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Wednesday, May 6, 2009

First American to die caused by Swine flu , Swine Inluenza Virus


Swine Flu , a pandemic airborne viral infection that caused deaths throughout the affected countries. Swine flu first attacked the lands of Mexico, and now has occurred at the States of America, Canada, Mexico and several countries. A case of a 33 year old Judy Trunnel , the first American who died with Swine Flu Virus. She was believed to very ill before being confined in the Hospital. She was in coma while her baby was delivered via cesarean section. There have been thousands number of cases of Swine Flu in Mexico and in several countries ..
We should be alert for this pandemic viral infection, be vigilant for every person susceptible from the infection.
A lot of interventions are being implemented by The WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION regarding this.
How can a person get infected by the swine flu virus?

A person can get infected if he/she touches something contaminated with the virus and then touches the eyes, mouth or nose. The virus can live on surfaces for several hours, like a doorknob just touched by someone who sneezed into his hand. Germs also spread in the air through droplets from a cough or sneeze of an infected person.

Can people catch swine flu by eating pigs or pork?

According to scientists and doctors, the swine influenza virus is NOT transmitted by food. Eating properly handled and well-cooked pork and pork products is safe. Cooking pork at a
temperature of 160°F kills the swine flu virus as it does other bacteria and viruses.

HAND WASHING BEFORE AND AFTER DOING ANYTHING CAN LESSEN THE SUSCEPTIBILITY OF A PERSON TO GET CONTAMINATED. BE RESPONSIBLE AND HELP PREVENTING THIS INFECTION SCATTER AMONG YOUR HOMES.
BE USEFUL AND HELP DISSEMINATE THIS INFORMATION..

PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE!

Monday, July 14, 2008

High Blood Pressure during Pregnancy, so so not good!

PRE-ECLAMPSIA



A woman can be called a real woman, if she is able to outgrown an angel inside her womb. For some it is the greatest achievement and utmost happiness they could ever receive.
But did you know that alongside with the blissful feeling and excitement, there is copious of risks behind it.
A woman's reproductive system starts to develop during puberty. All the secondary characteristics are formed during the pubertal stage. All the same, the body is developing more and more. At puberty, on the menarche stage of a young lady, the hormones of the body start to develop the reproductive system for pregnancy.

Once pregnancy seats in, lots of risks are expected and several cautions should be observed to have a safe pregnancy.

One, is Pre-Eclampsia
Pre-Eclampsia is a state where in the blood pressure of a pregnant woman arises up until 140/160 millimeters of mercury /mmHg (which is considered to be high blood pressure).

There is no way to know if you'll get to have pre eclampsia, that is why it is very important to have a regular checkup (more often) when a woman is pregnant.

It would be better to seek early consultation than to arrive to a point that pre-eclampsia would level up to ECLAMPSIA, which is quite more serious for a pregnant woman can experience seizures this time.

Diabetes Health Alert!


DIABETES
Type 1 Diabetes.

Pancreas secretes different kinds of hormones inside the body. One of these is Insulin. Insulin permits blood sugar (glucose) enters the body's cell for its usage. Any abnormality in the pancreas will affect cell activity and its energy-producing function. Without insulin, the cells will not use glucose and sugar build up will accumulate in the blood. Increased level of sugar in the blood may cause Diabetic Ketoacidosis, which is seriously dangerous in the bodies over all system function. Over time, it can cause damage to the eyes, heart, blood vessels, nerves and kidneys.
Type 1 Diabetes is also called as "Juvenile Diabetes", because mostly it occurs at any age but usually starts in children.
Type 1 Diabetes is different from Type 2 Diabetes. In Type 1 Diabetes the Pancreas stops producing Insulin while in Type 2 Diabetes, the Pancreas' ability to produce Insulin is insufficient. So from that, individuals with Type 1 Diabetes need to have regular Insulin intake than those clients with Type 2 Diabetes. Type 2 Diabetes can also be managed by oral Insulin intake, but most people can manage it through diet and regular exercise.

Symptoms of Diabetes are the following:

1. frequently thirsty
2. frequent urination
3. losing weight
4. Being hungry for most of the time than usual

As said above, Diabetic ketoacidosis is the main complication of untreated Diabetes.
Symptoms include:
1. Flushed, hot, dry skin
2. Not feeling hungry
3. Stomach pain
4. Vomiting
5. A strong, fruity breath odor
6. Fast and shallow breathing
7. Restlessness, drowsiness, or trouble waking up
8. Confusion


If you have Diabetic relatives or family members, it is best to see your Doctor immediately.

Saturday, July 12, 2008

Health Alert! ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE! Do you have it??


The most common degenerative and neurological disorder in the United States and other countries today is ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE. Degenerative because it goes with age; neurological because it affects the brain, damaging neurons and neurotransmitters, which helps the brain's activity. Forgetfulness is the most common and is the First sign of ALZHEIMERS.

ALZEIHMER'S disease damages the brain. This affects the neurotransmitters (which helps the brain's activity by sending impulses). Damage to these neurotransmitters will affect the body as a whole. It can cause memory loss, damage to speech area in the brain, thinking, balance and activities of daily living.

As they say, Alzheimer’s is the disease for OLD AGED. The risk of getting Alzheimer's Disease increases as you aged. But it does not mean that everyone will get to have it. Others may get some form of Dementia, but not all progresses to Alzheimer.

Memory loss or forgetfulness is the early and the most common sign of Alzheimer’s.

As the diseases progresses, the person may experience:
1. have trouble making decisions
2. May be disoriented regarding time, date and places.
3. Sometimes get lots of places that he knows well.
4. Having trouble remembering and learning new information.
5. Difficulty of expressing thoughts and feelings.
6. May experience difficulty in doing activities of daily living.

Sun-downing is common in persons with ALZHEIMER, meaning they become restless and agitated especially during the afternoon and night time.
Social withdrawal is presented and suspiciousness to others can be manifested. They would think that they are being cheated, talked about, laughed about etc..

Doctors that examine clients with Alzheimer’s disease usually do several mental tests to check memory and mental skills. CT Scans and MRI's are also ordered.

Sad to say but Alzheimer’s disease has no cure.
There are only medications that can slow its progression for a while. Since it is a degenerative disorder, it worsens as you get aged.

Medications used to lower progression is Donepezil (Aricept), it helps with memory and thinking problems. Memantine (Namenda) controls moderate to severe confusion and memory loss.

Sometimes people with Alzheimer gets depress especially when he is aware that he contains that disorder. Sometimes other doctors would also give anti-depressants to relieve depressions.

It is not easy to have the disease. And so much more to take care of a person who has it. Patience and Acceptance will be of great help when taking care of those clients.

HIV! Cure it before it goes to AIDS.


Human Immunodeficiency Virus is a virus that hits the immune system. The immune system is the body's defense to communicable diseases and other viruses. A low immune system makes person susceptible from getting contagious diseases and cancers. The number 1 factor of immunity is the influence of the White Blood Cells, as they were termed as the fighter cells.

Getting contact with infected person through blood, semen or vaginal fluids transmits HIV. The most common form of mode of transmission is through sexual intercourse. It can be transmitted through unsafe sex with someone who has HIV, another common way is by sharing drug needles with one who is infected with HIV (needle prick), and it can also be passed from a mother to her baby during pregnancy, birth or breastfeeding.

Be alert for signs and symptoms:
1. fever (first sign of infection)
2. sore throat (usually goes with fever)
3. headache
4. muscles aches and joint pains
5. swollen glands

6. skin rash

Diagnosing HIV is easy. A blood test is done to determine presence of antibodies. If you have been exposed to HIV, the Immune System will make antibodies to destroy the virus, and these antibodies will be detected in the blood.

ELISA and WESTERN BLOT ASSAY are used to diagnose HIV. These are blood tests that determine presence of antibodies in the blood.

Prevention is better than cure. The earlier the better. HIV that is not cured will develop to AIDS, which is more serious and dangerous .

The standard treatment for HIV is called HAART - Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy. The treatment is long, but with constant medications, antiretroviral medications can slow down the multiplication of virus in the body.

The best way to prevent HIV is to have a clean lifestyle. Practice safe sex, since HIV is sexually transmitted. Use condoms when having sex. If you suspect that your partner has HIV, ask your partner to be tested. Don't have more than one sex partner. Never share needles or syringes with anyone.

And again, PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE.