Health news

Atopic dermatitis - 3

Atopic dermatitis - important preventive measures, answers to frequently asked questions

It is important to keep the living spaces of a constant temperature, not too high as asigurararea a suitable moisture contents of air (to avoid the extremes: the atmosphere too dry or too wet)
The clothes that come in direct contact with the body should be made of absorbent materials and non-irritant (ideally, of cotton) clothes washing is recommended to be done with gentle cleaning agents, scentless - pharmacies are no products for persons who suffer atopic dermatitis - and must be thorough rinsing to remove residual detergent materials. You should avoid wool or synthetic materials such
High levels of stress and anxiety are correlated with a significant decrease in skin barrier recovery capacity. It is therefore important for patients to give themselves enough time for relaxation and holidays in an area with hot and dry climate are often beneficial
It is very important to eliminate factors that cause xerosis (dry skin), such as excessive washing. Be maintained and supple skin softening. APPLICATION OF THE FREQUENCY OF AN AGENT GIVES A STATE OF GOOD emollient Skin and protects, the most important EXTENT treatment of atopic dermatitis. It is recommended to always use mild soaps, or irritant of scentless bath oils
Application dermatocorticoidului recommended by your doctor, is ideal after bath, the lesions, 2 times per day. And all application agents after bath emollients is ideal for the first 3 minutes to "catch" the water in the skin
Allergy tests (type "scratch test" or intradermal), atopic children frequently requested by family, not utility. Tests of the "patch" for the detection of contact allergy may however prove useful. Sometimes, in selected cases without response to conventional treatment measures may prove useful various measures to reduce exposure to allergens in the environment or food exclusion tests
The patient's emotional stability is very important for disease control. In some cases it is necessary to call a psychologist or even initiation of therapy (drugs, hypnosis, massage, etc..) To reduce and control anxiety / depression
Short-term hospitalization is sometimes necessary, sometimes leading to a rapid improvement by changing the microclimate and temporary emotional state, thereby breaking the vicious circle "itch - scratching" ("ITCH - scratch")
It is recommended to natural therapies, medicines empirically produced "miracle" of exotic origin, which can often aggravate the injury and complicate future diagnoses and treatments

Atopic dermatitis - 2

The adults are commonly found only residual manifestations: persistent hand dermatitis, eyelid dermatitis, retroauricular dermatitis.

Diagnosis in atopic dermatitis is the clinical excellence, there is no specific laboratory markers for atopic dermatitis. Features essential for the diagnosis of atopic dermatitis include itching and changes in appearance eczematoase typical age-related, and with a chronic or recurrent evolution.

Atopic dermatitis - complications, the natural evolution of disease

Complications in atopic dermatitis skin are mainly infectious (bacterial, viral, fungal) due to increased skin sensitivity to various infectious agents. Also there may be a complication as the weighted D-deficient staturo (by bad diets, deprivation). There are rarely any local or systemic complications of atopic dermatitiei specific therapies (in particular corticosteroid).
Not to be neglected in the development neuropsychic and emotional complications that negatively impact on relationships intrafamilale disease.

From the evolutionary point of view, it should be noted that atopic dermatitis is a chronic disease with evolving and sometimes unpredictable, typically marked by the exacerbation that may occur in spite of optimal care.
Most cases of atopic dermatitis, improvement or even disappearance of familiar adults. But there are possible intermittent exacerbations of the disease throughout life, often in conditions of physical or emotional stress.
It is also important to note that 50% of children develop atopic dermatitis or allergic rhinitis or asthma.

Atopic dermatitis - Treatment

Treatment includes avoiding triggers atopic dermatitis of the lesions, control itching, suppress inflammation, restoring skin barrier and eliminating anxiety.

The main components of topical therapy in atopic dermatitis are: emolientele, dermatocorticoizii, calcineurin inhibitors.

Systemic means of treatment include immunomodulatory agents, systemic corticosteroids, antihistamines, phototherapy and are used in carefully selected cases of atopic dermatitis (severe, refractory to topical treatments, etc.).

Optimal regimen for a patient is determined by the doctor depending on the clinical appearance of lesions, patient age, associated pathology, intolerant individual living conditions.

It requires close collaboration between the child's family with atopic dermatitis, family physician and pediatrician.
It is recommended to a dermatologist in the following situations: moderate or severe atopic dermatitis, poor response to topical corticosteroids of moderate potency, persistent forms of disease, cases with frequent exacerbations, complications requiring spiatalizarea and all situations that necessitate the establishment of a systemic therapies.

Atopic dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis is an inflammatory skin condition that creates a feeling of intense pruritus (itching), with chronic evolution. Atopic dermatitis typically affects early childhood but can occur at all ages. 60% of cases occur before the first year of life and up to 85% of cases, starts up to five years.
It is estimated that 10-20% of children and 1-3% of adults suffer from atopic dermatitis and the disease prevalence is growing especially in developing countries.

Atopic dermatitis - the cause and mechanism

Atopic dermatitis is considered a multifactorial disease, whose clinical expression depends on complex interactions:

hereditary predisposition (70% of patients have a family history of atopy)
functionally impaired skin barrier (because of epidermal lipid metabolism disorders)
immunological abnormalities
neuroendocrine factors
a series of triggers or aggravating factors of skin lesions
Among the factors that can cause atopic dermatitis, most often are prosecuted:

dietary factors - cow's milk, eggs, peanuts, peanut, soybean, wheat, fish, seafood
aeroalergeni - house dust mites
infectious agents - Staphylococcus aureus, oval Pytirosporum
contact factors - cleaning agents containing alcohol, which dries the skin (astringent), perfumes, detergents and harsh soaps
tight and abrasive wear wool or synthetic materials
physical factors - extreme temperatures
emotional stress
Atopic dermatitis - clinical manifestations

Primary and predominant symptom of atopic dermatitis is pruritus (macarime) that often triggers a vicious circle: itching leads to scratching (scratching), skin scraping to determine changes in the end will reduce the threshold of sensitivity to stimuli (skin hyperreactivity) that trigger itching triggered again, the itching sensation. In children, itching in determining fecvent intrerurperi night's sleep, marked irritability secondary insomnia due to itching sensation.

Dry skin is a clinical feature (xerotice).

Clinical manifestations of atopic dermatitis are variable, and their appearance and distribution of lesions that are dependent on age. Thus, we describe three phases of atopic dermatitis:

infant (between 2 months and 2 years) that are of acute injuries (papulovezicule and zemuinde areas), located mainly in the head (scalp, cheeks), neck, trunk and extremities face extension
childhood (between 4 and 10 years of age), in which lesions are less acute and less humid areas are often located in flexors (folds of neck, elbow, knee, wrist). Papules are frequently dry, excoriation, lichenification, erythema and swelling around the eyes
adolescents and adults - the lesions are mainly dry plates, lichenificate, hyperpigmented areas located in and around the eyes flexion

Tumor markers CA 125

CA 125 is a glycoprotein with a molecular weight of 200 kDa and a carbohydrate content of about 25%. CA 125 serum circulating glycoprotein related to one another weighing less than 1000 kDa.

CA 125 was first outlined in 1983 by Bastia et al. 82% of patients with ovarian cancer. CA 125 is identified by its reactivity with monoclonal antibodies that recognize the 125 OC repetitive antigenic determinants of CA 125.

CA 125 is present in the epithelium during embryonic development celomic and adults in serous ovarian carcinoma cell lines or tissues adenocarcinomatoase serous, but not in normal ovarian structures.

Normal values for CA 125 below 35 U / ml. Physiological increases occur during menstruation and pregnant women.

The main indication is to monitor patients with ovarian serous or undifferentiated cancers. Elevated CA 125 levels correlate with tumor mass and may precede clinical manifestations by several months. The presence of elevated levels indicate an evolving disease and the need for exploratory laparatomii.

CA 125 is an ovarian cancer screening method, but in combination with ultrasound, but must be determined in all patients suspected of being an ovarian carcinoma after treatment and at regular intervals to monitor response and early detection of recurrence.

Increasing CA 125 levels can be caused by other genital carcinoma (endometrium, cervix, breast).

Slightly elevated levels, transient can be recorded and attached acute endometriosis, peritonitis, acute pancreatitis, cholelithiasis, cholecystitis, acute hepatitis, chronic renal failure.

CA 19-9 tumor markers

CA 19-9 is a tumor associated antigenic determinant (1116NS19-9), without a specific organ.

CA 19-9 is an oligosaccharide epitope present in tissues as a monosialogangliozid (glycolipid) in serum as a carbohydrate-rich mucin with a molecular weight of over 1000kDa.

CA 19-9 was first isolated in 1979 from colorectal carcinoma (Kaprowski).

CA 19-9 is a derivative of the Lewis blood group system. People with Le a-/b- group (7-10% of the population) are genetically unable to synthesize CA 19-9, with sialil-transferase deficiency, important for the expression of an epitope of CA 19-9 and fucozilat precursor.

CA 19-9 is normally found in fetal epithelial cells in the stomach, intestine, liver, pancreas. The adult is found in small amounts in the pancreas, liver, gallbladder, lung, and as an important component of many mucous cells and their secretory products, in healthy individuals, values exceed 100,000 CA 19-9 U / ml in milk sputum, saliva, bronchial secretions, semen, cervical mucus, gastric secretions, amniotic fluid, urine, fluid from ovarian cysts. For this reason, great attention should be paid to avoid contamination of samples.

The reference levels for CA 19-9 is 37 U / ml.

CA 19-9 is a primary marker in pancreatic carcinoma (80% of cases), in which there is a good correlation between serum levels and tumor size. Combination of CA 19-9 with CEA cause an increase in sensitivity with only 5-7%.

CA 19-9 can be used as a secondary marker (after carcino embryonic antigen (CEA)) in biliary carcinomas (40%), colorectal (45%), liver metastases, gastric carcinoma (50-70%) - although recent recommendations are CEA and CA 72-4 assessment. Increases were also reported CA 19-9 in lung cancer, breast, ovarian (mucinous type), cancer.

If untreated cancer, CA 19-9 level increased exponentially to> 1000 U / ml to> 10,000 U / ml. After complete resection of the tumor, the levels normalized in 2-4 weeks. In case of Racadau or metastases, CA 19-9 can determine the diagnosis early. Levels of over 10,000 U / ml indicates the presence of marrow metastases.

Slightly elevated levels (100-500 U / ml) and appear in different transient benign: gastro-intestinal inflammation, bile duct stones, cholecystitis, obstructive jaundice, chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, acute or chronic pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis, rheumatoid.

CA 15-3 tumor markers

CA 15-3 antigen is a "mucin-like, high molecular weight, mainly released by breast carcinoma cells.

CA 15-3 is defined by its reaction with two monoclonal antibodies:

one of them (115D8) binds to an antigen in human milk;
another (DF3) binds to a membrane fraction of carcinoma cells.
In healthy people were determined low serum levels less than 30 U / ml.

CA 15-3 physiological slight increases are recorded in 4-7% of women breastfeeding and about 8% of pregnant women.

The main indication consists of CA 15-3 in monitoring therapy, diagnosis and detection of metastases appellants in breast carcinoma. Elevated CA 15-3 correlated with tumor mass, are found in approximately 70% of patients with metastatic breast carcinoma, but only 40% in cases without metastasis.

Quantitatively, secretion of CA 15-3 is independent of hormone receptors (estrogen, progesterone) and histological form.

Mild and transient increases in CA 15-3 is also found in lung carcinoma, ovarian, endometrial, gastric, pancreatic, colorectal.

Slightly increased values were recorded in benign conditions: hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, kidney, lung, ovarian, breast (mastopatie, fibroadenom).

Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia of old age and the third largest group of degenerative diseases of central nervous system. For many patients, memory disorders become annoying as they age. Approximately 40% of those over 65 years shows the alterations of memory, associated with aging which is for example in the U.S., about 16 million people of which 1% annual evolve to dementia. It is important to look seriously any symptoms. It is also useful to obtain a standardized score of cognitive ability through the use of recording scales such as minimental status examination which consists of 30 themes that evaluates memory, orientation, attention, calculation, language and visual skills.

What are the rules for maintaining brain health?

Reduce stress.
Chronic stress can contribute to depression and anxiety disorders that interfere often with the normal processes of memory, especially for elderly patients.
Physical activity.
Exercise can increase cerebral flow, which in turn leads to stimulation of nerve cells.
Nutrition.
People who are overweight are at increased risk of developing diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure. These diseases associated with obesity, cardiovascular diseases occur, which result in impaired memory and dementia. Studies show that low-fat diets reduce the risk of Alzheimer's installation. There are, however, and beneficial fats for brain health (diet rich in olive oil with a protective effect against cognitive decline associated with aging). Vitamin C and A, with an antioxidant, may also protect the brain. It was proven relatively high antioxidant capacity of fruit and vegetables: blueberries, strawberries, tomatoes, broccoli.
Mental activity.
Risk of Alzheimer's disease is lower among people intellectually active. People who tend to read and perform activities that stimulate the intellect, or learning about better maintain their position mneyica and a longer time.
People who have suffered a craniocerebral trauma with loss of consciousness famous for at least an hour, are at double risk of doing an Alzheimer's moment.

Smoking is another risk factor for memory disorders that occur with age. Smokers are exposed to a double risk of Alzheimer's disease.

Studies on moderate wine drinkers have indicated to them a lower risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, compared with the great drinkers and abstainers.

It was found that maintaining interpersonal contacts and involvement in activities useful for anticipating a beautiful old age.

Seasonal ocular allergy - 2

Preventing or avoiding exposure to allergens is the most effective treatment for an allergy.

Treatment is primarily aimed at symptom improvement or amendment. Preventing or avoiding exposure to allergens is the most effective treatment but also the least practical because it requires isolation of the environment in which there are allergens.

For local treatment of ocular allergy is through the application of decongestant cold compresses, artificial tears and other eye lubricants that wash allergens and effect. They are recommended and which have the effect of decongestant eye mainly vasoconstriction which delays and prevents the release of chemical mediators in tissue and reduce redness, chemozisul and other symptoms. Rapid improvement of symptoms is achieved by using selective receptor antagonists histamine type 1 (Emedastina-Emadine). Lodoxamid membrane type mast stabilizers Cromolyn sodium or help prevent allergic episode by blocking mast cell adhesion compound allergen. Patients with known recurrent seasonal allergies benefit from established treatment before allergy season.

Therapy should be followed and performed throughout the allergy season.

There are products that combine an antihistamine with mast cell membrane stabilizer, providing protection in both acute episodes and in cases with chronic evolution, duration. Antihistamines may be given to the need and general way. In cases with clinical symptoms are very noisy choice of topical steroids, but in any event, treatment should be done at the doctor's eye and under his control. Control patients who are taking non-steroidal is at 1-2 weeks after beginning treatment, the treatment cortisone (steroid) require local monitoring and control of intraocular pressure in 4-5 days, and patients with corneal ulcers should be monitored daily. These complicated cases of vernal keratoconjunctivitis with corneal ulcers requiring topical antibiotic therapy, therapeutic contact lens and cornea only after reepitelizarea, topical corticosteroids.

Patients with a history of seasonal allergic conjunctival be advised to avoid exposure to allergens or to those that precipitate symptoms domestic (local irritation caused by dust, smoke, cosmetics). Therapy should be followed and performed throughout the allergy season.

Seasonal ocular allergy

Allergy is considered a systemic disease that manifests as one or more interrelated conditions. Among allergic manifestations can include: nasal allergies, chronic urticaria, eczema, allergic asthma, allergic oedematous laryngitis, ear and eye manifestations.

Allergic response consists of an unwanted and exaggerated reaction of the immune system to the action of a body or a body foreign substances (allergens) that it perceives it as a potential danger. It can be inherited or can be acquired throughout life by contact with different allergens.

This an allergen to the conjunctiva initiates two types of immune responses:

determined by the release of mediators "pre-formed" of inflammation (histamine and bradykinin is released from mast cells after exposure);
caused by arachidonic acid production and media conversion was "newly formed (prostaglandins, thromboxane, leucotrine that are issued 24 hours after exposure).
Mediators' pre-formed "stimulate nerve endings, causing itching, increase vascular permeability and cause vasodilation in the conjunctiva. The consequence of these mechanisms is the occurrence of hyperemia conjunctivitis (red eyes, watery, swollen).

Mediators' newly formed "emphasizes the above symptoms and maintain mechanisms similar action. If the first type of immune response occurs only in allergic reactions, the second can be triggered by local lesions (bacterial infection, trauma, surgery).

The main allergens involved in causing allergic reactions are eye dust and pollen.

Signs and symptoms of ocular allergy are: local pruritis (itching) and hyperemia conjunctivitis. It can be associated eyelid edema (swollen eyelids), erythema of the eyelid margin (margin red eyelids), papillary hyperplasia and hypertrophy (tarsal connective visible on slit lamp examination). This adenopathy (lymph) to the preauricular and submandibular we focused on one type of viral illness and do not run. Most often associated with ocular allergy seasonal allergies (allergic rhinitis, allergic bronchitis).

In the eye, simple allergic reactions typically produce a watery secretion (eye weep profusely), serous, nepurulenta and does not affect the cornea. When there is a purulent discharge from the agglutination of them in genes (eyes glued), a component suspected bacterial infection or otherwise. In cases with corneal involvement (when it appears blurred vision, photophobia, pain) associated with the emergence of a more consistent discharge orient us toward a more serious condition vernal keratoconjunctivitis. It is seen more frequently in warm climates. Onset is usually between 3-25 years, affected men are generally more common than that of women. The main clinical signs of spring keratoconjunctivitei, detected on clinical examination at the slit lamp are papillary hypertrophy of the tarsal conjunctiva upper-Trantas Horner points (white deposits - formed by gelatinous degeneration of the upper limbus directly involved in allergic eosinophils), areas of keratitis punctata superficial and, in severe cases, corneal ulcers.

About acupuncture - v2

Inserting needles into skin is not painful because the needle is spherical and no nerve endings in the acupuncture point. During inteparii point begins to transmit a bidirectional flow of information: the body affected by energy flow to the brain, nervous system, where "control" of the affected organ to begin the healing process.
On average an acupuncture session lasts 40 minutes.

Transmission of the information flow takes place throughout the acupuncture session and continues until next session. It is therefore important not to be discontinued, the brain coordinates the processes of healing according to the latest information received.

There is no bleeding when removing those, unless the appropriate body or the meridian point which belongs to the point that there is stagnant blood to be removed. In this case appear to remove the needle a few drops of blood.

Acupuncture needles are made of copper, silver, gold, platinum, copper and stainless steel. In Romania the most used are the silver and stainless steel. The more noble metal with the more accurate information provided.

Acupuncture may be associated with a less known method, which the Chinese call Moxa
The method consists of burning the handle acupuncture needle placed in the appropriate section of a well-determined quantity of a particular substance. It often uses wormwood (Herba Absinthe), collected and preserved under certain conditions, well pressed and weighed very accurately.
In this way it is transmitted through the acupuncture needle at the point stimulated, some very similar energy vibrations vibrations healthy body's natural energy. This transfer is initiated, a phenomenon of self-energy of the person treated.

In acupuncture are very few contraindications: pregnancy - it is good that the meeting has not made a woman pregnant than if they exclude certain areas, open wounds - to avoid acupuncture session which would cover areas with open wounds, and tumors - avoid areas of acupuncture which is within walking distance of the tumors.