What is Thrush in the Mouth?

Thrush in the mouth is known as oral candidiasis. A much known yeast infection of the mouth basically caused by the fungi Candida albicans. This condition is presented with white lesions and scrapings of the mouth, specifically on the tongue, inner cheeks and the palates.

The condition can be diagnosed through taking a sample from the lesions and letting it be examined by a pathologist under the microscope. Culture of the sample is also possible for the concrete diagnosis of the problem.

As already said, the condition is caused by the fungi Candida albicans. This causative agent can be acquired especially when a person has weakened immune system or has acquired it from sexual contact. Those who are susceptible of such condition are those who have HIV, cancer, diabetes, and those with underlying or previous vaginal yeast infections. Those who are taking antibiotics and those who take inhaled corticosteroids are prone to thrush in mouth. Smokers and those who wear dentures are at risk of the condition.

Thrush in Mouth Symptoms

The development of thrush in the mouth can take about without the affected noticing it. As the condition begins to start its manifestations, the development of the following follows:

• Lesions appear that are creamy white in color, usually found on the tongue or palates. The lesions are cheese-like in appearance.
• Pain or discomfort is felt by the affected. This is possible as the person lesions may have cracked open making it uncomfortable on the part of the patient.
• Bleeding tendencies in the affected area.
• Loss of taste. Usually, they complain of a bitter or salty sense of taste as they eat.
• Difficulty in swallowing.
• Dry mouth which eventually leads to cracked lips and reddened lips.

Complication includes the spread of the agent to the neighboring parts of the body. As this happens, infection may develop and compromise the condition of the client.

How to get rid of thrush in the mouth?

Thrush in the mouth can be treated with prescription drugs. Antifungal agents are provided to client such as lozenges and those which are in tablet or liquid form. Amphotericin B is also a drug provided for clients who are truly immunocompromised. Topical anti-fungal agents such as nystatin and Gentian violet are famous in treating oral thrush.

In order to get rid of the oral thrush, we need to promote hygiene. Here are the following ways to do that:

• Brush teeth at least twice a day. Regular flossing is also recommended. But we need not to vigorously brush our teeth, instead regular brushing can reduce the severity of the oral problem.
• Use oral rinses. It is much preferable that a person would use warm salted water rinses. This can take effect on the acidity of the mouth from the lesions that have developed. In order to attain a saltwater rinse, we need to dissolve a half teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water. Using this solution as a swish can help reduce the mouth lesions.

Prevention is always better than cure. In order to avoid such malady we need to practice good oral hygiene. We can attain this by regularly brushing our teeth, rinsing our mouth, and seeking the dentist’s consultation at least twice a year. Take note of what you eat. Make sure that one limits the ingestion of foods high in sugar, as this can also precipitate in the development of oral thrush. Those who have oral dentures should make sure that they are regularly cleansed and are fitted well when worn. Smokers should start considering stopping their bad habit so that they are not prone in contracting the oral condition.

Infants who have mothers who are positive of Candidiasis should be provided with nursing pads in order not the affect the child. This condition is truly contagious and should not have a continuing cycle. In order to avoid such phenomenon, we need to take care for others health too by informing the health care that one has contracted the disease to avoid spread.

Going to the doctor to seek medical help can also reduce the spread of the disease and also the worsening of the condition.

What is Tardive Dyskinesia?

Tardive dyskinesia is a medical symptom that is usually triggered by an underlying condition or from a treatment of a medical condition. Tardive dyskinesia means involuntary body movements that are repetitive. These movements are experienced in a number of parts of the body, which will be discussed below.

According to studies, this condition has been affecting quite a number of people. About 30% of those who take neuroleptics are affected of such condition. This condition does not affect a specific race. But women are more susceptible to such problem but those who are particularly in their late decades. Advanced age is believed a risk factor for such condition.

Tardive Dyskinesia Signs and Symptoms

Tardive dyskinesia places a long-term or life-long effect on the person. Once the person has abruptly stopped taking the drugs that may have started the condition, there is no assurance that the signs and symptoms will go away. In other words, the condition is permanent. Generally, the condition is described as an abrupt involuntary movement.

When a person is asleep, the presenting symptoms tend to subside but when a person is anxious or in a lot of stress, the signs and symptoms are quite prominent. The condition has a number of signs and symptoms and these include:

• Involuntary grimacing.
• Twisting or twitching of the mouth alongside grinding of teeth.
• Tongue protuberance.
• Mouth moves as if chewing food or sucking a drink.
• Lip smacking.
• Excessive blinking.
• Slow movements of the hands, feet and toes.
• Hand or foot tapping.

The complications of the disease process include inability to perform activities of daily living and even permanent damage.

Tardive Dyskinesia Causes

The cause of tardive dyskinesia has always been pointed out to long term intake or treatment of dopamine, a drug usually provided to patients who have Parkinson’s disease. Taking of neuroleptics has also been noted to include as a cause for tardive dyskinesia. Antipsychotic drugs such as these causes for the development of tardive dyskinesia:

• Chlorpromazine
• Fluphenazine
• Haloperidol
• Trifluoperazine
• Prochlorperazine

This condition was quite a common manifestation or disorder in the old days, where development of antipsychotic drugs was not that promising. Since newer medications provided promising help and lesser side effects, tardive dyskinesia is less acquired to those who take antipsychotics these days.

Taking of antiemetics specifically to treat gastroparesis, can also lead to tardive dyskinesia. Metoclopromide is a believed to be linked with tardive dyskinesia.

Those at risk of the condition are the smokers and alcohol drinkers. With lower estrogen levels, women are prone especially the old or post menopausal women. Those who also abuse controlled drugs may develop such condition.

Tardive Dyskinesia Diagnosis

This can be diagnosed through the mere physical examination. Imaging tests would include CT scans and MRI of the brain which would show presence of neoplasm or infarction of the brain. This test is also good in determining or in ruling out other possible conditions. Blood test can be run in order to identify levels of serum copper, ceruloplasmin, and thyroid function.

Difference between Tardive dystonia and Tardive dyskinesia

Tardive dystonia is also a variety of abnormal movements and is quite associated or compared with tardive dyskinesia. Tardive dystonia includes involuntary movements alongside pain, spasm and muscle contractions. As a result, this can provide abnormal or inexplicable postures.

The big difference between the two movement disorders is there general presentation. In tardive dyskinesia, the involuntary movements are described as rapid, basically brief and stereotypical. This means that the involuntary movements can sprout in any second without any knowing of the affected person. This has also been recognized by the affected as a brief, jerky movement, while tardive dystonia provides lingering abnormal movements that are accompanied by pain and unexplainable body postures.

As this generates slow-progressing abnormal movements, the sufferer can only complain of grave discomfort. Those affected with tardive dystonia would usually experience spasms in the eyelids even causing for them not to open. Other muscle contractions would tend to result for abnormal body postures and are described as painful. Smooth muscles of the body may also be affected and as a result, respiratory or breathing changes may be noted.

Tardive Dyskinesia Treatment

A drug has been developed in order to decrease the symptoms of tardive dyskinesia. The drug has a dopamine-depleting action and is called tetrabenazine. Another drug, Zofran, is showing some effect to tardive dyskinesia. Tetrabenazine is referred by the medical team as the “orphan drug”. It has been widely used to patients who have had Huntington’s disease that it can reduce chorea – a known symptom of Huntington which is also described as involuntary.

Effects of this drug to tardive dyskinesia are quite promising and helpful in the treatment course of the disease. Librium has also been used in the treatment process. It basically has a tranquilizer effect, this reducing the involuntary presentation of the condition.

Management is the best care for tardive dyskinesia. Since there is no cure, the health care provider can only assist the client in attaining the daily activities of living. It is best that the patient is aware of the disorder and that proper compliance is attained from them. It is highly advised that the patient who have tardive dyskinesia should be accompanied by a person while out or should wear a medic alert bracelet in order to inform or warn the public about not giving any drug that contains dopamine-blocking agents.

Prevention is a good way to start in order to avoid the demise of the manifestations of tardive dyskinesia. In order to avoid such malady one should take note of what he is taking and its possible side effects. Since taking of neuroleptics would provide us a possibility of developing tardive dyskinesia, discussing the drugs actions and effects with the doctor is a must. Also, if it’s possible, choosing for a lower dosage but with great effectiveness of a neuroleptic should be asked from the doctor. Abrupt discontinue of taking of the drug should be avoided, for this can only worsen the condition.

Abnormal Pap Smear

What does abnormal Pap smear mean?

Pap smear or Papanicolaou/ Papanikolaou smear test that was named after its proprietor Dr. Georgios Papanikolaou. This procedure is a diagnostic examination that would identify for presence of cervical cancer in women. In order to attain a sample for screening, the collection of the cells/sample from the cervix of a woman is done. The cervix is basically referred as the neck of the womb/uterus or the narrow end of the vaginal canal.

This procedure is done as a yearly or every two years check-up for women who have come of age (21) or most preferably to those women who have started to be sexually active. It has also been noted that this procedure is a required procedure when women turn 18, quite preferred by medical professionals. This is duly indicated for the prevalence rate of cervical cancer has increased with the young nowadays. Those women who are aged over 30 are obliged to such screening test along with a test that identifies presence of human papillomavirus.

Those indicated to submit themselves for regular Pap smear tests are those women who have showed precancerous cells in the result. Another is for those women who were exposed to DES or diethylstilbestrol. HIV patients are also prone to developing cervical cancer, that’s why they need to regularly checked, along with those who are immunocompromised and are under medical treatment for cancer.

This procedure is not likely to those who have undergone a total hysterectomy, the total removal of the uterus along with the cervix. Women who are of senior age do not require such procedure but with consideration.

Having a result of abnormal Pap smear would bring alarm to the affected. This would indicate for a possible cervical cancer. When abnormal cells are identified, it would indicate for further testing such as identification for presence of HPV- the known causative agent for cervical cancer.

Abnormal Pap Smear Causes & Reasons

The cause of this result is a known viral agent, human papillomavirus. This virus is sexually transmitted and is quite linked to cervical cancer. In fact, a prophylactic agent has been developed against this viral agent. Other causes for an abnormal pap smear are presence of infection or inflammation. Women who may have acquired herpes may have abnormal test result. Those who have just had sexual contact may have an abnormal result. So, it is important that a person shall inform the doctor of her medical history.

Those at risk for this condition are the following women:

• Those who have multiple sexual partners, who do not protect themselves during the act of intercourse.
• Those who have changes in their discharges. It can be described in the significant change of color, odor, amount and texture.
• Those who experience pain during sexual intercourse. This may be accompanied by burning and itching in the pelvic area.
• Dysuria is also noted, pain while urinating.
• Presence of genital sores, lumps, blisters and rashes that are untoward may indicate risk for cervical cancer.
• Those who have an unhealthy lifestyle. Such as women who smoke a lot are at due risk for an abnormal pap smear.

Abnormal pap smear Results

The abnormal pap smear results are grouped into three classifications. These levels are the following:

Mild abnormal cells / dysplasia

This is medically classified as CIN 1 or the cervival intraepithelial neoplasia (new growth). This is the precancerous development of cells. Also, this test result is referred as atypical, which means it is undetermined. This can be left without treatment. But in order to properly diagnose such condition, a test is done to screen for cervical cancer: colposcopy. This is the direct viewing of the cervical area of the patient.

Moderate or low abnormal cells / dysplasia

This is medically classified as CIN 2 or the cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. If this is left untreated the possibility of the development of cancer is most likely.

Severe or high grade abnormal cells / dysplasia

Medical classified as CIN 3 or sever dysplasia. This severe change of cervical test would need proper reevaluation. This may require a follow-up check up in order to truly identify presence of cancer.

Adenocarcinoma cells are identified with the severe or high grade abnormal cells. As cervical cancer has been identified, the person may require treatment. This would include cancer treatment such as radiation and chemotherapy for positive cervical cancer patients.

What is Pink eye?

Pink eye or medically known as conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the conjunctiva of the eyes. The conjunctiva is known as the cover for the eyeballs, the inner part of our eyelids. It is known that the conjunctiva is a sensitive part of the human body. Once it has been affected by any bacterial, viral and toxic agent, promoting pink eye is most likely. Also an allergic reaction may cause such phenomenon. This condition does not affect a certain age group instead it affects equally the general population. But this condition can also be classified as infectious or noninfectious.

This condition can be diagnosed by eye scrapings that will be sent for cytology. Since there are a number of causes for pink eye, acquiring samples from the conjunctiva is typical.

What causes pink eye?

Pink eye is caused by a number of agents. As this can be classified and shall also have their specific manifestations. The agents responsible for pink eye are the following:

• Viral agent. This is believed as the leading cause of pink eye. As noted, adenoviruses are the type if viral agents that cause for viral pink eye. This is also accompanied by the following manifestations; watery discharges and cold-like symptoms. In addition, the patient may also suffer from puffy eyes or swollen eyes. The patient may also suffer from photophobia, or increased in sensitivity to light. As reported, this condition can linger to the affected for 1-2 weeks and shall slowly subside with an additional 1 or 2 weeks.
• Bacterial agent. Typically, pink eye caused by bacteria and these are Staph or Strep infection. These agents would include other symptoms such as eye pain, itching, and moderate amounts of discharges which are yellow or greenish in color. And because of these discharges, the affected would usually have the pink eye completely shut. In order to avoid such result, one should apply a warm cloth or compress on the affected eye/eyes. Antibiotic drops or ointment is usually recommended by doctors. Chlamydia infection can also cause for pink eye infection. This is a common sexually transmitted disease that can be passed on to newborns through the birthing process. This can be treated with erythromycin.
• Allergens. This is due to the infectious process that involves chemical mediators which stimulate dilatation of the blood vessels, thus resulting to redness and induction of discharges. This can be prevented with avoiding the chemical agents that would stimulate for an allergic reaction. As when this is unavoidable, treatment can be attained through taking of NSAIDs and antihistamines. Additional symptoms include itching of the eyes, tearing, swelling and pain.
• Chemical agent. This is also identified as eye injury. This is caused by either an acidic or alkali substance. This can result to burning and eventually result to redness of the eyes. As this may be accompanied by pain, local anesthesia may be provided.

Is pink eye contagious?

Yes, as this condition can be possibly spread like wild fire. But pink eyes caused by a bacterial and viral agent are the only known contagious type of pink eye. The condition is contagious as the person has manifested pink eye. If there are discharges, the person is highly infectious. But as a person has taken his antibiotics, he is not contagious after 24 hours.

This is also possible when a person is not cautious with his or her hygiene practices such as those who are not conscious with health. In order to avoid contaminating others of the said infection the affected should do the following:

• Avoid scratching the eyes.
• Sharing of face towels is a big no.
• Viral agents can be spread through coughing, in order to avoid infecting others close mouth when one is about to sneeze or cough.
• Do not let others touch the affected eye.
• Frequent hand washing is advised.

What is Prosopagnosia ?

Prosopagnosia is a disorder that involves face perception where the word prosopagnosia literally means not knowing face. Agnosia means impaired recognition, while prosopon means face. Others even refer this condition as face blindness, a disease process that involves impairment in face recognition.

The condition basically is defined as the inability of the affected person to recognize faces, even though one is acquainted with, but still has an intact memory of recognizing other objects. As what research says, the condition is believed to be caused by brain damage or from a congenital disorder. Reports show that the condition can be inherited; at least 2.5% of the total population has been affected.

According to history, the condition has been reported first back in the year 1947. Bodamer, the person who first recognized and named the condition, has reportedly found the condition in two individuals which is very distinct to the simple condition agnosia. As to that observation, he reported the condition as prosopagnosia which is now known to the public.

Acquired prosopagnosia

Acquired prosopagnosia is a condition where an injury has incurred to a person’s brain. Incidents such as head injury, cerebrovascular accident or stroke, or other neurodegenerative diseases can cause prosopagnosia. Before any injury has occurred, the person involved has clear face recognition. But once the injury has greatly damaged the person’s brain, prosopagnosia can result.

Those affected of the condition have difficulty recognizing various pictures of people’s faces even though they have encountered them beforehand. But those with acquired prosopagnosia can identify which from the group of pictures are from the same race and age.

Developmental prosopagnosia

The condition is believed to be present from childhood. Because of this, developmental prosopagnosia is noted as a type of the condition. The condition is also considered as a lifelong disorder. The said type of prosopagnosia is stated to be from an inherited gene. Genetic link to this condition has been found by German researchers in the year 2005.

The result of their study showed that the individuals involved with prosopagnosia ran in 7 families. Another study showed that children who were born with autism and Asperger syndrome also have developmental prosopagnosia. The children would manifest difficulty or inability to recognize faces as what most other people do.

Accordingly, this condition is subdivided in two categories:

• There are patients who have impaired estimations of the third party’s age.
• There are patients who have inability to fully recognize the face of another person.

Prosopagnosia Symptoms & signs

Prosopagnosia as discussed is a condition that involves inability to recognize faces. This condition is also related to the inability of a person or another from remembering the names of other people. The condition can be identified as prosopagnosia once the affected have difficulty recognizing the face a person that he or she is acquainted with or truly familiar with. Face recognition becomes a pain to them that they are unable to identify the owner or name of the person.

It has also been observed that those affected with prosopagnosia has difficulty in following track of a television show or a movie, just because they couldn’t recognize readily the characters’ faces. Others stated that the condition is also accompanied by short-term memory loss or defect that is a sign of neurological disorder.

Prosopagnosia Causes

There are a lot of predisposing and precipitating factors for prosopagnosia. It has been noted that the following causes the said condition:

• Brain injury or damage
• Trauma
• Stoke or cerebrovascular accident
• Neurodegenerative disorders

The affected would complain or describe that he couldn’t recognize the face of a person even though the other party is fully aware that they are acquainted or have known each other. Those with developmental prosopagnosia, they would suffer from inability to recognize faces easily in an early age. As time takes them, they would realize that their recognition skills are not of the same level as with those people surrounding him.

Prosopagnosia Diagnosis (Test)

Screening for prosopagnosia is not an easy task, as what most doctors would say. Because of this, a specific tool in the diagnosis for prosopagnosia was developed, called Cambridge Face Memory Test. This is a test that is much reliable and can effectively test for a person’s ability to recognize faces. There was previous a test called Benton which also aims in testing the person for face recognition problems.

The difference between the two tests is that the Cambridge Face Memory test uses faces alone; without hair, ears or neck. While Benton uses images of faces with hair, ears and neck making the test provide results as false-negative. But the Cambridge Face Memory test is not considered the gold standard of prosopagnosia since the brain is a very complex part of a person’s body, which can alter its way of functioning. According to reports, the test is not widely used for it’s still in the process of making it a good and viable test for prosopagnosia.

Other tests such as the EEG and fMRI can be of health in the diagnosis of the condition, most especially the developmental prosopagnosia.

Prosopagnosia Risk factors

Those at risk of this condition are the people who have a family history of prosopagnosia. Those with first degree family members who suffer from prosopagnosia are most likely to develop such condition. It has been reported that children of a person with prosopagnosia are at risk of the condition. Other risk factors include the following:

• People who suffered from brain injury.
• People who have had stroke.
• Those who have neurodegenerative disorders are also at risk of developing prosopagnosia.

Prosopagnosia Treatment

The main goal of the treatment of prosopagnosia includes helping the affected to practice ways in compensation of recognizing faces. There is no direct treatment for the condition and has no definite cure. There are coping strategies that could assist the affected. Here are some of the ways in order to assist a client in overcoming the disease process:

• Provide clues to client as he or she struggles to recognize a face. One can accustom the patient with the other party’s voice, style of hair and clothes.
• Support client and assist them as always. There is a clear possibility that the client would be withdrawn from others socially because of their problem.

Research is still on the works for prosopagnosia. This condition which is starting to be recognized has taken toll to the affected that is why many are asking for answers regarding the condition. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke are now conducting a research in light to prosopagnosia.

Prosopagnosia Prevention

Prosopagnosia cannot be prevented once it’s developmental. An inherited gene cannot be taken away from a person, leading us to conclude that prevention is a far solution of the problem. However, since the condition, prosopagnosia, is quite linked to stroke, brain injury, and other neurodegenerative disorders, taking care of one’s health is a must.

One can avoid stroke by practicing a healthy lifestyle, healthy diet and healthy living. Once one has been diagnosed with hypertension, we can avoid cerebrovascular accident by taking the prescribed medications that the doctor has provided and recommended. Seeking medical help once brain injury or trauma has been suspected is a must. We cannot just take for granted those small things that have placed harm on our body.

What are shingles?

Shingles is a viral infection that results to highly extensive and painful rashes. Shingles occur after one acquires the varicella-zoster virus, the main culprit for chickenpox. The mechanism of the condition is that right after one had chickenpox, the viral agent may stay inactive in our body such as the areas near the spinal cord and brain. As this becomes activated, shingles is the end result. This can be diagnosed through collection of the medical history of the client, and that includes inquiring for previous chickenpox infection. Culture of the tissue scraping from the crusted blisters can be done in order to test for the causative agent.

This condition is very much known and is described as very painful but does not put the person’s life at risk. The presentation of shingles includes the following:

• Pain and numbness on the affected side of the body. The pain is usually complained as intense.
• Bright red rashes. The rash would have a pattern that usually glides along the lower back area. The rashes are accompanied by itchiness.
• The rashes may also be in blister form. The blisters may be fluid-filled that tends to be opened or crust over.
• Infectious process is indicative as the patient suffers from fever and chills.
• Headache is also complained.
• Generalized body fatigue and achiness of the body is also reported.

Complications are likely and should be treated right away. As these are observed, prompt treatment or medical care is needed. The complications include the following:

• Skin infection. This is possible as the blisters wear off and become crusted which can possibly house the bacteria-causing infection.
• Neuralgia: Pain is still present even though the rashes or blisters have worn off. This is also referred as postherpetic neuralgia that is due to the damage of the nerve fibers making an altered pain perception.
• Loss of vision. This is possible as the condition may have gone out of its limits and has affected the patients’ vision.
• Encephalitis. As worse as it can be, the condition can spread to the central nervous system. As a result, this can cause for inflammation of the brain called encephalitis.

What causes shingles?

Shingles is caused by a herpes virus called varicella-zoster virus. Those who just had chickenpox are quite at risk of the condition. This is because of the virus’ capability to stay dormant after chickenpox, and once activated it can result to shingles – a much more painful condition. This happens to be a common skin condition to the elderly and to those who have a weakened immune system.

Those who are at risk for developing shingles are mostly adults. This is because of the fact that they have acquired chickenpox when they were young. Age is a predisposing factor for shingles, the more aged you are, the more at risk for contracting shingles. The immunocompromised patients are also prone to such disease process and are down to having shingles when not cared for properly.

Is shingles contagious?

Yes. The condition is highly contagious as this can be easily passed onto another person especially to those who are not immune to the varicella virus. In order for a person to be infected with shingles, direct contact with the open lesions or sores and rashes would do the trick. But there are cases where a person who has never contracted chickenpox may develop chickenpox instead of shingles. But to those who have had chickenpox and may have had contact with a person with shingles are likely to contract the disease.

The person is said to be contagious as the blisters have stopped to grow in number and had scabbed off the skin. Those at great risk for contracting shingles are those people who have a weakened immune system, pregnant women and the newly born children.

One can prevent this from happening if one has submitted themselves for vaccination. There are two forms of vaccine, the chickenpox vaccine and shingles vaccine. These have been found very helpful. There may still be chances of acquiring such condition but the severity is less compared to those who were not protected accordingly.