08.08.07
Posted in Diseases and Conditions at 7:10 am by juliet
Previously it was believed that the leprosy patients discharged the leprosy bacilli from their skin, which get lodged onto the skin of other individuals living in close contact with the patient. Thus, skin to skin contact was considered to be the most important mode of transmission of the leprosy bacilli. Now however, it is known that the leprosy bacilli do not invade the superficial layer (epidermis) of the skin and therefore, the leprosy bacilli are not discharged through the skinunless the patient has a skin ulcer or other types ofbreaks in the skin.
On the other hand, large numbers of bacilli are present in the nasal (nose) or the oral (mouth) secretions. Thus,when a patient speaks, coughs, or sneezes, he is likely to throw out a large number of these bacilli which spread into the environment and cause infection in the other individuals. Only those patients are capable ofinfecting.the other individuals who have widespread infection which also involves the respiratory passages (nose and other areas) or the oral cavity (mouth) or have skin ulcers. This type of leprosy occurs in only a few of the leprosy patients, which means that there is almost no risk of getting infection from a fairly large proportion of the leprosy patients.
The manifestations of leprosy vary widely in different individuals. In a mild form of the disease, there may be only a single or at the most a few patches which may either be lighter in colour or red and raised. The most important component of this type of lesion is that the perception of touch, pain, heat and cold in these areas is either completely lost or impaired. The dermatologist may also be able to detect that the nerve in this region is also involved.
When the immunity is low, the patient can have a larger number of patches located on any part of the body. In the severe forms, such patches may involve almost all the areas of the skin; and there may be several nodules and even the entire skin may become thickened and corrugated, giving a very characteristic appearance to the patient. The bacilli in these patients spread to almost the entire body including the internal organs, especially the nerves, the lymph nodes, the liver, and the lungs. The only organs in the body which are known not to be infected by the leprosy bacilli are the brain, the spinal cord and the ovaries.
In severe forms of leprosy, the sensory loss is relatively less but the diagnosis can be confirmed by demonstrating the bacilli in the lesions, by preparing smears from small amounts of the material taken from the skin and staining with special stains. This method is called the ’slit-and-smear examination’.
There are several other manifestations of leprosy which depend upon the involvement of different regions of the body, such as loss of hair in the outer half of the eyebrows, stuffiness of the nose (blockage), bleeding from the nose (epistaxis), enlargement of the breasts in the male (gynaecomastia), absorption of the terminal portions of the fingers (shortening of the fingers and toes) and deep painless ulcers (trophic ulcers). It must however, be remembered that each of these manifestations are far more commonly seen as a manifestation of a variety of other diseases and thus the presence of an isolated sign or symptom does not mean that the patient has developed leprosy. It would be necessary to have the evaluation done by an experienced dermatologist for proper diagnosis.
Thus, if a person has loss of the temperature sensation on the hand or forearms, the person has to avoid touching or holding hot objects, and if a person has loss of pain sensation on any area of the body, especially the feet, the person must inspect those areas every day and take prompt appro- priate action if there is any indication of damage to the skin. Patients with sensory loss on the feet must avoid ill-fitting shoes and prefer to wear only soft and smooth footwear.
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07.21.07
Posted in Diseases and Conditions at 7:14 am by juliet
Cancer is a group of more than 100 different diseases. Colon cancer is a very common cancer second only to lung cancer. Colorectal cancer also called is colon cancer and bowel cancer, includes cancerous growths in the colon, rectum and appendix. Colon cancer is the fourth most common cancer in men and women. Colorectal cancer causes 655,000 deaths worldwide per year. Colon cancer is cancer that starts in the large intestine (colon) or the rectum (end of the colon). Such cancer is sometimes referred to as “colorectal cancer. Most cases of colon cancer begin as small, noncancerous (benign) clumps of cells called adenomatous polyps. Over time some of these polyps become cancerous. The colon is part of the body’s digestive system. The digestive system removes and processes nutrients (vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, fats, proteins, and water) from foods and helps pass waste material out of the body. The digestive system is made up of the esophagus, stomach, and the small and large intestines.
First 6 feet of the large intestine are called the large bowel or colon. The last 6 inches are the rectum and the anal canal. The anal canal ends at the anus (the opening of the large intestine to the outside of the body). Right sided, ascending colon tumors often present with fatigue, weakness, and anemia of iron deficiency of unknown origin. These lesions can grow quit large without causing any obstructive symptoms because stool in the ascending colon is relatively liquid and can continue to pass through even significantly narrowed lumens. Lesions of the ascending colon often project into the lumen and ulcerate, causing chronic blood loss resulting in symptoms of palpitations, possible angina pectoris, as well as fatigue. Colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer in US women of Hispanic, American Indian/Alaska Native, or Asian/Pacific Islander ancestry. Third most common cancer in white and African American women. Colorectal cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in the United States.
Colon cancer staging is an estimate of the amount of penetration of a particular cancer. Smokers are more likely to die of colorectal cancer than non-smokers. Heavy alcohol use may also increase the risk of colorectal cancer” (NCI). Diabetes-People with diabetes have up to a 40 percent increased risk of developing colorectal cancer. Chemotherapy is also used to treat patients with stage IV colon cancer. Irinotecan, oxaliplatin, and 5-fluorouracil are the three most commonly used drugs. Laparoscopic-assisted colectomy is a minimally-invasive technique that can reduce the size of the incision, minimize the risk of infection, and reduce post-operative pain. Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is being investigated as an adjuvant mixed with autologous tumor cells in immunotherapy for colorectal cancer. Avastin is used in conjunction with standard chemotherapy and in a clinical trial added an average of five months to the study participants’ survival time. Erbitux can be given on its own or in combination with the chemotherapy drug irinotecan (Camptosar).
Colon Cancer Treatment Tips
1. Chemotherapy medicines to kill cancer cells.
2. Surgery to remove cancer cells.
3. Radiation therapy to destroy cancerous tissue.
4. Irinotecan, oxaliplatin, and 5-fluorouracil are the three most commonly used drugs.
5. Laparoscopic-assisted colectomy is a minimally-invasive technique that can reduce the size of the incision, minimize the risk of infection, and reduce post-operative pain.
6. Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is being investigated as an adjuvant mixed with autologous tumor cells in immunotherapy for colorectal cancer.
7. Avastin is used in conjunction with standard chemotherapy and in a clinical trial added an average of five months to the study participants’ survival time.
8. Erbitux can be given on its own or in combination with the chemotherapy drug irinotecan (Camptosar).
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07.20.07
Posted in Diseases and Conditions at 7:50 pm by juliet
High blood pressure is sometimes called the silent killer. High blood pressure (or hypertension) is defined in an adult as a blood pressure greater than or equal to 140 mm Hg systolic pressure or greater than or equal to 90 mm Hg diastolic pressure. When the heart pumps blood into the arteries, the blood flows with a force pushing against the walls of the arteries. Blood pressure is the product of the flow of blood times the resistance in the blood vessels. This condition is high blood pressure. High blood pressure directly increases the risk of coronary heart disease (which leads to heart attack) and stroke. High blood pressure can occur in children or adults, but it’s more common among people over age 35. Very high diastolic pressures (110-129 mmHg) are found in about 1 in 25 people. People with diabetes mellitus, gout or kidney disease are more likely to have high blood pressure, too. Affecting approximately one in four adults in the United States.
Hypertension is clearly a major public health problem. High blood pressure tends to run in families. High salt intake, obesity, lack of regular exercise, excessive alcohol or coffee intake, and smoking may all adversely affect the outlook for the health of an individual with hypertension. High levels of stress can lead to a temporary but dramatic increase in blood pressure. People who are inactive tend to have higher heart rates. The higher your heart rate, the harder your heart must work with each contraction — and the stronger the force on your arteries. Lack of physical activity also increases the risk of being overweight. Potassium helps balance the amount of sodium in your cells. Excessive alcohol. Tobacco use. The chemicals in tobacco can damage the lining of your artery walls, which promotes narrowing of the arteries. Most young adults have blood pressure around 120/80. It increases normally with age, even going upto 160/90.
There are a number of alternative treatments and natural approaches to treating high blood pressure. Sun worshippers and tanning bed enthusiasts are seeking more than a bronze complexion , help to lower their blood pressure. There have been a number of studies examining the effects of garlic supplements on blood pressure. Garlic appears to lower blood pressure by 5 to 10%. It can also lower cholesterol, reduce triglyceride levels, discourage clot formation, and promote blood circulation. Lemon is also regarded as a valuable food to control high blood pressure. It is a rich source of vitamin P which is found both in the juice and peel of the fruit. Watermelon is another valuable safeguard against high blood pressure. Grapefruit is useful in preventing high blood pressure. The vitamin P content in the fruit is helpful in toning up the arteries. Hawthorn is a very well known heart herbal tonic in traditional herbal medicine. It has been used in Europe and China for centuries as a folk remedy. Honey soothes the nerves and is also helpful in lowering the high blood pressure.
Reducing High Blood Pressure without Drugs Tips
1. Sun worshippers and tanning bed enthusiasts are seeking more than a bronze complexion , help to lower their blood pressure.
2. Garlic appears to lower blood pressure by 5 to 10%.
3. Lemon is also regarded as a valuable food to control high blood pressure.
4. Watermelon is another valuable safeguard against high blood pressure.
5. Grapefruit is useful in preventing high blood pressure.
6. Hawthorn is a very heart herbal tonic.
7. Honey soothes the nerves and is also helpful in lowering the high blood pressure.
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Posted in Diseases and Conditions at 7:49 pm by juliet
Asthma can be a life-threatening disease.Asthma is caused by inflammation in the airways. Asthma is a condition that affects the airways – the small tubes that carry air in and out of the lungs. The result is difficulty breathing. Asthma attacks are not all the same—some are worse than others. In a severe asthma attack, the airways can close so much that not enough oxygen gets to vital organs. Approximately one adult in 13 is currently being treated for asthma in the UK. This condition is a medical emergency. There are things in the environment that bring on your asthma symptoms and lead to asthma attacks. Some of the more common things include exercise, allergens, irritants, and viral infections. People can die from severe asthma attacks. Signs of an asthmatic episode include wheezing, rapid breathing (tachypnea), prolonged expiration, a rapid heart rate (tachycardia), rhonchous lung sounds (audible through a stethoscope), and over-inflation of the chest. Respiratory infections, including the common cold. Asthma is the most common chronic illness of childhood and a common reason for missed school days. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a condition in which stomach acids back up into your esophagus. GERD may trigger an asthma attack or make an attack worse.
Asthma is more common in boys than in girls. Some people have asthma only when they exercise or have a viral infection. Sometimes certain triggers can bring on symptoms. Approximately 14 million adults and 6 million children in the U.S. have asthma. Common triggers include house dust mite, animal fur, pollen, tobacco smoke, cold air, viral and bacterial chest infections. During very severe attacks, an asthma sufferer can turn blue from lack of oxygen, and can experience chest pain or even loss of consciousness. But after puberty asthma is more common in females. Certain medications, including beta blockers, aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Acid reflux can cause asthma symptoms in two ways. First, acid reflux may cause people to breathe little droplets of acid into their lungs unknowingly. Second, recurring episodes of acid reflux may cause digestive acid to dissolve the esophageal lining and expose some parts of significant nerves that are connected to the lungs.
Acid Reflux Acid reflux (gastroesophageal reflux, or GERD) is a condition that occurs when stomach acids flow backward into the esophagus. Acid reflux may be caused by a failure of the lower esophageal sphincter or LES. There is a ring of muscles between the lower end of the esophagus and the stomach, called the lower esophageal sphincter. The Asthma-Reflux Connection Researchers say acid reflux affects 20 to 30 percent of Americans. But the condition occurs in as many as 70 percent of patients with asthma. The reason for the high incidence in asthmatics is not certain. However, there are several theories about the association. Pressure changes in the chest during an asthma attack may allow the LES to relax and stomach acids to back up into the esophagus. The acid may irritate the lungs and further aggravate asthma. Acid reflux is also suspected if asthma symptoms become more noticeable after eating, at nighttime, and after some time lying down.
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