Tuesday, 26 March 2013

Medical Encyclopedia: Ear infection due to ear buds

Medical Encyclopedia: Ear infection due to ear buds

Ear infection due to ear buds

Using ear buds is bad or not

Nowadays most of the people using cotton buds everyday morning after taking bath. They don't know how it cause serious problem in future. Mainly it cause itching in ear,fungal infections,wax decline.At the end of this issue we consult ear surgeon.According to recent research, 36 per cent of adults use cotton buds to clean their ears, and most of them know that it is potentially dangerous. One in six who had sustained damage from a bud.
Cotton buds should not be inserted into the ear canal. Inserting a cotton bud into the ear canal may cause wax compaction, ear-drum damage and/or increase the risk of infection by damaging the skin in the ear canal.

Don't use cotton buds
Most people who purchase cotton buds use them for cleaning their ears, ignoring the warnings above.
Those suffering from itchy or painful ears are advised to visit their doctor rather than try to fix the problem themselves .According to recent research, 36 per cent of adults use cotton buds to clean their ears, and most of them know that it is potentially dangerous. One in six who had sustained damage from a bud. While getting one stuck inside the ear - the most common problem - is rarely serious, regular use can lead to skin irritation, infection and permanent hearing loss.
Ignoring the warning and using cotton buds cause the problem like eardrum, causing bleeding and temporary hearing loss even damage to middle ear bones causing permanent deafness.

Cleaning ears by using oil and uses of wax


ear cleaning
Use olive oil / or wax solvents to soften the wax, and see an ENT surgeon, he will remove it by suction of cleaning using an operating microscope.A few drops of a vegetable oil such as olive oil is apply in the ear every day. It keep ear from getting too dry and also protect it from water.Wax consists of a mixture of exfoliated skin and secretions and is produced in the outer third of the ear canal. Some people produce large amounts, which can affect hearing, especially if the wax becomes waterlogged and expands. It is best treated by having the ears syringed with warm water under medical supervision.Wax is actually contains antibacterial agents and lubricating properties which enhances the self cleaning mechanism. Any excess wax if present in the ear it is pushed out of the ear canal naturally, helped by the chewing motion of the jaw.

Causes of itching in the Ears:

Ear canal skin is very sensitive. The slightest accumulation of debris, even a dead hair, may cause an itching sensation .The Itching is usually due to a disturbance in the skin of the external auditory canal..

 

Ear itching

Dry ears are itchy:

Dryness in the ear causes inner ear itching. Some people produce very less sebum or earwax. This little amount is not sufficient to keep the ear canal well lubricated. As a result, dryness occurs inside the ear, which gives rise to flaky skin in the interior of the ear. This condition is known as seborrhea dermatitis.
A normal ear has a thin layer of natural body oil. Some ears produce no ear wax which results in dry and itchy ear skin. Sometimes people clean their ears and dry them out by removing the natural wax.

Fungal infection

This is another common cause of itching inside ear. It appears when water gets trapped in the ear canal. This trapped water is favorable for the growth of fungi and bacteria, which often leads to infections. It looks like white patches. Anti fungal and antibiotic ear drops must be used after the ear being cleaned.

Allergies

Certain chemicals in the hair care like hair dye, shampoo products often cause itchiness in the ear. Stopping the use of such products can alleviate this problem.
Sometimes the plastic of a hearing aid will cause an allergic reaction in the ears of the wearer. The solution here is to have the hearing aid mold revised Steroid creams are used in persons affected with ear infections.

Treatment:

The itching can usually be treated at home, but when it make pain we consult ENT surgeon. Some infectious agents, like bacteria and fungus, can cause inner ear itching, which may require medication if it doesn’t heal on its own.

Home Remedies

Any kind of edible oil cures ear itching effectively. Coconut oil or olive oil is a great ear itching remedy. Warm a spoonful of vegetable oil and pour it in the ear drop by drop using a dropper. Itching should stop almost immediately. Oil also loosens the earwax so that it can be easily remove






Tuesday, 12 March 2013

Brain Gene Switch

Brain Gene Switch

  Brain gene switch is discovered by scientist is act as a brain is  young.Brain plays a very important role in our body.It is like a fatty ball structure.Function of the brain is very unique.This brain gene switch is modifies as like a clock.Our brain is very active in our young stage,because the change between brain cells of neurons.

Structure of  human brain
    Na co receptor 1 is the gene is the main cause of this changes is occurring in humans.This receptor is reduce the action of the brain  as we get older. This gene is act as a brain gene switch.Due to this gene we can change the older human brain is more active than the younger human  brain.In older stage  normally we loss our remembering  capacity.All  these things are rectified by this Na co receptor.One more thing is Paralysis is cured by this Na co Receptor.Such a great thing is discovered by scientist! .Human being is not survive with out brain.

Wednesday, 6 March 2013

Red blood cells

What is Red blood cell?

The blood cells that carry oxygen,to the tissue. Red cells contain hemoglobin and it is the hemoglobin which  transport oxygen (and carbon dioxide). Hemoglobin, aside from being a transport molecule, is a pigment. It gives the cells their red color (and their name).
Red blood cell along with WBC
The abbreviation for red blood cells is RBCs. Red blood cells are sometime simply called red cells. They are also called erythrocytes or, rarely today, red blood corpuscles.

Importance of  RBC

Shape of Erythrocytes
Red blood cells perform the vital role in our body. A single drop of blood contains millions of red blood cells which are constantly traveling through our body delivering oxygen and removing waste. If they weren't, your body would slowly die.

Red blood cells are red only because they contain a protein chemical called hemoglobin which is bright red in color. Hemoglobin contains the element Iron, making it an excellent vehicle for transporting oxygen and carbon dioxide. As blood passes through the lungs, oxygen molecules attach to the hemoglobin. As the blood passes through the body's tissue, the hemoglobin releases the oxygen to the cells. The empty hemoglobin molecules then bond with the tissue's carbon dioxide or other waste gases, transporting it away.
Red blood cells get worn out and eventually die. The average life cycle of a red blood cell is 120 days. Your bones are continually producing new blood cells, replenishing our blood supply. The blood itself, however, is re-circulated throughout our body, not being remade all of the time.

Since the human body is continually making more blood, it is safe for healthy adults to donate blood. The blood is then stored for use in emergency situations. Initially after giving blood, the donor may feel some momentary light headedness due to the loss of oxygen-rich red blood cells and blood sugar. The body quickly stabilizes itself.
 
RBC in tissue and Abnormal  RBC in blood

Normal range of Red blood cells

The general the range is as follows:
  • Male: 4.7 to 6.1 million cells per micro liter (cells/mcL)
  • Female: 4.2 to 5.4 million cells/mc L

Causes of abnormal Results;Higher-than-normal numbers of RBCs may be due to:

  • Cigarette smoking
  • Congenital heart disease
  • Cor pulmonale
  • Dehydration (such as from severe diarrhea)
  • Kidney tumor (renal cell carcinoma)
  • Low blood oxygen levels (hypoxia)
  • Pulmonary fibrosis
  • Polycythemia vera

Drugs that can increase the RBC count include:

  • Gentamicin
  • Methyldopa

Lower-than-normal numbers of RBCs may be due to:

  • Anemia
  • Bone marrow failure (for example, from radiation, toxins, or tumor)
  • Erythropoietin deficiency (secondary to kidney disease)
  • Hemolysis (RBC destruction) due to transfusion, blood vessel injury, or other cause
  • Hemorrhage (bleeding)
  • Leukemia
  • Malnutrition
  • Multiple myeloma

Nutritional deficiency.

  Abnormal RBC also affect Nutritional deficiency
  1. Iron
  2. Copper
  3. Folate
  4. Vitamin B-12
  5. Vitamin B-6
  6. Over hydration
  7. Pregnancy

Drugs that can decrease the RBC count include:

  • Chemotherapy drugs
  • Chloram phenicol
  • Hydantoins
  • Quinidine

Risks

There is very little risk involved with having your blood taken. Veins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Taking blood from some people may be more difficult than from others.
Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight but may include:
  • Excessive bleeding
  • Fainting or feeling light-headed
  • Hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin)

Tuesday, 5 March 2013

How Garlic is control High blood pressure

Garlic control high blood pressure

Garlic is a miracle herb that has been held in high esteem for over 6000 years and it is a cure for High Blood Pressure.
Garlic (allium sativum) has originated from Asia and belongs to the family lily .It is a perennial bulb made up of 7-35 divided cloves or bulb that are covered in papery, transparently white glistening skin. The medicinal part of the plant is the bulb. The peculiar strong component of garlic is due to its sulfur containing compound or volatile oil known as Allicin.
Most diseases and illnesses occur because man has gone against natures,such as Stress, smoking, alcohol, obesity, sedentary lifestyle etc. Generally these herbs and spices cause lesser side effects and it increases your longevity. Garlic is one such miracle herb that has been held in high esteem for over 6000years.

Importance of Garlic

Garlic is considered for a multipurpose disorders and illnesses besides hypertension because of its properties. It is antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal in nature. It is used in the treatment of allergies or hay fever, herpes, sunburns, heart ailments like arteriosclerosis and cholesterol problems. Garlic is also an anticarcinogenic food and useful in typhoid, sinusitis, laryngitis and pneumonia, influenza and other respiratory illnesses. It is antispasmodic in nature as it eases the spasms of small arteries, and prevents the development of blood clots. Garlic is also used to treat rheumatism and is antiparasitic in nature. It is a known insecticide, protects against disease and increases strength and productivity.

What is high blood pressure?

High blood pressure occurs when the blood is pumped by the heart through the system that is abnormally fast and powerful. This sustained greater than normal force and pressure can cause damage to the arteries.
High Blood Pressure - The pressure or tension exerted by the blood on the arteries and the venous blood vessels is called blood pressure. Normal blood pressure is less than 120/80 mmHg, where 120 is the systolic blood pressure (SBP) and 80 is the diastolic blood pressure (DBP)

Prehypertension or Borderline Hypertension is when the systolic pressure is between 120 to 139 and/or the diastolic pressure is between 80 and 89.

Stage 1 hypertension is when the systolic pressure is between 140 to 159 and/or the diastolic pressure is between 90 and 99.

Stage 2 hypertension is when the systolic blood pressure is around 160 to 179 and the diastolic blood pressure is from100 till about 120.

Stage 3 Hypertension is increased blood pressure when the systolic blood pressure is more than 180 and the diastolic blood pressure is more than 120.

Factors that can affect Primary Hypertension

1. Stress and Tension: In the fast environment that we live in, stress and its associated problems are a common cause to increase blood pressure

2. Smoking: Nicotine in cigarettes and tobacco increase BP (blood pressure).

3. Obesity;: Obesity has the maximum contribution in increasing BP. This is because the heart has to work more to keep up with the increased body mass, which requires more blood for the supply of essential oxygen and nutrients to tissues in your body.

4. Sedentary Lifestyle: Lack of physical activity or a sedentary lifestyle tends to increase the heart rate and makes your heart work more
5. Saturated fatty acids
in the diet can also result in an elevated level of blood pressure.
6. Alcohol: Excessive alcohol intake increases the risks of hypertension.
7. Elderly: The elderly are more at risk for hypertension because of reduced complaibility and flexibility of blood vessels.
8. Excessive Salt intake: Excessive normal salt or sodium in the diet can result in fluid retention and high blood pressure.
9. Potassium intake:
Low potassium diet increases the sodium in the cells due to the sodium potassium pump.
10. Hereditary: High blood pressure is often familial in nature and runs in families.

High Blood Pressure Symptoms

High blood pressure usually doesn't cause any symptoms in the early stages. Symptoms associated with high blood pressure can include:
  • Dizziness or dizzy spells
  • Headache
  • Nosebleeds

Natural Remedies for High Blood Pressure

Lifestyle changes and natural remedies may help to control high blood pressure, but your doctor may also recommend medication to lower high blood pressure. It is important to work with your doctor, because untreated high blood pressure may damage organs in the body and increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, brain hemorrhage, kidney disease, and vision loss.

  Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)

There is some evidence that the supplement CoQ10 may help to reduce high blood pressure. A 12 week double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 83 people with systolic hypertension examined the effect of CoQ10 supplements (60 mg twice daily). After the 12 weeks, there was a mean reduction in systolic blood pressure of 17.8 mm Hg in the Coq10-treated group.
CoQ10 significantly reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure(mean reduction 6.1 mm Hg and 2.9 mm Hg respectively). There was also a reduction in HbA1C, a marker for long-term glycemic control.

  Garlic

In a meta-analysis of seven randomized controlled trials of garlic supplements, three trials showed a significant reduction in systolic blood pressure and four in diastolic blood pressure. Researchers concluded that garlic powder supplement may be of clinical use in patients with mild high blood pressure.
Garlic supplements should only be used under the supervision of a qualified health practitioner. Garlic can thin the blood (reduce the ability of blood to clot) similar to aspirin. Garlic may interact with many drugs and supplements such as the prescription drugs such as Coumadin (warfarin) or Trental (pentoxifylline), aspirin, vitamin E, gingko. It is usually recommended that people taking garlic stop in the weeks before and after any type of surgery.

Fish oil

 Preliminary studies suggest that fish oil may have a modest effect on high blood pressure. Although fish oil supplements often contain both DHA (docohexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid), there is some evidence that DHA is the ingiredient that lowers high blood pressure.

  Folic acid

Folate is a B vitamin necessary for formation of red blood cells. It may help to reduce high blood pressure in some people, possibly by reducing elevated homocysteine levels.


Friday, 1 March 2013

Breast feeding

Importance of breast milk

 Breast milk is the best food for your baby. Babies who are breastfed from birth are much less likely to be ill in their first year of life.This is not only for our baby health it also healthier to mothers body. Being breastfed may help your baby fend off illnesses such as:
  • gastroenteritis
  • pneumonia and bronchitis
  • urinary tract infections
  • eczema
  • ear infections
People who were breastfed as babies had lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol levels and were less likely to develop type two diabetes in adulthood . Breastfeeding is also beneficial for your baby's brain development. It helps to lower your risk of getting breast cancer before you reach your menopause. It can also help protect you against ovarian cancer and weak bones (osteoporosis) later in life.

The World Health Organisation and the Health Ministry recommend that babies are given only breast milk for their first six months. This is called exclusive breastfeeding. They also say that women should carry on breastfeeding after their babies have started on solid food, until the end of the first year and beyond if they wish. The World Health Organisation advises mums to breastfeed for two years.

Breast milk is a complete food. It contains at least 400 nutrients, including hormones and disease-fighting compounds that aren't found in formula milk. Its nutritional make-up adjusts to your baby's needs as she grows and develops. Find out more about how your body makes breast milk. This makes a special bond between baby and mother.

Some women adjust to breastfeeding easily. But many new mums find it hard to get going. In the first six weeks, as your milk supply adjusts and your baby learns how to breastfeed, you may suffer from:
  • Engorgement: overfull breasts
  • Mastitis: an inflammation of the breast
  • Sore nipples
So if you're feeling discouraged, remember that you're not the only one having trouble.



Baby care

Baby care   

Precaution to be handle in bedroom

When you start thinking about where your baby is going to sleep at night or decorating your child's bedroom, you might find it useful to keep these safety tips in mind:
  • If your baby sleeps in a cot, choose that is deep enough to be safe for your baby .Awake that cot bars are less than 45-65 mm is to prevent your baby's head from slipping between the bars.
  • Make sure that the mattress is firm. Your baby can overheat or suffocate if he sleeps on a soft mattress.
  • Put your baby to sleep on his back, with his "feet to foot" at the bottom of the cot, to decrease the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
  • Don't use a pillow in the cot. For safe sleeping, your baby needs a surface that is firm and flat.
  • Cover your baby with a light blanket even in the summer, if you are sleeping with the air-conditioner on. Make sure that the sheet or blanket is clean and your baby's face is never covered with the blanket so that he can breathe freely.
  • Keep soft toys and stuffed animals away from your baby's cot as he may get accidentally smothered if he rolls onto a toy in his sleep.
  • Ensure that your child's room is well-ventilated and keep a soft light on, next to his cot.
  • When you're not in the room with your baby, keep the drop side of his cot up and locked.
  • Position the cot away from direct sunshine, windows, heaters, lamps, wall decorations, and furniture which can be used to climb out of the cot.
  • Once your child can push up on his hands and knees, you'll have to remove that mobile and any toys that hang across the cot. When he can pull up, take out the bumper pads, too - they can be used as steps - and put the mattress in its lowest position so that he can't climb out of the cot.
  • If you are co-sleeping, your baby will be safe and comfortable if you have a king-sized bed made of wood with no fancy carvings on the headboard. Cane and wrought-iron beds often have splinters and sharp edges that can hurt your baby. If your baby sleeps in your bed, cover him with his own baby blanket and not your quilt.
  • Another safe option is to attach your baby's cot to your bed and put the drop side down. This way your baby can sleep safely in his cot and still be within arm's distance.
  • Dress your child in light cotton sleepwear and make sure the long or socks too slippery if your baby is starting to walk.