Xeroderma Pigmentosa
It is a rare condition that is passed down through families in which the skin and the tissue covering the eye is extremely sensitive to ultraviolet light.
Causes
Ultraviolet light, like that found in sunlight damages the genetic material (DNA) in cells of the skin, but usually the body repairs this damage. However, in people with xeroderma pigmentosa, the body does not fix the damage as a result, the skin becomes very thin and appear patches of varying colors (mottled pigmentation).
The condition also causes spidery blood vessels in the skin (telangiectasia) and skin cancer. The latter often occurs before the child is 5 years.
Symptoms
* Sunburn that does not heal after a bit of sun exposure
* Blisters after a bit of sun exposure
* Arachnoid blood vessels under the skin
* Patches of discolored skin that get worse
* Crusting of skin
* Peeling skin
* Skin surface oozing raw
* Discomfort when being in bright light (photophobia)
Exams and Tests
The doctor will perform a physical exam and ask if you have a family history of xeroderma pigmentosa.
An eye exam may show:
* Cloudy cornea
* Keratitis
* Lid tumors
* Blepharitis
The following tests can help diagnose the condition in a baby before birth:
* Amniocentesis
* Chorionic villus sampling
* Culture of amniotic cells
The following tests can help diagnose the disorder after birth:
* Culture of skin fibroblasts
* Skin biopsy
Treatment
Children with this condition require total protection from sunlight. Even the light coming through windows and fluorescent bulbs is dangerous.
When these children have to go into the sun should wear protective clothing.
Use high protection sunscreen (SPF of 70 or more) and very dark glasses with ultraviolet light protection. Your doctor may prescribe medications to help prevent certain skin cancers.
Support Groups
Forecast
Most people with this problem die of skin cancer in early adulthood.
Possible complications
* Change in skin appearance (deformation)
* Skin cancer
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Call for an appointment if you or your child has symptoms of xeroderma pigmentosa.
Prevention
Experts recommend genetic counseling for people with a family history of xeroderma pigmentosa who wish to conceive.
Showing posts with label disease. Show all posts
Showing posts with label disease. Show all posts
Saturday, 29 August 2009
Xeroderma Pigmentosa: Causes, Symptoms, Exams and Tests, Treatment, Forecast, Prevention
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Labels: Causes, disease, Exams and Tests, Forecast, Prevention, Symptoms, treatment, Xeroderma Pigmentosa
Labels: Causes, disease, Exams and Tests, Forecast, Prevention, Symptoms, treatment, Xeroderma Pigmentosa
Xerosis: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, Prevention, incidence and risk factors, Other Names
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Labels: Asteatotic Dermatitis, Asteatotic eczema, Causes, disease, incidence, Other Names, Prevention, Risk Factors, Symptoms, treatment, Xerosis
Labels: Asteatotic Dermatitis, Asteatotic eczema, Causes, disease, incidence, Other Names, Prevention, Risk Factors, Symptoms, treatment, Xerosis
Xerosis
It is an abnormal dryness of the skin or mucous membranes.
Causes, incidence and risk factors
Dry skin often worsens in the winter.
Older people generally are more affected by this disease.
Symptoms
The skin is dry, scaly, itchy, and red Fine cracks may appear on it.
The legs and arms are usually the most affected.
Treatment
Treatments include:
* Moisturizers, especially those that contain urea and lactic acid
* Topical steroids for areas that become very inflamed and itchy
Prevention
* Avoid excessive exposure to water
* Keep the relatively cold water bath
* Use gentle skin cleansers that do not contain dyes and fragrances
Alternative Names
Asteatotic eczema; Asteatotic Dermatitis
It is an abnormal dryness of the skin or mucous membranes.
Causes, incidence and risk factors
Dry skin often worsens in the winter.
Older people generally are more affected by this disease.
Symptoms
The skin is dry, scaly, itchy, and red Fine cracks may appear on it.
The legs and arms are usually the most affected.
Treatment
Treatments include:
* Moisturizers, especially those that contain urea and lactic acid
* Topical steroids for areas that become very inflamed and itchy
Prevention
* Avoid excessive exposure to water
* Keep the relatively cold water bath
* Use gentle skin cleansers that do not contain dyes and fragrances
Alternative Names
Asteatotic eczema; Asteatotic Dermatitis
Thursday, 27 August 2009
Shingles: Causes, Symptoms, Exams and Tests, Treatment, medicines, Possible complications
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comments
Labels: Causes, disease, Exams and Tests, medicines, Possible complications, Shingles, Symptoms, treatment
Labels: Causes, disease, Exams and Tests, medicines, Possible complications, Shingles, Symptoms, treatment
Shingles
It is a painful, blistering skin rash due to varicella-zoster virus that causes chickenpox.
Causes
After you get chickenpox, the virus remains inactive (dormant) in certain nerves. Shingles occurs after the virus reactivates in these nerves after many years.
The reason why the virus becomes active again is not clear. Often only one attack.
Shingles can develop in any age group, but one is more likely to develop the condition if:
* Has over 60 years
* He gave chickenpox before their first birthday
* Your immune system is weakened by medications or disease
If an adult or child has direct contact with the herpes zoster rash and has not had chickenpox as a child or has not received the vaccine against this disease, can develop chickenpox rather than shingles.
Symptoms
The first symptom is usually pain on one side, tingling or burning. The pain and burning may be severe and generally occur before any rash appears.
In most people, form patches on the skin, followed by small blisters.
* The blisters break, forming small ulcers that begin to dry and form scabs, which fall in two to three weeks. Scarring is rare.
* The rash usually involves a narrow area of the spine around the front of the ventral or chest.
* The rash may involve the face, eyes, mouth and ears.
Additional symptoms may include:
* Abdominal pain
* Chills
* Difficulty moving some of the muscles in the face
* Drooping eyelid (ptosis)
* Fever and chills
* General ill feeling
* Genital lesions
* Headache
* Hearing loss
* Joint pain
* Loss of eye movement
* Swollen lymph nodes
* Problems with taste
* Vision problems
It also may have pain, muscle weakness and a rash that involves different parts of the face if shingles affects a nerve in the face.
Exams and Tests
The doctor can diagnose by looking at your skin and asking questions about your medical history.
Rarely tests are needed, but may include taking a skin sample to see if you are infected with the virus that causes shingles.
Laboratory tests may show an increase in white blood cells and antibodies to the chickenpox virus but can not confirm that the rash is due to shingles.
Treatment
Shingles usually disappears spontaneously and only need treatment for pain relief.
Your doctor may prescribe a medicine that fights the virus, called antiviral, which helps reduce pain and complications and shorten the course of the disease. You can use acyclovir, famciclovir and valacyclovir.
The medications should be started within 24 hours of feeling pain or burning, and preferably before the blisters appear. Usually, the drugs are given as pills, in much higher doses than those recommended for herpes or genital herpes. It is possible that some people need to be administered the drug intravenously (IV).
Strong anti-inflammatory medications called corticosteroids such as prednisone, can be used to reduce inflammation and risk of continued pain. These drugs do not work in all patients.
Other medicines may include:
* Antihistamines to reduce itching (taken by mouth or applied to the skin)
* Analgesics
* Zostrix, a cream containing capsaicin (an extract of pepper) to prevent post-herpetic neuralgia
They can be used wet and cold compresses to reduce pain. Soothing baths and lotions such as colloidal oatmeal bath, starch baths, or calamine lotion can help relieve itching and discomfort.
It is also recommended bed rest until the fever goes down.
You must keep the skin clean and reuse contaminated items. Similarly, non-disposable items should be washed in boiling water or otherwise disinfected before reuse. The person may need to be isolated while lesions are oozing to prevent infection of others, especially pregnant women.
Forecast
Shingles usually clears up in two or three weeks and rarely recurs. If the virus affects the nerves that control movement (motor nerves) may be weakness or temporary or permanent paralysis.
Sometimes the pain in the area where the shingles occurred may last from months to years.
Possible complications
Sometimes the pain in the area where the shingles occurred may last for months or years. This pain is called postherpetic neuralgia and occurs when nerves are damaged after an outbreak of shingles. The pain ranges from mild to very severe and more likely to occur in people over 60 years.
Other complications may include:
* Another attack of shingles
* Blindness (if lesions occur in the eye)
* Deafness
* Infection, including encephalitis or sepsis (blood infection) in people with weakened immune systems
* Bacterial skin infections
* Ramsay Hunt syndrome if shingles affects the nerves in the face
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Call your doctor if you have symptoms of shingles, particularly if you have defenses or if symptoms persist or worsen. Shingles that affects the eye can lead to permanent blindness if you do not receive emergency medical care.
Prevention
Avoid touching the rash and blisters of persons with shingles or chickenpox if you have never had chickenpox or has not been immunized against this disease.
The varicella vaccine may be recommended for teenagers or adults who have never had chickenpox. Medical evidence has shown that older adults who receive the vaccine are less likely to have complications from shingles. Adults over 60 should receive the vaccine as part of routine medical care.
Alternative Names
Shingles
It is a painful, blistering skin rash due to varicella-zoster virus that causes chickenpox.
Causes
After you get chickenpox, the virus remains inactive (dormant) in certain nerves. Shingles occurs after the virus reactivates in these nerves after many years.
The reason why the virus becomes active again is not clear. Often only one attack.
Shingles can develop in any age group, but one is more likely to develop the condition if:
* Has over 60 years
* He gave chickenpox before their first birthday
* Your immune system is weakened by medications or disease
If an adult or child has direct contact with the herpes zoster rash and has not had chickenpox as a child or has not received the vaccine against this disease, can develop chickenpox rather than shingles.
Symptoms
The first symptom is usually pain on one side, tingling or burning. The pain and burning may be severe and generally occur before any rash appears.
In most people, form patches on the skin, followed by small blisters.
* The blisters break, forming small ulcers that begin to dry and form scabs, which fall in two to three weeks. Scarring is rare.
* The rash usually involves a narrow area of the spine around the front of the ventral or chest.
* The rash may involve the face, eyes, mouth and ears.
Additional symptoms may include:
* Abdominal pain
* Chills
* Difficulty moving some of the muscles in the face
* Drooping eyelid (ptosis)
* Fever and chills
* General ill feeling
* Genital lesions
* Headache
* Hearing loss
* Joint pain
* Loss of eye movement
* Swollen lymph nodes
* Problems with taste
* Vision problems
It also may have pain, muscle weakness and a rash that involves different parts of the face if shingles affects a nerve in the face.
Exams and Tests
The doctor can diagnose by looking at your skin and asking questions about your medical history.
Rarely tests are needed, but may include taking a skin sample to see if you are infected with the virus that causes shingles.
Laboratory tests may show an increase in white blood cells and antibodies to the chickenpox virus but can not confirm that the rash is due to shingles.
Treatment
Shingles usually disappears spontaneously and only need treatment for pain relief.
Your doctor may prescribe a medicine that fights the virus, called antiviral, which helps reduce pain and complications and shorten the course of the disease. You can use acyclovir, famciclovir and valacyclovir.
The medications should be started within 24 hours of feeling pain or burning, and preferably before the blisters appear. Usually, the drugs are given as pills, in much higher doses than those recommended for herpes or genital herpes. It is possible that some people need to be administered the drug intravenously (IV).
Strong anti-inflammatory medications called corticosteroids such as prednisone, can be used to reduce inflammation and risk of continued pain. These drugs do not work in all patients.
Other medicines may include:
* Antihistamines to reduce itching (taken by mouth or applied to the skin)
* Analgesics
* Zostrix, a cream containing capsaicin (an extract of pepper) to prevent post-herpetic neuralgia
They can be used wet and cold compresses to reduce pain. Soothing baths and lotions such as colloidal oatmeal bath, starch baths, or calamine lotion can help relieve itching and discomfort.
It is also recommended bed rest until the fever goes down.
You must keep the skin clean and reuse contaminated items. Similarly, non-disposable items should be washed in boiling water or otherwise disinfected before reuse. The person may need to be isolated while lesions are oozing to prevent infection of others, especially pregnant women.
Forecast
Shingles usually clears up in two or three weeks and rarely recurs. If the virus affects the nerves that control movement (motor nerves) may be weakness or temporary or permanent paralysis.
Sometimes the pain in the area where the shingles occurred may last from months to years.
Possible complications
Sometimes the pain in the area where the shingles occurred may last for months or years. This pain is called postherpetic neuralgia and occurs when nerves are damaged after an outbreak of shingles. The pain ranges from mild to very severe and more likely to occur in people over 60 years.
Other complications may include:
* Another attack of shingles
* Blindness (if lesions occur in the eye)
* Deafness
* Infection, including encephalitis or sepsis (blood infection) in people with weakened immune systems
* Bacterial skin infections
* Ramsay Hunt syndrome if shingles affects the nerves in the face
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Call your doctor if you have symptoms of shingles, particularly if you have defenses or if symptoms persist or worsen. Shingles that affects the eye can lead to permanent blindness if you do not receive emergency medical care.
Prevention
Avoid touching the rash and blisters of persons with shingles or chickenpox if you have never had chickenpox or has not been immunized against this disease.
The varicella vaccine may be recommended for teenagers or adults who have never had chickenpox. Medical evidence has shown that older adults who receive the vaccine are less likely to have complications from shingles. Adults over 60 should receive the vaccine as part of routine medical care.
Alternative Names
Shingles
Tuesday, 18 August 2009
Diabetic Ketoacidosis - Causes, incidence, Symptoms and Treatment for Ketoacidosis, risk factors, tests, Complications, medical assistance, Prevention
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comments
Labels: disease, Prevention of Diabetic Ketoacidosis, suffering from Diabetic Ketoacidosis
Labels: disease, Prevention of Diabetic Ketoacidosis, suffering from Diabetic Ketoacidosis
Diabetic Ketoacidosis
Other Names
DKA, Ketoacidosis
Definition
It is a complication of diabetes that occurs when there is no availability of sugar (glucose) as energy source for the body and instead uses fat. Byproducts of the metabolism of fat, called ketones, accumulate in the body.
Causes, incidence and risk factors
People with type 1 diabetes lack sufficient insulin, a hormone the body uses to process sugar (glucose) to obtain energy. When glucose is not available, body fat is metabolized into place.
The byproducts of fat metabolism are ketones and acids, which accumulate in the blood when fat is metabolized. When blood is more acidic than normal, a condition called ketoacidosis.
Blood glucose levels are elevated, usually above 300 mg / dL, because the liver produces glucose to try to combat the problem, however, that cells can not absorb glucose without insulin.
Diabetic ketoacidosis can lead to the initial diagnosis of type 1 diabetes, as is often the first symptom that makes a person seek medical attention. You may also be the result of increased insulin needs in someone who already has been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. In such cases, an infection, trauma, heart attack or surgery can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis present. Skipping doses of insulin may also lead to ketoacidosis in people with diabetes.
People with type 2 diabetes can develop ketoacidosis, but is rare. It is usually triggered by a severe illness. Hispanics and African Americans appear to be more likely to develop ketoacidosis as a complication of type 2 diabetes.
Symptoms
* Fatigue
* Frequent urination or frequent thirst for a day or more
* Encourage fruit (bad breath)
* Mental stupor that can progress to become a coma
* Muscle pain or stiffness
* Nausea and vomiting
* Breathing fast
* Shortness of breath
Other symptoms that may occur with this disease:
* Abdominal pain
* Difficulty breathing when lying
* Decreased appetite
* Loss of consciousness
* Headache
Signs and tests
* Arterial blood gases
* High glycemia
* Low blood pressure
* Heart Rate Rapid
* Presence of glucose and ketones in the urine by means of tests at home or in the office
* Heart Rate Rapid
* High serum amylase
* High serum potassium
* Signs of dehydration
This disease can also affect the results of the following tests:
* CO2
* Collection of cerebrospinal fluid
* Potassium urine
* Serum Magnesium
* Serum Phosphorus
* Serum sodium
* Sodium urine
* PH of urine
Treatment
The goals of treatment are to correct the high blood glucose levels through the administration of more insulin, as well as replenish the fluids lost through urination and excessive vomiting. One may be able to recognize the early warning signs and take appropriate corrective action in the home, before the disease progresses.
If ketoacidosis is severe, it will be necessary to go to the hospital where they will:
* Administer insulin
* Replace fluids and electrolytes
* Find and treat the cause of the disorder (such as an infection)
Expectations (prognosis)
Acidosis can lead to serious illness or death. Improved therapy for young people with diabetes has decreased the mortality rate from this disease, however, remains a significant risk to the elderly and for people who fall into a coma when treatment is delayed.
Complications
* Collection of fluid in the brain (cerebral edema)
* Heart attack and death of intestinal tissue due to low blood pressure
* Renal
Situations requiring medical assistance
This condition can become a medical emergency. Call your doctor if you notice the early symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis.
Go to the emergency room or call the local emergency number if you experience:
* Loss of consciousness
* Shortness of breath
* Breath with fruity odor
* Mental stupor
* Nausea
* Vomiting
Prevention
People with diabetes must learn to recognize signs and symptoms preliminary warning ketoacidosis. Measurement of urine ketones in people with infections or in patients with insulin pump therapy can provide more information than glucose measurements alone.
It is necessary that users of the insulin pump review frequently to see that insulin is still flowing through the tube and no obstructions, faults or disconnections.
Other Names
DKA, Ketoacidosis
Definition
It is a complication of diabetes that occurs when there is no availability of sugar (glucose) as energy source for the body and instead uses fat. Byproducts of the metabolism of fat, called ketones, accumulate in the body.
Causes, incidence and risk factors
People with type 1 diabetes lack sufficient insulin, a hormone the body uses to process sugar (glucose) to obtain energy. When glucose is not available, body fat is metabolized into place.
The byproducts of fat metabolism are ketones and acids, which accumulate in the blood when fat is metabolized. When blood is more acidic than normal, a condition called ketoacidosis.
Blood glucose levels are elevated, usually above 300 mg / dL, because the liver produces glucose to try to combat the problem, however, that cells can not absorb glucose without insulin.
Diabetic ketoacidosis can lead to the initial diagnosis of type 1 diabetes, as is often the first symptom that makes a person seek medical attention. You may also be the result of increased insulin needs in someone who already has been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. In such cases, an infection, trauma, heart attack or surgery can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis present. Skipping doses of insulin may also lead to ketoacidosis in people with diabetes.
People with type 2 diabetes can develop ketoacidosis, but is rare. It is usually triggered by a severe illness. Hispanics and African Americans appear to be more likely to develop ketoacidosis as a complication of type 2 diabetes.
Symptoms
* Fatigue
* Frequent urination or frequent thirst for a day or more
* Encourage fruit (bad breath)
* Mental stupor that can progress to become a coma
* Muscle pain or stiffness
* Nausea and vomiting
* Breathing fast
* Shortness of breath
Other symptoms that may occur with this disease:
* Abdominal pain
* Difficulty breathing when lying
* Decreased appetite
* Loss of consciousness
* Headache
Signs and tests
* Arterial blood gases
* High glycemia
* Low blood pressure
* Heart Rate Rapid
* Presence of glucose and ketones in the urine by means of tests at home or in the office
* Heart Rate Rapid
* High serum amylase
* High serum potassium
* Signs of dehydration
This disease can also affect the results of the following tests:
* CO2
* Collection of cerebrospinal fluid
* Potassium urine
* Serum Magnesium
* Serum Phosphorus
* Serum sodium
* Sodium urine
* PH of urine
Treatment
The goals of treatment are to correct the high blood glucose levels through the administration of more insulin, as well as replenish the fluids lost through urination and excessive vomiting. One may be able to recognize the early warning signs and take appropriate corrective action in the home, before the disease progresses.
If ketoacidosis is severe, it will be necessary to go to the hospital where they will:
* Administer insulin
* Replace fluids and electrolytes
* Find and treat the cause of the disorder (such as an infection)
Expectations (prognosis)
Acidosis can lead to serious illness or death. Improved therapy for young people with diabetes has decreased the mortality rate from this disease, however, remains a significant risk to the elderly and for people who fall into a coma when treatment is delayed.
Complications
* Collection of fluid in the brain (cerebral edema)
* Heart attack and death of intestinal tissue due to low blood pressure
* Renal
Situations requiring medical assistance
This condition can become a medical emergency. Call your doctor if you notice the early symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis.
Go to the emergency room or call the local emergency number if you experience:
* Loss of consciousness
* Shortness of breath
* Breath with fruity odor
* Mental stupor
* Nausea
* Vomiting
Prevention
People with diabetes must learn to recognize signs and symptoms preliminary warning ketoacidosis. Measurement of urine ketones in people with infections or in patients with insulin pump therapy can provide more information than glucose measurements alone.
It is necessary that users of the insulin pump review frequently to see that insulin is still flowing through the tube and no obstructions, faults or disconnections.
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