IRON STORAGE DISORDERS

The amount of iron stored by the body is measured indirectly with measuring the ferritin levels. Ferritin is a body protein that is used to store iron. There are some tests that help us to evaluate the body’s iron stores such as ferritin test, iron binding capacity test ect.

Normal results for a ferritn test are 12-300 nanograms per milliliter of blood for males and 12-150 ng/ml for females.

High levels of ferritin can be indicative for hemochromatosis. This is genetic disorder in which there is excessive accumulation of iron in the body. There is  problem is with the absorption of iron from the intestines which is greater than the amount needed to replace losses. Normaly the body cannot increase iron excretion there for the absorbed iron accumulates in the body. The excess iron deposits in the heart, joints, testicles, liver and causes damage to these organs. So the sign and symptoms of hemochromatosis came from these organs. Women develop sign and symptoms 10 years later then man, because they lose the iron thanks to menstruation. Sign and symptoms of hemochromatosis are: fatigue, joint pains, heart failure, diabetes mellitus, liver cirrhosis, sexual dysfunction and  darkening of skin. Also some chronic inflammatory conditions such as liver disease rheumatoid arthritis or some types o f cancer can be caused  from high ferritin levels.

When  the levels of ferritin are low we have iron deficiency. In these condition the body cannot produce sufficient  levels of hemoglobin (component of red cells that carries the oxygen)  and we have anemia. Sign and symptoms of anemia are: fast heartbeat, dizziness, fatigue, shortness of breath and pale skin.

ASPERGER’s SYNDROME

This is neuro-developmental  disordes that effects individual’s behavior such as communication  and pattern of social interactions. Formerly this disorder was characterized as distinct autism spectrum disorder. It’s still disc as Asperger’s syndrome is separate clinical entity or high-functioning form of autism.  People with asperger’s syndrome normal to above-average intelligence but typically have difficulties with social interactions and often have pervasive, absorbing interests in special areas.

Dr. Hans Asperger first described this condition. Because the obsessive interests in and knowledge of particular subjects of this patients, he called them little professors. 

Positive characteristics of people with Asperger syndrome are:

 -The ability to work independently

 -The increased  ability to focus on details

 -Intensity and original way of thinking 

To give the diagnosis of asperger’s syndrome is impossible without direct testing and observation. It’s suggested that Thomas Jefferson, Mozart, Benjamin Franklin, Albert Einstein had Asperger’s syndrome.

Symptoms of Asperger’s syndrome are:

 -Lack of interest in socializing/making friends

 -Avoiding eye contact 

 -Lack  of use of gestures

 -Lack of changing facial expression

 -Failure to respect interpersonal boundaries

 -Unusually sensitive to noises, touch, odors, tastes.

 -Repetitive motor patterns such as hand flapping or arm waving

The children with this syndrome have normal language development in contrast to other autistic conditions. However there is alteration in language skills such:

 -Changes in voice and speaking

 -They have difficulties with understanding the subtle use of language, such as irony or sarcasm.

 -Disorganized or not relevant to the discussion speech.

In some cases there is psychiatric and behavior disorders  like:

 -Anxiety disorder

 -Depression  or other mood disorders.

There should be multidisciplinary approach in treating this patients. Medical therapy is not effective but in some cases selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor medications are used for relief of anxiety or depression. There are a lot of behavioral and educational interventions that can be useful. The type of intervention depends of individual’s age and needs.

MENOPAUSE

Menopause is a natural part of aging in women that is characterized with cessation of the menstrual cycle. It occurs at an average age of 51. The official definition for menopause is absence of menstrual periods for 12 months caused by cessation of the function of the ovaries. The process of menopause does not occur overnight , but it’s gradual process. Menopause symptoms can include hot flashes, vagina bleeding vaginal and urinary changes and mood changes.

The ovary is one of a pair of reproductive glands in women. The ovaries are located in the pelvis, one on each side of the uterus and they have the size and shape of an almond. The function of the varies is producing eggs  and female hormones as estrogen. During the menstrual cycle one egg mature and leave the ovary. The egg travels from the ovary through a fallopian tube to the uterus.

Female hormones are responsible for the female body characteristics such as the breast body hair and body shape. Other functions are regulation of the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, protection of the bones. That’s way all of this can be changed during the menopause, because the lack of hormones.

Because the menopause is a normal part of life a therapy for the same is not required. However there is therapy associated with symptoms if they are uncomfortable or  dangerous for the woman. Your doctor can recommend you hormone therapy such as estrogen, progesterone, oral contraceptive pills, vaginal hormone and non hormone treatments. The therapy can also include antidepressant medication.

PSORIASIS

This is inflammatory disease that is genetically programmed. The primarily affected organ is the skin. This disease begins as small scaling papule. Then this papule multiplies and form scaling plaques. These plaques tend to occur in the scalp, elbows and knees.

This plaques can be itchy, and when the scale is peeled away small bleeding points appears. Often psoriasis occurs in areas of trauma. This condition often waxes and wanes spontaneously.

Many patients with psoriasis have abnormal nails, which are yellow and crumbly.

Destructive arthritis is often associated with psoriasis.

There is genetic basis for psoriasis. This hereditary predisposition is necessary before the disease can be triggered by environmental factors. T-cells (white blood cells) mediate the development of the psoriatic plaques.

The environmental factors that are risk factors (can lead to psoriasis) are:

-        -  Alcohol in excess

-         - Streptococcal sore throat

-          -Certain drugs

-          -Trauma to the skin

Because this is mainly skin disease the treatment is topical. Foams,  gels,  creams, shampoos and ointments that are applied directly to the skin. Also the treatment includes topical steroids, tar preparations and calcium modulating drugs.

BREAST APSCESS

This is painful collection of pus in the breast. The collection is formed under the skin and it’s caused by bacterial infection.

Usually the breast abscess is characterized with:

-redness

-warmness

-swelling of the surrounding skin

-fever

Mastitis is often linked to breast abscesses. Mastitis is a condition with brast pain and inflammation, usually at women that are breastfeeding. Mastitis that is left untreated can result in an abscess forming. White blood cells are sent to attack the infection which causs tissue at the site of the infection to die. This creates a small, hollow area that fills with pus (an abscess).

ENDOMETRIAL ABLATION

Endometrial ablation is surgical destruction of the endometrium. Endometrium is the lining tissues of the uterus. The ablation is one type of treatment for abnormal uterine  bleeding. The beeding is usually  due to a benign condition.  If the reason for bleeding is cancer of the uterus , the ablation is not used as a treatment, because the cancer cells may have grown into the deeper tissues of the uterus not just endometrium. Endometrial ablation is only performed on a non pregnant woman who does not plan to become pregnant in future and when medical and hormonal therapies  can not control the bleeding.

Before the ablation there must b performed endometrial biopsy to exclude the persistence of cancer. Also the must be done imaging studies to exclude the persistence of uterine polyps or benign tumors, that can be simply removed without the need for ablation of the entire endometrium. Intrauterine contraceptive devices must be removed and the possibility of pregnancy must be excluded.

There are different procedures that are used for destroying the lining tissue of the uterus (endometrium), such as: laser beam, electricity, freezing, heating or microwave energy.

PNEUMONIA

Pneumonia is inflammation in your lungs caused by an infection. When you have pneumonia your airways and lungs have infection caused by germs such as bacteria, viruses, parasites or fungi. Your airways catch most germs in the mucus, that lie in your trachea, bronchi and bronchioles.  Hair like cilia lying in the tubes constantly push the mucus and germs out of your airways. Sometimes germs can pass although mucus and cilia and enter in your alveoli. Normally cells of the immune system attack this germs, which keep them from making you sick. However is your immune system is weaken  pneumonia causing germs can overwhelm your immune system  and begin to multiply. The inflammation causes your alveoli to fill with fluid which makes obstacle for the oxygen that can not rich to your capillaries

If you have lobar pneumonia that means that one lobe(piece) of your lungs is affected. If bronchopneumonia is your diagnosis then many areas of both lungs are affected.

Pneumonia can cause the following symptoms :

-difficult y breathing

-chest pain

-coughing

-fever and chills

-confusion

-headache

-muscle pain

-fatigue.

BACTERIAL VAGINOSIS

This is infection caused by the bacteria Gardenrella. Bacterial vaginosis is not sexually transmitted infection. But promiscuity, vaginal douches, intrauterine contraception device and long use of antibiotics are consider as risk factors.

This condition is usually asymtomatic but the most common is gray vaginal discharge with fishy odor. At some women there is also vaginal itching and burning.

Bacterial vaginosis can be dangerous during pregnancy and can increase the risk for contracting sexually-trasmitted infections

It is recommended no treatment in normal cases, but pregnant women should take antibiotics as metronidazole and clindamycin.

AUTISAM

Children with autism are experiencing the world in their way. It’s difficult for them to communicate with people. Even the most commune sounds and touch can be unpleasant  for them. They  have difficulty  with understanding the meaning of words. This children don’t like changes in their every day routine, they set  the toys in a certain way and get upset when someone moves it. Autistic children are repeating some  activity and play with  one toy.

The reason for autism is unknown . 1 of 150 children are affected. There is no cure for this disease, but there are specific treatments with psychologist  that can improve the situation of these children.

 Current treatment is hyperbaric oxygen environment conducive to calm hyperactivity in these children

THE TRUTH ABOUT THE CELLULITE AND THE BEST WAYS TO DEAL WITH IT

Cellulite is not medical but only cosmetic problem which is way more often at women. It looks like faint dimples or an orange peel texture. Cellulite is caused by fat deposits that sit side bu side with tough collagen fibers that are anchored to the muscle beneath.
Myths:
 -Skinny people don’t have cellulite. Cellulite is related to the structures within the skin, so if you have thin skin the cellulite will be more visible.
 -Tanning can hide cellulite
Risk factors that don’t depend of you  ( out of your control ):
 -Genetic is destiny when we talk about cellulite. If the women  in your family (mother, grandma ) have cellulite, you probably  will too.
 -Hormonal changes in pregnancy
 -Aging
But you can better your condition with avoiding :
 -Yo-yo dieting
 -An excessively high-carbohydrate diet
 -Fluid retention or being dehydrated
 -Being inactive
 -An increase in total body fat
Treatment:
 -Medically supervised weight loss programs.
 -0.3% Retinol cream- retinol stimulates skin tissue to create thicker skin.
 -Creams containing methylxanthines including caffeine, aminophylline and theophilline.
 -Herbal creams containing gingko biloba, sweet clover and other ingredients that affects the circulation.
 -Lipomassage
 -Laser devices that thicken the skin.
 -Liposuction
The best you can do is to have healthy lifestyle. Staying hydrate, avoiding a high-carbohydrate diet, aerobic exercise such as jogging or walking can build muscle and burn fat.

DISCUS HERNIA

The spine helps us to stand upright, to walk. What happens when the spine will let up. Between the vertebrae of the spine  there is flexible discoid bodies. After the age of thirty the elasticity of the disc reduces and in some people they squirt. After  the squirt the  disk is distorted and pushes the blood vessels and nerves that exit the spinal cord.  In 90% the  disc herniation occurs in the lumbar spine. Risk factors are the age, incorrect position of the spine, lifting heavy objects.

HOW CAN DIABETES CHANGE YOUR BODY

 Diabetes is very common disorder which affects not only older person but children,    and both men and women.
The glucose level and blood sugar level at patients with diabetes are high, because there is lack of insulin (hormone that is produced by pancreas). The patients are often lazy, thirsty. Diabetes also causes:
 1.High blood pressure because  arteriosclerosis. 
 2.Hair lost  due to weakened blood flow ,also the drugs against diabetes  have influence to the follicles and causes  weakening of the root of hairs.
 3.Increased urination since the diabetes causes elevated thirst 
 4.Sleepiness result of  the carbohydrate diet.
 5.Damaged sight see due to diabetic retinopathy (impairment of the blood vessels in the eye).

HOW ACNES ARE MADE?

Each of the hair follicles on your body are connected with glands which produce oily substance to lubricate your skin and hair to do that the substance known as sebum need to move out through the opening of the follicle bit sometimes the sebum acts almost like a glue for the dead cell of the skin. Together they form a soft plaque that blocks out the output, but he gland continues to produce sebum and the plaque grows. That can stimulate the local bacteria like staphylococcus to reproduce.  Increasing bacteria leads to response by the immune system. A pimple is a visible evidence of this process- white puss formed from sebum and dead cells and bacteria. The redness is due to the response of the immune system which tries to kill the bacteria and heal the tissue.

HOW TO TREAT FEVER IN ADULTS

1.Take temperature
 -Temperature can be taken orally, rectally or under the armpit.
 -A person is consider feverish if the oral temperature is above 100 F (37,8 C), or rectal temperature is above 100,7 F (38,2). Temperatures measured under the armpit are not considered as accurate and can be as much as 1F lower than an oral measurement
 -A temperature below 100,4 (38 C) is considered a low-grade or mild fever. It means that the body is responding to an infection.
2.Treat fever, if necessary
  No treatment is necessary for a mild fever unless the person is uncomfortable, if the fever is 102◦ or higher.
 -Give an over the counter medicine such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen as directed on the label. Warning: Do NOT give aspirin to anyone under 18 unless directed to do so by a doctor.
 -Bathing or sponging in lukewarm water may bring the temperature down. Do not use cold water or alcohol.
 -Have the person wear light clothing and use a light cover or sheet- overdressing can make body temperature go up. If the person gets chills, use an extra blanket until they go away.
3.Give liquids
 -Have the person drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.
4.Follow up
 -Contact a doctor if the high body temperature lasts for more than three days or gets worse.

INFECTIOUS MONONUCLEOSIS – THE KISSING DISEASE

The reason for mononucleosis is EBV ( Epstein - Bar Virus ) . It’s easy transmitted between children. The virus, first settles in the upper respiratory system start reproduction. After that affects the  limphe nodes  and at the end passes   in the blood.

The period of incubation (the time from invasion to manifestation) is 30 – 50 days.

At little children mononucleosis is manifested as simple infection of upper respiratory system, with white plaque and swollen lymph nodes. At older children the infection is more difficult. Headache, nausea, high temperature are the main symptoms. Also there is increased spleen and 10-20% have  increased liver.

The therapy includes rest, a lot of fluids, consuming light food.       

DIARRHEA TREATMENT

1.Prevent or treat dehydration

  -Give a  child or adult plenty of clear fluid like water Pedialyte, Ceralyte, or Infalyte (for adults and children) and clear broth. Fruit juices and sports drinks should be watered down to ½ strength

  -Avoid milk, milk based products, alcohol, apple juice and caffeine while  you have diarrhea  and for 3-5 days after you get better. They can make diarrhea worse.

  -Make sure the person drinks more fluids than they are losing through diarrhea. If they are unable to keep up with their losses call a doctor.

 2.Rest 

  -Have the person rest as needed and avoid strenuous exercise. Keep a sick child home from school or day care.

 3.Ease into eating 

  - For infant or child, feed the BRAT diet ( bananas, rice, applesauce and toast ) as soon as they can tolerate it.

  -For an adult, add semisolid and low- fiber foods gradually as diarrhea stops. Avoid spicy, greasy, or fatty foods.

VITILIGO

Vitiligo is autoimmune disease. It’s  characteristics are white stains mostly at the arms, the  face but it can appear all over the body. This is result of the lost of melanin at some parts of the skin. At patients   with vitiligo can be found antibodies which are  attacking  the cells that  are producing melanin. The statistics shows that one from three patients  with vitiligo have genetic predispositions. There isn’t efficient medicament for this disease still.

If the vitiligo is in his easier shape then it’s not treated. The affected parts are sensitive to sun, therefore it’s necessary to be covered. There is phototherapy with UV but frequently  this therapy is not efficient.

TREATING DEHYDRATION IN ADULTS AND CHILDREN OVER 12

1 1. Replace fluids

2. For mild dehydration or while waiting for medical care for an adult with severe 

 dehydration that is not due to heart stroke 

-The person should try to drink 2 quarts of rehydration drinks, water, juice, or sports drinks in 2 to 4 hours

-The person should drink at least 10 glasses of liquid a day to replace lost fluids.

-If the person is elderly, fluid replacement may need to be done slowly. Consult a doctor.

-If the person is vomiting try ice chips, popsicles, and small sips of fluid.

3. When to call a doctor for mid dehydration

- The person’s symptoms get worse or don’t improve within 24 hours

- The person is elderly

- You think a prescription medication such as diuretic caused the dehydration

4. Follow up

- For mid dehydration the person should rest for 24 hours and keep drinking fluids, even if symptoms improve. Fluid replacement may take up to a day a half.

- If dehydration is moderate to severe, fluids may need to be replaced intravenously in the hospital.