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- Deep vein thrombosis.
- Dengue fever.
- Dental caries.
- Dental health - Aids for cleaning your teeth.
- Depression.
- Diabetes Mellitus.
- Diarrhoea.
- Dizziness.
- Dog bites.
- Down syndrome.
Deep Vein Thrombosis
Deep vein thrombosis (thrombus means blood clot) is the condition where a blood clot forms in
one of the deep veins, usually in a person's thigh or calf veins. The blood clot may either block
the vein completely or partially. It is more common in the elderly and the obese. Women are more
prone to it.
DVT has gained prominence recently after headline reports of fatalities among long haul flight
passengers. They have collapsed and died soon after disembarking their flights. Because of this
coincidental relationship, DVT has been dubbed as economy class syndrome. Deaths resulting from
complications of DVT are not something new. Sporadic incidents have occurred in the past.
Cause:
Three major factors play a part in the development of DVT:
- Venous stasis i.e. the pooling of blood in the veins. This may be the result of
immobility, old age or heart failure.
- Damage of the vein due to trauma or local pressure.
- Increased coagulability (tendency of blood to clot) of the blood which
is sometimes seen in clotting disorders, pregnancy, the use of oral contraceptives,
dehydration or in some cancers.
Sitting for long periods without exercising your leg muscles is a main factor.
It need not necessarily have to be in a cramped position. Passengers in first
class seats in a plane have been known to develop DVT. Similarly, DVT has been
seen in students sitting for many hours preparing for exams.
Symptoms:
The symptoms are:
- Pain and tenderness.
- Swelling and.
- Redness.
Surrounding the area of the blood clot (usually around the calves of the legs).
These symptoms may not be present immediately the clot is formed. In some cases,
it may take up to 2 weeks before the symptoms became apparent.
Treatment:
- Anti-coagulants - these are agents which prevent further clot formation.
- Thrombolytic agents - these are agents which dissolve clots that have already formed.
Complication:
Deep vein thrombosis in itself is not that serious. The danger occurs when the blood clot
or a part of it breaks off and travels to the lungs where it can block an artery. This
complication is called pulmonary embolism. It is a life-threatening situation and often
ends in fatalities. Emergency medical attention is imperative.
Dislodged clots can travel to other areas and cause stroke or damage to organs depending on where they get lodged.
Preventive Measures You Can Take On a Long Haul Flight:
- Try to avoid sitting in a cramped position for too long.
- Wriggle your toes and move your ankles and knees.
- Massage muscles of the lower limbs.
- Don't cross your legs or sit on the edge of your seat.
- Get up and walk along the aisle at least once an hour.
- Wear loose clothing.
- Avoid stockings or socks with tight bands.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Avoid alcohol.
- Don't smoke.
- Wear special support stockings designed for travellin.
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Dengue fever
Dengue fever is a viral infection that usually starts suddenly with a high fever.
The person experiences:
- High, prolonged fever (usually lasts for 5 to 7 days).
- Rashes.
- Severe headache.
- Pain behind the eyes.
- Muscle and joint pains.
- Nausea.
- Vomiting.
- Loss of appetite.
- Fatigue.
- Diarrhoea.
A rash usually appears three to four days after the start of the fever. There are three types
of dengue rash. The most common is the petechial rash appearing as red dots on the skin.
The rashes are usually found on the limbs and is due to the bleeding under the skin.
Severity of Dengue Fever/Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever:
The dengue virus has four strains called serotypes 1, 2, 3 and 4. Getting infected with one
serotype does not protect you against the other serotypes. In fact, getting a second dengue
infection, particularly with serotype 2, leads to an even worse infection such as Dengue Haemorrhagic
Fever and Dengue Shock Syndrome which can be fatal.
With Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever, bleeding may occur from the nose, mouth, and gums. Bruises may
appear and this can be a sign of bleeding inside the body. There are small red spots on the skin
and the urine may contain blood.
Without prompt treatment, the person can go into shock, also known as "Dengue Shock Syndrome".
Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever is fatal in about 5 percent of the cases, mostly among children and young adults.
What treatment can you get if you have dengue fever?
There is currently, no specific anti-viral drug to treat the disease nor is there a vaccine to prevent a
person from being infected with the dengue virus. Rest and drinking lots of water to prevent dehydration
will help.
For severe headaches and body aches, a painkiller (such as acetaminophen) may help to reduce the discomfort.
Daily blood tests may be necessary to monitor the risk of bleeding and in severe cases, blood and other fluid
transfusions may be necessary. The illness can last up to 10 days, but complete recovery can take as long as a
month.
How is dengue fever spread?
Dengue Fever spreads through the bite of the Aedes mosquitoes. The transmission cycle for dengue starts when:
- Infected Aedes mosquito bites a healthy person.
- 4-7 days later, the infected person develops fever (after the virus multiplies i.e.,
incubation period). The person usually then sees a doctor.
- When fever starts, the person becomes infectious for about 5 days.
- If an Aedes mosquito bites the person during this period when he is infectious,
it will pick up the dengue virus in his blood.
- The virus takes 7-10 days to multiply in the second mosquito.
- The mosquito then becomes infective and the cycle starts again when it bites another person.
An infected person does not spread the virus to another person directly but he becomes a source of
dengue virus for the Aedes mosquitoes.
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Dental Caries
Dental caries (tooth decay) is a disease of the teeth resulting in damage to tooth structure.
It is more common among children and young adults but it can affect any person.
Causes:
Dental caries occur when the acids in plaque dissolve the enamel surface of the tooth and create holes
in the tooth (cavities). Cavities are usually painless until they grow very large inside the internal
structures of the tooth (the dentin and the pulp at the core) and can cause death of the nerve and blood
vessels in the tooth, resulting in tooth abscess.
Untreated tooth decay can result in death of the internal structures of the tooth with eventual
loss of the tooth. Dietary sugars and starches (carbohydrates) increase the risk of tooth decay.
The type of carbohydrate and the timing of ingestion are more important that the amount.
Sticky foods are more harmful than non-sticky foods because they remain on the surface of the
teeth. Frequent snacking increases the time that acids are in contact with the surface of the
tooth.
Signs & Symptoms:
The patient is often unaware of the presence of caries until the lesion is well advanced.
Common early symptoms are sensitivity to heat and cold and discomfort after eating sugar-containing foods.
Some people experience toothache, particularly after sweet or hot or cold foods or drinks. Another sign
include the presence of visible pits or holes in the teeth.
Treatment:
Treatment for dental caries involves filling the affected tooth. The decayed material is removed (drilling)
and replaced with a restorative material such as silver alloy, gold, porcelain, or plastic. Crowns are used
if decay is extensive because multiple fillings increase the risk of the tooth breaking. A covering jacket
(crown) over the remainder of the tooth acts as a protective layer. Crowns are often made of gold or porcelain.
A root canal treatment is recommended if the nerve (pulp) in a tooth dies from decay or from a traumatic blow.
The centre of the tooth, including the nerve and vascular tissue (pulp), is removed along with decayed portions
of the tooth. The roots are filled with a sealing material. The tooth is filled and a crown may be placed over
the tooth.
Treatment often preserves the tooth. It is advisable to go for early treatment as it is less painful and less expensive.
Prevention:
As the old adage goes, prevention is better than cure. Prevention here refers to proper oral hygiene.
Fluoride is often recommended to protect against dental caries. In children whose teeth are developing,
ingested fluoride in their drinking water gets incorporated into the structure of the enamel and protects
it against the action of acids.
Topical fluoride such as fluoride toothpaste or mouthwash is recommended to protect the surface of the teeth.
Many dentists include application of topical fluoride gels (applied to surfaced areas of the teeth) as part
of routine visits.
Other preventive measures include brushing the teeth or rinsing the mouth with water after eating sugary
and chewy foods. Cut down on snacking as it creates a constant supply of acid in the mouth. Avoid constant
sipping of sugary drinks or frequent sucking on candy and mints.
The use of dental sealant is another good mean of cavity prevention. Sealants are thin plastic-like coating
applied to the chewing surfaces of the molars. This coating prevents the accumulation of plaque on these
vulnerable surfaces.
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Dental Health - Aids for Cleaning Your Teeth
When you decide to shop for a new toothbrush, you will be faced with such an enormous variety that
choosing one may be a real challenge. So how do you select a correct toothbrush?
There are many types of toothbrushes available in the market: different bristle hardness, straight or angled
handles, big or small heads, flat or serrated brush surfaces, the list seems endless. There is no one brush
that is superior to the others, but here are hints on what to look for when choosing a toothbrush.
- You should first of all select a brush with soft bristles, which will be gentle to your gums when
you brush - instead of hurting them
- The head of the brush should be about 2 to 2.5cm long and 1cm wide. This may seem rather small,
but a bigger brush will not be able to reach the back corners of the mouth, unless of course you
have a large, wide mouth.
- Another thing to look for is bristles which are very close together, as this increases
brushing efficiency.
What you should avoid are hard toothbrushes, or those with bristles set far apart, or
one that is too big for you. After that, it's up to you to pick the colour, or shape or
angle of the handle and so on.
Children's toothbrushes are also easily available. These must have soft bristles, and a shape
suitable for the size of the child's mouth. Many people ask if an electric toothbrush is better
than a manual one. An electric toothbrush is not necessarily more or less effective, it depends
on how well you brush especially with a manual toothbrush. An electric one will definitely be helpful
for people with less manual dexterity, for example persons with physical handicaps, arthritis, or
after a stroke.
Don't forget to change your toothbrush every 2-3 months, even if the present one hasn't become completely
flat yet! Quite a lot of people have heard of dental floss, but unfortunately not many use it regularly.
Actually dental floss is about the only thing that can clean in between teeth, which is as important as
brushing the tooth surfaces. It may seem difficult to learn to use, but once you get used to it, it's as
easy as brushing. You can use any type of floss, whether waxed or unwaxed, with or without flavour.
An interdental brush looks like a miniature baby bottle washer. It is also used to clean in between teeth,
much like a toothpick but very much more efficiently. However a word of caution is needed: the interdental
brush is not for everybody, but only for those with large spaces in between the teeth. If you are not sure,
please ask your dentist about this.
One thing everyone uses, and should use, is toothpaste. Why do we use toothpaste? Besides its mouth-freshening
taste, it is a mild polishing paste, often with fluoride, which help prevent caries on tooth surfaces. Some
toothpastes have extra desensitising ingredients to help sensitive teeth as well.
There are toothpastes marketed to reduce smokers' stains, but I would advise caution as these as many are
very abrasive and can wear teeth down with long use. If there are stains it's better to let the dentist
remove them.
Even with regular brushing and flossing, it is necessary to have a dental check-up at least once a year.
Your dentist will remove any deposits, like stains or tartar, and give you tips on how to clean your
teeth better.
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Depression
Depression is the "common cold of mental health problems". The World Health Organization (WHO)
recently ranked depression as the leading cause of morbidity in developing nations in the next
century.
Everyone has felt sad at one time or another. Usually it is due to a disappointment, frustration
or losing someone. Such sadness is normal. Time heals, the mood lifts and people continue to get
on with their lives.
In some people, depression can be so severe that it dominates their lives, preventing them from
coping as they used to. Depression of this degree is an illness and needs treatment.
What Are The Types Of Depression?
Major depression is manifested by a combination of symptoms that affect our work, interests
and feelings towards family and friends. These disabling episodes can occur twice or several times
in a lifetime.
Dysthymi is a less severe type of depression. People with dysthymia have long-term depressive
symptoms and it prevents them from functioning at an optimal level.
Symptoms Of Depression:
Certain characteristic symptoms can give you or your family a clue that you are depressed:
- Depressed or low mood.
- A loss of interest and enjoyment in life.
- A lack of drive or motivation that makes even simple tasks or decisions difficult or impossible.
- Feeling tired all the time.
- Agitation or restlessness.
- Loss or gain in appetite with loss or gain in weight.
- Sleeplessness or excessive sleeping.
- Loss of self confidence, avoiding people.
- Feeling useless, inadequate, helpless or hopeless.
- Feeling guilty or worthless.
- Thoughts of suicide; these are very common in depression and they are much better admitted than covered up.
They signal that you need help.
What Are The Causes Of Depression?
Some types of depression run in families, indicating hereditary or genetic factors in the transmission of
depressive disorders. In some families, major depression seems to occur generation after generation.
Studies have also suggested some biological component in depression. It may be associated with having too
little or too much chemicals in the brain. Certain medications have mood altering properties. Antidepressant
medication act by altering and normalizing the biochemical imbalances in the brain.
Life events such as loss of a job, retirement, divorce, death of a loved one or moving to a new house can
precipitate a depressive illness. Social circumstances also play a part. If we are alone, have few or no
friends, suffer from a chronic illness, then we may be more vulnerable to depression.
People with life threatening or long-term physical illness such as cancer, stroke, arthritis or heart
disease are also more vulnerable to depression. Personality may also play a part in depression. Some
of us are more vulnerable than others because of the individual make-up or early life experiences.
Very often, a combination of genetic, psychological and environmental factors is involved in the onset
of depression. The good news is that whatever the cause, depression is treatable.
How is Depression Treated?
Treatment for depression is well established. 85% of people with major depression have fairly good treatment
outcome. Treatment consists of drug (antidepressant medication) and non-drug therapy. Usually, a combined
treatment is best: medication to gain relatively quick relief and psychotherapy to learn more effective ways
to deal with life stresses.
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Diabetes Mellitus
Diabetes is a condition caused by the lack of the hormone insulin produced by the pancreas, or
when the hormone is ineffective.
What does insulin do?
Insulin is required to move glucose from the bloodstream into the body cells for usage or storage.
When this fails, diabetes develops. The high amount of glucose in the blood leads to the glucose
being spilt over into the urine, hence forming a 'sweet urine'.
What are the negative effects of diabetes?
The high blood glucose level in diabetes produces chemical reactions in the small blood vessels
and nerves, causing reduced blood flow to many organs and nerve damage. The high blood glucose
also makes it easier for germs to multiply and weaken the immune system.
All these lead to many serious complications such as high blood pressure, heart attack,
stroke, kidney failure, blindness, coma, impotence, infections with poor healing, numbness of
hands and feet, and wounds on feet that do not heal, leading to amputations.
Are there different types of diabetes?
Yes, the main types of diabetes are Type 1 and Type 2. Type1 is the more serious type where
the person does not produce any insulin at all due to damaged pancreatic cells of which the cause is unknown.
This type occurs commonly in childhood and adolescence but may also occur in elderly people. They need constant
insulin injections and complications are more sudden and life-threatening.
Most diabetics are Type 2. It occurs more frequently in people over 40 years old, particularly those who are
overweight and physically inactive. The insulin produced is not enough or not effective enough. This type of
diabetes may be controlled with proper dieting and exercise but most diabetics will also need oral medication.
What are the risk factors for diabetes?
There is no clear cause of diabetes, but medical studies show that you are more likely to get it if you
- have a family member with diabetes.
- have high blood pressure (>140/90 mmHg).
- have high blood cholesterol (>5.2 mmol or 220mg/dl).
- are overweight (body mass index > 25).
- have a history of heart disease.
- do not exercise regularly.
- are over 40 years of age.
- smoke.
Signs and Symptoms of Diabetes:
Regardless of your gender or race, see a doctor to test for diabetes if you have the any of
the following symptoms:
- frequent thirst despite drinking lots of water.
- passing excessive urine during day and night.
- constant hunger.
- weight loss despite good appetite.
- constant tiredness.
- poor healing of skin cuts and wounds.
- itchy skin especially around the genital area.
Note that some diabetics may not experience any symptoms at all.
Diagnosis of Diabetes:
If you have any of the risk factors or any of the signs and symptoms listed above, consult your
doctor to have your blood checked. If you are over 40 years of age, check your blood glucose level
at least once every 3 years. You have diabetes mellitus if your blood glucose test result is as follows:
- Random blood glucose (tested anytime) is 11.1mmol/l or higher.
- Fasting blood glucose (tested in the morning after 8 hours of overnight fast) is 7.0mmol/l or higher.
You may need to repeat your blood tests if your results are not obvious.
Control of Diabetes:
Diabetes is a life-long disease. It cannot be cured but it can be controlled to prevent the development
of the many serious complications by:
proper diet - your doctor or dietician will advise you to take multiple (4-6) small meals a day that
is low in salt, sugar, fat and oil but contains enough complex carbohydrates (e.g. rice), some lean meat
or fish and vegetables.
weight control - lose extra body weight by wise dieting and careful exercise. Insulin works better in a lean healthy body.
medicine - you may need oral tablets and/or insulin injections as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the instructions very
carefully and keep detailed records of your treatment.
home blood glucose monitoring - your doctor will monitor your progress with the help of your daily home blood glucose records.
This will show if you condition is under control or you need more medicines or further change in diet.
regular exercise - this helps your body to use glucose more efficiently, but you have to check with your doctor on the type
of exercises you can do. Start slowly and maintain a regular exercise programme and be careful of how much to eat and when to
take your medicines around your exercise time.
quit smoking - smoking increases all the risks associated with diabetes.
reducing high blood pressure and high blood cholesterol level - these will help to keep diabetes under control and protect
against its complications.
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Diarrhoea
Almost everyone has diarrhoea at some point in his or her life. The majority of diarrhoea diseases results from infection
and is a short-lived self-limiting condition. Terms such as "stomach flu" and gastroenteritis are used to describe the
same condition.
Most diarrhoea will stop without treatment in a few days. Certain drugs can cause or worsen diarrhoea.
Acute diarrhoea: is defined as a short episode of diarrhoea that comes on suddenly and goes away within
a couple of weeks. Most people with acute diarrhoea recover on their own.
Diarrhoea that lasts more than three weeks is thought of as "chronic diarrhoea." Typically, chronic diarrhoea requires
medical attention and treatment. Infants and the elderly are more prone to dehydration from diarrhoea.
Symptoms:
Symptoms include:
- Increased frequency of defecation.
- Loose, liquid stools.
- Urgency (having to go right away).
- Incontinence (leakage of stool).
- Bloating, gas.
- Rectal pain.
- Abdominal pain.
- Nausea, vomiting.
- Fever.
- Presence of blood or flecks of mucus in the stoo.
- Loss of appetite, weight loss.
Treatment:
Avoiding dehydration is the most important aspect of treating diarrhoea. It is equally important to replace
the sugar and salt, such as sodium and potassium. Hence, it is important to consume plenty of fluids that
contain these substances. Examples of such drinks include sports drinks, prepared rehydration solutions,
chicken or beef broth, colas or bottled, flavoured mineral water.
If vomiting is also a symptom, take tiny amounts of liquid every fifteen minutes. Soft diet such as
porridge can be taken after the patient can tolerate liquids. Avoid fats, coffee and milk products
until the episode is over.
Non-prescription medications such as Pepto-Bismol, Kaopectate, and Diasorb will change the consistency
of the stool from a liquid to a semi-solid state and may decrease stool frequency.
Antidiarrhoeal medications (loperamide, diphenoxylate, and codeine) should be used only after consulting
a doctor. Some infectious causes of diarrhoea are treated with an antibiotic.
Prevention:
Good hand washing and hygiene are very important in the prevention of diarrhoea. The most important
way to avoid diarrhoea is to avoid coming into contact with infectious agents that can cause it. To prevent
travel diarrhoea:
- Eat only those fruit or vegetables that are cooked or can be peeled.
- Be sure that all foods you eat are thoroughly cooked and served steaming hot.
- Never eat raw or undercooked meat or seafood.
- Drink only bottled water, even for tooth brushing.
- Avoid ice made with tap water.
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Dizziness
Almost everyone would have experienced dizziness at some stage of his/her life. It is hard to pin
down the cause of dizziness. It can just be something minor or it can be a symptom of more serious illnesses.
Dizziness has been used to describe different sensations. Some may liken it to giddiness, light-headedness,
unsteadiness or simply feeling faint.
Causes:
Most dizzy spells are minor and go away after a while. For instance, a bout of flu or a common cold can
sometimes make you feel dizzy or light-headed. Even healthy people may complain of light-headedness after
rising too quickly from a chair, or after a meal. This is almost always due to a temporary insufficient
blood flow to the brain. Similarly, dizziness experienced in motion sickness or sea-sickness is usually
minor and does not point to any serious medical illness.
Hyperventilation (or excessive deep and rapid breathing caused by an anxiety attack) can cause light-headedness
and a sense of unsteadiness. These symptoms can be removed by breathing in and out of a paper bag. The increase
in the level of carbon dioxide in the blood will reduce the hyperventilation.
Treatment:
You should always see a doctor to check that your dizziness is not a symptom of a more serious condition.
Most cases of dizziness and motion sickness are mild and self-treatable disorders. The usual medicines normally
act to balance the inner ear nerves or increase blood flow to the inner ear. But if the symptoms become worse
over time, consult an ear, nose and throat specialist. In the meantime, the following may relieve some of your
discomfort:
- Avoid rapid changes in position, especially standing up quickly from lying down or turning around from one side to the other.
- Avoid extremes of head motion (especially looking up) or rapid head motion (especially turning or twisting).
- Remove or reduce using products that impair circulation, e.g. nicotine, caffeine, and salt.
- Avoid being exposed to events such as stress or anxiety, or substances that can trigger dizziness. These include substances
that you are allergic to.
- Avoid hazardous activities such as driving a car, operating dangerous equipment or climbing a ladder.
Avoiding motion sickness:
Always travel in a manner such that your eyes will see the same motion that your body and inner ears feel. Thus, when in a car,
look forward into the distance; when on a ship, watch the horizon; and when in a plane, choose the window seat if you can, and
look out of the window.
If you are susceptible to motion sickness:
- Do not read while travelling and do not sit in a seat facing backwards.
- Ask your doctor to recommend a suitable medicine for motion sickness and take it before your travel begins.
Treating balance disorder:
There are various ways for treating balance disorders. One of which is to treat the underlying disease or disorder that may
be causing the imbalance in the first place. These diseases include ear infection, stroke, multiple sclerosis and other diseases
of the nerve.
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Dog Bites
Dogs have different instincts and dislikes, just like people do. Most dogs can sense a person is afraid of them or dislikes them.
Practically all dogs are territorial, and feel the need to protect their masters' territory from strangers and also casual acquaintances.
Most dog bites suffered by young children under the age of five are usually inflicted by their own dog or a friend's dog.
For older children and adults, the dog bites are usually inflicted by strangers' dogs.
Children are usually bitten on the face or neck, the part of the body that is within easy reach of the dog. For older children and adults,
dog bites are usually on the back of the leg between the knee and the ankle. Dog bites can lead to permanent disfigurement, scarring and
wound infection.
Safety Advice:
- Do not approach a sleeping dog, even if it is your own.
- Do not approach a dog that is eating food or gnawing on a bone, as the dog may
become possessive and attack you, thinking that you are going to take the food or
bone away from it.
- When approached by a strange dog, stand still with arms by your sides until the dog
moves away. If you are lying down or are knocked down by the dog, be still until the
dog moves away. Never try to turn around and run away.
- Never kick at a dog because you will be giving him a target (your leg).
You are better off just standing still.
- Leave stray dogs alone.
- Always respect a dog's territory.
- When choosing a dog, ensure you pick a correct breed for you, your children and circumstances.
- Regardless of size and breed, your dog should be sent for obedience training to help it socialise.
- Give your dog a safe and interesting environment to live in.
- Never assume a dog will not bite, even if it has not reacted in the past in any way to suggest that
it will attack you. Dogs, like humans have their bad days.
- If a dog belongs to a friend, make friends with it by talking to it in a friendly tone.
Call it by its name, but do not attempt to pet him straight away.
- If you are trying to hand something to the dog owner while in his compound, do not
thrust the object at the owner. Move slowly as the dog may think you are assaulting its owner,
and may adopt a protective attitude.
- Leashed dogs are not necessarily safe to approach. On the contrary, if the dog is leashed it
may be because the owner knows it has a tendency to bite strangers. Remember that sometimes a
dog can break away from its leash.
Treatment:
If the skin has been broken by a dog bite, the victim may require a tetanus injection.
Seek medical advice to check if this is necessary. Topical application of antiseptic is usually sufficient.
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Down Syndrome
Down syndrome is a genetic condition in which the affected person is born with characteristic features.
Prominent facial features include a flattened nose, protruding tongue, and upward slanting eyes.
The inner corner of the eyes may have a rounded fold of skin rather than coming to a point.
The hands are short and broad with short fingers and often have a single palmar crease. Normal
growth and development is typically delayed and most affected children never reach average adult
height.
Most people with Down syndrome are not able to look after themselves because of their mental disability.
Congenital heart defects are frequently present and early mortality is often a result of these cardiac
abnormalities.
Gastrointestinal abnormalities such as obstruction of the oesophagus or duodenum are also common.
These may require major surgery shortly after birth. There is also a higher incidence of developing
leukaemia (blood cancer).
Causes:
Down syndrome is usually caused by an extra chromosome 21. Instead of the normal two chromosomes,
the person has a third copy of chromosome 21. Another cause is due to the inheritance of a defective
chromosome 21.
Prevention:
Down syndrome can be detected in a foetus in the first few months of pregnancy by an examination of
the chromosomes obtained by amniocentesis. This involves taking a small sample of amniotic fluid from
the womb containing foetal cells, and analysing it in the laboratory.
The risk of having a child with Down syndrome increases with the mother's age. So, pregnant mothers
aged 35 and above are routinely advised to undergo the amniocentesis. The ultrasound scan can also
detect the physical abnormalities in the foetus such as small size for age and congenital heart defects.
Treatment:
There is no specific treatment for Down syndrome. Special education and training is offered in most
communities for these children. Specific heart and gastrointestinal defects may require surgical
correction.
Other complications that tend to accompany Down syndrome such as visual problems, hearing loss and
increased susceptibility to infections will require screening and treatment at appropriate intervals.
Generally, the life span is shortened in Down syndrome by congenital heart disease and increased
incidence of acute leukaemia.
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