Archive for ◊ February, 2010 ◊

Author: jito soulfly
• Saturday, February 27th, 2010

Hypertension-related problems in pregnancy are classified in four ways
• Chronic hypertension
• Pregnancy – induced chronic hypertension
• Preeclampsia
• Eclampsia

The hypertension in each of these dignoses is classified as:
Mild : Systolic > 140 mmHg and/or diastolic > 90 mmHg
Severe : Systolic > 160 mmHg and/or diastolic > 110 mmHg

The only cure for hypertension in pregnancy is delivery

Pathophysiology of Hypertension in Pregnancy
Normal : Arachdonic acid triggers two pathways:
1. Prostacycline: Decreases blood pressure via: decreased vasoconstriction, Increased uteroplacental blood flow
2. Thromboxane: Increases blood pressure via: increased vasoontriction, decreased uteroplacental blood flow

In Pregnancy-Hypertensive States
The balance is thought to be tipped toward the thromboxane pathway.
Hypertension related deaths in pregnancy account for 15% of maternal deaths
Chronic hypertension and pregnancy
If during pregnandy a chronic hypertensive patient’s systolic blood pressure rises by 30 mmHg or diastolic rises by 15 mmHg, it is pregnancy induced hypertension superimposed on chronic hypertension.
Management
Mild : Early and serial ultrasounds, biophysicals
Severe : serial ultrasounds and biophysicals, antihypertensives (methyldopa/nifedipine)

PREGNANCY INDUCED HYPERTENSION
Defined as hypertension during pregnancy in a previously normotensive woman (the patient had normal blood pressure prio to 20 weeks gestation)

Subsets of pregnancy-induced hypertension
1. Pregnancy induced hypertension
2. Preeclampsia : renal involvement leads to proteinuria
3. Eclampsia : central nervous system involvement leads to seizures
4. HELLP Syndrome : the clinical picture is dominated by hematoloic and hepatic manifestations

Complication
• Heart failure
• Cerebral hemorrhage
• Placental abruption
• Fetal growth restriction
• Fetal death

Management

Mild : observe, bed rest
Severe : always hospitalize + antihypertensive pharmacotherapy (hydralazine or labetalol short term, nifedipine or methyldopa long term)
In pregnancy induced hypertension we must monitor for intrauterine growth retardation and progression to superimposed preeclampsia

Severe Pregnancy induced hypertension usually occurs in the third trimester

Generally for all pregnancy-hypertensive states:
If > 36 weeks/fetal lung maturity : Induce labor
If < 34 weeks/fetal lung immaturity : steroids plus expectant management
If fetal or maternal deterioration at any gestational age, induce labor

PREECLAMPSIA
Preeclampsia is pregnancy induced hypertension with proteinuria +/- pathological edema. It is classified as mild or severe
Preeclampsia rarely develops before 20 weeks and usually occurs in a first pregnancy
Preeclampsia is usually asymptomatic; itscrucial to pick up during routine prenatal visits

Criteria for mild preeclampsia
• Blood pressure : ? 140 systolic or ? 90 diastolic
• Proteinuria : 300 mg to 5 g/24 hrs ( normal : < 300 mg/24 hrs in pregnancy, < 150 mg/24 hrs in nonpregnant state)

Manifestations of severe disease
• Blood pressure : > 160 systolic or > 110 diastolic
• Proteinuria : 5 g/24 hrs
• Elevated serum creatinine
• Oliguria (< 500 ml/24 hrs)
• Symptoms suggesting end organ involvement (headache, visual disturbances, epigastric pain)
• Pulmonary edema
• Hepatocellular dysfunction
• Thrombocytopenia
• IUGR or oligohydramnions
• Microangiophatic hemolysis
• Grand mal seizures (eclampsia)

Predisopsing Factors
• Nulliparity
• Family history of preeclampsia-eclampsia
• Multiple fetuses
• Diabetes
• Chronic vascular disease
• Renal disease
• Hydatidiform mole
• Fetal hydrops

HELLP SYNDROME

Hellp syndrome is a manifestation of preeclampsia with hemolysis, elevated liver enzyms and low platelets. In contrast to typical presentations of preeclampsia, it is associated with :
• High morbidity
• Multiparous mothers
• Mothers older than 25
• Less than 36 weeks gestation
The prime objectives in severe cases are to forestall convulsions, prevent intracranial hemorrhage and serious damage to other vital organs, and deliver a healthy infant

Diagnosis of Preeclampsia

Once preeclampsia is suspected, the following tests should be done :
• Blood : Electrolytes, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, liver function tests (LFTs) (ALT, AST), complete blood count (CBC), uric acid, and platelet count
• Urine : Sediment, 24 hour protein, 24 hour creatinine
• Fetal : ultrasound, nonstress test, biophysical profile

Management

Varies depending on severity of disease and gestational age of fetus:
Mild Preeclampsia
• Hospitalize, observe, bedrest, low-salt diet, monitor labs closely

Severe Preeclampsia

• Hospitalize, bed rest, low salt, low calories
• Antihypertensive pharmacotherapy: hydralazine or labetalol short term nifedipine or methyldopa long term
• Anticonvulsive theraphy : magnesium sulfate

Plus the following :
• If > 36 weeks/fetal lung maturity : induce labor
• If < 34 weeks/fetal llung immaturity : steroids plus expectant management
• If fetal or maternaldeterioration at any gestational age : induce labor
The only cure is delivery

ECLAMPSIA

Criteria : Mild or severe preeclampsia ; generalized seizures
25% of seizures are before labor, 50 % of seizures are during labor, 25% of seizures are post labor (maybe encountered up to 10 days post partum)

Management

1. Control of the convulsions (magnesium sulvate IV and IM). Magnesium toxicity is associated with loss of patellar reflexes. Treat with calcium gluconate 10% solution 1g iv
2. Correction of hypoxia and acidosis
3. Blood Pressure control (hydralazine or labetolol)
4. Delivery after control of convulsions

Antihypertensive agents used in pregnancy
Short term control : hydralazine , labetolol
Long term control : methyldopa, nifedipine, atenolol

Author: admin
• Monday, February 22nd, 2010

Water is a vital mineral for the human body. What are the functions of water for the body ? Here are 10 important functions of water according dr.Tan Shot, Yen, M. Hum, medical doctor.

- Water prevents DNA damage and repairs more efficiently.

- Water increases the efficiency of the immune system in the bone marrow, including against cancer.

- Water is the main solvent of all foods, vitamins, and minerals; used to break down these materials and metabolism and assimilation.

- Water gives energy to the food, so that food particles could provide energy during the digestive process.

- The water used as conductor of all substances in the body.

- Water increases the efficiency of red blood cells to capture oxygen in the lungs.

- Air cleaning toxic waste from different parts of the body and took it to the liver and kidneys to be excreted.

- Water is the main lubricant in the joint cells and helps prevent arthritis and back pain.

- Water cooling system is important for the body (through sweat) and heating the body (electrical).

- Water helps reduce stress, anxiety, and depression.

Author: jito soulfly
• Monday, February 15th, 2010

Definitions

  • Menoupause is the final menstruation marking the termination of menses (defined as 6 months of amenorrhea)
  • Menopause is preceded by the climacteric or perimenioausal period the multiyear transition from optimal menstrual condition to menoupause
  • The postmenopause period is the time after menopause

Factors affecting age of onset

Genetics

  • Smoking (decreases age by 3 years)
  • Chemo / radiation therapy

Physioology during the perimenopausal period

Oocytes die

Women’s immature eggs, or oocytes, begin to die precipitously and become resistant to follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH),  the pituitary hormone that causes their marturation

  • FSH levels rise for two reasons :
    1. Decreased inhibin (inhibin inhibits FSH secretion; it is produced smaller amounts by the fewer oocytes)
    2. Resistant oocytes require more FSH to successfully mature, triggering greater FSH release

Ovulation becomes less frequent

Women ovulate less frequently, initially one to two fewer times per year and eventually just before menopause, perhaps once every 3 to 4 months. This is due to shortened follicular phase. The luteal phase does not change.

Estrogen levels fall

Estrogen levels begin to decline, resulting in hot flashes (may also be due to increased luteinizing hormone) Hot flashes usually occur on the face, neck and upper chest and last a few minutes followed by intense diaphoresis.

Physiology during the menopausal period

Levels of androstenedione fall, a hormone that is primarily produced by the follicle.

  • Ovaries increase production of testosterone which may result in hirsutism and virilism
  • Decrease in estradiol level and decrease in estrone level
  • FSH and LH levels rise secondary to absenece of negative feedback.

Treatment of the adverse effects of menopause

Hormone replacement therapy or estrogen replacement therapy has been shown to counteract the complications of estradiol loss.

Estrogen replacement therapy

Indicated in women status post hysterectomy.

Hormone replacement therapy

The progesterone component is needed to protect the endometrium for constant stimulation and resultant increase in endometrial cancer. It is indicated for women who still have their uterus.

Manual traffic exchange

Author: admin
• Tuesday, February 09th, 2010

Apart from lemon grass oil to ward off the danger of DHF, people often use guava juice. Many people claim successfully rescued from dengue fever because of guava juice.

DHF patients help by guava juice, not because guava, but because the large quantities of liquid juice into the patient’s body. The liquid, especially if taken up to 5 or 6 cups a day, much-needed patients who have lost a lot of blood plasma due to decreased platelets.

Any liquid, either plain water or solution water of salt and sugar or other fruit juices, if consumed in large quantities can help the healing process of dengue fever patients . Drinks in cans containing electrolytes is also recommended given to patients.

Here are some types of liquids that could give to people with dengue fever to avoid dehydration:

1. Coconut water
The UN World Food Agency (FAO – Food & Agriculture Organization) recognizes that the properties of young coconut water as a thirst-killing substances rich in natural electrolytes. Electrolyte and nutritional substance more than just drink the thirst-killing factory production. Mentioned in the FAO official website that the young coconut juice natural, delicious, rich in salt, sugar, and vitamins needed Olympic-class athletes and amateurs. In fact, the UN agency has patented a young coconut water is efficacious.

In the young coconut water has minerals potassium, sodium, chloride, and magnesium. These substances are electrolytes the body needs to help overcome the threat of shock in dehydrated condition. Besides potassium, also contains sugar, vitamins B and C and protein. Sugars and minerals composition contained in water is so perfect, that mentioned a similar balance with human body fluids.

2. Hexagonal Water
Chinese traditional medicine, always suggested  “live water” consumption. Never mentioned mean “life” is. In Korea, people who diligently take waterfalls in the mountains maintained their health, according to Yunjo Chung, MD, a doctor from the University of Korea. “Live water” could be a  rich water in oxygen content as the waterfall.

Korea has recently successfully patented a technology called Actimo to make water “life” that has oxygen and sold throughout the world. According to them, in the human body there are two forms of water compounds, pentagonal (pentagons) and hexagonal (hexagonal).

Hexagonal and pentagonal distinction was only based on its structure. Pentagonal water molecules form a series of water with a large group of bonds and unstable. As usual white water, hexagonal water is not tasteless and odorless. (see rubric You Need to Know in the 290th edition SENIOR)

3. Fruit juice
Lack of fluid because of dengue fever can also be overcome by water juice. Not always have guava juice. Can papaya juice, orange, or mango juice, as long as the patient likes.

Water content in the fruit high count, which varies between 65 to 92 percent, so that it can cover the lack of fluid from blood plasma absorb out of the vessel.

Michael T. Murray, ND, in his book The Complete Book of Juicing, write that juice is easily absorbed by body for its smooth and fluid. Known nutrients such as the intestine absorbed in the form of juice. Means juice helps the digestive process by accelerating the body’s absorption of nutrients high quality contained in the juice.

4. Guava
Although not medically proven, it never wrong to give the guava juice for dengue fever patients. Therefore, this exotic fruit has very high vitamin C.

Vitamin C is found in the flesh. Seeds are often not consumed also contains vitamin C. Mentioned in the book Foods that Heal, Foods that Harm, 90 grams of guava fruit is more than enough to meet the daily need of vitamin C in adults. The book also mentions, though it lost nearly 25 percent of the vitamin because the process of processing, packaging guava juice box is still a source of vitamin C is good.

Thanks to contain high doses of vitamin C is, immunity against bacteria in the body will increase. Any wound healing process go faster. In addition, blood pressure is also getting better because of this fruit is a good source of potassium.

To get the largest benefit, select fruit that had just ripe and still green and yellow. When fully ripe, store in the refrigerator. Do not forget to wash before made juice.

5. Alang-Alang
Wild plants named Latin Imperata cylindrica (L) Beauv has been often studied, foreign weeds have made patent medicines.
Research on this plant mention, reeds contain mannitol, glucose, sakharosa, malic acid, citric acid, coixol, arundoin, cylindrin, fernenol, simiarenol, anemonin, grit acid, resin, and alkali metals. Judging from the contents, the weeds are antipyretic (reduce heat), diuretics (urine shed), hemostatik (stop bleeding), and end the thirsty.

Traditional Chinese Medicine says, the weeds have a sweet and cool properties. The effect of this treatment plant enters the lung meridian, stomach and small intestine. With the launch diuretic properties urine, reeds useful to treat acute renal inflammatory disease.

Diuretic properties which remove useless body fluids is useful for controlling blood pressure is likely get high. Hemostatik properties that can stop the bleeding can also be used to overcome the nosebleed and internal bleeding.

These herbs in the body will infiltrate into the organs of the lungs, stomach and small intestine. Therefore, weed herb should not given to those who are weak stomach functions and urinary frequency.

Part of reed plants can be used as traditional medicine is a rhizome, either fresh or dried. Reed materials found in the Chinese medicine shop. Now readily available even reeds drink instant hot efficacious in eliminating. This instant beverages are available in herbal shops or Chinese medicine shop.

How to use, take one bunch or roll roots of the weeds. Wash and boil in three cups of water until the remaining one cup. Mix the juice of one lime juice with three tablespoons of water weeds such. Use as needed. Add sweetener if the herb for children.

6. Angkung
Angkung believed to help cure the disease meningitis, stroke, brain inflammation, liver disease, seizures, and lack of body fluids as well as in the case of dengue fever. However, unfortunately angkung very expensive price. Price one pill angkung reached USD 250 thousand. Angkung usually sold in packs of pills in Chinese medicine shop.

Careful when buying because the angkung market identified many false. The characteristics of the original angkung including pills wrapped in gold paper after opening the box. Angkung pill form like porridge, flexible but easily broken. Other characteristics, very quickly dissolves when brewed with hot water, even in less than 1 minute. Characteristics that are easily recognized are authenticity of the outer packaging is the hologram label and sign manufacturers.

In addition to the expensive cost, the benefits are not immediate angkung after drinking one or two eggs. Just felt Angkung savour to overcome severe illness taken regularly after 6 to 8 pills every day.

7. Daun Dewa
God leaves of plants can also be used as a substitute angkung. This plant-shaped bush. Leaf is part of the plant used as a medicine.
This herb is rich with various chemical ingredients such as saponins, ASIRI oils, flavonoids, and tannins. With the chemical content of the plant are useful as an anticoagulant (dilute blood clot), stop the bleeding, remove the heat, clean toxin.

Plant gods are also available in Chinese drug stores in capsule form. The price is relatively cheaper than angkung.

Author: admin
• Monday, February 08th, 2010

Coconut is known as benefit-rich plants. Almost no part of the coconut trees that are not useful for life.

But people often don’t understand how to use every part of the coconut. Coconut water for example, it is only a waste because confused to use. Coconut water is very efficacious for the health and fitness.

Well, for not wasted coconut water, you need to know the usefulness. This seven reasons why you need to drink coconut water:

1. Coconut water is more nutritious than whole milk because it is low-fat and doesn’t contain cholesterol.

2. Coconut water can improve blood circulation and known to cleanse the digestive tract.

3. Coconut water will not only make your immune system is better, but also helps the body fight some types of viruses that cause disease.

4. If you are suffering from kidney stone disease, make it a habit to drink coconut water regularly. The habit of drinking coconut water will help dissolving kidney stones and ease their exit from the body.

5. Coconut water is also known from earliest times to cure urinary tract disorders. A glass of coconut water to relieve the pain of urinating difficult.

6. If you’re still feeling a hangover, no one can recover quickly as well as consuming coconut water.

7. Coconut water feels very soft and rich in potassium electrolytes, it helps the body regulate blood pressure and cardiac organ function.

Author: admin
• Sunday, February 07th, 2010

Patients with dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF), especially children, vulnerable to impaired fluid balance. This could be fatal, occurred by shock syndrome that ends in death. Shock syndrome usually occurs in the third or fourth day since fever occurrence. In fact, at this moment fever usually subside.

Dengue virus infection can lead to leakage of plasma so that the liquid will fill the cavity around the heart, lung, and stomach, resulting in swelling. On the other hand, the body fluid deficiency. Dengue infection that do not cause leakage of plasma called dengue fever. This type of relatively mild and not life-threatening.

The signs of shock to consider is the patient’s anxiety, there was a marked decrease in consciousness with the patient was sleepy and wanted to sleep, no appetite, abdominal pain, no appetite, and rarely urinate.

If the shock occurs without any prolonged medical action could result in death. To prevent shock, DHF patients must given plenty of fluids, either by mouth or infusion.

Author: admin
• Saturday, February 06th, 2010

Although the beginning of the disease is almost similar, but the two dengue virus infection have different levels of severity.

Dengue fever and dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) is a contagious disease caused by dengue virus transmitted by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Dengue virus infection spreads quickly and can attack many people in the epidemic. More severe conditions experienced by the children.

DHF is a more severe form of dengue fever because of bleeding and shock may occur which sometimes could be fatal, which is death. Symptoms of dengue fever or DHF is generally quite similar. “In the initial phase, the two diseases couldn’t be distinguished,” he said.

In general, the dengue fever and DHF are typical.

Dengue fever
- Acute fever for 2-7 days, accompanied by headache, sore muscles and joints
- Can be accompanied decrease in platelets.
- The heat will come down on the third or fourth day.
- Better cure rate.

DHF:
- Sudden high fever, accompanied by headache, pain in the back of the eyeball, sometimes abdominal pain.
- There is a sign of rash or red spots on skin
- Not accompanied by a cough or sore in the throat.
- Platelets and leukocytes down (less than 100,000)
- Hematocrit levels  increasing (up 20 percent of normal).
- Bleeding the soft tissues (nose, mouth, or gums).
- There was infiltration of plasma. The more leaks can cause shock.

Added by Alan physician, determination of dengue fever or DHF can only be done on the third day through the clinical symptoms plus the investigation. “The diagnosis of DHF can enforced if it fulfills two clinical criteria and a decrease in platelets and increased hematocrit,” he explained.

Author: admin
• Friday, February 05th, 2010

Every time the seasons change arrives, the phenomenon of disease dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) name as a deadly threat to tropical countries like Indonesia.

DHF caused by dengue virus, distributed by Aedes mosquitoes aegipty or Aedes albopictus female pairs. Mosquito-legged white pinto these human bite during the day. Dengue virus consists of four types (strains), namely dengue type 1,2,3, and 4. However, the dominant type in Indonesia is a type 3.

Dengue disease until now was not unexpected. In general, this disease has features such as high temperature, headache and even vomiting blood. But unfortunately, the same symptoms are often found in other diseases. As a result, until now often the case wrong diagnosis. Therefore, you should more vigilant and recognize other symptoms.

SYMPTOMS:
- Sudden high fever
- Severe headache, especially in the forehead
- Pain in the body and joints
- Nausea or vomiting
- Front redness
- Laboratory tests showed leukocytes and platelets down (less than 100 thousand) and an increase in hematocrit (blood viscosity).

HANDLING
- Monitor patient’s temperature every day
- Bring the patient back to the doctor if the fever lasted 3 days
- Rest and adequate fluid intake are two things that are important in dengue virus infected patients.
- If the patient condition increasingly weak, vomiting, trouble eating or drinking, give intravenous fluids by doctors.
- If the laboratory results showed no sign of decline or increase platelet hematocrit, the patient must hospitalized.
- Patients being watched in shock not to place marked by a sense of weakness, drowsiness, and fainting, while the very cold feet.

Author: admin
• Wednesday, February 03rd, 2010

Keep drink water storage safe and clean.

Water that you and your family drink should always be safe and clean. Water clean and safe to drink not determined only from the good treatment, but also from the storage. Find out how to keep your drinking water right and not exposed by disease due to contaminated by bacteria.

- Select a container of water storage is safe and clean. Secure the containers that have closed, narrow-necked and would be better if equipped with a faucet. If using plastic container, make sure plastic materials are safe.

- Drinking water should be stored in container processing. If it had to be moved, minimize contact with the hands because of the risk by bacterial contamination. Make sure the storage containers are always clean.

- Put the water storage containers in a place difficult to reach any animal. Start from cockroaches, rats and spiders usually in the kitchen.

- Don’t drink water straight from the container. Use a glass or mug. If taken directly without using any other containers could contaminate by very high bacterial.

- Water storage should be washed every three day. Use clean and boiled water as a final rinse. Ensure that the water storage is always closed.

Category: Health  | Tags: , ,  | One Comment
Author: admin
• Tuesday, February 02nd, 2010

Heart attack is the number one killer in America, biggest killer after cancer. A diet is the first point that can prevent this. There are four types of food that has proven it can reduce the risk of heart attack:

1. Garlic. A number of studies have shown some benefit from garlic. Regular consumption of garlic can reduce high blood, prevent blood clotting (cause of stroke), preventing an increase in blood sugar and cholesterol levels. Garlic is also known to reduce or neutralize the bad effects of salt.

2. Salmon. Replace full-fat burgers with your favorite piece of salmon. Though sometimes fat good for body, but a small portion of fat (from the consumption of half pieces of burgers every day) will cause blockage in the arteries that can increase the risk of heart attack. Instead, the salmon will reduce the risk, as salmon contain omega-3 can prevent the heartbeat too fast, preventing or reducing the rate of enlargement of the arteries, increasing the amount of good fats in the body, and prevents cholesterol and split into the artery blockage.

3. Cherry fruit and berries. Fruit is useful because it has a kind of substance that could prevent cell damage that can lead to clotting or blockage of blood vessels. If you have trouble getting fruits and berries (like strawberries or blueberries) or fruit cherry, then save it in significant amounts, if not seasons. In order not to get bored, mix in oatmeal or oatmeal, or use lemon juice. Fruits and berries are also good for improving your heart rate.

4. Red rice. Brown rice is a source of magnesium. These minerals (magnesium) can facilitate the flow of blood vessels. Magnesium deficiency can cause hypertension, heart attack, and heart rhythm disturbances. Brown rice does not need to be cooked too long. Serve with grilled vegetables, and roast chicken.

5. Chocolate. Drinking coffee? Try to change it with a glass of hot chocolate. Hot chocolate have antioxidants. Even the number was more than 3 times as much green tea.