The Chloride CSF test is performed on a sample of CSF (Cerebro-spinal fluid) to measure level of Chloride in the cerebro-spinal fluid. It is performed to confirm the diagnosis of various forms of meningitis, especially tuberculous meningitis. Cerebrospinal fluid surrounds the brain and spinal cord and acts as a cushion, protecting the brain and spine from injury.
There is no restriction on any kind of food before the test. You can also drink as much water you want. However, you will need to give the health care team your consent before the test. After the test, you should plan to rest for several hours, even if you feel fine. This is to prevent fluid from leaking around the site of the puncture. You will be advised to lie flat on your back the entire time as a precautionary measure. You need to inform the health care team about the current medications you are taking. Based on this, the health care team will provide you with specific instructions.
As mentioned above, a sample of CSF is drawn and the presence of chloride is checked to confirm the diagnosis of various forms of meningitis, especially tuberculous meningitis. Decreased levels of Chloride in the CSF usually suggest the presence of tuberculous meningitis. On the other hand, Chloride content is elevated in poliomyelitis, viral meningitis and encephalitis. Based on the test results, your doctor will design an appropriate treatment plan for you.
You will lie on your side with your knees pulled up toward the chest, and chin tucked downward. After the back is cleaned, the health care provider will inject a local anesthetic into the lower spine. A spinal needle will be inserted. Once the needle is in position, the CSF pressure is measured and a sample of CSF is collected. The needle is removed, the area is cleaned, and a bandage is placed over the needle site.
| Type | Gender | Age-Group | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Chloride
|
Unisex
|
All age groups
|
113 - 130 mEq/L
|
Growth of hair may occur either on its own or after a particular treatment, inducing hair growth. There are various treatments as well as solutions for preventing and treating hair fall. Loss of hair occurs due to various reasons, including fungal infection on the scalp, genetic reasons, head injury and extreme fever. Homeopathic treatment is one of the finest branches of medical treatments that have been proved to be highly effective in curing hair fall and in promoting growth of hair.
• Homeopathy is a stream of medications that has been there for a long time and prepared with herbal and mineral sources.
• Many practitioners recommend homeopathic treatment for a long-term solution of hair loss.
Some of the most effective homeopathic medications for hair loss include:
Silicea
• It is extracted from sandstones and human tissues.
• This medicine is very useful for strengthening the roots of hair and eliminating the dryness by offering total nourishment to the scalp and hair.
• Silicea is a growth enhancer and is one of the 12 tissue cell salts found in human beings.
Kalium carbonicum
• Kalium Carbonicum is a homeopathic medication that has been extracted from compounds that Egyptians used for preparation of glass.
• It is prescribed by homeopath practitioners all over the world to stop thinning and brittleness of hair, thereby promoting good hair growth.
Lycopodium
• Homeopathic experts recommend lycopodium for the prevention of premature balding.
• It is particularly suitable for pregnant women and those who have recently given birth, as hair fall is a common symptom at this stage.
• It is generally prepared by distilling the spores of some evergreen plants like club moss, which is popularly referred to as staghorn moss.
Natrum muriaticum
• The preparation of Natrum muriaticum is executed from sodium chloride, which is commonly known as table salt.
• This medication has been proven to be very effective, where hair loss is caused from dryness of scalp, dandruff problems, skin diseases and menstrual disorders.
• It can also treat hair loss caused from hormonal imbalances and is a great solution for people who react emotionally to loss of hair.
Though the homeopathic treatment regime is filled with hoards of medicines, it is crucial to consult an expert to know which treatment would work for you and refrain from administering medicines on your own. This will help you to reap the benefits of homeopathic treatments and have desired growth of hair.
Luscious, healthy hair is undoubtedly one of the most prominent feature that adds charm to your personality. However, a minor or severe form of physical or mental stress and related problems can adversely affect your hair health and growth pattern.
Are you losing too many hair strands in a day?
If yes, then tentatively, how many?
If the number is about 100, then you need not worry, however, if it is beyond 100 you need to get cautious.
On an average, an adult has 100,000 to 150,000 hair and each hair follicle has its own life cycle, and traverses through three phases during its growth phase; anagen (active hair growth takes place), catagen (transitional hair growth), and telogen (resting phase after which the hair sheds off). Hair fall is a normal physiological process in which the hair completes its life cycle and sheds off. However, excessive hair fall is a health concern that needs thorough evaluation and treatment.
Have you heard of telogen effluvium?
Telogen effluvium (TE) also called as hair loss is a common dermatological condition which causes increased shedding of hair. This happens when there is a premature arrest of the growth of hair follicles and these follicles enter into the telogen phase (resting) followed by diffuse thinning of hair on the scalp. In most cases, the hair thins on the top of the scalp compared to the sides and back of the scalp. The hair loss is temporary and the hair soon recovers.
How common is telogen effluvium in India?
Studies suggest that TE is amongst the most common cause of hair loss. It can occur in both males and females. However, it is found to be more common in females.
What are the common causes of telogen effluvium?
Common causes of TE include certain medical condition, stress, pregnancy, crash dieting, nutritional deficiencies, intake of certain medicines, and physical trauma.
A common cause of hair loss in the Indian population is diet. A major proportion of the Indian population consumes a diet lacking essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals, predisposing the population to this condition. It, therefore, becomes more important to include vital minerals such as zinc, amino acids (such as L-lysine), and vitamins (such as B6 and B12) to your daily diet or to take supplements available in the market.
Are Indians at an increased risk of nutritional deficiencies?
Yes, Indians are at an increased risk of nutritional deficiencies. Several research studies conducted in the past outline a direct association of nutritional deficiencies with hair loss.
In fact, according to a clinical survey published in Indian Medical Gazette, 9 out of 10 people in the country are unable to consume adequate amount of proteins. Working population settled in urban areas have been found to be most commonly affected by protein deficiencies.
How can you ensure healthy and luscious hair?
Simple 7 steps to healthy hair
Volumes of literature support the need for adding nutritional supplements to the diet to avert the occurrence of hair fall. Often TE gets better once the trigger for the condition is taken care of. However, if in case it persists make sure you consult a medical professional at the earliest.
Step 1: It’s all about what you eat (have a BALANCED DIET!!!)
Step 2: Massage your scalp regularly
Massage has been found to improve the blood circulation to the hair follicles and stimulates hair growth. Try essential oils such as olive oil, castor oil, rosemary oil, and coconut oil to massage your scalp. Warm oil helps penetrate the scalp more effectively. You can also apply hair serums that are enriched with nutrients that nourish the hair and keep it healthy.
Step 3: Choose your SHAMPOO wisely
Watch out for harsh chemicals like parabens, lauryl sulfate, and sodium chloride. Parabens which are used as preservatives in shampoos can mimic as estrogens which lead to hair loss. Lauryl sulfate, an anionic surfactant used in many cleaning and hygiene products, also cause hair fall. You can also apply certain over-the-counter products that help in better penetration of anti-hair fall medications and enhance their action.
Step 4: Get sufficient Vitamin D (Don’t hide from the sun)
Little do we realize that sunlight actually plays a critical role in promoting hair growth. Sunlight helps you get your daily dose of Vitamin D which is helpful in managing hair fall, so don’t hide from it!
Step 5: Say NO to stress
Stress is amongst the key factors governing a happier and healthier you. So, make sure it does not serve as a roadblock in your health.
Eat healthy and bring in basic lifestyle changes in your day to day life to avert the chances of triggered hair fall.
Step 6: Go for hair growth supplements
-Keratin makes up most of our hair strands and amino acids such as cysteine, lysine, arginine, and methionine play a critical role in the formation of the hair strands. The market is loaded with several supplements (oral and topical) that help to provide the hair with essential nutrients and vitamins. You can choose to pick supplements that are a source of vital minerals and vitamins essential for hair growth.
Step 7: Seek help from a dermatologist/ trichologist
Potassium is an essential mineral which is known as an electrolyte. Electrolytes are responsible for maintaining the ionic balance of your body. Other electrolytes are sodium, calcium, magnesium, phosphate, chloride. These electrolytes bear an electric charge which manages the electrical activity of your health system. Potassium also helps the muscles of the body to function properly. In fact, it has its contribution in regulating blood pressure; a crucial role for a healthy heart.
Potassium deficiency is a kind of medical condition which is known as hypokalemia. The normal level of potassium in the human body should be in between 3.5-5.0 mmol/L. But the deficiency in potassium can cause severe problems including muscle weakness, nerve disorders, heart problems, etc. Kidney is the organ which is known to manage the potassium balance by removing the extra potassium through urine.
Causes of potassium deficiency:
Signs of potassium deficiency:
These are the signs that people encounter when they suffer from hypokalemia. Hypokalemia can make you feel extremely sick and it causes several diseases which are discussed above. It is always advisable to visit a doctor when you encounter any of these above mentioned symptoms. Consult an expert & get answers to your questions!
Brushing with toothpaste is important for several reasons.
What type of toothpaste should I use?
As long as your toothpaste contains fluoride, the brand you buy really does not matter, neither does whether or not it is in the paste, gel or even powder form or containing a certain flavor. All fluoride toothpaste work effectively to fight plaque and cavities and clean and polish tooth enamel. Your toothpaste brand should bear the ADA (American Dental Association) seal of approval on the container, which means that adequate evidence of safety and efficacy have been demonstrated in controlled, clinical trials.
If your teeth are hypersensitive to hot or cold, consider trying a toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth. These "desensitizing" toothpaste, which contains strontium chloride or potassium nitrate, protect exposed dentin by blocking the tubes in the teeth that are connected to nerves. Desensitizing pastes must be used for at least one month before any therapeutic effects are felt.
Toothpaste containing baking soda and/or hydrogen peroxide (which are both good cleansing agents) give the teeth and mouth a clean, fresh, pleasant feeling that can offer an incentive to brush more, but fluoride is the true active ingredient at work protecting your teeth. Some prefer a tartar-control toothpaste containing pyrophosphates to prevent the build-up of soft calculus (tartar) deposits on their teeth. New pastes offer advanced whitening formulas aimed at safely removing stains to make teeth brighter and shinier, although they can't nearly match the effectiveness of a professional bleaching formula administered or prescribed by a dentist.
How much should I use?
Contrary to what toothpaste commercials show, the amount of paste or gel needed on your brush for effective cleaning does not have to be a heaping amount. Simply squeeze a pea-sized dab of paste on the top half of your brush. If you brush correctly, holding the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle and brush inside, outside and between your teeth, the paste should foam enough to cover all of your teeth. Children under age 6, however, should be given a very small, baby pea-sized dab of toothpaste on their brush.
Is brushing with toothpaste enough to fight cavities and gum disease?
No. Although brushing thoroughly after each meal helps, flossing your teeth every day to remove plaque and food particles between teeth and at the gumline is just as important. Studies show that plaque will regrow on teeth that are completely clean within three to four hours of brushing.
Most dieticians are of the opinion that limiting your salt intake is essential, as an increased amount of salt in the system can damage your kidneys, heart and may increase your blood pressure, and chances of stroke. On the other hand, decreasing it beyond a point can prove to be detrimental to your health in various ways as well.
However, when relating to blood pressure, an increased salt intake can prove harmful to you only if you already have high blood pressure. In the case of normal levels of blood pressure, excess salt consumption will not prove to be too dangerous. Here are the ways in which low salt intake can prove to be detrimental for your health:
Salt, which mainly contains two radicals - sodium and chloride ions, are essential for life. However, they can be obtained only through food as it is not manufactured intrinsically. There are several essential reasons for why salt intake in the optimal amounts is absolutely crucial in maintaining healthy body functioning:
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