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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alcohol:it's effect on heart

hi,everybody.My today's topic is alcohol's effect on heart.It has almost taken the proportion of a myth that alcohol is beneficial to the heart.Yes it's partially true.When alcohol intake is limited to 1-2 drinks it has a beneficial effect on coronary heart disease[myocardial infarction etc].But then why don't we prescribe alcohol for it's prevention.Because ,leave aside other systems of the body alcohol also has many deleterious effects on heart,namely

1.Hypertension

2.conduction disturbance of the heart[atrial flutter,atrial fibrillation,supraventricular arrythmia etc]

3.alcoholic cardiomyopathy

4.heart failure

I want to give some information about alcoholic cardiomyopathy.It is a condition where there is increased muscle mass of the heart associated with global reduction of function of the heart.The heart is enlarged.There is both systolic and diastolic dysfunction of the heart.The patient may present with chest pain,heart failure[breathlessness etc.],conduction disturbance even with sudden death.Echocardiography is the best initial screening test.

Now coming to other systems of the body.Alcohol causes a myriads of disease.To name a few cirrhosis,gastritis.Even it has been linked to the etiology of certain cancers[esophageal,gastric]

So my point of view is if alcohol intake can be limited to 1-2 drinks per day,it's ok.But can everybody of us do that,it's up to you to decide.
Please discuss this issue with your doctor,take his/her point of view.

Any querries on this issue feel free to ask me.good night.

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