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Migraine - How To Detect It?

MBBS, MD - Medicine, DM - Neurology
Neurologist, Mumbai
Migraine - How To Detect It?

Headaches and migraines can vary drastically depending on their duration, specific symptoms and the person they are affecting. The more you know about your specific type of headache or migraine, the better prepared you will be to treat them—and possibly even prevent them. The two types of migraine are- 

  1. Migraine without aura: The majority of migraine sufferers have Migraine without Aura. 
  2. Migraine with aura: Migraine with Aura refers to a range of neurological disturbances that occur before the headache begins, usually lasting about 20-60 minutes.

Symptoms of migraine vary and also depend on the type of migraine. A migraine has four stages: prodrome, aura, headache and postdrome. But it is not necessary that all the migraine sufferers experience all the four stages.

Prodrome: The signs of this begin to appear a day or two days before the headache starts. The signs include depression, constipation, food cravings, irritability, uncontrollable yawning, neck stiffness and hyperactivity.
Migraine Aura: Auras are a range of symptoms of the central nervous system. These might occur much before or during the migraine, but most people get a migraine without an aura. Auras usually begin gradually and increase in intensity. They last for an hour or even longer and are 

  • Visual: Seeing bright spots, various shapes, experiencing vision loss, and flashes of light
  • Sensory: Present in the form of touch sensations like feeling of pins and needles in the arms and legs
  • Motor: Usually related to the movement problems like the limb weakness
  • Verbal: It is related to the speech problems

Headache: In the case of a migraine attack one might experience:

  • Pain on both sides or one side of the head
  • Pain is throbbing in nature
  • Vomiting and nausea
  • Sensitivity to smells, sound and light
  • Vision is blurred
  • Fainting and lightheadedness

Postdrome: This is the final phase of the migraine. During this phase, one might feel fatigued, though some people feel euphoric.

Red flags that the patient may be having underlying serious disorder not migraine

  1. Onset of headaches >50 years 
  2. Thunderclap headache - subarachnoid haemorrhage 
  3. Neurological symptoms or signs 
  4. Meningism 
  5. Immunosuppression or malignancy 
  6. Red-eye and haloes around lights - acute angle closure glaucoma 
  7. Worsening symptoms 
  8. Symptoms of temporal arteritis

These patients require CT scan / MRI or CSF examination. Most Migraine patients do not need these tests. 

Diagnosis of Migraine: Usually migraines go undiagnosed and thus are untreated. In case you experience the symptoms regularly then talk to the doctor, who evaluates the symptoms and can start treatment. You can also be referred to a neurologist who is trained to treat the migraines and other conditions. During the appointment, the neurologist usually asks about the family history of headaches and migraines along with your symptoms and medical history.

The doctor might advise for some tests like:

  1. Blood Tests: These reveal problems with the blood vessel like an infection in the spinal cord and brain.
  2. CT scan: Used to diagnose the infections, tumors, brain damage, and bleeding that cause the migraines.
  3. MRI: This helps to diagnose the tumors bleeding infections, neurological conditions, and strokes.
  4. Lumbar Puncture: For analyzing infections and neurological damages. In lumbar puncture, a thin needle is inserted between the two vertebrae to remove a sample of the cerebrospinal fluid for analysis.

Treatments

Migraine treatments can help stop symptoms and prevent future attacks.

Many medications have been designed to treat migraines. Some drugs often used to treat other conditions also may help relieve or prevent migraines. Medications used to combat migraines fall into two broad categories:

  • Pain-relieving medications. Also known as acute or abortive treatment, these types of drugs are taken during migraine attacks and are designed to stop symptoms.
  • Preventive medications. These types of drugs are taken regularly, often on a daily basis, to reduce the severity or frequency of migraines.

Your treatment strategy depends on the frequency and severity of your headaches, the degree of disability your headaches cause, and your other medical conditions.

Some medications aren't recommended if you're pregnant or breastfeeding. Some medications aren't given to children. Your doctor can help find the right medication for you.

2460 people found this helpful

Cervical Cancer - How To Detect It?

Dr. Ila Gupta 87% (40 ratings)
MD - Obstetrtics & Gynaecology, MBBS
Gynaecologist, Ghaziabad
Cervical Cancer - How To Detect It?

Cervical cancer occurs when abnormal cells on the cervix grow out of control. The cervix is the lower part of the uterus that opens into the vagina. Cervical Cancer is one of the most common ailments that women suffer from, making it only more important to be taken seriously and treated immediately.

Most cervical cancer is caused by a virus called human papillomavirus, or HPV. You can get HPV by having sexual contact with someone who has it. There are many types of HPV virus. Not all types of HPV cause cervical cancer. Some of them cause genital warts, but other types may not cause any symptoms.

Most adults have been infected with HPV at some time. An infection may go away on its own. But sometimes it can lead to cervical cancer. That's why it's important for women to have regular screening. Screening can find changes in cervical cells before they turn into cancer. If you treat these cell changes, you may prevent cervical cancer.

Symptoms of Cervical Cancer may include:

  1. Bleeding from the vagina that is not normal, such as bleeding between menstrual periods, after sex, or after menopause.
  2. Persistent abnormal discharge.

Cervical cancer is the easiest gynecologic cancer to prevent, with regular screening tests and follow-up. Two screening tests can help prevent cervical cancer or find it early:

  1. The Pap test (or Pap smear) looks for precancers, cell changes on the cervix that might become cervical cancer if they are not treated appropriately.
  2. The HPV test looks for the virus (human papillomavirus) that can cause these cell changes.

When to Get Screened

You should start getting regular Pap tests at age 21. The Pap test, which screens for cervical cancer, is one of the most reliable and effective cancer screening tests available. The Pap test is the best way to find cervical cell changes that can lead to cervical cancer. Regular Pap tests almost always show these cell changes before they turn into cancer. It's important to follow up with your doctor after any abnormal Pap test result so you can treat abnormal cell changes. This may help prevent cervical cancer.

Treatment-

In spite of being a fatal ailment, over the years various treatments have evolved that deal with this problem effectively. Some of them are:

1. Surgery: One of the effective and oft availed treatment to cure cervical cancer is surgery. Depending on the stage on which the disease is detected, doctors may suggest for a hysterectomy or removing the pelvic nymph nodes.

2. Chemotherapy: This has emerged as the most sought after way of treating any form of cancer. The abnormal growth of cells that triggers cancer in the first place is deterred in this method by administering drugs to destroy them.

2243 people found this helpful

Cervical Cancer - How To Detect It?

Dr. Sudha Jetly 88% (22 ratings)
MBBS, MD - Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Post Graduate Diploma in Ultrasonography
Gynaecologist, Noida
Cervical Cancer - How To Detect It?

What is Cervical Cancer?

Cancer is a disease in which cells in the body grow out of control. When these abnormal cells are present in the cervix, it is called cervical cancer, or cancer of the cervix.

Screening Prevents Cervical Cancer and Saves Lives:

The Pap test can find abnormal cells in the cervix. These cells may, over time, turn into cancer. This could take several years to happen. If the results of a Pap test show there are abnormal cells that could become cancerous, a woman can be treated. In most cases, this treatment prevents cervical cancer from developing.

Pap tests can also find cervical cancer early. When it is found early, the chance of being cured is very high. The most important thing you can do to avoid getting cervical cancer is to have regular Pap tests.

Any woman who has a cervix can get cervical cancer, especially if she or her sexual partner has had sex with several other partners. Most often, cervical cancer develops in women aged 40 or older. Abnormal cells in the cervix and cervical cancer don’t always cause symptoms, especially at first. That’s why getting tested for cervical cancer is important, even if there are no symptoms.

What is the Pap Test?

The Pap test, also called the Pap smear, is a cervical cancer screening test. It is not used to detect other kinds of cancer. It is done in a doctor’s office or a clinic.

During the test, the doctor or nurse uses a plastic or metal instrument, called a speculum, to widen the vagina. This helps to examine the vagina and the cervix, and collect a few cells from the cervix. These cells are placed on a slide and sent to a laboratory to be checked for abnormal cells.

Who Should Have a Pap Test?

Doctors recommend that women begin having regular Pap tests and pelvic exams at age 21, or within three years of the first time they have sexual intercourse – whichever happens first. After a woman has a Pap test each year for three years in a row, and test results show there are no problems, she can then get the Pap test once every 2-3 years.

Who Does Not Need to be Tested?

The only women who do not need regular Pap tests are:

  1. Those over age 65 who have had regular Pap tests with normal results
  2. Women who do not have a cervix. This includes women whose cervix was removed as part of an operation to remove the uterus. (The surgery is called a hysterectomy.) However, a small number of women who have had this operation still have a cervix and should continue having regular Pap tests. If you’re not sure whether you have a cervix, speak to your doctor about it.

How Do I Prepare for the Pap Test?

To prepare for the Pap test, doctors recommend that for two days before the test you should avoid:

  1. Douching
  2. Using tampons
  3. Having sexual intercourse
  4. Using birth control foams, creams, or jellies or vaginal medications or creams

Try to schedule your Pap test for a time when you are not having your menstrual period.

When Will I Get the Results?

It can take up to three weeks to receive Pap test results. Most results are normal. There are many reasons that Pap test results can be abnormal, and usually, it does not mean you have cancer.

1380 people found this helpful

Sinusitis - How To Detect It?

MS - Otorhinolaryngology, Diploma in Otorhinolaryngology (DLO)
ENT Specialist, Mumbai
Sinusitis - How To Detect It?

Sinusitis is an inflammation of the lining of the sinuses. Generally, a healthy sinus is filled with air, but when fluid or mucus fills the sinus, it can cause infection. The most common cause for sinusitis is common cold which does not respond to regular medications.

Symptoms of Sinusitis:

Patients suffering from Sinusitis should have the 2 or more of these symptoms:

  1. Blocked nose
  2. Facial pain / Headache
  3. Nasal discharge
  4. Post nasal drip
  5. Cough
  6. Fever
  7. Reduced sense of smell
  8. Tiredness

Causes of Sinusitis:

The sinus problem can be caused by bacteria, viruses, pollutants, and also by various allergy sources. The irritants in the air may disrupt the normal mucus clearance mechanism & cause the stagnation of mucus in the patients. Once this stagnant mucus is infected it leads to inflammation of the sinus lining which is called as Sinusitis.

Diagnosis: 

The diagnosis of Sinusitis is made on the basis of history & physical examination particularly of the nasal cavity using an endoscope (if need be). In endoscopy, a small thin, telescope is inserted into the nose of the patient and with the camera, detailed evaluation is done to confirm the clinical diagnosis. Sometimes imaging modalities like CT scan help to stage the health of the nose & sinuses.

Treatment:

 For initial stages of Sinusitis, medical management suffices which includes appropriate antibiotics, analgesics and other supportive measures like steam inhalation, nasal irrigation, oral intake of plenty of fluids.

For recurrent episodes of cold and sinusitis (Chronic sinusitis) apart from medications, surgery might be needed to restore the normal functioning of sinuses and correction of obstructing anatomical abnormalities such as Deviated Nasal Septum, Polyps, enlarged turbinates etc.

Functional endoscopic sinus surgery(FESS) is the most common form of surgery performed on a patient with Sinusitis. 

The goal of FESS surgery is to enlarge the nasal drainage pathways of the paranasal sinuses with the help of nasal endoscopes there by improve sinus ventilation. The surgeon can remove the tissue and enlarge the sinus drain so that it does not clog in the future.

If a deviated septum is the cause of recurring infection, then a procedure called septoplasty is performed. It helps to straighten the septum of the patient & replace bone and cartilage in the right place.

Preventative Methods After Surgery:

Following preventive measures after the surgery is very much important for better result. Some of them are:

  1. Follow hand hygiene.
  2. Avoid smoking or drinking.
  3. Warm moist air soothes the condition of Sinusitis. Hence, use a good quality humidifier.
  4. Stay away from people with cold infections.
  5. Maintain home devices free from mould and dust.
  6. Avoid allergens and pollutants.
4070 people found this helpful

COPD - How To Detect It?

Dr. Parthiv Atul Kumar Shah 86% (29 ratings)
MBBS, M.D Pulmonary Medicine, DNB - Respiratory Medicine, Fellow in Pulmonary Critical Care
Pulmonologist, Mumbai
COPD - How To Detect It?

COPD, which is short for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, is a severe form of lung disease that is characterized by increased breathlessness and obstruction of airflow from the lungs. People who are suffering from COPD are at an increased risk of developing lung cancer, heart diseases and many other conditions. It includes progressive lung diseases such as chronic bronchitisemphysema, few forms of bronchiectasis and refractory (non-reversible) asthma. The former two are the most common conditions contributing to COPD. 

Chronic bronchitis induces inflammation in the airway that carries air to the lungs and fills it with mucus. This either completely blocks the airway or narrows it, causing difficulty in breathing. However, in emphysema, the air sacs inside the lungs which inflate and deflate as you breathe in and out, lose their elasticity due to which less air comes in and goes out leaving you breathless.

The best way to treat COPD is to quit smoking. Your doctor may also prescribe you medications or ask you to enrol in a lung rehab program. 

Causes:

  1. Smoking: Smoking is one of the most common causes of COPD. This is because smoking is known to destroy the stretchy fibres in people's lungs and irritate the airways. Even passive smoking is unhealthy. About 90% of the people having COPD are current or former smokers. 
  2. Genetics: Some individuals suffer from COPD even after refraining from smoking. Genes might be at the helm of COPD in such a case. AATD i.e. Alpha -1 Antitrypsin Deficiency, is a protein in the lungs, the lack of which is one of the most common genetic factor causing emphysema. 
  3. Environmental Factors: Breathing in harmful pollutants present in your environment is also one of the causes of COPD. Fumes, dust or certain chemicals are a few examples of harmful lung irritants. Organic cooking fuel may also cause COPD. Exposing yourself to the aforementioned environmental factors for a prolonged period of time increases your risk of developing COPD substantially. 

Symptoms:

  1. Shortness of breath especially after exercising
  2. Wheezing
  3. Tightness in your chest
  4. Unintended weight loss
  5. Lack of energy
  6. Frequent respiratory infections
  7. Wheezing
  8. Cough accompanied by mucus

Diagnosis:

  1. Physical Exam where your doctor monitors the functioning of your lungs. 
  2. Questioning about your past health (Smoking or other harmful lung irritants).
  3. Spirometry and other breathing tests.
  4. Chest x-rays and other tests to eliminate other problems which could be causing your symptoms.
2530 people found this helpful

Unexplained Infertility - How To Detect It?

MBBS, MS - Obstetrics and Gynaecology
IVF Specialist, Hubli
Unexplained Infertility - How To Detect It?

It is a real misfortune to witness several couples going from pillar to post as the mother cannot conceive. Unexplained infertility also called the Idiopathic Infertility continues to be a common problem in spite of all the latest advancements in the field of technology and medical science. As it is a known fact that infertility reports to the inability of a woman to conceive after one year of regular unprotected intercourse.

A Few Causes for Unexplained Infertility:
White sugar- This is extremely acidic and highly toxic to the body. Too much sugar in your body and your diet can cause Candida and lead to infertility. Stop drinking beverages like coke and avoid things such as cookies, candy, donuts, cake and more.

  1. Candidiasis- Candida is caused by an abundance of the fungus Candida Albicans in the human body. It can create severe difficulties in the human body including infertility and is most usually known for causing thrush and vaginal yeast infections in women.
  2. Cervical Mucus- Cervical mucus can be another reason for unexplained infertility. Low cervical mucus is one of the simplest yet most powerful factors to growing pregnant. If the cervical mucus is nonexistent, scant, or very acidic, then the sperm loses its ability to reach the cervix and hence is a cause for infertility.

Diagnosis of unexplained infertility- This kind of infertility is determined by an assessment of ovulation, a semen analysis, and a hysterosalpingogram (HSG).If symptoms are observed, laparoscopy and tests for ovarian reserve are done as well. When the outcome of a standard infertility evaluation is average, doctors specify a diagnosis of unexplained infertility. Although assessments differ, the possibility that all such test sequences for an infertile couple are usual.

Treatment options for unexplained infertility- By definition, the treatment for unexplained infertility is, therefore, empiric as it does not greet a distinct functional impairment or defect. The primary treatment for unexplained infertility comprises of 3-6 months of treatment with Clomid Pills along with regular and timed sexual intercourse and lifestyle changes.

Other treatments include Intra Uterine Insemination (IUI), controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) with IUI, and IVF. Medical clinics or specialized doctors present diverse treatment choices and explain the benefits and limitations of several treatment strategies. The most expensive, but also the most powerful treatment for this condition consists of the spectrum of supported reproductive technology including IVF, with or without intracytoplasmic sperm injection(ICSI).

IVF is the method of choice for unexplained infertility when the less expensive, but also less favourable treatment modalities have abandoned. The optimal treatment strategy needs to be based on specific characteristics of the patient such as treatment efficacy, age, side-effect profile such as multiple pregnancies, and cost considerations.

2556 people found this helpful

Pancreatic Cancer - How To Detect It?

Dr. Ashok Jain 89% (713 ratings)
MS ( General Surgery)
Oncologist, Mandsaur
Pancreatic Cancer - How To Detect It?

The pancreas has an important role in the body. It releases enzymes for digestion and hormones for managing blood sugar. Pancreatic cancer hampers these functions and starts to affect the health of the patient even before cancer spreads to nearby organs. However, the real concern with pancreatic cancer lies in its rapid spread. In fact, it typically spreads to nearby organs quite fast. Moreover, it is quite difficult to detect it in the early stages.

Symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer-

Jaundice: Jaundice symptoms like yellowing of skin and eyes may appear in the primary stages of cancer if it begins near the common bile duct. However, if it begins at the opposite end, it would manifest only in the advanced stages. Pancreatic cancer spreading to the liver can also cause jaundice.

Back or Belly Pain: Back pain or abdominal pain is common in patients suffering from pancreatic cancer. The cancerous part of the pancreas can grow large and start impinging upon the nearby organs. This causes pain. If cancer spreads to surrounding nerves it may also cause pain.

Weight loss: Weight loss accompanied by poor appetite is a very common symptom of pancreatic cancer.

Nausea and Vomiting: If cancer spreads to the stomach, it can create a partial blockade for food resulting in nausea and vomiting.

Liver Enlargement: Pancreatic cancer may lead to enlargement of the liver if cancer has spread to that organ. The doctor can detect an enlargement by palpating the edge of the liver.

Indeed, there may also be other symptoms of pancreatic cancer, but none of these is definitive. In fact, by the time the symptoms begin cancer might have spread far and wide. However, for the fortunate one, pain or jaundice symptoms may start early. In their case, treatment can be started early.

Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer-
Though pancreatic cancer is hard to cure, a complex surgical procedure known as the Whipple procedure can extend the life of patients significantly. It is also called as Pancreaticoduodenectomy. In this procedure, doctors remove the wide part of pancreas lying adjacent to the duodenum. However, it is not only the pancreas portion that is removed, but other parts like the duodenum, the gallbladder, a part of the bile duct, and also a part of the stomach is also removed. After the surgery, the surgeon reconnects the rest of the intestine, bile duct, and the pancreas.

Who Can Undergo Surgery for Pancreatic Surgery?
Everybody is not fit for pancreatic surgery. It is estimated that just about 20% of patients can undergo this procedure. In most of these patients, cancer has not yet spread to major blood vessels and organs like lungs, liver, stomach, etc. To identify candidates for this procedure, doctors may even resort to testing. Among those eligible for the Whipple procedure, some can undergo laparoscopic procedure while others may need to go through an open procedure.

1588 people found this helpful

Vaginitis - How To Detect It?

Dr. Chitra Reddy 87% (44 ratings)
Karnatak University, India, J J M M C, DAVANAGERE, JJM Medical College, Davangre(Mysore University)
Gynaecologist, Bangalore
Vaginitis - How To Detect It?

Vaginitis is the term which is used to refer to the inflammation of the vagina. In most of the cases, vaginitis occurs as a result of an infection of the vagina. The infection caused by vaginitis can result in discharge, pain and itching. Vaginitis can also be caused by non-infectious causes. Vaginitis is often caused because of an infection caused by yeast or bacteria. But it can also happen due to chemical or physical irritation. Some STDs cause vaginitis but not all the causes for vaginitis are related to STDs.

A reduction in the levels of estrogen after menopause can also cause vaginitis. The most common types of vaginitis are known as Bacterial vaginosis, Yeast infections and Trichomoniasis. Vaginitis is common in women who are in their reproductive years. It usually happens if there is a change in the balance of yeast or bacteria that are usually found in the vagina. If left untreated then it can cause complications. The risk of complications is greater in pregnant women. In severe cases it can also cause premature delivery, postpartum infections, increased vulnerability to HIV infection and even infertility.

Symptoms
There are many symptoms of vaginitis.

  1. Some of the most common symptoms of vaginitis is irritation or itching of the genital area.
  2. The itching can also lead to skin infections. The labia majora, labia minora and the perineal area can become inflamed.
  3. There is vaginal discharge also.
  4. Another common symptom is foul odor from the vagina. During sexual intercourse, there can also be pain or irritation in the vagina.
  5. Another very painful symptom of vaginitis is painful urination as the woman may suffer pain while passing out urine.
  6. There can also be light vaginal bleeding or even spotting.
  7. If the cause of vaginitis is yeast infection then there will be a thick, white discharge from the vagina.
  8. This discharge can be watery and in most cases have no smell.
  9. Yeast infections will usually cause itchiness and make the vagina and vulva red.

Diagnosis
Diagnosis of vaginitis is based on the symptoms of the woman.

  1. Diagnosis is made after a microscopy and culture of the discharge after a careful physical examination takes place.
  2. Oral antibiotics, injections and antibiotics are used to treat vaginitis.
  3. Creams are also prescribed which are put inside the vagina.
  4. Estrogen creams are also prescribed for the treatment of this infection by medical practitioners.
  5. If the infection is caused by an allergy then the product causing the allergy has to be figured and its use has to be stopped immediately.
2632 people found this helpful

Esophageal Cancer - How It Can Be Detected?

Dr. Sudeepta Kumar 91% (135 ratings)
DNB - Surgical Gastroenterology, MS (Surgery)
Gastroenterologist, Chennai
Esophageal Cancer - How It Can Be Detected?

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!

3957 people found this helpful

Zinc Deficiency - How To Detect It?

Dr. Bharat Bhushan Bharti 90% (165 ratings)
MD Physician
General Physician, Delhi
Zinc Deficiency - How To Detect It?

Zinc deficiency is one epidemic that people are mostly unaware of. As per the data shared by World Health Organization, around 31% of the world population is suffering from zinc deficiency. The problem is also ranked 5th in the leading factors that cause several diseases. It is also a primary reason why underdeveloped nations suffer from high mortality rate as zinc deficiency is associated with child pneumonia and diarrhea.

Every person, young or old, needs to have a regular intake of zinc for a healthy life, which it is known as an essential nutrient. It is also present in every cell, tissue, bone and fluid in the human body; zinc is especially prevalent in male semen and prostate glands.

Common Symptoms Of Zinc Deficiency

Unfortunately, millions of people suffering from zinc deficiency are unaware of their condition. However, looking out for certain key indicators can help in identifying the problem before it becomes severe. Here are the common symptoms of zinc deficiency that everyone must look out for:

  1. Poor Neurological Function- Zinc is an absolute necessity for neuropsychologic performance and growth. Low levels of zinc lead to attention disorders in infants, which may persist till the adulthood. But, it doesn’t mean you will start pumping your kids with an overdose of zinc. It has been found that zinc is absorbed best with other nutrients and especially when taken with whole foods.
  2. Weak Immunity- Your immune function works best when it has an adequate amount of zinc. It is vital for the growth of T-Cell and differentiating white blood cells to keep diseases at bay. Zinc is also necessary for the structural component of the hormone receptors. They contribute exponentially to have a healthy and balanced immune function.
  3. Diarrhea & Leaky Gut- Impaired immunity causes zinc deficiency diarrhea, which can become a persistent health problem. Every year diarrhea affects nearly 2 million children worldwide, and most of them are suspected to have a zinc deficiency and bacterial infection. Leaky gut, also called intestinal permeability can lead to a slew of health problems like skin allergies, thyroid problems, and nutrient malabsorption.

Zinc Rich Foods You Must Include In Your Diet

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms shared above, then you might be suffering from the zinc deficiency. To improve the level of zinc in your body, you can either take all natural zinc supplements. But, supplements usually contain several forms of zinc like zinc sulfate, zinc acetate and more. Thus, it is better to include the below-shared foods in your diet, which contain a high amount of zinc:

  1. Pumpkin seeds –?1/2 cup: 8.4 mg
  2. Lamb?– 4 oz: 5.2 mg
  3. Cashews –?1/2 cup: 3.8 mg
  4. Chickpeas (Garbanzo beans) –?1 cup cooked: 2.5 mg
  5. Mushrooms –?1 cup cooked: 1.9 mg
  6. Chicken –? 4 oz: 1.6 mg
  7. Kefir or Yogurt? – 1 cup: 1.4 mg
  8. Spinach –?1 cup cooked: 1.4 mg
  9. Cocoa powder –? 1 Tbsp: 0.4 mg
9681 people found this helpful