Iodine is a crucial component for maintaining human health. Iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) may develop if the thyroid gland is not able to operate properly. Goiters, mental impairment and even death are among the health issues IDD can cause. IDD affects millions of people each year making it a significant public health issue. The World Health Organization established October 21 as the World Iodine Deficiency Day in order to promote iodine supplementation as a successful means of preventing IDD.
What is Iodine Deficiency?
Iodine is a crucial trace element needed for the synthesis of thyroid hormones. The growth and development of the brain depend on these chemicals. Iodine shortage can result in a variety of health issues such as cretinism, mental retardation and goitre (an enlarged thyroid gland) which is characterized by stunted physical growth and mental development.
Causes
Iodine is a crucial trace element needed for the synthesis of thyroid hormones. Numerous crucial physiological functions, including as metabolism, growth, and development, are regulated by thyroid hormones. The most frequent worldwide cause of reversible mental impairment and brain damage is iodine deficiency. Making sure to regularly eat iodized salt is the greatest approach to avoid an iodine shortage.
Symptoms
Prevention and Treatment
Universal salt iodization: Every nation should make sure that the iodization of salt used for human consumption is sufficient. The most successful and long-lasting method of Iodine Deficiency Disease (IDD) prevention.
Iodine fortification of other foods: In some nations, staple foods like rice and flour may be given an iodine boost. The context and requirements of the local area should inform this strategy.
Health education and awareness-raising: It's critical to raise understanding of iodine's role in preventing IDD and the necessity of eating foods high in iodine.
Osteoporosis literally means "porous bone." Since the condition weakens bones and increases the chance of sudden, unforeseen bone fractures. If a person has osteoporosis then the bones become weaker and light in mass. The condition frequently progresses without any warning signs or discomfort and it is typically not detected until the weakening of bones result in fractures. The majority of these involve hip, wrist, and spine fractures.
World Osteoporosis Day proposes educating people about osteoporosis and its effects which relies on five steps to osteoporosis prevention. The first step is to eat meals that are rich in calcium, vitamins, proteins, and other nutrients, maintaining body weight by engaging in at least 40 minutes of exercise daily and by avoiding excessive alcohol consumption and smoking. It also creates awareness of elements such as illnesses, genetics, medications, and menopause which are the factors for osteoporosis.
Causes
The exact cause of osteoporosis is unknown as it develops inside the living, expanding tissue which makes up the bones. Trabecular bone, which constitutes the inside of healthy bones, resembles a sponge. The cortical bone, a spongy bone, is encased in a tough outer layer of bone. Osteoporosis weakens the inside of the bone by causing the "holes" in the "sponge" to enlarge and multiply. The body breaks down and rebuilds the bone when it requires calcium. This procedure is known as bone remodeling which maintains the strength of the bones while supplying the body with the calcium it requires. After age 35, bone deterioration outpaces bone formation, resulting in a steady decrease of bone mass which usually increases after menopause.
Symptoms
Osteoporosis typically shows no symptoms. Thus it is sometimes also referred as ‘silent sickness’ for this reason. However, the following symptoms are observed:
Risk factors
Diagnosis
Treatment
The goals of osteoporosis treatment include managing pain, reducing joint deterioration, and enhancing or maintaining function and quality of life. This can be accomplished while also protecting joints from future harm by supplementing a variety of drugs and lifestyle choices.
Arthritis is the medical term for swelling or joint inflammation. It describes more than 100 ailments that have an impact on connective tissues, joints, and surrounding tissues. Depending on the type of arthritis, specific symptoms can vary, although stiffness and pain in the joints are typically present.
Types of Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis are the two most prevalent kinds of arthritis.
Other forms of arthritis can be brought on by infections or underlying conditions like lupus or psoriasis. Gout can be brought on by uric acid crystals, which develop when your blood uric acid level is too high.
Symptoms
Risk factors
Treatment
The goals of arthritis treatment include managing pain, reducing joint deterioration, and enhancing or maintaining function and quality of life. This can be accomplished while also protecting joints from future harm by supplementing a variety of drugs and lifestyle choices.
On October 10, we celebrate World Mental Health Day to escalate our knowledge of mental health advancements. Our increased self-awareness and sensitivity to it have improved the situation. It is noted that there has never been a more pressing need to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness and to promote its understanding and treatment. The main objective of this day is to raise the awareness about mental health and to raise the support and effort for a better mental health.
This day serves as a reminder that a person is not suffering alone. We tend to believe that we are the only ones going through difficult times and knowing that others have experienced it and come out on the other side is encouraging. We are also reminded that we are capable of overcoming the pain and progress towards the betterment.
Importance
Symptoms of mental illness
How to overcome?
Every year on September 15, World Lymphoma Awareness Day is observed to increase public understanding of lymphoma, a kind of cancer that is becoming more prevalent. The Lymphoma Coalition, a non-profit network organization of 83 lymphoma patient groups from 52 nations worldwide is the entity in charge of hosting the global project. World Lymphoma Awareness Day was established in the year 2004 in order to increase public knowledge of Hodgkin and non- Hodgkin lymphoma in terms of symptom recognition, early diagnosis and treatment. Lymphoma is a potentially fatal illness with a rising incidence. Nearly 1,000 people throughout the world receive a lymphoma diagnosis every day but there is still a low level of awareness of the disease's warning signs and symptoms.
By raising awareness of lymphoma, more individuals will be able to identify its symptoms and signs resulting in earlier detection and faster treatment. Increased knowledge will also enable patients and their families to request specialized care from trained lymphoma doctors and to have access to the most recent resources for assistance, support and therapy.
What is Lymphoma?
Both B-cells and T-cells/Natural Killer cells can be affected by lymphoma, a malignancy of the white blood cells known as lymphocytes. However, they can be broadly divided into two categories: high-grade or aggressive or acute lymphoma where the cells develop and spread quickly but have a better prognosis since chemotherapy can efficiently destroy the cancer cells and low-grade or chronic lymphoma.
Low-grade lymphoma patients frequently respond well to treatment, but because the malignancy is characterized by cycles of remission and relapse, this kind of lymphoma is typically regarded as incurable. However, people over 60 are primarily affected. This implies that the person may pass away from causes other than cancer as the quality of life is affected.
Symptoms and Treatment
It is often characterized by fatigue which becomes more severe with time as the lymphoma progresses in the body. Swelling of lymph nodes, sweating especially in the night, difficulty in breathing, unexplained weight loss are some of the major symptoms observed in the lymphoma patients.
Chemotherapy, targeted immunotherapy and other drugs have proved to be very much efficient for the survival of the lymphoma patients if the treatment has been started sooner.
Detection and Prevention
The only way to diagnose lymphoma is to diagnose at the earliest. Ultrasound, PET scan and biopsy are the diagnostic tests which confirms this condition. Sooner the detection, better is the treatment and cure. Thus, if any of the above mentioned symptoms observed in any individual, it’s better to get the necessary medical examinations done.
Adults frequently complain of joint pain, which is typically brought on by regular wear and tear from daily activities including walking, bending, standing, and lifting. Running and sports involving jumping or fast pivots increase the risk of knee pain and other related issues in athletes. But whether joint pain is brought on by ageing or an injury, it can be bothersome and even crippling in some cases.
Common joint pain typically manifests in the hands, foot, hips, knees, or spine. Pain may be ongoing or intermittent. Joint pain can sometimes be described as discomfort, inflammation, soreness, stiffness, or pain. Joint discomfort can be acute (lasting only a few days) or chronic (lasting more than three months). The joint may occasionally feel stiff, achy, or sore. A searing, throbbing, or "grating" feeling is reported by some patients and furthermore the joint could be stiff in the morning but get looser and feel better with activity.
Causes –
Symptoms observed-
Diagnostic tests and Treatments -
Total Knee/ Hip Replacement surgery-
It could be challenging to walk or climb stairs if the knee or hip joint has been seriously affected by arthritis or another accident. So, even while sitting or lying down, one could start to experience pain. Replacement surgery is recommended for the patients with bowed knee deformity. The average surgical procedure lasts between 1-2 hours and requires very less hospital stay for about three days. After three to six weeks of rest, the patient can resume back to his daily routine. To correct the alignment and function of knee/hip joint, the orthopedic surgeon will remove the damaged bone and cartilage and then places the new metal implants which are made up of titanium dioxide highly polished with cobalt chromium. These implants mimic the exact the knee/ hip joint and offers the same movement as that of a natural joint. These replacement surgeries do not have any age or weight restrictions and can be performed at any stage of the life. Having a knee/hip replacement surgery improves mobility, reduces pain, and improves the quality of life. Additionally, the majority of these replacements provide a shelf life longer than 15 years.
Prevention and Control-
Another trivial thing for maintaining Hand Hygiene is the use of gloves. It is a Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) employed in common precautions against the spread of pathogens from healthcare providers' hands to those of their patients as well as from patients' hands to those of their colleagues. Many people are unaware that the gloves' level of protection is insufficient. In one study, it was discovered that when doing basic patient care, workers who did not wear gloves and that had contaminated their hands at a rate of 16 bacterium per minute, compared to 3 bacteria per minute for those using gloves. Therefore, using gloves DOES NOT eliminate the necessity to wash our hands afterwards. Whether wearing gloves make it harder to maintain good hand hygiene has been the subject of various research. The majority of research have been modest and have evaluated the use of gloves and hand cleanliness using non-standardized methods. Since it's quite challenging to remove the gloves without contaminating our hands, doctors must also sanitize their hands after using them. Otherwise, it can cause the transfer of germs from the gloves onto the skin. A recent study has found that skin or garment contamination occurred in 52.9% of glove removals. Every time we touch anything, we should take off our gloves, wash your hands and then put on the fresh ones. If the same gloves are repeatedly used, then there are higher chances of contaminating everything we touch. Thus, it’s very important to put on the fresh gloves at regular intervals and wash our hands properly and sanitize our belongings. Gloves should be used whenever a patient is being cared for when exposure to blood or any other body fluid is possible (including contact with mucous membranes or skin that isn't intact), as well as during contact precautions and outbreak circumstances.
The recommended guidelines regarding usage of gloves as issued by the World Health Organization (WHO) are listed below -
Long-term use of gloves for contact precautions without taking into account the necessity for hand hygiene might lead to the spread of germs.
Every year on July 28, World Hepatitis Day is celebrated to bring attention to the dangerous liver condition known as "hepatitis." It is a liver condition that can be brought on by a number of different bacteria, viruses, or parasites. Hepatitis can be prevented in a variety of ways, but there is currently no treatment for the illness. On July 28, people around the world observe World Hepatitis Day to raise awareness of the disease's risks and encourage the actions against it. Additionally, the day strives to better manage, detect, and prevent the viral hepatitis and other related disorders. It also serves as a reminder of how crucial it is to raise the rate of hepatitis B vaccinations and also promotes the creation of an international action plan against hepatitis.
The day is marked in honor of the Nobel winning scientist Dr. Samuel Blumberg’s birthday who had discovered Hepatitis B, invented a test as well as the vaccination for the same. The purpose of the day is to raise awareness of the different types of hepatitis (Hepatitis A, B, C, D and E) and how they are spread.
Causes- Hepatitis is an inflammatory disorder of the liver and can have other probable origins besides viral infections. Viral Hepatitis is mainly classified into the following 5 main types:
1. Hepatitis A: It is caused by hepatitis A. (HAV). Hepatitis of this kind is an acute, transient illness. This hepatitis is caused due to contaminated food and water.
2. Hepatitis B: This is a chronic and ongoing hepatitis caused by the Hepatitis B Virus (HBV). It is blood borne caused due to blood transfusion with the infected persons, syringes etc.
3. Hepatitis C: It is caused by the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) which results in significant liver damage by inflaming the liver caused by the contaminated blood.
4. Hepatitis D: This is an uncommon type of hepatitis that only develops when hepatitis B infection is present. Inflammation of the liver is caused by the hepatitis D virus (HDV) which is contagious only in the presence of hepatitis B infection. Around the world, HDV affects around 5% of the people those with chronic hepatitis B.
5. Hepatitis E: Waterborne hepatitis E is caused by exposure to the hepatitis E virus (HEV). It is often brought on by contaminated water supply and is primarily seen in unhygienic places. This hepatitis is usually acute but at times it can become fatal for the pregnant women.
Sometimes, hepatitis can also be caused by the alcohol consumption, medications or due to toxins. Autoimmune disorders can also sometimes cause damage to the liver and leads to hepatitis due to inflammation.
Symptoms-
Diagnosis and Treatment-
Prevention and Control-
Hand hygiene includes nail hygiene which is a representation of our personal hygiene. Our fingers and toes' ends are protected from injury by our nails which also make it easier to pick things up. It is very vital to take proper care of our nails and keep them clean. Since we in India eat with our bare hands, maintaining good nail hygiene is very essential; otherwise, hand hygiene is insufficient. If not taken proper care, nails can develop into a haven for bacteria and other germs. This might lead to major health problems like bacterial and viral infections. Regular hand washing is considered to lower the incidence of diarrhea by up to 40%, respiratory issues due to viral infections by up to 21% and gastrointestinal diseases in children by up to 57%.
Good nail hygiene is not that tough to maintain. The health of our nails can be maintained with a little knowledge and maintenance. As part of good hand hygiene, it's important to carefully clean and trim our fingernails which can harbor bacteria and contribute to the development of some infections like pinworms etc. As longer fingernails harbor more dirt and bacteria than shorter ones due to their length and also promotes the spread of illness. Thus, keeping our fingernails short and washing periodically with soap and water on the undersides is a good practice to maintain the nail hygiene.
Below are the Do’s and Don’ts for maintaining proper Nail Hygiene-
In order to keep the facility, patients, visitors, and staff safe, hand washing is the best line of defense against the transmission of disease. As the Healthcare Professionals (HCPs) move through and interact in so many various crucial places around the facility, healthcare staff bears the majority of the duty for maintaining good hand hygiene. Healthcare professionals must execute hand hygiene procedures often during the course of the day for a variety of reasons. It's challenging to remember all the exact situations in which a hand wash is required. The World Health Organization has developed the 5 Moments for Hand Hygiene strategy especially for the Health Care Professionals (HCPs) to reduce the possibility of microbial transmission between a healthcare provider, a patient and the environment.
Below are the 5 Moments of Hand Hygiene which we often come across-
Hand hygiene is required as soon as a healthcare professional enters a patient's room to avoid any infections that might have been transferred from any previous activities. They might come into contact with objects the patient later touches, even if they don't need to touch the patient, still there are chances of infection transmission.
Testing, taking blood, giving someone an IV, getting ready for surgery, etc. all call for an additional hand hygiene event before the task is carried out. Having a top-notch hand hygiene event is essential because patients are currently more vulnerable to hazardous germs.
Healthcare professionals frequently come into touch with bodily fluids from patients, such as blood, saliva, urine, and feces. After this kind of contact, hand washing is necessary to safeguard both the patient and the staff.
After interacting with a patient, the healthcare provider must conduct a hand hygiene procedure. A pathogen that could endanger staff members, guests and other patients might get transmitted to the patient who is receiving treatment and care.
There is a chance of cross-contamination even if the healthcare worker does not physically interact with the patient for any length of time. To protect the health and safety of the rest of the facility, healthcare professionals must always remember to wash their hands after coming into touch with the patients.