HEART HEALTHY DIET & LIVING

Hi,fellow bloggers,today i decided to post something different.Today i'll post a brief review on healthy diet & helthy living related to the heart.

THE MAJOR RISK FACTORS OF HEART DISEASE:1.SMOKING

2.INCREASED CHOLESTEROL

3.STRESS & EXCESSIVE STRAIN

4.HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

5.FAMILY HISTORY

6.LACK OF EXERCISE

SMOKING :A MAJOR RISK FACTOR FOR HEART DISEASE NAMELY CORONARY HEART DISEASE.This factor is definitely in our hands to control,albeit a little difficult.please refer to my previous post for further information on this.

cholesterol is a normal component of our body. It has beneficial roles to play like synthesis of hormones & nerve cells.but when it is present in excess ,cholesterol gets deposited in the blood vessels[atheromatous plaques],narrows the blood vessel lumen,thus decreasing the blood flow to several organs,mainly the heart.This is called atherosclerosis.

HEALTHY DIET FOR THE HEART:THIS SECTION IS VERY IMPORTANT.

1.Take plenty of fruits,green leafy vegetables,legumes etc.These are rich in vitamins,minerals,anti-oxidants.Try to take at least 5-6 servings per day.

2.Limit the amount of fat intake to less than 30%of total calorie intake.Limit saturated fat[present in red meats ,butter] to less than 10% of total calorie intake.

3.Increase the amount of poly-unsaturated fatty acid intake[start using safflower oil,sunflower oil,canola oil,olive oil etc,try to avoid coconut oil,palm oil]

4.Reduce the intake of cholesterol to less than 300mg/day[red meat,butter & other dairy products]

5Go for chicken ,turkey,fish,AVOID RED MEAT.

6.Reduce the consumption of ice-cream,cream filled cakes[these are loaden with fats]

6.Reduce the amount of salt intake.[don't take table salts,soy sauce etc]

7.AVOID EXCESSIVE ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION.

EXCERCISE :EXERCISE SHOULD BE A PART OF DAILY REGIMEN OF EVERY INDIVIDUAL'S LIFE.This does not mean excessive exercise,just simple aerobic exercise like walkinf,jogging,swimming for 30-60 minutes is more than enough.It plays a role in reducing the bad cholesterol[LDL].Furthermore it has a role to play in reducing stress and anxiety.

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE:if one follows the diet mentioned above it is also protective for high blood pressure.Although individuals ,who have been diagnosed to be hypertensive should remain under close follow up and follow the advices provided by his/her doctor.

STRESS:This is a part & parcel of our day to day life.We have to tackle this comehow.Counselling may help.I would suggest just relax a bit,don't run after your ambitions too much.Everything will happen when the time comes.

Family history:we can't do much about this,can we?

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS VISIT THE your total health sitehttp://yourtotalhealth.ivillage.com/heart-healthy-diet.htmlor discuss with your local health care provider.

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SMOKING AND PREGNANCY

Good evening,friends.Today i'll try to explain the effects of smoking on pregnancy.smoking,in general is very damaging to the body,in the context of pregnancy it's even more dangerous.SMOKING EFFECTS BOTH THE MOTHER & THE BABY.Smoking disturbs the placental function & reduce the supply of oxygen to the baby within the womb,as the baby depends for all nutritious supplies on the mother.

Smoking reduces the fertility in both women & men.In women it may cause a delay in conception.In men ,it reduces the the sperm count,volume of semen,sperm motility thus impairing fertility in general.

EFFECT OF SMOKING IN A PREGNANT MOTHER:Smoking may cause premature delievery,premature rupture of membrane,placental abruption etc.

EFFECT OF SMOKING ON THE BABY:Smoking has a diverse of effects on the baby like preterm delievery,low birth weight,lung problems,bronchitis in early age etc.Smoking has also been related to cot death & SIDS[sudden infant death syndrome]

Passive smoking also has a damaging effect on both mother & the baby.

So,my suggestion is both the parents should stop smoking before planning for a baby.

HOW TO STOP SMOKING:Urge to stop smoking is most important.Nicotine replacement therapy[nicotine patch] is not much preffered during pregnancy.The parents should try to stop smoking by themselves,if all attempts fail,nicotine replacement therapy may be tried but after consulting with your doctor.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS,YOU SHOULD DISCUSS THIS WITH YOUR PHYSICIAN.YOU CAN ALSO VISIT CDC SITEhere
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WORLD AIDS DAY 2008:NOTIFICATION

Hi friends,good morning.WORLD AIDS DAY IS COMING UP ON DECEMBER 1st 2008.THE FIGHT AGAINST HIV/AIDS CONTINUES.IT'S NOT ONLY THE DISEASE,BUT THE PREJUDICE ASSOCIATED WITH IT,WE SHOULD GET RID OF THAT TOO.
LET'S DO OUR BIT.

FOR INFORMATION ON AIDS YOU CAN VISIT WORLDAIDSDAY.ORG here

you can also visit the site AIDSinfo sitehere

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DYSMENORRHEA:PAINFUL MENSTRUATION

Hi Friends ,today i,ll try to post a brief review on dysmenorrhea or painful menstruation.DYSMENORRHEA or painful menstruation is a very common problem in the adlescent and early 20 age group. DYSMENORRHEA is one of the most common problem encounterd in gynaecologic practice.
DYSMENORRHEA can be classified into two types:primary dysmenorrhea & secondary dysmenorrhea.

PRIMARY DYSMENORRHEA:It affects women in their adolescence, during the first few cycles after onset of menstruation[menarche].It is associated with spasmodic pain starting just before or along with periods & persists for 1-2 days.This type of dysmenorrhea is clinically not associated with any pelvic pathology[pathology of the female genital tract etc]
Several chemicals are thought to play a role in the development of primary dysmenorrhea like prostaglandins,leukotrienes,vasopressin and some nerve fibres like type C neurones.

TREATMENT:nsaids like diclofenac,ketoprofen,ibuprofen,mefenamic acid ,naproxen etc are very effective in this condition to reduce the pain .The possible side effects of this drugs are mainly stomach upset presenting eith nausea,vomiting.These drugs should not be taken by individuals with gastritis,gastric ulcer,kidney problems etc.
conjugated OCPs[oral contraceptive pills] are also effective,but i don't think the FDA has approved OCPs for this particular problem.
Other drugs with proposed benefits are thiamine,omega-3 fatty acid.vitamin E ETC.low grade heat application may help some.

SECONDARY DYSMENORRHEA:It affects women in their 30s.The pain starts during the second half of menstrual cycle ahter ovulation and reaches it's peak during the onset of menstrual bleeding.The causes are ENDOMETRIOSIS,UTERINE FIBROIDS,UTERINE POLYP,ADENOMYOSIS,PELVIC CONGESTION SYNDROME,INTRA-UTERINE COPPER DEVICES,MALFORMATIONS OF THE UTERUS etc.
For proper diagnosis investigations like ESR,TOTAL COUNT,CERVICAL CULTURE,HCG[human chorionic gonadotropin - to exclude ectopic pregnancy] & other special investigations like abdominal & vaginal ultrasound.hysteroscopy, even laparoscopy may be required.

TREATMENT:depends on the actual cause of secondary dysmenorrhea.Surgery may be a treatment option in case of certain cause.The above mentioned drugs may also be used as an adjunctive measure.
For additional information please consult your physician or visit MEDILINE PLUS SITEhere
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BREAST CANCER:RISK FACTORS

Hi friends ,sorry for a delayed posting.Today i'll briefly review the RISK FACTORS OF BREAST CANCER.Breast cancer is a very common cancer.Breast cancer is perhaps the most common cancer in women of the developed countries.
RISK FACTORS:1.AGE:age is probably the most significant risk factor.Breast cancer is not that common in younger age group,the incidence increases with age,to reach a plateau in the sixth decade.
2.REGIONAL VARIATION:breast cancer is more common in North America & Europe.It is much less common in Asia,South America specially in countries like Japan.
3.FAMILY HISTORY:is also a very important risk factor in case of breast cancer.It is found to be much more common in women with family history of breast cancer.Individuals with relatives with breast cancer occurring at a younger age & even with male relatives with breast cancer are at increased risk .
4.INDIVIDUALS WITH ASHKENAZI JEW DESCENT are also at increased risk.
5.OTHER CANCERS & DISEASES:women with history of previous breast cancer,ovarian cancer,endometrial cancer & disorders like ataxia telangiectasia are at risk.
6.HIGHER SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS:breast cancer is found to be much more common in women of higher socio-economic status.
7.FACTORS THAT INCREASE BODY'S EXPOSURE TO OESTROGEN like early onset of menstruation,late menopause,late childbirth,nulliparity increases the risk.
8.OBESITY:is also a risk factor due to increased conversion of androgens into oestrogen in the fatty tissues.
9.OUTSIDE FACTORS:A.post-menopausal hormone therapy,for a significantly long time.
B.exposure to DDT.
C.certain viruses like mouse mammary tumour virus.
D.excessive alcohol consumption etc.
10.CERTAIN PRE-CANCEROUS LESIONS OF THE BREAST ALSO INCREASES THE RISK.
For more information discuss these issues with your physician or you may visit the WEBMD BEAST CANCER SITE here
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EXERCISE AFTER PREGNANCY:KEGEL EXERCISE

Good morning fellow bloggers.Today i'll post a brief report on exercise after pregnancy and kegel exercise.KEGEL EXERCISE is very important for reducing the chance of urinary incontinence after vaginal delievery.
After vaginal delievery exercises can be started as soon as the next day following delievery,however it should be started only when the mother feels comfortable.After caesarean section,exercises should be started when the patiet feels cofortable.
KEGEL EXERCISE:is done to strengthen the pelvic flooor muscles.It consists of stiffening the pelvic muscles, for a few seconds[6-8 seconds] & then relaxing it.It should be done initially for 25 times , three times a day & gradually increased over a course of few weeks.KEGEL EXERCISE reduce the chance of developing urinary incontinence,rectal & ureteric prolapse in later life,as the pelvic muscles support these organs.
ABDOMINAL EXERCISE AFTER PREGNANCY:As during the growth of the baby in the uterus,the abdominal muscles take much of the strain,they may split after pregnancy.These abdominal muscles extend from the lower part of chest to pubis.The gaping of these muscles can be detected by mother herself, by simple palpation of the abdomen.If they notice such gaping they should immedietely consult their health care provider.
IDEAL EXERCISES AFTER PREGNANCY:Choose any exercise that best suits you like swimming,walking,jogging etc.It tekes some time for the body to return to the pre-pregnant state.
EXERCISE HAS NO HARMFUL EFFECT ON BREAST-FEEDING.
For further information please post a querry or consult your physician,or may visit the BABY CENTRE SITE here
Womens LowerBody Makeover, Proven Product:
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PAP SMEAR:WHAT IS IT?

Hi,everybody as i was writing about some gynaecologic diseases,in my previous posts,i thought today, of posting a brief review of PAP SMEAR.PAP SMEAR is a very a very important screening test to detect the precursor lesions for cervical cancer.PAP SMEAR OR PAP TEST is named after it's inventor Papanicolou.
PAP TEST is done as an outpatient procedure in which cell from the cervical os[opening of the cervix] & endo-cervix[endo means inside] are collected by means of a spatula & an endocervical brush.These lining cells are then placed on a glass slide & fixed with a fixative and stained by papanicolou technique.
The cells are then examined by an experienced pathologist under a microscope.
WHO SHOULD UNDERGO PAP SMEAR:1.any women starting from 3 years after sexual intercourse or age 21 ,whichever is first.
2.from 21-30 years it should be done yearly.
3.after 30 years,if 3 consecutive pap tests are normal,then the pap test can be done at 2-3 years interval.
WHEN TO STOP TAKING PAP SMEAR:1.women who have undergone hysterectomy for benign diseases,along with removal of the cervix.
2.post-menopausal women who have 3 consecutive pap test normal,have very low chance of an abnormal result in further pap tests.But there is no fixed criteria when to stop in post-menopausal women.
RISK FACTORS OF ABNORMAL PAP RESULT:1HPV infection
2.smoking
3.immuno-deficient states.
pap test should not be done during menstruation,it should preferably be done within the first 10 days counting from the first date of menstrual bleeding.
RESULTS OF PAP SMEAR:1.no abnormality
2.ASC-US:[atypical squamous cells of unknown signigicance] most of these cases resole without treatment.So the standard protocol is to reprat pap smear after 4-6 months.If abnormality persists even in the repeat smear,then colposcopy[i,ll write about this in later posts] is indicated.
3.LSIL[low grade squamous intra-epithelial lesion]:these cases have more or less a 30% chance of having a serious lesion.Colposcopy should be done.
4.HSIL[HIGH GRADE SQUAMOUS INTRA-EPITHELIAL LESION]:THESE ARE SERIOUS ABNORMALITIES AND SHOULD BE ALWAYS THOROUGHLY EVALUATED WITH COLPOSCOPY.
For further information on this, please post a comment or consult your health care provider.You can also visit mediline/003911.htm>here

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HPV VACCINE:OVERVIEW

Image via Wikipedia

Hi,fellow bloggers,today i will present a brief discussion on the HPV VACCINE.It is a quadrivalent[contain 4 types] recombinant vaccine for HPV types 6,11,16,18.It prevents cervical cancer,condyloma acuminata & precursor lesions of cancer like cervical intraepithelial neeoplasia[CIN] grades1,2&3;vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia grades 2&3,vulvar intraepithelial cancer grades 2&3.
The vaccine is given in young girls 11-12 years old and young women between 13 to 26 years old.It is administered in 3 doses at an interval of 0,2,6 months.
The vaccine is safe and effective.But although it does not prevent all cervical cancers , but prevents most of them.
for more information please submit querries in the comment box or consult your health care provider .
You can also visit the site of CDC here

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CERVICITIS:DID YOU KNOW?

Hi good evening , today i'll be posting a brief review on infectious cervicitis.Cervix is an organ located just below the body of the uterus .It consists of two parts , the ectocervix & the endocervix.Ectocervix is the portion of the cervix that projects into the vagina.In order to describe the infections of the cervix , it can be divided into infections of the ectocervix & infections of the endocervix.
INFECTIONS OF THE ENDOCERVIX: are most commonly caused by two bacteria:Neisseria gonorrheae & Chlamydia trachomatis.The infections may present with no symptoms at all or present with purulant discharge.This type of purulant discharge may also occur in infections due to herpes simplex,trichomonads,bacterial vaginosis etc.The purulant discharge may also occur without any infection of the cervix.
Chlamydia infection of the endocervix is very common .It is a very important cause of subsequent infertility.
SCREENING FOR CHLAMYDIA INFECTION should be done in:
a.All pregnant women below the age of 24 years & older pregnant women who are at high risk.
b.All non pregnant sexually active young women below 24 years & older non-pregnant womwn who are at high risk.
c.screening is not recommended for women older than 24 years who are not at high risk.
DIAGNOSIS OF GONORRHEA & CHLAMYDIA INFECTION:
1. nucleic acid amplification test is the most sensitive test for diagnosis of both the infections.
2.Gram's stain of the vaginal swabs.
TREATMENT:Previously fluoroquinolone antibiotics[ciprofloxacin] were recommended for the treatment of gonorrhea infection.But at present resistance has developed to it,now the drug of choice for gonorrhea infection is ceftriaxone.Other drugs that can be given for this infection are azithromycin,doxycycline,cefixime,cefotaxim,ceftizoxime etc.
For chlamydia infection the drug of choice is azithromycin single dose.Doxycycycline can also be used[for 7 days].
Both partners should receive treatment.
INFECTION OF ECTOCERVIX:Can be caused by a variety of infections like HPV[human papilloma virus ],HSV[herpes simplex virus],Treponema pallidum[SYPHILIS],hemophillus ducreyi,parasites like schistosomiasis,amoebiasis in certain countries etc.
Today i will describe in short two very important causes namely HPV & HSV.
HPV has many types,40 of which cause mucosal[lining of the cervix] infection.HPV can cause lesion in the labia,vagina,cervix.Type 6 & 11 cause exophytic[irregular growth like] lesions , these are called condyloma acuminatum, it has not been linked to pre-cancerous lesion.But type 16,18,31,33,35 etc causes flat warts which has been linked to pre-cancerous lesions.Kits are available in the market ,to distinguish between the benign types[6,11] and risky types[16,18,31,33 etc,]
DIAGNOSIS is made by 1.reflex HPV testing of thin layer cytology.
2.any lesion suspected ofHPV should be confirmed by biopsy.
Infection of the cervix is caused by both HSV 1 & HSV 2.In primary infection[first time infection]cervix infection is much more common.It may have no symptoms or present with purulant discharge,pain,ulcers in the cervix etc.
Any primary infection of the cervix with HPV infection should be treated with anti-virals like acyclovir,valacyclovir,famcyclovir.
For more information on this topic please post a comment or consult your physician or
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ENDOMETRIAL CANCER :PREVENTION AND BRIEF REVIEW

Hi friends ,today i'll be giving a brief review about, mainly the preventive aspect of endometrial cancer,the most common cancer of the female genital tract in United States and other developed countries,
In short endometrial cancer is a cancer of the endometrium,the lining of the uterus,an organ located in pelvis where the fetus develops during pregnancy.It is of various types,but the most common type is oestrogen[a female hormone] dependent.
RISK FACTORS:1.ONLY OESTROGEN PILLS:If pills containing only oestrogen are given for relieving post-menopausal symptoms ,it increases the exposure to prolonged oestrogen, which is a risk factor for endometrial cancer.
2.EARLY MENARCHE & LATE MENOPAUSE :Early age of starting of menstrual cycle and late menopause increases the duration of exposure to oestrogen.
3.NULLIPAROUS WOMEN:are at risk.pregnancy is a protective factor for endometrial cancer.Pregnancy reduces body's exposure to estrogen.So women who have never been pregnant are at risk.
4.SERM:SERM[SELECTIVE OESTROGEN RECEPTOR MODULATOR]is a group of drug which includes drugs like tamoxifen,which is used in the treatment of breast cancer.It has oestrogen like activity in some organs like uterus and anti-oestrogen like effect in other organs like breast.Due to it's oestrogen like effects in the uterus,it is a risk factor for endometrial cancer.Raloxifene,which is also a SERM,used in osteoarthritis has not shown to increase the risk of endometrial cancer.
5.OBESITY:increases the total amount of oestrogen in the body, thus also the risk.
6.HNPCC[HEREDITARY NON POLYPOSIS COLON CANCER]:This hereditary condition also increases the risk of acquiring endometrial cancer.
PREVENTION:1.COMBINED ESTROGEN AND PROGESTERONE PILLS:These pills have a protective effect.
2.PREGNANCY AND BREAST FEEDING:These two conditions reduce the the amount of oestrogen in the body,thus is a protective factor for endometrial cancer.
3.HEALTHY LIFESTYLE,HEALTHY FOOD,EXERCISE:These factors tend to reduce the risk.
4.EARLY DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF PRE-CANCEROUS LESION.
For more information on this ,you can consult your health care provider.
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UPDATE:CHOLERA- NEW VACCINES

Hi once again.Here is some recent update regarding CHOLERA,a diarrhoeal disease caused by Vibrio cholerae.
Two recent vaccines have been developed for cholera.
CVD-103HgR:which consists of attenuated strains of V.cholerae01 by recombinant DNA technology.This vaccine has been tested in many developed and developing countries,where cholera is epidemic,endemic.This vaccine is extremely effective,and safe.It is available in europe,latin america.
WC/rBS cholera vaccine: it consists of whole cell killed V.cholerae01 and purified recombinant B subunit of cholera toxin.It produces both antibacterial & antitoxic antibodies. Check for the availability and whether you require this vaccine[which will depend on the prevalence of cholera in your respective countries] with your health care provider.Any more querry on this, please post me.

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BRIEF OVERVIEW:TRICHOMONIASIS

Hi ,good morning,This overview completes our discussion on three most common vaginal infection.
Trichomoniasis effects both men and women,but the symptoms are more common in womenIt is caused by a single celled protozoa called Trichomonas vaginalis.The disease is very common in sexually active young women.Trichommoniasis is easily curable.
SYMPTOMS:In women it affects the vagina.
1.yellowish green vaginal discharge with a strong fishy odor.
2.pain during urination.
3.discomfort during intercourse
4.burning and itching sensation.
In men it affects the urethra[urinary canal],but most of the men does not have any symptoms or presents with burning sensation during urination or slight discharge.

PREVENTION:1.Proper use of a latex condom
2.monogamous relationship with known non-infected partner.
3.sexual abstinance.
DIAGNOSIS:Whenever any individual notices these symptoms he/she should contact a health care provider.Diagnosis is made by clinical,pelvic examination and some tests.

INVESTIGATIONS:vaginal discharge is collected by swab and examined under microscope or subjected to culture and microassays.Culture and microassays are more sensitive than microscopic examination.

TREATMENT:Metronidazole or tinidazole,single dose.Metronidazole can be given during pregnancy.Both the partners should be simultaneously treated,because it is a sexually transmitted disease.

RISKS:This infection can cause low birth weight baby or premature delivery during pregnancy.It increases the chance of being infected with HSV-2,HIV[if obviously the partner has it]
If anybody notices such symptoms please visit a physician.Any more querries please post a comment.,or subscribe.

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brief overview:yeast infection of the vagina

Hi everybody and good morning.Today my discussion topic is candida infection of the vagina[also called vaginal moniliasis,vaginal yeast infection].
It is a relatively common disease.Candida has several types,but most of the disease are caused by candida albicans.The yeast resides in our skin,mouth,rectum,vagina without causing disease.But the problem occurs when candida outnumber the normal protective predominant bacteria in the vagina[Lactobacillus].
RISK FACTORS:1.Excessive antibiotic use
2.diabetes
3.pregnancy
4.diseases affecting the immune system[HIV/AIDS,LEUKEMIA,CANCER DRUGS ETC]
SYMPTOMS AND SIGNS:1.vaginal discharge[white or yellowish]
2.irritation & itching of vulva
3.pain during urination
4.pain following intercourse
5.redness of vulva
DIAGNOSIS:By WET PREP[microscopy of vaginal discharge]
TREATMENT:The drugs used are clotrimazole,miconazole,nystatin vaginal creams.Oral drugs effective are fluconazole,amphotericin B.
Usually it is completely curable.Sometimes recurrence occurs specially in immunosuppressed conditions[HIV/AIDS].Oral fluconazole is usually effectine in these conditions.
Oral drugs should not be given in pregnancy.
PREVENTION:To keep the local area dry.
Whenever you notice the aforesaid symptoms or recurrence occurs with over the counter medicines please contact your local health provider.Any further querries regarding this disease feel free to ask me.
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BRIEF OVERVIEW:BACTERIAL VAGINOSIS

Vaginitis is a disorder which presents with vaginal discharge,itching and irritation.Three most common causes of vaginitis are bacterial vaginosis,trichomoniasis and candida infection.

Today i will present a brief overview about bacterial vaginosis.Bacterial vaginosis is a disorder of alternation of the normal vaginal flora.The good bacteria of the vagina[Lactobacillus] is replaced by bad bacterias like Prevotella,mobilincus,mycoplasma hominis,Gardenella vaginalis etc.The symptoms are white vaginal discharge,vaginal irritation etc.Many women remain asymptomatic.

The diagnostic criteria are:1.whitish homogenous discharge lining the vaginal wall

2.ph>4.5 measured by narrow range ph paper.

3.CLUE CELLS[epithelial cells lined lined by bacteria]

4.fishy odour of vaginal discharge when mixedwith KOH

The gold standard test is the relative concentration of lactobacilli and the other bad bacterias in gram stain of vaginal discharge.Culture of G.vaginalis is not specific.DNA probe test for G.vaginalis may be helpful in diagnosis.Ph paper test,test for trimethylamine,prolineaminopeptidase may be helpful.

TREATMENT:Metronidazole tablet orally

Metronidazole cream

clindamycin gel

All symptomatic women should be treated

BACTERIAL VAGINOSIS AND PREGNANCY:Bacterial vaginosis causes pre-mature rupture of membrane,pre-term labour,pre-term birth.chorioamnionitis.Any pregnant women with symptoms of bacterial vaginosis should be treated.Pregnant women without symptoms,but with high risk of premature delievery should also be treated.Treatments options are metronidazole,clindamycin tablets.Clindamycin should not be given during the second half of pregnancy.

Treatment of partners is not recommended because it does not reduce recurrence of disease.

In bacterial vaginosis with HIV,the treatment is same but the disease is more persistent.

everybody should consult their respective physicians regarding this topic.Any further querries please ask me.GOOD NIGHT.

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chagas disease ;american trypanosomiasis

hi and good morning,to everybody especially my latin americen friends,today i will try to give some relevant informations regarding CHAGAS DISEASE[AMERICAN TRYPANOSOMIASIS].The causative agent is Trypanosoma cruzi.The bug that tansfers the disease to humans is reduviid bug[Triatoma infestans].

Other modes of transmission are vertical transmission[from mother to baby],through blood transfusion.

The disease has two forms acute and chronic.The acute form is usually symptomatic in children and young adults,in other age groups it is usually asymptomatic.The symptoms in the acut state are CHAGOMA[peeling skin lesions],ROMANA'S SIGN[one sided eye swelling with conjunctivitis]This actually represent thr portal of entry of the protozoa.Other features are fever,rash,liver and spleen enlargement,swelling of limbs and face etc.Most of the cases of mortality in the acute state occur in below 2 years age group due toMYOCARDITIS,MENINGOENCEPHALITIS[INVOLVEMENT OF THE HEART AND BRAIN.

After the acute phase patient passes over to the CHRONIC LATENT PHASE,in this phase the patient is usually asymptomatic.A few of the patients of chronic latent phase pass on to the CHRONIC PHASE.

In the chronic phase the organs effected are 1.HEART

2.ESOPHAGUS

3.COLON

HEART IS THE WORST EFFECTED.CHAGASIC CARDIOMYOPATHY occurs in the heart.Most of the mortalities are due to dysfunction og the heart.

DYSFUNCTIONS OF THE HEART:1.heart failure

2.conduction disturbance

3.thromboembolic episodes to brain,lung

4.aneurysm og the heart which may rupture

5.coronary artery disease

INVOVEMENT OF ESOPHAGUS:1.abnormal motility

2.dilatation & elongation og esophagus

3.esophagitis

4.regurgitation causing aspiration pneumonia

5.risk factor for esophageal cancer

involvement of the esophagus causes difficulty in swallowing mainly for solid foods.

INVOVEMENT OF THE COLON:1.dilatation of the colon

2.sigmoid colon volvulus:a dreaded complication

involvement of the esophagus results in constipation lasting for weeks to months.sigmoid volvulus causes gut obstruction,pain.

According to my view,benznidazole is the only effective drug.In my opinion this drug should be administered in the acute phase and in patients suffering from the chronic disease for few years.

It reduces the severity and occurence of heart disease.

PREGNANCY AND CHAGAS DISEASE:

Till date there is no drug available to stop transmission from infected mother to the baby.So the baby should be screened by direct parasitological methods at birth and then at frequent intervals,if found negative initially and treated apprppiately.

PREVENTION:1.vector control by spraying of insecticides[pyrethroid]

2.improvement of sanitation

3.till date no vaccine is available

YOU SHOULD CONSULT YOUR RESPECTIVE PHYSICIAN ABOUT THESE INFORMATIONS

ON CHAGAS DISEASE.ANY QUERRIES FEEL FREE TO ASK.

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cellulitis

hi,good morning.today thought of writing about something else,CELLULITIS a very common infectious disease which actually means infection of the tissues under the skin.It actuallyinvolves the tissues deep to the epidermis i.e the dermis and subcutaneous tissue.It is usually a simple infection to cure.The bacteria enters through minor tears in the skin,which may not even be noticeable.

But the situation can be worse if some risk factors are present.1.elderly

2.diabetes

3.cancer

4.HIV/AIDS

5.receiving long term steroids.

6.SPECIFIC INFECTIONS[infections acquired in brackish water,post-operative cellulitis etc]

Usually the symptome are localised to the area consisting of redness,swelling,pain.But there are systemic symptoms like high fever,malaise,red lines running across the cellulitis,excessive pain not subsiding with otc analgesics,unable to move the effected limb;one should immedietely consult a physician.the individual may require intravenous antibiotics.

Most of the cases of cellulitis respond to an outpatient course of oral antibiotics for 7-10 days.but few cases may require intravenous antibiotic administration.

Most of the cases are caused by staphylococcus and streptococcus.

For further querries on this issue feel free to post your querries.

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