There are two primary factors that are more likely to cause a stroke in a person i.e age and a family history. While both are inevitable, this necessarily doesn t have to be the fate of a person. Brain stroke is entirely preventable as with the case of other diseases. By working on the potential health risk factors, a stroke can be prevented. Here is a list of few such steps which, when followed can pay rich dividends to a person facing the risk of a brain stroke:

Blood Pressure: Blood pressure is the single most important factor that can increase the chance of a brain stroke. If a perfect blood pressure reading seems too difficult to achieve, a more realistic blood pressure target of 140/190 should be aimed for. Some of the common steps in order to achieve an acceptable blood pressure figure include reducing salt in the diet, exercising on a daily basis, regular intake of fresh fruits & vegetables and fast processed food containing processed fats. Finally, quitting drinking and smoking goes a long way in ensuring that a person is safe from strokes.

Losing Weight: Obesity increases the risk of diabetes and blood pressure subsequently increasing the risk of a stroke. Being overweight, therefore greatly increases the odds of a stroke. A BMI of 25 should be maintained by engaging in activities such as walking, running and playing on a daily basis.

Regular Exercise: Exercise is a clear mandate for people facing an increased risk of brain strokes. A moderate intensity exercise schedule for a minimum of 5 days per week is necessary. Some simple steps in order to achieve this include taking the stairs while climbing, joining a fitness club, 30 minutes of daily walk in a day etc.

Moderate Drink: Surprising as it may sound, moderate drinking on a daily basis can dramatically reduce the risk of a brain stroke. Red wine should be the choice of preference in this case. It should be ensured that the level of drinking does not surpass more than a glass. Regular drinking in excessive quantity can increase the chance of brain stroke.

Check For Atrial Fibrillation: This is a disease that is related to the heart due to an irregular heartbeat. There is a possibility of the clots travelling to the brain causing a brain stroke. Certain possible symptoms of this disease such as palpitation of heart and shortness of breath should be checked with a doctor to negate the chance of brain stroke. Certain blood thinners like warfarin and aspirin can shield against atrial fibrillation. A doctor has to be consulted before starting any medication related to the heart.

Top Ways To Prevent A Brain Stroke

Pain management is an issue that stares back at mankind, irrespective of the underlying health condition. Whether it is a headache or a back pain, burn or fracture, heart attack or cancer, pain is always a symptom. In some cases like migraines, cancer, etc., the pain is chronic and the patient needs to be constantly on the vigil to know when an attack will ensue. This has also put high pressure on the medical fraternity to identify ways that can provide relief to these people. Various methods have been identified, and one of them is the electrotherapy.

What is done?
A few electrical impulses are directed at the area of the pain using a hand-held device. This is similar to providing electric shocks of mild intensity to the affected area (forehead, low back, neck, etc.). What this does is stimulate the nerve endings, improves circulation and muscle strength and promotes bone growth and tissue repair. The end result of all this is overall improved functioning and pain relief. Depending on the actual condition, the sessions will have to be repeated. In some patients, the electrotherapy is used in conjunction with other therapy so that they can go about their routine exercise and pain relief.
The sessions may also have to be repeated as most often these are used in individuals with chronic pain. They are also helpful in providing relief during the acute attacks.

How does it work?
The most common form of electrotherapy is known as TENS, which stands for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation. The area to be treated is cleansed with spirit and then small sticky pads are applied through which the electricity is passed. A hand-held device is used, through which electrical impulses are passed to the skin, which stimulates the nerve cells to provide relief from pain. It causes a vibrating and tingling sensation in the treated area. It is believed that it blocks the nerve impulses and therefore provides pain relief. Another theory states that they promote the release of endorphins which are natural painkillers; it is also very effective in case of migraine and sciatica and neck pain where the chronic pain is coupled with acute spurts.

With narcotic painkillers having various side effects, techniques like electrotherapy are gaining popularity. A small catch also is that it does not work for everybody and in most people with back pain, fibromyalgia, and migraines, requires repeat sessions for relief. The cost of each session also needs to be considered against the extent of relief achieved. However, for those whom it works, it is a very good technique for chronic pain control.

Electrotherapy - How It Can Help In Managing Pain?

Dry skin refers to the lack of moisture within the skin, specifically within the layer known as epidermis. Dry skin is a fairly common condition resulting in the flaking of skin. The abnormal lack of moisture in skin can be caused by several influencing factors.

The loss of moisture
Dry skin may be mild, where it may last for a few days to severe, where it lasts for prolonged periods of time. This tends to become increasingly common with age. Although normally having a dry skin is a common skin type, abnormally low moisture content in the skin might become a serious and chronic condition leading to many problems.

Causes of dry skin
1. Dry skin might be caused by winter weather or dry and harsh climatic conditions
2. Bathing or washing skin frequently with rough soap,
3. Severe deficiency of vitamin A
4. Using hot water for showers for prolonged periods of time
5. Individuals with eczema are more prone to dry skin and may lead to several bacterial infections as well
6. Underlying physical disorders such as hypothyroidism and diabetes may also be contributing factors.
7. Medication for lowering blood pressure, cholesterol and to remove acne may also lead to the dryness of skin.

The symptoms of dry skin include
1. Itchiness and discomfort
2. Tightness of skin
3. Continuous scratching
4. Appearance of white lines on scratching
5. Extremely dry skin may result in the cracking or breaking of skin causing pain and discomfort.
6. Skin that easily bruises with minor abrasions.

Treatment
Dryness of skin is very common and can be treated easily. However, extreme dryness can lead to severe discomfort of the skin and cause infections and skin diseases. Visiting a dermatologist is always preferred in such cases.
1. Certain preventive steps you can take to prevent the occurrence of dry skin along with some treatment options are mentioned here.
2. Temporary dry skin may be treated with the use of lotion. Frequent moisturizing also helps.
3. It is also advisable to drink a lot of water and avoid soaps that suck moisture out of your skin.
4. You should also try and increase the intake of food rich in Vitamin A. Carrots, spinach, tomatoes, zucchini, celery, are good examples of such food.
5. Natural oils may also be used to temporarily remove the dryness in skin. Regular massages and frequent application of moisturizing agents always helps.
6. You should also switch to bathing in cool or lukewarm water.
If the problem seems to persist, visit a dermatologist for further consultation. Special medicated lotions are often prescribed to deal with dry skin. Anti-itching lotions may also be prescribed by dermatologists along with certain oral medications for rare cases.

Dry Skin - 6 Ways to Treat It!

World Hepatitis Day or WHD takes place every year on 28 July and it is designed to raise awareness about viral hepatitis and to influence real change. WHD, endorsed by the World Health Organization, unites patient organisations, governments, medical professionals, and civil society, as well as the public, to boost prevention measures for fighting viral hepatitis like vaccination.

In the simple terms, hepatitis means injury to your liver due to inflammation. There are five main types of hepatitis and the type that you are suffering from is determined by a laboratory test. All the five main types of hepatitis are caused by viruses. Out of the five, Hepatitis C and B are quite big. Globally, around 250 million people are affected by hepatitis C and 300 million people are estimated to be hepatitis B carriers.

Fact sheet on hepatitis

Hepatitis A & E is caused by consuming contaminated water.
Hepatitis B, C and D is transmitted through infected blood to blood contact.
Hepatitis C is usually spread via direct contact with the blood of an infected person.
The initial symptoms of hepatitis are the same as those of flu.
Hepatitis can heal on its own causing no significant liver damage; however, if it progresses, it can cause extensive liver scarring and extensive damage of your liver.
Most liver damage is caused by 3 hepatitis viruses, and these are hepatitis A, B and C. 

How do you safeguard yourself against infection from these three dangerous hepatitis viruses?

The most common cause of concer is that a lot of us who are infected with hepatitis, especially hepatitis B don t know that we are. The biggest bulwark against hepatitis is periodic testing and vaccination. Vaccination is available for most hepatitis viruses including A and B, which tend to be extra virulent.

So, do take care and go for periodic testing. We are reiterating this because if you are infected with hepatitis B and are not treated you can develop serious problems of the liver, including liver cancer. In fact, nearly 1 in 4 people living with hepatitis B develop serious liver problems including liver cancer. Hepatitis B related liver cancer is a leading cause of fatality and getting tested for hepatitis can help you access life-saving treatments that can prevent serious liver damage.

Other ways to prevent hepatitis are
Hepatitis A

Wash your hands with soap after using the toilet
Only consume freshly-cooked food
Only drink bottled or boiled water
Only eat fruits that can be peeled. Don t eat fruit that has been cut and kept
Avoid eating raw vegetables
Vaccinate yourself against hepatitis A if you travel a lot.
Hepatitis B

Practice safe sex by using condoms
Only use new syringes for injections
Do not share toothbrushes, razors, or manicure instruments with others
Vaccinate yourself against hepatitis B
Take care while getting tattooed. Only use brand new tattoo needles. Also, ask for new needles during acupuncture treatments.
Hepatitis C

Avoid sharing toothbrushes, razors, and manicure equipment
Cover open wounds if you are infected
Don t share needles. Always ask for fresh needles.
Use only well-sterilized equipment for acupuncture, piercing, and tattooing etc.
Cut down on alcohol
Do not share drug needles

World Hepatitis Day - Tips To Help You Prevent Yourself!

Are you experiencing symptoms of flu, such as a cough, sore throat, fever, body aches and headaches? Are you feeling sick around your stomach and throwing up more than usual? This indicates you have H1N1 flu or swine flu. Swine flu is a form of influenza that affects pigs, or a form of human influenza that is caused by a related virus.

Diagnosis
It is difficult to tell whether you have got swine flu or seasonal flu, as the associated symptoms are similar. There are a few different symptoms. A laboratory test is hence required for the detection of swine flu. Sometimes, a rapid flu test taken in a doctor s chamber is not enough for the proper diagnosis of swine flu.

For swine flu testing, a swab is taken by a doctor from the insides of your nose and the back of your throat. This test is usually taken by people who are living in hospitals or are at a high risk of death because of life threatening conditions, because of swine flu. Children below the age of 6, people above the age of 65, and children taking aspirin therapy are more likely to develop swine flu. Adults or children suffering from lung, blood, liver and nervous system disorders are also prone to swine flu. Pregnant women and people with a weak immune system are also susceptible to swine flu.

Treatment
Several antiviral drugs, which are used to treat seasonal flu, are used to treat swine flu as well. However, some drugs prescribed for seasonal flu do not respond to swine flu. Using these medicines enables faster treatment and also makes the patient feel better. You must take the medicines within 48 hours of observing the first swine flu symptom. They are also effective when given at a later stage. Antibiotics do not treat swine flu as the flu itself is caused by a virus and not by a bacterium.

Certain over-the-counter (OTC) painkillers and medicines for cold and flu may also help in relieving aches, fever and pain. Abstain from giving aspirin to patients below the age of eighteen as it could lead to Reye s syndrome. You can prevent yourself from getting swine flu by taking a vaccine. The same flu vaccine, which prevents seasonal flu, also protects the H1N1 swine flu strain. This can be taken in the form of a shot or a nasal spray.

H1 N1 Infuenza (Swine Flu) - How it can be detected and treated?

Problems are pancreas are common and are treated by gastroenterologists. There are two common pancreas problems -

1. Acute Pancreatitis: Sudden Inflammation of the pancreas is known as acute pancreatitis. It is usually due to Alcohol, gall stones, trauma, metabolic causes such as hypertriglyceridemia, and congenital causes such as Pancreas divisum. The patient presents with severe upper abdominal pain and vomiting. Patients require admission for IV fluids and analgesics. Nearly all patients recover from the pain and start eating within 3 to 4 days. Few patients with severe pancreatitis may develop kidney failure, respiratory failure or GI bleeding. Such patients require longer hospitalisation stay and critical care management. Recovery is usually uneventful but few patients develop peripancreatic fluid collection known as Pseudocyst or walled-off pancreatic necrosis(WOPN). In such cases, the patient requires additional treatment of fluid collection and requires internal drainage by Cystogastrostomy which is done by Endosonography (EUS) by a gastroenterologist. Some patients require ERCP (Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography) for evaluation of pancreatic ductal leak. EUS and ERCP are advanced endoscopic procedures done by a few gastroenterologists who are specially trained in such procedures.

2. Chronic pancreatitis: Long term irreversible damage to the pancreas is called chronic pancreatitis. It is usually due to Alcohol intake. It presents with upper abdominal pain, Diabetes mellitus and fat in stools (steatorrhea). The small duct in the pancreas called main pancreatic duct can have hard calcifications also known as stones, which obstruct the flow of pancreatic juice and cause severe abdominal pain. Treatment of chronic pancreatitis includes stopping alcohol intake to prevent further damage to the pancreas, medicines for pain, Pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) and Endoscopy for those who do not respond to medical treatment. Endoscopy includes ERCP and plastic stenting to establish a flow of obstructed pancreatic duct and Endosonography (EUS) guided Celiac plexus block for decreasing pain. Patients who develop fluid collection such as Pseudocyst require internal drainage by Cystogastrostomy which is done by Endosonography (EUS)

In Brief About Types Of Pancreatic Disorders!

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