A Simple Guide to Heat Stroke
----------------------------------------------
What is Heat Stroke?
------------------------------------
Heat Stroke is a disturbance of the heat regulating mechanism of the body which can result in hyperpyrexia (high body temperature), syncope (fainting), convulsions (fits), coma and sometimes death
Who is at risk of Heat Stroke?
----------------------------------------------
1.people staying in hot dry climates (eg. desert)
2.People training under hot temperature (eg. soldiers)
3.During heat waves.
What are the causes of Heat Stroke?
--------------------------------------------------
Most forms of Heat Stroke are due to
genetic conditions:
------------------------
1.Icthyosis
Acquired Heat Stroke
----------------------
1.Body's inability to dissipate body heat
2.Strenuous exercise without sufficient hydration
3.Prolonged exposure to high temperatures especially sunshine especially in desert and heat waves
4.Dehydration and inability to sweat.
5.Medications:
anticholinergics
antidepressants
MAO inhibitors
What are Signs and symptoms of Heat Stroke?
---------------------------------------------
Onset is usually sudden.
Symptoms:
1.feeling of weakness
2.dizziness and nausea
3.headache
4.chest discomfort
5.flushing of face and body
Signs:
1.Fever
2.Flushed skin
3.Muscle twitching
4.cramps
5.tachycardia, raised blood pressure
6.Dilated pupils
7.reduced reflexes
8.Seizures and coma
9.Hyperventilation
10.Cardiac failure
How is the diagnosis of Heat Stroke made?
--------------------------------------------------------
1.History of exposure to high temperature
2.Body temperature
3.Blood electrolytes and acid base
What are the complications of Heat Stroke?
-----------------------------------------------
1.Brain damage
2.Heart damage
3.Kidney damage
What is the treatment of Heat Stroke?
------------------------------------
Heat Stroke is a life threatening emergency.
1.Reduce temperature with ice packs or ice baths
2.Alcohol sponging if ice not available
3.Cooler packs if available
4.Intravenous fluids to correct dehydration and electrolytes
5.Oral fluids and isotonic drinks.
6.Anticonvulsant to prevent seizure or fits
7.Remove drugs which can cause dehydration such as anticholinergics and antidepressants.
What is the prognosis of Heat Stroke ?
------------------------------------------
Prognosis is poor if treatment is delayed.
Treat the condition urgently as it is a life threatening emergency.
What are the Preventive measures taken for Heat Stroke ?
--------------------------------------------------------
Prevention is by
1.frequent drinking of water and
2.avoiding extreme hot temperature.
Showing posts with label dehydration. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dehydration. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
A Simple Guide to Cholera
A Simple Guide to Cholera
---------------------------------
What is Cholera?
---------------------------
Cholera is an acute infectious illness caused by the Vibrio cholorae bacteria.
What is the cause of Cholera?
----------------------------------
The bacteria which causes Cholera is the Vibrio cholorae which is an extremely hardy bacteria able to live in polluted water and contaminated food.
There are 2 main types of cholera bacteria:
1.the Classic short slightly curved Gram negative aerobic rods
2.The El Tor strain which is hardier,persists longer in nature and is more likely to cause carrier states in humans.
Incubation period is 12 hours to 6 days.
What are symptoms of Cholera?
----------------------------------------------
The main symptoms of Cholera are
1. Vomiting after 12 hours of ingestion of bacteria
2. abrupt painless rice water diarrhoea
3. abdominal pain
4. prostration and muscle cramps
Severe cases may have dehydration leading to:
1.hypotension
2.cardiovascular collapse
3.tachycardia
4.difficulty in breathing and cyanosis
5.weak peripheral pulses
6.delirium and disorientation
7.lassitude and tiredness
8.convulsions in small children
Symptoms usually appear within 12 hours after exposure to the germ and last up to 1 week.
How is Cholera transmitted?
------------------------------------------
Most epidemics are water borne espcially after severe flooding.
The germs can also be transmitted by food handlers.
How is the diagnosis of Cholera made?
-----------------------------------------------------
Doctors generally diagnose Cholera based on the symptoms and a physical examination.
Confirmation is by blood tests and stool cultures.
What are the complications of Cholera?
-------------------------------------------
Cholera is a disease which can kill espcially through its complications:
1.Severe dehydration especially in young children and the very old patients
2.Hypovolemic shock
3.uncompensated metabolic acidosis
4.renal failure
How is Cholera treated?
-------------------------------------
Cholera is an infectious disease which can spread to other people through contaminated food and water.
It is therefore advisable to quarantine the patient in hospitals.
1.The most important complication in Cholera is dehydration so prompt replacement of fluids and electrolytes intravenously is necessary.
WHO diarrhea treatment solution consists of
a.4gms of sodium chloride
b.6.5gms of sodium acetate
c.1 gm of potassium chloride
d.10gms of glucose
in 1 liter of sterile distilled water.
Where intravenous administration of diarrhea solution is not available, isotonic drinks and even coconut water may act as replacements.
2. Careful monitoring of the patient as 1 liter of fluid may be lost in the stools in one hour.
3.Antibiotics is the main treatment against cholera.
The best antibiotic is tetracycline or deoxycline.
Symptomatic treatment includes:
1.Paracetamol for relief of fever and headache
2.antispasmodic drug to stop abdominal cramps
3.medicine to harden the stools such as kaolin
4.slow down the intestinal movement (lomotil or loperamide).
Gradually reintroduce food, starting with bland, easy-to-digest food, like porridge or soups.
Get plenty of rest.
How is Cholera prevented?
----------------------------------------
Prevention of Cholera can be by vaccination with the cholera vaccine.
However the success rate of immunisation against Cholera is only 20-30% so most doctors do not recommended it.
You can avoid infection by:
Avoid eating or drinking foods or liquids that might be contaminated
Good food hygience
What is the prognosis of Cholera?
-------------------------------------
Prognosis is excellent with prompt treatment of rehydration treatment.
After replacement symptoms usually clear within 48 hours with tetracycline treatment.
---------------------------------
What is Cholera?
---------------------------
Cholera is an acute infectious illness caused by the Vibrio cholorae bacteria.
What is the cause of Cholera?
----------------------------------
The bacteria which causes Cholera is the Vibrio cholorae which is an extremely hardy bacteria able to live in polluted water and contaminated food.
There are 2 main types of cholera bacteria:
1.the Classic short slightly curved Gram negative aerobic rods
2.The El Tor strain which is hardier,persists longer in nature and is more likely to cause carrier states in humans.
Incubation period is 12 hours to 6 days.
What are symptoms of Cholera?
----------------------------------------------
The main symptoms of Cholera are
1. Vomiting after 12 hours of ingestion of bacteria
2. abrupt painless rice water diarrhoea
3. abdominal pain
4. prostration and muscle cramps
Severe cases may have dehydration leading to:
1.hypotension
2.cardiovascular collapse
3.tachycardia
4.difficulty in breathing and cyanosis
5.weak peripheral pulses
6.delirium and disorientation
7.lassitude and tiredness
8.convulsions in small children
Symptoms usually appear within 12 hours after exposure to the germ and last up to 1 week.
How is Cholera transmitted?
------------------------------------------
Most epidemics are water borne espcially after severe flooding.
The germs can also be transmitted by food handlers.
How is the diagnosis of Cholera made?
-----------------------------------------------------
Doctors generally diagnose Cholera based on the symptoms and a physical examination.
Confirmation is by blood tests and stool cultures.
What are the complications of Cholera?
-------------------------------------------
Cholera is a disease which can kill espcially through its complications:
1.Severe dehydration especially in young children and the very old patients
2.Hypovolemic shock
3.uncompensated metabolic acidosis
4.renal failure
How is Cholera treated?
-------------------------------------
Cholera is an infectious disease which can spread to other people through contaminated food and water.
It is therefore advisable to quarantine the patient in hospitals.
1.The most important complication in Cholera is dehydration so prompt replacement of fluids and electrolytes intravenously is necessary.
WHO diarrhea treatment solution consists of
a.4gms of sodium chloride
b.6.5gms of sodium acetate
c.1 gm of potassium chloride
d.10gms of glucose
in 1 liter of sterile distilled water.
Where intravenous administration of diarrhea solution is not available, isotonic drinks and even coconut water may act as replacements.
2. Careful monitoring of the patient as 1 liter of fluid may be lost in the stools in one hour.
3.Antibiotics is the main treatment against cholera.
The best antibiotic is tetracycline or deoxycline.
Symptomatic treatment includes:
1.Paracetamol for relief of fever and headache
2.antispasmodic drug to stop abdominal cramps
3.medicine to harden the stools such as kaolin
4.slow down the intestinal movement (lomotil or loperamide).
Gradually reintroduce food, starting with bland, easy-to-digest food, like porridge or soups.
Get plenty of rest.
How is Cholera prevented?
----------------------------------------
Prevention of Cholera can be by vaccination with the cholera vaccine.
However the success rate of immunisation against Cholera is only 20-30% so most doctors do not recommended it.
You can avoid infection by:
Avoid eating or drinking foods or liquids that might be contaminated
Good food hygience
What is the prognosis of Cholera?
-------------------------------------
Prognosis is excellent with prompt treatment of rehydration treatment.
After replacement symptoms usually clear within 48 hours with tetracycline treatment.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
A Simple Guide to Gastroenteritis
A Simple Guide to Gastroenteritis
-------------------------------------
What is Gastroenteritis?
---------------------------
Gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the lining of the intestines caused by a virus, bacteria or parasites resulting in leakage of fluid from the cell into the intestine(diarrhea),abdominal pain and vomiting.
What are the causes of Gastroenteritis?
--------------------------------------------
Viral Gastroenteritis:
The most common cause of Gastroenteritis is Viral.
Rota virus is the leading cause among children 3 to 15 months old and the most common cause of diarrhea in children under the age of 5 years.
Adenovirus occurs mainly in children under the age of 2 years.
Caliciviruses especially the norovirus cause infection in people of all ages.
Astrovirus also infects primarily infants, young children, and the elderly.
Bacterial Gastroenteritis:
The most common cause is the E. coli bacteria, usually mild with diarrhea, abdominal pain and occasional vomiting. It rarely cause fever.
Salmonella, Shigella ,Vibrio cholerae, are more serious bacterial infection causing diarrhea and high fever.
Parasitic Gastroenteritis:
Most common is amoebic dysentery,common in India and Africa.
Other parasitic infection are giardiasis and threadworms.
What are symptoms of Gastroenteritis?
----------------------------------------------
The main symptoms of gastroenteritis are
1. watery diarrhea
2. abdominal pain
3. vomiting
4. headache
5. fever.
6.loss of appetite and energy
Symptoms usually appear within 4 to 48 hours after exposure to the germ and last for 1 to 2 days, though symptoms can last as long as 10 days.
How is Gastroenteritis transmitted?
------------------------------------------
Gastroenteritis can be highly contagious. The germs are commonly transmitted by people with unwashed hands.
People can get the germs through close contact with infected individuals by sharing their food, drink, or eating utensils, or by eating food or drinking beverages that are contaminated with the germs.
Noroviruses in particular, are typically spread to other people by contact with stool or vomit of infected people and through contaminated water or food—especially oysters, prawns, crabs, lobsters, cockleshells from contaminated breeding waters.
How is the diagnosis of Gastroenteritis made?
-----------------------------------------------------
Doctors generally diagnose gastroenteritis based on the symptoms and a physical examination. Your doctor may ask for a stool sample to test for rotavirus or to rule out bacteria or parasites as the cause of your symptoms.
How is Gastroenteritis treated?
-------------------------------------
Most cases of viral gastroenteritis resolve without specific treatment.
Antibiotics are not effective against viral infections.
The primary goal of treatment is to reduce the symptoms which may include an antispasmodic drug to stop abdominal cramps, medicine to harden the stools such as kaolin and slow down the intestinal movement (lomotil or loperamide).
Prompt treatment may be needed to prevent dehydration which is the loss of fluids from the body. Important salts or minerals, known as electrolytes, can also be lost with the fluids. Dehydration can be caused by diarrhea, vomiting, excessive urination, excessive sweating, or by not drinking enough fluids because of nausea, difficulty swallowing, or loss of appetite.
The symptoms of dehydration are
excessive thirst
dry mouth
little or no urine or dark yellow urine
sunken eyes
severe weakness or lethargy
dizziness or lightheadedness
Mild dehydration can be treated by drinking liquids.
Severe dehydration may require intravenous fluids and hospitalization.
Untreated severe dehydration can be life threatening especially in babies, young children and the elderly.
The following steps may help relieve the symptoms of gastroenteritis.
1.Allow your gastrointestinal tract to settle by not eating for a few hours.
2.Sip small amounts of clear liquids or suck on ice chips if vomiting is still a problem.
3.Give infants and children oral rehydration solutions to replace fluids and lost electrolytes. 4.Gradually reintroduce food, starting with bland, easy-to-digest food, like porridge or soups.
5.Avoid dairy products, caffeine, and alcohol until recovery is complete.
6.Get plenty of rest.
How is Gastroenteritis prevented?
----------------------------------------
You can avoid infection by:
1.washing your hands thoroughly for 20 seconds after using the bathroom or changing diapers
2.washing your hands thoroughly for 20 seconds before eating
3.disinfecting contaminated surfaces such as counter tops and baby changing stations
4.Avoid eating or drinking foods or liquids that might be contaminated
-------------------------------------
What is Gastroenteritis?
---------------------------
Gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the lining of the intestines caused by a virus, bacteria or parasites resulting in leakage of fluid from the cell into the intestine(diarrhea),abdominal pain and vomiting.
What are the causes of Gastroenteritis?
--------------------------------------------
Viral Gastroenteritis:
The most common cause of Gastroenteritis is Viral.
Rota virus is the leading cause among children 3 to 15 months old and the most common cause of diarrhea in children under the age of 5 years.
Adenovirus occurs mainly in children under the age of 2 years.
Caliciviruses especially the norovirus cause infection in people of all ages.
Astrovirus also infects primarily infants, young children, and the elderly.
Bacterial Gastroenteritis:
The most common cause is the E. coli bacteria, usually mild with diarrhea, abdominal pain and occasional vomiting. It rarely cause fever.
Salmonella, Shigella ,Vibrio cholerae, are more serious bacterial infection causing diarrhea and high fever.
Parasitic Gastroenteritis:
Most common is amoebic dysentery,common in India and Africa.
Other parasitic infection are giardiasis and threadworms.
What are symptoms of Gastroenteritis?
----------------------------------------------
The main symptoms of gastroenteritis are
1. watery diarrhea
2. abdominal pain
3. vomiting
4. headache
5. fever.
6.loss of appetite and energy
Symptoms usually appear within 4 to 48 hours after exposure to the germ and last for 1 to 2 days, though symptoms can last as long as 10 days.
How is Gastroenteritis transmitted?
------------------------------------------
Gastroenteritis can be highly contagious. The germs are commonly transmitted by people with unwashed hands.
People can get the germs through close contact with infected individuals by sharing their food, drink, or eating utensils, or by eating food or drinking beverages that are contaminated with the germs.
Noroviruses in particular, are typically spread to other people by contact with stool or vomit of infected people and through contaminated water or food—especially oysters, prawns, crabs, lobsters, cockleshells from contaminated breeding waters.
How is the diagnosis of Gastroenteritis made?
-----------------------------------------------------
Doctors generally diagnose gastroenteritis based on the symptoms and a physical examination. Your doctor may ask for a stool sample to test for rotavirus or to rule out bacteria or parasites as the cause of your symptoms.
How is Gastroenteritis treated?
-------------------------------------
Most cases of viral gastroenteritis resolve without specific treatment.
Antibiotics are not effective against viral infections.
The primary goal of treatment is to reduce the symptoms which may include an antispasmodic drug to stop abdominal cramps, medicine to harden the stools such as kaolin and slow down the intestinal movement (lomotil or loperamide).
Prompt treatment may be needed to prevent dehydration which is the loss of fluids from the body. Important salts or minerals, known as electrolytes, can also be lost with the fluids. Dehydration can be caused by diarrhea, vomiting, excessive urination, excessive sweating, or by not drinking enough fluids because of nausea, difficulty swallowing, or loss of appetite.
The symptoms of dehydration are
excessive thirst
dry mouth
little or no urine or dark yellow urine
sunken eyes
severe weakness or lethargy
dizziness or lightheadedness
Mild dehydration can be treated by drinking liquids.
Severe dehydration may require intravenous fluids and hospitalization.
Untreated severe dehydration can be life threatening especially in babies, young children and the elderly.
The following steps may help relieve the symptoms of gastroenteritis.
1.Allow your gastrointestinal tract to settle by not eating for a few hours.
2.Sip small amounts of clear liquids or suck on ice chips if vomiting is still a problem.
3.Give infants and children oral rehydration solutions to replace fluids and lost electrolytes. 4.Gradually reintroduce food, starting with bland, easy-to-digest food, like porridge or soups.
5.Avoid dairy products, caffeine, and alcohol until recovery is complete.
6.Get plenty of rest.
How is Gastroenteritis prevented?
----------------------------------------
You can avoid infection by:
1.washing your hands thoroughly for 20 seconds after using the bathroom or changing diapers
2.washing your hands thoroughly for 20 seconds before eating
3.disinfecting contaminated surfaces such as counter tops and baby changing stations
4.Avoid eating or drinking foods or liquids that might be contaminated
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