Diphtheria - A serious bacterial infection

A type of microscopic organisms called Corynebacterium diphtheria causes diphtheria. The condition is normally spread through person-to-person contact or through contact with objects that have the bacteria on them, such as a cup or used tissue. If you’re around an infected person when they sneeze, cough, or clean out their nose, you may also contract diphtheria. Even if an infected person doesn’t show any signs or symptoms of diphtheria, they’re still able to transmit the bacterial infection for up to six weeks after the initial contamination.

Complications

The worst possible complication of diphtheria is respiratory failure or death due to pseudo membrane development that blocks the airway. Other possible complications include cardiac problems such as rhythm disturbances, myocarditis, heart block, secondary pneumonia, septic shock, and disease of different organs, central nervous system, or heart tissue.

Treatment

The disease may remain manageable, but in more extreme cases lymph nodes in the neck may swell, due to which breathing and swallowing becomes more hard. People in this phase should seek immediate medical attention, as obstruction in the throat may require intubation or a tracheotomy. Abnormal cardiac rhythms can occur early in the course of the illness or weeks later, and can lead to heart failure. Diphtheria can also cause paralysis in the eye, neck, throat, or respiratory muscles. Patients with severe cases are put in a hospital intensive care unit and given a diphtheria antitoxin. Since antitoxin does not neutralize toxin that is already bound to tissues, delaying its administration is associated with an increase in mortality risk. Therefore, the decision to administer diphtheria antitoxin is based on clinical diagnosis, and should not await laboratory confirmation.

Onychomycosis – Nail Disease

Onychomycosis is a fungal infection of the nails. It is the most common disease of the nails and constitutes about half of all nail abnormalities.

The most common symptom of a fungal nail infection is the nail becoming thickened and discoloured. There is usually no pain or other bodily symptoms unless the disease is severe. People with onychomycosis may experience significant psychosocial problems due to the appearance of the nail, particularly when fingers – which are always visible , rather than toenails are affected.

MedicalCare

Systemic treatment is always required in proximal subungual onychomycosis and in distal lateral subungual onychomycosis involving the lunula region. A combination of systemic and topical treatment increases the cure rate. Because the rate of recurrence remains high, even with newer agents, the decision to treat should be made with a clear understanding of the cost and risks involved, as well as the risk of recurrence.

Topical antifungals

The use of topical agents should be limited to cases involving less than half of the distal nail plate or for patients unable to tolerate systemic treatment. Agents available in the United States include ciclopirox olamine 8% and efinaconazole 10% nail solutions.

Oral therapy

The newer generation of oral antifungal agents has replaced older therapies in the treatment of onychomycosis. They offer shorter treatment regimens, higher cure rates, and fewer adverse effects.

Tobacco commercial center still strong Despite Smoking Cessation Advances.

The US tobacco marketplace is huge. In the US during 2016 a whopping 258 billion cigarettes were sold which adds up to $79.6 billion in yearly sales; not quite as big as the pharmaceutical market but certainly extremely lucrative. In the US, taxes account for about 44% of the retail cost of cigarettes.

The loss of popularity with smoking came about as a result of a coupling between effective marketing and exhaustive scientific investigation linking it directly to lung cancer and other negative health conditions. Governments looking to cut the cost of healthcare pushed smoking cessation strategies and imposed stricter regulations.

Smoking cessation is difficult. Most people take more than one attempt to kick the habit. But the benefits of quitting are huge. First there are the immediate financial savings. It is estimated that a person with a pack-a-day habit can save about $1000 each year by quitting. By not smoking you can save money on home and health insurance. Within the first 24 hours CO levels in your blood drop to normal and your blood pressure and heart rate fall too. Within the first nine months your lung function and circulation improves. Within the first year your risk for heart disease has dropped to half that of a smoker. Within 5 years the risk of stroke is decreased, within 10 years your risk of cancer is half that of a smoker and within 15 years your risk of heart disease has returned to normal.

Smoking cessation is hard. But fortunately there are products available to help. Quitting cold turkey takes a lot of will power and many people find it overwhelming. Several prescription products are available which can help. 

Kidney disease

Kidney disease is also known as renal or nephropathy disease which causes damage to our kidneys. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is caused due to progressive loss in kidney functions over a period of months or years. The symptoms of worsening kidney function are not specific, they might include feeling generally unwell and experiencing a reduced appetite.

Acute kidney injury (AKI), previously called acute renal failure (ARF), is an abrupt loss of kidney function that develops within 7 days.

Warning Signs of Kidney Disease

>Feeling more tired and having less energy

>Having trouble concentrating

> Having a poor appetite

> Having trouble sleeping

> Having muscle cramping at night

> Having swollen feet and ankles

> Having puffiness around your eyes, especially in the morning

> Having dry, itchy skin

> Having the need to urinate more often, especially at night.

Treatment for Kidney Disease

>Control of diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure prevents kidney disease or its progression.

>Kidney stones and urinary tract infections should be treated properly.

>Some causes of kidney diseases are still unknown, specific treatments are not yet available for them.

>Chronic Kidney Disease may progress to kidney failure; it’s treatment involves dialysis or kidney transplantation.

>Treating high blood pressure with Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors may help in slowing down the progression of chronic kidney disease.

low-calorie fruit - Black Plum

Black Plum is an evergreen tropical plant. It's humble fruit is packed with iron and has minimum calories. It is delicious plum like fruit that is very rich in vitamin A and vitamin C. Fruit is eaten as snacks in various parts of world and the sweet and tangy flavor of this fruit is really tasty. Black Plum is a rich source of anti-oxidants and it is loaded with flavonoids that is very essential requirement for overall body health.

Health & Beauty Skin

Black Plum is an excellent skin toner, detoxifier, and moisturizer and makes the skin healthy and bright.

Healthy Heart

Being a good source of potassium Black Plum reduces the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure and stroke.

Treats Infections

Different parts of Black Plum are traditionally used for treating bacterial infection. It contains Malic acid, Gallic acid, oxalic acid and tannins which possess Anti-malarial, antibacterial and gastro protective properties.

Improve Hemoglobin

As an excellent source of iron and vitamin C, the fruit helps in boosting up the hemoglobin levels and act as a blood purifier

Treats Diabetes

Black Plum – the ideal fruit for diabetics, the fruit as well as the leaves have been aiding in the control of blood sugar levels.

Healthiest Spice Ginger

Ginger is a widely used household spice and is one of the healthiest and most aromatic spices. Root or underground stem (rhizome) of the ginger plant can be consumed fresh, powdered, dried as a spice, in the oil form or as juice.

Health Benefits:

Medicinal Compound Gingerol

The bioactive compound Gingerol present in ginger has proven anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. It is used in various traditional medicines, for example, to treat digestive problems, nausea, to fight flu and common cold.

Ginger extract is also effective against bacterial attack and reduces gum infections such as gingivitis and periodontitis.

Treats Digestive problem

Ginger is known to relieve gastrointestinal  irritation, stimulate saliva and suppress gastric contractions and helps in the movement of food and fluids through the GI(gastrointestinal) tract.

Provides relief from nausea and morning sickness

Ginger has been proven effective against nausea and vomiting post-surgery, and for patients undergoing chemotherapy. It’s effective in treating morning sickness in pregnancy related nausea.

Decrease Muscle Pain

The anti-inflammatory properties of ginger are effective in reducing advance muscle pain and exercise induced muscle soreness. Ginger helps in reducing the pain and stiffness in the joints.

Decrease Blood Sugars

A study conducted by University of Medical Science (Iran) has proved ginger’s effectiveness in reducing blood sugar levels and HbA1C in diabetic patients and have potent hypolipidemic effect.

Reason of Headache and Migraine

Now a days, everyone gets a headache from time to time. And while it's the most general type of pain, not all headaches are alike: According to the International Headache Society, there are more than 150 types of primary and secondary headache disorders — primary occurring on their own, and secondary being caused by other medical situation.

Tension headaches, which affect more than half of all women and more than a third of all men in developed countries, are the most common type of headache. Tight muscles of the shoulders, neck, scalp, and jaw are standard culprits, as are stress, depression, anxiety, working too much, inadequate shut-eye, erratic or missed meal times, and alcohol.

Changes in the weather, fatigue, stress, bright or flickering lights, loud noises, strong smells, insufficient sleep, and hormonal changes (in women) can all trigger migraines. And in addition to the dietary habits that can cause tension headaches, migraines can also be set off by chocolate, an increase or decrease of caffeine, and foods with monosodium glutamate (MSG). 

The unbearable migraine affect 12 percent of people in the United States. Migraines are about three times more common in women than in men and are often accompanied by throbbing or pulsating pain, nausea, watery eyes, and a runny nose or congestion.