MEDICAL EDUCATION ON DRY EYE SYNDROME ALONG WITH EYE CARING HEALTH TIPS

Medical Health Education on Eye Care Tips

TAKE CARE OF YOUR EYES……

The dry eye syndrome is a common condition, caused due to various lifestyle factors like air pollution, smoking, vehicular smoke, excessive use of gadgets like computers, iPods, mobiles, and the also use of air conditioners, heaters etc. Other factors like sedentary habits, excessive use of various cosmetics and chemicals can have an impact on the quality of our vision.

Hormonal changes are also a cause of the dry eye syndrome (DES); causing changes in tear production e.g. menopausal women are most often affected by dry eye. Older men are also affected by this problem. Nearly 50 percent of the population suffers from this problem. However, it is more prevalent among women and older individuals.

What is Dry eye syndrome?

Sometimes people don't produce enough tears or the right quality of tears to keep their eyes healthy and moist. 

This condition is known as dry eye. In a normal eye there is a tear film in front of the cornea that lubricates, nourishes, and protects the eye from dust and other irritants. Spread by blinking (about every six seconds), it keeps the surface of the eye optically clear and smooth, and also protects from infection. 

This film has several layers of fluid viz. the lipid, or oil layer; the watery layer; and mucus layer and is not like ordinary water in its composition. 

All three layers of tears in human eyes are very necessary for the proper lubrication. The Persons with dry eye syndrome have tears that are mostly water and evaporate quickly, providing little protection to the eye.

Symptoms:

Dry eyes are dry, irritated and uncomfortable eyes. Sometimes excess production of water from the lachrymal gland in dry eyes results in watery eyes.

Other symptoms include eye strain, sensitivity to light, headache, blurred vision, pain and foreign body sensation, itching in the eyes, red or burning eyes. Even repeated splashing of water in the eyes does not give any relief, instead, it worsens the condition.

People prone to DES may also find their eyes feel more uncomfortable after reading or watching television at a stretch. Constant eye strain can result in headaches or neck-ache, which may be the leading symptom.

If not treated early the dry eyes can progress to ulcer formation and opacity of the cornea resulting in permanent loss of vision.

Health Tips to prevent dry eyes:

Avoid direct blowing of air in eyes from hair dryers, car heaters, air conditioners or fans.

Add moisture to the air e g a humidifier can add moisture to indoor air.

While swimming wear wraparound glasses or eyeglass shields or swim goggles.

Take frequent breaks while reading some document or working on your PC (Personal Computer). Blink your eyes frequently.

Be aware of your environment. Air at high altitudes, desert areas and in the airplanes can be really dry. Close eyes repeatedly to minimise evaporation.

Position the computer screen below eye level. This will slow the evaporation of tears between eye blinks.

Stop smoking and avoid vehicular and other smoke.

Always Wear the sunglasses when you are outside to reduce the harmful exposure of sun, wind and dust to your eyes.

Do not use any eye drops meant for the normal eyes.

Avoid long term contact lens wear. Avoid surgery that involves making incisions in or removing tissue from the cornea i.e. laser correction of myopia, if you have dry eye problem.

Treatment: Eye drops called artificial tears are used as substitute tears. If you need to use artificial tears more than every 2 hr, preservative-free brands may be better for you. These lubricate the eyes and help maintain moisture. 

The use of cyclosporine drops, work by stimulating tear production. It treats the underlying inflammation that's causing the problem, but only 25 percent to 30 percent of patients are benefited and cyclosporine doesn't work in every patient. 

Steroid eye drops may also be used occasionally. Surgical options include Lacrisert, a tiny insert filled with a lubricating ingredient (hydroxylpropyl cellulose) placed just inside the lower eyelid, where it constantly releases the lubrication. 

Another option is to close outlet channels temporarily with plugs to conserve your own tears and make artificial tears last longer. One more option is to permanently seal the opening of tear ducts by using heat cautery. Supplementary measures may include drinking more water to improve general hydration of the body, treating any inflammation of the lids and the measures mentioned under prevention.

Some individuals may find dry eye relief by supplementing their diet with Omega-3 fatty acids, which are found naturally in foods like oily fish (salmon, sardines, anchovies) and flax seeds.

That’s it about this Medical education on Dry eye syndrome. Take care of your eyes by using these precaution and prevention. If you do not take it seriously then you will lose your vision….Have a healthy and bright life ahead….

Sources: News Paper and books.

WOMEN HEALTH EDUCATION ON MENOPAUSE - How homeopathy helps in menopause?

Medical Health Education on Women Health

How homeopathy helps in menopause?

Menopause Means when the Menses (period) of a Women Stopped suddenly…

THERE is often a fear in the minds of women about menopause. Many misconceptions are prevalent about this natural event in the life of a woman. It is important to understand what menopause is and why it happens. The literal meaning of the word is pause or cessation of menses. Menopause is a natural, physiological and perfectly normal event in a woman's life, so there is no need to worry because It is not a disease. It just signals the end of the fertile period in a woman. It usually happens in the early fifties to early sixties but some women may experience it earlier too.

The process: The ovaries contain millions of eggs at the time of birth. These eggs die as the age progresses. Only a fraction of these eggs remain when a woman reaches her fifties(50 Years). Moreover, the ovaries become resistant to the effect of the Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), the hormone responsible for the occurrence of ovulation. The hormone oestrogen that is produced primarily by the ovaries has many roles in the functioning of blood vessels, the heart, the breasts and the uterus. At the time of menopause the ovaries stop the producing oestrogen. Reduction in the oestrogen levels in the body is responsible for a large number of symptoms that occur during and after menopause.

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Symptoms

The most common symptoms are mood swings, hot flashes, palpitation and anxiety, bouts of perspiration, headache, sleeplessness and irritability. Most of these symptoms occur because of the deficiency of oestrogen. Oestrogen is known to protect the body from coronary artery disease and brain strokes. That is why the incidence of heart disease and brain stroke is less in premenopausal women as compared to men. After menopause this protection is lost and the incidence of these diseases increases in women manifold. Bone density is also reduced much faster after menopause in women vis-à-vis men of a similar age and osteoporosis becomes more common. Lining of the vaginal wall atrophies and the mucous production is reduced causing dryness in the vagina. This leads to pain during intercourse and also frequent infections.

Diet and supplement Soya products have been found to alleviate heat flashes and perspiration as it contains high levels of phytoestrogen, also known as 'plant oestrogen'. To pre-vent loss in bone density, calcium intake, whether in form of diet as found in milk and yoghurt, or as supplements, is helpful.

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Role of homoeopathy

Homoeopathic medicines are made from highly-diluted natural substances. These do not contain any synthetic hormones and are perfectly safe for the treatment of symptoms associated with menopause. Homoeopathic medicines like Lachesis, Sepia, Sulphur and Pulsatilla are often used for the treatment of the symptoms being experienced by menopausal women. These medicines are highly effective in curing all problems that occur during the menopausal period. It is pertinent to mention here that all medicines mentioned above need the expert supervision of an experienced doctor and do not afford any chance of self medication.

For more article on various Health tips on women health as well as on Men health continue your visit with Tricky Health……

By: Dr. Harsh Sharma

Sources: News Paper and books.

DIAGNOSIS AND HEALTH CARE TIPS FOR PREVENTING VIRAL HEPATITIS

In our last article on health care education, we learned about Viral Hepatitis and various types of these viruses. Now In this article, we are going to explain the diagnosis and health care tips for the prevention of these viruses. If you still not read our previous medical education article on Viral Hepatitis and Its Types then you can CLICK HERE to read that one.

Medical Education on Diagnosis of Viral Hepatitis: 

Clinically all these viruses cause hepatitis and cannot be distinguished only by symptoms but by simple blood tests. Most of these lab tests are ELISA based.

* Chronic viral hepatitis may present differently depending on, whether liver cirrhosis and/or liver cancer is existing. Important manifestations are fatigue, weight loss, jaundice, swelling of legs and abdomen, anorexia, fever, arthritis, coma and gastro-intestinal bleeding. These patients, in addition, may present with symptoms related to kidney, joints or skin.

* Chronic viral hepatitis B and C are among the most common cause of liver cirrhosis and liver cancer (HCC), globally. Hepatitis B alone causes over 50 percent of all liver cancers and 33 percent of all liver cirrhosis, globally. Liver cancer (HCC) is a highly malignant tumor with aver-age survival of 3-6 months.

However, if diagnosed early by imaging modalities and blood tests, patients may be cured by liver surgery which includes liver transplantation. This facility is available across many hospitals in India as well all over the world.

Various Health's caring Prevention to save yourself from these Viruses:

1). General Prevention that we should take care: Simple measures like proper chlorination of water, boiling of water, replacing damaged or leaking sewerage pipes, ensuring safe and hygienic drinking water supply at all times can prevent infection.

2). Medical Treatment Prevention: The hepatitis A infection can also be prevented by hepatitis A vaccine. The first dose is followed by a second dose after six to 12 months. This is a safe vaccine and is highly effective, with protective antibodies being formed in over 95 per cent of vaccinated people. Combination of hepatitis A and B vaccine is also commercially available. Besides children, it is also recommended for:

1. Patients with pre existing liver disease like cirrhosis.
2. Those travelling to a highly endemic area.
3. People who have an occupational hazard for expo-sure to hepatitis A virus.
4. Hepatitis E vaccine was launched in China last year.

Three doses—at day 0, one month and six months — are given intramuscularly, in the arm. Hepatitis E vaccine is safe in pregnancy. Its efficacy in preventing hepatitis E infection for the last three years has already been shown. This vaccine will especially be useful for patients with a pre-existing liver disease like cirrhosis, in which hepatitis E can cause a ACLF. Hepatitis E vaccine is still not available in India and most of the world.

3). Blood-borne hepatitis can be prevented by safe medical and surgical practices, by screening all blood donors for HBV, HCV and HIV, refusing blood donation from commercial/professional donors, using disposable and sterilised needles and syringes, avoiding recycling of needles, syringes and other medical equipment, avoiding sharing of needles/syringes among IVDU, taking proper precautions during haemodialysis, and vaccinating all pregnant women.

In fact, WHO recommends universal hepatitis B vaccination for everybody. If a family member tests positive for hepatitis B or C infection, following precautions should be observed:

Avoid sharing safety razor, razor blades.

Avoid sharing hair brush, comb, nail cutter and clipper.

Practice safe sex.

Avoid alcohol.

Don’t be a blood donor.

Have a regular medical follow-up to ensure that the disease does not progress to cirrhosis and liver cancer.

As we all know that prevention and cure is the most important factor to get recover from your sickness. So dear reader Continue your visit with us on to the path of medical Health Education.

HEALTH EDUCATION ON MAJOR SKIN DISEASES KNOWN AS URTICARIA (RASHES)

MEDICAL HEALTH EDUCATION ON COMMON SKIN PROBLEM KNOWN AS URTICARIA (RASHES)

INTRODUCTION: A common skin trouble that affects many people is the sudden appearance of red rashes on the skin, which may occur totally unannounced and take one by surprise. The moment one feels some itching, one is inclined to scratch the part and immediately after scratching the part, red rashes or wheals appear on the skin. These rashes or wheals may itch or burn and may stay for some time after which they settle down. In medical parlance, this condition is known as urticaria. Urticaria or “hives” as known in English is derived from a Latin word “urtica” which means nettles though urticaria has nothing to do with nettles except that it causes itching and stinging as caused by the weeds of the nettle family.

CHARACTERISTICS OF URTICARIA:

• Characterised by the development of red rashes that itch, burn and sting.
• Urticaria can crop up on any area of the skin, including the face, arms, lips or eyes.
• The red wheals may be small in size and separated from each other by areas of normal skin or may coalesce together to form a single large area of eruption.

CAUSES OF URTICARIA:

1). ALLERGY: Usually, allergies are the cause of this trouble though it is difficult to pinpoint the exact allergen. Most of the time the offending allergen is too inconspicuous to be detected accurately. This makes it difficult to avoid the recurrence of this trouble as one does not come to know the source of the trouble.

2). ALLERGY TO FOOD ITEMS: Some people may be allergic to common articles of food as chocolates, nuts, wheat or milk.

3). EXPOSURE TO EXTREME OF TEMPERATURE: Other known causes of urticaria are exposure to cold, heat, sun, alcohol, drugs, exercise and emotional stress.

TYPES OF URTICARIA:

• DERMOGRAPHISM: The urticaria caused by minor pressure or scratching of the skin is known as dermographism.
• SOLAR URTICARIA: Some people get hives on going out in the sun known as solar urticaria.
• COLD URTICARIA: Exposure to cold can also cause urticaria in some patients. In extreme cases of allergy, wheezing respiration and unconsciousness may accompany the skin symptoms.
• CHOLINERGIC URTICARIA: It is another form of urticaria which is triggered by exercise, heat or emotions.

CHEMICAL REACTION IN BODY DURING URTICARIA:

The swelling that is seen in the skin rashes is caused by the leakage of blood plasma out of the vessels into the extracellular space. This remains limited only to the superficial layer of the skin and is caused by histamine which is released from the mast cells. Besides allergic reactions certain chemicals in foods and drugs can also lead to the release of histamine.

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HEALTH CARE TIPS ON TREATMENT OF URTICARIA:

1). More often than not, the rashes and the wheals sub-side on their own after some time but are quite distressing for the time they last. They come suddenly, last for a while and fade away on their own. Intense itching prompts one to scratch and often there is bleeding from the areas as the skin is peeled off by scratching. In some cases, scratching does not relieve the itching and may even cause more itching and may spread to the adjacent areas.

2). Applying coconut oil or Vaseline usually helps in relieving the itching and is the better course of action as compared to scratching with one’s nail which can expose the skin to further infection by bacteria and viruses.

3). Role of homoeopathy: The commonly used homoeopathic medicines for the treatment of urticaria are Apis, Natrum Mur, Mezereum, Dulcama-ra and Calcarea Carb. It is very important that the right medicine should be selected after a thorough study of the symptoms. Constitutional treatment with the right medicine is able to cure this trouble completely.

Continue your visit with Tricky Health. We are here to make a healthy World by sharing various Medical Education on very common diseases…

By: Dr. S.L Sharma.

MODE OF INFECTION FOR HYPATITIS B VIRUS ALONG WITH HEALTH TIPS FOR PREVENTING INFECTION

Our Previous article was on Introduction to Hepatitis B virus along with the Symptoms. If you want to read that article you can CLICK HERE to read that one where we explained the basic medical education on Hepatitis-B virus. Now in this segment of Medical Health education on Hepatitis B we are going to explain various modes of Infections for this Virus along with TIPS FOR PREVENTING INFECTION.

Modes of infection: There are following mode through which this infection can spread:

1). Hepatitis B and C spread through unsafe injection practices means using the same injections to multiple persons.

2). Unprotected sex relationship with an infected person.

3). Transfusion of infected blood to a healthy person.

4). Infection may also spread from mother to baby at birth.

5). Sharing a razor or toothbrush with a hepatitis-infected person also lead to the infection.

6). Getting body piercing or tattoo done with infected tools, and using needles that have already been used by a hepatitis-positive individual (such as for therapeutic injections or taking drugs) spread the infection.

But one cannot contract hepatitis B and C through sharing food or drinks with an infected person or through casual contact such as hugging, kissing, sneezing or coughing.
HEALTH TIPS FOR PREVENTING YOURSELF FROM HYPETITIS VIRUS
HEALTH TIPS FOR PREVENTING INFECTION:(FOR PATIENTS)

❚To avoid contracting or spreading the Hepatitis virus:
❚Never share needles
❚Do not share toothbrushes or razors
❚Do not get a tattoo or piercing done with tools that are not sterilised
❚Be vigilant about the use of fresh syringe and needles by the health care providers in all settings
❚Always use a condom during sex

HEALTH TIPS FOR PREVENTING INFECTION:(FOR MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS)

❚Never forget to wear latex or plastic gloves (handbags) to avoid direct contact with blood of infected patients
❚Do not use the same syringe to medicate more than one patient.
❚Never recap needles
❚Do not access the bag with a syringe that has already been used to flush a patient’s IV or catheter
❚Do not use a shared medication vial with a used syringe to medicate another patient
❚Ensure that you and your staff are immunized against Hepatitis B
❚In case of accidental needle stick injury follow NACO guidelines on post exposure prophylaxis within 72 hours

Awareness is the most important thing to cure yourself from these type of dangerous viruses. That’s why we are here to provide you medical health education and health caring tips on various topics. So be aware about these health tips and live a health and fit life ahead.

HEALTH EDUCATION ON DEADLY KILLER HEPATITIS-B VIRUS ALONG WITH SYMPTOMS

The hepatitis B virus, 50 to 100 times more infectious than HIV, kills over 6 lakh people every year worldwide. The incidence among the Indian population may be about 2-5 percent, according to WHO. Creating awareness against the deadly virus is the only solution.

MEDICAL HEALTH EDUCATION ON HEPATITIS VIRUS

Introduction: LIVER diseases do not get as much media space as cancer and heart ailments, but they are equally menacing and deadly. The most important of these is hepatitis, an inflammation of the liver, which is caused by a viral infection. 

Hepatitis is of five types: A, B, C, D and E. While hepatitis A and E are caused by the consumption of contaminated food and water, hepatitis B, C and D most commonly occur due to contact with infected body fluids like blood and semen, and contaminated injections. 

Hepatitis B and C can lead to chronic (long-term) diseases such as liver cancer and liver cirrhosis. Liver cancer is almost always fatal, with most patients in developing countries dying within a few months of diagnosis. Liver cirrhosis patients are sometimes given liver transplants, with mixed success.

                                                The deadly killer
Hepatitis B is the most dangerous type of viral hepatitis. About 2 billion people are estimated to be infected with it. The incidence among the Indian population may be about 2-5 per cent, according to WHO. When infected with hepatitis B virus, about 80 per cent of the people do not show any symptoms during the short term (acute) phase. Since they remain unaware of the ailment, it is easy for them to transmit the virus to others. So be aware of it to make your and other life healthy and fit.

Sign And Symptoms:
The symptoms, if these occur, include jaundice, dark urine, vomiting and stomach pain.

Treatment: There is no specific treatment for acute hepatitis B and most patients recover after a few weeks without any medication. Sometimes, the hepatitis B virus may reside in a patient’s body for years (chronic phase) and damage the liver by causing serious life-threatening diseases. Blood tests can diagnose people with hepatitis B and distinguish between acute and chronic infections. Age is an important factor in determining if hepatitis B will remain acute (run for a few weeks) or turn chronic (life-long). The lower the age of a person getting infected with hepatitis B, the higher are the chances of the infection turning chronic. Young children infected with hepatitis B are the most likely to develop chronic infection. About one-fourth of adults, who get chronically infected during childhood, succumb to liver cancer or cirrhosis later. That is why it is extremely important to protect children from hepatitis B infection. This can be done through vaccination.
About 15 crore people in the world are infected with Hepatitis C, around 3.5 lakh of whom die every year to complications related to the virus, according to WHO.

Unfortunately at this time there is no preventive vaccine for hepatitis C currently available. It is curable using anti-viral drugs but the treatment is very expensive, much beyond the capacity of most patients in developing countries. So awareness with your Health and Fitness can save you from such viruses