Functions and importance of DNA/Genes

Usually the DNA or Gene is present in the cell nucleus and present in every cells of an organism. DNA is also found in mitochondria in minute quantity. The chain of the DNA is called as chromosomes. Different species have different number of chromosomes, and different number of genes. When we say that, the individual acts like the father or mother, looks like the father or mother, it is only because of the genetics or DNA. The intellectual capacity, fairness, short and long stature, general physic and etc are determined by the parental gene or DNA genetic material. The mutation or change in these gene or DNA during pregnancy can cause physical or mental abnormality in the baby born. Hence the function of DNA is very important.

DNA has the capability of self replication, and produces an identical copy. DNA or Gene is made up of double helix structure consisting twisted nucleotides and the two coils are held together by weak hydrogen bonds. The complimentary base pairs of DNA are Adenine, Thymine, Cytosine and guanine. The arrangement of these nucleotides in the DNA is mainly responsible for determining individual hereditary characters. The chrosomes are transmitted from parents to the offspring or child through the chromosomes present in the cells.

DNA is established in an individual during the conception period itself and permanent for the entire living period of an individual. Half of DNA is received from mother and half of DNA is derived from Father. This DNA or Genes carries the parental character from parents to the younger ones. In human beings, 23 pairs of chromosomes, and total chromosomes are responsible for bringing inheritance or genetical character.

What is DNA test ?

DNA test is done to find biological relations of an individual. As per genetics, the offspring must have the parental genes or DNA. When the child’s parental genes need to know, the sample of DNA is collected with help of buccal swabs (oral swabs). These swabs are tested in the medical laboratory and the trait or nature of DNA is found during DNA test. When the similar sample material from the mother or father is tested, the DNA genetic material shows the similar characteristics.  Is case of suspicion, the suspected person’s sample is tested and compared with the child and confirms the father when the suspicious person and children’s DNA shows the similar biological characters.

During criminal usage, the blood, saliva, hairs are tested for DNA genes or chrosomes and compared to the suspected individual chrosomal DNA.

Causes of sciatica

Excess pressure on the nerve due to compression is the main cause of sciatica nerve disorder. Sciatica nerve has origin in the lower spinal cord and it passes down by the back side of legs. The supply is responsible for the muscle movement in the backside of the leg, knee and lower leg and is mainly responsible for sensation in that region.

Inter vertebral disc prolapse or slip disk is the main cause of sciatica.

Fracture of the spinal cord which causes injury to the sciatica nerve also cause sciatica nerve problem.

Presence of tumors and

The presence of tumor is the main causes of sciatica.

These are the main causes of sciatica nerve pain.

Symptoms of sciatica

• Pain through the path of the nerve is the main symptom of sciatica. The sciatica pain is associated with tingling sensation or numbness in the leg. The intensity of the pain depends on the level of injury to the nerve. The pain increases with the increased stress on the nerve by the physical work load. Sometime the pain is severe as the person can’t perform the daily living activities also. Usually one leg is affected and sometime both may get sciatica.

• The person may experience the pain in the back thigh region, calf muscles or at hip region. The sciatica pain increases with work such as standing, long walk, heavy work etc. The pain increases during night due to stress during day time.

• Discomfort, lack of interest in doing activities and

• Reduced working capacity is the symptoms of sciatica.

Signs of sciatica

• Reduced knee movement,
• Difficulty while standing for long time,
• Difficulty in walking,
• Poor reflexes are the main signs of sciatica.

Treatment of sciatica

In some cases rest is the best treatment and the symptom gets over by time. Rest should be provided for long period of time for some weeks or months, as per doctor’s advice.

Treating the underlying cause is the main aim of sciatica treatment. The physical test and proper diagnosis helps in identifying the cause of sciatica.

Conservative treatment such as

Heat or cold application on the affected area reduces the sciatica pain.

Muscle relaxants and analgesics help in relieving pain.

Application of traction is very useful treatment for relieving sciatica pain.

The patient should avoid

• Prolonged standing,
• Weight lifting,
• Work which cause pain, etc.

Exercises helps lot in relieving sciatica pain and exercises should be done with doctor’s advice, as per sciatica treatment requirement.

Prevention of sciatica

Prevent the vertebral disc related problems is the best preventive measure of sciatica prevention.

Causes of pleural effusion

Excess production of the fluid is the main cause of pleural effusion. An abnormal collection of fluid occurs due some other problem in the body.

Pleural effusion is of two types

Transudative pleural effusions: This type of effusion occurs when the fluid leaks into the pleural space. The increased pressure in the blood vessels or low protein content in the blood is the main cause pleural effusion. Congestive heart failure is an important cause of Transudative pleural effusion.

Exudative pleural effusions: This type of pleural effusion is caused by inflammation in the tissues or blocking of blood vessels. Injury to the lungs and drug adverse reactions also causes Exudative pleural effusions.

Symptoms of pleural effusion

Chest pain with sharp pain is the main symptom of pleural effusion. The sharp pain increases with cough or with inhalation of air. This is an important symptom of pleural effusion.

Difficulty while coughing,

The rate breathing increases,

The breath becomes short, and

Hiccups are also the symptoms of pleural effusion.

Diagnosis of pleural effusion

Physical examination helps in diagnosis of pleural effusion.

Chest x-Ray helps in identifying collection of fluid in the pleural cavity.

CT scan of chest helps for well diagnosis of pleural effusion.

Ultrasound scan is also useful in pleural effusion diagnosis.

Thoracentesis is an important procedure, in which the sample of pleural fluid is obtained by inserting the needle into the pleural cavity.

Treatment of pleural effusion

The aim of pleural effusion treatment includes

• Removing the excess fluid collected,
• Preventing the further excess production of pleural fluid, and
• To treat the underlying cause is the main treatment option for pleural effusion.

The medical treatment is given according to the cause of the pleural effusion. If the effusion is caused due to congestive heart failure, is treated by administering the diuretic drugs. These drugs reduce the body fluid and helps in treatment.

The pleural effusion caused by bacterial infection is treated by administering antibiotic drugs.

Thoracentesis is the main surgical procedure used for the treatment of pleural effusion. The aseptic needle is inserted into pleural cavity between the ribs and the excess fluid is aspired. This procedure reduces the pressure and helps in easy breathing. The aspiration of fluid is also done by using intercostal drain.

Chemotherapy is done if the pleural effusion is related to cancerous tissues. Radiation therapy is also given in such cases.

These are the main treatment for pleural effusion.

Complications of pleural effusion

If the collection of fluid sustains for long period, the lung will be damaged.

The collected fluid gets infected, causes abscess in the lung tissues and finally causes empyema, an important complication.

Pneumothorax, the collection of air in the chest cavity is also an important complication related to thoracentesis.

Types of glaucoma

The main types of glaucoma are as follows

• Open-angle glaucoma or chronic glaucoma,
• Angle-closure glaucoma or acute glaucoma,
• Congenital glaucoma and
• Secondary glaucoma

Causes of glaucoma

Aqueous humor is the fluid present in the eye which makes the eyes wet and prevents from drying. This eye fluid is clear in nature and is synthesized in the posterior part of the eye balls. The aqueous humor fluid comes to front of eye ball through the channel present in the side angle of the eye. When this open angle becomes blocked partially or completely, leads to increased pressure in the ocular chamber. This increased ocular pressure causes stress on optic nerve. The increased intra ocular pressure for prolonged time causes damage to visual nerve and finally causes loss of vision.

This open angle glaucoma develops slowly and gradually, hence is called as chronic glaucoma. The open angle glaucoma is more common of glaucoma. Even though the exact cause of open angle glaucoma is not known, the individual may get open angle glaucoma through inheritance. If the father or grandfather had a history of open angle glaucoma, the younger one have chance to get chronic type glaucoma. African people have high risk of getting of open angle glaucoma. This blockage of angle in the eye and damage to the optic nerve occurs chronically or gradually and painless.

Closed angle glaucoma occurs due to blockage of exit of aqueous humor from eye ball. The increase in intraocular pressure causes pain in the eye ball. The angular block of eye occurs suddenly in acute glaucoma. Angle-closure glaucoma or acute glaucoma is the medial emergency and need immediate treatment. Is the acute glaucoma occur in one eye, there is a risk to get glaucoma in another eye and preventive treatment is important.

Eye drops used to dilate pupil may cause an acute glaucoma attack.

Congenital glaucoma is present by birth itself. Congenital glaucoma also occurs by inheritance. This glaucoma develops in the womb itself due to abnormal development in structures of eye.

Secondary glaucoma is developed by some other causes such as

• Use of corticosteroids drugs,
• Uveitis and other eye disorders, and
• Systemic diseases in the body may cause secondary glaucoma.

Symptoms of open angle glaucoma are

The open angle glaucoma patient may not show any symptoms in the beginning but they will lose the vision gradually.

Tunnel vision is the main symptom of open angle glaucoma, which is characterized by loss of peripheral vision.

Symptoms of angle closure Glaucoma

Sudden eye pain with severe intensity,

Cloudy poor vision is the symptom of angle closure Glaucoma.

The person experiences rainbow like halos around lights,

The eyes may become red and

The swollen eyes are the main symptoms of angle closure Glaucoma.

The symptoms of angle closure Glaucoma develops suddenly and the absent of symptoms is also present for some time.

Symptoms of congenital glaucoma

The symptoms are seen after the birth of the baby or few months later.

Cloudiness is present in front of the eyes of baby.

One or both eyes are enlarged are the symptom of congenital glaucoma.

The infant’s eyes are sensitive to light and continuous tears flows form the newborn’s eye.

These are the main symptoms glaucoma of different types.

Treatment of glaucoma

Reducing eye pressure is the main treatment aim of glaucoma treatment. The treatment is given on the basis of cause and the type of glaucoma. The treatment option includes both medical treatment and surgical treatment. Trabeculectomy is the common conventional surgery done for glaucoma treatment.

Treatment of Open-angle glaucoma..

Eye drops area the best choice of treatment for open-angle glaucoma. The combination of drops with higher efficacy and lower adverse effects are administered to reduce eye pressure associated with glaucoma. Oral medications are also used to reduce the eye pressure. Painless laser treatment is also given to some patients. The surgery is done in the complicated cases and the new out flow channel for aqueous fluid is done.

Treatment of Angle-closure glaucoma includes…

Acute angle-closure glaucoma need immediate treatment as this is a medical emergency. If not treated, the person may lose the eyes vision permanently. If the angle-closure is not treated with the oral medications, intravenous medications and eye drops, finally the iridotomy surgery is done.

The surgery is done using the laser to open a new channel in the iris part of eye. The new channel helps in relieving eye pressure and prevents further glaucoma attack.

Treatment Congenital glaucoma

The surgical treatment is compulsory to treat the congenital glaucoma. The surgery is done with much care by the experienced ophthalmologist.

Functions of vitamin C and Importance are as follows

Vitamin c along with protein present in the body plays vital role in the formation of skin, tendons and ligaments and blood vessels of body.

Vitamin C is the vital nutrient substance helps much in the process of healing of wounds and helps to form scar tissue.

Vitamin c also plays an antioxidant role in the body. The antioxidant prevents the body from the damage caused by the free radicals. The free radicals favor the process of aging of body cells and the vitamin c reduces the action of these free radicals and helps in maintaining good health.

It is also believed that nutrient vitamin C relieves common cold and helps in excretion of sputum from the lungs.

Vitamin C also helps to the process of metabolism.

Sources of vitamin c

Even though all fruits and vegetables contain some amount of vitamin C, citrus fruits are the richest food sources of vitamin C. The important sources of vitamin C are

Cantaloupe and Rose hip are the richest source of vitamin C.

Citrus fruits such as orange and grapes are well sources of vitamin C.

Kiwi fruit is also vitamin rich food.

Indian gooseberry is the richest source of vitamin C.

Germinating seeds and food grains are richest food sources of vitamin C.

The fruits such as Mango,

• Papaya,
• Orange,
• Pineapple,
• Lemon,
• Guava,
• Cantaloupe,
• Green and red peppers are
• Strawberries, cloud berry, elderberry are richest sources of vitamin C
• Watermelons are also the sources of vitamin C.

The vegetable containing vitamin C such as

• Cauliflower, Broccoli,
• Cabbage, Spinach,
• Green leaf vegetables,
• Both Potato and sweet potato,
• Tomato are the vegetables have richest sources of vitamin C.

Some cereals also have some amount of vitamin C.

While cooking by heat, the vegetables containing vitamin C get destroyed by some amount by the increased temperature. Eating raw vegetables provides good amount of vitamin C to the body.

The cooking methods such as Microwaving and steaming may reduce the intensity of vitamin C loss during cooking.

It is not tasty to eat raw vegetables and the fruits are good in taste and also provides good amount of vitamin C to the body.

High dosage of vitamin C, Side effects….

High doses of vitamin C causes no side effects but the very minor side effect may occur rarely. Side effects with high dosage of vitamin C is less because the body absorbs only required amount from the external food consumed and the excess vitamin present in food is not absorbed and excreted through urine. Hence the side effects with higher vitamin food consumption are less.

Higher doses of vitamin more than 2000mg/day may cause diarrhea and gastric irritation in some individuals. Hence too higher dosage of vitamin C consumption is not suggested.

Vitamin deficiency disorders of Vitamin are as follows

Scurvy is the main deficiency disorder of vitamin c deficiency. The scurvy  is commonly found in malnourished children.

Anemia may occur with Vitamin C deficiency.

Vitamin C deficiency causes bleeding from the gums.

The enamel loses its strength because of Vitamin C deficiency.

The bleeding gums causes gingivitis’s and bad oral health.

The Vitamin C deficiency may decrease the body resistance against diseases.

Vitamin C deficiency can delay the process of wound healing.

The person with Vitamin C deficiency will have silky and thin hair as the disorder.

Bleeding from the nose is also the deficiency disorder of vitamin C.

Vitamin C deficiency may cause weight gain related to decreased metabolism in the body.

The scaly rough skin with dryness is the symptom related to Vitamin C deficiency. Skin changes are one of the main deficiency disorders of vitamin C.

The joints become swollen with increased pain is the symptom of Vitamin C deficiency.

Recommended Dietary Allowance of vitamin C

The amount of vitamin requirement by the body for normal functioning is studied and the amount of vitamin needed per day according to body weight and age group is as follows. Recommended Dietary Allowance or RDA of vitamin C is as follows

Eating the balanced diet provides the required amount of vitamin C to the body.

Recommended Dietary Allowance of vitamin C for infants is 40 to 50 milligrams/day.

Recommended Dietary Allowance of vitamin C for children is 15 to 45 milligrams/day. The amount is slightly increased with age.

RDA of vitamin C for men is 80 to 90 mg/day and

RDA of vitamin C for women is 70 to 75 mg/day.

Smokers need to consume increased amount of vitamin in order to compensate the loss of vitamin c by smoking.

Pregnant mothers and lactating mothers need increased amount of vitamin in respect to increased demand by the body.

Whenever an inflammation is present in the body, the body defense mechanism causes white blood cells to accumulate in the infected area to fight against the foreign bodies. Hence the swelling or edema is the common symptom of an infection or inflammation in the body and is beneficial in recovering the infection or inflammation in the body.

Types of edema, Swelling

Pitting edema is the type of edema, in which the pressing over the edema site forms indentation for some time. Pitting edema commonly occurs in the legs or feet.

Non pitting edema is also the type of edema,

What causes edema? Causes of swelling

Any injury to the body tissues or an inflammation can cause swelling in the body. The inflammations may arise during an insect bite such as bee sting; sprain or strain to the joints is the main cause of swelling.

Main causes of swelling or edema are

Low protein: Presence of low albumin in the body is the main cause of protein related swelling in the body. Albumin is the main protein present in the blood contents. Alter in the level of albumin in the body causes swelling or edema. Hypoalbuminemia is the medical term used for low albumin the body.

Disease conditions: Disease conditions such as burns, major accidents and other illness in the body causes generalized edema as a response to inflammation.

Allergic reaction in the body: Allergic reactions such as adverse drug reactions, exposure to foreign body or an allergen also causes swelling or edema in the body.

Blood flow obstruction: Obstruction in the blood flow to the particular area causes pooling of the blood and causes selling or edema in that region.

Varicose veins also causes edema or swelling in the leg. Blockage in the lymph fluid also causes varicose vein.

Congestive heart failure is the main cause of leg edema or ankle swelling. Decreased working capacity of the heart causes pooling of blood in the lower leg and causes ankle swelling. Congestive heart failure also favors collection of blood in the lungs and causes pulmonary edema.

Liver disorder and swelling: Untreated liver diseases also cause fluid retention in the body. Cirrhosis is the main liver disorder causes abdominal swelling. The hepatic disease cirrhosis is characterized by decreased albumin protein level in the body and finally causes plasma leakage from the blood vessels and causes edema.

Renal disorders and swelling: Nephrotic syndrome is the main kidney disease causes swelling in the led or ankle edema. Generalized edema all over the body is also the symptom of nephritic syndrome, the kidney infection.

Pregnancy and edema: Increased blood volume during pregnancy and increased pressure from the growing fetus leads to the compression of the inferior venacava and causes swelling in the legs during pregnancy. Deep vein thrombosis and increased blood pressure during pregnancy are also the main cause of ankle swelling or ankle edema.

Swelling in the brain or cerebral edema: Low sodium level in the blood, head injury is the main causes of brain edema. High altitude, presence of brain tumor, blood vessels obstruction in the blood also causes cerebral edema.

Drugs also cause edema or swelling : Medications such as NSAIDs, Antihypertensive drugs such as calcium channel blockers cause edema.

Venous disease in the lower limbs also causes swelling in the leg. Obstruction in the veins causes pooling of the blood in the peripheral parts of the limbs and causes ankle edema fetal edema or swelling.

Corticosteroid medications also cause edema or swelling.

Hormonal changes in the body, specially during menstrual cycle in the women may cause swelling or edema of short term period. This type of edema may not require treatment.

Cirrhosis of liver : Cirrhosis of liver is the main cause  of abdominal edema. Cirrhosis of liver causes ascitis and is the main cause edema in the abdominal region.

Antidiabetic drugs such as pioglitazone may cause selling.

These are the main causes of swelling or edema.

Symptoms of edema, signs of edema

• Decreased function of the edema occurred body part.
• Pain may occur in the edema occurred in response to inflammation.
• Edema in the throat may cause breathing problem and leads to fatal conditions.
• Feeling of heaviness in the legs is the symptom of ankle swelling or lower leg edema. Difficulty in walking is also the symptom of leg edema. Untreated ankle edema leads to decreased blood circulation to the area and may cause an ulcer in the upper layer of skin.
• Pulmonary edema is an emergency condition causes poor oxygen level in the blood and may cause death if untreated. Cough with frothy sputum is one of the symptoms of lung edema or pulmonary edema.
• Shortness of breath  is the common symptom with pulmonary edema or chest edema.
• Increased size of abdomen is the common symptom with abdominal edema or ascites. Ascitis is the disease associated with abnormal liver function.

Treatment of swelling, Edema treatment….

• Treating the cause of edema or elevating the cause of edema is the main aim of edema treatment.

• For treatment of allergic reactions, antihistamines and corticosteroid medications are used.

• If the medications have caused edema, stopping the medications or using an alternative medicine is the treatment for edema related to medications.

• Blood thinners are used to dissolve the clot in the blood vessel which causes edema.

• If the tumor is causing edema by obstructing blood flow or lymph flow, removing of the tumor with surgery is the treatment for swelling related to tumor.

• Diuretics such as furosemide are used to treat edema due to congestive heart failure or edema due to liver disease. The diuretics are the drugs cause excess elimination of fluids from the body through increased urination and diuretics are the first choice drugs to treat edema related to hypertension or cardiac diseases.

• Reduction of sodium intake reduces edema in cardiac patients and liver disease patients. Hence salt restricted diet helps in treating edema related to physiological changes in the body.

Causes of newborn and infant constipation

Normally the colon absorbs the water from the digested food and bowel movement helps in expelling the fecal matter or waste from the body. The excess absorption of water from colon, reduced bowel movement, Less fiber food are responsible for constipation. The less water content in formula or mother’s milk, Infrequent feeding of newborn or infant reduces bowel movement and stool becomes sticky and hard. This is the mechanism of constipation in newborn or infant.

When bowel movement decreases, fecal material remains in colon for long time, and water removal process of colon increases and excess water is observed. The stool mass becomes excessively dry and hard and leads to constipation in newborn, infant and children.

Constipation in newborns occurs with high nutrient milk feeding to baby,

Formula fed infant bowel movement becomes low and leads to bowel constipation.

Infants or newborns starts weaning food may get bowel constipation.

Hirschsprung’s disease and hypothyroidism causes infant constipation.

Transition from weaning food to table food also causes infant constipation.

Newborn constipation: Constipation seen in newborns is called as newborn constipation. Usually newborns pass feces within 24 hours of birth.

Naturally sluggish colon with decreased motility causes constipation.

Insufficient food to stimulate normal propulsive activity of colon is what happens with newborn and infants. A toddler who refuses to take food becomes constipated because of this cause.

Consuming low residue Diet, Mother Milk fed to newborn is a low residue diet leads to newborn constipation.

Starting weaning or providing solids to infant leads to infant constipation because of low bowel movement as is not adopted to pass solid food. This infant constipation is relieved later.

Neurological damage: Damage of nerve which supplies colon makes rectum and anus not to relax and evacuation is not possible. The result is newborn or infant constipation.

Anatomical obstruction in the lower digestive tract or bowel abnormality also leads to bowel constipation.

Presence of tumor in the bowel tract or lower intestinal tract also causes newborn or infant constipation.

Constipation symptoms in newborn and children

Identifying Child constipation is very difficult as the child doesn’t express it is constipated. Child constipated for more than three days may complaint lower abdominal pain and irritable bowel. Infants and grown children complaints difficulty in passing stool and cries. Newborns can’t express they are constipated and the severe constipated newborn cries and becomes very irritable. Toddler constipation can be identified easily by parents as the constipated toddler can explain the symptoms.

Treatment of newborn and infant constipation

Diet modifications and medications are the main treatment methods of newborn constipation.

• Rectal examination is indicated for constipated newborns.
• Laxatives can be used with feeding of infant
• Modification of formula feeding
• Weaning shouldn’t include much solids, after weaning give plenty of fluids,
• Treat underlying cause of constipation in case of child constipation.

When home remedies for constipation fails in relieving constipation, medications are preferred to treat infant or newborn constipation.

• Laxatives are the medical remedy for constipation in toddlers and children.
• Corn syrup in the formula is given to infants and newborns.
• Fruit juices are highly beneficial in relieving constipation.

Fiber rich food is given for grown children or toddler to relieve constipation and is not possible with newborns.

Lactulose is the non-absorbable sugar product that stimulates colon bacteria and produces water into the fecal mass by inflow. Lactulose is the common treatment for newborn, infant, toddler and child constipation, suggested by pediatric gastroenterologists for constipation remedy. Diarrhea may be seen as side effect with Lactulose use.

Glycerin suppositories are used as remedy for constipation when all efforts fail. The suppositories softens hard stool and favors easy defecation. Glycerin attracts small amount of water into stool and relieves constipation. Insertion of suppositories to rectum also stimulates defecation and helps in relieving constipation.

Adults are the more susceptible age group to get myocardial infraction. The obese persons or the fatty individuals have risk to get myocardial infraction or the heart attack.

Causes of Myocardial infraction or heart attack…

Reduced blood supply or complete block of blood supply to particular part of the heart muscles leads to death of myocardial tissue. The death of cardiac tissue makes heart unable to function normally and the human heart fails to work properly and causes heart attack or myocardial infraction.

Presence of plaque in the coronary artery also causes myocardial infraction or heart attack. The plaque is hard substance attaches to the blood vessels. This plaque causes crack in the artery and the blood platelets and cholesterol get accumulated to this plaques and results in obstruction of blood flow to the particular part which the artery supplies.

The plaques present in the coronary arteries reduce the blood supply to particular part of the heart and causes nutritional deprivation of heart muscle. When complete blood supply to this myocardial tissue gets stopped, the heart muscle dies and is called as myocardial infraction or heart attack.

Coronary artery diseases are the main cause of myocardial infraction.

Heavy smokers may get myocardial infraction.

Sedentary life style and increased cholesterol level in the body may cause myocardial infraction.

In some individuals the cause of myocardial infraction of heart attack is unknown.

Symptoms of myocardial infraction or heart attack…

The symptoms of myocardial infraction may develop very sudden without any health problem.

Chest pain or heart pain is the important symptom of heart attack or myocardial infraction. Usually the chest pain associated with cardiac disorder or myocardial infraction originates in one place and radiates to the left shoulder, left arm, neck, jaw and even left backside of the body. The chest pain intensity varies from person to person from mild to severe. The heart pain or chest pain with myocardial infraction will have the following symptoms.

• Tightness in chest region,
• Indigestion,
• Heaviness of heart and

Severe pain with squeezing sensation in the heart is the main symptoms of myocardial infraction or heart attack.

The duration of chest pain may sustain up to 20 minutes.

The other symptoms of myocardial infraction are

• Sudden anxiety,
• Fainting,
• Dizziness,
• Nausea and vomiting,
• Difficulty in breathing and
• Hearing one’s own heart sound are the symptoms associated with myocardial infraction or heart attack. But some persons may experience heart attack without any symptoms.

Diagnosis of heart attack

Echocardiogram,

Tread mill test,

Electro cardiogram is the main diagnostic tests done during any cardiac emergency diagnosis.

Treatment of myocardial infraction, heart attack…

Immediate hospitalization with the help of ambulance is the immediate treatment measure taken to save the life of cardiac attack patient.

Don’t make the patient to get panic and provide assurance.

Complete rest is advised as the treatment measure.

Administration of nitroglycerin drug sublingually is the immediate treatment given by the doctors.

The drugs are administered through intravenous route by the doctor, according to the priority of the treatment needed.

Angioplasty is done in some patients as per the requirement of cardiac emergency. The stunt is fixed in the coronary artery to enhance the blood flow to the cardiac tissue and to prevent further damage to cardiac tissues.

These are the treatment for myocardial infraction or heart attack.

How the herniated disk occurs ?

The spinal disc or intervertebral disk is a soft, cartilaginous, cushion situated between each vertebrae of the spine and vertebral column.. The inter vertebral spinal disc becomes more rigid with age. The non herniated disk is soft and elastic in nature, but along with aging and other physiological changes,vertebral disc looses its elasticity gradually and becomes prone to injury. Now a days nearly thirty percent of adults are also suffering from herniated disk.

What happens with a ‘herniated disc’?

In case of herniated disk, the rupture of spinal disk occurs and the disk also loses elastsicity. When spinal disc get ruptured, a portion of spinal disc pushes outside its normal position and this is termed as herniated disc. When the herniated disc bulges out in between the vertebrae, the spinal nerves and spinal cord will be compressed and it leads to neural insufficiency in the body manifested by severe pain in legs, etc, where the herniated disk affected nerve supplies in body.

Causes of herniated disc

A sudden fall or an accident can cause herniated,
In some women herniated disk occurs gradually, due to repetitive straining of spinal disk.
Patients with spinal stenosis are prone to have herniated disk, because the spinal space becomes narrowed in case of spinal stenosis.
When a herniated disc compresses the nerves root and results in irritation of nerve.

Symptoms of a herniated disc

Because of herniated disk, spinal cord or spinal nerves become compressed. The area which is supplied by these affected nerves become painful, less sensational, etc amd the symptoms of herniated disk manifests. The body parts supplied by these herniated diak affected nerves, becomes less functional. Abnormal signs of herniated disk are appeared because of compressed nerves at the point of herniated disk.

Common symptoms of a herniated disc include:

• Severe pain : The compressed nerve root because of herniated disk results in severe pain which is similar to electric shock pains. When the compression of nerves in the cervical region, the shocks moves down the arms, and the compression of nerve root in the lumbar (low back vertebrae) region, the abnormal sensation occurs in lower legs.
• Tingling and numbness in affected nerve area : Abnormal sensations like tingling, numbness, occurs in the area where that the herniated disk affects. These symptoms of herniated disk are very painful and makes an individual unable to do the daily living activities.
• Weakness of Muscles : muscle weakness occurs because of poor nerve supply to the area. Nerve irritation occurs because of poor signal supply to the muscles from brain.This causes muscle weakness in herniated disk patients. Nerve irritation can be identified easily by examining neural reflexes.
• Bowel or Bladder Problems
These symptoms of herniated disk are because of cauda equina syndrome, is the common problem resulting from herniated disc. Cauda equina syndrome is the medical emergency and immediate medical treatment is needed to restore the normal bowel and bladder functions.
• Back pain radiates to the buttocks and legs in case of herniated disk in lumbar region or lower back
• Neck pain that radiates to the shoulders and upper arms, when disk herniation occurs in upper back
• Tingling or numbness where the nerve supply got affected because of nerve compression.
• Muscle spasms or weakness due to poor supply of nerve impulse from the brain.
• Sciatica : is the pain occurs through the path of affected nerve supply in buttocks and legs.

The compressed nerves doesn’t supply the determined nerve impulses to the particular area in the body and it leads to nerve irritation and poor nerve sensation in the area where these nerves supplies. The symptoms of herniated disk are very irritable and the persons affected with herniated disk suffers lot and becomes unable to lead the normal daily living activities.

Diagnosis of a herniated disc

Physical examination : Physical examination is the common diagnostic test done to find herniated disk. Physical examination by the physician includes analysis of sensation, muscle strength, and nerve reflexes.These physical examinations and the history obtained from the patient helps lot to diagnose herniated disc.

MRI scan is the very important and clear means of diagnosis for herniated disk,and is commonly used by most of orthopedists for diagnosis of the herniated disc. Ct scan, blood test X -ray and some other tests are also associated with MRI scan to diagnose herniated disk.MRI scan is very helpful to identify the extent and nature of herniated disk at the region of lumbar vertebrae.
Proper diagnosis of herniated disc is important to treat the problem and make the patient to feel better. Symptoms experienced by the herniated disk patients, physical examination findings, x-ray findings, and MRI results together helps in diagnosing herniated disk.

Treatment of herniated disk

Treatment of a herniated disc is dependable on
• Symptoms experienced by herniated disk patient
• Age of the patient
• Severity of disease in patient
• Extent of inability and neural irritation in patients.

Conservative treatment is the main and important treatments given for herniated disc patients in the beginning. The treatment for herniated disk includes

Rest & Activity: Complete bed rest should be given to the patient with herniated disk, by stopping all the activities of the patients. If the patient continues to do the daily living activities and other small works in the home, it aggravate the symptoms of herniated disk. Most of disc herniation will resolve within weeks to month. Activities should be done as per doctor’s advice and mild activities can be done after the pain subsides. Application of traction is most beneficial in herniated disk patients.

Heat and Ice applications : Ice and heat application to the site of disc herniation is very helpful in relieving the symptoms of a disc herniation such as pain, irritable and burning sensation, etc.The heat or cold application to the disc herniated site helps in relaxation of muscles of the back, and specially beneficial in lumber disk slip or bulging disk. Ice and heat applications are good treatment options to relieve muscle spasm and for effective pain relief.

Physiotherapy : Physiotherapy and lumbar stabilization exercises are also the treatment given for herniated disc. Physiotherapy helps in enhancing nerve supply to the area and relieves muscle spasm by relaxing the muscles. Lumbar stabilizing exercises stabilizes lumbar spine muscles in disc herniation patients. The patients who not go for herniated disc surgery, these treatments are more beneficial. Physiotherapy helps in stabilizing vertebrae, makes muscles stronger. This reduces the symptoms of herniated disk.

Anti inflammatory Drugs

Non steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) are given to relieve the pain because of disc herniation. The mechanism of action includes reduction of inflammation and inhibiting cox enzymes. Prolonged use of NSAIDS may cause gastritis and worsens the gastric ulcers.

Oral Steroid Medications

Prednisolone and other oral steroid medications are also prescribed to treat acute disc herniation. The steroids reduces the inflammation by suppressing the immune system of the body.

Nerve stabilizers :  Nerve stabilizing drugs such as vitamin are given to make the nerves strong and healthy. Myocobolamin is the common vitamin given in case of disc herniation.

Losing weight also helps in relieving the severity of herniated disc pain. Decreased weight reduces the pressure on the vertebral disk.

Epidural Steroid Injections

Injections of cortisone are administered directly to the area of nerve compression in the vertebral region. These steroids have quick anti-inflammatory action relieves the pain because of compression on the nerves at the site of disk herniation.

Surgery for treatment of a disc herniation

When all above mentioned methods of treatment fails to correct deformity related to disc herniation, disk herniation surgery is the treatment option to correct the disc bulging. Surgery is recommended when all the treatment options becomes ineffective to correct disc herniation. Surgery has a success rate in most patients and with doctor’s advice and using the belts to waist, the patient can perform the normal activities after disc herniation surgery. Disc herniation Surgery helps in relieving the symptoms and patient feels some comfort after the treatment.

Facts of Hemoglobin count

Now a days hemoglobin count is done using machines, which are used for blood test. In the machine red blood cells are broken down and hemoglobin is exposed. With chemical mechanisms the hemoglobin count is done.

Hemoglobin is made up of four globular protein subunits are attached by protein bond. Proteins in the hemoglobin attracts oxygen from alvioli of lungs. Combining with oxygenated blood oxyhemoglobin is formed and it  travels  entire bloodstream. The oxygen is carried to distant parts of body and delivered at tissue level. At tissue level, hemoglobin obsorbs the corbon dioxide and forms corboxyhemoglobin is carried to lungs and eliminates corbondioxide.

Low hemoglobin count

The reduced hemoglobin level than normal range is called as low hemoglobin, and low hemoglobin count  indicates a low red blood cell count is called as Anemia. The low hemoglobin level indicates nutritional deficiency. Weakness and fatigue are the main symptoms of low hemoglobin level. Individuals with other systemic diseases have risk of low hemoglobin count. Immidiate medical care is needed to prevent tisuue hypoxia and other  complications.

The causes of low hemoglobin count or anemia are

• Loss of blood  during traumatic injury, surgery, bleeding colon cancer etc.
• Nutritional deficiency (iron, vitamin B12, folate deficiency),
• Bone marrow diseases
• Abnormal hemoglobin such sickle cell anemia.

Causes of low hemoglobin count are

• Iron and folic acid deficiencies,
• Vitamin  deficiencies
• Erythropoietin deficiency
• Red blood cells destruction with blood transfusion
• Severe blood loss
• Hypothyroidism, and deficiency  of testosterone  hormone
• kidney failure, cancer,  Crohn’s disease and other Chronic diseases,
• Autoimmune diseases,
• lead poisoning
• malnutrition
• chemotherapy and
• use of certain medications,

 High hemoglobin count

Hemoglobin count is said to be high when hemoglobin count  is above-average level in blood. Increased hemoglobin count morethan 18 grams per deciliter  of blood for men and 16 g/dL for women is called high hemoglobin count. The number of red blood cells may be normal but the hemoglobin count may be raised in some cases. Hemoglobin  is the vital component of red blood cells. Hemoglobin has oxygen-carrying capacity, transports oxygenated blood from lungs to tissues and deoxygenated blood from tissues to lungs.  If the Hemoglobin count decreases, blood’s oxygen-carrying capacity also decreases. The tissues recieves less oxygen and sevre reduction of Hemoglobin count leads to tissue hypoxia.

High hemoglobin count in blood indicates

• Congenital heart diseases
• Cor pulmonale
• Culmonary fibrosis
• Increased RBC formation

This article describes all about Hemoglobin count, low hemoglobin count and high hemoglobin count, What is an importance of hemoglobin in body etc.