All types of viral hepatitis diseases are contagious and they can be transmitted from one person to another easily. Although, the modes of transmission may vary.

 

Experts recommend some preventive steps for every type of infection to lower your risk of acquiring or spreading hepatitis infection.

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Here are some preventive measures that may help in preventing the infection:

 

Vaccines

Vaccines for hepatitis a and hepatitis b are the best ways to prevent these viruses. Vaccines are not for all types of hepatitis infections. However, hepatitis a vaccination can help prevent the infection caused by the hepatitis a virus. The hepatitis a vaccine is generally administered in 2 doses. Similarly, there are vaccines available for hepatitis b as well. It is administered within 6 months duration. The same vaccine is helpful to prevent hepatitis d as well. There are no vaccines for hepatitis c and hepatitis e currently.

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Reducing exposure

Hepatitis diseases can be transmitted through bodily fluids, water, and food containing the infection. One can lower the risk of contamination by minimizing contact with these agents. Practicing proper and good hygiene is a way to avoid getting hepatitis through these mediums.

 

You can decrease your risk of coming in touch with fluids containing these viruses by avoiding:

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	Sharing used needles and razors
	
	
	Using someone else s toothbrush
	
	
	Touching spilled blood
	
	
	Not using condoms and dental dams during sexual contact
	


 

Handwashing

One must trust in personal hygiene to lower the risk of spreading or acquiring the hepatitis virus. Here are some preventive steps you can follow by washing hands:

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	Washing your hands thoroughly after accessing the restroom
	
	
	When you get in touch with an infected person's blood, or stool
	
	
	After daycare routine for caretakers
	
	
	After a diaper change, and before serving food.
	


 

Avoiding contaminated consumption:

Contaminated or infected food and water may become the primary causes of hepatitis infection. One should take these precautions to avoid any contaminated consumption of food or water:

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	Avoid eating raw shellfish
	
	
	Beware of fruits that have been washed in contaminated water
	
	
	Avoiding unhygienic street vendors
	
	
	Use bottled water for brushing or oral cleaning in areas where clean water is not available
	
	
	Bringing the water to a 1-minute boil is a must in doubtful areas
	
	
	Heated food to be eaten right away
	


Hepatitis: Some Ways To Prevent Yourself

Hepatitis is a medical condition that occurs when an infected person's liver gets inflamed. There are several reasons that can result in hepatitis, including viral infections, heavy alcohol abuse, and autoimmune conditions.

 

Mostly, hepatitis is a result of an infection caused by a virus. Such a condition is called viral hepatitis. Today, we will talk about the three most common types of viral hepatitis diseases:

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	Hepatitis a
	
	
	Hepatitis b
	
	
	Hepatitis c
	


 

Hepatitis a

Hepatitis a is a result of hepatitis a virus infection in a person and is relatively uncommon.

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Regions, where hepatitis a is more common, are:

 


	
	Africa
	
	
	Asia
	
	
	Central and south america
	
	
	Eastern europe
	


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How it is transmitted

Hepatitis a virus can be present in the fecal matter and blood of an infected person. Hence, it is transmitted via the oral route, involving ingestion of the virus into a person through the feces.

 

Different ways you can get hepatitis a infection are:

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	Having in-person contact with a hepatitis a-infected patient
	
	
	Sexual contact with a person who hosts the virus
	
	
	Consuming contaminated food or drink
	
	
	Eating undercooked shellfish
	
	
	Being near contaminated toilets and diaper changing areas
	


 

Hepatitis b

Hepatitis b is caused by the hepatitis b virus.

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Regions, where hepatitis b is more common, are:


	
	Western pacific region
	
	
	African region
	


 

How it is transmitted

You can contract hepatitis b virus through direct contact with blood or bodily fluids of hepatitis b infected person.

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Different ways you can get hepatitis b infection are:

 


	
	Sexual contact with someone with hepatitis b virus infection
	
	
	Sharing injections and other tools
	
	
	Born to hepatitis b infected parent
	
	
	Direct contact with blood of an infected individual
	
	
	Sharing personal belongings and toiletries like razors or nail clippers.
	


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Hepatitis c

Hepatitis c occurs by the infection caused by hepatitis c virus.

 

Regions, where hepatitis c is more common, are:


	
	Eastern mediterranean region
	
	
	European region
	


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How it is transmitted

Hepatitis c virus is spread through blood and other bodily fluids.

 

Different ways you can get hepatitis c infection are:

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	Sharing injections
	
	
	Born to hepatitis c mother
	
	
	Sexual contact with an infected person
	
	
	Piercing or tattooing with unsterilized equipment
	
	
	Injuries with needles pr blades
	
	
	Sharing razors, or toothbrushes
	


The A, B and C of Hepatitis

Urinary tract infections (uti) can occur anywhere in the urinary system   the bladder, kidneys, urethra, and ureter. Most of these infections affect the lower part of the urinary system   urethra and the bladder.

An infection ;confined to the bladder can be frustrating and painful. You may experience pain during urination, and pus or blood in the urine. However, the condition becomes worse if the infection spreads to the upper part of the urinary system, particularly to the kidneys, triggering nausea, ;vomiting, and severe pain in the back.

If uti is left untreated, it can potentially lead to kidney damage   a condition known as pyelonephritis.

How does untreated uti affect the kidneys?

Untreated urinary tract infections can cause the kidneys to swell up and damage them permanently. The infections initially begin in the lower tract of your urinary system. Then the bacteria slowly enter your body through the urethra and begin multiplying and spreading up to the bladder. The bacteria eventually travel to your kidneys through the ureters.

Some people are at higher risk for kidney damage due to urinary tract infections. This includes  


	
	Pregnant women
	
	
	Elderly people
	
	
	People with kidney problems
	
	
	Someone with a weak immune system
	


Signs to watch out for

An untreated infection in the bladder that has spread to the kidneys is associated with symptoms, such as the following  


	
	Chills and ;fever
	
	
	Vomiting and nausea
	
	
	Pain in either side of your lower back
	


You should visit a doctor right away if you notice the above uti symptoms. The condition requires immediate medical intervention in order to prevent damage to your kidneys.

Symptoms of painful utis can be managed by combining medications and lifestyle remedies. Consult a specialist to diagnose the condition early and seek appropriate treatment to avoid complications.

Untreated Urinary Tract Infections And Kidney Damage: Know The Connection

Cushing syndrome occurs due to prolonged exposure to high levels of cortisol hormone. The condition, often referred to as hypercortisolism, affects women   usually between ages 25 and 40   more than men. Nearly 80% of adults and about 47% of children are diagnosed with cushing syndrome.

The most common cause of cushing syndrome is an overproduction of the stress hormone   cortisol   by the adrenal glands. However, it can also result from overuse of steroid drugs.

If you have cushing syndrome, you are likely to notice symptoms like muscle weakness, weight gain, a buffalo lump, irregular periods, sleep disorders, high blood glucose and high blood pressure.

Recent research has claimed to establish a relation between cushing syndrome and high blood pressure   or what is called hypertension in medical terms.

The link between hypertension and cushing syndrome

Hypertension refers to high blood pressure that causes the force of blood to raise against the artery walls. A number of conditions can lead to hypertension, such as poor diet and lifestyle, an underlying health issue, stress, pregnancy and so on.

As your body encounters stress, the adrenal glands produce and release cortisol in the bloodstream. Studies show that producing excess stress hormone can create a host of pathological problems in the body, including hypertension.

Hypertension is a distinguishing feature of endogenous cushing syndrome. High blood pressure in cushing syndrome has a significant correlation with the duration of hypercortisolism and results from the interaction between various pathophysiological methods regulating peripheral vascular resistance, cardiac output, and plasma volume   all of which are elevated in this state.

How to treat the condition

Cushing syndrome is usually treatable and curable. You will be prescribed to stop using steroid drugs that are likely to increase cortisol levels. If the condition does not improve after treatment, you will have to look for ways to manage the symptoms, especially by monitoring your blood pressure. Team up with your doctor and ask for ways to de-stress yourself.

Relation Between Cushing Syndrome And Hypertension: Know More

Type 1 diabetes occurs when your pancreas is unable to produce enough insulin to keep the blood sugar ;levels under control. The condition, if not managed properly, can lead to related health disorders and complications, both long-term and short-term.

Health problems arising from type 1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes can have severe effects on your eyes, kidney, nervous system, and heart health. The most common ailments associated with type 1 diabetes may include the following-

1. Diabetic retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is a disease of the eyes, which occurs when the blood vessels in the retina (tissue present at the back of your eyes) are damaged. The walls of the retina gradually weaken from increasing blood pressure and blood sugar levels, and this leads to leakage of blood or fluid into the nearby tissues.

Early symptoms of diabetic retinopathy include-


	
	Blurred vision
	
	
	Floaters
	
	
	Difficulty perceiving colors
	


2. ;Diabetic neuropathy

Diabetic neuropathy unfolds when the nerves are damaged due to type 1 diabetes. The condition mostly affects your feet and legs. Reduced blood circulation due to high blood glucose impedes normal wound healing in the extremities, hence, even a minor bruise ;can develop into a permanent injury.

Symptoms of diabetic neuropathy are-


	
	Numbness
	
	
	Reduced sensation
	
	
	Severe, debilitating pain in the extremities
	


3. Diabetic nephropathy

Also known as ;diabetic kidney disease, the condition is a slow deterioration of the kidney and its ability to function properly. In severe cases, where the levels of blood glucose are extremely high due to type 1 diabetes, diabetic nephropathy can ultimately result in kidney failure ;or end-stage renal disease (esrd).

The following are the symptoms of diabetic nephropathy-


	
	Dark urine
	
	
	Swollen ankles, feet, eyes, or hands
	
	
	Shortness of breath
	


4. Cardiovascular diseases

Cardiovascular diseases refer to a range of heart conditions including blood clots and diseased blood vessels. High blood glucose levels resulting from type 1 diabetes can contribute to the deposition of fat in the walls of the blood vessel. Over time, this may restrict the flow of blood and put you at risk of cardiovascular disorders such as coronary artery disease, stroke, or even ;heart attack.

Symptoms of cardiovascular diseases widely vary, ranging from palpitations ;to chest pain. Sometimes, such a condition may not exhibit any symptoms at all.

Type 1 diabetes complications are related to poor management of blood glucose. The best way to monitor the condition and control the symptoms is to get in touch with your doctor. A specialist in this field can prescribe the correct treatment and help prevent the onset the related health disorders.

Complications Associated With Type 1 Diabetes

The most common forms of diabetes ;are type 1 and type 2 diabetes. In type 1, your immune system damages the cells inside the pancreas that produce insulin. Therefore, the pancreas are unable to produce an adequate amount of insulin.

In type 2 diabetes, your body does not respond properly to the insulin produced by the pancreas. As a result, your body will have a difficult time removing sugar ;from the blood. The cells may stop insulin production over time that may lead to insulin deficiency. However, there are other forms of diabetes that are lesser-known but can affect you just as bad.

Types of diabetes beyond type 1 and type 2

Gestational diabetes

In gestation diabetes, a condition that affects pregnant women, the blood sugar levels increase to an extent that may hamper the health of the mother and the child.

Symptoms

Usually, there are no symptoms as such. If diabetes worsens, women may observe symptoms such as -


	
	A need to pee more frequently
	
	
	Excessive thirst and hunger
	
	
	Dryness in the mouth
	


Lada (latent autoimmune diabetes in adults)

It is sometimes referred to as type 1.5 diabetes. Here, your immune system kills the insulin-producing cells inside the pancreas. As this condition takes a longer period to develop, you may not need insulin for many months after you have been diagnosed.

Symptoms

You may observe the following symptoms  


	
	Dryness and itchiness
	
	
	Tingling sensation in feet or hands
	
	
	Blurry vision
	
	
	Frequent urination
	


Mody (maturity-onset diabetes of the young)

This condition is observed during adolescence. Here, genetic mutations limit the pancreas from making insulin. So, due to insufficient insulin, your blood sugar level goes up. If any of your parents have mody, you are likely to have the condition.

Symptoms

Symptoms may include  


	
	Yeast and ;skin infections
	
	
	Frequent urination
	
	
	An urge to pee more often
	


Treatment

Primary care for these other forms of diabetes follows the usual course of treatment as with type 1 and type 2.


	
	Diabetic medications
	
	
	Insulin shots or injections
	
	
	Dietary changes
	


The doctor may instruct you to monitor your blood sugar levels frequently to keep it under control. This will be accompanied by a diet ;consisting of adequate calories, but avoid fatty foods, excess sugar and carbohydrates. Mild exercise is also recommended.

The best way to prevent these conditions is to visit your doctor frequently and follow the treatment plan. Do not keep your diabetes untreated.

A Sneak Peek Beyond Type 1 And Type 2 Diabetes

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