Constipation?

Constipation isn’t a disease; it is the basket of diseases!

Worried from constipation? Just use roughage.

The fibers which are present in the diet are called roughage. Roughage doesn’t have any nutritive value but is of big importance. Roughage is present in all green vegetables, fruits, whole grains and pulses.

Types of roughage in the food and its functions:

1.     Soluble roughage: helps in the blood circulation.

2.    Insoluble roughage: prevents constipation, making stool soft and easy to pass out of the body.

Read More

Meningitis: Don’t take it easy!

Meningitis is a viral as well as bacterial disease. In this disease the fine tissues surrounding the brain and the spinal cord get inflated. Viral meningitis is common and not serious but treatment is must. Where bacterial meningitis is rare but serious and immediate attention is required. Any negligence or carelessness in case of bacterial meningitis may be dangerous and it can take life also. Meningitis can cause ear damage, blockage of blood vessels in the brain, damage the brain, cause stroke and even death. Meningitis can spread person to person. It easily spread in infants, teen agers and young.

 Meningitis is caused by:

Ø  Virus

Ø  Bacteria (Meningococci & Pneumococci)

Ø  Fungi

Ø  Parasites

Ø  Chemical/ drug allergies

Common Symptoms:

Ø  Nausea, vomiting

Ø  Severe headache

Ø  Photophobia

Ø  Sudden fever and chill

Ø  Stiff neck

Ø  Rapid breathing

Ø  Poor feeding

Ø  Unusual position of the head with neck

Ø  Changing of the mental status

Precaution:

Ø  Vaccination

Ø  Wash your hand regularly and properly before meals

Ø  Don’t go near by a patient or the patient should be kept isolated

Ø  Don’t share the patient’s belongings

Ø  Immediate consult to a doctor and get proper treatment when you see symptoms

Read More

Do you suffer from severe and regular headache? It may due to Migraine!

Migraine is a chronic neurological disease characterized by recurrent moderate to severe headache often in association with a number of automatic nervous system symptoms. Typically the headache affects one half of the head and lasts from 2 to 72 hours. The pain usually lasts 4 to 72 hours in adults however in young children frequently lasts less than 1 hour.

The pain is generally made worse by physical activity. Migraines affect slightly more boys than girls before puberty. In more than 40% of cases however the pain may be bilateral, and neck pain is commonly associated.

Associated symptoms for Diagnosis:

       5 or more attacks of severe or continuous pain

       Pain duration may vary from 4 hours to 3 days

       Unilateral pain and moderate to severe pain intensity

       Nausea

       Vomiting

       Sensitivity to light, sound or smell

       Fatigue and irritability

       Cognitive difficulties

       Gastrointestinal symptoms

       Weakness

Causes of Migraine:

       Due to a mixture of environmental factors

       Genetic factors

       Changing hormone levels

       Neurovascular disorder

       Psychological stress, hunger, and fatigue

Types of Migraine
Common Migraine or Migraine without aura
Classic Migraine or Migraine with aura
Childhood Periodic Syndrome (Cyclic vomiting and Abdominal migraine) 
Retinal migraine
Complicated Migraine (unusually long or unusually frequent, or associated with a seizure or brain lesion)
Probable Migraine
Chronic Migraine

Immediately consult your doctor for proper advice and medication.

Read More

Swan flu? No need to scare, take preventive measures!

What is swine flu?

Swan flu is also known as swine flu. Swine flu (swine influenza) is a disease of pigs. It is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by one of much Influenza A H1N1 virus.

Causes of swan flu:

It is caused by influenza type A H1N1 virus.

Symptoms of Swine flu:

The symptoms of swan flu are almost similar to seasonal influenza in humans. People suffering from swan flu may have following symptoms.

       Body aches

       Severe chills

       Cough

       Fatigue

       High Fever

       Headache

       Loss of appetite

       Sore throat

Symptoms can vary from mild to severe. In some cases, severe complications such as pneumonia and respiratory failure can cause death.

Diagnosing Swan flu virus H1N1:

Swan flu is identified by laboratory tests by the doctors.

How does it spread?

Transmission of swine flu virus is not crystal clear. But it is believed that the swan flu virus spreads through the same way as seasonal influenza. It transmits from person to person when the virus enters the body through the eyes, nose, mouth when coughing and sneezing. If an infected person touches any surface, virus gets attached to that surface. When a healthy person touches these surfaces, he/ she may be infected.

How dangerous is it?

 If above mentioned symptoms are seen in any one he/ she must consult a doctor immediately and get its test. Negligence may be dangerous.

What preventive measures should be taken?

We know that “Prevention is better than cure”. Now swan flu is the worldwide disease. India is at high risk.  So, we must take preventive measures to avoid this disease.

       Avoid travelling of the region or areas where swan flu patients are there in large number.

       Avoid big gathered public places where swan flu patients have been identified.

       Cover your mouth and nose with a mask specially designed for this. If masks are not available then use clean handkerchief.

       Use full sleeve clothes to avoid exposure of H1N1 virus.

       Use boiled water for drinking.

       Use luke warm milk.

       Avoid close contact with people who are sick and who have symptoms of H1N1 flu.

       Wash your hands with soap and water frequently and thoroughly.

       Practice good health habits such as getting enough sleep, eating a nutritious diet, and staying physically active.

       Immediately consult to your doctor if you see any symptoms of swan flu.

       Rest and drink plenty of fluids.

       Keep the children away from a patient suffering from swan flu.

       In case of detection of swan flu, follow doctors’ advice.

Read More