When And Why Do You Need Insulin?

Insulin is an essential hormone that is produced by the pancreas. Insulin helps to break down the food into glucose which is then used as a source of energy by the body. The glucose enters each and every cell of the body to provide energy and keep the body functions running. The major role of insulin is to maintain glucose levels in the body. When glucose levels increase in the body, insulin hormone signals the body to store the excess in the liver, which is used intermittently when glucose levels decrease. Now that we understand the importance of insulin for our body, it is inevitable that its deficiency in the body can lead to serious health issues.

Diabetes is a medical condition where the body produces very little insulin or does not produce insulin at all. Diabetes is categorised as Type 1 and Type 2, depending upon the change in function of pancreas.

Type 1 diabetes is a condition that can develop even in adulthood. This is an auto-immune disease where the body does not produce insulin at all or produces very little insulin which is highly insufficient to conduct the function it requires to do. Someone who has type 1 diabetes, has a very weak immune system, causing destruction of insulin producing cells in the pancreas and hence, they have to rely on insulin intake to maintain the glucose levels.

Type 2 diabetes is usually contracted later in life and under this medical condition the body is unable to make efficient use of the insulin produced. This is also referred to as insulin resistance. The long-term effect of type 2 diabetes is that the body over produces insulin to keep the glucose levels normal and perform the same function as normal insulin production does. Over a period of time the insulin producing cells exhaust and patients have to depend on insulin intake to keep the body functions running.

Use of Insulin in Diabetes

The major role of insulin is to make the body act like the pancreas is working normally and allow the body to function as a healthy one. Insulin injections are needed to cure both types of diabetes. For patients with type 1 diabetes, insulin intake acts as a supplement, since their pancreas does not produce insulin. For patients with type 2 diabetes, insulin injections are needed to control the glucose levels in the body.

If your blood glucose level is excessively high while you are suffering from type 2 diabetes, the doctor may prescribe you insulin because that immediately brings down the blood sugar levels. The cells of your body that have been constantly working overtime to bring down your blood sugar levels, are saved from draining off. Insulin is not known to cause any adverse side effects because it is just an artificial version of the hormone that the pancreas produces. Also, insulin works much faster than usual medications, and patients who suffer from type 2 diabetes for a longer period of time, become resistant to diabetic medications.

Insulin therapies are prescribed depending on the bodily conditions such as type of diabetes, glucose levels, lifestyle and fluctuations in blood sugar levels. If someone is practicing intermittent fasting, the liver releases the stored glucose. In such cases intermediate-acting insulin is prescribed which enables the body to use the released glucose and prevents sudden spike in the glucose levels. Rapid or short-acting insulin are usually taken immediately after the main meals of the day. They act fast and break down the food into glucose, but work only for about four hours.

Diabetes is a disease that can only be prevented by maintaining a healthy lifestyle that includes physical exercises and a balanced diet. Also, one should avoid consuming excess sugar because this can create an adverse impact on the normal body functions.

When Do You Need A Root Canal?

Root canal is a dental procedure which is used to give a new life to your decaying tooth. When a tooth is infected and the decay gets into the soft core or pulp of the teeth, it becomes inflamed. The situation can become gruesome and can completely damage your teeth and it even becomes necrotic.

When the soft core or pulp is damaged, it starts decaying and the bacteria begin to multiply ten-folds. The bacteria can cause severe infection or abscessed tooth. An abscess is a pus-filled pocket that can begin to form on the root of the tooth. It may also cause swelling on other parts of the face which can come down to the neck. If not timely treated, the infection can also cause bone loss around the tip of the root.

During root canal procedure, the pulp that is highly infected or decayed is completely removed and the inside portion is cleaned and sealed. Root canal can be performed by a dentist or in certain cases, you need a root canal specialist, known as endodontist.

Generally, a dentist does the following four things, to give your teeth a new life:

●       Remove the pulp that is infected with bacteria.

●       Remove the root or nerve if the infection is severe

●       Clean the area with antibiotics

●       The empty roots are filled up using foreign subjects.

●       The hollow area is sealed to prevent any further decay

Root canal procedure saves your tooth from decaying further, but at the same time makes it fragile and weak. Before this procedure, the patient is given anaesthesia to numb the infected area, because it is painful to get a root canal done and it may even cause slight discomfort for a few days.

How to know if you need a root canal?

When the infection begins to develop, it gives several signs and symptoms to watch out for. Any delay in getting the root canal procedure done can have serious repercussions. If you experience any one of the following symptoms, you should visit your dentist, because the sooner your tooth will be treated, the better it is. 

1. Severe and persistent pain: If you are experiencing constant pain while chewing or biting and the pain is persistent and does not really go away with any sort of numbing medicines or painkillers, it can be an indication that your tooth is decaying and you immediately need to treat this with a root canal procedure.

2. Sensitivity to hot or cold food items: Sensitivity should not be mixed with the problem of tooth decay, but it could still be one of the reasons, citing that your tooth is infected. The pain can be usually felt as a sharp pain and can persist for a long period of time. If the pain continues even when you are not eating anything too hot or too cold, then perhaps it is time for you to get a root canal done.

3. Swelling in the gums: If you have developed swelling over the gums, this indicates that your tooth below the gums is infected and you may need a root canal. The swelling generally does not go away and it hurts when you touch the swollen area. Swelling is generally caused due to acid released by the dead pulp tissue.

4. Discoloration of tooth: When a tooth is infected it causes the breakdown of internal tissue which also causes severe damage to the roots. This causes the tooth to become greyish-black in colour which is also known as discoloration of the tooth. If you are experiencing a change in colour of your tooth, it is a sign that you need to immediately see a dentist.

5. Loosening of tooth: When a tooth is severely infected, the nerve gets severely damaged and it is a serious issue which is also termed as pulpal necrosis. This causes the tooth to become loose. The infection results in acidic waste which softens the root of the tooth, causing it to lose its mobility. It is an indication that you immediately need to get the root canal procedure done.

If you observe any of the above stated signs and symptoms, do not ignore and consult your dentist for appropriate treatment.

Understanding The Difference Between A Fertility Specialist And OB/Gyn

Motherhood is perhaps the most beautiful feeling that a woman can experience. When you are genuinely trying to have a baby but face fertility issues, it might lead to an emotional roller-coaster. The frustration keeps building, the sooner you see a fertility specialist, the better it is. Some medical help to tackle your fertility issues can give you a ray of hope and assist you while you try to add a new tiny one to your family.

An obstetrician or gynaecologist is generally your first go-to-place for any female reproductive health issues. However, when you are specifically seeking some medical aid to get pregnant, an obstetrician or gynaecologist may not come to your rescue. They need to have some specialised qualification to help patients with fertility issues.  It is important to understand the distinction between a fertility specialist and Obstetrician/Gynaecologist, so that you consult the right medical expert for your fertility issues. Fertility specialists are obstetrician or gynaecologists who have undergone specialised training for reproductive endocrinology. They undergo extra training to assist patients who are struggling with fertility issues.

When to see a fertility specialist?

While you have been trying to conceive a baby, but your efforts are unsuccessful, you can reach out to your obstetrician or gynaecologist. They suggested ways to improve your chances of conception, and perform some necessary check-ups to identify where the problem lies. They may also suggest you to keep a check on your ovulation cycle so that you try conception at the right time. But if you experience any of the following issues, you should consult a fertility specialist, because there is a limitation to what an obstetrician or gynaecologist can do.

1.     If you have been trying to have a baby for over a year, but the conception did not happen, a fertility specialist will run a series of tests on you to identify the problem and may put you on certain medications.

2.     If you have a history of miscarriages, there is a greater possibility that you have a reproductive issue if you have had repeated miscarriages, three or more, consecutively.

3.     If you have been diagnosed with fertility issues or inappropriate uterus environment

4.     If you are more than 35 years and you wish to conceive a baby. It is important to understand the possible health issues at an age when the natural biological clock starts to slow down.

5.     If you or your spouse have conditions which do not favour conception like PCOS, endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, undescended testicles, low sperm count or any other medical condition causing infertility.

How can a fertility specialist help?

When natural conception is taking longer, your fertility specialist will also tell you ways about artificial conception like IVF (in-vitro fertilization). For this, they may have to dig a little deeper by running some tests. When the actual problem is diagnosed, the fertility specialist will guide you towards assisted reproduction. Physical examinations such as clinical breast exams or pap smear are conducted on women. Ultrasound and other diagnostic tests are also conducted to get to the accurate results.

When you approach a fertility specialist, the first thing your specialist does is to conduct a natural diagnosis of your problem. Once your fertility issue is identified, your specialist may suggest medications or procedures that may aid in conception of a child. They help you and your partner understand the possible course of treatment. They are your guiding experts who assist you throughout the procedure and are available to clear out any doubts that may arise. They persistently monitor your health if you have undergone any assisted reproduction procedure.

Depending upon how far you can go to have a baby, you must immediately reach out to a fertility specialist. There is so much that they can do, to help you get your little bundle of joy.

Mucormycosis Or Black Fungus Infection- Causes and Symptoms

Mucormycosis or black fungus is a rare fungal infection caused by a group of molds called mucormycetes. Mucormycetes are present in the environment and they enter the human body either through artificial oxygen support that is given to severe COVID-19 patients or in some cases other environmental factors like use of contaminated water to produce medical oxygen. Use of certain combinations of steroids for treating COVID patients has also emerged to be one prominent reason as to why COVID survivors are complaining of black fungus. Patients with a low-immunity level or have compromising health conditions like diabetes, cancer or HIV, are more prone to the risk of getting caught with this infection.

Currently, this fungal infection has created much havoc nationwide, until much recently this was considered to be rare, but is now showing devastating effects.

Where Does Black Fungus Attack?

Mucormycetes enter the body through nose, mouth or eyes and directly attack the sinus cavities, chest cavities and lungs. If not treated in time, the infection can prove lethal and cause brain damage, ultimately causing demise of the infected. Unhygienic way of delivering oxygen to the patients, provides an entry point to the molds to enter the body. The infection is not contagious and does not spread from one person to another, unlike coronavirus.

Symptoms of Mucormycosis or Black Fungus

Black fungus, until recently, was a rare fungal infection, with only a few cases reported across the globe. But it has now emerged as a new catastrophe, which needs immediate treatment. Black fungus has a very high mortality rate hence, it is important to be cautious and look out for the symptoms, well on time. The infection majorly attacks parts of your face and can cause severe facial deformities. Medically, this is also referred to as “rhino-orbital-cerebral-mucormycosis”. The infection causes acute swelling and inflammation across the sinus passage. Other symptoms one should look out for are:

1. Formation of black crust around the nose: One most prominent symptom of black fungus is swelling and black crust formation around the nasal passage. If left untreated, the infection grows to take a more severe form, causing mutilation of a person’s nose and may even require surgery to fix the jaw bone or any other facial structure.

2. Swelling and Inflammation on cheeks and eyes: We might sometimes ignore any chronic swelling or inflammation around the eyes or cheeks, but in the current scenario, these could be symptoms of black fungus. Any sort of numbness, or inflammation on one side of the face should be immediately attended to. Patients these days are also complaining of necrosis-like symptoms, which could possibly be due to black fungal infection.

3. Chest pain or pulmonary infections: The infection causing molds enter through nasal passage or inhalation and can directly attack the respiratory passage and lungs. The noticeable symptoms would be nosebleeds, nasal blockage, numbness or loss of sensation across parts of the face. This is also referred to as pulmonary mucormycosis.

4. Acute headache: When the black fungus travels to the brain, it causes acute headaches, inflammation around the forehead and redness. This is the most severe stage where any ignorance or lack of treatment could lead to loss of memory, loss of cognitive functions or brain damage.

5. Partial/Complete loss of Vision: Black fungus can also partially or completely damage the vision, if it attacks the retinal nerves. If you experience any sort of redness, irritation or pain in the eye, immediately consult the doctor.

Prevention of Black Fungus

Since the primary cause noted for black fungal infection is unhygienic health conditions, it is important to maintain a strict level of cleanliness, especially if you are a person suffering from health comorbidities. Nasal care and good hygiene are the only ways by which you can keep the infection at bay. India witnesses a large population of diabetic patients, and studies claim that black fungal infection can severely and promptly attack those who have high sugar levels. Thus, it is advised to maintain your sugar levels and be aware of the symptoms, in order to start immediate treatment in case of infection.

Pelvic Pain

Pelvic pain affects the lowest part of the abdomen, mostly between the belly and the groin. The pain is usually felt as throbbing, burning or heaviness in the lower abdomen. Pelvic pain can occur both in men and women, and the possible onset for pelvic pain can be certain types of infections, abnormal functioning of some non-reproductive internal organs or pain that is generated from the pelvic bones. In women, pelvic pain can be a symptom of any abnormalities in any one of the women’s reproductive organs, like the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, vagina or cervix. 

Women who suffer from pelvic pain describe the intensity of the pain which ranges from being mild to very intense. Pelvic pain that is caused due to any sort of infections may develop slowly over a period of time and get worse as they persist. In women, pelvic pain also occurs as cramping during menstruation. If the pain is generated due to any abnormalities in the reproductive, digestive or urinary system, the pain is felt during sexual intercourse, urination or regular bowel movements. In some severe cases, pelvic pain is also caused due to presence of cancerous tumours in the bladder or colon.

It is very important to understand the severity of pelvic pain because if the pain persists, the underlying cause can prove to be life-threatening. Thus, if you experience mild or severe pelvic pain which is persistent over a period of time, you should immediately seek medical care.

Causes of Pelvic Pain

Pelvic pain can occur due to various reasons, hence, it is important to understand the underlying cause of your pelvic pain so that the right and effective treatment can be started.

1. Menstrual Cramps

One of the most common causes of pelvic pain in women are menstrual cramps. In most women, pelvic pain and menstrual cramps start a day or two before the start of menstrual cycle while in some cases, the pain continues for 1-2 days after the beginning of menstrual cycle. Menstrual cramps are usually throbbing in intensity and women might feel muscular contractions, because the uterus sheds its lining during the menstrual cycle. In cases of severe pain, use of warm heating pads and pain relievers can come to the rescue.

2. Ovulation

Some women experience painful ovulation. Ovulation is a process in which the ovaries release eggs and some fluid which travel down to the uterus. The released fluid can sometimes cause irritation and pain in the pelvic region.

3. Cystitis or Urinary Tract Infection 

Cystitis is a medical condition which causes inflammation in the bladder and is mainly caused when vaginal or rectal bacteria enter the bladder. On the other hand, urinary tract infection is caused anywhere in kidneys, urethra, bladder or ureters. One major symptom of both these infections is severe pelvic pain apart from painful urination, bleeding between menstrual cycles and vaginal discharge.

4. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

Pelvic inflammatory disease  (PID) is an infection that occurs in the female reproductive organs. The major cause of PID is found to be an untreated sexually transmitted disease, such as chlamydia or gonorrhea. If the PID bacteria enters the womb, it can permanently damage the surrounding tissues. Pelvic pain is one of the prominent symptoms of PID along with fever, painful urination or painful intercourse.

5. Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a medical condition in which the tissue that lines on the inside of the uterus begins to grow on the outside. It may cause mild to severe pelvic pain, in women. When the menstrual cycle is about to begin, the tissue that has developed on the outside causes bleeding, pains and inflammation in the pelvic region.

6. Bowel Syndrome

Bowel syndrome is an abnormality causing constipation, diarrhoea and bloating. If the problem persists for a longer time, it causes severe pelvic pain. There is no specific treatment for a bowel syndrome but it can be cured through changes in diet and medications.

7. Appendicitis:

Appendix is the smallest organ of the body which is located in the lower-right abdomen. Appendicitis is a medical condition which causes inflammation or enlargement of the appendix. This problem is known to cause severe pain in the pelvic region.

8. Urinary stones

Stones are usually found in bladder or kidneys and are mainly made up of salts, minerals and calcium. When they develop large in size, they cause the urine to change colour, painful urination and blood in the urine. Stones in the gall bladder and kidneys and known to cause severe pelvic pain and pain in the lower back.

9. Ectopic pregnancy

An ectopic pregnancy is one of the most life-threatening conditions that occurs to the body of a woman. It occurs when the embryo starts to grow on the outside of the uterus. This kind of pregnancy is known to cause severe pains, cramping in the pelvic region and vaginal bleeding.

10. Ovarian cysts

The major role of the ovaries is to release eggs for reproduction. When ovaries become clogged, they fail to release the egg and an unwanted cyst begins to grow in the area. These ovarian cysts are known to cause severe pelvic pain and require immediate medical assistance.

11. Uterine Myomas

Myomas or fibroids are lumps of muscle and tissues that begin to grow within the uterus. While most of the fibroids are non-cancerous in nature, they cause severe pain in the pelvis and lower back. When fibroids begin to outgrow the blood supply, they can cause chronic pelvic pain that requires immediate medical assistance.

12. Tumour:

In some cases, a benign cancerous growth is found in the reproductive organs or gastrointestinal organs, which causes pain in the pelvic region. This can happen with both men and women, and requires medical assistance for its diagnosis and treatment.

If you begin to observe sudden pains or any sharp burning sensation in the abdominal area, you should immediately seek medical attention, because ignoring any sort of pelvic pain will only prove to degrade your health condition.

Protecting Yourself Against HPV

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is by far, one of the most common and contagious sexually transmitted diseases (STD). HPV infection is caused due to a virus, which is said to have more than 100 types of strains. A few of the HPV infections cause mucous membrane growth on the skin which are also known as warts. The other types of virus strains cause different types of cancers around the genitals, anus, vagina, penis and vulva. The infection is highly contagious and the infected person may or may not develop any symptoms, but can still be a carrier and infect the others through sexual or intimate skin contact.

HPV can prove to be deadly when the infected person starts to develop cancer of the genitals and cervical cancer. Hence, it is highly important to protect yourself against HPV, either through vaccination or taking precautions while being sexually active. Preventing yourself from the HPV virus should be your first defence measure.

How to protect yourself from HPV virus

One should understand the severity of HPV and follow the below mentioned strategies to protect themselves from contacting the deadly virus.

1. HPV vaccination to avoid HPV cancers and skin warts:  The HPV vaccine is effective enough to protect against the HPV infections that cause most cervical cancers and cancer of the genitals including anal, vaginal, vulvar, penile, and oropharyngeal cancers. Since most HPV infections spread through sexual contact, the HPV vaccination proves to be highly effective when given before the person becomes sexually active. If you are aged between 15-45 years, the vaccine is given is 3 separate shots in a duration of about six months. 

2. Limit the number of sex partners: Another effective way to prevent yourself against the HPV virus is limiting the number of sexual partners. Higher the number of active sexual partners, the higher is the chance for you to get infected with HPV. Being in a mutually monogamous relationship will also help, as this will ensure that your partner is sexually active with none other than you.

3. Use of condoms: If you have an active sexual life, it is highly important for you to use condoms while you are involved in any kind of sexual activity, be it oral, anal or vaginal sex. This will considerably bring down the chances for you to contact the HPV infection. Use of latex condoms is considered to be highly effective. However, HPV can also attack those areas of your skin which are not covered by condoms, but it still offers a greater probability of safeguarding yourself from the infection.

4. Timely screening for women to catch precancers: In some women, HPV infection begins to change the cells of the cervix which later on develop into cervical cancer. It is very important to conduct timely screening so that early detection and treatment can prevent the infection from becoming cancerous. There are mainly two types of tests that are used for the screening of HPV infection to check for cervical cancers. One of the tests is a Pap Test which is done by collecting cells from the cervix and checking for any abnormal cell growth. The other type of test checks for the presence of any virus rather than abnormalities.

Presently, there are no specific medical tests to find out about the HPV infection in a person. However, tests may be conducted to investigate cervical cancer or precancerous. These tests are also conducted only in women who are more than 30 years of age. There are also no specific signs and symptoms to know whether a person has HPV infection or not, which is why most people never know that they are infected and unknowingly become carriers of this infection. Even if the person is infected, it may take a few months for them to develop symptoms like warts on the skin and other health problems. It is suggested that women above 30 years of age should regular see their gynecologists for Pap tests, to diagnose any precancers or cervical cancer.

Treatment for health problems caused by HPV

There is no specific treatment for the HPV virus, however, medical experts have laid down certain treatments to bring down the effect of health problems caused due to the HPV virus.

1. Genital warts: Warts can start to develop in any part of the genitals and if left untreated they keep growing in size and number. Warts can be treated with proper medication, so it is important to consult a healthcare provider as and when you notice such developments around your genitals.

2. Cervical precancer: Prevention is the first tool of defence and women who undergo regular Pap tests are able to diagnose and significant chances of precancers. If pre cancers are treated well on time, the chances of developing cancer reduces significantly.

Returning To Work After Maternity: Tips, Tricks To Keep Organized And Decrease Anxiety

The beginning of maternity leave serves great pleasure as you feel you have ample amount of time with your little one. But soon after a few weeks, the greater transition comes when you have to return to your workplace, that too leaving behind your little child. Returning from maternity leave is perhaps the most difficult emotional roller coaster that a new mom gets through. It triggers different feelings where you would want to be with your child and on the other hand, you would also want to keep a balance with your career and job. Even the thought of returning back to work after maternity leave is very stressful, leave aside when the day of returning actually arrives. Being away from your baby and adjusting to the whole new challenge of getting back to the workplace, can be physically and mentally exhausting.

It is very important to create a balance between your motherhood and professional life, but that should not come at the cost of making you feel guilty. Never feel that if you are returning to work, it would make you less good of a mother. Rather, you are setting an example for your little one that being a mother offers you with great superpowers to balance both home and professional life.

Tips to Ticks to Keep Yourself Organized and Decrease the Anxiety

1. Never feel guilty: Guilt is an emotion that triggers inside us while doing something wrong. But, if you are a new mother, it is important for you to understand that while you decide to return to work to support your family or balance your career, you choose to do nothing wrong. You may feel a little anxiety about leaving your child, but let go of the guilt, to remain stress-free.

2. Get in touch with your employer: A little anxiety before returning to work is inevitable, so talking to your employer in advance might bring down the stress level. Having a casual conversation with your employer will give you insights on new projects that are currently going on, any other technical changes that you need to have hands on, and this will help to get comfortable at the workplace. You can also place requests with your employer, if you want flexible working hours or flexibility in meeting deadlines with projects. Also, speak to your employer about your responsibilities and workload during normal days, so that you can adjust your breastfeeding time, day-care management and new work schedule. When you are at your workplace, try speaking to some new mothers to know how they manage work after maternity leave.

3. Practice Dry run: A dry run is a kind of practice day that you should follow a day or two before the actual day of returning to office. This will give you insights about how much time you need to breastfeed your baby, how many hours will it take to reach the office and day-care and other small kinks. Spend a day with the child-care provider to know about your child’s needs and what it takes to make him feel comfortable with the new environment.

4. Get organised a night before the actual day of return: Organising all the stuff and getting prepared for the next day, makes the morning easier and hassle-free. Decide on your clothes, change your handbag, put all the important stuff, prepare the baby's bag with diapers, wipes, nappies, clothes and toys, a night before. After a tiring day you might not feel the need to keep things organised, but it is surely an effective way to save plenty of your time and keep you stress free. 

5. Find the right amount of work: While you were away on your maternity leave, the workplace must have gone through various changes and you might feel outcast or sidelined. Just make sure to fulfil all your work commitments that you are expected to do as a professional. If you are not given any challenging assignments, due to the fact that you just had a baby, go ahead and ask for it, if you think you are prepared. It will always be challenging to manage a child and your workplace responsibilities, but with the right balance, the whole schedule can be less chaotic.

6. Try and Cope up with stress and tiredness: Try and carve out special time to bond with your little one so that he or she does not feel that there is any sort of growing distance between you two. You would also have to learn to balance the most difficult part of the day, which is when you return from office and your child also returns from day-care. Both you and your child would be very much tired during that time of the day, but you need to have patience. Slowly and gradually, your baby will also be aware of your routine and he might know what to expect next.

At times, you might sit down and re-consider the idea of returning back to work. Many new mothers start to feel that returning to the workplace was a bad idea. All new mothers have to struggle in the initial days so that there is no lag with their careers. Initially, it may be very psychologically and physically challenging, but once your routine is sorted, everything will fall into place. During this time, do not forget to take good care of yourself, and remember nobody gets to perfection immediately.

Diagnosis And Management Of Anaemia Before Gynecologic Surgery

Anaemia is a medical condition in which the red blood cells become inefficient and are unable to carry oxygen to the tissues and organs of the body. It is important to understand the severity of anaemia and start your treatment accordingly. If you are anaemic, you are likely to feel fatigue and tiredness all throughout, even when you are not much involved in physical labour.

Symptoms of Anaemia

The following are some of the common and established symptoms of anaemia:

• Fatigue

• Weakness

• Pale or yellow skin

• Irregularity in heart rate

• Shortness of breath

• Dizziness 

• Chest pain or congestion

• Cold hands and feet

• Headaches

Diagnosis of Anaemia

It is important to look out for signs and symptoms, to check whether your body is anaemic. Signs and symptoms of anaemia can vary depending upon the cause of anaemia. It is important to understand the underlying cause of anaemia, only then your doctor can start your treatment. This is because treatment for one type of anaemia can prove to be dangerous and ineffective in curing the other type of anaemia. The following are some of the established causes of anaemia:

1. Anaemia caused due to iron deficiency:  

This is the most common type of anaemia and is caused when the body is unable to produce red blood cells, due to deficiency of iron. Our bone marrow produces haemoglobin for the red blood cells and when iron deficiency attacks the body, the red blood cells fall short of haemoglobin, causing tiredness and fatigue. In young women, iron deficiency generally occurs due to heavy menstrual bleeding. Other causes of this type of anaemia are use of pain relievers, history of ulcers or cancer.

2. Anaemia caused due to Vitamin deficiency: 

Our body needs vitamin B-12 to produce healthy red blood cells that can carry oxygen and haemoglobin throughout the body. 

3. Anaemia of inflammation:

Chronic diseases like cancer, HIV, AIDS, kidney diseases, colon diseases and other inflammatory diseases can obstruct the production of healthy red blood cells in the body.

4. Aplastic anaemia: 

This is a rare condition of the body which occurs due to use of certain inflammatory medicines, infections or any autoimmune diseases. If your body is under the attack of aplastic anaemia, it will not be able to produce enough of healthy red blood cells.

5. Anaemia associated with a bone marrow disease:

Certain diseases like leukemia and myelofibrosis, can cause anaemia as they hamper production of haemoglobin by affecting the bone marrow.

6. Sickle cell anaemia: 

This type of anaemia is generally a genetic disease. Under this condition, the haemoglobin of the body is defective and causes the red blood cells to form a crescent shape. These oddly shaped red blood cells die prematurely, causing a shortage of healthy red blood cells in the body.

Managing and Treating Anaemia- The Right Way

It is important for your doctor to identify the root cause of your anaemia and start treating it the right way. 

1. If anaemia is caused due to blood loss, the patient is treated with fluids, blood transfusion, oxygen and iron. This will help the body in building new red blood cells.

2. If anaemia is caused due to iron deficiency, iron supplements that contain ferrous form of iron will help the body cope with iron deficiency. During the treatment, it is important to monitor red blood cell counts, haemoglobin and ferritin levels.

3. Anaemia caused due to Vitamin B12 deficiency is treated with Vitamin B12 pills and injections. If the patient has folate deficiency, it is treated by folic acid supplements.

4. If the anaemia is caused due to any chronic ailment like a kidney disease, it is treated with recombinant human erythropoietin, which stimulates the production of red blood cells in the body.

5. If anaemia is caused due to red blood cells destruction, intravenous fluids and pain medication are given. A blood transfusion is also done in cases where medication does not come to the rescue.

6. If anaemia is caused due to production of sickle red blood cells, in most cases, will require a bone marrow transplant.

Managing Anaemia before Gynecologic Surgery

Managing anaemia before a patient is subjected to Gynecologic surgery forms an important part of Patient Blood Management and is often termed as checking the preoperative anaemia.

Even if the patient is suffering from a mild preoperative anaemia, it can increase the chances of mortality, when the patient is subjected to any kind of gynecologic surgery. It might also pose serious risks in blood transfusion and the chances of further blood loss increase ten-folds in such cases. It is thus, highly crucial to subject the patient to preoperative anaemia screening. This will allow time to conduct further workup and treatment and raise the haemoglobin levels.

If the patient is at multiple preoperative risks, a gynecologic surgery will further put the patient’s life at risk, for any transfusion, intraoperative organ or a difficult postoperative period. While we talk about managing anaemia before any major gynecologic surgery, a thorough risk assessment and patient blood management (PBM) should be conducted with specific procedures laid down for improving the haemoglobin levels.

In major gynecologic surgeries, a preoperative Hb <13 g/dL should be considered suboptimal women, and if the level is below the range then procedures will be started to improve the levels. If the patient needs to be put to immediate surgery, oral iron or intravenous iron formulations should be infused.

Menstrual Pain And Irregularity

Menstruation is a monthly process that occurs as the female body prepares itself for pregnancy. The female reproductive system forms eggs to make pregnancy possible. When the pregnancy does not happen, the egg along with tissues and blood, leaves the lining of the uterus and comes out of the vagina. The discharging process lasts for about 3-5 days. Menstruation usually starts during puberty and lasts until menopause, within a one-month interval.

The menstrual cycle completely depends upon the hormonal changes that take place inside the female body every month. Ideally, the menstrual cycle is of about 28 days, which may vary, depending upon the hormone secretion. The average age when girls start menstruating is around 12 but these bodily changes are best to be kept range bound between 8-15 years.

Menstrual Pain

Apart from heavy vaginal bleeding that most women suffer from, menstruation also causes various other discomforts. Some women face severely painful periods which are highly dominated by menstrual cramps, throbbing and pain in the lower abdomen. Such painful menstruation is also termed as Dysmenorrhea. Apart from cramping and abdominal pain, other symptoms that women suffer from during the menstrual cycle are mood swings, irritability, headache, fatigue, tenderness in breasts and lower back pain.

Dysmenorrhea is also categorized into primary and secondary, depending upon the cause of period pains. Primary dysmenorrhea is caused due to prostaglandins hormone secretion from the uterus. This hormone causes contractions in the uterus, which block the blood and oxygen supply to the uterus. This causes severe pain and cramps during thse menstrual cycle. Studies also reveal that women who suffer from severe menstrual cramps and likely to have strong uterine contractions at the time of giving birth. These pains usually start a day or two before the beginning of menstruation and may last for two to three days after the start of menstrual cycle.

Secondary dysmenorrhea is not usually found in younger women but starts later in life of a female. The prominent cause of this pain are conditions that affect reproductive organs, like uterine fibroids and endometriosis. These pains are highly discomforting and may even get worse with time. Some studies also reveal that secondary dysmenorrhea is also caused due to pelvic inflammatory diseases which cause the egg to implant outside the wall of the uterus and scare the fallopian tubes. During menstruation, the hormone secretion affects the uterus and the scar tissues, which increases the menstrual bleeding, inflammation and pain.

While you know about the basic dysmenorrhea, it is also critical for you to know the other factors that cause severe pain during menstruation. Menstrual pain is predominantly normal, but it is important to understand the other causes of menstrual pain, before such pain causes serious problems to your body.

1. Adenomyosis is a gynecological condition in which the tissue that usually lines to the inside of the uterus, implants itself outside the wall of the uterus. This causes the uterus to become bruised, causing severe cramps and painful intercourse.

2. Uterine fibroids are one of the most common gynecological problems and every one in three women suffer from this. If you are suffering from uterine fibroids, you are most likely to have severe menstrual cramps. The reason behind such painful cramps is that that uterus contracts forcefully to expel out the blood clots that are formed due to fibroids.

3. Women who have a copper IUD inserted, can also experience painful periods along with heavy menstrual bleeding.

4. When a female child is still a foetus in the mother’s womb, its own uterus starts to develop. In some cases, due to certain structural deformation, the uterus does not form correctly and causes period pain, infertility issues and painful intercourse.

Irregularity in Menstrual Cycle

Menstruation is considered to be irregular when the menstrual cycle does not fall on the due date. In most women, the usual length of the menstrual cycle is 28 days which may extend to even 35 days. A menstrual cycle is considered to be irregular when the cycle occurs more than 35 days apart. 

In medical terms, irregular periods are also called oligomenorrhea. Studies have revealed that primary causes for irregular periods in women are use of contraceptives, hormonal imbalance, indulgence in certain endurance exercises and hormonal changes during menopause. If the menstrual cycle is irregular during the early stages of puberty or during the menopause phase, the problem might not be serious, however, it might be a concern when the menstrual cycle is irregular during the reproductive years. In such cases, you should consult a doctor at the earliest, to avoid any further complications.

Irregular periods are indicative of a serious problem so it is important to investigate the cause for your irregular periods. Understand the below stated causes for irregular periods: 

1. Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS): It is a medical condition in which small cysts begin to develop in the ovaries, which is why the ovaries do not release eggs every month.  

2. Thyroid: Women who are suffering from thyroid disorder also suffer from irregular periods. This is because, thyroid causes the body to release hormones that affect the metabolism. 

3. Cervical or uterine cancer: If a woman is suffering from cervical or uterus cancer, she is likely to experience bleeding between the menstrual cycles and sometimes even after intercourse.

4. Endometriosis: It is a medical condition where cells start to grow outside the lining of the uterus instead on the inside.  Endometrial cells are released every month and come out from the vagina along with menstrual blood. In certain cases when the blood gets stuck around the tissues, it damages the tissues and this causes irregularity in menstrual cycle and even causes infertility in certain cases.

If you encounter any of the above stated causes for irregular menstruation, you should immediately consult a doctor and start with the remedies. If irregular menstruation is due to contraceptives or birth control pills, the doctor might change your medication with pills that have a balance of estrogen and progestin. For PCOS and thyroid related issues, eating habits, a healthy lifestyle and lowering down the testosterone levels, will help women to ovulate timely.

Urinary Tract Infections in Adolescents and Adults

Our urinary tract is made up of kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. A urinary tract infection (UTI) is a type of microbial attack on any one of the organs comprising the urinary tract. The main function of the urinary system is to flush unwanted waste out from the body, in the form of urine. Urine normally does not flush out bacteria from the body and when these bacteria get into the bladder or kidney, they multiply ten-folds and cause serious tract infections. 

Most commonly, UTI affects the lower urinary tract, that consists of the bladder and urethra, but they can be treated quickly and easily. UTIs that affect the upper urinary tract, consisting of kidneys and ureters, are rare and difficult to treat due to their severity. UTI causes severe discomfort and pain, hence it is important to get a prompt treatment to avoid further spread of the infection to the kidneys, which can ultimately prove to be fatal.

Common Symptoms of UTI

It is important to be aware of the basic symptoms of UTIs so that you can immediately start the treatment, as and when you encounter any one of its symptoms. When someone is infected with a lower tract UTI, the lining of the bladder and urethra starts turning red and you may also develop irritation and itching. The infected person may also feel an urge to urinate at frequent intervals. This is caused because the irritation in the bladder forces you to urinate even if you do not have much urine in your bladder. The texture of the urine also changes to a different colour which can be red or pink and also has a foul smell. The irritation in the bladder also causes pain in the lower abdomen pelvic area and lower back. 

Types of Urinary Tract Infections

UTI infections differ with their signs and symptoms depending upon the particular organ which is infected. The three different types of UTI are:

1. Infection of the bladder (Cystitis)

Symptoms

• Cramping and pain in the lower back and abdomen

• Blood in the urine

• Constant urge to urinate

• Painful urination

• Pelvic pain

2. Infection of the Urethra (Urethritis)

            Symptoms

• Burning sensation while urinating

• Discharge

3. Infection of the Kidneys (Acute Pyelonephritis)

Symptoms

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Shaking

• Chills

• Mental changes

• Upper back and side pain

• High fever

Causes of UTI in Adolescents and Adults

UTI is very commonly found in adolescents and adults. Also, girls and women are more prone to be infected with a UTI and they can develop serious UTI at more than three times the rate as compared to young boys and men. This is because girls and women have shorter urethras, so the germs and microbes can easily pass on from the bowel to the bladder. 

For adolescent girls and young women, who are menstruating, it is highly advised to change sanitary napkins and tampons frequently to avoid the risk of infection. They should also wipe from front to back with toilet paper after bowel movements. 

Another common reason for UTI in adolescents and adults, is an active sexual life. Thus, it is important to counsel adolescents about sexual activities and its consequences, to mitigate the risk of UTI. All adolescents with UTIs should be queried for sexual activity and should be checked for presence of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Other factors responsible for contacting a UTI are use of spermicide and birth control medicines. 

How is UTI Diagnosed

In order to test for UTI, a urine sampling is conducted which is known as urinalysis. In some cases, the urine is also checked for the presence of bacteria through a urine culture. In young children an ultrasonography examination can also help with the detection of UTI. 

Treatment of UTI

In healthy adolescents and women, who are diagnosed with a bladder infection (Cystitis), the usual treatment includes a complete course of antibiotics. In men, the same antibiotics are used, provided there is no issue involving the prostate gland. 

If a urine culture has been performed and is negative for infection, other causes of pain, burning, and frequency should be investigated. In some cases, infection is caused by small amounts of bacteria that are not detected through a typical urine culture. Therefore, in some cases, even if the report is negative the doctor may prescribe you to take the complete course of antibiotics.

If there is severe pain and irritation in the bladder and urethra, one can also ask for numbness medication from the doctor. These medicines help to numb the bladder and urethra, to reduce the burning pain caused by UTIs. It is also recommended to drink more fluids while treating bladder infections to help flush bacteria from the bladder. 

Can UTIs prove to be fatal

While in most of the cases, it is possible to treat and cure UTI with proper treatment of antibiotics, but not if it gets “complicated”. There are several reasons for a UTI to get complicated and then it becomes difficult to cure it with regular antibiotics. 

1. Women with repeated cases of infections: Women who get UTI repeatedly over and over again might have to take a longer medication of about six months. They should also be cautious while switching birth controls and practice a habit of peeing right after having sex.

2. Permanent kidney damage: If you don't treat a UTI, it can damage your kidneys forever. An untreated UTI, could travel to the kidneys and cause sepsis. While your body is trying hard to fight sepsis, it causes respiratory issues, and other problems related to heart rate, white blood cells and body temperature. It can affect the way your kidneys function and lead to kidney scars and high blood pressure. Sometimes it can prove a fatal disease for the infected person.

3. UTI in pregnant women: UTIs are very commonly found in pregnant women. If not cured timely, they prove to be fatal for both mom and the baby. There are also chances of premature delivery, delivery with low birthweight, anemia and high blood pressure.

Can UTI be Prevented

There are several ways through which you can reduce the risk of a UTI. Natural remedies, hygienic bathroom habits, probiotics and urination before and after sex, are highly recommended to prevent yourself from contacting a UTI. Women who are in their menopause stage can also benefit from estrogen therapy in order to balance the vaginal bacteria.

Difference between a Neurosurgeon and Neurologist

The diagnosis and treatment of diseases affecting the brain, nervous system, spinal cord, blood vessels, muscles, and nerves are neurology subjects. Doctors in the field of, neurology and neurosurgery deal with these diseases.

Medical science has advanced tremendously due to the introduction of new and high-tech technology, built computers, and ever-increasing research. It's becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish between medical practitioners who work in the same field as they specialize.

Neurology is a branch of medical science that focuses on the brain and its different aspects. It focuses on treating conditions that affect the nervous system and diagnoses ailments that affect the brain. The terms neurologist and neurosurgeon are often interchanged when referring to medical practitioners who treat the brain's disorders, but the two occupations are vastly different.

What makes a Neurologist different from a Neurosurgeon?

Let's start with a simple understanding of the differences between Neurologist and Neurosurgeon careers:

A neurologist is an expert in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the brain and nervous system. They also treat illnesses such as neurodevelopmental disorders, learning disabilities, and other central nervous system-related conditions.

Neurosurgeons are qualified to perform surgical operations on people with chronic diseases that impair the nervous system's normal functioning, such as Parkinson's disease, aneurysms, and congenital disabilities.

When Do You See a Neurologist?

Since neurologists treat patients with disorders affecting the brain and nervous system, there are clear signs that you should be aware of before seeing a neurologist. Here are some typical auto symptoms to help you understand a neurologist's function and the difference between a neurologist and a neurosurgeon.

• Persistent dizziness

• Variations in sensations or emotions

• Difficulties with balance

• Headaches

• Emotional Confusion

• Muscle Fatigue

• Persistent sense of heaviness throughout the head

When Do You See a Neurosurgeon?

Neurosurgeons, like Neurologists, treat a variety of diseases. People who visit neurosurgeons are frequently those who have been recommended to do so by neurologists because neurosurgeons perform surgery on the whole nervous system and associated body parts. As we previously mentioned, a neurosurgeon's key role includes surgical procedures. Here are some of the cases they may operate on:

• Clipping

• Endovascular Repair

• Disk Removal

• Craniotomy

• Lumbar Puncture

• Aneurysm Repair

Since neurosurgery is one of the most advanced and challenging areas in modern medicine, it often necessitates the collaboration of a team of specialists from various fields, such as plastic surgeons, orthopedic surgeons, manual therapists, interventional radiologists, and others.

Neurologist vs. Neurosurgeon:

The distinctions between neurologists and neurosurgeons are essential. However, there is a lot of variation between the two in terms of medical management.

Neurologists and neurosurgeons both diagnose and manage nervous system disorders, but neurologists do not perform surgery. Neurologists concentrate on finding complex neurological diagnoses that can be treated with other medications or treatments or need close monitoring. Suppose your diagnosis reveals a physical cause for your neurological illness. In that case, your neurologist will refer you to a neurosurgeon if surgery is required to improve your condition or improve your performance.

You will almost certainly see a neurologist the first time you visit the Department of Neurology. Your neurologist will perform your initial screening, which could include an MRI, during your first visit. A neurologist will refer you to a neurosurgeon if he notices something troubling that necessitates surgery, such as a tumor.

The primary distinction between a neurologist and a neurosurgeon is self-evident. While a neurosurgeon may conduct surgery to treat medical problems, neurologists treat specific conditions with medications and other procedures.

The work of neurologists and neurosurgeons is complementary. When treating a condition, a neurologist will recommend that the patient see a neurosurgeon for surgery, with the neurologist handling the long-term treatment.

Both a neurologist and a neurosurgeon can perform complex neurological tests such as EEG and MRI. Still, only neurosurgeons can use the findings to perform surgery to cure the condition, while neurologists can only administer drugs or refer the patient to a neurosurgeon for care.

Training and Educational Qualifications

To understand the distinctions between a neurologist and a neurosurgeon, it's necessary first to grasp the differences in the degrees and specializations required to become a specialist in each sector. Four years of pre-medical school are required to become a neurologist, followed by a medical degree in neurology and additional training in movement, stroke, etc.

The educational path to becoming a neurosurgeon is more extended, requiring four years of pre-medical school and four years of medical school. The applicant must complete a more extended house residency. Neurosurgeons must learn how to operate on the spine and peripheral nerves, among other things.

Treatment for the ailment

Another crucial aspect to understand while differentiating the neurologist and neurosurgeon is the conditions that each specialist handles. Neurologists are interested in treating neurological conditions such as epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease, peripheral nerve disorders, and ALS.

On the other hand, neurosurgeons deal with brain injuries, tumor removal, and carpal tunnel syndrome. Both practitioners work closely together to treat their patients appropriately, integrating medical and surgical procedures as necessary.

These two groups of physicians and the diseases they handle have some similarities. When surgery is needed (such as for a brain tumor), these doctors may collaborate; for example, a neurologist may refer a patient to a neurosurgeon for surgery.

Ask your primary care physician which type of specialist to see if you have a disorder or symptoms that demands a brain and spine specialist.

While there are significant discrepancies between neurologists and neurosurgeons, it is their roles in medical management that, in the end, bring the general public together. To put it another way, neurologists and neurosurgeons treat people with nervous system disorders, but neurologists do not perform surgery.

Neurologists seek to identify the underlying condition that can be treated with medications or therapy when adhering to a strict regimen. If a neurological disorder's physical origin is discovered during diagnosis, neurosurgeons enter the picture and assist patients by conducting surgical procedures. You'll run into situations where neurosurgeons and neurologists collaborate to help patients recover from illness.

When to visit a neurologist?

The human body performs on neural impulses which are carried by the nerves distributed all across the body. The two main types of nerves are motor and sensory nerves, each responsible for a separate set of functions. For example, the sensory nerves will carry neural impulses to and from the sense organs and the cerebrum while the motor nerves will act with the muscles.

Since nerves are essential for carrying the information between two specific spots, any problem in their general function will cause a disparity in your body’s functioning. Let’s say you are suffering from a cervical pinched nerve. This neurological problem will affect your neck movements and to a certain extent the hand movement also. Similarly, if you are feeling shooting pain in the back of your thigh muscles, you are most probably suffering from sciatica nerve pain.

It’s difficult to tell whether one is suffering from neurological problems or not without any expert’s help. This is why as soon as you witness the symptoms, visiting a neurologist is mandatory. But, the question is what symptoms you should look out for?

That’s what we will answer here for you- the symptoms which will suggest probable neurological problems so that you can visit the doctor at the earliest.

Severe headaches followed by dizziness

Normal headaches usually happen due to sleep deficiency, excessive stress, migraine, and others. However, if your headache persists and becomes intolerable as the days pass, it’s a clear indication that you are suffering from probable neurological pain. As the brain is the largest organ in the human nervous system, any problem will lead to severe and chronic headaches. This is why you should visit the neurologist at the earliest before the problem worsens.

Pain in the neck and shoulder region

Wrong posture or sudden muscle strains usually cause intense pain in the neck and shoulder region. However, if the pain persists and radiates out to the chest and upper limbs, you are most probably suffering from a pinched nerve or cervical spondylosis. Some of the major symptoms of this neurological problem are numbness in the hands, especially the fingers, shooting pain near the sternum or in the extreme side of the chest, tingling sensation, and others.

Immobility or pain in limbs

The human body has two major muscle types- voluntary and involuntary. Both the limbs have voluntary muscles since a person can move the appendages of his own will. These muscles are controlled by the motor area of the brain- the cerebellum. Under certain situations, you might face difficulties in moving your limbs or rotating them about the ball and socket joints. Primarily, the reason for this immobility could be an injury but most times, the person suffers from neurological problems which is why one becomes unable to move arms and legs freely. Under such conditions, a visit to a neurologist shouldn't be kept impending for too long.

Shooting pain in the lower back

The lower part of the spine, i.e. the lumbar and sacral region has several nerves which control the action of your lower appendages and the surrounding areas. If somehow you suffer a spine injury, the nerves can get compressed. Due to this, you will often feel a shooting pain originating near your spine and then radiating out in a particular direction. For example, people who suffer from slip discs in the lumbar region usually have symptoms like swells, sharp pain in the hips while bending, inability to walk properly, and others.

Numbness and tingling sensation

Another common symptom that will tell you that your body needs an immediate inspection from a neurologist is numbness. The nerves are responsible for your senses. When you accidentally touch a hot utensil, you retract your hand because your skin can sense the hot temperature. Similarly, if someone is pinching you hard, you will feel the pain. However, sometimes, the senses stop working and you will feel the body part becoming numb for a couple of minutes. Usually, numbness is followed by tingling sensations. These two symptoms combined define a neural problem that needs immediate attention.

Conclusion

Neural pains are often confused with other health issues, and that’s why proper diagnosis is not done. This can further worsen the situation, where one might even suffer from neural degenerative diseases. For this reason, the moment you notice any of the above-mentioned symptoms, you need to consult a neurologist immediately. After inspecting thoroughly and seeing the test reports, the professional will be able to deduce exactly what the problem is and which nerves have been affected. If you are searching for neurologist assistance in Jodhpur then you must visit MediPulse as their experienced staff will be able to help in an effective manner.