All posts by Sumana Rao

Don't worry about the people in your past; There's a reason they didn't make it to your future.
Myasthenia Gravis or Grave muscle weakness

Myasthenia Gravis or Grave muscle weakness

Another chronic autoimmune neuromuscular condition where the muscles get weaker causing severe fatigue. Myasthenia gravis is a Latin word means “grave muscle weakness”. The disease often goes undiagnosed. For every three people, two women will have this condition.

This condition affects skeletal muscles that are attached to bones. These muscles are responsible for skeletal movement. Like many other autoimmune diseases, this condition also does not have a cure at present. One can control severity of symptoms.

Symptoms: Muscle weakness and fatigue kicks in after physical activity and gets better after a period of rest. Muscles that control eye, eyelid movement, facial expressions, swallowing, chewing, lip movement makes it challenging. One will feel weakness in arms, fingers, legs, neck, eye muscles, drooping of eyelids, blurred vision, swallowing problem, shortness of breath, difficulty in speaking etc.

Stress, extreme heat, too much physical activity, certain medicines (some antibiotics, beta-blockers, quinine etc.), illness could enhance the symptoms.

Treatment: Ice pack test, blood test, repetitive nerve stimulation, CT, MRI, pulmonary function test will help to determine Myasthenia gravis. Based on age and severity of symptoms doctor may prescribe immunosuppressants, monoclonal antibody treatment or immune globulin injections.

Lifestyle changes – eating soft foods, eating small meals several times a day, supports system to hold, walk, using electrical appliances for daily activities to conserve body energy, planning on daily activities to reduce energy consumption and taking rest when it is needed – these lifestyle changes can help to deal with Myasthenia gravis.

References: https://www.everydayhealth.com/

Image credit: Image by Messan Edoh from Pixabay (CC by 0)

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: January 6, 2023
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Thyroid diseases: Grave’s disease And Hashimoto thyroiditis

Thyroid diseases: Grave’s disease And Hashimoto thyroiditis

Thyroid hormones produced in thyroid glands control many of our activities in body, including how fast our heart beats or how fast one can burn calories.

Thyroid diseases mean thyroid cause it to make either too much or too little of the hormone. Depending on the amount of hormone one’s thyroid gland makes, one might feel restless or fatigue or one can lose of gain weight. Women are more likely than men to have this disease especially right after pregnancy or during or after menopause. The two types of thyroid diseases in women are Graves’ disease and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.

Graves’ disease causes the thyroid to produce an excess of thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism). It usually occurs between ages 30 and 50 . It can also occur at any age. It appears seven to eight times more frequently in women then in men. Women who suffer from Grave’s conditions will have a Graves’ ophthalmopathy, which causes bulging, puffy or inflamed eyes and light sensitivity, double vision, and eye pain. If left untreated, Graves’ disease can cause serious problems, including thinning bones and osteoporosis and heart-related problems.

In Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, the immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid. This results in less hormone production from the gland. Underactive thyroid gland called hypothyroidism causes fatigue, tired all the time for no visible reasons, dry skin, puffy face, constipation, feeling depressed, dry thinning hair, hoarse voice, muscle weakness, high LDL cholesterol, slowed metabolism etc.

Treatment: For hypothyroidism, generally hormone pills are given for ret of the life. For hyperthyroidism, blocking thyroid from making additional hormone, surgery to remove most or all the thyroid, beta-blockers treatment to reduce thyroid hormones level.

Reference: https://www.womenshealth.gov/

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Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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Multiple sclerosis (MS)

Multiple sclerosis (MS)

Multiple sclerosis is another auto immune disease that impacts the brain and spinal cord which make up the central nervous system and controls everything that we do. It affects the myelin sheath that covers and protects nerves and interferes with brain signals.

According to national multiple sclerosis society, more women than men are diagnosed with MS. MS affects women two to three times more often than men. Even though there are no reasons attributed, some scientists believe that women are more vulnerable for MS attack due to their body structure, fat content and related to obesity that is linked to body inflammation. Inflammation of body plays a key role in MS. According to findings, a certain brain protein produced in women is more in case of MS women patients compared to men.

Symptoms of MS: When there is an interruption in communication signal it causes numbness, tingling, mood change, fatigue, pain, blurred or double vision, red-green color distortion, blindness in one or both eyes, difficulty in memory and focusing, muscle weakness, difficulty in walking and standing are common symptoms of MS. Severe and worst case is partial or total paralysis of the body.

Treatment: According to National MS Society, although a cure for MS has not yet been discovered, several medications have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) over the past 25 years. These medications modify the disease course by reducing the number of MS relapses and slowing the progression of the disease.

Reference: https://www.nationalmssociety.org/

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Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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Systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus)

Systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus)

Also known as SLE, Systemic lupus erythematosus is the most common type of lupus. It causes widespread inflammation and tissue damage in the affected organs.

The seriousness of Lupus can range from mild to life-threatening. It can be treated by a doctor. Out of ten, nine people affected by lupus are women.

Causes of lupus are unknown. It could be due to environmental, genetic, and hormonal factors.

Symptoms: Fatigue, skin rashes, fevers, pain or swelling in the joints. Flare and remission are common. Sun sensitivity, hair loss, fever, oral ulcers, arthritis, lung and heart problem, kidney problem, seizures, abnormalities in blood and immunological abnormalities. It can limit a person’s mental, physical, and social functioning. Fatigue is the most common symptom that negative affects the quality of life of lupus patient.

Early diagnosis and treatments can help reduce damage on the body. It helps to improve quality of life. Late diagnosis and poor lifestyle increase damaging effects of lupus and could lead to death.

Reference: www.cdc.gov

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Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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Women Health: Six Common Autoimmune Conditions In Women

Women Health: Six Common Autoimmune Conditions In Women

Autoimmune diseases are gender biased too! Compared to men number of women who are likely to be affected by autoimmune disease are more. It is estimated that 80% of the autoimmune diseases are in women causing disability in young girls and, death and disability of those over age 65. This could be due to fluctuation in women hormonal level and childbearing years etc. In addition, diet, environmental factors, stress in life are also responsible for evoking autoimmune response in women’s body.

An autoimmune disease is a condition where our own immune system mistakenly attacks our own body. Instead of guarding and protecting body from germs like bacteria and viruses, immune system attacks mistakes part of the body like skin, organ, tissue, cells, or joint as foreign invader. In the process it releases proteins called autoantibodies and attacks healthy cells.

In the past 30 years, rate of autoimmune diseases has been steadily climbing. There are more than 100 autoimmune diseases are known. Some conditions are mild, and some are severe life threatening.

Why women exhibit autoimmune disease more than men? There is no proper explanation for autoimmune diseases – apart from hormones and other factors explained above, some researchers believe that it could be due to complexity of women’s immune system. In women there is a stronger response to inflammation compared to men. Other theory is that fetal cells left behind may be the culprit behind the development of certain autoimmune conditions. It is important to understand and note the symptoms of any conditions. How long the symptoms lost, what is the body reaction and when to see a specialist – these things matters when we feel there is something going on in our body for longtime.

The six common autoimmune conditions in women are explained in next few slides. Some symptoms might be common for all conditions.

Image credit: Photo by Rashid khreiss on Unsplash (CC by 0)

Systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus) : Read more

Systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus)

Multiple sclerosis (MS) : Read more

Multiple sclerosis (MS)

Thyroid diseases: Grave’s disease And Hashimoto thyroiditis : Read more

Thyroid diseases: Grave’s disease And Hashimoto thyroiditis

Myasthenia Gravis or Grave muscle weakness :  Read more

Myasthenia Gravis or Grave muscle weakness

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) : Read more

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

Psoriasis chronic condition : Read more

Psoriasis chronic condition
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Covid Flu RSV Tripledemic

Tripledemic – Surge In Covid-19, FLU And RSV During Holiday Season

All the recent health data showing a surge in trio viruses spreading in the world. Covid, influenza and Respiratory syncytial viruses are causing health issues throughout the world. All the three viruses are spreading and circulating fast. In a recent media briefing CDC’s Director Rochelle Walensky has warned about the surge in the three viruses.

Is it tripledemic?

In the medical world, experts are calling this condition tripledemic. All the three conditions exhibit similar symptoms and hard to differentiate. Sometimes the symptom could look like common cold.

Experts are worried about rebound of Covid-19 especially in China. Meanwhile the cases of other two are also higher when compared to previous years.

It is essential to understand if a person falls sick with covid, RSV, Flu or simple cold.

  1. Covid-19, RSV and Flu – all three-share characteristic respiratory infections symptoms. This could affect throat, lung, airways, and nasal passage.
  2. Flu and Covid-19 have some of the common or overlapping symptoms – fever, cough, trouble breathing, tiredness, headache, sore throat, nausea, and vomiting, running nose.
  3. Both flu and Covid-19 show diarrhea symptoms too.
  4. Flu generally shows symptoms of body aches and fever. One of the distinctive signs of the flu is high fever (could reach 103 or 104 F). Along with fever, chills, fatigue, and headache there could be nausea and vomiting symptoms. Children could also suffer from dehydration, pneumonia, ear infection, inflammation of brain or heart tissues.
  5. Long covid – Covid symptoms take longer to show up when compared to flu and common cold. Apart from cough, headache, shortness of breath additional symptoms is loss of taste or smell, diarrhea and fatigue.
  6. The overlapping symptoms of three viral infection – cough, fever, congestion, cold with running nose or stuffy nose.  
  7. RSV symptoms include – fever, cough, breathing issues, wheezing, tiredness and stuffy nose, flaring nostrils, lack of appetite in both children and adults. RSV is infection is more common in toddlers and adults with compromised immune systems. And this year RSV cases are more so that the hospitals are seeing babies, toddlers and adults with RSV.

How to differentiate between Covid, flu or RSV?

“Because multiple respiratory viruses are co-circulating, many with similar symptoms, testing is important to determine the appropriate treatment,” the CDC continued. Submitting sample for any or all of the three tests will help to answer the question. If a person does not have any of the three conditions, then could be suffering from common cold.

How to prevent tripledemic and keep curve flat?

Practice hygiene as it was recommended during Covid-19 pandemic and same applies to flu and RSV. Both Covid-19 and Flu vaccinations are available for all. To stop spreading RSV just practicing hygiene, taking rest, and keeping body hydrated helps. Don’t forget to wear masks whenever you step out and join a group. Those whose body is immune compromised must be extra careful and all possible preventative measurements to stop allowing trio viruses that could harm the body.

References:

https://www.dailycal.org/

https://news.northeastern.edu/

https://abc7ny.com/

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Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: December 23, 2022
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Sleepwalk in children

Does Your Child Sleepwalk ?

Sleepwalking is a problem that parents face with young children. Typically, after sleepwalking happens after 2-3 hours of sleep. Child will get out of the bed and walk in the house or might visit siblings or parents’ bedroom. There are instances where child would open the front door to step out.

Sleepwalk also known as sleep terror. It is a disorder condition sometimes need medical help. Child might remember the walk sometime. Many times, incident might not be registered in the mind of the child.  If the sleepwalk happens after a bad dream, child might be able to remember the walk once they get up. Sleepwalk could last for few minutes to an hour in most cases.

Reasons for sleepwalking:

If a child is anxious before going to bed or experienced an unhappy day, then it could lead to sleepwalk. Children who are aged between one to eight years sleepwalk more than other kids.

During sleepwalk,  child might sit on the bed, get out of the bed, and walk around simply or might start to look for something. They may carry the backpack, try to get dressed, comb hair – all without any expression and if you call the name, child might not revert.  For those who does not know that child is sleepwalking, it might look like purposeful act. Most kids will not remember what happened previous night when you ask. Younger kids might wet bed before sleepwalking.

What causes sleepwalk?

Sleep walking is hereditary and could run in the families. Common reasons for child’s sleepwalk:

  1. Lack of sleep
  2. Fatigue
  3. Stress, anxiety, and tiredness
  4. Fights in the family that disturbs mind
  5. Fights with siblings
  6. Illness
  7. Not urinating before bed and going to bed with full bladder
  8. Medicines
  9. Noise, light and change of scene or new environment
  10. Watching scary movie before bed or in the day
  11. Sacred to sleep alone and away from parents and sibling

How to address sleepwalk in children? If you see your child sleepwalk

  1. Stay calm and just follow the child to make sure child is safe. Do not touch or disturb.
  2. If you know your child sleepwalks, make sure front door is locked and install gate on staircases.
  3. Close and shut windows that can be easily accessible to go on roof or next building.
  4. If  you have a open tank or well – close it.
  5. Do not try to wake up the child. Try gently to pursue child to go back to bed. If you shout, child might get scared, and it could lead to disturbed sleep.
  6. Use calm and whispering voice – do not make loud sound. Assure child that he or she is safe and sooth the child till it gets back to bed.
  7. If you have guests, babysitters, nanny or caregivers, inform them about your children sleepwalk. Tell them not to touch the child or not to talk.
  8. Make sure everyday child goes to the bed same time.
  9. Close the curtain, blinds and let the room get dark so that child will not have trouble to sleep. Remove TV, stereo and take away the smart phones from child’s room.
  10. Tell child to use bathroom and empty bladder before going to bed.
  11. Do not give any caffeinated drink or soda, chocolates  to child before bedtime.
  12. Let the daily activities become a routine and keep regular, predictable activity. Consistency in the behavior and routine brings sleep.  Children must get enough, recommended hours of sleep for children -Toddler (1-2 years old) 11-14 hours Preschool (3-5 years old) 10-13 hours :School age (6-12 years old) 9-12 hours :Teen (13-18 years old) 8-10 hours

If the sleepwalk increases and happens two to three times a week, if child has fatigue, if child opens the door and walks out, does not comeback to normalcy by morning – contact doctor and seek advice.  Do not neglect the sleepwalk of your child. If neglected, it could lead to major problem and adult insomnia that will have huge impact on not only physical health, also mental health of the child.

Image curtesy: https://pixabay.com/users/burningwell-27/ (Free for commercial use)

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: December 16, 2022
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Patchouli benefits

Benefits of Most Loved Musky Patchouli Plant

One oil that is linked to Hippies in 1960s is Patchouli oil. Patchouli oil used to be the choice of hippies. Hippies were using patchouli to masks the scent of Marijuana and simply exhibit earthy scent around them.  Unlike the other perfumes’ patchouli oil was choice of hippies for its authentic straight from the earth scent!

What is Patchouli?  Patchouli belongs to Mint family and exhibits unique earthy, musky signature scent. Botanical name for the plant is Pogostemon cablin. It is perennial herb with fragrant leaves, white flowers with purple marks. Oil extracted and distilled from the plant is popular for its applications. It is one of the most admired, desired plant of yogis and sages due to its calming, relaxing and unique fragrance.

Did you know European traders used to exchange Pathcouli for gold?!

Patchouli plant and its oil has several health benefits.

The chemical components of the plant contribute to patchouli oil’s peace-inducing effect. For this reason, it is also used in cosmetics, massage and in home purifying products. The chemicals found in Patchouli are: Patchoulol, α-Patchoulene, β-Patchoulene, α-Guaiene, Pogostol, Norpatchoulenol, Seychellene, and Caryophyllene. α-Guaiene is responsible for its spicy and earthy fragrance.

In traditional medicines and home remedies, it is an ingredient to treat inflammations of skin and scars. It was also used for protecting silk from moths.

Patchouli essential oil is commonly used in Aromatherapy, Industrial products, Insect repellant and in Perfumes

Health benefits of patchouli are as follows:

Patchouli essential oil combined with carrier oil such as sweet almond, jojoba oil is used for treating:

  • Acne
  • Athletes foot
  • Dandruff
  • Skin inflammation
  • Eczema, dryness
  • Healing burns and wounds
  • Insomnia
  • Fatigue
  • It is an astringent and stimulates nerve, muscle and skin constrictions.  It also helps in minimizing skin aging.
  • Cure for hair loss
  • Body odor
  • Sedative for allergic reactions
  • Essential oil is used in insect repellents, essences, diffuser, vaporizer and bath soaps.
  • It is used in massage therapy, as an antidepressant, aphrodisiac and astringent.

Growing patchouli plant in the garden is good for other flowering plants and vegetables. It not only repels insects, also acts as an anti-fungal agent!

If you like patchouli try growing patchouli in your garden. Growing patchouli is easy. It can be grown as both indoor and outdoor plant. It grows well in partially shaded area.

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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