Monday, October 23, 2006

What is Gout?

Gout is the inflammation of joints and is accompanied by swelling. Middle aged men are more prone to Gout. Women also are attacked by Gout after the menopause stage.

Gout is accompanied by acute pain and the affected area becomes tender, hot and cannot bear weight. The attack usually happens in the midnight and an acute attack lasts for over a week accompanied by loss of appetite and mild fever.

The cause of Gout is due to the formation of the Uric acid crystals that gets collected in the joints. The needle shaped crystals cause the pain. The victims of Gout usually have higher level of Uric acid than normal due to reduced amount of acid being passed by the kidneys in the urine. Other factors that influence Gout are consumption of alcohol, lack of exercise. Consumption of the cherry fruit helps reduce the impact of gout in the Gout affected victims.

Bending Chickun Guniya - Ways to control

Chickunguniya has sent ripples of panic among the people. It is a rare viral fever. After leptospirosis which is commonly known as 'Rat Fever' chickun guniya the vector borne viral disease has struck India now. It is transmitted through mosquitoes.

This disease has nothing to do with bird flu. Some of the common symptoms of the disease are loss of appetite, mild fever, headache and severe joint pain resulting in bending of the body which gave the name to the disease.

The changing climatic conditions pave way to all such viral diseases. For instance the onset of heavy monsoon after hot summer days prevents the sun rays from passing down completely thus enabling a favourable condition for the viral multiplication. This results in the viral diseases like leptospirosis, chickun guniya etc.

Prevention is always better than cure in case of such epidemics. It is always better to adopt to proper diet and hygiene during seasonal changes. By adopting to certain simple restrictions one can lead a healthy life.

Some tips to keep away from the climatic epidemics are:
  • Use mosquito repelents to keep them at bay.
  • Keep the water storage containers clean and dry between refils.
  • Wear warm clothes
  • Eat hot and light food. Avoid oily items.
  • Always use boiled water for drinking.

How to prevent Bad Breath?

Many people suffer from bad breath or chronic halitosis. In most cases it orginates from the gums and the tongue. The odour is caused by the bacteria from the decayed food particles from the mouth.

The primary reason for the unpleasant odour is poor oral hygiene. Proper brushing methods like brushing of gums , tongue and the roof of the mouth will eliminate the bacteria in the mouth and prevent the foul odour.

Bad breath can occur in the people who have kidney failure, liver malfunction and regular tobacco users also contribute to the foul odour. The saliva plays a vital role in keeping the odour under control. During sleep the salivary glands slow down production of saliva and this promotes the growth of bacteria. Hence it is always advicable to brush the teeth after sleep.

Ways to prevent Bad Breath
  • Regular visit to the dentist.
  • Proper brushing of the teeth, gums and tongue.
  • Regular use of recommended mouth wash.
  • Consumption of water in frequent intervals and chewing of sugarless gum.
  • Avoid foods that have a strong odour like onion and garlic.

Fix up regular appointments with the dentist to get rid of the plaque and the bacteria that builds up. Check with the dentist for the actual cause of bad breath and get treated.