Please follow all preventive measures issued by official health authorities in the country with regard to Coronavirus (COVID-19). For any medical support or inquiry contact Estijaba service hotline at 8001717.
Concerned about Coronavirus (COVID-19)? Get your symptoms checked here! Free
Concerned about corona-virus-logo ?
Get a Free Risk Analysis
  Healthigo

Health  Articles

Body
Battling the Seasonal Flu: Prevention, Symptoms, and Treatment

Introduction: As the seasons change and colder weather sets in, so does the risk of catching the seasonal flu. The flu, caused by the influenza virus, affects millions of people worldwide annually. It is crucial to arm yourself with the necessary knowledge to prevent, identify, and treat the flu effectively. In this article, we will discuss key information about the seasonal flu, including its symptoms, prevention methods, and treatment options.   Understanding the Seasonal Flu: The seasonal flu is a highly contagious respiratory illness caused by different strains of the influenza virus. It mainly spreads through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. The virus can also survive on surfaces and infect people who touch those surfaces and then touch their eyes, nose, or mouth.   Symptoms of the Seasonal Flu: The symptoms of the flu are similar to those of the common cold, but they tend to be more severe. Common symptoms include: 1. Fever and chills 2. Cough and sore throat 3. Runny or stuffy nose 4. Muscle or body aches 5. Fatigue and weakness 6. Headache 7. Vomiting and diarrhea (more common in children)   Preventing the Seasonal Flu: Prevention is key to avoiding the flu and its potential complications. Here are some effective preventive measures: 1. Vaccination: Get an annual flu vaccine, as it is the most effective way to protect against the flu. Vaccines are updated yearly to match circulating strains. 2. Hand hygiene: Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. In the absence of soap, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. 3. Respiratory hygiene: Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your elbow when coughing or sneezing to prevent the spread of germs. 4. Avoid close contact: Limit close contact with those who have flu symptoms to minimize the risk of exposure. 5. Clean surroundings: Regularly clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home, school, or work to prevent the spread of the virus.   Treatment and Management: If you suspect you have the seasonal flu, it is essential to take the following steps: 1. Rest: Get plenty of bed rest to help your body fight off the virus. 2. Stay hydrated: Drink fluids like water, warm liquids, and soups to avoid dehydration. 3. Over-the-counter medications: Non-prescription pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, can help alleviate fever, muscle aches, and headache. Follow the package instructions or consult a healthcare professional. 4. Antiviral medications: In some cases, healthcare providers may prescribe antiviral medications to shorten the duration of flu symptoms and prevent complications. Antivirals are most effective when taken within the first 48 hours of symptom onset.   When to Seek Medical Attention: While most cases of the flu resolve on their own, certain situations require medical intervention. Seek medical attention if you experience: 1. Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath 2. Chest or abdominal pain 3. Dizziness or severe weakness 4. Confusion or disorientation 5. Severe vomiting or inability to keep fluids down 6. Symptoms that improve but then return with a fever and a worsening cough   Conclusion: Taking proactive steps to prevent the seasonal flu and recognizing the symptoms early can significantly reduce its impact on your health and the community. Vaccination, good hygiene practices, and prompt medical attention when necessary are vital in staying healthy during flu season. Stay informed, stay protected, and help us combat the seasonal flu together.

  1 Likes
  0 Comments
October 16, 2023
Mike Plum
GP
Book Now
Body
What is a normal blood pressure? - Measurement

  Measurement The device used to measure blood pressure is a sphygmomanometer, it consists of a rubber armband – the cuff that is inflated by hand or machine pump. Once the cuff is inflated enough to stop the pulse, a reading is taken, either electronically or on an analogue dial. The reading is expressed in terms of the pressure it takes to move mercury round a tube against gravity. This is the reason for pressure being measured using the unit millimeters of mercury, abbreviated to mm Hg.   Readings A stethoscope identifies the precise point when the pulse sound returns and the pressure of the cuff is slowly released. Using the stethoscope enables the person measuring the blood pressure to listen out for two specific points. Blood pressure readings consist of two figures – the systolic pressure first and the diastolic pressure second. The reading is given as, for example, 140 over 90 mm Hg. The systolic pressure is the higher figure caused by the heart’s contraction, while the diastolic number is the lower pressure in the arteries, during the brief ‘resting’ period between heartbeats.

  1 Likes
  0 Comments
August 10, 2023
Sam David
General Practitioner
Request a Booking
Body
Discussion on Hair Loss

Hair loss without scarring of the scalp is a very common condition and affects most people at some time in their lives. Medical professionals should distinguish hair loss from breakage of the hair shaft from hair loss due to decreased hair growth. Common balding (androgenetic alopecia) occurs in men and women and is due to the effect of testosterone metabolites in genetically susceptible hair follicles. Thyroid disease, anemia, protein deficiency, secondary syphilis, chemotherapy, and low vitamin levels may cause hair loss. Alopecia areata is a form of hair loss produced by the autoimmune destruction of hair follicles in localized areas of skin. Medications indicated for hair regrowth include minoxidil (Rogaine)

  1 Likes
  0 Comments
July 18, 2023
Jenny S
Aesthetic Specialist
Book Now
Body
Development of synthetic molecules that can bridge T cells with SARS-CoV-2 infected cells

Scientists have worked at a record speed to develop COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics to contain the pandemic. To date, all the vaccines and therapeutics (e.g., monoclonal antibodies) that received emergency use authorization from the global regulatory bodies have been designed against the spike protein of the original SARS-CoV-2 strain. However, the efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics has been threatened due to mutations in the spike protein in the newly emerged SARS-CoV-2 strains.  Mutations have increased the affinity of the spike protein for angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), which has brought about an increase in the infection rate. Additionally, some SARS-CoV-2 variants, such as the Delta strain, can evade the immune protection induced via natural infection and immunization targets. Hence, developing a new treatment that would remain effective against SARS-CoV-2 variants is urgently required. Generally, the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 binds to ACE2 and, eventually, the virus enters the cell. After the virus enters the host cell, it captures its protein synthesis machinery and initiates viral replication.

  1 Likes
  0 Comments
May 08, 2023
Mike Plum
GP
Request a Booking
Body
Hyper Tension

Blood pressure is the force that a person’s blood exerts against the walls of their blood vessels. This pressure depends on the resistance of the blood vessels and how hard the heart has to work. Almost half of all adults in the United States have high blood pressure, but many are not aware of this fact. Hypertension is a primary risk factor for cardiovascular disease, including stroke, heart attack, heart failure, and aneurysm. Keeping blood pressure under control is vital for preserving health and reducing the risk of these dangerous conditions. In this article, we explain why blood pressure can increase, how to monitor it, and ways to keep it within a normal range.   Management and treatment Regular physical exercise Stress reduction Medication Diet: Reducing salt intake Moderating alcohol consumption Eating more fruit and vegetables and less fat Managing body weight The DASH diet Causes: The cause of hypertension is often not known. In many cases, it is the result of an underlying condition. Doctors call high blood pressure that is not due to another condition or disease primary or essential hypertension. If an underlying condition is the cause of increasing blood pressure, doctors call this secondary hypertension. Primary hypertension can result from multiple factors, including: blood plasma volume hormone activity in people who manage blood volume and pressure using medication environmental factors, such as stress and lack of exercise Secondary hypertension has specific causes and is a complication of another health problem. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a common cause of high blood pressure, as the kidneys no longer filter out fluid. This excess fluid leads to hypertension. Conditions that can lead to hypertension include: diabetes, due to kidney problems and nerve damage kidney disease pheochromocytoma, a rare cancer of an adrenal gland Cushing syndrome that corticosteroid drugs can cause congenital adrenal hyperplasia, a disorder of the cortisol-secreting adrenal glands hyperthyroidism, or an overactive thyroid gland hyperparathyroidism, which affects calcium and phosphorous levels pregnancy sleep apnea obesity Risk factors A number of factors increase the risk of hypertension. Age: Hypertension is more common in people who are more than 60 years of age. Blood pressure can increase steadily with age as the arteries stiffen and narrow due to plaque buildup. Ethnicity: Some ethnic groups are more prone to hypertension than others. African Americans have a higher risk than other ethnic groups, for example. · Size and weight: Being overweight or obese is a primary risk factor. Alcohol and tobacco use: Regularly consuming large quantities of alcohol or tobacco can increase blood pressure. Sex: According to a 2018 review, males have a higher risk of developing hypertension than females. However, this is only until after women reach menopause. Existing health conditions: Cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and high cholesterol levels can lead to hypertension, especially as people age. Other risk factors include: sedentary lifestyle salt rich, high fat diet low potassium intake Poorly managed stress and a family history of high blood pressure can also contribute to the risk of developing hypertension. Below is a 3-D model of hypertension, which is fully interactive. Explore the model using your mouse pad or touchscreen to understand more about hypertension.

  1 Likes
  0 Comments
March 11, 2021
Nc Demo Doctor
GP
Request a Booking
scroll-arrow-to-up