Friday, March 5, 2010

Vitamin A Deficiency

Vitamin A deficiency can be very bad for anyone’s health. It is recorded as a common health issue in developing countries. The first symptom of its deficiency is found to be night blindness. The person finds difficulty in having clear vision in the dark. This symptom alone calls for increase in vitamin A amount in his diet. He may require additional supplements that are rich in vitamin A. If this is done on time, the problem may be sorted out. But if the measures are not taken on time, this later on takes the form of complete blindness. Vitamin a supplements contain heavy amounts of the vitamin in the form of retinyl palmitate.

People of all ages may suffer blindness. Even pregnant women, who have been malnourished or undernourished, are found to get blind. The outcome of pregnancy and lactation process also, never seem to go healthy. The women mortality rate due to this reason is considerably on high. Due to vitamin A deficiency, the ability of the body or body immunity to fight with numerous infections also goes down. The person gets easily trapped to diseases. In poor countries where people don’t really bother about getting vaccinated, these problems are seen most.

To overcome vitamin A deficiency, foods that are rich in the vitamin should be consumed in good quantities. If any lactating mother is deficient in this vitamin, her milk would also have less vitamin A content. As a result the breast-fed baby of such a mother would be undernourished. There can be many other causes of vitamin A deficiency like iron deficiency which impacts vitamin A absorption. To fulfill this need of the body, one sure can have supplements. But people who are alcoholics should consider doctor’s advice before having it as this may also lead to vitamin A toxicity. The supplements may really help in fighting the increasing mortality rate in poor countries.

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Nose-job Side-effects

Getting a dream nose may be an important aspect for anyone but the associated risks and effects should also be taken into consideration. Though nose correction surgeries contribute to today’s trend of cosmetic means yet it is wiser to note if the health would be affected due to this or not and if it would then how. There can be many nose-job side-effects. The person may have to bear a lot even if the surgery has been successful. Nose surgeries can be very painful and bothering since they involve alteration of the bone. Interestingly enough, most of the people in wake of getting ‘good looks’ cope up with the pain quite well.

One of the common nose-job side-effects is swelling. As the surgery involves reshaping of the tissues, these tissues later on heal and for that, adjust accordingly. The swelling may occur mainly below the eyes and around the nose. Initially, it may give a very weird look but later on it shows less. As the time passes, it gets lesser further and diminishes finally. Some people may find very little swelling for a longer period. It may persist even for about 5-6 months. The patient may keep feeling slight discomfort during this swelling.

Another side-effect of the surgery is, bruising. This also happens mainly around the eyes. Some patients have to bear with more of it and some find it lesser comparatively. This also may leave ugly dark patches in the area. This gives really a pathetic look to the patient. Though there are no associated complications with bruising, yet people find it to be very disturbing as it looks quite noticeable and ugly. For those who had undergone the surgery for good looks, it may be very disappointing though they are told about the fact that this would disappear in a matter of time. Every person planning for the surgery should talk to his or her doctor about all nose-job side-effects so that they are prepared in advance and know how to cope with them.

Atrophic Rhinitis

Atrophic rhinitis also known as Ozaena means inflammation of nose cavity. It is also characterized by thinning down of nose membranes. The nasal cavity widens, crusts form in there and the person loses smelling power. Not only this, the person also develops a strange odor which is noticed by everyone around him, accept him. This may at times, bring sheer embarrassment to him. The crusting of nasal cavity can be treated through nasal irrigation which is achieved through flushing of the crust out by water. The person also needs to inhale saline water or even plain water. If one finds it difficult, syringes may be used to do that. This should necessarily be done as formation of mucus crusts may obstruct breathing. If this is done regularly, the formation of crusts can well be avoided.

In atrophic rhinitis cases, the mucus bodies obstruct breathing as well as increase the probability of infections also. Therefore, apart from regular cleaning of nasal cavities, the doctor may also administer antibiotics. These antibiotics would not let infection sustain and that strange odor stay as they kill the bacteria responsible for that odor. Other methods of treatment also follow like application of topical ointments. These ointments help keep the nasal cavity surface moist. This avoids the formation of crusts.

Atrophic rhinitis is hereditary and can pass on through generations. Though people having it in their families’ past are very likely to have it yet they can adopt some precautionary measures atleast for prevention of further nasal infection. Washing of hands frequently, washing of fruits and veggies before eating or cooking them, cooking meat quite often and maintaining basic hygiene can help them keep away not only from related infection but also from other health problems. It would be better if you avoid having sinus surgery as that triggers its symptoms. See if you have any nutritional deficiency like deficiency of any vitamin or iron. If there is any, try to satisfy it through a fulfilling diet.

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Muscle Stiffness

Muscle stiffness is a very common muscle issue which must have been experienced by every person, anytime. Even though, it happens quite often for some people yet it is experienced more by people who are growing aged. Generally, the issue is not given much concern since it gets fine after sometime. Its common symptoms are pain that stays temporarily. The body parts that are commonly affected are ankles, neck, shoulders or any part of the back. In cases, where its impact persists it is treated by simple household treatments. But, when the problem takes a chronic form, it is termed as fibromyalgia. Another term that describes this condition is fibrositis.

Usually, people mistake the pain associated with muscle stiffness to that of joints. People suffering from arthritis may also get confused because of it. Due to this pain and soreness, the muscle movement gets restricted. The milder cases happen due to poor circulation of blood and therefore the need of oxygen in these areas causes the formation of lactic acid thereby causing stiffness in the muscles. The muscles that stay contracted in some position for longer period, experience this stiffness. Sometimes, the pain gets unbearable. To treat it, the person may require suitable massage or physiotherapy.

People experiencing muscle stiffness very often may consider having daily massage or attend physiotherapy classes on regular basis. Movements like stretching also help in attaining normalcy of muscle movements. Exercises like swimming also give immense relief. To avoid this muscle problem, one should keep his or her body fit and fine. Regular walks and yoga does not let the problem persist for longer. Aging people experiencing the problem should not necessarily consider it as the cost of this age. There may be other factors responsible for it, apart from the age factor. Rather than feeling bad about their age, they should try to change their lifestyle.

Friday, February 19, 2010

Thinking Of Joining a Doctors Answering Service?

Working in a doctors answering service can be a great career option if you are inclined towards helping people. These services are in effect extensions of the medical community in the sense that they help provide advice and emotional support as well as actual medical guidance and patient care in the time that the patient cannot reach his or her own doctor for some reason. While people can require medical assistance 24/7, it is not always possible for the doctor to respond to every single question at any time of the day or night. This could be due to various reasons both personal and professional. Investing in a doctor's answering service ensures that a doctor's patients are attended to regardless of where the doctor might be. By becoming a part of this community, you are helping the medical fraternity in discharging their duties better.

Qualifications Required

Contrary to popular belief, employees in a doctors answering service do not need to be qualified doctors themselves or hold great knowledge in all medical subjects. This is because the idea is not to replace the doctor but direct the patient in his absence. For this purpose, even a basic understanding of medical science and the human body suffices adequately. Having a background in nursing or as an assistant in a medical facility are pluses but not necessary. What is important is the ability to listen patiently, think logically and be compassionate. The patient on the other end of the telephone line needs sympathy and emotional support as much as medical advice. There will be people within the staff that you can refer the call to in case of doubt or recommend a trip to the nearest hospital to be absolutely safe. You can also get in touch with the doctor in the meantime, who will put calls from the doctor's answering service on priority and be more likely to take it than a patient's call. This rationalizes the calls that the doctor needs to take in favor of the most urgent and also controls the flow of traffic to the hospital. Most of all, it gives the patient confidence to hold on and not go into a panic situation.

Things To Consider

Working in a doctor's answering service does not make you a real doctor but gets you as close to the profession as you can. How much you learn is up to you. Being part of this growing community lets you reach out and help many more people than a doctor can. At the most basic level, you can be just a message-taking service - a go-between for the patient and the doctor; or you can choose to make a difference to people's lives and in the process enrich your own. Make sure to consider your own temperament and desires before you opt for a career in these services.

Friday, January 29, 2010

After Organ Transplantation

Organ transplantation can be absolutely a life saving means for the recipient. After the successful surgery, he or she can expect to lead to a normal healthy life all over again. But that does not mean that life is same as before as to keep their new organ working normally and keep other complications at bay, they need to follow some extremely important instructions all through their lives. They should maintain a healthy lifestyle that would help them keep going for as long as possible with the transplanted organ. There can be many issues including emotional issues and biological issues that should be taken well care of even after organ transplantation.

The recipient, after organ transplantation may have a sense of guilt or sympathy for the donor. This feeling, at times takes an intense turn and he may feel like being the culprit of the donor. If the organ is donated by a dead person, the recipient may feel that he or she has benefited from his death. At this time, the family of the recipient should make him or her understand the positive aspects of the transplant. The fact that he or she is not the cause of the donor’s death, should be made very clear. It would be better if this thing is mentioned before the surgery. The person may also get depressed for being ‘so weak’.

Every person who has been the primary source of income for his family wishes to join back as soon as possible, after organ transplantation. But he should first get it checked if his body is able to cope-up with the pressures he is going to face, or not. He should join his workplace only after his doctor allows for it or else he may fall into prey with any complication. Women willing to conceive, should consider doctor’s advice and maintain the necessary gap. They should adhere strictly to doctor’s instructions even after they have conceived.

Autograft Transplantation

Autograft transplantation is a type of organ transplantation which is widely practiced today. It is different to other types in the way that here, the donor and recipient is the same person. It is the best of means to enhance regeneration processes. As there is no need to look for the donor alive or dead, the process is performed in much lesser time than other transplantation processes. But before going for that there are certain conditions that the person should be able to pass through. The doctor performs it with due care and attention. The finesse with which he needs to perform the surgery requires lot of study and research of the subject.

The most common autograft transplantation that is performed using this technique is skin grafting which comes as an option for combating skin damages occurred due to severe burns, decomposition, allergic damage and accidental injuries. The loss of skin should be treated fast as skin saves from a number of foreign invasions. The process involves careful attainment of skin from other healthy part of the body and its application of the damaged part. This technique is followed in many cosmetic surgery cases, as well. Till date, skin grafting cases have been quite successful.

Not every autograft transplantation process is performed for emergency cases. There can be many other purposes also. This is done also done for storage reasons. The stored tissues can then be used when needed. Every year, the process is performed in great numbers, in almost all the countries. There are minimum complications expected out of it as there are no issues like body’s immune response or availability of the donor. Therefore there are absolutely no chances of rejection in any case. The recovery of the transplanted area also happens fast. In very less time, the person may start leading a normal and healthy life.