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Fungal arthritis facts • Fungal arthritis  is inflammation of a joint by a fungus microorganism that has invaded the body and is growing in the normally sterile joint. • Fungal arthritis can be caused by the spread of fungus through the bloodstream or by directly inserting fungus into a joint. • Fungal arthritis in people with normal immune systems is rare. • Symptoms of fungal arthritis include pain, heat, swelling, warmth, redness, and loss of range of motion of the affected joint. • Fungal arthritis is diagnosed by analyzing affected joint fluid. • Fungal arthritis is treated with antifungals that are directed against the precise fungal microbe that is causing the joint infection. • The outlook for fungal arthritis is directly related to how much damage occurs to the cartilage and bone of the joint. Earlier treatment leads to optimal outcomes. What is fungal arthritis Fungal arthritis is inflammation of a joint by a fungus microorganism that has invaded the body...

What Are Hemorrhoids? Hemorrhoids are clumps of blood vessels (veins) in the rectum. The hemorrhoidal veins are located in the lowest area of the rectum just above the anus. Sometimes they swell when the veins enlarge and their walls become stretched, thin, and irritated by passing stool. Hemorrhoids are classified into two general categories, 1) internal, and 2) external. Internal Hemorrhoids Internal hemorrhoids are located higher in the inside lining of the rectum and cannot be felt unless they are substantially enlarged. They usually are painless and make their presence known by causing bleeding with a bowel movement. Sometimes internal hemorrhoids prolapse or protrude outside the anus. If so, you may be able to see or feel them as moist pads of skin that are pinker than the surrounding area. Prolapsed hemorrhoids may hurt because the anus is dense with pain-sensing nerves. Prolapsed hemorrhoids usually recede into the rectum on their own; if they don't, they can be gently ...

THE PROSTATE GLAND The prostate gland is a small structure (about the size of a wall nut) located between the urinary bladder and the penis in men. The urethra(tube that carries urine from the bladder through the penis to the outside) runs through the prostate gland. All men have prostate gland and it forms part of the male reproductive system. Its main function is to squeeze fluid into the semen during sexual climax. This fluid nourishes the sperm cells, energizes it and protects it from the acidic effect of the Vaginal fluid. The contraction of the prostate gland helps expel the semen to the vagina during sexual climax. DISEASES OF THE PROSTATE There are so many diseases of the prostate. The purpose of this article is to provide you with basic information on a prostate condition called Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia. Common prostate diseases include : • Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia • Prostatitis • Prostate cancer BENIGN PROSTATIC HYPERPLASIA(BPH)  …. This is the enl...

   Before we talk about rheumatoid arthritis proper,let's take a little review of the bones and joints and how the joints function normally.   Bones provide support for the body and aid in its movement The place where two or more bones meet is called a joint .  Joints maybe immovable, slightly movable and freely movable.  A synovial membrane surrounds moveable joints.  Inside the membrane synovial fluid lubricates and nourishes joint tissue such as cartilage . Cartilages help the joint moves freely without friction. Joints give the body flexibility, precision of movement and help in weight support.           Arthritis is any disorder that affects joints. It can cause pain and inflammation. Rheumatoid arthritis is the second most common form of arthritis. The joints most commonly affected are the wrists, hands, knees, ankles and feet. It typically occurs on the same joint on both sides of the body(e.g if it affects the...

      In the society today, lots of people are faced with this conundrum and as a result they can't really explain to the health professional the kind of cough they are having and this can eventually lead to wrong diagnosis. This article will try to remedy the problem.     Dry cough:   A dry cough is a non productive cough whereby little or no mucus is produced and it is caused by irritation or inflammation in the throat. It is most often the result of an infection caused by cold and flu viruses. Causes Viral infections  Allergies Acid reflux Side effect of a medication  Stress Underlying diseases e.g asthma, tuberculosis, whooping cough.   Treatment  Treatment of dry cough can be done by; Removal of the trigger: Dry cough can be relieved when the trigger is removed. This is mostly applied when the cough is being caused by a pollutant or irritant and also if the cough is as a result of the side effect of a medication.e.g ...

          Obesity is a medical condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to the extent that it may have a negative effect on health. People are generally considered obese when their Body Mass Index (BMI), a measurement obtained by dividing a person’s weight by the square of the person’s height, is above 30. Abdominal obesity is the type of obesity that occurs when the abdomen of an individual protrudes forward beyond the normal body alignment due to the accumulation of fat. Abdominal obesity occurs when food being consumed by an individual, cannot be digested quickly and as a result accumulates in the abdominal region and gets stored as fat.        In our world today, we find that 1 in every 10 families has a member suffering from abdominal obesity and this can be very embarrassing especially when one is being colloquially called “POT BELLY” This condition has been embraced in the society such that people tend to forget that it’s...

       A lot has been said and a lot remain unsaid about Apple cider vinegar  but this article will try to highlight 5 benefits of Apple cider vinegar and these include ; Regulation of skin PH: Apple cider vinegar acts as a great natural toner that can leave your skin looking healthier. Our skin is naturally acidic with a PH of 4.5-5.5 but since we tend to use harsh cleansers and soaps, this natural acidity goes away.            Apple cider vinegar can treat acne and other skin conditions due to its malic and lactic acids that soften and exfoliate the skin to reduce red spots. Weight Loss Aid : Apple cider vinegar  can help one shed the pounds by suppressing ones appetite, increase ones metabolism and reduce ones water weight. Gets Rid of Dandruff : The acidity of Apple cider vinegar helps change the PH of the scalp, making it harder for yeast to grow. The dosage for this is Mixing a quarter cup of Apple cider vinega...

         Every month women prepare for the often dreaded and unwelcome visit from Aunt Flo. This menstrual blood that flows from the uterus through the cervix and vagina is a clear sign that the body is working normally, providing hormones to keep women healthy. As the body adapts to the menstrual period — two to seven days — what are external and physical changes it undergoes? A woman’s menstrual period prepares her body for pregnancy each month, says the  Office of Women’s Health , with the average cycle lasting 28 days. With estrogen levels on the rise, making the lining of the uterus grow and thicken, the body undergoes unique changes that go beyond cramps, pimples, and PMS(Premenstrual Syndrome). Here are 6 things you may not have known; 1. PERIODS DECREASE COGNITIVE ABILITY. The abdominal pain, backaches, and nausea during a woman’s period can actually affect how she thinks and feels, reducing her cognitive ability. Menstrual cramps ...

                   Fluoroquinolones are antibiotics that are commonly used to treat a variety of illnesses such as respiratory and urinary tract infections. These medicines include; ciprofloxacin(Ciprotab®),gemifloxacin(Factive®), levofloxacin(Levaquin®) ,moxifloxacin(Avelox®),norfloxacin(Noroxin®), and ofloxacin(Floxin®) US FDA recently issued a warning that fluoroquinolone antibiotics, taken by mouth or injection, carry arisk for permanent peripheral neuropathy; Cipro (ciprofloxacin) and Levaquin (levofloxacin) are examplesThis is not the first warning issued for this claTwo other recent studies found that fluoroquinolones increase your risk for acute liver toxicity (if you’re over age 66), and destabilize your blood sugar if you’re diabetic.                Fluoroquinolones have also been associated with memory loss, psychosis, headaches, depression, anxiety, kidney failure, cardiovascular s...

                      The bond between the mother and her baby is truly remarkable in a lot of ways and this exposition will help the public to have just an inkling on how remarkable this relationship is. While in the womb,babies begin learning language from their mothers. They also learn to recognize different words. After birth,they still remember some of these words and even distinguish between their mother tongue and other languages.Foetuses may also respond to their mother’s touch by displaying more movements as a way of Communication . The bond extends beyond language  and communication.      When the mother’s heart is injured,stem cells from the foetus migrate to the injured site and repair the damage . Male babies leave traces of their DNA on their  mother’s brain which likely protects the mother from Alzheimer’s disease. Antibodies travel from the mother to her baby through the placenta and ...

A sore throat refers to pain, itchiness or irritation of the throat . you may have difficulty swallowing foods and liquids and the pain may get worse when you try to swallow.Throat pain is the primary symptom of a sore throat.However,other symptoms may include: I. Dry throat II. Swollen glands in the neck III. White patches on the tonsils IV. Hoarseness        A sore throat can affect people of all ages .Sharing a close space with others also increases the risk of upper respiratory infections that can initially present as a sore throat . Causes Causes of sore throat include ; • Bacterial infection • Environmental factors • Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease(GERD) • Viral infection • Immunosuppression Treatment   Treatment of sore throat includes; • Demulcents(e.g. strepsil) • Antibiotics(e.g. Cefuroxime) • Local anesthetics(e.g. benzocaine) • Analgesics (e.g. Ibuprofen).       Co-trimoxazole is an antibacterial agent...

Pulmonary edema is a condition caused by excess fluid in the lungs. This fluid collects in the numerous air sacs in the lungs, making it difficult to breathe. Sudden (acute) pulmonary edema symptoms Extreme shortness of breath or difficulty breathing (dyspnea) that worsens when lying down A feeling of suffocating or drowning Wheezing or gasping for breath Anxiety, restlessness or a sense of apprehension A cough that produces frothy sputum that may be tinged with blood Chest pain if pulmonary edema is caused by heart disease A rapid, irregular heartbeat (palpitations) Long-term (chronic) pulmonary edema symptoms Having more shortness of breath than normal when you’re physically active. Difficulty breathing with exertion. Difficulty breathing when you’re lying flat. Wheezing. Awakening at night with a breathless feeling that may be relieved by sitting up. Rapid weight gain when pulmonary edema develops as a result of congestive heart failure, a condition in which...

A cough is usually a sign your child's body is trying to rid itself of an irritant, from mucus to a foreign object. Coughing is the body's way of removing foreign material or mucus from the lungs and upper airway passages or of reacting to an irritated airway. Coughs have distinctive traits you can learn to recognize. A cough is only a symptom, not a disease. Common Causes Of Cough • Infection . Colds, flu, and croup can all lead to a lingering cough for kids. Colds tend to cause a mild to moderate hacking cough; the flu a sometimes severe, dry cough; and croup has a "barking" cough with noisy breathing. • Acid reflux . Symptoms in children may include coughing, frequent vomiting/spitting up, a bad taste in the mouth, and heartburn. Treatment for reflux depends on a child's age, health, and other issues. Try these three tips:  Remove trigger foods from their diet (often chocolate, peppermint, fried, spicy, fatty foods, and carbonated drinks).  Eat at l...

What are Prebiotics? Prebiotics are natural, plant fibers that are non-digestible by the body. They are present in the diet and function as a fertilizer for probiotics. Good microbes in the gut feed on these complex carbohydrates and grow in numbers, thus improving the ratio of good bacteria to harmful bacteria in the gut, which in turn promotes overall wellbeing of the body. Where are Prebiotics and Probiotics Found? Probiotics are found in fermented dairy foods like yogurt, aged cheese and kefir. Aged cheese contains live cultures of organisms such as lactobacilli and bifidobacteria. Non-dairy foods such as soy beverages, miso and kimchi also contain beneficial microbial cultures. Probiotics are also available in the form of pills and are used to treat intestinal infections. Prebiotics are naturally found complex carbohydrates in our diet. Examples are inulin and galactooligosaccharides which belong to the category fructooligosaccharides. These carbohydrates are commonly fou...

Both men and women should consider smoking cessation if they’re trying to conceive.  A new study published in BJU International found that cigarette smoking is associated with inflammation in men’s accessory glands and testis, which leads to altered sperm quality. The take-home message for pharmacists and patients is that smoking can alter sperm in a way that makes it harder for fertilization to occur. “Men who smoke produce a semen that has an inflammatory profile [and] sperm with many cellular alterations—mainly higher DNA damage, alteration in energy production, and lower capacity to fertilize oocytes,” lead study author Ricardo P. Bertolla, DVM, PhD, MBA, of Sao Paulo Federal University, told Pharmacy Times.  Although the study took place in Brazil, Dr. Bertolla said he saw no reason the study group would have singularities based on the geographic location.  “This is definitely something that applies to men in the United States,” he said.  ...

5 DAILY HABITS TO REDUCE CHRONIC PAIN • Exercise : Without exercise you may lose muscle tone and strength, making pain worse. Mild exercise releases endorphins( feel good brain chemicals) that lift mood and block pain. Mild exercise plays a vital role. • Give Your Body A Boost….Eat Better If you are living with chronic pain,you would want to do everything to help your body,not hinder it. One way to keep your body strong is to eat a well balanced diet . Eating right improves blood sugar,helps maintain weight,reduce heart disease risk and aids digestion. • Quit Smoking : Some people find temporary relief from stress and pain with a quick smoke. The irony is that smoking may actually contribute to pain in the long run . It slows healing,worsens circulation and increases the risk of degenerative disc problems (a cause of low back pain). • Avoid Alcohol: You need a good night sleep to help soothe the stresses pain puts on your body. Although alcohol can help you fall asleep ...