Cataract is clouding of the eye lens, mostly due to aging, barring a small percentage of other secondary reasons like diabetes, sustained exposure to ultraviolet light.
The primary effect of cataract is blurred vision.
Cataract Types:-
(1)Secondary cataracts:-
An after effect of eye surgery, like in the case of glaucoma.
(2)Congenital cataracts:-
In new born babies, which in rare cases lead to lens replacement.
(3)Traumatic cataracts:-
Due to eye injuries. These have very late onsets.
Cataract Symptoms:-
(1)Faded colors and blurred vision
(2)Poor night vision but headlights and sunlight may appear all too bright with a halo around the source.
(3)Temporary double or multiple visions which gets cleared as cataract develops further.
(4)Frequent need to change contact lenses or spectacles.
Cataract Causes:-
Those who indulge in alcoholism or those who are exposed to UV light for a long time are at danger of developing cataract. Even diabetics face the same risk.
Cataract Treatment Cure Care:-
The only treatment for cataract is surgery to remove it. Cataract surgery is very successful in restoring vision.
There are 2 types of surgery that can be used to remove lenses that have a cataract First is Extracapsular surgery consists of surgically removing the lens, but leaving the back half of the capsule (the outer covering of the lens) whole.
High-frequency sound waves (phacoemulsification) may be used to soften the lens to help removing it through a smaller cut second is Intracapsular surgery involves surgically removing the entire lens, including the capsule.
Colitis is the term for inflammation of the colon or large bowel or intestine. The beginning of the colon is called the cecum. It begins in the lower right portion of the abdomen where the last part of the small intestine (ileum) empties into the large intestine.
In colitis the colon is usually quite red and swollen appearing when seen by colonoscopy (scope exam of the colon).
Chronic colitis is one of several types of inflammatory bowel disorders or IBD for short and should not be confused with IBS the term for irritable bowel syndrome.
Biopsy of colon tissue in irritable bowel syndrome are normal and do not show signs of inflammation therefore it is not considered an inflammatory bowel disorder.
Colitis Symptoms Signs:-
The three most common symptoms of ulcerative colitis are the appearance of diarrhea, the evidence of blood when a bowel motion occurs and a degree of pain in the abdominal area.
Abdominal pain, Diarrhea that contains either blood or pus,Painful, urgent bowel movements,Fever,Fatigue and muscle weakness, Weight loss, Joint pain, skin problems, and eye problems, Conventional Medical Treatment.
Flaxseed oil (as directed on label)-protects the lining of the colon.
Garlic (as directed on label)-has a healing effect on the colon.
Multimineral complex with calcium, chromium, magnesium, and zinc (as directed on label)-minerals are not easily absorbed in colitis victims; calcium is needed for the preventionof cancer, which can occur as a result of constant irritation.
Vitamin C with bioflavonoids -boosts immune function and heals mucous membranes; use in buffered form.
Strict hygiene and sanitation measures while handling, cooking and eating food can go a long way in preventing colitis associated with infective germs. Incorporating healthy lifestyle and diet changes in your daily routine helps to make your body as disease-free as possible by strengthening your immunity to keep at bay not only colitis but also other diseases. Moderate exercise combined with a healthy diet consisting of whole grains, lentils, fruits, vegetables and water in plenty, and animal-origin foods in as restricted amounts as possible.
Chickenpox is a highly contagious disease, caused by a Chicken Pox Virus which is known as varicella-zoster virus and also as the Herpes Zoster virus.
Chicken pox in adults is very rare, but only the ones that have not head chicken pox when they were children.
Chickenpox occurs mostly during the end of the winter and the beginning of the spring. It generally affects children aged from 2 to 8 and can take the form of epidemics.
Chicken Pox Symptoms:-
It starts with moderate fever and then characteristic spots appearing in two or three waves, mainly on the body and head rather than the hands and becoming itchyraw pox (pocks), small open sores which heal mostly without scarring.
This infectious disease has a two-week incubation period and is highly contagious by air transmission two days before symptoms appear.
Chicken Pox Treatment/Prevention:-
Rub the Vitamin E oil into the skin and watch for a healing effect.
Herbal tea prepared by any of the following herbs has shown to be effective in treating chicken pox: basil, chamomile, lemon balm, and marigold. Add lemon, honey, or cinnamon into the tea.
The use of brown vinegar is known to be one of the most important home remedies for treating chicken pox.
Baking Soda is a very popular home remedy used to control the itching resulting from chicken pox.
A bath of oatmeal is considered one of the best natural remedies for relieving the itching sensation caused by chicken pox.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma is a tumor of the membrane Peritoneum.
The peritoneum is a thin membrane in the organs in the abdomen consisting of mesothelial cells.
Peritoneal mesothelioma is a disease that affects the lining of the abdomen or peritoneum.
It is caused by exposure to asbestos, which has been widely used in many industrial products, such as cement, brake linings, roof shingles, flooring products, textiles, and insulation.
The peritoneal form of mesothelioma is a relatively uncommon type of cancer that accounts for less than a quarter of all mesothelioma cases.
It is inconspicuous until decades after asbestos exposure.
Many cases are found through routine abdominal x-rays and CT scans showing something different than normal.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma Symptoms:-
Symptoms may include abdominal pain, abdominal swelling, a change in your bowel habits, such as more frequent diarrhea or constipation, lumps of tissue in the abdomen and unexplained weight loss.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma Treatment:-
Peritoneal mesothelioma treatments are classified into localized treatments and systemic treatments. Systemic treatments are whole body treatments like chemotherapy. Localized treatments include surgery and radiotherapy.
Radiation therapy or radiotherapy uses high energy rays (like x-rays) to kill cancer cells in the affected area.
Chemotherapy for peritoneal mesothelioma controls symptoms and tries to slow the cancer down. This therapy is used to kill mesothelioma cells by injecting anti-cancer drugs that are usually injected into a vein.
New treatments include Photodynamic, gene, angiogenesis, and immunotherapy that could hold the key to turning the tide on this deadly, debilitating, and tragic disease.
Hepatitis C Virus causes an inflammation of the liver. The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is found in the blood of persons who have this disease. HCV is spread by contact with the blood of an infected person.
What are the causes?
Hepatitis C infection is caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Persons who may be at risk for hepatitis C are those who:
(1) Received blood, blood products, or solid organs from a donor who has hepatitis C
(2) Have injected street drugs or shared a needle with someone who has hepatitis C
(3) Have been on long-term dialysis for kidney failure
(4) Have frequent contact with blood on the job such as doctors
(5) Share personal items, such as toothbrushes and razors, with someone who has hepatitis C
(6) Are born to hepatitis C infected mothers
What are the symptoms?
Many people who are infected with the hepatitis C do not have symptoms. Hepatitis C is often detected during blood tests for a routine physical or other medical procedure. The following symptoms could occur:
(1) Jaundice
(2)Abdominal pain in the right upper abdomen
(3) Fatigue
(4)Loss of appetite
(5)Nausea and vomiting
(6)Low-grade fever
(7)Pale or clay-colored stools
(8)Dark urine
(9)Generalized itching
How is it diagnosed?
There are several blood tests that can be done to determine if one has been infected with HCV. Your doctor may order one or a combination of these tests.
a) Anti-HCV (antibody to HCV) :-
EIA (enzyme immunoassay): This test is usually done first. If positive, it should be confirmed
RIBA (recombinant immunoblot assay): A supplemental test used to confirm a positive EIA test
Anti-HCV does not tell whether the infection is new (acute), chronic (long-term) or is no longer present
Qualitative tests to detect presence or absence of virus (HCV RNA)
Qualitative tests to detect amount (titre) of virus (HCV RNA)
Hepatitis virus serology with negative antibody to hepatitis A and hepatitis B
ELISA assay to detect hepatitis C antibody
Hepatitis C PCR test
Elevated liver enzymes
Liver biopsy showing acute or resolving hepatitis
What is the treatment?
Some patients with hepatitis C benefit from treatment with interferon alpha or a combination of interferon alpha and ribavirin.
Interferon alpha is given by injection just under the skin and has a number of side effects, including flu-like symptoms, headaches, fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, depression, and thinning of hair. Treatment with interferon alpha may also interfere with the production of white blood cells and platelets.
Ribavirin is a capsule taken twice daily, and the major side effects are severe anaemia (low red blood cells) and birth defects. Women should, therefore, avoid pregnancy during and for 6 months following treatment.
Recently, a version of interferon alpha with a longer half-life (pegylated interferon alpha) has been introduced, and the longer half-life means the injections are taken weekly instead of the three times a week with standard interferon alpha. Pegylated interferon alpha and ribavirin lead to a sustained response in approximately 50% of patients. A sustained response means that the patient remains free of hepatitis C virus 6 months after stopping therapy. People with hepatitis C should avoid any substances toxic to the liver (hepatotoxic). All patients with hepatitis C should be immunized against hepatitis A and B also.
People with hepatitis C should also be careful not to take vitamins, nutritional supplements, or new over-the-counter medications without first discussing it with their doctor. Patients with hepatitis C should avoid alcohol. Even moderate amounts of alcohol speed up the progression of hepatitis C, and alcohol reduces the effectiveness of the treatment.
What are the complications?
Chronic hepatitis
Cirrhosis
What is the prevention?
One should avoid contact with blood or blood products whenever possible. Health care workers should practice universal precautions when handling blood and body fluids.
One should not inject drugs of abuse, and especially not share needles with anyone. One should be cautious when getting tattoos and body piercings done.
Gastritis, a condition that involves the irritation and inflammation of the stomach, afflicts millions of people. Any number of things causes it, from injury to bacteria. In that respect, it is akin to a headache:
It can strike anyone, and it can be caused by a wide variety of factors both internal and external.
It can be divided into 3 categories:
(1)Erosive and hemorrhagic gastritis
(2)Non erosive and nonspecific gastritis
(3)Specific gastritis indicative of a disorder.
Gastritis Symptoms:-
(1)A burning pain similar to indigestion in your upper abdomen.
(2)Nausea. A “sick-to-your-stomach” kind of feeling, which may or may not be accompanied by vomiting.
(3)Loss of appetite. This tends to go along with nausea, but many gastritis patients find they have no appetite even when they’re not feeling nauseated. After a couple of mouthfuls they’re done.
(4)Belching or bloating. This can simply be gas, but if it’s chronic or severe, it could be caused by gastritis.
(5)Feeling particularly “full” in your upper abdomen after a meal.
(6) Unexplained weight loss.
Gastritis Causes Risk Factors:-
Gastritis is more common with age and most sufferers complain of indigestion.
People with acute gastritis caused by illness or injury have already been hospitalized for treatment of their underlying condition; therefore, symptoms of gastritis are managed in the course of their intensive care.
The most frequent cause of gastritis is a dietetic indiscretion such as habitual overeating; eating of badly combined or improperly cooked foods, excessive intake of strong tea, coffee or alcoholic drinks, habitual use of large quantities of condiments, sauces.
It may sometimes follow certain diseases such measles, diptheria, influenza, virus pneumonia.
It also results from worry, anxiety, grief and prolonged tension. Use of certain drugs, strong acids and caustic substances may also give rise to gastritis.
Gastritis Treatment Home Remedies:-
(1)Only rice that has been aged for one year must be used. Wheat and barley are beneficial.
(2)Among vegetables white pumpkin, bitter gourd, cucumber, green banana and banana flower are effective.
(3)Cow’s milk is preferable to buffalo’s milk.
(4)People suffering from gastritis must not confuse their stomach glands with different kinds of foods at the same time. It is beneficial if the person is kept on a single diet. Ideally the person must be kept on a milk diet or on a diet of old rice.
(5)Vitamin C has the capacity to help in the absorption of iron and calcium salts in the body. This eases the digestive process. Therefore, the diet must be rich in vitamin C. Foods that contain vitamin C to a commendable quantity are amlas, oranges, etc.
(6)Pungent and sour tastes must be avoided. Even chocolates, tea and coffee must be avoided as these can increase the acidic contents in the stomach.
(7)The person must never eat till the stomach is fool. In gastritis it is better to eat little quantities each time, so that the stomach gets proper time to digest the food.
(8)Sesame seeds and curds must be avoided.
(9)Have a banana early in the morning. Drown them with milk. This reduces the acidity within the stomach in some days.
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