Archive for the ‘ disease ’ Category

December 28th, 2009

Cardiomyopathy is a known serious heart disease. This is where the heart muscle becomes inflamed and doesn’t work as well as it needs to. There may be multiple causes including viral infections.

Cardiomyopathy literally means “heart muscle disease” (The deterioration of the function of the myocardium (the actual heart muscle for any reason). People with Cardiomyopathy are often at risk of arrhythmia and possibly sudden cardiac death (heart attack).
People used to assume that only the elderly had heart disease or heart attacks. That is not the case as heart disease can strike before birth and any age in life. Heart disease covers a wide range of health conditions relating to the heart and all its systems.

Cardiomyopathy is classified as primary or secondary. Primary cardiomyopathy is not given specific causes, such as high blood pressure, heart valve disease or congenital heart defects. Secondary cardiomyopathy is due to specific causes. It is often associated with diseases involving other organs plus the heart

Dilated (congestive) Cardiomyopathy is the most common form. The heart cavity is enlarged and stretched (cardiac dilation). The heart is weak and doesn’t pump normally, with many patients developing congestive heart failure. Abnormal heart rhythms and disturbances in the heart’s electrical conduction also may occur.

Blood flows more slowly through an enlarged heart, so blood clots easily form. A blood clot that forms in an artery or the heart is called a thrombus. A clot that breaks free
circulates in the bloodstream and blocks a small blood vessel is called an embolus.

These clots are dangerous and can cause other systems plus their organs to become sick. For example, blood clots that form in the heart’s left side may become dislodged and carried into the body’s circulation to form cerebral emboli in the brain, renal emboli in the kidney, peripheral emboli or even coronary artery emboli.

November 17th, 2009

Dilatation of radicles of rectal veins within the anal canal is called piles.The medical term for piles is hemorrhoids.Compared to arteries veins are weak due to thin walls and hence any backpressure in the veins can make them tortuous.There are three rectal veins namely superior, middle and inferior rectal veins.Any obstructions or increase of pressure in these veins can predispose piles.

Depending upon the situation there are two types of piles.

1) External piles.         2) Internal piles.

1) External piles:-

This type of piles is seen outside the anal opening and is covered by skin.It is black or brown in colour.This type of piles is very painful due to rich nerve supply in this area.

2) Internal piles:-

It is inside the anal canal and internal to the anal orifice.It is covered by mucous membrane and is red or purple in colour.These piles are painless.

Some times internal and external piles occure in same individual.

Factors responsible for piles:–

1) This is a familial disease.

2) Piles is seen only in animals maintain an erect posture. This is due to congestion in the rectal veins due to the effect of gravity.

3) It is common in individuals having chronic constipation.Those who have a habit of visiting the toilet due to frequent urge for stool may develop piles in future.

4) Piles is common in those who take excess of chicken, prawns, spicy food ect.Those who take vegetables and fibrous food are rarely affected.

5) Some ladies get piles during pregnancy due to compression of rectal veins by the uterus.

6) Cancerous lesions in the rectum can obstruct blood flow and result in piles.

Signs and symptoms of piles:–

1) Pain:-

Pain is common in external piles which will be worse while straining at stool.

2) Bleeding:-

Bleeding comes in splashes while pressing for stool.Bleeding may be profuse in some cases.

3) Protruding mass:-

In external piles the swelling can be felt around the anal orifice.In case of internal piles initially it can not be felt.When the disease progresses the piles protrude during stool and will go inside automatically.When the condition becomes worse the protruded piles will not go back in to the anus.

4) In some cases there will be discharge of mucus with itching around the anal orifice.

Complications of piles:–

1,Infection: The infection can spread to deep veins resulting in septicaemia.
2,Fibrosis: Here the piles become fibrosed with hardening of anal orifice.
3,Thrombosis: Here the blood inside the piles will form clots and can obstruct blood flow.
4,Gangrene: Here the tissues in the piles and nearby skin die due to lack of blood supply.
5,Suppuration: When the piles suppurate it can produce abscess with discharge of pus.

November 7th, 2009

Prostate is a glandular organ present only in males.  It surrounds the neck of bladder & the first part of urethra and condributes a secretion to the semen. The gland is conical in shape and measures 3 cm in vertical diameter and 4 cm in transverse diameter.It has got five lobes anterior,posterior,two lateral and a median lobe.Since  the first part of the urethra pass through it any lesion in the prostate will produce difficulty in passing urine.

Diseases of the prostate gland:-

1) Prostatitis:-

This is the inflamation of the prostate gland due to bacterial infection.

2) Benign enlargement of the prostate:-

This is a non cancerous tumour of  the prostate seen after the age of 50.  3,Cancer of the prostate:-This is the 4th most common cause of death from malignant diseases in males.

Cancer of the prostate.

Cancer of the prostate is directly linked with the male sex hormones(androgens).If the levels of sex hormone increases the growth rate of cancer also increases.It is found that after the removel of testes there is marked reduction in the size of tumour.

Site of tumour:-

Prostate cancer is seen mainly in the posterior lobe.Non cancerous enlargement is seen in other lobes.

Changes in the gland in cancer:-

The gland becomes hard with irregular surface with loss of normal lobulation .Histologically prostate cancer is an adeno carcinoma(cancer of the epithelial cells in the gland)

Growth :-

Growth rate is very fast in prostate cancer .The tumour compresses the urethra and produce difficulty in urination.

Spread of tumour:-

Metastasis in cancer of prostate is very early.

1) Local spread:-

From the posterior lobe the cancer cells go to the lateral lobes and seminal vesicles.Tumour cells also move to the neck and base of the urinary bladder.

2) Lymphatic spread:-

Through the lymph vessels cancer cells reach the internal and external illiac group of lymph nodes.From there cells move to retroperitonial(Behind the peritonium) and mediastinal lymph nodes(in the chest)

3) Spread through the blood:-

Spread of cancer cells takeplace through the periprostatic venous plexus and reaches the vertebral veins while coughing and sneezing and finally enders the vertebral bodies of the lumbar vertebrae.

Signs and symptoms of prostate cancer:–

Signs and symptoms depend upon the stage of the cancer. The following symptoms may be seen.

1) No symptoms:-

Tumour is small and only in the posterior lobe.  This is diagnosed accidentely.

2) Slight difficulty in urination:-

Here the tumour is enlarged and urethra is slightly compressed.Shortly there will be frequent urge for urination with difficult urination.

3) When the tumour spread to all nearby areas including neck of bladder and urethra there will be painful urination with bleeding.Urine comes drop by drop.

4) Retention of urine:-

When the urethra is completely compressed there will be retention of urine.This can lead to hydronephrosis, renal failure ect.In this condition patient may get convulsions due to renal failure and finally coma.

5) Signs of metastasis:-

Some patients come with the signs and symptoms of metastasis.
a) Lumbo sacral pain due to spread of cancer cells to lumbar and sacral vertebrae.
b) Fracture of spine due to cancerous growth in the spine.
c) Swelling, pain and fluid collection in the abdomen due to lesion in the abdomen.
d) Respiratory complaints due to cancer of mediastinal lymphnodes and lungs.
e) General weakness due to spread of cancer to different parts of the body.
f) Anaemia due to involment of bone marrow and increased destruction of RBCs.

October 9th, 2009

It is a non progressive neuromuscular disorder causing mild to severe disabilities throughout life.This condition is manifested as a group of persisting qualitative motor disorders which appear in young children due to damage to the brain during delivery or due to some pathological conditions in the intrauterine life.The neuroligical problems are multiple but non progressive in nature.Approximately 2 per 100 live birth is having this problem.This disease is having no hereditary tendency.

Causes of cerebral palsy:
1) Injury to the brain during delivery.
2) As a complication of forceps delivery.
3) Lack of oxygen supply to the baby during delivery.
4) Infections during delivery.

Signs and symptoms of cerebral palsy:
The signs and symptoms may not be similar in all babies affected.Depending upon the damage to the brain there may be mild to severe lesions. Moderate cases:-50% cases are having moderate disability.The affected children require self help for assisting their impaired ambulation capacity. Severe cases:-About 30% of the affected children are totally incapacited and bedridden and they allways need care from others.

Abnormal findings in cerebral palsy:-
1,Abnormal neonatal reflexes.
2,Stiffness of all muscles with awkward motion.
3,Extention of extremities on vertical suspension of the infant.
4,Scissoring of the lower limbs due to spasm of the adductor muscles of the thigh.
5,In severe cases the back bend backwards like and arch.
6,May have total or partial paralysis.
7,Arrest of neurological and behavioral developement.
8,Swallowing may be difficult in some cases.
9,Drooling of saliva.
10,Mild to severe mental retardations.
11,Abnormal movements are seen in some cases.
12,Tremors with typical movements.
13,If cerebellum is affected there will be loss of muscle tone with difficulty in walking.
14,Complete or partial loss of hearing.
15,Speech may be affected.
16,Squint and other visual problems may be associated.
17,Convulsions may be seen in some children.
Cerebral palsy is diagnosed by detailed clinical examination and by eliminating other similar diseases like brain tumour, progressive atrophy ect.All investigations like CT scan,MRI and routine investigations are needed to ruleout other diseases.

September 6th, 2009

The term arthritis doesn’t refer to a single illness, just to a grouping of over a hundred different types of an illness, and to explain it’s a kind of umbrella term that is used to refer to these medical problems that have an effect on the musculoskeletal system, particularly those joints where two bones meet.

While there are over 100 different forms of arthritis and those are only the ones known and recognized at this time, there are three in particular that are especially significant and common: rheumatoid arthritis, gouty arthritis, and osteo arthritis.

Osteo arthritis is really recognized as being the most typical form of arthritis of all, and it is due to the breakdown of cartilage in the body. Over time the cartilage may very well finish up wearing away wholly, and though osteo arthritis is a sort of arthritis that’s ready to affect almost any joint of the body, it most frequently is affecting the hips, knees, hands and backbone.

Although osteo arthritis is considered as being a non-inflammatory arthritis, meaning that it does not cause inflammation of the joints and muscles as most other types of arthritis do, this is actually not true, and although there is usually no swelling during the earlier stages of the disease, as it progresses there can be inflammation, and in fact is in almost all cases.

Before any technique of treatment can be prescribed, a correct diagnosis must be made. Building the proper diagnosis is important, because treatment is available but only once this has been accomplished. This is the reason why as quickly as you notice any of the signs or evidence of the illness, or any sort of arthritis in fact, that you seek medical help right away.

Apropos treatment for osteo arthritis, your physician will customarily start off with something milder, like Tylenol or Aspirin and tell you to try that for about a fortnight. If there are no appearances of improvement or relief of your agony, then they’ll move on to something stronger ,for example arthritis creams and gels. These are applied topically, immediately onto the skin and the majority are generally available from your local drug store.

Eventually there are more significant systems of treatment, particularly arthritis medicine that you could be prescribed, particularly if your symptoms are causing you serious agony. Codeine preparations are the most ordinarily commended here, and this is a mixture of codeine and acetaminophen.

For all the news and information on osteo arthritis visit our arthritis website. Don’t reprint this exact article. Instead, reprint a free unique content version of this same article.

September 6th, 2009

The problem of snoring is really annoying, and for as long as people have snored, various stop snoring devices to try and stop it have been around. Some have done almost everything from sewing tennis balls to their pajamas so that they sleep in one position all night to sticking sleep strips on their noses every night. But whether these methods to stop snoring are effective or not depends on the reason for the snoring.

Your first step should be visiting your doctor. It will be helpful if you can bring along your partner. They will be better equipped to explain your snoring to the doctor. After all, they listen to it every night. You probably don’t even realize how bad your snoring can be.

Your partner can help by describing your breathing patterns to your physician. For example, if there are periods of silence and you stop snoring, your physician may diagnose sleep apnea. This is a serious medical condition during which the patient actually stops breathing during sleep.

A stop snoring device called CPAP has been very successful in preventing snoring. Not only does it prevent snoring, it keeps those suffering from sleep apnea breathing all night long by forcing air into the air passageways while they’re sleeping. It works through a special mask that the snorer wears while asleep.

Nasal strips are stop snoring devices which assist in the opening of nasal passages. They are helpful to some but they are by no means, however, a permanent solution for every snoring problem. In order to successfully stop snoring, your particular problem must be addressed by a doctor.

Most people snore because of breathing through the mouth. There are dental stop snoring devices that you can insert in your mouth prior to sleeping which will aid in reducing the snoring. These work by bringing your lower jaw or your tongue into a forward position during sleep. This acts to open your airways and allows freer breathing.

If your doctor has eliminated the chance it could be sleep apnea or other medical condition that is causing the snoring, then off the shelf stop snoring devices might help. For snoring that is a result of mouth breathing, they may work well enough for you without needing to undergo surgery.

Click here to discover how you can stop your snoring permanently with only three minutes a day. Even the worst snorer can feel the benefits almost immediately and manage to stop snoring eventually. Don’t reprint this exact article. Instead, reprint a free unique content version of this same article.

September 5th, 2009

A high libido is what every man desire but only few of them really enjoy the pleasure of full satisfaction during lovemaking. Many men suffer from temporary loss of libido. The good thing is that the temporary loss of libido can be recovered through natural, safe and effective male enhancement supplements.

Shilajit is basically a kind of gum resin formed after decomposition of various plants and vegetable substances, which were trapped and crushed under high pressure during the formation of Himalaya mountain ranges. It is highly rich in number of basic minerals and organic substances.

For a strong libido, you must have a mind that is free of worry and has correct hormonal balance and big passion killers are – stress and anxiety which reduce overall body energy and leave you unable to focus on pleasure.

These herbs have nutrients which can cure all the above problems and you can get them all in the best herbal pills. Dong Quai: is acknowledged as the best herb for women’s health and is one herb all women should consider taking. In terms of health, the herb improves blood circulation, nourishes the blood, increases estrogen in the body, balances blood sugar and is packed with nutrients for overall hormonal balance. Ginger: this herb acts as a heart tonic and also increases blood flow quickly, to the organs so they can fill with blood when you become aroused.

Avena Sativa: avena sativa works to increase testosterone levels and helps the body to relax which enhances sensitivity in the organs. Schisandra: schisandra is frequently used to treat menopausal symptoms and balance hormone levels; in terms of health, it increases blood flow to the pelvic region. Recent research has also shown that the herb works as a phytoestrogen.

It also minimizes the debility or weakness in the organs and helps in improving elongated sensual experience. It is also used to prepare various herbal oil preparations, which are used to massage the organs, which increases power. Herbs for increasing the libido have numerous advantages. Next, you’ll find a few.

Zinc – It is required for the production of testosterone and zinc content of the prostate gland and sperm is higher than in any other body tissues. Zinc not only helps produce testosterone, but also helps to maintain semen volume and adequate levels of testosterone; maintaining libido and keeping sperm healthy.

Magnesium – It is vital for the production of hormones, such as androgen and estrogen and the neurotransmitters that modulate the libido such as dopamine and norepinephrine. Amino acid – If you want to increase nitric oxide levels simply take L Argentine a non-essential amino acid. It boosts libido and makes your love life exciting.

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@ 2009 Info About Health