Health

OSTEOARTHRITIS

2011-12-07T18:28:00.000-08:00

OSTEOARTHRITIS(OA) is a condition where there is an imbalance between degradative and reparative process of the whole joint and its component parts particularly in the synovium.
osteoarthritis is also known as osteoarthrosis or degenerative joint disease.it leads to gradual loss of cartilage in the joints leading to the formation of bony spurs.OA primarily involves dependent joints like knee and hip.About 4 lakhs of knee replacement surgeries are going on every year because of OA of knee.

causes:

primary reason for OA is aging.other causes like obesity,trauma,hereditary causes may also come under.Gout,DIabetes are the other risk factors.long running is also another risk factor to be noted.

SYMPTOMS:

                Pain and Joint swelling are the main symptoms in osteoarthritis.History of limited walking distance due to pain..pain that interrupts sleep in the night are the main symptoms.PHYSICAL EXAM SHOWS JOINTLINE TEMDERNESS TO PALPATION.

DIAGNOSIS:

Standing and flexed knee radiographs shows narrowing of joint space.other radiological findings include osteophytes,cysts and subchondral sclerosis.

TREATMENT:

                       1. weight reduction and avoiding exercises that cause pressure on joint.
                       2. rest,exercise,physical and occupational therapy
                       3. NSAIDs like ibuprofen and acetaminophen to reduce pain.
                       4.Corticosteroids for moderate joint narrowing.
                       5.surgical options:indications depends on patient age,weight,activity and status of                              compartments.total joint replacement,unicompatmental replacement and osteotomy are
the other surgical procedures used.

SCABIES

2011-07-28T00:42:00.000-07:00

Scabies is a skin disease which is contagious,caused by a small mite names SCORBUTIC SCABIEI.

CAUSES:
It is very easy to get infected by a mite.Personal hygiene and cleanliness play an important role.

SYMPTOMS:
Intense discomfort and itching are the main symptoms.
It typically involves genital area in boys.It can spread to every part in the body except face.
Palms & soles are also mainly involved.

DIAGNOSIS:
Diagnosis can be easily made by looking at the lesions and the areas involved.

TREATMENT:
Prevention is better than cure.Maintaining personal hygiene ,cleanliness and preventing the spread by not
using clothes of other persons and regular and proper washing of clothes.

1.Home treatment :As said above regular washing of clothes,maintaining personal hygiene
2.symptomatic treatment:Using tab.cetrizine or any anti histaminic drug to relieve the discomfort.
3.25% benzoyl benzoate lotion or 5% permethrin lotion can be used.1/2 of this dose for children.
should be applied from below the face and kept for 72 hours continously without washing.
It would be better if everyone in the house takes this treatment.

COUGH

2011-07-20T01:56:00.000-07:00

COUGH is a sudden,protective and repetitively occuriong reflex movement that helps in clearing the airway from various irritants.

CLASSIFICATION:
cough is classified into either acute(<3 weeks),subacute(3 to 8 weeks),chronic(>8 weeks) or acute cough i.e, lasting
<3 weeks or persistent cough lasting > 3 weeks.

cough may vary from simple cough to coughing up sputum or blood and sometimes may be associated with other symptoms like sore throat,
wheezing and difficulty in breathing.

CAUSES FOR ACUTE COUGH:
In most of the healthy adults the cause of acute cough syndrome is mostly viral upper respiratory tract infection like
common cold and other bacterial infections of the nose,
2.Psychogenic,
3.Acute pulmonary oedema i.e, associated with pink,frothy oedema.
4.Pulmonary embolus,
5.Use of ACE inhibitors(used to treat hypertension) and other beta blockers

CAUSES FOR CHRONIC COUGH:
1.Bronchitis(infection of the air passages leading to lungs),
2.Asthma
3.Croup(barking cough more commom in children between 6 months and 3 years)
4.GERD(Heartburn)
5.chronic lung disease(Bronchitis or Emphysema)
6.lung tumour
7.pulmonary tuberculosis
8.Whooping cough(Pertussis)

DIAGNOSIS:

*Age
*Cough
*Dyspnoea(Atrest or with exertion)
*Constitutional symptoms
*Tobacco use history
*Vital signs(heart rate,respiratory rate,body temperature)
*chest examination
*chest radiograph

These are the essential requirements to make a diagnosis of cause of cough.

TREATMENT:
1. Treatment depends upon the cause of cough.Natural remedies like some fruits(oranges),hot water bath may treat the acute cough by thinning the mucus in the throat.

2.Drink plenty of fluids

3. HOME CARE:
Cough due to common cold and postnasal drip can be treated by some cough syrups like Phensedyl(pseudoephedrine,promethazine).
Should not be used in children below 6 years.

4.Consult your doctor if the cough persists and it is associated with constitutional symptoms.

PREVENTION:

1.Quit smoking and stay away from second hand smoke and air pollution.
2.If you have seasonal allergies or any allergies,take preventive measures like staying indoors,using medication etc.

DROWSINESS

2011-07-14T03:28:00.000-07:00

DROWSINESS is nothing but feeling abnormally sleepy during the day.it has got many reasons.main reasons behind drowsiness include somnolence,abnormal thyrotoxic profile,sleep apnoea,depression,stress,grief and some psychological disorders.Medications like tranquilizers,sleeping pills and first genearation antihistamines may also cause drowsiness.

COMMON COLD

2011-07-10T12:11:00.000-07:00

rhinitis:inflammation in the nose..sneezing,snuffy and running nose,watery eyes,postnasal drip.
diagnosis :cap. amoxycillin 250 mg tid for 5 days...tab cetrizine or tab.pseudoephedrine is the commom treatment used now a days

ABDOMINAL PAIN(CHILD)

2011-07-09T12:26:00.000-07:00

Cholecystitis:(unlikely in children) Gallstones, Fever, right upper abdomi-
nal pain, sometimes pain in right shoulder, nausea,vomiting, chills, sometimes jaundice,dark
urine

Pancreatitis:(unlikely in children) Inflammation of the pancreas,the organ that produces insulin,glucose regulating hormone,associated with gall stones. Pain in the upper abdomen,sometimes in the back,nausea, vomiting sometimes weakness and rapid heart rate

Ulcerative colitis: Inflammation of the rectum and colon. Low-grade fever (less than
101 degrees F), some pain in lower abdomen, blood may appear in stools,sometimes weight loss

Crohn’s disease:(unlikely in children) Inflammation of the entire gastrointestinal tract. Low-grade fever
less than 101 F,pain in the lower right part of the abdomen that is often relieved by
defecation of stools that are soft and not well formed

2011-07-09T12:07:00.000-07:00

Sickle-cell disease: Painful “crises” caused by misshapen red blood cells,an inherited disease foubd most often in african americans. Severe pain in abdomen and joints,sweating,sometimes fever

Worms: Infection by Ascaris,hookworm, Taenia,Strongyloides species. Worms and eggs in stool,
, mild pain, weight loss and diarrhoea

Lead poisoning :Caused by exposure to lead, most often in lead paint in older houses.Diffuse abdominal pain,in the long term lead to mental retardation

Bowel obstruction:A blockage in theintestine. Nausea, vomiting, sometimes constipation
distended belly, extreme discomfort

Intussusception: common between ages of 5 months and 2 years.“Telescoping” of tubes of intestine into
one another. Slight fever, acute sudden pain,vomiting,often decreased bowel movements.

Ulcer: Severe irritation of the stomach or intestinal lining.Burning upper abdominal
pain that is worse when lying down,sometimes relieved by antacids,made worse by aspirin or
ibuprofen

Henoch schonlein purpura:inflammation of the blood vessels that often follow respiratory
infections.joint pain,vomiting,distended belly,bruising occurs later
Kidney disease: Congenital kidney problems... Severity of pain varies, but
generally over the flank
Hepatitis: Infection or inflammation of the liver caused by viruses.Weakness, fatigue, right
upper abdominal pain,jaundice (skin taking on a yellowish appearance)

ABDOMINAL PAIN(CHILD)

2011-07-09T11:35:00.000-07:00

These are the most common causes of abdominal pain in a child

Gastroenteritis( Infection of the stomach) Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cramping, muscle

aches, slight fever

Unclear cause (Alternating diarrhea and constipation)Attention-seeking behavior,cramping,diarrhoea,

constipation with minimal pain,no fever

Colic: Crying spells seen between the ages of 2 weeks and 4 months probably due to

abdominal pain..Crying spells, usually resolves on its own by age of 4 months

Constipation: Constipation, Diffuse pain

Appendicitis:Infection or inflammation of the appendix,a small pouch of the large intestine Pain in the lower right part of the abdomen,low grade fever(<101 degrees)

Pharyngitis:Sore throat, can lead to abdominal pain. Fever, enlarged “glands,”

sore throat, redness in throat

Pneumonia: Lung infection, can lead to abdominal pain because of coughing. Fever, cough are the main

symptoms

Mumps: Infection that causes the area around the cheeks to swell, now prevented in large part by MMR

vaccination.swollen cheeks and fever are seen

Lactose intolerance: Reaction to lactose, a sugar found in milk and cheese. Bloating, cramping pain are the main symptoms

ABDOMINAL PAIN(ADULT)

2011-06-10T23:53:00.000-07:00

These are the most commom causes for abdominal pain leading to emergency in an adult.

ABDOMINAL PAIN(ADULT)

cause              :what is it?                                     typical symptoms

Gastroenteritis : Infection of the stomach or intestines. Nausea, vomiting,diarrhea, cramping, muscle aches, slight fever.



Heartburn : Also known as GERD(Gastroesophagealreflux disease),the movement of acid up into and through the oesophaus,which connects the throat upright to the stomach,can lead to ulcer.Burning upper abdominal pain,worse when lying flat or bending over,particularly soon after meals,releived by antacids or sitting.

Irritable bowel syndrome: Alternating diarrhea and constipation, sometimes occurring during periods of anxiety.abdominal Cramping, diarrhea,constipation, with minimal pain,no fever.




Ulcer: Severe irritation of the stomach or intestinal lining.Burning upper abdominal pain that is worse when lying down,sometimes releived by lying down,antacids and made worse by aspirin or drugs such as ibuprofen.


Appendicitis: Infection or inflammation of the appendix, a small pouch of the large intestine. Pain in the lower right part of the abdomen, low grade fever (less than 101 degrees F)




Hepatitis : Infection or inflammation of the liver,can be caused by viruses or by heavy long-term drinking.    Weakness, fatigue, right upper abdominal pain, jaundice (skin taking on a yellowish appearence)

   ,


Diverticulitis: Infection of pockets of the large intestine..Fever, pain in lower left part of the abdomen,constipation, nausea, vomiting,sometimes blood in the stool

,
   ,



Cholecystitis :Gallstones. Fever, right upper abdominal pain, sometimes pain in right shoulder, nausea
   vomiting, chills, sometimes jaundice, dark urine
,


Pancreatitis: Inflammation of the pancreas with history of heavy drinking or gallstones.Pain in the upper
   abdomen, sometimes in the back, nausea, vomiting sometimes weakness and rapid heart rate



Ureteral stone: Passing of a kidney stone into one of the ureters ..Pain usually begins in side, accompanied by painful urination and blood in the urine can lead to fever


Ectopic pregnancy: Presence of a growing fetus outside the uterus(in women) usually in the fallopian tubes. Missed menstrual period, severe lower abdominal pain that appears suddenly
      ,


Pelvic inflammatory dsease: Inflammation of the reproductive tract that results from past sexually (in women) transmitted diseases, Severe pain in the lower abdomen, fever, chills,vaginal discharge, painful sexual intercourse



Ulcerative colitis Inflammation of the rectum and colon. Low-grade fever (less than 101 degrees F), some pain in lower abdomen, blood may appear in stools, sometimes weight loss



Crohn’s disease: Inflammation of the entire gastrointestinal system (can occur from mouth to rectum) Low-grade fever (less than 101 degrees F), pain in lower right part of the abdomen that is often
relieved by defecation of stools that are soft and not well formed.



Abdominal aortic aneurysm rupture: A tear of the aorta, the largest blood vessel in the body. Acute pain anywher ebetween the chest and lower abdomen, weakness,rapid heartbeat, sometimes,a pulsing mass can be felt



Bowel infarction: Failure of blood to get to part of the intestine leading to death of part of the intestine,often associated with a history of abdominal surgery.Weakness, rapid heartbeat, distended belly, pain is      all over the abdomen.surgery is necessary
   ,



Peritonitis: An infection of the lining of the abdomen. Severe pain that worsens with movement, fever,rigidity



Bowel obstruction: A blockage in theintestines. Nausea, vomiting, sometimes constipation,distended belly
    extreme discomfort


Heart attack : Blockage in one of the arteries feeding the heart,leading to death of part of the heart muscle Pain is very severe in the chest or very high in the abdomen, possibly in the jaw or left shoulder and
   elbow, sweating

SINUSITIS

2011-05-26T05:54:00.000-07:00

Sinusitis refers to an inflammatory condition involving the four paired structures surrounding the nasal cavities. Although most cases of sinusitis involve more than one sinus, the maxillary sinus is most commonly involved; Each sinus is lined with a respiratory epithelium that produces mucus, which is transported out by ciliary action through the sinus ostium and into the nasal cavity. Normally, mucus does not accumulate in the sinuses, which remain sterile despite their adjacency to the bacterium-filled nasal passages. When the sinus ostia are obstructed, however, or when ciliary clearance is impaired or absent, the secretions can be retained, producing the typical signs and symptoms of sinusitis.

Acute Sinusitis

Acute sinusitis—defined as sinusitis of <4 weeks' duration—constitutes the vast majority of sinusitis cases. Most cases are diagnosed in the ambulatory care setting and occur primarily as a consequence of a preceding viral URI. Differentiating acute bacterial and viral sinusitis on clinical grounds is difficult. Therefore, it is perhaps unsurprising that antibiotics are prescribed frequently (in 85–98% of all cases) for this condition. Etiology A number of infectious and noninfectious factors can contribute to acute obstruction.non infectious factors include allergic rhinitis,barotrauma or chemical irrtants.Illnesses such as nasal and sinus tumors (e.g., squamous cell carcinoma) or granulomatous diseases (e.g., Wegener's granulomatosis or rhinoscleroma) can also produce obstruction of the sinus ostia, while conditions leading to altered mucus content (e.g., cystic fibrosis) can cause sinusitis through impaired mucus clearance. viral sinusitis is far more common than bacterial.A number of bacteria may also cause sinusitis. the viruses most commonly isolated—both alone and with bacteria—have been rhinovirus, parainfluenza virus, and influenza virus Clinical Manifestations most of the sinusitis patients presents with symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections. Common presenting symptoms of sinusitis include nasal drainage and congestion, facial pain or pressure, and headache. Thick, purulent or discolored nasal discharge is often thought to indicate bacterial sinusitis but also occurs early in viral infections such as the common cold and is not specific to bacterial infection. Other nonspecific manifestations include cough, sneezing, and fever. Tooth pain, most often involving the upper molars, is associated with bacterial sinusitis, as is halitosis. In acute sinusitis, sinus pain or pressure often localizes to the involved sinus (particularly the maxillary sinus) and can be worse when the patient bends over or is supine Table 31-1 Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Acute Sinusitis Age Group Diagnostic Criteria Treatment Recommendationsa Adults Moderate symptoms (e.g., nasal purulence/ congestion or cough) for >7 d or Initial therapy
Severe symptoms of any duration, including unilateral/focal facial swelling or tooth pain Amoxicillin, 500 mg PO tid or 875 mg PO bid, or
TMP-SMX, 1 DS tablet PO bid for 10–14 d
Exposure to antibiotics within 30 d or >30% prevalence of penicillin-resistant S. pneumoniae
Amoxicillin, 1000 mg PO tid, or
Amoxicillin/clavulanate (extended release), 2000 mg PO bid, or
Antipneumococcal fluoroquinolone (e.g., levofloxacin, 500 mg PO qd)
Recent treatment failure
Amoxicillin/clavulanate (extended release), 2000 mg PO bid, or
Amoxicillin, 1500 mg bid, plus clindamycin, 300 mg PO qid, or
Antipneumococcal fluoroquinolone (e.g., levofloxacin, 500 mg PO qd)
Children Moderate symptoms (e.g., nasal purulence/congestion or cough) for >10–14 d or Initial therapy
Severe symptoms of any duration, including fever (>102°F), unilateral/focal facial swelling or pain Amoxicillin, 45–90 mg/kg qd (up to 2 g) PO in divided doses (bid or tid), or
Cefuroxime axetil, 30 mg/kg qd PO in divided doses (bid), or
Cefdinir, 14 mg/kg PO qd
Exposure to antibiotics within 30 d, recent treatment failure, or >30% prevalence of penicillin-resistant S. pneumoniae
Amoxicillin, 90 mg/kg qd (up to 2 g) PO in divided doses (bid), plus clavulanate, 6.4 mg/kg qd PO in divided doses (bid) (extra-strength suspension), or
Cefuroxime axetil, 30 mg/kg qd PO in divided doses (bid), or
Cefdinir, 14 mg/kg PO qd

CHRONIC SINUSITIS

Chronic sinusitis is characterized by symptoms of sinus inflammation lasting >12 weeks. This illness is most commonly associated with either bacteria or fungi, and clinical cure in most cases is very difficult. Many patients have undergone treatment with repeated courses of antibacterial agents and multiple sinus surgeries, increasing their risk of colonization with antibiotic-resistant pathogens and of surgical complications. Patients often suffer significant morbidity, sometimes over many years.

in chronoc sinusitis infection is thought to be due to impairment of mucociliary clearence.Chronic fungal sinusitis is a disease of immunocompetent hosts and is usually noninvasive, although slowly progressive invasive disease is sometimes seen. Noninvasive disease, which is typically associated with hyaline molds such as Aspergillus species and dematiaceous molds such as Curvularia or Bipolaris species, can present as a number of different scenarios

Chronic Sinusitis: Treatment

Treatment of chronic bacterial sinusitis can be challenging and consists primarily of repeated culture-guided courses of antibiotics, sometimes for 3–4 weeks at a time; administration of intranasal glucocorticoids; and mechanical irrigation of the sinus with sterile saline solution. When this management approach fails, sinus surgery may be indicated and sometimes provides significant, albeit short-term, alleviation. Treatment of chronic fungal sinusitis consists of surgical removal of impacted mucus. Recurrence, unfortunately, is common.

VERTIGO

2011-05-21T21:34:00.000-07:00

vertigo is a feeling of unstability to the patient where the world seems to be rotating.
vertigo is mainly caused by peripheral and central disorders.peripheral disorders means that involves the vestibular component in the ear.central disorders include which involve central nervous system after the entrance of vestibular nerve in the brain stem and othern central nervous systemm pathways.

vestibular disorders

PERIPHERAL (lesions of end organs vestibular nerve)

meniere's disease

benign paroxysmal
positional vertigo

labyrynthitis

vestibulotoxic drugs

head trauma

perilymph fistula

syphilis

acoustic neuroma

vestibular neuronitis

CENTRAL(lesions of brain stem and central connections)

Vertebro basilar insufficiency

posterior inferior cerebellar artery syndrome

basilar migraine

cerebellar disease

multiple sclerosis

tumours of brain stem and fourth ventricle

epilepsy

cervical vertigo

MENIERE'S DISEASE:charecterized by vertigo,fluctuating hearing loss and tinnitus.vertigo is of sudden onset lasts for a few minutes to 24 hrs.
TREATMENT:VESTIBULAR SEDATIVES are very much useful.but general measures like cessation of smoking,low salt diet should be followed.

BENIGN PAROXYSMAL POSITIONAL VERTIGO:it is charecterized by vertigo when the head is kept in a particular position.history of head trauma and ear infection may be present
this conditin can be treated by performing EPLEY'S MANOEUVRE

Feed back

2011-05-21T00:18:00.000-07:00
Dear viewers....
for any queries and doubts please feel free to write..i'l try to clear all ur doubts to the best of my knowledge

Back ache

2011-05-19T03:47:00.000-07:00
Back symptoms are the most commom cause of disability in patients above 45 years of age.
Types of back pain
Local pain is caused by stretching of pain-sensitive structures that compress or irritate sensory nerve endings. The site of the pain is near the affected part of the back.

Pain referred to the back may arise from abdominal or pelvic viscera. The pain is usually described as primarily abdominal or pelvic but is accompanied by back pain and usually unaffected by posture. The patient may occasionally complain of back pain only.

Pain of spine origin may be located in the back or referred to the buttocks or legs. Diseases affecting the upper lumbar spine tend to refer pain to the lumbar region, groin, or anterior thighs. Diseases affecting the lower lumbar spine tend to produce pain referred to the buttocks, posterior thighs, or rarely the calves or feet. Provocative injections into pain-sensitive structures of the lumbar spine may produce leg pain that does not follow a dermatomal distribution. This "sclerotomal" pain may explain some cases of back and leg pain without evidence of nerve root compression.

Radicular back pain is typically sharp and radiates from the lumbar spine to the leg within the territory of a nerve root . Coughing, sneezing, or voluntary contraction of abdominal muscles (lifting heavy objects or straining at stool) may elicit the radiating pain. The pain may increase in postures that stretch the nerves and nerve roots. Sitting stretches the sciatic nerve (L5 and S1 roots) because the nerve passes posterior to the hip. The femoral nerve (L2, L3, and L4 roots) passes anterior to the hip and is not stretched by sitting. The description of the pain alone often fails to distinguish between sclerotomal pain and radiculopathy.

Pain associated with muscle spasm, although of obscure origin, is commonly associated with many spine disorders. The spasms are accompanied by abnormal posture, taut paraspinal muscles, and dull pain.

Causes of Back and Neck Pain

Congenital/developmental
Spondylolysis and spondylolisthesisa
Kyphoscoliosisa

Spina bifida occultaa

Tethered spinal corda

Minor trauma
Strain or sprain
Whiplash injuryb

Fractures
Traumatic—falls, motor vehicle accidents
Atraumatic—osteoporosis, neoplastic infiltration, exogenous steroids
Intervertebral disk herniation
Degenerative
Disk-osteophyte complex
Internal disk disruption
Spinal stenosis with neurogenic claudicationa

Uncovertebral joint diseaseb

Atlantoaxial joint disease (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis)a

Arthritis
Spondylosis
Facet or sacroiliac arthropathy
Autoimmune (e.g., anklyosing spondylitis, Reiter's syndrome)
Neoplasms—metastatic, hematologic, primary bone tumors
Infection/inflammation
Vertebral osteomyelitis
Spinal epidural abscess
Septic disk
Meningitis
Lumbar arachnoiditisa

Metabolic
Osteoporosis—hyperparathyroidism, immobility
Osteosclerosis (e.g., Paget's disease)
Vascular
Abdominal aortic aneurysm
Vertebral artery dissectionb

Other
Referred pain from visceral disease
Postural
Psychiatric, malingering, chronic pain syndromes

aLow back pain only.

bNeck pain only.

STRAIN AND SPRAIN

The terms low back sprain, strain, or mechanically induced muscle spasm refer to minor, self-limited injuries associated with lifting a heavy object, a fall, or a sudden deceleration such as in an automobile accident. These terms are used loosely and do not clearly describe a specific anatomic lesion. The pain is usually confined to the lower back, and there is no radiation to the buttocks or legs. Patients with paraspinal muscle spasm often assume unusual postures

Lumbar Disk Disease

This is a common cause of chronic or recurrent low back and leg pain . Disk disease is most likely to occur at the L4-L5 and L5-S1 levels, but upper lumbar levels are involved occasionally. The cause is often unknown; the risk is increased in overweight individuals. Disk herniation is unusual prior to age 20 and is rare in the fibrotic disks of the elderly. Degeneration of the nucleus pulposus and the annulus fibrosus increases with age and may be asymptomatic or painful. Genetic factors may play a role in predisposing some patients to disk degeneration. The pain may be located in the low back only or referred to the leg, buttock, or hip. A sneeze, cough, or trivial movement may cause the nucleus pulposus to prolapse, pushing the frayed and weakened annulus posteriorly. With severe disk disease, the nucleus may protrude through the annulus (herniation) or become extruded to lie as a free fragment in the spinal canal.

TREATMENT

treatment of the back pain depends on the underlying condition.prains and strain may be releived b y simple rest of the involved muscle.disk prolapse in some conditions need surgery.cervical spondylosis is very prevalent now a days and it is charecterized by relapses and emissions even we use the treatment

cases in paediatric surgery,trichobezoar

2011-05-15T07:26:00.000-07:00
in my internship..now i'm posted in paediatric surgery.2 days back v admitted a case,12 yrs old female child from emergency for acute intestinal obstruction for surgery.all of us thought that it might be a case of bands or volvulus but surprisingly it was a case of trichobezoar in small bowel.nobody,even her parents knew that she was eating hair.they just thought that she was playing with comb.

Fever - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

2011-05-15T02:24:00.000-07:00
Fever - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

FEVER

2011-05-15T02:13:00.000-07:00
BOdy temperature is maintained by hypothalamus.A normal body temperature is ordinarily maintained, despite environmental variations, because the hypothalamic thermoregulatory center balances the excess heat production derived from metabolic activity in muscle and the liver with heat dissipation from the skin and lungs. According to studies of healthy individuals 18–40 years of age, the mean oral temperature is 36.8° ± 0.4°C (98.2° ± 0.7°F), with low levels at 6 A.M. and higher levels at 4–6 P.M. The maximum normal oral temperature is 37.2°C (98.9°F) at 6 A.M. and 37.7°C (99.9°F) at 4 P.M.; these values define the 99th percentile for healthy individuals.
Rectal temperatures are generally 0.4°C (0.7°F) higher than oral readings. The lower oral readings are probably attributable to mouth breathing, which is a factor in patients with respiratory infections and rapid breathing.
What is a fever?

Fever refers to an elevation in body temperature. Technically, any body temperature above the normal oral measurement of 98.6 F (37 C) or the normal rectal temperature of 99 F (37.2 C) is considered to be elevated. However, these are averages, and one's normal body temperature may actually be 1 F (0.6 C) or more above or below the average of 98.6 F. Body temperature can also vary up to 1 F (0.6 C) throughout the day.

Fever is not considered medically significant until body temperature is above 100.4 F (38 C). Anything above normal but below 100.4 F (38 C) is considered a low-grade fever. Fever serves as one of the body's natural defenses against bacteria and viruses which cannot live at a higher temperature. For that reason, low fevers should normally go untreated, unless accompanied by troubling symptoms.

Also, the body's defense mechanisms seem to work more efficiently at a higher temperature. Fever is just one part of an illness, many times no more important than the presence of other symptoms such as cough, sore throat, fatigue, joint pains or aches, chills, nausea, etc.

Fevers of 104 F (40 C) or higher demand immediate home treatment and subsequent medical attention, as they can result in delirium and convulsions, particularly in infants and children.

Fever should not be confused with hyperthermia, which is a defect in your body's response to heat (thermoregulation), which can also raise the body temperature. This is usually caused by external sources such as being in a hot environment.
Types
The pattern of temperature changes may occasionally hint at the diagnosis:
Continuous fever: Temperature remains above normal throughout the day and does not fluctuate more than 1 °C in 24 hours, e.g. lobar pneumonia, typhoid, urinary tract infection, brucellosis, or typhus. Typhoid fever may show a specific fever pattern, with a slow stepwise increase and a high plateau. (Drops due to fever-reducing drugs are excluded.)
Intermittent fever: The temperature elevation is present only for a certain period, later cycling back to normal, e.g. malaria, kala-azar, pyaemia, or septicemia.[citation needed]
Quotidian fever, with a periodicity of 24 hours, typical of Malaria
Tertian fever (48 hour periodicity), typical of Malaria
Quartan fever (72 hour periodicity), typical of Plasmodium malariae).
Remittent fever: Temperature remains above normal throughout the day and fluctuates more than 1 °C in 24 hours, e.g., infective endocarditis.
Pel-Ebstein fever: A specific kind of fever associated with Hodgkin's lymphoma, being high for one week and low for the next week and so on. However, there is some debate as to whether this pattern truly exists.[12]
A neutropenic fever, also called febrile neutropenia, is a fever in the absence of normal immune system function. Because of the lack of infection-fighting neutrophils, a bacterial infection can spread rapidly; this fever is, therefore, usually considered to require urgent medical attention. This kind of fever is more commonly seen in people receiving immune-suppressing chemotherapy than in apparently healthy people.
Febricula is an old term for a low-grade fever, especially if the cause is unknown, no other symptoms are present, and the patient recovers fully in less than a week.[13

Management

Fever should not necessarily be treated.[28] Most people recover without specific medical attention.[29] Although it is unpleasant, fever rarely rises to a dangerous level even if untreated. Damage to the brain generally does not occur until temperatures reach 42 °C (107.6 °F), and it is rare for an untreated fever to exceed 105 °F (41 °C).[28]
In general, people are advised to keep adequately hydrated, as the most significant risk of complications is dehydration. Water is generally used for this purpose. The risk of hyponatremia induced by increased fluid intake can be reduced through the use of appropriately formulated oral rehydration solutions.[citation needed] Other options include ice pops, juice, and other non-alcoholic drinks.
Some limited evidence supports sponging or bathing feverish children with tepid water.[30] The use of a fan or air conditioning may somewhat reduce the temperature and increase comfort. If the temperature reaches the extremely high level of hyperpyrexia, aggressive cooling is required.[15]
[edit]Medications
The antipyretic ibuprofen is effective in reducing fevers in children.[31] It is more effective than acetaminophen (paracetamol) in children. Ibuprofen and acetaminophen may be safely used together in children with fevers.[32][33] The efficacy of acetaminophen by itself in children with fevers has been questioned.[34] Ibuprofen is also superior to aspirin in children with fevers,[35] which is not usually recommended in children due to the risk of Reye's syndrome

Abdominal pain - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

2011-05-13T10:12:00.000-07:00
Abdominal pain - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

abdominal pain

2011-05-13T10:05:00.000-07:00

HEADACHE

2011-05-10T05:05:00.001-07:00
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Headache: Introduction

Headache is among the most common reasons that patients seek medical attention. Diagnosis and management is based on a careful clinical approach that is augmented by an understanding of the anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology of the nervous system pathways that mediate the various headache syndromes.

General Principles

A classification system developed by the International Headache Society characterizes headache as primary or secondary Primary headaches are those in which headache and its associated features are the disorder in itself, whereas secondary headaches are those caused by exogenous disorders. Primary headache often results in considerable disability and a decrease in the patient's quality of life. Mild secondary headache, such as that seen in association with upper respiratory tract infections, is common but rarely worrisome. Life-threatening headache is relatively uncommon, but vigilance is required in order to recognize and appropriately treat patients with this category of head pain.

Common Causes of Headache

Primary Headache Secondary Headache

Type % Type %

Migraine 16 Systemic infection 63

Tension-type 69 Head injury 4

Cluster 0.1 Vascular disorders 1

Idiopathic stabbing 2 Subarachnoid hemorrhage <1

Exertional
1 Brain tumor
0.1

Source: After J Olesen et al: The Headaches. Philadelphia, Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, 2005.

Anatomy and Physiology of Headache

Pain usually occurs when peripheral nociceptors are stimulated in response to tissue injury, visceral distension, or other factors. In such situations, pain perception is a normal physiologic response mediated by a healthy nervous system. Pain can also result when pain-producing pathways of the peripheral or central nervous system (CNS) are damaged or activated inappropriately. Headache may originate from either or both mechanisms. Relatively few cranial structures are pain-producing; these include the scalp, middle meningeal artery, dural sinuses, falx cerebri, and proximal segments of the large pial arteries. The ventricular ependyma, choroid plexus, pial veins, and much of the brain parenchyma are not pain-producing.

The key structures involved in primary headache appear to be

the large intracranial vessels and dura mater
the peripheral terminals of the trigeminal nerve that innervate these structures
the caudal portion of the trigeminal nucleus, which extends into the dorsal horns of the upper cervical spinal cord and receives input from the first and second cervical nerve roots (the trigeminocervical complex)
the pain modulatory systems in the brain that receive input from trigeminal nociceptors

The innervation of the large intracranial vessels and dura mater by the trigeminal nerve is known as the trigeminovascular system. Autonomic symptoms, such as lacrimation and nasal congestion, are prominent in the trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias, including cluster headache and paroxysmal hemicrania, and may also be seen in migraine. . Migraine and other primary headache types are not "vascular headaches";.

Clinical Evaluation of Acute, New-Onset Headache

The patient who presents with a new, severe headache has a differential diagnosis that is quite different from the patient with recurrent headaches over many years. In new-onset and severe headache, the probability of finding a potentially serious cause is considerably greater than in recurrent headache. Patients with recent onset of pain require prompt evaluation and often treatment. Serious causes to be considered include meningitis, subarachnoid hemorrhage, epidural or subdural hematoma, glaucoma, and purulent sinusitis. When worrisome symptoms and signs are present (Table 15-2), rapid diagnosis and management is critical.

Headache Symptoms that Suggest a Serious Underlying Disorder

"Worst" headache ever

First severe headache

Subacute worsening over days or weeks

Abnormal neurologic examination

Fever or unexplained systemic signs

Vomiting that precedes headache

Pain induced by bending, lifting, cough

Pain that disturbs sleep or presents immediately upon awakening

Known systemic illness

Onset after age 55

Pain associated with local tenderness, e.g., region of temporal artery

A complete neurologic examination is an essential first step in the evaluation. In most cases, patients with an abnormal examination or a history of recent-onset headache should be evaluated by a CT or MRI study. .

The psychological state of the patient should also be evaluated since a relationship exists between head pain and depression. Many patients in chronic daily pain cycles become depressed, although depression itself is rarely a cause of headache. Drugs with antidepressant actions are also effective in the prophylactic treatment of both tension-type headache and migraine.

Underlying recurrent headache disorders may be activated by pain that follows otologic or endodontic surgical procedures. Thus, pain about the head as the result of diseased tissue or trauma may reawaken an otherwise quiescent migrainous syndrome. Treatment of the headache is largely ineffective until the cause of the primary problem is addressed.

Serious underlying conditions that are associated with headache are described below. Brain tumor is a rare cause of headache and even less commonly a cause of severe pain. The vast majority of patients presenting with severe headache have a benign cause.

Secondary Headache

The management of secondary headache focuses on diagnosis and treatment of the underlying condition.

Meningitis

Acute, severe headache with stiff neck and fever suggests meningitis. LP is mandatory. Often there is striking accentuation of pain with eye movement. Meningitis can be easily mistaken for migraine in that the cardinal symptoms of pounding headache, photophobia, nausea, and vomiting are present.

Intracranial Hemorrhage

Acute, severe headache with stiff neck but without fever suggests subarachnoid hemorrhage. A ruptured aneurysm, arteriovenous malformation, or intraparenchymal hemorrhage may also present with headache alone. Rarely, if the hemorrhage is small or below the foramen magnum, the head CT scan can be normal. Therefore, LP may be required to definitively diagnose subarachnoid hemorrhage..

Brain Tumor

Approximately 30% of patients with brain tumors consider headache to be their chief complaint. The head pain is usually nondescript—an intermittent deep, dull aching of moderate intensity, which may worsen with exertion or change in position and may be associated with nausea and vomiting. This pattern of symptoms results from migraine far more often than from brain tumor. The headache of brain tumor disturbs sleep in about 10% of patients. Vomiting that precedes the appearance of headache by weeks is highly characteristic of posterior fossa brain tumors. A history of amenorrhea or galactorrhea should lead one to question whether a prolactin-secreting pituitary adenoma (or the polycystic ovary syndrome) is the source of headache. Headache arising de novo in a patient with known malignancy suggests either cerebral metastases or carcinomatous meningitis, or both. Head pain appearing abruptly after bending, lifting, or coughing can be due to a posterior fossa mass (or a Chiari malformation). .

Temporal Arteritis

Temporal (giant cell) arteritis is an inflammatory disorder of arteries that frequently involves the extracranial carotid circulation. It is a common disorder of the elderly; its annual incidence is 77 per 100,000 individuals ages 50 and older. The average age of onset is 70 years, and women account for 65% of cases. About half of patients with untreated temporal arteritis develop blindness due to involvement of the ophthalmic artery and its branches; indeed, the ischemic optic neuropathy induced by giant cell arteritis is the major cause of rapidly developing bilateral blindness in patients >60 years. Because treatment with glucocorticoids is effective in preventing this complication, prompt recognition of the disorder is important.

Typical presenting symptoms include headache, polymyalgia rheumatica , jaw claudication, fever, and weight loss. Headache is the dominant symptom and often appears in association with malaise and muscle aches. Head pain may be unilateral or bilateral and is located temporally in 50% of patients but may involve any and all aspects of the cranium. Pain usually appears gradually over a few hours before peak intensity is reached; occasionally, it is explosive in onset. The quality of pain is only seldom throbbing; it is almost invariably described as dull and boring, with superimposed episodic stabbing pains similar to the sharp pains that appear in migraine. Most patients can recognize that the origin of their head pain is superficial, external to the skull, rather than originating deep within the cranium (the pain site for migraineurs). Scalp tenderness is present, often to a marked degree; brushing the hair or resting the head on a pillow may be impossible because of pain. Headache is usually worse at night and often aggravated by exposure to cold. Additional findings may include reddened, tender nodules or red streaking of the skin overlying the temporal arteries, and tenderness of the temporal or, less commonly, the occipital arteries.

The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is often, though not always, elevated; a normal ESR does not exclude giant cell arteritis. A temporal artery biopsy followed by treatment with prednisone 80 mg daily for the first 4–6 weeks should be initiated when clinical suspicion is high. The prevalence of migraine among the elderly is substantial, considerably higher than that of giant cell arteritis. Migraineurs often report amelioration of their headaches with prednisone; thus, caution must be used when interpreting the therapeutic response.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma may present with a prostrating headache associated with nausea and vomiting. The headache often starts with severe eye pain. On physical examination, the eye is often red with a fixed, moderately dilated pupil. .

Primary Headache Syndromes

Primary headaches are disorders in which headache and associated features occur in the absence of any exogenous cause. The most common are migraine, tension-type headache, and cluster headache.

Migraine Headache

Migraine, the second most common cause of headache, afflicts approximately 15% of women and 6% of men. It is usually an episodic headache that is associated with certain features such as sensitivity to light, sound, or movement; nausea and vomiting often accompany the headache. A useful description of migraine is a benign and recurring syndrome of headache associated with other symptoms of neurologic dysfunction in varying admixtures. Migraine can often be recognized by its activators, referred to as triggers.

Symptoms Accompanying Severe Migraine Attacks in 500 Patients

Symptom Patients Affected, %

Nausea 87

Photophobia 82

Lightheadedness 72

Scalp tenderness 65

Vomiting 56

Visual disturbances 36

Photopsia 26

Fortification spectra 10

Paresthesias 33

Vertigo 33

Alteration of consciousness 18

Syncope 10

Seizure 4

Confusional state 4

Diarrhea 16

Source: From NH Raskin, Headache, 2d ed. New York, Churchill Livingston, 1988; with permission.

The brain of the migraineur is particularly sensitive to environmental and sensory stimuli; migraine-prone patients do not habituate easily to sensory stimuli. This sensitivity is amplified in females during the menstrual cycle. Headache can be initiated or amplified by various triggers, including glare, bright lights, sounds, or other afferent stimulation; hunger; excess stress; physical exertion; stormy weather or barometric pressure changes; hormonal fluctuations during menses; lack of or excess sleep; and alcohol or other chemical stimulation. Knowledge of a patient's susceptibility to specific triggers can be useful in management strategies involving lifestyle adjustments.

Pathogenesis

The sensory sensitivity that is characteristic of migraine is probably due to dysfunction of monoaminergic sensory control systems located in the brainstem and thalamus (Fig. 15-1).

Figure 15-1

Brainstem pathways that modulate sensory input. The key pathway for pain in migraine is the trigeminovascular input from the meningeal vessels, which passes through the trigeminal ganglion and synapses on second-order neurons in the trigeminocervical complex. These neurons in turn project in the quintothalamic tract and, after decussating in the brainstem, synapse on neurons in the thalamus. Important modulation of the trigeminovascular nociceptive input comes from the dorsal raphe nucleus, locus coeruleus, and nucleus raphe magnus.
Diagnosis and Clinical Features

Diagnostic criteria for migraine headache are listed in Table 15-4. A high index of suspicion is required to diagnose migraine: the migraine aura, consisting of visual disturbances with flashing lights or zigzag lines moving across the visual field or of other neurologic symptoms, is reported in only 20–25% of patients. A headache diary can often be helpful in making the diagnosis; this is also helpful in assessing disability and the frequency of treatment for acute attacks. Patients with episodes of migraine that occur daily or near-daily are considered to have chronic migraine (see "Chronic Daily Headache," below). Migraine must be differentiated from tension-type headache (discussed below), the most common primary headache syndrome seen in clinical practice. Migraine at its most basic level is headache with associated features, and tension-type headache is headache that is featureless. Most patients with disabling headache probably have migraine.

Simplified Diagnostic Criteria for Migraine

Repeated attacks of headache lasting 4–72 h in patients with a normal physical examination, no other reasonable cause for the headache, and:

At least 2 of the following features: Plus at least 1 of the following features:

Unilateral pain Nausea/vomiting

Throbbing pain Photophobia and phonophobia

Aggravation by movement

Moderate or severe intensity

Source: Adapted from the International Headache Society Classification (Headache Classification Committee of the International Headache Society, 2004).

Table 15-7 Preventive Treatments in Migraine^a

Drug Dose Selected Side Effects

Pizotifen^b 0.5–2 mg qd Weight gain

Drowsiness

Beta blocker

Propranolol 40–120 mg bid Reduced energy

Tiredness

Postural symptoms

Contraindicated in asthma

Tricyclics

Amitriptyline 10–75 mg at night Drowsiness

Dothiepin 25–75 mg at night

Nortriptyline 25–75 mg at night Note: Some patients may only need a total dose of 10 mg, although generally 1–1.5 mg/kg body weight is required

Anticonvulsants

Topiramate 25–200 mg/d Paresthesias

Cognitive symptoms

Weight loss

Glaucoma

Caution with nephrolithiasis

Valproate 400–600 mg bid Drowsiness

Weight gain

Tremor

Hair loss

Fetal abnormalities

Hematologic or liver abnormalities

Gabapentin 900–3600 mg qd Dizziness

Sedation

Serotonergic drugs

Methysergide 1–4 mg qd Drowsiness

Leg cramps

Hair loss

Retroperitoneal fibrosis (1-month drug holiday is required every 6 months)

Flunarizine^b 5–15 mg qd Drowsiness

Weight gain

Depression

Parkinsonism

No convincing evidence from controlled trials

Verapamil

Controlled trials demonstrate no effect

Nimodipine

Clonidine

SSRIs: fluoxetine

^aCommonly used preventives are listed with reasonable doses and common side effects. Not all listed medicines are approved by the FDA; local regulations and guidelines should be consulted.

^bNot available in the United States.

Drug Trade Name Dosage

Simple Analgesics

Acetaminophen, aspirin, caffeine Excedrin Migraine Two tablets or caplets q6h (max 8 per day)

NSAIDs

Ibuprofen Advil, Motrin, Nuprin, generic 400 mg PO q3–4h

Tolfenamic acid Clotam Rapid 200 mg PO. May repeat x 1 after 1–2 h

5-HT₁ Agonists

Oral

Ergotamine Ergomar One 2 mg sublingual tablet at onset and q¹/₂h (max 3 per day, 5 per week)

Ergotamine 1 mg, caffeine 100 mg Ercaf, Wigraine One or two tablets at onset, then one tablet q¹/₂h (max 6 per day, 10 per week)

Rizatriptan
Maxalt

Maxalt-MLT
5–10 mg tablet at onset; may repeat after 2 h (max 30 mg/d)

Sumatriptan Imitrex 50–100 mg tablet at onset; may repeat after 2 h (max 200 mg/d)

Nasal

Dihydroergotamine Migranal Nasal Spray Prior to nasal spray, the pump must be primed 4 times; 1 spray (0.5 mg) is administered, followed in 15 min by a second spray

Sumatriptan Imitrex Nasal Spray 5–20 mg intranasal spray as 4 sprays of 5 mg or a single 20 mg spray (may repeat once after 2 h, not to exceed a dose of 40 mg/d)

Zolmitriptan Zomig 5 mg intranasal spray as one spray (may repeat once after 2 h, not to exceed a dose of 10 mg/d)

Parenteral

Dihydroergotamine DHE-45 1 mg IV, IM, or SC at onset and q1h (max 3 mg/d, 6 mg per week)

Sumatriptan Imitrex Injection 6 mg SC at onset (may repeat once after 1 h for max of 2 doses in 24 h)

Dopamine Antagonists

Oral

Metoclopramide Reglan,^a generic^a
5–10 mg/d

Prochlorperazine Compazine,^a generic^a
1–25 mg/d

Parenteral

Chlorpromazine Generic^a
0.1 mg/kg IV at 2 mg/min; max 35 mg/d

Metoclopramide Reglan,^a generic
10 mg IV

Prochlorperazine Compazine,^a generic^a
10 mg IV

Other

Oral

Acetaminophen, 325 mg, plus dichloralphenazone, 100 mg, plus isometheptene, 65 mg Midrin, Duradrin, generic Two capsules at onset followed by 1 capsule q1h (max 5 capsules)

Nasal

Butorphanol Stadol^a
1 mg (1 spray in 1 nostril), may repeat if necessary in 1–2 h

^aNot all drugs are specifTension-Type Headache
Tension Type Headache

Clinical Features

The term tension-type headache (TTH) is commonly used to describe a chronic head-pain syndrome characterized by bilateral tight, bandlike discomfort. The pain typically builds slowly, fluctuates in severity, and may persist more or less continuously for many days. The headache may be episodic or chronic (present >15 days per month).

A useful clinical approach is to diagnose TTH in patients whose headaches are completely without accompanying features such as nausea, vomiting, photophobia, phonophobia, osmophobia, throbbing, and aggravation with movement. Such an approach neatly separates migraine, which has one or more of these features and is the main differential diagnosis, from TTH. However, the International Headache Society's definition of TTH allows an admixture of nausea, photophobia, or phonophobia in various combinations, illustrating the difficulties in distinguishing these two clinical entities. Patients whose headaches fit the TTH phenotype and who have migraine at other times, along with a family history of migraine, migrainous illnesses of childhood, or typical migraine triggers to their migraine attacks, may be biologically different from those who have TTH headache with none of the features.

Pathophysiology

The pathophysiology of TTH is incompletely understood. It seems likely that TTH is due to a primary disorder of CNS pain modulation alone, unlike migraine, which involves a more generalized disturbance of sensory modulation. Data suggest a genetic contribution to TTH, but this may not be a valid finding: given the current diagnostic criteria, the studies undoubtedly included many migraine patients. The name tension-type headache implies that pain is a product of nervous tension, but there is no clear evidence for tension as an etiology. Muscle contraction has been considered to be a feature that distinguishes TTH from migraine, but there appear to be no differences in contraction between the two headache types.

Tension-Type Headache: Treatment
The pain of TTH can generally be managed with simple analgesics such as acetaminophen, aspirin, or NSAIDs. Behavioral approaches including relaxation can also be effective. Clinical studies have demonstrated that triptans in pure TTH are not helpful, although triptans are effective in TTH when the patient also has migraineically indicated by the FDA for migraine. Local regulations and guidelines should be consulted.
For chronic TTH amitriptiline is the only proven treatment.
Trigeminal Autonomic Cephalalgias, Including Cluster Headache

The trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias (TACs) are a group of primary headaches that includes cluster headache, paroxysmal hemicrania, and SUNCT (short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks with conjunctival injection and tearing). TACs are characterized by relatively short-lasting attacks of head pain associated with cranial autonomic symptoms, such as lacrimation, conjunctival injection, or nasal congestion (Table 15-8). Pain is usually severe and may occur more than once a day. Because of the associated nasal congestion or rhinorrhea, patients are often misdiagnosed with "sinus headache" and treated with decongestants, which are ineffective.

Table 15-8 Clinical Features of the Trigeminal Autonomic Cephalalgias

Cluster Headache Paroxysmal Hemicrania SUNCT

Gender M>F F=M F~M

Pain

Type Stabbing, boring Throbbing, boring, stabbing Burning, stabbing, sharp

Severity Excruciating Excruciating Severe to excruciating

Site Orbit, temple Orbit, temple Periorbital

Attack frequency 1/alternate day– 8/d 1–40/d (>5/d for more than half the time) 3–200/d

Duration of attack 15–180 min 2–30 min 5–240 s

Autonomic features Yes Yes Yes (prominent conjunctival injection and lacrimation)^a

Migrainous features^b Yes Yes Yes

Alcohol trigger Yes No No

Cutaneous triggers No No Yes

Indomethacin effect — Yes^c —

Abortive treatment
Sumatriptan injection or nasal spray

Oxygen
No effective treatment Lidocaine (IV)

Prophylactic treatment
Verapamil

Methysergide

Lithium
Indomethacin
Lamotrigine

Topiramate

Gabapentin

^aIf conjunctival injection and tearing not present, consider SUNA.
These are the common varieties of headache we come across in our daily life....

2010-05-26T00:01:00.000-07:00
PRURITIS

Pruritis is the medical term for itching. Pruritus is an uncomfortable skin sensation that results in itching or rubbing. Pruritus is commonly referred to as simply, "itching." It may come on suddenly and be short-lived (acute), or it may be long-lasting (chronic).
It should be distinguished fromvulvodynia, which refers to chronic burning symptoms.
What are the causes of Pruritis?
If the skin becomes damp and soggy, the horny layer becomes soft. Microbes, particularly fungi, can then penetrate into the skin more easily. There are a number of causes of pruritus vulvae.
These include -- A skin condition such as dermatitis, lichen simplex, psoriasis or lichen sclerosus. An infection such as candida (thrush), gardnerella, or trichomoniasis. Irritant contact dermatitis due to scratching, friction, occlusive underwear, soap or inappropriate applications. A skin cancer such as vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia, extramammary Paget's disease or rarely, invasive vulvar cancer.
What are the symptoms of Pruritis?
There are several symptoms of Pruritis. Some of them are included below:
Wheezing
Hives
Difficulty breathing
Shortness of breath
Swelling in your face or throat
What are the treatments for Pruritis?
If itching is caused by an allergic reaction to a substance such as a drug, that medication should be discontinued. Treatments often involve medications that reduce inflammation or reverse symptoms of an allergic reaction.
Moisturizing creams and lotions. These water-containing products form films over the skin surface and encourage the production of moisture beneath the film. This prevents dryness, which can cause itching. These products should be carefully chosen for each person's needs. Some ingredients, such as petrolatum, lanolin, and mineral oil can cause allergic reactions in some people.

Powders, bubble baths, and cornstarch. These products should be used with caution because they can irritate the skin and cause itching. Cornstarch is an effective treatment for itching that is associated with dry skin due to radiation therapy but should not be applied to moist surfaces, to areas with hair, sweat glands, skin folds, or to areas close to mucosal surfaces, such as the vagina or rectum. When cornstarch becomes moist, it can promote fungal growth. Some powders such as those that contain talcum and aluminum can cause skin irritation during radiation therapy and should be avoided when you are receiving radiation treatment. Alcohol or menthol, which are found in some creams and over-the-counter lotions, may also produce skin reactions. Topical steroid creams may reduce itching but may cause thinning of the skin and can make it more prone to injury.

Tepid baths. Baths that are moderately warm and last no longer than one half hour every day or every two days can help relieve itching. Frequent bathing can aggravate dry skin, and hot baths can promote itching.

Mild soaps. Mild soaps contain less soap or detergent that can irritate skin. Oil can be added to the water at the end of a bath or applied to the skin before drying.

A cool humid environment. Heat can cause itching. Your skin loses moisture when the humidity is low. A cool, humid environment may prevent your skin from itching.

Removal of detergent residue. Residue left on clothing by detergent and fabric softeners may aggravate pruritus. The irritation can be reduced by adding vinegar (one teaspoon per quart of water) to the laundry rinse cycle or by using a mild laundry soap that is sold for washing baby clothes.

Cotton clothing and bed sheets. Body heat, wool, and some synthetic fabrics can aggravate itching. It may be helpful to wear loose-fitting, lightweight cotton clothing and to use cotton bed sheets.