Diseases Treatment

What do doctors call this condition?

Sinusitis

What is this condition?

Sinus infection refers to infection of the paranasal sinuses - the four pairs of air pockets that drain into the nose. Sinus infection may be acute, subacute, chronic, allergic, or hyperplastic. In this last, the number of sinus cells is abnormally increased.

What causes it?

Sinus infection usually is caused by viral or bacterial infection. Acute sinus infection is primarily caused by the common cold; it lingers in the subacute form in only about 10% of cases. Chronic sinus infection follows persistent bacterial infection.

Predisposing factors for sinus infection include any condition that interferes with sinus drainage and ventilation, such as:

•  chronic nasal swelling

•  a deviated septum

•  thickened mucus

•  nasal polyps

• allergic inflammation of the nasal mucous membranes (allergic rhinitis)

• a weakened state from chemotherapy, malnutrition, diabetes, a blood disease, chronic steroid use, or a depressed immune system.

Bacterial sinus invasion commonly is caused by the conditions listed above or after a viral infection. It may also result from swimming in polluted water.

Allergic sinus infection accompanies allergic rhinitis. Hyperplastic sinus infection is a combination of pus-producing acute sinus infection and allergic sinus infection or allergic rhinitis.

What are its symptoms?

Symptoms vary depending on the type of sinus infection.

Acute sinus infection

The main symptom of this type of sinus infection is a stuffy nose, followed by gradually increasing pressure in the affected sinus. For 24 to 48 hours after symptoms first appear, the person may have a runny nose. Later, the nasal discharge contains pus. Other symptoms include an overall ill feeling, sore throat, headache, and slight feye (temperature of 99° to 99.5° F [37.2° to 37.5° C]). Pain location depends on the affected sinus, but may occur over the cheeks and upper teeth, over the eyes, over the eyebrows, or behind the eyes.

Subacute sinus infection

In this type of sinus infection, pus-filled nasal drainage lasts longer than 3 weeks after an acute infection subsides. Other symptoms include stuffy nose, vague facial discomfort, fatigue, and a nonproductive cough.

Chronic sinus infection

Symptoms of chronic sinus infection resemble those of acute sinus infection, except that the chronic form causes continuous mucusand pus-filled discharge.

Allergic sinus infection

The major symptoms of this type of infection are sneezing, a headache in the front of the head, watery nasal discharge, and a stuffy, burning, itchy nose.

Hyperplastic sinus infection

This type of infection causes a chronically stuffy nose and headache.

How is it diagnosed?

To diagnose sinus infection, the doctor examines the inside of the persons nose. The doctor may also take sinus X-rays, perform a sinus puncture (rare), or order ultrasound or a computed tomography scan (commonly called a CAT scan).

How is it Treated?

The doctor may try a variety of treatments, depending on the type of sinus infection.

Acute sinus infection

Usually, the doctor prescribes local decongestants before trying oral decongestants and may also recommend inhaling steam. To combat pus­producing or persistent infection, [he doctor will prescribe antibiotics, usually for 2 to 3 weeks, because sinus infection is deep seated. Applying heat to the sinus area may also help relieve pain and congestion.

Subacute sinus infection

In subacute sinus infection, antibiotics and decongestants may be helpful.

Allergic sinus infection

To treat allergic sinus infection, the doctor must also treat allergic rhinitis. Typically, the doctor prescribes antihistamines, orders skin testing to identify the cause of allergy, and may prescribe immunotherapy, which desensitizes the person to the offending allergens bv administering them in increasingly large doses. Severe allergic symptoms may call for steroids and epinephrine.

Chronic and hyperplastic sinus infection

In both these types of infection, the doctor may prescribe antihistamines, antibiotics, and a steroid nasal spray to relieve pain and congestion. If irrigation fails to relieve symptoms, sinus surgery may be necessary.

When doctors pronounce the word depression. If any one suffering from depression then he/she must have the aches in different parts of the body, sex problems in addition with the following Depression symptoms.

• Sad feeling
• Crying without any reason.
• No interest in activities which you used to enjoy before.
• guilty feeling
• loss of interest in work
• Laziness
• Unable to take decisions
• Attempts of suicide

The effects of depression are more hazardous in the people of old age group. If someone is suffering from depression then he must need to consult the doctor. if the depression disorder is left untreated for a long period of time then the success rates in the treatment are very low. Generally it is not necessary to get admit in a hospital for the treatment of the depression but if the chances in a patient of attempting suicide are high then the patient is referred to a hospital. There he/she does not need to stay for a very long time. Usually the patient is discharged after a period of two or three weeks. So take Depression help as early as possible because

It can prevent the depression to enter into critical stage.

Life is precious and Depression help can save the life of a patient because ontime treatment can save you from committing a suicide.

Depression treatment can eliminate the chances of hitting back the patient again.

Medicines plays an important role in the treatment of depression. These are called as Antedepressants. These drugs have some side effects. The form of medicines such as Natures remedies are used for the treatment of depression as they have no side effects.

Suicide is a symptom which needs special focus because there are more chances of suicide in a patient who is recovering from depression because the energy levels of the patients starts increasing because of of the treatment and he can attempt suicide in a more strong manner.

What do doctors call these conditions?

Spina bifida, meningocele, myelomeningocele

What are these conditions?

Defective neural tube closure in the embryo during the first trimester of pregnancy causes various spinal malformations. Generally, these defects occur in the lumbosacral area, but they are occasionally found in the sacral, thoracic, and cervical areas.

Spina bifida occulta is the most common and least severe spinal cord defect. Although one or more vertebrae fail to close completely, the spinal cord or meninges (membranes covering the brain and spinal cord) do not protrude.

However, in more severe forms of spina bifida, incomplete closure of one or more vertebrae causes the spinal contents to protrude and form an external sac or cystic lesion. In spina bifida with meningocele, this sac contains meninges and cerebrospinal fluid. In spina bifida with myelomeningocele, this sac contains meninges, cerebrospinal fluid, and a portion of the spinal cord or nerve roots distal to the conus medullaris.

Spina bifida is relatively common, affecting about 5% of the population. In the United States, approximately 12,000 infants each year are born with some form of spina bifida.

The prognosis varies with the degree of accompanying neurologic deficit. It’s worst in people with large open lesions, neurogenic bladders (which predispose to infection and kidney failure), or total paralysis of the legs. Because such features are usually absent in spina bifida occulta and meningocele, the prognosis is much better than in myelomeningocele, and many people with these conditions can lead normal lives.

What causes them?

Normally, about 20 days after conception, the embryo develops a neural groove in the dorsal area. This groove rapidly deepens, and the two edges come together to form the neural tube. By about day 23, this tube is completely closed except for an opening at each end. If the posterior portion of the neural tube fails to close by the fourth week of pregnancy, or if it closes but then splits open from a cause such as an abnormal increase in cerebrospinal fluid later in the first trimester, a spinal defect is likely to result.

Viruses, radiation, and other environmental factors may be responsible for such defects. However, spinal cord defects occur more often in offspring of women who have previously had children with similar defects, so genetic factors may contribute.

What are their symptoms?

Spina bifida occulta is often accompanied by skin abnormalities­such as a depression or dimple, tuft of hair, soft fatty deposits, port-wine nevi (skin discoloration), or a combination of these -located over the spinal defect; however, such signs may be absent. Spina bifida occulta doesn’t usually cause neurologic dysfUnction but occasionally is associated with foot weakness or bowel and bladder disturbances. Such disturbances are especially likely during rapid growth phases.

In both meningocele and myelomeningocele, a saclike structure protrudes over the spine. Like spina bifida occulta, meningocele rarely causes neurologic deficits. But myelomeningocele, depending on the level of the defect, causes permanent neurologic dysfUnction, such as flaccid or spastic paralysis and bowel and bladder incontinence.

How are they diagnosed?

Spina bifida occulta is often overlooked, although it’s occasionally palpable and spinal X-ray can show the bone defect. Myelography can differentiate it from other spinal abnormalities, especially spinal cord tumors.

Meningocele and myelomeningocele are obvious on examination; backlighting the protruding sac can sometimes distinguish between them. (Light typically passes through a meningocele, but not through a myelomeningocele.) In myelomeningocele, a pinprick exam of the legs and trunk shows the level of sensory and motor involvement; skull X-rays, skull measurements, and computed tomography scan (commonly called a CAT scan) demonstrate associated fluid in the brain. Other appropriate lab tests in people with myelomeningocele include urinalysis, urine cultures, and tests for kidney function - starting in the neonatal period and continuing at regular intervals.

Although amniocentesis can detect only open spinal defects, this procedure is recommended for all pregnant women who have previously had children with spinal cord defects because there is a greater risk of having another child with similar defects. If these defects are present in the fetus, amniocentesis shows increased alpha-fetoprotein levels by the 14th week of pregnancy. Ultrasonography can also detect or confirm the presence and extent of neural tube defects.

How are they treated?

Spina bifida occulta usually requires no treatment. Treatment of meningocele consists of surgical closure of the protruding sac and continual assessment of growth and development. Treatment of myelomeningocele requires repair of the sac and supportive measures to promote independence and prevent further complications. Surgery doesn’t reverse neurologic deficits. A shunt may be inserted to relieve associated fluid in the brain.

Rehabilitation measures may include waist supports, long leg braces, walkers, crutches, and other orthopedic appliances; diet and bowel training to manage fecal incontinence; neurogenic bladder management to reduce urinary stasis; possibly intermittent catheterization; and antispasmodics such as Urecholine or Pro-Banthine. In severe cases, insertion of an artificial urinary sphincter is often successful; urinary diversion is used as a last resort to preserve kidney function.