Tell you about types of knee surgery

Types of knee surgery:

Here are 10 common types of knee surgery used to treat anything from a torn ACL to microfracture surgery.

1 Meniscus Repair

In certain cases of damaged meniscus, it is possible to repair the cartilage rather than completely remove it. Meniscus repair is more beneficial to the patient than complete removal because it reduces the risk of developing arthritis later on in life. Repair surgery is only feasible when the tear is on the outer portion of the meniscus. If it is towards the central area of the cartilage, the lack of a sufficient blood supply will not allow the meniscus to heal itself after repair.

2 Plica Surgery

Plica is tissue on the knee that is highly vulnerable to injury. An injury of the plica is referred to as \”plica syndrome,\” and can be treated with surgical or nonsurgical methods. The primary goal for treating plica syndrome is to reduce inflammation. In more severe cases, arthroscopic surgery is required.

3 Tendon Repair

The patellar tendon and quadriceps tendon can rupture, causing issues with leg flexibility and movement, primarily when straightening out one’s leg completely. These two tendons are located on the front portion of your knee, above and below the kneecap. Tendon rupture typically occurs due to a fall or a direct blow causing one or both tendons to tear. Surgical repair is required for more severe injuries to the patellar and quadriceps tendons.

4 Unicompartmental Knee Replacement

Unicompartmental knee replacement, also known as partial knee replacement, is an option for a small percentage of patients who have been diagnosed with osteoarthritis that is limited to just one area of the knee. The procedure requires the damaged portion of the knee to be replaced with metal and plastic components. The benefits of partial knee replacement over a full knee replacement include:

• Less complicated procedure
• Smaller incision
• Less loss of blood
• Faster recovery
• Feels more natural because only a portion of the knee is artificial

5 Microfracture Surgery

Microfracture surgery is done to repair damaged cartilage. This particular type of knee surgery has been popularized by professional athletes, and is used to either treat knee pain caused by cartilage damage, or to avoid a partial or full knee replacement. Microfracture surgery is an arthroscopic procedure where small holes are made in the bone. These holes help release cells in the bone and promote a better blood supply to stimulate cartilage growth to replace damaged cartilage.

Make bananas your daily habit

 Reasons to Go Bananas

Lately I’ve been fielding a lot of questions about one of America’s most popular fruits: bananas. On average, Americans eat about 20 pounds of bananas per person each year. Yet many people aren’t quite sure if this convenient fruit is really a healthy choice. In recent years some diets have put bananas on their ‘banned’ lists and some online rumors insist that they are a cause of weight gain.

Here are 5 reasons to peel open this fantastic fruit:

1. They Won’t Make You Fat
That’s right, bananas are diet-friendly. With just 110 calories per medium-sized banana, you get 30 grams of healthy carbs and 3 grams fiber. In addition to fillingfiber, bananas contain resistant starch, a type of carbohydrate you can’t digest, but helps you feel fuller longer. A banana can have 2-3 grams of resistant starch (the greener it is, the more resistant starch it contains). This makes them a great mid-afternoon snack, or a perfect pre-workout energy booster.

2. They May Help Lower Your Blood Pressure
You may already know that bananas are a high potassium food. But did you know that means they may help to lower your blood pressure? A medium banana has 422 mg potassium while being sodium-free. Research shows that having a diet rich in potassium reduces the likelihood of high blood pressure and stroke.

3. They’re a good source of Vitamin C
Usually citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruit come to mind when we think of Vitamin C. But don’t overlook bananas for this important nutrient: a medium banana provides about 17% of the daily requirement for vitamin C. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that plays an important role in immune function. It also helps to give you a gorgeous glow, as it helps to build collagen that provides structure for our skin.

4. They’re nature’s perfect on-the-go snack
Need a quick energy boost that will also fill you up when you’re on the go? Don’t forget to bring a banana. With healthy carbs and fiber, bananas are the ideal pick-me-up that will help keep you satisfied between meals. Plus they come in one of nature’s most ‘mess-free’ packages, so you’ll never have to worry about sticky hands.

5. Just smelling one could quash your cravings
According to a study performed at the Smell and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation in Chicago, smelling certain foods when you are hungry can trick you brain into thinking that you’ve actually eaten them. One of those foods is bananas. If that’s not enough to convince you that you can enjoy bananas while losing weight, smell one next time you are hungry.

Try these exercises while sitting

How to Exercise the Abs While Sitting

Seated abdominal exercises do more than strengthen your core. They offer workout variations if you have back problems, are beyond three months pregnant or are unable to exercise while lying flat on your back. Seated exercises also provide a discreet way to tone your abs while driving, working or watching TV.

At Work
If you are seated with limited room to move, such as in your office chair or airplane seat, strengthen your core with simple exercises that use little or no movement. The abdominal hollowing exercise targets your transverse abdominis, the deepest layer of abdominal muscle tissue, with very little movement. Sit upright and exhale as you flatten your abdomen by pulling your navel toward your spine. Breathe normally as you maintain the contraction for 10 to 60 seconds and then release. A seated side bend targets your obliques but requires more movement than the abdominal hollowing. Sit upright with your arms at your sides. Bend to the right as you reduce the space between the right side of your rib cage and your right hip. Bend as far as possible, as if picking up something off the floor. Return to an upright position and repeat the bend to the left.

At Home
If you are seated and have a lot of room to move, such as at home while watching TV, tone your core with exercises that move your legs. Perform a knee raise crunch to target your rectus abdominis. Sit with your back straight, feet on the floor and arms crossed over your chest. Exhale, raise your right knee toward your chest as you lean forward and contract your abdominal muscles. Maintain this position for one second and then return to the starting position. Repeat with your left leg, or perform the exercise by lifting both knees at the same time. A seated oblique twist improves the strength and tone of your obliques, along the sides of your abdomen. Sit and place your hands on the back of your head. Rotate your arms and torso to the right as you lift your left knee to toward your elbow. For added intensity, hold onto a barbell placed across your shoulders or a dumbbell in each hand at your chest.

On The Floor
If a back injury or pregnancy prevents you from lying face up to strengthen your abs, but you are able to get onto the floor, perform a reclining curl or a Russian twist as an alternative. For the reclining curl to target your rectus abdominis, sit with your knees bent and feet flat. Cross your arms over your chest. Lean back and then lower your torso until your back is an approximately a 45-degree angle from the floor. Maintain this position for one or two counts and then slowly sit up and return to the starting position. Add a twist to target your obliques. Sit with your knees bent, feet flat on the floor and slightly leaned back. Clasp your hands together in front of your chest. Rotate your arms, hands and torso as far as possible to the right. Return to the center and then rotate to the left. Extend your arms out from your chest with your palms facing each other. Hold onto a dumbbell, kettlebell or medicine ball to increase the intensity of both exercises.

Exercise Guidelines
Warm up before you perform any seated abdominal exercises with three to five minutes of full-body movements such as walking, dancing or marching in place. If you are at work, a quick walk to the restroom and back will increase your circulation prior to exercising. Complete one to three sets of 10 to 12 crunches, twists or abdominal hollowing. Once three sets of 12 are easy, add resistance in the form of weights such as barbells, kettlebells and dumbbells.

Plan your weight loss this way

Dr. Ishu Sharma

BHMS · Homoeopath

Weight loss plans ---

Weight loss is not a rocket science. And it is possible to every one.

1 Start your day with luke warm lemon water.

2. Then go for jogging you can do it at your home half hour jogging and half hour stretching and yoga. And you should do exercise in morning sound 6 am it will gives you more benefits to your wt and to your skin and you will burn more calories in morning because sugar level is low at that time.

3 Then drink cumin (zeera) tea without sugar which I available at everyone's home. It will help you to reduce belly fat and love handel's (sidefat).

4 Next thing eat healthy breakfast you can crush your chpati or chew more times and add curd in breakfast and lunch only daily
.
5 You should drink lipton green te without sugar.

6 You should eat more fruits, fibers, and don't forget to drink plenty of water.

7 Dont remove rice from your diet you can eat them but in little amount but you have to eat pulses (daal) more and method of making rice is dat you should boil rice in water and then take out off all water.

8 After half hour lunch you can drink lemon tea.

9 You can eat sprouts as snacks.

10 Avoid sweet things, don't drink milk tea daily it can causes fat so drink it once in a week. 

11 Don't diet but eat healthy.

12 In the evening you can dance half hour.

13 And don't sleep 2hours after meal.
Stay fit stay healthy and be confident. 

Homeopathy is more effective in diabetes

Dr. Rushali Angchekar

BHMS · Homeopath · 

Diabetes and homoeopathy -

Diabetes is a disease that affects the blood sugar levels and the utilization of sugar in the body. Glucose is important for the body to build up muscles and acts as a source of fuel for the brain functions.

In diabetic conditions, the blood glucose level is so high that it will lead to serious health problems, which may even be fatal. Diabetes is of two types, type I and type ii. 

There are several treatments for diabetes and homeopathic treatment using drugs can improve the health of diabetic patients effectively and aid in achieving good control over blood glucose.

Common symptoms:
Increased appetite
Increased thirst
Frequent urination
Weight loss
Frequent appearance of boils
Slow healing of wounds

Homoeopathic medicine has been a safe and effective healing modality for 200 years. It works for treatment and prevention. 

Homoeopathy and can cure 80% of each type cases within two or three years. After homoeopathic case taking, according to totality of symptoms and law of similar all physical and mental symptoms are taken and treatment is giving to the patient. 

In strict homoeo treatment even insulin dependent patient [idp] can stop their insulingradually. For this weekly fbs and ppbs report is necessary. Medicines such as helonias, phos, iodum, syzygium jambolanum, cephal, (mother tincture) are used by us effectively in the treatment of all the stages of the diseases. 

Often, patients come to us already under insulin replacement. In such cases we advise the continuance of the replacement ahile starting them off on our medicines. After some months, when we see a consistent control over the blood sugar levels, we taper off the conventional replacement therapy.

Health tips for back pain due to long sitting

Dr. Priyanka Ray

BPTh/BPT · Physiotherapist · 

Exercises to cure long hours of sitting

Most of us are used to sitting throughout the day, willingly or unwillingly due to work or otherwise. We spend more hours sitting, and most of our work is done in this position. The downsides of this are many, one of them being a stiff back which not only causes a lot of pain but also initiates many other health problems.

Train yourselves on these highly effective exercises which minimise the pain and keep your muscles active.

1. Back press: put towel on your back and press the towel with the back. Hold that position for 10 sec. Repeat 10 times. Do not hold your breath while applying pressure at the back.

2. Bridges: lie on the floor, bend your knees and secure your feet on the ground. Raise your hips upwards so that your body forms a straight line from your shoulders to your knees. Release and go back to previous position.

3. Knee to chest exercise: just lie down on an exercise mat, bend your one knee while lying and try to touch that knee to the stomach. Hold it for 10 seconds. Repeat this with the other leg. Alternate the legs each time.

4. Bilateral knee to chest: bend both the knees while lying on bed. With support of your hands try bringing both bent knees to touch the stomach. Hold that position for 10 seconds. Repeat 5 times.
5. Static abdominal exercise: lying on your back, try to contract your stomach without holding your breath. Hold it for 10 seconds. Repeat the exercise for 7 or 10 times.

6. Knee to opposite chest: lying on your back, bend your knees. Try bringing one knee to opposite side of the chest and hold that position for 7 sec. Do this for 7 times and repeat the same for the other leg too.

7: leg swings: these are easy and fun. Stand by the wall, hold on to a rod or something similar to keep balance. Now with the leg that is not towards the wall, swing. Swing your leg from front to back, left to right. Do not be too quick, do this at a mediocre pace. Repeat with the other leg.

8: static glutei: lying on the stomach, squeeze your buttock and hold it for 10 seconds. Repeat 10 times.

General precautions:

1. Avoid bending instantly after or during the exercises. Incase you have to bend, first bend your knee then bend your back to pick up anything from ground.

2. While getting up from bed first turn to one side while lying, sideways then get up from bed slowly.

3. Apply hot pack in back whenever there is pain.

4. Try to sleep in hard part of mattress not in soft mattress.

122

Horoscope for the week starting from 30th August 2015

for the Week Sun, Aug 30  2015 - Sat, Sep  05  2015
	Aries  Issues related to personal life and relationships are likely to be your focus this week, foretells Ganesha. Friends may miss you at places where you tend to hang out and exchange views. Life partner may also complain about not spending quality time together. This is because pressing matters related to career are likely to keep you busy. Unexpected expenses related to family may force you to borrow money on Wednesday and Thursday. You may have to go on a short trip for official work. Businessmen may need to work hard to attract new customers. If you suffer from irregular blood pressure, you need to be extra careful this week. This becomes necessary as Mars and Saturn are aspecting each other. Also be alert about disorders of the digestive system. Love birds who have not yet forged a proper relationship, may feel like rethinking the matter. Some serious misunderstanding could sour the relationship.		Taurus  Managing money for unexpected expenses is likely to keep you busy initially this week. Monday blues are likely to affect your focus. However, from Wednesday, you are likely to come out of depression and feel refreshed, foretells Ganesha. Your concentration and performance will improve. Businessmen are likely to focus on expanding customer base by venturing into new territory. They are likely to get favourable response and have cause for cheer. In money matters, you may remain hard pressed and not be able to save. On the health front, you may fall prey to adverse seasonal ailments. Old health issues may crop up again and need prompt attention. If the problem becomes chronic, opt for some alternative type of medication. Singles looking for a companion to enjoy romance are likely to be disappointed with no positive response from the special someone. This can be attributed to Venus moving in retrograde mode.
	Gemini  Planetary alliances seem favourable to make progress in your pursuit. If you are a businessmen, you will get good support from your social circle. This is likely to act as a morale booster for you. In job, you may have to struggle to consolidate your position. However, with your boss being satisfied with your performance, there is no cause for worry, says Ganesha. Earnings from investments made earlier, are likely to be encouraging. You may be worried about progress of kids. Life partner is likely to be co-operative and responsive. Therefore, your marital life will be pleasant and enjoyable. However, for love birds, some kind of misunderstanding is likely to sour your relationship. This can be attributed to the planet of love, Venus moving in retrograde mode. Mars and Saturn aspect each other s position. This may lead to old health issues relapsing. Consult your physician promptly. If you have blood pressure disorders, be very careful.		Cancer  Ganesha predicts that this week Lady Luck may not favour you. This seems to be on account of the ruler of the 9th House, Jupiter being combust. You may need to work harder to achieve desired results. The south node posited in the 10th House is likely to add to your difficulties. Businessmen and professionals both are likely to be affected by this. It may become difficult to fulfill the demands of customers in time, which may even lead to the termination of contracts. For well-settled professionals, things will be only slightly better. Seasonal changes may adversely affect your health. Remember that prevention is better than cure, so take appropriate measures. With Jupiter as a ruler of the 6th House related to ailments, old health issues may also relapse. If you have been suffering from arthritis or pain in joints, attend to it immediately. Opting for alternative medication is likely to help your cause.
	Leo  Finance and family related issues are likely to be in focus this week. With two major planets, Jupiter and Sun posited in the 2nd House, expect more guests at home. Entertaining them will entail extra expenses. Besides, you also need to increase your monthly provisions for your family. Investment made earlier are likely to fetch encouraging returns. Happily, this will offset the increase in expenses. In job, the influence of Saturn over the 6th House related to employment, means you may have to work harder and for longer hours to handle the heavy workload heaped on you. This will call for a lot of self-discipline. Fresh graduates stand a good chance to land a decent job. Retrograde Venus, posited in Leo, does not seem to favour romance, so if you are hunting for that someone special , have patience. Venus posited in Leo becomes less expressive anyways. So bide your time till Venus is more favourably posited.		Virgo  You will enjoy a good rapport with your spouse. In routine day-to-day work, though, you may face hurdles. At office, you may need to work longer hours to complete your work. However, you may be dissatisfied with the present working condition and environment at your workplace in general, and may have a strong urge for change. Friday-Saturday seems a good time to start applying for a new job. Businessmen may need to bargain hard to clinch a big deal. Ganesha advises you to offer a cash discount to get payment faster. Some discontent in the family may cause you stress. Health will be fine. However, remain watchful about adverse seasonal effects. Those of you looking for romance are likely to be disappointed due to a lack of response from your beloved. If you are in the initial stages of a relationship, there are chances of a break-up due to misunderstandings. Have patient and give space to your loved one, do not be too possessive.
	Libra  This week professionals may be asked to shoulder extra responsibility, foresees Ganesha. Though it will be challenging, this is likely to prove stressful for you. You may face hurdles in routine official activities. Postponing things may not be possible, and it will become increasingly difficult for you to perform optimally. However, your boss is likely to come to your rescue, by helping you to complete your tasks. Peers are likely to mind their own business. If you take things positively, you stand to learn a lot by taking on extra responsibility. Tuesday and Wednesday are not too good for businessmen. If you are in the service industry, you will have a tough time satisfying customers. You may have to motivate your staff to take better care of clients. Professionals handling offshore projects may also have a difficult time around Tuesday and Wednesday. On the personal front, you may not get along too well with your spouse on these days.		Scorpio  The Moon is posited in the dual-natured, watery Sign Pisces in the 5th House. The Moon is influenced by fiery Mars, posited in the 10th House and the wise Jupiter, posited in the 11th House. Mars is likely to make you feel agitated; while the influence of Jupiter is likely to help you stay cool. Jupiter will positively impact children in studies. You may be prone to adverse seasonal effects on Tuesday and Wednesday. Be alert and if you see any symptoms of illness, promptly visit your doctor. Better still, follow a healthy lifestyle to prevent any illness. You may get embroiled in arguments with your spouse this week, foretells Ganesha. Avoid altercations, especially on Thursday and Friday. Do not let emotions run high and maintain your composure. Natives of your Sign are by nature possessive and overtly sensitive in intimate relationships. Here, the judicious Jupiter will help you in keeping circumstances in control. You may then get busy with your professional work.
	Sagittarius  In the initial stages of the week you are likely to be concerned about the academic progress of your children, says Ganesha. Some health issue could be impeding them from concentrating on studies, so get them medically checked up and treated promptly. Professionals are likely to be stressed out due to the heavy workload on Wednesday and Thursday. Over the weekend, you are likely to enjoy some quality time with your life partner. Businessmen are likely to have a tough time throughout the week. You may need to do some hard bargaining, repeatedly, to clinch a big deal. If you are dealing with some offshore projects, there may be some misunderstanding with the client around Wednesday-Thursday. The issue is likely to get resolved around the weekend. You are likely to feel comfortable with your position on the financial front. Love birds who are not yet in a committed relationship may feel like reviewing the situation owing to some serious differences.		Capricorn  Ganesha foresees that this week certain domestic matters will call for your urgent attention. However, this may irritate you as you have to attend to some pressing career matters as well. One of the main things on your agenda will be increasing savings and investing them profitably. You may feel hurt by the unbecoming conduct of someone close to you on Wednesday or Thursday. Professionals may experience some constraints around the weekend which may not allow you to perform efficiently. In marital life, you may be unhappy with a lack of co-operation from your spouse. Health may cause concern around the weekend, especially the health of an elderly member of your family, who may have to be hospitalised for a couple of days. It may take some time before he/she starts responding to medication. You may incur some heavy expenses on this account. Overall, the week holds more negatives than positives for you.
	Aquarius  The fight between Mars posited in the 7th House and Saturn posited in the 10th House is likely to adversely affect harmony in marital life, says Ganesha. Some strong differences over setting priorities in Household matters are likely to emerge. You and your partner may both become adamant, and you may feel like breaking off to gain peace of mind. You may have a tough time in managing career-related issues as well. You may not be able to concentrate consistently on the task on hand. Your overall efficiency is likely to reduce. Ganesha feels that you need to stop reacting and develop some patience. You may prefer to fall back on your basic trait of becoming detached. Ganesha advises you to take personal decisions very judiciously after weighing all the pros and cons. Conserve your energy, and take out time for recreation with your family. You need to plan a short vacation with your near and dear ones over the weekend.		Pisces  Smothering the discontent in your family and strengthening finances are likely to be your main areas of concern this week. Ganesha advises you to increase provisions for your family, which is likely to make them feel contended. The ruler of the 2nd House Mars is posited in the 6th House along with retrograde Venus. This indicates that you may have to work hard to get your money which may be stuck somewhere for some reason or the other. Professionals are likely to be hit hard by this effect of planetary alliances. Besides, the influence of Mars and the retrograde Venus over the 12th House (related to expenses) from your Sign, is likely to lead to an increase in the domestic expenditure. Health of an elder member of your family may need immediate attention, this week. Take care! The retrograde Venus may create misunderstandings for the love birds, who are not yet in a committed relationship. If you are looking for romance, this week you may be disappointed by the lack of response from your sweetheart.

Foods that are not conducive to sex drive

Dr. Hitesh Shah

BHMS · Sexologist ·

Foods that kill sex drive in men

Do you wonder why suddenly at times you go on a zero sex drive? It could happen even when your chemistry with your partner is fine, nothing is heaving on your mind, and you are otherwise healthy too. Only you just don't feel like having sex. This might have to do with what you are eating. 

Here are some of the foods which can kill your sex drive.

1. Diet Soda - While staying fit is an excellent idea, drinking diet sodas with artificial sweeteners can be absolute mood killers as they directly affect the levels of serotonin, a hormone which assists you in reaching the zone.

2. Caffeine - It certainly increases stamina for sex. However, for someone who is already nervous, this would mean increased anxiety which in turn would lower the sex drive. Overdose of coffee is known to increase one's stress hormone levels, too, affecting one's sex drive.

3. Chocolate - This is surprising since chocolate is known as an aphrodisiac. a study has shown that since it stimulates love and euphoria, it might also suppress, at times the testosterone levels in the body.
4. Mint - While mint is a good way to clear your breath after a meal, the menthol in it is also known to lower the testosterone. This lowers your sex drive.

5. Popcorn - When popcorn is made in the microwave and eaten, it could totally kill the mood for sex, especially in men. Research suggests that the bag's lining has chemicals which kill sex drive and in the long term can also cause prostrate problems.

6. Cheese - If made of cow's milk, cheese contains a lot of synthetic hormones which are known to mess with human body's natural hormone production that primarily includes testosterone and estrogen.

Question on sex problem answered by Sexologist

I have long lasting sex should wat I do..

1 doctor replied

  

Dr. Hameed Ibrahim Khokar

Sexologist

Sexual stamina depends heavily on your physical condition. So adopt a healthy lifestyle, exercise daily, and keep a proportionate body weight. Avoid intoxicants, like alcohol and smoking, to stay fit. Sleep at least 7 hours in a day and do yoga and meditation to destress yourself. You can go for Ayurveda therapies, like regular massages, rasayana, etc to rejuvnate your mind and body. Vajeekarana medicines have a strong impact on ageing and improving stamina. Consult me privately on Lybrate to know more about tips and techniques that can improve your stamina. 

Do selfie health check up daily

Dr. Vandana

MD - Pathology · General Physician 

Health checks you should do everyday

Health is not mere absence of disease or infirmity. It is a state of complete physical , social and mental well being and you feel fit. An ideal way of ensuring health is to be observant and careful about any bodily changes that may convert into certain symptoms later. Although you cannot yourself diagnose diseases, there are 6 one-minute health checks which should be done by everyone, everyday.

1. Check The Color of Urine: Keep a tab on the color of your urine everyday. Healthy or normal urine is usually colourless or just pale yellow. Hint of any colour in your urine is not a good sign. If you are dehydrated or have urinary tract infection, your urine will be dark yellow in colour. Take this hint and start drinking more water - best thing to do is drink water every thirty minutes, throughout the day. If there is blood in your urine, it would be an indication of kidney stone or bladder infection or any kind of growth in the urinary tract.

2. Skin Health: Your skin shows how healthy you are. Cracked and dry skin tends to be itchy. Alongside, it also shows signs of health ailments and nutritional deficiencies. Be a on a lookout for changes in colour, texture, rashes, bumps or flare-ups. These changes could be symptoms of anything from skin allergy, dermatitis, psoriasis, allergy or cancer.

3. Nail Health: Nails are the direct indication of how our health is from within. Healthy nails should look strong, pink, clean and clear. Anything otherwise is a sign of bad health. Situations where there is discoloration on the nails or linear streaks could mean deficiencies, kidney diseases, fungal infection, hormonal disorder, anemia or even cancer.

4. Hair Health: Every day we lose up to 100 strands of hair and that is normal. We grow up ample amounts to balance this loss. However, if you are losing more hair than normal, it could be to do with deficiencies or hormonal disorders.

5. Gums Health: It is important for us to ensure that our gums are healthy. Bleeding gums can mean something as minor as bacterial infection to something as big as heart diseases. Either way, have regular checkups done and consult your dentist at any sign of bleeding gums.

6. Eye Health: Check your eyes daily, any change in colouration need to warranty a visit to the doctor. Healthy eyes are white, so if your see redness or yellow colour, you should be concerned. Red eyes could be anything from sleeplessness to cold, flu, conjunctivitis or other infections. If yellow, you might have contracted jaundice.

What do you know about Cellulitis? (3 of 3)

Contd.....

What causes cellulitis? Is cellulitis contagious?

The majority of cellulitis infections are caused by infection with either strep (Streptococcus) or staph (Staphylococcus) bacteria.

The most common bacteria that cause cellulitis are beta-hemolytic streptococci (groups A, B, C, G, and F). A form of rather superficial cellulitis caused by strep is called erysipelas and is characterized by spreading hot, bright red circumscribed area on the skin with a sharp, raised border. Erysipelas is more common in young children. The so-called "flesh-eating bacteria" are, in fact, also a strain of strep bacteria that can sometimes rapidly destroy tissues underneath the skin.

Staph (Staphylococcus aureus), including methicillin-resistant strains (MRSA), is another common type of bacteria that causes cellulitis. There is a growing incidence of community-acquired infections due to methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), a particularly dangerous form of this bacteria that is resistant to many antibiotics, including methicillin, and is therefore more difficult to treat.

Cellulitis can be caused by many other types of bacteria. In children under 6 years of age, H. flu (Hemophilus influenzae) bacteria can cause cellulitis, especially on the face, arms, and upper torso. Cellulitis from a dog or cat bite or scratch may be caused by the Pasteurella multocidabacteria, which has a very short incubation period of only four to 24 hours. Aeromonas hydrophilia, Vibrio vulnificus, and other bacteria are causes of cellulitis that develops after exposure to freshwater or seawater. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is another type of bacteria that can cause cellulitis, typically after a puncture wound.

Cellulitis is not contagious because it is an infection of the skin's deeper layers (the dermis and subcutaneous tissue), and the skin's top layer (the epidermis) provides a cover over the infection. In this regard, cellulitis is different from impetigo, in which there is a very superficial skin infection that can be contagious.

How is cellulitis diagnosed, and what is the treatment for cellulitis?

• Read 52 Stories

First, it is crucial for the doctor to distinguish whether or not the inflammation is due to an infection. The history and physical exam can provide clues in this regard, as can sometimes an elevated white blood cell count. A culture for bacteria may also be of value, but in many cases of cellulitis, the concentration of bacteria may be low and cultures fail to demonstrate the causative organism. In this situation, cellulitis is commonly treated with antibiotics that are designed to eradicate the most likely bacteria to cause the particular form of cellulitis.

When it is difficult or impossible to distinguish whether or not the inflammation is due to an infection, doctors sometimes treat with antibiotics just to be sure. If the condition does not respond, it may need to be addressed by different methods dealing with types of inflammation that are not infected. For example, if the inflammation is thought to be due to an autoimmune disorder, treatment may be with a corticosteroid.

Antibiotics, such as derivatives of penicillin or other types of antibiotics that are effective against the responsible bacteria, are used to treat cellulitis. If the bacteria turn out to be resistant to the chosen antibiotics, or in patients who are allergic to penicillin, other appropriate antibiotics can be substituted. Sometimes the treatment requires the administration of intravenous antibiotics in a hospital setting, since oral antibiotics may not always provide sufficient penetration of the inflamed tissues to be effective. In certain cases, intravenous antibiotics can be administered at home.

In all cases, physicians choose a treatment based upon many factors, including the location and extent of the infection, the type of bacteria causing the infection, and the overall health status of the patient.

Can cellulitis be prevented?

Under some circumstances, cellulitis can be prevented by proper hygiene, treating chronic swelling of tissues (edema), care of wounds or cuts. In other cases, microscopic breaks in the skin may not be apparent and infection may develop. In general, cellulitis in a healthy person with an intact immune system is preventable by avoiding skin surface wounds. In people with predisposing conditions (see above) and/or weakened immune systems, cellulitis may not always be preventable.

What is the outlook/prognosis for cellulitis? What are complications of cellulitis?

Cellulitis is a treatable condition, but antibiotic treatment is necessary to eradicate the infection and avoid complications and spread of the infection. Most cellulitis can be effectively treated with oral antibiotics at home. Sometimes hospitalization and intravenous antibiotics are required if oral antibiotics are not effective. Sepsis is a serious complication of cellulitis. If not properly treated, cellulitis can occasionally spread to the bloodstream and cause a serious bacterial infection of the bloodstream that spreads throughout the body (sepsis).

Concluded.

What do you know about Cellulitis? (2 of 3)

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Where does cellulitis occur?

Cellulitis may occur anywhere on the body; the legs are a common location. The lower leg is the most common site of the infection (particularly in the area of the tibia or shinbone and in the foot; see the illustration below), followed by the arm, and then the head and neck areas. In special circumstances, such as following surgery or trauma wounds, cellulitis can develop in the abdomen or chest areas. People with morbid obesity can also develop cellulitis in the abdominal skin. Special types of cellulitis are sometimes designated by the location of the infection. Examples include periorbital (around the eye socket) cellulitis, buccal (cheek) cellulitis, facial cellulitis, and perianal cellulitis.

What does cellulitis look like?

The signs of cellulitis include redness, warmth, swelling, tenderness, and pain in the involved tissues. Any skin wound or ulcer that exhibits these signs may be developing cellulitis.

Other forms of noninfectious inflammation may mimic cellulitis. People with poor circulation in the legs, for instance, often develop scaly redness on the shins and ankles; this is called "stasis dermatitis" and is often mistaken for the bacterial infection of cellulitis.

What are cellulitis risk factors?

Most commonly, cellulitis develops in the area of a break in the skin, such as a cut, small puncture wound, or insect bite. In some cases when cellulitis develops without an apparent skin injury, it may be due to microscopic cracks in the skin that are inflamed or irritated. It may also appear in the skin near ulcers or surgical wounds.

In other circumstances, cellulitis occurs where there has been no skin break at all, such as with chronic leg swelling (edema). A preexisting skin infection, such asathlete's foot (tinea pedis) or impetigo can predispose to the development of cellulitis. Likewise, inflammatory conditions of the skin like eczema,psoriasis, or skin damage caused byradiation therapy can lead to cellulitis.

People who have diabetes or conditions that compromise the function of the immune system (for example, HIV/AIDS or those receiving chemotherapy or drugs that suppress the immune system) are particularly prone to developing cellulitis.

Conditions that reduce the circulation of blood in the veins or that reduce circulation of the lymphatic fluid (such as venous insufficiency, obesity, pregnancy, or surgeries) also increase the risk of developing cellulitis.

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What do you know about Cellulitis? (1 of 3)

Cellulitis facts

• Cellulitis is a spreading bacterial infection of the skin and tissues beneath the skin.
• Staphylococcus and Streptococcus are the types of bacteria that are usually responsible for cellulitis, although many types of bacteria can cause the condition.
• Sometimes cellulitis appears in areas where the skin has broken open, such as the skin near ulcers or surgical wounds.
• Symptoms and signs include redness, tenderness, swelling, and warmth of the affected area.
• Cellulitis is not contagious.
• Cellulitis is treated with oral or intravenous antibiotics.

What is cellulitis?

Cellulitis is a bacterial infection of the skin and tissues beneath the skin. Unlikeimpetigo, which is a very superficial skin infection, cellulitis is an infection that also involves the skin's deeper layers: the dermis and subcutaneous tissue.

The main bacteria responsible for cellulitis are Streptococcus and Staphylococcus("staph"), the same bacteria that can cause impetigo. MRSA (methicillin-resistantStaph aureus) can also cause cellulitis. Sometimes, other bacteria (for example,Hemophilus influenzae, Pneumococcus, andClostridium species) may cause cellulitis as well.

Cellulitis is fairly common and affects people of all races and ages. Men and women appear to be equally affected. Although cellulitis can occur in people of any age, it is most common in middle-aged and elderly people. Cellulitis is not contagious.

What are cellulitis symptoms and signs?

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Cellulitis has characteristic symptoms and signs. It usually begins as a small area of tenderness, swelling, and redness that spreads to adjacent skin. The involved skin may feel warm to the touch. As this red area begins to enlarge, the affected person may develop a fever, sometimeswith chills and sweats, tenderness, andswollen lymph nodes ("swollen glands") near the area of infected skin.

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