Sexually Transmitted Infections

Sexually Transmitted Infection previously known as sexually transmitted diseases are, as the name implies, diseases that are transmitted through sexual contact.

According to a study done in 2010 by CDC, "19 million men and woman are infected each year in the United States". (2010)

So what are STIs?

STDs or STIs are infections that are transmitted between humans by contact of sexual organs, mouth or anus. Therefore mucus membranes are the routes of entry of these infections.

Types

There are several types of sexually transmitted infections:

1. Bacterial such as Chlamydia and Gonorrhea
2. Fungal such as Candiditis
3. Viral such as Herpes simplex
4. Parasites such as lice
5. Protozoa such as Trichomoniasis

All these infections if left untreated can serious diseases and septicemia which is the spread of an infection throughout the blood to the whole body and death.

Prevention

• Sex education is essential in preventing the diseases. Delaying sexual intercourse decreases the risk for having STDs.
• People should try to avoid sexual intercourse with more than one partner if they cannot maintain abstinence.
• Safe sex and use of condom is also important.
• Vaccines against some STDs such as HPV (human papiloma virus)

Treatment

If however prevention was not established and if the patient is infected with any disease then he/she should take antibiotic medication either by mouth or cream until the dosage prescribed is completed, it should never be stopped if symptoms subside.

Citation:

Cates, Willer Jr. (1999). Estimates of the incidence and prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases in the united states. Sexually Transmitted Diseases, 26(4), Retrieved from http://journals.lww.com/stdjournal/Abstract/1999/04001/Estimates_of_the_Incidence_and_Prevalence_of.2.aspx

Canada. Sexually Transmitted Infections. Retrieved July 2,2010 from: http://hullstudent.com/admin/files/display_img.php?file_id=2355

Cyprus Chart. (2004). Retrieved July 1,1020 from: http://www.eurosurveillance.org/images/dynamic/ew/v10n24/050616STICypr1.gif

Obesity

Obesity is a serious disease that refers to the accumulation of excess fat in the body.

According to a study done in 2003–2006 and 2007–2008 by National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) that one third of adults in the United States are obese.

So what is obesity?

Obesity is defined when a person has a body mass index BMI is >30 kg/m2 which is your weight in kilograms divided by your height in meter squared.

Causes

• Genes and heredity
• Emotions that make people over eat
• Unhealthy lifestyle and bad eating habits
• Sex: Men are more prone to obesity
• Medical conditions such as hypothyroidism
  

Complications

Several diseases are caused by obesity such as Diabetes type II. The most risk full disease is that obesity causes cardiac diseases and an extra load on the heart thus resulting in heart failure.

Treatment

Prevention is very important however if someone is suffering from obesity he/she should lose weight and start to have a healthier life style that includes exercise. In addition to that surgeries can be done to life threatening patients such as Roux en Y.

Citation:

Pi-Sunyer, F. Xavier. (2002). The Obesity epidemic: pathophysiology and consequences of obesity. Obesity Research, 10. Retrieved from http://www.nature.com/oby/journal/v10/n12s/full/oby2002202a.html

Fast Food Childhood Obesity Causes. (2009). Retrieved July 1,2010 from: http://www.trulyideas.com/images/childhood_obesity.jpg

Obesity Table. Retrieved July 2, 2010 from: http://www.thefashionablehousewife.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/obesity-table.gif

The Joy of Tech. Toon. (2007). Retrienved July 2,2010 from: http://www.diet-blog.com/archives/toon.gif

Map Tape. (2009). Retrieved July 1,2010 from: http://www.morethanmedicine.us.gsk.com/blog/images/map_tape.jpg

Hypercholesterolemia

Hypercholesterolemia refers to the increased level of cholesterol in blood.

According to a study done in 2007 by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 17% of the population in the United States are complaining of high cholesterol level.

So what is hypercholesterolemia?

A serum cholesterol level of ≥240 mg/dl is considered as high. Cholesterol is divided into two categories:

1. HDL: High Density Lipoprotein which is the "good" cholesterol


2. LDL: Low Density Lipoprotein which is the "bad" cholesterol
   
   

   

Causes

• Primary cause is inherital and it runs in families.
  
• Secondary causes are due to unhealthy diet which is high in fat and carbohydrates and lack of excercise. It can also be due to diseases such as diabetes mellitus.
  

Complications

The main complication is that high cholesterol will cause the vessels' walls to harden and the formation of plaques i.e. atherosclerosis that obstruct the blood flow. This may lead to a heart attack.

Treatment

• Decreasing LDL levels and increasing HDL levels.
• High fiber diet
• Low fat diet
• Diet
• Excersice
• as well as medications such as Zocor.

Citation:

Zeiher, A M . (1993). Endothelium-mediated coronary blood flow modulation in humans. effects of age, atherosclerosis, hypercholesterolemia, and hypertension.. JCI, 92(2), Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC294898

Choleshtline. Retrienved June 30,2010 from: http://www.heart-health-for-life.com/image-files/choleshtline.jpg

How High Cholesterol Causes Atherosclerosis (plaques) in arteries. Retrieved June 30,2010 from: http://www.highcholesterol.me.uk/images/how-high-cholesterol-causes-atherosclerosis.gif

Hypertension

Hypertension is an increase in the blood pressure in the arteries, the vessels that carry blood from the heart to body organs and tissues.

According to a study done in 2006 by AHA (American Heart Association) hypertension killed 56,561 people in the United States.

So what is hypertension?

The Normal Blood Pressure is 120/80. The numerator is the systolic pressure which is the pressure in the arteries while the heart is contracting while the denominator is the diastolic pressure which is the pressure in the arteries while the heart relaxes.

Therefore a blood pressure of 140/90 is considered a high blood pressure.

This illustration provides the prevalence of high blood pressure in adults by age and sex.

Complications

A high blood pressure increases the risk of having other serious disease which include cardiac diseases, kidney failure, atherosclerosis and stroke.

Signs and Symptoms

Usually this disease is asymptomatic, that is why it is referred to as "the silent killer". However late signs can include:

• headache
• blurred vision
• shortness of breath
• dizziness

Treatment

Antihypertensive agents are used to lower the blood pressure. These include ACE inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, diuretics and beta blockers.

Along with this, a low salt diet is very essential as well as a healthy life style that includes exercise.

Citation:

Antikainen , Riitta. (1998). Systolic blood pressure, isolated systolic hypertension and risk of coronary heart disease, strokes, cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality in the middle-aged population. Journal of Hypertension, 16(5), Retrieved from http://journals.lww.com/jhypertension/Abstract/1998/16050/Systolic_blood_pressure,_isolated_systolic.4.aspx

Chart Prevalence of High Blood Pressure. Retrieved June 30,2010 from: http://www.speedyceus.com/m/tm_images/Chart_Prevalence_of_High_Blood_Pressure.jpg

ADAM. (2009). Retrieved June 30,2010 from: http://nursingcrib.com/wp-content/uploads/hypertension.jpg

Diabetes Type II

Diabetes type II is a serious disease that is becoming more significant day after day.
In 2006, diabetes was found out to be the seventh cause of death in the United States in which 23.6 million children and adults have this morbidity.



So what is Diabetes type II?

It is a metabolic disorder characterized by a high blood glucose level.
Two reasons can be responsible for this disease, either your body can not produce enough insulin or your body is insulin resistant.
The target people for Diabetes type II are:

• over 45 years
• overweight
• genetic predisposition
• diseases such as hypertension and hyperlipidemia
• some medications such as corticosteroids

This graphic illustrates all the proposed factors that come together to make this disease.

Pathophysiology

Diabetes as indicated above it is when not enough insulin is produced or when there is "insulin resistance" i.e. there is insulin however the body cells act are resistant to its presence.

Signs and Symptoms

There are several signs and symptoms that you should be careful about. These include:

• dehydration as evidenced by increased thirst and water consumption
• weight loss
• excessive urination
• fatigue
• lethargy
• other symptoms that are illustrated in this graphic

Treatment

Hypoglycemic agents are used to lower the blood glucose level. If this treatment alone is not sufficient and is not helping in regulating the glucose level then insulin should be given subcutaneously.

Along with this, a healthy life style should be accomplished which is a very important aspect in managing diabetes.

Citation:

WHO Consultation. K.G.M.M, Alberti. (2004). Definition, diagnosis and classification of diabetes mellitus and its complications. part 1: diagnosis and classification of diabetes mellitus. provisional report of a who consultation. Diabetic Medicine, 15(7), Retrieved from http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/109565841/abstract?CRETRY=1&SRETRY=0

Diabetes Symptoms 1. Retrieved June 30,2010 from: http://fyi09.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/diabetes_symptoms1.gif

Diabetes Pathophysiology. Retrieved June 30,2010 from: http://www.hangtide.com/health/016/Untitled03.jpg

Diabetes Type 2 - What Is Diabetes Mellitus? video. Retrieved June 30,2010 form: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QeT1V8RmIbU