Showing posts with label Common. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Common. Show all posts

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Sarcoidosis - Common Signs and Symptoms of Sarcoidosis

Do You or Someone You Know Have Sarcoidosis - What are the mos common symptoms of sarcoidosis?

Sarcoidosis symptoms are many, and to diagnose sarcoid can be a real issue which is often why sarcoidosis is often misdiagnosed. In the following article we will attempt to cover some of the more common symptoms of sarcoidosis, hopefully enough to allow you to make an informed decision as to whether to visit your doctor.

Before we continue with the list of sarcoidosis symptoms I would like to point out that the following article is intended only as being informative, if you believe that you may be suffering with sarcoidosis or any other medical condition it is very important for you to visit your doctor at the earliest point in order to receive a firm diagnosis.

Early common Sarcoidosis symptoms are as follows:

Shortness of breath which is medically referred to as dyspneaInflammation in the eye or other eye related problemsPersistent and often dry cough, which suffers may find difficult to shake offSkin rash, which may consist of red tender areas or lumpsChronic fatigue or a felling of physical or mental exhaustion

The list of possible sarcoidosis symptoms above may help those with a niggling feeling that something is wrong decide on further examination, it should be noted that most of the listed sarcoid symptoms may not have anything to do with sarcoidosis at all and may in fact be symptoms of another disease or illness, many of which either overlap or have very similar manifestations.

As mentioned above Sarcoidosis is an exceptionally difficult condition to diagnose, this can be for a number of reasons, however one of the biggest reasons sarcoidosis often goes unchecked is because the condition is usually asymptomatic. The term 'Asymptomatic' is used to describe a condition which displays no obvious signs that the person has the disease.

Other common symptoms of sarcoidosis are as follows:

The following symptoms of Sarcoidosis are often attributed to 'lymphadenopathy' which is swollen or inflamed lymph nodes.

Respiratory complicationsChest painNasal congestionWheezing when breathing

These particular symptoms are common in as many as 90% of sarcoidosis sufferers. Abnormalities such as lymphadenopathy will normally show up on X-ray or through the use of CT scanning. If you are worried that you may have symptoms of sarcoidosis you should seek expert medical advice.

The sarcoidosis symptoms listed here are just a quick look at some of the most common signs of the condition, however I must stress this is just a quick glance at the condition, symptoms of sarcoidosis are often different from patient to patient and vary greatly.

Read More About Sarcoidosis Signs & Symptoms:


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Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Spot the Differences Between Swine Flu and Common Flu

Sneezing and nausea any time in winter can create panic in people. The 2009 swine flu pandemic clearly showed that people need to learn more about the difference between swine flu and the common flu in order to start with a proper treatment, quickly. To find out the differences between the 'novel' H1N1 infection and common influenza, you probably have to look beyond the common symptoms. Experts believe that a virology test is the most convincing way to distinguish the two conditions. But if you don't have immediate access to a lab, take a look at the symptoms list first.

Common flu symptoms

Symptoms of common flu are usually more severe than those of common cold. Common influenza usually begins with a sore throat and is accompanied by fever and chills. You are likely to have severe headache and body aches too. Nasal congestion, runny nose and cough are common symptoms of any flu infection. Common flu can be caused by hundreds of different viral strains, while swine influenza is caused by a 'novel' viral type.

Depending on the type of flu virus, the symptoms may go away in 2-5 days, or may last for about a week. But if the symptoms don't go away and you experience shortness of breath, inform your doctor right away for diagnosis of pneumonia, a common post-flu complication experienced by people with heart or respiratory conditions.

Swine flu symptoms

It is difficult to distinguish common flu and swine flu by looking at their symptoms. Perhaps the only difference you can tell from the symptoms is that the patients suffering from swine flu may experience vomiting and diarrhoea, which the common flu patients are unlikely to suffer from.

Spotting the key differences
Virus - Swine flu is caused by a new strain of influenza virus type A. Common flu, on the other hand, can be caused by all 3 influenza viral types.Treatment - Swine flu treatment is usually more challenging as compared to the common flu treatment because until 2009, humans were never infected with the 'novel' viral type that causes swine flu.Resistance - Like avian bird flu, swine flu too, is difficult to prevent. The H1N1 virus can infect healthy individuals with strong immunity. Viruses that cause regular flu often target people with compromised immune systems.

How can you safeguard yourself against flu

Taking annual flu vaccines is one of the most reliable ways to keep flu at bay. Following the outbreak of swine influenza in 2009, an H1N1 vaccine was developed to vaccinate people who could possibly have been infected with the H1N1 virus. If you get exposed to an environment that may pose the threat of flu transmission, talk to your doctor immediately for preventive treatment. You may be asked to take Tamiflu oseltamivir, a prescription anti-flu medicine which is known for its efficacy in preventing and treating nearly all flu types. This medicine can give you relief from flu symptoms 30% faster than patients who are not taking it. But to ensure quick recovery, you need to take it within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms.


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