Health Facts - Tuberculosis Symptoms,Treatment,Prevention,Risk Factors,Causes,Cure

What is Tuberculosis? / Tuberculosis Definition:-

Tuberculosis is a chronic infectious disease caused by tubercle bacilli.

Tuberculosis is a disease caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis which affects mostly the lungs but can affect the bones, kidney, and other organs too. Tuberculosis is spread through airborne droplets occurring when an infected individual sneezes, talks, or coughs.

It can also affect intestines, meninges of the brain, bones, joints, lymph glands, skin and other tissues of the body.

Tuberculosis Types:-

There are two forms of TB: latent tuberculosis and active tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis Symptoms, Causes:-

The most common symptoms of tuberculosis of the lungs are as follows:

Fever,Chills,Night sweats,Cough with thick sputum, which can sometimes be bloody,Fatigue,Weakness,Loss of appetite,Loss of weight for no apparent reason, Chest pain,Shortness of breath.

Later symptoms

The body is wasted, cheeks are flushed, eyes sunken and the lips are dry.

The breathe has a peculiar odor.

Tuberculosis Treatment Cures:-

The most common medications used to treat active TB include:-

Isoniazid (INH), Rifampin (RIF), Ethambutol, Pyrazinamide.

The most common drug used for TB is Isoniazid (INH). This drug is fairly inexpensive, effective and easy to take.

Golden Seal,One of the best remedies of all the herbs. It seems like a cure all because it kills and neutralizes poisons. It's great for stomach problems and nausea. It works for all skin problems incredibly well. Helps digestion.Great for colds and fevers. Makes a fine tonic. Body parts: it's excellent for the eyes. Good for prostate troubles.

Cubeb,Great for bronchial troubles and cough.

Lobelia is the most powerful relaxant known among herbs. It calms stomachs, nerves, inflammations, and lungs (as in a cough).

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Atherosclerosis Definition Treatment Causes Prevention Risk Factors

What is Atherosclerosis? Atherosclerosis Definition:-

Atherosclerosis called Coronary heart disease is a disease of the arteries. It causes it to 'harden' affecting both medium and large arteries.

It is the main cause of heart attacks and strokes.

Atherosclerosis starts when the lining of the artery (the endothelium) is damaged or irritated in some way. Fatty substances, cholesterol, cellular waste products, calcium and other substances then start to accumulate around the site of injury / irritation, which in turn causes a thickening of the artery wall.

This in turn leads to deposition of plague (a fatty substance). Thickening of the wall of a larger artery is called atheroma.

Atherosclerosis Causes :- There are so many Atherosclerosis Risk Factors like, High content of cholesterol in the blood. High content of blood fat and especially saturated fat. Inflammation in the blood vessels. A sign of such inflammation is the presence of a substance called c-reactive protein.

High amount of oxidation agents in the blood,High blood pressure, Diabetes,High age,Smoking,Men have a somewhat higher chance of getting this condition than women,High content of the amino acid homocystein in the blood serum.

High content of low density lipoprotein (LDL) in the blood serum, and low content of high density lipoprotein (HDL) in the blood. Lipoprotein is a combination of a protein molecule and fat or cholesterol. Lipoproteins carry cholesterol or fat from place to place. Atherosclerosis Symptoms:- (1) Decreased performance, easy to tire out.

(2) Pain by physical activity, so called anoxic pain.

(3) By severe impairment of blood flow, tissue damage or sores can occur. When the heart is affected, the symptoms will be:

(1) General bad condition.

(2) Anoxic pain from the heart and surroundings by physical activity, called angina pectoris.

(3) Feeling of not getting enough air, or breathing problems.

Atherosclerosis Prevention:- Eating just a little or moderate amount of fat and sugar. The fat eaten should be a blending of different types of unsaturated fat from sources like: Olive oil, rape oil, sunflower oil, soy oil, walnut oil and fish.

Then you will get enough of mono-unsaturated fat, omega-3-unsaturated fat, and omega-6-poly-unsaturated fat, but not too much of any of them. Eating much fish,just a little red meat and good amount of fruit and vegetables each day.

Supply of enough vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants. Only consuming moderate amount of salt. Getting high blood pressure treated if lifestyle measures do not bring blood pressure down. Stressing down and getting enough rest.

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Health Tips- Frozen shoulder Syndrome,Symptoms,Treatment,Causes,Pain Relief

What are Frozen shoulder?/ Frozen shoulder Definition:- Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, is a condition characterized by stiffness and pain in your shoulder joint. Signs and symptoms begin gradually, worsen over time and then resolve, usually within a two-year period. Your risk of developing frozen shoulder increases if you've recently had to have your arm in a sling for several weeks, or if you have had surgery in which your arm was immobilized in a specific position for a prolonged period.

Frozen shoulder Symptoms, Frozen shoulder Signs:- (1) Shoulder pain is usually a dull ache.

(2) Limited mobility to the affected area.

(3) Simple tasks such as getting dressed, combing your hair and reaching over your head may become difficult.

(4) Frozen shoulder happens mostly to people aged in their 50's, 60's and 70's. Frozen shoulder Syndrome Causes:- Heart or lung problems can be linked to the cause of your shoulder pain. Diabetes Mellitus is a common associated condition with frozen shoulder.

Other ailments that are sometimes associated with frozen shoulder syndrome are thyroid problems, high cholesterol and Parkinson’s disease.

Frozen shoulder Prevention:- One of the most common causes of frozen shoulder is the immobility that may result during recovery from a shoulder injury, broken arm or a stroke.

If you've had an injury that makes it difficult to move your shoulder, talk to your doctor about what exercises would be best to stretch the tough capsule around your shoulder joint.

Frozen shoulder can usually be diagnosed from signs and symptoms alone. But your doctor may suggest imaging tests — such as X-rays or an MRI — to rule out other structural problems.

Frozen shoulder Treatment, Frozen shoulder Home Natural Remedies:- Shoulder massage is also a good way to start physical therapy for frozen shoulder as it increases the flow of blood and oxygen into the area.

Physical therapy for frozen shoulder starts with reducing the pain and stiffness of the shoulder and increasing blood circulation through heat. In physical therapy for frozen shoulder, you will first perform weight and non-weight stretching exercises to improve the flexibility of your shoulder joint.

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Health Tips Facts- Breastfeeding Problems,Diet,World Breastfeeding Week 2009

World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated every year from 1 to 7 August in more than 120 countries to encourage breastfeeding and improve the health of babies around the world. It commemorates the Innocent Declaration made by WHO and UNICEF policy-makers in August 1990 to protect promote and support breastfeeding.



Breastfeeding is the best way to provide newborns with the nutrients they need. WHO recommends exclusive breastfeeding until a baby is six months old and continued breastfeeding with the addition of nutritious complementary foods for up to two years or beyond.



The theme of World Breastfeeding Week 2009 is "Breastfeeding - a vital emergency response. Are you ready?" It highlights the need to protect, promote and support breastfeeding in emergencies for infant and young child survival, health and development.



Children are among the most vulnerable groups during emergencies, and small children are the most vulnerable of all, due to increased risk of death due to diarrhea and pneumonia. During emergencies, unsolicited or uncontrolled donations of breast-milk substitutes may undermine breastfeeding and should be avoided.



As part of emergency preparedness, hospitals and other health care services should have trained health workers who can help mothers establish breastfeeding and/or overcome difficulties.



Objectives of World Breastfeeding Week:-

(1) To draw attention to the vital role that breastfeeding plays in emergencies worldwide.

(2) To stress the need for active protection and support of breastfeeding before and during emergencies.

(3) To inform mothers, breastfeeding advocates, communities, health professionals, governments, aid agencies, donors, and the media on how they can actively support breastfeeding before and during an emergency.

(4) To mobilize action and nurture networking and collaboration between those with breastfeeding skills and those involved in emergency response.

Rationale:-

(1) Children are the most vulnerable in emergencies – child mortality can soar from 2 to 70 times higher than average due to diarrhea, respiratory illness and malnutrition.

(2) Breastfeeding is a life saving intervention and protection is greatest for the youngest infants. Even in non-emergency settings, non-breastfed babies under 2 months of age are six times more likely to die.

(3) Emergencies can happen anywhere in the world. Emergencies destroy what is ‘normal,’ leaving caregivers struggling to cope and infants vulnerable to disease and death.

(4) During emergencies, mothers need active support to continue or re-establish breastfeeding.

(5) Emergency preparedness is vital. Supporting breastfeeding in non-emergency settings will strengthen mothers’ capacity to cope in an emergency.

Common misconceptions affecting breastfeeding in emergencies:-



MYTH: “Malnourished mothers cannot breastfeed.”



FACT: Malnourished mothers can breastfeed. Moderate maternal malnutrition has little or no effect on milk production. In fact, the mother will continue to produce milk, at the expense of her own body stores. Extra food and fluids are needed to replenish the mother’s own reserves, and micronutrient supplementation may be needed. She also needs encouragement and support to breastfeed frequently.



SOLUTION: Feed, nurture and support the mother and let her feed the baby.



MYTH: “Stress prevents mothers from producing milk.”



FACT: Stress does not prevent production of milk, but may temporarily interfere with its flow. Breastfeeding mothers have lower stress hormone levels than non-breastfeeding mothers.



SOLUTION: Create conditions for mothers that lessen stress as far as possible – a protected area, a mother-baby tent, reassurance from other women, keeping mothers and babies together, listening to mothers’ special needs – and making sure the child keeps suckling so that milk flow continues.



MYTH: “Once a mother stops breastfeeding, she can’t restart.”



FACT: A mother can restart breastfeeding (relactate) – there is no time limit. In some contexts, grandmothers have breastfed their grandchildren.



SOLUTION: Offer support for breastfeeding and relactation.



MYTH: “HIV positive mothers should never breastfeed.”



FACT: Exclusive breastfeeding for six months is the safest option, unless total replacement feeding is acceptable, feasible, affordable, sustainable and safe (AFASS) – most unlikely in emergencies. After 6 months, if replacement feeding is still not AFASS, then continued breastfeeding with adequate complementary foods is the safest option12. The risk of postnatal transmission can be lowered with mother and/or infant receiving anti-retroviral (ARV) drugs. Mixed feeding in the first six months (combining breastfeeding and formula feeding and/or too-early introduction of complementary foods) is the most risky feeding option, such as diarrhea.

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Health Tips Facts – Vomiting Causes,Cures,Effects,Home Remedies,Symptoms,Treatment

Vomiting can be an exhausting and unpleasant experience, caused by a number of conditions. The term 'vomiting' refers to the forceful ejection of contents of stomach through the mouth. Popularly known as 'being sick' or throwing up’, vomiting is a reflex action caused by stimulation of vomiting center in the brain stem.

Most vomiting is due to diarrhea, cholera or food poisoning. Vomiting can sometimes be caused by very serious diseases like diabetes.

Vomiting Symptoms Causes:-

(1) Stomach irritation: Irritation of the lining of stomach is the commonest cause of vomiting.

A multitude of reasons may cause this:

Gastritis

Gastroenteritis

Peritonitis

Appendicitis

Ulcers (Gastric and Duodenal)

Tonsillitis (especially in young children)

Excessive drinking

Excessive intake of contaminated food

(2) Motion sickness

(3) Head injury

(4) Certain diseases like meningitis, fever, whopping cough, jaundice

(5) Pregnancy (Morning sickness)

(6) Deliberate vomiting (by putting finger in the mouth)

Vomiting Treatment Cures Prevention:-

Avoid solid foods as they will make you sicker and induce further vomiting.

Take plenty of bland fluids - water, diluted milk or squashes but no aerated or alcoholic

drinks.

Suck ice cubes if you find it impossible to keep fluids down.

A teaspoonful of bicarbonate of soda diluted in a teacup of water or milk can also be helpful.

As the patient feels better, he can shift to semi solid diets like soups, custards, daliya etc.

Work back to normal diet over three to four days.

Ginger tea can help with the nausea associated with vomiting and honey can soothe your throat.

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