Don’t Ignore Cough in Children

Cough in children

A cough is your body’s way of trying to remove mucous, infections or irritating substances from the respiratory tract. An occasional cough is nothing to worry about, but periodic or persistent coughs should be treated, especially in children.

What are the causes of cough in kids?

With children, there could a variety of reasons behind their cough. Here are some common ones: Infection: Colds and flu can cause persistent coughs in children. Colds can cause a hacking cough while the flu can lead to a dry cough. These are viral infections and need to be treated based on symptoms. Asthma: One of the most noticeable symptoms of asthma is a wheezing cough. Diagnosing asthma can be tricky as symptoms vary from child to child. Prevention involves avoiding triggers such as smoke, pollution and pollen. It is treated with medicines, nebulization or inhalers. Acid reflux: This can often lead to symptoms such as coughing, spitting up, vomiting and heartburn. Treatment for acid reflux depends on the child’s age and health. Allergies: Exposure to allergens can lead to cough, itchy throat, watery eyes, rash and a runny nose. Identify your child’s allergens and ensure that they avoid them at all cost. Whooping cough: Also known as pertussis, this disease is characterised by severe cough following by a “whooping” sound. It is a contagious disease, but can be easily prevented with vaccines. Other reasons: Another reason for paediatric cough is if the child has inhaled or swallowed a foreign body like a small toy. This situation requires immediate medical attention.

How can your child’s cough be treated?

If your child’s cough is being caused by a bacterial or viral infection, the doctor will prescribe suitable medication to treat it. In case your child is allergic to certain substances, take measures to avoid any contact. Syrups and cough drops can help alleviate symptoms and bring some relief to your little one.

Remedies for Cold

The common cold is a contagious infection of the upper respiratory tract caused by viruses. Most people get a cold once in a while, but children can catch them at least eight times in a year, making colds the most common reason why they miss school and visit the doctor.

What causes cold in children?

Most common colds are caused by a virus known as rhinovirus. These invisible beings are transported in small droplets that float in the air or settle on surfaces. When a child comes in contact with this virus, it causes the lining in the nose and throat to become inflamed, leading to a runny nose, sore throat, headaches and even fever. Dry air can increase the chances of children catching a cold because it makes the nasal lining more susceptible to infections. Being around a smoker can also increase the chances of a child catching a cold. Exposure to allergens such as pollen, dust and smoke irritates the air canals and leads to a runny nose among other symptoms.

What are the symptoms of a cold in children?

When a child starts to develop a cold, the most they can tell you is that they feel unwell. The most common symptoms of the common cold are sore throat, cough, runny nose and headache. As the cold gets worse, more symptoms start to develop, such as:

• Watery eyes
• Crusty eyes
• Watery mucous in the nose
• Fatigue
• Sneezing
• Fever

The common cold can affect your child’s throat, sinuses, ears and bronchial tubes. In some severe cases, the child can also develop nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

How is a child’s cold treated?

The common cold is a viral infection, so a doctor will prescribe medications to help your child feel better. Most colds clear up on their own, so it is best to wait for the symptoms to subside.

Untreated Thyroid can Cause Serious Health Problems

What is the Thyroid and what does it do?

The thyroid is a small gland shaped like a butterfly that is located in the lower part of your neck. It plays a crucial role in your body’s functions by producing hormones that regulate your temperature and metabolism. It is also vital to bone health, muscle control and a healthy cardiac and digestive system.

When should the Thyroid be removed?

Even though the thyroid is an important organ, it can sometimes become inflamed or start malfunctioning. During these cases, your doctor may suggest undergoing a procedure called thyroidectomy to remove the gland. You will most likely need to have your thyroid removed if:

• There is a nodule present on the gland. A biopsy will be required to determine if the nodule is benign or cancerous.
• The thyroid has become overactive and does not respond to medication or other treatments. Hyperthyroidism is dangerous and can lead to toxicity in the body or conditions like Graves’ disease.
• A nodule or the entire thyroid gland has become enlarged and is causing bothersome or dangerous symptoms, such as difficulty in swallowing or breathing and changes in voice.

Total thyroidectomy: This involves the removal of the entire thyroid gland and is recommended in cases of thyroid cancer, Graves’ Disease or bilateral nodules. Hemithyroidectomy: Also known as lobectomy, this procedure involves the removal of one half or one lobe of the thyroid. This procedure is recommended if only one part of the thyroid is affected. Isthumectomy: This involves the removal of the isthmus, a small tissue that connects the lobes of the thyroid gland. Getting regular thyroid tests done is the right way of ensuring your thyroid gland is healthy. Contact your endocrinologist today.

Hernia, a Matter of Concern

What is a Hernia?

A hernia is a general term used to refer to a protrusion or bulge of an organ or tissue through its surrounding structure. The most common herniation seen in people is abdominal hernia which is a weakness or opening in the abdominal wall. The lining of the abdominal cavity known as the peritoneum protrudes through this opening causing a bulge in the abdominal wall. Hernias can cause severe pain and discomfort even while performing simple tasks like bowel movement. Other parts of your body can also develop hernia.

How is a Hernia treated?

The most effective way to treat a hernia is through surgery. There are two ways a surgeon can surgically address a hernia - open surgery and laparoscopic surgery. During open surgery, an incision is made near the herniated area through which the surgeon will push the hernia back into the abdomen. The incision is then cleaned and closed. During laparoscopic surgery, several small incisions are made in the abdomen which allow the surgeon to access the herniated area using a laparoscope. The laparoscope contains a small camera and specialized surgical tools which are used to visualise and push the hernia back in place. The incisions are then closed with stitches. A mesh is used to strengthen the hernia defect.

Is Hernia Surgery safe and effective?

Hernia surgery is one of the most commonly performed procedures in the world. At least 10% of the world’s population will develop a hernia in their lifetime. There are several kinds of hernia and the best way to treat them is through hernia repair surgery. Hernia surgery, especially the laparoscopic surgery, takes very little time and is practically risk free. It also allows the patient to return to their daily routine after a short recovery time. Consult your surgeon for more details on hernia repair surgery.

Treat Breast Lump & Stay Healthy

Many women develop lumps in their breast at some point in their lives. While most lumps are noncancerous, it is important to be attentive to your breasts and their health. In some cases, breast lumps can be a sign of cancer. If you find a lump in your breast, consider undergoing a medical evaluation to rule out anything dangerous.

What are the causes of Breast Lumps?

There are several possible causes for breast lumps. Some of them are:

• Cysts or sacs filled with fluid
• Fibrocystic breasts characterised by lumpy breast tissue and sometimes accompanied by pain
• Sacs filled with milk known as milk cysts that are common during breast-feeding
• Non-cancerous tumours in the milk ducts known as intraductal papilloma
• Non-cancerous rubbery lumps known as fibroadenoma
• Mastitis, which is an infection of the breast
• Benign tumour-like growths called hamartoma
• Non-cancerous fatty lumps called lipoma
• Breast cancer
• Injury

How are Breast Lump

• April 29, 2020
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Lose Weight, Gain New Life Through Bariatric Surgery

What is Bariatric Surgery?

Many overweight and obese people find that exercising and dieting does not help with losing weight. Despite all that struggle, they still remain overweight and unhappy with their bodies. In these cases, the best way to get rid of excess weight and become fit is by undergoing a weight-loss surgical procedure known as bariatric surgery. This operation is performed on overweight and obese people to help them lose weight, improve their health and even extend their lives. The primary principle behind bariatric surgery is to reduce food intake and decrease the absorption of food by the stomach and intestines. Bariatric surgery alters the digestion process so that there is a reduction in the absorption of calories and nutrients, which enables the person to lose weight. Bariatric surgery also helps to treat diseases like diabetes mellitus and hence is also called as metabolic surgery.

What does Bariatric Surgery involve?

There are different types of bariatric surgeries and your doctor will select the most suitable technique depending on your condition. The four types of bariatric surgery are:

• Adjustable gastric banding (AGB)
• Vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG)
• Biliopancreatic diversion with a duodenal switch (BPD-DS)
• Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB)

Bariatric surgery can be performed through an “open” approach where an incision is made in your abdomen to access your stomach. It can also be performed using laparoscopy, where a laparoscope is inserted into your abdomen through small incisions. Most bariatric surgery procedures performed today are laparoscopic as it involves fewer risks and faster recovery periods.

Is Bariatric Surgery effective?

Doctors specialising in obesity consider bariatric surgery the most effective treatment for overweight and obese people. With obesity quickly becoming a global issue, more and more people are undergoing bariatric surgery. The results of this operation are long-term and can be very satisfying. It will take you a while to notice a considerable drop in weight, but bariatric surgery can help you stay slim and healthy. It is important to follow a healthy diet and regular exercise regimes after undergoing bariatric surgery to continue enjoying its results.

Appendicitis, Diagnosis and Treatment

What is Appendicitis?

Appendicitis is a condition where the appendix has become infected and inflamed. The appendix is a small tube-shaped structure that extends from your large intestine. Appendicitis can affect anybody at any point in their lives. It mostly occurs when the appendix becomes blocked with a foreign body like food or faeces. Appendicitis is a surgical emergency and almost always requires immediate surgery called appendectomy to remove the affected appendix. Younger people more proven for appendicitis.

What happens during an Appendectomy?

There are two methods used during an appendectomy - open and laparoscopic. During an open appendectomy, the surgeon will make an incision on the lower right side of abdomen. The appendix is removed and the incision is closed using stitches. This procedure allows the surgeon to visualise and clean the area in case the appendix has burst. In laparoscopic appendectomy, a few small key holes are made on abdomen. This allows the surgeon to insert narrow tubes known as a cannula which passes carbon dioxide gas into the abdomen to inflate it. A laparoscope is then inserted into the abdominal cavity and used to remove the appendix. The incisions are then cleaned and closed using stitches. Laparoscopic appendectomy is generally preferred over open appendectomy as it has fewer risks and requires a shorter recovery time.

What are the benefits of Appendectomy?

If your appendix is infected, it has to be removed or it will cause severe problems. An infected appendix can rupture causing the infection to spread to throughout abdomen. A ruptured appendix also means that the large intestine has developed a hole that will cause food particles and waste materials to leak into the abdominal cavity. Appendectomy is often immediately performed upon the diagnosis of appendicitis. This procedure ensures that the appendix is completely removed and there are no further chances of infection.

Overcome Depression

What is depression?

Depression is a common medical condition that negatively affects how one thinks, feels and acts. It causes feeling of sadness, loss of interest and a persistent low mood. Depression is a problem that affects at least 4 out of 5 people of the world’s population sometime or the other. Many people believe that depression is a sign of mental weakness which is not true. Every one of us are vulnerable to developed depression. Early treatment can improve the quality of life.

What are the symptoms of depression?

Depression may present through various symptoms that such as:

• Feeling sad or remaining in a depressed mood for most time of day
• Appetite changes leading to weight gain or weight loss
• Loss of pleasure or interest in activities one previously enjoyed
• Increased fatigue and loss of energy
• Trouble falling asleep or sleeping too much
• Increase in pacing, hand-wringing or other purposeless physical activity
• Difficulty concentrating, thinking or making decisions
• Feeling guilty or worthless
• Slow movements and speech
• Thoughts of suicide or death

To diagnose depression, a person must have one or more of these symptoms for at least two weeks.

Can depression be treated?

Depression is one of the most treatable mental illnesses, with almost 90% of patients responding positively to treatment. Before depression can be diagnosed, a mental health professional will conduct a thorough diagnostic evaluation, which may include a physical examination and an interview. The exact cause of depression is not known but it is seen that antidepressants help modify brain chemistry to provide the patient with relief from some or all symptoms. These medications are not tranquilizers or sedatives and neither are they habit-forming. The type and dosage of antidepressants will depend on the individual’s condition. Another way to combat depression is through therapy. Supportive Psychotherapy and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) are effective treatments in helping people overcome depression.

Dementia – What is it?

What is dementia?

Dementia may be described as a group of symptoms that severely affect one thinking, memory and social abilities to the extent where they interfere with your daily life. It is a syndrome that is typically progressive in nature. It causes deterioration in cognitive function beyond what is expected from normal ageing. Dementia affects one’s memory, orientation, thinking, calculation, comprehension, language, learning capacity and judgement. It does not affect one’s consciousness, but it does deteriorate one motivation, social behaviour and emotional control. Dementia often results from a variety of injuries or diseases that affect the brain, such as stroke or Alzheimer’s disease.

What are the signs of dementia?

Dementia affects people differently and the symptoms depend on the type of dementia. The signs of dementia are expressed in three stages: Early stage: The onset of early stage dementia is gradual and is often overlooked. Common symptoms include losing track of time, becoming lost in familiar places and forgetfulness. Middle stage: The signs of dementia become clearer as the disease progresses to the middle stage. These include forgetting people’s names and recent events, increasing difficulty in communication, becoming lost at home, behaviour changes and needing assistance with personal care. Late stage: This stage of dementia often leads to inactivity and total dependence. It manifests itself through obvious physical symptoms as well as psychological ones. These include becoming unaware of location and time, having difficulty recognizing close friends and relatives, having difficulty walking, behaviour changes which sometimes escalates to aggression and an increased need for assisted self-care. Alzheimer’s dementia is the commonest dementia. Though we have no medications to reverse the process of memory loss, but medications are available to slow the disease. An early diagnosis will help in the better management of the patient and slow the deterioration. Talk to doctor today for more details on dementia.