Health Concerns: Warning Symptoms of Dengue

Health Concerns: Warning Symptoms of Dengue: Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne disease. It is caused by any one of the four dengue viruses that are spread by the bite of Aedes-aegypti ...

What is COVID-19?

COVID-19 is the infectious Coronavirus disease which is caused by a recently discovered virus, known as coronavirus. As this virus was known in 2019 hence, this condition is known as COVID-19.

Coronaviruses are viruses that may cause illness in animals or humans.  In humans, coronaviruses is known to cause respiratory infections that range from the common cold to severe respiratory diseases namely, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).

This new virus and disease were not known until the outbreak in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. Now, COVID-19 is considered a pandemic affecting several countries globally.

Older people and those with underlying medical conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer are more prone to develop serious illnesses. At present, there are no specific treatments or vaccines for COVID-19. Though, there are several ongoing clinical trials evaluating potential treatment.

Health Concerns: Summer Care of Baby

Health Concerns: Summer Care of Baby: Summer can be a season which can prove tricky in keeping an infant comfortable. There are certain factors which need to be considered...

Health Concerns: Warning Symptoms of Dengue

Health Concerns: Warning Symptoms of Dengue: Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne disease. It is caused by any one of the four dengue viruses that are spread by the bite of Aedes-aegypti ...

Warning Symptoms of Dengue

Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne disease. It is caused by any one of the four dengue viruses that are spread by the bite of Aedes-aegypti mosquito, which thrives in and near human lodgings. When a mosquito bites a person infected with a dengue virus, the virus enters the mosquito and when this infected mosquito bites another person then, the dengue virus enters that person's bloodstream.

When more than one type of dengue virus is circulated in a particular area then, either Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever or Dengue Shock Syndrome arises. This is a more severe form of dengue fever which can cause severe bleeding, sudden drop in blood pressure (shock) and death. Dengue fever is also known as Break bone fever, as it produces intense pain in bones and joints.

Symptoms

Some people may experience no signs or symptoms during a mild case of dengue fever. The symptoms usually commence 4 to 10 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Signs and symptoms of dengue fever most commonly include:

• Sudden high fever, as high as 106 F (41 C).
• Intense headaches.
• Severe muscular, bone and joint pain.
• Pain behind the eyes.
• Widespread skin rash, which appears two to five days after the onset of fever.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Rarely, minor bleeding from gums or nose.

Most of the patients recover within a week or so but in few cases, the symptoms may worsen and can become life-threatening. Few cases may give rise to Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever where bleeding tendency may occur. Bleeding may occur under the skin, from the nose, gums or blood may be passed in stools.  In such cases, drop in the platelet (cells responsible for clotting of blood) count may occur leading to hemorrhages. With severe bleeding, shock may develop with low blood pressure, rapid or weak pulse with cold clammy skin and restlessness. Such cases with shock are labeled as Dengue Shock Syndrome.

Heat Stroke: Causes, Symptoms & Prevention

Sunstroke or Heat Stroke may occur when a person remains under the sun for a long duration of time usually in combination with dehydration which causes failure of the temperature control system of the body. The normal body temperature is 98.6°F while, in heat stroke it rises to more than 105°F with complications concerning the central nervous system.

Heat stroke if not treated promptly and properly can be fatal. Untreated sun stroke can damage heart, brain, muscles and kidneys. The longer the delay in the treatment, the intense is the damage, accelerating the risk to serious complications and death.

CAUSES

Some of the causes of heat stroke are:-

·         Prolonged exposure to the sun;

·         Excessive strenuous physical activity raising body temperature;

·         Failure of sweat to evaporate properly due to wearing excess amount of warm clothing;

·         Reduced intake of water or fluids;

·         Consumption of alcohol.

SYMPTOMS

Symptoms of sunstroke are:-

·         Increased body temperature;

·         Fainting;

·         Red, hot and dry skin;

·         Throbbing headache;

·         Dizziness;

·         Lack of sweating;

·         Rapid breathing & heart rate;

·         Mental confusion;

·         Disorientation;

·         Muscle cramps.

FIRST AID

First aid provided to the person before the arrival of medical aid can be of immense help. The following first aid can be offered to the patient:-

• Wet the skin of the patient with water with a sponge or cloth and fan air over the patient;
• To reduce body temperature, cool areas that is rich with blood vessels close to the skin such as neck, groin, back and armpits.
• Immerse the patient in a tub of cold water.

PREVENTION

Sunstroke can be prevented by:-

·         Consuming plenty of water;

·         Avoiding over-exertion of body during hot weather;

·         Avoiding vigorous physical activities in hot and humid weather;

·         Wearing light-colored, loose fitting and lightweight clothes;

·         Avoiding outdoor activities during the hottest time of the day, during summers;

·         Using a sunscreen with sun protection factor of more than 30;

·         Avoiding fluids containing caffeine or alcohol.

Author, Dr. Varsha Sharma Kapila is a Consultant Homoeopath, practising since last 19yrs. She offers Online Homeopathic treatment; Dietetic counseling; martial counseling and addiction counseling. She can be reached on her email – drvarshas@gmail.com

Dr. Sharma is an Associate Professor in a Homoeopathic Medical College. She has got vast experience in treating several ailments ranging from hair fall, psoriasis, acne, skin complaints, recurrent respiratory complaints, bronchitis, asthma, allergic coryza, migraine, sinusitis, nasal polyps, kidney complaints, female disorders, respiratory diseases, digestive disorders, arthritis, pains and aches, erectile dysfunction, impotence, kidney stones, depression, psychiatric disorders, recurrent attacks of cold, pediatric complaints, old age diseases, etc. 

How to Keep Your Baby Warm in Winter?

As winter approaches, parents have already laid their hands on woolens mittens, socks, caps, sweaters and wrappers to protect their child from the harsh winter. But every parent is in a dilemma regarding the quantity of clothing required to protect their child from winter cold. A question arises in their minds, whether their child is under-clad or over-clad or is the clothing appropriate. As over-cladding and under-cladding both can make a child catch cold. Hence, dressing the child with adequate clothing is essential.

Below are mentioned a few guidelines which shall help the parent judge the right winter clothing required by their child.

• Use cotton over woolens – As wool may cause irritation and itching. Also, as some babies at times suck on any piece of cloth which they can get into their mouths hence, the fibers of wool may be ingested by the baby.
• Use layers of cotton – Using several layers of cotton shall help create an insulation which shall trap the warmth of the body preventing it from escape.
• Cotton closest to the skin – The first layer of clothing closest to the skin should be pure cotton as it saves the child from skin allergies that may arise from woollens.
• One more layer than you need – It is a golden rule to protect your baby with one more layer than you require. If the mother feels warm with two layers of clothing than three layers should be sufficient to protect the child.

• Cover the extremes – Body loses a large amount of heat from the extremes such as hands, feet and head hence, they should be covered to prevent the loss of body heat.
• Keep the chest warm – Keep the heart region warm so that the body can be kept warm.
• Bath time – To keep the baby warm, it is essential to dry the baby immediately after bathing; to prevent loss of heat through evaporation.

In order to determine the actual body temperature of the baby, you should feel the tummy; back; neck or underarm region.  Hands and feet are not good indicators of judging the body temperature. Follow these guidelines and protect your child effectively against cold…..

 Author, Dr. Varsha Sharma Kapila is a Consultant Homoeopath, practising since last 19yrs. She offers Online Homeopathic treatment; Dietetic counseling; martial counseling and addiction counseling. She can be reached on her email –drvarshas@gmail.com

Dr. Sharma is an Associate Professor in a Homoeopathic Medical College. She has got vast experience in treating several ailments ranging from hair fall, psoriasis, acne, skin complaints, recurrent respiratory complaints, bronchitis, asthma, allergic coryza, migraine, sinusitis, nasal polyps, kidney complaints, female disorders, respiratory diseases, digestive disorders, arthritis, pains and aches, erectile dysfunction, impotence, kidney stones, depression, psychiatric disorders, recurrent attacks of cold, pediatric complaints, old age diseases, etc.