World Hepatitis Day

Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. Clinical depression affects how you feel, think and behave and can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems. Sometimes you may find it difficult  to even lead your daily life and complete your routine chores. Depression requires long-term medical treatment. But don’t get discouraged. Most people with depression feel better with medication, psychotherapy or both.

What causes depression?

Depression usually results from a combination of recent events and other longer-term or personal factors. Here are a few causes:

• Life events – Long-term unemployment, living in an abusive or uncaring relationship, long-term isolation or loneliness, prolonged work stress – are some factors that may lead to depression.
• Family history – Depression can run in families and some people will be at an increased genetic risk.
• Personality – Some people may be more at risk of depression because of their personality, particularly if they tend to worry a lot, have low self-esteem, are perfectionists, are sensitive to personal criticism, or are self-critical and negative.
• Serious medical illness – The stress and worry of coping with a serious illness can lead to depression, especially if you’re dealing with long-term management and/or chronic pain.
• Drug and alcohol use – Drug and alcohol use can both lead to and result from depression. Many people with depression also have drug and alcohol problems.

Symptoms

Although depression may occur only once during your life, people typically have multiple episodes. During these episodes, symptoms occur most of the day, nearly every day and may include:

• Feelings of sadness, tearfulness, emptiness or hopelessness.
• Angry outbursts, irritability or frustration, even over small matters.
• Loss of interest or pleasure in most or all normal activities, such as sex, hobbies or sports.
• Sleep disturbances, including insomnia or sleeping too much.
• Tiredness and lack of energy, so even small tasks take extra effort.
• Reduced appetite and weight loss or increased cravings for food and weight gain.
• Anxiety, agitation or restlessness
• Slowed thinking, speaking or body movements
• Feelings of worthlessness or guilt, fixating on past failures or self-blame.
• Trouble thinking, concentrating, making decisions and remembering things.
• Frequent or recurrent thoughts of death, suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts or suicide.
• Unexplained physical problems, such as back pain or headaches.

Forms of Depression

Here are a few common types of Depression:

1. Psychotic depression occurs when a person has severe depression plus some form of psychosis, such as having disturbing false beliefs or a break with reality (delusions), or hearing or seeing upsetting things that others cannot hear or see (hallucinations).
2. Major depression is when it affects your ability to work, sleep, study, eat, and enjoy life. An episode can occur only once in a person’s lifetime, but more often, a person has several episodes.
3. A person diagnosed with persistent depressive disorder may have episodes of major depression along with periods of less severe symptoms, but symptoms must last for 2 years.
4. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which is characterized by the onset of depression during the winter months, when there is less natural sunlight.
5. Postpartum depression, which is much more serious than the “baby blues” that many women experience after giving birth, when hormonal and physical changes and the new responsibility of caring for a newborn can be overwhelming. It is estimated that 10 to 15 percent of women experience postpartum depression after giving birth.

How to help a loved one suffering from Depression?

Here are a few things to note while helping someone with Depression:

• The symptoms of depression aren’t personal. Depression makes it difficult for a person to connect on a deep emotional level with anyone, even the people they love the most. It’s also common for depressed people to say hurtful things and lash out in anger.
• Hiding the problem won’t help. It doesn’t help anyone involved if you try making excuses, covering up the problem, or lying for a friend or family member who is depressed. This may keep the depressed person from seeking treatment.
• Depression is a serious condition. Don’t underestimate the seriousness of depression. Depression drains a person’s energy, optimism, and motivation. Your depressed loved one can’t just “snap out of it” by sheer force of will.
• Your loved one isn’t lazy. When you’re suffering from depression, just thinking about doing the things that may help you to feel better can seem exhausting or impossible to put into action. Have patience as you encourage your loved one to take the first small steps to recovery.
• You can’t “fix” someone else’s depression. As much as you may want to, you can’t rescue someone from depression nor fix the problem for them. Patience, professional help and patients support helps treat depression.

Can Depression lead to suicide?

Suffering from major depression does increase suicide risk compared to people without depression. The risk of death by suicide may, in part, be related to the severity of the depression.

Depression is treatable

The treatment for depression usually involves a combination of self-help, talking therapies and medicines. The treatment recommended will be based on the type of depression you have. Psychodynamic psychotherapy, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), counselling, interpersonal therapy(IPT) are some therapies commonly used. Please find below link to our Department of Psychiatry for further assistance:

https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/departments/clinicaldepartments/psychiatry.html

Malaria

• It is a disease caused by a parasite that belongs to the plasmodium genus. A certain type of female mosquito called the Anopheles mosquito is a common carrier of this parasite
• Of the four types of malaria, the most common are called falciparum and vivax
• The most common symptoms are fever accompanied by shaking chills and body ache
• Diagnosed by a blood smear or antigen test which look for abnormalities in the blood
• Malaria can cause severe anaemia and  low platelets
• Complicated malaria includes jaundice, renal failure, fits and coma which needs hospitalisation and intensive care monitoring
• Treatment includes antimalarial drugs
• Vivax malaria needs additional treatment for prevention of relapse
• Those who travel to areas where malaria is common should take preventive measures like  prophylaxis along with antimalarial drugs to avoid malaria
• The drugs might cause nausea and vomiting, which in turn may lead to dehydration, so drink plenty of fluids to prevent this
• The spread of malaria can prevented by
  • getting rid of stagnant water since that is where mosquitoes breed
  • using bed screens or nets and mosquito repellents
  • wearing clothing that covers yourself completely to reduce mosquito bites
• Those who are highly susceptible to getting malaria or getting bitten should avoid outdoor activities from dusk to dawn
• Those who experience the symptoms of malaria should visit a doctor immediately as it can be harmful if not treated in time
• Children, pregnant women, the elderly and those who have complications with the liver, kidney or brain should be extra careful if they get malaria and should stay in the hospital as they recover

Dengue Fever

• It is a viral infection usually spread by the Aedes Aegypti mosquito which typically bites early in the morning or at dawn. In Asia, a species commonly called the tiger mosquito is becoming prevalent as a cause of dengue
• These mosquitoes are also known to spread the Chikungunya virus
• Dengue is most common in India after monsoon, but also occurs during the monsoon season
• Common symptoms include fever, body aches, joint pain, and rash
• Unfortunately, there aren’t any drugs available to prevent being affected by the virus
• As it is transmitted by mosquitoes, the use of insect repellents containing a chemical called DEET may be useful
• Avoid wearing perfume and aftershave, and wear light-coloured, loose clothing
• It is diagnosed with a viral polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or antigen antibody test
• Those who get dengue need hydration, rest and paracetamol for the control the fever
• Hospitalisation may also be needed if symptoms include high fever, vomiting, complications like low platelets, bleeding and if the liver and brain are affected
• There is no drug or food that has been proved to raise platelets and talking to a doctor is pertinent

Leptospirosis

• This disease affects both animals and human beings and is caused by a bacteria called Leptospira
• The disease is usually spread through the consumption of contaminated water or by wading in dirty water, usually during floods, with open wounds
• Preliminary symptoms include high fever accompanied by chills, severe headache, muscle ache
• As the disease intensifies, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain with diarrhoea and rashes may develop
• Complications include liver failure, respiratory diseases, kidney damage and even meningitis
• Avoid contact with stagnant rain water as it is likely to be contaminated by animal urine
• Keep all wounds clean and covered to prevent infection
• Avoid walking barefoot
• Avoid swimming in possibly contaminated open water like lakes or the sea
• Timely diagnosis can help in controlling the spread of the disease
• Antibiotics like doxycycline or penicillin should be administered in the early stages of the disease
• If severe symptoms are seen, IV antibiotics may also be required
• It can lead to multi-organ failure and sometimes even death
• Doxycycline is often used for the prevention of dengue during floods in consultation with a doctor

Hepatitis

• It is an inflammation of the liver
• Generally spread by faecal-oral route, meaning that faecal matter from an infected person passes to the mouth of another
• Hepatitis A and E are the most common enterically transmitted viruses, i.e. through the intestines
• Symptoms include high fever with headache, pain in joints and vomiting followed by yellow discolouration of skin and eyes and darkening of urine.
• It also comes with a severe decrease in appetite and nausea
• Ensuring your food is clean is vital to prevent getting hepatitis
• You can also get a vaccine for hepatitis A
• Complete bed rest and a high-calorie diet is compulsory for those who have hepatitis
• Hepatitis E can be fatal during pregnancy

Typhoid

• The disease is caused by bacteria called Salmonella typhi and is highly infectious
• The bacteria are present in human faeces and a healthy person may fall prey to the disease by consuming contaminated food and water
• When the virus is the excreted, flies act as carriers, contaminating food and water
• Those who live in areas prone to contagious diseases, will be safe by getting a vaccination against typhoid
• Once the diagnosis is confirmed by a blood examination, the doctor will prescribe antibiotics
• If symptoms include high fever or complications like abdominal pain and bleeding in stools then hospitalisation and IV antibiotics are needed
• After getting typhoid it is possible to relapse about two weeks after an apparent recovery if not treated properly
• Those who get typhoid can become chronic typhoid carriers, so food handlers must be tested for it as they can transmit the infection to multiple people

Diarrhoea

• It is caused by bacteria or viruses
• Watery liquid stools, abdominal cramps, fever, dehydration are some of the symptoms
• Washing hands often, cooking food thoroughly, and washing vegetables with clean water before cutting them are some of the preventive steps to avoid diarrhoea
• Avoid unpasteurised milk, street food and uncovered food

Dysentery

• It involves the inflammation of intestines
• Some of the symptoms are bloody stools, fever, pain, and diarrhoea
• Caused by a bacteria called Shigella, amoeba, or a parasite called Giardia
• Ensuring proper personal hygiene by washing hands habitually and making sure food and water are clean can help prevent dysentery

Cholera

• Cholera is a deadly disease that spreads excessively during the rainy season
• It is caused by contaminated food and water
• Poor hygienic conditions help the spread of this disease
• It normally spreads in places with poor sanitation facilities
• Severe diarrhoea with watery stools is the most common symptom
• There could also be vomiting with immediate water loss and muscle cramps
• Stool characteristically is large quantity watery similar to rice water leading to severe dehydration and electrolyte imbalance
• Excessive fluid loss can even lead to kidney failure

Common cold and minor flu like illness

• This happens because of  getting drenched in the rain
• Constant sneezing, sore throat and fever are some of the symptoms
• Home remedies can be tried first as it usually resolves on its own
• If the symptoms persist for longer than two to three days a doctor should be consulted
• To prevent getting a cold or flu, dry yourself completely if you are drenched in the rain, avoid AC

Conjunctivitis

• Also called pink eye, it is the infection of the outside of the eyeball and inner eyelid
• Red eyes, watering, sticky discharge from the eyes are seen in pink eye
• It is highly infectious and spreads by sharing clothes and other common objects
• Strict hygiene measures are to be followed as touching a contaminated surface is enough to get it

Monsoon brings along pleasant showers and a cooler climate. However, it also brings along viral infections, bacterial infections, air-borne and water-borne diseases. Fever happens to be one of the most common symptoms in many diseases. This often tends to mislead patients. The number of patients complaining of fever and associated conditions rises sharply in the monsoon.  Doctors recommend that any episode of fever should not be taken lightly and a medical investigation must be done. Avoid self-medicating.

Do you often have these questions?

• What can be the cause of fever?
• Is it a viral infection ?
• Is it a bacterial infection ?
• Are any blood tests needed?

Fever can be caused due to many diseases. It is important to get medical help at the right time to avoid health complications.

What is Fever?

When any bacteria or virus attacks on our body, then our body tries to kill it. When the body increases its temperature for this purpose, it is termed as Fever. Whenever the body temperature increases from normal (98.3), it will be called Fever. Fever may need paracetamol, water sponges or even anti-bacterial medicines to control. You will need medical advice on this.

Common Monsoon diseases:

The troublesome thing is that many monsoon-related illnesses share similar symptoms such as fever and body ache. This makes it difficult to distinguish between different types of diseases. Here are some of the most common underlying causes of fever:

• Viral Fever: An intense fever that lasts for three to five days, accompanied by severe chills and body ache. It typically lasts three to five days and goes away as quickly as it comes. 
• Dengue Fever: A fever that lasts for up to seven days often with a drop and then small resurgence towards the end, plus headache, swollen and painful joints, and then a rash. After the fever, finger and toe joints may swell and start hurting, and some patients report a pin-prick rash over their legs, arms, and torsos.
• Malaria: A short-lasting, recurring fever, accompanied by chills and body ache. The short duration and recurrence of symptoms are what really distinguish malaria from other illnesses. Fever and chills last around five hours at a time but return every second day.
• Typhoid: This disease is transmitted by a bacteria named as ‘Selmonella’, due to which ulcers are formed in the intestine which results in fever. Mixing of sewage water in the drinking water is the main cause of this disease. This disease can happen anytime in the year but it spreads mostly in the monsoon season because of poor sewerage conditions in this season. 

• Chikungunya: Chikungunya is a viral disease transmitted to humans by infected mosquitoes. It causes fever and severe joint pain. Other symptoms include muscle pain, headache, nausea, fatigue, and rash. Joint pain is often debilitating and can vary in duration. There is no cure for the disease. Treatment is focused on relieving the symptoms.
• Seasonal Influenza: Unless a new flu virus is causing infection, infected people otherwise healthy usually have a mild fever accompanied by cough, nasal congestion and body ache that lasts for five days to a week. 
• Leptospirosis: Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that affects humans and animals. It is caused by bacteria of the genus Leptospira. It is spread through direct contact with urine from infected animals or through water, soil or food contaminated with their urine. High fever, headache, bleeding, muscle pain, chills, red eyes, and vomiting are some symptoms.

Missed diagnosis

The symptoms of most mosquito-borne diseases are similar, making diagnosis hard without tests. There are, however, minor differences in symptoms that can help your physician distinguish between the infections, so it’s important for you to explain all your symptoms clearly. A blood test is also highly beneficial for timely and correct diagnosis.

Feel free to consult our team of doctors for high fever or any other medical diagnosis or treatment. Please find below the link for our website:

https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/

The monsoon season has set in full swing and it is raining continuously. As much as you love seeing the rains, this season also brings along its share of health problems. Rains are known to make the climate pleasant, but at the same time proliferate the growth of bacteria, thereby causing diseases. The common victims are children and people with low immunity. So to cherish good health while enjoying the beauty of monsoon, here are some precautions to follow.

Follow Monsoon hygiene

Here are a few monsoon hygiene tips to follow this season:

• Be armed with umbrellas and rainwear to avoid getting wet in the rains and falling sick in monsoon.
• Wash your hands frequently. The monsoon makes the outdoors a breeding ground for bacteria. if you have been out and about in the rains, wash your hands with an antiseptic soap when you come indoors.
• Soak and scrub your wet feet clean and dry them well to avoid fungal infections.
• Take a shower if you get wet, getting drenched in the rains will cause your body temperature to drastically drop which will increase your risk of diseases. A hot shower is the best way to bring your body temperature back to normal and get rid of the germs you may have picked up after getting wet.
• Avoid walking in the rain that makes you prone to a host of viral diseases such as leptospirosis, while also making you more vulnerable to numerous fungal infections at the feet and nails.

Healthy Eating

Here are a few tips of eating healthy this monsoon:

• This monsoon drink only filtered and boiled water, within 24 hours of boiling. In order to keep germ attack at bay, drink lots of herbal tea like ginger tea, lemon tea etc.
• Choose curd over milk. Instead of milk, prefer to have curd or yogurt as it avoids any possibility of bad bacteria entering the body.
• Pay special attention before consuming any fruits and vegetables, especially leafy vegetables, because they play host to many larvae, dust and worms. The best option available is to soak them in salt water for about 10 minutes and then rinse them.

Avoid eating street food due as they can be filled with various germ causing diseases.

• Eat a healthy, balanced diet to keep you fit and other infections at bay.
• Avoid raw vegetables as they contain active bacteria and virus that cause bacterial and viral infections. Instead, opt for steamed salads.
• Avoid eating fried food that is difficult to digest. Also, the highly humid weather in monsoon can cause digestion process to slow down.
• Avoid too much of fish and meat this season. Go for light meat preparations like stew and soups.
• Drink enough water, regardless of your physical activity levels.
• Limit intake of caffeine and tea that dehydrate body fluids.
• Enjoy the monsoon rains the healthy way by eating good food and following certain precautionary measures.

Be mosquito safe!

Monsoon means mosquito activity is at its peak. It may lead to diseases like malaria, dengue or chikungunya too. Here are a few mosquito prevention tips:

1. Dump out any standing water near your home.

Mosquitoes can breed in just 14 days in a minute amount of water in an old flower pot, a rain gutter or bird bath.

2. Keep mosquitoes outside.

Use screens on the windows or air conditioning to keep mosquitoes from slipping in a window. Or if you don’t have screens, consider getting a fine mosquito net to hang over your bed or crib.

3. Use mosquito repellent.

Use safe and effective chemical repellents in your house or while stepping outdoors.

4. Wear light-coloured clothing, especially outdoors.

Apparently, deep colours – like black, deep blue and red – stand out so they attract bugs. Thicker fabrics and looser fits offer more protection than thin clothing that fits tightly.

Follow the above suggestions for a safe and healthy monsoon. In case of any joint pain, rashes or fever consult a doctor immediately. Please find below our website for assistance:

https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/