Health Care Clinic Blog

Diarrhea Treatment

ashu — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 07:47:15 +0000

Diarrhea, the frequent passage of very loose or watery bowel movements, is a symptom of an underlying disorder,which may have been caused by stress, dietary indiscretion, traveler’s diarrhea,flu, food poisoning, or anyone of numerous conditions. Although most episodes are minor and temporary, a proolonged bout can lead to dehydration and an upset in body chemistry that should be life threatening, especially in children and the elderly. You should call a doctor if diarrhea lasts for more than one day in a child under the age of two or two days in an older child or an adult. Consult him even sooner if the diarrhea worsens or is accompanied by other symptoms such as severe abdominal pain, vomiting, fever, or the appearance of blood, mucus, or worms in the stool. Persistent or intermittent mild diarrhea also warrants medical investigation.

Diagnostic Studies And Procedures

The nature of the diarrhea is an important factor in the process of diagnosis. For example, diarrhea that alternates with constipation and periods of normal bowel function may be caused either by irritable bowel syndrome or stress. Blood in the stool can point to the possibility of an infection, cancer, polyps, or an inflamed colon. After a physical examination, certain tests may be called for, including a stool analysis, X-rays, and colonoscopy, an examination of the entire colon with a special fiberoptic instrument.

Medical Treatments

The choice of antidiarrheal medication depends upon the underlying cause. Most diarrhea resolves itself in a day or two of self treatment with nonpre scription drugs Diarrhea accompanied by intestinal cramps and spasms may be treated with phenobarbital, pare goric, opium, or other prescription substances to reduce intestinal motility. Antibiotics will be prescribed if a bacterial infection is present. Other drugs called anthelmintics are given if there are intestinal wormsEven mild diarrhea in a baby or young child poses a danger of dehydration, especially if there is also vomiting, which makes it more difficult to replace fluids and body salts. In severe cases, hospitalization may be necessary to administer intravenous replacement of water and salts. Giving a special rehydration formula such as Pedialyte, which is available at pharmacies, usually can prevent dehydration and the need for intravenous therapy.

Dizziness

ashu — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 07:47:24 +0000

Vision, touch, hearing, the vestibular system in the inner ear, and multiple areas of the brain all contribute to helping maintain balance and orientation in space. Damage to any of these senses or areas can cause dizziness. When dizziness occurs, it’s important to identify the sensation clearly. For example, with true vertigo, an illusion of motion, you feel as if you are spinning or that the room is spinning around you; it often provokes nausea and vomiting. Vertigo is most likely to arise from the vestibular portion of the inner ear, the nerve connecting the inner ear to the brain, or the brain itself. It may result from motion sickness, an inner ear infection, allergic rhinitis, high doses of certain drugs, Meniere’s disease , a blow to the head, tumors, or, less commonly, multiple sclerosis. Disequilibrium, often referred to as dizziness of the feet, is an unsteady feeling, as though you might fall. If you wear reading glasses, you may have experienced a comparable sensation after removing them quickly. The problem often stems from a neurologic abnormality, such as a degenerative nerve disorder, but use of alcohol or certain medications may also be factors. The sensation of lightheadedness is difficult to describe precisely; most people say simply that they feel dizzy. Lightheadedness often derives from anxiety or another psychological cause. It may happen in conjunction with hyperventilation, or overbreathing; this occurs when a person breathes too rapidly or deeply, taking in more than the usual amount of oxygen and there by upsetting the body’s balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide.

Diagnostic Studies And Procedures

The extent of a diagnostic evaluation depends upon the suspected cause of the dizziness. Tests range from an ear examination, if the vestibular system of the inner ear is involved, to CT scans or MRI and other procedures, if a brain disorder is suspected.

Medical Treatments

Therapy for dizziness depends upon the underlying cause. Nonprescription drugs such as dimenhydrinate and meclizine or prescription drugs such as scopolamine , which is administered through a skin patch usually worn behind the ear, may prevent dizziness from motion sickness. Antibiotics generally take care of dizziness when it is caused by an inner ear infection. A change in medication or dosage usually alleviates any dizziness from medication; aspirin, tranquilizers, anti malarial drugs, certain antibiotics and anticonvulsants, and antihypertensive drugs are common offenders. (Ringing in the ears frequently precedes such an episode of dizziness.) In the case of Meniere’s disease, prescription diuretics may reduce fluids in the labyrinth section of the ear. During an attack, prescription antinausea drugs may be helpful. Surgery can sometimes cure dizziness caused by a tumor along the nerve leading from the inner ear to the brain.

Digital Personal Health Record: Speak Up Your Medical History

ashu — Wed, 19 May 2010 05:27:03 +0000

How much dangerous it could be for you when you are under a number of medications and suddenly you fall sick & not in position to communicate with the doctor who doesn’t know your medical history. How your doctors will treat you optimally?

At that point, Digital Personal Health Record could be proven extremely beneficial for you. It enables the doctors to access the patient’s medical history including the past medical history, allergies, diagnosis and prescriptions. The doctors can start treating these patients right away without relying on patient & their capability to come in contact or waiting for an email from the family doctor.

Today, in the fragmented health care service, there is no complete record sharing amongst different health care centers, particularly when you’re traveling through long trips. These are the state of affairs when you must carry a digital health record with yourself. Paper based records are a simple alternative; however they have lots of disadvantages. These digital records make it easier to share the files amongst doctors & let them give more effectual service to the patients.

One more benefit of Digital PHR is that it requires less space to save the files in the computer system then it does to have plugging up lots of folders accumulated with this information. By reducing the utilization of the paper, these files will be stored in a safe place & save space along with money in the process.