Health-References » bacterial infection

The Pill Helpful or Harmful?

Health References — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 07:37:36 +0000

Whenever one decides to raise a family, the decision regarding how many kids to have will always be a factor. And with the recent population boom, couples nowadays are becoming more and more aware of the need for family planning. There are a lot of methods of family planning available in the market, one of which is the birth control pill.

History of the birth control pill
The development of the birth control pill was put in motion by lifelong women’s rights advocate Margaret Sanger. Sanger’s advocacy was fueled by observing her mom exhaust herself to death by giving birth to 11 children. She became a nurse and later on funded the research to come up with a better contraceptive. The first Food and Drug Administration FDAapproved oral contraceptive pill was introduced to the public and launched for sale in the United States in the 1960s. The brand name of the first contraceptive pill was Enovid and it was invented by Frank Colton. He was inducted to the National Inventor’s Hall of Fame for this specific invention. Later on, Carl Djerassi, an Austrian chemist, invented the modern birth control pill.

Benefits of using birth control pills
Birth control pills, when used as instructed, are an effective way to minimize accidental pregnancies.
Pills also help improve excess hair and acne as androgen and testosterone are suppressed. Abnormally high levels of androgen can cause darkening of facial and body hair.
Heavy and irregular menstrual bleeding patterns are also improved.
Menstrual cramps and pre-menstrual pain are significantly reduced when using oral contraceptive pills.
Pills are used to treat endometriosis by regulating hormone production that may help develop the disease further.
Pills help reduce the risk of ovarian cyst formation as it prevents ovulation. Ovarian cysts often form during ovulation period.
Pills protect women against uterine cancer.
Pills lower the risk of having Pelvic Inflammatory Disease PID. PID is a bacterial infection in the Fallopian tube and the Uterus that can cause extreme pain and eventually, if left untreated, infertility. Pills thinken the cervical mucous lining, thereby protecting the cervix from being affected by any bacterial infection.
The contraceptive function is reversible.

Risks and side effects of using birth control pills
Birth control pill users may encounter mild, physical side effects such as nausea, headaches, hand weight gain.
Increased risk of breast cancer has been noted with birth control pill users.
Increased risk of stroke and heart attack for pill users who smoke.
Pill users experience unusual mood changes, including depression.

A decision to be made
Choosing to use the pill is a decision only you can make for yourself. Weigh the benefits and risks carefully before choosing to settle into this kind of birth control method. Better yet, consult a trusted medical health professional or go to your nearest sexual health clinic to have all the risk and benefits discussed thoroughly, and to have all your other questions and worries answered and cleared out. After all, this is your body that will suffer the consequences of making rash decisions if you decide in haste.

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Skin Infections in Kids How to Make Impetigo Go Away

Health References — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 07:37:36 +0000

Whether at home or in school, most kids are prone to minor accidents while they are busy at play. They usually get minor bruises and scratches on their skin. These small cuts and abrasions, however, could become serious once skin infections set in and no proper treatment administered.
A good example of a bacterial infection is called Impetigo. Impetigo is characterized by the presence of crusty lesions on the skin. This skin infection is caused by the following bacteria Streptococcus or staphylococcus aureus. These bacteria are usually found on human skin and cause infections when they gain entry via an open wound. Children infected with impetigo develop blisters that usually burst and ooze with fluid. These blisters eventually harden into a honey-colored crust.
Impetigo can affect skin anywhere on the body but often attacks the area around the nose and mouth. It is more likely to show up on skin that is already irritated or raw from eczema, poison ivy, bug bites or a skin allergy to soap or makeup.
Impetigo is contagious. The infection is carried in the fluid that oozes from the blisters. When the patient touches the infected skin and then touches another part of the body, the bacterial infection may be transferred to that spot. It also can be spread from one person to another. This is why school children easily spread the infection from one kid to another. Impetigo can also be found in some adults who do not observe hygienic practices.
Symptoms of impetigo caused by streptococci include the presence of tiny blisters containing fluid. The skin underneath them is moist and red. A tan or yellow-brown crust covers the wet areas, making it look like they’ve been coated with honey or brown sugar.
A staphylococcus infection may cause larger blisters filled with clear fluid from the start but later on becomes cloudy. These blisters usually remain whole without bursting longer than the blisters from streptococcus impetigo do. It may be difficult to tell if the skin infection is caused by strep or staph bacteria but the treatment is just the same.
Antibiotic ointment may be prescribed but if the skin infection has spread to other parts of the body, an antibiotic pill may be administered. Because impetigo can spread from person to person through contact with the infected area, someone who has it should stay home from school while the infection is still contagious. Usually, impetigo is no longer contagious after about 24 to 48 hours of treatment and after 3 days of treatment, the wounds should start to heal.
However, if the skin doesn’t begin to heal after this time, or if fever develops, a physician may be needed. It is best to consult a doctor right away if the skin around the impetigo becomes red, warm, swollen, or tender.
Aside from taking or applying the medicine exactly as per advice by the doctor, gently wash the infected areas twice a day with an unscented soap and water, using a piece of clean gauze. If a spot is crusted, soak it in warm, soapy water for a while to remove built-up layers of the crust. There is no need to get rid of all of the crust, but it is important to keep the area clean.
Covering the infected areas with gauze and tape or a loose plastic bandage will keep impetigo to others parts of the body. Keep fingernails short until the infection clears up. Even though impetigo may itch, try not to scratch because scratching can spread the infection or tear the skin and make it worse. Scratching repeatedly can lead to scarring of the skin. The best way to prevent impetigo is to simply follow good hygiene habits.

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Keep Your Bladder Active and Bacteria-Free

Health References — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 13:54:24 +0000

Have you ever wondered why we urinate? Urination occurs as a result of the removal of excess liquid and wastes from the blood in the form of urine. The liquids pass through the kidneys which are the organs responsible for the filtration of the said wastes from the bloodstream. Normally, urination is an easy, painless body function. But people who experience urinating with only very small amounts of liquid coupled with a burning sensation, the situation is really far from being normal. Chances are, these people are suffering from Urinary Tract Infection UTI, the second most common type of infection in the body which affects the urinary tract.
Urine is normally sterile. It is usually free of bacteria, viruses, and fungi and only contains fluids, salts, and waste products. However, when bacteria gets into the bladder or kidney, these microbes multiply in the urine and causes a bacterial infection in the urethra, the short tube where urine passes from the bladder to the outside of the body. This is called urethritis.
Another type of UTI is cystitis which is a bacterial infection of the bladder. This is the most common type of UTI which causes minor discomfort and can be easily treated. Without proper treatment, it may lead to the third and more serious type of UTI which involves infection of the kidneys, known as pyeloniphritis. This type of UTI makes a person experience back pain, high fever and vomiting.
Usually, women are more prone to UTI than men due to the differences in the shape and length of the urethra. Women have shorter urethras compared to men, where the opening is located closer to the rectum and vagina — parts were bacteria are likely to be found.
UTI can also be caused by an abnormality in the structure andor function of the urinary tract. One of the most common functional problems encountered is called vesicoureteral reflux, a condition in which some urine flows backward, or refluxes, from the bladder into the ureters and even up to the kidneys.
UTI is not contagious. However, during sexual intercourse, the bacteria in the vaginal area may be pushed into the urethra and eventually end up in the bladder, where urine provides a good environment for the bacteria to grow. For this reason, women who are sexually active often get UTI. Bacteria can also get through the urethra of women by wiping from back to front after a bowel movement, which can contaminate the urethral opening. The use of contraceptives, such as condoms treated with spermicide and diaphragms, may also increase the risk of getting a urinary tract infection.
Sexually transmitted diseases STD like chlamydia may cause UTI-like symptoms, such as pain during urination due to the inflammation and irritation of the urethra or vagina. Unlike UTI, STDs are contagious and when left untreated, STDs may lead to serious long-term problems which includes pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility.
There are several symptoms associated with UTI. Symptoms of bladder infections include
frequent urination
burning or pain during urination
the feeling of having to pee even though little or no urine actually comes out
pain in the lower abdomen
pain above the pubic bone in women
a full feeling in the rectum in men
bloody or foul-smelling urine
mild fever
a general feeling of shakiness and fatigue
With kidney infections, more serious symptoms involve
high fever
chills
nausea and vomiting
abdominal pain
cloudy or bloody urine
back pain just above the waist
The moment you realize that you have any symptoms of a urinary tract infection, immediately consult your doctor. Ignoring the symptoms will only worsen the condition. Early treatment makes it less uncomfortable and faster to heal.
To prevent urinary tract infections, avoid holding urine for long periods of time. Keep the genital areas clean and dry. Women should wipe from front to back with toilet paper after every urination. Reverse the wiping directions after bowel movements to avoid spreading bacteria from the rectal area to the urethra. Change tampons and pads regularly during menstruation periods. Avoid bubble baths that can cause irritation of the vaginal area. Do not wear nylon underwear or wet swimsuits for long periods of time. Prolonged exposure to moisture in the genital area can cause fungal or bacterial infections. Choose underwear with cotton crotches. Skip using feminine hygiene sprays or douches which can irritate the urethra.
Sexually active people should visit the bathroom both before and within 15 minutes after intercourse. After the sexual intercourse, gently wash the genital area to remove any bacteria. Use a water-soluble lubricant such as K-Y Jelly.
Keep the bladder active and bacteria-free by drinking lots of water everyday. Always bear in mind that urinary tract infections may be uncomfortable and often painful, but it can easily be prevented through proper hygiene.

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Chlamydia Is Killing Your Child

Health References — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 10:57:12 +0000

A recent study has given infertile men new hope of successfully conceiving a child with their partners. The culprit may just be a silent bacterial infection called chlamydia lurking within their bodies. According to Spanish researchers, chlamydia can damage sperm quality, thus causing infertility in men. They presented their findings at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine conference, based on a study done on 143 men infected with the infection. Using a new microscopic analysis technique, samples from the test subjects were analyzed and found to have a level of sperm damage more than three times higher than in healthy men. The sperm damage includes the level of DNA fragmentation, poor sperm concentration, increased levels of shape defects and poor ability to swim quickly.

Chlamydia is a bacterial infection caused by bacterium, Chlamydia trachomatis, and is among the most common sexually transmitted diseases in the world. It is commonly referred to as the silent infection, because about three quarters of infected women and about half of infected men present no symptoms. Those infected with chlamydia often do not feel any symptoms until complications arise from the bacterial infection, occasionally becoming the cause of permanent damage. If symptoms do occur, they can be felt within one to three weeks after infection. In women, its symptoms can range from abdominal pain, abnormal vaginal discharge, bleeding between menstrual periods, cervical or rectal inflammation, low-grade fever, a yellowish discharge from the cervix that may have a foul odor, vaginal bleeding after intercourse, rectal itching, rectal bleeding, painful intercourse, painful urination, and the urge to urinate more than usual. In men, the most commonly reported symptoms are pain or burning feeling while urinating, pus or watery or milky discharge from the penis, swollen or tender testicles, rectal itching, rectal bleeding, and rectal inflammation. All of these symptoms are often disregarded by those who suffer from the disease, or are mistook for other ailments because they are non-specific. This bacterial infection is commonly spread through vaginal, oral, and anal intercourse, but in rare cases may be passed on by a mother to her child through vaginal childbirth.

Chlamydia has already been linked to infertility in women, but this study has conclusively proven using the microscopic analysis that the quality of sperm declines significantly if the male has the bacterial infection. This is an important breakthrough for couples who have been unsuccessful in becoming pregnant, because chlamydia is a treatable disease. Treatment for the bacterial infection is a course of antibiotics. Doxycycline is the usual drug prescribed, with one tablet taken twice a day for a week. The most convenient treatment called azithromycin because you take four tablets at the same time. During the study, 95 out of the 143 men were treated with antibiotics and reassessed after four months. Scientists found that an average of 36 showed a marked improvement in sperm quality, and during that period 13 of the couples got pregnant. After the treatment was finished, 86 of those treated got pregnant.

The significance of the study goes beyond the infertility issue. It is also a wake-up call for many healthcare professionals to increase public awareness about chlamydia amid the rising numbers of people who have this bacterial infection, especially in the 18-25 age group. If this growing trend is unchecked, chlamydia maybe killing those yet to be born.

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