A New Threat - Zika Virus - Manipal Hospitals Zika virus disease is caused when a female Aedes Aegypti mosquito carrying the virus bites a person. The existence of the virus has been known to us since 1947 when it was discovered. It was considered harmful because of its unnoticeable symptoms such as curable flu, joint aches and skin rashes that last for between 2-7 days. However, with its attack on Brazil in September 2015, it is found that Zika virus can cause a range of health issues from impaired vision to hearing loss. Hence, it is necessary for us to learn everything about the virus. Signs and Symptoms Of Zika Virus FeverConjunctivitis (red eyes)Gastrointestinal problems with vomitingJoint painsMuscle achesHeadacheSkin rashes Complications Associated with Zika Virus Disease Complications associated with Zika virus are rare, but can be life-threatening. [Microcephaly is a birth defect in which the baby born with abnormally smaller head; a condition associated with incomplete brain development] Transmission of Zika Virus Comments
Ear Infection In Kids | Manipal Hospitals An ear infection is an inflammation of the middle ear that occurs when fluid builds up behind the eardrum due to bacteria. Ear infections can develop in anyone, but kids get them more often than adults. The scientific name for ear infections is OTITIS MEDIA (OM). What are the different types of ear infections? There are three major types of ear infections. Acute otitis media develops when parts of the middle ear are infected and fluid is trapped behind the eardrum. Otitis media with effusion occurs when your ear infection progresses and fluid stays trapped behind the eardrum. Chronic otitis with effusion occurs due to recurrence of fluid behind the eardrum even though there is no infection. How can I tell if a kid has an ear infection? If a child is not old enough to say that his/her ear hurts, here are few things that can help you recognize an ear infection: What are the causes of ear infections? Who is at higher risk of developing ear infections? Ear infections can develop in: Comments
Everything you need to know about Multiple Sclerosis - Manipal Hospitals Blog Multiple sclerosis (MS) can be a complicated and frustrating disease with unpredictable symptoms of varying intensity. Everything from fatigue and numbness to paralysis, vision loss, and diminished brain function can be experienced by victims of this disease. Affecting an estimated 2.3 million people worldwide, the disease affects women twice more often than men, according to the National MS Society. Here are some of the symptoms experienced by the targets of this disease : Partial or complete loss of vision and pain when you move your eyeProlonged double visionTingling or pain in parts of your bodyElectric-shock sensations that occur when you move your neck, especially forwardTremor, lack of coordination or unsteady gaitSlurred speechFatigueDizzinessProblems with bowel and bladder functionNumbness or weakness in one or more limbs that typically occurs on one side of your body at a time, or the legs. This is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks its own tissues.
Bone Fractures | Symptoms of a Bone Fracture | Manipal Hospital Bone fractures or broken bones can occur due to any accident, fall or jerk on the joints. Broken bones are common among children and old age people. Types of Bone Fractures There are many types of fractures. Few of them are: In a complete fracture, the bone breaks into two or three parts In an incomplete fracture, the bone cracks but does not break all the way through. In an open fracture, the bone breaks in such a way that its fragments come out through the skin. In a closed fracture, the bone doesn’t come out through the skin. Compression fracture occurs due to extreme pressure. Symptoms of a Bone Fracture Few signs and symptoms associated with a bone fracture are: Tenderness close to the fracturePaleness and deformityPain and swelling near the fracture areaNumbness, tingling or paralysis below the fractureBruising at the areaWeakness and inability to bear weightLoss of pulse Risk Factors for a Bone Fracture Few things that can increase the risk of bone fractures are: Comments comments
Need To Know About Zika Outbreak - Manipal Hospital The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared a public health emergency for the Zika virus. The Zika virus disease, more commonly known simply as “Zika” is a disease caused by transmission of the Zika Virus usually through the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito. This genus of mosquitoes act as the carrier for the virus, while they were originally found in tropical and subtropical zones they are now fairly common in all continents except Antarctica. The illness is known to be mild with symptoms persisting for a few days to a week after the initial infection. These symptoms generally include skin rash, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain, malaise or headache. There is no treatment or vaccine for Zika currently available, treatment generally focuses on relieving symptoms and includes rest, hydration and medication for fever and joint pains. It is known that the Zika virus can spread through sexual intercourse with a man infected with Zika to his partners. Comments comments
Pledge On Organ Donation! Be a Hero for Someone! - Manipal Hosptials Organ transplantation is a surgical procedure performed to replace a damaged organ of a patient with a healthy organ of a donor. There are three types of organ transplantation procedures namely living donation, deceased donation and Vascularized Composite Allografts depending up on the donor. Most organ failures can only be treated by an organ transplantation. Every year, nearly 150000 people await a kidney transplantation but only 5000 get lucky enough to find a potential donor. Unfortunately, people fail to realise the benefits of organ donation as it is only the number of people, who are in need of a healthy organ growing rapidly on the transplant waiting list. Here are the few doubts regarding donating organs which prevent people from voluntarily pledging for organ donation; Whether I am applicable for donating an organ or not at an older age? There is no specific age band for donating an organ. How many lives can be saved by one organ donor? One donor can save up to eight lives.
How does Lupus manifest - Manipal Hospital Lupus, also known as Systemic Lupus Erythematosus is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes the body’s immune system to mistakenly attack healthy cells and tissues. Unlike AIDS which occurs due to an underactive immune system, Lupus is caused by an overactive immune system. It can affect any part of the body but generally manifests in the form of swelling and inflammation of the skin and internal organs, particularly the kidney, lungs and thyroid. Researchers estimate over 1 million cases of Lupus are diagnosed in India every year. Lupus’ classification as “chronic” refers to the fact that symptoms of the disease may persist for several years and likely throughout the patient’s lifetime. What is Lupus? Lupus is an autoimmune disease (auto means self“). Lupus is a disease of flares (the symptoms worsen and you feel ill) and remissions (the symptoms improve and you feel better). Where did the term Lupus come from? Lupus is the Latin word for “wolf”. Who gets Lupus ? How common is Lupus ?
Tips For Skin and Hair Care - Healthy Holi - Manipal Hospitals The festival of colours – HOLI – is around the corner. Although it comes with a lot of fun and happiness, it can also come with various skin and hair problems due to harmful chemicals present in the colours we use during Holi. Recent studies have found that various ingredients used in synthetic colours such as mercury sulphide (red), aluminium bromide (silver), copper sulphate (green) and lead oxide (black) can cause various health problems – from dermatitis to eye allergies. Natural colours are best! Just like our elders in the old days, you can also make the colours at home. Hair care tips After playing Holi, your hair can become dry due to direct contact with harmful chemicals present in colours. Try and cover your hair with a cap to reduce the risk of direct contact with colours.After playing Holi, immediately rinse hair with water to get rid of colours and other particles that can harm your hair. Skin care tips Apply olive, coconut or castor oil to your face, arms, legs etc. Comments
The NEET Conundrum - Manipal Hospital Having been in the medical profession for almost four decades I have been deeply saddened by the sad state of affairs of medical education in this country and the tremendous injustice done to young students aspiring to become doctors and serve the society. There has been a sad and slow demise of merit and a steady rise of money power in getting admissions into Medical Colleges. It would not be wrong to say that Goddess Saraswathi has been unceremoniously replaced by Goddess Lakshmi in this field. When we were students we had our PUC or equivalent marks and were awarded a medical seat based on that merit and life was simple. There always was a huge discrepancy between the students aspiring to be doctors and the number of seats available and this led to the mushrooming of a large number of medical colleges, mostly in the private sector and then began the harrowing experience for medical students. However, there are still many wrinkles that need to be ironed out. Dr. Comments comments