Wednesday, November 9, 2011

What is Granulomatosis ?

Granulomatosis is a rare disease that causes inflammation of blood vessels (vasculitis) in the upper respiratory tract (nose, sinuses and ears), lungs and kidneys; characterized by the formation of lumps called granulomas. Other body parts can also be affected, and at nearly half the cases were arthritis (joint inflammation). This disease can also be the eyes and skin.

Pulmonary granulomatosis Wegener's granulomatosis is that only the nasal passages, respiratory tract and lungs. In these circumstances, the blood vessels of the lungs become inflamed and found some damage to lung tissue.


CAUSE
The cause is unknown, but suspected to be an autoimmune disease and is often grouped into one of the rheumatic diseases.


SYMPTOMS
Pulmonary Wegener's granulomatosis may cause no symptoms or symptoms or may be:
- Fever,
- Weight loss,
- Tired,
- Cough,
- Shortness of breath, and
- Chest pain.

Other upper respiratory tract symptoms are nose bleeding, pain, and open sores (ulcers) around the nostrils.


Diagnosis
Tests carried out to support the diagnosis of pulmonary Wegener's granulomatosis:

Biopsy of lung tissue
Chest X-ray (may show cavities or dense areas of the lungs that look like cancer)
Blood tests to look for presence of autoantibodies (antibodies produced by the body to attack its own tissues).


TREATMENT
Wagener pulmonary granulomatosis may respond well to corticosteroids alone, but many patients also require other immunosuppressive drugs such as cyclophosphamide, or azathioprine methotrexat.

Symptoms of Dyspepsia

Dyspepsia is pain or discomfort in upper abdomen or chest, which is often perceived as a gas, a feeling of fullness or pain or burning sensation in the stomach.


CAUSE
Causes of Dyspepsia is:

1. Swallowing air (aerofagi)
2. Regurgitation (back flow, reflux) of stomach acid
3. Irritation of the stomach (gastritis)
4. Gastric ulcer or duodenal ulcer
5. Gastric cancer
6. Inflammation of the gallbladder (cholecystitis)
7. Lactose intolerance (inability to digest milk and its products)
8. Abnormalities of bowel movements
9. Anxiety or depression


SYMPTOMS
Pain and discomfort in upper abdomen or chest may be accompanied by belching and loud intestinal sounds (borborigmi). In some patients, eating can exacerbate pain; on another patient, a meal may reduce pain. Other symptoms include decreased appetite, nausea, constipation, diarrhea and flatulence (stomach bloating).


Diagnosis
If dyspepsia persists for more than a few weeks, or give no response to treatment, or following by weight loss or other unusual symptoms, the patient must undergo examination. Laboratory tests usually include blood cell counts and complete blood in the stool.

Barium enema to examine the esophagus, stomach or small intestine can be performed on people who have difficulty swallowing or vomiting, weight loss or pain that improves or worsens with eating.

Endoscopy can be used to examine the esophagus, stomach or small intestine and to obtain tissue samples for biopsy of the stomach lining. Examples are then examined under a microscope to determine whether gastric infection by Helicobacter pylori. Sometimes performed other tests, such as the measurement of esophageal contractions of the esophagus or the response to acids.


TREATMENT
If no cause is found, the doctor will treat the symptoms. Antacids or H2 inhibitors such as cimetidine, ranitidine or famotidine can be tried for a brief period. If the person is infected Helicobacter pylori in the stomach lining, it is usually given subsalisilate bismuth and antibiotics such as amoxicillin or metronidazole.

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

What is Hypopituitarism ?

Hypopituitarism is the loss of some or all functions of the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland.


CAUSE
Primary cause of which affect the pituitary gland (hypopituitarism primary):

Pituitary tumors
Decreased blood flow to the pituitary gland (due to severe bleeding, blood clots, anemia)
Infection and inflammation
Sarcoidosis or amyloidosis
Irradiation
Appointment of the pituitary gland surgically
Autoimmune diseases.


Primary cause of which affect the hypothalamus (secondary hypopituitarism):

Hypothalamic tumors
Inflammation
Head injury
Damage to the pituitary, blood vessels and nerves due to surgery.


SYMPTOMS
Hypopituitarism affect the function of endocrine glands are stimulated by the anterior pituitary hormones, because it's symptoms vary depending on the type of hormones what is lacking. The symptoms usually develop gradually and do not realize for some time, but sometimes occurs suddenly and dramatically.

Could be a shortage one, some or all of the anterior pituitary hormones. Gonadotropin deficiency (LH and FSH) in pre-menopausal women can cause:
- Cessation of the menstrual cycle (amenorrhea)
- Infertility
- Vaginal dryness
- Loss of some female sexual characteristics.
In men, gonadotropin deficiency causes:
- Impotence
- wrinkles in scrotum
- Reduced production of sperm resulting in infertility
- Loss of some male sexual characteristics (eg growth of body and facial hair).

Gonadotropin deficiency also occurs in Kallmann syndrome, which also suffer from:
- Cleft lip or cleft palate
- Color-blind
- Not able to smell anything.

Growth hormone deficiency in adults usually causes few symptoms or do not cause symptoms, but in children can cause slow growth, sometimes a midget (dwarfism).

TSH deficiency causes hypothyroidism, which cause symptoms such as:
- Confusion
- Not resistant to cold weather
- Weight gain
- Constipation
- Dry skin.

Corticotropin deficiency are rare; can cause the adrenal glands are less active, which would cause symptoms such as:
- Tired
- Low blood pressure
- Low blood sugar levels
- Low tolerance to stress (eg major trauma, surgery or infection).

Isolated prolactin deficiency is a rare condition, but it could explain why some women can not produce milk after childbirth. Sheehan's syndrome is a rare complication, where there is damage to some of the pituitary gland. Symptoms include fatigue, hair loss pubic and underarm hair, and inability to produce milk.


Diagnosis
To find structural abnormalities in the pituitary performed CT scan or MRI.

Blood tests done to determine levels of hormones following:
- LH (reduced)
- FSH (reduced)
- Testosterone (reduced)
- Estrogen (reduced)
- Cortisol (reduced)
- T4 (reduced)
- TSH (less)
- Growth hormone (reduced)
- IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor 1) (reduced).

Angiography performed to assess the blood vessels leading to the pituitary.


TREATMENT
Treatment is intended to replace the target hormone deficiency, rather than the pituitary hormones. If there is a deficiency of thyroid hormone TSH is given, if there is a deficiency and adrenocortical hormone corticotropin given if there is a shortage of LH and FSH are given estrogen, progesterone or testosterone. Growth hormone is usually given to children.

If the cause is a pituitary tumor is small, then the removal of the tumor. Prolactin-producing tumors treated with bromocriptine administration. Irradiation with high power or with protons can also be used to destroy the pituitary tumor. Large tumors and has spread beyond the sella turcica may not only be corrected with surgery. After the surgery should be given high-powered radiation to kill the remaining tumor cells.

Radiation therapy is likely to cause loss of pituitary function slowly, in part or whole. Therefore the target gland function normally assessed every 3-6 months for the first year and then every year the following year.

hyperaldosteronism causes, symptoms and prevention

In hyperaldosteronism, overproduction of the aldosterone cause fluid retention and increased blood pressure, weakness, and, rarely occur in the period of paralysis.

* Hyperaldosteronism can be caused by tumors in the adrenal glands or the possibility of a reaction against some diseases.
* High levels of aldosterone can cause high blood pressure and low potassium levels; low potassium levels can cause weakness, tingling, muscle spasms, and periods of temporary paralysis.
Doctors measure the levels of the sodium, potassium, and aldosterone in the blood.
* Occasionally, the tumor is removed, or people using drugs that inhibit the action of aldosterone.


CAUSE
Aldosterone, a hormone produced and secreted by the adrenal gland, signals the kidneys to excrete less sodium and more potassium. Aldosterone production is regulated partly by corticotropin (secreted by the pituitary gland) and in part through the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system). Renin, an enzyme produced in the kidneys, controlling the activation of the hormone angiotensin, which stimulates the adrenal glands to produce aldosterone.

Hyperaldosteronism can be caused by a tumor (usually a noncancerous adenoma) in the adrenal glands (a condition called conn's syndrome), although sometimes both glands are involved and very active. Sometimes hyperaldosteronism is a reaction to certain diseases, such as very high blood pressure (hypertension) or narrowing of one of the arteries to the kidneys.


SYMPTOMS
High aldosterone levels can cause low potassium levels. Low potassium levels often produce no symptoms but can cause weakness, tingling, muscle spasms, and periods of temporary paralysis. Some people become very thirsty and frequent urination.


Diagnosis
Doctors who suspect hyperaldosteronism first tested the levels of sodium and potassium in the blood. Doctors can also measure levels of aldosterone. If high, spironolactone or eplerenon, drugs that block the action of aldosterone, may be given to see if sodium and potassium levels returned to normal. In Conn's syndrome, is also very low renin levels.

When too much aldosterone is produced, the physician to examine the adrenal glands are noncancerous tumor (adenoma). Computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be very helpful, but sometimes blood samples from each of adrenaline should be tested to ensure a source of hormones.


TREATMENT
If the tumor is found, it can usually be removed with surgery. When the tumor is removed, blood pressure returned to normal, and other symptoms disappeared about 70% every time. If no tumor was found and both glands are overactive, partial removal of the adrenal gland can not control high blood pressure, and complete removal would result in Addison's disease, requiring treatment for life. However, spironolactone or eplerenone can usually control the symptoms, and medications for high blood pressure immediately available. Rarely do both adrenal glands have to be removed.

How does transmission of HPV?

HPV testing is generally only used to help detect cervical cancer. There is no general test for men or women to check one's overall "HPV status," also there is no HPV test to detect HPV in the genitals or in the mouth or throat. But HPV usually goes away by itself, without causing health problems. Presence or absence of abnormalities in the cervix caused by HPV infection can be identified by Pap smear, Pap smear but can not identify specific HPV types. If you want to identify the types of HPV, can be identified by PCR (Polymerise chain reaction), but if only to know the oncogenic HPV infection can be performed examinations HC (hybrid capture) or HPV DNA test.

How does transmission of HPV?

95% of HPV virus transmitted by sexual intercourse, 5% non-sexual transmitted skin to skin that is transmitted through the nail and others. HPV is transmitted through genital contact, most commonly through vaginal and anal sex. HPV can also be transmitted during oral sex and genital to genital contact or skin to skin. HPV can be transmitted between partners of different sexes and gay couples, lesbian and heterosexual-even when the infected partner has no signs or symptoms.

A person can get HPV even years have passed since he had sexual contact with an infected person. Most people are exposed to the HPV virus are unaware they are infected or they transmit the virus to their partners. It also allows a person can be infected in more than one type of HPV. Very rarely, a pregnant woman infected with HPV can pass HPV to her baby during childbirth. In this case, children can suffer from a disease called Juvenile Onset Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis Respiratory (JORRP).

Wilms tumor causes, symptoms and prevention

Wilms tumor (Nefroblastoma) is a kidney cancer found in children. Wilms tumor is usually found in children aged less than 5 years, but sometimes found in older children or adults.


CAUSE
The cause is unknown, but is thought to involve genetic factors. Wilms tumor associated with certain congenital abnormalities, such as:
- Abnormalities of the urinary tract
- Aniridia (no iris)
- Hemihipertrofi (enlargement of half of the body).

Tumors can grow quite large, but usually remain in the capsule. The tumor can spread to other body parts. Wilms tumor is found in about 1 in 200000-250000 children.


SYMPTOMS
The symptoms are:
- Abdomen enlarged (eg require diaper / nappies are sized larger)
- Abdominal pain
- Fever
- Malaise (feeling unwell)
- Decreased appetite
- Nausea and vomiting
- Constipation
- Overgrowth on one side of the body (hemihipertrofi).

In 15-20% of cases, there was hematuria (blood present in the urine). Wilms tumors can cause high blood pressure (hypertension). Wilms tumor can spread to other body parts, especially the lungs, causing coughing and shortness of breath.


Diagnosis
On physical examination, can be felt a lump in the abdomen. Regular checks carried out:

* CT scan or MRI abdomen
* Abdominal ultrasound
* X-ray abdomen
* Chest X-rays (to see the spread of tumor to the chest)
* Complete blood (may indicate anemia)
* BUN
* Creatinine
* Urinalysis (urine analysis, could indicate the presence of blood or protein in urine)
* Pielogram intravenously.


TREATMENT
If the tumor can be removed, then immediately performed surgery. During surgery, the other kidney examined to determine whether the tumor is also affected. At about 4% of cases, Nefroblastoma occurs in both kidneys. During the surgery is also carried out an examination of the lymph nodes, abdominal organs, and other networks; if the cancer has spread, removal of these organs.

Radiation therapy and chemotherapy (anti-cancer drug delivery, such as actinomycin D, vincristine or doxorubicin) started immediately after surgery, depending on the extent of cancer spread.


Prognosis

If the cancer has not spread and do surgery and chemotherapy or radiation therapy, the cure rate reached 90%.

What is Carcinoid ?

Carcinoid is a cancer, usually occurs in the digestive tract, which can produce a large number of neuropeptides and amines. Both these substances have effects that mimic hormones. When carcinoid spreads to the liver, there will be redness, bluish skin, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, heart damage and other symptoms of a carcinoid syndrome.

Carcinoid tumors produce a large number of neuropeptides and amines (substances that mimic hormones) such as bradykinin, serotonin, histamine and prostaglandins. Under normal circumstances, these substances to control internal body functions. If the number is excessive, can cause symptoms of carcinoid syndrome.


CAUSE
Carcinoid tumors are usually derived from hormone-forming cells that line the small intestine (enteroendokrin cells) or other cells of the gastrointestinal tract, pancreas, testes, ovaries, or lungs. The cause of the formation of carcinoid tumors is unknown.

Other cancers (eg wheat cell carcinoma of the lung and medullary carcinoma of the thyroid gland) also produce substances that cause carcinoid syndrome. If carcinoid tumors formed in the digestive tract, then the substances that mimic hormones are released into the bloodstream and flows directly into the liver. In their hearts are destroyed by enzymes.

Tumors that had spread to the liver releasing hormone-like substances into the stream without first processed in the liver. Therefore if you have not spread to the liver, carcinoid tumors originating from the digestive tract usually causes no symptoms. If it has spread to the liver, then the substance is flowing throughout the body, causing symptoms of carcinoid syndrome are varied, depending on the substance released.

Carcinoid tumors in the lungs and ovaries also cause symptoms because the substances they produce bypass the liver and is spread widely through the bloodstream.


SYMPTOMS
Less than 10% of patients who had carcinoid syndrome. Most people have symptoms that mimic colorectal cancer, particularly abdominal pain and changes in bowel habits as a result of obstruction.

The initial symptoms are most commonly found from carcinoid syndrome is a reddish skin that cause discomfort, especially in the head and neck. Redness is thought to be caused by excessive histamine and bradykinin, which causes widening of blood vessels. Redness is often triggered by emotions, eating, or drinking alcohol or hot liquids.

Skin color can change dramatically, from pale to red and then become bluish (cyanosis). Excessive serotonin triggers contraction of the muscles around the intestines, causing diarrhea, cramping, and abnormal absorption of food. Abnormalities of food absorption (malabsorption) cause malnutrition (nutritional disorder) and causes a foul-smelling fatty stools.

carcinoid syndrome damage can cause heart and lungs. Abnormal fibers formed in the heart (fibrosis endokardial), which caused heart valve damage and disruption of the heart's pumping ability. Serotonin in the blood stream are destroyed when it passes through the lungs (before reaching the left heart), because it's almost all cardiac abnormalities occur on the right side.

Some people experience asmatik wheezing (wheezing breath sounds); other patients experience loss of sexual desire and become impotent.


Diagnosis
Diagnosis based on results of a CT scan, MRI, endoscopy, and chemical examination of the urine.

If the thought of a carcinoid tumor, then the urine examination to determine levels of acid 5-hydroxy indole acetic acid (5-HIAA), which is one of the serotonin metabolite. Three days before the examination, the patient should not eat foods that are rich in serotonin (eg, pineapple, tomatoes, plums, avocados, bananas, eggplant and walnuts) and not taking certain medications (guaifenesin, metokarbamol, and phenothiazines).

A CT scan or MRI performed to determine the spread of tumors to the liver. Sometimes need to do further tests and exploratory surgery to determine the location of the tumor and its spread.

Diagnostic arteriography and radionuclide skening the latest techniques to find carcinoid tumors and spread. Recent findings indicate that most carcinoid have receptors for the hormone somatostatin. Because it is radioactive somatostatin could be injected into the blood and use of nuclear skening can be known of carcinoid and its spread. Approximately 90% of cases can be detected using this technique.


TREATMENT
If the tumor is limited in certain areas (eg, lung, appendix, small intestine, or rectum), surgical removal may cure this disease. If the tumor has spread to the liver, surgical removal can not cure the disease, merely relieve symptoms.

Radiation therapy and chemotherapy are ineffective in treating carcinoid tumors. However, combinations of certain chemotherapy drugs (streptozosin with fluorouracil and sometimes doxorubicin) may relieve symptoms. Okreotid can also relieve symptoms, tamoxifen, interferon alpha and eflornitin can suppress tumor growth. To control the redness, given phenothiazines, cimetidine and fentolamin. For carcinoid tumors in the lungs that episodes of severe flushing is sometimes given prednisone.

Diarrhea can be controlled with codeine, tincture of opium, diphenoxylate, siproheptadin or metisergid. To treat high blood pressure can be given various anti-hypertensive drugs (eg methyldopa and fenoksibenzamin).