CONTRACEPTIVE CHOICES IN LUPUS

Today I'll post a very brief review, but informative review on the contraceptive choices in individuals suffering from lupus.

Oral contraceptive pills have some harmful effects in individuals suffering from lupus .

Intra-uterine devices may increase the chances of infection in female individuals with lupus.

Barrier contraceptives[like condoms,diaphragm] is probably the contraceptive of choice in case of lupus [SLE].

Before embarking on any decision on contraceptives please discuss the issue with your doctor who deals with the problem of lupus[SLE].

For any more information on this,you may post in the comment section.

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MUSCULOSKELETAL CHANGES IN LUPUS

The most important musculoskeletal changes in SLE are

1.intermittent polyarthritis[periodic attacks of arthritis involving multiple joints specially the joints of hands,wrists etc.
Usually joint erosion does not occur.

2.myalgia[muscle pain]

3.Myositis[inflammation of the muscle]

4.Occasionally pain involving a single joint like hip,knee or shoulder may occur.If this occurs in any individual suffering from SLE,he or she should immediately refer to her consulting physician as this may suggest ischaemic necrosis of the involved joint,which is more common in SLE.And may also be a side effect of the drugs used in SLE like glucocorticoids,antimalarials etc.

If any of my friends,need further information on this topic please discuss with your doctor.For any question on this topic, feel free to post in the comment section.


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SKIN CHANGES IN SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS

The most common skin lesion in SLE is an erythematous [reddish], slightly raised rash occuring over the face,ear,chin ,neck,upper back etc.This rash occurs most commonly in the region of the cheek and the nose [the so called ‘butterfly rash].The exacerbation of these lesions are often associated with systemic flare of SLE.

There is another entity called the subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus [SCLE].In SCLE highly photosensitive, psoriasis like lesions with circular red margins tend to occur.

Other skin lesions that are seen in SLE are recurring urticaria,bullae[large vescicle like lesion],small ulcers within the oral cavity resembling aphthous ulcers etc.

If any of my friends,need further information on this topic please discuss with your doctor.For any question on this topic, feel free to post in the comment section.


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LUPUS AND PREGNANCY

SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS [SLE] is an autoimmune disease. In SLE various organs of the body are damaged by auto-antibodies or immune complexes .

In this post , I'll attempt to briefly review the effects of pregnancy in SLE and vice-versa .

EFFECTS OF PREGNANCY IN SLE: Long term prognosis of SLE is usually unaffected . Flare-ups may occur specially in the weeks following delievery [puerperium].Cases of maternal deaths are also reported,the cause in majority , is pulmonary hemorrhage & lupus pneumonitis.

treatment of SLE in pregnancy: The preffered drug to control SLE flare-ups during pregnancy is usually corticosteroids [prednisolone]. Drugs like Azathioprine are also used .
note of caution:analgesics like NSAIDS should be used cautiously, and should never be taken without the proper prescription of your consulting doctor.

EFFECTS OF SLE ON PREGNANCY: Risks of anaemia,leucopenia[less number of leucocytes].thrombocytopenia[reduced number of platlets],renal failure are increased. Propensity for the development of first trimester abortion,recurrent deep vein thrombosis,pregnancy induced hypertension,intra-uterine growth restriction,pre-maturity,still-births etc. are also increased.
In some of the developing babies isolated congenital heart block may occur.

Pre-conceptional counselling is very important in case of SLE and pregnancy.Conception during the period of quiescence is more favorable to the baby.

If any of my friends,need further information on this topic please discuss with your doctor.For any question on this topic, feel free to post in the comment section.


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TOP DROPPERS: THANKS FRIENDS

I APPRECIATE ALL MY ENTRECARD FRIENDS , FOR VISITING MY BLOG.AS A NOTE OF APPRECIATION, THE TOP 10 DROPPERS LIST WILL BE IN THE SIDE-BAR FOR THE NEXT 30 DAYS. ONCE AGAIN THANKS.

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TYPE A PERSONALITY

In this post I'll post a brief review of TYPE A PERSONALITY.Individuals with type A personality may be susceptible to coronary artery disease.
Individuals with type A personality present with:

1.Urgency to complete multiple tasks within a short period of time.These is true for even day-to-day activities like eating,walking etc.

2.Excessive competitiveness:There is always an urge to win.There is a persistent attempt to complete multiple tasks against the limitations of time and the surrounding environment.

These behavioral features lead to excess stress and anxiety.

treatment:1.relaxation techniques . 2.yoga. 3.auto hypnosis. 4.behavioral modification. 5.individual therapy. 6.group therapy.
If any of my friends,need further information on this topic please discuss with your doctor.For any question on this topic, feel free to post in the comment section.


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ADVANTAGES OF BREAST FEEDING

Breast milk provides a lot of advantages for the young infant.

1.Breast milk contains a number of anti-infective factors like lactoferrin,lactoperoxidase,lysozyme,complements,interferons,immunoglobulin A,interferons etc.

Immunoglobulin A[igA] forms a coating over the infant gastro-intestinal tract thus prevents the infective bacteria to come into contact with the infant gastro-intestinal tract, thus preventing the occurrence of gastro-enteritis.

Interferon has anti-viral properties.

2.Breast milk is rich in vitamin D , thus prevents the development of scurvy & rickets.

3.Breast milk is a good source of long chain W-3 fatty acids, which is required for the neurological development of the baby.

4.Breast milk is easily digestible.The protein present in breast milk is rich in lactalbumin,lactoglobulin and contains less amount of casein.Thereby breast milk protein is easily digestible.

5.Breast milk has a laxative action.

6.It has no danger of allergy.

7.It reduces the chances of development of atopic eczema.

8.Chances of conception are less during the lactation period.

9.Breast feeding also helps in development of psychological bonding between mother and baby.

For further information,please discuss this issue with your doctor. For any question on this topic, feel free to post in the comment section.


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LACTATIONAL MASTITIS

Lactational mastitis is a very common problem encountered by mothers during lactation. The bacteria causing lactational mastitis is usually,a bacteria called Staphylococcus aureus.

Lactational mastitis is a disease that may involve the soft,fatty tissue of the breast,resulting in cellulitis or it may involve the lactiferous ducts [the ducts of the breast]. When the infection involves the lactiferous ducts it is called Primary mammary adenitis .

Signs and symptoms:1.fever
2.breast pain and tenderness.
3. a swelling may form in one quadrant of the breast,usually pointing to the nipple.
4.In case of cellulitis of the breast, the features present early,usually at the end of the first week.But in case of primary mammary adenitis, the features usually present late,usually at the end of 2nd week post partum[after delievery of the baby]
complications: If not treated early and adequately lactational mastitis may lead to breast abcess.

Prevention:BEFORE BREAST FEEDING,ONE SHOULD WASH THEIR HANDS THOROUGHLY, BEFORE AND AFTER EACH FEED TO THE BABY THE NIPPLES SHOULD BE WASHED.

Management:1.Breast support.
2.Breast feeding should be continued with good attachment.Nursing should be started on the un-involved side first.With each feed.the involved side should be mannually emptied .
3.Antibiotics:Penicillinase resistant penicillins are usually used.[Flucloxacillin , is a preferred antibiotic]
4.Plenty of water should be taken.
5.Analgesics[ibuprofen etc] can be prescribed to relieve the pain

For further information on this,please discuss this issue with your doctor.The doctor,s advice should always be taken promptly if someone is actually suffering from this disease.Any more querries feel free to post a question in the comment section.

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TYPE 2 ENDOMETRIAL CANCER

Type 2 endometrial cancers which consists of three types: uterine papillary serous carcinoma,mucinous carcinoma,anaplastic carcinoma is much rarer than the much more commoner type 1 ,sub-group of endometrial cancer that comprises of endometrioid carcinoma,mucinous carcinoma etc.

Endometrioid cancer[type 1] is the most common type of endometrial cancer .The risk factors of endometrial cancer are factors that increases the body’s exposure to estrogen like estrogen replacement therapy, diabetes,hypertension,hyperlipidemia etc.It occurs in the background of endometrial hyperplasia.

Type 2 endometrial cancers, the most common of which is uterine papillary serous carcinoma, does not depend on body’s exposure to estrogen but actually develops in a background of atrophic endometrium .This type of endometrial cancer actually develops in older age than the commoner endometrioid endometrial cancer and carries a much poorer prognosis than endometrioid cancer.The pre-cancerous lesion is thought to be endometrial intra-epithelial carcinoma [EIC].

For further information please discuss this issue with your doctor.For any more querries on this. please feel free to ask , in the comments section.
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UNDULANT FEVER:BRUCELLOSIS

Good evening friends,today I'll post a brief review of BRUCELLOSIS or UNDULANT FEVER or MALTA FEVER.

Brucellosis is a zoonosis, that primarily effects animals like goats,cows,pigs etc.Brucellosis is caused by a bacteria called Brucella, a gram negative coccobacilli.

Human beings are primarily effected by direct contact with infected animals flesh or other body parts like placenta or ingestion of food contaminated with infected products.

Individuals who are most likely to become infected are individuals working in meat packing industry[abattoir worker], a veterinarian,a farmer or traveler consuming dairy products etc.

SYMPTOMS:Individuals with brucellosis usually present with fever,chills,weakness,sweats,backache,headache etc.
The individuals experience a fever which peaks in the evening and gradually subsides by morning, thus called undulant fever.

DIAGNOSIS: Is made by blood culture or culture from bone marrow,liver etc.

TREATMENT:1. Doxycycline
2.doxycycline & rifampicin
3.Doxycycline & streptomycin
4.child- trimethoprim-sulphmethoxazole & aminoglycosides.

INDIVIDUALS WHO BELIEVE TO BE AT RISK ,PLEASE DISCUSS THESE ISSUES WITH YOUR DOCTOR.FOR MORE INFORMATION THEY MAY VISIT THE WIKIPEDIA SITEhere

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PRIMARY AMOEBIC ENCEPHALITIS

Today i'll try to post a brief review about primary amoebic encephalitis.
This disease is caused by free living amoebas like Naegeleria fowleri
Acanthameba castellani etc

acute primary amoebic encephalitis is caused by naegeleria species
chronic form is caused by acanthameba.

This disease occurs in the temperate regions of North America & Europe,albeit rare.This disease is usually seen in children swimming in soil contaminated warm water pools.The protozoa enters the body through the nasal cavity and enters directly into the brain through the cribriform plate.

There is haemorrhage and necrosis in brain.

In the acute form death ensues in , less than a week usually.

acanthamoeba causes a subacute,chronic form.

Diagnosis is by demonstration of the free living amoebae in the cerebro-spinal fluid.

TREATMENT:The acute cases are treated with amphotericin B.

please discuss this disease with your health care provider.For further information you may visit medscape sitehere

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OCCUPATIONAL CARCINOGENS

hi friends today i thought of presenting a brief review of occupational carcinogens & occupational cancers . There is a lot to write,I'll try to be as comprehensive as possible.

OCCUPATIONAL CARCINOGEN:ASBESTOS-asbestos mining & milling,construction etc
ARSENIC-metal mining & smelting etc
CADMIUM-battery making,welding etc
BENZENE-chemical,rubber,petroleum industry etc
BENZIDINE DYES-dye & textile etc
BERRYLIUM-aircraft industry.electronics etc
CHROMIUM-pigment,tanning industry etc.

RELATED CANCERS:

ASBESTOS:mesothelioma,lung cancer

ARSENIC: skin,lung,liver cancer

CADMIUM:lung cancer

BENZENE:leukemia

BENZIDINE: urinary bladder cancer

BERRYLIUM: lung cancer

CHROMATE:lung cancer,nasal sinus cancer

please discuss this issue with your doctor. For further information you may visit the CDC sitehere

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MY ENTRECARD FRIENDS

My entrecard friends please don't visit or drop cards on my blog up to 28th of January,2009.As i will be unable to visit your blog up to that time.
I'LL FEEL VERY BAD IF YOU DROP AND I'M UNABLE TO VISIT YOUR BLOG.SORRY

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CONDOLENCES:JOHN TRAVOLTA

MY HEART-FELT CONDOLENCES TO MR. JOHN TRAVOLTA AND HIS FAMILY IN THIS MOMENT OF GRIEF.
WORDS ARE MEANINGLESS IN THESE PERIODS OF GRIEF,JUST UNBREAKABLE SILENCE AND REMEMBERING JETT TRAVOLTA........







the picture was takes from http://www.celebwelove.com/John_Travolta/pics/pic4.html[where it was stated that copyright information not available as of 10/1 /2009]

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DONATE TO WIKIPEDIA

Morning friends,this post does'nt concern with medicine, but a very personal dream of mine.

From the beginning of my study days[i mean higher studies] , i have always cherished the thought that education should be free,available to all.It should not be a domain of a privileged few. During my study days i have taken a lot of help from wikipedia.

SO MY PERSONAL URGE TO ALL MY FRIENDS IS TO DONATE TO WIKIPEDIA.But alas,everybody of us do not have the capacity to donate money,BUT WE ALL HAVE EXPERTISE IN SOME FIELDS, SO I URGE EVERYBODY TO SUBMIT ARTICLES RELATED TO THEIR EXPERTISE,OR EVEN IMPROVE THE ARTICLES BY SUBMITTING RECENT DEVELOPMENTS.

PLEASE CONSIDER MY REQUEST.

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ROLE OF EXERCISE IN OVERCOMING DEPRESSION

Hi friends,today i,ll try to explain the positive effects of exercise on overcoming depression.Depression is perhaps one of the most common problems of the present day society.
There are many sorts of therapies for depression.
But simple exercises like walking,jogging can have a beneficial effect on depression.It alters the level of numerous chemical neurotransmitters in different areas of the brain, thus having a beneficial effect on depression.The altered neurotransmitters are epinephrine,brain derived neurotrophic factor[BDNF]etc,to name a few.
It also alters the activity of parasympathetic system & sympathetic system thus helping in overcoming depression.

Nothing much is required,simple walking,jogging for half an hour or so,will do.My view is Exercise should have an adjunctive role in the treatment of depression along with anti-depressant drugs & other forms of therapy.

Please discuss this issue with your doctor.For further information please visit the MSN health & fitness sitehere

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VITAMIN B12:IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR THE VEGANS

Hi friends,good afternoon ,today i will attempt to post an important information regarding vitamin B12[cobalamin] and it's deficiency in strictly vegetarian diets.
Although almost all the vitamins are present in vegetables and fruits , vitamin B12 is not present in vegetables and fruits.It's only source is non-vegetarian foods like chicken,salmon,tuna,beef,liver etc.

Vitamin B12 is very important for the maintenance of the nerve cells,red blood cells[RBC].It is also important for synthesis of DNA.It,s deficiency may lead to megaloblastic anaemia & neurological disease.

So my opinion for the strict vegans should be to take cereals fortified with vitamin B12 or opt for vitamin B12 supplements.

Please consult this issue with your doctor.For further information you may visit the vegetarian society sitehere

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BODY MASS INDEX

Hi friends,good morning.Today i want to post a brief review on BODY MASS INDEX[BMI]

BODY MASS INDEX is defined as the ratio of the weight in Kgs[kilograms] divided by the square of the height in metres[m x m]

UNDERWEIGHT : BMI less than 19.8

NORMAL WEIGHT: BMI between 19.8 to 26

OVERWEIGHT: BMI between 26 to 29

OBESE: BMI above 29

MORBIDLY OBESE: BMI exceeds 35

[please note that these values may vary slightly from book to book,country to country]

Please consult this issue with your doctor before embarking on any health supplements or weight-reducing formulas.

You may also visit the CDC SITE for further information here

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