An Insight into Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia. In the UK alone, there will be an estimated 520,000 people with the disease in 2015. Recently, it has been found that it is the leading cause of death in women and the third most common cause of death for men. The term “dementia” is an umbrella term which refers to the set of symptoms that includes memory loss, mood changes and problems with communication and understanding. These symptoms occur when the brain becomes damaged by diseases such as Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer’s disease affects the physical part of the brain. The disease results in protein plaques developing in the structure of the brain, leading to the death of the brain cells. It is believed that people with Alzheimer’s disease lack the chemicals which are involved with the transmission of messages within the brain, which corresponds with the symptoms of the dementia. Unfortunately, Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease, meaning overtime, the brain will be further damaged and the symptoms will become more prominent and severe.

Alzheimer’s disease is not caused by a single factor. Analysts believe that there is likely to be a combination of factors that causes dementia, consisting of age, genetic inheritance, environmental factors, lifestyle and the general health of the person. Age is the greatest factor for dementia as it affects 1 in 6 people over the age of 80 and 1 in 14 people over the age of 65. However, dementia is not only prominent in elderly people as in the UK; there are more than 40,000 people under the age of 65 who suffer from it too. In many people, the disease develops for many years before symptoms appear. Furthermore, it is sometimes seen as a natural part of ageing and so the disease goes unnoticed. As it has become the most common cause of death, people have now turned their attention towards dementia and investing in research that will provide better prevention and treatment of the condition.

This has been evident in the recent discovery of an injection that could stop Alzheimer’s disease developing. Neurological disorders like dementia have always proven difficult to treat as the network of blood vessels in the brain stops everything except the vital nutrients entering the brain. However, scientists have discovered how to attach antibodies to a special protein which is in the body and helps transport materials through the network of blood vessels. Once inside the brain, the antibodies block the build-up of plaques which cause Alzheimer’s disease. If this proves successful in humans, patients would receive weekly or monthly injections to prevent the disorder from developing.

This method has been welcomed by scientists and charities, and further research will indicate if this method is safe and effective for people.

The Ebola Outbreak

As you all know, the recent outbreak of Ebola virus has caused terror amongst infected communities. With the recent outbreak in March 2014, which is undoubtedly the worst outbreak by far, over 1000 people in Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Nigeria were killed by mid-August 2014. For the few who are infected and recover, they then become immune to the strain of the virus.

Ebola is a viral illness, which affects humans who have been in contact with infected animals including fruit bats and chimpanzees.  It then spreads quickly amongst humans through contact with bodily fluids, secretions and blood of an infected person. The initial symptoms include fever and headaches, intense weakness, muscle pain and sore throats. To follow is diarrhoea, vomiting, rashes, stomach pain and kidney and liver failure. The patient will then bleed internally and externally, usually from the ears, eyes, nose and mouth. Ebola virus is fatal in 50%-90% of cases as there is no specific vaccine against the disease or treatment aimed to cure the disease. Furthermore, the treatment that is available to those infected by this fatal virus is very limited and mainly consists of supportive therapy. Dehydration is a very common side effect so fluids much be given intravenously (directly into the vein). As well as that, blood oxygen levels and blood pressure need to be maintained, with body organs needing to be supported whilst the body concentrates on fighting the disease and other complicating infections. As Ebola is very infectious, patients must be treated in isolation by doctors and staff wearing protective clothing, goggles and gloves.

With no treatment or vaccines available, major research is being carried out in order to evaluate potential vaccines and treatments for clinical use. The World Health Organisation (WHO) is providing expertise and documentation to support the virus investigation and control. In June, scientists in Canada announced a treatment that worked on monkeys but as the origin of the virus remains unknown, the primary prevention and treatment remains undiscovered. The encouraging results from Canada is definitely a big step forward, however there are still many challenges to overcome before the treatment can be applied to an outbreak in humans. 

"Laughter is the best medicine"

According to various studies and reports, laughter really is the best medicine.

 

Laughing is good for the human body as it triggers the release of endorphins and natural painkillers which can temporarily minimise the pain that a person feels. Laughter also contributes to the overall boosting of the immune system as it has been proven to decrease stress hormones whilst also increasing the rate at which antibodies and the immune cells respond to infection, thus improving the resistance of a person’s body to disease. All of us have probably had a good hearty laugh and noticed that the physical tension that you have is relieved and you feel more relaxed. This is because laughing affects your muscles and blood vessels allowing them to function more efficiently which helps protect the body against heart attacks and other cardio-related problems.

Laughter not only positively impacts the physical body, but there are also benefits that come from laughing which are linked to your mental health and social wellbeing.

Laughing gets rid of weighty emotions such as anxiety, sadness and loss and replaces them with happiness, elation and joy. Laughing is a way of telling your mind that you are not allowed to feel down and therefore may change your perspective over certain situations and even enhance your outlook on life. After a long day at work, laughter is an easy way of allowing you and your body to relax and recharge so that you become more focused on everyday activities which effectively allows you to accomplish more during the day.

Laughter has many social benefits which can affect you and the people around you. Shared laughter is a way of keeping relationships fresh and fun, whether it is a personal relationship or a work relationship. It can help set up new bonds with people as well as strengthen existing bonds so that they last longer. Laughter also helps diffuse conflict and can be a form of union between people during hard times.

So yes, laughter is the best medicine out there and can cure any dilemma, situation or problem that arises. The roaring sound of laughter is contagious and once it is shared with people around you, not only will your mood, health and emotional state improve but theirs will too. This powerful tool is priceless which makes it all the more fun, effective and easy to use so there is no excuse for not taking your dose of this medicine every day.

Do Athletes get Athlete’s Foot?

Athlete’s Foot (Tinea Pedis) is a fungal skin infection. It is usually an itchy rash that develops on your foot, especially in between the toes. The surrounding skin can also be affected and become dry and flaky. Usually Athlete’s Foot is a foot infection however it can spread to your hands if you do not wash your hands after treating.

Athlete’s Foot is caused by a fungi group called dermatophytes. Dermatophytes live and feed off dead skin, and feet are the perfect habitat. Feet provide a warm, dark, moist environment which is where this fungus thrives and multiplies.

Athlete’s Foot is highly contagious and can be spread very easily. It is usually prominent in teenagers and men as regular exercise causes the infection to develop but anyone who comes into contact with even the smallest contaminated flake is at risk of developing the infection.

Athlete’s Foot is not a very serious infection but it is much better to fight the infection in order to prevent spreading across the bottom and sides of the foot and also to the nails causing, fungal nail infections, which are more difficult to treat.

There is a simple treatment for Athlete’s Foot which is to use anti-fungal creams from the pharmacy. A home remedy which has worked is soaking your feet daily in a bath of warm, salted water and then drying and applying the anti-fungal cream to the infected area.

Furthermore, ways to prevent Athlete’s Foot reoccurring are to:

·         Wash your feet daily and dry them thoroughly – especially in between the toes as soggy skin is the perfect breeding ground for dermatophytes

·         Wash your towels regularly

·         Change your socks daily as dry flakes may sit in socks

·         Try wearing cotton socks/tights as these do not stimulate sweat as much as nylon socks/tights

·         Wearing flip flops in swimming pool changing rooms to avoid picking up an infection off flakes on the ground

·         Try to let your feet breathe as much as possible as this will allow the air to surround your feet rather than keeping your feet in the stale air in your socks.

As Athlete’s Foot is generally a mild infection and can be treated very easily, you need only to consult your GP if the infection does not clear up and continues to spread.