среда, 25 марта 2009 г.

Epilepsy (from the Greek επιληψία /epili΄psia/ ) is a common chronic neurological disorder characterized by recurrent unprovoked seizures.[1][2] These seizures are transient signs and/or symptoms of abnormal, excessive or synchronous neuronal activity in the brain.[3] About 50 million people worldwide have epilepsy, with almost 90% of these people being in developing countries.[4] Epilepsy is more likely to occur in young children or people over the age of 65 years, but it can occur at any time[5]. Epilepsy is usually controlled, but not cured, with medication, although surgery may be considered in difficult cases. However, over 30% of people with epilepsy do not have seizure control even with the best available medications [6][7]. Not all epilepsy syndromes are lifelong – some forms are confined to particular stages of childhood. Epilepsy should not be understood as a single disorder, but rather as a group of syndromes with vastly divergent symptoms but all involving episodic abnormal electrical activity in the brain.
The insular cortex, in particular its most anterior portion, is considered a limbic-related cortex. The insula has increasingly become the focus of attention for its role in body representation and subjective emotional experience. In particular, Antonio Damasio has proposed that this region plays a role in mapping visceral states that are associated with emotional experience, giving rise to conscious feelings. This is in essence a neurobiological formulation of the ideas of William James, who first proposed that subjective emotional experience (i.e. feelings) arise from our brain's interpretation of bodily states that are elicited by emotional events. This is an example of embodied cognition.

Functionally speaking, the insula is believed to process convergent information to produce an emotionally relevant context for sensory experience. More specifically, the anterior insula is related more to olfactory, gustatory, vicero-autonomic, and limbic function, while the posterior insula is related more to auditory-somesthetic-skeletomotor function. Functional imaging experiments have revealed that the insula has an important role in pain experience and the experience of a number of basic emotions, including anger, fear, disgust, happiness and sadness.

Functional imaging studies have also implicated the insula in conscious desires, such as food craving and drug craving. What is common to all of these emotional states is that they each change the body in some way and are associated with highly salient subjective qualities. The insula is well situated for the integration of information relating to bodily states into higher-order cognitive and emotional processes. The insula receives information from "homeostatic afferent" sensory pathways via the thalamus and sends output to a number of other limbic-related structures, such as the amygdala, the ventral striatum and the orbitofrontal cortex.

A single study using magnetic resonance imaging has found that the right anterior insula was significantly thicker in people who meditate.[3]

Insular cortex has been found to contain mirror neuron systems related to emotions.[4]
Hypoglycaemia or hypoglycemia is the medical term for a pathologic state produced by a lower than normal level of blood glucose. The term hypoglycemia literally means "under-sweet blood" (Gr. hypo-, glykys, haima).

Hypoglycemia can produce a variety of symptoms and effects but the principal problems arise from an inadequate supply of glucose as fuel to the brain, resulting in impairment of function (neuroglycopenia). Derangements of function can range from vaguely "feeling bad" to coma, seizures, and (rarely) permanent brain damage or death. Hypoglycemia can arise from many causes and can occur at any age. It also sometimes occurs at random.

The most common forms of moderate and severe hypoglycemia occur as a complication of treatment of diabetes mellitus treated with insulin or less frequently with certain oral medications. Hypoglycemia is usually treated by the ingestion or administration of dextrose, or foods quickly digestible to glucose.

Endocrinologists (specialists in hormones, including those which regulate glucose metabolism) typically consider the following criteria (referred to as Whipple's triad) as proving that individual's symptoms can be attributed to hypoglycemia:

1. Symptoms known to be caused by hypoglycemia
2. Low glucose at the time the symptoms occur
3. Reversal or improvement of symptoms or problems when the glucose is restored to normal

However, not everyone has accepted these suggested diagnostic criteria, and even the level of glucose low enough to define hypoglycemia has been a source of controversy in several contexts. For many purposes, plasma glucose levels below 70 mg/dl or 3.9 mmol/L are considered hypoglycemic; these issues are detailed below.
Canine hypoadrenocorticism

The condition is relatively rare, but has been diagnosed in all breeds of dogs. In general, it is underdiagnosed, and one has to have a clinical suspicion of it as an underlying disorder for many presenting complaints. Females are overrepresented, and the disease often appears in middle age (4-7 years), although any age or gender may be affected. Genetic continuity between dogs and humans helps to explain the occurrence of Addison's disease in both species.[9]

Hypoadrenocorticism is treated with prednisolone and/or fludrocortisone (Florinef (r)) or a monthly injection called Percorten V (desoxycorticosterone pivlate (DOCP)). Routine blood work is necessary periodically to assess therapy.

Most of the medications used in the therapy of hypoadrenocorticism cause excessive thirst and urination. It is absolutely vital to provide fresh drinking water for the canine sufferer.

If the owner knows about an upcoming stressful situation (shows, traveling etc.), patients generally need an increased dose of prednisone to help deal with the added stress. Avoidance of stress is important for dogs with hypoadrenocorticism.
Addison's disease (also known as chronic adrenal insufficiency, hypocortisolism or hypocorticism) is a rare endocrine disorder in which the adrenal gland doesn't produce enough steroid hormones (glucocorticoids and often mineralocorticoids). It may develop in children and adults, and may occur as the result of many underlying causes.

The condition is named after Dr Thomas Addison, the British physician who first described the condition in his 1855 publication On the Constitutional and Local Effects of Disease of the Suprarenal Capsules.[1] The adjective "Addisonian" is used for features of the condition, as well as patients with Addison's disease.[2]

The condition is generally diagnosed with blood tests, medical imaging and additional investigations.[2] Treatment involves replacement of the hormones (oral hydrocortisone and fludrocortisone). If the disease is caused by an underlying problem, it may be possible to address that. Regular follow-up and monitoring for other health problems is necessary

пятница, 13 марта 2009 г.

Once again Vinay Pathak hits the silver screen not to be surprised by his brilliant performance. This is his second inning after Beja Fry. The actor has delivered his bestest acting skill. After a long time Indian movie makers have made some sensible comedy movie, “Dasvidaniya”, which carries both comedy as well as emotional touch.

The movie has Shashant Shah as the director and Azam khan and vinay pathak as the producers. Arshad Ali as a writer, music by Kailash Kher and casts are Vinay Pathak, Neha Dupia, Ranvir Shorey, Rajat Kapoor, Suchitra Pillai, Saurabh Shukla, Sarita Joshi, Gaurab Gera, Suresh Menon, Kunal Kumar, Purbi Joshi, Kiku Sharda, Joy Fernandes, and Sachin Kumar.

The main character played by Vinay Pathak as Amar Kaul who is an ordinary man, one among the millions lives in the “city of dreams”, Mumbai. The story revolves around the life history of Amar kaul. His simple and insignificant life soon drives him to make a list called “things to do” every morning. One fine day he gets to know that he is suffering from stomach cancer and doctor declares him as soon to die. This made him very disappointed and he decides to do things that he always wanted to do. So he prepares a list, “Things To Do”, before he dies.

He learns the trick to be happy always and begins his lists from his office. After humiliating his boss he goes to his childhood love Neha Dupia and expresses his untold love for her. He did whatever had written in his “things to do list” although they were not easy to accomplish however, he did manage to complete before he died.

The movie has satisfied millions heart. The plot of the story is amazing and not to mention about ineradicably brilliant acting skill of Vinay Pathak. Watch it, you will not go back with empty stomach.
What is Baby Eczema?
The origin of the word “eczema” is Greek and means, “to boil.” In this condition, skin inflammation occurs. This occurs due to toxicity of the body, which is a consequence of poor diet habits.

This is a skin disease that occurs commonly in children. If eczema develops within 2 to 3 months after the baby is born, you might suspect a family history of eczema/ asthma. Infantile eczema in many children vanishes before they reach the age of 3 years.

What causes Baby Eczema?
The main cause for eczema in children is allergy. It occurs more in babies that are bottle-fed and less in breast-fed babies. There is a suggestion that this infection is due to cow’s milk. As per Ayurveda, the reason for eczema is toxicity in the body which is not eliminated fully.

What are the Symptoms of Baby Eczema?
Itching is the main symptom for eczema. If it is severe, the skin will be red and there will be swelling. Small blisters will form and, if they rupture, a colorless discharge will ooze and crusts are formed when this accumulates. At each stage there will be itching. There will be infection with bacteria and any scratching will spread the infection. The creases in the elbow, knee and ears are mostly affected. It might also affect chest and cheeks. If the eczema is chronic, the skin thickens and markings on the skin’s surface will be prominent.

Natural Home Remedies for Baby Eczema
Applying medicines on the baby’s skin for curing eczema might result in relief only temporarily; hence it is essential that the blood stream is cleansed.

Some of the remedies are listed below:
• If the eczema is fresh, apply fresh ghee made from the butter of cow’s milk to relieve the itch.
• Take a watermelon with deep green-colored skin and red pulp. Dry this melon peel, burn the peel and powder it. Add coconut oil to this powder and apply this paste on the eczema patch.
• Wash the lesions two times a day using diluted decoction of neem.
• Make a paste of crushed leaf of neem and turmeric powder by mixing with sesame oil and apply once daily.
• Boil the bark of a mango tree and acacia tree (one spoonful each) in ½ liter of water; filter and wash the patches with this filtered water. Apply ghee after drying.
• Mix one tablespoon molasses with ½ glass of milk and give it to grown-up children to drink twice a day to cure eczema.
• Apply coconut oil directly so that the skin remains soft.
• Sunbathing in the early morning could aid in killing the bacteria.
It is advisable that the baby gets sufficient fresh air; also baby should drink more water.