Author: Gail Hunt

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a degenerative neurological disorder that affects specific cells in the brain that are commonly associated with aging and are thought to affect people over 60 years of age. Classical clinical picture of slow running activities with hand tremors, hand stiffness and forward posture. For a retired or retiring person, this may not be an impending threat but if they are infected with this slowly progressive disease they can certainly compromise its quality. Physical dependence and complications such as falls, memory loss and mood problems may increase with the duration of the disease, which ultimately creates a burden on the caregiver. However, did you know that Parkinson’s can occur at a young age?

Young-onset Parkinson’s or YOPD: What is it?

Myth that Parkinson’s is a disease for the elderly may not always be true. Many neurologists have recently diagnosed Parkinson’s disease in young people under the age of 50. In a detailed conversation with Dr. Venkataraman Karthikeyan, Consultant Neurologist, Gleneagles Global Health City, Chennai, he said, And early onset (40-50 years). Young onset Parkinson’s disease (YOPD) contributes 5-10% of the total PD to the community. The apparent increase in community YOPD may be due to multiple reasons. “

Also read: MRI scans can detect and treat tremors caused by Parkinson’s disease

Symptoms of Parkinson’s disease

In the early stages of Parkinson’s the symptoms gradually become apparent. Starting from the distortion of facial expressions, then your hand / arm cannot move while walking and finally your tongue starts to stutter. Symptoms worsen over time as your condition improves. The main symptoms of the disease are:

• Trembling
• Slow motion
• Rigid muscles
• Disability balance
• Leaning posture
• Late reflection
• Speech change
• Changes in writing
• Bladder problems and constipation
• Sleep problems and disorders

Causes of Parkinson’s disease

Parkinson’s is a progressive nervous system disorder that affects all the basic functions of the mind and body. There are not many causes of the disease but primarily;

• Gene: Researchers have discovered and identified a genetic mutation that carries Parkinson’s disease from one generation to another. This is a big reason why it runs in and through a family.
• Climate change: This is a relatively small cause because a person may suffer from Parkinson’s disease but may have an increased risk of environmental changes and exposure to certain toxins.
• Age: Age plays a very important role in coping with this disease. Parkinson’s usually begins later in life. It is more likely to hit a person in his early 50’s or late 60’s.

Parkinson’s risk factors

Awareness of the disease is growing in the community, and early diagnosis can result from general well-being, medical coverage provided by most employers, and easy access to medical facilities. Nevertheless, unhealthy lifestyle, early stroke, insomnia, and excessive exposure to pesticides are considered risk factors that can be avoided.

Thus a YOPD patient needs at least 30-40 years of medical care. Most of these patients can lead a comfortable life when they are cared for by a medical team. Medicine primarily involves exercise programs, gut and bladder care, mental well-being and fall prevention programs designed and designed by neurologists, physiotherapists, psychologists and other specialists. Deep brain stimulation surgery for selected and / or critically ill patients is performed by a neurosurgeon. Surgery is proven to give a highly satisfactory quality of life.

Also read: If you take antibiotics regularly, you are at risk for Parkinson’s

Prevention of Parkinson’s disease

Although Parkinson’s cannot be cured, medications can significantly improve your symptoms. Doctors often recommend surgery to control certain areas of your brain and improve your symptoms.

Proven ways to prevent Parkinson’s disease remain a mystery. However, regular aerobic exercise can reduce the risk of Parkinson’s disease.

Experts say that those who consume caffeine in the form of coffee, tea and cola are more likely to develop Parkinson’s disease than those who do not drink at all. Green tea is associated with a reduced risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. However, there is currently not enough evidence that the claim protects against Parkinson’s.

A healthy lifestyle, regular exercise and limited or no alcohol and smoking will keep all health risks away. Prevention is good and a remedy and it is not too late to fix it.

(Input from Dr. Venkataraman Karthikeyan, Consultant Neurologist, Gleneagles Global Health City, Chennai)

Image Credit – Fripic

Written by Tania Srivastava, Sub Editor

Injuries are a part of life if you are physically active. But when you’re a sportsman or an athlete, you can’t let injury hurt your performance. Joint pain and joint wear and tear are quite common in athletes but it is important to treat them. Common pain can be treated with OTC medications and ointments but if you are suffering from a major injury that requires surgical intervention, it is advisable to explore all options. Nowadays, people prefer minimally invasive surgical procedures like arthroscopy. This surgery diagnoses problems in your joints, mainly the knee and provides effective treatment. In this paragraph, Dr. Illustrated Version, Senior Consultant Orthopedics; Arthroscopy, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Surgeon at Sant Paramananda Special Surgery Hospital, New Delhi Explains everything about arthroscopic surgery, how it is done and why it is useful for the treatment of knee joint-related problems.

What is arthroscopy surgery?

Arthroscopic surgery or arthroscopy is a medical procedure that only orthopedic surgeons use to analyze joints, identify problems, and treat them. Its minimally invasive strategy is designed to treat and heal joint damage. Patients may benefit from hospital reduction, faster recovery time, and fewer scarring. Arthroscopic surgery treats patients who return to their feet, from the ankles and wrists to the knees and shoulders.

Also read: Tips for rehabilitation after knee replacement surgery

Arthroscopic knee surgery procedure

If you are wondering how this surgery is performed in a minimally invasive manner that makes it safe for people who do not want to undergo major surgery. Here is the step-by-step procedure of arthroscopic surgery such as Dr. Version explained:

• An orthopedic specialist will perform small cuts near the problematic joint about 14 feet in diameter through arthroscopic surgery.
• The surgeon will then place a sterile fluid into a hole, inflate the joint and provide a better view as well as more work space.
• A small tube consisting of fiber optics and lenses is then placed in a hole by the surgeon. This tube is called an arthroscope.
• The arthroscope is attached to a video camera, which allows the internal parts of the joint such as ligaments and cartilage to be enlarged and presented on the television screen.
• Arthroscopes are available in different sizes depending on the joint used.
• The arthroscope is about 5 mm in diameter if the doctor looks at the knee. It can be 0.5 mm in diameter for a wrist.
• On the video screen, the doctor will be able to see what is happening beneath the epidermis.
• If you have arthroscopy to diagnose a problem, the cuts will be closed with easily absorbed or non-absorbable stitches as soon as the surgeon is sure of the cause of the problem.
• If an operation is performed to diagnose a problem, small instruments will be placed through the hole to repair the problem.
• From anchored stitches to bone knots, these tools are specialized for every job.
• When the project is completed, the surgeon will close the incision with stitches.

Arthroscopy facility

A major advantage of arthroscopic surgery is that it does not require the joint to be fully opened. The surgeon keeps a small incision and identifies the root cause of the problem and provides the necessary treatment.

Used to treat arthroscopic knee, osteoarthritis of the knee, meniscus tear, hip, shoulder, wrist, spine and temporomandibular joint. This method is useful for the following reasons:

• Both the stain and the cut size are small.
• Less bleeding means faster recovery.
• Reduces the risk of infection.
• Reduces the need for discomfort and pain medication.
• The process for outpatients is about to begin.
• Reduces pain / need for pain medication
• 7 is going to be performed in the settings of outpatients

Conclusion

Inflammation, damaged ligaments and tendons, loose bones or cartilage, and even some diseases can all be treated with arthroscopic surgery. If a patient has a joint problem, there is a good chance of diagnosing and treating it with arthroscopic surgery. Arthroscopies are usually performed on the knees and shoulders, but they can be performed on any joint.

Image Credit – Fripic

Lung infections can cause terrible action because it can cause irritation and inflammation in the lung passages. Coughing at regular intervals is very tiring and thus becomes very important to deal with the symptoms of pulmonary embolism. Blood clots in the lungs can cause pulmonary embolism that travels through the lungs and infects the veins. It can be done through the legs or veins and on other parts of the body. Due to clotting in the body, it impedes blood flow which can sometimes lead to deep vein thrombosis. With so many lung diseases it can be confusing for you, let’s look at pulmonary embolism in detail.

What is pulmonary embolism?

To find out more about Pulmonary Embolism, we spoke to Dr. Arnab Trivedi, Senior Pulmonologist, BNK Hospital, Bangalore. He said that pulmonary embolism is basically an obstruction in any one of the arteries of the lungs. In most cases, this condition of the lungs is due to clotting which impedes blood flow to the lungs. Pulmonary embolism can actually lead to occasional life-threatening complications. But immediate treatment can actually reduce the risk of some of the complications that come with it. Taking some measures to protect the lungs may be effective considering the doctor’s recommendation.

Symptoms of pulmonary embolism

This lung disease can vary greatly from person to person due to symptoms. Pulmonary embolism can vary depending on the size of the clot, whether you have an underlying lung or heart condition, and so on. Some of the common signs and symptoms of pulmonary embolism may include:

Shortness of breath – This is a common symptom of most lung infections and diseases. Shortness of breath occurs when you get a workout it gets worse over time. This can be a big danger over time.

Chest pain- Chest pain during pulmonary embolism can really worry you because it looks like a small heart attack. The pain is often very sharp and can dull your breathing and cause related problems.

Cough – As with other lung infections, coughing may occur during pulmonary embolism but may be worse if you have a bloody sputum or bloody cough.

Read more- What is the cause of tooth gap? Causes and treatment

Other signs and symptoms of this lung infection may include:

• Fever
• Fast or irregular heartbeat
• Sweating too much
• Having a high fever
• Leg pain or swelling
• Clammy or pale skin

What causes pulmonary embolism?

Pulmonary embolism can occur when blood clots and reaches your arteries. This can have a major effect on your lungs and can lead to other lung problems. Deep veins in your legs can also cause this blood to clot. Deep vein thrombosis is one of the leading causes of pulmonary embolism.

In some cases, there may be multiple clots that may be involved in pulmonary embolism. A portion of each lung may die or become blocked in an artery. It is also possible that in this condition a certain artery may die which may cause complications. This condition is called pulmonary infarction. Because of this, it becomes more difficult for the lungs to supply oxygen to the rest of the body.

It can also be caused by a blockage in a blood vessel.

• Air bubbles
• Part of the tumor
• Fat accumulates from the marrow of broken long bones

Risk factors for pulmonary embolism

Any condition that can cause blood clots in the vessel can increase the risk of pulmonary embolism. It may be affected due to the following reasons-

1. Family history – One of the factors that can affect pulmonary embolism is if someone in your family has had blood clots or pulmonary embolism in the past.

2. Heart Disease- Different types of heart disease can cause clotting. One of the most common causes of heart failure. It affects people over the age of 40.

3. Cancer – Some types of cancer such as brain, ovary, pancreas, colon, stomach, lung and kidney can increase the risk of blood clots. Treatment of infect cancer associated with chemotherapy may further increase the risk and consequently increase the risk of pulmonary embolism.

Read more – Hartnop Disease: Learn the symptoms and causes of this rare condition

4. Surgery- This can be one of the main causes of blood clots. Due to a medical disorder or condition, some people who are more prone to coagulation may have pulmonary embolism.

5. COVID-19 – This recent disease has caused catastrophe in the last two years and may increase the risk of lung problems, including pulmonary embolism. This can be one of the symptoms of severe covid infections.

Picture Credit – pixabay.com

We usually only know about a few mainstream diseases that occur in most people and we hear about it in our daily lives. However, there is more to the disease than the common disease. Some diseases will knock on your door when no one expects them. A heart attack disease that we are going to talk about today. It is a metabolic disorder that makes it difficult for humans to absorb their amino acids. Heartnop disease makes kidney problems problematic for patients and creates a number of health problems in the body. Let us know how this rare disorder can affect your health.

What is Hartnap Disease?

We spoke to Dr. Sumit Nigam, General Physician, Sahara Hospital, Lucknow to find out about this rare genetic disorder. He explained that Hartnap disease is a hereditary metabolic disorder that makes it difficult for your body to absorb certain types of amino acids. Amino acids are responsible for making proteins in the body, it also helps kidney function. Heartnap disease actually affects your gut where amino acids are present and then the body becomes unable to absorb them which impairs other functions of the body. Hartnap disease was named after the Hartnap family in England, all of whom suffered from the disease.

Due to the excess amount of amino acids in the body, it also makes it difficult for their muscles to coordinate and move. Imagine for a second you were transposed into the karmic driven world of Earl. Since amino acids are not absorbed by the intestines, it is excreted from the body during urination and thus the body can feel terribly weak.

Symptoms of Hartnap disease

People with this condition get skin rashes and it also affects their brain. It is a rare disease that affects about 1 in 25,000 people. Symptoms of this disease usually begin to appear in the first few years of life. These last for about 2 weeks and are always an ‘attack’ that occurs suddenly and affects the disease with age. Here are some signs and symptoms of heart knap disease that you should know-

• Rash on the skin
• Anxiety
• Rapid mood swings
• Hallucinations
• Purpose vibration
• Illusion
• Speech difficulties
• Abnormalities in muscle tone
• Small statues
• Sensitivity to light
• Walking with feet away from the normal width

The function of the brain and skin actually depends on the absorption of vitamin B complex from food. This nutrient is contained in amino acids, which cause problems when it is not absorbed due to this hereditary disorder. It can even have an adverse effect on your physical and mental health.

Also read – World Tuberculosis Day: You must be aware of the types of TB

Skin rashes usually start to appear as a common symptom in people with this disease. This is due to exposure to sunlight. There is a non-stop red and scaly rash that usually appears on your face, neck, arms and legs. At first it is red, but gradually it turns into an eczematous rash. Due to prolonged sun exposure, it can get worse. It can even be permanent and trigger other skin problems.

What causes heartburn?

This hereditary disease is caused by a genetic disorder where there is a mutation in a gene that controls the body’s amino acids. Heartnap disease actually affects your reabsorption rate and it is like an autosomal recessive train that occurs in the body. People with this condition have some defects in their genes and both of them change it from one gene to another. Heartnap disease prevents you from absorbing amino acids from the small intestine and from re-absorbing them from the kidneys which is why your body is deficient in amino acids.

Also read: 5 Myths V / S Facts on Traumatic Brain Injury

Heartnop disease also affects your ability to absorb tryptophan. It is an important building block of proteins and vitamins present in the body. Without these nutrients it is not possible to make enough niacin. Niacin deficiency can even lead to sun-sensitive rashes that can lead to dementia.

Picture Credit- shutterstock.com

Today, women’s health is very important. They are silent warriors who do everything to make their family happy but do not utter a single word for the health discomfort they sometimes face. They have urgent needs to prioritize their health and well-being. We all make several health resolutions every year, but we rarely work with them. Let us remind you to give yourself and your health a chance to be their most deserving person!

Promise of self-health for women

Here are some of the promises you can make to improve your health: Dr. Sameer Bhati, Director, Star Imaging and Path Labs:

Promise 1: Promise to drink more water

This is the promise of the best health you can have for yourself. Water solves many health problems and if you are one of the many people who forget to drink water at regular intervals, you must set a water alarm for yourself. Dehydration can lead to fatigue, poor concentration, headaches, weight gain and even kidney problems. Remember, you need to drink at least 8 to 10 glasses of water every day. With this in mind, drink a glass of water now!

Also read: Rejuvenate your body with moon-charged water, use of dietitian shares and benefits

Commitment 2: Commitment to more important monitoring on a regular basis

You can go to a doctor every year for an important annual health check, but trust us, it is not enough. It is important to observe more frequently the basic parameters such as blood pressure, cholesterol, eyesight, glucose levels, blood tests, etc., with the lifestyle that many women are leading nowadays. Nowadays most of the women’s life is full of stress, sleep deprivation, late night work, long screen time etc. Therefore, it is very important to check your essentials every time.

Promise 3: Promise to be physically and mentally active

This must be promised. Physical and mental health is very important and you need to know how to take proper care of it. Walking and running 30 to 40 minutes a day will keep you physically fit. Also, for mental health you need to think a little less and try to engage in the activity of your choice, a little more.

Also read: 7 Pre-pregnancy Tests That Should Not Be Missed If You Are Over 30

Promise 4: Promise to complete all important tests

Women today face many health problems and diseases. For this reason, it is important for a woman to have all the necessary tests so that one can know more about her body. Tests such as mammogram, diabetes, pelvic exam, Pap smear, thyroid function test and lipid panel test are required. These will examine your organs and tell you about any infections that may be in the early stages.

Promise 5: Regular check-ups for ovaries and uterus

It is important for women to have regular check-ups, especially for the uterus and ovaries, to maintain their health. It is advisable to examine both of them with ultrasound and Pap smear. This is important for women of all ages to be identified for underlying ovarian or uterine-related problems. Also, they help analyze your reproductive health and your chances of getting pregnant. The incidence of infertility and abortion is increasing due to unhealthy lifestyle, obesity, stress, late marriage and pregnancy. This makes further reproductive health examinations mandatory. Women who plan to conceive late must take good care of their reproductive organs to reduce the risk of future pregnancy complications.

Conclusion

If you make these promises and keep them, it will benefit you and your health in many ways. It helps in healthy living and longevity. With reduced health risks, you are sure to enjoy a healthier and healthier life.

Image Credit – Fripic