MY HEALTH

IRON DEFICIENCY ANAEMIA IN PREGNANCY

2012-06-01T13:28:00.000-07:00

Pregnancy is associated with increased physiologic activity in most instances and most of the organs return to prepregnancy status between the time of delivery and 6 weeks postpartum.The changes in haematologic system include increase in blood volume, red blood cell mass, leucocytes, platelets and clotting factors.During pregnancy the red blood cell mass is increased 33% and the erythrocyte volume is increased steadily whether or not iron supplementation is given but with iron supplementions ,the increase in erythrocyte volume is greater.Since plasma volume also increases earlier in pregnancy and faster than RBC volume the haematocrit values may fall until the end of second trimester when the increase in RBC volume synchronises with the plasma volume increase.With the increase in RBC, the need for iron naturally rises and if the iron intake is not increased ,iron deficiency anaemia will result.In the later half of pregnancy maternal iron requirements may reach 6-7mg/day.If the iron is not readily avialable the foetus uses iron from maternal storage thus the production of foetal haemoglobin is usually adquate even if the mother is severely iron deficient.Anaemia is one of the most prevalent nutritional deficiency problems affecting pregnant women.As per WHO criteria haemoglobin <11gm/dl is anaemia.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS :- A person may have following symptoms and signs.

1. Dyspnoea (shortness of breath) due to decreased oxygen carrying capacity.
2. Palpitations (awareness of heart beating)
3. Tiredness and lethargy (due to lack of energy)
4. Pale complexion.
5. Angular stomatitis (ulcers on the corners of mouth)
6. koilonychia (spoon shaped nails)
7.Pica (eating non-food items like clay etc.)
8. Hair loss.
9. Others.

DIAGNOSIS :-To diagnose iron deficiency anaemia three parameters are useful ,which include:-

1. Haemoglobin( Hb) .
2. Red blood cell count.
3. Hematocrit.
Apart from these other parameters like MCV (mean corpuscular volume may also be helpful to rule out other causes of anaemia.

TREATMENT AND PREVENTION :-
1. Early detection and management may prevent late complications.
2. Routine use of daily iron supplements (30mg/day) after twelth week of gestation.
3. Well balanced diet rich in iron (green leafy vegetables, beans ,nuts , meat etc.)
4. More severe cases may require aggressive therapy or even blood transfusion.

OSTEOARTHRITIS-NATURAL REMEDIES

2012-05-02T11:10:00.001-07:00

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis characterized by swelling,pain and stiffness of the affected joints that results from cartilage degeneration.Cartilage is a tissue present between the articulating surfaces of the joint.As a result of cartilage degeneration, the articulating surfaces of the joint rub against each other and increased friction in the joint leads to pain,inflamation and stiffning. Most common joints affected are the weight bearing joints like hips and knees,however other joints like spine,elbows,etc may also be affected.In majority of the cases there is no known cause for osteoarthritis but its incidence and severity increases with the age but some cases of osteoarthritis may be due to previuos surgeries,trauma, sports injuries etc..Unlike other forms like SLE,rheumatoid arthritis etc. there is no systemic involvement in osteoarthritis ,ie other organs of the body are not involved.There is no cure for osteoarthritis as the degeneration process can't be halted and the aim of treatment is to relieve pain ,inflamation and stiffness of the joints.Before starting any treatment it is extremely important to confirm the diagnosis and diagnosis is established on the basis of clinical features,x-ray,arthoscopy and others however blood tests may be helpful to exclude other forms of arthritis.Treatment of osteoarthritis includes anit-inflamatory drugs,analgesics,topical pain relievers,invasive procedures,corticosteroids,braces,surgeries and others.Today we will discuss only natural,non-pharmacological and non-surgical ways to treat osteoarthritis.

WEIGHT REDUCTION :- Obesity or excessive body weight is the second most common cause for osteoarthritis after ageing. Excessive body weight increases the pressure on weight bearing joints which results in increased friction in the joint ,thus aggravating the symptoms.Every person suffering from osteoarthritis should be encouraged to loose weight unless he or she has normal BMI. Even little reduction in body weight can bring dramatic improvement in the symptoms.Weight reduction can be achieved with both dieting and exercise.

EXERCISE :- Activities that aggravate the symptoms should be avoided. Exercise helps not only in burning extra fat but there are other benefits if done properly.Exercise strengthens the muscles around the joint ,improves blood ciculation and maintains the mobility of the joints.Exercise also stimulates the release of synovial fluid which cover the articulating surfaces of the joints and reduce friction .Regular exercise also stimulates the release of endorphins (natural pain relievers secreted in the body).Heavy weightlifting is not recommende because it may worsen the situation so activities like swimming and walking are quite helpful but should be performed at levels that do not cause pain.It is advised to take adequate rest after exercise in order to get maximum benefit out of it.

DIET :- Diet is very important to maintain normal body weight ,but the supply of essential nutrients should not be compromised.Diets containing omega 3 fatty acids(fish,fish oil) should be preferred because of their anti-inflamatory properties.There are some evidences that supplements containing glucosamine and chondrotin my prove beneficial due to their anti-inflamtory and regenerative properties.Ginger is also said to have good anti-inflamatory effect.

OTHERS:- Heating pads,warm bath and massaging over the affected joint may also help in relieving symptoms.

Other articles : How to treat GERD.
                         How to loose weight naturally.
                         Home remedies for constipation.

HOME REMEDIES FOR OBESITY

2012-04-22T01:30:00.002-07:00

Obesity is a condition in which there is an excessive accumulation of fat in body. When the body weight of an individual becomes 20 % above than the normal as per the body mass index the person is considered to be obese. The body mass index of an individual is calculated from his height and weight. There are number of factors responsible , like overeating,alcohol,certain medications,laziness(not doing any physical exercise),overuse of diets that contain excessive amounts of carbohydrates(potato,rice, sugar etc.).
These
are not the only factors ,some cases are due to the conditions like dysfunction of thyroid or pituitary glands, genetic disorders,mental stress,insufficient sleep etc.Obesity not only distorts physical parameters of an individual but has lots of bad effects on emotional and psychological well being of a person.Excessive accumulation of fat in the body could give rise to number of other serious disorders like, high blood pressure,type2 diabetes,gallbladder stones,high cholesterol,osteoarthritis,sleep and breathing problems, depression,heart burn,snoring and some cancers.Presently various approaches to treat obesity are avialable,most popular are dieting , exercise,pharmacological substances and surgeries,however dieting and physical exercise are the mainstays of the treatment.Dieting and exercise alone could treat mild and moderate forms of obesity and in severe cases could improve the effectiveness of surgical treatment and pharmacological therapies.

                                     HOME REMEDIES


1.  Don't ever skip  your breakfast. It provides a steady energy throughout the day and thus prevents us from taking unhealthy fast foods.

2. Daily physical exercise also helps us in burning the extra calories. Brisk walking in the morning for at least  1hour lowers blood glucose levels,improves blood circulation, strenghtens your heart and also improves your lipid profile.

3. Taking mixture of two teaspoons of lime juce and one teaspoon of honey and some pepper in a glass of water is the best home remedy for obesity.

4. Spices like ginger, cinnamon, black pepper are good for losing weight.

5. Green mint leaves taken as such or as a mint tea is very helpful in losing weight.Green tea contains catechin polyphenols
,very effective in lowering HDL.

6. Cabbage is an another excellent home remedy for obesity. Raw as well as cooked cabbage inhibits the conversion of sugar and carbohydrates into fat.Apart from that cabbage is a good source of vitamic C also.

7. The diet that is low in calories like green leafy vegetables and rich in vitamins and minerals should be taken.

HOW TO TREAT ACID REFLUX (GERD)

2012-04-10T00:50:00.022-07:00

Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is a condition ,when the contents of stomach (acid,food ,enzymes etc.) regurgitate into the oesophagus.In case of a normal person in an upright position gastric content enters the oesophagus for only 20 minutes per day because the gravaitational pull .When a person is in lying position,LES (lower esophageal sphincter) prevents the back flow of gastric contents into the oesophagus.LES is a muscular structure situated at gastro-oesophageal junction,the junction where the lower end of the oesophagus enters the oesophagus.If due to some reason the frequency of refluxes increase,the result is increased exposure time of oesophageal mucosa to gastric contents.This condition is pathological and is known as GERD (gastro-oesophageal reflux disease).GERD is characterized by the symptoms like chest pain, heartburn,excessive salivation,pain during swallowing and others.
The most common causes of GERD are Hiatus hernia,decreased competency of LES, Systemic collagen disease, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome,Impatred gastric outlet,Obesity and Surgeries. Except few situations ,where surgery is the only solution,GERD is initially treated medically.The surgical intervention is needed when medical treatment proves unsuccessful or when the symptoms reccur after the cessation of treatment.

HOW TO MAKE MEDICAL TREATMENT SUCCESSFUL:-
If you are a smoker,the first thing you need to do is to quit smoking.Nicotine decreases the competency of LES by relaxing its smooth muscles thus increasing the frequency of reflux.Nicotine stimulates the acid secreting cells of the stomach and decreases the saliva production (saliva contains bicarbonates that neutralizes gastric acid.Weight loss in an obese patient have shown to improve symptoms,this is because of the fact that people with abdominal obesity have higher intra-abdominal pressure which can cause back flow of the gastric contents into the oesophagus.

People suffering from GERD should take small meal at a time, and should not eat just before going to bed.There should be atleast 2 hours of gap between your dinner and sleeping time,and it would be prudent enough if you walk for 10-20 minutes after having a big meal.Diet that aggravate your symptoms should be avoided,these may include citrus fruits,coffee,fried and spicy foods etc.Apart from that head end of the bed should be raised so that gravitational force will prevent the gastric contents from entering into the oesophagus.Last but not the least,tight fitting garments and stooping should be avoided whenever possible.

CONSTIPATION , CAUSES ,TREATMENT AND HOME REMEDIES

2012-04-07T05:25:00.009-07:00

Constipation is the condition in which there is difficulty in passing the stools and the person has to strain to eliminate faeces and in some cases the stool are excessively hard which may cause pain and discomfort during the act of defaecation .For some people constipation is decreased bowel movements ,for others it is incomplete evacuation of faeces.
                        Medically it is less than 3 bowel movements per week and in severe cases when the bowel movements are less than one per week.Constipation that develops acutely and is associated with other symptoms like abdominal pain,nausea,vomitting etc. needs immediate medical attention because constipation is just a symptom and the cause could be life threatening(intestinal obstruction) .Chronic cases also need evaluation to rule out abnormal growth due to tumours etc.Other common causes of constipation are as under:-

a.The diet that is not rich in fibres and is lacking in vitamins and minerals.
b. Insufficient intake of water.
c. Insufficient chewing.
d. Consumption of meat in large quantities.
e. Irregular habbits of defaecation.
f. Lack of physical exercise.
g. Stress
h. Use of artifical sweetneers.
i. Underactive thyriod.
j. Irritable bowl syndrome.
k. Diabetes
l. Drugs.

                                        HOME REMEDIES

1. PHYSICAL EXERCISE:- One of the best way to prevent constipation is to do regular exercise which not only keeps our body fit but also tones up the stomach and intestines.

2.INTAKE OF PLENTY OF WATER:- Water is actually very effective home remedy for constipation. Every person should take atleast 6-8 glasses of water to keep himself hydrated and to prevent constipation.

3.USE OF HONEY:- Honey is the best laxative, 1 teaspoon of honey several times a day relieves from constipation.

4.USE OF GRAPES:- Grapes are very beneficial in overcoming constipation. The presence of cellulose sugar and organic acid in grapes makes them a laxative food. Grapes also tone up the stomach and intestine and relieve the most chronic constipation.

5.USE OF GUAVA AND PEAR:- It is another effective remedy. When eaten along with seeds it provides roughage to the diet and help in the normal evacuation.

HOME REMEDIES FOR PAINFUL MENSTRUAL PERIODS

2012-03-28T11:45:00.004-07:00

Every women during her reproductive life experience atleast some degree of discomfort during menstruation ,which is normal but when the discomfort and pain is severe enough that makes her feel sick and limits her daily activities,the problem needs medical attention.Every women should have atleast some knowledge of menstrual cycle and what actually causes pain and discomfort before opting for any kind of treatment. Pain during menstruation (dysmenorrhoea) can be primary (when there is no underlying cause) or secondary (tumour,PID,IUD etc.),therefore management will be different in both the cases.

                                         During menstrual cycle under the influence of oestrogen and progesterone the endometrium (linning of uterus) prepares itself to establish pregnanacy.In absense of fertilization(fusion of egg with sperm) the endometrium is sloughed off due to decreased level of progesterone.The cells of the endometrium contain substance called prostaglandins (mediators of inflamation) which actually causes all the symptoms (pain,nausea,vomittig etc.).The prostaglandin causes muscles of the uterus to contract giving rise to uterine cramps and these uterine cramps inturn cause constriction of blood vessels decresing blood flow to uterus.Decreased blood flow to uterus leads to the accumulation of CO2 and lactic acid in the blood, thus firther aggrevating the symptoms.
                                          The treatment of the symptoms should be aimed at counteracting the effect of prostaglandins.Apart from conventional therapies (NSAID's Antidepressents Contraceptives) which are beneficial in treating symptoms of dysmenorrhoea. There are some simple ,effective and non-pharmacological ways to decreases the severity of symptoms and to reduce dependence on drugs.

DIET:-   Food containing Omega 6 fatty acids (Animal meats,egg yolks and shelfish)should be avoided or taken in less quantityThese fatty acids come as arachidonic acid which is the precursor for prostaglandin.high quantity of salt,sugar ,alcohol and caffein may increase the intensity of uterine cramps.Food rich in Thiamine,vitamin B6,calcium and magnesium should be included in diet or vitamin supplements should be added.

EXERCISE :- Exercise regularly,aerobic exercise(walking,swimming,running,etc)inhibit prostaglandins and enhances the release of endorphins (natural painkiller in brain )

HOT BATH :- Hot bath may help to release the uterine tension thus decreasing uterine cramps.

NON-SMOKER'S ENVY (part 1)

2012-03-14T12:10:00.003-07:00

The ill effects of cigarette smoking are numerous,the most dangerous being coronary heart diseases,lung diseases,peripheral vascular diseases,urinary bladder cancer,lung cancer,esophageal cancer,premature ageing of skin,the list is endless so is the chemical composition of cigarette smoke.
So cigarette smokers are at higher risk of getting those diseases,most of which are attributedto the presence of nicotine in the cigarette smoke.Is there any disease affecting non-smokers only or more prevelant in non-smokers?

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflamatory disease of the colon (large intestine) with unknown cause.It is characterised by inflamation and sore (ulcers) in the inner lining of the large intestine and rectum.The most common symptoms are are chronic diarrhoea mixed with blood .It is now accepted that ulcerative colitis predominantely affects non-smokers and former smokers and the course of disease is more benign in non-smokers.How nicotine exerts protective effect against ulcerative colitis?Firstly nicotine may have inhibitory effect on body immune system and secondly there is excessive production of mucous in the intestinal wall in smokers.This mucous protects the intestinal wall from harmful bacteria an also from the breakdown products of food. Shall we recommend cigarette smoking?If you are reading this post please feel free to leave your comment.

Diabetes is a" silent killer"..................read

DOUBLE DIABETES

2012-02-28T02:26:00.003-08:00

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a group of metabolic disorders characterized by increased blood sugar levels for prolonged period of time.Diabetes is a diseases as old as civilization itself.The first recorded refrences are in the Ebers papyrus which is 7000 years old.In india diabetes was described in very clear terms in Susruta around 600 BC and a distinction was made between the two broad catagories.On the basis of pathogenesis involved that leads to increased blood levels two broad catagories of diabetes mellitus are type1 and type2.

Type1 Diabetes:- Type 1 diabetes occurs when the islets of Langerhans (insulin producing cells) are destroyed .In the majority of type1 patients the pathogenesis is autoimmune and in few cases the process is idiopathic (no known cause).The pancreas in type1 Diabetes has a near total lack of beta cells,which leads to low levels of insulin in the blood (hypoinsulinemia),therefore entire requirement of insulin has to be supplied subcutaneously.Type1 Diabetes is usually diagnosed in childhood or early teenages depending upon the rate of destruction of the beta cells.

Type 2 Diabetes:-Type 2 Diabetes occurs intially due to increased insulin resistance(the cells of the body poorly respond to the insulin).As the disease progresses the beta cell work excessively to meet the insulin demands of the body and the time is reached when beta cells get exhusted characterized by the presence of both the defects ot insulin secretion and insulin resistance.This type of diabetes is usually managed by oral hypoglycemic drugs ,which increase the insulin secretion from beta cells and also decrease the insulin resitance in the body.Type 2 diabetes is caused by a complex interaction of genetic and environmental factors therefore age of onset of diseases is usually >40
Double Diabetes:-What is Double Diabetes? It is also called type 1.5 ,some may even call it as type 3 Diabetes.This condition is actually LADA (latent autoimmune diabetes of adults).the pathogenesis is autoimmune as that of type 1 Diabetes ,then how does it differ from type 1,the differens is in the rate of progression of diseases .People with LADA are initially diagnosed as type 2 because these patients come to diabetic clinic in their thirties due to comparatively slow progression of disease .The patients are initially treated with oral hypoglycemic drugs and their blood sugar levels are well controlled in the begining but as the disease progresses (autoimmune destruction) patients no longer respond to oral hypoglycemic drugs even on higher doses and the patient is ultimately shifted to insulin.

For complete information about diabetes read: Diabetic Clinic

FRIED FOOD RISKS

2012-02-24T22:48:00.000-08:00

When you feel like eating something what comes to mind first ...for me it is purely the taste. Most of the people among us have this misconception that side effects are attributed to medication or medical procedures, but the food we eat can also cause side effects and some side effects are serious. Researchers have discovered the presence of certain Aldehydes in food, which are believed to be related to some neurodegenerative diseases and some type of cancer. These toxic compounds can be found in some oils, such as sunflower oil, when heated at a suitable temperature for frying. At frying temperature, oil releases Aldehydes that pollute atmosphere and can be inhaled, and it was researched, weather these remain in the oil after they are heated and they do. The researches also confirmed the presence of various toxic Aldehydes from the Oxygenated a, b- unsaturated groups such as 4 hydroxy-[E] 2nonenal and it has been found that their presence is linked to different type of cancer and neurodegenerative diseases such as ALZHEIMER'S and PARKINSON'S The toxic Aldehydes are a result of degradation of the fatty acid in oil , and although some are volatile, others remain after frying, that is why they be found in cooked food. As they are very reactive compounds they can react with Proteins , Enzymes and Hormones and impede the correct functioning. The researches show that the sunflower and the linseed oils are the one that creat the most toxic Aldehydes in less time these oils are high in polyunsaturated fats. Adversely, OLIVE OIL, which has a higher concentration of monosaturated fats such as ( OELIC) generate these harmful compounds in a less amount and latter.

SLAPPED CHEEKS

2012-02-19T07:31:00.003-08:00

FIFTH DISEASE:-It is harmless viral illness caused by parvavirus B19.it is called so because it was the fifth fever rash illness identified along with (measles ,chickenpox etc.)It mostly affects preschoolers or school age children between 5-15 years of age.It is also called as ERYTHEMA INFECTIOSUM or slapped cheek syndrome.The disease is common during spring and is transmitted through respiratory secretions.The first sign of the diseases is usually bright red cheeks which looks like as though the child has been recently slapped on both sides of the face.It should be remembered that B19 is not the same that in dogs and is not transmitted from humans to animals.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS:-
FEVER:-Illness begins with low grade fever,headache and cold like symptoms.

RASH:-First on cheeks ,spread to arms and trunk and finally moves downwards to legs.Rash usually lasts for 1-3 weeks and may return for several weeks by exposure to sunlight,heat and exercise.the rash fades from the centre outwards giving it a lacy appearance and then disappears completely.

JOINT PAIN:- In case of adults and teenagers the disease may manifest as joint pain mostly wrists ,hands,knees and ankles.

ANAEMIA:-the anaemia is temporary in case of healthy individual.

DIAGNOSIS:-Laboratory tests are not of so much importance however these tests detect the presence of antibodies against B19 virus and these tests could be helpful in case of aplastic crisis or persistant anaemia.Testing can be done in case of pregnant women to confirm the presence of antibodies because the virus can cause significant harm to the foetus.Since the disease has typcal rash ,this is usually all that is needed to make diagnosis.

TREATMENT:-Infection is mild ,benign and self limiting and no treatment is required,however for the symptomatic relief from fever and joint pain ACETAMINOPHEN (paracetamol) is the drug of choice.

PREVENTION:-There is no vaccine for fifth disease and no real way to prevent spreading the virus. Isolation of the patient having rash won't prove helpful because person usually isn't contagious by that time.

PROGNOSIS:-Infection is mild ,benign and selflimiting,therefore complete recovery can be expected.Some children with weakened immune system (AIDS,leukemia)or with certain blood disorders like sickle cell anaemia or haemolytic anaemia may become significantly ill.

Know about diabetes, visit diabetic clinic

THE MESSENGER CALLED "NO"

2012-02-05T04:47:00.002-08:00

When we say"the first moment of our lives,"we do not mean the moment we were born.the first moment of our life is the first moment of the one cell that formed us,when the sperm united with the egg.

                                                 When the sperm and the egg meet,the number of incredibly complex chemical operations begin,and as a result,an embryo is formed.But among the many details that are still unknown ,there is an important point that can be summarized in the words of Professor Devid Epel who said,"since theturn of the century ,people have wondered exactly how sperm-egg contact initiates development.
                                                      The research carried out to find the answer to this question has shown that the messenger carried by NO (Nitric oxide) initiates the wonderful process in the mother's womb.Inside the sperm there is an enzyme called Nitric Oxide Synthetase) NOS. This enzyme begins to produce NO a few seconds before fertilization with perfect timing.When union occurs,the nitric oxide molecules in the sperm are dispersed within the egg;thirty seconds later,the calcium in the egg is activated and the multiplication mechanism in the first cell goes in operation.It is interesting for us to notice that,if there were an insufficiency in the NITRIC OXIDE molecule,communication between the sperm and the eggwould not be established .This shows us NITRIC OXIDE was created by GOD and appointed by him to perform its functions.

Other interesting articles: Non-smokers envy.
                                          Slapped cheeks.
                                          Honeymoon period in diabetes.

FEBRILE SEIZURES

2011-08-12T05:51:00.000-07:00

Febrile seizures are the most common seizure disorder in childhood. Since early in the 20th century, people have debated about whether these children would benefit from daily anticonvulsant therapy. Epidemiologic studies have led to the division of febrile seizures into 3 groups, as follows: simple febrile seizures, complex febrile seizures, and symptomatic febrile seizures.

SIMPLE FEBRILE SEIZURES

1.The setting is fever in a child aged 6 months to 5 years.

2.The single seizure is generalized and lasts less than 15 minutes.

3.The child is otherwise neurologically healthy and withouneurological abnormality by examination or by developmental history.

4.Fever (and seizure) is not caused by meningitis, encephalitis, or other illness affecting the brain.

COMPLEX FEBRILE SEIZURE:-

1.Age, neurological status before the illness, and fever are the same as for simple febrile seizure

2.This seizure is either focal or prolonged (ie, >15 min), or multiple seizures occur in close succession.

SYMPTOMATIC FEBRILE SEIZURE:-

1.Age and fever are the same as for simple febrile seizure

2.The child has a preexisting neurological abnormality or acute illness.

SYMPTOMS OF TUBERCULOSIS

2011-07-08T04:56:00.000-07:00

When the body's immune system is not able to stop the bacteria from growing, ACTIVE TUBERCULOSIS could develop within weeks of exposure to bacteria.Active tuberculosis can also develop when something impairs the immune system such as a chronic disease or HIV/AIDS.

Common symptoms of active tuberculosis include:-

Cough for three or more weeks.(chronic couugh)
Blood tinged sputum (haemoptysis)
Fatigue
Fever with chills
Night sweats
Poor apetite
Weight loss
Chest pain (with coughing or breathing)

OLIVE -MEDICINAL USES

2011-07-01T06:35:00.004-07:00

The Olive ,Olea europaea is a species of a small tree in the family Oleaceae ,native to the coastal areas of the eastern Mediterranean Basin (Adjoining coastal areas of Southern Europe,Western Asia and Northern Africa as well as Nothern Iran at the south end of Caspian sea.Its fruit is called the Olive & is of great agricultural importance as a source of Olive oil .
Over the years ,the Olive has been the symbol of peace,wisdom,glory,fertility,power and pureness.The Olive tree & Olives are mentioned over number of times in many religious scriptures.
Olive tree & Olive oil health benefits have been propounded in prophetic medicine.The prophet Mohammad (SAW) is reported to have said ,"Take oil of Olive & massage with it-It is a blessed tree"
COMPOSITION:- Olive oil contains:-

Oleic acid - Olive oil contains a high percentage of monosaturaed oleic acid .Natural monosaturated acid reduces LDL-which is responsible for the formation of Atherosclerotic plaque & increases HDL.
Hydrocarbon squalene-It is present in high percntage.
Tocopherols- Contains the tocopherols a-,b-,g-,d (a-tocopherol covers almost 85% vit.E).
Pigments-The colour of Olive oil is due to the presence of chlorophyll &pheophytin ,carotenoids.
Phenolic compounds - Olive fruit contains simple & complex phenolic compounds.
Aroma compounds-Trans-2-hexenal is the predominant compound.

MEDICINAL USES:-

DIGESTIVE SYSTEM ; Olive oil is greatly assimilated by the human body .The assimilation is mainly attributed to the presence of triolein, pigments chlorophyll & pheophytin &aroma compounds facilitates its absorbtion ,increases digestive activity & vitamin -E absorbtion &phenols.It facilitates synthesis of billary salts & decreases the gastric acidity.
CARDOIVASCULAR SYSTEM; Presence of vitamin-E in Olive prevents the LDL(bad cholesterol)oxidation that is the cause of the appearance of Atheroma plaques ( Atherosclerosis)

It increases blood levels of HDL & decreases LDL concentration,thereby improving the lipid profile.

ANTIOXIDANT ACTION;Free radicals are accumulated in the body as a result of oxidation process,these free radicals are responsible for cell & tissue injuries by destoying the polysaturated fatty acids of the membranes &DNA ,resulting in reversible & ireversible cell injuries.Our body is protected from free radicals by free radical scavengers such as vit-E & phenols.
METABOLIC DISORDERS;It improves metabolic function of the body, decreases blood sugar level & impoves pancreatic function.
SKIN; It has got protective & tonic effect of the epidermis.
BONY SYSTEM;It stimulates the growth &favours the absorbtion of calcium & mineralisation.

ACNE

2011-06-25T00:30:00.000-07:00

ACNE VULGARIS
Acne is seen in teenage years,but the severity may differ from individual to undividual ,however peak may be seen in the late teenage years but acne may persist into the third decade and beyond,particularly in females
Ther are three pathogenic factors which are responsible for acne formation and its severity:-

The first is elevated sebum excretion.
The second factor is infection
The third factor is occulusion or blokage of the pilosebacous unit.

Types of Acne:-There are three main types of acne:-

Acne fulminans:-Severe acne with fever and joint pain. .

Acne excoriee:-Due to the effect of scratching or picking,principally on the face of teenage girls with acne.
Infantile acne:- is rare & is to be due to the sebotrophic effects of maternal hormones on the infant.

                                                           TREATMENT
TREATMENT:-Treatment usually begins with topical medication (Benzoyl peroxide or Adapalene followed by antibiotics or combination and finally Isotretinoin.

BENZOYL PEROXIDE:-Benzoyl peroxide for acne treatment is typically applied to the affected area in gel or cream forms in concenterations of 2.5% ,5% &10%.It is sensible to apply the lowest concenteration &build up as appropriative.Benzoyl peroxide works as peeling agent increasing skin turnover & clearing pores thus reducing the bacterial count.It is also used in combination with certain antibiotics & retinoids.

ANTIBIOTICS:-Local antibiotics (clindamycin or erythromycin) are used more widely than previously,many might consider their use prior to systemic antibiotics or in persons with relatively minor disease.The principle oral antibiotic is oxytetracycline ,taken on a empty stomach not with food ,& given in dose of upto 1.5gm a day if tolerated.In general oxytetracycline has a good safety profile even with long-term use.Minocycline may be used if the response to oxytetracycline is inadequate or because of the ease of dosing .It is , however, associated with autoimmune hepatitis & remains a second - rather than first choice drug.The individual has to be treated continuously for up to 3 months before an antibiotic is deemed not to have worked.

RETINOIDS:-Retinoids are a class of chemical compounds that are chemically related to vitamin A. Retinoids are used in medicine primarily due to the way they regulate epithelial cell growth.Adapalene is the third generation topical retinoid primarily used in the treatment of mild -moderate acne.Isotretinoin is used only after other acne treatment fail to produce result.

HOME REMEDIES:- Mint (M.balsamea),Urtica diocia-genus urtica,Aloe vera(Aloe barbadensis) are also known to produce good results.

INSULIN ADMINISTRATION IN DIABETIC PATIENTS

2011-06-18T01:44:00.000-07:00

Initiation of insulin therapy is invariably associated with apprehension on the part of patient.Therefore every patient or care giver should be taught techniques of insulin administration.

Regular insulin or premixed insulin should be administered at least 30 minutes before a meal to have optimum effect.

Premixed,NPHand Lente insulins need to be resuspended by tilting the vial several times or,gently rolling the vial between the palms.

Insulin is administered in the subcutaneous tissue.At sites where the fatty layer is thick,needles may be inserted vertically .Needle angulation is necessary where the fat layer is thinner.

Ideal sites of insulin injection are the abdomen,about 2 inches away from umblicus,and the outer aspects of the thigh.

All patients should be encouraged to do self monitoring of blood glucose at home and periodic check of HbA1c .

All patients should be told that the adjustment of dose is necessary from time to time to maintain normal blood sugar levels.

ALL PATIENTS SHOULD BE TAUGHT ABOUT SICK DAY RULES AND NOT TO STOP INSULIN WHEN SICK.MORE FREQUENT BLOOD SUGAR MONITORING AND URINE KETONE CHECKS ARE NECESSARY DURING ILLNESS.ABOVE ALL IN CASE OF ANY UNEVENTUALITY PATIENT SHOULD CONSULT HIS/HER DOCTOR.

BLACK SEED (Nigella Sativa)

2011-06-16T23:07:00.003-07:00

In Islam it is regarded as one of the greatest form of healing medicine available. Saying of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) clearly underlined the significance of Nigella Sativa.
According to the Hadith narrated by Abu Hurerah(RA),"He says i have heard prophet Muhammad(SAW) saying that black granules (kalonji) is the treatment for all diseases except death.

CHEMICAL COMPOSITION:- Nigella Sativa oil consists of about 35% carbohydrates,21%proteins and 35-38%fats.These fats are both saturated and unsaturated fatty acids and are present in oil in the following percentage:-
1.Saturated Acids 18.1%
2.Monosaturated Acids 23.8%
3.Polysaturated Acids 58.1%

Other minerals present in the oil include,thiamine,niacin,calcium,folacin,zinc and phosphorus.
The main compoinent in the essential oil of Nigella Sativa is Thymoquinone.It contains upto 50% of the phytochemical compound which has antioxidant property,it also contains 40%p-cymene and 15% a-pinene naturally occuring organic compound .
The seed contains a fatty oil rich in unsaturated fatty acids.The two main unsaturated fatty acids are:-

1.LINOLEIC ACID 57.9&
2.OLEIC ACID 23.7%
The two main saturated acids
1.PALMATIC ACID 13.75
2.STEARIC ACID 2.6%
Nigella Sativa contains 15 amino acids ,these include eight of the nine essential amino acids required for a healthy diet.

USES:-

Loss of hair,headache,insomnia

Giddiness and ear pain

Alopecia and scruf

Acne

Impetigo

Toothache

Tonsillitis &laryngitis

Endocrine gland disorders

All kind of skin disorders

Warts

Vitiligo

For quick healing of fractures

Rheumatism

Hypertension

Diabetes

All respiratory disorders

dysuria

Hepatitis

For gallbladder and renal calculi

USES OF "ASPIRIN" (acetylsalicylic acid)

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Aspirin is acetylsalicylic acid .It is rapidly converted in the body to salicylic acid which is responsible for most of the actions.Other actions are the result of acetylation of certain macro molecules including COX.It isone of oldest analgesic-antiinflamatory drugs and is still widely used.

USES :-

As analgesic:- For headache,backache,myalgia'toothache' pulled muscle anneuralgias.
As antipyretic:-It is effetive in fever of any origin.
Acute rheumatic fever:-Aspirin is the first drug to be used in all cases.
Rheumatoid arthritis:-Aspirin in the dose of 3-5g/day is effective in most cases.
Osteoarthritis:-It affords symptomatic relief only.
Post myocardial infarction and post stroke :-By inhibiting platelet aggregation it lowers the chances of reinfarction.

Pregnancy induced hypertension and preeclamsia:-Imbalance between TXA2 and PGI2 is believed to be involved.
To delay labour:-PGs are involved in initiation of labour.
Patent ductus arteriosus:-Aspirin can bring about closure and avoid surgery.
Familial colonic polyposis:-Aspirin suppress polyp formation.

Prevention of colon cancer:-Incidence of colon cancer among regular users is documented to be much lower.