Hyperalimentation:
Hyperalimentation is the procedure that involves the administration of nutrients to an individual through a vein; it does not make use of the patient’s digestive system. Hyperalimentation may be administered to individuals that are unable to absorb nutrients with the help of the intestinal tract; this could be due to an intestinal disease, very severe conditions of diarrhea or continuous vomiting. It could also be administered to patients that are under going high dose radiation or chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant. Other situations where this procedure is administered are: before a surgery if the patient is malnourished, post surgery if the patient is not recovering as expected or there are complications in relation to the surgery and if the person suffers from inflammatory bowel disease.
This procedure makes it possible to provide an individual with all the necessary minerals, vitamins, calories and proteins. Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) or parenteral nutrition is the other terms that are used to refer to this particular procedure. Hyperalimentation uses a central line and not an IV line in one’s arm, simply because the solution that is used for this procedure is highly concentrated and thus is capable of burning the tissues, if it happens to leak out of the IV site, like the arm. A central line is nothing but a special IV or intravenous line which is inserted into the chest, and is then connected to any one of the large veins which lie in close proximity to the heart. The solution that is used while administering hyperalimentation is customized to meet an individual patients needs and contains; fat emulsion, vitamins, electrolytes such as sodium and potassium, amino acids and sugar or glucose. The procedure utilizes a pump in order to regulate closely, the quantity of solution that is being given.
Once the patient is allowed to go home a nutritional team will be employed in-order to help with the procedure. The patient’s nutritional status will be examined and then his or her nutritional requirements will be calculated accordingly. The solution will be changed as and when the patient’s requirements change. For example, if the individual has gradually started to take in fluids or food orally (through the mouth), then he or she, would require a lesser amount of calories from the solution. The potential complications associated with this treatment are; too much or too less glucose in the patients blood, infection, headache, nausea and catheter dislodgement.
Cat Scratch Disease:
Cat scratch disease otherwise known as cat scratch fever is an infection that is caused by the Bartonella henselae bacteria. Most people contract this infection from either cat scratches or cat bites. Fleas are responsible for spreading these particular bacteria to cats; however there is no solid evidence that fleas too can spread this disease directly to humans. The Bartonella henselae bacteria live in the saliva of an infected cat, but it does not make the cat sick. It is believed that at least 50 percent of all cats have this infection at some point in their lives.
A tiny bump or blister forms on the area of the bite or scratch and could be mistaken for a bug bite. These bumps or lesions are mostly found on the scalp, head, hands or scalp are known as inoculation lesions and are usually not painful. Within a few weeks after the bite/scratch, the lymph nodes that are present in the area of this inoculation lesion, will become tender and swell up. Say for example, an individual has an inoculation lesion on his or her arm; then the lymph nodes in the armpit or elbow will swell. This swelling at times may be accompanied with fever, rash, head ache, a sore throat and a loss of appetite. This condition normally tends to resolve on its own and calls for no treatment, but here are a few home remedies that can help ease irritation and pain. Mix together equal amounts of sea salt and baking soda. Add this to a glass of warm water stir it well and then drink it. Doing this twice a day will help the body in eliminating toxins, this in turn will enable the lymph nodes to function efficiently and thus get rid of the swelling.
Take a tablespoon of lavender oil and to this add a teaspoon of sunflower oil. Gently massage the mixture of the two oils on the swelling 2-3 times a day. This will help in reducing pain and the swelling as well. Another option would be to apply a warm compress on the swollen area. Dip a clean cloth in a bowl of warm water, squeeze the excess water out of the cloth and then place the cloth on the affected area. This will help alleviating pain to a large extent. Please bear in mind that if the swelling does not subside and the pain increases, you must consult a physician immediately.
Strawberry and Health:
Strawberries are considered to be among the better looking fruits and so they are often used to garnish fruit salads, cakes and sweetmeats. They are also aromatic and have a sweet smell that tends to linger and so they are also often used in beauty preparations. However aside from its sweet smell and good looks, strawberries also have a lot of health benefits. These delicious little fruits happen to be the most popular berries, with over 600 different species available. There are both cultivated strawberries and wild strawberries. The wild variety of the fruit is smaller and much more intense in terms of flavor. The cultivated variety of the berry is what you purchase at the store. They happen to be a part of the rose family, which is probably from where they get their very eye appealing bright red color.
The strawberry is rich in vitamins and is good for health. They can be used in many different ways, as a smoothie, in a salad, in fruit dishes and ice creams, candies desserts and drinks and so on. Let us look at some of the benefits of the fruit. Strawberries have a high content of antioxidants. Antioxidants help in fighting against free radicals and also help in eliminating toxins from the blood. Free radicals are known to damage cells and are responsible for causing most types of cancers. Thus strawberries are ideal for fighting cancer due to the high level of antioxidants that they contain. The various nutrients present in the fruit help in nourishing brain cells, increasing both the functioning as well as the health of the brain. The minerals, vitamins and antioxidants present in the fruit together, constitute to form a powerful disease fighting mechanism.
Adding strawberries to one’s daily diet is recommended especially for catarrh, gout and rheumatism. In addition they also help in treating conditions such as constipation, high blood pressure and the flu. Strawberries are also good for the teeth. They can help you in getting rid of tartar. All you need to do is slice a strawberry in half and the rub one half on the teeth. Or you could follow the much simpler route and just chew on them. The acidic content in the fruits acts on the tartar and dissolves it. Apart from doing away with tartar, the acid also helps in significantly improving the health of the gums. As these fruits are perishable, they need to be consumed soon after they are purchased. It is thus advisable to buy them between April and October - the time that they are in season.
Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome:
Alcoholism can simply be defined as a constant urge or need to drink alcohol. An addiction of this sort is very common and it is a growing phenomenon which is responsible for causing a large number of deaths annually. Alcohol addiction is just like any other kind of addiction, wherein you get fixated or hung on to a particular activity or object such as gambling, eating and so on. Alcohol when consumed regularly over a prolonged period of time, can have serious repercussions on ones health. It is known to cause nerve, kidney and liver damage. In addition an addiction of this sort can also affect one’s nervous system, which at a later point in life may develop into a more serious illness. Alcoholism also makes you susceptible to anxiety and depression, obesity and cancers of the colon, heart, liver, esophagus, larynx and mouth.
Withdrawal syndrome (with respect to alcohol) is a set or group of symptoms, witnessed when alcoholics suddenly abstain from drinking. They could range from mild shivers, anxiety, insomnia and nightmares to convulsions and hallucinations. These symptoms if ignored, can at times pose to be life threatening. Here are few home remedies to deal with withdrawal symptoms. Grapes are considered to be an excellent remedy for those that are trying to get rid of alcohol addiction, thus have as many grapes as you possibly can in a day. Bingeing on grapes is what you would be required to do, to help fight the withdrawal symptoms. Consume a bowlful of grapes after every five hours. Another fruit that is also highly recommended for this condition is apple. It helps in reducing the urge to drink, while also flushing out toxins from the body.
Milk thistle being a great liver tonic also works well on this condition. It contains a substance known as silymarin which helps in repairing any damage that has been caused to the liver, on account of an excessive intake of alcohol. In addition, it will also help in protecting and strengthening your liver. Fresh vegetable and fruit juices are great regenerators, builders, energizers and cleansers of the system. Consume plenty of juices, as they will supply your body with all the fats, proteins, minerals, enzymes and vitamins that are required to increase vitality. Celery juice in particular, works as a great antidote and works wonders for the system. A mixture made by combining half a glass each of water and celery juice should be had daily.
