory due to reduced cell communication.
Another interesting fact is that a person having Alzheimer’s was found to have tau protein or abnormal tangles in his brain cells which are responsible for poor communication of the brain cells. High blood pressure, increased diabetics, lack of exercise and sedentary lifestyle can increase your risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease.
Causes :
Exact cause of Alzheimer’s disease is not known, but it is believed to be caused due to hereditary and genetic factors. Increasing age is one of the major causes for developing this disease. In people with rare gene mutation it is possible for them to show some of the symptoms above in early ages of 40-50.
Complications :
Severe memory loss and lack of communication can cause many complications in elderly people. A person affected with this disease may not be able to tell others if he/she is sick or having pain in particular part of his body. He may not even remember to take medications properly and follow-up the treatment plan as instructed by his doctor. Poor communication of the brain cells may lead to various health problems eventually.
Diagnoses :
Since no laboratory tests are available for diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease, the doctor will have to rely on the symptoms given above. He may suggest for neurological examination like reflexes and check your muscle tone and your judgment skills and reasoning ability. He may also conduct some types of mental tests for assessing your memory and other skills. Any deviation in the report will indicate that some changes are happening in the brain cells which may cause dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. In some cases imaging tests like CT/MRI scan is done for detecting any brain damage. Nowadays PET scan is done to find out if there is any plaque deposit in the brain.
Treatment :
A person suffering from Alzheimer’s can have various complicated psychotic problems like depression, anxiety, and hallucination. Most of the people can benefit from cognitive therapy and relaxation techniques used in psychotherapy. Medications are given only for severe cases of psychological problems for controlling the symptoms. Mood stabilizers, antipsychotic drugs, anxiolytics and beta blockers are given after complete analysis of the patient. Cholinesterase inhibitors are largely recommended for treating cognitive symptoms. Many cases are found to achieve good improvement in their symptoms after starting this drug. Doctors prescribe donepezil or Razadyne or Exelon depending on the intensity of the symptoms.
Another medication given for treating Alzheimer’s disease is Memantine which improves the brain cell communication. It is very much necessary to provide supportive and caring environment for the person affected with this disease. When any of your loved ones or friend is diagnosed with this disease you can take some steps to prevent any accidental injury at his house or workplace. It is suggested to remove unwanted furniture and install firm handrails to prevent fall. The affected person should wear comfortable shoes/slippers and always carry some identity card while going out.
Lifestyle Changes :
Doing regular exercise is very helpful in keeping the person healthy. It is good to go for daily walking to improve blood circulation and for getting quality sleep. The person can get help from caretaker or join a support group when he is going for a walk. Sometimes the affected person may not remember to eat or become bored to cook and eat. Ensure that he/she takes nutritious food daily and drinking enough water.
It is beneficial to take high calorie milkshakes or protein powders available in most of the grocery stores. Medical foods are available in various brands and being marketed in leading outlets for the help of people with Alzheimer’s disease. It is suggested that using omega 3 fatty acid products and vitamin E supplement is helpful for brain activity. Being active and socially connected is vital for people with this disease since it promotes intellectual stimulation.
Prevention :
There is no way you can prevent Alzheimer’s disease once you grow old. Stay active and do regular exercises and take care of your health so that you can reduce the risk of developing this disease.
Dermatographism
Dermatographism Derma means skin and dermatographism is skin writing. It is nothing but light scratches on the skin in the form of raised red colored hives. These scratches are not permanent and often they will go away within few minutes. This type of skin scratches can occur due to side effects of drugs or when the person is emotionally upset or due to infections. No special treatment is needed for dermatographism.
Symptoms :
Some of the signs of dermatographism are formation of raised red colored lines on the skin, light swelling on the surface of the skin, and build-up of hive like welts. For some people these patches may cause itching which can affect the entire body.
Types :
Depending on the nature of scratches dermatographism can be classified into many types.
Red dermatographism : This is the most common type which develops as small raised scratches on the skin which occurs on trunk.
Follicular dermatographism : This type causes specific prominent follicular papules on the skin with a well defined background.
Cholinergic dermatographism : This is somewhat large embedded with punctuate wheals resembling urticaria.
Delayed dermatographism : In this type papules develop after several hours of initial response forming deep wheal like structure.
Causes :
It is not known what exactly causes dermatographism. It can be due to side effects of medications, response to allergic reactions and any other factor that triggers allergy. Often young people who are in teens are diagnosed with this problem.
Diagnoses :
Your doctor can easily detect dermatogrphia by physical examination. No particular test is needed. However for some people, a tongue depressor is placed on the skin to identify specific defined red lines or welt.
Treatment :
Dermatographia does not need any treatment since it often disappears within few minutes or hours. In case you have skin irritation then you can take Benadryl or Allegra or Cetrizine. It is enough if you avoid stimulants that trigger formation of such lines on your skin. Individuals with dry skin are at increased risk of developing this problem due to skin itching.
For severe cases your doctor may prescribe antihistamines. Depending on the intensity of the symptoms you need to continue the medication for few days. For people who are diagnosed with urticaria corticosteroids are given. Nowadays light therapy is highly effective for treating dermatographism. Narrowband of ultraviolet rays are passed into the affected areas of the skin which would considerably reduce the wheals or welts. This therapy can be combined with medications like Loratadine or Clarinex or Xyzal which is used for treating allergies.
Pictures of Dermatographism :
Images, Pics, Pictures and Photos of Dermatographism
Prevention :
Avoid using harsh soaps and harsh creams on your skin which may produce skin irritation. Avoid wearing tight clothes and choose the dress that makes you comfortable. Do not take hot showers when you have skin irritation since it does more harm than good. It is natural to rub the skin when you feel like itching but try to control scratching which may worsen the symptoms. For people with dry skin, it is wise to use moisturizers daily to keep your skin soft and rejuvenated.
Symptoms :
Some of the signs of dermatographism are formation of raised red colored lines on the skin, light swelling on the surface of the skin, and build-up of hive like welts. For some people these patches may cause itching which can affect the entire body.
Types :
Depending on the nature of scratches dermatographism can be classified into many types.
Red dermatographism : This is the most common type which develops as small raised scratches on the skin which occurs on trunk.
Follicular dermatographism : This type causes specific prominent follicular papules on the skin with a well defined background.
Cholinergic dermatographism : This is somewhat large embedded with punctuate wheals resembling urticaria.
Delayed dermatographism : In this type papules develop after several hours of initial response forming deep wheal like structure.
Causes :
It is not known what exactly causes dermatographism. It can be due to side effects of medications, response to allergic reactions and any other factor that triggers allergy. Often young people who are in teens are diagnosed with this problem.
Diagnoses :
Your doctor can easily detect dermatogrphia by physical examination. No particular test is needed. However for some people, a tongue depressor is placed on the skin to identify specific defined red lines or welt.
Treatment :
Dermatographia does not need any treatment since it often disappears within few minutes or hours. In case you have skin irritation then you can take Benadryl or Allegra or Cetrizine. It is enough if you avoid stimulants that trigger formation of such lines on your skin. Individuals with dry skin are at increased risk of developing this problem due to skin itching.
For severe cases your doctor may prescribe antihistamines. Depending on the intensity of the symptoms you need to continue the medication for few days. For people who are diagnosed with urticaria corticosteroids are given. Nowadays light therapy is highly effective for treating dermatographism. Narrowband of ultraviolet rays are passed into the affected areas of the skin which would considerably reduce the wheals or welts. This therapy can be combined with medications like Loratadine or Clarinex or Xyzal which is used for treating allergies.
Pictures of Dermatographism :
Images, Pics, Pictures and Photos of Dermatographism
Prevention :
Avoid using harsh soaps and harsh creams on your skin which may produce skin irritation. Avoid wearing tight clothes and choose the dress that makes you comfortable. Do not take hot showers when you have skin irritation since it does more harm than good. It is natural to rub the skin when you feel like itching but try to control scratching which may worsen the symptoms. For people with dry skin, it is wise to use moisturizers daily to keep your skin soft and rejuvenated.
Meningioma
Meningioma Meningioma is a rare tumor that occurs on the membranes of the brain or spinal cord. Meninges are the name of the membrane that envelops the brain and rarely it may develop tumor. Most of the time these tumors are benign (harmless) and in rare cases they become malignant (cancer causing). Meningioma is common on elderly women but sometimes it can develop in males also.
Symptoms :
Initially there may not be any signs of meningioma. Not all the people with this disease will have symptoms. Some of the symptoms of meningioma are blurred vision, headache (moderate to severe), loss of memory, loss of hearing and seizures. This tumor may develop on the membranes of your brain or spine and the symptoms vary accordingly. If there is any sudden change in your vision or memory or if you have sudden seizure then you need to visit your doctor.
Causes :
Exact cause of meningioma is not known. It is believed to occur due to sudden development and growth of cells around the meninges which would multiply in good number causing tumor like growth. It can develop due to genetic or environmental factor.
Risk Factors :
People who have undergone chemotherapy or radiation therapy are prone to develop meningioma. Increased secretion of female hormone increases the risk of meningioma. Formation of neurofibromatosis (a rare type of neuro disorder) increases the risk of developing meningioma.
Complications :
As such the disease does not cause any complications but the radiation or chemotherapy given for treating meningioma may cause side effects like loss of memory, confusion of thoughts, mood swings, change in personality and seizures.
Tests :
Meningioma can be diagnosed by imaging tests like X-ray, CT scan or MRI scanning. Cross section images of the brain are studied after applying magnetic waves and radio waves on the brain.
Treatment :
No treatment is necessary if there are no symptoms. Small sized tumor inside the membranes of your brain does not cause any trouble. Your doctor will consider your age, overall health and the intensity of the tumor before giving any treatment. He will monitor the size of tumor regularly to check if it has progressed in size. He may order of brain scan every month or so to notice any significant changes.
Surgery :
Meningioma can be removed completely by surgery but it involves many complications if the skull or spine has to be opened up. Since the brain or spine contains many delicate nerves and structures it may not be possible to remove the entire tumor.
The person has to follow the instructions of the doctor after surgery for further treatment. In case the tumor is benign then it is enough if you make regular checkups and scans with your doctor. In case if the tumor is malignant you need to undergo radiation therapy after surgery. The surgery inside the brain involves enough risk and has to be considered in advance.
Radiation Therapy :
Radiation waves are directly applied on the tumor area to destroy them completely. Large machine is used for sending high powered ray of energy into your head for killing those cells. Now advanced methods of radiotherapy like SRT (Sterotactic radiotherapy) and IMRT are used. Radiosurgery is yet another method in which the high powered radiation waves are sent into the head or affected portion of the spine. For destroying large sized tumors, fractionated radiation therapy is used in which radiation is administered in fractioned doses.
Medications :
Chemotherapy is given in the form of suitable drugs like Droxia or Hydrea and for most of the patients combination of radio-therapy is given along with medication. For mild form of meningiomas you can try acupuncture and some of the alternate therapies like meditation and relaxation techniques.
Coping Skills :
It may be shocking for anyone if he/she is diagnosed with meningioma. But you have to accept the truth and follow the advice of your doctor. It will be beneficial for you to learn everything about this disease. Also you can join a support group to share your feelings. Eat a balanced diet and do regular exercises to stay active.
Symptoms :
Initially there may not be any signs of meningioma. Not all the people with this disease will have symptoms. Some of the symptoms of meningioma are blurred vision, headache (moderate to severe), loss of memory, loss of hearing and seizures. This tumor may develop on the membranes of your brain or spine and the symptoms vary accordingly. If there is any sudden change in your vision or memory or if you have sudden seizure then you need to visit your doctor.
Causes :
Exact cause of meningioma is not known. It is believed to occur due to sudden development and growth of cells around the meninges which would multiply in good number causing tumor like growth. It can develop due to genetic or environmental factor.
Risk Factors :
People who have undergone chemotherapy or radiation therapy are prone to develop meningioma. Increased secretion of female hormone increases the risk of meningioma. Formation of neurofibromatosis (a rare type of neuro disorder) increases the risk of developing meningioma.
Complications :
As such the disease does not cause any complications but the radiation or chemotherapy given for treating meningioma may cause side effects like loss of memory, confusion of thoughts, mood swings, change in personality and seizures.
Tests :
Meningioma can be diagnosed by imaging tests like X-ray, CT scan or MRI scanning. Cross section images of the brain are studied after applying magnetic waves and radio waves on the brain.
Treatment :
No treatment is necessary if there are no symptoms. Small sized tumor inside the membranes of your brain does not cause any trouble. Your doctor will consider your age, overall health and the intensity of the tumor before giving any treatment. He will monitor the size of tumor regularly to check if it has progressed in size. He may order of brain scan every month or so to notice any significant changes.
Surgery :
Meningioma can be removed completely by surgery but it involves many complications if the skull or spine has to be opened up. Since the brain or spine contains many delicate nerves and structures it may not be possible to remove the entire tumor.
The person has to follow the instructions of the doctor after surgery for further treatment. In case the tumor is benign then it is enough if you make regular checkups and scans with your doctor. In case if the tumor is malignant you need to undergo radiation therapy after surgery. The surgery inside the brain involves enough risk and has to be considered in advance.
Radiation Therapy :
Radiation waves are directly applied on the tumor area to destroy them completely. Large machine is used for sending high powered ray of energy into your head for killing those cells. Now advanced methods of radiotherapy like SRT (Sterotactic radiotherapy) and IMRT are used. Radiosurgery is yet another method in which the high powered radiation waves are sent into the head or affected portion of the spine. For destroying large sized tumors, fractionated radiation therapy is used in which radiation is administered in fractioned doses.
Medications :
Chemotherapy is given in the form of suitable drugs like Droxia or Hydrea and for most of the patients combination of radio-therapy is given along with medication. For mild form of meningiomas you can try acupuncture and some of the alternate therapies like meditation and relaxation techniques.
Coping Skills :
It may be shocking for anyone if he/she is diagnosed with meningioma. But you have to accept the truth and follow the advice of your doctor. It will be beneficial for you to learn everything about this disease. Also you can join a support group to share your feelings. Eat a balanced diet and do regular exercises to stay active.
Monday, April 7, 2014
Anthrax
Anthrax Anthrax is a life threatening infectious disease caused by bacteria. It affects your lungs and would cause inflammatory bowel disease. It spreads through skin contact, ingestion and inhalation of spores from animals. The bacteria that cause anthrax live in the body of animals and get contracted through spores. This deadly disease can be prevented and treated. The infection can spreads through bioterrorist attack also.
Causes :
Bacterium by name Bacillus anthracis causes anthrax infection on animals. Initially these organisms live in the soil in dormant form known as spores. The spores are capable of surviving for many years and are difficult to destroy.
Anthrax bacteria can be contracted in 3 methods :
Skin contact : The organisms can easily enter your body by direct skin contact of animals. It would cause painful sores on your skin initially and enter the body.
By ingestion : You have the possibility of getting anthrax bacterium through ingestion when you eat contaminated remains of dead animals. This can cause serious infection and can be fatal.
By inhalation : This is the most serious form of infection of anthrax which can be inhaled directly into your lungs. The spores circulate in the air and can easily be inhaled which would then migrate into the lymph nodes causing serious complications.
Incubation Period :
Incubation period is the time between the initial contact of anthrax and the onset of symptoms. It can be from 2-5 days and it varies according to the species of organisms causing it. For some people it can take weeks together for getting symptoms.
Symptoms :
Anthrax affects the animals and humans causing diseases on the skin, the lungs and the intestine. Broadly it can be categorized into three forms:
Types of Anthrax :
Cutaneous Anthrax :
The skin is the cutaneous layer of your body and anthrax symptoms may appear in the form of reddish brown spots on the skin. The area becomes slightly enlarged with blisters and pus filled ulcers. The lymph nodes in that area become swollen. Some of the symptoms of cutaneous anthrax are pain in the affected area, mild fever, headache and vomiting sensation. The symptoms can become worse in few weeks and prompt treatment of antibiotics is to be taken. In severe cases, it can prove fatal after 6 or 7 weeks, if no treatment is given.
Inhalation Anthrax :
The organisms of anthrax are inhaled by nose. Initially it would produce flu like symptoms with fever and body pain. Within few days the symptoms will get worse and cause respiratory problems. Anthrax will cause pneumonia like signs when the bacterial spores are inhaled by macrophages cells of the lungs which will cause shock, coma or even death.
Some spores will find its way to the glands of the chest where they attack the lymph nodes and start multiplying. With few days they will spread to the entire body and produce toxins. In the meanwhile they will cause tissue death called necrosis and severe hemorrhage. Inhalation anthrax is quite serious disease and most of them affected with this type of anthrax will die. Even if the patient is given antibiotics chances of survival is less since by that time the toxins would have spread to the entire body.
Gastrointestinal Anthrax :
This anthrax enters the body when a person eats contaminated meat or partially cooked food. Initially it will cause nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite and diarrhea followed by high fever and abdominal pain. The bacteria would enter the intestine through the bowel wall and gradually enters the bloodstream to spread through the entire body. It produces deadly toxins that cause death within shot time.
Diagnoses :
The doctor will collect the medical history of the affected person and order for tests like blood profile, throat swab, sputum test and chest X-ay. Further he may order for imaging tests like CT scan or MRI scanning to confirm the diagnoses. Anthrax will be tested in the laboratory and bacteria can be seen under the microscope.
For confirming the test, the lab technician would test the blood sample for the presence of Bacillus anthracis. He would also check the sputum sample or skin lesion swab for the presence of bacteria. Then total count of toxins in the blood is measured.
Risk Factors :
Any person can receive the spores that contain anthrax through inhalation. But people who are involved in certain types of jobs are placed in higher risk than others. The risk factors of getting anthrax is high for people who are working as lab technicians, veterinarians (handling infected animals daily), livestock producers, workers who deal with animal products and military personnel who are (engaged in bio-war events) handling anthrax powder.
People who frequently travel to countries like Southern/Eastern parts of Europe, central/South America, certain parts of Asia, and the Caribbean zone are more prone to develop anthrax than others. Certain areas have high risk of anthrax exposure when infected animals are slaughtered and meats were used. Finally workers who are involved in making drums (made of animal skin) and people who handle such drums are prone to develop anthrax. Such animal hides have chance of getting infected since no tests are made before such hides were imported.
Pictures of Anthrax :
Images, Pics, Pictures and Photos of Anthrax
Treatment :
Early treatment is very much necessary in the case of anthrax. Antibiotic creams that contain ciprofloxacin, tetracycline and penicillin are prescribed for treating cutaneous anthrax. For inhalation anthrax, the patient should be admitted in the hospital and given antibiotics intravenously after giving supplementary oxygen for respiration. It is essential to start with antibiotics for the affected person during a bio-terror attack even before the person becomes ill. Antitoxins are effective in treating patients whose body contains “active” anthrax. The active anthrax will multiply several folds producing toxins in huge quantity affecting the functions of vital organs.
Prevention :
Vaccine is available for treating people who have high risk of contracting anthrax bacteria. But it is not available to the general public till now. Newer forms of vaccines are under research study and being tested with animals.
Causes :
Bacterium by name Bacillus anthracis causes anthrax infection on animals. Initially these organisms live in the soil in dormant form known as spores. The spores are capable of surviving for many years and are difficult to destroy.
Anthrax bacteria can be contracted in 3 methods :
Skin contact : The organisms can easily enter your body by direct skin contact of animals. It would cause painful sores on your skin initially and enter the body.
By ingestion : You have the possibility of getting anthrax bacterium through ingestion when you eat contaminated remains of dead animals. This can cause serious infection and can be fatal.
By inhalation : This is the most serious form of infection of anthrax which can be inhaled directly into your lungs. The spores circulate in the air and can easily be inhaled which would then migrate into the lymph nodes causing serious complications.
Incubation Period :
Incubation period is the time between the initial contact of anthrax and the onset of symptoms. It can be from 2-5 days and it varies according to the species of organisms causing it. For some people it can take weeks together for getting symptoms.
Symptoms :
Anthrax affects the animals and humans causing diseases on the skin, the lungs and the intestine. Broadly it can be categorized into three forms:
Types of Anthrax :
Cutaneous Anthrax :
The skin is the cutaneous layer of your body and anthrax symptoms may appear in the form of reddish brown spots on the skin. The area becomes slightly enlarged with blisters and pus filled ulcers. The lymph nodes in that area become swollen. Some of the symptoms of cutaneous anthrax are pain in the affected area, mild fever, headache and vomiting sensation. The symptoms can become worse in few weeks and prompt treatment of antibiotics is to be taken. In severe cases, it can prove fatal after 6 or 7 weeks, if no treatment is given.
Inhalation Anthrax :
The organisms of anthrax are inhaled by nose. Initially it would produce flu like symptoms with fever and body pain. Within few days the symptoms will get worse and cause respiratory problems. Anthrax will cause pneumonia like signs when the bacterial spores are inhaled by macrophages cells of the lungs which will cause shock, coma or even death.
Some spores will find its way to the glands of the chest where they attack the lymph nodes and start multiplying. With few days they will spread to the entire body and produce toxins. In the meanwhile they will cause tissue death called necrosis and severe hemorrhage. Inhalation anthrax is quite serious disease and most of them affected with this type of anthrax will die. Even if the patient is given antibiotics chances of survival is less since by that time the toxins would have spread to the entire body.
Gastrointestinal Anthrax :
This anthrax enters the body when a person eats contaminated meat or partially cooked food. Initially it will cause nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite and diarrhea followed by high fever and abdominal pain. The bacteria would enter the intestine through the bowel wall and gradually enters the bloodstream to spread through the entire body. It produces deadly toxins that cause death within shot time.
Diagnoses :
The doctor will collect the medical history of the affected person and order for tests like blood profile, throat swab, sputum test and chest X-ay. Further he may order for imaging tests like CT scan or MRI scanning to confirm the diagnoses. Anthrax will be tested in the laboratory and bacteria can be seen under the microscope.
For confirming the test, the lab technician would test the blood sample for the presence of Bacillus anthracis. He would also check the sputum sample or skin lesion swab for the presence of bacteria. Then total count of toxins in the blood is measured.
Risk Factors :
Any person can receive the spores that contain anthrax through inhalation. But people who are involved in certain types of jobs are placed in higher risk than others. The risk factors of getting anthrax is high for people who are working as lab technicians, veterinarians (handling infected animals daily), livestock producers, workers who deal with animal products and military personnel who are (engaged in bio-war events) handling anthrax powder.
People who frequently travel to countries like Southern/Eastern parts of Europe, central/South America, certain parts of Asia, and the Caribbean zone are more prone to develop anthrax than others. Certain areas have high risk of anthrax exposure when infected animals are slaughtered and meats were used. Finally workers who are involved in making drums (made of animal skin) and people who handle such drums are prone to develop anthrax. Such animal hides have chance of getting infected since no tests are made before such hides were imported.
Pictures of Anthrax :
Images, Pics, Pictures and Photos of Anthrax
Treatment :
Early treatment is very much necessary in the case of anthrax. Antibiotic creams that contain ciprofloxacin, tetracycline and penicillin are prescribed for treating cutaneous anthrax. For inhalation anthrax, the patient should be admitted in the hospital and given antibiotics intravenously after giving supplementary oxygen for respiration. It is essential to start with antibiotics for the affected person during a bio-terror attack even before the person becomes ill. Antitoxins are effective in treating patients whose body contains “active” anthrax. The active anthrax will multiply several folds producing toxins in huge quantity affecting the functions of vital organs.
Prevention :
Vaccine is available for treating people who have high risk of contracting anthrax bacteria. But it is not available to the general public till now. Newer forms of vaccines are under research study and being tested with animals.
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.
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 :
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.
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