Meningitis

Most people have heard of meningitis, but not everyone understands the disease.  Is meningitis viral or genetic?  Can it be caused by injury or environmental factors?  Is meningitis treatable, and can it be cured?

Meningitis is a serious and potentially life-threatening disease that involves an inflammation of the meninges, the membranes covering the spinal cord and brain.  A variety of factors can cause meningitis, including bacterial or viral infections, as well as some species of parasites, fungi and protozoa.  The meninges can also become inflamed due to complications arising from other diseases including some cancers, and can be brought about as a side affect of certain medications.  These non-infectious causes, however, tend to be very rare.

The most common symptoms of meningitis include fever, irritability, lethargy, headaches, photophobia (eye sensitivity to light), and a stiff neck, but the disease can also present with a number of other symptoms.  Newborns and infants with meningitis obviously are not able to communicate their discomfort.  As a result, young children with meningitis may simply appear extremely irritable or lethargic.

There are several types of meningitis, each caused by a variety of factors:

Bacterial Meningitis
* Meningococcal Meningitis and Meningococcal Septicaemia Meningitis.  There are five main types of meningococcal bacteria that can cause these: A, B, C, W135 and Y.
* Hib Meningitis is caused by Haemophilus Influenzae Type B bacteria
* TB Meningitis is caused by Bacillus Tubercle bacteria
* Pneumococcal Meningitis is caused by Streptococcus Pneumoniae bacteria
* Neonatal Meningitis is caused by Escherichia Coli or Streptococcus Agalactiae bacteria

Fungal Meningitis
* Cryptococcus Neoformans fungus.

Viral Meningitis
* Caused by coxsackie virus, echoviruses, and a range of other viruses.  Viral meningitis can also be contracted following herpes simplex, measles, polio, mumps or chickenpox infections.
 
Amoebic Meningitis
* Amoeba found in geothermal and stagnating pools of fresh water at temperatures of 30°C

Coming in contact with, or being infected by a particular bacteria or virus that has been associated with meningitis does not necessarily mean that the person will contract the disease.  In most cases, the particular microorganism will cause only it's usual infection.  However, in some cases, the microorganism may cause meningitis without the person becoming ill or showing any symptoms.  Others will develop a serious and potentially life-threatening full-blown case of meningitis.

If you suspect that you or your child has Meningitis, seek professional medical advice immediately.
 
Diagnosing Hemorrhoids
Image If you have been experiencing rectal bleeding and discomfort and think that you may have hemorrhoids, you may want to have your symptoms checked out by a doctor. Knowing what to expect of your visit can help you to feel more comfortable during your examination. Also, by understanding what will occur, you will be better prepared to get the help that you need for your hemorrhoids.

The first thing to consider is that is important to get a proper diagnoses. Even if you are certain that you have hemorrhoids, even if it is not the first time that you have had them, you should still see your physician and be examined. There are several other digestive disorders that could be contributing to the problem # some of them serious. Rectal bleeding can even be due to cancer, so it is important that you get it checked out.

The first thing your doctor will do is examine the anus and the rectal area. He or she will look for swollen blood vessels. These are a major symptom of hemorrhoids. Your physician will check for lumps in the skin close to the anus. He or she will then will then use a lubricated glove to examine you internally. Your physician will feel for lumps or abnormalities along the wall of the rectum. These lumps and abnormalities can be signs of hemorrhoids.

One of the tools that doctors will often use when examining for hemorrhoids is a proctoscope. This is a hollow tube with a light on it. It is inserted into the rectum and allows the doctor to more easily see any problems in that area. This instrument is most often used if internal hemorrhoids are suspected. Your doctor will be able to examine the lining of the rectum, determine if there is anything unusual or abnormal on the lining of the rectum, and determine if these abnormalities are hemorrhoids.

If your doctor is unable to determine the cause of the hemorrhoids, he ore she has the option of performing a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy. In this procedure, your doctor inserts a hollow tube (similar to the proctoscope) into your rectum and colon. In this manner he or she can examine not only the frontal area of the rectum, but into the intestinal area as well. This same tool is what doctors use to diagnose bleeding and discomfort not related to hemorrhoids.

If you have been experiencing symptoms of hemorrhoids, it is important to be examined by a physician to determine that there is not a larger problem. By knowing the cause of your problem, you can treat the bleeding and discomfort and get on with your life. Hemorrhoids don’t have to interfere with your life if you seek treatment now.
 
In Home Care for Alzheimer's Disease
Disorientation inside the home is a problem that usually manifests in later stages of Alzheimer's disease. In order to avoid this as long as possible, it is vital that the Alzheimer's patient's home remains absolutely unchanged. Even something as insignificant as moving furniture or small items can cause disorientation and worsen confusion.

To an Alzheimer's patient, sameness and continuity are of the utmost importance. The longer their routine continues undisturbed,the longer they will retain vital daily functions such as remaining continent, eating, or going to bed because the pattern remains familiar. It is well-known to carergivers and health professionals that the quality of life for an Alzheimer's sufferer is much better in a familiar environment for as long as it is possible to safely keep them there. Confusion becomes much more acute and apparent once they are moved to a strange environment.

A classic example of Alzheimer's patients suffering from being moved to another environment is when it is necessary to admit them to the hospital. Because of the hospital's fast-paced environment, an Alzheimer's patient's confusion and disorientation becomes frighteningly apparent. Many carergivers and friends fault the hospital for the apparent change in the patient's demeanor. However, in reality, they have only appeared highly-functioning because the Alzheimer's sufferer has been able to disguise their waning cognitive skills by embracing their familiar environment. It is only when they are removed from that comfort zone that problems become apparent. Manifestations of the problems include incontinency, refusal to eat, sadness and depression.

It is because of this that hospital admittance for someone with Alzheimer's disease should only be undertaken as a last resort. An unwarranted hospital stay can result in depriving the patient of their potentially tenuous hold on reality and independence. If assessed in the hospital environment, an Alzheimer's sufferer performing such a mundane task as making a cup of tea would probably perform terribly. Yet if that same patient were asked to perform the identical task once returned home, he or she would most likely do moderately well. This is a result of the return to a familiar routine, and is evidence of the importance or home visits for people suffering from Alzheimer's after they have been admitted and discharged from the hospital. This helps to ensure that they are not being wrongly-assessed or inappropriately-placed.
 
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