Want to Know it? Answers to life's questions » Health http://wanttoknowit.com Want to know it? This blog has a little bit of everything to keep you entertained, challenge your mind and find answers to life's questions. Wed, 23 May 2012 00:58:07 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.3 What Causes Dysentery http://wanttoknowit.com/what-causes-dysentery/ http://wanttoknowit.com/what-causes-dysentery/#comments Sat, 19 May 2012 12:31:14 +0000 Want to know it http://wanttoknowit.com/?p=4668 Dysentery is a disorder of the intestine that can be fatal if it is not treated. It commonly presents as inflammation of the colon, but it can affect any of the intestine. The common symptoms of dysentery include diarrhea with blood and/or mucus, fever, urge to defecate and abdominal pain. Dysentery can lead to dehydration and can also cause severe damage to the intestinal tissue, and these problems can cause further complications and even death. Let’s take a look at the most common causes of this serious medical condition.

What causes dysentery?
Dysentery can be caused by an infection from a virus, bacteria or protozoa. It can also be caused by a parasitic infection. Some of these harmful microorganisms are capable of reaching the large intestine after they enter the body through the mouth, usually via infected water or food. Each harmful microorganism that causes dysentery has a slightly different affect on the body, but they all cause damage to the intestinal lining which causes the inflammation that is associated with the immune system response.

The treatment for the condition is varied because of the many different types of microorganisms that cause the problem. The first line of defense is to keep the patient hydrated using oral rehydration therapy or intravenous fluid. Testing is then done to determine the cause of the problem and appropriate medication is given to the patient. With proper treatment the symptoms clear in about 10 days and a full recovery occurs in 2-4 weeks.

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]]> http://wanttoknowit.com/what-causes-dysentery/feed/ 0 How Is Bursitis Treated http://wanttoknowit.com/how-is-bursitis-treated/ http://wanttoknowit.com/how-is-bursitis-treated/#comments Tue, 01 May 2012 00:39:12 +0000 Want to know it http://wanttoknowit.com/?p=4572 Bursitis is a painful condition that is caused by the inflammation of the bursae. These are small sacks filled with synovial fluid that are located where muscle and tendon slide across the bone. Their normal function is to allow a gliding surface to make movement painless. However, when bursitis affects one or more bursa the movement in the local area can be restricted and painful. This movement can also aggravate the problem. It commonly occurs due to repetitive movement and pressure, but can also be caused by an injury. The elbows, knees and shoulders are usually affected, but other areas can also be involved. Let’s take a look at how this painful condition is treated.

What is the treatment for bursitis?
Bursitis is most commonly treated by elevating, icing and resting the affected area. In many cases physiotherapy and anti-inflammatory drugs may be required. Pain is usually managed with over-the-counter pain medication. If there is an infection causing the inflammation then testing is required and the infection is treated with antibiotics.

More serious cases may require that the removal of excess synovial fluid or injecting the bursa with a medicine to relieve the inflammation and/or reduce the fluid build up. In the most serious of cases surgery may be required to remove the affected bursa/e. A new bursa will regrow in about 2 weeks and in most cases the inflammation does not return. This surgery is known as a bursectomy.

It is important to try and find the cause of bursitis as early as possible. Unresolved problems can lead to scarring, which can lead to bursitis occurring more frequently.

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]]> http://wanttoknowit.com/how-is-bursitis-treated/feed/ 0 What Causes a Cleft Palate http://wanttoknowit.com/what-causes-a-cleft-palate/ http://wanttoknowit.com/what-causes-a-cleft-palate/#comments Wed, 18 Apr 2012 12:49:17 +0000 Want to know it http://wanttoknowit.com/?p=4506 A cleft is a fissure, or an opening, that may occur in the lip or palate of a person. A cleft palate is when the two plates from the skull that form the hard roof of the mouth do not fully fuse together. This causes a gap between these plates, which is known as a cleft palate. The condition can occur just in the soft palate which is called an incomplete cleft or can occur in both palates and include the jaw. Many people born with a cleft palate also have a cleft lip. Cleft palates which include the lip can be unilateral or bilateral. This condition occurs in approximately one in 700 births worldwide.

What causes a cleft palate?
Unfortunately, the cause of a cleft palate is not fully understood. Medical science points to genetic factors and environmental influences, but there is not set proof for either of these factors. A small chance exists for a cleft palate to be passed on from parents to child, but two thirds of cases have no family history of a cleft palate. There are some syndromes which are more likely to cause cleft such as Stickler’s Syndrome, Loeys-Dietz syndrome and Hardikar syndrome.

Some research has also suggested that environmental influences may have some impact on the development of a cleft palate. A baby’s palate and lips form during the first 6 to 8 weeks of life. The fetus is very susceptible during this stage to negative environmental factors such as cigarette smoke, alcohol, pesticide exposure and lack of vitamin and minerals in the mother’s diet. However, there is no medical proof to substantiate this idea.

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]]> http://wanttoknowit.com/what-causes-a-cleft-palate/feed/ 0 What Causes Dengue Fever http://wanttoknowit.com/what-causes-dengue-fever/ http://wanttoknowit.com/what-causes-dengue-fever/#comments Tue, 10 Apr 2012 17:32:17 +0000 Want to know it http://wanttoknowit.com/?p=4461 Dengue fever is a tropical disease that infects over 50-100 million people each year and causes approximately 13,000–25,000 deaths. In 80% of cases few or no symptoms are reported, but in 5% of cases the symptoms are very serious and can become life threatening. The common symptoms include; skin rash, fever, headache and severe muscle and/or joint pain. This pain gave rise to the alternative name for the disease, break-bone fever. In a small number of cases the disease develops into dengue hemorrhagic fever, which causes bleeding, plasma leakage and low platelet count. In other serious cases a condition called dengue shock syndrome occurs, which causes extremely low blood pressure. If you have ever wondered what causes this potentially fatal disease, keep reading to find out.

What causes dengue fever?
Dengue fever is caused by the dengue virus, which is transmitted through the bite of several different species of mosquitoes. This virus is an RNA virus from the Flaviviridae family of viruses. This family of viruses includes many diseases transferred by mosquitoes and ticks, such as the West Nile Virus and the St. Louis Encephalitis virus. The most common mosquito to transmit the dengue fever virus is the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti.

There is no vaccine or cure for dengue fever and the treatment consists of supporting the patient and treating the most severe symptoms. Many vaccines are being tested, but they will not be available to the public until at least 2015. Fortunately, most people recover from the disease without any long lasting problems.

Did you know?
There are four different types of the dengue fever virus and patients with one type retain immunity to that type for life. However, they only have short term immunity from the other 3 types of the virus!

The Aedes aegypti mosquito is also known to pass on Chikungunya, yellow fever, and other diseases.

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]]> http://wanttoknowit.com/what-causes-dengue-fever/feed/ 0 How Does Caffeine Affect the Body http://wanttoknowit.com/how-does-caffeine-affect-the-body/ http://wanttoknowit.com/how-does-caffeine-affect-the-body/#comments Fri, 06 Apr 2012 00:32:09 +0000 Want to know it http://wanttoknowit.com/?p=4439 Caffeine is a naturally occurring substance that is found in the fruit and leaves of some varieties of plants. It is a natural pesticide that paralyzes and kills certain insects. Caffeine is present in coffee and tea as both the beans of the coffee plant and the leaves of the tea bush have naturally occurring caffeine. Other sources of caffeine include Kola nuts, yerba maté, guarana berries, guayusa, and the yaupon holly. Caffeine is a stimulant and is the world’s most consumed psychoactive substance. So, how exactly does caffeine affect the body? Read this article to find out.

How does caffeine affect the body?
Caffeine is a nervous system stimulant and the most common effects of consumption in humans are increased wakefulness and restored alertness. Its stimulant affect also helps improve body coordination and clearer thinking. In high does caffeine can have the opposite affect and actually impair body coordination and movement. These effects of caffeine begin less than an hour after consumption and wear off after about five hours. Caffeine may also increase the frequency of urination, but many caffeine uses acquire immunity to this symptom.

Consuming large amount of caffeine can cause caffeine addiction or caffeinism. People who have this addiction may feel irritable, restless, nervous, and experience headaches or heart palpitations; particularly if they cut back or do not have any caffeine. Other conditions associated with caffeine consumption are caffeine intoxication, caffeine-induced sleep disorder, and caffeine-induced anxiety disorder. Caffeine can cause sleep problems in some people by disturbing their sleep patterns and leading to insomnia. A caffeine induced sleep disorder is a disruption in sleep patterns that warrants clinical care and treatment. Small doses of caffeine are said to have little or mild positive effects on anxiety. High doses have been linked with a marked increase in anxiety causing caffeine-induced anxiety disorder. Withdrawal from caffeine can also cause anxiety problems.

Caffeine intoxication can cause the following symptoms:

  • Restlessness
  • Fidgeting
  • Anxiety
  • Excitement
  • Insomnia
  • Flushing of the face
  • Increased urination
  • Gastrointestinal disturbance
  • Muscle twitching
  • A rambling flow of thought and speech
  • Irritability
  • Irregular or rapid heart beat
  • Agitation

Large overdoses can result in much more serious effects such as mania, depression, disorientation, delusions, hallucinations or psychosis. In severe cases caffeine overdoses can lead to death.

Caffeine is believed to have positive effects on cancer and has been show to lower the overall risk of cancer. Caffeine acts on hepatocellular and endometrial cancer, however high levels of caffeine consumption can make a person more susceptible to bladder cancer.

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]]> http://wanttoknowit.com/how-does-caffeine-affect-the-body/feed/ 0 What Causes Celiac Disease http://wanttoknowit.com/what-causes-celiac-disease/ http://wanttoknowit.com/what-causes-celiac-disease/#comments Tue, 03 Apr 2012 13:01:27 +0000 Want to know it http://wanttoknowit.com/?p=4419 Celiac disease, also written coeliac disease, is a genetic autoimmune condition of the small intestine. The condition damages the lining of the small intestine and prevents proper absorption of nutrients from food. Some of the common symptoms of celiac disease include bloating, chronic diarrhoea, failure to thrive in infants or children, and fatigue. However, symptoms vary from person to person and a wide range of gastrointestinal symptoms may occur. Symptoms of celiac disease usually appear when gluten is ingested which is found in wheat, barley and rye. Without a modified diet a person with celiac disease will become malnourished, even if they consume the correct amount of food. Those who have family members with celiac disease are at greater risk and should be tested for celiac disease.

What causes celiac disease?
It is still unknown what exactly causes celiac disease, what is known is that the condition appears to be genetic and hereditary. Celiac disease is an allergic reaction to gluten. When a person with the condition consumes gluten it inflames and destroys the lining of the small intestine. It is the glaidin in gluten that causes the allergic reaction in someone with celiac disease. It is not clear why this substance becomes toxic in someone with celiac disease, but extensive medical research is being undertaken to determine the cause. An individual with celiac disease may not suffer the effects of the allergic reaction all of their lives. Celiac disease seems to be triggered by other events that cause the glaidin to become toxic. Some common triggers include surgery, pregnancy, and illness such as viral infections or severe emotional stress.

First degree relatives (parents, children and siblings) of those diagnosed with celiac disease have about a 10% chance to develop the disease. Research has also determined that people with celiac disease have certain genes that others do not. Statistics show that close to 1% of the population in the western world have celiac disease making it the most common food intolerance in the western world.

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]]> http://wanttoknowit.com/what-causes-celiac-disease/feed/ 0 What Causes Nosebleeds http://wanttoknowit.com/what-causes-nosebleeds/ http://wanttoknowit.com/what-causes-nosebleeds/#comments Fri, 30 Mar 2012 17:36:22 +0000 Want to know it http://wanttoknowit.com/?p=4398 Nosebleeds, also called epistaxis, are a common occurrence that can be frightening and unpleasant, but are not usually of medical concern. They can originate in the front or the back of the nose and can generally be managed at home. One out of every seven people will have a nosebleed in their lifetime and they are most common in children 2 to 10 years and adults over 50. Nosebleeds are common in the dry winter months and usually occur during the morning.

What causes nosebleeds?
Nosebleeds can either be anterior (front) or posterior (back). Anterior nose bleeds are generally caused by a blood vessel on the nasal septum rupturing. This is particular common in the Kiesselbach plexus where a number of vessels are joined together. Anterior nosebleeds are the most common types and are easily treated. Posterior nosebleeds are caused by damage to an artery in the back of the nose. These nosebleeds are usually more complicated and require treatment by a specialist. Older people and people who have sustained head or facial injuries are most likely to experiences these types of nosebleed.

The cause of most nosebleeds is unknown and not easily identifiable. There are some common causes of nosebleeds such as trauma to the nose area. This could be caused by an impact to the front or the side of the nose. Internal trauma and damage can be caused by nose picking and the insertion of foreign objects into the nostril. This is the most common causes of nosebleeds in children. Some other causes of nosebleeds include:

  • Nasal and sinus infection
  • Exposure to warm, dry air which can cause nasal cracking
  • Allergic rhinitis
  • Hayfever
  • Vigorous nose blowing
  • Nasal surgery
  • Cocaine use
  • Excessive alcohol use
  • Hypertension (high blood pressure)
  • Blood thinning medications such as Warfarin and aspirin
  • Changes in temperature

Some people who have a medical condition which results in the inability to clot blood usually experience more nosebleeds than others.

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]]> http://wanttoknowit.com/what-causes-nosebleeds/feed/ 0 What Causes CMV Retinitis http://wanttoknowit.com/what-causes-cmv-retinitis/ http://wanttoknowit.com/what-causes-cmv-retinitis/#comments Thu, 29 Mar 2012 12:13:35 +0000 Want to know it http://wanttoknowit.com/?p=4388 CMV retinitis, properly known as cytomegalovirus retinitis, is a disease that causes inflammation of the retina in the eye. This can lead to serious complications including blindness. Although many people never show any signs the most common symptoms of CMV retinitis are; eye pain, blind spots, blurred vision, floaters (the appearance of floating specks) and other vision problems. Without proper treatment the damage to the retina can cause blindness in less than 6 months. The problem usually begins in one eye and will often progress to the other eye. CMV retinitis is diagnosed with blood and urine tests. Let’s take a look at what causes this serious condition.

What causes cytomegalovirus retinitis?
The cause of CMV retinitis is caused by a virus from the herpes family called cytomegalovirus. This virus is found in most people, but it is usually detected and fought by the immune system. However, in some people with weakened immune systems, such as those with AIDS, this virus is not destroyed and it causes CMV retinitis. Like other members of the herpes virus family, this virus remains dormant in the body and can become reactivated at any time. In patients with a compromised immune system the virus can eventually cause a systemic infection.

How is CMV retinitis treated?
Antiviral medication is usually used to treat the condition. These drugs may be taken orally, through the veins (intravenously) or even directly injected into the eye.

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]]> http://wanttoknowit.com/what-causes-cmv-retinitis/feed/ 0 Is Aspirin Safe for Children http://wanttoknowit.com/is-aspirin-safe-for-children/ http://wanttoknowit.com/is-aspirin-safe-for-children/#comments Tue, 27 Mar 2012 13:01:41 +0000 Want to know it http://wanttoknowit.com/?p=4379 Aspirin is a drug that is commonly used to reduce fever and to relieve aches and pains. It is also often used as an anti-inflammatory drug for those suffering from conditions such as arthritis. Aspirin is in many cases prescribed to those with heart conditions as it is known to thin the blood and prevent damage to cardiac tissue. Aspirin can be purchased over the counter without a prescription and an estimated 40,000 tonnes of aspirin is used around the world each year. So, is this commonly used medication safe for children? Read this article to find out.

Is aspirin safe for children?
It is recommended that aspirin not be given to children under the age of 12 years. This is due to one of aspirins rare side effects, known as Reye’s syndrome. Reye’s syndrome is a potentially fatal disease which causes damage to organs particularly the liver and brains. It also drops normal blood sugar levels resulting in hypoglycemia. Common symptoms of Reye’s syndrome are a rash, vomiting, rapid breathing, brain inflammation, mental confusion, convulsions, and liver damage. The cause of this disease is unknown, but it has been linked to aspirin use in children with viral illnesses. Statistics have shown that 90% of children who develop Reye’s syndrome have taken aspirin for fever or a viral illness, such as chicken pox, within a week or two of the syndrome’s onset. One third of children who develop this disease die and another third develop brain damage.

It is best to use a safer alternative such as paracetamol or ibuprofen which is not linked with the development of Reye’s syndrome. In some cases aspirin may be required for a condition that a child is suffering from, such as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis or Kawasaki’s disease, or when it is used as an anticoagulant. This must only be done under medical supervision and if you have any doubts you should seek medical attention.

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]]> http://wanttoknowit.com/is-aspirin-safe-for-children/feed/ 0 What Causes Stretch Marks http://wanttoknowit.com/what-causes-stretch-marks/ http://wanttoknowit.com/what-causes-stretch-marks/#comments Wed, 21 Mar 2012 17:46:05 +0000 Want to know it http://wanttoknowit.com/?p=4338 Stretch marks are a form of scarring on the skin that may fade with time, but seldom disappear all together. The medical term for stretch marks is striae. Most stretch marts first appear as red or purple lines in the skin gradually fading with time to a pink, white or cream color. Stretch marks are most likely to occur on parts of the body where fat is stored such as hips, breasts, abdomen, upper arms, thighs and buttock.

What is the cause of stretch marks?
Stretch marks are caused by the middle layer of the skin, the dermis, tearing which creates scar tissue. This layer of skin is responsible for maintaining the shape of the skin over the body. The tearing is caused by hormones, specifically the glucocorticoid hormones. These hormones prevent the fibroblasts in the dermis from forming collagen and elastin fibers, which are two very important substances for maintaining the stretch and elasticity in skin. Skin that is less elastic is more likely to tear as it cannot support changes in body shape and size.

Some of the most common causes of this tearing are rapid weight gain, rapid muscle gain and the use of steroid creams or oral steroids. Rapid weight gain may occur during puberty or pregnancy. These two life occurrences also signal an increase in hormones such as the glucocorticoid hormones. As the body rapidly changes shape or gains weight the dermis layer of skin is unable to support the extra weight and tears causing stretch marks. Rapid muscle growth such as that experienced by body builders can also cause the development of stretch marks. The changing shape of the muscle puts extra pressure on the dermis creating tears. The use of steroids also effects the development of collagen and elastin fibers in the skin leading to stretch marks.

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