Different Types of Snake Bites, Signs and Symptoms & General Measures to be followed when Snake Bites

To decide whether or not the bite of snake is poisonous is by looking at fang marks. If fang marks are visible then it is a poisonous snake. The fang mark could be like a needle prick, or rows of teeth marks, or ragged tear at the site of wound.

Three Common Types Of Snakes.

·          Haematotoxic (toxins that effects Blood ex. destroying RBC etc) 

                         Ex. Viper snake 

·         Neurotoxic (toxins that is poisonous to nerve tissue)

                          Ex. Cobra snake 

·         Both haematotoxic and neurotoxic

                         Ex. Krait snake 

Signs of Snake Bite:         

Cobra Snake bite (Neurotoxic): 

 

cobra snake  

 Main Signs:

  · Muscle weakness in the form of falling of the upper eye lid, external paralysis of eye muscles causing double vision, Difficulty in swallowing, difficulty in speaking may occur later leads to complete paralysis.

  ·   Difficulty in coughing or breathing indicates severe poisoning and may not appear 10 hours after the bite, Respiratory paralysis may occur which leads to death.

Additional features:

   ·   Pain at the site of bite, there may be pain also in abdomen as well as diarrhea may occur.

·         Local swelling may also present.

·         Vomiting, hypotension and collapse may also occur.

 

Falling of the upper eye lids after cobra snake bite

Russels viper snake bite (haematotoxic):

Russel viper snake

   ·  Pain and swelling starts almost immediately but may not develop up to 2 hours after the bite.

   ·   Increase in local swelling which may become severe/ massive after 2-3 days with bruising.

    · Vomiting, hypotension and abnormal bleeding from or into any site may occur within 15 minutes. Untreated shock and Hemorrhage may our up to a week after the bite.

    ·  Blister formation around the site and spreading blister suggests a large dose of venom, this may precede to death. Tissue death at site of bite presents often offensive and rotten smell.

  ·         Patient may develop decreased urine output, And subsequently overt renal failure

Swelling after Russels viper snake bite

General Measures to be followed when snake Bites

• According to standard treatment guidelines of India, keep the surroundings quiet; do not move the bitten part. Because the more it is moved faster the poison will spread through the body.
• If the bite is on the foot, the person should not walk at all.
• Wrap the bitten area with a wide bandage or clean cloth to slow the spread of poison. Wind the bandage over the hand or foot, and up the whole arm or leg very still, wrap it tightly but not so tight that it stops the pulse at the wrist or on the top of the foot. If you cannot feel the pulse loosen the bandage a little.
• Then put on splint to prevent the limb from moving. Keep the wounded part below the level of heart.
• Also, ice helps to reduce pain and slow the poison. Wrap the arm or leg with a plastic sheet and thick cloth. The pack crushed ice around it (too much cold can damage the skin. If it gets soo cold it aches, let the person decide when to remove ice for few minutes.
• Transport the person, to nearest centre which has anti snake venom and start on an adequate dose at once. If severe signs of envenomation are present give anti-snake venom (ASV) before one transports the patient further to CHC give paracetamol, not aspirin for pain.
• If respiratory paralysis is imminent (low single breath count) accompany the patient, keeping an Ambu's bag and face mask ready.

  

Ambu's bag

                

[People often believe that all snakes are poisonous. DO NOT KILL NON-POISONOUS SNAKES, because they do no harm. On the contrary, they kill mice and other pests that do a lot of damage. Some even kill poisonous snakes. Even poisonous snakes are not to be killed except in defending ourselves, for they too play a very useful role in nature.]

Foods To Be Avoided In Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism:

Hypothyroidism is a condition in which patients suffers thyroid gland failure, it doesn't produce enough thyroid hormone (Tri-iodothyronine T3, and Thyroxine). This condition is caused by autoimmune thyroiditis, iodine deficiency, enzyme defects, and goitrogens. Levothyroxine is the drug prescribed for hypothyroidism it is a synthetic form of thyroxine, thyroxine function is to stimulate the consumption of oxygen and their by the metabolism of all cells and tissues in the body.

Foods to be avoided in Hypothyroidism

Coffee

Coffee contains caffeine and other compounds, patients taking hypothyroid drug levothyroxine needed to avoid coffee as it interferes with absorption of this drug. At least 1 hour gap between taking levothyroxine tablet and consuming coffee needed to be maintained, barn muffins along with coffee should also be avoided because barn could block the absorption even more than coffee. Also minerals like iron, calcium, zinc supplements also blocks the absorption, most physicians recommend to take levothyroxine medication in empty stomach, not to eat or drink especially coffee for 60 minutes after taking the drug.

Cabbage:

Cabbage is a goitrogenic food (Foods that interfere with thyroid function). It contains high amounts of vitamin.K, vitamin.C, fibers, Glucosinulates which contain sulfur, and nitrogen. These chemical causes reactions which interfere with the production of thyroid hormone. Cabbage depletes the thyroid hormone when taken in high amounts. Cabbage is highly recommended to be avoided in hypothyroid disease.

Soy Foods:

Soy foods are rich in iso-flavanoids which have estrogen like activity and goitrogenic effects (Foods that interfere with thyroid function). Soy iso-flavanoids in high doses can disrupt thyroid function in those with iodine deficient. Although moderate soy consumption is not a problem,If you have any hypothyroid symptoms avoid soy from your diet completely.

Peanuts

Peanuts are goitrogenic food. Though they are enriched with rich health-benefiting nutrients, they are not beneficial for hypothyroid patient. They are little hard to digest in digestive tract. They contain minerals like copper, manganese, potassium, calcium, iron , magnesium, zinc that block the absorption of iodine which is essential ingredient in healthy thyroid function. Replacement of peanuts with almonds and cashews is recommended for patients with hypothyroidism.

Spinach

Spinach is a green leafy vegetable it contains fiber, iron, manganese, calcium, iron, phosphorous, copper and zinc , it is also rich in various fat soluble vitamins though it is known for its high nutritional value, it plays no good in hypothyroid condition. It is one of the gotrogenic food which interferes with thyroid function . Nutritionists recommends it to be avoided if with thyroid disease. Though eating once in a while is not a a problem but eating thrice in a week is a serious issue.

Most Severe Genetic Disorders 

Introduction:

A genetic disorder is due to changes in the human genome or DNA( DNA is a molecule present in human cell which stores information of structure and functions of whole body) DNA is made up of multiple genes. Mutation can be in one gene called as monogenic disorder, or can be in multiple genes called as multifactorial inheritance disorder, or due to gene mutations combined with environmental factors , or changes in whole chromosomes due to damage to it.

Types of genetic disorders:

Monogenetic disorders:

This disorder is caused by a change or mutations in one or two genes. It is again divided in to ''dominant'' and ''recessive''. Example of monogenetic disorders are sickle cell disease, cystic fibrosis, poly-cystic kidney disease. Dominant disease is due to presence of disease gene on one of the two inherited parental chromosomes, so there is 50 percent of chances that the child inherit disease. Example of dominant diseases are huntington's disease .If inherited parental chromosomes both have disease gene so their will be 25 percent chance of child inherit the disease. Example of recessive disease include cystic fibrosis.

Multi-factorial inheritance disorders:

This type of genetic disorders are caused when there is more than one gene involved in the alterations of acting together with environmental factors. The most common multifactorial disorder is type2 diabetes caused in combination of disorder plus environmental factor obesity.

Chromosomal disorder:

This disorders are caused by the deficiency of the genes or structural changes in the chromosomes. Examples of chromosomal disorders are down syndrome, prader-willi syndrome. Chromosomal abnormalities can be numerical abnormalities, when chromosome is missing known as monosomy or has more than two chromosomes known as trisomy as seen in down syndrome, who has three copies of chromosome 21 rather than two copies. Structural abnormalities are other type which can be deletions ,duplication's,trans-locations,inversions rings.

Genetic disorders In humans:

Achondroplasia:

It is a bone growth disorder with disproportionate short stature. It occurs due to alterations in gene FGFR3. It is inherited from parent who has achondroplasia, but most of the cases are not inherited, if inherited it will be as autosomal dominant type. Symptoms include short height (average height of achondroplasia adult is 4 feet 4 inches), short arms and legs, short fingers, a large head with prominent forehead, weak muscle, breathing problems.

Down syndrome:

Down syndrome is a chromosomal condition that is associated with intellectual disability, people with down syndrome has a characteristic facial appearance and low muscle tone in infancy. People with down syndrome may born with a variety of health concerns including heart defects and digestive defects. They also have increased risk of developing celiac disease and vision problems. Down syndrome is caused by having three copies of chromosome 21 which normally has to be two copies. Most of the cases of down syndrome is not inherited, but results because of some abnormalities during the reproductive cell formation.

Thalassemia:

Thalassemia is a inherited blood disorder that occurs when the body does not make enough hemoglobin as a result the RBC doesn't function properly and which leads to decreased oxygen supply to the cells. There are two main types of thalassemia, alpha thalassemia and beta thalassemia. People with thalassemia suffer from anaemia. Other symptoms include bone deformities in the face, growth failure, shortness of breath and yellow skin. It is inherited from diseased parents to children. Disease severity varies from mild to severe. In severe disease conditions bone marrow transplantation's and regular blood transfusions are done. In moderate disease conditions blood transfusion is made once in a while.

Hemophilia:

Hemophilia is a bleeding disorder that slows blood clotting process. Symptoms of this disease include prolonged bleeding after injury or surgery. Their are two types of hemophilia, hemophilia A and hemophilia B, acquired hemophilia. Both Hemophilia A and B have similar signs and symptoms but differentiated with mutations in different genes, Acquired hemophilia is not inherited. Hemophilia A is due to deficiency of Blood clotting factor VIII , Hemophilia B is due to deficiency of blood clotting factor IX

Duchenne:

Duchenne is a rapidly progressive form of muscular dystrophy (degeneration of muscle) primarily effects skeletal muscle. On set of disease is seen in early childhood and worsens with age. It effects mainly boys. It is caused by mutation in gene called DMD gene. Patients with duchenne lack the dystrophin protein in the muscle. Their is a progressive loss of muscle function. It is inherited as X linked recessive fashion. This disease is inherited from parents to children. It is the most degenerative disorder which effects patient's life span.

Seven Most Effective Foods That Help In Reducing  Hypertension

Beet Root:

Beet root has exceptional nutritional value, it is an excellent source of folic acid and very good source of fiber, manganese and potassium. Beet root juice will lower hypertension when consumed as part of normal diet. Make it a habit to drink one glass of beet root juice everyday as recommended by US department of Health and Human approaches, is known to have a positive effect on lowering Blood pressure which is excellent for patients suffering from hypertension. The health benefits of beet root are optimized when it is taken juice forms. A 100g serving of raw beets provides calories 43, protein 2g, Fat 0g ,carbohydrate 10g, fiber 3g.

Apple Juice:

Apples contain quercetin, a powerful antioxidant which plays role in reducing hypertension. quercetin content in apples also provides our cardiovascular system with anti-inflammatory benefits. Total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol both decreased through regular intake of apples. One cup of apple juice during lunch helps in lowering HTN, taken weekly twice has maximum benefits. 

Dark Chocolate:

Studies have shown that consuming a small bar of dark chocolate daily can reduce hypertension in people with mild hypertension. It is also important to choose dark chocolates which consists of 70 percent cocoa powder. Eating about 30 calories a day of dark chocolate, just one tiny square was shown to help lower blood pressure after 18 weeks without weight gain and any side effects according to study published in JAMA(Journal of American Medical Association)

Almonds and Raisins:

Almonds contain good fat and raisins work in the form of a good source of fiber that is very healthy for the body. As recommended by DASH diet (Dietary approaches to stop hypertension) 1/3 cup of almonds ¼ cup of Raisins as a evening snacks at least 4 days a week helps in reducing hypertension. Almonds are good source of many nutrients which are helpful for the development of human nervous system.

Wheat Bread:

Wheat is one of the wholesome food item helps in healthy living.Two slices of wheat bread daily during the lunch will help reduce hypertension. It is more effective when taken along salads which includes half cup of cucumber, half cup of tomato wedges, 1 table spoon of sunflower seeds and one glass of juice of orange or apple. It also help in reducing body fat. Wheat bread also helps in reducing diabetes.

Oat Meal:

Half cup of instant oat meal along with one medium banana and one cup low fat milk daily is regarded as the healthiest breakfast for hypertension patients and also aids in decreasing the  hypertension as recommended by DASH -(Dietary approaches to stop Hypertension), US Department of Health and Human Services.

Orange:

Oranges are rich in bioflavoniods, One of them is hesperidin which is thought to decrease hypertension and other beneficial effects. One orange daily along with the lunch for four weeks showed in the decrease of hypertension in one of the research . Oranges are also rich in vitamin c and it also delivers potassium along with bioflavonoids.

Doctors Say EHRs are safer than paper charts

Doctors Say EHRs are safer than paper charts

Most U.S. physicians believe electronic health records are safer than paper-based medical records, while patients are split over which system is safer, according to a survey conducted by GfK Roper on behalf of EHR provider Practice Fusion, Becker’s Hospital Review reports.

For the physician portion of the survey, 1,220 medical professionals answered an online questionnaire on Oct. 28. For the patient portion of the survey, researchers conducted phone interviews with 1,006 U.S. adults between Oct. 21 and Oct. 23.

The survey found that:

54 percent of physicians believe that EHRs are safer than paper records. Of those, 63 percent cited immediate access to records as the top benefit;

18 percent of physicians believe that paper records are safer than EHRs. Of those, 36 percent cited a lower likelihood of data being breached or stolen as the top benefit;

39 percent of patients believe that EHRs are safer than paper records. Of those, 77 percent cited immediate access to records as the top benefit; and 47 percent of patients believe that paper records are safer than EHRs. Of those, 59 percent cited greater privacy as the top benefit.

Benefits of EHR

Benefits of EHR

Improve quality and convenience of patient care
Increase patient participation in their care
Improve accuracy of diagnoses and health outcomes
Improve care coordination
Increase practice efficiencies and cost savings

Electronic Health Record (EHR)

Electronic Health Record (EHR) 

EHR systems are intended to keep track of a patient's entire health and medical history in a computerized, electronic format. By keeping these potentially vast records in this manner, they are more easily retrievable, and can make a patient's navigation through the healthcare system much safer and more efficient.

MapMyLab portal offers a centralized EHR (Electronic Health Record) system and allows the user to access their health records on demand any time.

Personal Health Record (PHR):

Personal health records, also known as personal medical records (PMRs), are records kept by a patient to make his or her navigation through MapmyLab more efficient.

Unlike electronic medical records (EMRs) kept by some doctors, healthcare facilities and insurance companies, the contents of a PHR are determined by the patient and stored in the manner he or she wishes.

As the Patient Health Records are archived in secure cloud based storage system and be retrieved on demand, there is no loss of information in the event of loss of original test records.