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8 tips to manage hemophilia symptoms
Hemophilia is a rare blood disorder in which a person’s blood does not form clots, causing spontaneous and excessive bleeding during injuries and accidents. It occurs when the body does not generate sufficient protein essential for blood clot formation. Hemophilia may be classified as mild, moderate, or severe. Although it has no cure, several therapies are being considered to control the symptoms. Experts also recommend other ways to manage hemophilia through lifestyle changes.
Choose iron-rich foods
A patient with hemophilia loses approximately 0.75 micrograms of iron with every 15 ml of blood. Thus, following a meal plan high in iron is crucial. Leafy greens like spinach, kale, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts have high iron levels. Walnuts, hazelnuts, dates, beans, raisins, apricots, red meat, and poultry are other iron-rich foods to incorporate into the nutrition regimen.Replenish the body with vitamin C
Studies have shown that vitamin C is essential for iron absorption in the body. Hence, accompanying iron-rich foods with foods rich in vitamin C is a great way to manage hemophilia. Items rich in vitamin C include citrus fruits, strawberries, bell peppers, tomatoes, cruciferous vegetables, and lychees.Stay active
Contact sports and intensive exercises are a no-no for patients with hemophilia. However, low-intensity exercises like walking, dancing, some yoga practices, cycling, and swimming can help with overall physical well-being and prevent a sedentary lifestyle.Avoid sugary foods
Soft drinks, desserts, cookies, pastries, and other sweet foods can cause toothaches and cavities, which may eventually lead to tooth extraction and, as a result, excessive bleeding. Thus, it helps to limit or avoid foods with added sugar and replace them with natural-sugar sources like fruits and fresh fruit juices.Be cautious during vaccinations
Everyone should get vaccinated at the right time, irrespective of whether they have hemophilia. But hemophilia patients, especially children with the condition, should be administered doses with caution as they can suffer from blood loss. Parents should ensure the smallest gauge needle is used to prevent bleeding and apply a cold compress frequently once done.Accident-proof the home
Any injury or accident can trigger bleeding and aggravate blood loss in patients. Thus, it is crucial to accident-proof the home. One should avoid furniture with sharp edges, declutter rooms and passageways, use non-skid surfaces, and install sufficient lights everywhere.Include whole grains
Whole grains like rolled oats, barley, and brown rice are fiber-rich. Fiber provides adequate satiety, prevents overeating, and helps avoid cholesterol and other lifestyle diseases, lowering the risk of hemophilia complications.Get annual checkups at a hemophilia treatment center
There are many hemophilia treatment centers in our country. According to research reports, patients who receive treatment at a hemophilia treatment center are more likely to survive than those who do not. Therefore, the best way to manage hemophilia is to visit a nearby health center for comprehensive annual checkups. -
Hepatitis – types and contributing factors
Hepatitis – types and contributing factors
Hepatitis is described as an inflammation in the liver. Inflammation is essentially any tissue’s natural response to injury or irritation, and the general effects of inflammation are swelling, redness, and pain.There is a wide range of causes of the condition, but they differ based on the type of hepatitis that one is affected with. For example, various types of viral hepatitis involve viral infections rather than any other disorder in the body. Hepatitis can be acute or chronic depending on the severity, and there are various types:
Types
- Hepatitis A
This type of hepatitis does not result in chronic infections and typically involves no complications. It is one of the most common food-borne infections, and the liver takes approximately two months to properly heal from hepatitis A. In rare cases, hepatitis A can lead to liver failure, which can be fatal. The most common prevention method for hepatitis A is vaccination. - Hepatitis B
Above 70% of all diagnosed occurrences of hepatitis B have been found in young people from the age of 15 to 39. It usually takes people 6 months to completely recover from the illness, but some may suffer from a life-long, chronic infection, which leads to ongoing liver damage. If an individual contracts hepatitis B at an early age, it has a higher chance of becoming chronic. - Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C is among the most common causes of liver disease in the country and also the biggest reason for people to get a liver transplant. Around 80% of patients suffering from hepatitis C develop a chronic liver infection as it is difficult to diagnose hepatitis C because it comes with no noticeable symptoms. Unlike the other types, there is no vaccine to prevent hepatitis C.
Contributing factors to the development of hepatitis
Contributing factors are simple incidents, habits, or occurrences that can increase one’s chances of contracting hepatitis. These factors can range from trivial occurrences to an unhealthy habit or even major existing illnesses. Here are the main contributing factors for hepatitis A, B, and C:
Hepatitis A
Any person can develop hepatitis A by dietary means, that is, by eating food and drinking water that has been contaminated with the virus. This implies that any person with unhygienic eating or drinking habits could suffer from hepatitis A.
Hepatitis B
Multiple factors can elevate one’s chances of contracting hepatitis B. Here are the common risk factors of this type:
- Being sexually intimate with a person who is already infected
- Sharing contaminated needles
- Having direct contact with the blood of an infected person
- Suffering injuries from needles
- Inheritance of an unborn child from an infected mother
Hepatitis C
Any person can contract hepatitis C by the following:- Sharing contaminated objects like needles
- Having direct contact with infected blood or blood transfusion from an infected person
- Injuries caused by infected needle sticks
- Hepatitis A
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The types of dyskinesia
The types of dyskinesia
The causes of dyskinesia vary but most cases are due to altered brain chemistry. Dyskinesia is caused due to medication and injury or trauma to the region of the brain known as the basal ganglia. Brain damage is also a major cause when it comes to dyskinesia. The basal ganglia is the region where voluntary movements are learned and controlled. This article examines the types of dyskinesia.
Parkinson’s dyskinesia
A high number of people, around 50% of patients with Parkinson’s who are being treated with levodopa, develop dyskinesia. Levodopa alters the dopamine levels in the brain, and this rise and fall of dopamine levels causes dyskinesia. The common symptoms of dyskinesia are fidgeting, head bobbing, swaying of the body, wriggling, and writhing. About half of the people who develop dyskinesia do not find the need to seek help and may continue to live healthy lives as the condition is mild and poses no challenge.
Tremors
Rhythmic movements are used to classify tremors. Some of the familiar types are:
- Resting or static tremors wherein tremors occur on a limb that is completely supported and is relaxed. These tremors may be associated with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) or Parkinson’s.
- Action and intention or kinetic tremors occur when the muscle is in motion and is normally seen during movement of an upper-body part, which includes the hand or the arm. Doctors usually attribute these tremors to MS, cerebral degeneration, vascular diseases, or a tumor. Tests are conducted to reveal the cause.
- Postural tremors occur when the muscle is not being moved but continue after it is moved. They are the result of alcohol abuse, heavy metal poisoning, and other physiological factors. Sometimes they may be caused by abusing antidepressants. Neurological conditions like Wilson’s disease have also been associated with tremors of this sort.
Dystonia
Dystonia is characterized by abnormal twisting of the body and is defined as sustained muscle contractions that may involve repetitive movements and postures. Blepharospasms are another common side effect of this condition and people have also reported continuous blinking as one of their symptoms. Writer’s cramp is also common and is the inability to write due to abnormal hand posture.
Chorea
Chorea includes sudden jerky movements that are involuntary and cannot be controlled. The movements are held for a few seconds. It affects the hands, legs, and the head. The symptoms are known to affect a particular side of the body or they could alternate between both sides. Chorea is the outcome of some medications including:
- Antiepileptic medication
- Antipsychotic medication
- Parkinson’s disease medication
Chorea may also be acquired due to lupus, AIDS, HIV, meningitis, encephalitis, Lyme disease, pregnancy, hormone replacement therapy, or a host of other conditions.
Tardive dyskinesia
Antipsychotic medications are the main cause of tardive dyskinesia. These medicines are used to treat mental conditions like bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. The alteration in the dopamine levels may lead to stiff and jerky movements. The dopamine that is essentially blocked may affect communication between the cells. This leads to the onset of the condition.
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Migraine – Warning signs, preventive treatments and home remedies
Migraines are not regular headaches. They develop gradually but can trigger severe pain, nausea, vomiting, extreme sensitivity to light, and even blurry vision if left unchecked for prolonged periods. It is one of the most common forms of head pain diagnosed in the country. There is no permanent cure, but preventive care can help manage migraine attacks to improve quality of life. Here are crucial signs, symptoms, remedies, and preventive prescriptions for managing migraines.
Three main signs and symptoms of migraines
Migraine aura
Auras are the most commonly observed symptoms of migraine attacks that usually affect a person’s vision. In most cases, people see flashing lights and blind spots as the headache worsens. But for some people, these auras can trigger smell hallucinations. Most people report a smokey or burning scent that is not there but felt due to the aura.Distinct types of pain
These headaches force the body to perceive pain differently. Migraines develop in the sinus region but can also cause pain in the neck. Changes in blood pressure can also lead to a person developing chills throughout the body. Most people experience a heightened sense of pain triggered by increased sensitivity to light, smells, and sounds. But sometimes, even touching the skin, brushing the hair, or slight temperature changes can trigger pain.Confusion and sleeplessness
Migraine headaches affect with the body’s sleep cycle as insomnia is one of the main symptoms linked to severe migraine attacks. It can develop early on or arise as a complication in the later stages of migraine attacks. Brain fog, meaning experiencing confusion and struggling with focus or the ability to think, is another harsh sign of migraine headaches.Preventive prescriptions
Nurtec® ODT is an oral prescription used for treating acute migraine attacks. Nurtec’s fast-action formula treats existing pain and prevents another attack for up to 48 hours.Advil is an alternative option proven to provide relief from symptoms like nausea and light sensitivity.
Quilipta™, on the other hand, is commonly suggested to manage episodic migraine attacks among those who develop severe headaches.
Home remedies for treating migraine
Mild to moderate symptoms of migraine can be managed at home with the following natural remedies.Lemon water
Citrus-rich fruits help speed up the digestion process and boost immunity, allowing the body to subdue and counter any signs of migraine.Coffee and tea
Caffeine found in coffee and tea can help counter inflammation. It helps constrict the blood vessels and prevents headaches from developing for longer periods. Herbal teas like ginger tea and peppermint tea can also soothe headaches.Fresh juice
Carrots, spinach, ginger, celery, broccoli, and kale, are rich sources of beta carotene-rich antioxidants. They can be used with other green veggies to make smoothies. Carrot spinach juice or carrot ginger juices can also supplement essential B vitamins to prevent any nutritional deficiencies from triggering a migraine attack.