Cytomegalo Viral Load Detection (Quantitative) Tips

The Human Papillomavirus or HPV is a large group of about 170 related viruses, each of which is given a number also called its type. This dangerous virus serves as one of the most commonly occurring cancer. The pre-cancerous lesions increase the risk of cancer of the cervix, vulva, vagina, penis, anus, mouth or throat. Out of the 170 viruses, about 40 of them are transmitted through sexual contact and are responsible for developing pre-cancerous conditions.

What are the symptoms and how do you detect them?
HPV infection is transmitted through sexual contact. Usually, when you have vaginal, anal and oral sex with someone carrying the HPV virus, you are bound to be affected by it. Genital areas provide the virus with a much suitable environment for them to survive. As it is a sexually transmitted infection, people with more active sex life (with multiple partners) are at risk of being infected with this virus.

Depending upon the type of infected virus, symptoms vary from person to person and some don't seem to experience any symptoms. General warts and genital warts are the most commonly seen symptoms. If one experiences genital warts, they surely have HPV. Not all genital warts look the same. Some just look like raised or flat pink, flesh-like, whereas some seem to have a cauliflower-like an outgrowth. There may be one wart to several numbers of them. Some are bigger, and some are insignificantly small.

These symptoms may take up weeks to appear after you have sexual contact with an infected one. If these symptoms start appearing it might happen that the cells of those areas have already begun developing pre-cancerous stages.

How to avoid such infections and what to do if I start observing such symptoms?
There is not much to do, to eradicate any case of HPV infection. As it strikes the most sexually active ones, keep a healthy check on your sex-life. Make sure the ones whom you have intercourse with are not infected already. But as this is not possible every time, maintain proper intimate hygiene. Keep your private areas clean, and besides that, you may opt for a periodic check-up of your intimate areas to make sure you don't get infected.

But if you have already started observing such symptoms, better not be late to pay a visit to your doctor as soon as possible. If caught at an early stage such infections are easily curable as it is one of the most commons ones. Although there is no HPV test for men in the healthcare sectors, for women HPV tests are available which are not to be confused with Pap smear tests. Your doctor may carry out a lab test to detect the virus.

What are the treatments?

Most of the HPV infections get destroyed over time, but if that is not the case, your doctor may use methods like cryotherapy, conization, laser therapy and loop electrosurgical excision procedure, which are to cure you easily.

Menorrhagia refers to very heavy and prolonged menstrual bleeding or periods in women. The bleeding is abnormal in nature, and if this continues for a long time, a hysterectomy surgery needs to be carried out to solve the problem.

Bleeding during the night time and passage of large blood clots during menstruation are other symptoms of Menorrhagia.

Causes:

The various possible causes of this kind of heavy menstrual bleeding are:

1. Hormonal imbalance, specifically of estrogen and progesterone is a common cause, which is more likely in adolescents and in women nearing menopause. Dysfunction in the ovaries also causes hormonal imbalance.

2. Non-cancerous tumors or fibroids may also be responsible for menorrhagia.

3. Women suffering from a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy are likely to experience heavy menstrual bleeding.

4. Using blood thinners may lead to menorrhagia.

5. An intrauterine device used for birth control measures can cause disturbance and may lead to heavy menstruation.

6. A condition is known as adenomyosis, where the glands in the uterus lining get embedded in the walls of the uterus, also causes menorrhagia.

7. Pelvic inflammatory diseases, infection in the uterus or fallopian tubes are other common causes.

8. Heavy bleeding may occur in patients with ovarian or cervical cancer.

9. Diseases of the kidney, liver or thyroid diseases may also cause menorrhagia.

Diagnostic Tests:

Several tests and methods are carried out for the diagnosis of menorrhagia. They are:

1. A general physical examination.

2. Bleeding diary of the woman.

3. Blood tests to detect anemia or thyroid.

4. Pap Smear for the evaluation of cervical inflammation, infections or cancer

5. Ultrasound for evaluation of pelvic organs like uterus, ovaries and pelvis.

6. Hysteroscopy, where a camera is inserted into the uterus to observe the linings.

7. Sonohysterography, where fluid gets instilled into the uterus along with an ultrasound test.

Treatment:

Certain drugs are used to treat menorrhagia. They include:

1. Iron supplements for treating anemia.

2. NSAIDS or non-steroidal anti-inflammatories for treating and reducing blood loss.

3. Tranexamic acid is used for reducing menstrual bleeding.

4. Several oral contraceptives are used for regulation of the menstrual cycle. Oral progesterone corrects hormonal imbalance and reduces bleeding.

Surgical procedures for the treatment of menorrhagia include:

1. Hysteroscopy, dilation and curettage, where uterus lining is scraped and evaluated.

2. Uterine artery embolization treats menorrhagia with fibroids.

3. Focused ultrasound ablation enables the killing of the fibroid tissue.

4. Myomectomy, endometrial ablation and endometrial resection are other surgical techniques.

5. Hysterectomy surgery is the penultimate solution, where the uterus, cervix or ovaries are completely removed.

Menorrhagia is characterized by abnormally heavy menstrual bleeding in women. This is quite unhealthy and proper measures must be taken for curing the heavy bleeding.

An eye allergy or allergic conjunctivitis is a condition that strikes when certain substances irritate the eyes, which can cause a reaction. This reaction has varied symptoms starting from inflammation to watering and even redness and an itching sensation. So how can you tell if you have an eye allergy? This article will tell you all you need to know!

Causes: To begin with, this is an immune response that happens when the eye comes in contact with substances like dirt, grime, pollutants, pollen, nettle, pet hair, smoke, mould and more, which may cause irritation. These are typically known as allergens. The immune system takes these allergens to be invaders and begins attacking the same by releasing chemicals that cause these allergic reactions. Also, an eye allergy may be a symptom or outcome of other conditions like asthma, hay fever, or even eczema.

Symptoms: The eye usually bears a pink or red appearance when the patient is suffering from an eye allergy. Also, watery eyes are a common sight during this condition while scaling around the eyes may also take place. Further, itching and burning sensation may be felt by the patient and swelling or puffiness can be seen. The symptoms may afflict one or both eyes. The patient may also have a runny nose or stuffy nose as well as nasal congestion.

Difference between Eye Allergy and Pink Eye: Conjunctivitis or pink eye is usually caused due to bacteria or a virus that spreads infection in the eye. But eye allergy is caused due to a response of the immune system that leads to an allergic reaction. While the pink eye may be a contagious condition, an eye allergy is not.

Diagnosis: The diagnosis of an eye allergy will be done with the help of various tests conducted by an ophthalmologist. The skin prick test will help in introducing allergens to find out if the spot gets raised or suffers from inflammation. Also, the doctor will check for other ailments like asthma and eczema.

Treatment: There are varied methods of treating this condition. To begin with, the doctor may prescribe medication like decongestants and antihistamines as well as steroids for more severe and persistent cases. Also, injections may be prescribed in order to do away with the allergic reaction and eye drops containing olopatadine hydrochloride may also be used.

Home Remedies: Staying away from allergens and using a warm and clean washcloth over the eyes, for a few minutes every day, may help in relieving the painful symptoms of the condition.

Do not forget to consult your doctor before you try any natural or home based remedies.

Tuberculosis is a lung-related disease that is caused by bacteria known as Mycobacterium Tuberculosis. Tuberculosis spreads through the air and it is a highly contagious disease that can be transmitted through coughing, sneezing and spitting. The symptoms of this condition include coughing, blood discharge while coughing, fever, extreme weight loss, and chills. Against general myths, this disease can be treated and is curable too. Effective, timely diagnosis and treatment with the correct methods and medication are required. Let us find out the various means for the effective treatment of tuberculosis.

- Diagnosis: Let us first look at the diagnosis method that will help in detecting the presence of the bacteria in the body. The doctor will take a blood sample and conduct a series of lab tests in order to diagnose the condition. Also, the doctor will check the medical history of the patient so as to understand what kind of complications the person may be prone to. For this, the doctor will also find out if the patient is suffering from diseases like diabetes, malnutrition, and other conditions arising out of tobacco abuse.

Diagnosis of pulmonary TB is by sputum for AFB examination and some blood test may also be required.

- Medication: Usually, the best way to treat this condition is with the help of a six-month-long course of antibiotics that may also last 12 months, depending on the prognosis. The patient will be put in quarantine as well, so that he or she does not end up spreading this disease to anyone else. A voluntary medical practitioner or trained health worker will help in care giving and medicine administration under the instructions of the doctor. The medication will usually consist of four antimicrobial drugs or antibiotics which will stop the release of nutrition and oxygen to the bacteria so that it cannot develop and grow. This will also ensure that the bacteria gets killed eventually.

- Control of Infection: The spread of the infection is such that a single sneeze or cough can infect up to ten to fifteen people who are near the patient without proper masks and other gear to prevent the transmission. Therefore, it is the job of the hospital to ensure that proper infection control takes place by using ultraviolet light to sterilise the air around the area where the TB patients have been admitted.

One thing that the patient must remember about the treatment is that immediate and timely treatment with medication must be taken so that the patient is able to get cured. If the patient skips medicines or does not get treated on time, then the infection will come back again and again. And after a point, the patient's body and the bacteria will not be able to react to the medicines.

Breast pain, lumps in the breast or discharge from the nipples are some of the more common complaints seen in women. Also, it is generally observed that such women are between the ages of 40-69. While most of these cases are benign, the diagnosis or the problem should be deciphered only after a detailed analysis of the case, symptoms, and history of breast cancer if any.

1. Breast Pain: Breast pain can arise from a condition called mastitis. It is generally seen in new mothers where the bacteria can enter the milk ducts through the cracks in the nipple causing an infection in the tissue. These infections can also be caused in menopausal women as well, it is more commonly seen in young mothers.
2. Lumps in Breast: Breast tissue changes constantly during a woman’s lifetime and the changing hormone levels during a menstrual cycle can also cause such benign lumps. Benign lumps move as you press against them and can usually be seen in both breasts.
3. Nipple Discharge: While most nipple discharges arise as a result of a benign condition, it will need to be investigated further to understand whether it due to an abscess, an injury, birth-control pills, pregnancy/childbirth or hormonal changes.

Screening:

1. Breast Exams: The doctor will typically examine the patient’s armpits and breast in various angles for irregularities in shape, inward-turned nipples or lumps. The armpits are checked for enlarged lymph nodes as well.
2. Mammography: This form of testing which involves x-rays of both the breasts is more effective in older women when the fat tissue is generally a lot more. In such cases, it is easier to identify other tissues from the fat tissue.
3. Sonography: Where an abnormality is discovered in a mammography, the sonography helps to clarify things further. A lump which is filled with liquid are rarely cancerous and this can be done through sonography.

Risk Factors:

Most women are still not aware of the factors that can put you at risk when it comes to breast cancer. Compiled below are some points that can help understand the same and what can be done to lower the risk:

1. Age: While it is possible for any woman to get fibrocystic breast disease, women between 30 and 50 are more susceptible to such conditions thanks to the hormonal changes during this time.
2. Family history: If anyone in your family has been diagnosed with breast cancer then automatically your risk increases. Also, if the person diagnosed is in the first relation then the risk factor doubles and in case there are two people in the first relation who have been diagnosed then the risk factor increases by 5 times. It is also sometimes linked to faulty genes such as BRCA1 and BRCA2. 
3. Exposure to radiation: In case you have undergone treatment and were exposed to any type of radiation near the chest area for any type of medical treatment then your risk of acquiring breast cancer increases. The younger you were at the time of radiation exposure higher is the risk. 
4. Obesity: Women who have a BMI over 25 are more at risk of developing breast cancer than others. Further, obesity also increases the risk of recurrent breast cancer. 
5. Pregnancy & breastfeeding:  Women who conceive after 30 years of age are more at risk of acquiring breast cancer, as breast growth cells are immature and active before a full term pregnancy and mature only after it and regulate them. Further, not breastfeeding your baby for 1 complete year can increase your risk of cancer. 
6. Alcohol: Alcohol has the tendency to damage the DNA in cells and increase levels of estrogen and other hormones associated with hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer. Women who drink alcohol 3 drinks a week have 15% more risk of developing breast cancer, which further increases by 10% if you consume it regularly.

While most breast diseases are benign, it is best to check with your doctor about your condition and a possible treatment plan.

It is an eye disorder in which the retina is affected by abnormal growth of the blood vessels. Most of the time only one eye is affected. This is not an inherited disease and the principle causes are still unknown. Although in some cases, it has been speculated that some acquired somatic alterations in the NDP gene (Norrie disease (pseudoglioma)) causes Coats’ disease. The treatment depends upon the symptoms and the intensity of the disease.

There are many symptoms which can be seen in the early stages of life, but these symptoms can get worse with the progress of the disease. Symptoms may vary from person to person, but some of the common symptoms are loss of vision, strabismus, or crossed eyes and a white bulk in the pupil beyond the eye lens. With the progress of the disease, it can lead to retinal detachment, blindness, and clouding of the lens. This disease is not inherited and is caused by some genetic alterations. These symptoms can affect the daily life of the sufferer.

Causes:

The causes of the Coats’ disease are still unknown, but it has been hypothesized that the alterations in the NDP gene lead to this kind of disease. However, it is still not proven. It is reported that the Coats’ disease is a single feature of many genetic disorders. When this problem occurs with further deformities that damage the other body parts like the brain, intestine, abdomen, etc., it is referred to as Coats Plus Syndrome which is the result of alterations in the CTC1 gene.

Diagnosis:

The diagnosis of the disease is mostly done on the basis of symptoms and signs and outcome of the comprehensive eye examination. There are many tests available to confirm the diagnosis including diagnostic echography, retinal fluorescein angiography, and also sometimes include a CT scan or MRI of the orbit.

In some cases, there are a fewer or no symptoms, but they can be diagnosed in the early stages as in most cases, the symptoms are typically visible at an early stage but the disorder needs some time to occur.

Treatment:

The treatment of the Coats’ disease depends upon the intensity of the disease which varies from individual to individual. The treatment available can be used individually or in combinations.

1. Shrink or terminate blood vessels through laser treatment or laser photocoagulation

2. Using Cryotherapy as a procedure to destroy the affected blood vessels through extreme cold.

3. Injections are used to control inflammation.

4. Surgeries to fix the retinal detachment and drainage of fluids from the eyes.

The prognosis of the disease varies and depends upon the severity of it, intensity of its progression, and the potency of the treatment. People with intensified disease do not find any benefit from the above treatments, but most patients rejoin well with the treatment. Only the worst cases require the removal of the eye, but it is an ophthalmologist who will be able to confirm the severity of the disease and the benefits of the treatment.

Take Away:

Coats’ disease is an eye disorder caused by some genetic alterations. The severity of the disease can also lead to the removal of the eye, but early diagnosis and fair treatment can solve the problem. One should make sure to confirm his/her Ophthalmologist about their symptoms before leaping to the conclusion.

Throat cancer is a broad term used to cover cancer across a number of organs in the oronasal passage – right from the nasopharynx, oropharynx, glottis, epiglottis to supraglottis. Minus the medical terms, it means anywhere from the back of the nose and throat to the where the neck ends. The mucous cells along this path can undergo changes and begin multiplying rapidly, leading to cancer. The following are some additional risk factors:

• Cigarette smoking
• Tobacco abuse
• History of human papillomavirus (HPV)
• Alcohol abuse
• Poor dental hygiene
• Family history

Cigarette smoking is the most important of all, and a person can significantly reduce the risk by cutting down smoking. The throat has different types of linings and gland tissue and depending on the cell type affected, the type of cancer could vary.

Symptoms: Throat cancer diagnosis can get delayed as the symptoms are very similar to a throat infection.

1. Sore throat: A sore throat that lasts for weeks together is often a cause for concern and requires ruling out an underlying serious problem. Having associated risk factors is a good way to see if ruling out cancer is needed.
2. Cough: A cough that does not go away is a cause for concern. This is often associated with other symptoms mentioned here.
3. Voice change: Usually hoarseness of the voice, which is painless and not accompanied by a throat infection, is an indication of throat cancer.
4. Difficulty swallowing or breathing: Depending on where the cancer is located, there could be problems in either free breathing or swallowing. The developing mass gets in the way of free air and/or food movement.
5. The lumpy feeling in the throat: If the developing mass is along the length of the throat, then there could be a lumpy feeling, as if something is caught in the throat and not going down.
6. Bleeding: There could be bleeding either through the nose or the mouth, depending on the place of cancer. Again, this is one of the late symptoms and not seen in the beginning.
7. Unexplained weight loss: As with any cancer, throat cancer also leads to unexplained weight loss.

Depending on the area affected, the symptoms can point to the location. For instance, voice changes are often associated with laryngeal cancer. A combination of risk factor assessment and symptoms will help in pinning down the diagnosis. Reach out to the doctor as soon as you notice something is wrong, as early diagnosis is very good for timely intervention and improving prognosis.

Cancer is one of the most fatal diseases in the world. Stomach cancer is also known as Gastric cancer, and this cancer starts in the stomach. Like other diseases, it is crucial that it gets identified in the early stages and gets treated well in advance of the incurable stages. Like other forms of cancer, the exact cause of stomach cancer is still not yet known. However, certain things make stomach cancer more likely to happen. The possible causes of stomach cancer are given below:

Causes

Some of these causes apply to nearly all forms of cancer. However, some of them only apply to stomach cancer. Here are all the possible causes of stomach cancer.

1. Smoking
2. Being fat
3. Bad diet
4. Stomach surgery for an ulcer
5. Type-A blood
6. Epstein-Barr virus infection
7. Genetics
8. Asbestos
9. Exposure to certain materials in certain materials in certain industries
10. H.pylori bacteria
11. Gastritis
12. Anemia
13. Polyps

Symptoms

Stomach cancer like all other forms of cancer has various stages and it is crucial that it is diagnosed in the early stages so that the progression of it is stymied.  At first, the symptoms of stomach cancer include ingestion, loss of appetite, slight nausea, heartburn and the feeling of being bloated after a meal. However, ingestion and heartburn doesn't always mean that you have stomach cancer, but if these conditions persist, you should visit a doctor to rule out the possibility of stomach cancer. 

Growth of tumors in your stomach can lead to many serious symptoms too, such as:

1. Stomach pain
2. Heartburn
3. Blood in your stool
4. Weakness or exhaustion
5. Vomiting
6. Diarrhea and constipation
7. Weight loss for no apparent reason
8. Swelling in your stomach
9.  Trouble in swallowing
10. Eyes and skin turn yellowish
 

Heatburn or acid reflex is a burning sensation that is felt in the throat or chest region after the intake of certain foods. While many of us must have felt heatburn once in our lifetime, too many occurrences such as this could be a fair indication of esophageal cancer.

How an acidburn is related to esophagus?
Esophagus is the tube which carries food from the throat to the stomach. In the case of an acid reflux, the acid from the stomach jumps to the esophagus leading to a condition known as the Barrett’s esophagus. This is a condition which replaces the tissue present in the esophagus with a similar kind of tissue found in the lining of the intestine. This being said, Barrett’s esophagus doesn’t necessarily lead to esophageal cancer.

Key symptoms of Esophageal Cancer
Difficulty swallowing is a key symptom of esophageal cancer. This condition is known as dysphasia. As the tumor grows bigger, it becomes more difficult to swallow food. Esophageal pain is also a common symptom reported by many patients. Loss in appetite and an unexplained weight loss are some of the other symptoms of this type of cancer. Although esophageal cancer does not show any visible signs in the early stage, some of the key indicators are chronic couch, indigestion and hoarseness of voice.

Key risk factors:
Some of the key risk factors for this type of cancer are as follows:

1. Men tend to run a higher risk of getting this cancer than women.
2. Esophageal cancer are often detected in people above the age of 55 or more
3. Chronic tobacco users have higher chances of getting esophageal cancer
4. Consumption of alcohol increases the risk of esophageal cancer
5. Obesity increases the risk of acid flux thereby leading to esophageal cancer
6. Radiation treatment in the abdomen or chest area might also lead to esophageal cancer

How an esophageal cancer is detected?
Primarily there are 3 ways by which this cancer is detected. The first step for an oncologist to detect this cancer is to perform an endoscopy. If this fails, doctors often try a barium swallow on suspected patients and take an x-ray to understand the esophagus lining. If all this fails, doctors rely on a CT scan to detect this cancer.

How is esophageal cancer treated?
If a patient is lucky and the cancer gets detected in a very early stage, the tumor along with the infected cell can be surgically removed. Apart from surgery, some other alternatives are radiation and chemotherapy. A combination of radiation and chemotherapy or a surgery followed by radiation can also be suggested by the doctor. The treatment plan depends on the stage of detection. In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

A breast lump is a restricted swelling, projection, lump, or knot in the breast that doesn't feel like a breast tissue. There are diverse reasons why breast lumps occur.

Not all lumps are cancer. These can also be breast conditions that are not harmful and which can be easily curable.Knots that feel harder or are not the same as the rest of the breast need to be checked. This kind of irregularity might be an indication of breast cancer.

A self-examination should be your starting point. This is how you can detect a lump on your own:

Step 1: Begin by taking a look at your breast in the mirror. Keep your shoulders straight and your arms on your hips.

This is what you need to search for:

1. Breasts that are their typical size, shape, and shading
2. Breasts that are uniformly formed without distortion or swelling

In the event that you see any of the changes mentioned below, convey them to your doctor:

1. Dimpling, puckering, or protruding of the skin
2. A nipple that is not in its initial position
3. Redness, rash or swelling

Step 2: Now, raise your arms and look for the changes mentioned above.

Step 3: While you're in front of the mirror, search for any indications of liquid or blood discharge from the nipples.

Step 4: Next, examine your breasts while resting.Use Your right hand to feel your left breast and use your left hand to feel your right breast. Cover the whole breast from your collarbone to the highest point of your mid-region, and from your armpit to your cleavage to search for any lumps.

Step 5:Examine your breasts while either standing or sitting. Many women find that the easiest approach to examine their breasts is when their skin is wet, so this step could be done while taking a bath as well.

Diagnosis:

• Mammogram: Mammography is a technique using X-rays to diagnose and locate tumours of the breasts.
• Breast ultrasound: Breast ultrasound utilises sound waves to create pictures of the breasts from the inside.
• Breast MRI:This involves using an effective and attractive field, and radio frequency pulses to create photos of the insides of the breasts.
• Ultrasound-guided biopsy: During this sort of biopsy, utilising ultrasound imaging to discover the bump, a radiologist will give you anesthesia and afterward insert a needle into the lump to evacuate some tissue for assessment under a magnifying lens. Stereotactic biopsy and an X-ray-guided biopsy may also be used.

Possible treatments:

1. In case the knot turns out to be cancerous, surgery is typically performed.
2. You may have a few discussions with different doctors for additional treatment, including radiation treatment and chemotherapy or hormone treatment.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!