Health problems,Diseases, Diagnosis, Treatment, Alternative therapies and Articles

MUMPS

2012-02-27T21:23:00.000+05:30

Mumps is a viral infection which affects salivary glands.This disease causes painful inflammation and swelling of the salivary glands.Mumps spread through the saliva or through discharge from nose of infected person exhaled while breathing.This disease is usually found more among children.The incubation period of the virus is between 12 to 25 days.In some extreme cases mumps may affect central nervous system,pancreas and testes.

Mumps virus

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Symptoms

Painful swelling of salivary glands, facial pain,sore throat, fever, headache etc.

Enlarged salivary glands

By Photo Credit: Content Providers: CDC/NIP/Barbara Rice [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Diagnosis

Mumps can be diagnosed by physical examination of an expert physician.

Treatment

No specific treatment is available for mumps, gargling saline water can reduce the severity of pain and inflammation of salivary glands.

PERSONALITY DEVELOPMENT-THE MICROBIAL WAY

2012-01-23T20:53:00.000+05:30

We Know that our body, especially intestine carries many colonies of different micro organisms. But have you ever thought these parasites can change or shape our personality. Yes, it is a real fact. The chemical substances produced by these micro organisms can alter or change functioning of body organs. Some toxins or chemicals can change the patterns of brain chemistry.The researchers of McMaster University of Canada conducted studies among mice about the influence of bacteria in behavioral patterns. They fed the mice with Lactobacillus Ramnosuss, a bacteria which is common in curd. The mice fed with this bacteria exhibited less fear and stress.They also observed the changes occurred in the brain after feeding the bacteria.

Toxoplasma bacteria

Credit: Image provided by Ke Hu and John Murray.,DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.0020020.g001

Scientists already established the link between Toxoplasma bacterium and schizophrenia. This study points out the need of more studies in this regard. It could be a good thing that if we can control or alter our moods by in taking food or supplements contain good bacterium or substances for regulating the activities of harmful bacterium.

By Christopher (Water Buffalo Yogurt and Honey)
[CC-BY-2.0 (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

SCLERODERMA

2012-01-18T19:45:00.000+05:30

Scleroderma is an autoimmune disease resembles rheumatoid arthritis.This disease immediately affects and make significant changes in heart, lungs, blood vessels,skin, muscles etc.This disease occurs due to the immune system of the body mistakenly attacks the healthy cells.The exact reason of scleroderma is still unknown.Under this conditions a substance named collagen accumulates in various parts of the body.It causes reduction in blood circulation to the fingers and causes destruction of cells and finally results in a painful wound.This conditions commonly found among the people aged between 30 to 50 years and affect women more than men. Usually two types of scleroderma is occurred - localized scleroderma and systematic scleroderma or sclerosis.Sclero derma leaves different symptoms depends on the infected organ or part.

Symptoms

Scleroderma on hands

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Skin and joint symptoms include carpal tunnel syndrome,Raynaud's phenomenan (Fingers or toes became blue while exposure to hot or cold temperature), joint pain, swelling,stiffness, muscle weakness, hair loss,skin hardness, tightness of fingers and arms, sores on tips and toes of fingers, white coloured skin rashes etc.

Lung symptoms include dificulty in breathing,coughing, shortness of breath, pneumonia, alveolitis (inflammation to air ways) etc.

Heart symptoms include high blood pressure, irregular rhythm of heart beat, enlargment of heart etc.

Digestive system symptoms include diarrhea, damage to esophagus, acid reflux, heart burn,pain and bloating etc.

Diagnosis

An expert can diagnose scleroderma by examining the symptoms, in most cases the Reynaud's phenomenon is present along with other symptoms.A doctor may recommend the following for diagnosing the disease.

Antinuclear Antibody (ANA) Test, Antibody test,Rheumatoid factor,ESR with other supporting diagnosis tests like skin biopsy, Routine blood tests, urine analysis,X-ray and CT scan etc.

Treatment

There is no specific treatment is available for scleroderma. Treatment is given to releive symptoms.Treatment includes using immuno suppressive drugs though this is an autoimmune disease.Recently a medicine named Tadalafil found very effective to cure Reynaud's syndrome, and it acts by increasing blood flow to fingers and toes.

Tadalafil

By Jean-Patrick Donzey (Own work) [GFDL (www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)
or CC-BY-SA-3.0 (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)], via Wikimedia Commons,Please see GFDL

KAYA CHIKITSA-THE PHYSICAL MEDICINE OF AYURVEDA

2012-01-02T09:20:00.000+05:30

Kaya chikitsa is the branch of ayurvedic treatment system which is almost similar to the physical medicine specialisation of modern medicine and deals with the diagnosis and treatment of many diseases include arthritis, diabetics, common fever, tuberculosis,skin problems etc. Charaka samhitha is the referance text book used for kayachikitsa treatment.It contains causes for diseases, various diagnostic and treatment procedures.

Ayurveda believes diseases are the outcome of imbalances between three main bodily forces namely Vata, Pitha, and Kapha and the causes of such a condition are mainly our mind, dathu(tissues), and mala(toxins). The toxins accumulate inside the body are the main causes of diseases and the toxins are coming from the food, water and air and detoxification only can cure the diseases.Kaychikitsa have a holistic approach to the treatment and it advises for a total life change along with medications and it is useful for the total rejuvenation of the body. The famous panchakarma treatment is also part of the kayachikitsa. Panchakarma procedure aims to purify the body from biological toxins and to rejuvenate entire body mechanism and include various steps of emesis, enema and purgation.

By KondottySultan (Photo took by the uploader.)

[Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Kaychikitsa treatment is proven effective for curing diseases like paralysis, skin problems,ADHD, thyroid malfunctions, obesity, infertility problems,weight loss, arthritis etc. and no significant side effects have been discovered so far.

GONORRHEA

2011-12-31T20:06:00.003+05:30

Gonorrhea is a common sexually transmitted disease caused by a bacterium named Neisseria gonorrhoeae.This infection occurs through sexual contact with infected person and from infected mother to her baby..The bacteria is seen in genital organs, throat and in rectum.If gonorrhea is left untreated, it may cause many other problems, particularly problems relating to skin,genital organs, joints and heart valves.The incubation period of the bacteria is usually 4 days to one week.

Neisseria gonorrhoeae

By Photo Credit: Content Providers(s): CDC/ Dr. Norman Jacobs [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Symptoms

Main symptoms are burning with urination and yellowish white discharge from penis among men and vaginal discharge and pelvic pain in women.Pain during intercourse, irritations and infections in throat and rectum etc are also common symptoms. In few cases there may appear skin lesions.Some people may show no symptoms, and in such cases there are high chances to worse development of the disease and they become continue as carriers till the disease is diagnosed in its final stages.

Skin lesion due to Gonorrhea

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Diagnosis

Gram stain test and culture is usually used to diagnose gonorrhea.PCR(Polymerise Chain Reaction) tests are also done now a days.A physician may recommend other common tests to diagnose the damages done by the disease.

Treatment

The bacterium is more resistant to conventional type antibiotics due to their regular usage. Now a days antibiotics like cephalosporin or quinalone are used to treat the disease. Ceftriaxone is the new kind of antibiotic used to treat the disease which is found more effective.

By Grook Da Oger (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

ENCEPHALITIS

2011-12-26T18:42:00.000+05:30

Encephalitis is a disease which affects the brain.Under this disease the brain may swell and some times cause meningitis. Such a condition is called meningoencephalitis. Encephalitis may occur due to microorganisms, ie. virus, bacteria, parasite, protozoa etc. or due to other conditions like allergy, auto immune disease and existing diseases like cancer or syphilis. But the viral infections are most common. The disease spreads in many ways- through the respiratory outlets from an infected person, bite of mosquito or ticks and other insects, contaminated food or water and direct contact with infected person etc. are some of the common modes. Among viral infections the most common causes are herpes virus, flavivirus, adinovirus, cytomegalovirus, echovirus or Togaviridae viruses. The disease is named according to the infected virus and common types of encephalitis are West Nile Encephalitis, Eastern equine encephalitis, Western equine encephalitis,Venezuelan equine encephalitis, Japanese encephalitis etc.

Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus
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Eastern Equine Encephalitis

By CDC/ Dr. Fred Murphy; Sylvia Whitfield [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

West Nile Virus

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Symptoms

Symptoms may vary according to the type of infection and infection agent. However common symptoms are low grade fever, mild headache, body weakness, drowsiness, vomiting, light sensitivity etc.. But in chronic stages, symptoms like, high fever, severe headache, seizure,memory loss, confusion etc. may occur.

Diagnosis

A physician analyse the symptoms, will do a physical examination and correlate with laboratory results. Diagnosis tests are - examination of the cerebrospinal fluid obtained by a lumbar puncture procedure,serology test, tests for detecting virus DNA or RNA CT scan, MRI scan,EEG along with usual blood and urine examinations.

Treatment

Antivirul, antibiotic medications are given along with symptomatic treatments. Anti viral drugs like Acyclovir and Foscarnet are prescribed for viral infections and antibiotics are prescribed after confirming the type of microorganisms behind the infection. Corticosteroids are used to reduce swelling of brain and anti seizure drugs for control seizure.

NIGHTMARES? DON'T WORRY!

2011-12-22T21:27:00.000+05:30

By Rarmin (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Dreams are part of our life. Some people may see day dreams, and most people may see night dreams, but all of them hate nightmares. Nightmares cause insomnia to many people. Many people frightened to sleep due to the fear of nightmares.So those people are desperate to ask," is there is any solution to get a good sleep". Yes, this good news is for them. A new therapy is introduced to solve the problem named Lucid Dream Therapy. In different phases of our sleeping there is a particular phase where we are in semi consciousness state, while our conscious mind can recognise that we are dreaming and in such situations we can change the course of our dreams with the help of conscious mind.These dreams can be able to recalled later. Such dreams are called lucid dreams.
The real life happenings and experiences are the root cause of nightmares. By practicing lucid dreaming we can reduce the number of nightmares.So good night,sweet"lucid dreams".

By Paul Sapiano from San Diego, USA (Angel)
[CC-BY-2.0 (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

TIPS TO CONTROL HYPERTENSION (B.P.)

2011-12-18T20:21:00.000+05:30

Hypertension ie. Blood pressure is a silent killer. Many people may not aware about it's presence until it become worse, and those who are fortunate to know about it's attack are worrying that, how to control this killer. Nothing else a healthy life style is the only way to control it.Some tips exclusively for you.

Reduce the quantity of salt in daily diet.Avoid food which contain high salt content.

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Include fresh fruits and fresh vegetables in daily diet, because they contain potassium, calcium,magnetism and fibers which can control hypertension. Banana, orange, skimmed curd,diary products, small fishes, beans, dried grapes, green leafy vegetables etc. are rich sources of these substances.Green teas is also a good option.

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Do regular exercise.Regular exercise could increase the heart's pumping ability and during the exercise all the blood vessels will expand and allow free flow of blood.

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Maintain healthy body and avoid obesity.Due to obesity the heart has to take more efforts to sent blood in all parts of the body. Obesity is also directly related to hypertension.

Fromhttp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:
Central_Obesity_008.jpg

Avoid smoking and drinking as much as possible.Alcohol consumption increases the blood pressure levels.So hypertension patients should avoid alcohol.Smoking causes nicotine to accumulate in blood vessels and may cause myocardial infraction.

By James Cridland from London, UK (Drinking and driving)
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via Wikimedia Commons

Practice relaxation techniques.Breathing exercises,yoga, music, playing with children etc. can reduce your mental stress as well as hypertension.

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OLIVE OIL IN INFLAMMATION OUT

2011-12-17T07:25:00.002+05:30

Olive oil is used as a cooking oil and also used to get soft,glowing skin.It also have many other medicinal properties. Now the scientists in Pennsylvania university has discovered that olive oil can effectively prevent inflammation in the body. A chemical substance contained in olive oil, named Oleocanthal is working behind the magic.

By BAIA (Olio Extra Vergine Di Oliva) [CC-BY-SA-2.0
(www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Many people are suffering from inflammation due to many diseases and ailments, these findings would be a blessing for them. Moreover studies conducted earlier at different parts of the world has suggested that olive oil can prevent stroke, heart attack and reduce hypertension. So start cooking with olive oil today for good health.

ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES

2011-12-14T21:56:00.001+05:30

AYURVEDA

AYURVEDA

2011-12-13T21:27:00.002+05:30

Ayurveda, an ancient Indian treatment system which literally means the science of life and is already proven effective against many ailments and diseases.The main attraction of this system is that it sticks to the nature’s ability to cure diseases. The well known yoga is actually derived from Ayurveda. This treatment system says that diseases are the outcome of imbalance of four bodily forces named vatha, pitha, capha. However this theory is appears to be strange or baseless while looking through the modern theories, but the fact remains that Ayurveda is still effective against many ailments or diseases which are incurable in terms of modern medicine.

An Ayurvedic Treatment Equipment

By Karntheking (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

According to Ayurveda, you possess all innate qualities to frame your physical and mental characteristics while you are a new born and you will be in a condition in which what you really are called as ‘prakrithi”. So you starts your life with prakrithi nature and in each and every moment of your life external factors will start to influence your body and after many years it reaches into a conditions named “vikruthi”. Ayurveda insists one to sticks on to the prakrithi nature or to innate yourself. The more you deviate from your prakrithi nature there would be more imbalance of the three doshas and more the chances of diseases and health problems. Ayurveda classifies the people on the basis of the dominating doshas in their body.

Ayurveda not treats the disease, but the patient by giving stress to change or modify his eating, sleeping, behavioural habits along with appropriate medicines for curing the health problem/s. In some conditions the patients has to avoid some food items for the effectiveness of the treatment. It uses a holistic approach to treat the diseases and there is more stress on the experience, skills and diagnosing ability of the practitioner. Massaging, sweating, oil bath,mud bath etc. are used for treatment.

Massage bench used in Ayurveda

By Gabi from Frankfurt, Germany (Massage Bench) [CC-BY-2.0

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Even though it is safer there may be little points of wordy too.Under some specific branches of treatment Ayurveda uses medicines which contain heavy metals.Even though these medicines are effective there would be some serious side effects may occur.
Like the modern medicine system, Ayurveda is also classified into specialities.

Major classification of Ayurveda

General (Internal) Medicine called as Kaya Chikithsa
General Surgery - Salya Chikithsa
Obstetrics and Gynecology and pediatrics - Griha Chikithsa
Paediatrics - Kaumara Bhruthyam
Ophthalmology,Head and ENT - Salakya Thanthra or Urdhwanga Chikithsa
Toxicology - Agadathanthram or Damshtra Chikithsa
Psychiatry - Bhutha Vidya
Male infertility, impotency, male sexual problems - Vajikarana
Immunity development and rejuvenation - Rasayana or Jara Chikithsa

Ayurveda has a rich tradition of many thousand years. In the early stages it is more related with religious aspects and later on it was grown as a separate treatment system. Later genius like Susrutha and Charaka contributed a lot to the growth of this treatment system. Susrutha who is believed to be the first person who conducted a surgery and plastic surgery ever also recorded his observation for the coming generations. Charaka is the writer of the Charaka Samhitha which is one among the major reference book for the Ayurveda practitioners. Another on is Ashtanga Hridyam written by Vagbhadan, which consists of 7000 slogans detailing about various treatments and diseases. Today Ayurveda is practiced mainly in the southern state of India, the Kerala and in Sri Lanka.
According to Ashtanga hridyam the basic components of good health are the following: eating good food, moderate physical exercise, think well before taking crucial decisions, self respect, set goals only according to your ability, speak only truth, love all equally, maintain coolness and calmness even under pressure, make company with good people and be forgiving.

More about Ayurveda are coming soon.

EAT BEANS, SAY NO TO CANCER

2011-12-10T22:18:00.001+05:30

Cancer is continuing its unbeaten run of taking lives among the killer diseases for many years. Researches are also going on worldwide on how to protect humans from the attack.However there are some good news from London, that Beans can combat cancer. The research conducted by the researchers of London University brought light on the ability of beans to combat cancer.

image from wikimedia http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Green-beans.jpg

An enzyme named Phosphoinositide 3-kinase is responsible for the growth of cancerous tumors. A substance named inositol penta kisphophate contained in beans can block the activity of the enzyme. According to researchers, beans is proved effective in mice against cancer in lungs and overy.So the researchers advise to include beans, cashew nut and grams seeds in diet to prevent cancer.

DIPHTHERIA

2011-12-09T21:43:00.001+05:30

Diphtheria is a contagious, life threatening disease, and caused by a bacterium named Corynebacterium diphtheriae. Diphtheria is classified into two Cutaneous and Respiratory and among these respiratory is most widely seen and most dangerous but cutaneous diphtheria is the most contagious while comparing with respiratory diphtheria. Diphtheria spread by respiratory droplets or from discharges from eyes, nose and skin lesions from an infected person or from a carrier and from contaminated food intake. While cutaneous diphtheria infects skin, respiratory diphtheria infects tonsils,nose and throat,pharynx and airways to lung.Respiratory diphtheria may become fatal if no treatment is given in time.

Corynebacterium diphtheriae

By Photo Credit: Content Providers(s): [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Symptoms

Respiratory diphtheria:

Low grade fever, sore throat,swollen neck, muscle weakness, swollen glands,cough,skin lesions, bloody discharges from nose, throat covered by a Grey colored covering etc.

Swollen Neck due to Diphtheria

By Photo Credit: Content Providers(s): CDC [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Cutaneos diphtheria:

Skin wounds,pain, sores, blisters, swelling etc.

Cutaneous Diphtheria

By CDC [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Diagnosis

Physical examination of a physician is important to diagnose the disease, especially, nose, throat and lungs. He may ask for Gram stain or throat stain for identifying the bacterium. He may ask to do blood test, chest x-ray, Electro Cardiogram etc.

Treatment

The toxins produced by the bacterium is the main cause of the ailments hence antitoxins are given through intravenous method. Antibiotics include penicillin or erythromycin are given. Symptomatic treatments are also given to relieve symptoms.

Fortunately vaccines for children and adults are available against this disease.

FLU (INFLUENZA)

2011-12-07T20:45:00.001+05:30

Flu ie. influenza is a serious respiratory disease caused by either influenza A or influenza B virus.While influenza A virus causes seasonal infection,the influenza B infection can be occurred at any time.The pandemic H1N1 is also another form of influenza.This infection affects nose, throat and lungs.The virus spreads through breathing tiny particles from respiratory droplets, cough, sneezing or by first touching contaminated substances with fingers and then touches the nose or mouth. Symptoms will appear within a day to a week.

Influenza virus

By Photo Credit: Cynthia Goldsmith Content Providers(s):
CDC/ Dr. Terrence TumpeyTimVickers at en.wikipedia
[Public domain], from Wikimedia Commons

Symptoms

Preliminary symptoms are chills, nausea and vomitting, dizziness, body pain etc. Within two to three days time fever will start to appear.At this time breathing problems will increase and running nose with clear watery discharge will appear.

By Mikael Häggström (All used images are in public domain.) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Diagnosis

A physician can easily diagnose flu by analyzing the symptoms.Laboratory examination of swabs taken from mouth and nose is required to confirm flu.

Treatment

In most cases no treatment is required. Symptoms may disappear within 4-7 days after infection.Anti viral drugs and Ibuprofen,Acetaminophen etc. along with other medications (except aspirin) for relieving symptoms are given.Care and continuous monitoring is advised to elder people, children and people with weak immunity.

HUG YOUR SWEETHEART FOR YOUR OWN HEALTH

2011-12-05T20:10:00.001+05:30

I am sure that you may little bit annoyed while watching the heading. But you can understand why I Used such a heading after reading this article.

The researchers of North Carolina University have proved that hugging your girlfriend or boyfriend can give strength to your heart. While hugging, the body produces a hormone named Oxytocin. This hormone has the ability to increase the affection among the partners and at the same time it can reduce blood pressure. The researchers found that after each hugging the level of stress hormone,ie. Cortisol become low, which is also good for health.

The researchers conducted research among thirty eight pairs. But hugging is more effective in women comparing to men. So don't waste time! start hugging your sweetheart for your own health.

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CHIP FOR DIAGNOSING SEXUALLY TRANSMITTING DISEASES

2011-12-02T21:34:00.001+05:30

By unkown (http://www.biophotonicsworld.org/uploads/43)
[CC-BY-3.0 (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

The scientists of Colombia University , New york have developed a new plastic chip which is able to diagnose sexually transmitting diseases with just one drop of blood.More attractive about this news is that this test costs only One dollar.

The chip is already proved zen percent accurate.This chip just have the size of a credit card and will give test results within fifteen minutes.This chips uses optics for diagnosing. The blood has to go through ten detection zones and it reads the fluids in the blood.The results can be compared with colour coding table for accurate readings.

This is believed to be as one of the greatest achievement that to diagnose various sexually transmitted disease including HIV Aids in a simple way.

This instrument is handy,accurate and quick, hence the patients don't need to visit clinic or laboratory for tests and could avoid many days anxious waiting for results.

TATTOOING-BE CAREFUL

2011-11-30T19:57:00.001+05:30

By Bur [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Tattooing is become a fashion statement now a day. People use tattoos as a medium to reveal their faith, affection,love and some times hate.Tattoos are nice to watch, aware that it may also leads to some serious problems too.

Tattooing done by inserting special type of inks into dermis, the outermost layer of skin, by using a needle which is able to pierce the skin more than a hundred times in a minute.Though the cells and tissues of dermis are permanent the tattoo marks will last for long.

The problems are the ink may cause itching or burning sensation and some kind of allergic reactions in the skin. It may cause contact dermatitis.The allergy caused by the ink may not be limited only to skin, it may cause whole body problems. In some cases this may affect lungs leads to death. Tattooing may also results ascar on the skin called Keloid.

If the needle used for tattooing is not properly sterilized it may cause infection of other communicable diseases like AIDS, Hepatitis and problems like tetanus,cellulitis etc.In some rare cases it may develop as skin cancer ie.melanoma, haematoma, vasculitis, keratoacanthoma, carcinoma etc.

REMOTE ISHEMIC PRECONDITIONING THERAPY FOR YOUR HEART

2011-11-29T07:46:00.000+05:30

By Jesse K. Alwin, U.S. Marine Corps

[Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

People all over the world are keen to practice things which are able to maintain their heart's health.And here is a simple therapy which is able to prevent heart attack upto an extent, named as Ishemic Preconditioning therapy.It is possible to perform this therapy with a blood pressure cuff of a B.P. apparatus.A trained technician inflates a blood pressure cuff over the upper arm of the patient for some minutes and cutting off blood flow to that arm. Then slowly releases the pressure and let the blood flow to reach normal levels. This procedure repeats for a number of times as decided by the experts.

The principle behind this therapy is while applying stress the brain releases chemical messengers that prepare heart cells to withstand a period of low oxygen supply and the restoration of blood flow. The same thing occurs during a heart attack.

Studies proved that this therapy can reduce the risk of angioplasty, bypass surgery and even heart attack.

PARACETAMOL OVER DOSE IS HARMFUL

2011-11-27T16:38:00.001+05:30

Paracetamol is the widely used drug to control common flu and cold and sometimes as a pain killer.But a new study reveals that intake of heavy doses of paracetamol or drug combination with paracetamol could be dangerous.Intake of too much paracetamol can be dangerous to liver.Death rates are high due to consumption of heavy doses of paracetamol caused by liver failure. Most patients are unaware about the usage and the doctors can't do an effective management in time, though they don't know the exact underlying cause of the condition.

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The researchers have also found the safe dosage of paracetamol a day: it is a maximum of 4 gm/day.

A researcher at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary,named Kenneth Simpson , has studied treatment details of 663 patients who had been admitted and treated between 1992 and 2008 with liver damage caused by paracetamol.
He found 161 people with an average age of 40 had taken paracetamol overdose, to relieve pain, headache, toothache etc. and astonishingly two out of five have died due to liver failure - according to the report in British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology.
He says that normal quantities of the drug are easily absorbed by the body but excessive amounts will accumulate in the liver and may cause liver failure.

MAGNETS CAN HELP IN THE TREATMENT OF PROSTATE CANCER

2011-11-27T13:08:00.001+05:30

A team of researchers at the University of Sheffield found that magnetic force can be useful in the treatment of prostate cancer.This treatment have many advantage over the conventional chemo therapy and radiotherapy and the important among them is there will not be any damage to the healthy tissues.The researchers also found that this therapy is highly effective even against advanced form of the disease.

By Sav vas, Francesco Rollandin

(http://www.openclipart.org/detail/27331) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

The body has it's own system of managing diseases. When prostate cancer cells develops, the body will sent white blood cells ie macrophages to fight the cancer cells.But the pace of growth and spreading of the cells are so high, the macrophages can't be successful due to their comparatively low speed action. To increase the speed of the macrophages the researchers injected magnetically charged nanoparticles (1/5oth the width of human hair) to the cells and observed that they can move very quickly to the tumors. Lab tests are also shown good results by reduced number of cancer cells. But the treatment is in preliminary stages and require more human trails to be conducted before an approved treatment system.

CYSTIC FIBROSIS

2011-11-24T20:50:00.001+05:30

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease caused by diseased genes and found mostly among children and young people. Under this condition the endocrine glands will not perform properly, and causes a kind of sticky, thick mucus production. This mucus build up on the airways of lungs , digestive tract and around other major organs make them difficult to absorb food and oxygen. This leads the organs to permanent damage.

Symptoms

Salty tasting skin, frequent coughing,low bowel movements, weight loss, nausea, loss of appetite, swollen abdomen, low appetite, pale or clay colored stool with mucus and fishy smell, fatigue, frequent pneumonia,shortness of breath etc. However symptoms may vary person to person.

By Maen K Abu Househ [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Clubbing of fingers of a person with Cystic Fibrosis

By Jerry Nick, M.D. [CC-BY-3.0 (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is mainly through specialized blood test which looks for defective gene.Another important test for the disease is sweat chloride test for measuring the amount of salt in sweat. A physician may recommend other common tests in combination with the above tests to confirm disease. Other tests a physician may recommend include Lung function test, CT scan, X-ray, fecal fat test etc.

Treatment

This is an incurable disease. Due to the development of modern science the life span of patients can be increased significantly.Treatment is given to reduce the severity of systems.Doctors may advice to include essential nutrients in food to resolve deficiency of vitamins and also may prescribe drugs for thinning mucus,comfortable bowel movement, and for easing the breath.

WAYS TO DEFEAT INSOMNIA

2011-11-18T19:34:00.001+05:30

Have you ever imagined about a full night without sleep while lying in bed? What a horrible night it would be? But for most people this is a routine thing.Insomnia is one among the major problems affecting many people.Some people use simple tricks to get a normal sleep, watching movies to counting monkeys in the wall posters, but only few get good results.Here are some tips to get a good sleep.

Stick to a regular bedtime and rising time.

Use bed only for sleeping.

Don't watch Television for getting sleep.

Do regular exercise.

Do not sit in front of a computer screen or Television set before 2 hours of bedtime as much as possible.

Don't sleep during the day time.

Avoid full stomach meal before sleep.

Use clean and comfortable mattress, bed sheets and pillow.

By Shazaalmadina (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0
(www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Keep your bed room clean,dark and quiet.

If you can't solve the problem with the above try behavioral therapy. some techniques used are Relaxation training, stimulus control therapy, sleep restriction therapy, Cognitive therapy etc..

By Taro the Shiba Inu [CC-BY-2.0
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EPILEPSY

2011-11-17T20:44:00.001+05:30

WORLD EPILEPSY DAY-18th OCTOBER 2011

Epilepsy is caused by the disorder of central nervous system and brain. The main and most disturbing symptom of epilepsy is repeated seizures.There are many causes for epilepsy and in many cases the reason is unknown. Damage to brain cells, injury, diseases, tumors, physical conditions and some times due to genetic reasons are the known causes of epilepsy.

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Symptoms

The symptoms may vary according to the underlying cause, the part of the brain affected etc. .The most important symptoms is nonoccurence of repeated seizures. This may differ in person to person. In some people there occurs seizures with violent shaking of body and other distress symptoms and in some others it may be mild.Some people may sense some sort of strange sensations called aura before seizure.

Diagnosis

The first step to diagnose epilepsy is taking Electroencephalogram(EEG) of the brain.People with epilepsy have abnormal electrical pulses in the brain and EEG can record these variations.In some cases normal EEG will not give any symptoms of epilepsy and in such cases patient have to wear a portable EEG instrument for recording pulses for weeks or months.

CT scans, MRI scans,Lubar puncture etc. are also recommended along with other common blood tests.

EEG

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Treatment

Anticonvulsants are given to control and prevent seizures. Anti seizure drugs are given to patients who can recognize pre symptoms(aura) of seizure. Surgery is advised in cases like tumors, bleeding blood vessels etc.The intention of medication is to regulate and control the diseases. The patient should try to take medications in prescribed intervals and to follow a healthy life style.Most type of epilepsy can be cured by two years of treatment.

IMMEDIATE REDUCTION IN CHOLESTEROL LEVEL BY A SINGLE DOSE INJECTION

2011-11-16T20:27:00.001+05:30

Good news for persons having high cholesterol levels. A research report presented before the American Heart Association is the new hope for those people.According to it a single dose injection is enough to reduce the cholesterol levels up to 64%.It is believed that this medicine can be used among the patients who are not responded with usual statins drugs.The researchers conducted the study, which is the first on among humans on 54 men and 2 women belong to the age group of 18 to 45 and who are carefully selected on the basis of response to statin drugs.The researchers observed that the effect of injection was lasted for around one month before the cholesterol level reaches previous levels and the duration of the effect is directly related to the dose of injection.

By Ladislav "Fredy.00" Šafránek (Moje injekce, moje fotka) [GFDL

(www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC-BY-SA-3.0-2.5-2.0-1.0

(www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons (please see GFDL)

We know that raised levels of cholesterol is the major cause of heart diseases and lowering cholesterol levels is a difficult task.The situation will become more vulnerable while the body is not responded to common statin drugs.This findings offer a new kind of measure for immediate relief from high levels of cholesterol.But unfortunately it will take some time, as it require more studies before entering in the markets.

CHLAMYDIA

2011-11-16T07:53:00.001+05:30

Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted disease caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis.It is one among the common sexually transmitting disease.The bacterium causes infection in genital organs and eyes.These bacterium can live only inside the human cells.This can be transmitted during unprotected anal,vaginal and oral sex or from an infected mother to her baby.This disease usually occurs in adolescents and young adults.If leave untreated it may cause inflammation in pelvis region,tubal pregnancy, infertility problems in women and in cases of pregnancy may cause sever problems like premature rupture of membrane,, pre term delivery etc. and in men it may cause urinary tract infection and swelling in testicles.In addition to all these problems it may also cause conjunctivitis.the better way to prevent chlamydia use condoms,limit the number of sex partners and in suspicious cases of exposure immediately visit a physician and take appropriate medication.

Chlamydia Trachomatis

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Symptoms

In most cases chlamydia leaves no symptoms and this results the infected person to continue spreading disease and hence this disease is called silent epidemic. In women common symptoms are pain during sexual intercourse,burning sensation during urination,urge to urinate more frequently than usual, rectal pain,vaginal discharge etc. And among men, tenderness or pain in testicles, burning sensation while urinating, discharge from rectum or penis, pain in genital area, fever etc.

Diagnosis

The disease is diagnosed by studying the urethral discharge or cervical secretions or rectal discharge.The sample taken are used for studying fluorescent or monoclonal antibody test, DNA probe test, or cell culture.

Treatment

Fortunately this disease can be cured using antibiotics. Commonly used treatments include the usage of Azithromycin,DoxycyclineTetracycline and Erythromycin.