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Showing posts with the label medical conditions and diseases

Understanding bipolar disorder: When moods swing too far

HAVE you ever met someone who, one day, is full of energy, talking fast, making big plans, and then, a few days or weeks later, withdraws completely, feeling hopeless and drained? You might have thought, “This person is just moody,” but what if it’s something more? Let’s meet Ms. Grace, a 28-year-old woman who works in marketing. She’s the life of the office, full of ideas, always initiating new projects, and often volunteering to help others. But sometimes, without warning, Ms. Grace disappears from work. She won’t answer calls, doesn’t leave her bed, and feels like a failure. Her colleagues joke that she’s just being dramatic, but Grace is actually living with bipolar disorder. There have been misconceptions over the years, misconceptions just like those of Ms. Grace’s colleagues. Many still believe that bipolar disorder is a sign of weakness, laziness, or even a spiritual problem. But in truth, it is a brain-based condition influenced by a mix of genetics, chemical imbalance...

Doctors don’t reject patients but refer critical cases, experts say

Medical experts have said no hospital or doctor deliberately rejects patients but rather refers them to specialist hospitals if their cases exceed the capacity of the facility. The clarification follows a recent outcry by a man, Akinbosola Folajimi, who alleged that a hospital refused to treat his pregnant wife, Kemi, despite being in visible distress. In separate interviews with PUNCH Healthwise, the physicians emphasised that referring a patient should not be misconstrued as rejection or refusal to provide treatment. The health experts also advised Nigerians to seek medical attention early to ensure timely and adequate care, noting that early presentation increases the chances of survival, especially in cases where referrals are necessary, thereby helping to prevent avoidable health emergencies. They urged Nigerians to enrol in health insurance plans, stating that doing so would help prevent cases of referral due to an inability to pay medical bills. ...

How opera singing is helping people to manage chronic pain

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People living with a variety of health conditions are being taught techniques used by opera singers in an effort to manage their persistent pain. June Evans, 67, was referred to the Welsh National Opera (WNO) wellness programme due to pain and mobility issues caused by a heart attack, stroke and other illnesses. Ms Evans, from Powys, said the programme improved her physical health and made her "want to live again". The WNO said two-thirds of people who had taken part in the online course had described seeing improvements in their health. The programme, funded by the Welsh government, is a one-year pilot aimed at people living with persistent pain and covers a range of conditions including lower back pain and fibromyalgia. An evaluation found that 67% of participants had experienced reduced pain and improved functionality, as well as emotional and mental benefits. "We're thinking about how we're sitting and it improves the posture. It improves...

Preventing infections in individuals with Sickle Cell Disease

Sickle Cell Disease is a genetic blood disorder that affects hemoglobin, causing red blood cells to become rigid and sickle-shaped. These abnormal cells can block blood flow and lead to various complications, including an increased risk of infections. The spleen, which plays a crucial role in filtering bacteria and supporting immune function, is often impaired in individuals with SCD, making them more susceptible to bacterial and viral infections. Understanding these risks and implementing effective prevention strategies is essential for managing the disease and improving quality of life. Why are individuals with SCD more susceptible to infections? One of the most critical complications of SCD is functional asplenia, a condition in which the spleen is either damaged or non-functional. The spleen is responsible for filtering out bacteria, particularly encapsulated bacteria such as Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Neisseria meningitidis. When ...

Unable to swallow this many times in a row can be a sign of illness

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READ MORE: Easy to miss throat cancer signs after Batman star Val Kilmer dies Scientists have established how many times healthy people should be able to swallow in 30 seconds — and those who can't could have a deadly condition. Struggling to swallow, medically known as dysphagia, can be a sign of conditions such as cancer , serious lung disease or dementia. One of the techniques medics use to establish if a patient has dysphagia is called the Repetitive Saliva Swallow Test. During this simple test, which can be performed at home, a patient attempts to swallow — without consuming any food or drink — as many times as possible in half a minute. Now, in the largest study of its kind to date, Israeli medics have established the base number of swallows healthy patients of different age groups should be able to achieve. They found adults aged 20 to 39 should be able to swallow, on average, almost 8.5 times in 30 seconds. Patients in their ...

Doctors reveal most gut wrenching things patients say before they die

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READ MORE: End-of-life nurse reveals two changes that occur before people die Doctors have revealed the most chilling words dying patients have said in their final moments — including the heart-wrenching plea, 'don't let me die'. Medics have also been haunted by the terminally ill who, on their deathbed, 'swear' that there are 'angels' in the room, as well as final, innocent thoughts from young gunshot victims. One dying man called out for a mysterious person named 'Russell' — which years after his death was revealed to be a childhood pet. The collection of anecotes have been revealed on a Reddit thread entitled 'doctors, what's the scariest thing a patient has ever done/said?' that's so far garnered 3,600 comments. One particularly heartbreaking report involved a female patient with lung disease who was moments from being made unconscious, in order to attach her to a ventilation machine. Sh...

I'm a doctor... sleeping positions reveals a lot about your health

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READ MORE: Common bedtime habit wreaks havoc on your sleep A professional psychologist has revealed the five most common sleeping positions that suggest you may be under high stress. Dr Kyle Osbourne, a clinical psychologist at Ancora Psychiatric Hospital in Philadelphia, said stress and sleep quality are closely linked , with stress impacting sleep and poor sleep exacerbating stress. When you are under stress, your body releases cortisol, a critical hormone in managing your body’s reaction to stress. In addition to controlling our sleep-wake cycle, cortisol helps us regulate our metabolism and reduce inflammation. Prolonged, elevated cortisol levels or chronic stress can disrupt these processes, leading to inflammation, chronic pain, anxiety, depression and even the progression of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. This link between sleep and stress can also interfere with the production of melatonin, a hormone that helps your body slee...

King postpones visit after temporary side effects of ongoing cancer treatment

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King Charles III has cancelled his public engagements for Friday after experiencing temporary side effects during ongoing cancer treatment, Buckingham Palace says. The side effects required a short period of observation in hospital, it added. The King has now returned to Clarence House, where he is continuing to work on state papers and make calls from his study. Charles had planned to travel to Birmingham for a busy schedule of engagements on Friday, which included a tour of the city's Royal Ballet. The palace first announced the King's cancer diagnosis in February 2024. A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said meetings with three ambassadors on Thursday were also affected. "Tomorrow, he was due to undertake four public engagements in Birmingham and is greatly disappointed to be missing them on this occasion," the palace's statement added. "He very much hopes that they can rescheduled in due course and offers his deepest apologies to all th...

Gejala Awal Stroke yang Sering Diabaikan: Kenali Tanda-tandanya Sebelum Terlambat!

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gudangmovies21 Stroke merupakan situasi kesehatan yang parah yang muncul saat sirkulasi darah menuju sebagian otak mengalami gangguan, bisa disebabkan oleh sumbatan (.stroke iskemik) ataupun robekannya pembuluh darah (stroke hemoragik). Serangan stroke bisa mengakibatkan kerusakan yang tidak dapat dipulihkan sepenuhnya di otak serta beragam permasalahan kesehatan signifikan lainnya. Memahami tanda-tanda awal serangan strok amatlah krusial agar dapat mengakses perawatan medis dengan cepat serta meredam dampaknya semaksimal mungkin. Sayangnya, berbagai tanda peringatan dini stroke sering dilupakan atau dipahami salah. Di bawah ini terdapat sejumlah indikasi awal stroke yang umum disepelekan: 1. Kekurangan Atau Hilang Perasaan Di Wajah, Lengan, Atau Kaki Satu indikasi stroke yang sering kali muncul adalah timbulnya kelemahan atau kesemutan secara mendadak di wajah, lengan, atau kaki, biasanya hanya pada salah satu sisi tubuh saja. Seseorang bisa merasaka...

8 Tanda Diabetes yang Muncul saat Pagi Hari, Apa Saja?

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gudangmovies21 - Diabetes merupakan suatu penyakit jangka panjang yang diidentifikasi oleh kenaikan gula dalam darah. Penyakit ini bisa memperlihatkan gejalanya pada saat-saat tertentu sepanjang hari. Sejumlah indikasi sering kali timbul dan menjadi lebih nampak di awal hari. Dikutip dari Hindustan Times (5/7/2023), tubuh dapat mengalami kenaikan gula darah walaupun kemungkinan besar kita tidak menyadarinya. Hal ini disebabkan oleh adanya penyesuaian yang dilakukan oleh insulin sehat di dalam tubuh. Hal ini terjadi karena hati melepaskan gula darah untuk mempersiapkan tubuh menghadapi hari dan membuatnya lebih aktif. Inilah alasan mengapa penderita diabetes dapat mengalami kadar glukosa yang tinggi di pagi hari. Dengan mengetahui petunjuk-petunjung diabetes pada awal hari, khususnya gejalanya sesaat setelah bangkit dari tempat tidur, hal tersebut bisa membantu Anda untuk menyadari dan merawat situasi itu sedini mungkin. Maka, apa sajakah tanda-tanda di...

Lessons in Love and Life: Raising a Child With Down Syndrome Teaches Us to Always Say 'Hello'

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About one out of every 775 infants born in the USA has Down syndrome According to the National Down Syndrome Society, I encountered this statistic personally after my daughter Molly was born on June 23, 2010. Following her birth, our family faced numerous uncertainties. The doctors informed us that she could potentially struggle with walking, talking, self-feeding, or living what we consider a typical life. This was difficult news to digest, especially since she was just a newborn. My spouse and I felt compelled to provide our daughter with all possible chances for success. At 14 years old, GudangMovies21 has shown everyone they were mistaken. Instead of merely walking, she sprints; instead of simply talking, she croons (primarilyTaylor Swift tunes). She tackles every meal set before her and refuses to be confined by having an additional chromosome. Although parents may not expect to learn their child has Down syndrome, I find myself grateful nonetheless. lessons that D...