Featured Post

Vitiligo - white patches appears on the skin

Vitiligo is otherwise known as leukoderma and is a condition in which white patches appears on the skin. Medically it is known as achromia a...

Abnormally short stature with normal body proportions

Growth hormone deficiency involves abnormally short stature with normal body proportions. It is a condition of inadequate production of growth hormone.Growth hormone deficiency can be categorized as either congenital (present at birth) or acquired.It is also known as Panhypopituitarism; Dwarfism; Pituitary dwarfism.

Causes:

Receiving brain radiation treatments for cancer,severe head injury,insufficient release of stimulatory hormone from the hypothalamus,insufficient production of growth hormone by the pituitary,decrease in IGF-1 hormones, lack of oxygen at birth,diseases in the pituitary gland, abnormalities in the hormone receptors, an autoimmune attack,mutations of specific genes,congenital malformations involving the pituitary,surgery in the area of the pituitary,auto immune inflammation (hypophysitis), severe head trauma, anatomical abnormalities,deficiencies of other hormones, including: Thyrotropins (control production of thyroid hormones) Vasopressin (controls water balance in the body) ,Gonadotropins (control production of male and female sex hormones) , adrenocorticotrophic hormone (controls the adrenal gland and its production of cortisol, DHEA, and other hormones) etc.


Symptoms:

Physical and psychological symptoms, including poor memory, social withdrawal, and even depression,loss of strength, stamina, and musculature,lowed or absent increase in height ,short stature,absent or delayed sexual development in an adolescent ,headaches ,excessive thirst with excessive urination ,reduced muscle mass and strength ,reduced bone mass and strength ,reduced physical, mental, and social energy and resilience , increased amount of fat around the waist, delayed tooth development, delayed onset of puberty , low energy , decreased strength and exercise tolerance,thin and dry skin.

Treatment:

Growth hormone deficiency is treated by growth hormone replacement. The goals of treatment are to increase growth in children and restore energy, metabolism, and body composition.Usually,somatropin (Humatrope, Genotropin, Norditropin, Nutropin, Saizen, TevTropin) is the growth hormone prescribed by doctors .Other Therapy-Radiation therapy to the pituitary gland. Synthetic growth hormone can be used for children with growth hormone deficiency.

Prevention:

Review child’s growth chart and add nutritional food in diet,


Alternative treatment:

Self-Care at home, patients should eat a balanced diet, get regular exercise, and get plenty of sleep.

Influenza -highly contagious infection cuased by viruses

Influenza,commonly known as the flu, is an acute, highly contagious infection of the respiratory tract which commonly occurs in the winter, caused by influenza viruses.

Symptoms

Chills and Fever (usually high), severe headache ,tiredness (can be extreme),cough ,sore throat ,runny or stuffy nose ,body aches ,diarrhea and vomiting (more common among children than adults),muscle pains,fatigue,irritated watering eyes,nasal congestion,reddened eyes,skin,mouth,throat and nose, loss of appetite,weakness,ear pain.

Causes:

viruses is a much more severe disease and is caused by a different type of virus.They are:influenza A, B and C. Type A is responsible for the deadly influenza pandemics (worldwide epidemics) that strike every 10 to 40 years, whereas type B causes smaller, more localized outbreaks. Type C is less common and causes only mild symptoms. The influenza virus is generally passed from person to person by airborne transmission (i.e., sneezing or coughing.It may also be spread by touching something that has been handled by someone infected with the virus and then touching your own mouth, nose, or eyes. Influenza virus is spread by inhaling droplets that have been coughed or sneezed out by an infected person or by having direct contact with an infected person's secretions.

Treatment:

The most common human vaccine is the trivalent influenza vaccine that contains purified and inactivated material from three viral strains.Anti-flue medications is necessary. .Anti viral medications are neuraminidase inhibitors such as oseltamivir(Tamiflu) and Zanamivir(relenza) and M2 inhibitors(adamantanes) such as Amantadine and rimantadine are effective anti-influenza drugs .Two newer medications, Relenza and Tamiflu work on influenza subtypes A and B. Relenza is an inhaled powder, while Tamiflu is an oral medication

Prevention:

Influenza vaccination and infection control,good personal health and hygiene habits are effective in avoiding and minimizing influenza. Avoiding large crowds Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently, never pick up used tissues,never share cups and eating utensils,stay home from work or school when you're sick with the flu. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.

Altrnative Treatment:

Drink lots of water to prevent dehydration,get plenty of sleep,Avoid alcohol,take acetaminophen or ibuprofen to relieve fever and aches, wear layers, since the flu often makes them cold one minute and hot.

Parkinson's disease - a disorder that affects nerve cells

Parkinson's disease is a disorder that affects nerve cells, that controls muscle movement.Parkinson's disease (PD) is a chronic, progressive disorder of the nervous system.

Causes:

The disease is caused by the death of cells in one of the movement control centers of the brain.Genetic Factors play a role in some cases.Environmental Factors such as rural living,well water,herbicide use and exposure to pesticides,as factors that may be linked to Parkison’s .

Symptoms:

Depression, sleep problems, including restlessness and nightmares, emotional changes, including increased fear, irritability, and feelings of insecurity, Incontinence (loss of bladder control), constipation, changes in handwriting, dementia (increased problems with mental functions), tremor, or trembling in hands, arms, legs, jaw, and face, rigidity or stiffness of limbs and trunk, slowness of movement, postural instability or impaired balance and coordination., muscle rigidity,digestion problems,low blood pressure,temperature sensitivity,leg discomfort,balance,difficulty in swallowing, chewing, and speaking,urinary problems,skin problems.

Treatment:

Treatment approaches include medication and surgical therapy. Other treatment approaches, including general lifestyle modifications (rest and exercise), physical therapy, speech therapy.The most commonly used medications are amantadine, anticholinergic medications, and selegiline,levodopa/carbidopa (Sinemet® or Atamet®) ,levodopa/benserazide (Madopar,levodopa/carbiopa (Sinemet CR®),levodopa/benserazide (Madopar HBS®),COMT inhibitors:,entacapone (Comtan,tolcapone (Tasmar®),Dopamine agonists:bromocriptine (Parlodel®) ,pergolide (Permax®) pramipexole (Mirapex®) ,ropinirole (Requip®) ,cabergoline(Dostinex®) ,apomorphine (Apokyn®) ,lisuride (Dopergine®),Amantadine,Amantadine (Symmetrel®),Anticholinergic medications:Biperiden HCL (Akineton®) ,Benztropine mesylate (Cogentin®) ,Procyclidine (Kemadrin®) ,Trihexyphenidyl (Artane®) Selegiline preparations:Eldepryl® ,Atapryl® ,Carbex® .There are several surgical options available, these include: Pallidotomy, Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS), Thalamic stimulation, Pallidal stimulation, Subthalamic DBS.

Prevention:

There is no known way to prevent Parkinson's disease.

Alternative Treatment:

Ayurvedic medicine (mucuna puriens), Broad beans,St John's Wort- Dopamine influences positive feelings in the brain,Botulinum toxin A- This is a bacterium that causes food poisoning (botulism) but has proven to be effective in reducing hand, head and voice tremors, Acupuncture, massage, and yoga may help relieve some symptoms of the disease by loosening tight muscles. Some alternative practitioners recommend the use of herbs and nutritional supplements, such as vitamins A, B, C, E, and the minerals calcium, selenium, and zinc.

Links:

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/

www.parkinsons.org/

http://www.pdf.org

www.integrativemedicine.arizona.edu.

http://www.parkinson.org/

http://www.wemove.org/

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/

http://www.faqs.org/

Alternative medicine for Kidney Stones

Introduction:

Kidney stones often occur when urine becomes too concentrated. Calcium oxalate, calcium and ammonium phosphate, uric acid, cystine and other substances (such as calcium carbonate, magnesium, lysine, arginine and ornithine) in the urine crystallize to form a hard mineral deposit called a kidney stone.

Causes:

Geographical location causes kidney stones. Too little fluid intake, chronic urinary tract infections, misuse of certain medications, urinary tract blockage, limited activity for several weeks; certain genetic and metabolic diseases etc. cause kidney stone. High calcium food may increase the risk.

Symptoms:

Blood in the urine, increased frequency of urination, nausea and vomiting, pain during urination, tenderness in the abdomen and kidney region, urinary infection, loss of appetite, blood in the urine, due to minor damage to inside wall of kidney, pus in the urine, burning on urination when passing stones (rare),fever and chills.

Treatment:

Surgery is the most common treatment for kidney stones. There are four types of surgeries.They are Extracorporeal Shockwave Lithotripsy (ESWL) , Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PNL) , Ureteroscopic Stone Removal , Open (incisional) Surgery. Medications called alpha brockers are used.Examples of alpha blocker medications include tamsulosin (Flomax®), alfuzosin (Uroxatral® ), terazosin (Hytrin®), and doxazosin (Cardura® .Certain pain mediacations prescribed by doctors are: combination of Aleve® , Advil®, or Motrin® plus Tylenol® for milder pain.Oral opiod analgesics, such as acetaminophen/codeine (Tylenol with Codeine® ), propoxyphene HCL (Darvon® ), hydrocodone/acetaminophen (Vicodin® ) and oxycodone/acetaminophen (Percocet® ) may be prescribed to minimize moderate pain associated with stones. Injectable medications such as morphine sulfate (Duramorph PF® ), hydromorphone (Dilaudid® ), and ketorolac HCL (Toradol® ) may be administered intravenously (IV) or intramuscularly (by injection) for severe pain.


Prevention:


Preventive method include: drinking lots of water,add nutritional food in the diet,avoid late night food,avoid naturally carbonated and mineral waters eat foods that are rich in magnesium such as barley, bran, corn, buckwheat, rye, oats, brown rice, potatoes, and bananas, reduce animal protein in the diet,reduce foods rich in calcium such as milk and cheese,avoid salt, sugar, caffeine, and alcohol,cola beverages,large doses of vitamin C,chocolate and nuts,eat lots of fruits and vegetables and drink orange juice. Medication such as Thiazide, Sodium cellulose phosphate, Oral calcium supplements. Allopurinol, Polycitra K(potassium citrate), Thiola, D-penicil-lamine, Acetohy-droxamic acid (AHA), Toradol etc.prevent kidney stone.

Alternative Treatment:

Alternative treatment include:Homeopathy,Naturopathy,Herbal medicine,Hydrotherapy etc. Most commonly used Homeopathic medicines are:Lycopodium,tabacccum,sarsaparilla,cantharis, Berberis vulgaris, Colocynthis,Ocimum, canum,Pennyroyal etc. Naturopathic treatment is another alternative treatment for kidney stones.Herbal medicine include:Bearberry,Cleavers,Corn silk,Crampbark,Gravel root,Kava kava, Khella, Seven barks, Stone root.Hydrotherapy include,castor oil pack,hot pack and hot vinegar pack.

Ovarian cancer usually happens in women over age 40

Ovarian cancer usually happens in women over age 40, but it can also affect younger women. Ovarian cancer is a cancerous growth arising from an ovary. The cancer most commonly forms in the lining of the ovary (resulting in epithelial ovarian cancer) or in the egg cells (resulting in a germ cell tumor).

Causes:In most cases, the cause of ovarian cancer remain unknown. Hereditary forms of ovarian cancer can be caused by mutations in specific genes (most notably BRCA1 and BRCA2. Infertile women and those with a condition called endometriosis, those who have never been pregnant and those who use postmenopausal estrogen replacement therapy are at increased risk. Women who have never had children are more likely to develop ovarian cancer than women who have had children. Obesity may increase the risk of developing more aggressive types of ovarian tumors.

Symptoms: symptoms are: abdominal pain or discomfort, bloating, back pain, urinary urgency, constipation, tiredness and a range of other non-specific symptoms, as well as more specific symptoms such as pelvic pain, abnormal vaginal bleeding or involuntary weight loss.Other symptoms are: Difficulty eating or feeling full quickly,fatigue ,menstrual changes, pain during sex ,upset stomach ,heavy feeling in pelvis ,weight gain or loss ,gas, nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite.

Treatment:Treatment include : Surgery,Radiation Therapy,Chemotherapy,Gene Therapy and hormone Therapy. Drugs used for the treatment of overian cancer are: Cisplatin(Platinol®),Carboplatin(paraplatin®),Paclitaxel(Taxol®),Melphalan(Alkeran®),Doxorubicin(Adiamycine®,Rubex®),Doxorubicin HCI lipsome injection(Doxil®),Altretamine,hexamethlymelamine(Hexalen®),Topotecan hydrochloride(Hyccamtin),Ifosfamide(Ifex®),Etoposide(VP-16)(VePesid®),5-fluorouracil(5-FU).

Prevention: The prevention of ovarian cancer is still under investigation. The use of oral contraceptives (OCs; birth control pills) can reduce the risk of ovarian cancer by 40% to 50%. The risk of ovarian cancer is decreased in women who undergo tubal ligation after childbearing. Dietary, medification and exercise, pregnancy and breast-feeding, genetic counseling, ovary removal etc.are other preventive methods.

Alternative Treatment:Alternative treatment include:Homeopathic medicine,Botanical medicine,Physical medicine,Naturopathic medicine,Chinese medicine,Psychological medicine etc.Homeopathy plays an important role. Herbs and nutritional supplements help to improve health.Naturopathic medicine has its own methods of therapeutic manipulation of muscles, bones, and spine.Chinese medicine is a healing philosophy that naturally complements naturopathic medicine. Acupuncture is a technique that can help stimulate the immune system and the healing response Counseling, yoga, exercise, massaging, nutritional balancing, stress management, hypnotherapy, biofeedback and other therapies are used to help patients heal psychologically.

Links:

http://www.umm.edu

http://www.cancer.org/

http://ovariancancer.jhmi.edu/

http://www.mayoclinic.com/

http://www.cancercenter.com/

http://www.nlm.nih.gov

http://www.oncologychannel.com/

http://www.healthscout.com

http://www.ucsfhealth.org

http://www.imaginis.com/

Achondrogenesis - Rare type of growth hormone deficiencies


Achondrogenesis can be inherited as an autosomal or dominant recessive genetic trait.

Achondrogenesis is a rare type of growth hormone deficiencies that affect cartilage and bone development. Achondrogenesis is a skeletal dysplasia and a small body, short limbs, and other skeletal abnormalities are the features of this disease. As a result of their serious health problems, infants with achondrogenesis are usually born prematurely, are stillborn, or die shortly after birth from respiratory failure. The syndrome achondrogenesis results from abnormal bone growth and cartilage formation.

Symptoms:

Symptoms are : small body(dwarfism),flat face,Very short trunk, arms, legs and neck, head appears large in relation to the trunk ,Small lower jaw ,Narrow chest resulted difficulty in breathing ,short limbs, hernia, underdeveloped lungs, small chin and large abdomen short fingers and toes etc.

Causes:

Achondrogenesis is inherited, which means it is passed down through families.

Some types are known to be recessive, meaning both parents carry the defective gene and the chance for a subsequent child to be affected is about 25%. Mutations in the COL2A1 and SLC26A2 genes cause achondrogenesis.

Treatment:

There is no current therapy. Palliative care treatment is the only treatment for the achondrogenesis patients. Patient care is important.

Prevention:

Genetic counseling is an important preventive method. Ultrasound examination or prenatel molecular genetic testing is help to identify disease ,and to prevent the birth of infants with achondrogenesis. Prenatal diagnosis is done by ultrasonography and molecular studies.

Alternative treatment:

Nutritional and herbal therapy is found effective in some cases. In India Ayurvedic treatment is also said to be effective for achondrogenesis. Breathing excersice is also important to develop lungs.

Links:

http://www.enotes.com/

http://www.pioneervalleyhospital.com/

http://www.medic8.com/

http://children.webmd.com

http://www.thefetus.net/

http://en.wikipedia.org

http://www.emedicine.com/

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/

Diabetic-bearded postmenopausal woman syndrome.

Achard-Thiers syndrome is a disorder mainly affecting postmenopausal women. It is also known as diabetic-bearded woman syndrome.

Symptoms:

Symptoms are diabetes mellitus and hirsutisms, deep masculine voice, facial hypertrichosis, obesity, hypertrophy of the clitoris, and hypoplasia or adenoma of the adrenal cortex, hypertension and amenorrhoea.

Causes:

Diabetes is the most important cause of this disease.The effects of diabetes mellitus result from insulin deficiency. Obesity contributes to the resistance to endogenous insulin. The Diabetics Mellitus result from various conditions,such a genetic defect of the beta cells or from use of certain drugs or chemicals,abnormal glucose during pregnancy. Physiologic or emotional stress can cause prolonged elevation of stress hormone levels(cortisol, epinephrine, glucagon,and growth hormone), this raises blood glucose levels,which in turn,places incresed demand on the pancreas. Pregnancy causes weight gain and increases levels of estogen and placental hormones, which antagonize insulin. some medications such as thiazide diuretics, adrenal corticosteroids, and hormonal contraceptives are also resulted Achard-Thiers syndrome.

Treatment:

Normalises blood glucose levels by using insulin,anti diabetic drugs or exercise or through diet. Pancreas transplantation is expirimental and requires chronic immunosuppression. Treating diabetics is important. Sulfonylureas,Meglitinides,Biguanides, Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, thiazolidinediones etc.are the drugs used to treat diabetes. These drugs also reduce insulin resistance by decreasing hepatic glucose production and increasing glucose uptake. Treatment of long-term diabetic complications may include transplantation or dialysis for renal failure, photocoagulation for retinopathy, and vascular surgery for large-vessel disease. Hyperbaric Oxygen therapy is needed for patients with wounds.

Prevention:

Mental and nutritional counseling is help to avoid or control mental stress and physiologic stress and also blood pressure. Some times it may be genetic or inherited. In this situation a family diet chart prepared which includes nutritional foods,Vitamin E and foods which normalize glucose levels. Maintain appropriate body weight is important. Certain drugs or chemicals may cause diabetics, stop that medicines.Control the glucose levels during pregnancy and avoid increased weight and placental hormones. Cholesterol and triglyceride levels may also be reduced.

Alternative therapy:

Reduce smoking will help to avoid complications and prevent cardiovascular disease related with Achard-Thiers syndrome. Dietary education and weight reduction is important to control blood pressure and diabetes. The diet must be followed consistently and meals eaten at regular times. Exercise will help to control weight. Nutritional and herbal therapy is found effective in some cases. Homeopathy is also said to be effective for Achard-Thiers syndrome.

Links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/orosis

http://www.whonamedit.com/

http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/

http://www.bchealthguide.org/

http://www.drugs.com/

Free Mammogram for every 22nd women who register with HCG PINKHOPE


Breast Cancer can Affect one out of 22 women.

HCG Pink hope is inagurating today in Bangalore. Shaban Azmi (Film actress) launches the HCG Pink Hope (Breast cancer awareness campaign at Garuda Mall,Bangalore Today at 12.30 Pm. They are offering free mmammogram for every 22nd woman who register with them.

with cases of breast cancer on the rise world over, a center of this nature is now a critical necessity. Especially because early diagnosis offers a better chance of recovery and return to normal life.
The HCG center for Breast Health is India's first of its kind, set up by Health Care Global(HCG).

Achalasia - difficulty in swallowing

Achalasia is a disorder of the esophagus (the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach). The esophagus is less able to move food toward the stomach, and the muscle from the esophagus to the stomach does not relax as much as it needs to during swallowing. It is also known as esophageal achalasia, achalasia cardiae, cardiospasm,dyssynergia esopgagus and esophageal aperistalsis. Achalasia is characterized by difficulty in swallowing, regurgitation and some times chest pain.

Symptoms:

Difficulty in swallowing (Dysphagia) liquids and solids, Regurgitation(backflow) of food, coughing, chest pain, hurtburn, weight loss etc are symptoms.

Causes:

There is no known underlying cause of this disease.It may be caused by failure of the lower esophageal sphincter to relax and an absence of esophageal peistalsis leading to a functional obstruction at the gastro-esophageal junction. Esophageal cancer or chagas disease (an infectious disease common in South America) caused achalasia. Another part of the disorder is lack of nervous stimulation to the esophagus. Causes include damage to the nerves to the esophagus, parasitic infection, cancers, and hereditary factors.

Treatment:

Several options are available for the treatment of achalasia. Treatments include: Drug Therapy and botulinum toxin injection, Balloon dilation and surgery (myotomy), Esophagectomy. Injection of botulinum toxin into the lower esophageal sphincter is an effective, safe, and simple method of treatment for achalasia. Medications such as long-acting nitrates such as isosorbide dinitrate or calcium channel blockers such a nifedipine and nitroglycerin can also be used to lower the pressure at the lower esophagus sphincter. Pneumatic dilation is most effective on the long term in patients over the age of 40. Because of excellent results, a short hospital stay, and a fast recovery time, the primary treatment is considered by many to be a laparoscopic Heller myotomy and partial fundoplication surgery (called an esophagomyotomy) to decrease the pressure in the lower sphincter may be needed. A laparoscopic Heller myotomy is considered by many to be the appropriate primary treatment of patients with achalasia .The thoracic or thoracoscopic approach may be preferred for some patients. The thoracic approach is also appropriate in managing patients with proximal esophageal motility abnormalities.

Prevention:

Avoid foods like ketchup,citrus,chocolate,mint,alcohol and cafeein etc.Add dietary food in the food menu.Eat slowly,chew very well,drink plenty of water with meals and avoid eating near bed time.

Alternative Treatment:

Acupuncture,traditional chinese herbal medicine and relaxation techniques are different altrnative method. Raising the head of the bed or sleeping with a wedge pillow promotes emptying of the esophagus by gravity. Proton pump inhibitors can help to prevent reflex damage by inhibiting gastric acid secretion.

Links:

http://content.nejm.org/

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/

http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org

http://www.uptodate.com/

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/

http://medind.nic.in

http://www.emedicine.com/

http://www.ssat.com/

Popular Posts

Warning!

"The information provided on this blog may or may not be relevent. All the information are
collected from various sources and websites. Please take advice from registered medical
practitioner before trying the treatment explained in this blog. We will not take any
responsiblity."