Back pain-A real nightmare

Joint pains pop up out of blue.No one can do even a remote prediction of it.

We may be doing some exercise,or carrying something or may be even waking up from bed.Then you start feeling this pain.A weird back pain.

The nature of pain:
A sharp pain,radiating in nature,no relieving factor and gets aggravated on making further movements.

How it develops?
Back pain develops as a result of sprain of joints.A sprain develops when a tendon of the joint is stretched beyond it's limits resulting in a temporary injury to the joint structures.
Back pain develops when we stretch our joints accidentally while doing exercises,lifting heavy weights etc.


Bammm......you are caged.Totally messed up.You will be finding yourself awake in the bed too.This sharp pain will never let you sleep too.

So what to do?
-take proper rest.
-apply hot fomentation over the affected area.
-apply some topical medicines for joint sprains which will relieve the symptoms.
-If the pain is very severe,go for pain killers like ACECLOFENAC and PARACETAMOL combination which will relieve the pain.But be cautious.You will have to take rest.Otherwise the injury won't be healing well which makes a simple back pain even worse.
-You can also get a quick relief from the back pain by taking an injection of more potent painkillers like ketorolac,pheneramine maleate etc.
-A short course of NSAIDs(non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like diclofenac,ibuprofen etc) are also advisable after seeking prior medical consultation.

P.S : TAKE REST...That's the golden rule to fight away BACK PAIN.

Stay strong.

Tips to fight depression

DEPRESSION:
This condition is on rise these days.The modern life style,change of moral values,breach of inter personal relationships,loneliness,lack of good friends etc etc....There are a plethora of reasons for depression.

Depression is just like a cycle.Once you are in that phase,unless and until you make a conscious effort,it will be going to get even worse.

So what to do?
Using anti-depressants is definitely a big no.We have to find out drug free methods to get around and survive.
That's the best you can do as it will benefit you in long run.

Here I'm sharing with you a simple trick.
It's easy to preach but difficult to follow unless you have enough determination.

The key idea to be happy is to be at present.You have to glue yourself at present.Never let your mind wander neither in your past,nor in your future.
Live at this moment.

How can I be absorbed at the present?
Yes,there is a simple exercise.Give it a try and you will see the results in a few weeks.

What's that exercise?
The exercise is very simple.Pay attention to your breathing.Pay attention to it and the more you pay attention to it,the more you feel at present.This is an exercise to develop your self awareness.

As you become more and more send aware, you will be no more depressed and sad.

Once again....it's a big no to anti depressants.Those drugs won't benefit you in long run.

P.S Live at the present and stay happy because life happens at this moment.

Golden tips to bust Constipation

INTRODUCTIONIf you are a human,you would have gone through this terrible constipation episode a couple of times.

Yea,constipation has been a nightmare for humans since his origin.He has been trying desperate ways to bust it and thus he is almost successful in it.


How we develop constipation?

I will discuss the most common cause.The water content in the stool plays a decisive role in the easy passage of it down the colon.The colonic villi regulate the water content to an optimal level in stools.In some conditions,the function of villi get disturbed and the stool may get hardened as a result due to decreased water content.This results in constipation.
Result:We get the urge to defecate but won't be able to accomplish it.Thus we get constipated.
There are a lot of reasons for constipation.
I just discussed the basic reason.

Treatment

Conservative:
Eat plenty of fibre rich fruits and vegetables like apple,banana,mushroom,cauliflower etc. Drink plenty of water.

Medical treatment

A chemical named bisacodyl which is available as tablets taken once before going to bed.
A syrup named Cremaffin gel

The principle of treatment is to use drugs that soften the stool.If stools are softened,they can voided easier.The above mentioned drugs are good stool softners and laxatives.

Fibre content also softens the stools and that's the reason why fibre rich foods are regularly advised for regularly constipated patients.

Constipation is a condition which attenuates the quality of daily life.But with good logic and knowledge,anyone can get over and live happily.

Acute gastro enteritis

It's a medical condition in which patient usually complaints of vomiting,diarrhea,abdominal cramps,fever. Unless and until the patient doesn't develop fever,the use of antibiotics are not indicated. If the patient doesn't have fever,a conservative line of treatment is followed using antiemetics,anti pyretics, added by drugs like lactospore and racecoditril to control diarrhea. The electrolytes loss will be replenished by the use of ORS. If a rapid replenishment is necessary,we will go for i.v infusion if electrolytes. Most of the cases subside by 2-3 days naturally.

Chest pain:discussion starts

So from this week,discussion about chest pain starts.

I will be scribbling down my first hand experiences and everything I know about chest pain.

so keep updated.

An idea,which I feel worthy

I'm thinking of updating this blog in this fashion.

Each month will be dedicated to a single disease condition.
Accordingly,this month is dedicated to various common heart diseases.

I will try to discuss with you about my clinical experiences and some tips to keep your heart in good health.

So keep in touch and be updated.

Just very basic,common scenarios will be discussed so that it will be comprehensible by even a primary school child.

So that's it.
Hold on.

After more than one year

Well,
I couldn't keep up with updating this blog and help you all due to lots of personal matters.

I was burying my head into all those matters like an ostrich. ;)

Now from today I'm starting to update this blog regularly with quality content.

So keep in touch everyone.

Hope I won't be disappointing you all.

Take care.

ANAPHYLAXIS

Imagine this situation…………..
You are on a date, watching a movie or a game………….when your date pops
a handful of nuts into his/her mouth………..
The next thing you know………….he/she breaks out in hives, starts
scratching everywhere, turns red and may start gasping for breaths……….

Though it may seem severe and far fetched, " ANAPHYLAXIS" may occur in
upto 15% of the population (United states data).

Simply put, its an allergy of massive proportions and may terminate fatally.

In non scientific terms, the body's immune system becomes over
protective and identifies a potentially harmless substance like a
peanut as a dangerous invader. The IgE immunoglobulin, a component of
the immune system, activated by the offending nut; attaches to
certain cells in our body. This releases chemicals like histamine.

Once this happens the effects are seen. It so happens that these
special cells (mast cells) are highest in number in the skin, in the
intestinal and respiratory linings……….hence the skin turns red and
swollen, hives appear, diarrhea starts, wheezing, breathing
difficulties set in.
In its most severe form, the blood pressure drops, leading to shock
and if untreated, death.

WHAT CAUSES THIS CONDITION??
Virtually anything; but food allergies to nuts( peanuts, walnuts),
sea food, milk, eggs, soy are the commonest. Others include bee
stings, antibiotics ( penicillins), agents used for anesthesia etc.

You recognize this condition by its rapidity, typical features and
common history of eating any of the foods mentioned above or following
a bee sting.

Since this is an emergency, medical care is a must. However, removal
of the allergen, basic cpr measures, laying the person flat are some
of the intelligent measures one could do.

Administering adrenaline terminates the episode…and in fact people
prone for anaphylaxis could be taught to administer this drug.

Education is of utmost value………and do remember, prevention is better
than cure…….so its always better not to yield to temptation and regret
later……………….( if you are allergic to certain foods that is!! )

--
(hitr@

NEW HUMAN MALARIA SPECIES

NEW HUMAN MALARIA SPECIES-Scientists investigating ovale malaria,a form of the disease thought to be caused by a single species of parasite,have confirmed that the parasite is actually two similar but distinct species which do not reproduce with fai other.

GENE THAT REGULATES HAIR GROWTH IDENTIFIED

GENE THAT REGULATES HAIR GROWTH IDENTIFIED-Researchers have now discovered that activation of the gene Lhx2 leads to more hair growth.The gene is more active in the growing hair follicles and absent in the non growing hair.

Top five dishes that can keep you healthy!!!

Food for heath:- Here are the top five dishes that can keep you healthy so you live to see another day! 1. Cooked fish: Surprised? The 'omega 3 fattyacids', which it has in plenty, will clean up ur system of harmful fats. You can say byebye to heartattack and stroke. But dont even think about frying it! 2. Green leafy veg: Sacred of cancer? Then u'l have to eat ur veg. Their antioxidants will protect u against most of the cancers. Not to mention the precious vitamins and fibers they have in plenty. 3. Wheat: The king of cereals. Good source of energy, protein and fibers. Keeps you sharp and fit at the same time. 4. Fruits: Are you overweight?Then you need an apple a day!Low on calories but rich in vitamins and minerals.Best to have it along with breakfast.
5.Oats:You or your parents diabetic?Then start on oat meals.It fills your tummy without elevating your blood sugar.

NEW ALTERNATIVE FOR OPEN HEART SURGERY

NEW ALTERNATIVE FOR OPEN HEART SURGERY-interventional cardiologists have developed a new method to treat patients having defective heart valve.Earlier an open heart surgery was needed to relieve valvular defects.The latest development is the introduction of MITRAL VALVE CLIP.It is introduced into the femoral artery through the groin along with a catheter.Then it is guided into the heart chamber.Clip effectively tightens the valve so that regurgitation is prevented.This novel technique is under trails in various hospitals across the globe.
                                
Read more about  TETRALOGY OF FALLOT-A congenital heart disorder.

Test tube babies face increased health hazards

The intention of test tube technology was a break through invention in the field of infertility therapy.This technique was introduced in the early 1978s and more than 3 million births have taken place with the aid of this reproductive technique.
But ongoing research in the health of these children points towards the increased risk of developing diabetes mellitus type 2,obesity,hypertension.
Research done on the children born with the aid of assisted reproductive technology give clues that chromosomal modifications namely DNA methylation show variations in those children when compared to the children born naturally.
The underlining cause for the abnormality in methylation is not yet ascertained.Further researches are on pending.

Breast cancer treatment latest breakthrough

Breast cancer is one of the major hazards that haunts the human race.Various treatment strategies have been implied towards that cause.
Tamoxifen is one of the most depended drugs that is used to treat women to prevent cancer returning.In a third of patients,tamoxifen fails in its action.Latest researches have picked out a gene FGFR1 responsible for this condition.Scientists are on their way developing a new drug which willturn off this gene FGFR1.
This novel invention will enable clinicians to treat breast cancer in a new dimension effectively in the future.

Music heals stroke

'Music heals stroke!' sounds interesting rite?Anyway this is true.Affects of music on stroke patients is getting worldwide attention.
The patients who suffers from stroke may be unable to produce meaningful words if their vocal centre is damaged.If these patients are trained to sing,it is found helping them to form a conversation by assigning a simple melody to each letter in the word.The reason behind this is,the centre concerned with singing is located in a different area of the brain.So if the patient's speech area is destroyed,his singing area will be intact.
This finding is an example of how research has made a leap in the welfare of human race.
Medical practitioners are enthusiastic to the new finding and let us hope it will open up new horizons in the treatment of stroke..

Nap boosts brain power

Recently a team of researchers from Berkley university have come up with an interesting finding,from the studies conducted in 39 healthy volunteers that a short nap during day time not only beats tiredness but also boosts the learning power of the brain.This is rather an interesting finding.
According to the researchers,during a short nap the brain moves the fact based memories from the temporary storage in the brain's hippocampus to prefrontal cortex.This process occurs during a transition phase between deep sleep and dreaming sleep.This phase is scientifically called as stage 2 non rapid eye movement sleep.
This process makes the hippocampus afresh to accomodate new information just as like in an email inbox.
But the finding has got its own drawbacks too.It was a trail conducted in a laboratory under optimal conditions.In the real world there will be numerous factors which will hamper the expected results.

Latest breakthrough in cancer treatment

A team of scientists from Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center in Baltimore have developed a new technique for detecting the effectiveness of cancer treatment.

The latest technique is called as personalised analysis of rearranged ends which employs blood tests.
The principal behind the test is the detection of fingerprint DNA which are shed by the tumour cells.If these cells are derected after a successful chemotherapy,surgical removal,radiotherapy,it indicates the recurrence of cancer.This tecnique can be employed to detect the recurrence much before the conventional scans.
The major drawback is the high cost which will hopefully come down affordable to a common man
This tecnique is likely to emerge as a new technique within 5 years.

Wonderland in saliva

Recently a team of researchers discovered that there are a wide variety of bacteriae residing in our saliva.They found 101 known bacterial genera,36 of them newly seen in mouth and about 64 novel types.People in each location shared about 60% of the bacteriae in common and people from different places shared about 50% of bacteriae in common.

Pericardial tamponade

Fluid or blood gets collected in the pericardial sac.This condition effects the normal functioning of the heart.
The patient complains of breathlessness,chest pain,syncope.
The signs of pericardial tamponade are pulsus paradoxus,raised JVP on inspiration,third heart sounds.
The investigation done are ecg,echocardiography.ECG may show changing cardiac axis,flattening of waves.
The treatment is mainly aimed at clearing the fluid collection.

TETRALOGY OF FALLOT

It is a congenital disorder.It occurs as a result of developmental anomaly.The heart wont be able to function normally due to lack of it’s proper functional structures.


Tetralogy of FALLOT is characterized by obstruction to the right ventricular outflow,hypertrophy of right ventricle,ventricular septal defect and dextroposition of aorta with septal override.

CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS:-

It depends on the degree to which right ventricle is obstructed,time of onset of symptoms and degree of cyanosis.Cyanosis(bluish colour on lips,oral cavity,face) may be present or absent at birth.It precipitates usually by one year.The other clinical manifestations are clubbing,dyspnea(difficulty to breath)on exertion,squatting at times of attack.Cyanotic attacks precipitate as the child becomes active in his later stages of life and lasts for minutes to hours.The growth of the child will be delayed.The associated symptoms are convulsions,restlessness,hyperpenic,gasping respiration,hypoxia and acidosis.It lasts for minutes to hours.

On examination the heart beat will be normal.On x ray examination a concavity can be seen on the left heart border and elevation of heart border.

Major Complications are:-

Cyanotic spells,cerebral thrombosis,brain abcess,infection of the heart wall with bacteria,Congestive cardiac failure.

TREATMENT:-

Treatment is done by a systematic approach.Severe obstruction to the outflow of right ventricle is treated to increase pulmonary blood flow by keeping pulmonary duct by administration of PGE1 and this is a temporary measure till surgery.In less severe cases,medical management is by prevention and prompt treatment of dehydration.oral propanolol administration.

CYANOTIC SPELL is managed by eeiping the patient in a knee-chest positon,administering oxygen and glucose,morphine .2mg/kg,propanolol I.V 0.1mg/kg,correction of acidosis.

Complications like brain absess is treated by administration of antibiotics for 6 weeks,polycytemia by adequate hydration,phlebotomy and volume replacement,bacterial endocarditis by administration of antibiotics for 6 weeks.

SURGICAL MANAGEMENT:-

1.PALLIATIVE PROCEDURE:-decrease hypoxia,improves growth,augments pulmonary artery growth and increae pulmonary artery blood flow.

2.CORRECTIVE SURGERY:-Often aimed at curing.The patient can lead a near normal life.It is performed in early infancy.