KIDNEY STONE

Kidney stones are pebble-like solid particles found in various parts of the urinary system. They are said to be formed by an excess of salts in the bloodstream that crystallise in the urine. The stones are vary in size and shape ranging from tiny particles that pass out unnoticed in the urine to large-branched formations about 5 cm across. They remain unnoticed as long as they stay in place. But even a tiny stone may cause excruciating pain as it leaves the kidney. Slight bleeding can occur due to tears in the lining of the urinary tract.


SYMPTOMS:
*"Silent" kidney stones produce no symptoms.
* Severe pain in the back over the spreads to the front of the abdomen
downwards. The pain builds up for about 1 minute before it eases off
and then returns again in a few minutes.
* Pain on passing urine.
* Fever or tenderness in the flank may indicate a stone related kidney
obstruction or infection.
COMPLICATIONS
Kidney blockage and infection. If not relieved, it can lead to kidney failure.

COMMON CAUSES:
*Insufficient fluid intake or frequent fluid loss (dehydration) can make the
urine so concentrated that stones form.
*An excess of calcium or uric in the bloodstream caused by gout or hormones
disorders.
*Kidney infections foster stone formation by slowing urine flow or changing
the acid balance of the urine.
*Prolonged bed rest, e.g due to illness.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
*Consult the doctor immediately if there is severe pain accompanied by the
other symptoms.
PREVENTION TIP:
Drink plenty of fluids to keep urine diluted enough to hold all dissolved salts, in solution and keep them from forming stones.

DOG BITES

The seriousness of a dog bite depends on the extent and area of tissue damage in the wound, the presence of infection and rabies. Rabies is a deadly viral disease that can be transmitted to a person by the bite of infected animal.

SYMPTOMS:
*Puncture wound or laceration.
*Bleeding
*Pain, which can be severe.

COMPLICATIONS:
*Severe bleeding, if a main blood vessel is torn.
*Infection of the wound, characterized by fever, inflammation, worsening pain, and pusformation
*Tetanus. This is a disease of the central nervous system(brain and spinal cord) due to the infection of the wound by tetanus bacteria.
*Rabies an acute viral infection transmitted to humans by the bite of a rabid animal
*Death due to rabies or tetanus

WHAT YOU CAN DO:
*Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water to prevent infection.
*Apply antiseptic lotion and cover the wound with clean, dry dressing.
*If the wound bleeds profusely, try to stop the bleeding.
*Consult a doctor if there is severe bleeding, the wound is in infected, you are not immunized against tetanus or you suspect the dog to be rabid.

WHAT DOCTORS CAN DO FOR YOU:
*Stop the bleeding wound.
*Treat wound infection.
*Refer you to a hospital if rabies is suspected.
*Give you tetanus toxoid injection if your vaccination is not to update.

PREVENTION TIPS:
*Avoid stray dogs.
*As much as possible, have your dog immunized for rabies.
*Never leave a child alone with a dog to avoid attacks or accidental biting.
*Send your dog to expert obedience trainers so that it will heed commands and not to bite in play.

Muscles strains: When you've overdone it

If a muscles is overstretched, some muscle fiber may tear. If this happens, the muscle contracts and may also swell because of internal bleeding. Occasionally, the muscle may be ruptured, or torn completely.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?

The main symptom is pain when the injury occurs . The pulled muscle feel tender, may become swollen, and will not function efficiently until the torn fibers have healed. If the muscle that gradually becomes stiff, painful, and tender (often overnight) has probably been strained. In addition, a few of its fiber may have been torn.

WHAT ARE THE RISKS?

Almost everybody pulls, or strains, a muscle at some time. People who are active in sports are particularly susceptible to such injuries. Ruptured muscles are much less common.

In most cases recovery from a pulled muscle is quick and complete, and there is no danger of permanent loss of mobility. The older you are, the greater the damage you can do and the more slowly you recover. A strain that tears muscle, however, may permanently impair the working of the muscle unless it is successfully treated.

WHAT SHOULD BE DONE?

If you pull a muscle and it does not seem to be severely damaged, try the self-help measures suggested below. If you are in great pain or the affected area becomes badly swollen, consult your physician, who may be able to evaluate the extent of the injury by carefully examining the affected area.

WHAT IS THE TREATMENT?

Self-help:

* Apply ice wrapped in a cloth or ice pack to the area to help prevent further swelling and to decrease the pain.

* Try not to use the pulled muscle for several days, or while pain persist.

* Bandaging or wrapping the affected area will help decrease swelling, but make sure not to bind it too tightly. This could cause further swelling, which might then interfere with blood circulation.

* Raise the injured part of your body to help reduce the swelling. Elevation also helps drain any fluid that has accumulated in the injured area.

PROFESSIONAL HELP:

Treatment depends on the severity of the injury. Your physician may prescribe pain killer. you may be advised to use crutches for a leg injury or a sling for an arm injury. In severe cases your physician therapy by the use of heating modalities such as a diathermy machine.

It is the use of high electric current to produce heat. It refers to a method of delivering core warming to deep body tissue for therapeutic purposes, a treatment that effectively warm from within rather than from outside. Heat increases blood flow and makes the connective tissue more flexible. It lessens joint stiffness, pain and muscles spasm, injuries such as sprain and strain.

As pain and swelling subside a special program of exercise may help restore motion and strength to the injured muscle.

SOURCE: PEOPLE'S TONIGHT

BY: DR. GARY SY, M.D.