Friday 7 October 2011

TYPE 1 DIABETESE IN CHILDREN

Diabetes is one of the commonest problems of the world right now . About 13000 children are diagnosed as diabetics in America each year .  Type 1 ( due to defective insulin production by beta cells ) diabetese is considered commonest cause of diabetes in children  . It is also called juvenile diabetes and tends to begin in childhood . In it the pancreas does not produces sufficient insulin due to the destruction of pancreatic cells , which is autoimmune mediated . insulin is required to normalize the level of sugar in blood .

SYMPTOMS
Increased thirst
Frequency of micturation
Weight loss
Nausea / vomiting
Easy fatiguability
Irritability or behavioural problems
Blurred vision

COMPLICATIONS
Include multi organ damage
Damage to the eyes and nerves
Kidney failure
Oral thrush
Gangrene of the limbs
Increased risk of heart problems

TREATMENT
Making a diabetic diet plan for the child
Monitoring blood sugar levels on regular basis
Urinary ketone testing if required
Regular exercise
Giving insulin via subcutaneous injections
Regular check up of the child

Saturday 24 September 2011

HPV VACCINE PROTECTS MORE THAN CERVICAL CANCER


HUMAN PAPILLOMA VIRUS

HPV vaccine prevents infection against certain types of human papilloma virus . Human Papilloma virus is the causative agent of cervical cancer . It is passed from one person to another through direct skin contact during sexual activity . Most of the people who are sexually active will get infected with HPV virus at some time in their life , but most of the infections are asymptomatic and self limiting . Infections most common in early 20’s . There are about 40 different types of HPV virus that can infect genital tract of men and women . But the most common types are HPV type 16 and 18 .

BENEFITS OF HPV VACCINE
HPV vaccine not only prevents cervical cancer but also genital warts and some other cancers like anal , vulval , vaginal and penile . There are two vaccines currently available in the market : Gardasil and Cervarix . Both of these vaccines protect against the two commonest type of HPV  ( HPV type 16 and 18 ) , which are responsible for 70% cases of cervical cancers .

TIME OF VACCINATION
Ideally the female should receive the vaccine before they become sexually active i.e at 11-12 years of age . Once a female is sexually active she is already exposed to HPV virus so it is best given before resuming sexual activity . Women who are already sexually active may also benefit from the vaccine but to a less extent . Both vaccines are given in three shots over 6 months time period .

COST OF VACCINATION 

It costs about 390$ for full course .


SIDE EFFECTS
It can cause pain , redness and swelling at the site of injection . May cause GI effects like nausea , vomiting and diarrhea . Very rarely it may result in breathing difficulty , dizziness and changes in heart rate .


 

Tuesday 20 September 2011

HEPATITIS “D” CAN BE PREVENTED BY PREVENTING HEPATITIS “B”


This is a liver disease which occurs due to hepatitis D virus . This virus can only cause illness in the presence of hepatitis B virus infection . Liver is an important part of our body which not only provides us with energy but also helps in the excretion of toxic wastes from the body . therefore liver disease may be life threatening .


CAUSES
Affected persons blood being transfused to a healthy individual .
Unsafe sexual relationships as it can be transmitted through sexual contact .
Use of shared syringes in IV drug abusers .
Infected needle prick to the hospital staff .
From mother to baby during delivery .

SIGNS/SYMPTOMS
Jaundice
Weakness
Abdominal pain
Anorexia
Nausea
Vomiting
Body aches and pains
Dark urine

PREVENTION
Try to prevent hepatitis B infection as it may result in hepatitis D infection .
If some body is infected with hepatitis , B he/she should receive immediate treatment as it would decrease the risk of getting infected with hepatitis D virus .
Safe sex and restricting the number of sexual partners .
Don’t use shared syringes .
Ear and nose piercing should only be done with clean instruments .
 







Friday 12 August 2011

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM PLAGUE

Plague is a zonotic disease , circulating among small rodents and their fleas caused by the Yersinea Pestis . According to the World Health Organization it is one of the oldest disease effecting human beings . There have been three world wide epidemics of this disease .

 First one is known as Justinian plague which occurred from 542-546 AD  in Europe , Asia and Africa and killed about 10 million people . The second one is known as Black Death which occurred in 16th century in Asia and Africa and killed about 5 million people . The third epidemic occurred in 18th century and stated from Canteen and Hong Kong and 30 lac people were killed in it .


CAUSES
It is caused by Yersinia Pestis . It originally effects wild rats . Then the disease is transmitted to fleas and then to human beings if these effected fleas bite humans . It can also be transmitted by close contact and touching the effected animals .

SIGNS/SYMPTOMS
Initial symptoms of the disease is just like flu e.g
Fever
Body aches and pains
Weakness
Nausea and vomiting
The commonest type is bubonic plague in which there is painfull swelling lymph nodes in the armpits and groins .
In pneumonic plague the lungs are badly effected along with cough and hemoptysis and there is difficulty in breathing .

PREVENTION
Keep your environment clean so that the rats and fleas can not survive .
Uses rat killing medicines .
Where there are chances of plague rats should be screened for Yersinia Pestis  .
Eatables should be kept covered and saved from the rats .
Precautionary measures should be taken to prevent rat entery into the food storage are and picnic spots . 
 

Thursday 11 August 2011

WAYS TO INCREASE YOUR LIFE EXPECTANCY

Life expectancy is the number of years one is expected to live . It represents average life span of a new born and is an indicator of over all health of a country . It varies in different parts of the world due to the different conditions of health , care and nutrition .

 
SEX DIFFERENCE
Death rate in the women is less as compared to men .
It may be due to the following causes
Men are most commonly involved in tobacco smoking , alcoholism and drugs .
There are more chances of male death in car accidents and wars .
 
They have more tendency of suicide .
 Women have better immunity than men .
CAUSES OF DECREASED LIFE EXPECTANCY
Obesity
It decreases life expectancy of about 3-9 months .
Cigratte smoking
It decreases life expectancy of about 13-14 years .
 
HOW TO INCREASE THE LIFE EXPECTANCY
Exposing yourself to sun and vitamin D .
Reducing obesity .
Reducing tobacco smoking .
Avoiding smoking in a closed space .
Eating healthy diet .
Avoiding junk foods .
Taking fruits and vegetables .             
Regular exercise .
Indulging children into games and sports .
Taking regular sleep .
Relaxing yourself  .
Stay optimistic .

Saturday 30 July 2011

STRANGE USES OF MALE CONDOMS

A condom is a barrier device used during sexual intercourse to prevent an unwanted pregnancy . It is the simplest device used for contraception . It is put on the man’s erect organ and physically blocks the ejaculated semen from entering the female genital tract . Condoms are water proof and elastic , inexpensive and easy to use . They are also used with variety of other contraceptive methods .

 
MEDICAL USES
 They not only prevent pregnancy but also give certain medical advantages to their users .
They protect against sexually transmitted diseases which include gonorrhea and syphilis . And one of their main advantage is protection from transmission of HIV ( AIDS ) .
They are used to collect semen sample in artificial reproductive techniques where male sample is collected through masturbation for artificial insemination or invitro fertilization .
They are used to cover the endovaginal probe of ultrasound . 

NON MEDICAL USES

Condoms have some strange non medical uses and in history they have been used for lots of other purposes .
They are used to keep oil samples .
They have been used in the smuggling of various drugs like cocaine and heroine .
They are used to protect the microphones during underground recording .
They are used to keep the candles dry during camping .

Tuesday 5 July 2011

SNAKE BITE

Snake bite is an injury caused by a snake after resulting in puncture wounds inflicted by the animal’s fangs. Scientists say that about 12-15 million people are effected by snake bite in different countries of the world in a year . But out of these most are not fatal . Almost 94 thousand people die because of snake bite .

About 3 thousand types of snakes are found in the world . Out of which 6 hundred types are poisonous . Except Antarctica they are found almost in every corner of the world .
Most of the deaths due to snake bite occur in rainy season . Normally the snakes hide in water and attack whenever get a chance . They may also attack those who work in the fields .

SIGNS / SYMPTOMS
Swelling and bleeding of the effected area .
Bleeding from the mouth , nose or any old injury .
Internal bleeding may occur in the brain or abdomen which may result in paralysis or death .
It may effect the muscles and may cause respiratory difficulty and death .




FIRST AID
Prevent yourself from re biting of the snake because sometimes snake keeps on re biting so much so that it uses its whole poison .
Try to recognize the snake but stop running after or catching it .
Let the patient lay straight and avoid movement .
Do not give the patient any thing to eat .
Try to take the patient to the hospital but if hospital is far away than take some bandage and apply it slightly above the wound .
Keep the effected leg or arm slightly below the level of heart .
Don’t try to suck out the blood from the wound .
Check the pulse and blood pressure of the patient .

PREVENTION
Avoid going at the places where there is possibility snakes .
Don’t make noise on seeing a snake .
Normally snakes run away on watching fire .
People who keep snakes should be trained in the management of snake bite .