Showing posts with label Diseases. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Diseases. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

How and Why Chest Breathing Promotes Chronic Diseases

Chest breathing is a pathology since we should use the diaphragm for breathing at rest. The diaphragm is a bent dome-shaped muscle mass isolating one's lungs from the abdominal organs. It does about eighty percent of the job connected with the breathing process. Commonly, any time one's diaphragm moves down, the lungs increase in size whilst your abdominal area forces out. While one's diaphragm moves up, your abdomen goes in, and your lung's area is loosened up.

Diaphragmatic inhaling and exhaling are very important for our wellbeing. Additionally, tummy breathing is essential for elimination and curing of serious illnesses.

Chest breathing reduces oxygen delivery to body cells

To start with, your diaphragm helps you to manage economical O2 transportation and (partial) CO2 removal. Be aware that, whilst most modern-day individuals believe in the deep breathing fantasy ("our automatic breathing should be deep for better oxygenation") along with toxic effects of CO2, health science have realized a large number of health benefits due to CO2. While standard inhalation during rest has tiny tidal quantity (only about 500-550 ml for just one inhale for a 70-kg person), it provides excellent oxygenation of the hemoglobin cells in the arterial bloodstream (as much as 98-99%). This is possible as a result of diaphragmatic breathing.

In comparison, costal or chest breathing is often larger in volume and also deeper (up to 12-18 L/min for minute air flow, 700-900 mL for tidal amount, and 18-25 breaths/minute for breathing frequency in cases of mild heart problems, diabetes, asthma and so forth), but blood vessels have reduced O2 quantities as a result of the inhomogeneous gas exchange: lower areas of the lungs doesn't receive fresh air supply in the course of upper body breathing.

Furthermore, diminished oxygen transportation to body tissues will certainly enhance every long-term ailment. In truth, consider medical facts related to the role of oxygen in the pathogenesis of chronic diseases.

A good number of released experiments have confirmed that cell hypoxia is the main factor that encourages cancer tumors. Heart problems and angina agony are dependant and possible only when we have low amount of O2 inside the heart muscle tissues. Diabetes, cystic fibrosis, asthma, bronchitis, osteoporosis, GI illnesses, and mental health problems, they're all associated with lower amount of O2 within the brain or other body organs.

When these diseases turn out to be critical and individuals are hospitalized or even in critical treatment caused by episodes or serious exacerbations, emergency experts generally provide their patients with 100 % pure O2 in order to save lives of individuals. The reason is the same: for all these health problems, oxygen quantities inside body tissues becomes dangerously reduced.

For that reason, upper body breathing promotes long-term illnesses caused by diminished oxygen supply to body organs.

Chest breathing promotes lymphatic stagnation in visceral organs

Second, diaphragmatic breathing contributes to natural massage of the lymphatic nodes found just beneath the diaphragm. The lymphatic system, it is also called the sewage system of the human body, doesn't possess a pump to move its fluid. How it work?

The lymph nodes can be found within those areas of one's body where normal compression is naturally developed. For instance, we've got significant number of lymph nodes on our neck. Daily, most of us do a huge number of left-right movements with our head. Consequently, the lymphatic liquid will be pressed away from the lymph nodes. How? This happens due to valves which allow only one-directional flow of the lymph. Likewise, we've got plenty of lymph nodes under armpits and surrounding locations. If we move our arms, the lymph nodes get normal massage to clear out unwanted substances. Next area is inside the groin region. This is yet another group of lymph nodes which can be massaged by way of activities of our hip and legs, when we walk. There are actually no lymph nodes throughout all those sites within the body which do not experience natural compression or massage.

Nevertheless, the lymph nodes from your stomach, kidneys, liver, spleen, pancreas, both colons, along with internal organs can be found just below your diaphragm.

or that reason, mother nature wants you to be able to inhale and exhale when using the diaphragm all the time. When we have upper body breathing, we promote inner pollution along with deposition of waste products from internal organs. Consequently, it's not a big surprise that seriously ill individuals sometimes perish from multiple organ failure which can be caused by lymphatic pollution.

Modern people, chest breathing and breathing patterns

An ability to have diaphragmatic breathing 24/7 is linked with the body oxygen level. Most contemporary men and women have got about 20-25 seconds of oxygen in the entire body. (To measure body oxygen level, perform a stress-free breath holding test done after standard exhale and only until the primary stress.) Why? This is because their breathing is approximately 2 times greater compared to the health-care norm. Hyperventilation reduces oxygen availability in tissues.

In the past the situation was different. Indeed, a hundred years ago people had about two times more body oxygen because their breathing had been slower and lighter.

Overbreathing cuts down CO2 concentration in all muscle tissues, such as the diaphragm. Given that carbon dioxide is a relaxant of all smooth muscle cells of the human body, hyperventilation results in a condition of spasm inside the diaphragm. Moreover, deep breathing, in addition, predisposes us to slouching caused by strain round the shoulder blades, neck, along with other muscles in the top section of the body.

In the sick people, these problems are even worse. Their breathing is heavier during rest and they've got much less O2 and CO2 in body cells. Hence, virtually all of them are chest breathers.

Diaphrgmatic breathing 24/7 is one of the free online Modules of the Learning the Buteyko Breathing Technique.

Ineffective breathing pattern is the most common clinical finding in people with chronic diseases.

Dr. Artour Rakhimov is a health educator. He is the author of books and the educational website NormalBreathing.com that has hundreds of medical quotes, graphs, references, charts, tables, results of trials, analysis of respiratory techniques, free breathing exercises, manuals, lifestyle modules and other resources.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Artour_Rakhimov

Artour Rakhimov - EzineArticles Expert Author

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Monday, March 14, 2011

High Altitude Pulmonary Edema And Some Other Diseases Due To High Altitude

This is a more serious complication compared to AMS. Young subjects in apparently good health are more affected. It may manifest in newcomers and also in subjects acclimatized to high altitudes, if they ascend the height rapidly after periods of stay at lower altitudes. Altitudes above 2500 m can be harmful, but most of the cases occur at heights of 3050 to 4550 m. Heavy meal, physical exertion and too-rapid an ascent precipitate the condition. Symptoms start within 6 to 48 hours of reaching the station.

Though, pulmonary hypertension is invariably found as a consequence of hypoxia, only a small proportion of subjects develop acute pulmonary edema which tends to be patchy. The reason for the edema is not clear. Autopsy studies have revealed dilatation of pulmonary arteries and arterioles, congestion of capillaries, intravascular thrombi, perivascular hemorrhages, and alveolar edema. Cases of long duration may show hyaline membrane in the alveoli.

Clinical features: Many cases follow acute mountain sickness, but in some, pulmonary edema develops abruptly. Early symptoms are cough, tachypnea, dyspnea and chest pain. These are soon followed by hemoptysis, cyanosis, frothy expectoration, and intense chest discomfort. Oliguria may develop.

The course is variable. In some, the pulmonary edema worsens while in others, it may become subacute and persist for a few days. In severe cases, right sided heart failure may follow and this may precede death. Radiographic abnormalities include prominence of the pulmonary arteries, patchy edema which is more prominent in the upper and mid-zones and more marked on the right side. Electrocardiogram reveals acute right ventricular strain due to pulmonary hypertension.

Diagnosis: High altitude pulmonary edema should be anticipated in healthy subjects who develop vague cerebral and respiratory symptoms on reaching high altitudes. Early recognition and treatment are necessary to avoid rapid deterioration and death. Acute mountain sickness, respiratory infections, Cardiac failure, and malingering have to be differentiated from this condition.

Treatment: The patient should be hospitalized and administered oxygen. If oxygen is not available, the patient should be evacuated to a lower camp. Morphine, 15 mg and furosemide 40 mg should be given intravenously. In the majority of cases, there are enough to tide over an attack. Persistence of pulmonary edema is an indication for repeating furosemide. Physiological venesection by applying tourniquets proximately to the limbs, helps in reducing pulmonary edema. Precipitating factors such as respiratory infection have to be looked for and treated appropriately.

Prevention: proper training and conditioning for 1-2 weeks should be undertaken before reaching high altitudes. On reaching high altitudes all unacclimatized persons should avoid physical exertion for 48-72 hours. Furosemide 40 mg given orally daily for 2-3 days prevents the onset of acute pulmonary edema.

High altitude cerebral edema

This disorder is less common than pulmonary edema. Cerebral edema may follow acute mountain sickness several hours after reaching the high altitude. Pathological lesions consist of dilatation of cerebral vessels, cerebral edema and patchy hemorrhages. Early clinical features consist of lethargy, insomnia, dreamy state and irritability. Severe cases develop intense headache, confusion and coma before reaching the fatal end. Cheyne-stokes respiration may develop.

Treatment: The patient should be administered pure oxygen and evacuated to a lower camp. Dexamethasone given intravenously or intramuscularly in a dose of 4-8 mg gives relief.

Chronic mountain sickness-Monge's disease, chronic soroche, high altitude disease

Some persons living at high altitudes lose their acclimatization and develop symptoms. Most of such reports have come from South America. Males are affected more than females. The mechanism is not fully understood. Features are those of alveolar hypoventilation. Palliative measures are only of temporary benefit. Therefore it is advisable to remove affected individuals to low altitudes. The whole picture reverts tp normal on reaching low altitudes.


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Sunday, February 27, 2011

Viral Diseases and Their Symptoms

The viral diseases occur due to an infection of virus. They are generally divided into two sections severe, uncomplicated and mild. Generally flu-like symptoms, cold, pain in the joints are the well-known viral symptoms.

The names of viral disease are many and it has affected numerous people around the world. The viruses are actually small microbes that can be seen only under a microscope. These viruses can spread and replicate in numbers as they enter in human body. These categories of viruses can infect small organisms, plants and animals. Viruses were first discovered in the year 1898. Since then, several kinds of viruses have been discovered. It has been observed that viruses can be found in every part of the ecosystem as per the environmental conditions and weather their categories are different. A viral disease happens when a virus enters a human body. It can happen if some one eat contaminated food, drink contaminated water or come in a contact with a contaminated person. The viral diseases can be divided into two different sections mild and severe. The cough and cold, viral flu like influenza generally happens to every one. Recently, the bird flu and H1N1 infection has been affected numerous people around the world as outbreaks. The diseases like chicken pox, shingles and HIV/AIDs are some of the severe viral infection. the viral infections can be severe if they are sexually transmitted. Some of the other severe viral diseases are HPV, Hepatitis A, B and C, mumps etc.

The person who suffers with a viral infection will suffer with fever, headaches, pain in the muscles, body aches, fatigue and infection in the upper respiratory tract. In a case of viral flu the person will suffer with malaise, chills, loss of appetite and shivering. Flu symptoms will also include nausea, vomiting and even diarrhea. A case of severe diarrhea, the illness medically termed as 'stomach flu'. The other viral symptoms can also be breathing problems. In a case of a viral infection occurred due to STD, a person will also suffer with many other kinds of health disasters.

In a test process, the medical experts go for blood tests like a CBC or a complete blood test. In this process, the doctors will see the count of White and Red blood cells. The other tests are cultural tests, where a doctor will take a sample of the infected body area to check the spread of the microorganisms. The samples are generally taken from the throat, blood and sputum from the lungs. It also includes lumbar puncture, which is also known as spinal tap. The medical experts take a little amount of cerebrospinal fluid or CSF for the test. The CSF that is taken for sample shows the existence of white blood cells and other categories of microorganisms. These kinds of tests are viral meningitis, viral pneumonia. The doctors also go for X-rays, MRI test and Computer Tomography or CT scan to verify the viral symptoms.

The viral diseases are treated through the doses of antibiotics or antiviral medications. Some of the antiviral drugs are Adefovir, Ganciclovir and Delaviridine. The Tamiflu was recently introduced as a medication for H1N1 infection. Some of the antiviral medications have severe side affects like rashes on the skin, headaches, diarrhea, malaise, chest pain and irregular heartbeats etc. The medications can also lead skin rashes.


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Friday, February 25, 2011

Diseases Due To Arthropods - Various Types Of Myiasis Causing Parasites

In general, the infection is of two types. Ectoparasitic (Auchmeromyia leuteola) and Endoparasitic (Cutaneous and Tissues or cavities). Examples of the cutaneous type are the Dermatobia hominis and Corylobia antrhopophaga. Examples of the Tissues or cavities type are the Sarcophaga, Wohlfartia, Fannia Oestrus, Chrysomia and Callitroga.

Deep Tissue Myiasis

Larvae of the flies belonging to the families Callitroga (Cochliomyia), Chrysomyia, Sarcophaga, Wohlfartia, Fannia and Oestrus invade tissues extensively when the eggs are laid on open wounds, damaged tissues or discharging surfaces, by the adult flies. The larvae of Wohlfartia can penetrate even unbroken skin. The lesions are commonly seen in the nasal cavities, paranasal sinuses, middle ear and orbit. Cartilage and bone may also be destroyed by the screw shaped larvae which may extend intracranially leading to fatal meningitis. The lesions are very painful and the larvae may be discharged from these sites. Treatment is manual removal of larvae or extraction after spraying the area with chloroform. Repeated sessions may be necessary. Secondary infection has to be treated with broad spectrum antibiotics like ampicillin.

Ophthalmic Myiasis

Flies of the genus Chrysomyia and Oestrus may lay their eggs in the conjuctival sac. The larvae hatch out and produce lesions resembling acute conjunctivitis with severe irritation. Rarely corneal ulceration and loss of sight may occur. Removal of the maggot after anaesthetizing the eye and application of topical antibiotic drops will relieve the condition.

Intestinal Myiasis

The larvae or pupae of Musca, Fannia, Sarcophaga and Tubifera may be passed in stools or appear in vomitus. The eggs may be laid by the flies around the lips or anus while sleeping, especially if there are foul smelling discharges around these orifices. The larvae hatch out from a few hours to two days and are swallowed to reach the upper gastrointestinal tract or they may crawl up into the rectum and large intestine. They develop in the stomach or in the intestines. Sometimes, larvae may be swallowed along with infested food stuffs. The larvae cause symptoms of gastritis or colitis which may persist from weeks to months. If reinfection does not occur, the condition is self-limiting. Treatment consists of administration of purgatives and reassurance about the self-limiting nature of the illness.

Urinary Myiasis

Larvae of Muscae, Fannia or Sarcophaga may enter the bladder, when the eggs are laid around the external genitalia and produce symptoms of lower urinary tract infection with proteinuria, pyuria and hematuria. The larvae may pass in urine. Rarely urinary system may be involved by maggots eroding their way from the gastrointestinal tract.


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