Author: admin

Cause:  Cystic fibrosis is transmitted as an autosomal recessive
trait.  The immediate causes of symptoms are increased viscosity of
bronchial, pancreatic, and other mucous gland secretions with consequent
obstruction of glandular ducts.

Symptoms:

Symptoms may appear soon after birth or may take years to develop.

Sweat gland dysfunction:  the most consistent abnormality
– muscle weakness, twitching, and other symptoms associated with hyponatremia
(deficiency of sodium in the blood) and hypochloremia (abnormally diminished
levels of chloride in the blood) – such as; cerebral edema, anorexia, headache,
muscle cramps, seizures and coma.

Respiratory dysfunction:  wheezing; dry, nonproductive,
paroxysmal cough; dyspnea (difficulty breathing); tachypnea (rapid respiration);
barrel chest; cyanosis; and clubbing of fingers and toes.

GI dysfunction:  abdominal distention, vomiting, mal -absorption
of fat and protein.  Stools are characteristically frequent, bulky,
foul-smelling, and pale. Poor weight gain, poor growth, ravenous appetite,
distended abdomen, thin extremities, and sallow skin with poor turgor.

Treatment:

Cystic fibrosis has no cure at this time.  The aim of treatment
is to help the child lead as normal a life as possible.  Treatment
varies on the organ systems involved.

To combat electrolyte losses in sweat, treatment includes generous salting
of foods and, during hot weather, administration of salt supplements

To offset pancreatic enzyme deficiencies, treatment includes oral pancreatic
enzymes with meals and snacks.  The child’s diet should be low in
fat but high in protein and calories and should include supplements of
water-miscible, fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K)

For support contact the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

Coxsackievirus:  it is a enteroviruses. 
A group of vruses which can be found in the alimentary canal (the intestines)
of infected people.  Enteroviruses includes:  polioviruses, coxsackievirus
and echoviruses.

Coxsackieviruses can be mild to severe and even fatal disease humans.

Reseachers of coxsackievrus B3 (CVB3) have focused primarily on the
ability of CVB# to replicate in heart cells and the complications. They
found that the virus replication by itself causes damage to heart cells,
and that they evaluated the ability of replicating virus to cause white
blood cells (cell to fight infections/immune cells) to enter the heart
tissue.  therefore causing myocarditis (inflammation of the heart
tissue).  They also showed that the enteroviral infections with myocarditis
and with heart failure called idiopathic (unknown cause) dilated (enlarged
heart size) cardiomyopathy (a heart with abnormal heart cell) also called:
IDC.

Researchers believes taht the enteroviruses is a major source for causing
IDC or heart failure, and may be a primary caused in the disease processes
which result in heart failure and heart trransplantations.
 

Hand-foot-and -mouth disease is known to be associated with coxsackieviruses: 
mainly affecting young children.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States
has made recommendations for

hand-foot-and-mouth disease in the child care setting:

Make sure that all children and adults use
good handwashing technique. especially after toileting and diaper changing
and before eating.

Do not exclude ill persons, because exclusion
may not prevent additional cases since the virus may continue to be excreted
for weeks after the symptoms have disappeared. Also, some persons excreting
the virus may have no symptoms. However, some benefit may be gained by
excluding children who have blisters in their mouths and drool or  who have weeping lesions on their hands.

The most common sickness caused by coxsackieviruses is a nonspecific
febrile illness. Children have a fever which lasts an average of 3 days.
Sometimes the fever leaves for 2 or 3 days and then returns. Sometimes
this is the only symptom, but sometimes children also have a headache or
a sore throat. Some children vomit at the beginning of the illness, or
say, complain about having a ‘tummy ache’.

Sometimes they have one or two loose stools. The patient may have muscle
pains, especially in the legs. Usually not much is found on physical exam
or blood test.

Coxsackieviruses can cause the common cold. They can also cause croup,
bronchitis, pneumonia, hepatitis, pancreatitis, arthritis, diabetes, meningitis,
encephalitis, temporary or permanent paralysis, and viral myocarditis —
to name some of the many possibilities

 These infections can be extremely serious. Viral myocarditis,
such as what you are now seeing in Malaysia, is an infection of the heart
muscle. When coxsackievirus causes myocarditis, the fatality rate is high
(International Journal of Cardiology, May 1996).

The majority of coxsackieviral infections are mild and complete recovery
is the rule.  There are serious cases but are rare.

Treatment:  Your doctor may prescribed other than the usuall
classical medications for heart failure, (usually for the child who is
seriously ill. —Acyclovir (Zovirax) is an antiviral medicine that shound’nt
work, but found that it helps with symptoms. ( it is used for chicken pox
and herpes)

Your doctor may start an I.V. immunoglobulin (this contains antibodies
to coxsackieviruses made by people who have effectively fought off the
infection)

Researchers also found that an antiviral medicine that is developed
to fight the AIDS virus may help to fight against coxsackievirus.

Cold Sore Freedom In 3 Days

Croup:  A condition seen chiefly in infants and children, due to acute obstruction of the larynx caused by allergy, foreign body, infection, or new growth, marked by a resonant barking cough, hoarseness, and persistent stridor.  It’s transmitted by inhalation of infected airborne particles or contact with infected secretions.  Onset of the acute stage is rapid, usually occurs at night, and may be precipitated by exposure to cold air.

Symptoms: 

Hoarse or muffled vocal sounds

Fever

Inspiratory stridor

A distinctive harsh

Barking cough

Varying degree of respiratory distress

Treatment:

Cool humidification during sleep

Antipyretics such as acetaminophen

If it is cause by a bacterial infection – Antibiotic therapy is required

Oxygen therapy may also be needed

Patients with respiratory distress that interferes with oral hydration – Hospitalization and parenteral fluid replacement may be needed to prevent dehydration.

Patient teaching:  To relieve croupy spells, taking the patient into the bathroom, shut the door, and turn on the hot water in the shower or sink.  Breathing the warm, moist air quickly eases an acute spell of croup.

If fever or increased in shortness of breath call your doctor promptly.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease or COPD: 
The most common chronic lung disease.

Chronic:  persisting for a long time

Obstruction:  the state of being clogged

Pulmonary:  pertaining to the lungs or the pulmonary artery

Disease:  a definite morbid process, often with
a characteristic train of symptoms

COPD affects an estimated 17 million Americans, and its incidence is
rising.  It now ranks fifth among the major causes of death in the
United States.  The disorder affects men more frequently than women. 
COPD dosesn’t always produce symptoms and causes only minimal disability
in many patients, it tends to worsen with time.

COPD includes:  emphysema, chronic bronchitis, asthma, or any combination
of them.  Frequently, more than one of these underlying conditions
coexist.  Usually bronchitis and emphysema occur together.

Cause:  May be brought on by cigarette smoking, recurrent
or chronic respiratory infection, and or allergies.

Symptoms:

Dyspnea (difficulty breathing) on minimal exertion

Cough

See  Emphysema, Chronic bronchitis , and Asthma for further info.

The typical patient is asymptomatic until middle age, when his ability
to exercise or do strenuous work gradually declines, and he begins to develop
a productive cough.

Treatment:

Antibiotic therapy

Bronchodilators

Oxygen therapy if needed

See Emphysema, Chronic bronchitis, and Asthma for further info.

Patient teaching:  Because most COPD patients receive outpatient
treatment, they need comprehensive teaching to help them comply with therapy
and understand the nature of this chronic, progressive disease.

-Seek  programs in pulmonary rehabilitation

-Avoid respiratory irritants and avoid smoking

-Use bronchodilators as prescribed by your doctor

-Always complete the prescribed course of antibiotic therapy

-Pneumococcal vaccination every 3 years and annual influenza vaccinations
are important preventive measures (discuss it with your doctor)

-To strengthen the muscles of respiration; do slow, deep breath and
exhale through pursed lips

-To help mobilize secretions; cough and get rid of mucous (if secretions
are thick, try 15 glasses of fluid a day, home humidifier, particularly
in the winter.) – Postural drainage and chest physiotherapy helpful.

-It is important to have a balanced diet.

Cold Sore Freedom In 3 Days

Conjunctivitis :

  also referred to as Pinkeye.  Is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, conjunctivitis usually occurs as benign, self-limiting pinkeye.  It may also be chronic, possibly indicating degenerative changes or damage from repeated acute attacks. 

Cause:  Includes bacterial, viral, and chlamydial infection.  Less common causes are parasitic disease, and rarely, fungal infection, allergy, or occupational irritants. 

Symptoms:

Red or Pinkish color to affected eye (hyperemia of the conjunctiva)

Discharge (mucopurulent  (pus with mucous ) with bacterial infection, and minimal with viral infection)

Tearing

pain

Photophobia with corneal involvement

Itching and burning

Sensation of a foreign body in the eye

In children:  an accompanying sore throat or fever is possible.

Treatment:

Treatment of conjunctivitis varies with the cause.

Bacterial conjunctivitis requires topical application of antibiotic or sulfonamide.

Viral conjunctivitis resists treatment, but sulfonamide of broad spectrum antibiotic eyedrops may prevent secondary infection.

Herpes simplex keratitis usually responds to treatment with idoxuridine or vidarabine ointment, but the infection may persist for 2 to 3 weeks.

Vernal (allergic) conjunctivitis includes a vssoconstrictor eyedrops, cold compresses to relieve itching, and occasionally, oral antihistamines.

Instillation of 1% silver nitrate or erythromycin into the eyes of newborns prevents gonococcal or chlamydial conjunctivitis.

Patient teaching:  Proper hand washing technique is important.  Wash hands before and after applying antibiotic drops/ointment to eye.

Do not irrigate the eye; this will spread infection.

Use clean wash cloth.  Do not share towels, washcloth and pillows (as a preventative measure to eliminate the risk of spreading the infection)

Apply warm compresses and therapeutic ointment or drops, as ordered.

Common Cold:  Is cause by many types of
viruses.  Cold infections usually occurs during the ‘cold season’
(in the United States usually during late fall through early spring), because
most people stay indoors more frequently  usually with central heating
which tends to dry  the air and nose which is perfect for harboring
virus infections and people are in close contact with others  which
can increase the spread of cold viruses.

The common cold can infect all age groups.  Common cold symptoms
are triggered by germs or virus when attaches itself to the lining of the
nasal passages or throat.

Common cold symptoms usually last for approximately 3 – 4 days ( at
this time a patient can pass the cold virus to others).  A patient
may still feel congested for a week or more.  Colds are not usually
dangerous, except in newborns and with those with suppress immune system
(may have to seek your health care provider if you are having difficulty
breathing and or you have a high temperature (can be bacterial). and if
newborn has a cold call your Pediatrician promptly)

Cause:  There are more than 200 types of viruses that can
infect your nose and throat which causes the common cold.  It is transferred
by airborne droplets from a person who has the ‘cold’.  Sneezing,
coughing, ‘hand to nose’  ‘hand to mouth’ ‘hand to eyes’ after being
expose to the droplets can introduce the infection through these ways.

Symptoms:

Congestion’s (head and chest)

Runny nose

May have difficulty breathing

Sore throat

Sneezing

Cough

Watery eye and may have burning

Feeling achy all-over

Headache

Treatments:

Common cold is usually cause by a virus which has to run it’s course,
there is no cure for the common cold.

Rest

Drink plenty of water

Over the counter cold remedies may help make you feel comfortable (with
all medication always ask your Pharmacist and or your doctor for proper
usage and those with other medical disorders, call your doctor before taking
medications)

Call your doctor if you have a high fever

Call your doctor if you have asthma and if you have problem breathing

For newborns – call your Pediatrician promptly

Call your doctor if condition worsen

Colitis:  Inflammation of the colon. 
Amebic colitis – colitis due to Entamoeba histolytica; amebic dysentery.
Granulomatous colitis –transmural colitis with the formation of
noncaseating granulomas.
Mucous colitis – a chronic anti-inflammatory
disease marked by excessive secretion of mucus and disordered colonic motility,
with colic, constipation, and or diarrhea with passage of mucus. Regional
colitis  – Segmental colitis  – transmural
or granulomatous inflammatory disease of the colon; regional enteritis
involving the colon.  It may be associated with ulceration, strictures,
or fistulas.  Transumural colitis  – inflammation
of the full thickness of the bowel, rather than mucosal and submucosal
disease, usually with the formation of noncaseating granulomas.  It
may be confined to the colon, segmentally or diffusely, or may be associated
with small bowel disease (regional enteritis).  Clinically, it may
resemble ulcerative colitis, but the ulceration is often longitudinal or
deep, the disease is often segmental, stricture formation is common, and
fistulas, particularly in the perineum, are a frequent complication.
Ulcerative
colitis – chronic ulceration in the colon, chiefly of the mucosa
and submucosa, clinically manifested by cramping abdominal pain, rectal
bleeding, and loose discharges of blood, pus, and mucus with scanty fecal
particles.

Colitis is an infectious ailments of the lower intestine, such 
disorders  such as:  ulcerative colitis, infectious diarrhea,
radiation colitis, Crohn’s disease, and chronic ulcerative proctitis. 
Ischemic colitis is an intestinal disorder that usually affects the elderly. 
One of the most serious and chronic colitis is ulcerative colitis, which
needs close medical attention.  It is characterize with attacks of
bloody stools or diarrhea that may be painful, the colon develops tiny
ulcers and other inflammations that flare up periodically.  In Crohn’s
disease, it can happen anywhere within the intestinal tract, but most commonly
occurs in the colon.  It may be associated with various other disorders
from eye problems to arthritis in the arm and leg joints to skin rashes. 
Attacks of ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease tend to recur, and the
risk of colorectal cancer increases rapidly 8 to 10 years after onset. 
With regular medical treatment, this disease is rarely fatal, and most
patients can lead fairly normal lives with fewer, less severe attacks. 
Symptoms range from several levels of severity. (see symptoms below)

Cause:  Exact cause is unknown.  Bacterial and parasitic
infections, such as salmonella poisoning has been known to cause colitis. 
Temporary colitis like symptoms has been link with patient who have taken
certain antibiotics, such as ampicillin , ampicillin, cephalosporins, chloramphenicol,
clindamycin, lincomycin, penicillin, tetracycline, and or trimethoprim. 
When the medication is discontinued, the symptoms tend to disappear.

Symptoms:

Mild case:  Up to 4 loose stools per day, possibly bloody, which
may temporally relieve abdominal pain.

Cramping – mild

Moderate case:  Abdominal pain, 4 to 8 bloody stools daily.

Low grade fever

Weight loss

Severe case:  6 or more bloody stools or diarrhea daily and during
the night.

Fever (up to 103 degrees F or even higher)

Weight loss

Symptoms of anemia

Treatment:

Hospitalization may be needed

Controlling inflammation and stopping diarrhea

In severe cases surgery may be needed to remove the colon

When stable, your doctor may prescribed high fiber lactose free diet

Medication therapy to keep colitis under control

*  Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative colitis are among the most serious
systemic disorders.  If left untreated, it can lead to serious complications
in other body systems and may be potentially fatal.  If you have any
of the above symptoms, prompt diagnosis and appropriate medical treatment
is important.  Diarrhea in infants and young children is always a
serious matter and must be treated immediately.  Seek medical treatment 
promptly.