These tests use a small sample of blood taken from a vein in your arm to find out if you’ve been infected with HIV.The tests look for antibodies to HIV, not for HIV itself. HIV antibodies are made by B cells as your body tries to get rid of HIV.
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Asthma alternative medicine -Bathini Fish - 2008 June
HYDERABAD: It's that time of the year when thousands of asthmatics assemble here, open their mouths wide and gobble up a fish medicine that promises them a herbal cure!
Being an alternative form of medicine, the fish medicine promoted by the Bathini Goud brothers, lacks scientific evidence till date to prove that it cures asthma or any respiratory diseases.
"The Bathini family is giving the medicine free of cost and over the years nobody has complained of any complications, so why this controversy?" asked Dattatreya. Around 6,00,000 patients were given the medicine last year and the number is expected to go up to 7,00,000 this year, according to the family. But if one goes by the number of fish supplied by the fisheries department, about 2,00,000 people take the medicine every year. The response to the medicine may differ from patient to patient and there may be no scientific proof of how the medicine works, but the mere belief draws thousands of asthmatics from different parts of India and even abroad to Hyderabad every year.
It is for this reason that the Goud family renamed the event as "fish prasadam" three years ago in the face of the controversy.
The family claims that in 1845 a holy man passed on the formula for the miracle medicine to their great-grandfather Veranna Goud, if he promised to distribute it free of cost and never reveal the ingredients to others.
The family has consistently turned down demands from rationalists and physicians to reveal the ingredients, claiming the medicine would lose its efficacy.
For many the controversy has no relevance.
Being an alternative form of medicine, the fish medicine promoted by the Bathini Goud brothers, lacks scientific evidence till date to prove that it cures asthma or any respiratory diseases.
"The Bathini family is giving the medicine free of cost and over the years nobody has complained of any complications, so why this controversy?" asked Dattatreya. Around 6,00,000 patients were given the medicine last year and the number is expected to go up to 7,00,000 this year, according to the family. But if one goes by the number of fish supplied by the fisheries department, about 2,00,000 people take the medicine every year. The response to the medicine may differ from patient to patient and there may be no scientific proof of how the medicine works, but the mere belief draws thousands of asthmatics from different parts of India and even abroad to Hyderabad every year.
It is for this reason that the Goud family renamed the event as "fish prasadam" three years ago in the face of the controversy.
The family claims that in 1845 a holy man passed on the formula for the miracle medicine to their great-grandfather Veranna Goud, if he promised to distribute it free of cost and never reveal the ingredients to others.
The family has consistently turned down demands from rationalists and physicians to reveal the ingredients, claiming the medicine would lose its efficacy.
For many the controversy has no relevance.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis - Treatment & Symptoms
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or Lou Gehrig's disease affects motor neuron nerve cells in brain and spinal cord. Motor neurons slowly degenerates and die. Thus brain lose control of muscle movement and slowly the patient gets paralysed. Disease is usually found among men at the age of 40 to 60.
Symptoms
Difficulty to walk, write and talk. Then the patient gets paralysed slowly and later on completely. Respiratory failures are also seen which results in death of patient. Some develop depression and has problem with thinking and decision making also.
Cause
There is no specific cause and it occures random. It is also said that the desease occurs due to defective functioning of genes producing SOD1enzyme. About 10% of the patients inherit the disease.
Treatment
ALS does not have any treatment so far. Some medicines can cure symptoms or can increase the life period of patient FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has approved a drug, riluzole (Rilutek). This reduces damage to neurons and prolongs survival. But the drug does not repair the damaged cells. This drug is likely to cause liver damage and other side effects are also possible. Treatments usually cure the patients from symptoms and grant them prolonged life. Patients are helped to keep on moving and stay comfortably. Usually they are treated by a group of doctors and therapists and they design individual plan for each patients. Physical treatment like medication reduces many troubles and drugs like painkillers are given. They are also treated for depression, constipation etc. Social workers, speach therapist, nutritionist etc can help the patients to lead normal life. Gentle exercise can help the patient to improve muscular strength. With the aid of equipments like wheel chair patients can remain mobile. Nutritional support is also essential.
Some other drugs tried are antibiotic minocycline (Minocin), tamoxifen given to breast cancer patients, the antioxidant coenzyme Q10 and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I) which nourishes the nerve. Researchers are trying to develop combination medicines. Stem cell therapy is also under research. This is tried to repair damaged neurons. Baclofen (Lioresal), Tizanidine (Zanaflex), Pyridostigmine (Mestinon, Regonol) are also tried to relieve severe spasticity.
Symptoms
Difficulty to walk, write and talk. Then the patient gets paralysed slowly and later on completely. Respiratory failures are also seen which results in death of patient. Some develop depression and has problem with thinking and decision making also.
Cause
There is no specific cause and it occures random. It is also said that the desease occurs due to defective functioning of genes producing SOD1enzyme. About 10% of the patients inherit the disease.
Treatment
ALS does not have any treatment so far. Some medicines can cure symptoms or can increase the life period of patient FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has approved a drug, riluzole (Rilutek). This reduces damage to neurons and prolongs survival. But the drug does not repair the damaged cells. This drug is likely to cause liver damage and other side effects are also possible. Treatments usually cure the patients from symptoms and grant them prolonged life. Patients are helped to keep on moving and stay comfortably. Usually they are treated by a group of doctors and therapists and they design individual plan for each patients. Physical treatment like medication reduces many troubles and drugs like painkillers are given. They are also treated for depression, constipation etc. Social workers, speach therapist, nutritionist etc can help the patients to lead normal life. Gentle exercise can help the patient to improve muscular strength. With the aid of equipments like wheel chair patients can remain mobile. Nutritional support is also essential.
Some other drugs tried are antibiotic minocycline (Minocin), tamoxifen given to breast cancer patients, the antioxidant coenzyme Q10 and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I) which nourishes the nerve. Researchers are trying to develop combination medicines. Stem cell therapy is also under research. This is tried to repair damaged neurons. Baclofen (Lioresal), Tizanidine (Zanaflex), Pyridostigmine (Mestinon, Regonol) are also tried to relieve severe spasticity.
Acute lymphocytic leukemia - symptoms and treatment
Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) or acute lymphoblastic leukemia or acute childhood leukemia is the cancer that affects blood and bone marrow. Both children and adults get affected by this. The cancer affects a group of immature white blood cells called lymphocytes and spreads very fast. Patients usually becomes exposed to infection and bleeding. It spreads very fast but can be cured by medicine if detected early and treated well.
Symptoms
Fever
Loss of appetite
Weakness
Weight loss
Fatigue
Uncontrolled bleeding
Painless lumps in lymph nodes
Bone or joint pains
Pain below left ribs or spleen swelling
Head ache
Vomiting
Red spot on skin
Blurred vision
Giddiness and seizures.
If the ALL is T-cell ALL it cause breathing problem, coughing, or swelling in head or arms.
Cause
Leukemia is caused by damage that occurs to DNA of developing cells in bone marrow. Those undergoing treatment for other type of cancer, those who have exposed to high levels of radiation even if during pregnancy and Genetic disorders like Down syndrome and those with sibling having ALL may develop this disease. In most cases these need not be the cause.
Treatment
Treatment is available in almost all main hospitals. It includes Chemotherapy, Radiation therapy in acute stage and Bone marrow transplant and induction therapy where a combination of drugs are placed in a vein called catheter are common treatments. A drug called imatinib mesylate (Gleevec) is also found effective.
Links
http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/all_page.adp?item_id=7049
http://www.marrow.org/PATIENT/Undrstnd_Disease_Treat/Lrn_about_Disease/ALL/index.html
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/acute-lymphocytic-leukemia/DS00558/DSECTION=2
http://goldbamboo.com/relate-tl1495-tr2666.html
Symptoms
Fever
Loss of appetite
Weakness
Weight loss
Fatigue
Uncontrolled bleeding
Painless lumps in lymph nodes
Bone or joint pains
Pain below left ribs or spleen swelling
Head ache
Vomiting
Red spot on skin
Blurred vision
Giddiness and seizures.
If the ALL is T-cell ALL it cause breathing problem, coughing, or swelling in head or arms.
Cause
Leukemia is caused by damage that occurs to DNA of developing cells in bone marrow. Those undergoing treatment for other type of cancer, those who have exposed to high levels of radiation even if during pregnancy and Genetic disorders like Down syndrome and those with sibling having ALL may develop this disease. In most cases these need not be the cause.
Treatment
Treatment is available in almost all main hospitals. It includes Chemotherapy, Radiation therapy in acute stage and Bone marrow transplant and induction therapy where a combination of drugs are placed in a vein called catheter are common treatments. A drug called imatinib mesylate (Gleevec) is also found effective.
Links
http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/all_page.adp?item_id=7049
http://www.marrow.org/PATIENT/Undrstnd_Disease_Treat/Lrn_about_Disease/ALL/index.html
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/acute-lymphocytic-leukemia/DS00558/DSECTION=2
http://goldbamboo.com/relate-tl1495-tr2666.html
Scientists Find Virus Infection that Fights Brain Cancer
"The brain cancers we look at are very nasty," said Anthony Van den Pol, a scientist at Yale University and a study author. "This virus is pretty good at killing all of the tumor cells."
read more | digg story
read more | digg story
Wilson’s disease - A rare kind of inherited disease
Wilson’s disease (WD) is a rare inherited disorder in which excessive amounts of copper accumulate in the body. The buildup of copper leads to damage in the kidneys, brain, and eyes. Although copper accumulation begins at birth, symptoms of the disorder appear later in life. The most characteristic symptom of WD is the Kayser-Fleisher ring – a rusty brown ring around the cornea of the eye that can best be viewed using an ophthalmologist’s slit lamp. The primary consequence for most of those with WD is liver disease, appearing in late childhood or early adolescence as acute hepatitis, liver failure, or progressive chronic liver disease in the form of chronic active hepatitis or cirrhosis of the liver. In others, the first symptoms occur later in adulthood and most commonly include slurred speech (dysarthria), difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), and drooling. Other symptoms may include tremor of the head, arms, or legs; impaired muscle tone, and sustained muscle contractions that produce abnormal postures, twisting, and repetitive movements (dystonia); and slowness of movements (bradykinesia). Individuals may also experience clumsiness (ataxia) and loss of fine motor skills. A third of those with WD will also experience psychiatric symptoms such as an abrupt personality change, bizarre and inappropriate behavior, depression accompanied by suicidal thoughts, neurosis, or psychosis. WD is diagnosed with tests that measure the amount of copper in the blood, urine, and liver.
Is there any treatment?
WD requires lifelong treatment, generally using drugs to remove excess copper from the body and to prevent it from re-accumulating. Zinc salt, which blocks the absorption of copper in the stomach and causes no serious side effects, is often considered the treatment of choice. Penicillamine and trientine increase urinary excretion of copper; however, both drugs can cause serious side effects. Tetrathiomolybdate is an investigational drug with a lower toxic profile, but it has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of WD and its long-term safety and effectiveness aren’t known. A low-copper diet may also be recommended, which involves avoiding mushrooms, nuts, chocolate, dried fruit, liver, and shellfish. In rare cases where there is severe liver disease, a liver transplant may be needed. Symptomatic treatment for symptoms of muscle spasm, stiffness, and tremor may include anticholinergics, tizanidine, baclofen, levodopa, or clonazepam.
What is the prognosis?
Early onset of the disease is worse than late onset in terms of prognosis. If the disorder is detected early and treated appropriately, an individual with WD can usually enjoy normal health and a normal lifespan. If not treated, WD can cause severe brain damage, liver failure, and death. The disease requires lifelong treatment.
What research is being done?
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) and other institutes of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) conduct research related to WD in laboratories at the NIH, and support additional research through grants to major medical institutions across the country. The recent identification of the copper transporting gene ATP7B, which in its mutated form causes WD, should lead to the design of better therapies for this disorder.
Is there any treatment?
WD requires lifelong treatment, generally using drugs to remove excess copper from the body and to prevent it from re-accumulating. Zinc salt, which blocks the absorption of copper in the stomach and causes no serious side effects, is often considered the treatment of choice. Penicillamine and trientine increase urinary excretion of copper; however, both drugs can cause serious side effects. Tetrathiomolybdate is an investigational drug with a lower toxic profile, but it has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of WD and its long-term safety and effectiveness aren’t known. A low-copper diet may also be recommended, which involves avoiding mushrooms, nuts, chocolate, dried fruit, liver, and shellfish. In rare cases where there is severe liver disease, a liver transplant may be needed. Symptomatic treatment for symptoms of muscle spasm, stiffness, and tremor may include anticholinergics, tizanidine, baclofen, levodopa, or clonazepam.
What is the prognosis?
Early onset of the disease is worse than late onset in terms of prognosis. If the disorder is detected early and treated appropriately, an individual with WD can usually enjoy normal health and a normal lifespan. If not treated, WD can cause severe brain damage, liver failure, and death. The disease requires lifelong treatment.
What research is being done?
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) and other institutes of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) conduct research related to WD in laboratories at the NIH, and support additional research through grants to major medical institutions across the country. The recent identification of the copper transporting gene ATP7B, which in its mutated form causes WD, should lead to the design of better therapies for this disorder.
KERALA AYURVEDIC MASSGE
Kerala style of ayurvedic massage. It will give fresh life to you all body cells. It is best antiaging treatment. It may heal you joint and muscle pain.
Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma
This journal is written for the non-Hodgkins lymphoma patient and provides a compelling amalgamation of inspirational stories. You will also find a news component which should be of some benefit to the non-Hodgkins lymphoma patient.
read more | digg story
read more | digg story
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