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Acne: Causes and Treatments

Dec 9, 2016 Posted by admin Uncategorized 0 comments

Acne, medically known as Acne Vulgaris, is a skin disease that involves the oil glands at the base of hair follicles. It commonly occurs during puberty when the sebaceous (oil) glands come to life – the glands are stimulated by male hormones produced by the adrenal glands of both males and females.

Acne is not dangerous, but can leave skin scars. Human skin has pores (tiny holes) which connect to oil glands located under the skin. The glands are connected to the pores via follicles – small canals. These glands produce Sebum, an oily liquid. The sebum carries dead skin cells through the follicles to the surface of the skin. A small hair grows through the follicle out of the skin. Pimples grow when these follicles get blocked, resulting in an accumulation of oil under the skin.

Causes of acne

Nobody is completely sure what causes acne. Experts believe the primary cause is a rise in androgen levels – androgen is a type of hormone. Androgen levels rise when a human becomes an adolescent. Rising androgen levels make the oil glands under your skin grow; the enlarged gland produces more oil. Excessive sebum can break down cellular walls in your pores, causing bacteria to grow.

Some studies indicate that a susceptibility to acne could also be genetic. Some medications that contain androgen and lithium may cause acne. Greasy cosmetics may cause acne in some susceptible people. Hormone changes during pregnancy may cause acne either to develop for the first time, or to recur.

The types of acne pimples

Human skin has pores (tiny holes) which connect to oil glands located under the skin. The glands are connected to the pores via follicles – small canals. These glands produce Sebum, an oily liquid. The sebum carries dead skin cells through the follicles to the surface of the skin.

Whiteheads – remain under the skin and are very small
Blackheads – clearly visible, they are black and appear on the surface of the skin. Remember that a blackhead is not caused by dirt. Scrubbing your face vigorously when you see blackheads will not help
Papules – visible on the surface of the skin. They are small bumps, usually pink
Pustules – clearly visible on the surface of the skin. They are red at their base and have pus at the top
Nobules – clearly visible on the surface of the skin. They are large, solid pimples. They are painful and are embedded deep in the skin
Cysts – clearly visible on the surface of the skin. They are painful, and are filled with pus. Cysts can easily cause scars

How common is acne?

Dermatologists (skin specialists) say that approximately three-quarters of 11 to 30 year-olds will get acne at some time. Acne can affect people of all races and all ages. It most commonly affects adolescents and young adults, although there are people in their fifties who still get acne. According to Brown University, USA, approximately 17 million Americans are estimated to have acne at any one time.

Although acne affects both men and women, young men suffer from acne for longer – probably because testosterone, which is present in higher quantities in young men, can make acne worse.

Treating mild acne :

The majority of people who get acne will develop mild acne. This can usually be treated with OTC (over-the-counter) medications. OTC medications can be bought at a pharmacy without a doctor’s prescription. They are usually applied to the skin – topical medicines.

Most acne OTC products may contain the following active ingredients:

ResorcinolResorcinol helps break down blackheads and whiteheads. It is a crystalline phenol and comes from various resins. Resorcinol is also used for treating dandruff, eczema and psoriasis.
Benzoyl PeroxideBenzoyl Peroxide kills bacteria and slows down your glands’ production of oil. Benzoyl peroxide is a white crystalline peroxide used in bleaching (flour or oils or fats) and as a catalyst for free radical reactions. It works as a peeling agent, accelerating skin turnover and clearing pores, which in turn reduces the bacterial count in the affected area.
Salicylic AcidSalicylic Acid helps break down blackheads and whiteheads, also reduces shedding of cells which line the follicles of the oil glands, effective in treating inflammation and swelling. Salicylic acid is a white crystalline substance which is also used as a fungicide, or in making aspirin or dyes or perfumes. It causes the epidermis to shed skin more easily, prevents pores from becoming blocked while at the same time allowing room for new cells to grow. It is commonly added to shampoos used for treating dandruff.
SulfurSulfur helps break down blackheads and whiteheads. Sulfur, in its native form, is a yellow crystalline solid. Sulfur has been used for centuries for treating acne, psoriasis and eczema. Scientists are not sure how sulfur works to help skin diseases. We do know that elemental sulfur does oxidize slowly to sulfurous acid, which is a mild reducing and antibacterial agent.
Retin-ARetin-A helps unplug blocked pores. Retin-A contains Tretinoin, an acid from of vitamin A, also known as all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA). Tretinoin is also used for the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia. Retin-A has been used widely to combat aging of the skin, and it also acts as a chemical peel.
Azelaic AcidAzelaic Acid strengthens cells that line the follicles, stops oil eruptions, reduces bacteria growth. It is a saturated dicarboxylic acid found naturally in wheat, rye, and barley. Azelaic acid also mops up free radicals, which reduces inflammation. It is useful for patients with darker skin who have dark patches on their face (melasma), or whose acne spots leave persistent brown marks.

Mesenchymal stem Cells: what it’s usage

Dec 8, 2016 Posted by admin Uncategorized 0 comments

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can make several types of cells belonging to our skeletal tissues, such as cartilage, bone and fat. Scientists are investigating how MSCs might be used to treat bone and cartilage diseases. Some MSC research is also exploring therapies for other diseases, but the scientific basis for these applications has not yet been established or widely accepted.

Did you know?

Mesenchymal stem cells make up about 0.001-0.01% of all the cells in your bone marrow

Human mesenchymal stem cells grown in a single layer on the bottom of a flask; 4x magnification

Human mesenchymal stem cells grown in a single layer on the bottom of a flask; 10x magnification

Bone cells made from MSCs; the colour is from a stain used to mark the bone cells (von Kossa stain)

Fat cells made from MSCs; the colour is from a stain called Nile red O that marks fat cells red

Cartilage cells made from MSCs; cartilage cells are stained red using the dye Safranin O

Cartilage cells made from MSCs; the cartilage cells are marked brown by a process called immunostaining

What can mesenchymal stem cells do?

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are an example of tissue or ‘adult’ stem cells. They are ‘multipotent’, meaning they can produce more than one type of specialized cell of the body, but not all types. MSCs make the different specialized cells found in the skeletal tissues. For example, they can differentiate − or specialize − into cartilage cells (chondrocytes), bone cells (osteoblasts) and fat cells (adipocytes). These specialized cells each have their own characteristic shapes, structures and functions, and each belongs in a particular tissue.

Some early research suggested that MSCs might also differentiate into many different types of cells that do not belong to the skeletal tissues, such as nerve cells, heart muscle cells, liver cells and endothelial cells, which form the inner layer of blood vessels. These results were not confirmed in later studies. In some cases, it appears that the MSCs might have fused together with existing specialized cells, leading to false conclusions about the ability of MSCs to produce certain cell types. In other cases, the results were an artificial effect caused by chemicals used to grow the cells in the lab.

Mesenchymal stem cell differentiation: MSCs can make fat, cartilage and bone cells. They have not been proven to make other types of cells of the body.

Mesenchymal stem cell differentiation: MSCs can make fat, cartilage and bone cells. They have not been proven to make other types of cells of the body.

Where are mesenchymal stem cells found?

MSCs were originally found in the bone marrow. There have since been many claims that they also exist in a wide variety of other tissues, such as umbilical cord blood, adipose (fat) tissue and muscle. It has not yet been established whether the cells taken from these other tissues are really the same as, or similar to, the mesenchymal stem cells of the bone marrow.

The bone marrow contains many different types of cells. Among them are blood stem cells(also called hematopoietic stem cells; HSCs) and a variety of different types of cells belonging to a group called ‘mesenchymal’ cells. Only about 0.001-0.01% of the cells in the bone marrow are mesenchymal stem cells.

It is fairly easy to obtain a mixture of different mesenchymal cell types from adult bone marrow for research. But isolating the tiny fraction of cells that are mesenchymal stem cells is more complicated. Some of the cells in the mixture may be able to form bone or fat tissues, for example, but still do not have all the properties of mesenchymal stem cells. The challenge is to identify and pick out the cells that can both self-renew (produce more of themselves) and can differentiate into three cell types – bone, cartilage and fat. Significant advances have now been made in this direction. Interestingly, studies in humans have for once paved the way to similar studies in the mouse. Both types of studies have converged in identifying the non-hematopoietic (blood) stem cells in the bone marrow (widely called “mesenchymal” stem cells) as “skeletal” stem cells. This is a better term, because all the cell types that these cells can generate are indeed found in the tissues that together make the skeleton (bone, cartilage, fat in the bone marrow cavity of the bones). One very intriguing development reads that the “skeletal” stem cells seem to to provide a “niche” or home for the other type of stem cell, the hematopoietic (blood) stem cells. Both would live together in contact with each other close to the blood vessels of the bone marrow.

Developing new treatments using mesenchymal stem cells:

No treatments using MSCs are yet available. However, several possibilities for their use in the clinic are currently being explored.

Bone and cartilage repair
The ability of MSCs to differentiate into bone cells called osteoblasts has led to their use in early clinical trials investigating the safety of potential bone repair methods. These studies are looking at possible treatments for localized skeletal defects (damage at a particular place in the bone).

Other research is focussed on using MSCs to repair cartilage. Cartilage covers the ends of bones and allows one bone to slide over another at the joints. It can be damaged by a sudden injury like a fall, or over a long period by a condition like osteoarthritis, a very painful disease of the joints. Cartilage does not repair itself well after damage. The best treatment available for severe cartilage damage is surgery to replace the damaged joint with an artificial one. Because MSCs can differentiate into cartilage cells called chondrocytes, scientists hope MSCs could be injected into patients to repair and maintain the cartilage in their joints. Researchers are also investigating the possibility that transplanted MSCs may release substances that will tell the patient’s own cells to repair the damage.

Many hurdles remain before this kind of treatment can become a reality. For example, when MSCs are transplanted, most of them are rapidly removed from the body. Researchers are working on new techniques for transplanting the cells, such as developing three-dimensional structures or scaffolds that mimic the conditions in the part of the body where the cells are needed. These scaffolds will hold the cells and encourage them to differentiate into the desired cell type.

Heart and blood vessel repair:
Some studies in mice suggest that MSCs can promote formation of new blood vessels in a process called neovascularisation. MSCs do not make new blood vessel cells themselves, but they may help with neovascularisation in a number of ways. For example, they may release proteins that stimulate the growth of other cells called endothelial precursors – cells that will develop to form the inner layer of blood vessels. They may also “guide” the assembly of new blood vessels from preexisting endothelial cells (those that line the blood vessel). Such studies on animals have led researchers to hope that MSCs may provide a way to repair the blood vessel damage linked to heart attacks or diseases such as critical limb ischaemia. A number of early stage clinical trials using MSCs in patients are currently underway but it is not yet clear whether the treatments will be effective.

Inflammatory and autoimmune diseases:

Several claims have been made that MSCs are able to avoid detection by the immune system and can be transplanted from one patient to another without risk of immune rejection by the body. However, these claims have not been confirmed by other studies. MSCs are rejected like any other “non-self” cell type. It has also been suggested that MSCs may be able to slow down the multiplication of immune cells in the body to reduce inflammation and help treat transplant rejection or autoimmune diseases. Again, this has yet to be proven and much more evidence is needed to establish whether MSCs could really be used for this kind of application.

Fibromyalgia: Causes, Symptoms and Treatments

Dec 7, 2016 Posted by admin Uncategorized 0 comments

What Are the Symptoms of Fibromyalgia?

Symptoms of fibromyalgia include:

Chronic muscle pain, muscle spasms, or tightness
Moderate or severe fatigue and decreased energy
Insomnia or waking up feeling just as tired as when you went to sleep
Stiffness upon waking or after staying in one position for too long
Difficulty remembering, concentrating, and performing simple mental tasks (“fibro fog”)
Abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, and constipation alternating with diarrhea (irritable bowel syndrome)
Tension or migraine headaches
Jaw and facial tenderness
Sensitivity to one or more of the following: odors, noise, bright lights, medications, certain foods, and cold
Feeling anxious or depressed
Numbness or tingling in the face, arms, hands, legs, or feet
Increase in urinary urgency or frequency (irritable bladder)
Reduced tolerance for exercise and muscle pain after exercise
A feeling of swelling (without actual swelling) in the hands and feet

There are several theories about the causes of fibromyalgia, from hormonal disturbances to stress to genetics. While there is no clear consensus about what causes fibromyalgia, most researchers believe fibromyalgia results not from a single event but from a combination of many physical and emotional stressors.

Other Theories About Causes of Fibromyalgia

Some have speculated that lower levels of a brain neurotransmitter called serotonin leads to lowered pain thresholds or an increased sensitivity to pain. Serotonin is associated with a calming, anxiety-reducing reaction. The lowered pain thresholds in fibromyalgia patients may be caused by the reduced effectiveness of the body’s natural endorphin painkillers and the increased presence of a chemical called “substance P.” Substance P amplifies pain signals.

There have been some studies that link fibromyalgia to sudden trauma to the brain and spinal cord. Keep in mind, though, theories about what causes fibromyalgia are merely speculative.

Who Gets Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is far more common in women than in men. Some interesting studies show that men make serotonin at a much faster rate than women — about 50% faster. That may help explain why fibromyalgia syndrome, or FMS, is more common in women.

Another theory states that fibromyalgia is caused by biochemical changes in the body and may be related to hormonal changes or menopause. In addition, some (but not all) people with fibromyalgia have low levels of human growth hormone, which may contribute to the muscle pain.

Does Stress Cause Fibromyalgia?

Some researchers theorize that stress or poor physical conditioning are factors in the cause of fibromyalgia. Another theory suggests that muscle “microtrauma” (very slight damage) leads to an ongoing cycle of pain and fatigue. These mechanisms, like all the others, are still unproven for fibromyalgia.

Do Insomnia or Sleep Disorders Cause Fibromyalgia?

Most people with fibromyalgia experience insomnia or non-restorative sleep — sleep that is light and not refreshing. Disordered sleep might lead to lower levels of serotonin, which results in increased pain sensitivity. Researchers have created a lower pain threshold in women by depriving them of sleep, possibly simulating fibromyalgia.

How Is Fibromyalgia Fatigue Treated?

Along with deep muscle pain and painful tender points, fatigue is a key symptom of fibromyalgia and it can be debilitating. Not only do you feel exhausted and weak, but bed rest does not seem to help. Many people with fibromyalgia report sleeping eight to 10 hours at night and feeling as if they haven’t slept at all.

Some drugs may help ease the fatigue associated with fibromyalgia. In addition, aerobic exercise can help ease fatigue, minimize pain, improve quality of sleep, and improve mood.

How Does Exercise Help Fibromyalgia Symptoms?

Numerous studies show that exercise is one of the most important treatments for fibromyalgia. Many people with fibromyalgia are are not physically fit. They avoid exercise because they fear increased pain. Yet aerobic or conditioning exercise can actually help relieve pain and depression.

Regular exercise increases the body’s production of endorphins, natural painkillers that also boost mood. Starting slowly and gradually increasing the duration and intensity of exercise can help you enjoy the benefits of exercise without feeling more pain.

Paraplegia : Causes, Symptoms & Treatments

Dec 5, 2016 Posted by admin Uncategorized 0 comments

Definition

Paraplegia is a spinal cord injury that paralyses the lower limbs. It is a result of severe damage to the spinal cord and the nervous system. Paraplegia mainly affects the trunk, legs, and the pelvic region, resulting in loss of movement.

Causes of Paraplegia :

Accidents
Severe spinal cord injury
Motor neuron disease
Cancerous cell growth, tumors or blood clots within spinal cord
Spina bifida
Prolonged diseases
Alcohol addiction

Categorization

There are two main categories – complete and incomplete. Complete paraplegia is witnessed when the injury affects the patient at the neurological level and it hinders the movement of limbs, whereas in case of incomplete paraplegia, some of the limbs are still moving.

Symptoms of Paraplegia

Loss of ability to feel and move
No control over bowel and bladder activities
Intense pain or tingling sensation in the trunk, legs, and the pelvic region
Problems in breathing and coughing
Sexual function and fertility can be affected

There are no apparent symptoms that could be seen. Moreover, there may be delayed symptoms like numbness and paralyses.

Diagnosis of Paraplegia :

The doctors may diagnose paraplegia with the help of one of the following tests:

Computerized CT Scan for a better understanding of the severity of the injury
X-rays to examine any tumors or fractures in the spine
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to test for blood clots or any mass formation that may compress the spinal cord

Treatment of Paraplegia:

In the early stage, treatment is possible through medication and traction for immobilization. Surgery or experimental treatments can also be conducted.

While the patient is undergoing a treatment, doctors focus on preventing secondary problems like bowel and bladder issues, blood clots, pressure ulcers and respiratory infections. Any hospitalization will depend on the patient’s condition.

In the case of complete paraplegia, there are new technologies that may restore movement.

Recovery may start from the first week or it may take up to six months to experience improvement. However, there may be no permanent treatment for this condition.

Strawberry Nevus: Causes, symptoms & Treatments

Dec 3, 2016 Posted by admin Uncategorized 0 comments

What Are the Symptoms of Strawberry Nevus?

A strawberry nevus, or hemangioma, is named for its color. This red tinge to your skin comes from a collection of blood vessels close to your skin’s surface. While the hemangioma can be anywhere, the most common locations are the face, scalp, back, and chest. If you look closely at the area, you may see small blood vessels closely packed together.

What Causes Strawberry Nevus?

Physicians do not know the cause of strawberry nevus. According to What to Expect, one in 10 babies are born with the marking. Most develop while your baby is in the uterus, when small veins and capillaries collect under the skin, creating a red patch.

What Are the Effects of Strawberry Nevus?

A strawberry nevus is rarely harmful, but it can affect a child’s self-esteem if the mark is in a highly visible place and does not fade as the child ages. Also, some strawberry nevi can leave behind a gray or white scar as they fade, leaving the area noticeably different from the surrounding skin.

In the severest cases, a large hemangioma can be life threatening. A large nevus pulls blood platelets in from your bloodstream, which can lead to heart failure. A physician can evaluate the size of the marking and perform tests to determine its depth, if necessary.

How Is Strawberry Nevus Diagnosed?

Physicians diagnose most strawberry marks by physical examination. In some instances, your child’s physician may recommend testing to ensure that the strawberry mark does not go deep into the skin. If your doctor suspects that the strawberry mark is deep, a cavernous hemangioma, or close to a major organ, he or she may need to remove it.

Tests to determine the birth mark’s depth may include a:

biopsy, or tissue removal
computed tomography (CT) scan
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan

How Is Strawberry Nevus Treated?

Because most strawberry marks are not harmful and will fade with time, treatment is not necessarily recommended. However, if the mark is in a very visible area, such as the face, it can be a source of anxiety for a child. You can first try pressing on and kneading the mark to fade it more quickly.

If this doesn’t work, your physician can use steroid injections, laser removal, or cryotherapy—using liquid nitrogen to freeze the tissue—to fade the abnormal areas of skin. However, these procedures are not without their side effects. Side effects can include scarring and pain as the removed tissue heals.

In severe cases, a plastic surgeon may be able to remove the entire red patch of skin. This is typically recommended only when the birthmark extends deep into the skin.

Hyperhidrosis: Causes, symptoms & Treatments

Dec 2, 2016 Posted by admin Uncategorized 0 comments

Causes

Sweating helps the body stay cool. In most cases, it is perfectly natural. People sweat more in warm temperatures, when they exercise, or in response to situations that make them nervous, angry, embarrassed, or afraid.

Excessive sweating occurs without such triggers. Persons with hyperhidrosis appear to have overactive sweat glands. The uncontrollable sweating can lead to significant discomfort, both physical and emotional.

When excessive sweating affects the hands, feet, and armpits, it is called primary or focal hyperhidrosis. In most cases, no cause can be found. It seems to run in families.

If the sweating occurs as a result of another medical condition, it is called secondary hyperhidrosis. The sweating may be all over the body or it may be in one area. Conditions that cause second hyperhidrosis include:

Acromegaly
Anxiety conditions
Cancer
Carcinoid syndrome
Certain medications and substances of abuse
Glucose control disorders
Heart disease
Hyperthyroidism
Lung disease
Menopause
Parkinson disease
Pheochromocytoma
Spinal cord injury
Stroke
Tuberculosis or other infections

Symptoms

The primary symptom of hyperhidrosis is wetness.

Treatment

Treatments may include:

Antiperspirants: Excessive sweating may be controlled with strong anti-perspirants, which plug the sweat ducts. Products containing 10% to 20% aluminum chloride hexahydrate are the first line of treatment for underarm sweating. Some patients may be be prescribed a product containing a higher dose of aluminum chloride, which is applied nightly onto the affected areas. Antiperspirants can cause skin irritation, and large doses of aluminum chloride can damage clothing. Note: Deodorants do not prevent sweating, but are helpful in reducing body odor.
Medication: Medicines may prevent stimulation of sweat glands. These are prescribed for certain types pf hyperhidrosis such as excessive sweating of the face. Medicines have side effects and are not right for everyone.
Iontophoresis: This procedure uses electricity to temporarily turn off the sweat gland. It is most effective for sweating of the hands and feet. The hands or feet are placed into water, and then a gentle current of electricity is passed through it. The electricity is gradually increased until the patient feels a light tingling sensation. The therapy lasts about 10 to 20 minutes and requires several sessions. Side effects include skin cracking and blisters, although rare.
Botox: Botulinum toxin type A (Botox) is used to treat severe underarm sweating. This condition is called primary axillary hyperhidrosis. Botulinum toxin injected into the underarm temporarily block the nerves that stimulate sweating. Side effects include injection-site pain and flu-like symptoms. Botox used for sweating of the palms can cause mild, but temporary weakness and intense pain.
Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS) : In severe cases, a minimally-invasive surgical procedure called sympathectomy may be recommended when other treatments do not work. The procedure cuts a nerve, turning off the signal that tells the body to sweat excessively. It is usually done on patients whose palms sweat much more heavily than normal. It may also be used to treat extreme sweating of the face. ETS does not work as well for those with excessive armpit sweating.
Underarm surgery: This is surgery to remove the sweat glands in the armpits. Methods used include laser, curettage (scraping), excision (cutting), or liposuction. These procedures are done using local anesthesia.

Cerebral Palsy: Symptoms, Causes & Treatments

Dec 1, 2016 Posted by admin Uncategorized 0 comments

What Are the Symptoms of Cerebral Palsy?

delays in reaching motor skill milestones, such as rolling over, sitting up alone, or crawling
delays in speech development and difficulty speaking
stiff muscles
abnormal muscle tone
a lack of muscle coordination
tremors or involuntary movements
excessive drooling and problems with swallowing
difficulty walking
favoring one side of the body, such as reaching with one hand
neurological problems, such as seizures, intellectual disabilities, and blindness

Call your doctor immediately if you suspect your child has CP. Early diagnosis and treatment is very important

What Causes Cerebral Palsy?

a lack of oxygen to the brain during labor and delivery
severe jaundice in the infant
maternal infections, such German measles and herpes simplex
brain infections, such as encephalitis and meningitis
bleeding into the brain
head injuries as a result of a car accident, a fall, or child abuse

How Is Cerebral Palsy Treated?

Assistive Aids

Assistive aids include:

eyeglasses
hearing aids
walking aids
body braces
wheelchairs

Medications

Anticonvulsants and muscle relaxants, such as diazepam and dantrolene, are often used to treat CP. These medications can help reduce spasticity and drooling.

Surgery

Surgery may be used to relieve pain and improve mobility. It may also be needed to release tight muscles or to correct bone abnormalities caused by spasticity.

Other Treatment

Other types of treatment for CP include:

speech therapy
physical therapy
occupational therapy
counseling or psychotherapy
social services consultations

How Can Cerebral Palsy Be Prevented?

Minimally Conscious State: Causes, symptoms & Treatments

Nov 29, 2016 Posted by admin Uncategorized 0 comments

A minimally conscious state is severe but not complete impairment of awareness that results from widespread damage to the cerebrum (the part of the brain that controls thought and behavior).

A minimally conscious state may result directly from brain damage, or it may follow a vegetative state as people recover some function.

People in a minimally conscious state, unlike those in a vegetative state, do some things that indicate some awareness of self and of their environment. They may do the following:

Make eye contact

Follow objects with their eyes

Reach for objects

Respond to questions (although often with the same word whether it is appropriate or not)

React to all commands in a usual but usually inappropriate way (for example, by blinking).

Most people in a minimally conscious state tend to improve continuously, but improvement is limited. A few people regain the ability to communicate and understand, sometimes after many years. However, very few recover enough to live and function independently. The longer a minimally conscious state lasts, the less function people are likely to regain. However, with skilled nursing care, people can live for years. Recovery may be better when the cause is a head injury.

There have been reports of people awakening after spending years in what appears to be a coma. These reports often involve people who had been in a minimally conscious state after a head injury.

Treatment

Preventive measures for problems due to immobilization
Good nutrition
Possibly certain drugs

Long-term care

Like people in a coma, people in a minimally conscious state require comprehensive care.

Providing good nutrition ( nutritional support) is important. People are fed through a tube inserted through the nose and into the stomach. Sometimes they are fed through a tube (called a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube, or PEG tube) inserted directly into the stomach through an incision in the abdomen. Drugs may also be given through this tube.

Many problems result from being unable to move, and measures to prevent them are essential (see Problems Due to Bed Rest). For example, the following can happen:

Pressures sores: Lying in one position can cut off the blood supply to some areas of the body, causing skin to break down and pressure sores to form. Caregivers must turn people very frequently.
Contractures: Lack of movement can also lead to permanent stiffening of muscles (contractures) causing joints to become permanently bent.
Blood clots: Lack of movement makes blood clots more likely to form in leg veins.

To prevent these problems, physical therapists gently move the person’s joints in all directions (passive range-of-motion exercises). Therapists may splint joints in certain positions to help prevent contractures. People are also given drugs to prevent blood clots from developing.

If people are incontinent, care should be taken to keep the skin clean and dry. If the bladder is not functioning and urine is being retained, a tube (catheter) may be placed in the bladder to drain urine.

Sebaceous Cysts : Causes, Symptoms & Treatments

Nov 28, 2016 Posted by admin Uncategorized 0 comments

Sebaceous cysts form out of your sebaceous gland. The sebaceous gland produces the oil called sebum that coats your hair and skin. Cysts can develop if the gland or its duct, the passage where oil is able to leave, becomes damaged or blocked. This usually occurs due to a trauma to the area.

The trauma may be a scratch, a surgical wound, or a skin condition, such as acne. Sebaceous cysts grow slowly, so the trauma may have occurred months or weeks before you notice the cyst.

Other causes of a sebaceous cyst may include:

a misshapen or deformed duct
damage to the cells during a surgery
genetic conditions, such as Gardner’s syndrome or basal cell nevus syndrome

Symptoms of sebaceous cyst :

Small cysts are typically not painful. Large cysts can range from uncomfortable to considerably painful. Large cysts on the face and neck may cause pressure and pain.

This type of cyst is typically filled with white flakes of keratin, which is also a key element that makes up your skin and nails. Most cysts are soft to the touch.

Areas on the body where cysts are usually found include:

scalp
face
neck
back

A sebaceous cyst is considered unusual — and possibly cancerous — if it has the following characteristics:

a diameter that is larger than five centimeters
a fast rate of reoccurrence after being removed
signs of infection, such as redness, pain, or pus drainage

Diagnosis of a sebaceous cyst

Doctors often diagnose a sebaceous cyst after a simple physical examination. If your cyst is unusual, your doctor may order additional tests to rule out possible cancers. You may also need these tests if you wish to have the cyst surgically removed.

Common tests used for a sebaceous cyst include:

CT scans, which help your doctor find the best route for surgery and spot abnormalities
ultrasounds, which identify the contents inside the cyst
punch biopsy, which involves removal of a small amount of tissue from the cyst to be examined in a laboratory for signs of cancer

Treatment of sebaceous cyst:

Your doctor can treat a cyst by draining it or by surgically removing it. Normally, cysts are removed. This is not because they are dangerous but rather for cosmetic reasons. Since most cysts are not harmful to your health, your doctor will allow you to pick the treatment option that works for you.

It is important to remember that without surgical removal, your cyst will usually come back. The best treatment is to ensure complete removal through surgery. Some people do decide against surgery, however, because it can cause scarring.

Your doctor may use one of the following methods to remove your cyst:

conventional wide excision: completely removes a cyst but can leave a long scar
minimal excision: causes minimal scarring but carries a risk that the cyst will return
laser with punch biopsy excision: the laser is used to make a small hole to drain cyst contents and the outer walls of the cyst are removed about a month later

After your cyst is removed, your doctor may give you an antibiotic ointment to prevent infection. You should use this until the healing process is complete. You may also be given a scar cream to reduce the appearance of any surgical scars.

BAHA Devices: Causes and uses

Nov 26, 2016 Posted by admin Uncategorized 0 comments

Conductive and mixed conductive/sensory hearing loss

A bone conduction implant (BCI) is used to treat 2 basic problems: conductive and/or mixed hearing loss and deafness in one ear (single-sided deafness). These devices are considered when use of a conventional (air-conduction hearing aid) is not possible. For the case of conductive or mixed hearing loss, they are used most commonly in patients with chronic ear infections, cholesteatoma, and chronic otorrhea in which the diseased eardrum and/or middle ear ossicles are not able to conduct sound to the cochlea and use of a conventional hearing device often is not possible. The other common situation is congenital aural atresia in which absence of the ear canal and eardrum causes conductive hearing loss and a conventional hearing aid cannot be used.

Before Baha, the only device available to treat these situations was a conventional bone conduction hearing aid. This device consists of a bone conduction hearing aid (vibrator) attached to a headband (see the image below). These devices, while very helpful over the years, have several inherent disadvantages that limit their benefit and their acceptance, including the following:

Discomfort caused by the constant pressure of the vibrator against the scalp
Poor sound quality and volume caused by the indirect and variable coupling of the vibrator to the skull due to intervening hair and scalp tissues
Variable and unstable positioning affecting the quality of transduction
Bilateral use is not possible
Poor aesthetics

Audiometric Testing

Basic audiometry including pure-tone audiogram and speech audiometry should be performed. A trial of the Baha using an external headband is useful. Several questionnaires are also available in order to obtain the participating patient’s subjective view of different aspects of Baha fitting, and these include the study-specific questionnaire, the International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids, the Meaningful Auditory Integration Scale, the Meaningful Use of Speech Scale, and the H70.

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