Sunday, January 26, 2014

Common Cold


The common cold also known as nasopharyngitis, rhinopharyngitis or simply a cold is a viral infectious disease of the upper respiratory tract which primarily affects the nose. A common cold is usually harmless, although it may not feel that way at the time.Common cold normally causes by one of the 100 over viruses which the signs and symptoms tend to vary greatly. Most people recover from a common cold in about a week or two.


Symptoms
  • Runny or stuffy nose
  • Itchy or sore throat
  • Cough
  • Congestion
  • Slight body aches or a mild headache
  • Sneezing
  • Watery eyes
  • Low-grade fever
  • Mild fatigue

Causes
  • Poor immune system
  • Lack of zinc
  • Poor diet
  • Too much added sugar and sweetener
  • Chronic stress
  • Spreads by hand-to-hand contact with someone with cold 
  • Sharing contaminated objects, such as utensils, towels, toys or telephones.

Action plans
  • Drink lots of fluids to help replace fluids lost during mucus production or fever. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can cause dehydration.
  • Try chicken soup as an anti-inflammatory and temporarily speeds up the movement of mucus through the nose for helping relieve congestion 
  • Soothe throat by gargling salt-water can temporarily relieve a sore or scratchy throat.
  •  Take vitamin C at the onset of cold symptoms may shorten the duration of symptoms.

Monday, January 20, 2014

Bronchitis

It is an inflammatory disorder which may start as a dry cough followed by catarrh,phlegm and a rattling cough. Inflammation in the bronchial is a sign that the immune system is struggling to keep things in balance.Bronchitis may be either acute or chronic. Acute bronchitis is very common and usually improves within a few days without lasting effects. However, if bronchitis recurrence is repetitive will lead to chronic bronchitis, which requires medical attention. Chronic bronchitis, a more serious condition, is a constant irritation or inflammation of the lining of the bronchial tubes.


Symptoms 
  • Cough
  • Production of sputum with clear, white, yellowish-gray or green in color
  • Fatigue
  • Slight fever and chills
  • Chest discomfort
  • Shortness of breath

Causes
  • Smoking
  • Weakened immune system
  • Viruses
  • Allergies
  • Asthma
  • Bad colds
  • Hospital stays

Action plans
  • Avoid lung irritants by wearing mask when the air is polluted or exposed to irritants, such as paint or household cleaners with strong fumes.
  • Use a humidifier which warm, moist air helps relieve coughs and loosens mucus in airways. 
  • Avoid cigarette smoke as it increase the risk of chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
  • Many cases of acute bronchitis result from influenza, a virus. Getting a yearly flu vaccine can help protect from getting the flu. 
  • To reduce risk of catching a viral infection, wash hands frequently and get in the habit of using hand sanitizers.
  • Eat immune supportive foods that rich in antioxidant to help repair damage in body.
  • Water is vital for immune function and healthy lungs which need to drink 2-2.5 L of water daily.

          Tuesday, January 14, 2014

          Acute kidney failure



          It is also called acute renal failure or acute kidney injury. These occurs when the kidneys suddenly unable to filter waste products from blood. When the kidneys lose of filtering ability, dangerous levels of wastes may accumulate and the blood chemical will become imbalance. The condition develops rapidly over a few hours or a few days. It is most common in people who are already hospitalized, particularly in critically ill people or those with intensive care. It can be fatal and requires intensive treatment. However, acute kidney failure may be reversible which recover the normal kidney function.


          Symptoms
          • Bloody stools
          • Breath odor
          • Slow, sluggish movements
          • Swelling (fluid retention)
          • Fatigue
          • Pain between ribs and hips
          • Hand tremor
          • Bruising easily
          • Changes in mental status or mood, especially elderly
          • Decreased appetite
          • Decreased sensation, especially in hands or feet
          • Prolonged bleeding
          • Seizures
          • Nausea
          • Vomiting
          • Hiccups
          • Elevated blood pressure
          • Metallic taste

          Causes
          • Blood or fluid loss
          • Blood pressure medications
          • Heart attack
          • Heart disease
          • Infection
          • Liver failure
          • Use of aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), naproxen (Aleve, others), or related drugs
          • Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)
          • Severe burns
          • Severe dehydration
          • Condition that slows blood flow to kidneys
          • Direct damage to kidneys
          • Kidneys' urine drainage tubes (ureters) become blocked and wastes can't leave body through urine

          Action Plans
          1. Try to choose lower potassium foods for instance the apples, cabbage, green beans, grapes and strawberries. High-potassium foods include bananas, oranges, potatoes, spinach and tomatoes. 
          2. Lower the amount of sodium intake each day by avoiding products with added salt, including many convenience foods, such as frozen dinners, canned soups, fast foods, salty snack foods, canned vegetables, processed meats and cheeses.
          3. Limit phosphorus which found in foods such as milk, cheese, dried beans, nuts and peanut butter. Too much phosphorus in blood can weaken bones and cause skin itchiness. 
          4. Exercise most days of the week, avoid tobacco and alcohol
          5. Have regular check-ups with doctor

          Tuesday, January 7, 2014

          Warts


          Warts are benign (not cancerous) skin growths that appear when a virus infects the top layer of the skin.  It is cause by the virus from human papillomavirus (HPV) family. Wart viruses are contagious which can spread by contact with the wart or something that touched the wart.Sometimes, it is sexually transmitted and appear in the genital area, but most warts affect the fingers, hands, and feet.Children and young adults are more likely to develop common warts, as are people who have weakened immune systems. Common warts usually disappear on their own, but many people choose to remove them because they of bothersome or embarrassing.


          Symptoms
          • Small, fleshy, grainy bumps
          • Flesh-colored, white, pink or tan
          • Rough to the touch

          Action plans
          • Don't bite fingernails as warts occur more often in skin that has been broken. 
          • In order to avoid spreading the virus, don't brush, clip, comb or shave areas that have warts. If ytouch a wart, wash hands carefully afterwards.
          • The virus that causes warts can contaminate nail files or pumice stones that may be using to reduce the size of  warts. So don't use these tools on areas of  body that don't have warts.
          • Don't pick at warts as it may spread the virus. Consider covering warts with an adhesive bandage to discourage picking.
          • Keep hands dry because warts are more difficult to control in a moist environment.

          Wednesday, January 1, 2014

          Vaginal Cancer


          Vaginal cancer is the uncontrolled growth of the abnormal cells in the vagina. Cancer that starts in the vagina is uncommon and called as primary vaginal cancer. The cancer cells in vagina is often come from elsewhere such as cervix and vulva.Vaginal cancer occurs more often in women over age 50, but can occur at any age, even in infancy. It often can be cured if found and treated in early stages. Surgery alone or surgery combined with pelvic radiation is typically used to treat vaginal cancer.


          Symptoms
          • Unusual vaginal bleeding, eg. after intercourse or menopause
          • Watery vaginal discharge
          • A lump or mass in vagina
          • Painful urination
          • Constipation
          • Pelvic pain

          Causes
          • Advancing age of over 50 years
          • Prior history of gynaecological cancer
          • Previous treatment for dysplasia
          • Genital warts
          • Cigarette smoking
          • Prenatal exposure to the synthetic hormone DES
          • Vaginal adenosis

          Action plans
          • Undergo regular pelvic exams and Pap tests. When discovered in its earliest stages, vaginal cancer is more likely to be cured. 
          • Receiving a vaccination to prevent HPV infection may reduce risk of vaginal cancer and other HPV-related cancers. 
          • Don't smoke.Smoking increases the risk of vaginal cancer.

          Sunday, December 22, 2013

          Urinary Tract Infection


          A urinary tract infection is usually a bacterial infection that affects the urinary system. The urinary system produces, stores and eliminates urine and consists of two kidneys, two ureters, the bladder, the urethra and two sphincter muscles.A urinary tract infection can affect any part of the urinary tract.Urine contains a range of salts, fluids and waste products, but is usually bacterium-free. When bacteria enter the urinary tract, e.g. the bladder or kidney, they can reproduce rapidly in the urine, causing urinary tract infection.


          Symptoms
          • A strong, persistent urge to urinate
          • A burning sensation when urinating
          • Passing frequent, small amounts of urine
          • Urine that appears cloudy
          • Urine that appears red, bright pink or cola-colored  (a sign of blood in the urine)
          • Strong-smelling urine
          • Pelvic pain, in women
          • Rectal pain, in men

          Causes
          • Being sexually active
          • Using certain types of birth control
          • Having urinary tract abnormalities
          • Having blockages in the urinary tract
          • Having a suppressed immune system
          • Using a catheter to urinate

          Action plans
          • Drink plenty of water to dilute urine and help flush out bacteria.
          • Avoid drinks that may irritate bladder. Avoid coffee, alcohol, and soft drinks containing citrus juices and caffeine until infection has cleared. They can irritate bladder and tend to aggravate frequent or urgent need to urinate.
          • Use a heating pad. Apply a warm, but not hot, heating pad to abdomen to minimize bladder pressure or discomfort.
          • Wipe from front to back. Doing so after urinating and after a bowel movement helps prevent bacteria in the anal region from spreading to the vagina and urethra.
          • Empty your bladder soon after intercourse. Also, drink a full glass of water to help flush bacteria.
          • Avoid potentially irritating feminine products. Using deodorant sprays or other feminine products, such as douches and powders, in the genital area can irritate the urethra.

          Wednesday, December 18, 2013

          Tooth Decay

          Tooth Decay is an infection that originated from bacteria that causes demineralisation and destruction of the hard tissues of the teeth. It is the result of the production of acid by bacterial during fermentation of food residue accumulated on the tooth surface. Tooth decay is among the world's most common health problems. They're especially common in children, teenagers and older adults. But anyone who has teeth can get tooth decay, including infants.If they aren't treated, they will get larger and affect deeper layers of teeth. They can lead to severe toothache, infection and tooth loss.


          Symptoms
          • Toothache
          • Tooth sensitivity
          • Mild to sharp pain when eating or drinking something sweet, hot or cold
          • Visible holes or pits in teeth
          • Pain when bite down
          • Pus around a tooth, especially when  press on gums

          Causes
          • Does not brush teeth twice a day, in the morning and before bedtime.
          • Does not floss teeth each day.
          • Eat foods with a lot of sugar. The longer a sugary food stays on teeth, the more the bacteria feed and make acids. 
          • Lack of fluoride in the public water supply also makes tooth decay more likely.
          • Pass the bacteria that cause tooth decay to baby. This can happen when share spoons, forks, and other utensils with babies. 

          Action plans
          • Brush after eating or drinking  at least twice a day and ideally after every meal, using fluoride-containing toothpaste. If can't brush after eating, at least try to rinse mouth with water.
          • Rinse mouth. If dentist feels you have a high risk of developing cavities, he or she may recommend that you use a mouth rinse with fluoride.
          • Visit dentist regularly. Get professional tooth cleanings and regular oral exams, which can help prevent problems or spot them early. 
          • Avoid frequent snacking and sipping. Whenever eat or drink something other than water, mouth bacteria create acids that can destroy tooth enamel.
          • Avoid foods that get stuck in grooves and pits of  teeth for long periods, such as chips, candy or cookies.
          • Eat food that protects teeth, such as cheese, which some research shows may help prevent cavities, as well as fresh fruits and vegetables, which increase saliva flow, and unsweetened coffee, tea and sugar-free gum, which help wash away food particles.
          • Consider fluoride treatments.Dentist may recommend a fluoride treatment, especially if you aren't getting enough fluoride through fluoridated drinking water and other sources such as  fluoridated toothpaste or mouthwash.