Trachoma is said to have originated particularly in Egypt and Middle East and therefore it is also known as Egyptian Ophthalmia along with other alternative names like Granular Conjunctivitis, War Ophthalmia and Military Ophthalmia. Sometimes it is also generally referred as just Conjunctivitis.

As old as the history itself, Trachoma is prone to every race and community with even disastrous epidemic forms reported. Though, the number of cases has considerably reduced in most of the developed countries, it is not so in major part of developing nations as it is related to poverty and overcrowded conditions.

According to recent reports, trachoma has left nearly 8 million people blind whereas approximately 84 million need treatment. Compared to men, it is more common in children and women (especially in their 40s).

Causes of Trachoma

Trachoma is triggered due to the bacteria known as Chlamydia Trachomatis resulting in irritating eyes and discharge of mucous from the eyes at repeated times. Though it clears up in about a month’s time, it can spread rapidly due to poor hygiene. Other factors that spread the infection from person to person include direct eye contact, nose & throat secretions and using common objects like towel and washcloths.

At times, even insects (like flies) carry the discharge from infected person to a healthy human.

Trachoma Symptoms

Symptoms of trachoma are usually noticed in 5-12 days after exposure to the bacteria starting with the eyelid lining tissue turning red/pink and swollen. Its symptoms are quite similar to ‘pink eye’. If untreated, it can even lead to developments of scars.

Itching and drainage of pus or mucus from the eye are among the first signs of trachoma. After a few days of disease progression, the patient turns sensitive to light or develops photophobia. Individuals also experience blurry vision and pain in the eye.

Some other trachoma symptoms include cloudy cornea, corneal scarring, swollen eyelids and turned-in eyelashes (a condition of trichiasis). Further complications related to ear, throat and nose are also observed.

The symptoms of trachoma in children include white lumps under the upper eye lid’s surface and appearance of follicles at the junction of sclera and cornea. The scars developed on the eyelid result in deformation of the lid such that the lashes rub against the eye. This rubbing gives way to more scars and corneal opacities which can lead to blindness.

The symptoms in children are usually not painful until the adulthood is reached as the disease progresses at a sluggishly.

Trachoma Treatment

An eye examination and laboratory tests are considered necessary to recognize the presence of Chlamydia trachomatis bacteria and thus diagnose the condition trachoma.

Once diagnosed, the various treatment options for trachoma depend on the stage and severity of the condition. For the initial stages, medications are used whereas a surgery becomes mandatory in the advanced stages.

There are no vaccines available for trachoma. However, an early detection treated with antibiotics like erythromycin and doxycycline as these have proved to be effective in the initial stages. These antibiotics work when experiencing symptoms like inflamed cornea and eyelids, light sensitivity and tearing. However, these antibiotics are not effective once the scars develop.

Some other medications for treating trachoma include tetracycline eye ointment and azithromycin (oral). Though, oral azithromycin is more effective, the price too is very high and therefore remains unaffordable to most not-so-rich communities.

When trachoma reaches the later stages an eyelid rotation surgery is required. Also known as bilamellar tarsal rotation surgery, it involves the rotation of eyelashes away from cornea by a small incision made in the scarred lid. This improves the eyesight by limiting the advancement of corneal scars. This simple surgery, lasting for hardly 15 minutes, has high enduring success rates.

If the cornea turns cloudy to the level that can result in blindness then corneal transplantation is needed. Corneal transplantation or Cornea grafting involves the replacement of infected corneas with healthy donor corneas. However, the success rate of corneal transplantation is reportedly low as the corneas can be rejected by the body.

The best way to avoid first time trachoma infection and re-infection is to maintain good sanitary conditions. Hygienic habits like regularly washing the face, reducing fly population, effective sanitation ways and cleaner water not only reduces the risk transmission of trachoma but also keeps it at bay forever.

References:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/trachoma/DS00776/DSECTION=treatments%2Dand%2Ddrugs

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trachoma

Journal of Neuro-Ophthalmology by North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society

To minimize this difficulty, there are two ways of dividing the abdomen. One method involves dividing the abdomen into 9 parts for accurately pointing out the area of any abdominal disorder. Another way is by dividing the abdomen into 4 quadrants by 2 imaginary lines, 1 vertical and 1 horizontal, passing through the navel as lower left, lower right, upper left and upper right.

Here, let us have a look at the causes of lower left and right abdominal pain, various factors linked and the treatment.

Lower Abdominal Pain

Any discomfort or pain that occurs in the abdomen below the naval or the umbilicus is referred as lower abdominal pain. Also referred as suprapubic pain, it is occurs due to various reasons and medical conditions.

Lower abdominal pain in women is more common due to the presence of urine bladder, womb or uterus, upper part of vagina, upper cervix and fallopian tubes.

Lower Abdominal Pain during Pregnancy

Though a lower abdominal pain during pregnancy is caused mostly due to the same causes as in normal women, there are certain conditions that are linked only to pregnancy. Some of these specific and non-specific conditions leading to lower abdominal pain in pregnant women are:

• Acute appendicitis
• Gallbladder disease like cholecystitis or biliary colic
• Infection in the urinary tract
• Duodenal ulcer
• Miscarriage
• Constipation
• Braxton hicks contraction
• Polyhydramnios

Any pain in the abdomen during pregnancy is temporarily relieved by using certain antibiotics that are proven safe for pregnant women.

Abdominal quadrants pictures

Picture 1 : Lower left and right abdominal quadrants (highlighted)

Picture 2 : Lower left and right abdominal quadrants with abdominal organs (highlighted)

Source : wikimedia.org

Picture 3 : Lower right and left abdominal pain area (highlighted)

source : drshailja.com

Causes of Lower Abdominal Pain

The various causes of lower abdominal pain include the following:

• Appendicitis
• Constipation
• IBS
• Infection in the urinary tract
• Diverticulitis
• Ectopic pregnancy
• Menstrual pain
• Cystitis
• Lower ureteric stones
• Polycystic ovarian syndrome
• Fibroids
• Endometrosis
• Intestinal gas
• Celiac disease
• Crohn’s disease
• Bowel cancer
• Womb cancer or fallopian tubes
• Pelvic pain syndrome
• Bowel polyps

Due to this long list of reasons that can cause lower abdominal pain, for better understanding of the patient’s condition and correct diagnosis, any lower abdominal discomfort is divided into lower left abdominal pain and lower right abdominal pain.

The symptoms of lower abdominal pain in combination with other signs are carefully noticed to identify the exact medical disorder leading to the pain.

Lower Left Abdominal Pain

Abdominal pain in the lower left side is more commonly noticed than in the right side. The various organs and structures present in the lower left abdomen include:

• Left ureter
• Left kidney’s lower end
• Sigmoid colon
• In women, left ovary and tube
• Some part of urinary bladder and the descending bowel (large).
• Blood vessels, nerves, muscles and skin that covers the left abdominal wall.

Any disease or disorder in these structures or organs can give rise to lower left abdominal pain.

Causes of Lower Left Abdominal Pain

Some of the common medical disorders that lead to lower left abdominal pain are as follows:

• Bowel cancer diagnosed in the left side of bowel results in severe lower left abdominal pain.
• A swollen aorta resulting in ruptured or leaking abdominal aneurysm.
• Trapped wind.
• Any type of blockage in the bowel leads to abdominal pain. This obstruction can be either partial or total.
• Constipation, both acute and chronic, leads to lower abdominal pain. A pain felt on the lower left side of abdomen indicates that the bowel is affected more on the left side
• Transverse colon volvulus and Sigmoid volvulus causing bowel obstructions.
• Crohn’s Disease.
• Diverticulitis is another common cause of pain in the lower left abdomen.
• Food poisoning could lead to burning lower abdominal pain in 1-48 hrs following a meal involving contaminated food.
• A gut of the bowel pouching out though an irregular opening present in its wall leads to hernia. A hernia on the left side leads to bowel obstruction and thereby a lower left abdominal pain in men.
• Any indemonstrable disorder in the gut’s functioning leads to an irritable bowel. This condition known as IBS or irritable bowel syndrome is among the most common causes of lower left abdominal pain in women.
• Endometriosis results due to presence of a womb tissue on the external side of womb. It causes left abdominal pain in women if the left tube or ovary is affected.
• Lower abdominal pain during pregnancy is usually caused due to ectopic pregnancy.
• Another common reason of abdominal pain in both men and women is the presence of kidney stones and kidney infections.
• Some other conditions that lead to lower back and abdominal pains include ovarian cyst, psoas abscess, rectus sheath hematoma and in some rare cases, henoch-schonlein-purpura.

Lower Right Abdominal Pain

An acute or chronic pain in the lower right quadrant of the abdomen is defined as lower right abdominal pain. This pain usually spreads to the left of backwards not necessarily being confined to the lower right abdomen. The various organs or structures found in the lower right abdomen are given below. Any disorders or illnesses linked to these organs or structures usually result in pain the lower right abdomen.

• Appendix
• Caecum
• Ascending colon (large bowel’s first part)
• Right kidney’s lower part
• Right ovary and fallopian tube
• Right part of womb
• Lower part of liver
• Small intestines
• Blood vessels, nerves, muscles, skin and bones.

Causes of Lower Right Abdominal Pain

Following are some illnesses or medical conditions that lead to pain in the lower right abdomen:

• The most common cause of lower right abdominal pain in the appendicitis. Starting as a dull pain, it later develops into severe abdominal pain on the lower right side.
• Constipation
• Bowel Cancer
• Kidneys stones or stones in ureters on the right side lead to sudden lower right abdominal pain.
• Ectopic pregnancy.
• Bowel telescoping on itself leads to condition similar to bowel obstruction. Usually a common cause of lower right abdominal pain in children.
• Endometriosis causes pain on the right side if the right tube or ovary is affected.
• The pain due to a ruptured ovarian cyst on the right side leads to sudden severe pain on the lower right side of abdomen.
• Ulcerative colitis
• Various other medical conditions that lead to lower right abdominal pain in some cases include lymphoma, diverticulitis (very rare), right sided hernia, merkels diverticulum, mesenteric lymphadenitis, psoas abscess, pelvic inflammatory disease and salpingitis. Apart from these some other conditions are trapped wind, ureteric stone, caecum volvolus, sickle cell disease, twisted ovarian cyst (similar to ruptured ovarian cyst) and torsion of testis.

Treatment for Lower Abdominal Pain

We have seen above that a lower abdominal pain, both left and right, can originate due to various reasons. This is precisely why it is difficult to diagnose or detect the exact reason for the pain. A thorough study of the various symptoms linked to the different medical conditions is necessary and then treating that condition.

To reduce the pain, various painkillers are prescribed until the correct diagnosis, though this can lead to complications in some cases. The other medicines available for abdominal pain relief are actually meant for the symptoms noticed. Any abdominal pain to be treated completely needs the root-cause to be eliminated.

Some of the common medications that provide temporary relief and are used in combination with other drugs include paracetamol, diclofenac, tramadol, cocodamol, codydramol, codeine phosphate, and pethidine and morphine injections.

References:

http://www.medicinenet.com/abdominal_pain/article.htm

http://www.healthline.com/symptomsearch?addterm=Lower%20Abdominal%20Pain

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abdominal_pain

The upper abdomen is located between the lower ribcage margins and the naval. It is further divided into upper left abdomen and lower left abdomen. The upper abdomen covers both the loins side-wise to the center of body and from under the breast-bone to umbilicus.

Upper Abdominal Pain

Any pain in the upper abdomen region is termed as upper abdominal pain. The presence of numerous organs or structures in the upper abdomen makes it difficult to diagnose the actual cause of pain.

Any disorder or medical condition pertaining to these organs or structures can lead to upper abdominal pain. Upper abdominal pain also includes the pain in abdomen due to organs or structures not located in the abdomen.

Upper Abdominal Pain during Pregnancy

Experiencing upper abdominal pain during pregnancy is not unusual as the different physiological and hormonal changes in a pregnant lady increase the risk of conditions that may result in upper abdominal pain.

The various causes of abdominal pain in expected mothers include those mentioned below:

• Miscarriage
• Urinary tract infection
• Constipation, as very commonly seen in pregnant women.
• Gastritis
• Appendicitis
• Ectopic pregnancy
• Fibroid
• Labor pains
• Tumors related to ovaries
• Diabetes keto acidosis.
• Pre-eclampsia of pregnancy

Abdominal quadrants pictures

Picture 1 : Upper left and right abdominal quadrants (highlighted)

Picture 2 : Upper left and right abdominal quadrants with abdominal organs (highlighted)

Source : wikimedia.org

Picture 3 : Upper right and left abdominal pain area (highlighted)

source : drshailja.com

Causes of Upper Abdominal Pain

Upper abdominal pain occurs due to the numerous reasons of which some are mentioned below:

• Liver disease and infections
• Pancreatitis
• Indigestion
• Kidney stones and infections
• Gallbladder disorders
• Gastritis
• Trapped wind
• Spleen infections
• Ureteric stones
• Peptic ulcer
• Angina
• Herpes infection
• Oesophagus spasms
• Disorders related to muscles, skin or bones.
• Heart attack

Similar to a lower abdominal pain, the upper left quadrant abdominal pain too is difficult to diagnose because of the presence of these many disorders related to it. The pain in this area too is divided into upper left abdominal pain and upper right abdominal pain.

The signs of various disorders along with symptoms of upper abdominal pain point towards the cause of the pain.

Upper Left Abdominal Pain

Abdominal pain in the upper left side is felt from the left nipple to the umbilicus. The pain can occur due to any disorders in any of the various organs or structures present in the upper left abdomen which include the following:

• Spleen
• Tail end of pancreas
• Parts of large intestines
• Part of bowel
• Some part of stomach
• Left lower ribs
• Left kidney
• Muscles, skins and bones
• The heart is located just above the upper left abdomen but can be responsible for an upper left abdominal pain.

Causes of Upper Left Abdominal Pain

Few of the medical conditions that give rise to upper left abdominal pain are given below:

• Any injury or infection linked to the spleen causes severe abdominal pain in the upper left side. At times, even a splenic tumor is also the cause for such a pain.
• Bowel cancer which affects the bowel’s left side results in a burning upper abdominal pain.
• Shingles or Herpes Zoster.
• A pain in the upper left abdomen after a meal can be due to contaminated food resulting in food poisoning.
• Usually pancreatitis starts with an upper middle abdominal pain and if the pancreas tail gets affected, then the pain is felt even in the upper left abdomen. Pancreatic cancer is another pancreas disorder that leads to the pain.
• Left Kidney stones and left kidney infection
• Any viral infection in the lower left ribs.
• Stomach ulcer
• Disorders of left side of liver like cyst, tumor or hepatitis too are some common causes of upper left abdominal pain.
• Disease involving left adrenal gland
• A ruptured or leaked abdominal aortic aneurysm
• When the stomach twists upon itself, it results in gastric volvulus causing upper left abdominal pain.
• The other disorders or medical conditions apart from those mentioned above include pneumonia, trapped wind, transverse colon volvulus and heart problems.

Upper Right Abdominal Pain

The pain experienced from the right nipple to the umbilicus level is commonly known as upper right abdominal pain. The organs or structures found in this quadrant are:

• Liver
• Bowel’s upper part
• Right kidney
• Right lungs’ lower part
• Right kidney’s tubes (ureters)
• Right adrenal gland
• Muscles, skin and bones

Any problem related to these organs or structures lead to mild or severe right side abdominal pain. In some cases, the organs not present in the upper right quadrant too lead to pain in that part.

Causes of Upper Right Abdominal Pain

A pain in the upper right side of abdomen is less common. It can initiate due to various medical conditions or disorders of the organs located in the upper right abdomen. Some of these causes are as follows:

• Biliary colic starts a dull to severe pain in the upper right abdomen and is one of the most common causes.
• Another condition quite similar to biliary colic, Cholecystitis, also causes upper abdominal pain on the right side.
• Kidney stones or stones in ureters on the right side leads to abdominal pain in the upper right quadrant. This type of an upper right abdominal pain in men sometimes spreads to the penis tip.
• Inflammation of the right lung’s lower part leading to pneumonia.
• Some other less common causes of abdominal pain in the upper right side are constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, musculoskeletal pain and hepatitis

Treatment for Upper Abdominal Pain

The treatments for both right and left sides of upper abdominal pain are similar and involve diagnosing the actual cause of pain as the first step. Simple pain killers are administered to a patient to provide relief for the time being until the various investigation tests results are out. On an average 50 percent times, the specific reason for upper abdominal pain is not diagnosed correctly.

Medications like acetaminophen, cocodamol, tramadol, morphine injections, pethidine, ibuprofen, and codeine phosphate and morphine sulphate tablet are used along with other drugs to treat upper right abdominal pain.

References:

http://www.medicinenet.com/abdominal_pain/article.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abdominal_pain

http://www.emedicinehealth.com/abdominal_pain_in_adults/article_em.htm

A pain in the right side of abdomen refers to anywhere in the upper right abdomen and lower right abdomen. A right side abdominal pain can often be misleading or confusing as there are several causes with varying severity. Moreover, the presence of numerous organs on the right side of abdomen makes diagnosing the actual cause of pain difficult.

Right side abdominal pain can be dull and constant or it can also be sharp and stabbing. A dull and constant pain is usually accompanied with a burning or tingling sensation. Diagnosing the exact reason for such a pain requires detailed examination of various other factors like duration of the pain, history of other illnesses, the exact location of the pain, severity, type, vomiting and appetite.

An abdominal pain in the right side, or for that matter any abdominal pain, should not be ignored as it can be an indication for other serious health conditions. Some serious illnesses actually cause very mild right side abdominal discomfort while some gentle illnesses can provoke moderate or sometimes severe abdominal pain on the right side.

{image source: ADAM}

Causes of Right Side Abdominal Pain

To determine what causes abdominal pain on the right side, it is necessary to look at the different organs or structures present on the right side of abdomen. Any illness, infection or irritation in these organs can lead to abdominal pain on right side.

Given below is the list of various organs and structures that exist in the right half of the abdomen:

• Appendix
• Liver
• Gallbladder
• Kidney (right)
• Pancreas
• Adrenal gland (right)
• Ureter (right)
• Right part of large intestines
• Duodenum
• Fallopian tube (right)
• In females, right ovary
• Blood vessels
• Muscles
• Skin

Other health disorders or conditions related to various organs or structures too are common causes of right side abdominal pain though not situated in that area. Examples for these could be tumors and the right lung’s lower part. Any kind of infection or illness in the right lung’s lower part is also one of the several right side abdominal pain causes even though it is not counted as a part of the right abdomen. Similarly even tumors could cause right side abdominal disorders.

Signs and Symptoms of Right Side Abdominal Pain

A right side abdominal pain can be caused to any of the different organs present on the right side of abdomen and also some organs or structures not present in that area. Hence, the symptoms associated with any disorders of the various organs like fever, vomiting, nausea, changes in appetite, changes in bowel habits, fluctuating pain and menstrual cycle changes are studied to determine the actual cause for the pain.

These symptoms help in diagnosing the actual cause of pain and thus reducing the need for unnecessary tests. Following are some of the other signs seen in various medical conditions linked to right side abdominal pain symptoms:

Appendicitis:

In fact the most common cause for pain in the right side of abdomen, it is caused due to inflammation of the appendix. It usually starts around the navel moving towards the lower right side of abdomen. The severity can vary from dull to severe pain. Usually seen in individuals of 9 to 40 years of age, appendicitis pain is seen in combination to fever, vomiting, nausea and appetite changes. Constipation or mild diarrhea is also noticed in some cases.

See here for more information on Appendix pain – Symptoms and location

Kidney Stones:

In a condition of kidney stones in the right kidney, a sudden and intense pain is experienced in the right side of abdomen. It starts on the upper right of abdomen and moves towards either the genitals or the navel.

See here for more information on symptoms of kidney pain.

Gallbladder Disease:

A dull or severe pain in the upper right part of abdomen and just below the right side rib cage indicates a gallbladder disorder due to either gallstones or gallbladder inflammation. The pain is experienced similar to waves and usually after meals. Lasting for few hours, it is usually accompanied by vomiting.

Hernia Complications:

Hernia, though not painful by itself, can cause severe right side abdominal pain. The pain usually increases steadily and often followed by nausea and vomiting.

{image source : focosi.altervista.org}

Right Ovary Pain:

The rupture or twisting of ovarian cyst can cause sudden moderate or severe pain in the lower right abdomen. The pain tends to spread downwards to the thighs and is noticed in combination with vomiting and nausea.

Ectopic Pregnancy:

Pregnant women can notice a sudden pain in the lower right abdomen along with vaginal bleeding and dizziness. This is due to the ectopic pregnancy condition and requires an immediate medical care.

Food Poisoning :

A right side abdominal pain can also be caused due to food poisoning. It can be detected by symptoms like dehydration and the presence of respiratory, neurological or cardiac problems along with abdominal pain.

For further information:

Food poisoning causes, signs and symptoms

Food poisoning diagnosis and treatment

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm:

A severe pain in the right abdomen due to tearing of abdominal aorta walls. This is most commonly noticed along with symptoms of a heart disease.

Mesenteric Lymphadenopathy:

Often confused with appendix pain, mesenteric lymphadenopathy is commonly seen in children. The child experiences pain in the lower right abdomen. Enlargement of neck glands and sore throat are the other signs noticed along with the pain. Unlike appendicitis, the child’s appetite remains unchanged.

Constipation, trapped wind, blood in stool and pulled muscle are some of the symptoms seen along with abdominal pain.

Some other less common causes of abdominal pain are those with symptoms concerning disorders of urinary tract, pancreas, liver and heart. Though very rare, symptoms of diseases like colon cancer, ulcerative colitis, infectious colitis and Chron’s disease are noticed along with right side abdominal pain at times.

Treating Abdominal Pain of Right Side

Right side abdominal pain treatment starts by identification of the actual cause of pain. Diagnosing the actual cause of pain is difficult due to the presence of numerous organs in the right side of abdomen. Any abdominal pain in the right side is temporarily subdued by using pain killers until the results of diagnostic tests point a particular disorder.

The actual cause of the pain needs to be determined before proceeding onto the question of how to cure right side abdominal pain. The diagnostic tests include X-rays, MRI, endoscopies, colonoscopy, ultrasound, barium enema, and blood, stool and urine tests.

An abdominal pain persisting for more than 3 days should not be ignored and immediately referred to a doctor. The symptoms of right side abdominal pain play a vital role in diagnosing the cause without tests. Until the diagnosis and treatment of the actual disorder that caused the pain, only pain killers can be used. Once diagnosed, the treatment for the faulty organ or structure is started based on the condition.

References:

Helpforibs

Wikipedia

MayoClinic

Abdominal pains are commonly occurring pains in the left side, right side or the entire abdomen. An average individual experiences this pain at least for once in lifetime. Any pain in the abdomen should not be ignored, especially on the left side.

Abdominal pain on left side can be varying according to the cause. On some occasions it can be dull and at times it is a sharp pain. Some people experience a throbbing pain while for some it is cramp-like.

Left side abdominal pain can be chronic and long-lasting while for some it appears suddenly and may be acute. At times, the left side abdominal pain is followed by nausea and vomiting.

image source : buzzle.com

A pain in the abdomen should not be neglected as this may be a symptom of some other bigger problems. It can be linked to multiple conditions that do not necessarily occur in the abdomen itself though they cause discomfort in abdomen. Some pains may be directly associated with gastrointestinal tract while other abdominal pains, like the one experienced in strep throat, are not directly associated with the tract.

Left Side Abdominal Pain Causes

What causes Left side abdominal pain?

A detailed study is necessary to determine the exact location and cause of left side abdominal pain as there are numerous organs in that area. An abdominal pain can result due to some disorder in any of the following parts situated on the left abdomen:

• stomach
• spleen
• left part of liver
• left kidney
• left half of large intestine
• body and tail of pancreas
• sigmoid colon
• descending colon
• left ureter
• in women – left ovary and fallopian tube
• left adrenal gland
• blood vessels, nerves, muscles and skin

These are the organs that can directly give an abdominal pain in case of any disorder. Apart from these, there are some more organs not found in the left abdomen but they can still cause a pain. These are the heart, left half of diaphragm and left lung’s lower part. In some rare cases, the appendix is situated on the left side instead of the right and this too can result in left sided abdominal pain. However, this condition, Situs Invertus, is uncommon and hence not considered as a major cause for left abdominal pain.

Signs and Symptoms of Left Side Abdominal Pain

Left side abdominal pain symptoms are usually accompanied by signs of other illnesses. The actual cause for an abdominal pain can be determined only by carefully studying the other symptoms experienced in combination. Following is information on usually what causes abdominal pain on left side and the symptoms related with each condition:

• Heartburns – Though the heart isn’t situated in the left abdomen, heartburn can give an abdominal pain.

• Gastritis – An irritation or swelling on the stomach lining.

• Stomach ulcers

• Diverticulitis – The interior wall of colon swells at a certain point forming a pouch. This hampers the easy passage of food. The left side abdominal pain acts as an indicator along with nausea, constipations and bloating in some cases.

• Bowel Obstruction – The intestines are spread across the whole of abdomen and in cases of bowel obstruction severe abdominal pain is observed. This obstruction in fact causes constipation resulting in the pain along with vomiting and loose and watery stool or none at all.

• Kidney Stones – A stone dislodged from the left kidney results in severe left side abdominal pain. Initially a sharp pain is felt in the back side which eventually moves over to the front side. This condition needs immediate attention as it can give rise to infections and can prove to be life-threatening.

• Ulcerative Colitis – One of the most common causes of left side abdominal pain, ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel condition. Sharp pain is felt in the lower left side of abdomen. Other signs include loose stools, weight loss, tiredness, sore muscles and blood in stools.
• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease – This condition is observed only in women. The patient experiences dull and constant stomach pain on the left side. Fever is noticed and in some cases, pain is felt even in the mid-abdomen. This condition can lead to further complications and shouldn’t be ignored.

• Hepatitis – A viral infection, hepatitis, results in a dull pain in the left abdomen. The eye whites turn pale yellow and skin shoes signs of viral hepatitis infection. Dart-tinted urine and nausea are other symptoms associated with the disease. It can be distinguished from a bowel obstruction by the fact that it doesn’t abate even after meals. Timely medical help is needed as this is a dangerous disease and requires avoiding physical contact with others.

image source : nlm.nih.gov

• Digestive Problems – Various digestive problems related to spleen, pancreas or the stomach itself can cause abdominal pain. A burning upper abdominal pain can indicate a bacterial infection caused due to Helicobacter pylori.

• Crohn’s disease – Crohn’s disease is seen in children and causes severe pain on the lower left part of the abdomen.

• Pernicious anemia

• Gallbladder disease resulting in a burning pain on left abdomen.

• Intestinal Parasites or Gastroenteritis – Intestinal parasites result in abdominal pain in children due to swallowing food without proper chewing. Even excessive use of spicy food can result in stomach ache followed by constipation.

Some other causes for abdominal pain on left side are menstrual cramping, pneumonia, uterine fibroids, stomach flu, endometriosis, food allergy, food poisoning, ovarian cysts, hernia and colic.

Treating Abdominal Pain on Left Side

The identification of the cause for abdominal pain is necessary to decide on how to cure left side abdominal pain as there can be various reasons. Since there are so many organs located in the left side of abdomen, most of the times the specific reasons for abdominal pain aren’t found. Generally, left side abdominal pain treatment involves the use of pain killers that provide temporary short term relief.

To completely treat the abdominal pain, the cause should be identified and treated. Various diagnostic tests including ultrasound, X-rays, colonoscopy, barium enema, endoscopy, and blood, urine and stool tests are recommended to determine the associated illness that is the root cause of the left side abdominal pain.

References:

HelpforRibs – Abdominal Pain

Wikipedia – Abdominal Pain

MayoClinic – Abdominal Pain

Ringworm is not to be taken as a form of worm; it is purely an infection of skin referred simply as ringworm (tinea).

Body ringworms :

Jock itch (tinea cruris) -

Infects the groin & the skin adjacent to it.

Nail ringworm (tinea unguium) –

Also called onychomycosis renders the nails opaque, stiffened and brittle. Women using  artificial nails and people suffering from peripheral vascular disease are prone to it.

Scalp ringworm (tinea capitis) -

Caused by fungus Tricophyton tonsurans leads to sores or lesions called keroins on the scalp skin. It affects children mainly due to poor hygiene.

Athlete’s foot (tinea pedis) -

Caused by Trycophyton is spread as painful rashes, peeling and scaling’s on the toes, fingers and spaces betwixt them. Mainly is transmitted by walking or remaining in moist wet areas like that found in showers or bathrooms.

Beard ringworm (tinea barbae) -

Called the “barber’s itch” are lesions on the bearded areas of men and young adolescents. Zoophilic & Antro-pophilic fungi are the one responsible for causing it. In females and young children it is termed as Tinea faciei.

Is Jock Itch Contagious?

Engaging in sexual encounters is the prime reason for the spread of this infection amongst people. Also if one does not care enough to wash their hands after touching, scratching or rubbing the area, then they are responsible for spreading it to others by means of hands shaking, hugging and touching. Also sharing undergarments, swimming costumes, other clothing’s, towels and kerchiefs of the infected person will spread the contagion. Regular visits to activities like swimming and gym open to public is also a potential source of tinea fungus. Thus it is advisable to go in for a shower before and after engaging in such activities.

Jock Itch Causes

What causes jock itch?

• Moistness and persistent warmth of the area of the groin, inner thighs and skin nearby. Fungi thrive well in such appeasing conditions.
• Usually inner wears or undergarments are tight enough to render the specific area covered in sweat for longer periods of time. This leads to development of rashes and irritation due to fungi growth.
• Obesity and people who perspire profusely are vulnerable towards it.
• Sharing clothing of people, using public locker rooms and public swimming pools where molds like Trychophytin & Epidermophyton floccosum thrive can cause the spread of the infection.
• A suppressed immune system due to ailments like HIV/AIDS, diabetes, chemotherapy, hepatitis or due the effect of immunosuppressant makes you vulnerable to the infection.
• Food intolerance, like lactose intolerance, yeast, gluten and fructose sensitivity is equally responsible.
• Heat, humidity and friction can also be the causes of jock itch. In women area underneath the breasts are prone to it.
• Lack of enough blood circulation and insufficient quantity of oxygen in blood are other reasons.
• Yeast called Candila albicans produces abscesses on tip of penis and effects people suffering from diabetes mellitus.

Jock Itch pictures

Jock Itch : Photo 1

Jock Itch : Photo 2

Jock Itch : Photo 3

(Jock Itch images – source : http://atlasdermatologico.com.br)

Jock Itch Symptoms

• The initial simple symptoms of jock itch are of mild recurrent irritations in the areas of inner thighs and groin just where the groin touches the inner thighs skin which soon migrates to burning feelings and abrasions.
• Rashes are ring-shaped about an inch in size, light red or pink in hue in the beginning, and lately develops to be bumpy, dry even filled with pus which might ooze out.
• Extremities may result in discoloration of the affected skin area causing hyperpigmentation (skin darker than normal color) and hypopigmentation (skin lighter than normal color).
• The other signs of jock itch like blisters can be painful and irritating, scalp ringworm will cause small patches without hair developing keroins.
• Ringworm of nail will make them look whitish, delicate and thickened. Tenia pedis results in skin flaking in toes and will be extremely itchy.

Jock Itch Treatment & Cure

Anti fungal medications and jock itch remedies are available to inhibit the growth of infection and eventually curing it. Usually all the ointments contain oxiconazole, terbinafine, naftifine, ciclopirox, econazole nitrate or tolnaftate (Tinactin), micatin and lotrimin, works to prevent the fungus from making ergosterol. This substance does not allow the fungi to build an intact cell membrane and thereby restricts its growth ultimately killing it.

Glucocorticoid steroids are used to sooth itching and in combination of anti-fungal agents they works towards preventing secondary bacterial infections.

If you are wondering how to treat jock itch then here are certain self-care tips to be implemented to render benefits;

• Contrary to common belief use of antibacterial soaps will be of no good, instead use soap consisting of coconut oil essentials.
• Simply washing with plain water is helpful. Apply lot of petroleum based jelly as lubricant to suppress itchy feeling and burning sensation.
• For restoring the natural acid layer of the skin and combating smell, apply a mixture of warm water mixed with lemon juice or apple cedar vinegar.
• Make sure that you wear cotton woven loose clothing like boxers and shorts. Avoid anything too tight which will cause you to sweat.
• Prefer sleeping naked so that affected area has enough room to breathe.
• After strenuous physical activity try to take a bath with plain water to clean sweat and grit.
• Coconut oil mixed with either just 5 drops of olive oil or tea tree oil can be applied as antifungal solutions twice daily.
• Antifungal Jock itch cream, powder or spray can give some relief.

Though jock itch can be a distressing condition for the one who suffers from it, but it is not incurable. Its prognosis is very good and beneficial and once diagnosed it can be promptly treated with OTC medications and home remedies. Major or extreme cases of it can lead to chronic disfiguring or scarring and can be embarrassing, so it is advisable to take action right from the first signs and take proper precautions.

References:

http://www.medicinenet.com/jock_itch/page6.htm#medication

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/jock-itch/DS00490/DSECTION=symptoms

http://www.emedicinehealth.com/jock_itch/page2_em.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tinea_barbae

http://dermatology.about.com/cs/fungalinfections/a/jockitch.htm

People are no longer restricting to just one cartilage pierce on their ear lobes but a many along the cartilage portion of external ears to sport a unique fashion statement. It is more of a gesture to depict your individual fashion style and get a distinctive look out of the normal crowd. Even the guy cartilage piercing is getting popular these days.

To be more precise the piercing of upper portions of external ear is termed as “cartilage piercing” whilst that of the earlobe only is referred simply as “ear piercing”. Generally across the helix, daith, antitragus, tragus, conch or shell and rook and snug are the areas where pierced cartilage is done apart from the ear lobe. Also side and middle parts of the nostrils are subjected to it.

Cartilage Piercing Picture 1 : madmaxtattoo.com

Cartilage piercing is a complicated as compared to simple ear lobe piercing and is prone to higher risks of contacting cartilage piercing infection. Sometimes even bumps or scars can be left if the procedure is not performed properly. Treating cartilage contagions is very difficult as unlike other body parts blood supply to cartilage is lesser in amount. It usually takes 6 times more the time required by any other body piercing to heal completely. In severe cases of infections one might have to take recourse of antibiotic medications. Thus, it is always advisable to anyone who wants to experiment with cartilage piercing to go for some authentic and experienced source.

A wide range of materials are available today which can be used to adorn your new piercing. Most common metals to be used as cartilage piercing earrings are gold, silver, platinum and even stainless steel. Apart from this precious, semi-precious stones, crystal, diamonds studs are equally popular as earrings. Now a day beads and plastic creations are also in demand. The accessory might be in form of studs, hoops, rings, pins, drop dangling stuffs, cuffs etc. The size of the earring is determined by the ability of the ear lobe to hold it for long.

How to pierce your cartilage?

Innumerable methods are present for getting a piercing done, from “Help yourself” to specialized equipment’s like piercing guns or medically sterile needles. Most traditional cartilage piercing procedure is with the help of a sewing needle as the piercing object and a thread to draw through the hole.

This is not a safe means though because of lack of sterilization. It is henceforth advisable to go for fully sterilized piercing needles as using a piercing gun will enhance the risk of acquiring an infection. Guns are invariably used on several customers and may contain infection causing germs.

The basic steps to be followed for doing a piercing are :

• Upon starting the process, wash hands thoroughly with a good anti-bacterial cleanser.

• The piercing should be wetted with water.

• A smooth lather of a few drops of anti-bacterial cleanser is to be applied on the piercing with the help of a cotton bud.

• Make sure that the area to be pierced is free of any acne, and any brittle discharge. If present clean it with a cotton swab.

• The cleanser is to be kept on the piercing for at least 120 seconds before rotating the jewelry to and fro in the cartilage in a gentle motion.

• By doing this the lather will penetrate into the piercing in the cartilage.

• Finally wash the piercing with lots of water and leave it to dry on own. Avoid using a towel for drying.

• A gold or silver accessory can also be used to consummate the piercing so as to minimize the risk of infection.

Cartilage Piercing Healing

As mentioned earlier since the cartilage lack the normal supply of blood, it takes longer time to recuperate on piercings unlike other body parts. Aftercare is very important in preventing an infection and for cartilage piercing heal.

• Healing time ranges from 3-12 months but is more dependent on the magnitude of piercing.
• The area may irritate a bit but avoid touching it with unclean hands. After touching it also make sure to wash hands with antiseptic soaps consisting of chloroxylenol.
• Tea bags as warm bandages can be used to sooth the area.
• Never use hydrogen peroxide, alcohol pads and Betadiene to clean the piercing.
• Diluted tea tree oil can be used by dabbing with cotton for persistent sores.
• For bumps, mix lemon juice with crushed aspirin tablet’s powder and apply 2-3 times a day. This will facilitate the healing process via opening up of the blood vessels.
• Zinc and vitamin C are beneficial too in the healing process.
• If you want to change the jewelry wait until the piercing has recuperated completely.

The cartilage piercing healing stages are divided in two distinctive phases, the initial and the full healing phases. The former is the time when the skin tube or fistula is developed and in the latter phase the fistula gets fully developed and strengthens. The initial healing stage is critical and needs care otherwise scarring may take place. After the completion of the second phase the piercing is completely healed. There is a discharge of lymphatic fluid from the piercing and it serves as an antiseptic for grit and germs. This is not to be taken as pus. Upon formation of a yellowish crust it can be suggested that the piercing has begun to heal.

Cartilage Piercing Infections

A bad cartilage piercing or lack of proper aftercare will definitely lead to infected cartilage piercing. Mostly excruciating pain along with bleeding is common in case of an infection. Redness, bumps, swelling, discharge of pus is not ruled out as well. The most prominent causes of these can be use of unsterilized needles; frequent touching of the area without clean hands, wearing jewelry too tight to limit the flow of blood to the areas pierced rendering them susceptible to a contagion.

Cartilage Piercing Picture 2: imageshack.us

Make sure that the initial piercing is of 14K gold or silver and is lose enough for blood circulation. Diluting your jewelry in solution of alcohol thrice in the first following month of getting the pierce will also keep infections at bay. Also use of anti scarring creams can help you combat against minor infections.

Cartilage Piercing Risks

The risks involved may range from minor to major and it depends on how careful or careless you are. Allergic reactions, perichondritis, traumatization, keloids, scarring, bumps and traumatization are several potential risks involved with it. Allergies may be developed due to nickel in the accessory used; so always wear high quality jewelry. Tearing is possible if one wears dangling earrings during the process of healing only; so avoid it. Piercing the cartilage it self inflicts trauma to the area and renders it sensitive so it’s healing is as it is delayed.

By and large the act of piercing is followed globally but by being cautious and tactful one can avoid making it a painful experience. If you are afraid of trying it straight away then go for non-pierced ear accessories like ear screws, spring hoops, magnetic earrings, stick-on earrings and clip-on as well. Try not to blindly follow people, make sure you are comfortable with jewelry on your ears and can easily start off with a helix piercing. Give adequate time for your first piercing to heal fully before you plunge on to other, otherwise disaster is inevitable.

References:

http://www.streetdirectory.com/travel_guide/61100/jewelry/ear_piercing.html

http://www.essortment.com/lifestyle/earpiercingaft_ttgl.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earring

What is Staph?

Staph (pronounced as ‘Staff’)  is a gram-positive spherical parasitic bacterium. Some of them cause infections or septicemia by forming the irregular colonies.

What Is Staphylococcal (Staph) Infection?

Caused by Staphylococcal bacteria and their toxin production, Staph infection is an irritation of the skin or internal organs. The bacteria generally enter the body with an open cut and it can be life-threatening as well.

Symptoms of Staph Skin Infection

One may get Staph skin infection through the cut or scratch or by skin-to-skin contact with the infected person. It is wise to keep wound clean and dry, to avoid the infections transmission. Symptoms and signs of staph infection in skin can be as listed below:

• Red rashes or blisters with pus
• Skin bumps and eyelid swelling
• Impetigo – the small red blister which gets crust and erode.
• Paronychia – Infected tissue adjacent to nails.
• Cellulitis –Inflammation of body tissues with fever and swelling.
• Staphylococcal scalding skin syndrome -Scaling of skin
• Infected acne
• Staphylococcal lymphangitis -lymphatic vessels infection

Various Types of Staph and their Symptoms:

Staph Mastitis symptoms

Staph mastitis is an inflammation of breast tissues which occur mainly to breastfeeding mothers. The possible time period of its occurrence is within 6 weeks of child’s birth. Symptoms of staph mastitis are:

• Red painful lump in the breast with swelling.
• Itchiness of breast skin and nipple
• Nipple discharge
• Fever
• Lymph nodes close to armpit.

Staph Food Poisoning Symptoms

Staph food poisoning can occur by eating infected food with toxins produced by the bacteria of Staphylococcal. Symptoms of staph food poisoning are:

• Nausea or vomiting within 8 hours of food intake.
• Diarrhea and fever can follow nausea and vomiting sometimes.
• Generally the sickness remains for 1 to 3 days and get cured naturally.

Bacterial Parotitis symptoms

It is an inflammation in the area of parotid gland caused by staph bacteria. Symptoms of Bacterial Parotitis are:

• Pain and swelling beneath the ear.
• Trismus- trouble in opening the mouth
• Dysphagia- trouble in swallowing
• Discharge in the mouth
• Fever with chills

Bacterial Sinusitis Symptoms

The inflammation of in the inner surface of sinuses is called Bacterial Sinusitis.  It is generally caused by the staph bacteria. Symptoms of Bacterial Sinusitis are:

• Aching teeth, head and face
• Cough and nasal blockage
• Greenish to yellowish nasal discharge
• Fever and swelling in face
• Kids may feel confusion and unable to concentrate on studies

While bacterial sinusitis will trouble the patient for more than 10 days; viral sinusitis can get cured naturally in few days.

Staph Vaginitis Symptoms

Symptoms of Staph Vaginitis are:

• Discharge of pus and sometimes with presence of blood
• Odor
• Pain while urinating and at the time of sexual intercourse
• Itchiness

Bacterial Epiglottitis Symptoms

An epiglottis is a tissue flap that covers the larynx and windpipe while swallowing the food. The rare disease of bacterial Epiglottitis is the infection of the epiglottis which can block the air flow to the windpipe.  It is generally seen in children. The symptoms of Bacterial Epiglottitis are:

• Extreme pain in throat especially while swallowing food.
• Painful swallowing
• Excessive flow of saliva
• Difficulty in breathing
• Fever

Symptoms of Bacterial Urinary Infection in Men

Staphylococci bacteria can cause infection in men Urinary system. The main symptoms are buringin and pain during urination with the increased frequency and inability to control the urine for longer time.

Symptoms of Bacterial Prostatits:

• Fever, paining groin, muscles, testicles or lower abdomen along with cloudy urine and sometimes blood in semen.

Kidney and Bladder Infections:

Symptoms of this disease are pain in kidney and bladder with cloudy urine and fever.

Staph Bone Infection (Osteomyelitis) Symptoms

It is an inflammation of bone caused by staph bacteria and there are no clear symptoms of it except affected mobility of limb, pain and sometimes lymph nodes. The infection is likely to get spread to the contiguous joint. If the infection has spread with blood then the swelling and redness is visible.

Life Threatening Staph Infections Symptoms

Staph Pneumonia Symptoms

Staphylococcal bacteria can cause pneumonia especially to the patients who are suffering from lung diseases, venous drug addict or a person with internal prosthetic tool. The symptoms like high fever, chills, increased heartbeats, cough and breathing problem are same as the regular Pneumonia

Bacterial (Staph) Endocarditis Symptoms

Symptoms of Bacterial Endocarditis are:

• Fever
• Weakness with paleness
• Exhaustion, joint pains
• Red nodes on the fingers, Petechiae, red skin spots

Staph Meningitis Symptoms

The bacterium attacks patients with the brain surgery or skin infections.

Symptoms of Staph Meningitis are mild fever, tiredness, headache, lethargy, loss of orientation.

Staph Sepsis

Staph sepsis generally occurs when the staph bacteria enters the blood and can be fatal.

Symptoms of staph sepsis are:

• Sudden fever or hypothermia
• The patient can feel extremely weak and suffer from diarrhea or vomiting and nausea.
• Increased heartbeat and hyperventilation
• Symptoms of other already affected organs become intense.

The other symptoms of sepsis can also be blood clothing, low breathing, and limited urination.

Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infections

Caused by Staphylococci bacteria, Necrotizing means premature death of cells and tissues. However, few other bacteria can also cause this disease.

Symptoms can be a red bump or red spot which gets transferred into painful black patch with the fluid pus. Interestingly, it can develop within an hour. The other general symptoms are similar to sepsis. It does get cured naturally and one needs to visit the doctor to avoid any fatal complications.

Toxic Shock Syndrome

It is a rare but fatal disease caused by staphylococcus bacteria.

Symptoms of toxic shock syndrome are:

• Fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting
• Skin rash and skin peel off
• Muscle pains

References:

http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=staph

http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=5548

http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec23/ch272/ch272f.html

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/staphylococcalinfections.html

Armpit odor, the most common form of body odor is the unpleasant smell that is linked to stale perspiration under the arms. When the perspiration is exposed for some time to the atmosphere, chemical changes take place due to the active bacteria present on the skin’s surface. This can result in odor though initially the perspiration is odorless. Armpit odor is not truly the smell of perspiration as commonly assumed since the sweat secreted by the body is odorless. It is in fact the chemical changes caused by the bacteria while they break down the protein into acids.

An average person has about 3-4 million sweat glands in the body that are responsible for secreting perspiration. These can be classified into two types:

• Eccrine Glands — These glands are the source for most perspiration. They secrete salts and water that reach the skin through coiled ducts or tubes when the nervous system senses the body heat. These glands are responsible for controlling the body temperature. The sweat produced by these glands is high in salt content and thus bacteria find it harder to break down the protein.
• Apocrine Glands — These glands secrete sweat through the hair follicles and are present in large numbers in armpits. The sweat secreted by these glands contains organic substance (fatty substance) also known as sebum. The sweat contains high amount of protein which the bacteria finds easier to break. The breaking down of protein in sweat by the bacteria present on the armpit results in underarm odor. Thus, it can be assumed that the apocrine glands are more responsible for the armpit body odor.

Smelly armpit usually starts being evident when reaching puberty as the apocrine glands begins to develop at the age of 13 to 15. However, even in children, armpit odor is noticed in case of hyperhydrosis.

The only symptom for armpit odor is the unpleasant smell given out by the body.

Causes of Armpit Odor

The bacterial activity of breaking down of proteins into acids exudes foul smell from underarms. More than 30 chemicals were found contributing to body odor, the main one being 3-methyl-2-hexenoic acid.

Let’s have a look at what causes armpit odor:

Sweating is the main cause for body odor as it contains organic substances and the bacteria present on the skin surface start breaking these down into acids. Overactive bacteria present in the underarms causes the odor. Poor hygienic habits result in foul smelling armpits.

Intake of spicy foods involving garlic, onions, curries also result in temporary change in smell. Deficiency of zinc, toxins and cavities along with other dietary imbalances bring alterations in the natural body smell.

Stress and anxiety, at times, result in underarm odor since the body sweats profusely in case of stress.

Armpit odor can be hereditary as family members are generally found to have related smells.

Diseases like kidney or liver illness and diabetes are also among armpit odor causes. Liver patients smell like ammonia in case of armpit odor while diabetics smell similar to a nail polish. Taking strong medicines too affect the body smell at times. Individuals taking drugs and toxins like pericyasine and topiramate also complain about smelly armpits.

Gastrointestinal problems, skin problems, bacterial growth, fungal infection, fever and prolonged intestines too are some of the causes of armpit odor.

Image source : howstuffworks.com

Armpit odor in women is noticed following menopause as excessive sweating is noticed during this period.

Armpit odor in men is stronger as they are more physical in general compared to women.

Personal habits like tobacco, smoking, alcohol and caffeine also cause underarm odor.

Good hygiene involves not just maintaining a clean body but also good clean clothes. Fabrics like cotton can easily absorb foul odors. Non-breathing fabrics cause more sweating and also prevents the perspiration from vaporizing thereby increasing the smell.

Decrease in male hormones’ levels, low blood sugar, weak metabolism and hyperthyroidism too cause foul-smell in perspiration.

Armpit Odor Treatment

Being unbearable at times and a cause of embarrassment, individuals with foul-smelling underarms keep wondering on how to get rid of armpit odor.

Given below are a few armpit odor remedies and ways to minimize the bad smell:

Armpits have the apocrine glands in large numbers causing unpleasant smell on perspiration. To avoid odor, the underarms should be washed regularly with anti-bacterial soap to keep the number of bacteria minimum. Take a shower or bath at least once a day. Warm water is quite effective in killing bacteria present on the skin and thus stop armpit odor.

Armpits should be shaved regularly as the hair prevents evaporation of sweat giving time enough for the bacteria to break the protein into smelly acids.

Deodorants help to eliminate armpit odor by making the skin more acidic. This creates difficulties for bacteria to carry out their activities. Antiperspirants work by blocking the sweat glands and thereby resulting in less perspiration. However, excessive use of deodorants and antiperspirants should be avoided as these can cause breast cancer or prostate cancer.

Natural fibers like cotton, wool and silk allow the skin to breathe and thus helping in quicker evaporation of sweat.

Spicy foods like garlic, curry and also red meat has the potential to turn sweat more unpleasant.

A suitable drug that contains aluminum chloride is prescribed by the doctors to help reduce armpit odor.

Individuals with armpit odors are being treated with Botulinum toxin injections in the armpits. About 12 injections are used in this procedure that is done in about 45 minutes. This toxin helps in reducing perspiration by blocking the signals from the brain to underarm sweat glands.

Most of the cases of unpleasant smelling underarms are related to hygiene. Therefore, cultivating clean habits work almost every time in fighting body odor.  Never hesitate to consult a doctor if the underarm stench persists as the home remedies for armpit odor may not always work.

References:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_odor

http://www.wikihow.com/Eliminate-Body-Odor

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/sweating-and-body-odor/DS00305/DSECTION=causes

Thyroid Stimulating Hormone or TSH or Thyrotropin is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland, a small organ located below the brain and behind the sinus cavities. It is responsible for stimulating the thyroid gland. The TSH levels are measured for diagnosing any thyroid disorders.

The level of thyroid hormones in the blood depends and is controlled by the pituitary gland and the TSH levels. The TSH is secreted by thyrotrope cells in the front pituitary gland which is responsible for regulating the endocrine function of the thyroid gland. The TSH level is directly related to the level of thyroid hormones.

The TSH is responsible for the secretion of the following hormones by the thyroid gland:

• Triiodothyronine or T3
• Thyroxine or T4

Ironically, T3 and T4 restrain the production and secretion of TSH similar to another hormone somatostatin that inhibits TSH production.

Thyroid Gland

The thyroid gland is located at the anterior part of the throat just below the Adam’s apple. This butterfly-shaped gland produces hormones that can affect and regulate nearly every bodily function. Along with these, Triiodothyronine (T3) and Thyroxine (T4) are also necessary for the normal development of the human brain. In case of any thyroid disorders in the early years of a child resulting in insufficient thyroid hormone production, the child may become mentally retarded.

These hormones control various functions of the body including memory, heart rate, cholesterol levels, metabolism and organ function, weight loss or gain, energy levels and skin condition.

Thyroid Gland Disorders

When the thyroid gland is producing less thyroid hormone, the pituitary gland produces increased TSH levels to stimulate the thyroid forcing it to increase its production of thyroid hormones. This condition is called hypothyroidism. Symptoms of hypothyroidism include tiredness, dry skin, slow growth, constipation and delayed pubertal development.

When the thyroid gland produces more thyroid hormone than required, the pituitary gland decreases its level of TSH production so as to decrease the level of thyroid hormones produced by the thyroid. This condition, hyperthyroidism, results in unexpected weight loss, irregular heartbeat, excessive sweating, irritability and nervousness.

TSH Test

Thyroid stimulating hormone test or TSH testing is used to diagnose and observe the treatment of a thyroid disorder and also to help evaluate pituitary gland function.  A TSH test may also be ordered in case of enlarged thyroid gland, hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism. In addition to this, TSH tests are usually done for newborns to check any case of congenital hypothyroidism. Asymptomatic pregnant women are not tested generally but in case of any symptoms of thyroid disorder, the TSH blood levels are checked to detect and evaluate hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism. It is usually done along with other thyroid tests like T4 test, T3 test and thyroid antibodies. This procedure is followed because the TSH is not the secretion of thyroid gland but of pituitary gland. So, if there is some problem with the pituitary gland itself, then the test results may not be of any use.

TSH test is a common blood test used to detect any problems affecting the thyroid gland. Involving a simple procedure, it can provide an accurate TSH level. A blood sample is collected using a special lancet to break the skin and make a lesion on the nick of the finger. A few drops of blood are collected into a special collection device and send for analysis. There’s no need to fast or limit any activity before the test. No special preparations are required for this test. However, some medications may affect test results, so tell the doctor about any drugs that are being taken. Any kind of extreme stress and acute or chronic illness can also affect the TSH test results.

TSH TEST Results

Normal TSH Level

Though the levels of TSH in the blood vary, the normal TSH levels for a newborn are generally 3-20mIU/L and for an adult 0.4-4.5mIU/L.

Normal ranges vary depending on the lab but are usually close to each other. Any value below 0.3mIU/L though is considered as hyperthyroid TSH level.

AACE set the new normal range to 0.3-3.0mIU/L a few years back while some doctors believe that TSH level over 2.0mIU/L is not normal and 3.5mIU/L is a hypothyroid TSH level.

If the TSH level is blood is normal, then the other thyroid tests like T3 test and T4 test are carried out. The thyroid is considered to be functioning normally if the T3 and T4 levels are also normal.

High TSH Level

A high TSH level indicates that the pituitary gland is producing excess amounts of TSH and a disorder of thyroid gland. This condition is called hypothyroidism. TSH levels above 4.0mIU/L are considered high and occur when pituitary gland produces more than normal amounts of TSH as the thyroid does not secrete enough T4 and T3. Hence, the T4 and T3 tests are carried out along with the TSH blood test.

If the TSH levels are high but the T4 and T3 tests show normal levels then it is considered as a case of mild hypothyroidism or sub-clinical hypothyroidism. Patients usually suffer from fatigue and mild depression.

If the T3 and T4 levels drop down considerably with a high TSH level then it is a condition of hypothyroidism. Patient may suffer from memory loss, weakness, fatigue, and difficulty waking up, rough hair and skin, difficulty in losing or gaining weight, intolerance to cold, mood swings, depression, constipation, abnormal menstruation and decreased sex drive.

During pregnancy, the thyroid levels change greatly and hence the hypothyroidism is often diagnosed. TSH levels during pregnancy are also necessarily determined as even sub-clinical hypothyroidism can cause pre-eclampsia, anemia, postpartum hemorrhage, fetal cardiac dysfunction and low birth weight. It even involves high risk of miscarriage or impaired development of brain function of the child.

Low TSH Levels

A low TSH level is an indication of either an overactive thyroid gland or damaged pituitary gland as a result of which it produces less Thyroid-stimulating hormone. This condition is called hyperthyroidism. It can also indicate an under-active thyroid gland which is receiving increased amount of TSH. The standard scale for determining the normal TSH levels vary around the world, but usually a TSH level below 0.3mIU/L is considered as low TSH level.

The T3 and T4 tests may vary even when the TSH test shows low values. If the thyroid hormones tests are normal, then it may be a case of mild hyperthyroidism or sub-clinical hyperthyroidism.

If the T3 and T4 levels are high along with low levels of TSH, then it is an indication of increased hyperthyroidism. The symptoms for these include fatigue, palpitations, insomnia, nervousness, hair loss, muscle weakness, trembling limbs, increased bowel movements and weight loss.

In some cases of low TSH levels, the T3 and T4 tests too show low levels of the thyroid hormones. This interprets a non-thyroidal illness or a rare pituitary hypothyroidism.

If hypothyroidism is left untreated, it can cause myxedema coma, a dangerous condition that may result in loss of normal brain function and even death. Though, this is a rare condition, it is most common in women and aged hypothyroid patients whose thyroid condition is left untreated for a long period. It is commonly noticed during winter months and in extremely cold places.

References:

Clinical Chemistry Principles, Procedures, Correlations – Michael L. Bishop, Edward P. Fody and Larry E. Schoeff

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thyroid-stimulating_hormone

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/low-tsh-levels.html