Posts

Showing posts from August, 2021

Cysts weighing 4.2 kg removed from woman’s chest - The Hindu

Image
A team of surgeons at the Sunrise Hospital here removed two large hydatid (a parasitic disease caused by tapeworm) cysts weighing 4.2 kg that was formed in the chest and abdomen of a 35-year-old woman belonging to Palakkad. The woman had approached doctors after she experienced difficulty in breathing and had nausea for two months. The CT scans revealed two large hydatid cysts, one measuring 12x8 cm with multiple daughter cysts and occupying almost 75% of the right chest and pushing the heart to the left. Another large cyst was seen in the abdomen attached to the liver, measuring 20x15 cm. The right lung had almost completely collapsed due to the compression of the cyst and she was surviving on the left lung alone. The surgeons removed the large cyst from the adjacent organs without causing any injury. The cyst wall was excised along with the half of the lung and the diaphragm was repaired. With the removal of the huge cyst, the lung was able to expand to its full capacity. The surgery

Opinion | Yes, you can get some immunity from having covid-19. But no one should wait to get vaccinated. - The Washington Post

Image
A major reason why many Americans remain unvaccinated is the belief that so-called natural immunity protects as well or better than immunity from vaccination. A professor at George Mason University recently filed a lawsuit against his employer alleging that because he recovered from covid-19, he should be exempted from the university's vaccine mandate. Some physicians have argued that children are better off being exposed to covid-19 and developing immunity through infection rather than vaccination. There are some simple responses to these arguments: All eligible people 12 and above — including those who were previously infected like that professor — would be better off getting the vaccine and should be required to do so. Vaccines for younger children must be an urgent priority and, once authorized, should also be mandated. Nevertheless, it's important to acknowledge that those promoting natural immunity aren't entirely wrong. They are right that recovery from covid-19 prov

Doctor explains why people should not take horse medication to treat COVID - WILX-TV

Image
LANSING, Mich. (WILX) - According to the Ingham County Health Department, poison control has received a spike nationwide for treatment surrounding an anti-parasite drug called Ivermectin. News 10 spoke with the county health director this afternoon to see why this is happening. Ivermectin is a drug used to fight parasites like hook worm. However, nationwide people are taking it to try to battle COVID. Aside from the lack of proof of its effectiveness, doctors are even more concerned by where they're getting it from: Farm supply stores. Dr. Nike Shoyink is Medical Director for the Ingham County Health Department. "First of all, we're not horses, right?" Shoyink asked. "So, the doses that are used in horses are obviously higher. People are purchasing these different formulations that are not for human beings." Dr. Shoyink says taking Ivermectin in such high doses can be devastating. "When you do take doses that are higher, if we're looking at, say, to

Red dots on skin: Pictures, causes, treatment, and when to seek help - Medical News Today

Image
A person may notice red dots on their skin for a number of reasons, ranging from allergic reactions to heat exposure. Many causes of red dots on the skin are harmless and resolve on their own. Others may require at-home or over-the-counter (OTC) treatment. In this article, we discuss some of the possible causes of red dots on the skin, their treatment options, and when to contact a doctor. Skin rashes come in a variety of sizes, colors, and textures. Not all rashes require emergency medical treatment. However, people should seek immediate medical attention if they have a rash and notice any of the following symptoms: People should also seek immediate attention for any new rashes that are painful and that affect the eyes, inside of the mouth, or genitalia. When in doubt, a person should seek the opinion of a primary care provider or board-certified dermatologist. Heat rash, or miliaria, occurs when the sweat glands become blocked, trapping sweat in the deep layers of the skin. While any

PUPPs Rash: 5 Ways to Deal With That Annoying Pregnancy Rash - Self

Image
If your rash appears atypical, your ob-gyn will refer you to a dermatologist who can perform a biopsy and test for antibodies on the skin sample using what's known as a direct immunofluorescence test. This test is currently the standard means of diagnosis for PUPP, Dr. Murase says, but she notes that her own research suggests that new options are emerging (a blood test, specifically) that may offer greater accuracy in the future. For now, however, a biopsy should be enough to determine whether you truly have PUPP or something more serious. It's incredibly important to get a correct diagnosis of your PUPP because it can be easily confused with other, more serious conditions. That includes conditions such as disseminated herpes (which can be life threatening) as well as a rash called pemphigoid gestationis, which can look nearly exactly like PUPP and cause the baby to develop a blistering skin condition in their first six months of life. Yet another skin issue, intrahepatic chole

What's Eating You: 12 Common Intestinal Parasites - Medscape

Image
Cestodes The life cycle of Echinococcus is shown above. Tapeworms are long, segmented worms of the class Cestoda, which includes the genera Taenia, Diphyllobothrium , Hymenolepis , Dipylidium , Echinococcus , and Spirometra . [1,2] Adult tapeworms lack an intestinal tract and absorb all nutrients through their integument. The adults have a head (termed a scolex), a neck, and a segmented body with both male and female gonads. [1] Tapeworms require one or more intermediate hosts in their life cycle. Typically, the eggs are passed from the host into the environment, where they are ingested by an intermediate host. In the intermediate host, the eggs hatch and the larvae enter the host tissues and encyst. The primary host then ingests the cysts by consuming the flesh of the intermediate host. [1] Humans are the primary hosts for Taenia , Diphyllobothrium , and Hymenolepis , [1] but they may be intermediate hosts for Echinococcus [3] and Spirometra . [2] Infection is typically from eith

Rash on inner thigh: 11 causes, symptoms, and treatments - Medical News Today

Image
A rash on the inner thigh is a fairly widespread complaint. The lack of heat and airflow around the inner thighs allow bacteria and other germs to flourish. This area is also easily irritated by friction or contact with clothing. This article lists 11 common causes of a rash on the inner thigh, along with possible treatment options and preventive techniques. There are many possible reasons for an inner thigh rash. Both women and men are susceptible to inner thigh rashes, although the causes may vary between the sexes. Potential causes include: 1. Atopic dermatitis Share on Pinterest A rash on the inner thigh may be accompanied by itchiness, oozing lesions, and scaly patches. Atopic dermatitis, more commonly known as eczema, causes red, itchy, and dry skin. The condition is more common in children, although it can occur at any age. According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, an estimated 10 to 20 percent of children worldwide have eczema, while just 1 to 3 percent of a

Fever of Unknown Origin: What Do We Know and Where Do We Go? - Contagionlive.com

Image
Fever of unknown origin (FUO) has, in the words of William F. Wright, DO, MPH, "fascinated and frustrated clinicians since the early days of thermometry." 1 This is why, as infectious diseases physicians, we enjoy diving into our patients' histories and following clues to put together a story that can lead to a diagnosis. FUO epidemiology has changed over time due to the sophistication of diagnostic tools, changes in disease patterns, more immunocompromised patients in cancer treatment and transplantation settings, and the increased complexity of intensive care. Nevertheless, our approach to FUO is still largely influenced by the original definition proposed by Petersdorf and Beesom in 1961 1,2 : fever higher than 101 ÂşF (38.3 ÂşC) on several occasions lasting at least 3 weeks with uncertain diagnosis after 1 week of study in the hospital. 2 An important change in the evolution of our approach, however, has been the shift toward outpatient evaluation. As such, in 1991 D

Eczema: Does Hot Water Make It Worse? - Healthline

Image
Keeping your skin clean and well moisturized is one of the top self-care tips for managing eczema. However, that doesn't mean it's a good idea to soak for hours in a hot bath. Hot water might feel good on irritated skin and temporarily stop itching, but it will dry out your skin and lead to eczema flare-ups. Showering or bathing in lukewarm water instead can soothe skin and reduce eczema symptoms. Read on for more information about how hot water may affect your eczema. A hot shower can help relieve stress and aching muscles, but it's not the best choice for people with eczema. Hot water can strip your skin of the natural oils it needs to stay healthy. This can make your skin dry and lead to worse itching and irritation. Additionally, hot water can increase inflammation in your skin. It's recommended to keep your shower or bath temperatures below 86°F (30°C). Hot water can provide immediate itch relief. Many people with eczema report that very hot water feels good on the

What Is H. Pylori? 4 Things To Know About This Common Parasite - Bustle

Image
We share our bodies with many other organisms, and one that many people are carrying, often without realizing it, is a bacteria called H. pylori or Helicobacter pylori. This parasite lives in the stomach and can cause a number of digestive issues and possibly more. However, many people also carry it without experiencing symptoms. H. pylori is spiral-shaped and typically lives in the stomach lining, Shajan Peter, M.D., a gastroenterologist at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, tells Bustle. Its symptoms include "indigestion such as burning pain or discomfort (usually in the upper abdomen), burping or bloating, nausea, vomiting, or feeling full after eating a small amount of food," he says. Since the role of H. pylori is complex, it's sometimes unclear whether it's benign, causing problems, or actually helping. "Understanding when H. pylori is acting beneficially and when it is acting detrimentally is a leading area of research," Amesh A. Adalja, MD, sen

Red Spots on Skin: Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatments - Verywell Health

Image
Red spots that appear on your skin can be caused by many different factors, including an infection, medical condition, skin irritation, or allergy. Some red spots go away on their own, but others may need treatment or medication to resolve them fully. It can sometimes be difficult to determine exactly the underlying cause, which is why it's a good idea to get an accurate diagnosis from your doctor or dermatologist (a doctor who specializes in skin, hair, and nail conditions).  Causes of Red Spots on Skin Heat Rash Wendy Bumgardner © Heat rash (or miliaria) happens when sweat glands are blocked under the skin, causing small, red, prickly bumps that can be itchy or painful. It usually appears in skin folds or areas where sweat accumulates, like the armpits, chest, back, arms, and groin. Babies and people who live in hot climates, sweat a lot, or are on bed rest may be more prone to heat rash. Treating heat rash involves k