Physical therapy modalities
In medicine, modalities are therapeutic ways or procedures and how it is applied for the enhancement of ones condition. As you might have guessed, there are numerous types of modalities in medicine. Let us discuss on four physical therapy modalities for wounds. One of the wound physical therapy modalities, and a very common treatment for physical trauma and injuries, is the application of ice packs and hot packs on the affected joint or limb. An ice pack is indicated 24 hours after the injury has taken place to cause constriction of the vessels for the purpose of decreasing edema, or swelling, and pain in the affected part. After 24 hours, to improve circulation in the area of injury, hot packs are applied. Another of the many physical therapy modalities is the use of whirlpool. This is by far the known remedial procedure for patients with extensive burns. This is often administered to patients twice everyday for 20 minutes long. They are submerged in sterile water. Indications for this physical therapy modality also include those with necrotic wounds. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is indicated to limited situations. Though the indication is limited, this is one of the physical therapy modalities for wounds. Among its indications are pressure ulcers and diabetic wounds. So how does this physical therapy modality allow wound healing? This therapy provides increase perfusion in wounds that occur on hypoxic (hypoxia is the lack of oxygenation at the cellular level) areas, which discontinues or decreases growth of anaerobic microbes that delay wound healing. This is a type of physical therapy modality for wounds that lets the patient breath in oxygen for 90 to 120 minutes thereby increasing the oxygen levels in the blood and consequently, the oxygen is carried into the cells. Electrical stimulation is one of the physical therapy modalities for the wound. This works by introducing little electrical waves on the skin surrounding the lesion. Usually, this type of treatment is indicated in pressure ulcers that are already in stage III and IV. With technology improving and rising, physical therapy modalities are also evolving. Though that is the present situation, these four physical therapy modalities are still done commonly in patients with wounds in various health care settings. Physicians need to know what physical therapy modality patients or their families prefer. It is also essential that the medical team assess the stage of wound healing to properly indicate the type of treatment the patient needs. And from there, they can coordinate with a physical therapist. Having a good physical therapist that critically suggests treatments to patients and chooses appropriate techniques among the known physical therapy modalities, can greatly improve ones wound condition.
Archive for April, 2011
Physical therapy modalities
Categories: Health Information | April 17th, 2011 | by admin | no comments
Early symptoms prostate cancer
Categories: Health Information | April 15th, 2011 | by admin | no comments
Early symptoms prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is serious ailment that most men tend to suffer from when they reach their middle age or cross the age of 50. Experts believe that early detection of this disease can help preventing it spread further and can even eliminate it completely from the prostate. However, most people tend to suffer from prostate cancer and die eventually because they do not experience any sort of symptoms during the early stages of prostate cancer. Another reason for people not being able to get good treatment for this disease is that they are not actually aware of the early symptoms of prostate cancer. However, one must study and acquire adequate knowledge about the symptoms of prostate cancer in order to achieve best and early treatment for it. Let us now, discuss about early symptoms of prostate cancer. Here is a small report on the study conducted on signs and symptoms of prostate cancer at an early stage. Generally the early stages of prostate cancer are a symptomatic. However, prostate cancer at its advanced stage can result in some of the local symptoms that exist in urethral compression. These local symptoms may be any of the following that is mentioned below: a) Slow paced flow of urine. b) Hesitancy c) Bladder not able to empty completely. d) Frequent urge to urinate. e) Dribbling after passing urine. Once the prostate cancer start spreading, it spreads to the pelvic lymph nodes. This stage of prostate cancer does not show any sort of symptoms. Generally, one can experience signs of prostate cancer in case of an enlarged prostate that is also commonly known as benign enlargement of prostate. The patients inflicted by this disease usually experience the following signs and symptoms. Leaking of urine. Inconsistent flow of urine especially during the starting and stopping of the stream. Trouble with starting urination. Experiencing dribbling in urine, especially after stopping urination. A feeling that the bladder is not emptied fully. An urge to urinate more frequently at night. It is recommended to undergo a prostate examination as soon as on experiences the early symptoms of prostate cancer. This would just take about five valuable minutes of yours but would offer you the peace of mind as soon as you start off with the treatment. This would also facilitate eliminating the disease completely with the help of the treatment. Keep tabs on early symptoms of prostate cancer and be healthy.
Blood group antigens
Categories: Health Information | April 14th, 2011 | by admin | no comments
Blood group antigens
In 1900s, blood of all types was considered to be the same. But, later on it came to light that all human blood is not identical and people belong to many blood groups. This was differentiated depending on the markers existing on the red blood cells. Cells made up the tissues in the body and the organs covering the surface markers are called antigens. Comprehending the blood group is essential to distinguish and is also important for the medicinal field today. Antigen is a substance that can respond to any immune system. The antigens exist on the body cells and are called as self-antigens. Red blood cells contain antigens in millions and are totally ignored by immune system. Conversely, patients receiving blood transfusions are attacked by the immune systems. These immune systems attack the red blood cells containing antigens. Hence, ascertaining that the transfused red blood cells antigens match the red blood cells of the patient is a must for safe blood transfusion. The blood group antigens are associated to several components in the cell membrane and can be proteins or sugars. The ABO blood group antigens are sugars and are produced by reactions such that the enzymes catalyze the sugar units. DNA is one of the sources that ascertain the enzymes and the sugar antigens that eventually completes on the red blood cells. On the contrary, the Rh blood group antigens are proteins. DNA holds information of a person regarding the production of protein antigens. Besides the sugar antigens, the membrane of the red-blood cell contains proteins of three types such as single pass proteins, glycosylphosphatidylinositol linked proteins and multi pass proteins. The blood group of an individual is determined by the antigens that are expressed on the red blood cells. The two blood groups that are considered as main are ABO having blood types such as A,AB, B and O and the other is Rh having RhD positive and RhD negative. Many blood group functions are not known, but the absence or presence of blood cell antigens become important when it is received while blood transfusion. The distribution of all four blood types varies throughout the world. However, blood group O is common throughout the world and blood group A is followed by it. Blood group B is rare and AB blood group is the least. The blood group O is regarded as universal donors as their blood is compatible. AB blood group people are called as universal receivers as they have no problem in receiving from universal donors or from any ABO type.
Health Information
Common antidepressants
Categories: Health Information | April 13th, 2011 | by admin | no comments
Common antidepressants
Life is a challenge that has to be met by everyone and this is a blend of both happiness and sorrow. There are stages when people tend to become severely anxious, depressed to all extents. There are times when depression is much to comprehend resulting in a chain of other sickness. These are the times when most people go for the usage of an antidepressant. These medicines have a boosting influence on a person and relieve the person of his depression. With the right consultation at the appropriate time with the doctor, you can have the depression under control. Normal depression does not require any antidepressants. It is only during the presence of excess depression that a person feels like he should take an antidepressant. Consulting a doctor is always better before actually trying out an antidepressant. Depending on the type of depression, the doctor would prescribe a suitable antidepressant. It is not necessary that only an antidepressant can relieve a person from depression as there are also other methods of treatment. People who have experienced thoughts about self harming or even suicide should immediately see a doctor as it could be the result of some form of depression. This also calls for the usage of an antidepressant. People who feel that their activities are being impaired can also see a doctor as feeling depressed as never good. Proper diagnosis enables in quick recovery and the road to healing depends on your history of mental illness and as well personal health. The depression symptoms include weight gain or loss, lack of sleep; lack of appetite and as well lack of energy. There are people who also feel highly agitated. However, there are options and common antidepressants to relieve from such stages. Though, the antidepressants have negative as well as positive side effects, it should be taken with proper consultation with the doctor. Owing to the new developments, the field of medicines is emerging with varieties of antidepressant drugs and the common antidepressants are Prozac and Zoloft. The novel antidepressant that has emerged now recently is the Wellbutrin XL. Zoloft is prescribed for people who face social anxiety as well as mood swings. The results can be attained in four to six weeks. The side effects in Zoloft comprise of appetite changes, agitation as well as sleeping much or lack of sleep totally. Prozac is recommended for a period of 6 to 12 months. Wellbutrin XL is a new antidepressant and boasts of fewer risks. One pill a day is adequate and the side effects comprise of sleep disruption, dizziness and lack of appetite.