Thyroid dysfunction doesn’t cause Diabetes and Diabetes doesn’t cause a Thyroid dysfunction. But both have an intersecting underlying pathology. The pathophysiological association between the two conditions has been attributed to the complex intertwining biochemical, genetic, and hormonal functions.
Do you know that undiagnosed and untreated thyroid disease may lead to Heart disease, Weight Gain or Weight Loss, Infertility, Osteoporosis or Diabetes as well? We bring you some interesting facts and information you need to know about thyroid & its diseases.
What is a Thyroid Gland?
The Thyroid is a small butterfly-shaped gland at the front of the neck just under your Adam’s apple. It’s a bilobular structure with each lobe about the size of a plum cut in half. These lobes lie on either side of the windpipe and are joined by a small bridge called the isthmus.
Thyroid Hormones & their Function
The Thyroid Gland secretes two hormones into the blood: thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). These hormones regulate many important metabolic processes in our body including how our body uses energy from the carbohydrates & fats that we eat and the way every other organ works.
T4 gets converted into T3 in our cells. T3 is a biologically active hormone which influences the metabolism of our body cells. The Thyroid gland is stimulated by the Pituitary gland and the Hypothalamus in the brain.
Thyroid Disorders
Thyroid Disorders are a group of conditions that affect the thyroid gland. These may occur because of over- or under-function of the thyroid gland.
Different Types of Thyroid Disorders
Symptoms
Can Thyroid Disorders be treated?
Most of the thyroid disorders are life-long conditions and can be managed with medical attention. Surgery may be involved when there is a possibility of thyroid cancer or in case of a hyperfunctioning thyroid nodule. There are blood tests available which help you diagnose the thyroid disorders: TSH, T4 test, T3 test.
During this Thyroid Awareness month, we @ Datt Mediproducts are creating awareness about one of the most prevalent disorders. We recommend seeing a doctor immediately when screened with thyroid disease and get treated. Screening is important as an undiagnosed and untreated thyroid disease may put patients at a risk of certain serious conditions, such as cardiovascular diseases, osteoporosis, and infertility. Stay tuned for our next blog on how Thyroid and Diabetes are interlinked to each other?
With winter approaching fast, people are making a lot of changes to their everyday routine; winter coats need to be brought out, the thicker blankets will be on the bed, and heavy-duty moisturizers will be on the vanity. That’s about it right?
No! There is a lot more than you need to do to make sure that you are prepared to give winter your best shot!
Vascular Access Devices (VADs) are an essential element of modern medicine and healthcare.
Vascular access devices (VADs) are inserted into veins via peripheral or central vessels for diagnostic or therapeutic reasons, such as blood sampling, central venous pressure readings, administration of medication, fluids, total parenteral nutrition (TPN) and blood transfusions.
It has been documented that about 90% of hospitalized patients require VADs, which help in the administration of medications, fluids, nutrition, and monitoring & diagnostics. Although the insertion of such devices has become a routine procedure, much importance is not given to the securement techniques and dressings.
Continue reading “Transparent IV Dressings: A Better VAD Securement Option over Gauze & Tapes”
What is Lymphedema?
Lymphedema is a chronic disease associated with the lymphatic system, which results in swelling in one or more parts of the body. It usually develops in the arms or legs due to the accumulation of lymph fluid.
This condition occurs when the lymph fluid doesn’t flow properly in the lymphatic vessels due to the loss of lymph nodes or a blockage resulting from cancer treatment, trauma, surgeries etc.
Continue reading “Lymphedema: How to care and manage?”
Do you take antibiotics for your common cold and sometimes experience that your antibiotic isn’t working? Do you always complete your antibiotics course? Have you been missing days in-between your antibiotics dose?
Do you always consult your doctor before taking any antibiotics? If you have had such experiences, then continue reading to find out more.
What are Antibiotics & how they help treat infections?
Antibiotics are the drugs that fight bacteria. They work either by killing the bacteria or by slowing down their growth. Antibiotics, therefore, are also known as, Antimicrobial or Antibacterial.
Antibiotics are used to treat infections caused by bacteria and certain parasites. Viral infections such as bronchitis, stuffy nose, flu, common cold, and sore throats should not be treated with antibiotics.
Increasing Consumption of Antibiotics “The Miracle Drugs”
Antibiotics are the wonders of modern science and are often considered “miracle drugs”. The burden of infectious diseases is comparatively high in developing countries like India. Antibiotics have a critical role in reducing morbidity and mortality.
As per a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, which projected the total global antibiotics consumption through 2030 by tracking the data from 76 different countries, it has been shown that the antibiotic consumption in India has shot up by 103% from 2000 to 2015. The average consumption has also increased by 63% between the same years.
The increase in antibiotic consumption may expose humans to possible side effects.
What is Antibiotic resistance?
Antibiotic resistance is the ability of a microorganism to withstand the effects of an antibiotic. It occurs naturally because of antibiotic misuse. It is one of the biggest threats to global health and development today.
One should always take antibiotics on a doctor’s consultation and must always complete the therapy course. Whenever we leave the course incomplete, a few bacteria including superbugs survive and are able to thrive. The antibiotic is not able to work in such cases and thereby you develop ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE.
Antibiotic Misuse leading to Resistance & Emergence of Superbugs
It is not necessary to take antibiotics for all mild infections like a cold, cough, flu, etc. Taking the antibiotics when we don’t need them and leaving the course incomplete may put us at more risk. It thereby becomes essential to take the antibiotics’ dose as recommended by the doctor or as instructed in the patient information leaflet.
Healthcare organizations worldwide have been working to minimize the use of antibiotics especially in cases where they are not required. Antibiotic misuse has led to the emanation of SUPERBUGS. Superbugs are strains of bacteria that have developed resistance to different antibiotics.
Following are few of the Superbugs:
The concern is that the existing antibiotics can’t effectively manage these new strains of bacteria. The infections caused by these superbugs are serious and difficult to treat as well. Such infections are increasing the mortality rate across the world.
No new antibiotic has been developed since the 1980s and the new antibiotic pipeline is nearly empty. A large number of people are developing resistances every year. On an average 21,000 people die in the US because of antibiotic resistance.
In India, the problem of Antibiotic Resistance is a major concern because of an increased infection rate, poor waste management, and indiscriminate antibiotics use. Antibiotics Resistance has become an ordeal for the healthcare industry because several procedures like Cancer Chemotherapy and Organ Transplantation are also at risk.
Don’t Borrow Antibiotics
We should never take antibiotics from anyone else to use. We should only take what is prescribed to us. Antibiotics may have drug interactions with other medications that you are taking or may not be suitable for you as it is possible to be allergic to certain antibiotics.
Some antibiotics may not be suitable to take in certain medical conditions like pregnancy or breastfeeding. It is thereby recommended to read the patient information leaflet before starting the antibiotics course and discussing with your physician.
Save your Antibiotics & Antibiotics will Save You
So next time you feel a bit under the weather, don’t take antibiotics as a first course of treatment. A cup of ginger tea could work better for you. Taking antibiotics when you don’t need them could make them stop working for you when you actually need them.
So, save antibiotics, yourself and your loved ones from untreatable bacterial infections. Always seek an expert’s advice before taking antibiotics.
Have you ever thought about how many lives could be saved by blood transfusion? As per the American Red Cross Society, 1 donation can potentially save up to 3 lives. In India, every two seconds someone needs blood.
If you are amazed by this fact then you should learn more about this. Blood transfusion is not only helping to save lives but also helping to change millions of lives as it is essential during surgeries, cancer treatment, traumatic injuries, and chronic illnesses.
Continue reading “Blood Transfusion: Life Saving”
Did you know that lung cancer is responsible for the highest number of deaths in India? This number even exceeds the deaths caused by other types of cancers including ovarian, breast, prostate and colon, put together.
FACT: 50% of the patients suffering from lung cancer had never smoked.
Lung Cancer, which originates in one or both the lungs, is defined as an uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the lungs. These abnormal cells can grow into the tumorous form and interfere with the normal functioning of the lungs.
As per the WHO study, 70% of lung cancer occurs in patients aged 65 years or above, while the rate of lung cancer patients is just 3% in people aged 45 years or below. The main reason for lung cancer is smoking followed by prolonged exposure to toxic and polluted air, asbestos fibers and radon gas.
Types of Lung Cancer
Small Cell Carcinoma:
Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma:
Complications of Lung Cancer
Lung Cancer no longer just a Smoker’s Disease?
Smoking is the major cause of Lung Cancer but this is not the only factor which is taking your life away. There is an increased risk of the disease if you are an active smoker and also if you are exposed to second-hand smoke (passive smoker). But, lung cancer has been seen affecting those people who have never smoked in their lives.
Following are a few other risk factors that could lead to lung cancer:
There is no 100% guaranteed sure-fire way to prevent lung cancer, but there are a few ways in which you can reduce the risk.
Globally, Lung Cancer accounts for nearly 1 in 5 cancer deaths. Once considered a man’s disease and a smoker’s disease it is now taking lives of women too. We need to follow a healthy lifestyle and be aware of the signs and symptoms of the disease.
Creating awareness, approaching the doctor at the right time and seeking diagnosis with appropriate treatment can help save lives. November is “Lung Cancer Awareness Month” and we @ Datt Mediproducts are spreading awareness.
When you are feeling sad for a prolonged period of time and you can’t find any specific reason for it, you might be in the clutches of depression and need to seek professional help. Depression is a common and a widely observed mental disorder which affects people of all ages.
Continue reading “Depression: More than a Brain Chemical Imbalance”
A notably large number of women are seen suffering from PCOS. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) affects 1 in 10 women of childbearing age. It is a health condition which causes a woman to produce larger quantities of the male hormone, thereby tampering with the normal functioning of the woman body.
Continue reading “Everything you need to know about PCOS”