30
May, 2022
Debilitating Depression, Symptoms & Treatment

Debilitating Depression, Symptoms and Treatment

Debilitating depression

In 2021, an estimated 14.9 million adults aged above 18 in the USA had debilitating depression with severe impairment in the past year. This number represented 6.0 percent of all adults in the USA. Please read this blog to understand debilitating depression in detail.

What is debilitating depression?

Debilitating depression is when the symptoms of major depression are so severe or prolonged that a person can’t function normally in one or more areas of their life. For instance, debilitating depression may make it impossible to keep up with housework, basic hygiene, a job, or normal relationships with family and friends. There are some pretty severe consequences of untreated debilitating depression, including suicide. Therefore, it is essential to get treatment for debilitating depression.

What are the symptoms of debilitating depression?

Some symptoms that you have debilitating depression can include:

  • Not bathing or showering for days or weeks
  • Neglecting hygiene, wearing dirty clothes, and not brushing hair
  • Being completely unable to function in school or at work
  • Feeling extremely agitated and guilty
  • Having sleep disturbances
  • Forgetting to eat or consuming only whatever junk food is available
  • Noticeable slowing of your ability to think or do remotely active tasks, even getting up and walking around your house
  • Psychotic symptoms, such as hallucinations or delusions and becoming physically immobile

One must address this severe and debilitating depression since it can cause severe complications, such as substance abuse, physical injuries due to self-harm, malnutrition, failing at school or loss of a job, physical illnesses, social isolation, and damaged relationships.

What are the causes of debilitating depression?

Debilitating depression is one of the most common mental illnesses in the USA. Research suggests that genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors can be responsible for debilitating depression. There are several potential causes of debilitating depression, and some factors may combine to trigger symptoms. Factors that can increase an individual’s risk of developing debilitating depression are:

  • a personal or family history of debilitating depression
  • certain physical illnesses, like diabetes, heart disease, and Parkinson’s disease
  • significant life changes, including stress and trauma
  • specific medications

Treating and Managing debilitating depression

Everybody experiences depression in unique ways, even with typical symptoms. Some people have less frequent states of depression or more mild depressive moods. These moods may debilitate others. People with debilitating depression might not be able to function, struggling to do even the basic daily tasks such as bathing and getting dressed. This degree of depression is not something a person has to live with for long. If you or someone you care for is struggling with debilitating depression, seek treatment. Debilitating depression feels hopeless, but there is hope.

There is no cure for debilitating depression, but with the correct medical treatment and therapy, you can live with depression, manage symptoms, and reduce the risk of future episodes. Even for the most debilitating cases of depression, treatments can be effective. The treatment for patients with debilitating depression is usually similar to the treatment for other kinds of depression. Below, this blog shares some common treatments for individuals with debilitating depression.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy is a standard treatment for debilitating depression. Psychotherapy can include talk therapy, which involves patients with debilitating depression attending regular sessions with a therapist to share how they feel. Psychotherapy can allow individuals to learn ways to adjust to situations that worsen their depression symptoms.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (or CBT) is another type of psychotherapy that medical experts use to treat debilitating depression. Cognitive-behavioral therapy focuses on how beliefs, thoughts, and attitudes can affect people’s behaviors and feelings. Cognitive-behavioral therapy uses a hands-on and practical approach, with a therapist interacting with the person to modify their patterns of behavior and thinking. This modification allows the individual to achieve a beneficial change in their mood and how they live their lives.

Medications

Doctors and mental health experts usually prescribe antidepressants for people with debilitating depression. These medications regulate chemicals and hormones in the brain that contribute to an individual’s mental health. The drugs aim to modulate mood and behavior, and both relieve the debilitating depression symptoms and prevent them from coming back.

  • Serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (i.e., SNRIs) are common antidepressant drugs that doctors prescribe to treat debilitating depression. Examples of SNRIs are desvenlafaxine (Pristiq), duloxetine (Cymbalta), and venlafaxine (Effexor).
  • Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (or SSRIs) are another common medication for the treatment of debilitating depression. Examples of SSRIs are citalopram (Celexa), paroxetine (Paxil), fluoxetine (Prozac), and sertraline (Zoloft).
Electroconvulsive therapy (or ECT)

ECT is a treatment for people with debilitating depression. ECT is an option for patients who don’t respond to medication or psychotherapy. ECT takes place under general anesthesia. While the individual is under general anesthesia, a medical team places electrodes on the scalp in precise locations. Then they stimulate their brain with controlled and brief electrical pulses. This stimulation leads to a small seizure within their brain that lasts about one minute. ECT aims to cause changes in the brain’s chemistry to improve depression symptoms and other mental health conditions.

Other treatments for debilitating depression

People can also try to reduce debilitating depression symptoms in other ways. A mental health doctor can advise on methods to try, which can include:

  • alternative approaches, such as acupuncture
  • light therapy
  • regular exercise
  • nutritional changes

Debilitating depression and anxiety

The chance of acquiring anxiety is much higher when debilitating depression already exists. Nearly half of those with debilitating depression also suffer from persistent and severe anxiety. People who have debilitating depression feel anxious and tense often. One can easily trigger the other, with anxiety usually preceding debilitating depression.

Summary

Debilitating depression is a severe mood disorder that causes people to have a persistent feeling of sadness. People usually describe debilitating depression as crippling. Debilitating depression can make a person feel constantly depressed or low. It can also lead to feelings of worthlessness and guilt and the inability to feel pleasure in things that an individual would usually find pleasurable. Debilitating depression can also prevent sufferers from completing regular daily tasks like eating, working, and sleeping.

Common treatments for debilitating depression involve psychotherapy and a range of antidepressant medicines. These treatments can be pretty effective and work well to manage symptoms of debilitating depression.

25
Apr, 2022
pain medicine flexeril

Flexeril Use dosage Side effect and Generic name

Know About Flexeril In Details

What is Flexeril?

A muscle relaxant called cyclobenzaprine is Flexeril, a brand name for the drug. It works by suppressing pain signals transmitted to the brain. It is used to treat skeletal, muscular discomfort, and damage with rest and physical therapy.

Relaxes muscles by lowering muscular hyperactivity in both gamma and alpha motor systems (these are nerve fibers that directly connect with skeletal muscle and are responsible for muscle contraction). On the other hand, cyclobenzaprine does not now act on skeletal muscle.

Unlike other muscle relaxants, Flexeril does not relieve muscle spasms caused by central nervous system diseases like cerebral palsy. It is a muscle relaxant that a doctor prescribes. Cyclobenzaprine is the Flexeril generic name.

Flexeril is a short-term medication unfamiliar to a large portion of the general public due to its short duration. For those prescribed Meds by their doctor, most recommend using it for no more than three weeks at a time.

What are the side effects of Flexeril?

Flexeril has a short-term effect, so it should only be used for a short time. Some people over the age of 50 can have a hard time taking Flexeril because of its harmful side effects. With physical therapy and rest, It should be used to help with aches and pain. It should not be used on its own. Many people who take Flexeril have widespread side effects. Some of them are:

  • Drowsiness
  • Dizziness
  • Fatigue
  • Upset stomach
  • Dry mouth

Some less common side effects include skin rash, tongue or facial swelling, and difficulty breathing or swallowing. In addition to severe side effects such as chest pain and irregular heartbeat, Arrhythmias and sinus tachycardia have been reported with Flexeril. If these severe side effects occur, seek medical attention immediately. As a result of the combination of Flexeril with another CNS depressant, Combining Flexeril with alcohol or benzodiazepines, for example, may cause euphoria or relaxation.

What are the precautions for Flexeril?

  • You should tell your doctor and pharmacist if you have an allergy or any of its ingredients.
  • Mention any MAO inhibitors, rasagiline, selegiline, or tranylcypromine you have recently stopped taking. Cyclobenzaprine should not be taken if you are taking any of these medications.
  • Report a recent heart attack or an overactive thyroid gland to your doctor: heart failure, irregular heartbeat, heart block, or other electrical problems. Not taking this medication may be advised by your doctor.
  • Notify your doctor if you have high intraocular pressure, glaucoma, or liver disease.
  • If you are 65 or older, discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. It is not recommended for older adults because it is not as safe or effective as other medications.
  • Do not take cyclobenzaprine if you are pregnant. It is unknown if this enters breast milk. Consult a doctor before nursing.

What can you take with Flexeril for pain?

A pain reliever like one of the following is often used with cyclobenzaprine to stop nerve impulses.

  • acetaminophen (Tylenol)
  • Anti-inflammatory NSAIDs like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve).

Cyclobenzaprine treatment usually lasts no more than 2 to 3 weeks.

You should avoid taking MAO inhibitors while taking this:

  • isocarboxazid
  • linezolid
  • methylene blue
  • moclobemide
  • phenelzine
  • procarbazine
  • rasagiline
  • safinamide
  • selegiline
  • tranylcypromine.

Is Flexeril a pain killer or muscle relaxeris?

Flexeril is an analgesic that relaxes the muscles. Skeletal muscle spasms and acute musculoskeletal disorders and conditions are among the most common reasons for its prescription. Flexeril is used to treat fibromyalgia, which the FDA does not approve. After starting to use Flexeril, it is only effective for the first two weeks. The pain-relieving effects of the medication begin to wear off after two weeks.

It is used in conjunction with rest, physical therapy, and other treatments to relax muscles, alleviate pain and discomfort caused by strains, sprains, and other muscle injuries, and prevent muscle injuries. It is a member of a class of drugs known as skeletal muscle relaxants, which relax the body’s muscles. It works by exerting an effect on the brain and nervous system, causing the muscles to become less tense and relaxed.

Flexeril Dosage

In addition to being available as a tablet, cyclobenzaprine is available under the brand name Amrix in the United States. Amrix is a prescription medication that has an extended-release. Flexeril dosages are available in three strengths: 5, 7.5, and 10 mg tablets. The flexible dosage adults are typically 5 mg three times per day, which is generally recommended for most patients. Dosages of up to 10 mg should be taken three times daily. Typical side effects of Flexeril 10mg, such as drowsiness and dizziness, are the same as those experienced with other Flexeril dosages.

Is Flexeril Addictive?

Flexeril is not a controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act because it is not a drug. As a side note, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) says that the drug is being used and abused. In 2010, more than 12,400 people went to the emergency room because they used Flexeril. There is a 101 increase from 2004.

Many people who abuse the drug do so in conjunction with other drugs or alcohol to increase the potency of the drug’s effects. Some users report feelings of sedation and relaxation after abusing the drug. A small number of users have reported feelings of euphoria.

People who use it for a more extended period may develop tolerance and require higher doses to achieve the same effect as previously. When a person stops using it or reduces the amount they are using, they may experience physical dependence and withdrawal symptoms.

3
Mar, 2022
chronic conditions

Chronic conditions Vs. mental illness

Chronic mental illness definition

Chronic conditions, including heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, may likely develop a mental health condition. It is widespread to feel discouraged and sad after having a cancer diagnosis or heart attack and when trying to manage a chronic disease such as severe pain. You may be facing new limits on what you can do or may feel concerned or stressed about the treatment outcomes and future.

It can be pretty challenging to adapt to the new reality or cope with the changes and ongoing treatment that comes with the diagnosis. Activities including gardening or hiking may become harder. A temporary feeling of worry is expected, but if these and other symptoms last more than weeks, you may have depression.

It may affect your ability to carry on with the routine activity or enjoy with family, work, leisure, and friends. Your health affects of stress go beyond mood.

Overview of chronic disease or condition

A health condition that requires medical attention or starts restricting an individual’s life for at least one year is considered a chronic condition or disease. These conditions are most common in the United States that include but are not limited to strokes, heart disease, cancer, or diabetes.

Out of all health illnesses in the USA, chronic diseases are the most costly, prevalent, or responsible for seven out of ten deaths in the United States. They can result from risk factors, including family history, age, poor eating habits, substance use, etc.

Chronic illnesses may include arthritis, Alzheimer’s, chronic kidney disease, cancer, cystic fibrosis, diabetes, dementia, heart disease, fibromyalgia, obesity, traumatic brain injury, or stroke.

Chronic illness and depression

Mental stress is one of the most common complications of chronic disease. It is analyzed that approximately one-third of individuals with severe medical illnesses have symptoms of anxiety and depression.

An individual who suffers from chronic illnesses must adjust to both the disease and its treatment. Chronic infection may affect an individual’s mobility and independence and change how you live. These life changes can be stressful and may cause a certain sadness, which is normal.

In rare cases, suffering from a chronic disease can trigger what is known as clinically significant depression, which is itself a potentially severe but treatable condition. The professional and the patient may decide whether the symptoms of mental illness are just a normal reaction to the stress of having a chronic medical disease. But, they are so intense or disabling that it requires additional treatment with an antidepressant.

About one-third of people diagnosed with a severe life-changing chronic illness may experience symptoms of depression. After analyzing a severe disease, feelings of repair and sadness are normal. But, if it persists, treatment may include therapy and medication.

Adolescents and children with chronic illnesses

Adolescents and children with severe chronic disease often face more challenges than healthy peers in navigating adolescents. Severe chronic illness can affect cognitive, physical, social, and emotional development or take a toll on siblings and parents. These limitations can put adolescents and children at risk of developing a mental condition more than their healthy peers.

Children with chronic diseases may experience many forms of stress and worry. Health care providers and parents should know on the lookout for symptoms of anxiety and depression in young people and their families.

Psychological effects of chronic illness

Living with a chronic condition can affect you both mentally and physically. The effect it can take on your body is bound to interfere with your ability to cope with emotional and psychological stress. Chronic conditions make performing activities difficult and rob your sense of hope for the future.

The diagnosis of a chronic illness produces many extreme and long-lasting feelings from fear of guilt and exhaustion because of demands made on friends and family. Sadness and frustration are also ordinary when you realize the life you once knew is highly different.

Living with a chronic illness

Chronic conditions and mental illnesses, when left untreated, can be draining on the people living with the disease, coworkers, families, and communities. The chronic condition is a full-time job that takes effort and willingness to change the daily routine.

Being diagnosed with a chronic condition can be disorienting and frightening. Once you move beyond the shock of diagnosis, it is helpful to know how to cope with the daily stress of life with your illness.

Living with a chronic disease can make you particularly vulnerable. In addition to everyday life challenges that some people face, it adds new layers of stress and worry. For instance, you may need to:

  • manage increased financial pressure
  • take steps to manage your condition
  • cope with discomfort from the symptoms
  • adjust new limitations that your state puts on your life

You can take several steps to level up your quality of life and reduce the challenges of living with a chronic illness.

What are the treatment options to cope with chronic conditions with mental illness?

These conditions can bring on bouts of depression, which get in the way of successful treatment of the disease. Coping with a chronic illness is a challenge, and it is normal to feel sad and grief as you come to grips with your conditions and the implications. But, if these feelings do not fade away, it can interfere in routine activity such as trouble sleeping or losing interest in the activities you usually enjoy.

To avid mental illness:

  • You can try to isolate or reach friends and family. If you do not have a support system, take steps to build one. Ask your therapist about the community resources and support groups.
  • Ensure that you have the medical support of the professionals you trust and can talk to them openly about your concerns.
  • Consult your health care professional about the pain management
  • If you suspect that your treatment is bringing you down, consult your pharmacist about other possible medicines.

Bottom line

Living with mental illness and chronic conditions can be stressful, but you can take several steps to manage the requirements and maintain a good quality of life. Try to learn about the illness and the treatment needs. You are being proactive about the treatment plan and leading a healthy life.

Make time for things or activities that leave you feeling supported and happier while avoiding people and situations that can stress you out.

17
Feb, 2022
Pancreatic Cancer

All You Need to Know About Pancreatic Cancer

What type of condition is pancreatic cancer?

Pancreatic cancer is a condition in which cancer cells form in the pancreas tissue. Health history and smoking can trigger this type of cancer. Pancreatic cancer is usually not detected until advanced stages as it is hard to see its signs and symptoms. 

Pancreatic-Cancer stage 1

In 2021, an estimated 60,430 adult people (28,480 women and 31,950 men) in the United States will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. And the condition accounts for about 3% of all people with cancers. 

These data show the impact of pancreatic cancer in the United States. It is the tenth most common cancer in men and the eighth-most common cancer in women. 

In today’s blog, we will discuss pancreatic cancer and let you know about the best ways to avoid pancreatic cancer. 

What is the pancreas?

Since pancreatic cancer commonly occurs in the pancreas, you must know about it. The pancreas is a small, hockey-shaped gland located behind the stomach. The primary function of this gland is to aid in food digestion and regulate blood sugar levels. The pancreas is involved in maintaining blood sugar levels as it produces glucagon and insulin. 

So, pancreatic cancer occurs in the pancreas when changes in the gland cells lead them to multiply out of control. It is a widespread type of cancer that affects millions of people all over the world, as mentioned earlier in the blog. 

Professionals do not know exactly know pancreatic cancer happens, but some factors like genetics and sex, and age can be vital. We will discuss it in detail later in the blog. 

Symptoms of pancreatic-cancer

The signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer often do not appear until the later stages. Its symptoms can also resemble the character and symptoms of other health conditions, which can make diagnosis even more challenging.

Some common symptoms include:

  • abdominal or back pain and jaundice, which affects around 70% of people;
  • low appetite, or weight loss;
  • swelling of the gallbladder and liver blood clots;
  • vein thrombosis, or pulmonary embolism;
  • diabetes pale gray and fatty stool;
  • nausea and vomiting;
  • fever and chills;
  • in some cases, fatigue, diarrhea or constipation, indigestion, a rash due to jaundice;
  • If cancer spreads, new symptoms can appear elsewhere in the body, etc. 

It is not a complete list of symptoms caused by pancreatic-cancer. Some other complications may also occur in addition to these above-given symptoms. You must visit a doctor to confirm if you have anything abnormal in your pancreas or near the stomach. 

How does pancreatic cancer form?

Pancreatic cancer forms when your pancreas develops mutations in its DNA. A cell’s DNA includes the instructions that tell a cell how to react or what to do. These changes mean the cells develop uncontrollably and continue living after normal cells would die. These kinds of cells can convert into tumors. The pancreatic cancer cells can spread to blood vessels and other organs to distant body parts when left untreated. 

Pancreatic cancer causes

It is not clearly known what causes of pancreatic-cancers. However, researchers have identified some risk factors associated with pancreatic cancers. 

Risk factors may include;

  • Smoking cigarettes and using other forms of tobacco.
  • Obesity or high weight is also a risk factor.
  • Carrying heavy weight around the waist might be a risk factor even without obesity.
  • We are having diabetes type 2, which is linked to obesity.
  • The development of diabetes type 2 at an older age and in an individual with an average weight and body mass index.
  • We are being exposed to substances used by dry cleaners and metal laborers.
  • Having long-term pancreatitis or permanent inflammation of the pancreas is usually connected with smoking and drinking a lot of alcohol.

Other risk factors that you can’t change may include:

Hereditary long-term pancreatitis because of gene changes passed from parent to child. Hereditary syndromes with changes in genes — such as BRCA genes passed from parent to child. And;

  • Being older than 45.
  • Being Black.
  • Being male
  • Being of Ashkenazi Jewish descent

Stages of pancreatic cancer

Professionals use several ways to stage pancreatic-cancer, and the method used for this purpose is called TNM classification. Here are the four main categories which can define the stage of cancer. 

Resectable (localized)

This pancreatic cancer can be surgically removed, and in which surgery is done right after diagnosis. Sometimes additional treatment may be required. About 10 to 15 percent of patients are diagnosed with this stage. 

Borderline resectable

This category described a tumor that may be difficult to remove surgically when diagnosed. But if radiation therapy or chemotherapy can shrink the tumor, surgery may be possible to remove the tumor. 

Locally Advanced

This stage is still located only in the area around the pancreas, but it cannot be surgically removed as it grows into nearby arteries, organs, or veins. This means this type of pancreatic cancer cannot be removed with surgery as the risk of damaging these structures is too high. About 35 to 40 percent of patients are diagnosed with it. 

Metastatic

In this category, the tumor has spread beyond the pancreas and other organs like lungs, liver, and other parts of the abdomen. About 45 to 55 percent of patients are suffering from this stage. 

In simple terms, pancreatic cancer has four stages, which are; 

  • Stage 0
  • Stage 1
  • Stage 2
  • Stage 3
  • Stage 4

Symptoms of pancreatic cancer stage 1

  • Abdominal discomfort that radiates to your back.
  • Yellowing of your face skin and the whites of your eyes 
  • Loss of appetite or unexpected weight loss.
  • Light-colored stools.
  • Itchy skin.
  • Dark-colored urine.
  • New diagnosis of diabetes that’s becoming more difficult to control.
  • Blood clots.

Though we have mentioned most details associated with pancreatic cancers, you have any other doubts; please drop a comment below. You can also visit our official website for more health blogs and information. 

28
Jan, 2022
epilepsy

Can you live a normal life with epilepsy?

Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a common but severe neurological condition that affects 65 million people worldwide. In the United States, this disorder affects about 3 million people. People of all ages can develop epilepsy, but it is more reported in young children and older adults. Males are slightly more prone to this neurological disorder than females.

In this blog, we will understand epilepsy better. The content contains an overview of this neurological illness, types of epilepsy, its causes, symptoms, medications, and its association with the covid vaccine.

Epilepsy Definition

Epilepsy is a chronic health condition that causes unprovoked, recurrent seizures. As we all know, an episode is a sudden electrical activity rush in the brain. Among the two primary types of seizures, generalized seizures affect the whole brain, while focal (or partial) seizures strike just one part of the brain.

A mild epileptic seizure may be difficult to recognize as it can last for a few seconds, during which you lack awareness or consciousness. While more substantial seizures can trigger uncontrollable muscle cramps and spasms and can for a few seconds to several minutes. During a stronger epilepsy episode, some people may become confused or unconscious. Afterward, that person may have no memory of it happening.

There are several responsible factors due to which you might have a seizure, including head trauma, high fever, shallow blood pressure, or alcohol withdrawal. There is no proper cure for epilepsy, but one can manage the disorder with medications other strategies.

Types of Epilepsy

There are four basic types of epilepsy: generalized epilepsy, focal epilepsy, generalized and focal epilepsy, and unknown if generalized or focal epilepsy. But here we will focus on the first two, most widespread epilepsy types:

Generalized Epilepsy

In this type of epilepsy, seizures take place on both sides of the brain, or one may say that it quickly affects brain cells networks on both sides. It can be further divided into two basic kinds of seizures:

  • Generalized motor seizures: They cause uncontrollable movements in your body, sometimes dramatically. When it strikes, your muscles stiffen and jerk while you lose consciousness. It includes clinic, tonic, clonic-tonic, and myoclonic forms of seizures.
  • Generalized non-motor seizures: They make you stop your task and stare into space. You may also start doing the same movements repeatedly, like flickering the eyes or smacking your lips. It includes typical, atypical, and myoclonic forms. And, in these seizures type, the person feels like he is not there.

Focal Epilepsy

In focal or partial epilepsy, seizures develop in a specific area or a network of brain cells on one part of the brain. It comes in four categories:

  • Focal aware seizures: If you know what is happening in your surroundings, it is an “aware” seizure, also known as “simple partial seizures.”
  • Focal impaired awareness seizures: If you are confused, have no clear idea of what is happening during the epileptic seizure episode, or do not remember any detail, it is an impaired awareness seizure. It is also called “complex partial seizures.”
  • Focal motor seizures: In this condition, there will be movement in your body to some extent, anything from twitching to rubbing hands, to spasms, to walking around. It includes some other types such as atonic, clinic, myocloni, tonic, and epileptic spasms.
  • Focal non-motor seizures: They do not cause cramps or other movements. Instead, it changes how you feel or think. You might experience strange feelings, intense emotions, or other symptoms such as goosebumps, racing heart, or heat or cold waves.

What causes epilepsy?

Epilepsy has no identifiable cause in about half the people with this medical condition. In the other half population, the health condition may be traced to various factors, such as:

  • Genetics (hereditary) influence: Some epilepsy forms run in families, categorized by the type of seizure individual experiences or the brain part that is affected. These cases indicate that there is a genetic influence. Researchers have associated some epileptic seizures forms with specific genes, but genes are only part of the primary cause of epilepsy for most. Some particular genes can make an individual more sensitive to environmental conditions that trigger seizures.
  • Brain abnormalities: Problems with the regular functioning of the brain, including brain tumors or vascular malformations like arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) and cavernous malformations, can result in epilepsy. Stroke is one of the most prominent causes of epilepsy in adults older than 35 years.
  • Head trauma: A car accident or other traumatic injuries can lead to epilepsy.
  • Infections: HIV viral encephalitis, Meningitis, and some parasitic infections can also cause epilepsy.
  • Prenatal injury: Babies before birth are sensitive to brain damage that can result from several factors, such as poor nutrition, infection in the mother, or oxygen deficiencies. Damage to the brain can lead to epilepsy or cerebral palsy.
  • Developmental problems: Sometimes, epilepsy can be associated with an individual’s developmental disorders, such as autism.

Epilepsy Symptoms

Since epilepsy results from abnormal activity in the brain, seizures can affect any process coordinated by your brain. The usual signs and symptoms may include a staring spell, temporary confusion, stiff muscles, loss of awareness or consciousness, uncontrollable jerking movements, or psychological symptoms such as anxiety, fear, or Deja vu.

Epilepsy symptoms vary depending upon the seizure type. A simple focal (partial) seizure does not involve loss of consciousness; symptoms include dizziness, twitching (and tingling) of limbs, and alterations to the sense of smell, taste, hearing, sight, or touch. While complex partial seizures involve loss of consciousness, other symptoms include unresponsiveness, staring blankly, and performing repetitive movements.

Generalized seizures affect the whole brain, and the symptoms vary in each type. There are six types:

Absence seizures, also known as “petit mal seizures,” cause a blank stare. This medical condition may also cause repetitive body movements such as lip-smacking or blinking. There is also usually a temporary loss of awareness.

Tonic seizures symptoms include muscle stiffness. In contrast, Atonic seizures result in loss of muscle control and are more likely to make you fall suddenly. The characteristics of Clonic seizures are repeated, jerky muscle movements of your face, neck, and arms.

Myoclonic seizures are characterized by spontaneous rapid twitching of the arms and legs. While Tonic-clonic seizures, also known as “grand mal seizures,” consist of shaking, stiffening of the body, biting the tongue, loss of bladder or bowel control, or loss of consciousness.

Epilepsy Medication

The most common and first-line treatment for epilepsy is antiseizure medication. Drugs that help deal with the frequency and severity of seizures can not stop a seizure that is already in progress and is not a cure for epilepsy.

Firstly, your stomach will absorb the medicine, and then it travels through the bloodstream to the brain. It affects the brain’s neurotransmitters to reduce the electrical activities that result in seizures.

Antiseizure medications travel through the digestive tract and wear off from your system through urine. There are several antiseizure drugs available on the market. Your medical healthcare professional can prescribe a single medication or a combination of some effective medicines, depending upon the types of seizures you have.

Common medications for epilepsy include lamotrigine (Lamictal), levetiracetam (Keppra), valproic acid (Depakote), topiramate (Topamax), ethosuximide (Zarontin), and carbamazepine (Tegretol). These medications are usually available in tablet, liquid, or injectable drug form, and pharmacists prescribe them once or twice a day.

Your medical healthcare expert may ask you to take the smallest possible dose in the initial stage, which they will occasionally adjust according to your health requirements. You should take the medication consistently as per the prescription.

Some potential side effects of antiseizure medications (for epilepsy) may include dizziness, fatigue, poor coordination, skin rash, or memory problems. Rare but severe side effects include depression, anxiety, and inflammation of the liver or other organs.

Epilepsy affects several people differently, but most individuals experience improvement in their conditions with antiseizure medication. If children with epilepsy start taking antiseizure drugs at an early stage, the seizures stop, and they can stop taking treatment from these medications.

Epilepsy and Covid Vaccine

There are no reported cases of epilepsy due to previous doses of the Covid vaccine. In the case of booster dose (additional covid vaccine to build up or maintain immunity) also three are no special warnings or concerns linked to individuals with epilepsy and seizures. But you should check and follow CDC recommendations if you have this neurological disorder.

10
Jan, 2022
hypothermia

Symptoms of least severe or mild hypothermia

An overview of illness

Hypothermia is a severe medical condition that occurs when an individual’s body temperature drops below 95 degrees. This drop in temperature can result in significant health complications, including death. Hypothermia is a problematic issue as it affects the ability of the person to think clearly. Also, it can reduce your likelihood of asking for medical help. You can experience this issue if you experience cold temperatures for an extended duration.

While your body’s normal metabolic processes generate heat, cold wintry weather can make the body lose more heat than usual. When such cold wind strikes, the core temperature drops. Hypothalamus: is a significant structure in the brain responsible for regulating body temperature. Some findings indicate that when you are exposed to cold, the hypothalamus raises your body’s temperature through specific measures, including increased muscle toning and shivering.

However, your body will eventually overwhelm with continuous exposure to cold, and the shivering will stop. Multiple body organs may stop their regular functioning in this situation, ultimately resulting in death. And, this makes hypothermia a hazardous condition.

Symptoms of hypothermia

Symptoms of least severe or mild hypothermia include:

  • tiredness, shivering, with a body temperature of 90 to 95 degree
  • nausea, hunger, rapid heart rate, unclear speech
  • increased muscle tone and blood pressure
  • dry skin that is paler than usual, frequent urination
  • loss of control of body movements
  • poor judgment, decline in memory and thinking ability

Usually, shivering stops when the temperature ranges between 86 to 90 degrees. Other symptoms of moderate hypothermia may include:

  • lethargy, continuous reduction in thinking ability
  • body temperature between 82 to 90 degrees
  • low blood pressure, less responsive enlarged pupils
  • slow heart rate and breathing rate
  • increased susceptibility to irregular heart rhythms
  • paradoxical undressing (removal of clothes)
Symptoms of severe hypothermia include:
  • continuous reduction of blood flow to the brain, making you unresponsive
  • body temperature below 82 degrees
  • a continued decline in heart rate, blood pressure, and heat output
  • congestion in the lungs, loss of reflexes
  • increased susceptibility to irregular heart rhythms
  • production of very little urine
  • Eventually, failure of heart and lung function

What causes hypothermia?

The primary reason for hypothermia is cold weather. When the body faces frigid temperatures, it starts losing heat more rapidly than it can produce. Staying in cold water for an extended period can also cause these effects. In such situations, the inability of your body to produce adequate heat becomes extremely dangerous. The temperature of your body can drop drastically low in a brief period.

Exposure to temperatures your body is not used to or colder than usual can also cause this condition. For example, if you get into a cold, fully air-conditioned room right after being outside, you put your body at the risk of losing excessive body heat in a short span.

Hypothermia in babies

According to the CDC, hypothermia in babies has different symptoms from adults. Babies are more likely to experience low energy with bright red and cold skin. As hypothermia worsens through the stages, the symptoms become more severe and dangerous. To prevent hypothermia in babies, you must dress them warmly and limit their exposure to places with cold temperatures.

Long term effects of hypothermia

To prevent the long-term effects of this medical issue, you need to get immediate medical attention. The more your wait, the longer its effects will arise and remain. If left untreated, hypothermia can further lead you to heart attack, kidney failure, liver damage, or even death. Other long term complications associated with this condition include:

  • frostbite, or tissue breath, is a common complication when body tissues freeze
  • gangrene, or tissue destruction
  • chilblains, or damage in nerve and blood vessel
  • trench foot, destruction of nerve and blood vessel due to water immersion

What should be hypothermia prevention?

To prevent hypothermia, you should follow these preventive measures:

  • have a look at the day’s weather forecast before stepping out of the house, and dress accordingly
  • avoid alcohol consumption and drinking caffeinated beverages as they fasten heat loss
  • Set up the home thermostat at 68 degrees or more, and dress warmly
  • to prevent wind drafts, place rolled towels underneath the doors,
  • check on older adults in your neighborhood, and ensure they have enough heat and food

In winter, unexpected events such as home power outrages and exhaustion of gas while driving can occur, posing a danger of hypothermia. Experts recommend keeping emergency survival kits at home and in your vehicle to come out safe from these events.

Home survival kits may include an emergency heating source, extra packed food and water, a fire extinguisher, and a smoke detector. While the car survival kit may consist of extra clothing to keep dry, sleeping bags and blankets, a water container, high-calorie (nonperishable) food, and waterproof matches.

Specific drugs, including psychiatric medications, are likely to increase the risk of hypothermia in an individual. It would help if you considered asking your medical healthcare provider whether the drug they are prescribing could increase the risk of hypothermia.

Which of the following is a proper way of hypothermia treatment?

This condition is a medical emergency, so if you suspect that you or someone is going through hypothermia, call for immediate medical help. The goal of any treatment in this problem is to increase your body’s temperature to a normal range. You may try the following methods until medical help reaches:

Remove wet clothing

Remove the affected person’s wet clothes. And if necessary, cut off the clothes while avoiding moving the individual. Cover them with warm pullovers or blankets, but not their mouth. If blankets are not available, you should use your body heat to warm them. If the person is in a conscious state, ask them to take warm beverages or soup to help increase the body temperature.

Apply warm compresses

You may apply a warmed water bottle, a warmed towel, or any other warm compressor to the chest, neck, or groin. But be careful as the sweltering temperatures can burn the skin or result in cardiac arrest.

Monitor the breathing

Closely monitor the person’s breathing and if it seems dangerously slow, or if the individual loses consciousness, perform CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) if you know how to do it.

Medications

Medical treatments such as warm fluids, usually saline, are injected into the veins. Your medical healthcare provider may rewarm your blood, a method in which they draw blood, warm them, and place it back into the body.

Airway rewarming is also possible through masks and nasal tubes. Warming the stomach with the help of a cavity lavage or abdomen pump, where warm saltwater solution pumps into the stomach, can prove beneficial.

23
Dec, 2021
merry-Christmas

Diseases affect holidays like Christmas

Merry Christmas

First of all, Merry Christmas to all of you, my dear friends. We hope you will enjoy this festive season with the cheer while keeping your loved ones safe.

Here, we have given some tips to help you stay safe this Christmas season. 

How did the diseases affect holidays like Christmas?

Although Christmas is a festival that brings great happiness and enjoyable moments, at the same time, it also causes something very unexpected. Our careless manners at Christmas contribute to the rise or spread of several diseases. In this Covid situation, the risk is at its peak.

Diseases that are on the rapid mode this Christmas 

Coronavirus disease 

Covid is a headache of the entire world and a possible disease in all types of festivals or public gatherings. Its consequences are over the limit and can result in different kinds of physical, psychological, and financial issues. Covid is a disease of the crowd, and eventually, Christmas is also a festival of group and fun.

Common cold 

The common cold is also a common disease of Christmas and can badly spoil your festival. A common cold is not that common and can cause viral infection, cough, and runny nose, which is enough to destroy your mood. However, you can cope with this disease using Paracetamol or other effective medicine.

The flu

The flu is like a big brother of the common cold and must to avoid if you want to enjoy Christmas. The flu causes similar symptoms to the common cold. Flu symptoms may include fever, cough, aches, loss of appetite, and sore throat. You should go for immediate medical help if you feel the flu this Christmas.

Christmas tree syndrome 

Christmas tree syndrome is an allergy that can afflict even those who do not typically suffer from allergies or hay fever. Its symptoms may include watering eyes, runny nose, coughing, and asthma attacks. Doctors may recommend antihistamines for such people.

S.A.D.

Seasonal affective disorder or S.A.D. has only been recognized as a genuine condition characterized by behavioral issues. Its symptoms like irritability, craving for carbs, and lethargy can also disrupt your festival.

Holiday season safety tips

  1. Replace Old Lights and use them correctly

The colorful lights indeed bring holiday cheer, but they can be a risk for your safety. Make sure you use each light at its proper place and always turn them off when leaving home. Also, do not forget to replace old broken lamps or others which can cause a short circuit.

  1. Practice car safety when traveling 

Driving with the necessary traffic and operating rules is always crucial, but the Christmas travel season can be hazardous. You should give your car for proper servicing before taking it to the Christmas crowd. Always carry an emergency kit with you and give yourself extra time to avoid rushing on the road.

  1. Watch out for online shopping fraud

Unfortunately, the Christmas shopping season is fraught with fraud. While you shop, make sure the website you are dealing with is genuine – fraudulent websites with a similar name can trick you into giving away banking details. When checking out, make sure the payment page address starts with HTTPS where “s” stands for secure.

  1. Follow healthy habits

Hand washes: You must wash your hands before and after eating anything or touching something that may have germs. While cleaning your hands, make sure you use soap and running water for up to 20 seconds.

Manage Stress: Take time and do things you enjoy more if you feel stressed. Social communication, professional support, and good sleep are some of the best ways to manage stress.

Stay dry and warm: Cold is the main problem nowadays. You should wear proper outdoor clothing, including gloves, scarves, hats, and waterproof boots.

Avoid drinking before or while driving: People who drive after taking alcohol put themselves and people around them. So please dont have a drink drive this festive season.

Get your vaccine doses: Covid-19 is not over yet and is affecting people in the form of omicron. Please take both doses as soon as possible and maintain physical distancing during the entire festival season.

Prepare food safely: Every time you enter your kitchen, follow these basic rules: wash your hands, cook food at the proper temperature, avoid cross-contamination and refrigerate foods promptly.

Eat healthily and stay active: Eating healthy food is necessary to live healthy in all seasons. We recommend you eat healthy foods that contain an appropriate amount of nutrients which help lower the risk for certain diseases.

Fire safety tips for the holiday season

Most residential fire accidents occur in the winter season. We recommend you avoid leaving fireplaces, food cooking on stoves, space heaters, or candles unattended. Also, keep anti-fire tools in your home or a place where the fire can occur.

Bottom Line

Festivals are for life, but life is not for celebrations. So please dont do anything that can harm your physical or psychological health. Always follow basic safety rules and enjoy a healthier and happier Christmas and New Year.

It’s enough for today. I hope you guys will take your and our health seriously. Thank You and Merry Christmas again.

16
Dec, 2021
Diabetes

Symptoms Causes and Treatment for Diabetes

Diabetes

Diabetes is a widespread condition that impairs the ability of your body to process blood glucose, popularly known as blood sugar. Several types of diabetes have various treatments. In the United States, there are about 34.2 billion people of all ages living with diagnosed and undiagnosed diabetes. Without careful, ongoing treatment and management, diabetes can accumulate sugars in the blood, further increasing the risk of dangerous medical significant health complications, such as stroke and heart disease.

Every diabetes typically has a different treatment, and not all forms of diabetes initiate from an individual being overweight or living an inactive life. Some diabetes types are present from childhood. The most common diabetes types include type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes. At the same time, the less known diabetes forms have cystic fibrosis-related diabetes and monogenic diabetes. This blog will help you know more about the conditions of diabetes and its other details.

What are the early signs of diabetes?

Hunger and fatigue: Our body changes the food into glucose used by the cells for energy. But our body cells need insulin to take in glucose. If the body does not make insulin or the cells refuse the insulin our body produces, the glucose fails to get into them, and we have no energy. It can make us tired and hungrier than usual.

Feeling thirstier than usual and peeing more often: An average person usually urinate between four to seven times a day, but people who have diabetes do it more often than usual. Usually, the body reabsorbs glucose as it leaves through our kidneys, but when diabetes pushes up the blood sugar level, the kidneys may not bring it all back in. And it causes the body to urinate more. Because of consistent urination, our body lacks fluid and makes us very thirsty.

Dry mouth and itchy skin: Since our body is using maximum fluids to make pee, there is less moisture left for other things. We may get dehydration, and our mouth can feel dry. Due to dry skin, we may feel itchiness.

Blurred vision: Changes in fluid levels of our body can make the eyes’ lenses swell up. It can result in shape change, and we may be unable to focus.

What is type 1 diabetes?

Type 1 diabetes (juvenile diabetes) occurs when the body fails to produce insulin. What is insulin? It is a hormone that breaks down the sugar in the blood to function throughout the body. It is more likely to diagnose this diabetes form during childhood.

People living with type 1 diabetes require to take insulin regularly, either by injections or an insulin pump. There is still no cure for this condition, but one may control it by regularly monitoring their blood sugar levels, administering insulin, and making significant lifestyle changes.

Some common complications related to type 1 diabetes are nerve damage, ketoacidosis, increased risk of skin reaction, problems concerning eyes, cardiovascular disease, kidney issues, high blood pressure, foot problems (such as numbness), stroke.

Since this condition usually occurs during childhood, there are no apparent symptoms of type 1 diabetes.

What is type 2 diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes does not let an individual make or use insulin effectively. According to NIDDK reports, it is the most common diabetes type, and it has a strong relation with obesity. A person living with this type of diabetes may or may not administer insulin. In maximum cases, taking proper medication and changes in diet and some exercise can help manage type 2 diabetes.

Both children & adults can develop this type of diabetes. This condition’s common risk factors include age 45 or more, family history, or being overweight.

Type 2 diabetes symptoms?

Yeast infections: Both men & women with diabetes can get these infections. Yeast feeds on glucose, so having an excessive amount around makes it thrive. Conditions can grow in any moist, warm fold of skin, including under breasts, between fingers and toes, or in or close to sex organs.

Slow-healing cuts or sores: With time, high blood sugar levels can affect the blood flow resulting in nerve damage that makes it difficult for your body to heal wounds. Nerve damage can further cause pain (or numbness) in your feet or legs.

What is Gestational diabetes?

Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy, while a person becomes less sensitive to insulin. According to the CDC reports, 2 to 10% of pregnancies result in gestational diabetes each year. The risks are elevated in individuals going into pregnancy while being overweight.

The report further adds that about 50 % of individuals with gestational diabetes later develop type 2 diabetes. During pregnancy, one can take the following measures to control this situation: stay active, adjust your diet, monitor the growth and development of the fetus, and keep a check on the blood sugar levels.

Gestational diabetes increases the risk of developing high blood pressure while an individual is pregnant that can result in:

  • premature birth
  • blood sugar problems with the newborn usually clear up in a few days
  • increased birth weight
  • increased risk of the newborn developing type 2 diabetes later

FAQs

How to prevent diabetes?

One may not prevent type 1 diabetes. However, individuals can take some measures to prevent type 2 diabetes, including exercising regularly, maintaining a moderate weight, and having a balanced diet with low added sugars, processed foods, and saturated fats. One should maintain a proper weight while planning for pregnancy.

What causes low blood sugar without diabetes?

People who do not have diabetes can experience low blood sugar levels due to hypoglycemia. This condition can occur if the body produces excessive insulin after a meal, causing blood sugar levels to drop.

Which drug can cause diabetes insidious?

Lithium is the drug that most commonly causes acquired nephrogenic diabetes insipidus. It is an effective drug to treat bipolar disorder, but long-term lithium use may damage the kidney cells, so they no longer react to AVP.

7
Dec, 2021
symptoms-of-Depression

Natural remedies for anxiety and depression

Overview of Depression

Major depressive disorder, popularly known as depression in general term, is a mood disorder that makes an individual feel constant sadness or lack of interest in life. Data from CDC estimates that 18.5 % of adults in the United States had depression symptoms in any given two-week period in 2019.

Sadness and depressed feelings are ordinary in everyone’s life at times, and it is a normal reaction to the changes and challenges of life. But when this condition turns into a feeling of intense sadness, including thoughts of hopelessness, helplessness, and worthlessness, which last for several weeks and keep you from living your life, it may be something more than ordinary sadness. It is clinical depression.

Lexapro 20mg

Depression strikes people in different ways. It may interfere with the daily working routine, resulting in lower productivity and lost time. It can also trigger some chronic health problems and influence relationships, and the medical conditions that can worsen due to depression include asthma, arthritis, cancer, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and diabetes.

Suppose you wonder if treating this mental condition is possible; yes! It is a treatable problem. This blog will help you understand more about Depression and its treatment.

What are the signs and symptoms of Depression?

Depression can cause various symptoms ranging from constant sadness to feeling “blue” or more. Some symptoms of depression affect your mood, while others can affect your body.

General signs and symptoms of depression

It is not the same for everyone; symptoms can vary in severity, how long they last, and how often they happen. If you face some of the depression signs and symptoms nearly every day for at least two weeks, you may have depression:

  • feeling anxious, sad, or “empty,” crying a lot
  • feeling worthless, pessimistic, bothered, hopeless, angry, or annoyed
  • loss of interest in activities once you used to love doing
  • difficulty remembering, concentrating, or making decisions
  • feeling fatigued or decreased energy
  • sleeping problems, appetite, or weight changes
  • chronic physical pain with no particular reason, such as digestive problems, headaches, cramps, aches, or pain
  • thoughts or self-harm, suicide, death, suicidal thoughts

Depression symptoms in males

  • Mood: aggressiveness, anger, anxiousness, irritability, or restlessness
  • Changes in behavior: loss of interest, feeling tired quickly, no longer feeling pleasure in the activities you used to love once, drinking excessively, using drugs, thoughts of suicide, or engaging in high-risk activities
  • Cognitive abilities: difficulty completing tasks, inability to concentrate, or delayed responses during conversations
  • Sexual interest: lack of sexual performance or reduced sexual desire
  • Sleep patterns: restless sleep, insomnia, excessive sleepiness, or not sleeping at all
  • Physical well being: pain, fatigue, digestive problems, or headache

Depression symptoms in females

  • Mood, such as irritability
  • Changes in behavior: loss of or no interest in activities, thoughts of suicide, or withdrawing oneself from social engagements
  • Emotional well being: feeling sad or empty, hopeless, or anxious
  • Cognitive abilities: thinking or talking more slowly
  • Sleep patterns: difficulty sleeping or excessive sleeping
  • Physical well being: digestive problems, loss of energy, weight loss or gain, or changes in appetite

What are the different types of Depression?

Some of the known depression types may include:

  • Unipolar major depression
  • Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder, when an individual gets very angry, cranky, and often display intense outbursts
  • Persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia), a depression lasting for more than two years
  • Substance-induced mood disorder (SIMD), the symptoms usually occur when you are taking a medicine or consuming alcohol or after you stop taking any substance
  • Premenstrual dysphoric disorder, when a woman goes through severe mood problems before periods, is much more intense than the typical premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

What are the causes of Depression?

Causes of depression can range from biological factors to circumstantial factors. But the common causes include:

  • Brain chemistry: A chemical imbalance in the brain parts that manage thoughts, mood, appetite, sleep, and behavior in people who are dealing with depression.
  • Hormone levels: It is one of the common depression causes in females. Changes in female hormones progesterone and estrogen during various periods in life such as perimenopause, menstrual cycle, postpartum period, or menopause may raise the risk of depression in women.
  • Family history: You are at a higher risk if you have a family past of depression or other similar mood disorders.
  • Early childhood trauma: Some events affect how your body reacts to fear and other stressful situations.
  • Brain structure: The risk of depression is higher if your brain’s frontal lobe is less active.
  • Substance use: If you have a history of substance use disorder or alcoholism, depression can affect your risk.
  • Pain: People who feel chronic physical pain or emotional pain for prolonged duration are significantly more prone to develop depression.
  • Medical conditions: Specific medical conditions may put you at higher risk, such as insomnia, chronic illness, Parkinson’s disease, chronic pain, heart attack, and cancer.

How to deal with Depression?

You may successfully manage depression by using one form of treatment persistently, or you find a combination best suitable for you. Some of the common categories of medications may include SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), tricyclic and tetracyclic antidepressants, serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), noradrenaline and dopamine reuptake inhibitors (NDRIs), and N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonists.

Psychotherapy

Conversing with a therapist can help you cope with specific negative feelings and benefit from group therapy sessions or family. It is also known as “talk therapy” and is famous as an effective treatment. Psychotherapy is often prescribed together with pharmaceutical treatment. A combination of an effective drug and psychotherapy can come out as a catalyst in your depression treatment.

3
Dec, 2021
Antibiotics-Medicine.png

Antibiotic Medicines – What You Need to Know?

Antibiotics, commonly known as antibacterial, are medications that slow down or eventually destroy the growth of bacteria. Antibiotics include a range of potent drugs, and they are used to treat diseases primarily caused by bacteria. Antibiotics can’t treat viral infections like cough, cold, and flu. In this blog, let us discuss what antibiotics are, their mechanism of work, tiredness as a side effect of antibiotics, and which antibiotics are safe during pregnancy.

What are Antibiotics?

Antibiotics are medicines that fight certain infections. They can save lives when used correctly. Antibiotics destroy bacteria or stop them from reproducing.

Before bacteria can multiply and cause symptoms, the body’s immune system can kill them. WBCs or white blood cells attack harmful bacteria, and even if symptoms occur the body’s immune system can typically cope and fight the infection. However, sometimes the harmful bacteria are excessive in number, and the immune system can’t fight all of them. Antibiotics are helpful in this scenario.

Penicillin was the first antibiotic. Penicillin-based antibiotics, like penicillin G, amoxicillin, and ampicillin, are still available to treat various infections. Using antibiotics without seeing a doctor or over-the-counter antibiotics, Various types of oral antibiotics are available, which are usually only available with a prescription in most countries. It is not advisable to consume antibiotics without consulting the doctor. Topical antibiotics are available in over-the-counter ointments and creams.

Few over-the-counter topical antibiotics that may be used on the skin to help prevent infections from minor wounds, burns, and scrapes, are:

  • Neosporin Plus (neomycin polymyxin/pramoxine) also contains pramoxine, a mild numbing medication,
  • Polysporin and generics ( bacitracin/polymyxin), and
  • Neosporin and generics (bacitracin/neomycin/polymyxin B).

OTC antibiotics, like benzoyl peroxide, are available for those with acne. Benzoyl Peroxide provides a drying effect and may be bought as brand names such as Proactiv, Oxy-10, and Clearskin.

Can antibiotics make you tired?

While taking prescription antibiotics, one can feel fatigued and tired. The tiredness can be a symptom of infection being treated by the antibiotic, or it could be a serious though rare side effect. Response to antibiotics varies by individual. Side effects like tiredness aren’t universal or uniform. Although it is rare, some of the antibiotics, such as ciprofloxacin ( Proquin, Cipro), azithromycin ( Zmax, Z-Pak, and Zithromax), and amoxicillin ( Moxatag, Amoxil), can have side effects of weakness or tiredness.

It would be best if you discussed the potential for fatigue with the doctor when they prescribe antibiotics. You should also check the prescribing information to see if unusual weakness is listed as the possible side effect.

What if you miss a dose of antibiotics?

Antibiotics are generally taken between one and three times per day. Typically, your antibiotic doses should be equally spaced throughout the whole day. The doses must be taken at the same times every day. This helps in maintaining a constant level of medicine in the body. If you miss a single dose of antibiotics, there is probably no reason to worry because already your body has a reserve of antibiotics medicine from the previous dose. However, if you miss a couple of antibiotic doses or leave your antibiotic course without completing it, your body may develop antibiotic resistance, and the infection might not completely disappear.

In case you missed a dose of antibiotics, you should not double the next dose. Doing so would increase your chances of experiencing adverse side effects like vomiting, rashes, nausea, or diarrhea. You must take the missed dose as soon as you remember, or if it is about nearly time for the next dose of antibiotics, skip your missed dose altogether. Always refer to the PIL (patient information leaflet) that comes with your antibiotics, as it includes the manufacturer’s advice about what should be done if you missed a dose of your antibiotic medicine.

Which antibiotics are safe during pregnancy?

Antibiotics are often prescribed during pregnancy. However, you must choose the specific type of medication carefully. Some antibiotics are safe to take during pregnancy, while some others are not. Safety depends on different factors, like the type of antibiotic, how long and when in your pregnancy you take the antibiotic, the amount you are taking, and the possible side effects the antibiotic might have on your pregnancy.

Few antibiotics that are considered safe during pregnancy are:

  • Clindamycin ( Cleocin, Clindagel, Celinda-Derm)
  • Cephalosporins, including cephalexin ( Keflex) and cefaclor
  • Penicillins, including ampicillin and amoxicillin ( Amoxil)

Certain other antibiotics are said to pose risks during pregnancy; for example, sulfonamides are usually avoided during the first trimester and near the delivery time because sulfonamides might pose a risk of jaundice, cleft lip, or palate, and heart conditions. Tetracyclines may affect bone development or discolor a developing fetus’s teeth. Tetracyclines must not be used after the fifth week of pregnancy.