"Health Articles"

There are several types and classifications of anaemia. This is a condition in which the body lacks the amount of red blood cells to keep up with the body’s demand for oxygen. Understanding the different classifications can help to recognise the symptoms and also to avoid anaemia in the first place…

Iron deficiency anaemia

Iron deficiency anaemia is a condition in which the body has too little iron in the bloodstream. This form of anaemia is more common in adolescents and in women before menopause. Blood loss from heavy periods, internal bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract, or donating too much blood can all contribute to this disease. Other causes can be from poor dietary habits or from chronic intestinal diseases.

The signs and symptoms of this disease are:
1. Paleness
2. Headache
3. Irritability

Symptoms of more severe iron deficiency anaemia include:
1. Dyspnea
2. Rapid heartbeat
3. Brittle hair and nails

Treatment usually takes the form of oral iron supplements and dietary modifications.

Folic Acid Deficiency Anaemia

This form of anaemia is characterised by a lack of folic acid, one of the B group of vitamins, in the bloodstream. This is usually caused by an inadequate intake of folic acid, usually found in vegetables or by the overcooking of the vegetables. Alcoholism can also be a contributing factor in this form of anaemia. During pregnancy when the folic acid is used more or in infancy, this disease can also manifest itself. It can also be caused as a side effect of other blood disorders.

Symptoms of the disorder include:
1. Weakness
2. Fatigue
3. Memory lapses
4. Irritability

This condition can be avoided by including foods with folic acid in the diet. Such foods include beef liver, asparagus, and red beans.

Pernicious anaemia

Pernicious anaemia usually affects people between the ages of 50 and 60 and is a result of a lack of vitamin B12. The disease can be hereditary but some forms of the condition can be autoimmune diseases. People who have any autoimmune diseases are more likely to contract pernicious anaemia.

Symptoms of this form of anaemia may include:
1. Fatigue
2. Dyspnea
3. Heart palpitations
4. Numbness or tingling in extremities

Aplastic anaemia

Aplastic anaemia is caused by an absence or reduction of red blood cells. This can happen through injury where the blood forming tissue in the bone marrow is destroyed. Because of this, the sufferer is unable to fight infection and is likely to be a heavy bleeder.

Symptoms include:
1. Lethargy
2. Paleness
3. Purpura
4. Bleeding
5. Rapid heartbeat
6. Infections
7. Congestive heart failure

There is no definite known cause for aplastic anaemia but it is thought to be caused by exposure to certain toxins and also to the hepatitis virus.

Sickle Cell Anaemia

This form of anaemia is of a hereditary nature and is a result of an abnormal type of red blood cells. Sickle cell anaemia is a life threatening disease and there is no prevention.

Symptoms of this condition include:
1. Painful attacks in arms, legs and stomach
2. Jaundice in whites of the eyes
3. Fever
4. Chronic fatigue
5. Rapid heartbeat
6. Paleness

Complications include leg ulcers, shock, cerebral hemorrhage, and orthopedic disorders.

Polycythemia Vera

This disease is more common in middle aged men and is characterised by an increase in red blood cells, leucocytes, and thrombocytes. There is a very fast and intense reproduction of cells and the bone marrow cells mature more rapidly than usual. The cause of this condition is unknown.

Symptoms are:
1. Purplish coloured skin
2. Bloodshot eyes
3. Headache
4. Dizziness
5. Enlarged spleen

Although the signs and symptoms of anaemia may seem overwhelming, the good news is that most forms can be effectively controlled with medication and dietary changes.

A vein is a blood vessel that carries blood throughout the body. Normally, these veins do their job like a well oiled pump but sometimes these veins break down, causing the flow of blood to become abnormal.

I am sure most of us have, or know someone who has the enlarged, twisted, superficial veins in their lower legs and ankles known as varicose veins.

Varicose veins can occur in any part of the body but are more common in the lower extremities.

These veins can be due to genetic default but this is not the only cause. Other contributing factors can be prolonged standing or pregnancy. For many women, the first signs of varicose veins appear during pregnancy. Obesity is also a contributing factor. The added pressure of supporting excess weight is almost certain to result in chronic venous breakdown.

The signs and symptoms of varicose veins not only includes the unsightly rope-like veins but also a constant dull ache, cramps, swelling and fatigue after standing.

There may also be a brownish discolouration of the skin which is known as stasis pigmentation. This is caused by a breakdown of blood cells leading to a leakage in the affected area and is common in people who have suffered from this condition for a lengthy period of time.

Usually diagnosis is simply a case of visual observation but sometimes a procedure called phlebography is used. This is a painless procedure in which a solution called a radio-opaque contrast medium is introduced into the bloodstream. Imaging of the veins is then carried out to detect the abnormalities in the blood flow and venous pressure.

Another diagnostic procedure available is the use of ultrasound to examine the blood flow in the major arteries and veins in the arms and legs. This procedure is known as Doppler’s ultrasonography. Ultrasound is high frequency sound waves that echo off the body. It is performed by applying a water soluble gel to the body and then passing a hand held device known as a transducer over the area.

Treatment of varicose veins an be as simple as wearing elasticised compression stockings, controlling your weight, undertaking a moderate exercise program, avoiding prolonged periods of standing, and elevating the legs whenever possible.

Another method of treatment is called compression sclerotherapy. In this procedure, points of abnormal flow from deep to superficial veins are located and permanently obliterated by the injection of a substance called a sclerosant. Application of continuous pressure then restores the pumping capacity of the vein.

In severe cases, a surgical procedure called stripping and ligation may be considered necessary. During this surgery, one or more incisions are made over the varicose veins, and the vein is tied off (ligated). If several valves in the vein and the vein itself are heavily damaged, the vein (or the diseased part of the vein) is usually removed (stripped). An incision is made below the varicose vein, a flexible instrument is threaded up the vein to the first incision, and the vein is grasped and removed.

If you have varicose veins, it is necessary to seek medical advice. Your health practitioner will advise you of treatment options and will assist you in the care of your condition.

A deep vein thrombosis is a blood clot developing in a deep vein, usually in the leg. They also can occur in other parts of the body. Blood clots in the veins in the thigh are usually more serious than blood clots that happen in veins in your lower leg. A DVT causes pain, and possible complications if it reaches the lungs. If a clot in a vein breaks off and travels through your bloodstream, it can lodge in your lung. This is called a pulmonary embolism which is a very serious condition that can cause death.

DVTs are known to occur in about 1 out of 1000 people in the general population from all causes. DVTs are more common in obese people and those aged over 40. Causes include long-distance air travel and long journeys by car, train or coach, because of prolonged immobility.

Symptoms of Deep vein thrombosis include: Swelling of the leg; Pain or tenderness in the leg-the pain is usually in one leg and may only be present when standing or walking; Feeling of increased warmth in the area of the leg that is swollen or that hurts; Red or discolored skin.

The main goals in treating deep vein thrombosis are to: Stop the clot from getting bigger; Prevent the clot from breaking off in your vein and moving to your lungs; Reduce your chance of having another blood clot.

Exercising the legs once an hour can reduce risk. Take regular breaks if driving, or walk up and down the coach, train or plane aisle.

Lower leg muscles can be exercised while sitting by pulling the toes towards the knees then relaxing, or by pressing the balls of the feet down while raising the heels.

Other preventative measures include: Avoid sleeping pills. These cause immobility, increasing the risk of DVT; Wear loose clothing; Keep legs uncrossed; Keep hydrated by drinking; Avoid alcohol to prevent dehydration; Wear graduated compression stockings or socks – particularly important for travelers with other DVT risk factors. Compression stockings are worn on the legs from the arch of the foot to just above or below the knee. These stockings are tight at the ankle and become looser as they go up the leg. This causes a gentle compression (or pressure) up your leg. They have some side effects: They can be uncomfortable when worn all day They can be hot They may be difficult to put on, especially for older adults and overweight people.

Some doctors recommend aspirin because of its blood thinning effects. This is unsuitable for children and can have side effects, so seek professional advice.

The word jaundice is derived from a French word called as jaune, which means yellow. It is a very common condition which is seen in newborn babies which can be treated by exposing them to sunlight. It is also known as yellow skin or eyes disease. It turns your skin, mucous membranes, sclera (the white of your eyes) into a single yellow color. This yellow pigment which is seen on your skin is due to bilirubin which is a byproduct of old red blood cells. If you are affected by jaundice consider it to be a serious problem which cannot to be taken lightly.

Nearly 1% red blood cells retire everyday and those are replaced by fresh blood cells. These old blood cells are processed in the liver and later disposed. If there happens to be too many old red blood cells the yellow pigment builds up in the body, which results in the first stages of jaundice.

Even though jaundice is not a disease but it is a sign for many other diseases. Jaundice is very common among babies due to the immature functioning of the liver. It is not equipped to deal with the removal of bilirubin from the bloodstream. Jaundice occurs mainly due to liver failure but there are many other reasons by which it is affected.

Detection of jaundice is very important, because if you detect jaundice in the later stages it may prove to be fatal. Some of the common symptoms for jaundice are: *Extreme fatigue and weakness *Severe headaches *Constipation *Nauseating feeling *Yellow color of your eyes, skin *Constant pain near your stomach and liver

There are many causes for jaundice these are some of the reasons due to which you are under the jaundice attack -It occurs when high level of bilirubin is being produced for the liver and unable to be removed from the blood. -Defect in liver due to prevention in removal of bilirubin from the blood. -Due to blockage of bile ducts. -Due to viral hepatitis (hepatitis A, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, hepatitis D and hepatitis E) -Alcoholic liver disease -Cancer of the pancreas -Malaria -Neonatal jaundice found in babies - Gall bladder cancer -Yellow fever -Stomach cancer -Rh incompatibility

Remedial measures when suffering from Jaundice *A hot cup of water mixed with 1/4 tsp of turmeric powder taken 2-3 times a day would be very beneficial *Consumption of lime juice is very good for your health *Having plenty of sugarcane juice is also good *Barley water, orange juice helps in urination *Spicy and oily food should be strictly avoided *Consumptions of vegetables like radish leaves, tomato and lemon is good *Dried dates along with almonds and cardamoms are also good.

There have been documented dangers of benzene for well over a century now. Even though benzene exposure often leads to leukemia, there are also many non-cancerous diseases that have been shown when exposed to elevated levels of benzene. Some of these other diseases include:

Myelodysplastic syndromes: also called ‘pre-leukemia’, this is a collection of diseases resulting in diminished blood production and can weaken the immune system. This can result in leukemia.

Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma: this is a disease affecting the lymphatic systems and shares many similarities with leukemia. It can eventually affect the bone marrow in addition to other organs.

Aplastic Anemia: this is a condition where the marrow in the bone stops producing enough blood cells to replace lost ones.

Even though these diseases are not leukemia, they have strikingly similar resemblances. The victims who suffer from them many times can’t tell the difference. Even with proper care and treatment, victims of these diseases face an uphill battle exposed to pain and suffering.