Itsanutha

Archive for August, 2010

Worldwide, HIV is beginning to separate into distinctive groups called clades or subtypes. Viruses may vary by 15 to 20% within a clade; between clades, they may vary by 30% or more. Currently, HIV-1, the most common major type of HIV, has 11 such clades. In the United States, about 90% of the cases are caused by HIV-1, clade B. Generally, this clade is also the most common elsewhere in the developed Western world. In sub-Saharan Africa, the predominant clade is C; in the Far East and Asia, clade E is the most common.

A second major HIV type, HIV-2, is found primarily in Western Africa and is rare in the United States. The progression from infection to AIDS is much longer with HIV-2. In fact, most people infected with HIV-2 have a life span that is normal for the area. The classification divides the progress of HIV infection in adults into three clinical stages or categories. At category A stage, the infection may show no symptoms or cause unrelenting inflamed lymph nodes. The category B stage is distinguished by constant infections from yeast Candida albicans, which can appear in the vagina, mouth, or throat. Other conditions include shingles, fever, persistent diarrhea, whitish patch on the mouth, and definite cancerous or pre-cancerous conditions of the cervix. The Category C stage is the clinical AIDS. Significant AIDS marker condition is Candida albicans infection of esophagus, lungs, and bronchi; cytomegalovirus eye infections; tuberculosis; pneumonia; toxoplasmosis of the brain; and Kaposi’s sarcoma.

They classified the progress of HIV infectiveness based on T-cell populations. The purpose is to primarily furnish guidance for treatment, such as when to administer certain drugs. The succession from first HIV infection to AIDS usually takes about 10 years in adults. HIV infection devastates the immune system, which is then unable to respond effectively to pathogens. Success in treating these conditions has extended the lives of many HIV-infected people.

As the past records of AIDS epidemic lengthen, it has turned apparent that not every HIV-positive individuals advance inevitably to AIDS or death. A major group, about 5% of all those contaminated, are long-term non-successors. These tainted individuals stay free from AIDS and even symptoms; and their CD4 T-cell counts remain stable. Survival exceeding 25 years is predicted. In some instances, the virus appears less virulent; but in the majority of cases, the immune system, particularly the T-cells, is actually more effective.

The age of the infected person can also be an important factor. Older adults are less able to replace antiviral T-cell populations. Infants and younger children have an immune system that is not fully developed. They are much more susceptible to opportunistic infections. Infants born to HIV-positive mothers are not always infected, in fact, only about 20% are. Infants who are most seriously infected survive less than 18 months. Another surprising facet of the AIDS contagion is that a few people have been subjected to numerous HIV contacts and yet never befall infected at all. The substantiation is that their CD4 T-cells are naturally resistant. Get tested at STD clinics and have regular check-ups so as to avoid the possible complications of the disease as well as stop the spread from one person to another.

What is cataract?

A condition caused by the clumping of protein on the lens of the eye, resulting in blurred vision.

What are are the causes, risk factors, and types of cataract?

Age is the most common cause of cataract, but not the only factor which can lead to the development of the condition. Some individuals are born with a congenital cataract-like disorder. Diabetes, smoking, drinking alcohol, and the use of steroids, diuretics, or tranquilizes can contribute to the likelihood of cataract formation as well, as can injury or trauma to the eye. Cataracts can form in any area of the lens, and are characterized as one of three types: A nuclear cataract, the most common type, develops in the center of the lens as a natural part of aging, typically causing nearsightedness and blurred vision. Cortical cataract, common among diabetics, can adversely affect both distant and near vision, while subcapsular cataract may affect both eyes, but tends to be more advanced in one than in the other.

What are the symptoms?

Depletion or loss of vision in the initial stages of cataract is rare. However, there are warning signs as cataract progresses, including blurred vision, sensitivity to bright light, difficulty seeing at night, trouble identifying colors, and headache brought on by eye strain.

What are the most effective natural remedies?

Although cataract requires proper medical diagnosis and treatment (in most cases surgery) sufferers can also utilize several home remedies to inhibit cataract growth as well as strengthen the eyes.

APPLE CIDER VINEGAR can assist in preventing and controlling cataract when mixed with honey in water and consumed with each meal.

GARLIC is believed to be a natural lens cleaner. If you (and those near and dear to you) can cope with garlic breath, chew two to three cloves of raw garlic each day to keep lenses clear the natural way.

ALMONDS strengthen eyes and may contribute to cataract prevention, too. Grind seven almonds with one half gram of pepper. Add the mixture to half a cup of water, and consume the resulting paste each day.

CARROTS are a great source of Vitamin A, and are are — as folklore suggests — highly beneficial for the eyes. Eating raw carrots and/ or drinking a glass or two of raw carrot juice each day helps keep cataracts away.

A good diet is the key to good health. While in some cases diabetes is caused due to genetic factors or other triggers, more often than not it is diets rich in sugar that lead to blood sugar problems later in life. Every diet has the scope to be tweaked a little bit so that you can ward off the danger of diabetes. If you are overweight, have high blood pressure, low HDL, and eat a lot of processed foods, you fall in the high-risk category.

Everyone ought to slowly wean themselves off highly processed junk food and shift to leaner, more natural alternatives. You can also use the three natural

Omega 3 fatty acids particularly DHA and EPA are good for the treatment of inflammatory diseases including cystic fibrosis. Because of this reason omega 3 and cystic fibrosis are very much related to each other.

Omega 3 fats obtained from fish oil are required for the prevention of many diseases. The most prominent of these diseases is cardiovascular disease. These fats reduce inflammation throughout the body and also control high cholesterol levels in the body. They are excellent for the cure of high blood pressure, arthritis, prostatitis, and gallstones.

The connection between omega 3 and cystic fibrosis can be established by the fact that omega 3 fatty acids provide relief in nearly all kinds of inflammatory diseases. Omega 3 long-chain fatty acid known by the name of ALA is of particular interest in this context since it is primarily obtained from flax seed oil which is good for people of all ages.

The other rich source of omega 3 fats is fish oil. Since fish oil in its raw form is not easy to intake because of its bad taste, fish oil capsules are normally used by people who want to receive optimal levels of these fats on a daily basis.

It has been found that people who eat fish or seafood regularly are at reduced risk of developing coronary heart disease, breast and prostate cancer, diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease. Polyunsaturated fats obtained from fish also prevent and cure prolonged depression and anxiety.

It is advisable to consume at least 300 mg of DHA and EPA on a daily basis. A single fish oil capsule provides up to 180 mg of EPA and 120 mg of DHA. You can consume 2 to 3 capsules every day, one after each meal to receive your daily required amount of these fats.

For maximum absorption of these nutrients by the bloodstream, try to take capsules after a gap of 4 to 5 hours. This will ensure proper absorption and will also keep a check on the balance of omega 3 and omega 6 fats in the body. The recommended ratio of these fats is three parts of omega 6 to one part of omega 3 fats.

Plant oils particularly hemp oil and olive oil provide excellent concentration of both types of fats. However, if you can digest fish oil then it is the best and most healthful source of omega 3 fats known to date.

Bronchiectasis is a lung condition in which some of the bronchi and bronchioles have lost their elasticity and have expanded and filled with fluid. With bronchiectasis, these natural cleaning mechanisms have become damaged or destroyed. Although bronchiectasis can develop at any age, it generally begins during childhood. The mucus is then normally wafted away by the beating of tiny hairs called cilia which line the tubes see figure.

Normally the airways in the lung are sterile – they are not infected. Also, inflammation and an increased number of blood vessels in the bronchial wall can result in a person coughing up blood. Blockage of the damaged airways can lead to abnormally low levels of oxygen in the blood. Typically, bronchiectasis causes widening of medium-sized bronchi, but often smaller bronchi become scarred and destroyed. Occasionally, a form of bronchiectasis affecting larger bronchi occurs in allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, a condition caused by an allergic response to the Aspergillus fungus.

Causes of Bronchiectasis

The common Causes of Bronchiectasis:

Inhaling stomach acid which has been regurgitated back into the gullet

Healing of the tubes resulting in puckering and scarring, causing obstruction

Underlying genetic disease such as cystic fibrosis, where the mucus in the bronchial tubes is too thick, and primary ciliary dyskinesia, where the cilia lining the bronchial tubes do not beat properly

Immunodeficiency disorders, such as HIV infection and AIDS.

Cystic fibrosis, which leads to almost half of the cases of bronchiectasis in the United States.

Tuberculosis (TB) and other similar infections

Mechanical obstruction of the bronchial tubes by inhaled foreign bodies, for example, peanuts

Too little immunity to infection, for example after infantile pneumonia from whooping cough or measles, or lack of antibodies which occasionally occurs after a virus infection in adult life.

Symptoms of Bronchiectasis

Some Symptoms of Bronchiectasis:

Fatigue.

Paleness

Weight loss

Shortness of breath worsened by exercise.

Coughing up blood

Wheezing

Skin discoloration, bluish

Cough worsened by lying on one side.

Breath odor

Treatment of Bronchiectasis

If you are able, a daily exercise such as running, walking, swimming, dancing, aerobics, etc, helps to clear the mucus too.

Smoking makes symptoms worse and smokers are very strongly advised to stop.

Surgery may be an option if you have a small local area of lung damage causing symptoms. Cutting out the damaged airway may cure the problem. Surgery may be considered even if you have widespread bronchiectasis. This may be to cut out a particularly bad area of lung that is acting as a reservoir for mucus and infection. Occasionally, a lung transplant may be considered in severe cases.

Corticosteroids help reduce inflammation in your lungs. They work best when you take them with an inhaler.

Mucus thinners , such as acetylcysteine, loosen the mucus.

treatment of nose or sinus infection and runny nose using nasal drops and sprays.

If you have mild bronchiectasis, you may need a course of antibiotics every ‘now and then’ to clear chest infections as and when they occur. A change of the colour of your sputum to green and feeling unwell usually indicates that you have a chest infection. If you have severe bronchiectasis, you may find that chest infections return quickly once you stop taking antibiotics. In this situation you may be advised to take antibiotics every day to keep chest infections away.

Improvement of airflow through the bronchial tubes by anti-asthma treatment.

How does one know if he or she is positively infected with HIV? HIV being one of the public’s major health and often known as the disease that leads to a full blown AIDS, is now also one of the most common STDs. This means that every year, HIV patients increase at an alarming rate. Despite increased awareness about HIV, AIDS and the risks of unprotected sex, many people don’t know what the early symptoms of HIV are.

HIV is not a very contagious disease, so the risk of contracting it is low. However, if one practices unprotected sex, then his or her risk is increased of being infected with it. The problem with it is that HIV does not show symptoms during its initial stage. In fact, many HIV patients did not know that they are already infected with the disease for years. Of course, the earlier the infection is diagnosed with an accurate HIV test, the better the chances of treatment.

Early stage HIV can share many of the same symptoms as common conditions like sore and dry throat, headache and high fever, feeling fatigued and lacking in energy, pain in the joints, muscles and lower back, feeling nauseous and having a low appetite, swollen glands, rash on the chest and occasionally arms and diarrhea. These may be mistaken for other illnesses, but if you feel like you have been infected with HIV and has showed one or few of these symptoms, one has to consult the doctor right away. An HIV test may be immediately conducted.

If you have been tested negative and still, symptoms occur, it does not mean that you are infection free. One has to return after a few weeks to take the HIV test again. Some tests do not identify latent infections. It could be that when you took the test, the infection is inactive at that time.

If after the test, one is diagnosed to be positively infected with HIV, he or she may be given treatment as soon as possible. HIV is an incurable disease. There is yet a medicine that can cure the said disease. However, there are preemptive medications that may be given to prevent the infection from spreading to other body organs of the patient. This will then deliberate the complications that may happen to the patient. A person diagnosed with untreatable diseases may take antiviral drugs to control the spread of the virus onto the other body parts. This also controls the severity of the disease, which makes the feeling of the patient be normal again.

People who are sexually active, has multiple sex partners and does not use protection during sex should take a regular HIV or STD testing. This is to make sure that they are not yet infected with diseases that are sexually transmitted. Also, people who have been diagnosed with STD before are still required to do follow up checkups to make sure that the patient has not been infected with HIV. STD patients are more susceptible to HIV infection due to the weakening of their immune system. This makes it hard for the body to fight other illnesses or diseases.