Archive for the ‘Diseases’ Category
Information on Lymphedema
Lymphedema, also spelled lymphoedema. Lymphedema is the chronic swelling or feeling of tightness in the arm or hand due to an accumulation of lymphatic fluid in the soft tissue of the arm. The condition arises when lymph vessels, which normally carry excess fluid out of the limbs and back into central circulation, have had their flow interrupted. Lymphedema is a common complication of cancer and cancer treatment and can result in long-term physical, psychological, and social issues for patients. Lymphedema may be inherited (primary) or caused by injury to the lymphatic vessels (secondary).
Lymphedema is most often seen after lymph node dissection, surgery and/or radiation therapy, in which harm to the lymphatic system is caused during the treatment of cancer, most eminently breast cancer. Lymphedema may also be associated with accidents or certain diseases or problems that may inhibit the lymphatic system from functioning properly. In tropical areas of the world, a common cause of secondary lymphedema is filariasis, a parasitic infection. It can also be caused by a compromising of the lymphatic system resulting from cellulitis. Lymphedema can develop in any part of the body or limb.
Signs or symptoms of lymphedema to watch out for comprise: a full sensation in the limb, skin feeling tight, decreased flexibility in the hand, wrist or ankle, difficulty fitting into clothing in one specific area, or ring/wristwatch/bracelet tightness. Lymphedema is aggravated by prolonged standing, pregnancy, obesity, hot weather, and the menstrual period. Treatment for lymphedema varies depending on the severity of the edema and the degree of fibrosis of the affected limb. The most important aspect of treatment is learning how to care for your health.
The most common treatments for lymphedema are a combination of complete decongestive therapy, compression bandaging, and the employ of solidity garments. Lymphedema is also treated by physical ways and with medication. Physical methods include supporting the arm or leg in a raised position, manual lymphatic drainage, wearing bandages or custom-fitted clothing. Prevention is better than cure. Maintain your ideal body weight. Eat foods high in fiber such as whole-grain breads, cereals, pasta, rice, fresh fruits and vegetables. Eat a variety of foods to get all the nutrients you require.
Fatty Liver Disease Causes Symptoms Information With Treatment
Fatty liver disease covers a range of conditions where there is a build-up of fat in the liver cells. It may be caused by various diseases, such as in chronic alcoholism and obesity . Simple fatty liver usually does not damage the liver, but is a condition that can be identified by taking a sample of liver tissue (liver biopsy) and examining it under a microscope. All of the stages of NAFLD have in common the accumulation of fat (fatty infiltration) in the liver cells (hepatocytes). Yet, in many respects, the histological picture of NAFLD (when we look at a biopsy piece of liver under the microscope) is similar to what can be seen in liver disease that is due to excessive intake of alcohol. As we shall see, however, the clinical circumstances in NAFLD and NASH are very different from those in alcoholic liver disease (ALD).
Causes of Fatty Liver Disease
The common Causes of Fatty Liver Disease :
Several risk factors may be cofactors required for the development of advanced ALD.
Minimum amounts of alcohol intake associated with an increased risk for developing ALD range from 40-80 g/d for 10-12 years.
Obesity and dietary habits have been implicated in individual susceptibility to ALD.
Several studies demonstrate a high prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody in patients with ALD, as well as iron overload.
Symptoms of Fatty Liver Disease
Some Symptoms of Fatty Liver Disease :
Loss of appetite.
Nausea.
Fever.
Mental confusion.
Dry mouth.
Weakness.
Fatigue.
Swelling of your legs and feet from retained fluid (edema).
Abdominal pain and tenderness.
Treatment of Fatty Liver Disease
Strict management of diabetes with diet, medications or insulin lowers blood sugar, which may prevent further liver damage. It also may reduce the amount of accumulated fat in your liver.
Controlling elevated levels of cholesterol and triglycerides with diet, exercise and cholesterol-lowering medications may help stabilize or reverse nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
If you have nonalcoholic fatty liver disease especially nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) don’t drink alcohol. Also avoid medications and other substances that can cause liver damage. Talk to your doctor about which ones to avoid.
Researchers are studying the effects of several medications on insulin resistance and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in people with and without diabetes. These include metformin (Glucophage, Glucophage XR), pioglitazone (Actos), rosiglitazone (Avandia) and betaine (Cystadane).
Four Bearded Dragon Diseases Revealed
Bearded dragons usually remain healthy if you give them proper temperature, housing, and light. But even with the best care, they may experience various bearded dragon diseases. Some of these conditions include metabolic bone disease, egg binding, and stomatitis. This article will discuss some of the most common bearded dragon diseases.
Metabolic Bone Disease
Lizards in the wild don’t suffer from metabolic bone disease. This problem is caused by improper care by the owner. An imbalance of vitamin D3, phosphorus, and calcium from the diet is one of the main causes. Too little UVB light can also be to blame.
The most prominent sign of this disorder is softening and swelling of the lower jaw. Your dragon may also develop lumps and bumps along his legs, back, and tail. If left untreated, your lizard will die. To treat the condition, the underlying cause needs to be fixed. Calcium supplements may also need to be prescribed.
Stomatitis
One of the next common bearded dragon diseases is stomatitis, commonly referred to as mouth rot. Although it isn’t really a disease, it is a sign of an underlying infection. Bearded dragons with mouth rot will develop a grayish or whitish substance on the soft tissues in their mouth. If the condition is allowed to progress, the teeth will become loose and the gums may start to bleed. The underlying infection needs to be treated, or this condition will keep giving your beardie problems.
Egg Binding
Male dragon owners can relax, as egg binding only affects female. This condition occurs whenever she is unable to pass one or more eggs through the reproductive tract. Various illnesses, improper diet, obesity, and malformed eggs can all cause egg binding in bearded dragons. Since it can be fatal within days, a veterinarian needs to be consulted immediately. If drugs to induce egg laying don’t correct the problem, your dragon will need to undergo surgery.
Adenovirus
An infection by an adenovirus is relatively rare in bearded dragons. This is a very good thing as most don’t survive. Young dragons or those with weakened immune systems are particularly susceptible. This disease is made more troublesome because it doesn’t produce many noticeable symptoms. Fluids, forced feeding, and antibiotics are used to try to treat an adenovirus infection.