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- IVF: In Vitro Fertilization Step by Step
IVF is an in vitro fertilization technology which facilitates in the production of eggs in a laboratory, where the sperms are fertilized outside the body. That is done where a pair cannot reproduce a baby because of problems of infertility. This process of In vitro fertilization includes a series of steps like- Stimulating the ovaries to produce eggs Retrieving eggs Retrieving sperms Fertilizing it under lab conditions and Embryo transfer into the uterus It may take between two to three weeks for one IVF treatment period, while the pair is required to take different procedures. More than one cycle will also be done in some circumstances due to failure of IVF treatment. Let’s learn about the In vitro fertilization procedure step by step. 1. Ovulation Induction Woman taking hormone injection for IVF, Image Credits: pixabay IVF procedure starts from day one of your period. You will receive synthetic hormones for activating your ovaries on the first day of your menstrual period if you plan to use your own eggs during the IVF phase. In general, every month, during menstruation, a woman produces one egg. Synthetic hormone treatment aims to develop more reproductive eggs. Multiple eggs are needed for treatment, as eggs are not fertilized in the majority of cases and this process may increase the probability of fertilization. Several different medications may be prescribed during IVF which include: ● Medications for stimulating ovaries For stimulating the ovaries to produce more than one egg the following hormone therapy is given: Hormones like follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), Luteinizing hormone Or a combination of both ● Medications to promote maturation of the oocyte When the ovary follicles are prepared for the recovery of egg after 8-14 days. You may be treated with human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) or various other drugs that facilitate egg maturation. ● Medications to halt premature ovulation process These kinds of medications help prevent the release of developing eggs early. ● Medications that help prepare the lining of the uterus Your doctor will consult with you to determine medication continuation and discontinuation. Your doctor will also do a vaginal scan or blood test to find out how ready the eggs are to be taken. These assessments also help to identify different other process performance or failure criteria. During this time, if unfavorable conditions are detected, the doctor will even cancel the IVF treatment. If you cancel the IVF, your physician may prescribe a change of drugs which may improve your chances of the IVF procedure being successful. 2. Egg Retrieval After 34-36 hours of final injection and before ovulation, Egg retrieval is carried out. The process of egg retrieval involves: The process is very quick and takes about 20 minutes to extract several eggs. The patient is sedated, and with the help of transvaginal ultrasound aspiration method, the eggs are retrieved. During the process, an ultrasound probe is directly inserted into the vagina which helps identify the follicles. Your doctor may then insert a thin needle into the ultrasound probe which passes through the vagina and the follicles to retrieve the eggs through a suction device. The mature eggs will then be placed in a nutritive culture medium and incubated. 3. Sperm Retrieval If the partner’s sperm is used in the process, then he’ll need to give a semen sample. There are also other procedures such as testicular aspiration that can be used to extract sperm directly from the testicle by using the needle or a donor sperm. The extracted sperm is isolated from the fluid of semen in the laboratory. 4. Fertilization Fertilization is commonly carried out under two methods Conventional insemination: This method is carried out in a petri dish where healthy sperm is allowed to fertilize a single egg out of multiple eggs and then incubated overnight. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI): When the quality of semen or the number is not appropriate ICSI procedure is carried out where a single or healthy sperm is injected directly into each of the mature egg. There are some cases in which your doctor may advise you to make your IVF fruitful. These include: Assisted hatching: In situations where your age is quite old, or you have had multiple failed attempts of IVF. your doctor may recommend “assisted hatching”. In this technique, a hole is created in the membrane zona pellucida just before the embryo transfer. This can help the embryo hatch and implant into the lining of the uterus. Preimplantation genetic testing: Preimplantation genetic testing can help people with reduced likelihood of passing a genetic problem to their offspring. During this process, Embryos can grow at the incubators until a tiny sample can be retrieved and checked for the right number of chromosomes or particular genetic diseases. You can transfer embryos that do not include affected genes or chromosomes to your uterus. 5. Embryo Transfer After 2-5 days of egg retrieval and incubation period. Your doctor will perform embryo transfer Your doctor will implant a catheter into your vagina, cervix and uterus during the process. The doctor inserts one or two embryos into the uterus using a syringe attached to the end of the catheter. If this process is successful, then your embryo will be implanted in the lining of the uterus usually after six to 10 days of egg retrieval. After the procedure You will carry out the daily tasks after the successful transfer of the embryo. You should however stop hard work because it will cause pain. #InVitroFertilizationStepbyStep #IVF #IVFProcess
- 10 Yoga Poses if You Have Bad Knees
Is severe knee pain causing you decreased mobility? Are you unable to perform your daily tasks due to debilitating knee pain? Taking care of yourself in your knee pain by performing Yoga, can make a big part of your treatment that will not only boost your health and immune system but will also make you feel energetic. Yoga can benefit the whole body by reducing pain and distress, lowering blood pressure, and regulating metabolism. Some studies have shown that practising yoga can decrease the stress that is known to aggravate pain by down-regulating the levels of cortisol in the body and by increasing the levels of serotonin, dopamine, and endorphins. Yoga also helps reduce the levels of inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein and other inflammatory cytokines in the blood that are known to cause pain and swelling. There are various Yoga poses which upon daily practice can boost your leptin and adiponectin levels in their bodies. Both of these chemicals are known to work together to alleviate inflammation and pain in the body. 10 Yoga Poses to Practice if You Have Bad Knees Bridge Pose Child’s Pose Tree Pose Supine Twisting Bound Angle Pose Mountain Pose Cow Face Pose Chair Pose Peaceful Warrior Pose Triangle Pose 1. Bridge Pose Woman performing Bridge pose, Credits: pixabay Bridge pose also known as Setu Bandha Sarvāṅgāsana, or Setu Bandhāsana is an inverted back-bending asana. It is suitable for beginners and is considered to be safe. How to do it? Perform the bridge pose by lying down in a supine position. Bend your knees and slowly lift your buttocks off the floor. Make sure your thighs are about parallel to the floor. Firm the outer arm, shoulders Stay in the position anywhere from 30 seconds to 1 minute. Release your posture with an exhalation, moving the spine slowly down onto the floor. Benefits: Bridge Pose opens the chest, heart, and shoulders. It stretches and strengthens the spine, and helps relieve knee pain and back pain. 2. Child’s Pose Woman performing Child pose, Credits: pixabay Bālāsana, also known as Child’s Pose, or Child’s Resting Pose is a kneeling asana which resembles a child-like pose. How to do it? Kneel down with both the knees under your hips. Make sure your toes are pointing outwards and are placed together. Stretch your palms straight on the mat. Bring your forehead down towards your palms. Keep your palms stacked under your forehead. Stay in this pose for 1-3 minutes. Exhale and release from the position. Benefits – Child pose is beneficial in patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. It helps relieve pain in your back, knees while also calming your mind. 3. Tree Pose Woman performing Tree pose, Credits: pixabay Vrikshasana or Tree Pose resembles the shape of a tree and is a balancing asana. It is one of the easiest poses that can help strengthen your legs. How to do it? Stand with legs two ft apart Bring your arms up above your head and join your palms together. Exhale, hold your breath and bring your right leg towards the inner side of the left thigh by bending it slightly. Place your foot right foot on the shin bone of the left leg. Stay in the pose for around 2-3 minutes. Repeat the same with the other leg. Benefits: Tree pose provides stability and tones with the leg muscles, strengthens your knees and hip joints, relieves knee pain, leg cramps and improves your balance. 4. Supine Twisting Woman is assisted in performing supine twist, Credits: pixabay The Supta Matsyendrasana also called the Supine Twist or the Reclining Twist is a stomach revolving posture. It is a gentle posture that stretches the spine, back, thighs, and neck while the body rests and also stimulates internal detoxifying processes. How to do it? Lie on your back, with your arms placed parallel to your body in line with your shoulders. Draw your right knee towards your chest, and bend it cross outside of the opposite foot slightly towards the upside. Turn your head towards the opposite side of your bent knee. Ensure your shoulder blades are fully touching the ground. Hold in for several minutes and breathe into the twist, and then switch to the other side. Benefits: Supine twisting releases stress from legs, relaxes it and strengthens the legs while stretching the hamstrings. It also provides relief from pain and stiffness caused due to arthritis in the knee joints. Suggested Read: Why Does My Knee Keep Cracking And Making Scary Sounds? 5. Bound Angle Pose Woman doing Bound angle pose, Credits: pixabay Baddha Konasana, also known as Bound Angle Pose is a seated asana in Hatha Yoga. it is easy to do and suitable as a meditation seat. How to do it? Begin seated on your yoga mat with your spine straight and your legs extended in front of you. Rest your arms at your sides with your palms on the mat Bend your knees and draw your heels in toward your pelvis. Press the soles of your feet together and let your knees drop open to both sides. Clasp your big toes with your first two fingers and press your feet and toes firmly on the floor Hold it for 5 minutes and then release the pose. Benefits: This pose helps strengthen the muscles in the back and the knee by counteracting stiffness, reducing pain, and bringing more ease in the movements. It is beneficial for pregnant women. 6. Mountain Pose Woman doing Mountain pose, Image Credits: pixabay Mountain pose or Tadasana is a yogic posture that helps attain stability and firmness in the body when regularly practised. It forms the base of all standing asanas. How to do it? To begin with, the pose, stand with legs keeping 2 ft apart Inhale, bring your arms up to the shoulder level, interlock the fingers, and turn the wrist outwards. Now raise the arms up above your head. Raise your heals and balance your body on your toes. Hold this position for 10-30 seconds. Benefits: When we place all weight on our toes, it helps tones and strengthens the muscles and joints in the legs. It will also strengthen the knees and hip joints, and improve your balance. 7. Cow Face Pose Caption: A man doing Gomukhasana, Image Credits: pixabay Gomukhasana or Cow Face Pose is a seated asana used for meditative purposes. Regular practice of this asana can provide numerous benefits. Let’s see how to perform this. How to do it? Sit in a meditative posture, with your legs stretched out Bend the left leg and try to bring it towards your left hip. Do it similarly with right leg Make sure your right knee is placed on the left knee. Move your left hand towards back and palm outwards. Raise your right hand and bring it back and down to reach the left palm and clasp. Hold into this position for 2-3 minutes. Exhale and release the clasp, and come back to normal position slowly. Benefits: It stretches the spine and hip joints along with your arms and shoulders. Improves blood circulation towards the knees and ankles which in turn lubricate your joints, relieving pain and swellings. 8. Chair Pose Women doing chair pose, Image Credits: pixabay Utkatasana, Chair Pose, is a standing or low squatting asana in hatha yoga. How to do: Stand in tadasana pose with feet and legs together. Inhale and raise your arms together, perpendicular to the floor. Pretend to Sit back and down by bending your knees slightly down. Keep your weight on heels. Stay in this position for 30 seconds to one minute. Benefits: Removes the stiffness from knees, strengthen the hips, thighs and calf muscles. Improves knee function. 9. Peaceful Warrior Pose Woman doing the Warrior pose, Image Credits: pixabay Peaceful Warrior Pose or Shanti Virabhadrasana is one of the standing asanas that has served potential health benefits. How to do? Begin with a standing position, step right foot forward. Turn the left foot towards 45 degrees to the side. Flip your arms out with palms facing up. Bend right knee at a 90-degree angle, keeping it in line with the ankle. Place your left hand on the left leg and arch back, eyes towards the ceiling and right arm overhead towards your back wall. Benefits: This pose activates and strengthens the muscles that help function your knees better. 10. Triangle Pose Woman doing triangle pose, Image Credits: pixabay Trikonasana or triangle pose basically involves a triangle made by the trunk, arms and legs. It is a standing pose. How to do? Stand with your legs two 2-3 ft apart. Take a deep breath, raise the arms sideways up to shoulder level. Turn the right foot towards the right side. Slowly bend your body towards the right side, right-hand palm and fingers placed behind or in front of the right foot. Now raise your left hand in line with right hand, palm facing forward. Remain in this position for 10-30 seconds, repeat on another side. #YogaPoses
- Digestive Diseases: Facts, Stats, And Trends In India
The digestive system is known as the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. It begins at the mouth and ends at the anus. In between, it includes the oesophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, and the rectum. Digestive disorders result from various factors like food, comorbidities, medicines, infections and many more. Many symptoms of GI tract can signal problems associated with it, like blood in the stool, pain in the abdomen, heartburn, bloating, constipation, urinary incontinence, nausea, and vomiting. Digestive issues can cause deterioration of health and impact individuals quality of life adversely. It can even be fatal at times. Man suffering from Digestive issue, Image Credits: pixabay Some Interesting Facts About the Digestive system Our body produces around 0.5 and 1.5 litres of saliva. The food ingested by the mouth is taken down to your stomach through peristalsis movement. The digestive system is connected to the brain by a gut-brain axis which also affects our digestion. Saliva production increases when you feel like vomiting to protect your teeth from stomach acid. You burp to release extra air which you swallow during eating. Some Risk Factors That Lead To Digestive Diseases Unhealthy food habits – irregular diet patterns and negligence of proper nutritious food, imbalance in the micro and macronutrients in the body can lead to various digestive disorders and diseases. Lifestyle changes: Bad lifestyle habits like alcohol consumption, sedentary lifestyle, smoking, use of tobacco can lead to severity of diseases including digestive problems and it also affects immunity. Lack of physical exercise- Living a sedentary lifestyle can give rise to digestive diseases like functional dyspepsia, constipation, IBS, and GERD. Sanitation and limited access to clean water – People in India who live in rural areas lack access to clean water, which makes them prone to digestive diseases and water-borne infections. Medicines and certain foods: Research has shown that people who regularly use medications like NSAID’s, pain killers, nitrates, antibiotics, calcium channel blockers are known to suffer from digestive disorders like GERD, constipation or diarrhoea. Foods that are rich in gluten, other foods like chocolate, fatty foods, and coffee can also cause digestive disorder Statistics of Digestive Diseases in India The studies have shown that the disability-adjusted life years (DALY) burden in India due to communicable, maternal, neonatal, and nutritional diseases, has come down from 60.9% in 1990 to 32.7% in 2016. However, the data also represented that DALYs for non-communicable diseases increased from 30.5% to 55.4% during the same period. In 2016, it was reported that Infectious causes for digestive disorders accounted for around 63.3% of deaths which resulted from GI and liver disorders contributed from diarrheal diseases. The statistics for disability-adjusted life years (DALY) for GI and liver disorders in 2016 accounted for 60.3% of total DALYs. This was due to infectious agents. A study conducted by Abbott India in 2018 suggested that 22% of the adult Indian population is suffering from constipation, out of which 13% was suffering from severe constipation. Whereas, the rest 6% suffered constipation associated with certain comorbidities. Trends in Digestive Diseases Over the past two decades, the burden of gastrointestinal diseases has observed prominent changes. These include reductions in peptic ulcer disease (PUD), caused by Helicobacter pylori, hernias, appendicitis, and stomach and oesophagal cancer. Whereas, the prevalence and mortality rates for diseases like pancreatitis, paralytic ileus and intestinal obstruction, liver cancer, gallbladder and biliary tract cancer, non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases, colorectal cancer, vascular intestinal disorders, and inflammatory bowel disease has increased. Incidence rates of gastric cancer are falling more rapidly at about 2-4% decline for females than males universally. This is due to the adaptation of an improved standard of living, like dietary habits. Even though the incidence rates for ileocolonic inflammation and malabsorption is observing a decreasing trend, the need for more extensive workup is still required. #DigestiveDiseases #DigestiveSystemFacts #RiskFactors #StatisticsofDigestiveDiseasesinIndia
- Heart Disease: Stats, Facts and Trends in India
Cardiovascular Disease Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a group of disorders of the heart which include the heart and blood vessels. India has recently become one of the leading countries to experience one-quarter of all deaths in the country in a year. India has seen an increase in the number of deaths due to CVD in the past two decades. The contributing factors to CVD deaths include population growth, increase in ageing population, and a stable age-adjusted CVD mortality rate. Facts India has evolved in the recent past two decades. Due to rapid urbanization and change in lifestyle habits of people, has contributed to the growing burden of CVD. Diseases like diabetes, atherogenic dyslipidemia, consumption of alcohol, smoking, central obesity and sedentary lifestyle habits are considered to be the risk factors for coronary heart disease. Another important factor is that people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds are at higher risk of developing heart diseases due to tobacco use, lower intake of fruits and vegetables, and lack of optimal therapy which in turn, leads to poorer health outcomes. Need for developing strategies like effective formulation therapy should be incorporated along with the implementation of evidence-based health research, prevention, control, treatment, and reinforcement of health systems. Statistics Ischemic heart disease and stroke are found to be among the major cardiovascular risk diseases which accounts for >80% of total CVD deaths. Global Burden of Diseases study has reported that the disability-adjusted life years (DALY) lost due to congestive heart disease in India during 2020 would be around 14.4 million and 7.7 million in men and women respectively. The stats have also figured out that populations living in rural areas will be affected similarly to those with urban populations. Even though the numbers seem to be less now, in the coming years, the number will continue to increase in the rural population, reaching around 13.5% of the rural population in the age group of 60–69 years. The younger adults between age groups of 40 or above are also at a higher risk. The prevalence rates among women will keep pace with those of men across all the age groups. Recent Trends in Cardiovascular Disorders 1. Morbidity and Mortality Trends According to a study, it has been reported that in 2016, India observed 62.5 million years of life lost prematurely due to CVD. In which, diseases like stroke accounted for 6-9% and ischemic heart disease with 15-20%. The death rates due to CVD in India have seen a rise from 155.7 to 209.1 per 100,000 between 1990 and 2016, which is possible due to the ageing population. 2. Trends in CV risk factors in India The various cardiovascular risk factors in India can be attributed to high blood pressure and cholesterol, tobacco use, dietary exposures, and obesity. Behavioural risk factors accounted for higher CVD risks. Dietary risks like low intake of fruits, grains, vegetables, and nuts. Consuming higher amounts of sodium, trans-fat, and red meat, tobacco use and alcohol has also shown to contribute to CVD. On the other hand, metabolic risk factors like high blood pressure and high total cholesterol, followed by high fasting blood glucose level, were the second major contributors to the CVD in India. 3. Recent Trends Observed In Prevention of CVD Primary prevention: India lacks behind in providing optimum therapy to the people who are at higher risk of CVD. To prevent the development of CVD India, it is necessary to device, scale, expand, and sustain a novel strategy that can help modify CV risk factors. Secondary prevention: Cardiac rehabilitation is another important component that can be implemented to prevent Cardiovascular risks. Cardiac rehabilitation through traditional approaches such as yoga is more widely available in India. Yoga can serve a good prevention regimen, leading to improvements in all-cause mortality, CV mortality, and rehospitalization. Yoga is also greatly accepted in India as a cultural adaptation. #CardiovascularDisease #CVD #HeartDisease
- Infections: Facts, Stats and Trends in India
What is an Infection? Infection or infectious diseases are caused by pathogenic microorganisms. These involve infectious agents like bacteria, viruses, parasites or fungi. These are communicable diseases and can be spread, directly or indirectly, from one person to another. Zoonotic diseases that cause infection in animals can also cause diseases in humans when transmitted. India is on the verge of development, and that is one reason that also makes it suffer disproportionately from the burden of infectious diseases. Some facts about infectious diseases, statistics about infection and recent trends are detailed below. Some Facts on Infectious Diseases in India India is the second major among highly populated countries that suffers from a triple burden of diseases – communicable diseases, non-communicable diseases, and the risk of creating new pathogens. Communicable diseases in India are rising due to poor hygiene and sanitation practices, consumption of contaminated food, access to safe water and lack of basic health services. India having favourable environmental conditions, demographic and socio-economic conditions is at risk of epidemics of emerging infections. Over the years, due to lack of people compliance towards antibiotics, there is an increase in the cases of drug-resistant tuberculosis, malaria, HIV and co-infections. This has demonstrated India to be a vulnerable country to the threat of evolving bacteria and viruses. Emerging infections like COVID-19, SARS also present a grave economic, developmental and security challenge. Statistics According to the Lancet Global Burden of Disease Study in 2016, the deaths due to communicable diseases/ infections in India was found to be 27.5%. Whereas, 61.8% of the total deaths contributed to non-communicable diseases. Globally, around 3 million children die each year from diarrhoeal diseases or Malaria. A research study has reported that the prevalence of infectious diseases has remained stagnant in the past decade. However, the burden of morbidity and mortality due to infectious diseases is found to be heavy in developing countries like India, particularly affecting the infants and children. The most vulnerable age group to suffer and die from communicable diseases falls between the age group 0-14 years. Most common communicable diseases with which people are suffering in India include diarrhoea, pneumonia, tuberculosis, and HIV. Certain parameters recommended by WHO for the prevention and control of emerging infectious diseases include the application of sophisticated epidemiologic and molecular biologic technologies, a national policy on early detection of and rapid response to emerging infections and a plan of action. Recent Trends for Combatting Existing And Emerging Infections Acute febrile illness (AFI) surveillance platform has been set up to identify diseases causing high fevers. The diseases identified include influenza virus, malaria, dengue virus, typhoid, leptospirosis, and Kyasanur Forest Disease virus. It has reported that these infectious diseases account for over 80% of illnesses that start with a high fever. Installation of the surveillance system has carried out in various hospitals and healthcare-associated infections. Implementation of training facilities for laboratorians around the country on quality diagnostic testing/reporting of priority diseases. Vaccination during the pre-monsoon period has initiated to treat the seasonal influenza flu. ‘Treat All’ – A programme initiated by CDC.gov.in for HIV patients which helped the patients with various life-saving opportunities. #InfectionsFacts #InfectionsStats #InfectionsTrendsinIndia
- Why Do I Have Continuous Fever? Could it Be…
Fever is one of the most common symptoms that is seen in humans around the world. Fever is defined as an increase in the body temperature above the normal. The normal body temperature in adult human beings has a range of 36.5–37.5 °C (97.7–99.5 °F). The normal body temperature range or children up to five years Is slightly higher as compared to adults. In their case, a temperature as high as 37.7°C (100°F)is considered normal. Continuous Fevers are those which last for more than 10 days. Fever is a natural response by the body when dealing with infections. However, Continuous fever is a sign that there exists an underlying cause for it. Continuous Fever Can Be Classified intoTwo Categories: High-Grade Fever: A fever is considered high-grade if the temperature is above 102.5°F. A fever so high affects the day to day activities of people and requires medical attention. Low-Grade Fever: When the body temperature is above normal but below 102.5°F, it is a low-grade fever. A low-grade fever is considered a less serious condition when compared with high-grade fever. In children, both low- and high-grade fevers are of serious concern as they can be signs of life-threatening infections. If you have a child with elevated temperature, seek medical help. Continuous Fever Causes Infections A fever is the body’s response to fighting an infection. The following infections can cause continuous fever: Respiratory Infections: Respiratory infections such as the common cold and flu can cause continuous high Fever. Urinary Tract Infections: Urinary Tract infections are very common and can cause continuous high fevers. Other infections: Various other infections such as infections in wounds, tuberculosis and meningitis can cause persistent high fevers. Corona Virus The Coronavirus, of which Covid-19 is an example, has had a devastating effect on the world can also cause a continuous high fever in many cases. Stress Stress can result in slightly elevated body temperatures which can last for weeks. However, in most cases, it only results in low-grade fevers. Cancer Prolonged duration of fever can be a symptom of some forms of cancer. Medication Certain medications such as penicillin and thyroxine have been known to cause continuous fevers. If you have recently started with a new medication, and are experiencing continuous fever, inform yourdoctor. Other causes Other causes are rare and, in some cases, very difficult to identify. Causes for Continuous Fever in a Child A child can have a continuous fever because of all the above-mentioned causes and have a few additional causes as well. Immunization: Children are given a wide variety of vaccines. The administration of vaccines results in elevated body temperatures. The doctor usually provides adequate information about the possibility of developing a fever. However, if the fever turns into a continuous fever in a child then seek medical help Credits: Pixabay Caption: A person being administered a vaccine. Alt text: Injection Birth Defects: Birth defects are abnormal conditions that can infant is born with. Infants can develop a continuous fever due to birth defects. Teething: It is the process by which the baby’s teeth break through the gums and emerge. This process normally occurs between the ages of 6 months and 2 years. However, it can occur at slightly different ages as well. Alarming symptoms To Watch Out For If a continuous fever presents itself along with the following symptoms, then it can be a serious cause for concern. Unexplained Weight Loss: If you experience sudden weight loss along with a continuous high fever then it is an alarming situation. Most individuals like to lose weight but if that loss happens suddenly and with a continuous high fever that it can be a sign of chronic disease. Skin rashes and Spots: Skin rashes and spots can be a sign of serious diseases such as Chicken Pox. These signs should not be ignored as these diseases can be fatal. Credits: Pixabay Caption: A rash which can be a symptom of a serious disease. Alt text: A red coloured rash on the body. Difficulty in Breathing: This can be a sign of severe respiratory infections. It is also a symptom of the Coronavirus. Mental Confusion: Confusion along with a continuous high fever can be a symptom of impaired cognitive ability and a concussion. Sensitivity towards Light and Sound: It can be a symptom of Meningitis. Abdominal Pain: Abdominal pain can be a sign of severe stomach infections. Chills: Chills are persistent with Viral Fevers. These symptoms, when clubbed with continuous high fever indicate towards severe diseases that can be life-threatening. When should you see the doctor? This depends on three factors: Duration: If the continuous high fever has been persisting for over 10 days then you should see a doctor. Type of fever: Low-grade fever usually resolves on its own but high-grade fever requires medical intervention. Accompanying Symptoms: If you have other symptoms along with a continuous high fever, then you should seek medical help. In case of Continuous fever in a child, if the fever lasts for over 3 days then you should seek medical help. Diagnosis In order to treat continuous fever, one has to treat its cause. There are various diagnostic tests which are performed by health care professionals after taking your detailed medical history and symptoms into account. Some diagnostic tests which can help determine the cause of continuous high fever are: Blood tests: Widely used tests that have many clinical implications. Most commonly used to identify infections such as Typhoid. Urine Tests: These can be used to detect bacterial infections. Imaging Studies: Imaging studies such as CT scan and MRI are used to detect tumours Credits: Pixabay Captions: Laboratory tests being performed to determine the cause of the fever. Alt Text: A medical professional working with testing samples. Treatment for Continuous Fever If the temperature is elevated constantly, then the cause must be identified and treated. This treatment has a very wide range depending on the cause. To lower the temperature, health care professionals use drugs which are called Anti-Pyretic drugs. Anti-Pyretic drugs are commonly used medications such as Paracetamol and Ibuprofen. These are over the country drugs, which means that you can but them without a prescription from the doctor. If you chose to self-medicate, then only do it for 2-3 days as incorrect use can damage your condition. Some people use antibiotics in self-medication practices to treat continuous fever without consulting a doctor. Antibiotics are not to be taken unless prescribed by a doctor. Do not use antibiotics as self-medication. Credits:Pexels Caption: Various kinds of Antipyretic medicines are available to reduce body temperature. Alt Text: Tablets and capsules of different sizes and colours. Conclusion Continuous Fever can have various causes. In some cases, it resolves on its own without requiring medical intervention. However, if you are suffering from continuous fever, record your temperature in a proper manner and look out for accompanying symptoms. If the duration of the continuous fever gets long or new symptoms emerge immediately seek medical help. Continuous fever can be a sign of a severe underlying condition and should not be ignored. #ContinuousFever #ContinuousFeverCauses #ContinuousFeverinChild #Continuoushighfever
- Vitamin E Capsule for Hair and Skin? Do They Work?
Vitamins are organic molecules that are essential micronutrientsfor the proper functioning of an organism. These functions include growing tissues, regulating metabolism and maintaining a healthy immune system. There are 13essential vitamins out of which, vitamins A, C, D, E, K and B are the most important. So much so that, if our body fails to synthesize these vitamins or they get depleted, our doctor would prescribe us vitamin supplements! Vitamin E: An Anti-oxidant It is a group of eight fat-soluble compounds that include four tocopherols and four tocotrienols. What is an anti-oxidant? Imagine your body like it’s an enzyme factory, and there’s a whole bunch of different enzymatic reactions happening in your body. Some of these reactions are not favourable. Ironically, oxygen, one of themost essential compounds, is anexample as its reaction is quite volatile. This is because they form reactive oxygen species (ROS) with other molecules. ROS typically has one valence electron, making it highly reactive. This can be extremely dangerous but our body has a biological defense mechanism to deal with it and prevent damage to the cells. Vitamin E is one of those defense mechanismsamong other substances like glutathione and a whole lot of other compounds that protect the Credit: unsplash Caption : vitamin E an as Antioxidant Alt tag: Vitamin E , Antioxidant Deficiency and Excess Vitamin E is mainly stored in the liver before being released into the bloodstream. Although itsdeficiency is not very common, low levels of vitamin E can lead to muscle weakness, vision deterioration and immune system problems in adults. On the other hand, excess of vitamin E in the body can lead to excessive bleeding, fatigue, nausea etc. Credits: Unsplash Caption: Research on Vitamin E Alt tags : research Vitamin E:A Controversial Study Although all vitamins are essential and the intake of dietary supplementscontinues to increase as people become more health-conscious, the beneficial nature of vitamin E supplements is a highly debatable topic among scientists and researchers. One of the main reasons for this conflict is because a lot of research on the effectiveness of vitamin Ethat was based on experimental observations had no adequate amount of science to back it up. However, through these experimental observations,a lot of success in the effective and beneficial nature of vitamin E was observed. Benefits of Vitamin E for Face -Here’s WhatWeKnow Hyperpigmentation – Dark spots can be produced due to an excessive pigment of melanin. This condition is known as melasma and can be treated with vitamin E. Ageing and wrinkles – The Anti-oxidant nature of vitamin E increases the firmness and structure of the skin by increasing and enhancing blood circulation on the face skin.The use of oxidants to delay wrinkles is known asphotoageing. Treating acne scars– Its inflammatory nature promotes soothing and healing benefits for acne prone skin. It also checks the level of sebum produced by glands. Soft lips–Vitamin E is used to heal dry and chapped lips and promotes faster regeneration of cells on the surface. Moisturizing and protection–It hydrates the skin and acts a natural barrier to the sun. Caption :Vitamin E for smooth and healthy skin Credit: unspalsh Benefits of vitamin E for hair Healthy scalpand circulation– The anti-oxidant helpsreduce the amount of free radicals and promotes blood flow,increasing the blood supply in the scalp and giving your hair a strong base to growhealthy hair. Hair loss–The anti-oxidant property of vitamin E helps reduce oxidative stress that has been linked to hair loss. Increased shine – Damaged hair loses its shine and starts to look dull andfrizzy. This is due to the loss of anouter fat layer present on the surface of the cuticle.Vitamin E helps restore this layer and protects thehair from breakage. Balance oil production- Vitamin E is important for creating a protective barrier that helps lockin moisture in your hair and balances out oil production in the scalp. Credit: unspalsh Vitamin E products Supplements They are either synthetic or natural. Capsules: It is an oral form of supplements where the fat-soluble vitamin is dissolved in vegetable oil and enclosed in a soft gel capsule. When taken orally, vitamin E is delivered to the skin by sebum, the oily secretion produced by sebaceous glands. The oil in these capsules can also be manually extracted for topical use. Although they both work in a similar manner, capsules have an advantage over topical products as oils and creams tend to get exposed to oxygen and get oxidized, therefore reducing its effectiveness. Caption: Vitamin E capsules lying on a table Credits: foter Alt tags: vitamin E capsules Topical vitamin E Vitamin E is also available in the form of creams and oil for topical use. It is easily absorbed in the skin and is also stored in the sebaceous glands. It is added to many cosmetic products like sunscreen, anti-ageing cream, face mask, acne cream and makeup.It reduces redness, swelling and skin damage. Caption : vitamin E cream Credits: foter Alt: vitamin E topical products Should You Take Vitamin E Supplements? Most people who maintain normal, balanced diets do not need additional vitamin E. Supplements are used for people who have problems absorbing enough vitamin E from their diets. In that case, dosage for these supplements must be strictly recommended by doctors. Excess of vitamin E may increase your risk of side effects or high toxicity levels. However, if one is looking for vitamin E supplements to improve their hair and skin, there are oral supplementsdesigned with the right amount of dosage for that specific purpose and is proven to be very effective. Moreover, these supplements are also combined with other substances like vitamin C and minerals that help the body absorb vitamin E. #vitamineforhair #vitaminecapsulesforface #vitaminecapsulesprice #vitaminecream #vitaminecapsulesforhair
- Time, Stress, and Time and Stress Management
What is Time Management? Time management is the practice of dividing the time between different tasks. Effective time control allows you to function intelligently – not harder – meaning that even when time is set and the workload is heavy, you can perform more easily. The inability to make effective use of time damages your performance and causes stress. The time management process involves these basic steps: Developing a proper understanding of all the steps that have to be taken to complete tasks. Document these measures in the order they need to be carried out. Analyzing dependencies among steps that may cause any hindrance. Address the steps (using memory tools, including day planners, memo boards, sticky notes). Tracking the execution of the steps as and when they are done. About Prioritizing! Most time management techniques over-emphasize on technique, efficiency, and getting things done and under-emphasize on regulating actions related to preserving a healthy work-life balance. Emphasizing the fulfillment of tasks rather than living a healthy life helps to produce tension instead of reducing it. This mistake often sets the stage for failure and cynicism when people fail to meet deadlines by neglecting responsibilities and focusing on who or what they depend on. Stress is a physical and psychological reaction to daily life requirements. The impression that mental or emotional strain is overloaded will become tension if you can’t deal with it. Although for one person a certain amount of stress can be motivating, the same level can overwhelm another person. Fight or Flight Too much tension leads to the “fight-or-flight” instinct to kick in. The neuro system releases adrenaline and cortisol stress hormones. This emergency response to stress can cause the heart to pound faster, blood pressure to rise, muscles to tighten up, and breathing to become rapid. Constant stress in the body can cause suppressed immunity, digestive and reproductive issues, speed up aging, and increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Stress can also make you more likely to suffer from mental health, such as depression and anxiety. Caption: A man experiencing headache due to stress Credits: Pixabay Alt tags: Man with headache Common origins of stress include work, school, major life changes, relationship problems, and financial instability. Finding ways to improve your overall ability to handle stress can help deal with these stressors. Stress and Time Management Go Hand in Hand Everybody has tension somewhere in their lives. Sadly, some people are stressed more than others. Essentially, people who choose very ambitious jobs are often more stressful than others. Air traffic controllers, ambulance dispatchers, infirmarians and police officials are some of these occupations. Besides the work-related pressures of stressful careers, stress is often caused by other means. This tension generally results from the inadequate management of the time, and can influence someone irrespective of their occupation. Thus, we can say that time and stress management go hand in hand. Don’t Switch Gears Another secret to better time management and ultimately less tension is working in batches. Try not to shift gears before finishing them and change them from task to task. Alternately, group similar tasks and work on them one after another. This intends to increase your speed as your mind stops switching gears. Working in groups can increase productivity, which reduces your workload and stress. Caption: Agroup meeting to brainstorm ideas Credits: Pixabay Alt tags: group meeting Feel More in Control You become more controlled over your time as you learn to use your time wisely. This can make you placid and less stressed as a result. Stress and time control therefore go hand in hand. Waiting until the very end to complete a project or a task can cause stress. Try instead to prioritize what you have to do at home and at work so that you can finish your assignments on time. This will help to reduce stress levels. Be Organized As management of stress and time goes hand-in-hand, organizing will affect both. Apart of time management includes being organized. Improving Efficiency This can be achieved by completing as many tasks and processes as possible. Another way of improving efficiency can be to assess what you do. Search for job processes that are redundant or avoidable now. Developing reliability and competitiveness would make you more comfortable and less stressed with less time, with better management of your resources. How can Being Organized Prevent Stress? Caption: A neat office table with a plant Alt tags: Plant and laptop Finding a Work-life Balance A good approach to ensure that the strain from your job does not disrupt your family and personal time needs is to set limits to work and to prevent those borders from extending too far. This can be quite a trick in some areas of employment for professionals and it would be quite difficult for others to deal with. The important thing is to try and leave work at work before coming back home, and prioritizing your family as much as possible. Vacation! The important way of preserving balance between work and life is to ensure that your schedule is a time to play and relax. One way to do this is to plan and to make regular breaks during working hours. Implementing restorative physical exercise into the schedule is not just a matter of taking a cup or smoking cigarettes. Stretching, jumping or relaxing exercises, include incremental muscle recovery, or even a few yoga positions, to get you up in the air. Don’t Over-commit Yourself Avoid lining up things back-to-back or trying to fit too much within a day. Most of the times, we underestimate how long tasks will take to get done. Prioritizing Tasks Make a list of assignments and address them in order of significance. Items with high priority must be done first. Always complete your unpleasant or stressful work first. The rest of your day will be more peaceful as a result. Delegating Responsibility No matter whether you’re at home, at school or at work, you don’t have to do it by yourself. If other people can look after the task, why not let them? Leave behind the desire to oversee or control every little step. In this way, unnecessary tension would be relieved. Learning to Elicit Stress Caption: A couple relaxing with a pet Credits: Pixabay Alt tags: couple relaxing You need a way to handle the tension level immediately when you are frazzled by the daily commute, trapped at work at a busy event or tired of another fight with your family. This is where rapid stress relief is important. The simplest and quickest way to relieve tension is with a calming breath and a relaxing step that uses the senses—what you see, hear, taste, and touch. You can relax immediately and concentrate on an unforgettable picture, smell a certain fragrance, hear a favorite song, have chocolate or spend time with a pet, for example. Of course, not all respond to every sensory experience in the same manner. The key to quick stress relief is to venture and discover the unique experiences that can work best on you. Conclusion Everything good usually starts with gumption. It brings you together, decides you should be happier, and then does nothing to begin you and keep you alive. The opposite of gumption is boredom and guilt. Regulation of stress and time begins with a gumption. This is the check that matters. Bad time and anger control is always more difficult instead of more knowledgeable. Stress may be handled, even in extreme situations, is crucial to understand. By managing time efficiently, you can learn to live a happy and, healthy life.
- What are Different Types of Migraines?
Headaches are part of our lives, and every one of us has suffered through them. Severe headaches that entail pulsing or throbbing on one side of the head followed by nausea and vomiting are usually migraines. But a migraine is not just another headache. It is a neurological condition with different sub-types. Find out about the different types of migraines below. 1. Migraine With Aura Also referred to as complex or classic migraine usually starts before the head pain begins and lasts up to an hour. Migraine with aura is a neurological symptom most commonly characterized by visual disturbances like blind or coloured spots, flashes of light, tunnel vision, and temporary blindness. Other symptoms may include memory changes, dizziness, vertigo, numbness and feeling of fear or anxiety. 2. Migraine Without Aura This type of migraine is the common type and affects around 70-90% of people with a migraine and lasts between 4 and 72 hours. The headache is usually on one side of the head with a throbbing or pulsating pain which affects your normal daily life. 3. Migraine With Brainstem Aura It is a rare form of migraine and formerly known as basilar type migraine. The person with this type of migraine may observe one or two symptoms which include slurred speech, ringing in the ears, double vision, dizziness, tingling in hands and feet and severe sensitivity to sound. 4. Chronic Migraine As the name suggests chronic migraine is a condition where the migraine attacks are more frequent. A person may observe a headache that happens 15 or more days a month which can be more than 3 months. The severity of the symptoms may vary in chronic migraine headache. Some of the symptoms of a chronic migraine headache include sensitivity to light, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and throbbing or pulsating pain on or both sides of the head. 5. Hemiplegic Migraine It is a rare condition that is characterized by temporary weakness on one side of the body. Hemiplegic Migraine means “Paralysis caused on one side of the body”. It is of two types: Familial Hemiplegic migraine: It is an autosomal dominant type of hemiplegic migraine which is passed on from families. The symptoms may include weakness of half the body which can last for hours, days, or weeks, ataxia, coma, and sometimes paralysis. Sporadic: in this type, no other family members are affected. It is a rare form of migraine headache which typically causes intense, throbbing pain in one area of the head along with nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound. The symptoms of hemiplegic migraine usually disappear within 24 hours. However, one should consult a doctor as the symptoms are quite similar to a stroke. 6. Menstrual Migraine Menstrual migraine is a condition where the timing of migraine attacks is linked to the menstrual cycle. It is due to the falling levels of oestrogen hormones and the release of prostaglandins. A woman can experience the attacks two days before the onset of migraine which remains for the first 3 days of the period. Symptoms may include Severe headache. Leg cramps Acne Mood swings Lack of coordination increased appetite. 7. Ocular (or Retinal) A retinal migraine is a rare form of migraine which is associated with a temporary loss of vision. It is most commonly found in women of childbearing age. The temporary loss of vision lasts for less than an hour, and other symptoms may include flashing lights, blurred visions, coloured or black spots. This is a specific type of migraine with aura and is usually reversible. 8. Vestibular Migraine It is a type of migraine associated with repeated dizziness and is also called as migraine-associated vertigo. Symptoms of vertigo or spinning sensation in the head usually last between a few minutes and hours. 9. Abdominal Migraine It is a type of syndrome associated with migraine and is most often seen in children. The symptoms of migraine include loss of appetite, abdominal pain with nausea, and vomiting. It has also reported that children with abdominal migraine generally go on to develop migraine headaches later in life.
- What is Cabin Fever? How Does it Affect Your Mental Health?
What is cabin fever? Cabin fever is used to explain the feeling of boredom or restlessness because of being stuck at home for long durations. It is a period of negative emotions and stressful sensations people go through when being isolated or feeling cut off from the outside world. Cabin fever leads to many symptoms that can get difficult to manage without proper help. These feelings of loneliness are more likely in times of social distancing or sheltering in a place because of severe weather, especially during the winters. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, cabin fever is becoming more common and widespread as several people are in isolation, some without their families and some losing their families to this virus. Symptoms Symptoms for Cabin fever may not be the same amongst everyone, but in most of the cases, people complain of being irritable or constantly restless. A few of the other experienced symptoms of this can be: Lethargy Sadness or depression Lack of concentration Reduced patience Binge eating Decreased motivation Long sleeping hours Procrastination These symptoms can also indicate other serious disorders other than cabin fever. If these symptoms cause stress or impact an individual’s functioning, a good mental health professional can probably help you determine whether your disorder is treatable. Coping With Cabin Fever Not being a recognized psychological condition, there exists no standard treatment for the same. The coping technique that works best for you will completely depend upon your personal situation and the reason why you secluded yourself in the first place. Looking for various ways to keep your brain engaged and occupy your time can help reduce the distress and irritability that this fever brings. The following ideas are a good place to begin. Get Out of the House This may not be applicable for those who are homebound, but if there is a chance for an individual to go out, even for a short duration, they must take advantage of that opportunity. Exposure to daylight is a good way to make the body feel free, along with exercise which helps to give the body a natural high. A quick stroll can always help relax the mind and provide energy instantly. If the possibility of getting out is zero, exercising at home, sitting near the windows, etc can also do you good. Maintaining eating habits For most people, being at home is an excuse to overindulge in excess food, which is usually oily and unhealthy. Caption: Fruits and water keep the body healthy. Credits: Pixnio Alt tags: Healthy food Some on the other hand skip meals totally. Eating the right food in the right quantity increases energy levels and motivation in a person. Limit high-sugar and snacks with high fat content and consume plenty of water. Setting Goals When stuck at home, people are more likely to while away their time doing nothing of importance. This sometimes frustrates a person and gets the restless. Setting daily and weekly goals and tracking your progress toward completion is a great way to overcome such feelings. Goals set must be reasonable, and one must reward themselves for completing each goal. Keep The Brain Healthy Although mobile phones and TV can be a distraction, it is also a waste of time. It jams the brain from making necessary decisions and makes it lazy. Instead, working on puzzles in the daily paper, reading books, and playing board games helps in stimulating the mind and keeps you moving forward by reducing feelings of isolation and helplessness. Exercise Caption: A man working on his core muscles at home Credits: Piqsels Alt tags: Exercise It is very important to stay physically active even if you are indoors. People can do home workouts using online workout tutorials, and various health apps to keep their body and mind fit. Exercising gets the adrenaline rushing that can change a person’s mood. A person can always find it hard and take time to adapt to a new way of living. They must not get too harsh on themselves even if they feel that they are not coping as well as they should. The key idea is to remain positive. People must relax and focus on what they have managed to do successfully instead.
- Why Your Body Needs Vitamin D to Absorb Calcium Supplements?
We know that the human body requires macronutrients like vitamins and minerals in order to perform optimally. Not only are they responsible for letting your body thrive but sometimes the availability or presence of one can directly affect the other. This is why the presence of vitamin D³ in your body will affect the calcium levels in your body. Calcium This mineral is one of the most essential minerals that the body requires. Calcium ions play an important role in the nervous system, heart, and muscle functions. Most importantly, calcium ions form the building blocks of bones and thus bones act as a calcium factory that releases calcium ions whenever the body requires. Thus, it creates a very give and take relationship as every time the body is lacking in ions, bones break down and release calcium ions into the blood. However, at the same time when a breakdown occurs, it also affects the structural function and importance of bones. As humans age, we tend to consume a low calcium diet and this is why older adults suffer from bone problems like osteoporosis. To prevent these complications, calcium supplements are prescribed by dietitians or orthopedics. The Role of Vitamin D in Calcium Absorption If you were to pick up a calcium supplement and read the nutritional information or the supplement facts, you will find a fair amount of vitamin D dosage that has been listed. This is because calcium is practically non-effective if vitamin D is not present as the vitamin helps the body absorb these ions in your stomach. Vitamin D can be absorbed from food, dietary shipments, or can even be produced in the skin. However, the form in which the body absorbs it is known as vitamin D3 or cholecalciferol. This form of the vitamin is not active or capable of absorbing calcium ions. There are a couple of steps required for the vitamin to become active. When cholecalciferol enters the blood street after absorption, it travels to the liver. The liver then converts it into calcifediol which is then transferred to the kidneys. The kidneys eventually convert the vitamin to its active form and are known as calcitriol which is responsible for absorbing calcium ions. This is why the body also requires healthy functioning of organs like the liver and kidneys in order to actively absorb calcium. If you give supplements to a dialysis patient with renal failure, they will most likely be unable to increase their calcium levels as the kidneys are incapable of converting vitamin D3 into its active form. In addition, to requiring calcitriol for absorption, the body also requires it to regulate the number of calcium ions to be utilized in various functions of the nervous systems, heart and muscle functions, or even regulating bone formation. Recommended Dietary Intake (RDA) They are the following: 1. For Vitamin D (per day) 0-12 months: 400 IU 1-70 years: 600 IU ≥70 years : 800 IU Credit: Wikimedia commons Alt tag : calcium-rich foods Caption: Calcium-rich foods 2. For Calcium (per day) 0-6 months: 200mg 7-12 months: 260mg 1-3 years: 700mg 4-8years: 1000mg 9-18 years: 1300mg 19-50 years: 1000mg 51-70 years: 1000mg (males) and 1200 (females)
- Surgical Options for Arthritis
Arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the joint that can sometimes lead to disability. It is a debilitating illness that is characterized by painful swelling of the joints due to inflammation. The inflammation is due to the accumulation of inflammatory mediators in the synovial lining of the joints, which can cause damage to cartilage and bone. There are many ways your doctor can help lower these problems which include medication treatment, rest, exercise, splints, lifestyle modification and heat and cold treatments. When these therapies don’t provide any relief, a surgery may be considered. Joint surgery can offer relief from pain and help you be able to move better. Some of the surgical options for arthritis are mentioned below: 1. Arthroscopy Arthroscopy is a technique which involves making small incisions through specialized instruments using an arthroscope. This technique is used to fix tears in soft tissues around the knee, shoulder, hip, and other joints. It also helps repair damaged cartilage and ligaments and take out cartilage pieces that are freely flowing. 2. Joint Resurfacing It is one surgical method for the treatment of cartilage defects in the major joints. In this surgery, small metal implants are used for plugging cavities in the cartilage, and to fill the damaged or defective cartilage with prosthetic implants. Joint resurfacing aims to create a smooth and continuous surface of the joint by using metal instead of prosthetics. For example: Unlike total joint replacement, joint resurfacing replaces just a part of the knee or joint. The surgeons during a surgery replace one or two compartment’s with an implant usually on the inside or outside part. 3. Osteotomy An osteotomy is a surgical procedure where the bone is cut and reshaped or aligned. Osteotomy is carried out to shift the weight from the undamaged area which erupts due to damage caused by arthritis. This procedure is quite common and used to correct various issues like hallux valgus, hip dysplasia, coxa vara, genu valgum, and genu varum. Osteotomy is suitable for younger patients and can halt damage and delay or the need for a joint replacement for 10 to 15 years. 4. Synovectom In conditions like inflammatory arthritis, synovial lining of the joints can become inflamed or grow too much, causing damage to the surrounding cartilage and joints. Synovectomy is a procedure where the surgeon aims to correct the affected synovium by performing open surgery or by using arthroscopy. It is less expensive surgery and can provide relief from pain, improve function and reduce the use of anti-inflammatory medications. 5. Arthrodesis, or Fusion Arthrodesis, or Fusion is recommended to people with severe damage of the joint from Osteoarthritis or due to Inflammatory arthritis. The procedure involves joining two or more bones with the help of hardware like pins, plates, or rods and making it one continuous joint. This helps the bones grow together and lock the joint in place. However, this procedure may reduce the motion and flexibility of the joint. 6. Total Joint Replacement (TJR), or Total Joint Arthroplasty Total joint replacement is a surgical procedure in which the damaged joint due to arthritis is replaced with a metal, plastic or ceramic device called a prosthesis. These implants are designed to replicate the movement of a normal healthy joint. This procedure has a strong proven record for safety, helps reduce the pain and improves mobility and quality of life. The surgery is quite an expensive one. 7. Minimally Invasive TJR This technique replaces a damaged joint but uses shorter incisions than in a traditional TJR. Less muscle is cut and reattached. 8. Joint Revision Joint replacement surgeries for hips and knees affected by arthritis involves removing or replacing the failed, infected or worn-out implant. Before you decide on what type of surgery you want, be sure to learn its advantages, disadvantages, alternatives, cost, and risks involved.














