finger nails health

Introduction:

The nails are present at the end of each finger tip on the dorsal surface.The main function of nail is protection and it also helps for a firm grip for holding articles.It consists of a strong relatively flexible keratinous nail plate originating from the nail matrix. Under the nail plate there is a soft tissue called nail bed.Between the skin and nail plate there is a nail fold or cuticle.Normal healthy nail is slight pink in colour and the surface is convex from side to side.Finger nails grow 1 cm in three months and toe nails take 24 months for the same.

Importance of nails in disease diagnosis:

The colour ,appearance,shape and nature of the nails give some information about the general health and hygiene of a person . Nails are examined as a routine by all doctors to get some clues about underlying diseases.Just looking at nails we can makeout the hygiene of a person.The abnormal nail may be congenital or due to some diseases.The cause for changes in the nail extend from simple reasons to life threatening diseases.Hence the examination by a doctor is essential for diagnosis .Some abnormal findings with probable causes are discussed here for general awareness.

1) Hygiene:-

We can make out an unhygienic nail very easily .Deposition of dirt under the distal end of nail plate can make a chance for ingestion of pathogens while eating.If nail cutting is not done properly it can result in worm troubles in children.When the worms crawl in the anal orifice children will scratch which lodges the ova of worms under the nails and will be taken in while eating.Prominent nail can also complicate a skin disease by habitual scratching.Sharp nails in small kids cause small wounds when they do feet kicking or hand waving.

2) Colour of the nails:-

a) Nails become pale in anaemia.

b) Opaque white discolouration(leuconychia) is seen in chronic renal failure and nephrotic syndrome.

c) Whitening is also seen in hypoalbuminaemia as in cirrhosis and kidney disorders.

d) Drugs like sulpha group,anti malarial and antibiotics ect can produce discolouration in the nails.

e) Fungal infection causes black discolouration.

f) In pseudomonas infection nails become black or green.

g) Nail bed infarction occures in vasculitis especially in SLE and polyarteritis.

h) Red dots are seen in nails due to splinter haemorrhages in subacute bacterial endo carditis, rheumatoid arthritis, trauma, collagen vascular diseases.

i) Blunt injury produces haemorrhage and causes blue/black discolouration.

j) Nails become brown in kidney diseases and in decreased adrenal activity.

k) In wilsons disease blue colour in semicircle appears in the nail.

l) When the blood supply decreases nail become yellow .In jaundice and psoriasis also nail become yellowish.

m) In yellow nail syndrome all nails become yellowish with pleural effusion.

3) Shape of nails:-

a) Clubbing: Here tissues at the base of nails are thickened and the angle between the nail base and the skin is obliterated. The nail becomes more convex and the finger tip becomes bulbous and looks like an end of a drumstick. When the condition becomes worse the nail looks like a parrot beak.

Causes of clubbing:-

Congenital Injuries

Severe chronic cyanosis

Lung diseases like empyema,bronchiactesis,carcinoma of bronchus and pulmonary tuberculosis.

Abdominal diseases like crohn’s disease,polyposis of colon,ulcerative colitis,liver cirrhosis ect…

Heart diseases like fallot’s tetralogy,subacute bacterial endocarditis and ect..

b) Koilonychia:-

Here the nails become concave like a spoon.This condition is seen in iron deficiency anaemia.In this condition the nails become thin,soft and brittle.The normal convexity will be replaced by concavity.

c) Longitudinal ridging is seen in raynaud’s disease.

d) Cuticle becomes ragged in dermatomyositis.

e) Nail fold telangiectasia is a sign in dermatomyositis ,systemic sclerosis and SLE.

4) Structure and consistancy:-

a) Fungal infection of nail causes discolouration,deformity,hypertrophy and abnormal brittleness.

b) Thimble pitting of nail is charecteristic of psoriasis ,acute eczema and alopecia aereata.

c) The inflamation of cuticle or nail fold is called paronychia.

d) Onycholysis is the seperation of nail bed seen in psoriasis,infection and after taking tetracyclines.

e) Destruction of nail is seen in lichen planus,epidermolysis bullosa.

f) Missing nail is seen in nail patella syndrome.It is a hereditary disease.

g) Nails become brittle in raynauds disease and gangrene.

h) Falling of nail is seen in fungal infection,psoriasis and thyroid diseases.

5) Growth:-

Reduction in blood supply affects the growth of nails. Nail growth is also affected in severe ilness. when the disease disappears the growth starts again resulting in formation of transverse ridges.These lines are called Beau’s lines and are healpful to date the onset of illness.

salmonella food poisoning

Introduction:

Food poisoning is an acute gastroenteritis caused by the consumption of a food material or a drink which contains the pathogenic micro organism or their toxins or poisonous chemicals.Food poisoning is common in hostels,hotels,communal feedings, and festivel seasons.

A group of persons will be affected with same type of symptoms ,and they give a history of consumption of a common food before few hours.

Types of food poisoning

1) Bacterial food poisoning:

Here the micro organisms called bacteria are responsible.The food material may contain the pathogenic bacteriae or their toxin and will be ingested along with the food.

2) Non bacterial food poisoning:

Due to the presence of toxic chemicals like fertilizers,insectisides,heavy metals and ect.

Since bacterial food poisoning is common it is discussed here.

Bacterial food poisoning:

All bacteria are not harmful.There are some pathogenic bacteria which secrete toxins and cause clinical manifestations.These organisms enter the human body through food articles or drinks.

How food poisoning occures:

1) Presence of bacteria in the water.

2) The raw materials for the food may contain toxins.

3) Premises where the food is prepared may contain micro organisms or toxins.

4) Food handlers may have some infectious diseases.

5) Some animals like dogs,rats may contaminate the food.

6) If prepared food is kept in the room temperature for a long time and heated again can make a chance for food poisoning.

7) Purposely some body mixing toxins in the food.

Some common bacterial food poisonings.

1) Salmonella food poisoning:

There are three different varieties of salmonella bacteria.(salmonella typhimurium,salmonella cholera suis,salmonella enteritidis) These bacteria are present in milk, milk products and eggs. Symptoms of this food poisoning include nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. Fever is also common.

2) Botulism:

This is the dangerous type of food poisoning caused by clostridium botulinum. The spores of these organisms are seen in the soil and enters the human body through pickles and canned fish ect.Compared to other food poisonings here vomiting and diarrhoea are rare Mainly the nervous system is affected.The symptoms starts with double vision,numbness with weakness.Later there will be paralysis with cardiac and respiratory failure ending in death.

3) Staphylococcal food poisoning:

It is caused by staphylo coccus aureus. These organisms usually cause skin troubles like boils and eruptions.It causes mastitis in cow.Through the milk and milk products it enders and causes gastroenteritis.There will be vomiting,abdominal cramps with diarrhoea.

4) Closteridium food poisoning:

This is caused by closteridium perfringens.They are present in stool,soil and water. They enter the body through,meat,meat dishes and egg ect.If food articles are cooked and kept in room temperature for a long time and heated again before eating can result this food poisoning.Symptoms include vomiting ,diarrhoea and abdominal cramps.

5) Bacillus cereus:

The spores of these organisms can survive cooking and causes enteritis. Diarrhoea and vomiting is common in this infection.

How to investigate food poisoning?

1) Examine each and every person affected.

2) Water sample should be tested.

3) Kitchen, store room and food samples should be examined.

4) The cook and food handlers should be questioned and examined.

5) Samples of vomitus and stool of all victims should be tested to identify the bacteria.

How to prevent food poisoning:-

1) Only purified water should be used.

2) Hygiene should be maintained by all persons keeping contact with food.

3) Workers should use masks, cap and gloves during cooking and serving.

4) Sick individuals should not come in contact with food materials.

5) Kitchen and premises should be neat and clean.

5) Vessels should be washed with soap and hot water.

6) Should not keep the prepared food for a long time in room temperature.

7) All food materials should be kept in closed containers.

Animals like dog, cat, rat ect should not come in contact with food materials.

9) Vegetables should be washed before cooking.

10) Meat should be fresh and should be purchased from recognised slaughter house.

images from freshnews.in

healthy food choices

You’ve certainly heard the expression many times, “You are what you eat.” Have you ever really thought about what it means? And do you think about it when you’re making food choices?

In some ways, we do become what we eat, literally. Have you ever seen an example of your blood plasma after eating a fast food hamburger? What was previously a clear liquid becomes cloudy with the fat and cholesterol that’s absorbed from eating a high-fat hamburger.

And when you think about it, we also become what we don’t eat. When we switch from eating meat to a vegetarian-based diet, we become less fat, less prone to many types of cancers. Our cholesterol can improve. When we’re leaner and eating fewer animal products, then many other health and fitness issues are reduced. The incidence of Type II diabetes is reduced. Blood pressure falls into normal ranges. When you’re healthier, you’re taking fewer medications. Even if you have a prescription drug benefit in your health plan, you’re still saving money with fewer co-payments on medications.

If you have a family history of high cholesterol or high blood pressure, then it’s particularly incumbent on you to revise your eating habits. Moving towards a more vegetarian diet has been shown statistically to reduce the incidence of so many of the diseases of industrialized countries. Vegetarians are statistically healthier than omnivorous persons; they’re leaner and live longer.

Isn’t it time to think about what you want to be and to eat accordingly? Do you want to be sluggish and fat? Do you want the risk that goes with eating animal products, with their high fat content? Or do you want to look like and be what vegetarians are? Leaner and fitter with a longer anticipated lifespan. It’s never too late to change what you’re doing and increase your chances for a longer, fitter life.

image from aasianst.org

Idea 1

Roses are fantastic. We can use them in powerful and creative ways in the bedroom.

One of my favorite things to do is go to my local florist and pick up some rose petals and a couple of red roses. Strip the covers off your bed and sprinkle the petals over the bed. It’s quick and easy and you’ve just created a killer backdrop for a night of sensual lovin’. Add some soft music and some nice incense, plus a bottle of wine and you just created the perfect environment for a night of steamy hot passion.

Idea 2

Why not try playing a game? One of you closes your eyes (or wears a blindfold), whilst the other one uses various props to re-awaken that dormant sense of touch. You can try running fruit such as berries of slices of various fruit up and down your lover’s body, eventually into their mouth where they can savor the taste. For added effect, try licking up any juices it leaves behind, and alternate between using the fruit and your finger or genitalia.

Idea 3

It requires you to have some props handy that you can use for stimulation. Feather ticklers, your fingers, and your tongue are always a sure hit, whilst other couples may like to experiment with vibrators, candle wax, paddles, riding crops, cock rings, ice cubes – whatever gets your blood racing or other sex toys available. This is particularly good when you use opposite stimulation in quick succession or together – for example, running an ice cube along your partner’s nipples and then running your warm tongue over the cold area to warm it up.

Do you want to try?

One of the reasons that I stress the importance of organic skin care products, especially for women, is because the most widely used family of chemical preservatives in cosmetics were discovered to be in the tumors removed from a variety of breast cancer victims.  There are certain companies that respect their fellow man enough to manufacture wholly organic skin care creams, but the majority of them are companies under the European Union.  The best sources of these products are from one of the companies that signed the Compact for Safe Cosmetics.  There is a company in New Zealand that has put together a line of organic skin care creams that will do what no other products in the industry will do.  The inclusion of both Functional Keratin and Phytessence Wakame in their organic skin care products has given this company the most potent formulas in the business, and I would advise anyone who wants to enjoy the appearance of their younger days to give these safe and wonderful products a try.

by Rachel Hammond

organic skin products

For thousands of years mankind has used botanicals and essential oils to care for and enhance the beauty of their skin and hair. It has only been fairly recently that chemical products and artificial ingredients have gained a stronghold in the skin care industry. As with our food, skin care products have become laden with more and more chemicals.

The skin is the largest organ of the human body. Some substances called carriers increase the absorption rate significantly and many can carry other substances in with them. Since our bodies are already over stressed with chemicals, increasing numbers of people are choosing to eat organic and use organic products to reduce that stress and increase health and vitality. Organic is healthier, safer, and less stressful to the body systems as well as being environmentally friendly. Since the skin does carry substances into the body at a fairly efficient rate, we can think of the ingredients in our skin care products in the same light as our food.

You can tell if a product is organic by the looking for the green USDA organic label. This certifies that products are or are made from ingredients that meet the USDA specifications for an organic designation. Organic farming is better for us and better for our environment.

Organic skin care products are made of organic ingredients and food grade essential oils. Organic skin care products may not be made of totally organic ingredients. They may be labeled organic but not one hundred percent organic if at least ninety five percent of the ingredients are organic. Other notations may state that the product is made with organic ingredients or may list specific ingredients as being organic. Natural ingredients are not necessarily organic ingredients so if a product proclaims itself to be natural or made with natural ingredients you are not getting organic. Natural products might be better than most of their commercial counterparts but they are definitely not organic.

Many of the colorings and additives (such as aluminum) in non-organic products have been linked to cancer and other diseases. Ingredients in any skin or hair care product should not impede natural functions or diminish natural regulation.

Organic products are used in the same manner as their non-organic counterparts.

by greenorganic

emergency contraception pill

Methods For Emergency Contraception

Executive Summary about emergency contraception by Olivia Andrews

A birth control pill is an effective means to avoid unwanted pregnancy each time after having an intercourse.

There are various forms of birth controls methods found such as condoms, contraceptive patches or contraceptive pills. Other methods include contraceptive sponge, vaginal ring, diaphragm or other fertility awareness methods.

A contraceptive pill contains the hormones estrogen and progesterone that prevent pregnancy.

An emergency control pill helps to avoid unwanted pregnancy when there has been an unprotected intercourse but this pill has to be taken within three days of the act. Other include are mini pill and phased regime pills that are not much common in use.

There are chances that while using a condom it broke or a woman fails to take the hormonal birth control pill on time then emergency control pill is very effective if taken within 72 hours of the intercourse.

The main difference between a combination pill and an emergency pill is that it holds larger amount of levonorgestrel that works to avoid pregnancy.

When You Need Emergency Contraception?

Executive Summary about emergency contraception by Linda Crowford

Emergency contraception (EC) is not the substitute for regular birth control methods or abortion but, in fact, is the “emergency” option for women to avoid pregnancy after contraception failure, sexual assault or unprotected intercourse. Emergency contraception, specially Progestin-only birth control pills like Plan B, are advised to women seeking immediate action to avoid pregnancy.

Emergency contraception pills are also known as “morning-after”, “EC” or “Postcoital Contraception” in medical terms. However, “morning-after” doesn’t mean that emergency contraception pills to be taken in the morning.

Types of emergency contraception methods :

These are available in broadly three ways whereas two methods are in pill form and another is device known as intrauterine device. Two types of pills are progestin-only like Plan B and usual combined birth control pills (progestin and estrogen). Intrauterine device is also used as emergency contraception and suggested to women who are allergic to progestin or estrogen based pills.

How Emergency contraception pills work?

Like other birth control pills, EC works by stopping ovulation (i.e release of eggs) and preventing sperm to meet with eggs for fertilization, hence there is no pregnancy.

When to take Emergency contraception?

EC must be taken as soon as the unprotected intercourse has occurred. Progestin-only pills like Plan B contraceptive pills are available in two tablets. – 95% effective if taken within 24 hours

Who should seek Emergency contraception help :

Women can take EC if

- women are sexually abused, raped or forced to go for unprotected intercourse.

- if she has another unprotected intercourse in the same menstrual cycle.

Check out other guide on breast cancer treatment options.

Image from crisispregnancy.co.uk

There were three people I wanted to speak to:

1)a guy who said his girlfriend had had an operation in Mexico
2)Somebody who said she went to Germany to get it done for 3,500 euros
3)A plastic surgeon who said he was currently treating someone who had had botched surgery in Latin America.

If this is you, could you please get back to me?