IMPORTANT MEDICAL BITS

SOME USEFUL BITS

1.WARFARIN PREVENTS CANCER

Recent research has proved that the anticoagulant warfarin which is used for cardiovascular problems such as arrhythmias, stroke, and heart attacks can also be used to prevent the formation of cancer cells. This is acted by blocking AXL receptor tyrosine kinase and thereby inhibiting a vitamin-K dependant protein known as G.A.S-6.   This G.A.S-6 is a Growth Stop (or suppress) Specific gene coding protein. It is a gamma-carboxy glutamic acid domain-containing protein. Warfarin inhibits this gene coding protein and thereby blocking the spreading of cancer cells.

2.CREATININE

Creatinine is a metabolic waste of an amino acid called creatine. Low creatinine level is a matter of concern. Creatine is an amino acid formed from the body muscle and from the food. The body uses creatine as energy. Decreased creatinine levels in the blood indicate muscle weakness, underweight, and liver problems. But a decreased level of blood-creatinine is normal in the older age and lean body.

3.SUGAR DRINKS

Doctors warn that just two sugary drinks per week may considerably increase blood sugar to a level of concern.

4. TEEN MOTHERS AT RISK 

The American Heart Association in their journal has published an article. In that article, they said that women who become mothers for the first time at their teenage are at higher risks of getting heart diseases. But there are fewer risks if a woman attains their first motherhood at normal old age.

5.DIABETIC ITCHING

It is not necessarily only diabetes may cause itching. There may be other reasons but diabetes can surely produce severe itching particularly on hands and feet.

The main reason is high blood glucose levels will damage peripheral nerves which leads to diabetic polyneuropathy. Before the nerve damage occurs there are high secretions of cytokines which are inflammatory substances will lead to itching and reddening of the skin particularly at hands and feet

6.ANTIBIOTIC DANGERS

A piece of recent research information has warned that there are wrong uses of antibiotics that are rising to dangerous levels. Because of this even a powerful antibiotic like colistin becomes resisted by most of the gram-negative bacteria. India tops first in the consumption of antibiotics followed by China and the U.S.

7. SOYBEANS INCREASES THE RISK OF ADVANCED PROSTATE CANCER

 Eating soy meal is a favorite regular food but it looks not good for men. According to recent research the components of the soy known as Isoflavones produce advanced prostate cancer. These isoflavones are estrogen-like compounds. Hence they may produce negative effects on men.

8.HARD AND BRISK WALKING - GOOD FOR AGED WOMEN

 Women who took hard exercises such as brisk walking may increase their life span more when compared with those who are not so active. A U.S.research team has found out that.

9.BLOOD FLOW AND MEMORY POWER

A study led by researchers of Vanderbilt University, in Nashville, Tennesee has shown that older adults with low blood flow from the heart are tied to reduced brain blood flow which will affect their memory power. 

10. INSOMNIA IDENTITY MAY HARMS MORE THAN INSOMNIA

Recent sleep research by the psychiatrist Kenneth Lichstein, professor of psychology at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa reveals that worrying insomnia dos more harmful effects to the body than insomnia itself. Hence do not worry about insomnia. Take it sportively.

SOME FACTS ON ALCOHOL

ALCOHOL-SOME FACTS

Let us see how our body handles alcohol soon after its consumption.

Immediately after consumption alcohol passes through the liver as the first pass to be metabolized.

The liver can metabolize one ounce of alcohol per hour

After consumption alcohol can remain in the blood for several hours and in the urine for several days 

After consumption, approximately 20% of alcohol is absorbed by the stomach and the remaining 80% absorbed by the small intestine

Any remainder portion left is excreted out by saliva, sweat, and urine.

After absorption into the bloodstream alcohol goes to the liver. The liver produces enzymes to process alcohol.

But if someone is drinking alcohol rapidly the liver cannot process all alcohol and hence some alcohol may remain in the body without metabolized.

The total amount of unprocessed alcohol remained in the blood is known as Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC)

The higher the BAC the more pronounced effects as follows.

Pronounced Alcoholic Effects

1.Reduced Inhibitions

2.Damaged Memory

3.Slurred Speach

4.Confusion

5.Difficult concentration

6.Respiratory depression

7.Vomiting

8. Impaired Balance and Coordination

9.Irritability

Age

Age influences the alcoholic usage by retaining alcohol longer time in the liver in old aged people.
The reasons are probably due to the slow blood flow in the old aged people and may be due to the intake of more medicines in old age which may interfere with the alcoholic metabolism in the liver.
As the liver process the alcohol at a smaller rate which increases the amount of unprocessed alcohol absorbed in the body.

Sex

Though it is not common to all, alcohol remains a long time in women's body than men's because the body of women have more fat and lesser water than the body of men.

Race

Some East Asian Race people lack the enzyme necessary to break down the alcohol molecule which leads to facial flushing, nausea, dizziness, tachycardia, and headache.

Family History 

Even though gene alone may not influence alcohol individual consumption but researches have shown that gene along with the environment may affect the alcohol handling of the body.

Body Mass Index

Similar to other drugs alcoholic metabolism may be influenced by body size

A person with a lean body or smaller BMW will have a sooner effect than the person with a larger BMW.

Medicines That Influence Liver Processing Of Alcohol

Medicines that can influence alcohol metabolism are as follows:-

1.Anxiolytics like benzodiazepines, barbiturates, meprobamate

2.Antidepressants such as amitriptyline

3.Antibiotics

4.Antihistamines

5.Antidiabetic drugs

How long does the alcohol stay in the system 

1.Blood

Measurement of BAC is one of the techniques to determine how long alcohol stays in the body.

In general alcohol is eliminated 0.015 per hour. For example if a person has a BAC of 0.08 which may be illegal to drive, it will take around 5.5 hours to flush out the alcohol from his body.

It is important to note that since alcohol is absorbed by the stomach also a person who drinks alcohol in a larger amount in an empty stomach may take even more than 24 hours to flush out the alcohol from his body.

2.Urine

The latest and more sensitive urine tests have proved that alcohol can be present in the urine up to 80 hours or up to 3 to 4 days after the last drink.

3.Breath

The most sensitive tests have proved that alcohol can be present in the breath up to 24 hours after the last drink.

4.Hair

Hair tests have proved that alcohol can be detected in the hair up to 90 days after last drink

5.Saliva

Tests have proved that traces of alcohol can be detected in the saliva up to 24 hours after the last drink.

6.Breast Milk

It is proved that alcohol is present in the breast milk as long as its presence in the blood. When it leaves from the blood automatically it would leave from the milk, hence it is not necessary to pump the milk from the breast to clear alcohol.

Long term effects of Drinking

Heavy drunkards may have the following risks

1.Cancer of the mouth, throat, and breast

2.Stroke

3.Heart problems

4.Liver damage

5.Nervous and brain damages

Conclusion 

Alcohol becomes a social drink in parties and in recreation clubs.

Frequent social drinking habit is risky. If anyone feels he drinks alcohol frequently to become a stage of heavy drink without control should speak with their doctor.

 

APLASTIC ANEMIA

This article is dedicated to giving full study regarding aplastic anemia.

Aplastic anemia is a rare syndrome but is a serious one

Usually anemias are of many types in which there is a reduced volume of blood with its total contents or reduced count of the RBCs or Red Blood Cells.

But in aplastic anemia even if there is the correct volume of blood is present but there are reduced count of red cells,white cells and platelets

Platelets are fragments of blood cells that help the blood to clot at the site of cuts or wounds and stop to bleed further.

If there is insufficient count of platelets then internal bleeding occur which may be superficial under the skin to form red patches and blisters under the skin. This may cause scratching and itching sense which may be wrongly diagnosed as microbial or fungal infections

Aplastic anemia occurs mainly due to damaged or inactive bone marrow

Bone marrow is a spongy soft tissue that develops to form stem cells. The stem cells further mature into various blood cells and release them into the bloodstream.

Normally our blood count of platelets is from 150,000 to 450,000 per microliter of the blood. The lifespan of the platelets is around ten days.

If the bone marrow does not produce sufficient platelets within this lifetime then aplastic anemia occur.

Causes

Bone Marrow can be damaged or improperly work due to many reasons as follows:

1.Radio and Chemotherapies

2.AIDS

3.Viral diseases

4.Pregnancy

5. Fanconi anemia is common inherited anemia may cause aplastic anemia by damaging bonemarrow

6. Iron deficiency anemia may oo cause itchy skin which can be wrongly diagnosed as aplastic anemia

Symptoms

1.Itchy skin

2.Bleeding nose and Gums

3.Blood in the stool

4. Retinal bleeding leads to vision problems.

5.Over menstrual bleedings

6.fatigue

7.Nausea

6.Shortness of breath

7.Irregular heartbeats

8.Pale skin

9.Unexplained or easy bruising

10.Dizziness

11.Headache

The following symptoms may be due to lack of RBCs in the blood:-

1.Weakness

2.Tiredness

3.Shortness of breath

4.Lightheadedness

5.Palpitations

6.Cold hands and feet

7.Chest pain

Aplastic anemia can cause serious and frequent infections due to the lack of WBCs

Diagnoses

Medical Histories 

1.Exposure to toxins, radiations or other harmful environments

2. Cancer treatments with radio and chemotherapies

3.History of certain infectious diseases or autoimmune disorders

3.Infected or inherited conditions

A doctor's diagnosis may involve internal bleedings under the skin and may examine the stomach for the enlargement of the spleen

4. Blood total count and RBC count should be a part of diagnosis as they may show the entire picture of the blood cells.

Fewer than 150000 per microliter of the platelet counts may be considered as serious.

Treatments

Aplastic anemia can be classified as nonsevere, severe, and more severe determined by the blood cell count. The very low count indicates the severity of the condition.

The treatment may include,

1.Blood transfusion

2.Blood and bone marrow stem cell transplant

3.Medical therapy

Medicines may be used to attain the following stages

1.Bone marrow stimulation

2.Autoimmunity suppression

3.Prevent and treat infections

Outlook

Aplastic anemia causing rashes are rare but serious

If left untreated the condition gets worsen overtime

Medications

The following medications are useful in the treatment of Aplastic anemia but subjected to the diagnostic conditions from mild to moderate and under doctor's supervisions

1.Filgrastim Injections (Brand: Neupogen)

2.Sargramostim Injections Intradermal (Brand: Liukin)

3.Antithymocyte Globulin Intravenous shots (Brand: Agam)

AGRANULOCYTOSIS

AGRANULOCYTOSIS

When the body is unable to produce granulocytes a type of WBCs the condition is known as agranulocytosis.

The condition is very serious as WBCs are a crucial part of our body's immune system and the insufficiency in their production leads to an impairment of the body's resistance to serious infections.

Granulocytes also are known as neutrophils are the major portion of the total count of WBCs such as 80%. This forms the main part of the WBCs immune power as it contains enzymes that kill the invading bacterias.

Hence without sufficient neutrophils our body cannot fight against various infecting bacterias and remove unwanted foreign bodies that cause infections.

Symptoms

Symptoms are generally as follows

1.Fever

2.Chills

3.Drop-in B.P.

4.soreness in throat and mouth

5.Tiredness and weakness due to low B.P.

6.Headaches

7. sweating 

8. Swollen glands

If the symptoms are left untreated they may spread throughout the body and blood leads to a condition known as sepsis

The symptoms of sepsis include rapid heartbeat, fast breathing, and a change in mental status.

Causes and Risk Factors

Agranulocytosis is usually acquired by some causatives but rarely it is provided from birth.

1.Chemotherapy

2.Bonemarrow transplant

3.Autoimmune disorder

4.Bone marrow disease and leukemia

5.HIV infections

6.Taking certain medicines such as Clozapine

7.Antithyroid drugs

Diagnosis

The doctor can diagnose the disease by a simple WBC differential count and an Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC) tests

If the test results yield a poor count of neutrophils then it may be agranulocytosis.

The normal count of Neutrophils (ANC) is 1500 per microliters of the blood

If it is less than 1500 and more than 100 then the conditions are known as granulocytopenia or neutropenia which also causes immunity impairment of the body.

The doctors also diagnose with by simple physical exam and a bone marrow test and a genetic test to find out the exact causes for this condition.

Treatments

1.By stopping the causative medications such as antithyroid drugs such as propylthiouracil and may be advised to take alternate drugs by doctor's advice.

2. Antibiotics, Antiviral or antifungals may be prescribed to neutralize the respective infections infections

3. ByInjecting Granulocyte Colony Stimulating factor G-CSF to stimulate bone marrow to produce more WBCs.
This therapy is more useful in patients who receive anti-cancer drugs
There are three types of G-CSFs such as Filgrastim,Pegfilgrastim,and Lenograstim.
4. Immune suppressing medicines such as some steroids can be used to preserve the production of WBCs
5.Granulocyte infusion

Prevention

1. Avoid crowds

2. Avoid cut flowers

3. Avoid eating fruits that cannot be peeled or cleaned
4. Avoid close contacts with pet animals
5. Do not eat undercooked or raw foods
6.Maintain personal hygiene

வெள்ளை அணு குறைபாடு நோய்

 

நமது உடலிலுள்ள இரத்தத்தில் வெள்ளை அணுக்கள் தான் நமது நோய் எதிர்ப்பு சக்தியை நிர்ணயிக்கின்றன 

வெள்ளை அணுக்களில் பிரதானமானது நியூட்ரோபில் அல்லது granulocytes என்ற அணுக்கள் தான்.இவை பொதுவாக 80% இருக்கும் பொதுவாக வெள்ளை அணுக்கள் என்றாலே இவற்றைத்தான் குறிக்கும் இந்த அணுக்கள் குறைவாக இருந்தால் அப்பத்தான் தோற்று நோய்க்களுக்கு நம் உடல் ஆளாக நேரிடும்.இந்த நிலைக்கு sepsis என்று பெயர்.

அறிகுறிகள் 

1.காய்ச்சல் 

2.குளிர் 

3.குறை ரத்த அழுத்தம் 

4. களைப்பு 

5.தொண்டை புகைச்சல் 

6.தலை வலி 

7.வியர்த்தல் 

8.சுரப்பிகள் வீக்கம் 

காரணிகள் 

1.மருந்துகள் 

2.எலும்பு மஜ்ஜை மாற்று சிகிச்சை
3.எயிட்ஸ்
4.க்ளோசப்பின் மற்றும் தைராயிட் எதிர்ப்பு மருந்துகள்

பரிசோதனைகள் 

1.இரத்த வெள்ளை அணுக்கள் Differantial  Count (DC )

2.தனி நியூட்ரோபில் அணு டெஸ்ட் (சாதாரணமாக 1500/mcL )

3.எலும்பு மஜ்ஜை டெஸ்ட் 

மருத்துவம் 

1.காரணி மருந்துகளை நிறுத்துதல் 

2.ஆண்டிபையாட்டிக்குகள் 

3.Granulocyte Coloney Stimulating Factor GCS -F ஊசி மூலம் எடுத்துக்கொள்ளுதல் 

PHEOCHROMOCYTOMA

PHEOCHROMOCYTOMA

Pheochromocytoma is a pathological condition in which there are benign tumor developments in or outside adrenal glands either one or both. Even though the condition is rare and asymptomatic at the beginning if left untreated it may produce serious effects including death.

Pathophysiologically the tumors are formed from the chromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla either by mechanical over-stimulation such as frequent stress, anxiety, and tension or due to some pathological conditions.

Pathologically the tumors may stimulate overproduction of catecholamines such as adrenaline and noradrenaline which in turn produce high blood pressure, tachyarrhythmia, stress and other serious cardio and pulmonary vascular effects.

As the produced catecholamines by the tumor are usually metabolised within the chromaffin itself a test for the metabolites may give us a positive result rather than testing for the parent compounds.

Adrenalin is metabolized to metanephrine and noradrenaline to normetanephrine.
Adrenal glands are a pair of small pea-shaped endocrines or ductless glands each one situated at the top of the two kidneys on either sides. They produce important hormones like adrenaline, noradrenaline, and steroid-like hydrocortisone and cortisol.
Adrenal hormones help balance body functions such as
1.Heart Rate
2.Blood Pressure
3.Metabolism
4.Blood Glucose
5.Stress
6.Immunity

Symptoms

1)Skin reactions

2)Elevated heart rate

3.Elevated B.P.

4)Panic and anxiety

5)High sweating

6)Head pain

7) Pallor 

8)Weight Loss

9)Elevated Glucose Level due to lipolysis

The main cause of the disease is genetic.
10.Elevated sweating
11)Tremor
12)Sudden Headaches

Diagnoses

1)By direct measurements of catecholamines in blood plasma or in a 24-hour collection of urine

2)CT or MRI scans of the head, neck, chest, and abdomen. This can help to localize the tumor

Treatments

1. The best treatment is to remove the tumors

this requires a non invasive laparoscopic surgeries with small short recovery incisions.

2. In case if the tumor cannot be removed the doctor may remove the entire affected gland as one gland is sufficient for body control.

3. In rare cases if both the glands are completely affected then complications begin as both the glands are to be removed and the patient should be subjected to have entire hormone replacement therapy.

ERECTILE DYSFUNTIONS(ED)-CAUSES-SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENTS

ERECTILE DYSFUCTION-THERAPIES

Erectile Dysfunction (ED) is a form of sexual impotency that occurs when a man cannot attain a perfect erection sufficiently enough time to perform intercourse to satisfy his partner.

It often ends with depression and an unsatisfied relationship between the couple.

ED cannot be considered to be a disease unless it is not associated with a pathological or physiological defect.

Stress and mental depression can play important roles in affecting a person's sexual performances.

Age is another factor that plays an important role in sexual performance. Men over 75 years are reported more as having erectile disorder according to American Acadamy Of Family Physicians(AAFP). However, men can also have ED at younger ages too.

Nitric oxide produced in the body as a by-product of protein metabolism plays an important role in performing penile erection.

Nitric oxide production from the amino acid L-arginine is a complex process by the group of enzyme nitric oxide synthase.

Nitric oxide has many neuronal functions one of them is vasodilation. Through this effect it dilates the blood vessels of the muscular system of the penis known as corpus cavernosum,to get more blood supply. The corpus cavernosum relaxes leads penile erection.

If the above Nitric Oxide passage disturbed by any means then the penile erection will be disturbed.

There are many prescribed medicines available with some naturally available herbal medicines in the market. Among the natural herbal medicines Red Ginseng occupies an important place.

Red ginseng technically known as Panax ginseng is a Korean herbal remedy for ED.

But this is a traditional older form of remedy practiced in Korea and China. The plant takes at least six years to attain maturity for harvesting.

Red ginseng is available in medical practice in powder, capsule,and syrup formulations.

The main active ingredient in this herb is a glycoside known as Ginsenoside which is responsible for various biological benefits of Ginseng.

Researches still cannot come to a clear understanding of the mechanism of action of these herbal remedies.

In 2008 various study results have been published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology which revealed that six of the studies proved that ginseng consumption improves sexual activities and penile erection by an unknown mechanism on the comparison. But all the studies could never come to a clear conclusion regarding the definite mechanism of action of ginseng to cure ED.

Other generic medication for ED.

There are a number of medications in generic forms have been invented for ED therapy.

They are sildenafil(Viagra by Pfizer), tadalafil(Cialis by Eli Lilly), vardenafil (Levitra by Bayer), and so on. All these drugs work by the route of nitric oxide pathway to improve penile erections

SIDE EFFECTS OF GINSENG

1.Insomnia

2.Headaches

3.Stomach upset

4.Constipation

Other Herbal Remedies For ED

1.Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA):-

A supplement of this hormone is available with the dosage forms of 75 mg but should be consulted with the doctor.

It is assumed that DHEA works through the stress hormone Adrenaline which helps the body to produce various hormones to improve the body, sexual abilities.

2.Horney Goat Weed (Epimedium)

Chinese herbal medicine which the doctors believe that can cure various sexual dysfunctions including ED.

3.Ginko

Ginkgo Biloba is herbal medicine is believed to be correcting the ED by dilating the blood vessels of corpus cavernosum.

EYE CARE-CONTACT LENSES

SOME IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF CONTACT LENSES

 

Wearing the contact lenses verily depends on sufficient tear production by the eyes. Dry eye condition makes difficulty and insufficiency in contact lenses wearing.

Indications

1.Protrusion of or extension of the central part of the cornea beyond the limit. (Cornea-the pupil cap).This condition is known as Keratoconus

2.Absence of eye lens. The condition is known as Aphakia

3.Visual blurring

4. Nearsightedness is known as Myopia

5.Distant sightedness known as Hyperopia

6.Improper focus of light rays known as Astigmatism

7.Improper accommodation and no flexibility of lens known as Presbyopia

8. One eye is having near vision while the other is having a far vision. The condition is known as Monovision.

Contra-Indications

1. Work requires high exposure to dust.

2. Exposure to high winds

3.Exposure to high smoke.

4.Chronic conjunctivitis

5.Chronic blepharitis

6.Recurring infections

Precautions

Caution should be exercised by patients who suffers and possibilities of changes in eye conditions as follows:-

1.Epilepsy

2.High B.P. which may damage retina

3.Cardiac diseases.

4.Diabetes Mellitus which causes outgrowth of  vessels in the iris and  the eye's anterior chamber.

5. Taking oral contraceptives as regular consumption may alter the optical physiology. These changes are corneal sensitivity elevation, color changes, decreased visual acuity.

Types of Contact Lenses

1. There are some contact lenses made of polymethylmethacrylate(PMMA). These are rigid and water-resistant. These are Hard Glasses commercially known as Lucite or Plexiglas.

These hard lenses are having major advantages are their cost effects when compared with soft lenses and they can be easily marked to identify for the left or right eye.

The disadvantages also like minimum wettability,and limited oxygen permeability. Because of the hardness which does not permit sufficient oxygen and moisture it is difficult for the individual to adapt with it for a longer time.

2. Soft Lenses are made out of glasses that are flexible, and oxygen and water permeable.

These are easy to use,more comfortable to wear, and more difficult to dislocate from the position.

There are disadvantages like they are prone to absorb harmful chemicals,high costs,very easily deteriorate from storage,and altered visual acuity due to hydration of the lens.

Patients wearing soft lenses can use a few drops of rewetting agents. At the same time they should avoid other ophthalmic agents.

3. There are other types of lenses such as Gas Permeable Lenses. These are soft lenses contains PMMA. Hence they permit only oxygen but resist water.

They have the advantages over the hard lenses by their comfortability,and increased visual acuity.

Also they have the advantage over the soft lenses by their impermeability to resist chemicals.

The disadvantage of the gas permeable lenses is the accumulation of proteins and lipid deposits as they are moisture resistant.

Toxic Effects

Corneal edema due to improper oxygenation of the eye.

Medication can affect the eyes and potentiate the problems.

e.g.Oral contraceptives.

      Decongestants

      Antihistamines

      Tricyclic Antidepressants such as amitriptyline,imipramine etc

      Diuretics

Lens Care

Hard lenses are cleaned to remove oil,dust, and debris,followed by soaking in a storage solution,wetting to retain its hydrophilic surface,and rewetting.

Soft lenses are cleaned by surface-active or enzymatic cleaners,followed by disinfectants thermally or chemically. Finally rewet them.

Gas permeable lenses are cared for by cleaning,wetting, and soaking. Some are containing more silicone agents, requiring conditioning solutions that are made especially for rewetting purposes.

Solutions Recipe

Cleaning Products generally contain non ionic or amphoteric surfactants,which remove mucus,lipids,and proteins from the lens. Contact lenses should be rinsed following the cleaning steps to prevent eye irritations

Wetting Solutions are applied directly into the lens before inserting the lens into the eyes. Wetting solutions are intended to lubricate,decrease lens surface tension,and change the lens surface from hydrophobic to hydrophilic.

Wetting and Soaking solutions are meant for creating an aseptic environment and to hydrate the lens.

Preservatives

1.Benzalkonium chloride,

2. Thimerosal,this may produce more irritating episodes.

3.Phenylmercuric nitrate,

4.Sorbic acid,

5.Sodium edetate.