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

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 .

 

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 .

 

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 16^th century in Asia and Africa and killed about 5 million people . The third epidemic occurred in 18^th 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 . 

 

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 .

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 .

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 .

 

RABBIES CAN BE CAUSED BY DOG BITE

Rabies is a viral disease that causes acute encephalitis in warm blooded . The virus is present in the sputum of infected animals . It is most commonly transmitted from an animal bite or licking . The effected animals could be monkey , fox , bat and dog . All human cases of rabies were fatal until development of vaccine . Prompt post exposure vaccination may prevent virus from progressing . However in in vaccinated human rabies is almost always fatal .

CAUSES

From the wound it enters the muscular system and then disseminates in the whole body .

Can not be transmitted from one individual to an other.

SIGNS

Headache , fever and fatigue .

Pain and itching on the bite area because of the effect on muscular system , tetanus , frothing from mouth and excessive sweating .

TREATMENT

Wash the affected area with soap and water

Apply antibacterial .

Vaccination within 24 hours along with immunoglobulin .

PREVENTION

Dog entry should be prohibited in the public places

Vaccinate pet dogs against rabies .

Awareness of public about dogs and rabies .

Workers of zoo and dog centres should be vaccinated against rabies .

 

TRACHOMA MAY CAUSE BLINDNESS

It is an infectious eye disease caused by bacteria namely Chlamydia trachomatis . This bacteria spreads through direct contact with an infected person’s towel or clothing . However flies also serve as an important carrier . It is one of the major cause of blindness all over the world .

 

CAUSES

Sharing towel of infected person

Sharing  antimony

Flies

Unhygienic conditions

SIGNS

 

Redness of the eyes

Watery eyes

Swelling of the eyelids

Single or multiple eyelid lumps

Eye pain

Marked light sensitivity                                                    

 Blurred vision

Corneal scarring

Diminishing vision

Blindness

 

 

PREVENTION

Protection against fies by the use of net

Keep clean water covered

Maintain cleanliness

Better sewerage system

Avoid towel and antimony of the effected person

MUMPS : COMMON IN CHILDREN

Mumps is a viral disease which is common in children less than 15 years of age . Among 100,000 infected people it is responsible for death of almost 100-1000 people . Normally it occurs in the winter season . A person who suffers one gets life long immunity . And thus can not get the disease again . It is more dangerous in adults as compared to children .

CAUSES

It is cause by mumps virus

This virus spreads through

Coughing

Sneezing

Sputum

From one person to an other

SIGNS

Fever

Pain in the ear

Difficulty in chewing

Sore throat

Headache

Dry mouth

Aches and pains

Anorexia

PREVENTION

Clean your teeth regularly

Give children diet rich in carbohydrates

Keep the effected person away from the others

Vaccinate children against rubella

Maintain cleanliness

ANTHRAX

Anthrax is an infectious disease caused by bacteria bacillus anthrax . It is transmitted from infected animals to humans by exposure to animal products ( meat , skin , wool ) . Patients present with boil like skin lesion , flu like symptoms , respiratory collapse and acute diarrhea .

CAUSES

Attack of bacillus anthrax

Using things made of animal wool

Taking meat or flesh of animals infected by bacteria

Decreased immunity

SIGNS / SYMPTOMS

Cutaneous Anthrax presents with black blisters on the skin .

Inhalational Anthrax presents with flu , fever , malaise , cough , shortness of breadth and chest pain .

Gastrointestinal Anthrax presents as nausea , vomiting and bloody diarrhea .

PREVENTION

Vaccination against bacillus anthrax is available but it is not recommended for general public , it may be available to certain military personells .

Staying away from the infected animals .

Avoiding products made of animal wool .

 

LOW FIBRE DIET

Fibre is a special type of carbohydrate that passes through the human digestive system unchanged  . It makes food stay in the stomach for more time and does not make us feel hungry .  It slows digestion and absorption , softens stool , keeps blood sugar on an even level and prevents us from many diseases ranging from constipation to colorectal cancer . So proper fibre intake is necessary in the daily food .We can take fibre from fruits , vegetables , legume , fish .

SOURCES OF FIBRE

Cereals , corn , porridge , beans , fish , egg

Vegetables

Carrot , cabbage , tomato , onion

Fruits

Pear , apricot , banana , apple , grapes

CAUSES OF LOW FIBRE

Lack of vegetable intake

Lack of fruit intake

Lack of intake of wheat and corn

SIGNS OF LOW FIBRE IN BODY

Indigestion

Pain abdomen

Vomiting

Constipation            

Heart problem

Diabetes

Weight gain

Colorectal cancer

HOW TO PROTECT

An average intake of 25-30 grams fibre can protect against all these problems .

In order to take this much of fibre you may follow the following regimen .

Take at least two cups of either fruits or vegetables daily .

Take beans / kidney half cup daily .