Domestic abuse victims twice at risk of long-term illnesses

Published in the Journal of Interpersonal Violence, a new research from Universities of Birmingham and Warwick in the UK shows that women who have experienced domestic abuse are almost twice as likely to develop fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) than those who have not.
Fibromyalgia causes pain all over the body, while CFS is an illness with a wide range of symptoms, most common of which is extreme tiredness. They are both long-term conditions. “We have been aware that domestic abuse has significant negative effects for victims and their children. This and other related work by our team showing strong associations with several diseases suggests that the costs of abuse are even greater than understood previously,” said Indian-origin researcher and study co-author Siddhartha Bandyopadhyay from the University of Birmingham.

“The higher incidence of long-term illnesses, such as chronic fatigue syndrome, for abused women implies the existence of an additional hidden cost to society that we need to understand better,” Bandyopadhyay added. The study, examined the general practitioner (GP) records dating between 1995 and 2017 of 18,547 women who had suffered domestic abuse, compared to 74,188 who had not.

They found the risk of developing fibromyalgia and CFS in women who have experienced domestic abuse was twice the rate of those who had no recorded experience by their GP, after taking into account factors which may influence the association. The incidence rate ratio for developing fibromyalgia was 1.73 (1.36-2.22). The incidence rate ratio of developing CFS was 1.91 (1.11-3.33)

It comes after a previous study led by the University of Birmingham showed that UK domestic abuse victims are three times more likely to develop severe mental illnesses. “Recent UK estimates suggest that 27.1 per cent of women have experienced some form of domestic abuse, with a large proportion of these cases expected to be women who have suffered violence at the hands of an intimate partner,” said study researcher Joht Singh Chandan.

“Considering the prevalence of domestic abuse, and the fact that patients experiencing fibromyalgia and CFS often face delays in diagnosis due to a limited understanding generally of how these conditions are caused, it is important for clinicians to bear in mind that women who have survived abuse are at a greater risk of these conditions,” Chandan added.

According to the study, survivors of domestic abuse can experience immense physiological and psychological stress.

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10 Conditions You Think You Have, But Don't

When it comes to health, there are times when we jump to conclusions and assume the worst. What's more? Health issues in the news can lead to incorrect self-diagnosis and, possibly, a misdiagnosis by a doctor. Here's what you need to know to get the right information and the right treatment: 

 

1. Low testosterone

After the age of 30, testosterone levels drop with age at about 1% each year. But if they get too low, men can experience weight gain, fatigue, low libido, erectile dysfunction, and mood swings. Many other conditions can be the cause of those symptoms too, so be sure to visit a doctor. An expert says: “Assuming you are not on medications which can cause [these] side effects, depression, diabetes, and sleep apnea all can either mimic the symptoms or cause a drop in testosterone. Adding testosterone to any of these other primary conditions can make your symptoms worse, not better.” Taking testosterone can also increase your risk of a heart attack and blood clots, so proceed with caution and make sure therapy is truly necessary. 

2. Migraines

Chances are your splitting headache is not actually a migraine. A Dr. says “It is only really seen in about 12 percent of people. A migraine is usually associated with nausea and/or light or sound sensitivity and usually goes through stages.” Stages include irritability, depression, or euphoria up to 48 hours before a migraine, including seeing bright circles or hearing ringing in your ears, the throbbing headache itself and subsequent exhaustion. Nevertheless, it is a good idea to figure out what is causing your headache, especially if they are recurring. Dr. suggests creating a headache log: “A patient can write down when they have their headaches, what they are doing, the foods they ate, any possible triggers (stress, loud noises, bright lights), how long the headache lasts, any treatments tried and the effectiveness of the treatments.”

3. ADHD

According to studies, ADHD is overdiagnosed in children, and this can be a problem with adults as well. ADHD is often characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. It impacts work and relationships and a diagnosis requires the presence of multiple symptoms. “Depression is more common in the general population,” says Dr., “and its signs—such as chronic forgetfulness, difficulty concentrating, lack of motivation, mood swings, low self-esteem, procrastination, substance abuse, and workplace issues—are also seen in adult ADHD.”Before jumping to conclusions he suggests seeing your doctor. Other possibilities for ADHD-like behavior include anxiety, undetected seizures, thyroid problems, drug or alcohol use, and sudden life changes. 

4. Chronic fatigue syndrome

Feeling tired all the time? While it may feel like you have a chronic condition, it is unlikely that it's this one. Known as myalgic encephalomyelitis, chronic fatigue syndrome affects between 836,000 to 2.5 million Americans. Aside from experiencing exhaustion for at least six months, you are also likely to have flu-like symptoms, brain fog and unexplained muscle or joint pain. And you are likely to feel worse after mildly exerting yourself. So, what could your seemingly constant fatigue be attributed to? If your lifestyle doesn't seem to be a likely answer - e.g. too little sleep, too much stress or obesity - it may be a wide range of medical conditions, including a sleep disorder, a heart or lung problem, anemia, mononucleosis, lupus, or a mental health issue. 

5. Yeast infection

You may be surprised to learn that vaginal itchiness and abnormal discharge don't necessarily mean that you have a yeast infection. In fact, according to a study, out of 150 patients who thought they had a yeast infection, only 26% actually did. An incorrect self-diagnosis can lead you to take an over-the-counter medication that you don't need and a problem that won't go away. So, if you have the above symptoms, along with burning, redness, and swelling, you may have bacterial vaginosis, inflammation, dry skin, an allergy, or an STD like chlamydia or gonorrhea. Be sure to see a doctor. 

6. Rheumatoid arthritis
Are you one of the 1.5 million Americans who have rheumatoid arthritis? RA occurs when your immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells in your joints, causing swelling and pain. However, the more likely culprit for your joint pain is osteoarthritis, which affects 27 million people in the U.S. each year. But, how can you distinguish the two? “Rheumatoid arthritis tends to involve the smaller joints of the body and [present] symmetrically, left and right,” says Dr., he adds that multiple joints tend to be affected at the same time. “Osteoarthritis, which is wear and tear, tends to hit the joint with more use first.” Be diagnosed accurately is essential because the primary method of treatment for RA involved medications. Lupus, gout and psoriatic arthritis are other conditions that can be mistaken for RA.  

7. Bipolar disorder

Bipolar disorders are usually characterized by extreme mood and energy fluctuations, but it is often diagnosed because there is medication to treat it. The problem here is that medications used to treat it can increase the risk of developing high cholesterol and diabetes, among other health issues. Other conditions that exhibit bipolar-like symptoms include depression, anxiety, ADHD, borderline personality disorder, metabolic or brain disorders, and substance abuse. 

8. Chronic sinusitis
If an ER doctor or a primary care physician diagnosis you with chronic sinusitis, you will want to get a second opinion from an ENT. According to a study, more than 99% of patients diagnosed with this condition by someone who wasn't an ENT didn't actually have it. Chronic sinusitis tends to last for more than three months and usually requires an endoscopy or CT scan to diagnose. It also calls for different treatment, including a longer course of antibiotics and oral steroids. It may not even be sinusitis at all. It could be a viral infection, an allergy, or even a migraine or tension headache. 

9. Acute bacterial sinusitis

Acute sinusitis affects 1 in 8 adults per year. But, there's a good chance you don't have the type that requires antibiotics. A Dr. says, “The vast majority of sinusitis, which is inflammation of the sinuses thus resulting in nasal discharge, face paint, and pressure, is viral in nature. We suspect it is bacterial only if symptoms have persisted for at least 10 days. Taking antibiotics for viral sinusitis does nothing for the condition, but can cause diarrhea, a secondary infection [caused by a bacteria] called Clostridium difficile, or leads to resistance of bacteria to antibiotics in the future.”

10. Chronic kidney disease 
Chronic kidney disease may not cause any symptoms early on, though you might get tested for it should you have diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease or a family history of kidney issues. You may experience swelling in your legs, feet, and face, along with dry skin, increased or decreased urine production, nausea, and trouble concentrating. CKD may be over-diagnosed due to new guidelines that were designed for early intervention. According to doctors, many people's condition never progresses to full-fledged, symptomatic kidney disease. This means that they should never have had that early diagnosis to start. Though not going into kidney failure is a good thing, the diagnosis itself may lead to unnecessary stress, tests, and treatments. 

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Study finds chronic fatigue clues in overactive immune response

Scientists exploring what may trigger a complex disorder known as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) have found clues in the way some people’s immune systems respond more actively to a health attack.
A severe illness characterised by long-term physical and mental fatigue, CFS is thought to affect up to 17 million people worldwide and around 250,000 people in Britain.

Sufferers are often bed-bound and unable to carry out basic daily activities like washing and feeding themselves.

The researchers used a drug known as interferon alpha to create a model of the syndrome and found that patients whose immune response to treatment was hyperactive or exaggerated were more likely to then develop severe fatigue.

“For the first time, we have shown that people who are prone to develop a CFS-like illness have an overactive immune system, both before and during a challenge to the immune system,” said one of  the researchers.

The condition, as well as research into it, is highly contentious, in part because its possible causes and range of debilitating symptoms are poorly understood.

Interferon alpha is used as a treatment for hepatitis C infection, and activates the immune system in the same way as a powerful infection.

Many patients who receive interferon alpha experience extreme fatigue during treatment, and some continue to feel chronic fatigue for many months after the drug course is completed.

The team used this knowledge and measured fatigue and immune system markers in 55 patients before, during and after treatment with interferon alpha.

They found that the 18 of those 55 who went on to develop a CFS-like illness had a hyperactive immune system before treatment, and an highly overactive response during treatment.

“(This suggests) people who have an exaggerated immune response to a trigger may be more at risk of developing CFS,” the author told reporters at a briefing about the findings.

 A Prof. stressed that while the study’s main finding is a useful addition to scant scientific knowledge about CFS - also known as myalgic encephalopathy (ME) - it offers few clues on how to treat, cure or prevent it.

“It’s a light in the fog,” he told reporters.

“But a better understanding of the biology underlying the development of CFS is needed to help patients.”

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Study Just Linked Chronic Fatigue Syndrome to Gut Bacteria

A new study has shown that people with chronic fatigue syndrome have abnormal levels of specific gut bacteria - providing even more evidence that the condition isn't "just in a person's head".

For decades, millions of people have reported experiencing symptoms now associated with a condition called chronic fatigue syndrome - a debilitating disease that causes brain fog, severe pain, and exhaustion so extreme, patients can't go about their daily lives, and sometimes can't even get out of bed. But a physical cause has been elusive, leaving many feeling that their condition isn't being taken seriously.


It was only in 2015 that the US Institute of Medicine detailed a comprehensive way to diagnose chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME/CFS), and earlier this year, scientists linked the condition to faulty cell receptors in immune cells for the first time - which explains why the side effects can be so varied and hard to pin down.

But there are still no effective treatments for the disease, and no cure - some commonly prescribed treatments for the condition have been cognitive behavioural therapy and exercise, neither of which have any evidence to support they work, and could actually be doing more harm than good.

Now, new research has shown that patients with ME/CFS have abnormal levels of specific gut bacteria - and those levels change depending on the severity and type of symptoms they have.

"Individuals with ME/CFS have a distinct mix of gut bacteria and related metabolic disturbances that may influence the severity of their disease," said one of the researchers.

"By identifying the specific bacteria involved, we are one step closer to more accurate diagnosis and targeted therapies," added lead researcher.

The study adds to research from last year, which showed that up to 80 percent of patients with ME/CFS could be accurately diagnosed by looking at their gut bacteria.


And it's also known that up to 90% of ME/CFS patients have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), so the latest research began to untangle the specific gut bacteria changes associated with each condition.

The team followed 50 ME/CFS patients and 50 healthy controls, who had been carefully matched. They tested the number of bacterial species in faecal samples, and looked at the immune molecules in their blood.

They found that seven distinct intestinal bacterial species were strongly associated with ME/CFS, so much so that an elevated presence of all of them could predict a diagnosis.
The strains were:

• Faecalibacterium
• Roseburia
• Dorea
• Coprococcus
• Clostridium
• Ruminococcus
• Coprobacillus

There were also specific changes seen in the gut bacteria of those who had chronic fatigue syndrome with IBS, and those who didn't have IBS.

Interestingly, when the team measured bacterial metabolic pathways - the ways that bacteria break down food and send signals to the brain - there were clear differences between the healthy controls and the ME/CFS group.

There were also measurable differences depending on the severity of a patient's symptoms, which suggests that are different subtypes of ME/CFS that could be identified.

While this study involved only a small sample size, with further verification, this could be the first step towards coming up with targeted ways to not only diagnose the debilitating disease, but also treat it.

"Our analysis suggests that we may be able to subtype patients with ME/CFS by analysing their fecal microbiome," said one of the researcher.

"Subtyping may provide clues to understanding differences in manifestations of disease."

 The research has been published in the journal Microbiome.
.

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10 Commonly Misdiagnosed Conditions

The chances of getting a medical misdiagnosis is actually a lot higher than you could possibly imagine. In fact, a study carried out in 2013 found that diagnostic errors may affect as many as 12 million - or one out of every 20 - American adults. Furthermore, according to the study's author, half of these errors could end up being potentially harmful.

 

Mark Graber, MD, founder and president of the Society to Improve Diagnosis in Medicine states that, "you have a good chance of being misdiagnosed if you have a really rare disease or a really common disease which presents non-specifically or in some atypical fashion."

In other words, some diseases and conditions are difficult to diagnose because they present the same common symptoms. Therefore, it's extremely important for patients to seek a second medical opinion. Below are 10 conditions that are commonly missed or mistaken for something else.

1. Hypothyroidism 

 What Is It?

Abnormally low thyroid production
Symptoms:
• Sadness plus fatigue
• Weight gain
• Insomnia
• Muscle aches/stiffness
• Constipation
• Dry skin
Commonly Mistaken For:
• Depression
• Aging
Tests for Detection A TSH blood test.
Did You Know? 
• It can be easily and completely treated with thyroid hormone replacement. 

2. Parkinson's Disease

What Is It?
 A degenerative disorder of the central nervous system.
Symptoms: 
• Tremors in hands, arms, legs, or head.
• Stiff muscles
• Problems with balance or walking
Commonly Mistaken For:
• Alzheimer's
• Stroke
• Stress
• Traumatic head injury
• Essential tremor 
Tests for Detection
There are no tests that can be given. In order for Parkinson's to be diagnosed, a complete neurological exam must be administered. Often a Parkinson's disease medicine is given to the patient, and if progress is made, this helps to diagnose the illness. 
Did You Know?
• 7-10 million people in the world are living with Parkinson's.
• Men are 1.5 times more likely to get Parkinson's than women.
• There is a 2-4% risk of contracting Parkinson's among people over the age of 60, compared to the 1-2% risk for the rest of the population. 

3. Fibromyalgia 

What Is It?  A chronic arthritis-like disorder characterized by widespread pain. 
Symptoms:
• Anxiety or depression
• Increased sensitivity to pain
• Incapacitating fatigue
Commonly Mistaken For:
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Chronic fatigue syndrome
Tests for Detection Diagnosis is made after a physical exam and after having had a chat with the patient - a lot of the diagnosis is based on the way you feel.  A blood test, known as a FM/a, identifies markers produced by immune system blood cells in people with fibromyalgia.

The following two questions are taken into account when diagnosing patients:
1. Has there been widespread pain in all four quadrants of your body for a minimum of three months?
2. Do you have tenderness or pain in at least 11 of 18 specific tender points when pressure is applied?
Did You Know?  • 200 to 400 million people around the world have fibromyalgia, that's 2-4% of the population.
• It's 7x more likely in women than in men.
• It takes an average of 5 years to get a correct fibromyalgia diagnosis.

4. Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH)

What Is It? A buildup of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain. It most commonly occurs after a stroke or a head injury from a fall. However, most of the time, the cause is unknown. 
Symptoms:
• Unsteady gait
• Progressive dementia
• Urinary problems, most often, incontinence
Commonly Mistaken For:
• Alzheimer's
• Parkinson's
Tests for Detection Tests include brain scans, intracranial pressure monitoring, spinal tap or lumbar catheter, and neuropsychological tests. 
Did You Know? • It's most common in the elderly population, ages 70-75. 

5. Multiple Sclerosis 

What Is It? 
A progressive autoimmune disease that attacks the central nervous system.
Symptoms:
• Muscle spasms
• Lack of coordination
• Balance Problems
• Blurred vision
• Cognitive impairment
Commonly Mistaken For :
• Viral infection
• Lupus
• Alzheimer's
• Bipolar disorder
Tests for Detection Tests include an MRI (used to detect MS in 90% of patients), a spinal tap, and an evoked potential test - these tests can indicate problems along the pathway of certain nerves. 
Did You Know? • It's usually diagnosed between the age of 18-40.
• Children with MS are more likely to have seizures (5%) than adults (2-3%)

 

6. Celiac Disease

What Is It?  An autoimmune disorder marked by the inability to digest gluten, a protein in wheat, rye and barley.
Symptoms:
• Vomiting
• Abdominal pain and bloating
• Diarrhea
• Weight loss
• Anemia
• Leg cramps
Commonly Mistaken For:
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Crohn's disease
• Cystic fibrosis
Tests for Detection  An antibody blood test and a small intestinal biopsy.
Did You Know? • In America, around 3 million people are living with celiac disease.
• Women are 2-3 times more likely to have the disease.

7. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome 

What Is It? 
A complex disorder with a combination of symptoms with an unknown cause.
Symptoms:
• Loss of memory or concentration
• Sore throat
• Painful lymph nodes in neck or armpits
• Unexplained muscle and joint pain
Commonly Mistaken For:
• Sinus problems
• Hepatitis
• Fibromyalgia
• Lupus
• Rheumatoid arthritis
Tests for Detection There are no specific tests for diagnosis since it mimics many other health problems. Therefore, diagnosis is based on exclusion of similar disorders. However, you must have unexplained persistent fatigue for six months or more along with other symptoms. 
Did You Know? • The body becomes more susceptible to infection, as it disrupts the immune system.
• CFS prolongs and worsens the effects of low blood pressure. 

8. Lupus 

What Is It? 
A chronic inflammatory disease.
Symptoms:
• Fatigue
• Kidney, heart and lung damage
• Rash
• Joint paint
Commonly Mistaken For:
• Chronic fatigue syndrome
• Fibromyalgia
• Rheumatoid arthritis
Tests for Detection
There are a number of blood tests that can detect lupus and these include:
• C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
• Complete Blood Cell Count (CBC)
• Anti-Sm
• Antinuclear antibody (ANA)
• Antiphospholipid Antibodies (APLs)
Did You Know?
• 50% of lupus patients see 3 doctors in 4 years before being diagnosed.
• It affects around 1.5 million Americans.
• 90% of those with lupus are women.

9. Heart Attack 

What Is It? A serious medical emergency in which the supply of blood to the heart is suddenly blocked, usually by a blood clot. 
Symptoms:
• Discomfort, pressure, heaviness, or pain in the chest, arm, or below the breastbone
• Fullness, indigestion, or choking feeling (may feel like heartburn)
• Sweating
• Vomiting
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Shortness of breath
Commonly Mistaken For:
• Anxiety
• Indigestion
Tests for Detection An electrocardiogram (ECG) will be taken to see if any damage has occurred to your heart muscle and where it has occurred. In addition to this, your heart rate and rhythm will be monitored. Blood tests might be carried out to see if there are any cardiac enzymes in your blood. These enzymes are usually found only in your heart, but will be released into the bloodstream if any damage occurs to your heart. Therefore, by measuring the levels of these enzymes in your blood, doctors can determine the size of the heart attack (if you have indeed had one) and where it started. 
Did You Know? • Every 43 seconds, someone in the US is having a heart attack.
• 1 in 5 heart attacks is silent - the damage is done, but the person is not aware of it.
• Men are more susceptible to heart attacks than women.

 

10. Aortic Dissection

What Is It? A tear develops in the aorta, the largest blood vessel branching from the heart, which causes the inner and middle layers to separate. 
Symptoms:
• Sudden chest or upper back pain
• Loss of consciousness
• Shortness of breath
• Sweating
• Weak pulse in one arm compared to the other
Commonly Mistaken For:
• Heartburn
• Heart attack
• Stroke
Tests for Detection Imaging procedures such as a computerized tomography (CT) scan, a magnetic resonance angiogram (MRA), and transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) scans are the most accurate.
Did You Know?     • It most frequently occurs in men, aged 60-70
• Chronic high blood pressure can stress the aortic tissue, making a person more susceptible to a tear. 
Have You Been Misdiagnosed?
  Here are some common questions you should ask yourself if you think that you've been misdiagnosed.
Are You Getting Better with Your Prescribed Treatment?
If you have been taking medicine for a prescribed time and no positive results have started to show, visit your doctor for a follow-up appointment.
Do Your Symptoms Match the Diagnosis You Were Given?
Look up your diagnosis to see whether or not the symptoms you have mimic the symptoms associated with the illness.
Were You Only Given a Lab Test for Your Diagnosis?
Sometimes, tests come back wrong, so it is good to get a second opinion, preferably from a specialized lab.
Have You Done Your Research?
Don't always take your doctor's word. Do some research and don't be afraid to ask a lot of questions.
Is No News Really Good News?
It's as easy as a chart or piece of paper getting stuck together or misplaced for you not to receive a very important call regarding a diagnosis. Always follow up for results, even if you have been told that not hearing from the doctor is a good thing.

 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  
  htps://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes  
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