Posts

Irritable Bowel Syndrome ( IBS)

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a chronic functional disorder of the digestive system that mainly affect the large intestine (colon). It does not cause structural damage but leads to a group of symptoms that often come and go.  Causes The exact cause is not clear, but factors include:  1. Abnormal gut motility ( too fast or too slow movements of the intestine). 2. Increased gut sensitivity ( Visceral hypersensitivity) 3. Stress , Anxiety , Depression. 4. Food Intolerance ( e.g. dairy , gluten, fatty foods). 5. Hormonal Changes ( more common in women) 6. Post - Infection changes ( after severe Gastroenteritis). Types of IBS 1. IBS - C : Constipation predominant  2. IBS -D : Diarrhoea - Predominant  3. IBS - M : Alternating diarrhoea and Constipation). 4. IBS - U : Unclassified. Symptoms  1. Abdominal Pain or Cramping  (relieved by passing stool and gas). 2. Altered Bowel habits : Constipation , diarrhoea or both. 3. Bloating and Gas. 4. Mucus in stool. 5. ...

Sinusitis

Sinusitis is the Inflammation and swelling of the tissue lining the sinuses. It can be caused by various factor such as viral infection , bacterial infections,or structural issues  like nasal polyp and deviated septum.  Types of Sinusitis 1.Acute Sinusitis : Typically caused by a bacterial infection following a viral upper respiratory tract infection. 2. Subacute Sinusitis : Lasting longer than acute sinusitis but not as long as chronic sinusitis , usually between 4 to 12 week. 3. Chronic Sinusitis. Lasting for 12 week or longer often associated with persistent inflammation rather than infection.  4. Recurrent sinusitis : Multiple episode of acute sinusitis with in a year.  Symptoms 1. Facial pain , pressure and tenderness especially around the forehead, cheek , nose and eyes. 2. Nasal congestion or Stuffiness. making it difficult , to breath through the nose. 3. Discolored nasal discharge, (Yellow or Green), Which may be Thick or Thin. 4. Postnasal drip, where the m...

VITAMIN B12 DEFICIENCY

Vitamin B12 deficiency can be caused by various factors , including : 1. Inadequate dietary intake : Not consuming enough food rich in Vitamin B12 , such as meat , fish , eggs and dietary products. 2 . Poor absorption : Condition like pernicious anemia , Atrophic gastritis, celiac disease , crohn's diseases or surgeries that affect the stomach or intestines can impair the absorption of vitamin B12. 3.Lack of intrinsic factors : Intrinsic factor is a protein produced by stomach that's necessary for the absorption of Vitamin B12. Condition like pernicious anemia can cause deficiency of intrinsic factor. 4. Certain medication: like protein pump inhibitors or metformin can interfere with the absorption of Vitamin B12. 5. Aging : As people age increases , their ability to absorb vitamin B12 decreases. Symptoms of Vitamin B12 deficiency: 1. Fatigue and weakness : Feeling tired and weak, even with adequate rest. 2. Anemia: A deficiency in red blood cells can leads to symptoms such as ...

DERMATOPHYTOSIS

Image
Dermatophytosis , commonly known as ringworm, is a fungal infection of the skin , hair or nails. It's is caused by various species of fungi called dermatophytes. These fungi Thrive in warm moist environment and can me transmitted through direct contact with infected humans or animals , as well as contaminated objects like towels, combs or clothing.   Types 1.Tinea corporis : Affects the skin of the body. 2.Tinea pedis : Affects the feet  3.Tinea cruris : Affects the groin area ( Jock skin) 4.Tinea capitis: Affects the scalp 5. Tinea unguium : Affects the nail Symptoms Dermatophytosis typically present with  red scaly patches on the skin that may be itchy and painful. The affected area often has a distict border and can appear anywhere on the body, including the scalp , feets, groin or nails. Prevention 1. Practice good hygiene : Keep skin clean  and dry, especially in areas prone to sweating. 2. Avoid Sharing Personal items : Do not share towel, comb , or clothi...

Hemorrhoids/Piles

 Definition Hemorrhoids also known as piles, are swollen veins located around the rectum or in the lower part of the rectum or anus. They can cause discomfort, bleeding and pain, especially during bowel movement. Types : There are two main types of Hemorrhoids 1. Internal Hemorrhoids: These occurs inside the rectum, so you typically can't see or feel them. They may bleed during bowel movements. 2. External Hemorrhoids: These are under the skin around the anus, where there are may more pain, sensing nerve , so they tend to hurt as well as bleed. Level Hemorrhoids are Categorised into  four grades based on the severity: 1.Grade 1: Hemorrhoids that bleed but do not prolapse. 2. Grade 2 : Hemorrhoids that prolapse ( protrude out) during a bowel movement and retract spontaneously. 3. Grade 3 : Hemorrhoids that prolapse (Protrude out) during a bowel movement and retract spontaneously. 4. Grade 4 : Hemorrhoids that are always prolapsed. Causes : 1. Straining during bowel movements: T...

Fatty Liver

Fatty liver disease,  also known as hepatic steatosis, is a condition characterized by the accumulation of fat in the liver cells. It can be caused by various factors, including : 1.Non alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) : This is the most common form of the fatty liver disease and is associated with obesity, insulin resistance, high blood sugar levels, High cholesterol , and metabolic syndromes. 2. Alcoholic fatty liver disease: Excessive Alcohol consumption can leads to the deposition of fat in the liver, resulting in fatty liver disease.  Causes: 1.Alcohol Consumption : Excessive Alcohol intake is a common cause of fatty liver, known as alcoholic fatty liver disease. 2. Obesity : Being overweight or obese is a significant risk factors for developing fatty liver.  3.Insulin resistance: Insulin resistance and diabetes: People with insulin resistance and or type 2 diabetes are more prone to developing fatty liver. 4. High Cholesterol and triglycerides levels : Elevated...

Xylazine

Image
Xylazine is a medication that belongs to a class of drugs know as alpha-2 adrenergic agonist. It is primarily used as a veterinary sedative and analgesic ( pain reliever) in animals ,particularly in horses and other large animals. Xylazine is also sometimes used in combination with other drugs for anesthesia induction, muscle relaxation ,or for sedation during diagnostic and surgical procedures.  In veterinary medicine , xylazine is often used to calm and restrain animals, facilitate minor surgical procedures, or as a pre -anesthetic agent before general anesthesia.  It has sedative, analgesic and muscle relaxant properties. Xylazine work by binding to and activating alpha-2 adrenergic receptors in the central nervous system, which leads to a reduction in sympathetic outflow, resulting in sedation and analgesia. It is important to note that xylazine is not approved for use in humans and should never be used without proper veterinary supervision. The dosage and administration o...

Acne

Image
Acne is a common skin condition that affect millions of people worldwide. It occurs when hair follicles becomes clogged with oil and dead skin cells, leading to the formation of pimples ,blackhead , white head  and some times deeper cyst. Acne typically appears on the face , but it can occurs on the neck , chest, back and shoulders. Let's explore the types , cause,  treatment and prevention measure for acne. Types of Acne : 1.Whiteheads : These are small closed comedones that appear as small white bumps on the skin. 2. Blackheads : These are open comedones that appear as dark spots on the skin's due to oxidation of trap debris. 3. Papules : These are small red , inflamed bumps on the skin. 4. Pustules : Similar to papules these are red bumps with a white or yellow center containing pus. 5. Nodules : These are large solid painful bumps that form deep within the skin. 6. Cyst : These are painful , pus filled deep seated lumps that can cause scarring. Cause of Acne : Several fact...

Proactive Health Care

Proactive health refers to an approach in which individuals take active measures to maintain and improve their health before the onset of illness or disease, Rather than simply reacting to health problems as they arise proactive healthcare focuses on prevention and early intervention to promote overall well being and reduce the risk of developing chronic conditions. Here are some keys aspects and strategies commonly associated with proactive health care: 1. Preventive measures: Proactive healthcare places a strong emphasis on preventive actions,such as immunization, regular health screenings and health promoting behaviours like a balanced diet , exercise and stress management. Then measures aim to identify potential health issues early on or prevent them altogether. 2. Health Education: Proactive healthcare involves educating individuals about healthy lifestyle choices risk factors and disease preventing strategies. It empower individuals to make informed decisions about their health a...

CRETINISM

 Cretinism refers to hypothyroidism that develop in infancy or early childhood. The term cretin was derived from the French chretien ,meaning Christian or Christlike, and was applied to these unfortunates because they were considered to be so mentally retarded as to be incapable of sinning.  In the Past ,this disorder occurred fairly commonly in areas where dietary iodine deficiency is endemic , such as the Himalayas, inland China , Africa and other mountainous areas. It has become much less frequent in recent years, owing to the widespread supplementation of food and iodine.  On rare occasions, cretinism may also result from inborn errors in metabolism ( e.g. enzyme deficiencies) that interfere with the biosynthesis of normal levels of thyroid hormone ( sporadic cretinism). Clinical feature of Cretinism include impaired development of the skeletal system and central nervous system, manifested by severe mental retardation ,short stature , coarse facial features, a protrud...

MARBURG VIRUS

 The MARBURG VIRUS is a rare and deadly virus that can be fatal in humans. It is spread through contact with infected animals or insects ,and has no known cure. The virus posed a threat to humans even before it was identified in 1967, but since than there have been many outbreak around the world. The most recent outbreak occurred in Angola in 2005, killing over 400 people and infecting thousand more. It is believed that the virus could potentially spread further if not contained properly. There is currently no vaccine or treatment for the MARBURG VIRUS ,and it can be fatal if left untreated. As such, it is important to take precaution when travelling to area where the disease has been identified and also to practice good hygiene habits to reduce the chances of contracting it. As one of the most deadly Viruses, MARBURG VIRUS has caused thousand of death across the world. It is a highly contagious and incurable virus that one spread rapidly through direct contact with an infected per...

VITAMINS

 Vitamins are divided into two groups-  1.Fat soluble Vitamins- Vitamin A, D,E and K. 2.Water soluble Vitamins- Vitamin-B Group and C. Vitamin-A  - Most potent types of Vitamin A is Vitamin A1 or retinol. - One international unit of vitamin A is equivalent to 0.3 microgram of retinol. - Fish liver oil are the richest natural source of retinol. - The cheapest sources of vitamin A is green leafy vegetables such as spinach and amaranth. - Most important source of Vitamin A for a child in India is green leafy vegetables. - The most important carotenoids is beta - carotene , Which has the highest vitamin A- Activity. - Vitamin- A also occurs in green and yellow fruit and vegetable , papaya, mango, pumpkin, not present in potato. Deficiency: - Correct sequences of appearance of manifestation of Vitamin A deficiency are night blindness, conjunctival xerosis, Bitot's spots, corneal xerosis and keratomalacia. (a) Night Blindness- The First symptoms of lack of Vitamin A is night bl...

Restless Leg Syndrome

Image
Restless Leg Syndrome, is also known as  Willis Ekbom disease , is a neurological disease associated with abnormal sensation in legs. In Restless Leg Syndrome, the patient has an Irresistible desire to move the legs. The symptoms increase during rest, such as lying down in bed or sitting for prolonged periods, such as while driving or at a theatre. It can be associated with day time  sleepiness. Restless Leg Syndrome is related to the Basal Ganglia of the brain . The Basal Ganglia uses a chemicals (neurotransmitter) called dopamine to help control muscle activity and movement. Dopamine acts as a messenger between the brain and nervous system to help the brain regulate and coordinate movement. If nerve cells are damaged , dopamine secretion is reduced.Which cause muscle spasm and involuntary movement.  Cause of Restless legs Syndrome  1. Iron Deficiency Anaemia 2. Parkinson's Disease 3. Kidney Failure or Renal disease 4. Diabetes Mellitus 5.Peripheral Neuropathy 7. Pr...