What is zika virus?

 A five-year-old girl in Karnataka recently tested positive for Zika virus.

Mosquitoes are notorious for their itchy bites, but what makes them a cause for concern is their ability to carry and spread deadly diseases to humans. Diseases spread by mosquitoes include Zika fever, chikungunya, Japanese encephalitis, dengue, and malaria. Recently, a five-year-old girl in Karnataka tested positive for zika virus, a mosquito-borne disease.

 The Zika virus is transmitted by the Aedes species of mosquito. It is transmitted by Aedes aegypti, which bites during the day and is generally found throughout the world.

Though the infection is not serious for most people, it can be dangerous for pregnant women. The infection during pregnancy can cause infants to be born with microcephaly, a condition where a baby's head is much smaller than expected restricting brain growth. Aedes mosquitoes can be distinguished by their narrow, black body, and alternating light and dark bands on the legs.

What we need to do is to be aware of the symptoms of Zika fever and keep ourselves safe. The symptoms of Zika virus are fever, rash, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint ache, and headache that last about a week.

Avoiding mosquito bites in places where the Zika virus has been reported is a way of preventing the disease. Stay fully covered in the mornings and sleep under a mosquito net during the night if your area is mosquito-prone. Aedes aegypti mosquitoes breed in clean water. So removing stagnant water helps. Keep your clean to prevent mosquitoes from breeding.

Picture Credit : Google 

What is Ebola?

In September 2022, Uganda announced its first Ebola fatality since 2019 in an outbreak in the central district of Mubende. But what is Ebola, what causes it, and what are its symptoms? Come, let’s find out….

Ebola is a rare, deadly viral haemorrhagic fever. It was first discovered in the Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire) in 1976. DR Congo has experienced 14 Ebola outbreaks since then. There are different strains of the virus that are known to affect people. They include Zaire, Sudan, Bundibugyo, Reston and Tai Forest. Death rate among the Ebola-infected people is high ranging up to 90 % in some outbreaks, according to the World Health Organisation.

Spreads from fruit bats?

 A species of fruit bat is said to be the most likely source of the disease. People get exposed to the virus if they touch the skin or body fluids of infected bats It's interesting to note that the infected bats themselves do not fall ill. But how does the virus spread among humans? It is through contact with the blood, body fluids, or secretions of an infected person or one who has just died from the disease. It is said that outbreaks are difficult to contain as people who are infected do not become contagious until symptoms manifest. High contagiousness occurs soon after their deaths, say, during funeral services.

Symptoms of Ebola

The Ebola virus has an incubation period of 2-21 days. High fever, fatigue, severe muscle and joint pain, headache, and sore throat are initial symptoms. As the disease progresses, the virus damages the immune system as well as the organs. Hence, the initial symptoms are often followed by vomiting, diarrhoea, skin eruption, kidney and liver failure, and sometimes internal and external bleeding.

Treatment

Ebola can be diagnosed through tests of blood and tissues. If infection is confirmed in an individual, they should be immediately isolated to prevent the spread of the disease. Currently, there is no cure for Ebola. Two drugs, Inmazeb and Ebanga, have been approved for treating Ebola. Besides, fluids and electrolytes are administered either orally or intravenously, and medications are given to control fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, and other symptoms. Blood transfusions from survivors are done to improve survival. At present, there is the Ervebo vaccine, which is found to be highly effective against the Zaire strain. This is the first Ebola jab approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in December 2019.

QUICK FACTS

* Ebola gets its name from the Ebola River, which is near one of the villages in the DR Congo where the disease first surfaced.

*The worst Ebola epidemic in West Africa between 2013 and 2016 killed more than 11,300 people.

*The DR Congo has had more than a dozen epidemics, the deadliest killing 2,280 people in 2020.

Picture Credit : Google 

What is Lumpy Skin Disease?

Many States are grappling with the problem of Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) in cattle. The disease poses a serious threat to the dairy sector. Thousands of cattle have died since July due to LSD in different parts of the country, including Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab and Haryana. The Centre, along with States, is making efforts to control the disease. But what is Lumpy Skin Disease or LSD? Come, let's find out.

Contagious viral disease

LSD is a contagious viral disease that affects cattle. Detected only in cows and buffaloes, LSD causes high fever, reduced milk yield, large nodules on the skin, and loss of appetite. It affects the lymph nodes of animals, causing the nodes to enlarge which appear aslumps on the body, and hence the name. With the progression of the disease, the nodules rupture, resulting in the animals bleeding. LSD also causes discharge from the nose and eyes andexcessive salivation. It can also lead to the death of the cattle. Brought on by capripoxvirus, it is transmitted by blood-feeding insects such as certain species of flies, ticks, and mosquitoes. The disease can also spread through contaminated fodder and water. LSD currently has no known treatment; instead, only clinical symptoms are treated.

Not transmissible to humans

As it is not a zoonotic disease, LSD is not transmissible from cattle to humans. It is said that there is no danger to humans in consuming milk of affected animals. According to reports, a senior official at Indian

Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), said, "It is safe to consume milk from the infected cattle. There is no problem in the quality of milk even if you have it after boiling or without boiling."

Vaccine for LSD

The disease was first observed in Zambia in 1929 and later spread to many other African countries. It first surfaced in India in 2019. Ever since, research institutes have been engaged in developing a vaccine for LSD. The recent outbreak was in

June this year. The indigenous vaccine named Lumpi-ProVac was launched by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare in August 2022 to protect livestock from the disease. The vaccine has been developed by the scientists of two Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) institutes (National Equine Research Center, Hisar, and Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izzatnagar). It is expected to become commercially available at the earliest.

Since the disease in cattle impacts milk production, affecting dairy farmers and their income, the government is focussing on universal vaccination of livestock. At present, cattle are being inoculated with goat pox vaccine, which is found to be effective against LSD.

Picture Credit :Google 

Is diabetes on the rise in children? What are the types of diabetes, risk factors for the disease, prevention and diet.

With the incidence of diabetes in children on the rise, let's take a look at the types of diabetes, risk factors for the disease, prevention and diet.

India is already known as the world's capital of diabetes with its vast adult population having diabetes. And it's not a disease that just affects adult population. The incidence of diabetes in children is steeply on the rise with an increase of 3-5% per year.

Types of diabetes in children

"Type 1 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes and can affect children as young as 1 year of age. Childhood diabetes is on the rise with a worldwide estimate of 1 lakh children under 15 years likely to develop type 1diabetes. It develops due to a process called autoimmunity leading to permanent destruction of beta cells of the pancreas resulting in little or no insulin production. This gives rise to high blood sugar levels resulting in multiple short- and long-term damage to organs if untreated," says Dr. Namratha Upadhya, Pediatrician, Pediatric Endocrinologist, Aster RV Hospital, Bangalore.

Type 2 diabetes which was once regarded as a disease of adults is increasingly seen in children now, and result from a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Children born with low birth weight and who grow rapidly during childhood can be at increased risk. Lifestyle factors such as excessive consumption of high-fat and calorie-rich foods, pre-packaged, refined and processed foods, coupled with minimal physical activity, and increased amount of screen time lead to children becoming overweight and obese. This puts them at a higher risk of developing type 2diabetes over time. Studies have shown that early onset of type 2 diabetes in children tends to be severe and progress faster than in adults, she says. There are other rare forms of diabetes which may occur due to genetic defects in insulin production or action, and diabetes occurring in children with certain chronic diseases and taking medications for some other illness.

Drinking water

Symptoms of diabetes in children "The presence of high blood sugar indicates diabetes. More common symptoms include excessive urination, excessive thirst, and getting up multiple times to urinate in the night. Children who have been toilet trained may suddenly start bed wetting. Parents may note excessive tiredness, weakness and unintentional weight loss in their children," says Dr (Mrs.) Sumeet Arora, Consultant Pediatric and Adolescent Endocrinologist, Artemis Hospital, Gurgaon. Early identification of these symptoms helps with timely diagnosis of diabetes preventing severe complications, sickness and the need for an intensive care unit admission.

What parents can do

"It is necessary to get your child's blood sugars checked if you feel your child might have any of the symptoms of diabetes. Children with type 1 diabetes, once started on treatment, might temporarily go into a phase of low insulin requirement which is referred to as 'honeymoon' phase and some might mistake this phase to be a cure for diabetes. Omitting insulin without supervision by your doctor might lead to a serious consequence in the child," says Dr. Namratha. Hence it is necessary to get your child evaluated by a professional who can guide appropriately. "Parents need to inform school authorities by giving contact numbers of children's doctor and guardian," says Dr. Sobhana. Children with diabetes can lead a normal life with professional and family support. As parents, the best gift they can give to their child is by being role models themselves and lead by example, especially in adopting healthy eating practices, keeping oneself physically active and get your child checked if you feel your child is having symptoms of diabetes and also get your child screened for obesity.

Prevention/risk factors

 "There is no known prevention for type 1diabetes. It is an auto immune condition in which our immune system gets hyper activated for unknown reasons and destroy the insulin-producing cells. At present there are no established ways to prevent type 1 diabetes that can be used for children. However, research studies are ongoing towards finding medications to help prevent or delay onset of type 1 diabetes," says Dr Sumeet Arora Having a parent or sibling with type 1 diabetes puts an individual at a higher risk for developing type 1 diabetes.

 

Type 2 diabetes is a lifestyle-related disorder, where the body's insulin is unable to work properly causing a state of insulin resistance. Being overweight poor lifestyle and having family members with type 2 diabetes, put an individual at risk for this condition. A healthy lifestyle is essential to prevent type 2 diabetes," says Dr. R. Sobhana, Consultant Diabetologist Women Center by Motherhood Hospital. Coimbatore. With this condition on the rise in children, it becomes increasingly important to identify those at risk at an early stage, she adds. There are body mass index charts that can be used by paediatricians to determine if the children are at an overweight or obese stage. Strategies to target a normal BMI include dietary modifications and moderate to vigorous physical activity every day.

Diet

Keeping the intake of high calorie/ high sugar and processed food and sugary drinks to a minimum, adopting healthy eating practices, eating a rainbow every day (meaning consuming at least 5 different types of whole fruits and vegetables of different colours a day), consuming whole over refined foods, avoiding screen time during meals and engaging in any form of physical exercise for at least 30 minutes a day will help prevent diabetes in children..

Treatment

"Type 1 diabetes requires basal bolus insulin therapy via multiple daily dose injections or continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion via insulin pumps," says Dr. Sobhana. There has been significant advancement in insulin pumps that along with continuous glucose monitoring sensor are able to maintain near normal blood sugars with little intervention from the user. "Type 2 Diabetes can be effectively managed with dietary and lifestyle modifications along with metformin, GLPI receptor analogues and newer pharmacotherapeutic agents," says Dr. Sumeet Arora.

QUICK FACTS

  • Childhood diabetes is on the rise with a worldwide estimate of 1 lakh children under 15 years of age likely to develop type 1diabetes.
  • Early identification of symptoms helps with timely diagnosis, preventing severe complications, sickness and the need for a hospital admission.
  • There is no known prevention for type 1 diabetes, which is an auto immune condition.
  • A healthy lifestyle is essential to prevent type 2 diabetes.

Picture Credit : Google 

WHEN AND WHY DO WE CELEBRATE WORLD ZOONOSES DAY.

 A zoonosis (zoonotic disease or zoonoses -plural) is an infectious disease that is transmitted between species from animals to humans (or from humans to animals). Tiny pathogens that are not visible to the naked eye, can jump from animals to humans causing diseases. With each passing year, World Zoonoses Day, which falls on July 6, gains more relevance. What causes zoonotic diseases? Can they lead to pandemics if left unchecked? Let's find out...

It was the 1800s. When nine-year-old Joseph Meister was mauled and bit by a dog in 1805. His parents were distraught, for, he had been bitten by a rabid dog. It was a time when rabies spelt a certain terrible death.

In desperation, on the advice of their doctor, Meister's parents approached a local scientist who was working on a rabies vaccine. He was none other than Louis Pasteur. When young Meister was bought in, the French chemist saw an opportunity to use a human test subject. He had already tested his vaccine on dogs and seen positive results. After consulting fellow scientists, Alfred Vulpian and Jacques-Joseph Grancher, on July 6, 1885, Pasteur administered the vaccine. To everyone's surprise, the youngster made a full recovery. It is to commemorate Pasteur's successful administration of the first rabies vaccine that July 6 is celebrated as World Zoonoses Day.

The human-animal connect

So, what is zoonosis? It is an infectious disease that plagues humans, and is usually caused by pathogens that jump from an animal to humans, like, rabies, for instance. The first infected human transmits the infectious agent to at least one other human, who then infects others. The pathogen can be a virus, parasite, bacterium, or prion

Black death

Diseases like the Ebola that wreaked havoc in some parts of Africa, and Nipah that led to health concerns in Kerala in 2018, are examples of zoonoses. While in the early 20th century. HIV was a zoonotic disease, it has now mutated into a human-only disease. Often, many zoonotic viruses recombine with human strains of the flu and can cause pandemics. The 2009 swine flu and the Spanish flu of 1918 are instances of this. An earlier occurrence of this is the plague or the Black Death that ravaged Afro-Eurasia between 1346 to 1353, peaking in Europe from 1347 to1351. Said to have spread from rodents to humans by the bite of infected fleas, it became a searing pandemic, leaving thousands dead in its wake.

Monkey pox

Monkey pox is an ongoing instance of zoonotic disease spread. While the first case in humans was identified in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1970, earlier this year, it began making an appearance in non-endemic countries too. It is avoidable by restricting contact with infected people or animals, disinfecting frequently touched surfaces, wearing a mask, and sticking to high standards of hygiene.

Major causes

The emergence of such diseases began with the domestication of animals. Simply put, zoonotic transmission can occur when there is a contact with animals or consumption of animals or their products.

According to a United Nations Environment Programme and International Livestock Research Institute report, environmental causes such as climate change. wildlife exploitation and unsustainable agriculture are the prime reasons for the rise in such diseases. Contact with infected farm animals can lead to disease in farmers or others that come in contact with them. For instance, close interaction with infected cattle can lead to anthrax infection. In many cases, different types of food that come from animals can face zoonotic contamination, including seafood, eggs, meat, diary, and so on.

Did you know?

  • Sixty percent of all human infectious diseases are considered zoonoses
  • One of the largest zoonoses-related threats is food insecurity, due to livestock loss from antimicrobial resistance and disease.
  • Eighty percent of agents, that are deemed to have a potential for use in bioterrorism, are zoonotic pathogens. The World Organization for Animal Health encourages strong health monitoring systems for proper surveillance and prevention of zoonotic pathogens from being used as weapons.
  • The concentrated effort to study human-animal-environmental interactions is a field known as One Health
  • Rinderpest, also known as also cattle plague or steppe murrain was declared as eradicated in 2011.

Picture Credit : Google 

WHAT IS ZOONOTIC?

Also known as zoonotic disease, zoonosis refers to the disease that humans contract from animals, including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish. Both wild and domestic animals can transmit a disease to humans, and the transmission can happen in different ways. Bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi are all agents of zoonotic diseases. Climate change and changing landscapes are expanding the range of infectious and zoonotic diseases, which were once confined to warmer regions.

Animals can sometimes carry harmful germs that can spread to people and cause illness – these are known as zoonotic diseases or zoonoses. Zoonotic diseases are caused by harmful germs like viruses, bacterial, parasites, and fungi. These germs can cause many different types of illnesses in people and animals, ranging from mild to serious illness and even death. Animals can sometimes appear healthy even when they are carrying germs that can make people sick, depending on the zoonotic disease.

Zoonotic diseases are very common, both in the United States and around the world. Scientists estimate that more than 6 out of every 10 known infectious diseases in people can be spread from animals, and 3 out of every 4 new or emerging infectious diseases in people come from animals. Because of this, CDC works 24/7 to protect people from zoonotic diseases in the United States and around the world.

How do germs spread between animals and people?

Because of the close connection between people and animals, it’s important to be aware of the common ways people can get infected with germs that can cause zoonotic diseases. These can include:

Direct contact: Coming into contact with the saliva, blood, urine, mucous, feces, or other body fluids of an infected animal. Examples include petting or touching animals, and bites or scratches.

Indirect contact: Coming into contact with areas where animals live and roam, or objects or surfaces that have been contaminated with germs. Examples include aquarium tank water, pet habitats, chicken coops, barns, plants, and soil, as well as pet food and water dishes.

Vector-borne: Being bitten by a tick, or an insect like a mosquito or a flea.

Foodborne: Each year, 1 in 6 Americans get sick from eating contaminated food. Eating or drinking something unsafe, such as unpasteurized (raw) milk, undercooked meat or eggs, or raw fruits and vegetables that are contaminated with feces from an infected animal. Contaminated food can cause illness in people and animals, including pets.

Waterborne: Drinking or coming in contact with water that has been contaminated with feces from an infected animal.

What can you do to protect yourself and your family from zoonotic diseases?

People can come in contact with animals in many places. This includes at home and away from home, in places like petting zoos, fairs, schools, stores, and parks. Insects, like mosquitoes and fleas, and ticks bite people and animals day and night. Thankfully, there are things you can do to protect yourself and your family from zoonotic diseases.

Keep hands clean. Washing your hands right after being around animals, even if you didn’t touch any animals, is one of the most important steps you can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others.

  • Always wash your hands after being around animals, even if you didn’t touch the animals.
  • Many germs are spread by not washing hands properly with soap and clean, running water.
  • If soap and water are not readily available, you can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
  • Because hand sanitizers do not get rid of all types of germs, it is important to wash your hands with soap and water if they are available.
  • Know the simple things you can do to stay safe around your pets.
  • Prevent bites from mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas.
  • Learn more about ways to handle food safely—whether it’s for yourself or your family, your pet, or other animals.
  • Be aware of zoonotic diseases both at home, away from home (such as at petting zoos or other animal exhibits), in childcare settings or schools and when you travel.
  • Avoid bites and scratches from animals.

Credit : Centers for diseases control and preventions

Picture Credit : Google 

WHAT IS MONKEYPOX?

Monkeypox is a zoonotic virus, which transmits disease from animals to humans, with symptoms very similar to smallpox but less severe. Monkeypox is a rare viral infection which is usually mild and from which most people recover in a few weeks. It is related to smallpox, which killed millions around the world every year before its eradication in 1980, but has far less severe symptoms. The virus does not spread easily between people and the risk to the wider public is said to be very low.  Outbreaks of the virus have been found in Europe, Australia and America. * The symptoms often include a fever and rash - but the infection is usually mild and clears up on its own, lasting between 2 and 4 weeks.

The World Health Organization (WHO) says the virus can be contained with the right response in countries outside of Africa where it is not usually detected.

MONKEYPOX ORIGINS

  • Discovered in 1958  in colonies of research monkeys. First human case identified in 1970 in Democratic Republic of Congo.
  • Occurs mostly in remote parts of Central and West Africa
  • Virus has two main types - West African strain thought to be milder than Central African variant

HUMAN-TO-HUMAN TRANSMISSION

  • Via respiratory droplets - requires prolonged face-to-face contact
  • Close contact with body fluids or lesions, or by touching contaminated clothing or bedding

GENERAL SYMPTOMS

Incubation: Time from infection to symptoms can range from 5-21 days.

Initial illness: Fever, headache, muscle aches, swellings, exhaustion.

Itchy rash: May develop on face, then spread to hands and feet.

Lesions: Go through various stages until scabs form and fall off. Lesions can cause scarring.

Outcome: Illness typically lasts for 2-4 weeks. In Africa, monkeypox has been shown to be fatal in up to 1 in 10 people who contract disease.

Treatment: Smallpox vaccine proven to be 85% effective against monkeypox. Antiviral drugs could help relieve symptoms.

Picture Credit : Google 

WHAT DISEASE IS CAUSED BY TSETSE FLY?

The tsetse fly bites humans and sucks their blood. This causes sleeping sickness, a parasitic disease accompanied by fever, headache, and joint pain. It also causes trouble sleeping. It is said that thousands die in Africa every year from the disease.

In the tropical regions of Africa, the bloodsucking tsetse fly carries deadly diseases to humans and other animals. It is a brownish-colored insect, only a little larger than the common housefly. When it is at rest its wings close flat on the back and are completely overlapping, whereas those of the housefly are held somewhat erect and spread. There are 21 known species of the tsetse fly. Some carry the disease trypanosomiasis (African sleeping sickness) from one human victim to another. Others carry the disease nagana to cattle and other animals.

When the fly bites an infected victim, the insect draws into its own bloodstream a parasite called a trypanosome. After going through a stage of development in the fly, the parasite is transferred to the next victim. Thus the disease, caused by the parasite, is passed from person to person, from animal to animal, through the bite of the fly. The disease is so called because in the last stages of the illness the victim falls into a sleep, which often ends in death.

The tsetse fly breeds in brushy places in tropical forests and on the edges of rivers and lakes. The female, unlike most insects, does not lay eggs. Instead, she deposits on the ground a single full-grown larva at intervals of about two weeks. The larva hides in brush and immediately goes into the pupal stage, from which it emerges as a mature fly.

Tsetse flies belong to the genus Glossina of the family Glossinidae, which is related to the Muscidae. The scientific name of the commonest carrier of African sleeping sickness is G. palpalis. The principal carrier of nagana is G. morsitans.

Trypanosomiasis is generally not found in the United States except in people who have traveled to Africa. Early symptoms include headache, fever, and muscle aches. Later, you may experience mental confusion or coma. Trypanosomiasis causes swelling in the brain and is fatal, if untreated. If you’ve been bitten by a tsetse fly, your doctor can run simple blood tests for sleeping sickness. Antitrypanosomal medications, such as pentamidine, are highly effective in treating sleeping sickness.

Picture Credit : Google 

What is chemotherapy?

Chemotherapy is an aggressive form of chemical drug therapy meant to destroy rapidly growing cells in the body. It’s usually used to treat cancer, as cancer cells grow and divide faster than other cells.

A doctor who specializes in cancer treatment is known as an oncologist. They’ll work with you to come up with your treatment plan.

Chemotherapy has been proven to effectively attack cancer cells, but it can cause serious side effects that can severely impact your quality of life. You should weigh these side effects against the risk of going untreated when deciding if chemotherapy is right for you.

Chemotherapy is also used to prepare you for other treatments. It could be used to shrink a tumor so it can be surgically removed, or to prepare you for radiation therapy.

In the case of late-stage cancer, chemotherapy may help relieve pain.

Besides treatment for cancer, chemotherapy may be used to prepare people with bone marrow diseases for a bone marrow stem cell treatment, and it may be used for immune system disorders.

Credit : Healthline 

Picture Credit : Google

What is biopsy?

In some cases, your doctor may decide that he or she needs a sample of your tissue or your cells to help diagnose an illness or identify a cancer. The removal of tissue or cells for analysis is called a biopsy.

While a biopsy may sound scary, it’s important to remember that most are entirely pain-free and low-risk procedures. Depending on your situation, a piece of skin, tissue, organ, or suspected tumor will be surgically removed and sent to a lab for testing.

If you have been experiencing symptoms normally associated with cancer, and your doctor has located an area of concern, he or she may order a biopsy to help determine if that area is cancerous.

A biopsy is the only sure way to diagnosis most cancers. Imaging tests like CT scans and X-rays can help identify areas of concerns, but they can’t differentiate between cancerous and noncancerous cells.

Biopsies are typically associated with cancer, but just because your doctor orders a biopsy, it doesn’t mean that you have cancer. Doctors use biopsies to test whether abnormalities in your body are caused by cancer or by other conditions.

For example, if a woman has a lump in her breast, an imaging test would confirm the lump, but a biopsy is the only way to determine whether it’s breast cancer or another noncancerous condition, such as polycystic fibrosis.

Credit : Healthline 

Picture Credit : Google

What does it mean when a tumour is malignant?

A tumor (also called neoplasm) is an abnormal mass of cells in the body. It is caused by cells dividing more than normal or not dying when they should. Tumors can be classified as benign or malignant.

Malignant tumors have cells that grow uncontrollably and spread locally and/or to distant sites. Malignant tumors are cancerous (ie, they invade other sites). They spread to distant sites via the bloodstream or the lymphatic system. This spread is called metastasis. Metastasis can occur anywhere in the body and most commonly is found in the liver, lungs, brain, and bone.

Malignant tumors can spread rapidly and require treatment to avoid spread. If they are caught early, treatment is likely to be surgery with possible chemotherapy or radiotherapy. If the cancer has spread, the treatment is likely to be systemic, such as chemotherapy or immunotherapy.

The cancer cells that move to other parts of the body are the same as the original ones, but they have the ability to invade other organs. If lung cancer spreads to the liver, for example, the cancer cells in the liver are still lung cancer cells.

Credit : JAMA Network 

Picture Credit : Google

What is ENT and what is the full form of ENT?

Otolaryngology is the oldest medical specialty in the United States. Otolaryngologists are physicians trained in the medical and surgical management and treatment of patients with diseases and disorders of the ear, nose, throat (ENT), and related structures of the head and neck. They are commonly referred to as ENT physicians.

Their special skills include diagnosing and managing diseases of the sinuses, larynx (voice box), oral cavity, and upper pharynx (mouth and throat), as well as structures of the neck and face. Otolaryngologists diagnose, treat, and manage specialty-specific disorders as well as many primary care problems in both children and adults.

The Ears-Hearing loss affects one in ten North Americans. The unique domain of otolaryngologists is the treatment of ear disorders. They are trained in both the medical and surgical treatment of hearing, ear infections, balance disorders, ear noise (tinnitus), nerve pain, and facial and cranial nerve disorders. Otolaryngologists also manage congenital (birth) disorders of the outer and inner ear.

The Nose-About 35 million people develop chronic sinusitis each year, making it one of the most common health complaints in America. Care of the nasal cavity and sinuses is one of the primary skills of otolaryngologists. Management of the nasal area includes allergies and sense of smell. Breathing through, and the appearance of, the nose are also part of otolaryngologists' expertise.

The Throat-Communicating (speech and singing) and eating a meal all involve this vital area. Also specific to otolaryngologists is expertise in managing diseases of the larynx (voice box) and the upper aero-digestive tract or esophagus, including voice and swallowing disorders.

Credit : Ear, Nose, Throat Associates

Picture Credit : Google

What is oncologist?

Oncologists are doctors who diagnose and treat cancer. They often act as the main healthcare provider for someone with cancer—designing treatment plans, offering supportive care, and sometimes coordinating treatment with other specialists. 

A person will usually see an oncologist if their primary care physician suspects that they have cancer.

A primary care physician may use MRI and CT scans as well as blood tests to confirm their diagnosis. If these tests reveal signs of cancer, they will recommend that the person visits an oncologist.

During the first appointment, the oncologist may perform a physical exam and order additional blood work, imaging tests, or biopsies. They use these tests to determine the type and stage of the cancer, which helps them identify a person’s best treatment options.

An oncologist may introduce the person to other specialists as part of the treatment team. They may also provide a general timeframe of treatment.

The exact type of treatment a person receives depends on the type and stage of the cancer. For instance, a person who has one or more tumors may see a surgical oncologist for a biopsy.

Oncologists treat early stage cancer and noninvasive tumors with surgery or radiation therapy. Advanced cancers that have already spread to different areas of the body may require chemotherapy and other systemic treatments.

Oncologists not only diagnose cancer, they can also administer treatments and closely monitor disease progression. For example, surgical oncologists can perform biopsies and remove cancerous tissue, while radiation oncologists can administer different forms of radiation therapy to destroy cancer cells and shrink tumors.

A person can expect to work with a medical oncologist throughout the course of their cancer treatment.

After a person finishes treatment, they will attend regular follow-up appointments with their medical oncologist. During these appointments, the medical oncologist may run tests to check for signs of any physical or emotional problems related to the person’s cancer treatment.

Credit : Medical News Today

Picture Credit : Google

What is pulmonologist?

A pulmonologist is a physician who specializes in the respiratory system. From the windpipe to the lungs, if your complaint involves the lungs or any part of the respiratory system, a pulmonologist is the doc you want to solve the problem.

Pulmonology is a medical field of study within internal medicine. These doctors go through the same training as an internist. They receive their degree, complete an internal medicine residency, then several years as a fellow focused primarily on pulmonology and often includes critical care and sleep medicine. After that, they have to take and pass specialty exams, and only then are they able to take patients as a Board-Certified pulmonologist.

While the respiratory system is a specialty in itself, pulmonologists can specialize even further. Some of these doctors focus on certain diseases, like asthma, pulmonary fibrosis and COPD, while others treat unique demographics, like pediatric patients or geriatric patients.

Because many lung and heart conditions present similar symptoms, pulmonologists often work with cardiologists while diagnosing patients. You'll also see them frequently in hospital settings. Patients that need life support or manual ventilation in order to breathe will have a pulmonologist overseeing that element of their care.

Credit : American Lung Association

Picture Credit : Google

What does a haematologist specialize in?

A hematologist is a specialist in hematology, the science or study of blood, blood-forming organs and blood diseases.

The medical aspect of hematology is concerned with the treatment of blood disorders and malignancies, including types of hemophilia, leukemia, lymphoma and sickle-cell anemia. Hematology is a branch of internal medicine that deals with the physiology, pathology, etiology, diagnosis, treatment, prognosis and prevention of blood-related disorders.

Becoming a hematologist requires 7 or more years of medical school and postgraduate training, before earning a board certification in internal medicine.

In addition, at least 2 years of specialty training, studying a range of hematological disorders, are required. Hematologists can later gain further certification in a subspecialty.

Hematologists work in various settings, including blood banks, pathology laboratories and private clinics. Specialists in this branch of medicine can choose to focus on specific topics within the field of hematology, such as lymphatic organs and bone marrow and may diagnose blood count irregularities or platelet irregularities. They are able to treat organs that are fed by blood cells, including the lymph nodes, spleen, thymus and lymphoid tissue.

Those in blood banks work to keep blood supplies safe and accessible, and may supervise labs that analyze blood samples and provide advice to organizations that provide advocacy services for patients with genetic blood disorders. These hematologists may also work with government agencies on education campaigns designed to inform the public of disorders, such as anemia.

Credit : Healio

Picture Credit : Google