A Simple Guide to Raynaud's Disease
------------------------------------------------
What is Raynaud's Disease?
------------------------------------
Raynaud's Disease is a transient vasospasm of small arteries of the hand precipitated by cold.
There is typical whiteness and blueness of fingers.
Causes are:
1.classically cold precipitated, more common in winter
2.Emotional factors such as fear and anxiety
It may secondary to other conditions such as:
1.auto immune disease such as SLE
2.arterial compression syndrome from cervical ribs
3.hypothyroidism
4.pulmonary hypertension
5.medicines such as ergotamine
6.vinyl chloride exposure
7.low immune patients such as cancer
It occurs more commonly in women and usually rare in men
What are the Signs and Symptoms of Raynaud's Disease?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Symptoms start off with:
cold extremities with at least 2 of the following changes for diagnosis:
1.blanching and numbness of fingers spreading up to the rest of hand
2.blanching and whiteness of fingers then blue mottling followed by red as circulation returns
3.pain during color changes common
4.skin shiny or wax like
5.feet may be involved, also nose and tongue
6.gangrene of finger tips
How to diagnose Raynaud's Disease?
-------------------------------------------------------------
1.Symptoms and signs as above
2.skin capillary microscopy
3.hand films may show terminal tuft atrophy in vinyl chloride exposure
What are the complications of Raynaud's Disease?
---------------------------------------------
The complications are:
gangrene of the fingers
What is the Treatment of Raynaud's Disease?
--------------------------------------------
1.Avoid of cold temperature
2.Avoid emotional upset and stress
3.Keep body and environment warm
4.treat underlying cause
5.calcium channel blockers
reserpine
methyl dopa
6.sympathectomy
What is the Prevention for Raynaud's Disease?
-----------------------------------------------------------
Avoiding cold temperature and stress
Prognosis of Raynaud's Disease
----------------------------------------------
depends on cause and response to therapy
Friday, January 21, 2011
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
A Simple guide to Legionnaire's Disease
A Simple guide to Legionnaire's Disease
----------------------------------------------------
What is Legionnaire's Disease?
-------------------------------------------
Legionnaire's Disease is an acute, infectious disease of the respiratory tract caused by the bacillus Legionella pneumophilia, a Gram negative, non-sporulating aerobic micro-organism..
The bacteria is found mostly in soil and water.
How is Legionnaire's Disease transmitted?
---------------------------------
Legionnaire's Disease is transmitted through the air or in dust associated with movement of soil or contaminated air from air conditioner units.
It is highly infectious.
Incubation period is 10-20 days.
The organism enters the blood and then enter the cells of the lower respiratory tract
The infections occur in persons of all ages but peak incidence is 50-60 years. Males are affected twice as often as females.
Predisposing factors are:
pre-existing lung disease
heavy smoking
low immune patients such as cancer
What are the Signs and Symptoms of Legionnaire's Disease?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Symptoms start off with:
1. sudden onset of malaise
2. high fever 39-40 degrees centigrade
3. chills and rigors
4. headache
5. dry cough
6. diarrhea
7. upper and lower gastrointestinal bleeding
8. difficult breathing
9. slow heart rate
10. confusion and dilirium
How to diagnose Legionnaire's Disease?
-------------------------------------------------------------
1.Symptoms of
a.prodromal viral like disease (myalgia, malaise, headache)
b.dry cough, confusion, diarrhea
c.lymphopenia without neutropenia
d.hyponatremia
2.ESR raised very high somtimes > 80
3.moderate leucocytosis with lymphopenia
4.low blood sodium
5.low blood calcium
6.abnormal liver function tests with albumin and raised SGOT
7.Urine shows protein and blood
8.Chest x-ray show patchy consolidation usually confined to one lobe
9.Indirect legionna bacterial antibody higher than 1.256
10.symptoms of renal failure
What are the complications of Legionnaire's Disease?
---------------------------------------------
The complications are:
1.pneumonia
2.liver dysfunction
3.renal failure
What is the Treatment of Legionnaire's Disease?
--------------------------------------------
Isolation in hospital is unnecessary.
1.Antibiotics (erythromycin or rifampicin) are used in the treatment of Legionnaire's Disease.
2.Tetracycline can be given
3.pulmonary care -nebulizer, oxygen, deep breathing exercises may be necessary if there is breathing difficulty
Besides antibiotics, the following will help:
Steam inhalation
cough mixtures
avoid smokes, dust, dry air,sudden temperature change
What is the Prevention for Legionnaire's Disease?
-----------------------------------------
Avoiding dust
Proper cleaning of air conditioners and ventilation system
Prognosis of Legionnaire's Disease
---------------------------------------------
Early therapy with antibiotics produce good results
low mortality rates as early cases are detected
Rarely pulmonary fibrosis develops as remnant from disease.
----------------------------------------------------
What is Legionnaire's Disease?
-------------------------------------------
Legionnaire's Disease is an acute, infectious disease of the respiratory tract caused by the bacillus Legionella pneumophilia, a Gram negative, non-sporulating aerobic micro-organism..
The bacteria is found mostly in soil and water.
How is Legionnaire's Disease transmitted?
---------------------------------
Legionnaire's Disease is transmitted through the air or in dust associated with movement of soil or contaminated air from air conditioner units.
It is highly infectious.
Incubation period is 10-20 days.
The organism enters the blood and then enter the cells of the lower respiratory tract
The infections occur in persons of all ages but peak incidence is 50-60 years. Males are affected twice as often as females.
Predisposing factors are:
pre-existing lung disease
heavy smoking
low immune patients such as cancer
What are the Signs and Symptoms of Legionnaire's Disease?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Symptoms start off with:
1. sudden onset of malaise
2. high fever 39-40 degrees centigrade
3. chills and rigors
4. headache
5. dry cough
6. diarrhea
7. upper and lower gastrointestinal bleeding
8. difficult breathing
9. slow heart rate
10. confusion and dilirium
How to diagnose Legionnaire's Disease?
-------------------------------------------------------------
1.Symptoms of
a.prodromal viral like disease (myalgia, malaise, headache)
b.dry cough, confusion, diarrhea
c.lymphopenia without neutropenia
d.hyponatremia
2.ESR raised very high somtimes > 80
3.moderate leucocytosis with lymphopenia
4.low blood sodium
5.low blood calcium
6.abnormal liver function tests with albumin and raised SGOT
7.Urine shows protein and blood
8.Chest x-ray show patchy consolidation usually confined to one lobe
9.Indirect legionna bacterial antibody higher than 1.256
10.symptoms of renal failure
What are the complications of Legionnaire's Disease?
---------------------------------------------
The complications are:
1.pneumonia
2.liver dysfunction
3.renal failure
What is the Treatment of Legionnaire's Disease?
--------------------------------------------
Isolation in hospital is unnecessary.
1.Antibiotics (erythromycin or rifampicin) are used in the treatment of Legionnaire's Disease.
2.Tetracycline can be given
3.pulmonary care -nebulizer, oxygen, deep breathing exercises may be necessary if there is breathing difficulty
Besides antibiotics, the following will help:
Steam inhalation
cough mixtures
avoid smokes, dust, dry air,sudden temperature change
What is the Prevention for Legionnaire's Disease?
-----------------------------------------
Avoiding dust
Proper cleaning of air conditioners and ventilation system
Prognosis of Legionnaire's Disease
---------------------------------------------
Early therapy with antibiotics produce good results
low mortality rates as early cases are detected
Rarely pulmonary fibrosis develops as remnant from disease.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Best Yahoo Answer -Is it possible to gain imunity to muscle relaxants?
Is it possible to gain imunity to muscle relaxants?
when a person gains imunity to medacation can that medication still cause organ failure if still used my friend gained imunity to muscle relaxants but she still takes them can they cuase her organ failure or damage?
Best Answer - Chosen by Voters
No one can get immunity to muscle relaxant. Immunity occurs when you develops antibodies against a virus or bacteria.
If you friend is addicted to muscle relaxant then frequent taking of muscle relaxant may have side effect on your friend. One possibility is organ damage or failure if the muscle relaxant is taken for a long time.
If you friend is addicted to muscle relaxant then frequent taking of muscle relaxant may have side effect on your friend. One possibility is organ damage or failure if the muscle relaxant is taken for a long time.
Source(s):
A Simple Guide to Medical Conditions
http://kennethkee.blogspot.com
http://kennethkee.blogspot.com
Friday, August 6, 2010
A Simple Guide to Cataract
A Simple Guide to Cataract
---------------------------------------
What is a Catarct?
-------------------------------
A cataract is a clouding of the eye's natural transparent lens, which helps us to focus on the objects we see.
The lens is mostly made of water and protein.
Due to age, some of the protein may clump together and start to cloud a small area of the lens. This is a cataract, and over time, it may grow larger and cloud more of the lens, making it harder to see.
How are Cataract Classified?
-----------------------------------------
Cataracts are classified as one of three types:
1.A nuclear cataract is most commonly seen as it forms.
This cataract forms in the nucleus, the center of the lens, and is due to natural aging changes.
2.A cortical cataract, which forms in the outer lens cortex, gradually extends its spokes from the outside of the lens to the center. Many diabetics develop cortical cataracts.
3.A subcapsular cataract begins at the back of the lens.
People with diabetes, high farsightedness, retinitis pigmentosa or those taking high doses of steroids may develop a subcapsular cataract.
How Do You Diagnose a Cataract ?
----------------------------------------------
A cataract begins slowly and at first has little effect on your vision.
There may some blurring of vision .
Light from the sun or a lamp may seem too bright or glaring.
Colors may not appear as bright as they once did.
What are the causes of Cataracts?
-------------------------------------------------
The eye's lens changes as we age, forming cataracts.
1. exposure to ultraviolet light may be a cause of cataract development, so eye specialist recommend wearing sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat.
2.Other types of radiation such as from TV or PC monitors may also be causes.
Airline pilots may be exposed to cosmic radiation.
3.People with diabetes are at risk for developing a cataract.
The same goes for users of steroids and diuretics.
4.Other risk factors include cigarette smoke, air pollution and heavy alcohol consumption
What is the treatment of Cataract?
------------------------------------------------
Symptomatic treatment:
When symptoms begin to appear, you may be able to improve your vision for a while using new glasses, strong bifocals, magnification, appropriate lighting or other visual aids.
Some eye care practitioners believe that a diet high in antioxidants, such as beta-carotene (vitamin A), selenium and vitamins C may slow down cataract development.
Eye drops such as Catalin and Quinax has been prescribed to slow down the development of cataract.
Surgical treatment:
An intraocular lens (IOL) is implanted in the eye in place of the patient's clouded natural lens.
During surgery, the surgeon will remove your clouded lens, and in most cases replace it with a clear, plastic intraocular lens (IOL).
What is the prognosis of Cataract?
-------------------------------------------------
Cataract surgery is very successful in restoring vision.
How do you Prevent Cataract?
----------------------------------------
The most important prevention for cataracts is to avoid direct sun rays and other forms of radiation from TV or PC monitors, polluted air and smoking.
---------------------------------------
What is a Catarct?
-------------------------------
A cataract is a clouding of the eye's natural transparent lens, which helps us to focus on the objects we see.
The lens is mostly made of water and protein.
Due to age, some of the protein may clump together and start to cloud a small area of the lens. This is a cataract, and over time, it may grow larger and cloud more of the lens, making it harder to see.
How are Cataract Classified?
-----------------------------------------
Cataracts are classified as one of three types:
1.A nuclear cataract is most commonly seen as it forms.
This cataract forms in the nucleus, the center of the lens, and is due to natural aging changes.
2.A cortical cataract, which forms in the outer lens cortex, gradually extends its spokes from the outside of the lens to the center. Many diabetics develop cortical cataracts.
3.A subcapsular cataract begins at the back of the lens.
People with diabetes, high farsightedness, retinitis pigmentosa or those taking high doses of steroids may develop a subcapsular cataract.
How Do You Diagnose a Cataract ?
----------------------------------------------
A cataract begins slowly and at first has little effect on your vision.
There may some blurring of vision .
Light from the sun or a lamp may seem too bright or glaring.
Colors may not appear as bright as they once did.
What are the causes of Cataracts?
-------------------------------------------------
The eye's lens changes as we age, forming cataracts.
1. exposure to ultraviolet light may be a cause of cataract development, so eye specialist recommend wearing sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat.
2.Other types of radiation such as from TV or PC monitors may also be causes.
Airline pilots may be exposed to cosmic radiation.
3.People with diabetes are at risk for developing a cataract.
The same goes for users of steroids and diuretics.
4.Other risk factors include cigarette smoke, air pollution and heavy alcohol consumption
What is the treatment of Cataract?
------------------------------------------------
Symptomatic treatment:
When symptoms begin to appear, you may be able to improve your vision for a while using new glasses, strong bifocals, magnification, appropriate lighting or other visual aids.
Some eye care practitioners believe that a diet high in antioxidants, such as beta-carotene (vitamin A), selenium and vitamins C may slow down cataract development.
Eye drops such as Catalin and Quinax has been prescribed to slow down the development of cataract.
Surgical treatment:
An intraocular lens (IOL) is implanted in the eye in place of the patient's clouded natural lens.
During surgery, the surgeon will remove your clouded lens, and in most cases replace it with a clear, plastic intraocular lens (IOL).
What is the prognosis of Cataract?
-------------------------------------------------
Cataract surgery is very successful in restoring vision.
How do you Prevent Cataract?
----------------------------------------
The most important prevention for cataracts is to avoid direct sun rays and other forms of radiation from TV or PC monitors, polluted air and smoking.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Best Yahoo Answer -My Doctor Said I Don't have a UTI but...?
Best Yahoo Answer
My Doctor Said I Don't have a UTI but...?
I went to the doctors yesterday and I took a urine test and everything looked fine. She said I didn't have a UTI, so I went home and drank cranberry juice like she said. I just woke up this morning and it feels like Iike I have to pee, but I don't.
Thanks.
Thanks.
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker
A urine test at the doctor should normally detect any Urinary Tract Infection. Drinking at least 2 liters of water is the best way to prevent any urine infection.
Source(s):
A Simple Guide to Urinary Tract Infection or Cystitis
http://kennethkee.blogspot.com
http://kennethkee.blogspot.com
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