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ALLERGIES
Discomforts
of various kinds are considered allergies when they are brought on by substances
or conditions that ordinarily are harmless. Not too long ago, perturbed allergy
sufferers would say things like:
“ I can’t use that soap because it gives me hives”.
“Smelling roses makes me sneeze”.
Nowadays such complaints are commonly recognized as indications of
allergies.
SYMPTOMS
Allergic
symptoms can range from itching eyes, running nose, coughing, difficulty in
breathing, welts on the skin, nausea, cramps, and even going into a state of
shock, depending upon the severity of the allergic individual’s response.
Almost any part or system of the body may be affected, and almost anything can
pose an allergic threat to somebody.
ANEMIA
A
condition in which there is a decrease in the number of red blood cells or in
the hemoglobin content of the red blood cells. Hemoglobin is the compound
that carries oxygen to the body tissues from the lungs. Anemia in itself is not
a disease but rather s symptom of some other disorder, such as iron deficiency
in the diet, excessive blood loss resulting from an injury or bleeding,
infection by industrial poisons, or kidney or bone marrow disease. A person may
also develop anemia as a result of hypersensitivity (allergy) to various
medicines.
In
the simple form of anemia caused by a deficiency of iron in the diet, the
symptoms are rarely severe. There may be feelings of fatigue, a loss of energy,
and a general lack of vitality. Deficiency anemia is especially common among
children and pregnant women, and can be corrected by adding foods high in iron
into the diet, such as liver, lean meat, leafy green vegetables, whole wheat
bread, and dried peas and beans.
If the symptoms persist, a physician should be consulted for diagnosis
and treatment.
ASTHMA
A disease of the respiratory system in which there is chronic (long term)
inflammation of the lungs and periodic acute episodes called “attacks”.
During attacks the airways contract or go into spasm, breathing becomes
difficult, and a wheezing sound is produced. Lung spasms are also accompanied by
secretion of excess mucus into the airways and swelling of the bronchia l tubes,
causing breathing to be further restricted. Coughing, sweating, and a feeling of
tightness in the chest may also accompany an attack.
TRIGGERS AND CAUSES:
1.
Cold weather
2.
Pollen
3.
House
dust
4.
Cockroaches
5.
Mites
6.
Animal
dander
7.
Cigarette
smoke
8.
Certain
cleaning products
9.
Emotional
stress
In some cases, asthma may accompany a bacterial or viral infection of
the nose or throat.
THE ASTHMA ATTACK
If an attack occurs, a child may become very frightened because of the
suffocating sensation. It can also be frightening to witness a child struggling
to breathe. It is important to remain calm, be reassuring to the child, and call
the child’s pediatrician promptly. Immediate symptoms can be alleviated by
prescribed medications in a form of tablets or through an inhaler, or by
injection. If the cause of the attacked can be determined it should be removed
from the child’s presence as soon as possible.
APPENDICITIS
SYMPTOMS:
The
onset of appendicitis is heralded by an acute attack of pain in the center of
the abdomen, as the intensity of pain increases that will shift to the lower
abdomen with nausea, vomiting and fever. Some individuals, however, suffer from
recurrent attacks of dull pain without other signs of gastrointestinal disease,
and these may not be significant enough to warrant hospitalization.
Diagnosis
of appendicitis is usually dependent on the above symptoms, along with
tenderness in the right lower quadrant (appendix area), increased pulse rate,
and decreasing blood pressure. The last two are very significant if the appendix
ruptures and peritonitis sets in. Whenever these symptoms are observed, the
patient must be rushed to the nearest hospital.
BACKACHES
“Oh
my aching back” is probably the most common complaint among people pat the age
of 40. Most of the time, the discomfort – wherever it occurs, up or down the
backbone- can be traced to some simple cause. However, there are continuous
backaches that have their origin in some internal disorder that needs the
attention of a physician. Among the serious causes are kidneys or pancreas
disease, spinal arthritis, and peptic ulcer.
SOME COMMON CAUSES
Generally a backache is the result of strain
in the muscles, nerves, or ligaments of the spine. It can occur because of poor
posture, carelessness in lifting or carrying heavy packages, sitting in one
position for a long time in the wrong kind of chair, or sleeping on a mattress
that is too soft. Backache often accompanies menstruation, and is common in the
later stages of pregnancy. Emotional tension can also bring on back pain.
PREVENTION
Maintaining good posture during the waking
hours and sleeping on a hard mattress at night – if necessary, inserting a bed
board between the mattress and bed springs – are the first line of defense
against backaches.
Anyone habitually carrying heavy loads of
books or groceries, or even overloaded attache’ case, should make a habit of
shifting the weight from arm to arm so that the spine doesn’t always get
pulled in one direction.
Workers who are sedentary for most of the day
at a desk or factory table should be sure that the chair they sit in provides
firm support for back muscles and is the right height for the working surface.
TREATMENT
Most causes of simple backache respond to
rest, aspirin, and the application of heat, applied by a hot water bottle or
heating pad. In cases where the pain persists or becomes more acute, a physician
should be consulted. He may find that the trouble is caused by the
malfunctioning of an internal organ, or by pressure on the sciatic nerve
(Sciatica). With x-rays he may also locate a slipped disk or other abnormality
in the alignment of the vertebrae of the spine.
BRONCHITIS
Usually referred to as chest cold, bronchitis is an inflammation of the
bronchial tubes that connects the windpipes and the lungs. If the bronchitis
progresses down into the lungs, it can develop into pneumonia. Old people and
children are especially susceptible to acute bronchitis. The symptoms include
pain in the chest, a feeling of fatigue, and a nagging cough. If the infection
is bacterial, it will respond to antibiotics. If it is viral, there are no
specific medicines. The attack usually lasts for about ten days, although
recovery may be speeded up with bed rest and large fluid intake.
CHRONIC BRONCHITIS
Is a condition that may recur each winter, or may be present throughout
the year in the form of a constant cough. The condition is aggravated by smoking
and by irritants such as airborne dust and smog. The swollen tissues and
abnormally heavy discharge of mucus interfere with the flow of air from the
lungs and cause shortness of breath. Medicines are available that lessen the
bronchial phlegm and make breathing easier. People with chronic bronchitis often
sleep better if they use more than one pillow and have a vaporizer going at
night.
BALDNESS
/ ALOPECIA
Under the normal
circumstances of combing, brushing and shampooing, a person loses anywhere from
25 to 100 hairs a day. Because new hairs start growing each day, the loss and
replacement usually balance each other. When the loss rate is greater than the
replacement rate, thinning and baldness result.
The medical term for baldness is Alopecia , the most common form
of which is male pattern baldness. Dr. Eugene Van Scott, Professor
of Dermatology of Temple University’s Health Sciences Center, sums up the
opinion of medical authorities on the three factors of baldness:
1.
Sex
2.
Age
3.
Heredity
Unfortunately,
theses are three factors over which medical science has no control.
TREATMENT:
Two drugs have been approved for regrowing hair:
1.
Minoxidil
– a topical solution which is available over the counter and is sold under the
brand name Rogaine and as a generic drug. Approximately 25 % of men and 20% of
women using the product experience some hair growth.
2.
Finasteride
– a pill marketed as Propeicia, was approved in 1997. More than 80% of men in
trials experienced a slowing of hair loss and 60% grew new hair. This product is
only available with doctor’s prescription.
Other
forms of baldness may be a result of bacterial or fungal infections, allergic
reactions to particular medicines, radiation, or continual friction. It has been
suggested that stress from hair curlers or tight ponytails can cause loss of
hair. These forms of baldness usually disappear when the cause is eliminated.
Although diet has very little to do with baldness, poor nutrition can
result in hair that is dry, dull, and brittle enough to break easily. Any
serious illness can lead to hair loss as well. It is thought that Vitamin A
taken in grossly excessive amounts can contribute to hair loss.
Women ordinarily lose some of their hair at the end of pregnancy, after
delivery, and during the menopausal stage, but regrowth can be expected in a few
months.
A surgical procedure of treating male pattern baldness and baldness in
women is called Hair transplantation.
CANCER
Any of various diseases that probably have
different causes and originate in different tissues, but which all involve an
abnormal growth of new tissue as a tumor which may benign or malignant which
spread by metastasis, resulting in progressive tissue degeneration.
THE EIGHT WARNING
SIGNS OF CANCER
C -
Changes in bowel or elimination pattern
A
-
A sore that does not heal
U
-
Unusual bleeding
T
-
Thickening or lumps
I
-
Indigestion
O
-
Obvious change in warts or mole
N
-
Nagging cough
S
-
Severe anemia
COMMON COLD
Common cold is the label attached to a group of symptoms that can be
caused by one or more of some 20 different viruses. Colds are considered highly
contagious, but some physicians think that people don’t entirely catch
others’ colds – in a sense they catch their own. While the viruses that
carry the infection are air borne and practically omnipresent, somebody in good
health is usually less susceptible to a cold than someone who is run down. Both
environmental factors (such as air pollution) and emotional ones (such as
anxiety and depression) seem to increase susceptibility.
Symptoms differ from person to person and from cold to cold with
the same person. Generally, a cold starts with sneezes, a running nose, teary
eyes, and a stuffed head. Sometimes the nasal membranes become so swollen that a
person can breathe only through the mouth; sometimes the sense of smell and
taste simply disappear. The throat may be sore; a postnasal drip may cause a
constant cough when the person is lying down at night.
When these symptoms are acute and are accompanied by fever and
aching joints, the illness is usually referred to as influenza or “the flu”.
There are many different viruses that cause influenza, and new ones are always
turning up. Unfortunately, there is as yet no medicine that can cure either a
cold or a flu attack, although many people do get relief from symptoms by taking
various cold remedies. Doctors to prevent more serious bacterial diseases, such
as pneumonia, from developing sometimes prescribe antibiotics, but antibiotics
are not effective against the cold viruses.
TREATMENT
Some people can get away with treating a cold with contempt and an
occasional aspirin, and go about their business. Others are laid low for a few
days. If you are the type who is really hit hard by a cold, it isn’t coddling
yourself to stay home for a couple of days. In any event, a simple cold usually
runs its course, lasting anywhere from a few days to two weeks.
Discomfort can be minimized and recovery speeded by a few simple steps:
1.
Extra
rest and sleep
2.
Drinking
more liquids than usual
3.
Taking
aspirin as needed
4.
Sucking
on zinc-gluconate lozenges within 24 hours of the first sign of a cold may help
lessen the duration of a cold, although this has not been proven definitively.
Antihistamine preparations or nose drops should be avoided unless
specifically prescribed by a physician. A painful sore throat accompanied by
fever, earache, a dry, hacking cough, or pains in the chest are symptoms that
should be brought to the attention of a physician.
CONSTIPATION
Difficult or infrequent passage of feces. Constipation can refer to
hardness of stool, difficult defecation, a feeling of incomplete evacuation, or
infrequent defecation. No body function is more variable and subject to
extraneous influences than is defecation. Dietary, cultural, and individual
physiologic factors modify normal bowel function. Normal frequency varies from 3
times / day to once / 3 days.
TREATMENT:
1. The patient’s diet
should contain sufficient residue to ensure adequate stool bulk.
2.
Vegetable
fiber, which is largely indigestible and unabsorbable, increases stool bulk;
certain components of fiber also absorb fluid into the solid phase, making stool
softer and thus facilitating their passage.
3.
Fruits
and vegetables should be recommended or cereals containing bran, taken to
tolerance can supplement the diet. Unrefined miller’s bran, taken as 2 to 3
tsp. on fruit or cereal b.i.d., may be preferred.
4.
Plenty of
liquid in-take is important, whether in the form of juices, soups, or large
quantities of water.
5.
Scheduling
a certain exercise each day strengthens the abdominal muscles and stimulates
muscle activity in the large intestines.
6.
Confronting
the source of worries and anxieties, if necessary with a trained therapist may
also be helpful.
7.
An enema
or a laxative should be considered only once in a while rather than as regular
treatment. The colon should be given a chance to function properly without
relying on artificial stimulation. If constipation resists these common sense
approaches, the problem should be talked over with a physician.
COUGHING
Is usually a reflex reaction to an obstruction or irritation in the
trachea (windpipe), pharynx (back of mouth and throat), or bronchial tubes. It
can also be the symptoms of a disease or a nervous habit. For a simple cough
brought on by smoking too much or breathing bad air, medicines can be taken that
act as sedatives to inhibit the reflex reaction. Inhaling steam can loosen the
congestion (a combination of swollen membranes and thickened mucus) that causes
some types of cough, and hot drinks such as tea or lemonade help to soothe and
relax the irritated area. Constant coughing especially when accompanied by chest
pains should be brought to a physician’s attention.
CHICKEN POX
Chicken pox is caused by a virus. The incubation period is from tow to
three weeks after the exposure. It is highly infectious and spreads rapidly. It
does not usually cause any severe complications in children but it can be
serious in an adult.
SYMPTOMS:
1.
Common
colds
2.
Fever
3.
General
malaise
4.
Rash may
be severe or mild differs from that of measles rash (red and blotchy). Chicken
pox rash has bunches of blisters close together that are filled with fluids and
a reddened area around each lesion, very itchy and the affected child must be
prevented from scratching; otherwise he may develop a secondary infection and be
left pitted and scarred. With the appearance of new blisters, the older one
became crusted. The rash may affects the nose, ears, vagina, penis or scrotum.
The symptoms may be severe in an older child than in a younger one and may
accompany headache and vomiting. Vaccination is now available for immunization.
TREATMENT:
Treatment
of chicken pox is only symptomatic. Applying calamine lotion locally will
relieve the itchiness. If the child
is old enough, it’s a good idea to let him paint on himself. The doctor can
prescribe also medicine to be taken orally to help the child stop scratching the
blisters. In a few days, the rash clears up, the lesions dry and the crusts fall
off.
COLIC
During the first three or four months, many babies have occasional
attacks of colic, a general term applied to infantile digestive discomfort.
After feeding, the baby may cry out in pain and draw up her arms and legs, her
abdomen may feel hard. Apart from making sure the baby is as comfortable as can
be, there’s not much that can be done for colic. You must try not to let the
baby’s crying make you a nervous wreck, for your nervousness will be
communicated to the baby, which will only create a vicious circle of increasing
tension. Usually colic tapers off at about the third month. If the baby’s
colic is very frequent or persistent, consult your pediatrician
DIABETES
MELLITUS
This is the most common disorder in metabolism that everyone is familiar
with especially that this affects the children (Juvenile Diabetes Mellitus /
Insulin dependent) and adults (Late On-set / Non-insulin dependent D. M.). A
syndrome resulting from a variable interaction of hereditary and
environmental factors. Diabetes mellitus is a disorder, which is caused by lack
of Insulin hormone produce in our Endocrine glands specifically in the Islets of
Langerhans that is responsible for the reduction of the blood sugar in our body.
The signs and symptoms that a person has a Diabetes mellitus are as
follows:
a.
Polyuria
which means excessive passing of urine
b.
Polydepsia
which means excessive thirst
c.
Polyphagia
which means excessive hunger
d.
Weight
loss
If you have experienced any of those signs and symptoms mentioned, it is
better to consult your doctor for further management and possible treatment. The
earlier that the illness will be diagnosed the better the possibility of medical
management and the lesser the possibility of complication.
DIARRHEA
Increased in volume, fluidity or frequency of bowel movements relative to
the usual pattern for a particular individual. Normal bowel habits vary
considerably from one person to another, being modified by age and by social and
cultural patterns. In an urban
civilization, the normal frequency of bowel movements ranges from 2 to 3
movements/day to 2 to 3 weeks. Increased stool frequency or fecal volume,
changes in stool consistency, or blood, mucus, pus, or excess fatty material
(oil, grease or film) in the stool may indicate disease.
The principal cause of diarrhea is infection
in the intestinal tract by microorganisms. Chemical and food poisoning also
brings on spasms of diarrhea. Long standing episodes of diarrhea have been
traced to inflammation of the intestinal mucosa, tumors, ulcers, allergies,
vitamin deficiency, and in some cases emotional stress. Diarrhea, inconjuction
with other symptoms, can also indicate infection with human immunodeficiency
virus (HIV), the suspected cause of AIDS.
Patient’s with diarrhea commonly suffer
abdominal cramps, lose weight from chronic attacks, or have vomiting spells. A
physician must always be consulted for proper diagnosis and treatment; this is
especially important if the attacks continue for more than 2 to 3 days.
Untreated diarrhea can lead to dehydration and malnutrition; it may be fatal,
especially in infants.
EAR
INFECTIONS
Ear infection related to colds, sore throats, or tonsillitis can now be
kept from spreading and entering the mastoid bone by the use of sulfa drugs and
other antibiotics. Any acute earache should therefore be called to a
physician’s attention promptly. Aspirin, in adults can be taken for temporary
relief from pain; holding a heating pad or a hot water bottle to the affected
side of the face may also be helpful until proper medication can be prescribed.
EAR WAX
An excessive accumulation of earwax can cause pain and interfere with
hearing. A small wad of cotton should be used to gently clean the ear canal, and
sharp objects such as hairpins and matchsticks should never be used.
A few drops of hydrogen peroxide can soften hardened earwax. Sometimes a
doctor may have to flush out earwax that is deeply imbedded.
EAR
BLOCKAGE
A stopped-up
feeling in the ear can be caused by a cold, and also by the change in air
pressure experienced when a plane makes a rapid descent. Swallowing hard or
yawning can usually open the obstruction of the Eustachian tube.
EYE
STRAIN
With symptoms of fatigue, tearing, redness, and a scratchy feeling in the
eyelids – can be caused by a need for corrective glasses, by a disorder of t
he eye, or by overuse of the eyes. One of the most common causes of eyestrain,
however, is improper lighting. Anyone engaged in close work, such as sewing or
miniature model building, and at all times when reading, should have light come
from behind and from the side so that no shadow falls on the book or object
being scrutinized. The light should be strong enough comfort – not dazzling.
Efforts should be made to avoid a shiny or highly polished work surface that
produces a glare. To avoid eyestrain when watching television, be sure the
picture is in sharp focus; the viewer should sit at least six feet from the
screen; and see that the room is not in total darkness.
RINGING
IN THE EAR
The general word for a large variety of noises in the ear is tinnitus.
Tinnitus can be ringing, buzzing, or other low-level continual sounds. Everyone
experiences some form of ear ringing on occasion, such as after listening to
loud music or noise. However, chronic noise is symptomatic of other problems.
Tinnitus can be caused by tension in the jaw muscle from stress, grinding of the
teeth, or structural problems with the jaw. It can also be caused by high blood
pressure, infections, or as a reaction to chemicals, such as nicotine. If you
experience continual or chronic ringing, you should discuss it with your
physician.
Tinnitus is treated by:
1.
Avoiding
excessive noise
2.
Masking
irritating ear noises with music or amplified sounds from a hearing aid or
cleaning earwax out of ears.
A doctor’s opinion should also be sought to determine if the ringing
is caused by an inner ear infection. Avoiding caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol
also helps.
FAINTING
A sudden loss of consciousness usually caused by an insufficient supply
of blood and oxygen to the brain. Among the most common cause of fainting are:
1.
Fear
2.
Acute hunger
3.
A sight of blood
4.
Prolonged standing in a room with too little fresh air.
Fainting should be confused with a loss of consciousness resulting from
excessive alcohol intake or insulin shock. A person who is about to faint
usually feels dizzy, turns pale, and feels weak in the knees.
TREATMENT:
1.
Let the
person lie down or sit with his head between his knees for several minutes
2.
If he
looses consciousness, position him in a trendelenberg position where in the legs
are elevated or higher than his head.
3.
Loosen
his clothing
4.
Adequate
air ventilation.
5.
If
aromatic spirit of ammonia or salts is available held it under the nose so the
patient can smell it.
With the above procedures the patient will be
revived, if not the attention of a physician must be sought.
GASTRITIS
Is the inflammation of the mucosa of the stomach. The patient complaints
of epigastric pain – in the middle of the upper abdomen – with distension of
the stomach, loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting.
Attacks of acute gastritis can be traced to bacterial action, food
poisoning, peptic ulcer, the presence of alcohol in the stomach, the ingestion
of highly spiced foods, or overeating and drinking. Occasional gastritis, though
painful, may disappear spontaneously. Gastritis may also cause serous bleeding.
The general treatment is similar to the treatment of gastric ulcer.
GOUT
An arthritic disease associated with an abnormality of body chemistry.
There is an excessive accumulation of uric
acid in the blood resulting from the chemical abnormality, and the uric acid, in
the form of sharp urate crystals may accumulate in the joints, where it causes
an inflammation with symptoms like those of arthritis. A frequent target of the
urate crystals is the big toe, which is why gout patients occasionally are
pictured as sitting in a chair with one foot propped upon a pillows.
HEADACHE
The common headache is probably as ancient as primitive man. The
headache, a pain or ache across the forehead or within the head, may be severe
or mild in character, and can last anywhere from under half an hour to three or
four days. It may be accompanied by dizziness, nausea, nasal stuffiness, or
difficulty in seeing or hearing. It is not a disease or illness but a symptom.
CAUSES
Headache
in today’s modern world can arise from any of underlying causes. These
include:
1.
Excessive
drinking or smoking
2.
Lack of
sleep
3.
Hunger
4.
Drug
abuse
5.
Eye
strain, which commonly results, from overuse of the eyes, particularly under
glaring light, or from failure to correct defective vision.
Treatments for
headaches are as varied as the causes of headaches. Diagnosis may take sometime,
but if you suffer from severe or chronic headaches, it is important to consult
your doctor. Headaches may point to an underlying problem, such as high blood
pressure.
Headaches that
are non-debilitating may be treated with analgesics such as aspirin or
ibuprofen. Debilitating headache such as tension, migraine, or cluster headaches
can be treated with prescribed drugs if your doctor advises it.
Chronic headache
should be diagnosed so the sufferer does not have to always depend on medication
to treat the problem. Long- term solutions may include meditation, relaxation
exercises, and exercise to reduce tension and stress. Dietary changes such as
eliminating chocolates, caffeine, cheese, alcohol, sugar, or other products may
also help.
CLUSTER
HEADACHE
Cluster headache cause pain around a specific area of the head, and eye
tearing, nasal stuffiness, and a burning sensation on the side of the head
affected. The headache usually lasts only a few hours but are usually described
as excruciating. This usually occurs after a person has fallen asleep and
typically affect men and heavy smokers. Since the pain is resistant to over-the
counter medicine, cluster headache can be treated with corticosteroids, such as
prednisone, or inhaling 100 percent oxygen.
HEAT
EXHAUSTION
This condition is different from sunstroke. Heat exhaustion sets in when
large volume of blood accumulates in the skin as the body’s way of increasing
its cooling mechanism during exposure to high temperatures. This in turns lowers
the amount of blood circulating through the heart and decreases the blood supply
to the brain. If severe enough, fainting may result. Other symptom may include
unusual pallor and profuse cold perspiration. The pulse may be weak and
breathing shallow.
HEATSTROKE
OR SUNSTROKE
Sunstroke
is much more of an emergency than heat exhaustion and requires immediate
attention. The characteristic symptom is extremely high body temperature brought
on by cessation of perspiration. If hot, dry, flushed skin turns ashen gray, a
physician must be called immediately. Too much physical activity during periods
of high temperature and high humidity is a direct contributing cause.
HEMORRHOIDS
Also commonly called piles, are swollen veins in the mucous membrane
inside or just outside the rectum. When the enlargement is slight, an itching
sensation in the area may only be the discomfort. In Acute cases, it may
accompany pain and bleeding. Hemorrhoids are common complain and affecting
people in all ages. Usually the result of prolonged straining in eliminating
hard, dry stools. The extra pressure causes a fold of the membranous rectal
lining to slip down, thus pinching and irritating the vein. Because hemorrhoids
may be a symptom of a disorder other than constipation, a physician should treat
it. If neglected, it may bleed frequently and profusely enough to cause anemia.
Surgery may be needed if a blood clot will develop in an irritated vein.
TREATMENT:
1.
Hot sitz
bath could be done at home twice daily will provide a temporary relief.
2.
Preventing
constipation is of most importance by eating high fiber diet.
HEPATITIS
Infectious hepatitis or hepatitis A virus (HAV) is spread in food and
water contaminated by the feces of infected individuals. HAV often infects day
care workers and travelers in Third World Countries. The incubation period lasts
from one to six weeks.
Symptoms includes:
1.
Fever
2.
Nausea
3.
Vomiting
4.
Aching
Muscles
5.
Fatigue
6.
Loss of
Appetite
7.
Jaundice
(Yellowish discoloration of the skin , tissues and sclera of the eyes)
HAV can usually be cured by a few weeks of bed rest. Treatment of Immune
globulin will halt the virus if given early enough to those exposed. It is
important to note that those infected with HAV will not become carriers upon
full recovery. Vaccines against HAV are already available.
Good sanitary practices can prevent the spread of the virus. Vigorous
hand washing after restroom use or changing diapers and before preparing and
eating food is strongly recommended.
The Hepatitis B Virus is more serious than HAV because it often causes
long-term infection and chronic liver disease such as cancer and cirrhosis. The
HBV is transmitted to the 5 S of infected person:
1.
Serum or
blood through prick or sharing of needles in illicit drug use
2.
Semen
through sexual contact
3.
Sweat
through a break in the skin
4.
Stool
5.
Saliva
A newborn can also be infected if the mother is a carrier. The
incubation period of HBV is from forty days to six months. Symptoms are similar
to HAV but are usually more severe and often lead to chronic infection. A small
percentage of adults and a high percentage of babies who contract HBV will
become chronic carriers of the virus, placing them at risk for serious health
problems late in life.
Vaccines are already available for children and adolescents and
high-risk groups such as health care workers, intravenous drug users, those with
multiple sex partners. Treatment of Interferon or Lamivudine also reduces the
severity of infection.
The Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is transmitted through blood transfusions or
blood to blood contact. 10% of HCV cases are transmitted through sexual contact.
Many people infected with HCV may remain healthy for years and even decades
before symptoms will appear. Those with asymptomatic infection eventually
develop serious liver disease. About 75 % develop cirrhosis and 20 % develop
liver cancer.
Symptoms include:
1.
Darkening
of the urine
2.
Abdominal
discomfort
3.
Loss of
appetite
4.
Nausea
and vomiting
5.
Severe
fatigue
6.
Muscle
pain and tenderness
7.
Accumulation
of fluid in the abdomen (Ascitis) and sometimes the legs
8.
Jaundice
NO
VACCINE EXISTS FOR HCV
HICCUPS
Are
contractions of the diaphragm, the great muscle responsible for forcing air in
and out of our lungs. They may be brought on by an irritation of the diaphragm
itself, of the respiratory or digestive system, or by eating or drinking too
rapidly.
Common remedies for Hiccups:
1.
Sipping
water slowly
2.
Holding
the breath
3.
Putting
something cold on the back of the neck.
4.
Breathing
into a paper bag is usually effective because after a few breaths, the high
carbon dioxide content in the bag will serve to make the diaphragm contractions
more regular, rather than spasmodic.
If none of these measures helps, it may be necessary to have a physician
prescribe a sedative or tranquilizer.
HYPERTENSIVE HEART DISEASE
Hypertension is the most common of the
cardiovascular disease. This results from a persistent tightening of the
body’s very small arterial branches, the arterioles. This clenching increases
the resistance to blood flow and sends the blood pressure up, just as screwing
down the nozzle on a hose builds up pressure in the line. The heart must now
work harder to force blood through. Over a period of time, the stepped-up
pumping effort may cause the heart muscle to thicken and enlarge. Eventually,
the overworked circulatory system may breakdown, with resultant failure of the
heart or kidneys, or the onset of stroke. The constant hammering of blood under
high pressure on the walls of the arteries causes them to thicken, making them
less flexible (condition called Arteriosclerosis) and also accelerates the
development of atherosclerosis (hardening of the inner walls of the arteries)
and heart attacks.
Hypertension is diagnosed when repeated
measurements show a persistent elevated pressure of 140 or higher for systolic
and 90 or more for diastolic.
IMMUNIZATION
Nearly
everyone knows the importance of having
their children immunized, but many people may not realize that it is important
for adults to have regular immunization as well. When a patient is immunized, he
or she receives a shot of modified microbes (bacteria or viruses) or toxins.
Although not strong enough to actually cause the disease, the dose of microbes
does stimulate the patient’s own immune system to build up antibodies against
the disease, thus making him or her immune to future exposure. Vaccines do wear
off, however, and it is best to keep a record of all immunizations and received
scheduled booster shots.
INSOMNIA
Difficulty in sleeping or disturbed sleep patterns leaving the perception
of insufficient sleep. Insomnia is common, and may be due to several physical
and emotional disorders.
With advancing age, the total amount of sleep tends to shorten and sleep
becomes more interrupted. These changes may be subjectively distressing and lead
to requests for treatment. There is no evidence, however, that such insomnia
interferes with health.
INITIAL
INSOMNIA
Difficulty
in falling asleep, is commonly associated with an emotional disturbance such as
anxiety, a phobic state, or depression; other symptoms of the emotional problem
will be present.
In early morning awakening the patient falls asleep normally but awakens
several hours before his usual time and either cannot fall asleep again or
drifts into a restless and unsatisfying sleep. This pattern is sometimes a
phenomenon of aging, but is often associated with depression and should be
investigated, since tendencies to anxiety, self-reproach, and self punitive
thinking are often magnified in the morning.
LARYNGITIS
Is an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the larynx (voice box) that
interferes with breathing and causes the voice to become hoarse or disappear
altogether. This condition may accompany a sore throat, measles, or a whooping
cough, or it may result from an allergy. Prolonged overuse of the voice, a
common occupational hazard of singers and teachers, is also a cause.
The best treatment for Laryngitis:
1.
To go to
bed, keep the room cool, and put moisture into the air from a vaporizer,
humidifier, or boiling kettle.
2.
Don’t
attempt to talk, even in a whisper.
3.
Keep a
writing pad within arm’s reach and use it to spare your voice.
4.
Drinking
warm liquids may help to relieve some of the discomfort.
5.
If you
must go out keep the throat warmly protected.
MIGRAINE
Also called Sick headache, is a particularly severe, intense kind
of headache. An attack may last several days and necessitate bed rest.
Dizziness, sensitivity to light, and chills may accompany a migraine headache.
The exact cause of migraine is unknown, but researchers suspect a
hereditary link, since the majority of migraine patients have one or more close
relatives with migraine.
Migraine headaches can occur from changes in body hormone balances,
sudden body temperature changes, bright light or noise, shifts sin barometric
pressure, and alcohol and drug use. It may also be caused by a combination of
these triggers.
For chronic migraine sufferers, keeping a daily journal of food consumed,
activities done, emotional status, and (for women) menstrual cycles, may help
provide an indication of why migraine occur.
MUMPS
SYMPTOMS:
1.
Swollen
gland involving the jaw – the most familiar. The glands usually affected are
the Parotid glands – large salivary glands below and slightly in front of the
ear – although other glands may be affected too.
2.
Fever
3.
Generalized
sick feeling
In
adolescent boy, the disease sometimes causes the inflammation of the testes
(called Orchitis) and may be very painful. If it involves both testes,
there is possibility – fortunately a very slight one - that sterility will result.
In
older children mumps occasionally produces the complication called Mumps
Meningoencephalitis
SIGNS:
1.
Headache
2.
Fever
3.
Extreme
debilitation
4.
Finally,
there may be inflammation of the Pancreas which can cause severe abdominal pain
and vomiting.
Mumps
now is preventable, every boys and girls should be given the mumps vaccine. Boys
should be immunized before puberty.
MEASLES
The most dangerous of the childhood diseases because of its possible
complications, such as meningitis, encephalitis, and severe secondary
staphylococcus infection. Fortunately, widespread protection is available in the
live measles vaccine, which should be given to every child over one year of age.
SYMPTOMS:
Measles
is a highly contagious disease caused by a virus, has an incubation period of
one to two weeks.
1.
Rash –
the most noticeable symptoms that begins on the head and face within a few days
after the onset of the disease and gradually erupts all over the body, blending
into big red patches.
2.
Fever up to 104
degrees Fahrenheit or higher
3.
Severe cough
4.
Sore throat
5.
Stuffy nose
6.
Inflammation of
the conjuctiva ( the mucous membrane in the inner part of the eyelid and
extending over the front of the eyeball)
7.
Sensitivity of
the eyes to light
8.
Enlarged lymph
nodes
9.
Generalized sick
feeling
Any child who has contracted measles should be seen by a physician and
watch carefully for possible complications.
TREATMENT:
Measles can be treated only symptomatically. Antibiotics are of no help
unless there is a secondary bacterial infection. Measles can be fatal and
vaccination can protect against needles deaths from this preventable disease.
NOSE
BLEED
Are the results of a ruptured blood vessel. They are especially common
among children, and among adults with high blood pressure. If the nosebleed
doesn’t stop by itself, the following measure should be taken:
1.
Let the
patient be seated – but not lying down
2.
Loosened
the clothing
3.
Apply
cold compress on the back of the neck and nose.
4.
Pressed
gently the soft portion of the nostril against the bony cartilage for at least
six minutes.
5.
A nasal
pack can be placed inside the nostrils.
PINKEYE
An acute form of conjuctivitis, is an inflammation of the membrane
that lines the eyelid and covers the eyeball, causing the eyes to become red and
the lids to swell and stick together while one is sleeping. The condition may
result from bacterial or viral infection – in which case is extremely
contagious – or from allergy or chemical irritation. A physician should be
consulted.
Conjuctivitis can be treated by:
1.
Washing
the eyes with warm water, drying them with a disposable tissue to prevent the
spread of infection.
2.
Applying
a medicated yellow oxide of mercury ophthalmic ointment (as recommended by your
physician) on the inner edges of the lids.
This should be done upon rising in the morning and upon retiring at
night. The eyes should then be closed until the ointment has spread.
3.
Apply
compresses of hot water three or four times a day for five-minute periods.
SLEEP
AND THE LACK OF IT
Until rather recently, it was assumed that sleep was the time when the
body rested and recovered from the activities of wakefulness. How much sleep a
person needs varies a great deal from person to person; and the same person may
need more or less at different times. Children need long periods of
uninterrupted sleep; the elderly seem to get along on very little. No matter
what a person’s age, too little sleep over too long a time leads to
irritability, exhaustion, and giddiness.
STY
This pimple like inflammation of the eyelid is caused by infection, which
may be linked to the blocking of an eyelash root or an oil gland, or to general
poor health. Applying clean compresses of hot water to the area for about 15
minutes at a time every two hours can treat a sty at home. This procedure should
cause the sty to open, drain, and heal. If sties are recurrent, a health checkup
may be indicated.
TACHYCARDIA
The medical term for a condition that most of us have felt at one time or
another – abnormally rapid heartbeat or a feeling that the heart is
fluttering, or pounding too fast. The condition could be due to strong feelings
of fear, excitement, or anxiety, or by overtaxing the heart with sudden exertion
or too much exercise. It may also be a sign of heart disease, but in such cases
is usually accompanied by other symptoms.
The most typical form of occasional rapid heart beat is called Paroxysmal
tachycardia, during which the beat suddenly becomes twice or three times as
fast as it is normally, and the n just as suddenly returns to its usual rhythm.
When the paroxysms are frequent enough to be disturbing and can be traced to no
specific source, they can be prevented by medications prescribed by a physician.
TENSION
HEADACHE
Characterized by a painful pressure in the head. Such headache can be
caused by stress, depression, or poor posture and should be treated with
analgesics such as aspirin or ibuprofen, a massage or a cold shower. This can
occur at any time; you can even wake up with one. The best long-term treatment
is learning to reduce or manage the stress in your life.
VARICOSE
VEINS
Veins that have become ropy and swollen, and are therefore visible in the
leg, sometimes bulging on the surface of the skin. They are the result of a
sluggish blood flow (poor circulation), often combined with weakened walls of
the veins themselves. The condition is common in pregnancy and occurs frequently
among people who find it necessary to sit or stand in the same position for
extended periods of time. A tendency to develop varicose veins may be inherited.
Even before the veins begin to be visible, there may be such warning
symptoms as leg cramps, feelings of fatigue, or a general achiness. Unless the
symptoms are treated promptly, the condition may worsen. And if the blood flow
becomes increasingly impeded, ulcers may develop on the lower area of the leg.
TREATMENT
Mild cases of varicose veins can be kept under control, or even
corrected, by giving some help to circulation:
1.
Several
times during the day, lie flat on your back for a few minutes, with legs
slightly raised.
2.
Soak the
legs in warm water.
3.
Exercise
regularly
4.
Wear
lightly reinforced stockings or elastic stocking to support veins in the legs.
If varicose veins have become severe, a physician should be consulted.
He or she may advise injection treatment or surgery.
WEIGHT
PROBLEMS
A
few people can maintain the weight that is right for their body builds without
ever having to think about it. There is no longer any reasonable doubt that, if
you are overweight, you have statistically a greater chance of high blood
pressure, diabetes and atherosclerosis (lumpy deposits in the arteries). And
because atherosclerotic heart disease alone accounts for 20% of deaths in the
U.S., it is understandable why physicians consider weight
truly a national problem.
CAUSES
In
practically all cases, weighing too much is the result of eating too much and
exercising too little. In many cases the food eaten is of the wrong kind and
leisure time is used for riding around a car than walking, or for watching
television rather than playing tennis.
Many people like to think that they weigh too much only because they
happen to like good food; but the real explanations may be considerably more
complicated. In some cases, over eating has been found to have emotional
sources: feelings of inadequacy; the need to compensate for a lack of affection
or approval, or an unconscious desire to ward off the attention of the opposite
sex. Consulting a psychiatrist or psychologist can help psychological weight
problems of this kind.
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