AIDS - The "silent but lethal tsunami" of Asia

AIDS - The "silent but lethal tsunami" of Asia

AIDS
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

"AIDS is an epidemic disease, a potentially preventable, deadly infection for which there is no cure, no vaccine, and it is not under control."
- National Commission on
AIDS, 1993

Asia has always been looked at by outsiders as the land of mystic magic, serine breath taking beauty, and the harmonious central key to getting in touch with the spiritual side of humanity. However there is more to this large sub-continent then what meets the eye at first glance.

The AIDS virus has been silently threatening all of Asia. Its spread is rapid and deadly. One in four new infections occur in Asia every day. 1,500 persons effected with the virus die here every day. What is extremely alarming is that the disease has already spread into several provinces of the world's most populated country - China. India too is not far behind; it's name and presently the top in the list of Asia's affected countries.

The UN estimates that 8.2 million people are infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in Asia. And about 5.1 million of them are from India. The Chinese government in a report said that there are as many as 840,000 patients in China suffering from the infection. These figures are staggering when we look at them worldwide. Approximately 39 million people have HIV/AIDS, including 25 million in sub-Saharan Africa.

In Asia, the AIDS epidemic is still mainly affecting the vulnerable groups such as injecting drug users, the sex workers and the homosexuals. However, it is now slowly finding its way into the general population.

When looking at the larger picture it is clear that the failure to fight the AIDS virus will definitely affect the Asian economy on a large scale. The UN has warned that by 2010, 12 million people are likely to be infected with HIV in Asia alone and it is estimated that a loss of $29 billion would have to be faced by the Asian economies.

It is high time the governing bodies of the Asian countries take strong steps to fight the infection, which may wipe out a large chunk of their population. The Governments are required to face up and deal with the controversial topics of having sex workers, drug users and homosexuals as part of their population. Not looking or dealing with the problem will not make it go away, but make it escalade into something which will finally become uncontrollable.

The Asian continent has a very large uneducated population, which are still not aware of what AIDS, how it spread and what can be done to stop it from spreading.However with the help of government programs, strong campaigns and reaching out to the rural districts on scales that only the government bodies can succeed in doing, it is possible to tackle this epidemic. Its high time, we Asians look at giving a better Asia to our children. And perhaps the time is now that we as individual educate our selves first on the AIDS virus and not think it can't happen to us.

Agoraphobia- Overview And History

Agoraphobia- Overview And History

Agoraphobia is the irrational fear of crowded places, people, or objects. It is derived from the Greek word; "agora" meaning the market place, or a place of assembly, and a "phobia" meaning an irrational fear.

Agoraphobia is a common 'Anxiety disorder'

It is one of the commonest types of phobic conditions seen in clinical practise.

It is defined as a phobic disorder that is characterised by an irrational fear of being in places away from familiar settings


Some common situations include:
1. Driving
2. Shopping
3. Crowded places
4.Travelling
5. Standing in line
6. Being alone
7. Meetings and social gatherings.

History of Agoraphobia

Westphal in 1872 was the first to describe the condition.

When describing the condition he stressed on the importance of anxiety associated with the condition.

Around the 1960's Agoraphobia was classified as a 'Phobic Anxiety Disorder'.

Sleep Disorders in Elderly / Ageing and Sleep

About Sleep Disorders in Elderly

Sleep is a barometer of good health in the elderly. Sleep problems in the elderly are controlled by various external and internal factors.


"Sleep is the golden chain that ties health and our bodies together"-
----Thomas Decker, English dramatist (1572-1632)
As we grow old a number of physiological changes takes place that alters both our looks and the body functions. Generally these changes slow down all the organ systems , due to a gradual decline in cellular activity. In some individuals, the level of decline may be rapid and dramatic; in others, the changes are much less significant.

The effects of these changes also differ widely among individuals. While approximately 85% of the aging population experience chronic conditions, only about 20% experience significant impairment in their ability to function.

Sleep disturbances in the elderly can lead to changes in the physiological systems, such as a reduction in the production of appropriate hormones, like the growth hormones, and also a decline in the metabolic functioning.

Most people accept sleep difficulties as a fact of the ageing process.Most often sleep problems in the elderly are due to disease, environment, or lifestyle and not due to the "the normal ageing" process.

Irrespective of age, it remains essential to get the proper amount of restorative sleep for a person's physical health and emotional well-being.

Advantages of Eating Fish Foods

Introduction

Australia's leading health research body, the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), suggests that Australians should eat more fish. This is because fish is low in fat, high in protein and an excellent source of omega 3 fatty acids.

Researchers worldwide have discovered that eating fish regularly - one or two serves weekly - may reduce the risk of diseases ranging from childhood asthma to prostate cancer. Healthy ways to enjoy fish include baked, poached, grilled and steamed.

What is depression in adolescents?

What is depression in adolescents?

Depression may be defined as the state of extreme melancholy, where patients who exhibit this condition may develop severe apathy towards their environment. Their physical activity may lessen considerably and can even spend hours in any single posture. Till date, treatment was only done by routine prescription of antidepressants and psychotherapy. More severe cases were given electro-convulsive therapy.


Depression in adolescents is in many ways quite similar to that of adults. The DSM-IV manual also cites the criteria for depression in adults and adolescents to be same. Younger teenagers may not be able to express their feelings as the older ones and hence the symptoms of depression may be expressed as phobias, bodily complaints, behavior problems, or as separation anxieties. Teens suffering from psychotic depressions may report hallucinations.

General Info about Acute Renal Failure

General Info about Acute Renal Failure

"The kidneys are so beautifully organized; they do their work of regulation with such a positively divine precision, such knowledge and wisdom, that there is no reason why our archetypal man, whoever he is, or any one else, for that matter, should be ashamed to own a pair."

---Aldus Huxley "Antic Hay"

Acute Renal Failure (ARF) is the sudden loss of kidney function. It occurs when the kidneys stop working over a period of hours, days, or in some cases, weeks.

The bean shaped organs, called kidneys need to be 'full of beans' to carry out the crucial task of filtering body waste and maintaining electrolyte levels in the blood. Malfunction of the kidneys could lead to accumulation of waste products, fluids, and electrolytes in the body, which could gravely endanger life.

Acute Renal Failure is also referred clinically as, a sharp increase of the serum creatinine level from baseline (i.e., an increase of at least 0.5 mg/dl) and the urine output is less than 400 ml per day (oliguria), though not strictly applicable for ARF.

Acute Renal Failure is the cause of complication in 5% of all hospital admissions. With the exclusion of relevant medical conditions, the mortality rate for ARF stands at 10%. The prognosis may be bleak if ARF is accompanied with complicated medical conditions or surgical conditions.




Acute Renal Failure (ARF) and Chronic Kidney Disease – Are They Different?

The answer is ‘yes’. Acute Renal Failure is often the consequence of any untoward experience the body is subjected to; for instance – blood loss due to surgery, or medicine overdose or any injury to the body.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is often the consequence of long term illness like high blood pressure or diabetes which gradually takes a toll on the kidneys, causing them to malfunction.

Acute Myeloid Leukemia

AML - Overview

Nomenclature: Acute Myeloid Leukemia, Acute Myelogenous Leukemia, AML.

Acute myeloid Leukemia, more popularly known by its abbreviated form - AML, is a fast- evolving leukemia that affects both children and adults alike.

The word 'leukemia' means 'white blood,' and is used to indicate the high white blood cell counts of the disease.

Leukemia is a cancer that begins in the inner part of the bone marrow and moves quickly into the blood from where it spreads to other parts such as the spleen, lymph nodes, liver, central nervous system and to the other organs of the body. There are two forms of myeloid leukemia – chronic and acute.The term 'Chronic' refers to slowly – evolving form of myeloid leukemia that may take years to progress. The 'acute' variety, on the other hand, advances in a quick manner. 'Myeloid' refers to the type of WBC that is affected. Leukemia was first recognized 150 years ago, and since then has been intensely researched and studied . The treatment of leukemia over the years has seen remarkable triumphs, frustrations and failures. Dr.Donald Pinkel, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, USA, sums it up as follows:

"The value of history is not just in savoring the past, but in appreciating how it illuminates the present and guides us into the future. Several lessons can be learned from the study of the history of leukemia, particularly childhood leukemia. One is the importance of heeding new facts and listening to new ideas and hypotheses. At each point in the history of leukemia there have been instances of lost time and opportunity because of unreasoned resistance to innovation. It is important for physicians and scientists to be open to new thinking that challenges conventional wisdom and ways.”

About Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the commonest of childhood cancers and it has, over the years, served as an ideal cancer research model.

ALL is the commonest of childhood cancers and accounts for almost 25% of all cancers in children below the age of 15 years.

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia has, over the last decade or two, evolved and has served as an ideal model for diagnosing and treating cancers in children as well as in adults.

Research and advances has resulted in development of the best combination of chemotherapy that has improved the cure rate, especially in children, to almost 70 to 80%.

What is ALL?

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia is a form of blood cancer that is characterized by the abnormal proliferation of the lymphoblasts in the bone marrow and the lymph. ALL has the ability to evolve over a short period of time.

'Acute' refers to the fact that -

• The disease appears suddenly,
  
• Is fast- developing, and
  
• May quickly spread to other vital organs.

In a healthy individual, the T- cells and B- cells are the two different types of lymphocytes that produce antibodies to fight infections. These lymphocytes are distributed in the blood, lymph nodes, and spleen.

In patients with ALL, the lymphocytes remain immature and are referred to as lymphoblasts. These immature cells rapidly proliferate and outnumber other blood cells in the blood, bone marrow, and lymph tissue.

In the majority of ALL cases (85%), the B-cell lymphocytes are affected, while in the rest, the T-cells are altered.

ALL is fatal if left untreated and therefore requires immediate attention. Certain varieties of acute leukemia respond favorably to treatment and several affected individuals are successfully cured. However, there are certain types that do not have a pleasing prognosis.

Fig: Areas of the body affected psoriasis. Besides the above the joints -psoriatic arthritis, scalp and nail may also be affected

General Info about Acute Bronchitis

It was during the 1800s that this condition causing the inflammation of bronchial mucous membranes came to be known. Further clinical studies have enabled detailed information on the causes, symptoms and treatment of Acute Bronchitis.

Inflammation of the main air passages to the lungs (called the bronchi) and the complications related to it, collectively lead to the condition called Acute Bronchitis. During Acute Bronchitis, sticky mucus fills up the bronchi causing them to swell up. This inflammation impedes the flow of air in and out of the lungs, causing great discomfort to patients.


The inflammation of the bronchi is in response to the virus attack on the air passage. This triggers bronchial epithelial injury leading to the said condition.

Bronchitis could take on a chronic form, also called Chronic Bronchitis. The distinguishing feature between Acute Bronchitis and Chronic Bronchitis lies in the duration of the condition - Acute Bronchitis could leave its victims 'under weather' for a brief period;in contrast, Chronic Bronchitis could last a lifetime.

This is a condition that is usually ignored by people. Occasionally this condition can cause severe damage to the air passages of the lungs.

Acromegaly - Introduction

Acromegaly is a condition in adulthood due to excessive production of growth Hormone after puberty.

Acromegaly is a Greek word meaning enlargement of the extremities. It is a hormonal disorder that results when the pituitary gland produces excessive growth hormone (GH) in adulthood after puberty. The incidence of Acromegaly is about 3-4 cases per million population per year. The disease mostly affects middle-aged adults and the mean age of diagnosis is 40-45 years.It can result in serious illness and premature death.

There exists a disease specially characterized by an hypertrophy of the hands, feet, and face, which we propose to call Acromegaly; that is to say, hypertrophy of the hands and feet "not because the hands and feet are alone affected during the course of the malady, but because their increase is an initial lesion, and constitutes the most characteristic feature of the affection".
Pierre Marie,1885

About Acne / Pimples

Nomenclature: Acne Vulgaris, Pimples, Spots, Zits.

The term acne comes from a corruption of the Greek word - acne in the sense of a skin eruption.

Acne popularly known as 'Pimples', is a common skin problem that at some stage affects most boys and girls when they are in their teens.

Acne is due to the blockage and the inflammation of skin pores. This results in superficial skin eruptions.

The appearance of pimples sometimes occurs during the surge of hormones (Testosterone) during the puberty. In some youngsters they continue to bother them into their young adulthood or even till their late forties and in others they disappear after a few years. There are no parameters that are available that will indicate when these lesions are likely to disappear.

Usually the youngsters suddenly finds that on the smooth skin of their face appear bumpy swelling.There is a tendency to squeeze these pimples to make them disappear but often this makes it worse and more bumps appear.

Usually acne appears on the face but can extend to neck, chest and back.

General Information about Achondroplasia

Achondroplasia is a disorder of bone growth. Achondroplasia literally means "without cartilage formation". The problem in this condition is converting the cartilage into bones, particularly the long bones. Achondroplasia is a genetic (inherited) condition that results in abnormally short stature. All persons with achondroplasia are little people. The average height of an adult with achondroplasia is 131 cm (52 inches, or 4 foot 4) in males and 124 cm (49 inches, or 4 foot 1) in females.



Achondroplasia is one of the oldest known birth defects. An average figure worldwide is approximately 1 in 25,000 births.

About Accident and Trauma Care

About Accident and Trauma Care

The word "Trauma" refers to a wound or an injury, whether psychic or physical. The word is also synonymous with the word accident, referring to an unexpected, unforeseen and unfortunate event. Disability or death from injury is viewed as an act of God or an unpreventable accident. It is true that no one expects to be injured; however in most of the cases, "accidents" are preventable. All that is required is a small amount of planning.


Injury (trauma) is the leading cause of death for all age groups under the age of 44. It is remains one of the significant public health issues' haunting the World, yet the problem continues to go largely unrecognized. Motor vehicle crashes, fire injuries represent the two major causes of trauma and death. Drowning, falls, poisoning represent other common causes of trauma.

Drowning is the fourth most common cause of unintentional injury death for all ages, ranking first among person's ages 25 to 44 and second for ages 5 to 44. Falls are the second-leading cause of accidental deaths for persons age 45 to 75 and the number-one cause of unintentional death for persons 75 years of age and older. Alcohol and drug use are directly or indirectly responsible for 75-80% of these injuries.