A Simple Guide to Chlamydia
-----------------------------------
What is Chlamydia?
------------------------
Chlamydia is a bacterial infection which is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases.
It used to be called Lymphogranuloma venereum because of the typically enlarged lymph nodes at the groins.
It can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), as well as sterility and pregnancy problems.
How do you get Chlamydia?
--------------------------------
Chlamydia is highly contagious.
It spreads by sexual contact with an infected partner.
It can also be transmitted from mother to child during birth.
This may lead to an infection of the eyes and lungs in the infant.
It is also be transmitted through casual sexual contact with other people.
What are the signs & symptoms of Chlamydia?
------------------------------------------------------
About 80% of women and 10% of men display no symptoms.
For the rest the symptoms often appear 7-14 days after transmission in the following ways:
For men:
1.Discharge from a papule on the penis
2.Burning pain and itching when urinating.
3.lymph nodes enlargement at inguinal regions
4. Anal infections in homosexuals
Symptoms present early a few days after exposure, go away, only to return.
Advanced Chlamydia infection may lead to inflammation of the sperm duct (epididymitis), proctitis (anal region) and sterility.
For women:
1.Vaginal itching or discharge.
2.Abdominal pain,
3.Bleeding between menstrual periods
4.Low grade fever
5.Anal infections
The disease can also cause cervicitis, endometritis and pelvic inflammatory disease which can result in sterility.
For infants:
1.Fever
2.Pneumonia
3.Conjunctivitis
Symptoms usually show up one week to one month after exposure.
Besides the above symptoms, headache, conjunctivitis, skin rashes, nausea and vomiting can be present.
How can Chlamydia be detected?
---------------------------------------
Women may be tested through the insertion of a swab into the cervix during a pelvic exam.
Men can be examined by inserting a swab into the urethra to take a specimen.
Urine testing can also be done for both sexes.
Blood test for chlamydia can also be done.
What is the Treatment of Chlamydia?
--------------------------------------------
Early treatment is important as it can protect against problems like pelvic inflammatory disease as well as sterility and pregnancy problems.
Patients typically undergo antibiotic treatment (usually tetracycline or sulphonamides) for a week.
The medication can be taken orally.
This treatment must be followed through even when symptoms of Chlamydia disappear.
Alcohol should be avoided when taking antibiotics, as well as milk and other dairy products.
Where Chlamydia has been transmitted through sexual contact, it is essential that both sexual partners are treated for the disease.
It is recommended that both partners abstain from sexual activity from the time of diagnosis until they have completed treatment.
Follow-up treatment is also important, as doctors need to make sure the infection has been cured.
How can I avoid contracting Chlamydia?
------------------------------------------------
The best way to prevent Chlamydia is through improved hygiene standards and lifestyle changes.
Sexually active persons should use condoms.
Abstinence is recommended for those infected and on antibiotic treatment.
One's risk for Chlamydia, or any other sexually transmitted disease, increases with the number of sexual partners.
Prevention is always better than cure!
Showing posts with label enlarged lymph nodes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label enlarged lymph nodes. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Friday, September 28, 2007
A Simple Guide to Lymphoma
A Simple Guide to Lymphoma
-----------------------------------
What is Lymphoma?
------------------------
Lymphoma is a cancer of the tissue of the lymphatic system where there is a large number of abnormal white blood cells called lymphocytes causing swelling of lymph nodes or involvement of the other organs.
This can disrupt the immune-system cells and reduce a person's ability to resist infections and diseases. The lymph nodes become swollen forming painless lumps or tumours.
Although lymphomas usually begin in a lymph node, it also can originate in the stomach, intestines, skin or any other organ that contains lymphoid tissue.
Lymph nodes are found anywhere in the body, particularly in the neck, armpits, groin, above the heart and around the big blood vessels inside the abdomen.
Who are at risk of getting Lymphomas?
----------------------------------------------
1.Men are at a higher risk of getting lymphomas.
The disease is uncommon among younger men.
It often develops after the age of 50.
2. past history of severe viral infections which lowers your immune system eg. HIV virus
3.history of organ transplants and on immuno suppressive drugs
4.history of cancer and previous treatment with chemtherapy or radiation therapy
5. frequent exposure to chemicals, solvents,pesticides
6.family history of lymphoma
What are the types of Lymphoma?
----------------------------------------
There are two main types of lymphoma.
They are:
Hodgkin's Disease
Hodgkin's disease is characterised by the presence of a specific type of abnormal cell called the Reed-Sternberg cell. This cancer can spread throughout the lymphatic system, affecting any organ or lymph tissue in the body.
Hodgkin's disease usually attack people in their late 20s or older than 50.
Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
Most lymph cancers are non-Hodgkin's lymphomas.
There are many types of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas.
Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas develops in the age group of 60 - 70.
Different types of lymphoma occur in different age groups.
1.Adult non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is classified by the size, shape and arrangement of the cancer cells in the lymph node. The appearance will determine the type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The degree or seriousness of the disease is broken into three types (grades) -
1.low-grade (slower-growing),
2.intermediate grade and
3.high-grade (aggressive).
These grades are crucial in determining the treatment options to treat the cancer.
2.Childhood non-Hodgkin's lymphomas include lymphoblastic lymphoma, large cell lymphoma and small non-cleaved cell lymphoma (including Burkitt's and non-Burkitt's lymphomas).
What are the Symptoms of Lymphoma?
-----------------------------------------------
The most common symptom associated with lymphoma is
1.lymph node swelling. A painless swelling initially surfaces in the early stages of the cancer. This swelling may persist or increase in size. The most common affected areas would be the neck, armpits or groin.
Other symptoms are:
2.unexplained constant fever,
3.sudden weight loss,
4. itchy skin or rashes,
5. night sweats and
6. abdominal pain
What are the causes of Lymphomas?
-------------------------------------------
There is no known cause for lymphomas.
However, it has been closely linked to several factors -
1) environmental influences, Environmental influences may take the form of extreme exposure to certain chemicals like herbicides and insecticides.
2) genetic factors
There are inherited immune-deficiency disorders from birth such as Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome which have been blamed for the cause of genetic factors that result in lymphomas.
3) viral infections. Viral infections such as the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have been associated with lymphomas.
What is the Treatment of Lymphoma?
---------------------------------------------
Hodgkin's Disease can only be treated with radiation therapy using high-energy X-rays to kill lymphoma cells in the affected area. This procedure may also be combined with chemotherapy.
Treatment for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, can vary.
The treatment is based on the degree of grade of the disease.
1.Early stage and low-grade (slow-growing) lymphoma can be treated with radiation therapy and sometimes just simple observation is enough.
2. intermediate-grade lymphoma may be treated with chemotherapy.
The drugs are either injected directly into the bloodstream or swallowed as pills.
Each course of treatment is given at regulated intervals to kill cancer cells and allow the body to recover. The drugs circulate throughout the body and will reach cancer cells even when they are widespread.
Patients who are suffering from the more advanced stages and high-grade (aggressive) lymphomas will require a higher dosage of chemotherapy.
However, the high dosage has its own side effects.
Too much of it may kill healthy bone marrow that produces white and red blood cells and platelets (cells that prevent bleeding). Therefore, to assist patients tolerate the high dosage of chemotherapy treatment, stem cells or bone marrow from the patient or donor are collected beforehand. After a patient has received the chemotherapy, the stem cells or bone marrow are returned to the patient through a drip in a vein.
In addition to the above treatment methods, another option for treating lymphomas would be biological therapy. This procedure uses products such as immunoglobulin that boost the body's own immune system to fight cancer.
This therapy may be used alone or combined with chemotherapy.
In conclusion, the type of treatment sought or used depends very much on the stage, and grade of the lymphoma when diagnosed and the age and health of the patient.
Most doctors will advise their patients on the various treatment options that are the most beneficial and appropriate whilst considering the factors mentioned above.
What are the Prevention measures for Lymphomas?
-------------------------------------------------------------
1.Where exposure to some toxins and chemicals which are known to cause lymphomas are possible, one should be properly attired and guarded from these chemicals, so as to decrease the risk of developing the disease.
2.Since HIV / AIDS carriers are also related to lymphomas, one should be aware of the importance of safe sex and should stay away from drugs, as far as possible.
3.regular visits to the family doctor helps in detecting any sign or symptom that may eventually lead to the cancer.
4.healthy lifestyle and proper balanced diet are always important in the prevention of any cancer.
-----------------------------------
What is Lymphoma?
------------------------
Lymphoma is a cancer of the tissue of the lymphatic system where there is a large number of abnormal white blood cells called lymphocytes causing swelling of lymph nodes or involvement of the other organs.
This can disrupt the immune-system cells and reduce a person's ability to resist infections and diseases. The lymph nodes become swollen forming painless lumps or tumours.
Although lymphomas usually begin in a lymph node, it also can originate in the stomach, intestines, skin or any other organ that contains lymphoid tissue.
Lymph nodes are found anywhere in the body, particularly in the neck, armpits, groin, above the heart and around the big blood vessels inside the abdomen.
Who are at risk of getting Lymphomas?
----------------------------------------------
1.Men are at a higher risk of getting lymphomas.
The disease is uncommon among younger men.
It often develops after the age of 50.
2. past history of severe viral infections which lowers your immune system eg. HIV virus
3.history of organ transplants and on immuno suppressive drugs
4.history of cancer and previous treatment with chemtherapy or radiation therapy
5. frequent exposure to chemicals, solvents,pesticides
6.family history of lymphoma
What are the types of Lymphoma?
----------------------------------------
There are two main types of lymphoma.
They are:
Hodgkin's Disease
Hodgkin's disease is characterised by the presence of a specific type of abnormal cell called the Reed-Sternberg cell. This cancer can spread throughout the lymphatic system, affecting any organ or lymph tissue in the body.
Hodgkin's disease usually attack people in their late 20s or older than 50.
Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
Most lymph cancers are non-Hodgkin's lymphomas.
There are many types of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas.
Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas develops in the age group of 60 - 70.
Different types of lymphoma occur in different age groups.
1.Adult non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is classified by the size, shape and arrangement of the cancer cells in the lymph node. The appearance will determine the type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The degree or seriousness of the disease is broken into three types (grades) -
1.low-grade (slower-growing),
2.intermediate grade and
3.high-grade (aggressive).
These grades are crucial in determining the treatment options to treat the cancer.
2.Childhood non-Hodgkin's lymphomas include lymphoblastic lymphoma, large cell lymphoma and small non-cleaved cell lymphoma (including Burkitt's and non-Burkitt's lymphomas).
What are the Symptoms of Lymphoma?
-----------------------------------------------
The most common symptom associated with lymphoma is
1.lymph node swelling. A painless swelling initially surfaces in the early stages of the cancer. This swelling may persist or increase in size. The most common affected areas would be the neck, armpits or groin.
Other symptoms are:
2.unexplained constant fever,
3.sudden weight loss,
4. itchy skin or rashes,
5. night sweats and
6. abdominal pain
What are the causes of Lymphomas?
-------------------------------------------
There is no known cause for lymphomas.
However, it has been closely linked to several factors -
1) environmental influences, Environmental influences may take the form of extreme exposure to certain chemicals like herbicides and insecticides.
2) genetic factors
There are inherited immune-deficiency disorders from birth such as Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome which have been blamed for the cause of genetic factors that result in lymphomas.
3) viral infections. Viral infections such as the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have been associated with lymphomas.
What is the Treatment of Lymphoma?
---------------------------------------------
Hodgkin's Disease can only be treated with radiation therapy using high-energy X-rays to kill lymphoma cells in the affected area. This procedure may also be combined with chemotherapy.
Treatment for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, can vary.
The treatment is based on the degree of grade of the disease.
1.Early stage and low-grade (slow-growing) lymphoma can be treated with radiation therapy and sometimes just simple observation is enough.
2. intermediate-grade lymphoma may be treated with chemotherapy.
The drugs are either injected directly into the bloodstream or swallowed as pills.
Each course of treatment is given at regulated intervals to kill cancer cells and allow the body to recover. The drugs circulate throughout the body and will reach cancer cells even when they are widespread.
Patients who are suffering from the more advanced stages and high-grade (aggressive) lymphomas will require a higher dosage of chemotherapy.
However, the high dosage has its own side effects.
Too much of it may kill healthy bone marrow that produces white and red blood cells and platelets (cells that prevent bleeding). Therefore, to assist patients tolerate the high dosage of chemotherapy treatment, stem cells or bone marrow from the patient or donor are collected beforehand. After a patient has received the chemotherapy, the stem cells or bone marrow are returned to the patient through a drip in a vein.
In addition to the above treatment methods, another option for treating lymphomas would be biological therapy. This procedure uses products such as immunoglobulin that boost the body's own immune system to fight cancer.
This therapy may be used alone or combined with chemotherapy.
In conclusion, the type of treatment sought or used depends very much on the stage, and grade of the lymphoma when diagnosed and the age and health of the patient.
Most doctors will advise their patients on the various treatment options that are the most beneficial and appropriate whilst considering the factors mentioned above.
What are the Prevention measures for Lymphomas?
-------------------------------------------------------------
1.Where exposure to some toxins and chemicals which are known to cause lymphomas are possible, one should be properly attired and guarded from these chemicals, so as to decrease the risk of developing the disease.
2.Since HIV / AIDS carriers are also related to lymphomas, one should be aware of the importance of safe sex and should stay away from drugs, as far as possible.
3.regular visits to the family doctor helps in detecting any sign or symptom that may eventually lead to the cancer.
4.healthy lifestyle and proper balanced diet are always important in the prevention of any cancer.
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