Avian flu: a myth or reality?

Posted on November 16, 2009 by Antony Zimmer

Avian flu

Coming back of Spanish flu

Spanish flu pandemic in 1918-1919 affected more than 500 million people in the whole world. The mortal virus took more than 400 million lives then. Since that time world flu epidemics (pandemics) recurred two times (in 1957 and 1968), however, unlike Spanish flu they were caused by a less mortal virus, since the number of victims was much less than during the pandemic 1918. The results of contemporary researches show that the virus of Spanish flu   was a typical avian flu virus which acquired an ability to propagate in human body and pass from human to human. Presently the issue of possible new bird flu epidemic is discussed at the highest levels. In scientists` opinion the following events should take place for the eruption of pandemic:
1.The avian flu virus should adjust to propagation in lower temperatures than the temperature of bird body. This has already happened. It has been proved by cases of infection of workers in poultry farms in some Asian countries.
The normal bird body temperature is about 420С, whereas the normal temperature of human body does not exceed 37,5 (inner temperature) or 340С (in nasopharynx ). It is obvious that the virus has acquired an ability to propagate in human body, however, only in lungs and trachea, but not in nasopharynx unlike regular flu virus.
2.   Mixing of the genetic material of human flu virus and bird flu virus must occur. According to scientists such a mixing could happen in pigs. The fact is that, the body cells of pigs could equally be affected by human flu and bird flu virus.  While propagating the viruses exchange part of genes, in the result of which new mutant species of viruses with totally new characteristics form. Examination of bodies died of Spanish flu showed that the virus of 1918 was a mutant virus which contained both human and bird flu components. These “mixed” variants of the flu virus are especially dangerous to people, because the recombination of the genetic material provides viruses with new proteins which are not familiar to immune system of human. Getting into human body such a virus starts to propagate without any hindrance within 1-2 weeks, which is enough to kill a human. The Spanish flu virus was a very uncommon one.  Modern researches and historic facts show that mainly young people died of Spanish flu, not children and old people (unlike the regular flu virus) despite the apparent immunosuppressive effect of some components of the virus. Patients affected by Spanish flu died of cardiopulmonary insufficiency associated with massive pneumonia and diffuse lesion of blood vessels of the whole body developing in a few days.
3. The virus should acquire an ability to pass from human to human. This last characteristics of the virus has not been fixated yet, since within the whole history of bird flu detection (the first epidemic among birds and cases of human infection were detected in 1997 in Hong Kong), there has not been any case of passing of the virus from human to human.  It is worth mentioning that if the virus acquires such ability, just one patient infected with mutant virus who would pass the ocean may provoke flu pandemic which would affect the whole world just within a few hours.
Despite all capabilities of modern medicine it would not be possible to prevent bird flu epidemic (in case the virus acquire all necessary characteristics). Presently all efforts to fight bird flu are arrowed at localization and suppression of the disease outbreak among birds.
Most professionals assert that in all probability the problem of Spanish flu recurrence is just a matter of time.

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Duodenal ulcer disease of the young and nervous Add

Posted on November 14, 2009 by Antony Zimmer

According to the latest research results presented by scientists, duodenal ulcer usually affects people who get nervous a lot.  However, it is not the only reason causing duodenal ulcer.
But it is our nervous system that is responsible for mechanisms triggering development of duodenal ulcer.   If you are buoyant and unabashed type of person, you would have less chance to get this disease even if you are not much careful about your diet than a somber whiner eating healthy whole life.  Duodenal ulcer usually affects people at working age(the average age of duodenal ulcer patients is 30 years old).

Scientists  assert that tall people having thin physique and vulnerable nervous system are more susceptible to duodenal ulcer.  Factors causing duodenal ulcer also include unbalanced diet. Too much spicy, sour or salty foods in your diet may have a negative effect on your digestive system.

Users of non-hormonal anti-inflammatory medicines could also be exposed to the risk of developing duodenal and stomach ulcer, especially if they take them without doctor`s control. Duodenal ulcer could also be caused by imbalance of sex hormones, gut hormones, hypophysial and suprarenal hormones.

Several years ago scientists who discovered a special bacteria species (helicobacter pylori) causing duodenal ulcer got Nobel prize. Now in many clinics you can do tests for detection of  helicobacter pylori, undergo treatment course and reduce the risk of the disease many times. Most doctor consider this pathogenic microorganism to play a leading role in developing duodenal ulcer.
However, there is an opinion that there could be genetic predisposition to duodenal ulcer. If any of your parents have this disease, pay more attention to your digestive system.

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What are the symptoms of duodenal ulcer?

The process of developing duodenal ulcer is very prolonged and is of a chronic nature. The exacerbations of this disease usually happen in spring and autumn. If you have pain in the upper part of your stomach – consult a gastroenterologist, since it is the first symptom of ulcer. Pain caused by duodenal ulcer is acute.  Pain starting in two hours after food intake is another sign of the disease. The pain goes away if you have some milk or food. Besides pain you may have heartburn. In the period of exacerbation duodenal ulcer patients usually vomit, after which they feel much better.

The most surprising thing is that almost in half of cases duodenal ulcer dose not manifest itself anyhow. Do not disregard your condition if you suspect you have duodenal ulcer. The ulcer develops gradually and affects the whole intestinal wall. With time intestinal perforation resulting in lethal outcome is quite possible.   In 10 percents of patients duodenal ulcer causes blood vomiting. Besides that, ulcers may spread to neighboring organs and such a situation is encountered in 15% of patients.

In neglected situations the intestine becomes narrower in the areas affected by ulcer. It interferes with the normal process of digestion and causes frequent foul-smelling eructation and weight loss.  The narrower the intestinal lumen, the frequenter vomiting is.

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Migraine

Posted on October 20, 2009 by Antony Zimmer

Migraine

Migraine is a frequently recurring headache attacks characterized by throbbing or pulsating pain usually affecting one side of the head and lasting 4-72 hours.  The name of migraine comes from a Greek word megrim- a distortion from “hemicrania” (means half a head which emphasizes one-sided nature of pain).   Migraine is a very common disease and is not associated with race, climate or location.

Women suffering from migraine outnumber men 4 to 1. It is explained by frequent drops in estrogen level in women. Migraine attacks usually start in a teen age or in the youth and have a tendency to recede with age (after 45 in men, and in menopause in women).There are two main types of migraine:

1. Common migraine, also known as migraine without aura

2. Classic migraine known as migraine with aura

In most cases aura implies symptoms causing vision disorders.  Other symptoms associated with aura are hearing impairment, perturbation, movement and mental disorders. The phase of aura usually lasts from 4 to 60 minutes. The number of patients with classic migraine (with aura) makes up 15% of all migraine patients.

Causes of migraine
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The symptoms of migraine are caused by changes in cerebral blood vessels;   however, the causes of these changes are still unknown. About 70 % of migraine patients had inherited predisposing to this disease.  Other factors promoting development of migraine are: stress, physical overload(e.g. exercise-induced migraines), nerve strain, some foods(nuts, chocolate, cheese, fish), alcohol(especially red wine, beer, champagne), hormonal disorders(periods, oral contraceptives), sleep (too much or lack of it), weather factors (weather or climate changes).

Symptoms of migraine

As a rule migraine manifests itself in a form of acute pulsating growing pain localized in one hemisphere.   Other migraine symptoms:

* Excessive sensitivity to light and noise
* Vomiting
* Nausea
*Sleepiness
* General weakness
* Moving function disorders
* Vision disorders (flickering zigzags, spirals or light flashes before eyes). This is the so-called aura stage preceding migraine attack.

During migraine attack light and noise could be unbearably irritating, and you may experience pain on movement.  Usually migraine attacks start suddenly; however, in some cases patients may have premonitory symptoms such as craving for sweet food, depression or fatigue.

Since acute headache could be a symptom of some other disease, consult a doctor, especially if the pain does not get better within 24 hours and is accompanied by fever or neck muscle stiffness. It also makes sense to see a doctor if your headache is accompanied by some unusual symptoms.

Prevention of migraine

There are some factors which may induce migraine attacks.   They include:

* Stress and depression
* Malnutrition or starving
* Smoking
* Certain foods (e.g. cheese, chocolate, nuts, fish, Chinese food, bananas)
* too much or lack of sleep
* Drinks containing caffeine (tea, cola, coffee)
* Alcohol, especially red wine
* Oral contraceptives
* Biorhythm disorders caused by  long-distance travels.
* Change of climate or habitual environment
* Hormonal changes in women (in the period of pregnancy, menstruation or menopause)
Try to avoid them to prevent migraine attacks.

Sometimes it is rather difficult to determine the causes of migraine. Very often combination of several factors may become a cause for it. However, even a defined trigger may be a cause of some migraine attacks, but not all of them.  Moreover, all the risk factors are individual- some of them could be absolutely safe for some patients, but quite risky for others.

Diagnosing migraine

For diagnosing migraine your physician need to know about the symptoms and frequency of the attacks. You may also be required to undergo an examination and do some tests.
Besides that, your doctor may ask you to keep a record of your attacks during 2-3 months to follow the scheme of initiation of migraine attack.  A specific scheme retraced in your migraine attack history suggests certain factors causing migraine.

Treatment of migraine

If you anticipate a migraine attack, stop anything you do, lie down in a dark noise-isolated  room and take a tablet of aspirin or paracetamol.  If these measures turn ineffective, your doctor may prescribe “stronger” and more “migraine-orientated” medicines such as Cafergot, Midrin, Migranol, Inderal, Depakote, etc.  These medicines work better if taken just at the start of the attack, especially if the headache is accompanied by nausea.

If you have migraine attack once or twice a week, consult your doctor so that he could prescribe right medicines for you, since aspirin and paracetamol are not likely to work in this case.

If you notice that your migraine attack s start under an influence of some factors, try to avoid these factors to prevent migraine in the future.

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Pregnancy Questions and Answers

Posted on October 17, 2009 by Antony Zimmer

Pregnancy

How much weight gain is considered normal during pregnancy?
- Professionals assert that 8-9 kilograms in 9 months is a normal weight gain. Usually excess weight is gained starting from the 4th month of pregnancy. However, there is an opinion that there is no fixed standard of weight gain and it may vary depending on a certain woman. For example, a few kilos do not pose any risk to a thin woman and should not be considered a deviation. On the contrary, fat moms should control their weight and watch what they eat to allow minimal weight gain during pregnancy.

- Why it is bad for me to gain too much weight during pregnancy?
- Excess weight during pregnancy may lead to complications during pregnancy, the negative effects of which would first of all tell on mother`s health.  Besides that it increases the risk of developing hypertension. And remember, that improper feeding during pregnancy would make it more difficult for you to lose weight after giving birth.

- Do I need to keep to a diet during pregnancy if I had excess weight before pregnancy as well?
- No way. Nutrition during pregnancy should be healthy and wholesome- you should never keep to some weight loss diets especially without talking to your doctor first. If you really need to lose some weight and your doctor has confirmed it, only he can determine what products and in what quantity you should eat for you and your baby to get all necessary nutrients and vitamins. But remember, no weight loss diets for aesthetic slimming.

- Who is most predisposed to gain excess weight gain during pregnancy?
- As a rule, women who have hereditary predisposition to obesity, those who lead sedentary life, do not exercise and do not keep to well-balanced diet during pregnancy.

- Should I limit salt intake during pregnancy?
- It is not necessary, if only your doctor has not told you about it. Usually women who have hypertension are recommended to reduce salt intake to minimum.

- Why iodized salt is useful during pregnancy?
- Scientific researches showed that using iodized salt during pregnancy helps avoid thyroid gland diseases.

- Should I cut out sweets from my diet during pregnancy?
- You may not stop eating sweets totally, but keep in mind that sweets contain many calories and very little nutrients. It is more reasonable to give your preference to products rich in proteins and vitamins. However, if your craving for sweets is really strong, try to satisfy it by home-made jams and dried fruit mainly to be able to control your sugar and fat intake.

-Should I restrict fluid consumption during pregnancy?
- It is determined by a doctor for each individual situation. As a rule it is recommended to drink 1,5-2 liters a day (including water contained in food). However, women who have kidney stones should consume more fluids. In every certain case it makes sense to consult a doctor.

- What dairy products and how much of them should I use during a day?
- No less than 2 glasses of milk and one yoghurt or 100 grams of sour cream and curds. As far as possible, give your preference to nonfat products.

-Should I take extra supplements containing calcium during pregnancy?
- If you eat enough dairy products, you do not need additional calcium containing supplements. However, it is better for you to consult a doctor, since there could be exceptions to every rule.

- In which cases should I use vitamin supplements?
- The supplements often prescribed for pregnant women are usually the ones containing iron and folic acid. Although, the supplements are determined individually for each woman and you may not need them at all.  Anyway, do not use any supplements without consulting your doctor first, even if they are sold over the counter.

What foods should I exclude from my diet during pregnancy?
- You should not eat rare meat since it may become a cause of infection called toxoplasmosis. Also avoid eating liver, especially in the first trimester, since it contains very high levels of the retinol which can cause genetic changes in fetus. Refuse spices and products causing constipation and stomach upset.

- Can I have a cup of coffee or strong tea a day while I am pregnant?
No doubt it is necessary to limit consumption of these drinks to a minimum. However, just one cup of coffee or tea a day is not likely to cause any harm.

- Can I have an occasional glass of wine or champagne during pregnancy?
-  In these case no “buts” are allowed: it is categorically prohibited to use alcohol during pregnancy. It is still unknown what the minimal dose is that may have a serious impact on baby`s development, that is why you`d better refuse these pleasant but unsafe drinks for a while.

- Is it normal that I feel nauseated and vomit in the first few months of pregnancy?
- Yes, these are manifestations of early pregnancy toxicosis. But if you lead healthy life style and keep to a balanced diet during pregnancy, these unpleasant symptoms will soon pass away.   Anyway, consult a doctor about them.

- What are the myths about nutrition during pregnancy?
- There is still a wrong belief that a mother-to-be should “eat for two”, but it is erroneous. Nor you should keep to slimming diets. Your nutrition during pregnancy should be first of all baby-orientated. And of course, you should keep to a healthcare professional`s recommendations about your diet.

If you did not care much what you eat before pregnancy, now, when you are pregnant, you should pay much more attention to your nutrition. Food you eat must be balanced, diverse and rich in nutrients.   It is ideal to eat 5-6 times a day, but be careful not to overeat. Include in your diet dairy products, eggs, meat, fish, fats, bread, cereals, fruit, vegetables and potato, and your baby is sure to be born healthy.

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Impotence

Posted on October 13, 2009 by Antony Zimmer

impotenceToday specialists who deal with “male problems” prefer the term of “erectile dysfunction” to determine these problems.

In 1992 the urologists in the whole world came to an agreement to use the term of “erectile dysfunction” to define a condition inability of the patient to get or maintain adequate erection.  Such a condition restricts or makes it impossible to have normal sexual relationship.
Unfortunately, erectile dysfunction today is a common and widely spread disease.
Very often a question arises: What is the difference between erectile dysfunction and impotence.  Actually there is no difference except erectile dysfunction is a more modern and more frequently used term, especially in the US. The rest of the world usually use “impotence” to describe this condition.
Impotence (or erectile dysfunction) affects 40% of men aged 35-40. Most men feel awkward consulting a doctor about this problem; however, weak erection or loss of erection during sexual intercourse is already a reason for seeing an urologist or sexologist.

Here are the factors which may cause erectile dysfunction:

* inflammatory diseases affecting the urogenital system and pelvic organs (prostatitis, orchiepididymitis, cystitis, etc.)
*insufficient arterial blood flow in the vessels participating in the mechanism of erection
* diabetes
* hormonal dysfunction
* spinal cord injuries
* penis injuries
* pelvic organ surgeries
* some medicines
* depression, stress

So, impotence may be caused by neurological, endocrine, vascular, medical and topical reasons. Impotence caused by these reasons is considered organic form of erectile dysfunction. However, psychogenic form of erectile dysfunction which is caused by psychoneurological peculiarities is more common.

Almost always when a patient has erectile dysfunction of organic nature a psychological factor is added and very often organic impotence transforms into psychogenic one even in case the organic cause is eliminated.  So, no matter whether you suffer from organic or psychogenic impotence, a complex treatment is needed.

Unwillingness of most men to consult a doctor about impotence is the greatest problem for the urologists in the whole world. Meanwhile, modern medicine disposes a huge arsenal of medicines and other means to help such patients.

Any measure aimed at normalization and enhancement of body functions may become a means for restoring erectile function.  That is why along with other therapeutic measures physiotherapy, laser and magneto-therapy are recommended as well.

Types of Impotence

Organic impotence

Organic impotence is a progressive worsening of erectile dysfunction characterized by erection quality reduction. The symptoms of organic impotence include absence of nocturnal and morning spontaneous erections. The most frequent causes are various vascular pathologies of arterial or venous nature. Researchers showed that sexually healthy men experience 4-6 episodes of erection lasting 10-15 minutes in the period of fast sleep.  General duration of spontaneous erections during night makes up 20% of the whole period of sleep. With age not all of nocturnal spontaneous erections are characterized by rigidity and the number of nocturnal erection episodes with decreased rigidity keeps on growing.

Psychogenic impotence

Psychogenic impotence occurs suddenly and is usually associated with some events in man`s life.  In such case the nocturnal and morning spontaneous erections are preserved. Erection is often induced in response to visual stimulation and erotic fantasies.

Differential diagnostics of psychogenic and organic impotence

I. Psychogenic impotence

1. Sudden start
2. Nocturnal spontaneous erections are preserved
3. Relationship problems
4. Erection problems in some certain circumstances

II. Organic erectile dysfunction (impotence)

1. Gradual start
2. Absence of nocturnal spontaneous erections
3. Normal libido and ejaculation
4. Erection problems in any circumstances

What you should do to do to avoid erectile dysfunction (impotence)?

* lead healthy lifestyle, do sports, eat regularly and healthy, take care for your health;
* do not smoke, do not abuse alcohol or use narcotics including “poppers”;
*do not use medicines which may cause erectile dysfunction or use them strictly as your doctor prescribed and as it is recommended in the instructions for these drugs.
* lead regular sex life without long periods of continence or sexual overindulgence.
* consult an urologist if you got injury in the region of small pelvis or crotch, or if you have diabetes or hypertension.

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