Symptoms & Prevention Of Diseases (Part 2)

SYMPTOMS OF DISEASES

About Infections...

1. Occurrence of fever, along with shivering headache and body ache, with fever subsiding and returning again, are symptoms of Malaria. It is an infective disease caused by sporozoan parasites that are transmitted through the bite of an infected Anopheles mosquito; marked by paroxysms of chills and fever. Malaria parasites not only destroy the red blood cells but also leave behind their excreta. This is responsible for fever and the feeling of cold with shivering. Repetition of the malaria fever in cycles is due to incomplete destruction of malaria parasites.
2. Acute diarrhea and vomiting leading to dehydration are symptoms of Cholera disease. It is an acute intestinal infection caused by ingestion of contaminated water or food.
3. An insensitive patch on the skin, followed by disfigurement of hands, feet, face, etc. are symptoms associated with Leprosy (also known as Hansen’s disease). It is a chronic granulomatous communicable disease occurring in tropical and subtropical regions; characterized by inflamed nodules beneath the skin and wasting of body parts; caused by the bacillus Mycobacterium leprae. 
4. Nausea, diarrhea and vomiting are symptoms of food poisoning.
5. An acute contagious viral disease characterized by fever and by swelling of the parotid (or salivary) glands along with headache and fever are symptoms of mumps.
6. Cough, loss of weight and fever are some of the symptoms of tuberculosis. It is an infection transmitted by inhalation or ingestion of tubercle bacilli and manifested in fever and small lesions (usually in the lungs but in various other parts of the body in acute stages).
7. Body ache, headache, sore throat, cough, fever, and watering of eyes may suggest an attack of influenza.
8. Headache and fever along with vesicles containing fluid may be the symptoms of chicken pox. It is an acute contagious disease caused by herpes varicella zoster virus; causes a rash of vesicles on the face and body.
9. Typhoid is a serious infection marked by intestinal inflammation and ulceration; caused by Salmonella typhosa ingested with food or water.
10. Diphtheria is an acute contagious infection caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae; marked by the formation of a false membrane in the throat and other air passages causing difficulty in breathing and swallowing.

About Neoplasms...

11. Cancer is any malignant growth or tumor caused by abnormal and uncontrolled cell division; it may spread to other parts of the body through the lymphatic system or the blood stream. Non-healing ulcer, prolonged cough, hoarseness, difficulty in swallowing and loss in weight are some of the symptoms associated by this disease.
12. Symptoms like headache, disturbances in vision, nausea and a feeling of dizziness arise from brain tumour (Glioma).
13. Long-drawn diarrhea, passage of blood in the stool, anaemia, or any other sudden change in the bowel habit of a person needs medical attention, for it may be indicative of Bowel Cancer.
14. Symptoms of fever, anaemia, a painful throat, feeling of weakness and weariness, etc., manifest themselves in Leukemia (Cancer of the Blood).
15. Hodgkin’s disease is a malignant disorder in which there is progressive (but painless) enlargement of lymph tissue followed by enlargement of the spleen and liver.

Miscellaneous

16. Peptic ulcer is a pain in the top part of the stomach, specially when it is empty.
17. If the tongue is swollen and if the facial skin and the skin of the hands, etc., become red, it may be indicative of Pellagra. It is a disease caused by deficiency of niacin or tryptophan (or by a defect in the metabolic conversion of tryptophan to niacin); characterized by gastrointestinal disturbances and erythema and nervous or mental disorders; may be caused by malnutrition or alcoholism or other nutritional impairments.
18. The simultaneous occurrence of different diseases like diarrhea, fever, pneumonia, cancer, etc., are the symptoms of AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). Is is a serious (often fatal) disease of the immune system transmitted through blood products especially by sexual contact or contaminated needles.
19. A severe cardiac pain which may be of a temporary nature and which may spread to the arms may be due to Angina Pectoris. It is a heart condition marked by paroxysms of chest pain due to reduced oxygen to the heart.
20. Prolonged diarrhea is the common symptoms of Giardiasis. It is an infection of the intestines with protozoa found in contaminated food and water; characterized by diarrhea and nausea and flatulence and abdominal discomfort.
21. Soreness of throat, stiffness of neck, headache, vomiting and fever may indicate an attack of Meningitis. It is an infectious disease characterized by inflammation of the meninges (the tissues that surround the brain or spinal cord) usually caused by a bacterial infection.
22. Sudden fractures in old people may indicate Osteoporosis. It is caused by abnormal loss of bony tissue resulting in fragile porous bones attributable to a lack of calcium; most common in postmenopausal women.
23. Deposition of bilirubin gives a yellowish look to patients suffering from Jaundice. It is the yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes caused by an accumulation of bile pigment (bilirubin) in the blood; can be a symptom of gallstones or liver infection or anemia.
24. When a person sees double objects when actually it is single, it indicates that he may be suffering from Diplopia. Diplopia often disappears when one eye is covered.
25. Softness and pain in the lower right side of abdomen along with symptoms of nausea and vomiting may be due to Appendicitis.
26. Itching, swelling, and reddish form of allergy may be the symptoms of Eczema.
27. Development of sores between the toes and fingers, accompanied by itching, may be the result of Scabies.
28. Loss in weight, feeling of hunger, and thirst, along with frequent bouts of urination, are the signs of Diabetes.
29. Abdominal pain that occurs some hours after eating food, and lessens on eating again, are the symptoms of Duodenal ulcer.
30. A heavy feeling in the stomach, heartburn, and pain in the top part of the abdomen may be due to Indigestion.
31. Epilepsy is indicated by fits in which the teeth are set firmly together and there are twitchy movements of the hands, legs, and muscles of the face, followed by unconsciousness.
32. Parkinson's disease is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system characterized by tremor and impaired muscular coordination; in which the patient lose control over his muscles and exhibits tremors.
33. Prolonged diarrhea with pus-filled and bloody stools may be the symptoms of Ulcerative colitis. It is a serious chronic inflammatory disease of the large intestine and rectum characterized by recurrent episodes of abdominal pain and fever and chills and profuse diarrhea.
34. When a patient has fever accompanied by cough and a pain in the chest, it could be indicative of Bronchitis.
35. When the body is under foreign invasion by germs, the number of white blood cells in the blood increases, thereby indicating infection in a blood test. These white blood cells are known as Leucocytes.
36. In certain diseases, the number of white blood corpuscles plunges below the normal limit. This condition is known as Leucopenia.
37. Sores near the angles of the mouth and a swollen red tongue are the symptoms of Riboflavin deficiency. Riboflavin is a B vitamin that prevents skin lesions and weight loss.
38. Stiffness of neck, mental disturbance, high temperature, headache and coma are some of the symptoms manifested in Encephalitis. It is an inflammation of the brain usually caused by a virus.
39. Blocked nose, sneezing, water fluid coming out of the nose are some of the symptoms accompanying Rhinitis.
40. Fever with severe joint pains may be indicative of Rheumatic fever. It is a severe disease chiefly of children and characterized by painful inflammation of the joints and frequently damage to the heart valves.
41. Lockjaw, in which the patient finds difficulty in opening his mouth, is the symptom of Tetanus.
42. In Addison’s disease the body becomes darker in colour. This is due to more melanin depositing on skin.
43. The reddish appearance of the pharynx along with a dry cough may be symptoms of Pharyngitis.
44. When the longing to eat food is lacking, it is known as Anorexia. A deficiency of thiamine in the body will also lead to Anorexia.
45. Difficulty in breathing is a common complaint of heart patients. It is also called as Dyspnoea.
46. Hoarseness and weariness of voice are the common symptoms of Laryngitis.
47. Albinism exhibits white skin, white hair, etc., This is due to absence of melanin.
48. Cystic Fibrosis is the most common congenital disease; the child's lungs and intestines and pancreas become clogged with thick mucus; caused by defect in a single gene.
49. The abdomen increases in size in patients suffering from Ascites.
50. Inflammation of a joint or joints is called Arthritis.
51.  Hyperacidity, i.e. excessive acid in the stomach is a symptom of Peptic Ulcer.
52. Difficult breathing is a symptom of Emphysema. It is an abnormal condition of the lungs marked by decreased respiratory function; associated with smoking or chronic bronchitis or old age.

PREVENTION OF DISEASES

1. By taking a diet containing less cholesterol and fat, one can prevent angina pectoris.
2. Eating food with a high fibre content helps prevent colon cancer.
3. Because of the high fibre content in the food they eat, the prevalence of colon cancer is less among vegetarians.
4. Food should be properly cooked and eaten; otherwise there are chances of Salmonella food poisoning.
5. Diseased birds should not be eaten, for that will lead to food poisoning.
6. It has been found that the incidence of heart attack is low amongst fishermen because of their high consumption of fish.
7. Disposable syringes, needles, and gloves are recommended for prevention of the AIDS.
8. Linen of AIDS patients is washed thoroughly to kill all AIDS germs by washing with hot water, soap and bleaching powder.
9. Needles, syringes, etc., used for taking blood samples from AIDS patients should be subjected to burnt.
10. ‘Doctors and nurses should wear gloves and have no cuts on their hands.’ This precaution is taken against AIDS.
11. Personal cleanliness and cleanliness of the surroundings are vital for avoiding food poisoning.
12. All fruits and vegetables brought from the market should be thoroughly washed before cooking or eating, because they may have disease germs and pesticide residues on them.
13. Hands should be washed thoroughly before cooking or eating to avoid infection.
14. Why do people working in the kitchen of hotels and restaurants wear a cap? To prevent food from being contaminated by hair.
15. The incidence of cervical cancer in women can be lessened if they have regular check-up which is done by cervical cytology.
16. Unsaturated fats of vegetable origin must one eat to lessen the occurrence of cardio-vascular diseases.
17. AIDS has always been found to be associated with homosexuals, drug addicts, promiscuous persons and haemophilics.
18. Bodies of AIDS patients should handled with proper precaution. Because the AIDS virus continues to be active in the patient’s blood for some period after death.
19. Bodies are preserved by injecting them with formalin. The process is known as embalming. It is also necessary for doctors and others to take extra precaution while embalming the body of an AIDS victim to avoid infection from the blood and fluids coming out of the victim’s body while embalming.

Diet

20. Serum cholesterol may increase in a person taking too much coffee.
21. Caffeine is the harmful factor present in coffee.
22. A diet with less salt is necessary for patients suffering from Hypertension.
23. Vegetarian diet should be taken to lessen the chances of a heart attack.
24. Excess consumption of alcohol leads to an acute Vitamin B deficiency.
25. Excess alcoholism is not only harmful to health, but it may also cause loss of memory from the ailment known as Korsakoff’s syndrome.
26. Regular exercise and a diet with enough calcium and Vitamin D should be taken in order to avoid the weakening and destruction of bones in old age, which is known as osteoporosis.
27. Coffee, tea, cocoa, alcohol, spicy food, and oily food cause acid secretion, and therefore, should be avoided by patients suffering from gastric ulcer.
28. The large number of factories have increased pollution tremendously. Lead accumulates in the bones and soft tissues. The toxic effects of stored lead have been found to be reduced calcium-rich diet.
29. Children should be given food with enough calcium and Vitamin D in order to avoid rickets.
30. Green leafy vegetables, raisins, dates, eggs, jaggery and meat are rich in iron and should be given to growing children to prevent anaemia.
31. A patient afflicted with Tyrosinemia should thrive on a low-tyrosine diet. (Tyrosinemia is an autosomal recessive defect in tyrosine metabolism resulting in liver and kidney disturbances and mental retardation.)
32. Grapes should be included in the diet to avoid indigestion.
33. Too many cups of strong tea and coffee should not be taken in order to avoid peptic ulcer.
34. Children should not only avoid eating too many sweets, but also brush their teeth after eating sweets in order to avoid dental caries.

Vaccines

35. As protection against tuberculosis, BCG should be taken.
36. Rabipur is the latest vaccine reported against rabies.
37. An oral dose of vaccine is usually given to children to protect them against poliomyelitis. This vaccine is known as Sabin vaccine.
38. All people who keep dogs should get them vaccinated in order to prevent them from developing rabies.
39. A vaccination that gives protection against typhoid and paratyphoid for some period is known as TAB vaccine.
40. Tetanus toxoid gives protection against tetanus.
41. Poliomyelitis can also be prevented by injecting a Salk vaccine.
42. An attack of influenza can be prevented by getting vaccinated.

Miscellaneous

43. Eating at proper intervals, not keeping the stomach empty for long hours, avoiding the consumption of tobacco, and avoiding mental tension are some of the precautions once can take to avoid peptic ulcer.
44. The fetus may be harmed if a pregnant woman takes many cups of coffee.
45. It has been reported that Reye’s syndrome can be prevented in children suffering from influenza or chicken pox if they are not treated with aspirin.
46. Gambusia (mosquitofish) is a fish that feeds on mosquito larvae and destroys mosquito breeding sites.
47. Bacillus thuringiensis has been found to attack the larvae of mosquitoes and hence can substitute insecticides.
48. Until now insecticides are in use to kill mosquitoes. Now a fungus has been found to kill mosquitoes. This is called Culicinomyces.
49. It is not advisable for a pregnant woman to go in for X-rays because the cells of the fetus may be harmed by the ionizing radiation.
50. Milk is heated to kill pathogenic bacteria. This process is known as Pasteurization.
51. Regular exercises should be adopted to keep the heart and lungs in order and to reduce body fat.
52. Persons suffering from high blood pressure should not subject themselves to excessive physical exertion and mental excitation in order to avoid stroke.
53. The statutory warning on a cigarette packet reads ‘CIGARETTE SMOKING IS INJURIOUS TO HEALTH.’ Still many people resort to smoking. Thus, chronic bronchitis victimizes many smokers.
54. When a person has to visit a malaria-infested area the doctor puts him on a Chloroquine drug as a preventive measure.
55. Stress should be avoided to keep high blood pressure at bay.
56. An influenza patient should stay at home in order to avoid transmitting the influenza virus to other people.
57. Infertility and abortion has been found to be associated with women who resort to smoking.