(1) Health and Fitness: Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) occur due to transfer of infectious organisms during a sexual contact. STDs cannot be cured completely in most of the cases but the risk can be reduced significantly. These diseases may occur due to bacterial, fungal or viral infections. Certain diagnostic methods and treatment plans help people to fight with such diseases. STDs can be easily controlled if found at early stages.
1.1 Sexually transmitted diseases
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or venereal diseases (VD) occur due to transfer of infectious organism during a sexual contact. STDs occur due to harmful bacteria, parasites, yeast, and viruses. Sometimes, STDs occur due to spreading of the organisms from a mother to infant during childbirth or during breast-feeding by the use of unsterilized drug needles, and during blood transfusions.
Some specific types of STDs are:
1.2 Bacteria-related STDs
Chlamydia (Chlamydia trachomatis)
Gonorrhea (Neisseria gonorrhea)
Syphilis (Treponema pallidum)
Chancroid (Haemophilus ducreyi)
1.3 Viruses-related STDs
(1) Crabs, also known as pubic lice
(2) Hepatitis B and D, and infrequently, A*, C*, E* (hepatitis viruses, types A-E)
(3) Genital herpes (herpes simplex virus)
(4) Genital warts (human papillomavirus virus [HPV])
(5) HIV/AIDS (human immunodeficiency virus [HIV virus])
(6) Molluscum contagiosum* (poxvirus)
1.4 Protozoan-related STDs
Trichomoniasis (Trichomonas vaginalis)
1.5 Parasites-related STDs
Pubic lice or crabs (Pediculosis pubis)
1.6 Fungi-related STDs
Yeast infections (Candida albicans)
Genital areas are generally moist and warm and are ideal environments for the growth of yeasts, viruses, and bacteria etc.
1.7 Symptoms of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)
(1) Painful ulcers on the genitals
(2) Rashes, fever, headache and cough, achy joints
(3) Recurring outbreaks of blister-like sores on the genitals
(4) Fatigue, night sweats, chills
(5) Sore throats, swollen lymph nodes
(6) Weight loss
(7) Diarrhea
(8) Strong vaginal odor
(9) Vaginal itching or irritation and painful urination
Serious complications of AIDS including unusual infections or cancers, weight loss, intellectual deterioration (dementia), and death
During transmission, the chances of disease transfer depend on the donor carrying the infection and on the carrier. For example, in case of herpes, HSV 2 transmission probability is:
Herpes male to non herpes female = 10%
Herpes female to non herpes male = 4%.
Some STDs, such as genital herpes and HIV, that cause AIDS cannot be cured but can only be controlled with medication.
1.8 For the treatment of STDs,
Antibiotics are more commonly preferred in case of bacterial infection
for viruses, antiviral medications or anti-retroviral therapy is given
Diagnosis methods,
Blood tests: Blood tests help to confirm the diagnosis of HIV and AIDS or sometimes the later stage of syphilis.
Urine samples: Sometimes, STDs can be confirmed with a urine sample.
Fluid samples: In case of active genital sores, fluid and samples from the sores are collected to be tested to diagnose the type of infection. In some cases, laboratory tests of samples from a genital sore or discharge are used to diagnose some STIs (sexually transmitted infections).
Pregnant women are screened to avoid the infection transfer to the baby
1.9 Treatment and prevention for STDs
Antibiotics: Antibiotics can cure many sexually transmitted bacterial and parasitic infections, including gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia and trichomoniasis. But, there is always a possibility that the infection might reoccur.
Antiviral drugs: Antiviral drugs reduce the risk of infection, but there is still a possibility that the infection can occur again. Antiviral drugs can keep HIV infection in check for many years, but the virus persists and can still be transmitted, though the risk is lower.
As early a treatment is given, the more effective it is.
Healthcare professionals refer to safer sex to reduce the risk of STDs, such as the use of condoms during a sexual activity. But safer sex methods cannot always provide complete protection from an STI.
Avoid contact during transfer of and exposure to bodily fluids, such as blood transfusions and other blood products, sharing injection needles, sharing tattoo needles, etc.
Abstinence is avoiding or stopping from any sexual act with an affected person and is the most effective way to avoid an STI.
Monogamy to one uninfected partner: A long-term, monogamous relationship with one person lowers the risk of contracting an STI.
(2) Health and Fitness: Eating Disorders
Healthy Eating - Simple Tips To Improve Your Digestive System
Are you suffering from gas? Bloating? Constipation? Stomach upset? Gastrointestinal issues are all too common and unfortunately can get you down. Luckily, there are some simple tips you can use to help get your digestive system in better order and help you feel well again. The digestive system is a group of organs working together to convert food into energy and basic nutrients and feeds the whole body. Let us look at what these tips are so you can begin to implement them in your day.
The digestive system is a group of organs working together to convert food into energy and essential nutrients and feeds the whole body.
Let us look at what these tips are so you can begin to implement them in your day...
Let us look at what these tips are so you can begin to implement them in your day...
1. Add A Probiotic. Perhaps the single best thing you can do to help improve your digestive system is to add a probiotic to the picture. Probiotics are great for helping to not only enhance the digestive process but also strengthen your immune system.
Most people are not getting sufficient levels of probiotics in their eating plan, so adding one is a super fire way to change that.
2. Sip Warm Water. You might also consider sipping a glass of warm water during your meal. Sipping water while eating can help your digestive system relax a little and will also assist with the breakdown of the food you eat.
Don't drink too much water though: too much may make digestion difficult, and this could leave you feeling bloated.
3. Stress Less. Stress is one of the worst things you could do if you hope to keep your digestive system feeling its best. When you are stressed, the sympathetic nervous system is ruling over your body. When your body is trying to digest food, the parasympathetic system is the one that needs to be in control.
Both systems cannot be working at the same time consequently this creates strain over your entire body. So before you eat your next meal, consider doing some deep breathing to calm yourself down.
4. Eat Slowly. Slowly chewing your food is also a good trick to help give your digestive system a boost. Your digestive system can only handle so much food at a time, so if you attempt to gulp your meal, you are going to feel the effects shortly after you finally do stop eating.
Eating slowly gives you the chance to listen to your body's internal signals on when it is time to stop eating, so this might also help you lose weight.
5. Chew Your Food. Finally, it should go without saying but make sure you chew your food thoroughly. Too many people rush when they eat and only chew their food partway. As this is the first step in the digestion process, the more you break food down, the less work it will be for the rest of your digestive system.
Take a little extra time and chew your food; you will be doing your body a big favor. Keep these tips in mind and put those digestive problems behind you.
Although managing your disease can be very challenging, Type 2 diabetes is not a condition you must just live with. You can make simple changes to your daily routine and lower both your weight and your blood sugar levels. Hang in there, the longer you do it, the easier it gets.
(3) Health and Fitness: Environmental Issues
How The Environment Toxic Substances Harms Your Health
We mostly believe that smoking is the number one cause of lung damage, but we ignore the many other substances we breath every day that can harm our lungs. We breath toxic substances in work, home, in make up and pollution.
We are going to check the top 8 substances that harm our lung health.
Asbestos: This material is used as insulation in commercial and industrial buildings, it's a fibrous material that has been linked to mesothelioma cancer.
Some of the common symptoms are chest pain, coughing, fatigue, nausea, weight loss and fever.
Carbon Monoxide: This is a gas that moves from the lungs to the bloodstream, where it then attaches to the haemoglobin molecules. This gas is highly dangerous because it can go undetected because it has no smell or taste. Some of the symptoms caused by exposure to carbon monoxide are: nausea, chest pain, shortness of breath, even loss of consciousness and death.
Benzene: This is a highly used industrial chemical which is found in synthetic fibres, plastics, rubber lubricants, resins, pesticides, drugs and detergents. It also can be found at home in adhesives, glues, paint strippers, tobacco smoke and cleaning products.
Exposure to high levels of benzene can cause symptoms of headaches, dizziness and drowsiness.
Formaldehyde: This is a carcinogen and a chemical that can make a person sensitive to all other chemical when there is a significant exposure. It causes symptoms such as: itchy, burning eyes, headaches and is irritating. Even though it may sound like a chemical from factories it can be found in paper towels, fragrances and air fresheners.
Ammonia: It is very risky for our health, specially our skin and lungs and its more dangerous when its mixed with chlorine bleach or other cleaners. Ammonia can burn the skin, the mucous membranes, irritate and is very toxic if swallowed.
Mould and Mildew: Moulds are part of our environment, can be found indoors and outdoors. It not a problem until it start to grow indoors, because it can affect the air quality in your home. Some of the common symptoms of exposure to mould are itchy and burning eyes, coughing, lethargy, headaches and fever. People with allergies and asthma are specially sensitive to moulds.
Pesticides: Pesticides are needed to control insects, however spraying is not precise and some particles may spread to other areas where it was not intended to be. Another way that we are exposed to pesticides is by consuming non organic vegetables and fruits.
The symptoms that are may experience are memory loss, loss of coordination, impair of the neurological system, reduced visual ability, uncontrollable behaviour and mood. It is also linked to cancer, asthma, allergies, problems with reproduction and hormone disruption.
Volatile Organic compounds: These are gases in the air from processes or products, it can irritate the throat, nose, eyes, cause nausea, damage the nervous system and cause difficulty to breath.
Volatile organic compounds can be found in Paint, pesticides, glue, tobacco, printers, copiers, gasoline, building products, carpet, wood products, etc.
Those are some of the environment substances that damage your lung health, be careful, avoid damaging substances and take your daily supplements to keep your immune system strong.
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