Chicken Pox - An Unassuming Threat to Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a significant biological experience that some people wait their whole lives to encounter. There is nothing quite like it. And with the actual process it undertakes, it’s not surprising why pregnancy is regarded by some as a miracle. However, there are common diseases that endanger pregnancy. Though usually non life-threatening to the individual affected, these diseases have a big impact on the life and health of the unborn child.

Chicken pox, otherwise known as varicella, is a mild, air-borne infection usually manifests itself during childhood. However, there are certain instances when adults are also victimized by this condition.

Chicken pox begins with the appearance of rashes in particular parts of the body. After a few days, it spreads, leaving the person covered with itchy blisters. Though inconvenient and bothersome, chicken pox in adults shouldn’t cause any alarm. Viral infections are usually self-limiting and will only merit symptomatic treatment. But, it is a completely different story when pregnancy is involved.

If you get chicken pox while child-bearing, immediately consult your obstetrician. She is the foremost authority in handling such cases. She will know if there are certain treatments to be applied and issues to anticipate. It might be quite distressing, but parents should prepare themselves for the outcomes.

The effects of chicken pox on the baby may vary according to the age of gestation. Usually, what is most disconcerting is if the mother is infected during the first trimester. Since the baby is still forming, the varicella virus can interrupt the natural process of things. And as such, the child may suffer congenital varicella and be born with health disorders as well as physical deformities. This may involve having a low birth weight and getting a small head, skin scarring, deformed and paralyzed limbs, and eye complications. The impact of the infection is less during the second trimester. However, the threat resurfaces by the third trimester, as the baby may suffer from mental retardation upon exposure to the varicella virus.

Chicken pox is just one of the unassuming menaces of pregnancy. There are still a number of illnesses out there that can cause great harm to babies. Sometimes, it is the foreign microorganism that causes the damage. Sometimes, it is the body’s immune system. Whichever the case may be, the fact remains that the child inside the womb is to pay the price. So mothers should really be careful about their health.

What You Need to Know About Dengue

Dengue fever is making its rounds again not only in the Philippines but in other countries as well. Reports have revealed of dengue outbreaks in Argentina, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Columbia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Peru, Puerto Rico, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela and along the Gulf Coastal states in the US. If anything, this disease is not only epidemic, but pandemic as well.

Davao, a city located in the Philippines, is currently reported to have accumulated more than a thousand cases of dengue since January this year. Though this statistics is clearly alarming, Honduras has experienced 22,000 dengue infection cases this year and 22 people from the country had already died form the disease.

Dengue fever is a disease caused and spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. Its signs and symptoms are often times similar to that of flu. However, it effects are more detrimental. This viral disease, which is more common in tropical regions, causes increased vascular permeability that later leads to bleeding diathesis or disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). DIC is also known as dengue hemorrhagic fever and is actually very fatal.

Dengue fever is considered potentially life threatening. However, it is not always dangerous. When noticed and diagnosed early, prolonged hospitalization and death can be prevented. Dengue’s treatment involves the basic treatment procedures usually done for curing regular fever. Wet pads and cold compress may be applied to reduce body temperature and antidotes may be administered if necessary. Other ways to help cope with dengue fever include maintaining water balance of the body as well as controlling the patient’s blood pressure.

Nevertheless, prevention is still better than cure. Thus, the best method to prevent dengue is to get rid of mosquito infestation. This means getting away with potential mosquito habitats which include man-made containers such as metal drums, earthenware jars, flower vases, and other water storage jars. Other dengue preventive measures include proper waste disposal as well as developing and practicing proper water storage practices. Covering water containers and potential water holders also help prevent dengue cases. Applying mosquito repellants also help protecting you and your family against dengue.

Smoking: More than just a Habit

Smoking, today, has been transformed from a personal habit to a social practice, and without exaggeration, to a social illness, as its scope of negative influence continues to grow. According to the world population statistics, as of 2009, there were already about 6.8 billion people who smoked - this is roughly 20% of the whole human population. Among these include 25% of American teens and 21% of American adults. Now this is very alarming considering that 1,000 new cases of smokers are recorded daily in the United States alone. If this continues, it will not be surprising if the figures balloon in the coming years, with the inclusion of incidences of smoking-borne diseases and deaths. As of the moment, smoking kills one out of ten people. In the future it will surely kill 6.

Smoking currently accounts for 4 million deaths and 41 health problems, most of which are debilitating and detrimental to the quality of one’s life. These are as follows:

• Cancer of the mouth
• Cancer of the throat
• Cancer of the esophagus
• Cancer of the larynx
• Lung cancer
• Stomach cancer
• Liver cancer
• Kidney cancer
• Cancer of the bladder
• Pancreatic cancer
• Cervical cancer
• Prostate cancer
• Cancer of the penis
• Cancer of the anus
• Cardiovascular disease
• Coronary heart disease
• Congestive heart failure
• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Peripheral artery disease
• Ischaemic heart disease
• Angina
• Atherosclerosis
• Abdominal aortic aneurysm
• High blood pressure
• Leukaemia
• Emphysema
• Chronic bronchitis
• Pneumonia
• Asthma
• Diabetes
• Stomach ulcers
• Crohn’s disease
• Cataracts
• Gum disease
• Premature aging of the skin
• Loss of smell and taste
• Osteoporosis (women)
• Gangrene
• Reduced fertility
• Impotence

If people do not stop, they will eventually suffer these consequences and live a very short and complicated life. But how is it that smoking is such a difficult practice to beat? How come people find it so challenging to quit and even prefer to forgo their health for a stick?
Well, smoking contains nicotine, which can be very addictive. It influences the nervous system, helping smokers relax and feel good with every whiff. The more cigarettes they consume, the higher the level of nicotine in the blood stream gets and the more pleasurable the feeling is. But as this exposure is prolonged, nicotine effects become duller. Hence, more and more sticks are required to be lit in order for a person to achieve that elating feeling again. Moreover, a psychological factor is also at work with smoking. People become dependent on it, to the point they consider themselves powerless. This is the reason why there are those who experience rebound smoking after quitting for so long. A “need” resurfaces from their subconscious that insists on being satisfied.

Hence, it is understandable why smoking is now considered, partly, an illness itself. Unlike a habit which you can control and stop anytime, smoking takes over you and causes you an assortment of harm.

Getting To Know Renal Diseases

Are you having problems with micturation? Is your urine of a different color, smell and amount? Do you feel consistent, radiating pain on your back? Well, I don’t want to scare you or anything, but you might want to visit a doctor as soon as possible and take some diagnostic exams. For all you know, you might already be suffering from a kidney disease.

The kidney is a vital part of the body. And aside from the heart; it is probably one of the most hardworking too. It filters about 5 to 6 liters of blood constantly for 24 hours. When we are resting, it functions with same consistency as when we are active; ensuring that we that have properly balanced fluids and electrolytes. In addition, the kidneys serve as the body’s strain, ridding it of excess and unhealthy substances. They control the byproducts of metabolism and consumption, segregating those that are needed from those that are not, and removing those deemed unimportant through urine. Now, aside from toxins, the kidneys also help regulate the amount of free radicals in our system in order to preserve the integrity of our body. In large amounts, free radicals can disturb normal processes and destroy cells.

So, in a nutshell, the kidneys play a major role in maintaining our health. Once they become dysfunctional, (particularly the nephrons, which are its functional structures) toxins, acids, free radicals and excess fluids and electrolytes will build up inside us and cause our physiology to go haywire. Unadjusted amounts of fluids will result to abnormal fluid shifting (edema, pleural effusion) and cardiac overload. Non-proportional levels of sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium and other electrolytes will produce neurologic, muscular and circulatory abnormalities.

Kidney diseases are categorized into two major types {acute and chronic); the first often involving sudden injury to the kidneys as in a car accident and the second, pertaining to progressive degradation of renal function, caused by infection or an unhealthy lifestyle (excessive smoking, drinking, consumption of salty foods). Though these two have different onsets, they are equally detrimental to the health and should be immediately addressed. Death is eminent for people who do not take renal disease seriously. Again, the kidneys play a major role in sustaining our overall well-being. So one must be adamant in preserving them.

The Truth About Colon Cancer

Colorectal is a cancerous condition wherein the organs of the digestive system and the rectum are affected. The primary digestive organs include the large intestinal tract and the colon hence the term colorectal was coined.

Statistics show that there are about 145,000 people who are being diagnosed with the symptoms related to colon cancer. Symptoms such as severe pain in the abdominal region, presence of blood during bowel movements, loss of appetite, diarrhea and prolonged constipation can be associated with the disease. While these may not be considered as inclusive symptoms for colon cancer, they may be signs for some serious health conditions and must be treated right away.

With the application of the latest technology, doctors are using various methods in diagnosing colorectal cancer. The whole screening procedure usually includes the series of tests. This includes the rectum exam which will determine the presence of lumps or growths then followed by the fecal examination. The stool will be analyzed for any further abnormalities. Once abnormalities are detected, the patient usually undergoes Ultrasounds, Colonoscopy, or MRI’s. A biopsy will be considered once there are abnormalities detected along the process.

The most common treatment available for colorectal cancer is the surgery wherein infected portions of the intestines are completely removed. Depending on the kind of treatment designed by the doctor, treatment can either be intrusive or non-intrusive. In some severe cases, colostomy is often considered wherein a stoma is inserted and the waste products of the body are passed through the bag and discarded.

For non-intrusive treatments, chemotherapy, Electrofulgeration, or Immunotherapy are considered as an option for the patients. But like any other medical procedures, the doctors need to discuss each of them with the patient for this may cause some side effects.

Even though the sickness can attack people at a certain age, 50 up for instance, it may be best that people will learn how to take care of oneself before any sickness will strike them. Always remember that prevention is always better than cure.

Bizarre Disorder: Couvade Syndrome

I always love reading about bizarre occurrences and I’m very much interested in the area of medical or mental disorders. As I was exploring the internet, I found this very odd disorder. Its name was Couvade syndrome. This medical phenomenon iss probably one of the most bizarre cultural disorders today that I’ve read. The term “couvade” was derived from the early French word “couver” or to brood. As such, it pertains to a medical or mental disorder involving fathers who experience some of the behavioral and physical manifestations of pregnancy, along with his wife, especially as they near the time of their child’s birth. A few of these pseudo pregnancy symptoms include weight gain, irregularities in digestion and elimination, breast enlargement, cravings, birth pains, and postpartum seclusion. These are quite odd considering that males should not go through them at all. In some worst cases, the fathers can grow a belly similar to a 6-7month pregnant woman and gaining 25 to 30 lbs.

Unlike what’s commonly suspected, couvade syndrome is actually very common. However, it is a poorly unstated phenomenon. There are several hypothesized causes for it. But among all of them, no specific reason(s) has been identified. Some people rally that psychological problems bring about this condition. As such, ambivalence towards fatherhood, parturition envy, and pregnancy-related anxiety are a few of those they pinpoint as probable causative factors. But in relation, some researchers believe that there is a hormonal aspect to this experience. In line with this, it has been suggested that sleep disturbances may cause neurohormonal imbalances that set off the couvade response. Since the pregnancy-involved hormone estrogen is also present in males, it might be that it is triggered upon a “sympathetic pregnancy” mindset. Other suggested explanations of how and why this occurs include an interaction of factors (such as circadian rhythms, pheromones, mitogenetics and simple stress). In addition,

Diabetes

Diabetes is a condition in which the body doesn’t produce enough insulin. Insulin is a hormone that has wide effects on metabolism and other body functions. Insulin is required to turn glucose or blood sugar from the foods we eat into energy. In diabetes, the body doesn’t respond properly to its insulin or doesn’t make enough of the hormone. This results in body weakness and delayed cell regeneration. Now, there are a few types of diabetes that are recognized. The Type 1 diabetes results from the body’s failure to produce insulin. Type 2 diabetes, meanwhile is brought about by insulin resistance. Gestational diabetes is another form of diabetes that are commonly seen among pregnant women. These women usually have never had diabetes before but have experienced high blood sugar levels during their pregnancy. The only difference with gestational diabetes is that it is only temporary and disappears after delivery. Type 1 and Type 2 are often permanent. All types of diabetes are manageable with proper diet, exercise and meds. Insulin is the most popular pharmacological treatment for this condition. It was during 1921 when Fredrick Banting and Collip discovered the process for creating insulin. And ever since then, it has been widely used to control diabetes. By the standards of the American Diabetes Association, blood glucose levels are under control if:

• Your daily checking show levels close to 70–130 mg/dL before meals and less than 180 mg/dL within 2 hours after meals, and
• You keep your A1C test scores under 7%

Talk to your doctor and find out what goals are right for you. In United States there are 23.6 million people or 8% of the population who have diabetes. The overall prevalence of diabetes rose by 13.5% from 2005-2007. Among those who are affected, only 24% of of diabetes cases are undiagnosed. This is a great improvement from the 30% in 2005 and 50% ten years ago. No doubt diabetes is one of the top ten causes of death in the United States. That’s why it is vital that we always check our blood sugar or have a regular visit to our doctor.

The Lupus Attack

The function of our body’s immune system is to attack bacteria and viruses that can cause various diseases. Lupus, also known as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) on the other hand, works the other way around. Instead of the foreign substances, the body’s natural defense will attack its own tissues causing inflammation and creating damage throughout the body. When the case is already severe, organ complications also develop.

Lupus is a lifelong disease. Its exact cause is not yet known. Some experts say that there are people born with certain genes that make them prone to developing such disease. Some of its common symptoms include joint swelling, over fatigue, skin rashes and fever. The rashes appear when the patient is exposed in the sun. Hair loss can also occur.

This kind of disease is very hard to diagnose since it affects people in various ways. No single test is available for lupus. Doctors base their diagnosis on the symptoms that the patient have while various blood tests are done. Once the person is diagnosed to have the disease, the doctor will recommend medicines that treat the symptoms but not lupus itself. As what was mentioned earlier, lupus has no cure.

There are several ways on how the patient will cope with the disease. It is recommended that if possible, one must avoid stress. Use sunscreen when going outside or wear protective clothing to avoid direct contact with sunlight as this will trigger rash development. Also, include exercise in your daily regimen. This will prevent joint swelling or stiffness. And as much as possible, quit smoking.

Once a person is diagnosed with the disease, he or she can still perform daily activities. However, proper care of the self is necessary.

Swine Flu Outbreak hits United States

Scientists still do not get how the swine influenza has come to affect humans. Five U.S states have reported that swine flue is present in their states. Almost 40 cases are reported but only one case led to hospitalization according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta. The states that are hit by the swine flue outbreak were New York, Texas, Kansas, Ohio and California.

But in Mexico, where the outbreak started, hundreds were reportedly ill and 149 of them have died with the same strain of virus that hit the United States. Reports also emerge telling that the outbreak has reached other countries like Britain, Canada, New Zealand and France. Scientists now know what the virus’s main component is and found out that this kind of influenza strain contains genetic materials from swine, bird and human influenza. But it still remains a mystery how lethal the combination of these three does to people.

An epidemiologist in Atlanta says that until the biological properties of this influenza strain is understood, it is better for the people to refrain from going to Mexico where the outbreak started. Some officials also told the public to limit interpersonal contact, close schools in affected areas, canceling all social events and subjecting the people who have been exposed to the virus to quarantine is necessary.

Scientists are hoping that the timing of the influenza outbreak will limit the impact and they also said that as of now, no existing vaccine is found to be effective against this kind of strain. They believe that the outbreak will continue but they are positive that they can find a cure for this disease in time.

In Search of Swine Flu (Influenza A H1N1 Virus)

Searches for swine flu and related information have been topping search engine results pages since last week when the swine flu virus was first detected and confirmed. This issue on health has turned out to be a word of mouth not only among Mexicans but through out the world, making it a potential global threat.

But what really is swine flu? How is it acquired and transmitted?

Swine flu is a new influenza virus that causes illness among people. It is believed to have originated from pigs, hence the name swine flu, and may be transferred from one person to another in the same way that regular flu viruses spread.

Swine flu is now referred to as influenza A H1N1 and has affected countries like Mexico, the United States, Israel and Canada. The signs and symptoms of influenza A H1N1 virus include fever, cough, body aches, headaches, chills and fatigue which are common signs and symptoms of the common flu that affects people. This disease may also be accompanied by diarrhea and vomiting.

H1N1 influenza virus may be spread through coughing, sneezing and direct contact with materials contaminated with the virus. Health experts strongly encourage regular hand washing to prevent contacting this disease. Medical professionals also encourage getting plenty of sleep as well as plenty of fluids and nutritious foods to counter the A H1N1 influenza virus.

To avoid the spread of this deadly virus, it is also encouraged that everyone be protective not only of themselves but of others as well. Individuals who cough or sneeze are encouraged to cover their mouth and nose with a tissue when sneezing or coughing so as to avoid the spread of the virus. Everyone is also encouraged to avoid large crowds and to limit contact with other people.

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