Bacteria are single-celled creatures that can reproduce on their own. They have a rigid wall, and a thin membrane surrounds the cell fluid. It has existed for many years and can live in any environment like the human body, radioactive waste and also in extreme climatic condition. We find in history how people have been affected by the Black Death and the bubonic plague caused by the bacteria known as Yersinia pestis. Most of the bacteria are harmless, and they are called good bacteria or healthy bacteria. They help in destroying disease-causing microbes, cancer cells and provide the body with essential nutrients. But there are some harmful bacteria as well which wins over the body’s immune system by multiplying and spreading diseases. Pathogenic bacteria are harmful bacteria, and they often emit toxic chemicals that can damage the tissues and cells, creating a life-threatening condition. Streptococcus, E. coli and Staphylococcus are some of the infection-causing bacteria.
Bacterial infections are contagious and can spread by the following ways:
If you come in physical contact with an infected person through kissing or sex
If you consume contaminated food and water
Sneezing and coughing
Infected pets or livestock; fleas and ticks
Symptoms of bacterial infection
The symptoms of bacterial infections are similar to those of other diseases caused by microbes. Fever, fatigue, coughing, vomiting, nausea, cramping and inflammation are some of the common signs of bacterial diseases. These are the methods in which the body’s immune system tries to get rid of the infection. However, they can cause mild to moderate and severe diseases, and sometimes it can be fatal, if they attack the organs like kidneys and lungs.
Consulting a doctor is the first step you need to take if you feel that you have an infection. He/she would do the initial exam with you, listening to your medical history and the present symptoms caused by an infection. The physician would order a few tests to conduct, like blood and urine tests. Sometimes a culture test is also done for examining the tissue cells to identify the type of infection that your body is suffering. The initial symptoms, as felt by the patient, play a significant role according to which, the doctor would order the examinations to be done. Gram stain is a test done to identify the bacteria by the composition of their cell walls.
Antibiotics are the only ways to treat diseases caused by bacterial infections. You should take the prescribed medication as per the guidelines of your physician. But since bacteria are adaptable tiny microorganisms, they become resistant to antibiotics. Thus it does not work in improving the situation, destroying the bacteria. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is one of the most notorious antibiotic resistant bacterial strain, which resists antibiotics used to treating Staphylococcus infections. It spreads through skin contact, occurs in health care institutes and can lead to blood infections. Since prevention is better than cure, concentrating on building a strong immune system is the key to avoiding bacterial infections and leading a healthy life.
Chronic migraine is a condition where the affected person experiences at least 15 headache days a month. It is observed that at least 8 out of these 15 days are migraine headaches with severe symptoms, and this pattern of discomfort remains consistent for 3 months. Initially, it may not be a frequently occurring episode, however, with time, the episodes may get regular with chronic headaches. If left untreated, this condition can affect a person’s life.
Causes
Several factors determine the onset of this kind of migraine. One of them includes a steady increase in the frequency of episodic headaches. Over-the-counter treatment options that are used to treat frequent headaches stop affecting over time, leading to side effects that develop into chronic headaches. Some other factors that can put an individual at a high risk of developing this condition include mood disorders like anxiety or depression, snoring, excessive caffeine intake, ongoing disturbed sleep patterns, and a history of stressful life events causing emotional or physical trauma. An unhealthy lifestyle leading to an increase in the body mass index (BMI) can also be a causal factor.
Symptoms
There is no difference between symptoms of chronic migraines and episodic migraines. However, the only thing to notice is the increased frequency of episodic headaches in a month. Some typical symptoms of this illness can be observed for timely diagnosis and treatment.
Transitioning symptoms (episodic to chronic migraines)
Diagnosis
A health professional will take a look at the affected person’s health history. If needed, the doctor may ask questions that help understand the migraine patterns. The questions include how and when the migraines begin, how long they last, are there any notable physical factors or triggers that worsen the condition, and where the location of the pain is.
The professional may also ask for a detailed history of other health conditions like anxiety, depression, lifestyle choices that may trigger these headaches, any treatment options used, and possible side effects that could be factored into the diagnosis. Based on the results, appropriate treatment methods will be advised and implemented.
Treatment options
Most of the treatment methods focus on managing the symptoms, the migraine attacks, and reducing the episodes and pain.
One of the treatment therapies includes focusing on lifestyle changes.
Some other treatment options for managing migraine attacks include:
Other techniques include:
Also, maintain a headache diary and note down the possible triggers and the number of migraine attacks in a month. If there’s a notable increase in the attacks, consult a doctor at the earliest. Knowing the triggers can help the doctor chalk out an effective treatment plan.
Preventive treatments and methods
Apart from treatment options that help manage the symptoms, there are preventive treatment methods that reduce the episodes of these headaches to a certain extent. These include using beta blockers and other therapies. One such treatment method also includes using an Allergan product named BOTOX®, which doctors recommend for those 18 years and older. The intravenous treatment method is administered around the neck or the head, where the migraine pain usually affects the person. This ten-minute procedure is not painful and can prevent headaches for three months. The procedure takes place in a doctor’s clinic under close supervision.
Chronic migraine can be painful and disrupt everyday life activities, so choosing the right treatment plan is crucial. Get all the information from a licensed health professional and seek the best possible treatment plan according to a detailed diagnosis.
Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that develops in the cells that produce melanin. The pigment melanin is responsible for giving the skin its color. Advanced melanoma can form inside one’s nose, throat, or digestive tract. Studies show that the risk of melanoma increases in people under 40, especially women. Knowing the early signs of the disease is crucial since melanoma can be treated successfully if detected early.
Stages
There are five stages of melanoma. The cancer cells of Stage 0 melanoma are restricted to the epidermis, the top layer of skin. The epidermis and dermis, the deeper layer of the skin, both contain cancer cells in Stage I melanoma. Stage II melanoma is marked by tumor thickness and ulceration, while Stage III is marked by melanoma deposits in the skin and cancer spreading to nearby lymph nodes. The advanced stage of melanoma, also called metastatic skin cancer, shows the further spread of cancer to distant areas of the body.
Causes of advanced melanoma
The exact cause of melanoma is unknown, although exposure to harsh ultraviolet (UV) radiation, tanning beds, or lamps has been shown to increase one’s risk of getting the disease. One can develop skin disease anywhere in one’s body. Those with a family history of the disease or exposure to radiation or vinyl chloride are also vulnerable to metastatic melanoma.
Signs of advanced melanoma
An early sign of melanoma is the development of an unusual mole. Normal moles are minor and uniform in size and color. But melanoma moles have irregular shapes or borders and can be larger than 6 millimeters. If a mole grows in size, color, and shape and causes itchiness, it’s best to get it checked. Advanced melanoma may lead to chronic fatigue, swollen lymph nodes or liver, loss of appetite, jaundice, skin itchiness, headaches, and even seizures. Depending on where the metastatic melanoma has spread, one may experience chest pain, breathing issues, aching bones, paralysis, sleepiness, and swelling in one’s legs or abdomen.
Melanoma treatment options
The American Cancer Society reports that the five-year survival rate for patients with melanoma that has spread to surrounding lymph nodes is 66%. Surgery is a common way to treat it. Targeted therapy is another method to eliminate the tumor and its metastases selectively. Alternatively, immunotherapy aids a person’s immune system in recognizing and shrinking cancer cells. Other treatments for metastatic skin cancer include chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
Conclusion
Opdulag is a standard treatment for advanced melanoma skin cancer. The therapy, given by intravenous (IV) infusions, works with one’s immune system and is used to fight cancer that has spread or cannot be surgically removed. If one experiences any early signs of melanoma skin cancer, it’s recommended to consult a doctor immediately.