How to Treat Keratosis Pilaris

Discovering small red bumps on your arms can be quite alarming. Do you have chicken pox? Could it be acne? Is it a rash? Luckily, dots that are typically found on the backs of your arms (often known as 'chicken skin') are generally completely harmless.

This skin condition, known as keratosis pilaris, is pretty common, and occurs frequently in women and young children, and they often appear during puberty or pregnancy. The visible bumps are caused by a keratin buildup, which is the tough protein that protects your skin from infections and harmful substances.

Thanks to this buildup, a scaly plug gets formed, which blocks the hair follicle's opening, causing patches of bumpy skin to develop. Keratosis pilaris may be genetically transferred, or it may actually be a side effect of a number of other skin disorders, and in some cases may also show up on a person's buttocks or legs.

So far, there doesn't seem to be an effective cure for this condition, but there are quite a few ways to manage it. First of all, never directly scrub or scratch the area, since you'll only end up making these bumps a lot worse.

Janellen Smith, a dermatologist at UC Irvine Health recommends that "when you come out of the shower, pat yourself dry—don’t rub or scrub.” Moisturizing is essential, but you should try to avoid fragrant soaps. Look out for specialty creams or lotions that contain lactic acid, hydroxy acid, salicylic acid or urea to help loosen and get rid of dead skin cells.

Creams that contain vitamin A (topical retinoids) are also helpful, as they will promote cell turnover and prevent hair follicles from getting clogged. If over-the-counter remedies don't clear up the problem, you might want to consider paying a visit to a dermatologist. If the condition is really getting you down, then laser treatment might be a viable option, however, most cases of keratosis pilaris are more of a cosmetic nuisance than an actual medical concern.

 

 

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Retinal Degeneration

We all know how important it is to take care of our eyes, especially in advanced ages, when time begins to affect the body and damage this important organ. Therefore, it is best that you know as much as possible about retinal degeneration, a disease that is particularly common among the elderly that affects the retina, and if you do not diagnose and start treating it on time, the consequences can be extreme – to the point of blindness. 
 
Beyond the general information about this disease and the ways in which it can be identified, in the next article, you’ll also find information on the various treatment methods that can delay the development of the disease and even stop it. So, read this information carefully, get yourself checked if necessary, and pass the article on to your friends and family - you may be helping them save their eyesight...

Some important things to know about retinal degeneration:

The retina is a layer of the eye located in the upper inner part. Its function is to absorb the light from the environment and convert it into nerve signals that are translated in our brains. Retinal degeneration is a disease that affects the center of the retina (macula) and is estimated to affect about 150 million adults worldwide and is the most common cause of blindness. The exact cause of the disease is not yet clear, but it is estimated that there are several risk factors that affect its development:

• Obesity
• High blood pressure
• Smoking
• Family history

Retinal degeneration can be divided into two main types and if you detect even some of these symptoms, it is recommended that you periodically visit your eye doctor:
Dry retinal degeneration - This is the milder form of the disease that develops slowly and gradually. Between 85 and 90 percent of people with retinal degeneration in the world suffer from the dry form. This situation has no medical solution, but it is possible to delay its progress and prevent deterioration in various ways, which we will discuss below.
Wet retinal degeneration - In this condition, in addition to degeneration of the retinal cells, leakages from the blood vessels in the same area also occur. This is a more serious condition, which can result in severe and rapid loss of vision. However, in the case of early diagnosis, immediate actions can be taken to treat the disease and prevent loss of vision.

What are the primary symptoms of the disease?

Early diagnosis of retinal degeneration is critical in dealing with the disease and preventing blindness. For this purpose, it is important to know the warning signs that indicate retinal degeneration:

• Symptoms of dry retinal degeneration include, among other things, needing a brighter light for reading, blurring and difficulty reading written texts, difficulty in adapting to low light, decreased intensity in brightness and intensity of colors, decreased ability to recognize people's faces, and general decline in eye function at an older age.
• Symptoms of wet retinal degeneration are considered to be more severe and less subtle. The disease can cause people to see straight lines as curvy or bent. It may also cause black spots in the center of vision, which will grow more and more in the absence of treatment.

It is important to understand that the symptoms may not always be the same in both eyes. It is possible that one eye will experience serious degeneration while the other eye might not experience any symptoms at all at first. In any case, if you suspect that something is wrong with your eyes - it is always better to go to a qualified ophthalmologist as soon as possible. Periodic tests and early detection can control the symptoms of the disease and in some cases, save you from blindness.

How is the diagnosis performed?

Diagnosis of retinal degeneration is done through an eye examination by an ophthalmologist or optometrist. Over the age of 50, it is recommended to get these tests done every year. The diagnosis can be made in three main ways:

• Amsler Grid Test - A simple and preliminary test in which the patient looks at horizontal and vertical lines to see if they see the lines distorted.
• Fluorescein angiography - After your doctor injects a colored dye into a vein in your arm the dye will travel to a highlight the blood vessels in your eyes. The doctor then examines the eye with magnifying accessories to identify leaks in blood vessels.
• Optical coherence tomography - This is an optical imaging test that gives the doctor a more accurate picture of the eye and enables more efficient diagnosis of retinal changes and abnormalities. 

  How is retinal degeneration treated?

  As noted, in most cases early diagnosis will help to adapt treatment that will delay the deterioration of the disease and in some cases will even prevent the patient from reaching a state of blindness. In order to do this, of course, it is important to ensure continuous treatment and follow-ups by a qualified ophthalmologist, but at the same time, there is still no medical treatment in the form of medications or surgery to fully cure the disease. In its wet form, fluid may be absorbed back into the blood vessels through injections of Avastin, Lucentis or Eylea every few weeks. In some cases, your doctor may also recommend laser treatment for wet retinal degeneration. The doctor will also recommend enlarging texts for reading using a magnifying glass or advanced technological aids.
  Along with the conventional tools, alternative medicine offers other ways to supplement treatment and provide a holistic, broad and effective way of delaying the disease. These are some of the factors that cause it to be effective:
  
• Vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants - our diet has a significant impact on the functioning of body systems, and of course, also on the eyes. Studies show that in order to slow the progression of the disease, it is recommended to increase the consumption of the following substances: vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc oxide, copper oxide, lutein, and zeaxanthin.
• Healthy fats - In a review of several studies conducted in 2008, omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish oil, seeds, and nuts, can slow retinal degeneration.
• Acupuncture - Acupuncture allows better oxygen flow to the macula, thus slowing down the disease and even stopping it. The treatment allows cells damaged by macular degeneration to "wake up" and improve their functioning.

The tools available from alternative medicine may greatly improve the functioning of eyes suffering from retinal degeneration. In order to enjoy all these benefits and prevent deterioration of vision, it is recommended to use a qualified therapist who is experienced in the treatment of eye diseases.
 

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How To Treat Coughing Blood

Coughing up blood can be frightening. The blood may come from the lungs, stomach, or throat. You may cough up a few thin streaks of bright red blood. This probably is not a cause for concern. Coughing up large amounts of bright red blood or rust-coloured mucus from the lungs can be a symptom of a more serious condition.

Several conditions can make you cough up blood from the lungs. These include bronchitis and pneumonia, or more serious problems such as cancer or a blood clot in the lung (pulmonary embolus).

Depending on what is causing your cough, it may go away after the illness is treated. Your doctor may tell you not to suppress the cough with cough medicine if it is better for you to cough up the blood and spit it out.

The coughing up of blood that originates from below the level of the larynx is known as hemoptysis. This can vary in terms of severity depending on the amount of blood being expelled. This disease is a common condition, but on an average, less than 5% of hemoptysis cases are life threatening.
Hemoptysis rarely affects children. The symptoms of this condition include:
Sudden onset of a cough with bloody phlegm

1. Fever
2. Anorexia and weight loss
3. Dyspnoea
4. Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnoea
5. Fatigue

Chest pain: Medical attention should be sought in cases where this condition recurs often, if it lasts for longer than a fortnight or if the volume of blood expectorated is more than 30ml per day. The various tools that help in the diagnosis of this condition are: Chest radiography: This imaging modality helps lateralize bleeding and understand the amount of lung involvement. It is quick, inexpensive and can also help detect other underlying abnormalities. Bronchoscopy: This involves the insertions of a rigid or flexible endoscope into the bronchial passages to check the airways and determine active bleeding sites.

MDCT: A multidetector CT is a non-invasive imaging tool that provides a comprehensive evaluation of airways, lung parenchyma, and thoracic vessels. It can also be used to uncover potential causes of bleeding such as bronchiectasis, pulmonary infections and lung cancer. In some cases, a multidetector CT angiography may also be used.

Oral antibiotics are usually the first stage of treatment for this condition. Smokers will also be urged to quit cigarettes as this can worsen their condition. Treatment for minor hemoptysis may also include:

1. Oral hemostatics
2. Cough suppressants
3. Anticoagulants
4. Radiation of laser treatment
5. Therapeutic bronchoscopy

In its later stages, hemoptysis can be treated with a minimally invasive procedure known as endovascular embolization or with surgery. In some cases, endovascular embolization may also be sued to stabilise the patient before surgery. This procedure reduces the pressure in the hypertrophic arterial blood vessels and decreases the risk of perioperative bleeding.

Hemoptysis is also one of the most common complaints of lung cancer patients. Depending on the stage of cancer and the amount of blood expectorated, treatment in some cases may not be possible. In such cases, a parenteral opioid and fast-acting benzodiazepine may be administered.

How can you care for yourself at home?

• Make a note of when and for how long you cough up blood. Also note if you are coughing up spit with a small amount of blood, or mostly blood. Take this information to your next appointment with your doctor.
• Increase your fluid intake to at least 8 to 10 glasses of water every day. This helps keep the mucus thin and helps you cough it up. If you have kidney, heart, or liver disease and have to limit fluids, talk with your doctor before you increase your fluid intake.
• If your doctor prescribed antibiotics, take them as directed. Do not stop taking them just because you feel better. You need to take the full course of antibiotics.
• Do not take cough medicine without your doctor's guidance. They can cause problems if you have other health problems. They can also interact with other medicine.
• Do not smoke or use other forms of tobacco, especially while you have a cough. Smoking can make coughing worse. If you need help quitting, talk to your doctor about stop-smoking programs and medicines. These can increase your chances of quitting for good.
• Avoid exposure to smoke, dust, or other pollutants.

When should you call for help?

Call for emergency hospital number anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if: 

• You have sudden chest pain and shortness of breath.
• You have severe trouble breathing.

Call your doctor or nurse call line now or seek immediate medical care if:

• You have wheezing and difficulty breathing.
• You are dizzy or light-headed, or you feel like you may faint.
• You cough up clots of blood.

Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor or nurse call line if:

• You do not get better as expected.
• You have any new symptoms, such as chest pain with difficulty breathing or a fever.

THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES.                                                                                                                                                                                                        PS- THOSE INTERESTED IN RECIPES ARE FREE TO  VIEW MY BLOG-                                                                                           https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com/   

 
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