Mens Health Blog. Medical Blog

posted by admin on May 15

The most commonly accepted theory is that it is due to an infection with an unknown virus during childhood in genetically susceptible individuals.

It is believed the virus lies dormant for many years before either directly or by some immune process causing the disease.

The half-closed eyes of the late Aristotle Onassis were very obvious in most published photographs of him.

Those eyes are probably the commonest sign of the disease from which it is alleged he suffered — myasthenia gravis.

This unusual disorder occurs in all races and in both sexes. It is characterised by abnormal muscle weakness which tends to affect one group of muscles more than others.

The cause is unknown but it is thought to be one of the auto-immune diseases, where the body, as it were, becomes allergic to its own tissues and makes antibodies which fix on and then destroy those tissues.

The thymus seems to be somehow involved in the disorder. This poorly understood organ lies in the upper chest, in front of the heart and lungs. It is large in childhood and slowly decreases in size, so as to be hardly noticeable when the chest of a mature or elderly adult is opened at operation or autopsy.

*507/71/1*

posted by admin on May 15

The coming of winter is dreaded by those who suffer from chilblains.

Chilblains, or perniosis, is one of those minor illnesses which are not regarded very seriously by doctors, but which can cause severe discomfort to the sufferer.

This condition is due to the action of cold, damp weather on skin which is particularly sensitive to its effects.

The superficial blood vessels in the skin appear to be over-sensitive to the cold. They dilate, and the blood does not flow fully through the tissues, which then suffer from lack of oxygen.

The skin develops blotchy red or bluish areas which thicken, and are usually intensely itchy.

They occur on the exposed parts of the body, such as the nose, the hands, the feet and lower legs.

The disorders of superficial circulation such as chilblains appear to be much more common in women than in men, but why they occur at all is not fully understood.

Sometimes the skin breaks down over the chilblain and ulcerates, due either to scratching or to lack of nutrition from poorly circulating blood.

This may lead to secondary infection, and in treatment it may be necessary to use antibiotics both locally and generally.

In treatment, however, the most important element is to keep the affected part warm, and this can be done by the wearing of gloves, thick socks, stockings or boots.

The direct application of heat, such as exposing the part to an open fire or radiator, only makes the condition worse.

Drugs, unfortunately, are of limited use.

Calcium, either in tablet form or by injection, has long enjoyed a reputation as being useful in treating chilblains.

How it acts is not certain, although some people do obtain considerable relief.

*250/71/1*