Dow University Hospital

23/07/2014

What Is Gout?
Gout is a kind of arthritis caused by a buildup of uric acid crystals in the joints. Uric acid is a breakdown product of purines that are part of many foods we eat. An abnormality in handling uric acid and crystallization of these compounds in joints can cause attacks of painful arthritis, kidney stones, and blockage of the kidney filtering tubules with uric acid crystals, leading to kidney failure. Gout has the unique distinction of being one of the most

Symptoms of Gout
Acute gout attacks are characterized by a rapid onset of pain in the affected joint followed by warmth, swelling, reddish discoloration, and marked tenderness. The small joint at the base of the big toe is the most common site for an attack. Other joints that can be affected include the ankles, knees, wrists, fingers, and elbows. In some people, the acute pain is so intense that even a bed sheet touching the toe causes severe pain. These painful attacks usually

Who's Affected by Gout?
The prevalence of gout in the U.S. has risen over the last twenty years and now affects 8.3 million (4%) Americans. Gout is more common in men than in women and more prevalent in African-American men than white men. The chances of having gout rises with age, with a peak age of 75. In women, gout attacks usually occur after menopause. Among the U.S. population, about 21% have elevated blood uric acid levels, a condition known as

Risk Factors for Gout
Obesity, excessive weight gain, especially in youth, moderate to heavy alcohol intake, high blood pressure, and abnormal kidney function are among the risk factors for developing gout. Certain drugs and diseases can also cause elevated levels of uric acid. Also, there is an increased prevalence of abnormally low thyroid hormone levels (hypothyroidism) in patients with gout.

What Gout Looks Like: The Big Toe
The joint at the base of the big toe is the most common site of an acute gout attack. These attacks can recur unless gout is treated. See your doctor even if the pain from gout is gone. Over time, they can harm joints, tendons, and other tissues.

What Gout Looks Like: The Fingers
People may experience gout with deposits of uric acid crystals in their finger joints. To ease the pain during a gout attack, rest the joint that hurts.

Diagnosing Gouty Arthritis
Gout is considered when a patient reports a history of repeated attacks of painful arthritis, especially at the base of the toes or in the ankles and knees. The most reliable test for gout is detecting uric acid crystals in the joint fluid obtained by joint aspiration. This common office procedure is performed with topical local anesthesia. Using sterile technique, fluid is withdrawn (aspirated) from the inflamed joint with a syringe and needle.

Diagnosing Gout: Joint Fluid Analysis
Once joint fluid is obtained, it is analyzed for uric acid crystals and infection. Your doctor may also do a blood test to measure the amount of uric acid in your blood.

How Are Gout Attacks Prevented?
Maintaining adequate fluid intake helps prevent acute gout attacks and decreases the risk of kidney stone formation in people with gout. Alcohol is known to have diuretic effects that can contribute to dehydration and precipitate acute gout attacks. Alcohol can also affect uric acid metabolism and cause hyperuricemia. It causes gout by slowing down the excretion of uric acid from the kidneys as well as by causing dehydration, which precipitates the crystals in

More Prevention Techniques
Dietary changes can help reduce uric acid levels in the blood. Since purine chemicals are converted by the body into uric acid, purine-rich foods should be avoided. Foods rich in purines include shellfish and organ meats, such as liver, brains, and kidneys. Researchers have reported that meat or seafood consumption increases the risk of gout attacks, while dairy consumption seemed to reduce this risk. Weight reduction can be helpful in lowering the

Treating Gout with Medications
Certain medications reduce the pain and inflammation of gout attacks, such as anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen and others), colchicine, and corticosteroids. Other medications decrease the level of uric acid in the blood and prevent the deposit of uric acid in joints (gouty arthritis), the kidneys (stones), and in tissue (tophi), helping to prevent further attacks and complications. These drugs include allopurinol, febuxostat, and probenicid.

What Does the Future Hold for Gout?
Active research is ongoing in a variety of fields related to gout and hyperuricemia. Scientists have found that high animal protein slightly increased the risk for gout. New drugs are being developed that may be more versatile and safe in treating the elevated uric acid levels in patients with chronic gout.

Learn about gout's painful symptoms and how the condition is treated.
http://wb.md/1r7yuwq

23/07/2014

Do You Really Only Use 10 Percent of Your Brain?

Do we really only use 10 percent of our brain? Learn the story behind this popular myth and the truth about how much of your brain you really use.

23/07/2014

Breaking News: 100 leading HIV/AIDS researchers killed on Malaysian jet

Faculty of Medicine is considered as the best medical forum that introduces...

23/07/2014

Love may lie not in your heart but in your brain. Using fMRI scans, researchers have shown how the early stages of romantic love activate the dopamine-releasing striatum, which is part of your brain’s pleasure center.

Love may lie not in your heart but in your brain. Using fMRI scans, researchers have shown how the early stages of romantic love activate the dopamine-releasing striatum, which is part of your brain’s pleasure center. This flood of dopamine creates a rush that can make new love feel like addiction. But falling in love also activates the insula, a brain region associated with motivation to acquire reward, which gives meaning to life-sustaining activities like eating and sleeping. It’s the insula that’s responsible for creating the bonds of long-lasting love. Share this post with friends and tell us who you love best in the comments.

Read more about the neurobiology of love: http://huff.to/15nkWpb

22/07/2014

2,000 FCPS degrees issued without examination

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PM&DC) registrar has said that there is a big difference between an honorary degree and a degree awarded to a respective blue-eyed specialist/professor without examination by the College of Physician and Surgeons.He said that the CPSP, since

21/07/2014

SAVE A LIFE: Don't let them sleep it off!

If you see someone passed out from alcohol intoxication, don't let them sleep it off. Try to wake them up and put them on their side- this prevents them from choking in case they vomit.

Alcohol intoxication can cause an unsafe drop in blood sugar, damage to brain, heart, kidneys, and even result in coma or death.
Get them to the emergency room, never leave them alone, never let them sleep it off- Call 911; you can save their life!

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SAVE A LIFE: Don't let them sleep it off!
If you see someone passed out from alcohol intoxication, don't let them sleep it off. Try to wake them up and put them on their side- this prevents them from choking in case they vomit.
Alcohol intoxication can cause an unsafe drop in blood sugar, damage to brain, heart, kidneys, and even result in coma or death.
Get them to the emergency room, never leave them alone, never let them sleep it off- Call 911; you can save their life!

"Like" and Share!

21/07/2014

WHEN U HAVE A HARD TIME FALLING ASLEEP . . .

Do you have a hard time falling asleep because you can’t quiet your mind? Try these tips to turn your brain off and get a better, longer night’s sleep.

1. Make a list: Write down all the things you need to do along with anything you’re worried about. Next to each one, write a next step to resolve the issue. Keep this list next to your bed so that if you start worrying, you can remind yourself you already have a plan in place.

2. Wind down: There isn’t an on/off switch for sleep. Your brain needs at least an hour to wind down at the end of each day. Dim the lights, turn off anything with a screen, and try reading, stretching or meditating.

3. Get up: Staying in bed when can’t fall asleep will teach your brain that your bed is a place to lie awake worrying. If you’ve been in bed for more than 20 minutes, get up and repeat one of the wind-down activities.

4. Focus: If your mind is racing, try focusing on something simple. Repeat a word over and over, count back from 100 by threes, or even count sheep to help keep mental chaos at bay.
Will you try one of these tips, or has one worked for you in the past? Share this post with friends and let us know in the comments.
Read more here: http://huff.to/1hsXB6h

By Shelby Freedman Harris, Psy.D. for YouBeauty.com As our societal demands get even greater with each passing year, we find that we are "on" 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This results in greater rates of insomnia, with more and mor...

21/07/2014

COMMON HABITS THAT DAMAGE THE KIDNEY . . .

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19/07/2014

12 possible Heart Symptoms You Should Know

Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of U.S. men and women, accounting for 40% of all U.S. deaths. That’s more than all forms of cancer combined.

Why is heart disease so deadly? One reason is that many people are slow to seek help when symptoms arise. Yes, someone gripped by sudden chest pain probably knows to call 911. But heart symptoms aren’t always intense or obvious, and they vary from person to person and according to gender.
Because it can be hard to make sense of heart symptoms, doctors warn against ignoring possible warning signs, waiting to see if they go away, or being quick to blame them on heartburn, muscle soreness, or other less serious, noncardiac causes. That’s especially true for people over 65, as well as for people with heart risk factors, such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity, smoking, diabetes, or a family history of heart disease.

“The more risk factors you have, the higher the likelihood that a symptom means something is going on with your heart,” says David Frid, MD, a cardiologist at the Cleveland Clinic. “People often don’t want to admit that they’re old enough or sick enough to have heart trouble. Putting off treatment for other medical problems might not be so bad, but a serious heart problem can mean sudden death.”
12 Heart Symptoms Never to Ignore
Here are a dozen symptoms that may signal heart trouble.

1. Anxiety. Heart attack can cause intense anxiety or a fear of death. Heart attack survivors often talk about having experienced a sense of “impending doom.”

2. Chest discomfort. Pain in the chest is the classic symptom of heart attack, and “the No. 1 symptom that we typically look for,” says Jean C. McSweeney, PhD, RN, associate dean for research at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Nursing in Little Rock and a pioneer in research on heart symptoms in women. But not all heart attacks cause chest pain, and chest pain can stem from ailments that have nothing to do with the heart.
Heart-related chest pain is often centered under the breastbone, perhaps a little to the left of center. The pain has been likened to “an elephant sitting on the chest,” but it can also be an uncomfortable sensation of pressure, squeezing, or fullness. “It’s not unusual for women to describe the pain as a minor ache,” McSweeney says. “Some women say the pain wasn’t bad enough even to take a Tylenol.”
Women, more so than men, can also experience a burning sensation in their chest, rather than a pressure or pain. “Sometimes people make the mistake that the pain comes from a stomach problem,” says Nieca Goldberg, MD, clinical associate professor of medicine at the NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City and another expert on women’s heart symptoms.

3. Cough. Persistent coughing or wheezing can be a symptom of heart failure — a result of fluid accumulation in the lungs. In some cases, people with heart failure cough up bloody phlegm.

4. Dizziness. Heart attacks can cause lightheadedness and loss of consciousness. So can potentially dangerous heart rhythm abnormalities known as arrhythmias.

5. Fatigue. Especially among women, unusual fatigue can occur during a heart attack as well as in the days and weeks leading up to one. And feeling tired all the time may be a symptom of heart failure.
Of course, you can also feel tired or fatigued for other reasons. How can you tell heart-related fatigue from other types of fatigue?
“If you don’t feel well and all the wind is knocked out of your sails, don’t try to figure it out on the Internet or from a book,” says Goldberg. “Wasting time is dangerous.”

6. Nausea or lack of appetite. It’s not uncommon for people to feel sick to their stomach or throw up during a heart attack. And abdominal swelling associated with heart failure can interfere with appetite.

7. Pain in other parts of the body. In many heart attacks, pain begins in the chest and spreads to the shoulders, arms, elbows, back, neck, jaw, or abdomen. But sometimes there is no chest pain — just pain in these other body areas like one or both arms, or between the shoulders. The pain might come and go.

8. Rapid or irregular pulse. Doctors say that there’s usually nothing worrisome about an occasional skipped heartbeat. But a rapid or irregular pulse — especially when accompanied by weakness, dizziness, or shortness of breath — can be evidence of a heart attack, heart failure, or an arrhythmia. Left untreated, some arrhythmias can lead to stroke, heart failure, or sudden death.

9. Shortness of breath. People who feel winded at rest or with minimal exertion might have a pulmonary condition like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). But breathlessness could also indicate a heart attack or heart failure.
“Sometimes people having a heart attack don’t have chest pressure or pain but feel extremely short of breath,” Goldberg says. “It’s like they’ve just run a marathon when they haven’t even moved.” During a heart attack, shortness of breath often accompanies chest discomfort, but it can also occur before or without chest discomfort.

10. Sweating. Breaking out in a cold sweat is a common symptom of heart attack. “You might just be sitting in a chair when all of a sudden you are really sweating like you had just worked out,” Frid says.

11. Swelling. Heart failure can cause fluid to accumulate in the body. This can cause swelling (often in the feet, ankles, legs, or abdomen) as well as sudden weight gain and sometimes a loss of appetite.

12. Weakness. In the days leading up to a heart attack, as well as during one, some people experience severe, unexplained weakness. “One woman told me it felt like she couldn’t hold a piece of paper between her fingers,” McSweeney says.

19/07/2014

Exercise to reduce lower back pain . . .

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18/07/2014

What Is Psoriasis?
The most common type of psoriasis is called plaque psoriasis. It causes a thick, patchy, red rash with silvery, white scales. It can appear anywhere but most often occurs on the scalp, elbows, knees, and lower back. The condition is not contagious, and it's fairly common, affecting 2% to 3% of Americans. Psoriasis is more common in adults than children.

Psoriasis Symptoms
Psoriasis typically starts as a few red bumps. These may become larger and thicker, eventually developing scales. The patches may join together and cover large areas of the body. The rash can be itchy and uncomfortable, and it may bleed easily if rubbed or picked.

Nail Psoriasis
Up to half of people with skin plaques have psoriasis of the nails as well. This makes the nails look yellowish-red. The nails may also crumble, become pitted, or develop grooved lines. Nearly everyone with psoriasis of the nails also has psoriasis somewhere on the skin.

Psoriatic Arthritis
About 15% of people with psoriasis develop psoriatic arthritis, a painful and sometimes disabling inflammation of the joints. Psoriatic arthritis can occur at any age but is most common between the ages of 30 and 50.

What Causes Psoriasis?
The exact cause of psoriasis is unknown, but experts believe that the immune system, genes, and environmental factors play central roles. Normally, old skin cells are replaced with new ones every four weeks. In people with psoriasis, the immune system triggers inflammation, causing new cells to move to the surface every three or four days. The resulting buildup forms the rash. Psoriasis cannot be passed from person to person, but it does tend to run in families.

Psoriasis Triggers
People with psoriasis may find their condition flares up at certain times. Common triggers include:
• Skin injury or infection
• Emotional stress
• Certain medications
• Smoking or drinking alcohol

The Stigma of Psoriasis
For some people, psoriasis can affect their emotions and self-image. A stubborn, unsightly rash can transform a confident, outgoing person into a wallflower. People may avoid dates, social events, or job interviews. All of this can increase the risk of depression and anxiety, which can worsen the symptoms of psoriasis.

Diagnosing Psoriasis
A doctor can usually diagnose psoriasis by examining your skin, scalp, and nails. A biopsy can be done to confirm the diagnosis. If you have swelling and pain in your joints, your doctor may also order blood tests and X-rays to check for arthritis. Psoriasis cannot be cured, but treatments can relieve symptoms and control the condition.

Treatment: Topicals
People with mild to moderate psoriasis may benefit from topical treatments -- creams or ointments that reduce inflammation, itching, and the rate of skin cell growth. These include steroid topicals, moisturizers, salicylic acid, anthralin, retinoids, calcipotriene, (a form of vitamin D), and coal tar. Tar shampoos are helpful for psoriasis of the scalp.

Scaly red patches on elbows may be a sign of psoriasis.
http://wb.md/1sxVE2O

18/07/2014

Lyme Disease, Oh, 'Deer'!

Lyme disease is commonly spread by deer ticks, which carry a bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi, commonly found in North America and Europe.

Some early signs:
*Small bump/redness at the site of the bite;
*Red, expanding rash called erythema migrans (EM);
*Fatigue, chills, fever, headache, muscle and joint aches, and swollen lymph nodes.

If left untreated, the infection can spread, leading to:
*Additional EM rashes;
*Facial or Bell's palsy;
*Severe headaches and neck stiffness due to inflammation of the spinal cord;
*Heart palpitations and dizziness;
*Arthritis, with severe joint pain and swelling;
*Chronic neurological issues like shooting pains, numbness and tingling in your extremities.

Planning a day outdoors? Stay Safe:
*Wear repellent
*Check for ticks daily
*Shower soon after being outdoors
*Call your doctor if you develop rash/fever.
Click here to learn more:
http://www.foxnews.com/health/2014/07/16/lyme-disease-causes-and-treatments/

Lyme Disease, Oh, 'Deer'!
Lyme disease is commonly spread by deer ticks, which carry a bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi, commonly found in North America and Europe.

Some early signs:
*Small bump/redness at the site of the bite;
*Red, expanding rash called erythema migrans (EM);
*Fatigue, chills, fever, headache, muscle and joint aches, and swollen lymph nodes.

If left untreated, the infection can spread, leading to:
*Additional EM rashes;
*Facial or Bell's palsy;
*Severe headaches and neck stiffness due to inflammation of the spinal cord;
*Heart palpitations and dizziness;
*Arthritis, with severe joint pain and swelling;
*Chronic neurological issues like shooting pains, numbness and tingling in your extremities.

Planning a day outdoors? Stay Safe:
*Wear repellent
*Check for ticks daily
*Shower soon after being outdoors
*Call your doctor if you develop rash/fever.

Click here to learn more:
http://www.foxnews.com/health/2014/07/16/lyme-disease-causes-and-treatments/

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