Fungal Infection Mimicking Spinal TB Found in 4 Covid-Recovered Patients

The discovery of a new post covid symptom among recovered patients in the last three months has raised serious concerns among the medical fraternity. The new cause of worry seems to be the detection of a fungal infection that has led to severe bone damage to the spinal-discs spaces of a patient.

The presence of this fungal infection came to the fore when a 66-year-old patient was found complaining of mild fever and severe lower back pain a month after recovering from COVID 19. Initially, the patient was treated with muscle relaxants and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs without relief.

A magnetic resonance imaging or MRI scan then revealed severe infection-led bone damage to the spinal-discs spaces called spondylodiscitis. Medically termed as aspergillus osteomyelitis, the invasive fungal infection was found to be difficult to diagnose as it mimics spinal tuberculosis (TB). Such fungal infection has been detected in mouth cavities of Covid-recovered patients, and, in rare cases, in lungs.

Deliberating on the issue, an infectious diseases expert  told that so far vertebral osteomyelitis caused by aspergillus fungi species has been diagnosed in four patients in three months. Prior to this, vertebral osteomyelitis had not been documented in post-Covid patients in India, he added.

The common thread found in all four was that they had severe Covid and were treated with steroids to get over Covid-linked pneumonia and related complications. The expert contended that long-term use of corticosteroids may increase the risk of opportunistic infections, depending on the underlying disease being treated and what other drugs are being used.

Another rare yet critical fungal infection caused by a group of molds known as mucormycetes called mucormycosis has also been widely reported in recovered patients across India. These molds are present naturally in the environment. However, it affects humans when the body’s immunity system has been weakened and it is vulnerable. It affects the lungs and the sinuses following inhalation of fungal spores from the air. The fungus can also enter the body through open wounds or cuts. This infection is also said to be caused due to the long-term use of corticosteroids.

Earlier, a partial or temporary loss of voice was also detected among many Covid survivors. The experts contended that the condition which is causing hoarseness of voice in some victims due to lung fibrosis or a complete loss of speech for weeks is not directly caused due to the virus but because it is making the victims susceptible to larynx infections which are making them feeling choked.

This condition is said to set in between the first and third weeks of the Covid attack and may last up to 3 months. It has not cased caused a permanent loss of voice in anyone however, it has led to many of those suffering falls into depression.

 

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

 

Tuberculosis infection is temporary in most people

A recent study challenged the earlier belief that tuberculosis infection stays forever and that it could come back at any point and cause the disease again.

Based on a review of clinical studies, researchers show that people who test positive with immunologic TB skin or blood tests rarely develop TB. 

They suggest it’s because the infecting organism, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, is likely dead, wiped out naturally by people’s immune systems.

Despite that, these people retain an immunological memory to the disease, which the authors said likely explained why standard TB tests show a positive result since those tests look for an immune response and not live bacteria.

The findings upend commonly held beliefs, as well as approaches to care and research around the world, for the two billion people who test positive for TB and are thought to be persistently infected and at risk for active disease.

“The National Institutes of Health and other non-profit organisations spend millions of dollars on studies of the latent state because of the assumption that TB infection is life-long, held in check by the immune system,” said co-author of the study.

“However, based on our analysis, we believe that it is rarely life-long, and in 90 per cent or more of infected people, there is no possibility of TB development even with severe immunosuppression,” added another researcher.

In their review, the team pointed to several previous studies to demonstrate the natural history of TB immunoreactivity in people given preventive treatment, and of active TB in immunoreactive people with various forms of severe immunosuppression, like patients with HIV and those who have received an organ transplant.

“TB immunoreactivity is not a marker for the presence of continued TB infection,” a researcher wrote. “Rather, it serves as a sign of having been infected with TB at some point.”

The researchers believe future resources should focus on developing tests that can better identify infected people who are not symptomatic. Currently, there are no specific tests for these patients.

They also believe that detecting and treating people with active TB should be a high priority, as well as providing TB preventive therapy for those around them.

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        

7 Symptoms That May Indicate Blocked Arteries

Many people believe that blocked arteries are a problem only for the elderly and those who are overweight, but it turns out that this phenomenon is commonplace, and according to a study, many people up to age 20 in the Western world already suffer from it. Because this is the case, the sweeping recommendation is to go and be examined as early as possible, especially if you experience one or more of the 7 symptoms listed in this article. Another thing you should know is that the abnormal flow of blood may also be a side effect of other serious health problems that should be noted since proper diagnosis and treatment can prevent a disaster.

1. Pain in the calves, hip and thigh muscles

Peripheral artery disease is a common circulatory blood problem in which limited arteries cause reduced blood flow to the limbs and are a major cause of leg pain, especially while walking. This condition can cause reduced blood flow to the brain and heart, and of course to the area of the legs, hips and calve muscles. Another cause of these pains may be fatty deposits in the arteries (atherosclerosis) or blockage of arteries due to lipids. In most cases, the area of pain indicates where the clot or block is located, which helps identify the root of the problem, but there are also other ways to identify it and its sources, such as numbness or weakness in the legs, skin discoloration, shiny skin, and impotence in men.

2. Chest pain

Chest pain or angina (angina pectoris) is the result of reduced blood flow to the heart. Severe pain in the chest, numbness in the left hand, heaviness, chest tightness or burning during physical or emotional exertion can be seen as a sign that one is actually suffering from arterial obstruction that requires examination, follow-up and treatment as it may be a precursor to a heart attack. There are other identifying signs that require a more thorough investigation, including chest contractions that radiate to the back, neck, jaw, shoulders, and arms, and especially to the left arm. These pains can be accompanied by shortness of breath, dizziness, and nausea, and they increase after exercise.

3. Temporary loss of vision in one eye

There are two main arteries leading blood and oxygen to the brain - one on the right and one on the left side of the neck, and they are responsible for delivering these vital substances to both sides of the brain respectively. When there is little blood flow or blockage in one of these arteries, insufficient oxygen reaches the eyes and brain, and as a result, their function can be damaged. In the case of reduced blood flow through one of these arteries, a temporary loss of vision may occur in the eye on the same side where the blockage exists, creating a screen over the eye and obscuring vision, usually only for a minute or two. Obstruction of both arteries can lead to stroke and even total vision loss, and to prevent this phenomenon you must maintain normal blood pressure and weight, a healthy lifestyle including proper nutrition, periodic examinations with a professional ophthalmologist and reporting on and a family history of arterial disease.

4. Lower back pain

Back problems are the second leading cause of disability and even loss of working capacity in various parts of the world, with 10% of people under the age of 20 in developed countries already having progressive obstruction of the aorta, causing problems of blockage in the arteries of the waist leading to various back problems. If you experience pain in the lower part of your back, you should know not to ignore them because they often indicate low blood flow that can cause herniated discs leading to pain and muscle contraction.

5. Shortness of breath

Shortness of breath occurs when coronary arteries are damaged or blocked, and people experience it when their heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet their body’s needs. The function of the coronary arteries is to supply blood to the heart, its muscles, its electrical conduction system, and its other components. Researchers have found that when a person experiences shortness of breath without chest pain, it can be a sign of a high-risk heart disease that requires medical attention. So, if you’re experiencing shortness of breath, and not just after exerting effort, you should be careful about what is causing it, making sure to check that it isn’t something that can worsen.

6. Cold feet or hands

The phenomenon of cold hands or feet throughout the year, or particularly cold hands during the winter, indicates a lack of blood - but not necessarily due to vitamin B12 deficiency in the body, rather as a result of partial obstruction or narrowing of the peripheral arteries that lead the blood to the extremities. If you are suffering from this condition, you should pay attention and check to see if you experience any other symptoms that indicate a lack of blood, such as weakening of pulse in the legs, long healing time in the case of a sore or a cut in the limbs, leg pain at rest or while walking, hair loss in the legs and feet, and of course a change in color of skin.

7. Fatigue and dizziness

Many attribute dizziness and fatigue they experience to lack of sleep or sleep disorders of some kind, which turns out to be true in most cases. However, according to a study, there are few cases where fatigue can indicate disorders in blood flow to various organs, especially the heart and brain, and are a sign of the possibility of arterial disease. The inability of the body to transfer blood properly reduces the amount of oxygen flowing throughout the body causing low functioning. It should be noted that according to various experts, a constant feeling of tiredness and frequent dizziness that indicates arterial obstruction is more common among women.

What increases the risk of blocked arteries?

One of the most common causes of clogged arteries is atherosclerosis; The pathogenesis of this disease isn’t known for sure, but it is clear that this is a complex disease that can start from childhood and develop rapidly as age progresses. Atherosclerosis can occur when certain factors damage the inner layers of the arteries such as smoking, high blood cholesterol, high blood pressure, high blood sugar or diabetes. To reduce the risk of side effects of poor blood circulation, you should exercise daily, lose weight, maintain a healthy, low-fat diet, quit smoking, and get checked at least once a year. 

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/                                                                                                                                                FOR INFO ABOUT KNEE REPLACEMENT, YOU CAN VIEW MY BLOG-                                                  https:// kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com/                                                                      FOR CROCHET DESIGNS                                                                                                    

                                https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com

'Broken Heart' Syndrome could be brain-based

A heartbreak after a sad event could literally "break your heart" -- and the blame may be on your brain, scientists believe.

"Broken Heart Syndrome', also known as Takotsubo syndrome (TTS), is a sudden temporary weakening of the heart muscles, accompanied by symptoms including chest pain, shortness of breath and sometimes heart attack.

TTS usually appears shortly after severe emotional stress like heartbreak after a breakup or death of a loved one, in addition to other types of extreme sadness, anger, or fear.

A recent study published  sought for more clues underpinning a possible heart-brain correlation. The researchers, which comprised of neuroscientists and cardiologists, compared MRI brain scans from 15 TTS patients with those of 39 healthy patients and looked at three areas of the brain -- amygdala, hippocampus, and cingulate gyrus.

These areas are involved in emotional processing, motivation and memory, collectively controlling our response to stress and regularly interact with each other. The amygdala and cingulate gyrus also handle certain unconscious bodily functions such as the heartbeat and breathing.

According to the study, TTS patients have exhibited a breakdown in communication between these regions of their brains controlling both emotional processing and automatic bodily processes.

"(This finding) strongly supports the idea that the brain is involved in the underlying mechanism of TTS," a cardiology professor and the study's lead researcher, said in a news release.

The study suggests that our emotions can take a much greater toll on our physical health than we realize, which is why it's important to pay attention to your emotional health and holistic well-being. 

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/                                                                                                                                                         FOR INFO ABOUT KNEE REPLACEMENT, YOU CAN VIEW MY BLOG-                                                  https:// kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com/           

                                                                           FOR CROCHET DESIGNS                                                                                                                                                                                                  https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com