Recovery process of osteoporosis patients post hip fracture surgery

February 9, 2010

Osteoporosis is a continuous but slow degradation of bone mass density, affecting millions of individuals worldwide. Later stage progression of the disease often causes bone fractures and even death. The fractures commonly occur in spine, wrist or hip, which can be treated only with surgery and that too, with limited success.

A study conducted in 2000 by the Journal of American Geriatrics Society concluded that individuals suffering from osteoporosis related fracture had 20% chance of dying in the first year. Post-hip surgery, osteoporosis patients need to undertake several precautions based on the surgeons’ preference, surgical techniques adopted and their overall health. Many patients are advised to avoid activities that put a strain on the surgical area.

Post surgery, patients can use crotches. The amount of weight they can bear would depend upon the type of procedure. For procedures using metal plates and pins, the surgeon will recommend only toe touch weight-bearing, meaning no weight bearing on the side where surgery was conducted. Exercises are allowed only on surgeon’s instructions, again, depending on the surgical procedure and the individual’s overall health. Post-discharge, the patient undergoes outpatient therapy followed by evaluation at home.

What is a Yeast Infection and alternative treatment

February 3, 2010

The first phase of yeast infection starts mostly with digestive problems like gas, flatulence and bloating. The symptoms occur during the conversion of the yeast into the fungal form. Candida symptoms can change from superficial infections to chronic skin infections like psoriasis and ultimately become systemic and affect the entire body including the brain.

The health of the immune system is another area on which alternative therapies can be used while treating yeast infections. The allopathic doctor who prescribes anti-fungal conventional drugs also insists that you change over to a natural diet and restrict your sugar and carbohydrate intake to the bare minimum. Unless diet is under control, the possibilities of Candida recurring will always remain. The key to inhibiting Candida is cleaning up the main source of the problem - the digestive system. Avoid constipation. Drink lots of water and good amount of fiber diet. It is better to regulate bowel movements the natural way and take antibiotics only when needed. Garlic is a natural anti-fungal herb that also helps with constipation, blood cleansing, and stimulates the immune system.

Your weapon against Candida is your diet and patience. Candida is tenacious and unyielding.

What Are Kidney Stone? What are Their Types?

January 19, 2010

Kidneys are bean shaped organs that process nearly 200 quarts of blood, excreting wastes and extra water through bladder. Kidney stones are solid pieces of materials that are formed out of waste materials in the urine. This mass begins to develop from crystals, getting separated from urine within urinary tract. Though painful, kidney stones don’t cause permanent damage.

There are four types of kidney stones, all of which are treated differently. The most common is formed from calcium. Unused Calcium combines with other waste products and gets excreted through kidneys. The second type - a struvite stone, forms in kidneys after a urinary tract infection episode. These stones contain magnesium and ammonia. Uric acid stones form in those with high protein diet. People with Gout are also likely to develop uric acid stones.

The last type of kidney stone is rather rare. Cystine stones are made out of cystine which is one of the building blocks of muscle, nerves and other body parts. These disorders are hereditary, causing the kidney to excrete excessive amounts of this amino acid. If you suffer from any of the above mentioned symptoms, check with your physician.

Which Diet Is Best – an Alkaline Diet or an Acidic Diet?

January 13, 2010

Modern day lifestyles that are more inclined towards materialistic gains have led to a situation where spirituality, diet and health are ignored at the cost of making it ‘big’ in life. What we fail to realize at times is that comforts and facilities are relevant and pleasurable only if we are in good health and are able to enjoy them.

However, just because the human body is alkaline, it does not mean that all foods that we intake should be alkaline in nature. Good health basically depends upon striking a healthy balance between the acidity and alkalinity produced in our body.

The human body performs best in an internal environment that as a pH level of 7.39. pH refers to power of hydrogen, which is arrived at by calculating the concentration of hydrogen ions in a solution. It is measured on a scale of 0 to 14.
Generally speaking dairy products, meat, seeds, legumes and nuts leave behind an acidic ash. On the other hand, most fruits and vegetables have an alkaline residue. Citrus fruits are generally understood to be acidic in their natural state but turn alkaline once they have been metabolized.
The acidic fruits included plums, prunes and cranberries as the acids it cannot be metabolized by the human body.

What Are The Side Effects Of Tuberculosis Treatments

November 10, 2009

Tuberculosis is caused due to mycobacterium, which lives in highly oxygenated areas, such as lungs, kidneys, brain and liver. Treatment includes medications such as isoniazid, rifampin, ethambutol, and pyrazinamide. Treating tuberculosis needs antibacterial treatment for six to nine months. Side effects of medications include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, blurred vision or colorblindness, loss of appetite, yellow coloring of skin or eyes, dark urine, fever, rash or itching, tingling or burning in feet or hands, and tiredness without reason.

Latent tuberculosis treatment involves preventive therapy. Research indicates that four month risampin treatment is effective with improved compliance rate and decreased liver risk. Treatment for active tuberculosis involves different medications administered for initial two months and the other two medications administered for last four to six months. Individuals with above mentioned side effects need to consult their physicians at the earliest.

Individuals with multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis cannot be cured by two major tuberculosis drugs on the market today - isoniazid and rifampin. Even with extended treatment, chances of survival of people with such type of tuberculosis are low.

What is Hyperthyroidism, Its Symptoms and Treatment

October 30, 2009

Hyperthyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland produces excess thyroxin. Common symptoms include heart palpitations, arrhythmias, weight loss and difficulty sleeping. Serious symptoms include thyrotoxic crisis, leading to a very rapid pulse, increased fever and delirium. Diagnosis depends on symptoms. Your doctor may prescribe beta blockers or Anti-thyroid medications such as Methimazole and propylthiouracil. Side effects of anti-thyroid medications include itching, rash or fever.

The most widely recommended treatment for hyperthyroidism is radioactive iodine, which can be taken orally. The thyroid absorbs iodine and radioactivity kills the thyroid gland. This process usually takes two months. The downside to this type of treatment is that once the thyroid is killed, you will require hormone replacement for the rest of your life because you no longer have a hormone producing thyroid gland.

Another treatment for hyperthyroidism is surgical removal of part or all of the thyroid gland. The risks carried in this case are damage to nearby vocal cords or parathyroid glands. You may also carry an added risk of infection or other complications associated with surgical procedures. If you suffer from any of the above symptoms, seek help from your physician.

Signs & Symptoms, Diagnosis And Treatment Of Thyroid Nodules

October 28, 2009

The thyroid gland is a butterfly shaped gland located in the neck, containing lumps, known as nodules filled with either solid or fluid. Sometimes malignant, most remain undiscovered, unless they enlarge and the physician detects it during routine physical examination.

Signs and symptoms of thyroid nodule can be detected only after swelling and include rapid growth, noticeably enlarged lymph nodes, and/or hoarseness or dyspnea. Though the causes of thyroid nodule are unclear, genetics, hypothyroidism or inflammation may play a vital role. Thyroid cysts are either benign (most likely fluid-filled) or malignant (most likely solid). Other form of thyroid nodules includes hyper functioning, inflammatory, multinodular goiter, or thyroid cancer. Certain risk factors such as radiation exposure and thyroid condition predispose a person to thyroid nodules.  Also, women are more prone to thyroid nodules.

Complications arising with thyroid nodules include heart difficulties, thyrotoxic crisis and osteoporosis. Diagnosis is done post physical examination and imaging. Additional diagnostic measures involved include ultrasounds, biopsies, and/or thyroid testing. Treatment is conducted after careful and close observation followed by medications such as hormone suppression therapy, surgery and/or radioactive iodine treatments. Check with your physician for treatment.

Treatment Option Available For Sarcoidosis Patients

October 22, 2009

Sarcoidosis is a disease affecting major body organs including heart, lungs and liver. Formation of cell particles known as granulomas is the most prevalent aspect of Sarcoidosis. Though its treatment isn’t usually essential in most cases, it varies based on the person’s requirement.  Medications enhance the risk of developing health problems, thanks to weakened immune system. Surgery only worsens the condition as granulomas form around surgical scars. The main treatment method is corticosteroids, designed to reduce body inflammation and prevent organ damage.

Side effects of corticosteroids include acne, insomnia, weight gain and mood disturbances. Long-term usage may cause symptoms such as diabetes, hypertension, osteoporosis, glaucoma, cataracts, as well as other medical problems.  Other medications used to treat sarcoidosis are immunosuppressants, such as methotrexate, azathioprine, cyclophosphamide, mycophenolate mofetil and antimalarial medications, such as chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine.

Additionally, there are new treatments that are sometimes considered.  Some of these new treatments are tetracyclines, thalidomide’s, etanercept, adalimumab, and pentoxifylline.  Further, depending on which organ is affected other treatment may be more appropriate targeting the specific organ.  Check with your physician for early diagnosis and treatment.

What Is Hyperthyroidism? What Are Its Symptoms And How Could It Be Treated?

October 21, 2009

Hyperthyroidism is a condition caused due to excessive secretion of thyroxin by the thyroid gland. It causes severe acceleration of the body’s metabolism. Diagnosis is difficult as it mimics other ailments. Symptoms include sudden weight loss without appetite change, rapid heart rate, increased nervousness, anxiety attacks, increased heat intolerance, excessive sweating, trembling hands and sleep disorders.

One of the causes of Hyperthyroidism is “Graves” disease where the body’s antibodies stimulate thyroid gland to secrete excess thyroxin. The other cause is thyroid gland inflammation. Symptoms are checked with a simple blood test to check the thyroid gland size. If the doctor suspects hyperthyroidism, additional tests may be conducted. Radioactive iodine test or thyroid scan may also be undertaken.

If left untreated, hyperthyroidism causes serious complications such as heart problems, brittle bones, red, swollen skin and even “thyrotoxic” which can cause fever, rapid pulse and delirium. Seek instant medical attention for such conditions. Treatment includes radioactive iodine intake, anti-thyroid and/ or beta blocker medications and thyroidectomy - a surgery to remove the thyroid gland. Surgery may damage vocal cords and parathyroid glands. Visit your physician post-treatment.

How Does Mycobacterium Tuberculosis spread?

October 14, 2009

Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the leading cause of death due to bacterial infection, affecting one third of world’s population each year. With 13,293 cases in 2007, it’s on the decline. The bacterial agent that causes tuberculosis in humans is mycobacterium.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis passes from one person to another via droplets of infected cough, sneeze, saliva or mucus. As soon as the bacterium reaches the lungs, they get transmitted to the lymphatic system, spreading to other organs. The bacteria multiply in high oxygen pressure area, like upper lobes of lungs, kidneys, bone marrows and brain. People with HIV or AIDS carry a high risk of suffering from the disease.

The best way to control mycobacterium tuberculosis is to diagnose and treat the infection early. Preventive measures include maintaining a healthy immune system, undergoing regular medical checkups, taking preventative measures and completing the medication course. Wear face masks in the first three weeks of treatment so as to prevent the risk of transmitting it to others. If you suffer from any of the above symptoms, check with your physician.

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