Is Bacteria As Bad For Our Health As We Claim?

We’re always hearing about the risks and benefits of bacteria in terms of our health, but what do we really know about those microscopic bugs living in our insides? You can barely find a healthcare product these days that doesn’t display its antibacterial properties and there’s no denying that in terms of certain bacteria, this is preferable to a product without. But how harmful is bacteria really, and do we actually need it to stay healthy? Studies suggest we have around three to five pounds worth of microbes living in our bodies, which in the past would have been a cause for concern given the belief that the absence of microbes was preferable for good health. These days, however, we’re learning that bacteria isn’t just a source of disease but also of good health.

Researchers believe that the average person plays host to more than 10,000 species of organisms at any one time, including bacteria, viruses and fungi. These are known collectively as your microbiome. Everyone’s microbiome is unique to them, a product of their genes, diet, lifestyle and the environment in which they live. But it’s possible to have similar microbiomes with people who share your physical and neurological traits. For example, obese people have different microbiomes to lean people; kids with autism have different types of bacteria to those without; people with skin conditions such as eczema will have different organisms living on their skin to people who don’t. The more people scientists map the microbiomes of, the better equipped they’ll be in matching up connections between bacterias and health conditions. This could be hugely beneficial when it comes to serious conditions such as obesity or cancer, but researchers are very much in the early stages of this type of study and much more in-depth research needs to take place before conclusive evidence can be found.

 

We’ve known for a long time that if you upset your natural balance of bacteria, it will make you sick. But new research shows that colon cancer, which is responsible for killing around 50,000 people each year, could be another more serious outcome. People with colorectal cancers have high levels of E.coli bacteria, which is renowned for being a fecal germ guilty of causing food poisoning. Scientists are still looking into what type of role this bacteria is playing in the development of cancer, but increased levels of the bacteria certainly spell trouble. There is hope that by monitoring the bacteria levels in a person who is at risk of the disease, doctors will be able to catch such a condition in the very early stages and increase the chance of survival.

 

This could also be the case with the fight against obesity. Researchers believe that certain drugs can alter the mix of bacteria which can lead to a higher concentration of bugs that extract calories from food. Scientists are still looking into the perfect balance of bacteria for optimal health, but one condition has been incredibly responsive to microbiome intervention. People plagued by a bacterial infection which causes potentially life-threatening diarrhoea could be saved by a faecal transplant – taking the faeces of a healthy person and introducing them to the gut of a sick person. It currently has a 94 per cent success rate, and while it doesn’t sound pleasant  as a cure, there results show why the human microbiome is a ground-breaking element of modern medicine and one which could offer incredible results in terms of our health.

Categories: Bacteria, Early Stages, Environmental Wellness, health, microbiome, new study, people, person

What Should You Be Aware Of When It Comes To STIs?

Sexually transmitted infections, or STIs, are passed between people during sexual contact, and they’re increasing in prevalence. They can be passed during vaginal, anal and oral sex, as well as mere genital contact with an infected person. The only way to ensure that you’re limiting yourself from infections is to use a condom every time you have sex. There are many categories for STIs. Bacterial infections include syphilis, gonorrhoea and chlamydia. Viral infections include HIV, hepatitis B, herpes and genital warts. Fungal infections include thrush, and parasitic infections include public lice and trichomonas vaginalis. These all have a variety of symptoms to look out for, and vary in terms of severity to your health. In women, the symptoms include abnormal vaginal discharge, genital lesions, bleeding between periods or after sex, and lower abdominal pain. In men, these symptoms involve discharge from the penis, pain or discomfort when passing urine, genital lesions and testicular pain. However, not all STIs carry symptoms, so you could be infected and not realise. This is why getting regular check-ups is so vital to your sexual health – they help you spot infections you may not be aware of.

Chlamydia

Chlamydia is the most common bacterial STI in the UK, and regularly infects people under 25 yrs. Both men and women contract this infection, and there are rarely symptoms which is why it spreads so easily. This is a particularly dangerous infection to have left untreated, as it could lead to serious long-term problems in the reproductive tract and abdomen, potentially leaving people infertile.

HIV

HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. It infects and gradually destroys the immune system, lowering the victims protection against cancers and infections. If it is left untreated, HIV will damage the immune system and develop into AIDS. This stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, and is a collection of illnesses which is caused by an ‘acquired’ virus. You can’t develop AIDS unless you are already HIV Positive. There may be no symptoms in someone who is living with HIV in the early stages, but eventually the individual will need medication to control it.

Genital warts

Most people who get the virus which develops into genital warts don’t show any specific symptoms, and this is why the virus remains un-diagnosed for a long time. But if there are symptoms present, they show as small white spots or lumps inside and around the vagina or anus. These are easily treated, but usually require a number of treatments.

Gonorrhoea

Gonorrhoea is found in both men and women, and can affect the anus, genitals, rectum and throat. Around half of the women infected with this disease and around 90 per cent of men show symptoms, which is often a thin, watery discharge from the vagina or penis, and pain when urinating. A simple test or swab can diagnose this infection, and it can be treated with antibiotics. However, if complications occur, further treatment may be needed.

Syphilis

Syphilis usually begins with a small sore on the penis or vagina, and up to six months after the initial symptoms develop, you may experience aching and shivering, or other flu-like symptoms. It’s usually detected with a blood test and can be treated easily in the early stages. However, in later stages, it can cause damage to the nervous system or heart that can be irreversible. Regular check-ups are vital in order to spot this early, as you may be spreading infection without realising.

Categories: Check Ups, Early Stages, genital lesions, genital warts, Infections, infections include, left untreated, regular check, Sex, STIs, Symptoms

Early Stages of Osteoarthritis? Don"t Exercise, Say Doctors

Arthritis is one of the body’s harshest scourges to deal with, with the capacity to become completely crippling if the individual doesn’t look after themselves. In the early stages, the new sensations of pain can become discomforting, especially if you were once such an active person.

According to Washington research, high-impact exercises may not be the best thing for you when dealing with the first signs of osteoarthritis.

Whilst it is related to arthritis, the nature of osteoarthritis is that the symptoms are caused by the joints rubbing against each other vigorously. The layer (the cartilage) between the joints is gradually ground away, causing severe amounts of pain.

“The cartilage is a stiff sponge, filled with fluid, and as we compress it, fluid has to percolate through these closely spaced GAG chains,” said Alan Grodzinsky, an MIT professor of biological, electrical and mechanical engineering and senior author of the study. “The GAG chains provide resistance to flow, so the water can`t get out of our cartilage instantly when we compress it. That pressurization at the nanoscale increases the stiffness of our cartilage to high-loading-rate activities,” he added.

The researchers found that the cartilage is far more susceptible to damage in heavy activities, such as running or jumping.

The issues arise from the aforementioned fluid, the molecules of which are in the scope of the researchers’ eyes.

The GAG chain creates the stiffening in the cartilage, which is caused by a variety between high-impact sport to doing absolutely little. They found that the molecules within the fluid changed, whilst comparing a normal, intact cartilage to that which was undergoing the first stages of osteoarthritis. Both were given an enzyme that destroyed the GAG chain.

The normal cartilage was able to absorb the fluid, whilst the other leaked it out.

“That`s what puts the collagen in trouble, because now this becomes a very floppy sponge, and if you load it at higher rates the collagen network can be damaged. At that point you begin an irreversible series of activities that can result in damage to the collagen and eventually osteoarthritis,” Grodzinsky said.

Early Stages of Osteoarthritis? Don"t Exercise, Say Doctors

Categories: activities, Arthritis, cartilage, Early Stages, exercise, fluid, gag chain, gag chains, high impact, joints and bones, Osteoarthritis, Research

Ways to Care for a Loved One with Dementia

Importance of Dementia Care

Individuals with dementia require specialized care as their condition progresses. The condition of dementia affects various cognitive abilities of the brain. The usual cause of dementia is ageing. However, diseases and injuries can also lead to progressive or static loss of cognitive functions in younger individuals. Each individual diagnosed with this condition has a different set and progression of symptoms. A person with dementia may eventually require full-time care at home or in a specialized facility.

Creating a Care Plan

Caregivers with health care training must develop a unique plan for each patient with dementia. Most individuals diagnosed with loss of cognitive abilities due to ageing are over the age of 65. As the world’s population is ageing, more individuals will be diagnosed with a dementia condition. In addition to dementia, an elderly individual may have physical health conditions such as arthritis, heart disease, diabetes and others. While caring for a senior with dementia, the additional conditions also require specialized medications and treatments.

Difficulties Caused by Dementia

An individual with this condition can have difficulties with solving problems, loss of language, attention span or memory. The condition progresses differently with each patient requiring careful monitoring of symptoms. Any care decisions must be discussed with the loved one first to maintain their dignity. While making lifestyle changes an individual should be seeking medical attention. New medications and treatments are useful for various types of dementia and can delay loss of mental functioning. Many dementia patients also develop anxiety or depression that requires treatment.

Help From Family

In the early stages of the dementia condition, an elderly person is often able to continue normal activities with assistance from caregivers. Family members can share in the task of caring for an individual with this condition while they remain in the home. Setting up a schedule with phone calls and home visits by family members is helpful in making sure the loved one is safe. In addition, many religious institutions provide volunteers who are eager to help the elderly in their communities. Various private and government agencies have also developed programs to assist with caring for the ageing population.

Home Care for Dementia Patients

Remaining in familiar surroundings is essential for individuals with dementia during the early stages of the condition. Stress from moving to new locations can actually cause an increase in loss of mental functions. A senior’s home is safer with a few simple changes to the physical characteristics of the home. Installing safety devices in the bathrooms such as grab bars, electrical outlet covers and slip proof flooring can prevent falling injuries. Increased lighting inside and outside the house also helps a senior to walk safely from location to location.

Home Health Assistance

The individual with dementia should begin making plans for their future care before losing the mental capacity to make decisions. Hiring a home health worker to visit every day or live in your loved one’s house can be a great plan. A trained professional caregiver can assist with tasks such as bathing, household chores and preparing nutritious meals. Alternatively, an individual could spend time each day in a specialized day care facility designed for dementia patients. As the dementia condition progresses, a loved one may move to an assisted living home full-time.

 

Nisha has been writing about elderly and dementia care for the last few years now. She enjoys reading health articles from http://mha.org.uk and other dementia and care home resources.

Categories: cognitive abilities, condition progresses, Dementia, dementia condition, dementia patients, Early Stages, emotional, family members, home health, Mental Health, require specialized