Indian Doctors Perform Asia’s First Lung Transplant for a Covid19 Patient

Doctors based in Chennai performed a bilateral lung transplant on a Covid19 patient last week, making it the first such procedure to happen in Asia.

The patient, a 45-year-old man, tested positive for Covid19 in June. His condition deteriorated due to Covid19-related fibrosis — a calcification of tissue that makes it difficult for the lungs to work properly. In less than two weeks after his diagnosis, the patient had to receive ventilator support as his oxygen levels dipped. In July, he was airlifted from Ghaziabad to MGM Healthcare hospital in Chennai. The transplant surgery took place on August 27th, and the patient is currently stable and off ECMO support.

The novel coronavirus may belong to the same virus family as the common cold, but the damage it can cause to bodily organs is a lot more severe. Primarily an acute respiratory illness, Covid19 can cause scarring on both lungs, which later puts people (especially the elderly) at risk for pulmonary fibrosis and resultant shortness of breath.

Lung transplants may be effective in the face of critical fibrosis complications like this case, but they also are heavily invasive, expensive procedures that is dependent upon donor availability. Plus, it is important to note that a lung transplant is not viable for everyone. In order to increase the probability of a successful transplant, medical professionals must make sure their transplant candidate can handle the surgery and the rehabilitation required post the transplant.

According to some of ten guidelines for Covid19 related lung transplants set down by The Lancet, transplant candidates are always younger than 65 years of age, should have single-organ dysfunction only, should have adequate body mass index, and should be awake to discuss and consent to the transplant procedure Most importantly, the transplant candidate should have a recent Covid19 negative result, as infected candidates are a lot more likely to die. The Lancet article also notes that most patients with severe lung failure are likely to have comorbidities that prevent them from being transplant candidates. As the writers note, “Thus, prevention of COVID-19 infection remains the best strategy to save lives.”

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.     

https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations  
https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes    
https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement

Covid19 May Cause Lesions, Scars in Lungs of Patients, Resulting in Chronic Lung Disease

Scientists have found evidence that Covid19 could leave patients with long-term lung damage.

A study published in Radiology found some level of lung damage in the CT scans of at least 66 of 70 recovered patients, taken just before they were discharged. The damage included tissue lesions around the alveoli, the air sacs that absorb oxygen. According to one of the study’s authors, Yuhui Wang, a radiologist at Huazhong University of Science and Technology in Wuhan, these lesions are among the classic signs of chronic lung disease, and can result in blocking the airflow and ultimately make it difficult to breathe.

The researchers noticed that, unlike other respiratory diseases such as SARS and MERS, Covid19 affects both lungs as soon as patients are exposed to it. In their study, 75 of the 90 affected patients displayed signs of damage in both their lungs.

While some lung damage may heal or disappear over time, Wang and her colleagues are worried that the damage may have a greater impact in some patients, such as the elderly who are more susceptible to Covid19 and those with other illnesses such as cancer, diabetes, or lung problems as a result of smoking and/or pollution. In these patients, existing lung abnormalities may harden into layers of scar tissue, a condition known as pulmonary fibrosis. Pulmonary fibrosis stiffens the lungs, making it harder to take in enough oxygen; those suffering from it experience shortness of breath, which affects their stamina for physical activities.

All this would suggest that for a small number of people who are severely affected by the disease, breathing normally may never be the same again and getting short of breath on minimal exertion or requiring medication to help you breathe may become the norm,” wrote Dr. Amir Khan, a National Health Service doctor for Al-Jazeera.

Radiologist Karuna Das is currently investigating the long-term health impact of Covid19 at United Arab Emirates University in Al Ain. She says that the only catch is that it may be difficult later on to tell which lung injuries are a result of their dysfunctional immune response to coronavirus, and which were caused due to being on a ventilator (known as Ventilator-Associated Lung Injury or VALI).

“Based on what we have seen from SARS, MERS and H1N1 influenza, we expect that at least some COVID-19 patients will have some residual disease,” said Ali Gholamrezanezhad, a radiologist at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. He added that recovered patients of Covid19 can have “some residual fibrosis, scars and [chances are] their lung function and their lung anatomy doesn’t go back to normal.”

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.     

https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations  
https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes    
https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement

 

Self‑Medicating With Chloroquine to Treat or Prevent Covid19 Can Be Fatal

With coronavirus dominating news-cycles and living room discussions worldwide, panic is running high globally. Touted as the cure for Covid19, chloroquine is the latest entrant to the rumors and myths circulating in social media of late. Having shot to fame after U.S. President Donald Trump and Elon Musk tweeted about it last week, the drug may have some solutions to offer to this global crisis, but its use without medical supervision can be fatal.

What is chloroquine?

Chloroquine is a drug currently used in the treatment of malaria, lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.

Is chloroquine available in India?

Yes.

Can chloroquine prevent or cure Covid19?

We don’t know yet. While Whatsapp forwards may have declared chloroquine as the miracle drug to deliver us from this pandemic, the effectiveness of the drug in coronavirus patients has not been proven conclusively. The Lancet Global Health published initial findings that the drug shows antiviral activity against coronaviruses, especially the new virus; there is also limited, anecdotal evidence it can prevent the infection at approved doses and inhibit the spread of Covid19. However, clinical trials to comprehensively understand chloroquine’s therapeutic and prophylactic properties are still underway, The Indian Express reported.

“… so far there has not been a single adequately powered randomized study on chloroquine in patients infected by the new coronavirus. There are trials underway but not one has been completed or published in any peer-reviewed journal,” a cardiologist based in New Delhi, writes for The Wire.

Should I stock up on chloroquine just in case?

No. First, several medical professionals have countered Trump’s tweet by breaking down the fatal risk factor involved in using chloroquine without consulting a doctor: the drug affects the heart, potentially leading to arrhythmias and sudden death. There is a very fine line between the drug being effective, and the drug proving fatal, making it all the more precarious.

“It’s incredibly dangerous and foolish for people to be [self-administering chloroquine]. This is not going to be a magic pill for us to get us through this,” a medical director of the Banner Poison and Drug Information Center, told The New York Times. In fact, ingesting a fish tank cleaning additive made with chloroquine phosphate, the same active ingredient as the medication contains, led to the death of a man in the U.S. while his wife is hospitalized in critical care. Dr. Brooks added that the Arizona couple’s attempt to self-medicate should serve as a cautionary tale.

In addition, stocking up of the drug by panic-stricken masses can severely jeopardize the health of patients of malaria, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis, who have actually been prescribed the drug. These patients are at a much higher risk of contracting Covid19, as they are immunocompromised, and therefore, have the greatest need for chloroquine.

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.      https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations   https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes     https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement

17 of the World's Most Poisonous Foods!

Many people consider themselves to be "foodies" - people who have a vast interest in food, trying diverse new dishes and pursuing new and exciting flavors. However, even your regular foodie might be extremely hesitant to try one of these dishes, as most of them have the potential to kill you if they are not prepared properly. Below are the 17 most dangerous foods in the world!

 

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.     

https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations  
https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes    
https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement

 

 

15 Common ‘Healthy’ Foods That Can Be Toxic to Humans

When it comes to nutrition, nothing is black and white, and eating too much or too little of something can have health-threatening results. Take vitamins: both a vitamin deficiency and overdose can often lead to health problems. For example, vitamin B3 deficiency causes pellagra, a potentially life-threatening condition manifesting in dermatitis, fatigue, memory loss and digestive issues. Vitamin B3 hypervitaminosis, on the other hand, can cause severe liver damage.

However, it isn't always the quantity of a certain nutrient or food that's to blame for its harmful effects. In fact, sometimes it's the improper use that's responsible. When it comes to some of these foods, most of which are nuts, fruit and vegetables that are largely considered healthy, simply eating them incorrectly can prove to be devastating to your health.

 1. Green Potatoes

The humble, delicious and nutritious potato can turn into your worst enemy. Few people know this, but the actual plant that produces potatoes is full of solanine and chaconine, both of which are poisonous substances the plant uses to protect itself from insects and parasites.

Typically, potato tubers are free of these substances, but in some cases, especially when exposed to prolonged sunlight, potatoes, too, can build up solanine. The telltale signs of potatoes containing the poison are:

• when the potato turns green
• a bitter taste.

​Eating just a few of these green potatoes can make you develop toxic symptoms, such as vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, hallucinations, inflammation in the joints, cardiac dysrhythmia, thyroid issues, and other symptoms. Just 3-6 mg of solanine per kilogram of body weight can be deadly, so stay away from green or bitter-tasting potatoes.

2. Cherry Pits, Apple Seeds, and Peach Stones

Cherries, apples, peaches, and apricots are definitely among the most popular fruits out there, period. They're all juicy, sweet, and ridiculously easy to eat. But did you know that the seeds of all of these fruits are packed with prussic acid, also known as cyanide? The concentration of the potentially deadly poison varies significantly depending on the fruit, but only one cherry pit has been estimated to contain 0.17 grams of cyanide, which could be enough to kill a person.

Luckily, all of these fruits hide their poisonous insides deep within a hard shell, so there's generally no danger of you even ingesting an apple seed or cherry pit because your digestive system won't be able to dissolve the protective coating of the seed, given that you haven't bitten through it, that is. Still, we just wouldn't recommend risking it.

3. Bitter Almonds

Almonds are among the healthiest of nuts, but even they can be not so beneficial to your body, especially if you choose the wrong kind. This is because all almonds contain a precursor to cyanide called amygdalin, which can then be converted into the poison in your body.

Both sweet and bitter almonds contain amygdalin, but it's the bitter variety that has a significantly higher quantity of the poisonous substance and can cause diarrhea, nausea and stomach cramps, especially if they are raw. Heat treatment removes all the toxins from sweet almonds, so they're safe to eat.

4. Forest Mushrooms

It doesn't get better than a fresh homemade pizza with mushrooms, but be careful of which ones you use, as certain mushroom varieties can be deadly. As a matter of fact, there is only a handful of edible mushroom species. So, if you happen to go mushroom picking or buy fresh forest mushrooms, know very well which kinds of mushrooms are safe to eat and stay away from the rest.

The most dangerous mushroom varieties are the death cap (Amanita phalloides) and the destroying angel (Amanita virosa), pictured above. Eating any of these wild mushrooms will produce symptoms like diarrhea, intense thirst, abdominal pain, vomiting, liver failure, coma, and even death.

5. Shellfish

Shellfish are an exceptional source of protein and other beneficial nutrients, but unfortunately, it's not as safe to eat as fish, particularly when consumed raw. Even fresh seafood can absorb potentially harmful bacteria and viruses from the surrounding waters and cause serious digestive distress.

Apart from that, shellfish are notorious for absorbing high quantities of toxic heavy metals from the sea, such as mercury or cadmium, which ultimately build up in the human body and can cause toxic symptoms and even heavy metal poisoning, so it's best not to eat shellfish too often, even when cooked through thoroughly.

6. Raw Kidney Beans

Kidney beans are a great source of plant-based protein and iron, if you eat them right, that is. Non cooked beans can induce bad stomach cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea. That's why you should always cook your beans well before eating them, as the cooking process neutralizes the toxic proteins called lectins raw beans contain.

Raw kidney beans are the most saturated in lectins, but all beans have them. Eating just 4-5 kidney beans is typically enough to produce the above-mentioned symptoms, so make sure to eat your beans cooked.

7. Fresh Elderberries

Elderberry syrup or jam is a popular treat. It has known immune-boosting properties and it can be used to treat cold and flu symptoms, as well as relieve constipation.

However, eating just a few elderberries raw can have adverse effects on your health, as the berries contain cyanide and lectin. Even in small doses, these compounds induce digestive symptoms, such as nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting.

8. Raw Cashews

The cashews labeled as 'raw' you buy in stores aren’t actually raw at all, but if you happen to have access to real raw cashews, don't eat them. This is because all so-called raw cashews actually undergo a streaming process before they are packaged and shipped to stores, otherwise the nuts are actually toxic.

If not done so, cashews will contain a chemical called urushiol, which is the same allergen that's in poison ivy. Thus, eating truly raw cashews is extremely likely to cause a severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction.

9. Nutmeg

Nutmeg is a popular spice used both in sweet and savory dishes, as it imparts a pleasant nutty flavor to any recipe. Most recipes require no more than a teaspoon of the spice, and for good reason, as higher doses of nutmeg will make you regret using it for good. As a matter of fact, only 2 teaspoons of nutmeg powder can be toxic.

This is because the spice contains myristicin, a compound that messes with your brain and causes adverse symptoms like dizziness, confusion, drowsiness, hallucinations, and even seizures.

10. Alfalfa Sprouts

Alfalfa sprouts are typically grown in a warm, wet environment, which just so happens to be the optimal conditions for bacterial growth as well. So, it's no surprise that the sprouts are a common culprit behind foodborne illness outbreaks.

In fact, during the past 20 years, alfalfa sprouts have been responsible for thirty of such outbreaks, which included such dangerous pathogens as salmonella and E. coli. That's why we highly recommend boiling or otherwise exposing the sprouts to high heat before including them into your meal, even if you grow the sprouts at home.

11. Rhubarb Leaves

Rhubarb stalks are an excellent ingredient for compotes and desserts, but you have to know very well how to utilize them to stay safe. Before using the rhubarb, clean away all the leaves and throw them out, as the leaves contain a potentially deadly compound called oxalic acid.

Admittedly, one would have to eat a lot of rhubarb leaves, approximately 5 kg (11 lb), to die as a result, but even smaller amounts of the leaves can make you experience unpleasant symptoms, such as vomiting, diarrhea, breathing difficulties and burning in the mouth.

Consuming the leaves also makes you prone to kidney stones and abnormal blood clotting, as the poisonous substance binds to the calcium present in your body and causes a calcium deficiency, which then manifests itself in the above-mentioned symptoms. 

12. Mango

Like cashews and poison ivy, the leaves and bark of mango trees, as well as the skin of mango fruit are full of urushiol. That's why people who just happen to bite into a mango or eat a piece of the skin often experience skin rashes and swelling, or even problems breathing.

The severity of your symptoms will depend on how allergic you are to urushiol, but it's best to just stay away from the bitter mango skin altogether and enjoy the sweat and juicy pulp of the fruit instead. 

13. Broccoli

Didn't expect to see broccoli on this list, did you? Neither did we before we started researching for this article, but it turns out that even this superfood has its drawbacks if you eat it too much and too often. To prevent this from happening, simply switch out broccoli with other veggies from time to time, such as carrots or peppers in your salad or any other dish, especially if you have a history of thyroid issues.

This is because broccoli contains compounds called thiocyanates, which prevent your body from absorbing adequate amounts of iodine. If this happens constantly, it may lead to an underactive thyroid - hypothyroidism, a chronic issue that manifests itself in sudden weight gain, hair thinning, constipation, depression, and other symptoms.

14. Kimchi

Kimchi is among the healthiest fermented foods, with this Korean cabbage being capable of doing wonders for your digestive health, weight loss, aging and even prevent cancer. Still, even this wonder food has a dark side, believe it or not.

Namely, it's typically very high in sodium, with only 1 serving containing, on average, about a third of your allowed daily sodium intake. Higher than normal sodium intake, in turn, can really affect your heart and cardiovascular health in particular. However, in moderation, this fermented delight will share its health benefits with you without affecting your health, so make sure to eat no more than 1 serving of kimchi daily and you're golden.

15. Brown Rice

Brown rice is healthier than white rice and widely available, but it, too, can be disappointingly dangerous. This has nothing to do with the rice itself, but rather with the way it is grown. More specifically, rice is among those rare foods that are the most likely to absorb inorganic arsenic from the water and soil it's grown in, and because brown rice is less processed than white rice, it generally contains more of the toxic element.

Not all brown rice is polluted with arsenic, but in many corners of the Earth, the water supply is packed with the dangerous poison, which seeps into the rice as it's grown. Inorganic arsenic is one of the most toxic elements known, with long-term use being recognized to contribute to the development of various cancers, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular problems.

To minimize your exposure to arsenic, rinse your rice thoroughly several times before cooking and cook in plenty of water, subsequently draining the cooked rice. This will wash out up to 57% of the arsenic. You can also opt for white rice instead of brown, possibly from the Himalayan region (North India and Pakistan, Nepal), countries known to have less arsenic water pollution.

 

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.     

https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations  
https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes    
https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement