Healthy Habits to Fight Cold and Flu

Healthy Habits to Fight Cold and Flu

 

Cold and flu are both viral infections. The two might differ in magnitude, but some of the common symptoms are the same; sore throat, fever, running nose, cough, fatigue and nausea. If you are looking for healthy ways to fight a cold or flu, then this article should provide what you need. 1. Personal hygiene - You are equipped to fight a cold and flu if you wash your hands when required. Make sure you wash them for about 20 seconds; your kids will automatically ape this ritual and provide for a cold and flu-free season. 2. Balanced diet - Avoid milk and other dairy products, as it triggers the release of histamine, a chemical that contributes to a runny nose and nasal congestion, and can hinder your recovery. Avoid high-fat, indigestible foods such as cheese, red meat and pastries. Grapefruits will help to provide immunity against cold and flu symptoms; it is high in vitamin C and helps to detoxify the liver. Eat as many fruits as you can; this is certainly a healthy way to fight the cold and flu. 3. Honey - Honey bees are renowned for their immunity. Honey is considered to be one of the most effective home remedies to fight cold and flu. Make sure you avoid giving it to children less than 12 months. 4. Maximize your intake of fluids - Detoxify your body by a regular intake of fluids, such as tea or water with lemon. Keep in mind your urine rids you off all the toxins produced by a virus. 5. Yoga -Practicing yoga strengthens your thymus gland which is responsible for a strong immune system. "One must do Kapalbharti, Chakraasan, Surya Namaskar, Halaasan and Sarvangaasan", says adds Dr. Deepak Jha, Lifestyle Yogalogist at Real Yoga. 6. No antibiotics for flu - It is a well known fact that flu is a viral infection and antibiotics are not effective in combating it. So keep away from antibiotics in the case of flu. Dr Shalabh Sharma, ENT specialist at Gangaram Hospital, suggests that "Antibiotics must only be taken if your doctor notices any bacterial infection." 7. Blow your nose/gargle - Needless to say that decongesting your chest from a cough provides relief. It is advised that you gargle. Prepare a solution of lukewarm saline water. When you gargle, your sore throat finds some relief. 8. Adequate sleep - No matter how much you try to recover from a cold and flu, nothing helps better than rest.. It is a known fact that six to eight hours of sleep can work wonders. Your body can repair itself from the symptoms of a cold and flu. If you have a running nose, put an extra cushion under your head as it allows for nasal discharge. 9. Go for steam bath - If possible take a steam bath or shower, the reason being that it moisturizes your nasal passage and provides instant relief; you may then blow your nose as and when required. 10. Cover your nose and mouth - When you are sneezing cover your nose and mouth to prevent germs from spreading. Show that you care -- about yourself and those around you. In your fight against your cold and flu symptoms, keep all the above in mind!

Tips to Get Rid of a Cold Quickly

Tips to Get Rid of a Cold Quickly

 

You need to rid yourself of that cold quickly? Well, the first thing you should know is that there is no discernible cure for the common cold, so in effect this will be an article on how to ease the symptoms of a cold quickly, or how to function normally during a cold. Your body will ultimately decide how quickly it can rid itself of the cold. One of the reasons it's so hard to shake off a cold is because you are continually reinfecting yourself every time you breathe; the germs in your mouth, throat and lungs are proliferating all the time. Effectively you need to slow down this rampant proliferation and give your body a chance to eventually overcome the infection. Gargling hot water Getting piping hot fluids down your throat is beneficial in killing off the bacteria which are using your respiratory system as their playground. Sipping cups of hot tea is good, but even this isn't enough as its temperature drops and it doesn't stay in the throat for a long enough period to have a meaningful effect. Put a tea-spoon of salt into a cup of boiling water and gargle a mouthful of it for 4-5 seconds. You will need to wait until it comes to a suitable temperature, but you can gauge this by continually sipping it until you feel you can hold it in your throat. It might help to swallow a cup of cold water in between gargles. The hot water and salt will kill off the bacteria and slow down the proliferation. When you are not gargling or slowly drinking hot fluids, drink pints of water. Toxins can complement the symptoms of a cold and slow down your recovery time. A continuous stream of water flowing through your body will flush these toxins out of your system, helping you to rid yourself of that cold quickly. Increasing Vitamin C intake Increasing your intake of vitamin C will charge your immune system and afford your body extra resources in negating the symptoms of the cold and finally getting rid of it. Vitamin C is a natural antihistamine and will alleviate your strain. Good sources of the vitamin are oranges, kiwis, tomatoes and broccoli. You can also purchase supplements which can be diluted into a glass of hot water. Rest & Relaxation Use your poor condition as a chance to get some meaningful rest, especially if you are dispensable at work. As long as you are putting your body under extra strain, you are slowing down the recovery time. By resting in bed, drinking hot fluids and eating easily digestible foods, you are prioritising your recovery. This is all you can do; the rest depends on how your body copes with the strain of virus it has contracted, but these tips should help you rid yourself of that annoying cold in a timely fashion.

What is Cold and Flu ?

What is Cold and Flu ?

 

Sneezing, scratchy throat, runny nose-everyone knows the first signs of a cold, probably the most common illness known. Although the common cold is usually mild, with symptoms lasting 1 to 2 weeks, it is a leading cause of doctor visits and missed days from school and work. People in the United States suffer 1 billion colds each year, according to some estimates. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 22 million school days are lost annually in the United States due to the common cold. Children have about 6 to 10 colds a year. One important reason why colds are so common in children is because they are often in close contact with each other in daycare centers and schools. In families with children in school, the number of colds per child can be as high as 12 a year. Adults average about two to four colds a year, although the range varies widely. Women, especially those aged 20 to 30 years, have more colds than men, possibly because of their closer contact with children. On average, people older than 60 have fewer than one cold a year.

What is the treatment for Cold and Flu ?

What is the treatment for Cold and Flu?

 

 There is no cure for the common cold, but you can get relief from your cold symptoms by Resting in bed Drinking plenty of fluids Gargling with warm salt water or using throat sprays or lozenges for a scratchy or sore throat Using petroleum jelly for a raw nose Taking aspirin or acetaminophen-Tylenol, for example-for headache or fever

How does one prevent Cold and Flu ?

How does one prevent Cold and Flu?

 

There are several ways you can keep yourself from getting a cold or passing one on to others. Because cold germs on your hands can easily enter through your eyes and nose, keep your hands away from those areas of your body If possible, avoid being close to people who have colds If you have a cold, avoid being close to people If you sneeze or cough, cover your nose or mouth, and sneeze or cough into your elbow rather than your hand. Handwashing Handwashing with soap and water is the simplest and one of the most effective ways to keep from getting colds or giving them to others. During cold season, you should wash your hands often and teach your children to do the same. When water isn't available, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC) recommends using alcohol-based products made for disinfecting your hands. Disinfecting Rhinoviruses can live up to 3 hours on your skin. They also can survive up to 3 hours on objects such as telephones and stair railings. Cleaning environmental surfaces with a virus-killing disinfectant might help prevent spread of infection. Vaccine Because so many different viruses can cause the common cold, the outlook for developing a vaccine that will prevent transmission of all of them is dim. Scientists, however, continue to search for a solution to this problem. Unproven prevention methods Echinacea Echinacea is a dietary herbal supplement that some people use to treat their colds. Researchers, however, have found that while the herb may help treat your colds if taken in the early stages, it will not help prevent them. One research study funded by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, a part of the National Institutes of Health, found that echinacea is not effective at all in treating children aged 2 to 11. Vitamin C Many people are convinced that taking large quantities of vitamin C will prevent colds or relieve symptoms. To test this theory, several large-scale, controlled studies involving children and adults have been conducted. To date, no conclusive data has shown that large doses of vitamin C prevent colds. The vitamin may reduce the severity or duration of symptoms, but there is no clear evidence of this effect. Taking vitamin C over long periods of time in large amounts may be harmful. Too much vitamin C can cause severe diarrhea, a particular danger for elderly people and small children. Honey Honey has been considered to be a treatment for coughs and to soothe a sore throat. A recent study conducted at the Penn State College of Medicine compared the effectiveness of a little bit of buckwheat honey before bedtime versus either no treatment or dextromethorphan (DM), the cough suppressant found in many over-the-counter cold medicines. The results of this study suggest that honey may be useful to relieve coughing, but researchers need to do additional studies. You should never give honey to children under the age of one because of the risk of infantile botulism, a serious disease. Zinc Zinc lozenges and zinc lollipops are available over the counter as a treatment for the common cold; however, results from studies designed to test the efficacy of zinc are inconclusive. Although several stu...

 

What are the causes of Cold and Flu ?

What are the causes of Cold and Flu ?

 

The viruses More than 200 different viruses are known to cause the symptoms of the common cold. Some, such as the rhinoviruses, seldom produce serious illnesses. Others, such as parainfluenza and respiratory syncytial virus, produce mild infections in adults but can lead to severe lower respiratory tract infections in young children. Rhinoviruses (from the Greek rhin, meaning "nose") cause an estimated 30 to 35 percent of all adult colds, and are most active in early fall, spring, and summer. Scientists have identified than 110 distinct rhinovirus types. These agents grow best at temperatures of about 91 degrees Fahrenheit, the temperature inside the human nose. Scientists think coronaviruses cause a large percentage of all adult colds. They bring on colds primarily in the winter and early spring. Of the more than 30 kinds, three or four infect humans. The importance of coronaviruses as a cause of colds is hard to assess because, unlike rhinoviruses, they are difficult to grow in the laboratory. Approximately 10 to 15 percent of adult colds are caused by viruses also responsible for other, more severe illnesses: adenoviruses, coxsackieviruses, echoviruses, orthomyxoviruses (including influenza A and B viruses, which cause flu), paramyxoviruses (including several parainfluenza viruses), respiratory syncytial virus, and enteroviruses. The causes of 30 to 50 percent of adult colds, presumed to be viral, remain unidentified. The same viruses that produce colds in adults appear to cause colds in children. The relative importance of various viruses in pediatric colds, however, is unclear because it's difficult to isolate the precise cause of symptoms in research studies of children with colds. The weather There is no evidence that you can get a cold from exposure to cold weather or from getting chilled or overheated. Other factors There is also no evidence that your chances of getting a cold are related to factors such as exercise, diet, or enlarged tonsils or adenoids. On the other hand, research suggests that psychological stress and allergic diseases affecting your nose or throat may have an impact on your chances of getting infected by cold viruses.

 

What are the symptoms of Cold and Flu ?

What are the symptoms of Cold and Flu ?

 

Symptoms of the common cold usually begin 2 to 3 days after infection and often include Mucus buildup in your nose Difficulty breathing through your nose Swelling of your sinuses Sneezing Sore throat Cough Headache Fever is usually slight but can climb to 102 degrees Fahrenheit in infants and young children. Cold symptoms can last from 2 to 14 days, but like most people, you'll probably recover in a week. If symptoms recur often or last much longer than 2 weeks, you might have an allergy rather than a cold. Colds occasionally can lead to bacterial infections of your middle ear or sinuses, requiring treatment with antibiotics. High fever, significantly swollen glands, severe sinus pain, and a cough that produces mucus may indicate a complication or more serious illness requiring a visit to your healthcare provider.

What are the complications of Cold and Flu ?

What are the complications of Cold and Flu ?

 

Colds occasionally can lead to bacterial infections of your middle ear or sinuses, requiring treatment with antibiotics. High fever, significantly swollen glands, severe sinus pain, and a cough that produces mucus, may indicate a complication or more serious illness requiring a visit to your healthcare provider.

Effect of Climate Change on Malaria Transmission

Effect of Climate Change on Malaria Transmission

 

Malaria is a contagious disease that is caused by parasite called plasmodium which spreads with the bites of infected mosquitoes. Since malaria is a vector-borne disease it is significantly affected by the change in climate. There is increase in malaria transmission when the climatic conditions are favourable for mosquito breeding whereas inadequate rains and low temperature are too dry for mosquitoes to transmit malaria. Climate change is mainly caused due to global warming. According to the World Health Organization, climate change has significantly contributed to the number of cases of malaria in South America, Europe and Africa. It is also evident from many studies that climate changes do tend to increase risk of malaria in comparison to the areas where it remains stable. Changes in temperature and precipitation directly affect the rate of malaria disease. Moreover, it gives vector the ability to move higher altitude, thereby increasing the areas of disease transmission. Even the areas that have controlled the disease tend to increase the risk of malaria. The areas that offer unfavourable climatic conditions such as low temperature for malarial transmission may experience higher infection even with a slight increase in temperature. Usually people living in countries that are located in geographical locations ideal for mosquito breeding are largely affected by climate change. The developing countries that don't have sufficient means to cope with the wide spread of disease are also likely to have adverse impact.

Risk of Malaria in Children

Risk of Malaria in Children

 

 Children are at an increased risk of malaria because their immune system is not yet fully developed. Africa is the most severely malaria endemic region of the world. Most of the deaths in Africa due to Malaria are that of children. The risk of malaria is more in Africa mainly because of lack of infrastructure for medical services in African countries. Moreover, resistance to anti-malarial drugs has only contributed to the problem. Various researches by World Health Organisation (WHO) and other agencies on malaria deaths have suggested that malnourished children are at an increased of getting afflicted and dying from malaria. It was found that mildly undernourished children are twice more likely to die after malaria infection than those who are not undernourished. This can explain why the incidence of malaria deaths continues unabated in poor countries of Africa. It goes without saying that malaria risk in children can be reduced by improving their health with nutrition. Malaria in children also leads to several other complications that require medical attention too. Anaemia, epilepsy, cerebral malaria and neurological problems are often the result of lack of malaria treatment. 75 % cases of the more than 1 million deaths due to malaria each year is of African children. Even the serious consequences of malaria that is possible after suffering from malaria once or twice remain unrecognized. Malaria in children is blight on economic development of these countries too as a major chunk of the resources get used up in treatment costs. Such a state of a preventable disease has been proclaimed as unacceptable but a lot need to be done for reducing the number of malaria deaths worldwide and particularly in Africa.

Life Cycle of the Malaria Parasite

Life Cycle of the Malaria Parasite

 

Malaria is caused by one of the Plasmodium (P.) parasites carried by female Anopheles mosquitoes. It is released into the human bloodstream after a mosquito bite. Six distinct stages of the malaria parasite lifecycle have been identified. Malaria Parasite Lifecycle Stage 1: After getting injected into the human bloodstream following a bite from Anopheles mosquito, the parasites in the form of sporozoites invade the liver. They stay in the liver cells after destroying them. Stage2: Over a period of 5 to 16 days, depending on the species of the malaria parasite, sporozoites multiply rapidly to create thousands of red blood cell invading parasites called merzoites. Each of the sporozoit infected liver cell creates thousands of merzoites. Some species of the malaria parasite remain dormant for long periods before causing relapses weeks or months later. Stage 3: The merzoites now leave the liver cells and invade the red blood cells after entering the bloodstream. In the next 1 to 3 days, asexual replications of merzoites take place leading to the sickness and complications of malaria. These symptoms can last for months if not treated. In the following stages of lifecycle of malaria parasite, it is explained how malaria spreads to other persons. Stage 4: A few of the red blood cells infected with merzoites stop replicating asexually and instead become male or female gametocyte (formations that develop into male or female parasite). These gametocytes start circulating in the bloodstream. Stage 5: When a mosquito bites an infected person with gametocytes circulating in his blood, it ingests them. They go on to develop into mature sex cells called gamete. Male and female gametes combine to form what is called an oocyst. Stage 6: In the last stage of the malaria parasite lifecycle, each of these oocysts forms several sporozoites in the body of the mosquito and reach its salivary glands. These sporozoites are again injected into the human blood when the mosquito bites and re-starts the whole cycle.

Symptoms of Falciparum Malaria

Symptoms of Falciparum Malaria

 

Falciparum Malaria is considered as one of the most dangerous strains of malaria which warrants immediate medical treatment and care. Although malaria has ceased to be a concern in most countries across the world, it is still a considerably predominant disease in countries which experience a tropical and sub-tropical climate. However, this disease can successfully spread through travellers who have paid visits to tropical destinations and have carried the disease back home. Without prompt medical action, this particular disease is known to assume life threatening proportions with serious complications. Almost one fifth of the patients who have received immediate treatment are also likely to face death. Therefore, the earlier it is detected, the better. In order to facilitate rapid treatment, it is important to understand the symptoms well and plan the course of treatment. The best thing to do is to seek the professional assistance of a medical practitioner, on the slightest doubt. Falciparum Malaria Symptoms The easiest way to detect the symptoms of falciparum malaria is to classify them systematically. Some of the prominent classifications could include: Jaundice: Most often, falciparum malaria results in the destruction of RBCs and liver cells. This might result in jaundice which is manifested through yellowish skin and eyes. This condition calls for immediate medical attention. Nerve Related Symptoms: This particular strain is known to have an impact on the central nervous system of the body. This might lead to nerve related problems which results in seizures, fainting spells, and dizziness. Slipping into a coma is also a possibility in extreme cases of falciparum malaria. Blood Related Disorders: Most often falciparum malaria can lead to several blood related disorders. The most common one in this category is anaemia which stems from excessive loss of red blood corpuscles and it can lead to tiredness, fatigue and other complications. Other disorders might be related to abnormal coagulation of blood and loss of blood platelets. Common Cold like Symptoms: Sometimes, this disease might result in symptoms which are suggestive of a common cold or flu. These might include chills, headaches, fever and even a severe bout of cough in some cases. You need to seek immediate medical attention if all such symptoms happen to appear in tandem. Gastrointestinal Symptoms: Sometimes falciparum malaria can lead to some prominent gastrointestinal symptoms which should be given immediate medical attention. Some of the common symptoms include vomiting and nausea. Sometimes, these vomiting spells might get persistent and disturbing. In addition, sometimes patients might also experience spells of severe diarrhoea. This could be one of the most prominent symptoms of falciparum malaria. These are some of the most common falciparum malaria symptoms which need to be monitored with extreme vigil. Most often, we tend to ignore several of these, considering them to be commonplace illnesses. It is advisable to be a bit over cautious and seek the guidance of your family physician, should you have any confusion.

Difference between Malaria and Typhoid Fever

Difference between Malaria and Typhoid Fever

 

 Malaria and typhoid fever are diseases which are often confused with each other. This could be primarily because both are caused by parasites and are sometimes known to exhibit similar symptoms. In addition, if not treated adequately in time, typhoid and malaria are often known to assume fatal proportions. Both can be responsible for several health related complications with lifetime repercussions, which can be causes of grave concern. However, according to medical experts, the chances of death are higher when you are affected by a serious malaria strain when compared to those afflicted with typhoid. Early detection is mandatory in both, though. How to Distinguish Typhoid Fever from Malaria The best way to distinguish between the two diseases is to categorise the correlations they have. The causes of both diseases are totally different. Whereas mosquitoes are responsible for malaria, typhoid is caused by the salmonella typhi bacteria. However, there is one common factor between the two. Salmonella typhi is known to breed in dirty water and unhealthy conditions which are prevalent in developing third world nations. Coincidentally, most of these countries lie in the tropical regions which are ideal conditions for the breeding of mosquitoes as well. The symptoms of both these diseases also do vary to a certain extent. Mostly, a malaria infection will manifest itself through chills, fevers, nausea, vomiting and sometimes even diarrhoea. However, the symptoms of typhoid may be different at various stages of the disease. The initial stages of the disease are manifested through stomach pain, skin rashes, extreme muscle weakness and fatigue along with high fever. As the illness progresses, patients may witness stomach distension and further weight loss. The third and the final stage can see complete lack of body motion. Sometimes, the patient might also enter a delirious phase. Most often, the detection of malaria is considered to be far simpler than that of typhoid. A simple blood test is enough to decide whether the person is suffering from malarial infection or not. However, in order to detect the presence of salmonella typhi, doctors have to test the blood, stool, urine as well as bone marrow of the patient in question. The samples need to be stored in a controlled environment for about 48-72 hours, before the presence of salmonella typhi can be detected. The cure is different too. A malaria infection will require antimalarial drugs whereas antibiotics are used to treat typhoid. Typhoid is also adequately treated by administering fluids, a high nutrition diet and sometimes even through intravenous nutrition. These are some of the basic differences between these two killer diseases. However, should you be experiencing similar or near similar symptoms, seek medical advice immediately.

Prevention of Mosquito Breeding

Prevention of Mosquito Breeding

 

The best way of prevention of mosquito breeding is to stop their access to the place where they can lay eggs and rest. Since a large part of a mosquito's life cycle is aquatic, an effective way for prevention of mosquito breeding is to eliminate the possible breeding grounds by removing standing water. Tips for Preventing Mosquito Breeding Eliminate the stagnant water: Get rid of standing water that can serve as breeding ground for the mosquitoes. For instance, breeding sites such as buckets, old tyres, bird baths and rain gutters must be removed from the vicinity of home and workplaces. If your garden has plant trays, bird baths or fountain, you must change the water once a week. Immediately remove any debris that can hold rain water. Keep the pool water circulating and ensure that the swimming pools and saunas are chlorinated. When not in use, plastic wading pools must be turned over so as to avoid collection of water. One must also empty standing water if any from pool covers, children's toys, flower pots and pet bowls. Empty the rain gutters, puddles and ditches near your living area. Fill any puddle or hole that can catch water. Remember, mosquitoes can lay eggs even in bottle cap that has standing water. Ensure that the doors, windows and porches of your home are free of holes. If you have an ornamental pool then keeping goldfish and minnows can be helpful in preventing mosquito breeding in them. These fish eat up the larvae of mosquitoes. Cut off the excessive grass of your lawn on a weekly basis as they can serve as hiding ground for the mosquitoes. The hedges of bushes in the garden must also be trimmed in order to keep the resting ground of mosquitoes in check. Check your taps and air conditioner units for water leakage and get it repaired. Pesticides are an effective way of preventing mosquito breeding. There are many pesticides available for killing both the larvae as well as adult mosquitoes. By preventing mosquito breeding one can stay safe from mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue.

Why does Malaria cause Jaundice ?

Why does Malaria cause Jaundice ?

 

Jaundice in malaria, often termed as 'malarial hepatitis' is a common manifestation of cerebral malaria. Presence of jaundice in malaria is an indicator of severe and complicated illness. When the malaria parasite attacks a person it causes fever, recurring chills, anaemia and jaundice in some of the cases. Destruction of red blood cells by the malaria parasite often results in jaundice. There are many underlying factors that can lead to jaundice in malaria. Some of the causes of jaundice in malaria are as follows: Direct cause Malarial Hepatitis: The term malarial hepatitis (inflammation of the liver) has been used for describing the occurrence of jaundice in a patient suffering from malaria, especially cerebral malaria. The condition is characterised by a rise in the bilirubin serum (a blood serum) along with the rise in levels of glutamate pyruvate transaminase three times above the normal level. Results of a study done by Murthy and his research group showed that, 20 out of 95 patients who were admitted with cerebral malaria had symptoms of malarial hepatitis. According to them, patients of malarial hepatitis are more prone to severe renal infections and finally jaundice. I ntravascular hemolysis of parasitised red blood cells (RBC): Excessive intravascular hemolysis (bleeding) in patients of malaria also causes jaundice. Hemolysis also results in increased levels of bilirubin in the blood. Indirect cause: Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC) is also associated with severe manifestation of malarial illness. Microangiopathic (microvascular disease) hemolysis associated with DIC is the common causes of jaundice in severe malaria. Deficiency of an enzyme named glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) is the main cause of hemolysis and jaundice in malaria patients. In some of the cases anti-malarial drugs that are taken for the treatment of malaria can lead to jaundice as well. For instance, Mefloquine; an effective drug for cerebral malaria poses some side-effects that can affect liver function. Malaria patients with co morbidity of any liver disease must not be prescribed Mefloquine. Unrelated cause: Coexisting acute viral hepatitis: Patients of malaria are more prone to developing jaundice when there is presence of other viral hepatitis as well. Presence of other chronic hepatitis.

What is Falciparum Malaria ?

What is Falciparum Malaria?

 

Falciparum malaria, commonly referred to as cerebral malaria is the most dangerous and life threatening form of malaria. As the name suggests it is caused by falciparum, a protozoa of plasmodium (P.) genus. According to an estimate by the World Health Organization (WHO), falciparum malaria affects more than 300-500 million people annually. The people who are living in malaria epidemic areas and children below 10 years of age are more vulnerable to cerebral malaria. It is essential to start treatment as soon as possible since delay can result in fatal outcomes. When not treated timely it proves to be life threatening in about 20% of the patients and can cause conditions such as haemoglobinuria, jaundice, and tender or enlarged spleen to name a few. Falciparum malaria turns fatal within 24 to 72 hours of its onset. The common symptoms of cerebral malaria include: Non-specific fever with impaired consciousness. Generalised convulsions. Neurological abnormalities. Coma (reported in some of the cases). P. Falciparum is transmitted by the bite of infected mosquitoes. This species of plasmodium leads to chills, headache, persistent high fever, capillary blockage, orthostatic hypotension and muscle pain. The other categorising symptoms of falciparum malaria are mutation in mental status and even coma in some of the cases. Ring like lesions are formed in the brain of a cerebral malaria patient. A distinguishing symptom of cerebral malaria is retinal whitening. According to WHO, cerebral malaria has the highest mortality ratio than the other types of malaria. Every year it causes over a million deaths. Till now there is no specific treatment for cerebral malaria so the best way to prevent it is to avoid being bitten by the mosquitoes.

How to Stop the Spread of Malaria

How to Stop the Spread of Malaria

 

 Malaria is a mosquito borne disease that is caused by the infection of the parasite of plasmodium genus. Maximum number of malaria cases are reported from tropical and sub-tropical areas such as Africa, Sub-Saharan, Asia and America. When the malaria parasite enters red blood cells in the body, it multiplies there leading to the symptoms such as fever, headache and even coma in a few cases. Natural immunity is helpful only in some of the cases of malaria. The best way to stop the spread of malaria is to spread awareness regarding the disease and controlling the breeding of its vector. Spread Awareness about the Disease Awareness can stop the spread of malaria as people can be more cautious at an early stage. There is a need to educate people about the causes and symptoms of malaria. Beside prevention, this will also help in early diagnosis and quick treatment of malaria. Controlling the Vector The spread and breeding of anopheles mosquito, the vector of the malaria parasite, must be necessarily stopped or controlled from human populated areas. Remove standing water from the areas that are nearby your office or home. Anopheles mosquitoes are more active during dusk and dawn. So try to stay indoors during these hours. If you absolutely need to step out during dusk or dawn then minimise exposure to mosquitoes by wearing covered clothes. Apply mosquito repellent creams with a high level of N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide(DEET) before going out. Indoor residual spraying (IRS) with insecticides is also recommended for vector control. Insecticide treated mosquito nets are recommended for vector control by the World Health Organization. Drugs for Stopping the Spread of Malaria Mefloquine, atovaquone/proguanil, doxycycline, chloroquine and primaquine are some of the drugs that are helpful in minimising the spread of malaria. If you are travelling to countries where malaria is prevalent, then it is advisable to take anti malarial drugs. These drugs must be taken under medical supervision taking in account the health and medical history of the person.

What Causes Acne ?

What Causes Acne ?

 

 The following are some of the major causes of acne: Overactive Oil Glands: During puberty, various hormonal changes take place. In response to this, the oil glands become overactive, which results in excessive oil that comes out in the form of acne. Blocked Skin Pores: When the skin pores get blocked, the oil is trapped inside resulting in blackheads and whiteheads. Bacterial Activity: When the oil is trapped inside the skin pores, some bacteria are produced which alters the composition of oil and it results in irritation of the skin. Inflammation: When the immune system of the body acts to get rid of various foreign substances such as bacteria, toxins or other irritating substances, it results in acne.

 

 

 

Skin Care for Men: Pimples

Skin Care for Men: Pimples

 

 

 

 Contrary to popular belief, pimples and acne are not just a teenage problem. Nor are they an exclusive female problem in adults. So, let's just square up, be men and admit it. Men can have severe pimple trouble too. And they don't like it either. It's all very well for people to say "that's such a girl thing!" when a guy admits his acne problems, but the truth is that over 25% adult men suffer from severe pimples and acne. But never fear. Help is at hand! Pimples are essentially a disorder of the skin caused by hormones. Basically, a high level of androgens stimulates the sebaceous glands to produce more oil than necessary, resulting in a swelling of the skin gland, or a pimple. The problem in most cases is of oily skin. The best remedy for that is to wash your face often with a mild cleanser. While washing your face, avoid rubbing or scrubbing too hard. This can result in peeled off or dry and irritated skin. This, in turn, can make pimples worse, aside from the itching that is bound to follow. Simply work the cleanser or face wash into your skin with the lower half of your fingers lightly taking care not to rub too hard on the pimples and wash off with an ample amount of water. Ensure that the cleanser is completely washed off. Any residual chemical can worsen the situation and cause rashes. This may sound like an old wives tale, but one of the best ways to reduce pimples is to drink water. Water helps cleanse tissues on the inside and clears up the skin on the outside. 8 - 10 glasses of water is an absolute must but if you can stretch it to 10 - 12, nothing like it! The more toxins you flush out of your body, the better your skin becomes. Another common reason for pimples is products that contain harsh chemicals that don't agree with your skin like hair gels. Check if the hair styling gel you use is certified to be non-comedogenic. A non-comedogenic product is one that does not provoke the formation and growth of blemishes and other related skin disorders. Be careful while shaving. The use of a too-strong shaving cream or gel or a bad blade can worsen zits, if not nick them as well. Shaving itself does not cause zits but has been known to worsen the situation for several men. But that doesn't mean we're asking you to ditch the smooth look. By all means, shave, but pick your products with care. Another mistake several people make while dealing with zits and pimples is to pop them. Never - and we will repeat this for emphasis - never, ever pop a pimple. It not only increases your chances of leaving an ugly pimple scar on your face, but also helps spread the problem. Another 'never' in the list is: never touch your pimples with your hands and fingers. The skin on your fingers contains natural oils which will only make the oily problem on your face worse! Since the skin of men is different from that of women, women's anti-pimple creams may not always work for men. But there are several pimple removal creams for men in the market as well. But it is best not to rely on them too much, because they may be too harsh and may end up worsening the situation. The best thing to do is to eliminate the reasons why the zits pop out in the first place. And nothing works like water - drinking it, and washing with it!

What is the prognosis of Acne ?

What is the prognosis of Acne?

 

 

Acne almost always can be controlled with medication, although results may not be seen for weeks or months. For example, most medicines that are applied to the skin work within four to eight weeks. Tretinoin may show peak results in three to six months.