BLOOD CLOTS IN THE BRAIN

Of late I was getting severe head ache during work on computers. I changed spectacles to suit the distance between the screen and my eyes. In spite of it I continued to get pain. Then I consulted a Physician and he referred to my MRI scan taken two years back. He said that I have blood clots and consequently the blood circulation in my brain is reduced. To remove the blood clot he has given some medicine to be taken for the next 60 days.

I understand that the blood clot can be caused by various factors. Any head injury will cause leak of blood from brain to the inside of the skull. Blood clot arises in that spot as a natural healing process. It blocks flow of blood in the artery. Consequently the cells surrounding the blood clot starve for oxygen and nutrition and subsequently die. The neurons in that spot stop functioning. This will affect various body parts. The resulting development will be head ache and stroke.

A CHIMPANZEE BRAIN

The surrounding area of a blood clot will start accumulation of carbon dioxide, and cellular waste. This will cause death to the cells in the surrounding area. Some blood clot formed elsewhere in the body may travel to the brain and stay put causing damage to the brain.

At times the arteries in the brain may start hardening and reduce the cross section. Naturally blood flow in that area gets blocked and gives way to tearing. At that time a blood clot is formed giving rise to all the problems mentioned above.

In severe cases of blood clot in the brain the following symptoms may be noticed. Severe head ache, difficulties in speaking , confusion, change in personality, dizziness, depression, loss of coordination, seizures, paralysis and ischemic attack.

Anti-coagulants such as aspirin is used to dissolve blood clot. An MRI/CT scan will give the correct status of the condition of the brain.

BODY ITCH

Several years back we had been to Coimbatore to attend a marriage. We were sheltered in an unused bungalow. In the toilet closet hundreds of cockroaches used to emerge while using the same. 

After this event my wife started suffering from itch all over her body. We consulted two skin doctors and followed their instructions. But no relief. So I decided to read all details in medical books in itch. I am sharing my knowledge with you.

Inching is a sensation which produces involuntary desire to scratch instantaneously. It is unlike the sensation arising out of pain. In the latter case the immediate reaction is to withdraw instantly.

A man scratching his back

Nerve fibers for both itch and pain originate from skin. Scratching is the desired action to get rid of itch. Most people feel scratching as pleasurable. Sensation of itch can be eliminated by several painful sensations such as rubbing, scratching, chemical ointments and electric shock. 

Causes:

Allergic reaction due to contact with specific chemicals, body louse found in substandard living condition, head lice, mosquito bites and dry skin are most causes. Diabetes causing high blood sugar over a long period, over activity of parathyroid glands, iron deficiency, internal cancer, menopause, thyroid illness are also the causes contributing to itch.

Itch originating  in the skin is known as pruritoceptive which can be induced by various stimuli such as mechanical, thermal, chemical and electrical stimulation. Itch receptors are found only on the top of two skin layers.

Swimere's itch

Neuropathic itch can originate at any point as a result of damage of the nervous system. Itch induced centrally without neural damage is due to accumulation of chemicals.

Itch is also associated with psychiatric disorders such as hallucinations, delusions and obsessive compulsory disorders.

HEADACHES

I had severe head ache for the past six months. While working on desktop computers I used to work without spectacles. My spectacles was designed for book reading and distant vision. In the course of time soon after working on computer without glasses I used to get severe pain in the head. I have got  spectacles suitable for working on computer.  It is giving good relief.

A head ache is pain anywhere in the head and neck. Brain itself is not the cause of head ache. There are no pain receptors in the brain. Pain is caused by disturbances in the pain sensitive areas around the brain. 

A WOMAN WITH SEVERE HEADACHE

Nine areas in the head and neck have pain sensitive structures. The thin coverage below skin called periosteum on the skull, muscles, nerves, arteries, veins, eyes, ears, and mucus membranes have all pain sensitive structures. 

Causes for head ache includes fatigue, sleep deprivation, tension, medication, viral infection, common cold, head injury, very cold beverages, dental and sinus issues.

AN AD TO PROMOTE HEADACHE MEDICIN

Head ache is harmless in most of the cases but in certain cases it may be life threatening. Neurological examination will decide the cause as serious or not. There are two types of head ache, primary and secondary. Primary head ache are benign and recurrent. They are not caused by any disease in the body. The primary headache may be coming daily but is not dangerous.

Migraines type of headache exhibits with pulsing pain, nausea, photophobia and phonophobia.  They are considered to be caused by dysfunction of nerves in the brain. Tension type headache is non-pulsing band like pressure applied on both sides of the head. They are caused by activation of peripheral nerves in the head.

Among secondary headaches, stiff neck, bleeding inside the brain, brain tumour, inflammatory disease of arteries, pain around any eye and increased pressure in eyeball are most common.  

A NINETEENTH CENTURY PICTURE OF A MAN WITH SEVERE HEAD ACKHE

Most headaches are diagnosed by clinical history. If the symptoms described by the patient is found to be dangerous further testing should be conducted. If a patient tells that he has severe headache for the first time it calls for further tests such as neuroimaging.  

FOOD POISONING

A few years back during my travel to Delhi I took some puris in railway junction. After a few hours from the start of journey back to Chennai I started having frequent loose motion followed with severe fever. I could escape from this disease only after 2 days when I took medicine from a doctor.

Foodborne disease is commonly called as food poisoning. Food contaminated by pathogenic bacteria, viruses or parasites are the main source of causing food poisoning. Chemicals, natural toxins such as poisonous mushrooms may also cause food poisoning.

POORLY STORED REFRIGERATOR

The incubation period (the time duration from infection to symptom on the body manifest) may be from an hour to a few days. Symptoms may be fever, ache, vomiting and diarrhoea.

When contaminated food is removed by a lot of vomiting the disease may continue because microbes might have entered the cells lining intestine and multiply. Some type microbes may stay in the intestine producing toxin which is absorbed into the blood stream and invade deeper body tissues.

Foodborne illnesses are caused by poor handling and preparation of food materials, poor storage and contamination of pesticide or medicines.  Bacteria are the main cause of foodborne diseases. 70% of foodborne diseases are caused by bacteria from animal waste materials, decaying food.

BACTERIA

Many forms of food contamination can be avoided by hand washing, proper storage and maintaining cooking temperature. Freezing and refrigeration virtually prevents growth of bacteria. Heating the food kills parasites, viruses, most bacteria.

Viral infection makes up to one third of all foodborne diseases. Certain viruses have the ability to penetrate liver beyond stomach and intestine. These viruses are found in fresh-cut animals with fecal contamination.

Toxin exist in plant food material. For example capsaicin in chilli pepper, sulphur compounds in garlic and onion, certain mushrooms  can cause illness when they are consumed beyond limits.

FISH IN FREEZER

ANGIOPLASTY

Angioplasty is non-surgical process used to treat narrowed coronary arteries in patients with coronary disease. The narrowed arteries are caused by deposit of cholesterol plaque. PCI (percutaneous coronary intervention) other name for angioplasty is conducted by Interventional cardiologist. 

During PCI the cardiologist feeds a deflated balloon on a catheter sent through femoral artery or radial artery up to the point of block in the heart. Feeding of catheter is guided by X-ray imaging. At the site of block the balloon is inflated to open a passage in the artery to allow the blood to flow. A stent is placed at the site of block to retain a permanent passage for the blood to flow.

 

PERCUTANEOUS CORONARY INTERVENTION

Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting, shortly known as CABG, is the alternative method of treating arteries with blocks. In this method a blood vessel from the patient’s body is taken out and grafted over the heart bypassing the narrowed artery. This method is prone to risk of stroke. All the same CABG is found to be better than PCI in reducing death rate.

PCI is not very much beneficial with patients with stable heart diseases. However with unstable heart disease it is benevolent. Though PCI has a number of risks there is no procedural complication.

The patient is usually awake during the operation. If the patient feels discomfort at any stage the surgeon changes his method. The insertion point is near groin. Due to some bruises near the insertion point discharge from hospital may be delayed.  

Coronary stenting provides a mechanical frame work that holds the artery wall open preventing blockage of artery.  Drug eluting stents have capacity to supply certain drugs which will prevent blockage over a period of time.

In US hospitals PCI operation has reduced from 773,999 to 560,500 during last year..