Archive | July 2018

QUOTE FOR MONDAY:

1-Jun 13, 2017 – Chronic kidney disease (CKD) means your kidneys are damaged and can’t filter blood the way they should.  In time effecting all organs.

2-“Suicide is the act of killing yourself, most often as a result of depression or other mental illness. Learn about suicide warning signs and steps to prevent suicide.”

1- NIDDK National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive & Kidney Diseases

2-  American Psychological Association

QUOTES FOR THE WEEKEND:

1- “Adults with diabetes are two to four times more likely to have cardiovascular disease, which includes heart disease, heart failure, heart attack and stroke, than people without diabetes

2-“Influenza (flu) is a highly contagious viral infection that is one of the most severe illnesses of the winter season. Influenza is spread easily from person to person, usually when an infected person coughs or sneezes.  Pneumonia is a common lung infection caused by bacteria, a virus or fungi. It is often spread via coughing, sneezing, touching or even breathing, & those who don’t exhibit symptoms can also spread the illness.  It can be a serious life threatening condition.  Bacterial can be prevented via a vaccine.”

1-American Diabetes Association 2-American Lung Association

QUOTE FOR FRIDAY:

1- American Stroke Society  2- CDC Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 3-NIH National Institute on Aging 1- Simple but hard to remember under panic; during a stroke, every second counts. Fast treatment can reduce the brain damage that stroke can cause. 2- Accidents, also referred to as unintentional injuries, are at present the 5th leading cause of death in the US and the leading cause of death for those between the ages 1 to 44. 3- An estimated 5.2 million Americans may have Alzheimer’s disease in 2014. Almost two-thirds of American seniors living with Alzheimer’s are women. ”

1- American Stroke Society  2- CDC Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

3-NIH National Institute on Aging

QUOTE FOR THURSDAY:

1- In 2014, about 585,720 American are expected to die of cancer – almost 1,600 people per day. 2- Regarding COPD, National medical costs are projected to increase from $32.1 billion in 2010 to $49.0 billion in 2020.  Of the medical costs, 18% was paid for by private insurance, 51% by Medicare, and 25% by Medicaid in last year.  Think what prevention measures could do in the near future and later.”

1- American Cancer Society    2- The American College of Chest Physicians(CHEST)

 

QUOTE FOR WEDNESDAY:

“The deadliest disease in the world is coronary artery disease (CAD). Also called ischemic heart disease, CAD occurs when the blood vessels that supply blood to the heart become narrowed. Untreated CAD can lead to chest pain, heart failure, and arrhythmias.  Coronary Heart Disease is preventable.”

American Heart Association – AHA

QUOTE FOR TUESDAY:

“Memories are generally prone to distortion over time, but researchers have found some evidence to suggest that emotional memories are more resistant to the decay processes that wear away at all memories with time.”

Elizabeth Kensinger of Boston College – Professor & Author

QUOTE FOR THE WEEKEND:

“Encephalocele a rare type of birth defect of the neural tube that affects the brain. The neural tube is a narrow channel that folds and closes during the third and fourth weeks of pregnancy to form the brain and spinal cord. Encephalocele is a sac-like protrusion or projection of the brain and the membranes that cover it through an opening in the skull. Encephalocele happens when the neural tube does not close completely during pregnancy. The result is an opening anywhere along the center of the skull from the nose to the back of the neck, but most often at the back of the head (pictured), at the top of the head, or between the forehead and the nose.  Allowing it to sac out of the skull.”

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC

 

QUOTE FOR FRIDAY:

“Spina bifida is a birth defect that occurs when the spine and spinal cord don’t form properly. It falls under the broader category of neural tube defects. The neural tube is the embryonic structure that eventually develops into the baby’s brain and spinal cord and the tissues that enclose them.”

Mayo Clinic

QUOTE FOR THURSDAY:

“If you don’t have symptoms, you might not need treatment. However, if the disease is active — indicated by an elevated alkaline phosphatase level — and is affecting high-risk sites in your body, such as your skull or spine, your doctor might recommend treatment to prevent complications, even if you don’t have symptoms.”

Mayo Clinic

 

Part II Skeletal Diseases – Paget’s Disease

Paget’s disease may lead to other medical conditions, including:

  • Arthritis. Long bones in the leg may bow, distorting alignment and increasing pressure on nearby joints. In addition, pagetic bone may enlarge, causing joint surfaces to undergo excessive wear and tear. In these cases, pain may be caused by a combination of Paget’s disease and osteoarthritis.
  • Hearing loss. Loss of hearing in one or both ears may occur when Paget’s disease affects the skull and the bone that surrounds the inner ear. Treating Paget’s disease may slow or stop hearing loss. Hearing aids also may help.
  • Heart disease. In severe Paget’s disease, the heart works harder to pump blood to affected bones. This usually does not result in heart failure except in some people who also have hardening of the arteries.
  • Kidney stones. Kidney stones are more common in patients with Paget’s disease.
  • Nervous system problems. Pagetic bone can cause pressure on the brain, spinal cord, or nerves and reduced blood flow to the brain and spinal cord.
  • Sarcoma. Rarely, Paget’s disease is associated with the development of a malignant tumor of the bone. When there is a sudden onset or worsening of pain, sarcoma should be considered.
  • Loose teeth. When Paget’s disease affects the facial bones, the teeth may loosen. This may make chewing more difficult.
  • Vision loss. Rarely, when the skull is involved, the nerves to the eye may be affected, causing some loss of vision.

Paget’s disease is not associated with osteoporosis. Although Paget’s disease and osteoporosis can occur in the same patient, they are completely different disorders. Despite their marked differences, several medications for Paget’s disease also are used to treat osteoporosis.

Who is the best in treating this condition?

The following types of medical specialists are generally knowledgeable about treating Paget’s disease:

  • Endocrinologists. Doctors who specialize in hormonal and metabolic disorders
  • Rheumatologists. Doctors who specialize in joint and muscle disorders
  • Others. Orthopaedic surgeons, neurologists, and otolaryngologists (doctors who specialize in ear, nose, and throat disorders) may be called on to evaluate specialized symptoms.

How Paget’s is treated:

Drug therapy: The Food and Drug Administration has approved several medications to treat Paget’s disease. The medications work by controlling the excessive breakdown and formation of bone that occurs in the disease. The goal of treatment is to relieve bone pain and prevent progression of the disease. People with Paget’s disease should talk to their doctors about which medication is right for them. It is also important to get adequate calcium and vitamin D through diet and supplements as prescribed by your doctor, except for patients who have had kidney stones.

Bisphosphonates are a class of drugs used to treat a variety of bone diseases. Several bisphosphonates are currently available to treat Paget’s disease. Calcitonin is a naturally occurring hormone made by the thyroid gland. The medication may be appropriate for some patients.

Surgery: Medical therapy before surgery helps decrease bleeding and other complications. Patients who are having surgery should discuss pretreatment with their doctor. Surgery may be advised for three major complications of Paget’s disease:

  • Fractures. Surgery may allow fractures to heal in better position.
  • Severe degenerative arthritis. Hip or knee replacement may be considered if disability is severe and medication and physical therapy are no longer helpful.
  • Bone deformity. Cutting and realigning pagetic bone (a procedure called an osteotomy) may reduce the pain in weight-bearing joints, especially the knees.

Complications resulting from enlargement of the skull or spine may injure the nervous system. However, most neurological symptoms, even those that are moderately severe, can be treated with medication and do not require neurosurgery.

Diet and exercise: There is no special diet to prevent or help treat Paget’s disease. However, according to the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences, women age 50 and older and men age 70 and older should get 1,200 mg of calcium and at least 600 IU (International Units) of vitamin D every day to maintain a healthy skeleton. People age 70 and older need to increase their vitamin D intake to 800 IU. People with a history of kidney stones should discuss calcium and vitamin D intake with their doctor.

Exercise is important because it helps preserve skeletal health, prevent weight gain, and maintain joint mobility. Patients should discuss any new exercise program with their doctor before beginning, to avoid any undue stress on affected bones.