AtoZ Diseases

What do Doctors call this Condition - Gastritis

What is this Condition?

Inflammation of the stomach lining is an irritation or infection that leaves the lining red, swollen, bleeding, and scarred. It can be an acute attack or a chronic problem. Chronic inflammation is common among elderly persons and persons with pernicious anemia. It’s often found to inflame all the stomach lining layers. Acute or chronic, the inflammation can affect people of any age.

What Causes it?

Acute inflammation has many possible causes, including:

• irritating foods, such as hot peppers or alcohol (or an allergic reaction to them)

• drugs such as aspirin (large doses), caffeine, corticosteroids, antimetabolites, Butazolidin, and Indocin

• swallowing corrosives or a poison such as DOT, ammonia, mercury, or carbon tetrachloride

• bacterial infection

• other acute illnesses, especially following a serious injury, burn, severe infection, or surgery.

Chronic inflammation of the stomach lining may be linked to conditions that back up bile and other acids into the stomach, bacterial infections, anemia, kidney disease, diabetes, and a list of irritating substances: drugs, alcohol, cigarette smoke, environmental chemicals.

What are its Symptoms?

A person experiencing acute inflammation typically reports a rush of symptoms; stomach discomfort, indigestion, cramping, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, or vomiting blood. Symptoms may last from a few hours to a few days.

A person with chronic inflammation may have similar symptoms or only mild discomfort. Often symptoms are vague, such as an intolerance for spicy or fatty foods or slight pain relieved by eating.

How is it Diagnosed?

The doctor may order lab tests to detect traces of blood in vomit or stools (or both) if stomach bleeding is suspected. Also, blood tests may help distinguish anemia from bleeding. The doctor may use a scope to check for inflammation and obtain a specimen for study.

How is it Treated?

Inflammation cause by bacteria is treated with antibiotics and swallowed poisons are neutralized with the appropriate antidote .

Simply avoiding aspirin and spicy foods may relieve chronic inflammation of the stomach lining. If symptoms develop or persist, the person may take antacids. If other serious illnesses are the cause, drug therapy may relieve symptoms, but a total cure is difficult.

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What is this Condition?

A common eye inflammation, especially in children, blepharitis produces a red-rimmed appearance on the margins of the eyelids. It often involves both eyes and can affect both upper and lower eyelids.

The two forms of the disorder are seborrheic (nonulcerative) blepharitis, characterized by greasy scales, and staphylococcal (ulcerative) blepharitis, in which dry scales with tiny ulcerated areas appear along the lid margins. Both types may coexist.

Blepharitis tends to recur and become chronic. It can be controlled if treatment begins before other eye structures are involved.

What Causes it?

Seborrheic blepharitis generally results from seborrhea of the scalp, eyebrows, and ears; staphylococcal blepharitis, from Staphylococcus aureus infection. Blepharitis may also result from infestations of body lice (pediculosis) on the brows and lashes, which irritates the lid margins.

What are its Symptoms?

Typically, the person complains of itching, burning, a foreign-body sensation, and sticky, crusted eyelids on waking. This constant irritation leads 10 unconscious rubbing of the eyes (causing reddened rims) or continual blinking. Other signs include greasy scales in seborrheic blepharitis; flaky scales on lashes, loss of lashes, and ulcerated areas on lid margins in staphylococcal blepharitis; and nits (louse eggs) on lashes if the person has pediculosis.

How is it Diagnosed?

Diagnosis depends on the person’s history and symptoms. In staphy-lococcal blepharitis, culture of the ulcerated lid margin shows S. aureus. In pediculosis, lash examination reveals nits.

How is it Treated?

Early treatment is essential to prevent recurrence or complications. Treatment depends on the type of blepharitis:

• seborrheic blepharitis: daily shampooing (using a mild shampoo on a damp applicator stick or a washcloth) to remove scales from the lid margins and frequent shampooing of the scalp and eyebrows

• staphylococcal blepharitis: sulfonamide eye ointment or an appropriate antibiotic

• blepharitis resulting from pediculosis: removal of nits (with forceps) or application of ophthalmic Eserine Sulfate or another ointment as an insecticide (this may cause pupil constriction and, possibly, headache, conjunctival irritation, and blurred vision from the film of ointment on the cornea).

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What is this Condition?

Dermatitis is an inflammation of the skin that occurs in several forms, including atopic, seborrheic, nummular (coin-shaped), contact, chronic, localized neurodermatitis, exfoliative, and stasis. The discussion below focuses on atopic dermatitis. (For information on contact dermatitis, see Uncovering the cause of contact dermatitis.)

Atopic dermatitis (also called infantile eczema) is a chronic skin inflammation that affects about 9 out of every 1,000 people. It’s often associated with allergy-related diseases, such as bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis. It usually develops in infants and toddlers ages 1 month to 1 year - typically in those with a strong family history of allergy-related disease.

Atopic dermatitis typically flares up and subsides repeatedly before finally resolving during adolescence. However, it can persist into adulthood. It can lead to viral, fungal, or bacterial infections and can even cause eye disorders.

What Causes it?

The cause of atopic dermatitis is unknown, but there’s a genetic predisposition, which is worsened by food allergies, infections, irritating chemicals, extremes in temperature and humidity, and emotions. Approximately 10% of childhood cases are caused by allergies to certain foods - especially eggs, peanuts, milk, and wheat. Atopic dermatitis tends to flare up with increased sweating, psychological stress, and extremes in temperature and humidity.

Irritation is an important secondary cause of atopic dermatitis. It seems to change the skin surface structure, which eventually leads to chronic skin irritation.

What are its Symptoms?

The skin lesions of atopic dermatitis start as reddened areas on very dry skin. They typically appear on the forehead, cheeks, knees, elbows, legs, and neck. During flare-ups, itching and scratching cause swelling, crusting, and scaling. Eventually, chronic lesions lead to numerous areas of dry, scaly skin with white, firm, raised, intensely swollen lesions, which become thick and hard.

Intense itching may cause swelling and unusual darkening of the upper eyelids, with a double fold appearing under the lower lids. In rare cases, atopic cataracts (clouding of the eye lens) may develop between ages 20 and 40.

How is it Diagnosed?

To diagnose atopic dermatitis, the doctor examines the person’s skin and checks for a family history of allergies and chronic inflammation. To rule out other inflammatory skin conditions, such as diaper rash, seborrheic dermatitis, and chronic contact dermatitis, the doctor checks for typical distribution of skin lesions.

How is it Treated?

The person with atopic dermatitis must eliminate known allergens and avoid irritants, extreme temperature changes, and other triggers.

To relieve itching and inflammation, the doctor may prescribe a topical steroid ointment such as Cortaid, which can be especially effective when applied after bathing. Between steroid doses, the person should use a moisturizing cream to help the skin retain moisture. Oral steroids should be reserved for extreme flare-ups.

Weak tar preparations and ultraviolet B light therapy may be used to thicken the skin’s outer layer. If the doctor determines that a bacterial agent is involved, he or she may prescribe an antibiotic.

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What is this Condition?

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a pinched wrist nerve that affects the use of the hand. When the nerve is compressed together with blood vessels and tendons going to the fingers and thumb, it causes numbness and pain. Assembly-line workers and packers, computer users, and persons who use poorly designed tools are most likely to develop this disorder, especially women between ages 30 and 60. Any strenuous use of the hands - repetitive grasping, twisting, or flexing - aggravates the condition and interferes with work and everyday activities .

What Causes it?

The carpal tunnel is formed by the wrist bones and the band of ligament that holds them in place. Swelling or abnormal growths on the tendons that pass through the tunnel pinch the nerve. Besides repetitive motions, some familiar medical conditions that can cause the swelling include the following:

• rheumatoid arthritis

• inflammation from rheumatic disease

• pregnancy or menopause

• diabetes

• benign tumors

• a fracture, dislocation, or acute sprain of the wrist.

What are its Symptoms?

Carpal tunnel syndrome usually starts with feelings of weakness, pain, burning, numbness, or tingling in one or both hands. The discomfort affects the thumb, forefinger, middle finger, and half of the fourth finger, making it difficult to clench the hand into a fist. Fingernails may look dull; the skin, dry and shiny.

The symptoms are often worse at night or in the morning when circulation slows down. The pain may spread to the forearm and, in severe cases, as far as the shoulder. The person can usually relieve the pain by shaking the hands vigorously or dangling the arms at the sides.

How is it Diagnosed?

After people with carpal tunnel syndrome notice a loss of feeling in affected fingers (less reaction to a light touch or pinpricks), about half of them lose muscle strength as well. Other diagnostic indicators in­clude:

• a tap on the wrist that produces a tingling sensation in the hand

• holding the forearms vertically and allowing both hands to drop down at the wrists for 1 minute, reproducing the symptoms

• a blood pressure cuff, inflated on the forearm for 1 to 2 minutes, causing pain and tingling in the wrist

• electromyography, a test of nerve response that measures an abnor­mal delay in impulses to the hand.

How is it Treated?

The doctor may suggest conservative treatment first, including rest­ing the hands by splinting the wrists in a neutral position for 1 to 2 weeks. If there’s a definite link between the syndrome and the per­son’s work, the doctor may suggest that the person modifY his or her work or even change jobs. Effective treatment may also require correction of an underlying disorder.

If conservative treatment fails, the alternative is surgery. The most common procedures aim to remove pressure from the nerve byopening the carpal tunnel ligament or by using endoscopic surgical techniques. Neurolysis, the freeing of the nerve fibers by cutting them, may also be necessary.

What can a Person with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome do?

Take mild pain relievers and use your hands as much as possible. If the dominant hand is hurt, you may need help with eating and bathing.

After Surgery

Learn how to apply a splint and keep it loose enough for comfort. The nurse or therapist will show you how to remove the splint and gently exercise your hand, daily, perhaps while holding it in warm water. If your arm is in a sling, you’ll learn to remove it and do exercises for your elbow and shoulder.

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What do Doctors call this Condition - Toxemia of pregnancy, preeclampsia, eclampsia

What is this Condition?

Pregnancy-induced high blood pressure, a potentially life-threatening disorder, usually develops late in the second or third trimester. Preeclampsia, the nonconvulsive form of the disorder, develops in about 7% of pregnancies. It may be mild or severe and is more common in low socioeconomic groups. Eclampsia, the convulsive form, affects about 5% of women with preeclampsia; of these, about 15% die from toxemia itself or its complications. The fetal mortality rate is high because of the increased incidence of premature delivery.

What Causes it?

The cause of pregnancy-induced high blood pressure is unknown, but it appears to be related to inadequate prenatal care (especially poor nutrition), first pregnancies, multiple pregnancies, and preexisting diabetes or high blood pressure. Age is also a factor: Adolescents and women having their first child over age 35 are at higher risk for preeclampsia.

What are its Symptoms?

Mild preeclampsia generally produces high blood pressure, excessive proteins in the urine, generalized swelling, and weight gain of more than 3 pounds (1.36 kilograms) per week during the second trimester or more than 1 pound (0.45 kilogram) per week during the third trimester.

Severe preeclampsia is marked by more pronounced high blood pressure and even higher levels of protein in the urine, eventually leading to decreased urine output. Hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes. and a low platelet count (the HELLP syndrome) are often present in severe preeclampsia. Other symptoms that may indicate worsening preeclampsia include blurred vision, stomach pain or heartburn, irritability, emotional tension, and a severe frontal headache.

In eclampsia, all the symptoms of preeclampsia are magnified and are associated with seizures and, possibly, coma, premature labor. stillbirth, kidney failure, and liver damage.

How is it Diagnosed?

The following findings suggest mild preeclampsia:

• high blood pressure (140 systolic, or an increase of 30 or mar: points above the woman’s normal systolic pressure, measured on two occasions 6 hours apart; 90 diastolic, or an increase of 15 or more points above the woman’s normal diastolic pressure, measured on two occasions 6 hours apart)

• urine protein levels higher than 500 milligrams per 24 hours.

These findings suggest severe preeclampsia:

• higher blood pressure readings (160/110 or higher on two occasions 6 hours apart) while the woman is on bed rest

• urine protein levels of 5 grams or more per 24 hours

• urine output less than or equal to 400 milliliters per 24 hours • possibly hyperactive deep tendon reflexes.

The presence of seizures along with typical symptoms of severe preeclampsia strongly suggests eclampsia.

During the crisis, real-time ultrasound and stress and nonstress tests evaluate the fetus’s well-being. Electronic monitoring reveals stable or increased fetal heart tones during periods of fetal activity.

How is it Treated?

Treatment of preeclampsia is designed to halt the disorder’s progress. to prevent the early effects of eclampsia - seizures, residual high blood pressure, and kidney shutdown - and to ensure the fetus’s survival. Some doctors induce labor promptly, especially if the woman is near term, whereas others follow a more conservative approach. Therapy may include sedatives and complete bed rest to relieve anxiety, lower blood pressure, and evaluate the woman’s response to therapy. If the kidneys are working normally, a high-protein, low-sodium, low-carbohydrate diet with increased fluids is recommended.

If the woman’s blood pressure persistently rises above 160/100 despite bed rest and sedatives, or if central nervous system irritability, increases, magnesium sulfate may be given to produce general sedation, promote urine excretion, reduce blood pressure, and prevent seizures. If the woman’s condition doesn’t improve, or if the fetus’s life is endangered, cesarean section or induction of labor may be required to terminate the pregnancy.

Emergency treatment of eclamptic seizures consists of immediate intravenous administration of Valium followed by magnesium sulfate, oxygen administration, and electronic fetal monitoring. After the woman’s condition stabilizes, a cesarean section may be performed.

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What is this condition?

A common disorder, laryngitis is an acute or chronic inflammation of the larynx (voice box). Acute laryngitis may occur as an isolated infection or as part of a generalized upper respiratory tract infection.

What causes it?

Acute laryngitis usually is caused by infection (mainly viral) or excessive use of the voice. Thus, it’s an occupational hazard for teachers, public speakers, singers, and others. It may also result from leisure activities (such as cheering at a sports event) or from inhaling smoke, fumes, or caustic chemicals.

Causes of chronic laryngitis include chronic upper respiratory tract disorders (sinus inflammation, bronchitis, nasal polyps, allergy), mouth breathing, smoking, constant exposure to dust or other irritants, and alcohol abuse.

What are its symptoms?

Acute laryngitis typically starts with hoarseness, which ranges from mild to complete loss of the voice. The person may also have pain (especially when swallowing or speaking), dry cough, fever, a swollen larynx, and an overall ill feeling.

In chronic laryngitis, persistent hoarseness is usually the only symptom.

How is it diagnosed?

To confirm laryngitis, the doctor examines the inside of the person’s larynx by observing its reflection in a special mirror, This exam typically shows that the vocal cords are red, inflamed, and, occasionally, bleeding, with rounded rather than sharp edges. The doctor may also note a discharge and, in severe cases, take a culture of the discharge.

How is it treated?

Resting the voice is the primary treatment. For viral infection, the doctor prescribes analgesics and throat lozenges to relieve pain. To treat bacterial infection, the doctor prescribes an antibiotic.

A person with severe, acute laryngitis may need to be hospitalized. If swelling of the larynx causes a blocked airway, the doctor may perform a tracheotomy, cutting the trachea to gain access to the airway below the blockage.

In chronic laryngitis, the doctor prescribes treatment to correct the underlying cause.

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Prolonged exposure to noise at or above 90 decibels especially if the noise is high-pitched, can damage the sensitive hair cells lining the cochlea, the innermost part of the ear. This may cause partial to severe hearing loss. Some occupations that are particularly hazardous to unprotected ears are heavy construction, driving a tractor, and working around very noisy equipment. Exposure to loud rock music over long periods of time also endangers your hearing.

What should be Done?

Sensorineural hearing loss that is caused by damage to the cochlea is irreversible. Therefore, prevention is crucial. If you are exposed to dangerous levels of noise, you should wear suitable ear protectors. Ear muffs that are designed for the purpose are the most effective. They resemble earphones and almost totally insulate the ears from noise. If the wearer needs to communicate with colleagues, as on the flight deck of an airplane, a small microphone and earphones can be added to the muffs. The second most effective protectors are ear plugs made of foam, plastic, wax or rubber.

If you work in very noisy conditions, have your physician test your hearing at regular intervals. If you detect loss of hearing early. you can take steps to prevent further damage to your ears. If you think that the noise level where you work is too high, you can contac: the person responsible for safety in your plan: or your union representative. You can also contact the local office of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) or the local health department, and file a complaint.

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As with cerebral hemorrhages , the cause of a subarachnoid hemorrhage is a ruptured blood vessel. The disorder differs from a cerebral hemorrhage because the blood escapes over the surface of the brain instead of seeping into the brain tissue.The surface of the brain is covered by three thin, membranous layers called the meninges. The outside membrane, the dura mater, adheres to the skull; the innermost one, the pia mater, adheres to the brain; and the middle one, the arachnoid, is much closer to the dura mater than to the pia mater. Thus there is a space between the arachnoid and the pia mater. This space is called the subarachnoid space and it is normally filled with a liquid called cerebrospinal fluid. A subarachnoid hemorrhage occurs when blood leaks into the subarachnoid space. This is usually caused by a burst aneurysm in a cerebral artery wall. The blood either remains in the fluid or seeps its way through the pia mater and into the brain tissue.

What are the Symptoms?

The main symptom is a sudden headache, which is likely to be far more painful than an ordinary headache or even a migraine . A stiff neck and virtual inability to endure bright light (photophobia) often follow, and there may also be faintness, dizziness, confusion, drowsiness, nausea and vomiting. A major attack can cause sudden loss of consciousness.

What are the Risks?

Subarachnoid hemorrhage usually occurs in people aged 40 to 60 and is slightly more common in women. Anyone with high blood pressure or diabetes mellitus may be more susceptible.

Up to 45 per cent of major attacks (those that cause unconsciousness) are fatal, and one in three people who survive a first attack have additional attacks. There is a risk of permanent brain damage due to the pressure of blood on the brain surface. In many cases, either blood spreads into the brain tissue, causing stroke-like symptoms, or the blood vessels constrict, causing similar problems.

What should be Done?

If you get a sudden severe headache, especially if it is accompanied by a stiff neck and sensitivity to light, call a physician without delay. If someone in your presence complains of a sudden headache and then lapses into unconsciousness, two possible causes are stroke and subarachnoid hemorrhage. In either case, while waiting for a physician, follow the first-aid instructions given in Accidents and emergencies.

With an unconscious person the physician’s first step is to initiate life-saving procedures to restore circulation and breathing. Once the patient is out of danger, the next step is to determine the cause of the problem. If an examination suggests a subarachnoid hemorrhage, the best way to confirm the diagnosis is to do a lumbar puncture, a test that involves taking a specimen of cerebrospinal fluid. (The fluid in the subarachnoid space of both the brain and the spinal cord is the same.) The easiest place to take the specimen and check it for blood is in the lumbar region, at the base of the spine.

What is the Treatment?

If blood is found in your cerebrospinal fluid, your physician’s main concern will be to prevent further bleeding. No drug treatment can heal a burst artery, but if you survive the first few days after a subarachnoid hemorrhage, the rupture that caused the problem has probably been sealed (at least temporarily) by natural clotting of blood, and healing is under way. The basic treatment then is several weeks of bed test, usually in the hospital. One purpose of this rest is to prepare you for surgery, if it is necessary. (In some cases, surgery is done almost immediately.) During this period of rest, the doctor may prescribe a painkiller to relieve headaches. If your blood pressure is high, you will also have to take medication to reduce it.

Within three days of the attack, you will probably have special X-rays of the major arteries that supply your brain. These are called arteriograms. They are done to locate the site of an aneurysm or any other defective spots in arterial walls. If the arteriograms indicate a danger of later attacks, surgery to prevent more leakages may be advisable. The surgery involves sealing off an aneurysm by means of a tiny metal clip.

What are the Long-Term Prospects?

If you regain consciousness after a major attack and survive for six months without further problems, you are probably out of danger. Chances of full recovery from surgery, if it is advised, are also good. Residual damage from an attack varies according to what areas of the brain are affected. Partial paralysis, weakness, or numbness may linger or even be permanent, as may sight and speech difficulties (for further information, . You should have your blood pressure checked regularly, and high blood pressure controlled if possible.

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