Diseases & Conditions Blog

In this irritating but harmless condition, a fungus grows on the skin between and under the toes, especially the fourth and fifth toes. The skin becomes red, flaky and itchy and smells unpleasant. Sweat or water makes the top layer of skin white and soggy. Other parts of the foot may also be affected.Athlete’s foot is slightly contagious. It can be caught from others through contact with shed fragments of their affected skin. It is very common, but it is seldom troublesome enough to require professional treatment.

What should be done?

Soggy skin between the toes, without underlying inflammation and itching, does not always harbor athlete’s foot, but may be due to sweaty feet. Either condition will benefit from the following self-help.

Self-help: After taking a bath or shower, or swimming, dry between your toes carefully. Apply an antifungal cream, spray or powder. These are available without a prescription. If the skin is soggy, use an antifungal powder. Wear absorbent socks made of natural fibers, such as cotton, rather than artificial fibers. Wear open sandals or shoes with porous soles and uppers. Change your socks daily, and air your shoes well when you are not wearing them. Once the skin is dry, an antifungal cream will usually stop athlete’s foot from recurring. If these measures fail to clear up the problem, see your physician.

Professional help: The physician may prescribe a different antifungal preparation from the one you have been using. If this produces no improvement, the doctor may prescribe antifungal tablets for four to six weeks.

What do Doctors call this Condition?

Pharyngitis

What is this Condition?

The most common throat disorder, sore throat is an acute or chronic inflammation of the pharynx, the passage between the mouth cavity and the esophagus. It’s widespread among adults who live or work in dusty or very dry environments, use their voices excessively, habitually use tobacco or alcohol, or suffer from chronic sinus infection, persistent coughs, or allergies.

What Causes it?

Sore throat is usually caused by a virus. The most common bacterial cause is group A beta-hemolytic streptococci. Other common causes include Mycoplasma and Chlamydia.

What are its Symptoms?

The person has a sore throat and slight difficulty in swallowing. Swallowing saliva is usually more painful than swallowing food. Sore throat may also cause the sensation of a lump in the throat as well as a constant, aggravating urge to swallow. Other symptoms may include mild fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, and a runny nose. A sore throat usually subsides in 3 to 10 days.

How is it Diagnosed?

Physical exam of the pharynx reveals generalized redness and inflammation. Bacterial sore throat usually produces a large amount of drainage.

A throat culture may be performed to identifY bacterial organisms that may be the cause of the inflammation.

How is it Treated?

Treatment of acute viral sore throat is usually symptomatic, and consists mainly of rest, warm saline gargles, throat lozenges containing a mild anesthetic, plenty of fluids, and analgesics as needed. If the person can’t swallow fluids, he or she may have to go into the hospital for intravenous hydration.

The doctor will treat suspected bacterial sore throat with penicillin or another broad-spectrum antibiotic. The person will begin receiving antibiotic therapy while waiting for results of the throat culture. If the culture is positive (or if bacterial infection is suspected despite negative culture results), penicillin therapy will be continued for 10 days. Continued antibiotic therapy helps to prevent acute rheumatic fever.

Chronic sore throat requires the same supportive measures as acute sore throat but with greater emphasis on eliminating the underlying cause, such as an allergen. Preventive measures include providing room humidity and avoiding excessive air conditioner use. In addition, the person should be urged to stop smoking.

What is this Condition?

This chronic skin disorder is characterized by superficial skin inflammation and intense itching. Although atopic dermatitis may appear at any age, it typically begins during infancy or early childhood. It may then disappear spontaneously, followed by flare-ups in late childhood, adolescence, or early adulthood. Atopic dermatitis affects approximately 0.7% of the population.

What Causes it?

The cause of atopic dermatitis is still unknown. However, several theories attempt to explain its cause. One theory suggests an underlying metabolic- or biochemical-induced skin disorder genetically linked to elevated serum immunoglobulin E levels; another suggests defective T-cell function.

Exacerbating factors of atopic dermatitis include irritants, infections (commonly caused by Staphylococcus aureus), and some allergens. Although no reliable link exists between atopic dermatitis and exposure to inhaled allergens (such as household dust and animal dander), exposure to food allergens (such as soybeans, fish, or nuts) may coincide with Hare-ups of atopic dermatitis.

What are its Symptoms?

Scratching the skin intensifies itching, resulting in red, weeping lesions. Eventually, the lesions become scaly. Usually, they’re found on the neck, inside the elbows, and behind the knees and ears. People with atopic dermatitis are prone to unusually severe viral infections, bacterial and fungal skin infections, eye complications, and allergic contact dermatitis.

How is it Diagnosed?

Typically, the person has a history of allergies, such as asthma, hay fever, or hives; family members may have a similar history. Lab tests show an increase in the white blood cells active in hypersensitivity responses and elevated serum immunoglobulin E.

How is it Treated?

Measures to ease this chronic disorder include meticulous skin care, environmental control of offending allergens, and drug therapy. Because dry skin aggravates itching, frequent application of nonirritating skin lubricants is important, especially after bathing or showering. Minimizing exposure to allergens and irritants, such as wools and harsh detergents, also helps control symptoms.

Drug therapy involves corticosteroids and antipruritics. Active dermatitis responds well to topical corticosteroids such as Synalar and Cordran. These drugs should be applied immediately after bathing for the best penetration. Oral antihistamines, especially the phenothiazine derivatives such as Tacaryl and Temaril, help control itching. A bedtime dose of antihistamines may reduce involuntary scratching during sleep. If secondary infection develops, antibiotics are necessary.

Because this disorder may frustrate the person and strain family ties, counseling may playa role in treatment .

What can a person with atopic dermatitis do?

• Avoid factors that trigger this condition.

• Maintain good personal hygiene.

• Be alert for signs and symptoms of secondary infection.

Anxiety has become synonymous to the urbanites. To get relief from the problem called Anxiety there are respective natural treatments. They are: Good nutrition, medical–grade nutritional supplement, Hormonal Balance Profile, Physical activity (perhaps the best anxiety medication), sunlight and fresh air, sleep, emotional experience. Almost all of us aware what it feels like when we are anxious. In fact most of us are anxious when we are faced with fearful or stressful situations or certain events which are traumatic. Simple situations in our life like facing an exam or going for the first date makes us do conscious and we experience the period of anxiety. Anxiety in course of time leads to depression.

However in the present time anxiety cure is very much possible. The only thing we have to remember is that being anxious will only worsen our physical and mental condition. The first step towards anxiety cure is analysing the cause which makes you anxious and in turn leads you towards depression. The most effective is however Cognitive Behavioral Theory which is known to be very beneficial for those who are suffering from anxiety disorders. In fact a variety of medications are also introduced to get the treatment of anxiety disorders. These include traditional anti-anxiety drugs, beta-blockers and anti-depressants. It is also used on short-term basis in order to alleviate the symptoms which help in the pursuing of others forms of therapy.

If you are suffering from anxiety disorders you can stop to identify and challengethe negatie beliefs that seems to hold you back from working throughout the years. There are thousands of natural depression remedies. But it is tough to select the best effective remedy to get rid of this problem called depression. Natural depression remedies are those remedies that have proved to be the effective to this problem. But the best anxiety cure is provided by the natural and herbal treatments. In fact herbal remedies like valerian root and kava kava have been used since times immemorial in the treatment of anxiety.

If you are aware of this term then you must also be aware of its importance in your and your family’s life. This is one of the best ways of securing your family’s future. Life insurance must be done right from the age when you start earning; rather these days even children get life insurance so as to provide the security to their parents. This is a very important concept that you should understand and follow for the future of your children and family members. There are different companies that provide the life insurance benefits. You can also opt for the insurance of health so as to get a claim for the medical expenditures you incur. The cost of living and the standard of living of people are growing at a fast rate. You can easily get an idea of the problems that one can face without a proper monetary support. If you want to support your family and loved ones, then you should make an arrangement for the same. There are different types of insurance policies that are available. If you are working with any private company then you automatically would be insured, however if you want to increase the security of your family members and provide them with an income protection then you can get an addition life insurance.

Laryngitis is usually caused by bacterial or viral infection of the larynx, or voice box, which is at the top of the trachea, or wind­pipe. The infection causes general inflammation and swelling of the mucous membrane of the larynx, including the vocal cords. In young children, because the opening of the larynx is very narrow, the swollen membrane sometimes interferes with breathing . Occasionally, laryngitis is caused simply by irritation and inflammation of the larynx without infection. This may be caused by tobacco smoke, alcohol, or excessive shouting, talking, or singing. The main symptom is hoarseness, which may lead to loss of voice in two or three days. Speaking may even become painful. There may be fever or other symptoms associated with influenza, or flue. Most people recover in a few days.

What are the Risks?

Uncomplicated attacks of laryngitis are not dangerous. The main risk is that a condition similar to laryngitis is one symptom of tumors in the larynx . Sometimes painful swallowing and earache associated with hoarseness are symptoms of tuberculosis that is spreading from the lungs. This is rare, but when it occurs the apparent laryngitis may be the first symptom

What should be done?

If you think you have laryngitis and you are otherwise in good condition, stay home, rest your voice, and do not smoke or drink alcohol until the inflammation clears up and you can talk normally. This improvement should take no more than four or five days. If hoarseness persists for more than a week, you may have chronic laryngitis. Consult your physician, who may question you about your general health and examine your throat. If there is no inflammation, you do not have laryngitis, and you may need diagnostic tests.

If your physician finds that you have chronic bronchitis, sinusitis, or tuberculosis, treatment of the underlying condition should relieve the laryngitis-like symptoms.

When your nose begins to bleed, it is usually sudden and from only one nostriL This may occur quite often. In most cases of nosebleed, unless the nose has been injured, there is no apparent explanation for the bleeding. One relatively common cause is a cold or other infection, which causes crusting that damages the sensitive membrane that lines the nose. Nosebleeds are seldom cause for concern, since they are unlikely to be a symptom of any other disorder. A generalized bleeding disorder such as thrombocytopenia could cause nosebleeds, but in such cases there is usually a good deal of bleeding else­where in your body, such as from the gums or under the skin.

What is the Treatment?

Self-help: Sit down and lean forward and breathe through your mouth. Close the lower part of your nose on the side that is bleeding by pressing it with the ball of your thumb. Keep pressing for five to ten minutes. This procedure stops most nosebleeds. Do not blow your nose for 12 hours. After that, blow gently so you will not dislodge the clot that has stopped the bleeding.

Professional help: If bleeding continues, consult your physician or, if necessary, go to an emergency room. Your physician will probably pack a strip of gauze into the bleeding nostril and tell you to leave it in for several hours. The purpose of the gauze packing is not simply to absorb the blood and stop its dripping from the nose. Rather, it is to apply pressure to the ruptured blood vessels. If the bleeding persists or keeps recurring, the bleeding area may have to be cauterized, or closed using heat. The doctor may take a

specimen of your blood to make sure you have not become anemic. This complication is unlikely, because generally, despite appearances, little blood is lost through nosebleeds.

The nose is the main entrance to your respiratory system. It is lined with a mucous membrane that contains many tiny blood vessels close to the surface. The front of the nose also has protective hairs. The nasal lining filters, moistens, and warms the air you breathe as it goes through the nasal passage toward your throat and lungs. The nasal passage runs along the top of the palate, or the shelf separating the nose from the mouth, and turns downward to join the passage from the mouth to the throat.The nasal passage is not a simple tube. A series of baffles called turbinates make the passage winding rather than straight. Also, in several places, it branches into sinuses, which are pairs of air-filled cavities in the bones of the skull. Nasal infections, which are discussed in the following articles, sometimes spread into the sinuses as well as into the rest of the respiratory system.

The nose is also the organ of smell, and you may not be able to smell anything if a disorder “stuffs up” your nose. Permanent loss of smell is rare.

Do you remember why you joined the gym? Can you recall the exact reason that compelled you to shed those extra kilos? Diets and exercises are begun for a variety of reasons. You may have decided to lose weight on your doctor’s recommendation to prevent future health problems. You may have realized that to avoid inheriting your family’s problems of diabetes and health diseases, weight loss is the only way. You may want to regain the stamina that you once had. You may be required to lose weight for an impending surgery. Or may just be looking forward to a great appearance.

Unfortunately, most people choose to lose weight for the wrong reasons. In this high pressure world of today, societal pressure plays a huge role in decision making. All the magazines that you subscribe to, all the radio channels that you hear and any television program that you see just reinforce your desire to lose to weight. Waif like models waltz down the runway. Glamorous movie stars talk incessantly about their diet. Actors work away maniacally to develop a ‘six-pack’ in record time. All in the name of looking good. Clothes are manufactured to fit these reed thin people. If your are overweight, you may have to walk from store to store in search of that one dress that you can carry off well. No one talks about health. The personality of the stars is such that you feel compelled to look at yourself in the mirror and examine each ounce of fat deposited on your abdomen, your arms and elsewhere. What you see horrifies you and you rush to the nearest gym and also starve yourselves.

What you fail to realize is that the standards that the stars set is not for everyone. They may be going through a rigorous regime to keep up their appearances, but they have the time to do it. You have a job to go to and a home to run- other priorities which take up most of your time. How do you find the balance?

And most importantly, is being thin equivalent to being healthy? Models frequently faint on the runways, overcome by hunger and sheer exhaustion. What you need to understand is that while appearance is fleeting, health is forever. You must not work yourself to lose weight just to look good. The ultimate aim should be to lead a healthy life.

What do Doctors call this Condition?

Doctors also call this condition chronic myelogenous leukemia and chronic myelocytic leukemia.

What is this Condition?

In chronic granulocytic leukemia (CGL), precursors to certain white blood cells called granulocytes multiply abnormally in the bone marrow, blood, and body tissues. It is most common in young and middle-aged adults (rare in children) and is slightly more common in men than women. In the United States, CGL accounts for roughly 20% of all diagnosed cases of leukemia.

There are two distinct phases of the disease: an insidious chronic phase, with anemia and bleeding abnormalities, and an acute phase (blastic crisis), in which myeloblasts (the most primitive granulocytic precursors) multiply rapidly. No cure exists for this disease - at least not yet.

What Causes it?

Experts believe that this disease is caused by an unidentified virus. It is notable that most people with CGL have a chromosomal abnormality called the Philadelphia chromosome, which may be caused by radiation and carcinogenic chemicals.

What are its Symptoms?

Typical symptoms include:

• anemia (marked by fatigue, weakness, decreased exercise tolerance, pallor, shortness of breath, rapid heart rate, and headache)
• a low platelet count, with resulting bleeding and clotting disorders such as retinal hemorrhage, blood in the urine, black tarry stools, bleeding gums, nosebleeds, and easy bruising
• an enlarged liver and spleen, with abdominal discomfort and pain.

Other common symptoms include tenderness in the ribs and sternum, low-grade fever, weight loss, loss of appetite, gouty arthritis, occasional prolonged infection and ankle swelling and, rarely, prolonged or constant erection of the penis.

How is it Diagnosed?

Lab tests, including chromosomal analysis, confirm a diagnosis of CGL. Blood tests usually reveal changes in white blood cells and other abnormalities. A test called bone marrow aspiration shows the effect of the disorder on bone cells. A computed tomography scan (commonly called a CAT scan) may identifY the organs affected by leukemia.

How is it Treated?

Even with chemotherapy, doctors have had little success in producing remissions in people with CGL. The goal of treatment during the chronic phase is to control the proliferation of white blood cells and platelets by giving drugs. The most commonly used oral drugs are busulfan and hydroxyurea. Aspirin is commonly given to prevent stroke if the person’s platelet count is especially high.

Other potentially helpful treatments include:

• radiation therapy of the spleen or removal of the spleen to increase the platelet count and limit the complications of spleen enlargement
• leukapheresis (selective leukocyte removal) to reduce the white blood cell count
• allopurinol, a drug that helps prevent excess uric acid in the blood, or colchicine, a drug that relieves gout caused by elevated uric acid levels
• prompt treatment of infections (chemotherapy may cause bone marrow suppression, which can lead to infection).

During the acute phase of CGL, lymphoblastic or myeloblastic leukemia may develop. Treatment is similar to that for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. A bone marrow transplant may produce long periods without symptoms in the early phase of illness but has been less successful in the acute phase.