DENTAL CARIES (Tooth decay or Tooth cavities) AND YOU

DENTAL CARIES (Tooth decay or Tooth cavities)

Tom had always been good looking and it was a fact that he was very aware much aware of. He knew he was good looking and revelled in the knowledge so much he became unbearable to live with. Tom lost a lot of his friends due to his pride and obnoxious attitude but he did not notice. He had Fred, who was also as intimidatingly handsome like him and almost as unbearable. Tom began to put life in perspective when Fred was diagnosed with cancer in high school and died after struggling with it for close to a year. The doctors said he had gotten to the last stage before they found out. Tom had been distraught but he had also learnt that life was really vain and all the beauty in the world is not what adds meaning to life but the life one touches on the way. He had after all seen Fred become a shadow himself before finally kicking the bucket. 

When Tom discovered the patches grow on his teeth, he was scared karma had finally caught up with him like it did his friend, and he had developed cancer to pay for all the times he treated people badly. His mother had to practically drag him to the hospital because he didn’t want his fears to be confirmed. However, after a visit to the doctor, he was soon to find out that it was merely tooth decay that had caught with him for all those years spent not taking care of his teeth. He didn’t have cancer, he had Dental Caries.

What is Dental Caries?

Dental Caries is basically tooth decay or tooth cavities. It is the major oral disorder in most countries; it has to do with the breakdown of the teeth due to the activities of bacteria. The bacteria produce acid that destroys the tooth's enamel and the layer under it, called the dentin. Different bacteria usually lives in the human mouth, they are built up on the teeth in sticky biofilm called a plaque. Bits of the food we eat, especially sugar are what feed these bacteria to grow more than normal. In consequence, dieting often in simple sugar is a high risk of tooth cavities. However, what happens to cause tooth decay is if the mineral build-up of saliva is less than the breakdown. Thus, conditions like diabetes mellitus, Sjogren's syndrome, diabetes insipidus, sarcoidosis, some medications such as antihistamines and antidepressants that decrease saliva production are high risk factors of tooth decay. Stimulants, most especially methylamphetamine and the active chemical substance in cannabis, also causes almost total prevention of the production of saliva. Caries can also attack the roots of teeth should they become exposed by gum recession. The disease is mostly found in older adults.

Signs and Symptoms

A person suffering from Dental Caries may not be aware initially. The first sign would be the physical changes that would occur on the teeth. Usually, a small patch of soft enamel appears at the tooth surface, although it is often hidden from sight in the grooves of the teeth or in between the teeth. The colour of the small patch could range from black to white. How this works is that as this is left untreated, the teeth begin to break down gradually before finally a cavity appears that would completely change the shape of the teeth. Before a cavity comes into the picture, the regeneration can be reversed and the bacteria affecting the teeth killed but if after a cavity is formed, it cannot be reversed. Other signs and symptoms include tooth ache, difficulty chewing, numb teeth (whereby the affected teeth would no longer hot or cold), and foul breathe in some extreme cases.

Prevention

The good news is that like many diseases, tooth cavities can be prevented.

·        The most obvious way to prevent tooth cavity is proper dental hygiene. Brush your teeth twice a day and do it properly, not hurriedly.

·        Another way is to avoid diets with simple sugar as much as you can

·        Use fluoride. Some water sources naturally contain fluoride but the availability is limited. Many types of toothpaste fortunately contain fluoride. If yours doesn’t, you might want to invest in one that does.

·        Pit and fissure sealant is also another way of preventing caries. A sealant is a thin plastic-like coating applied to the chewing surfaces of the teeth to prevent the access of plaque and plaque acids to the enamel surface.

Diagnosis

Sometimes caries may be directly visible but most times, they are hidden. So it would take more than using the physical eyes to see the small patches on the teeth.

·        Dental mirror and explorer a good light source can be used to detect caries on the noticeable surface of the teeth. Although some dental experts have advised against using dental explorers, especially sharp-ended explorer.

·        Dental radiography (X-ray) is used for the less noticeable areas of the teeth and to ascertain the degree of destruction.

·        Lasers for detecting caries make it possible to spot the decay without ionizing radiation and they are now used for detection of interproximal decay (between the teeth).

·        Disclosing solutions are also used during tooth restoration to minimize the chance of recurrence.

Treatment

·        In the early stage, the tooth decay can be stopped and even reversed. Fluorides and other preventive measure like sealants can help reverse decay.

·        When the tooth is degenerated, it would take a dentist to repair it. The standard treatment for a cavity is to fill the tooth. Depending on the method used, numbing the affected area might be required. If a drill is used, the dentist will numb the area. If a laser is used, a numbing shot is not usually required. The decayed material in the cavity is removed and the cavity is filled.

·        However, if a cavity is large, the residual tooth may not be able to support enough filling material to repair it. In this situation, the dentist will remove the decay and cover the tooth with a ceramic inlay, onlay or artificial crown.

·        If the bacteria further attacks the pulp deep into the root of the teeth, then it would require root canal treatment, which involves removing the pulp and replacing it with an inert material. In many cases, the tooth will need a crown.

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CHAGAS DISEASE

CHAGAS DISEASE

When Lara's daddy developed heart failure at just 52, many people were surprised. The man had always been healthy and fit. He never missed his time in the gym every weekend. At the very least, if he was to fall sick, one would expect it to be something that didn’t have to do with the heart. Health practitioners after all say good diet and constant exercise keeps the heart in good shape. Lara's father definitely was a rare occurrence, not for one whose nutrition consisted of mainly fruits and vegetables. Coupled with the constant exercise, it did come as a shock when his wife found him slumped in his study and the paramedics that came to see to him when they called the ambulance said he had heart failure. Their questions had finally been put to rest at the hospital. According to the doctor, he has Chagas disease and the disease in many people shows just mild symptoms for years before finally resorting to heart failure. Of course, this brings the question of what Chagas disease is.

What is Chagas disease?

Chagas disease is also known as American trypanosomiasis. It got its name from the Brazilian physician Carlos R. J. Chagas, who first described the disease in man in 1909. It is a tropical parasitic disease caused by an infection with the parasite called, "Trypanosoma cruzi." The parasite is mainly found in the blood sucking insect called, "kissing bug." The insects feed on the blood of humans and other mammals and deposits the infected faeces. One could also contact it by breaks in the skin, blood transfusion, organ transplant, a mother to a foetus or eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated drinks.

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CANDIDIASIS AND YOU

CANDIDIASIS

The white patches grew on Sara's tongue for days before she got scared of the implication. Her mama was sure it was because Sara did not keep a proper hygiene. Of course, Sara thought otherwise. She took brushing her teeth seriously and even did it twice a day like the dentists adviced. But she could also not discount her mama's opinion not when she could see the white patches growing every day.

 Her mama further explained that it was probably because she did not concentrate on her tongue as well as her teeth. She could not dispute that fact and so, she started washing her tongue as well but after two weeks, they knew they were dealing with more than unwashed tongue, not when it also came with itches and pain. So mama finally took her to the hospital, where it was diagnosed that she had candidiasis. Sara and her mama wondered at what that could mean. It was definitely a disease they have never heard of. You might fall into that category of Sara and her mama. Well, chill, you would wonder for long.

·        What is Candidiasis?

Our body was created very artfully and there are many things that have are found in the body who serve their purposes. One of such is the different kinds of yeasts that live in our body. Candida, from which Candidiasis is from, is one type of yeast we have in our body. Candida lives in small doses without causing problems in the skin, mouth, or belly mostly. But sometimes, when they find themselves in a conducive environment, they grow beyond normal and cause problems. They usually grow in moist, warm areas such as the tongue (thrush), underarm, diaper area, vagina (yeast infection), beneath the breast, nail bed area and any skin folds. It is mostly common with infants, elderly or people with weak immune system. Antifungal medication usually treats yeasts infection without reoccurrence. However, yeast infections may return as a sign of more serious diseases such as diabetes, leukemia, or AIDS.

The most common yeast infections (Candidiasis) are; 

•  Thrush: It is called thrush when it infects the mouth. It is common among infants. With them, it is not considered abnormal or even severe except if it last for more than a few weeks.

• Signs and symptoms

When you have thrush, the most noticeable symptom is the white or yellow patches that appear on the tongue, lips, gums, roof of mouth, and inner cheeks. Other symptoms include soreness in the mouth and throat; cracks at the corner at the mouth, pain, difficulty swallowing, and sometimes itching.

• ·        Treatment

Thrush can be treated with antifungal medicines like Nystatin, Clotrimazole, and fluconazole.

It could also be treated by rinsing the mouth with Chlorhexidine (CHX) mouthwash especially in people with weakened immune systems.

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ALTERNATIVE (HERBAL) TREATMENT FOR ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE

Alternative treatment focus on herbal mixtures, or dietary supplements, that can be used to slow down the progression of the disease, or to prevent the disease totally. However, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the effectiveness and safety of these herbs and supplements are unknown. Some of the herbs include:

•  Lemon balm, 
• 
  
• Sage, 

• Gingko biloba,

• Cat’s claw vine,
• 
  
• Oregano,
• 
  
• Rosemary,
• 
  
• Parsley,
• 
  
• Ginseng.

Also, it is advisable to incorporate more vitamin E and raw organic virgin coconut oil into our daily diets. All these will either help to prevent the disease or to delay its development.  

 Learn more: How does Alzheimer’s affect the Brain? (pathology of Alzheimer's disease)  Symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, treatment of Alzheimer disease, alzheimer's disease (and memory loss)- a form of dementia

tags: alzheimer’s disease meaning, alzheimer’s disease causes, how does alzheimer’s disease occur, alzheimer’s disease symptoms, alzheimer’s disease stages, alzheimer’s disease risk factors, alzheimer’s disease stages, alzheimer pathology, alzheimer’s disease prevention, alzheimer’s disease control, alternative treatment of alzheimer’s disease (herbal therapy) 

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TREATMENT OF ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE

                                               Treatment Options

  

Those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s live an average of eight years after their symptoms become visible to others. However, most patients can survive for up to twenty years depending on the age and overall health status. Currently, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s because the mutations that occur in the brain during the disease are permanent. Once the nerve cells begin to die, and the brain begins to shrink, it can not be reversed. 

However, medications can be provided to help cope with the drastic changes that occur in the brain of the patient. There are medications for memory loss, sleep changes, and behavioural changes. These medications cannot cure Alzheimer’s or stop it from spreading, but it can curb the symptoms and slow it down for some time. The two types of medications used to treat memoryloss and confusion are cholinesterase inhibitors (such as Donepezil, Rivastigmine, and Galantamine) and memantine. Medications used to treat sleep changes include nortriptyline, trazodone, lorazepam, oxazepam, temazepam, zolpidem, zaleplon, chloral hydrate, risperidone, onlanzapine, quetiapine, and haloperidol. 

Learn more: How does Alzheimer’s affect the Brain? (pathology of Alzheimer's disease)  Symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, alternative (herbal) therapy for Alzheimer disease, alzheimer's disease (and memory loss)- a form of dementia

tags: alzheimer’s disease meaning, alzheimer’s disease causes, how does alzheimer’s disease occur, alzheimer’s disease symptoms, alzheimer’s disease stages, alzheimer’s disease risk factors, alzheimer’s disease stages, alzheimer pathology, alzheimer’s disease prevention, alzheimer’s disease control, alternative treatment of alzheimer’s disease (herbal therapy)  

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ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE 2- PATHOLOGY AND SYMPTOMS

How does Alzheimer’s affect the Brain? 

PATHOLOGY OF ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE

  Alzheimer’s disease starts in a brain region known as the Lateral Entorhinal Cortex. This region leads to the hippocampus area of the brain which is mostly concerned with establishing long-term memory. The Lateral Entorhinal Cortex is usually affected by Alzheimer’s because it contains large amount of tau proteins. The presence of numerous tau proteins causes the Lateral Entorhinal Cortex to accumulate Amyloid Precursor Protein (APP). Both APP and tau proteins work synergistically to destroy the neurons in the entorhinal cortex, making that region vulnerable to Alzheimer’s. If the Lateral Entorhinal Cortex is affected, the hippocampus will also be affected. As time goes on, the disease spreads from the entorhinal cortex to the cerebral cortex. 

The main damaging effect of Alzheimer’s is the destruction of nerve cells or neurons in the brain. As the brain cells die off, the brain continues to shrink and reduce. When the cells in the hippocampus start to shrink, short term memory begins to fade, and there is reduced ability to perform routine tasks. As the disease progresses, and spreads through the cerebral cortex and the two hemispheres, judgment declines, speech and language is affected, and abrupt mood changes sets in. The death of more nerve cells in the brain will lead to serious changes in behaviour as patients may start to wander or become restless.

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ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE 1 (AND MEMORY LOSS)- A FORM OF DEMENTIA

ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE

 What is Alzheimer’s disease?

 Alzheimer’s disease is a disease that affects the human brain, leading to memory loss, disorientation, behaviour changes, and difficulty in speaking, swallowing, and walking.

Alzheimer's is the most prevalent form of dementia. Alzheimer's disease responsible for 60 to 80 percent of dementia cases. The disease got its name from a German physician named Alois Alzheimer who diagnosed a 51-year-old woman of a rare brain disorder in the year 1906. The brain autopsy performed on the patient identified the plaques and tangles that are now known to occur in the brain of patients suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.

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ALTERNATIVE THERAPY FOR ARTERIOSCLEROSIS

Alternative therapies for Arterosclerosis/ Atheriosclerosis  that focus on diet and lifestyle can help prevent, retard, or reverse atherosclerosis. Herbal therapies (Homemade Cure) which include a number of supplements mainly derived from plants, that could help treat atherosclerosis include:

•  hawthorn (Crataegus laevigata),
•  notoginseng root (Panax notoginseng),
•  garlic (Allium sativum),
•  pineapple (Ananas comosus),
• ginger (Zingiber officinale),
• chili peppers,
• yarrow (Achillea millefolium),
• artichoke extract (this extract comes in capsules, tablets, and tinctures),
• Niacin (also known as vitamin B-3. It is found in foods like liver, chicken, tuna, and salmon, and is also sold as a supplement),
• policosanol (it is an extract that is made from plants such as sugar cane and yams),
• red rice yeast (it is a food product that is made by fermenting white rice with yeast),
• turmeric (Curcuma longa),
• green tea,
• parsley (Petroselinum crispum),
• beet juice,
• lemon(Citrus limon),
• capsicum (Capsicum annuum),
• onion (Allium cepa), and
• pawpaw(Carica papaya), and
• alfalfa (Medicago sativum).

 Most of these herbal remedies (alternative therapy) affect cholesterol levels. High levels of cholesterol are not necessarily the only risk factor in developing atherosclerosis, but they are important contributors. The major target in treating cholesterol and related problems is to keep LDL low, and raise HDL.

There are some points to consider when using herbs and supplements to treat atherosclerosis:

1.         There is no evidence that any supplement on its own will cure atherosclerosis.

2.         A doctor should be consulted before any supplement is taken, since some can interfere with medicines already in use by the patient.

3.         Pregnant women or nursing mothers need to speak with a doctor before taking supplements.

4.         Supplements are not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This implies that their quality varies dramatically.

 Relaxation techniques

Relaxation techniques that are alternative remedies which can slow down or prevent the progress of the disease include:

•  yoga,
• guided imagery,
• meditation,
• biofeedback,
• counseling and other "talking" therapies.

NOTE:

It is advisable to eat foods that are low in fats (especially saturated fats), sugar, cholesterol, and animal proteins, and foods high in fiber and antioxidants (fresh fruits and vegetables). Abundant consumption of onions and garlic is recommended, as well as cold-water fish like salmon.

Arteriosclerosis is a significant cause of disability and death in Western Societies. Truly, arteriosclerosis is an unavoidable result of Western lifestyles with their dependence on a highly refined carbohydrate diet with poor micronutrient content, increasing environmental pollution, lack of sunshine which gives vitamin D, lack of exercise, and chronic lack of sleep.

This unhealthy lifestyles and habits have gradually being adopted by non-western nations, including Nigeria. The hustle and bustle of everyday life has made majority of people to neglect their health. Considering the severity of these two conditions, Arteriosclerosis and Atherosclerosis, it is advisable that we pay more attention to eating healthy diets, give more time for exercise and sleep, and avoid unhealthy habits like smoking and drinking. It is also recommended that a diagnostic test should be done by those who have predisposing factors to these diseases in order to nip it in the bud by commencing an early treatment plan. From the saying “health is wealth” it will be to our utmost benefit to give priority to our treasured possession which is our health.

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Treatment of Arteriosclerosis

Treatment of Arteriosclerosis

Prevention is the best treatment of Arteriosclerosis. The Treatment of arteriosclerosis is usually in the form of preventative measures of Prophylaxis. These includes:

Drug therapy

Drug therapy for underlying conditions, such as drugs for the treatment of high cholesterol, drugs to treat high blood pressure (ACE inhibitors),and anti-coagulant drugs, are often recommended in the prevention of arteriosclerosis (prophylaxis).

Lifestyle changes

Positive Lifestyle changes such as adequate exercise, quitting smoking, and reduction or abstinence from alcohol intake are also recommended.

Surgery

There are various types of surgeries that can be performed to treat both conditions (Atherosclerosis and Arteriosclerosis). They include angioplasty and stent placement, coronary artery bypass surgery, endarterectomy (this is the surgical removal of plaque from an artery that has become either narrowed or blocked), and thrombolytic therapy (which is a treatment used to break up masses of plaque inside the arteries through intravenous clot-dissolving medicine).

ATHEROSCLEROSIS CAN BE SUCCESSFULLY TREATED BUT IT CANNOT BE CURED. Recent clinical researches have revealed that atherosclerosis can be delayed, stopped, and even reversed by lowering LDL cholesterol drastically. New diagnostic techniques are helping physicians to identify and treat atherosclerosis in its earliest stages and new technologies and surgical procedures have helped to extend the lives of many patients who would otherwise have died.

In general, Atherosclerosis requires a lifelong care. Patients with less severe atherosclerosis may achieve adequate control of the condition through lifestyle changes and drug therapy. The major lifestyle changes that can prevent the progression of the disease include a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet, losing weight (where necessary), exercise, controlling blood pressure, and abstinence from smoking.

ALSO SEE: ALTERNATIVE THERAPY/ HERBAL THERAPY/ HOMEMADE CURE FOR ARTERIOSCLEROSIS

Tags: prevention of atherosclerosis/ arteriosclerosis, treatment of atherosclerosis/ arteriosclerosis, arteriosclerosis surgery

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ARTERIOSCLEROSIS- SYMPTOMS AND DIAGNOSIS

SYMPTOMS OF ARTERIOSCLEROSIS

ALSO SEE: THE TREATMENT OF ARTERIOSCLEROSIS

There many symptoms of arteriosclerosis but the major symptoms that are associated with arteriosclerosis are:

•  pain and cramps in the legs,

•  coldness and numbness in the feet,

•  kidney disorders,

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PREVENT THE DEADLY DISEASE BEFORE IT KILLS YOU- ARTERIOSCLEROSIS (1)

ARTERIOSCLEROSIS

Arteriosclerosis which is a combination of two Greek words, arteria (meaning artery) and skleros (meaning hard) is a general term used for hardening of the arteries. Atherosclerosis on the other hand is a form of arteriosclerosis. It is also made up of two Greek words, athere (meaning soft, fatty, gruel-like) and skleros (meaning hard) and it refers to the buildup of a waxy plaque on the inside of blood vessels.  Atherosclerosis is often called arteriosclerosis but really, it is a form of arteriosclerosis. It is not uncommon to find people using both terms synonymously probably due to the slight difference in their spellings, but it is noteworthy to state here that they are two different words, with their different meanings, although they have similar risk factors and treatments.  Both conditions will be referred to in the course of this article because they are interwoven.

Arteriosclerosis is the stiffening or hardening of the artery walls. Arteriosclerosis as a phenomenon may have been in existence since ancient times but nothing about its diagnostics and clinical implications were acknowledged until the 20th century. Although many cases have been observed and recorded, the term ‘arteriosclerosis’ was not used until Jean Fréderic Martin Lobstein coined it in the course of analyzing the composition of calcified arterial lesions. An artery is a kind of blood vessel and it is composed of several layers: an internal lining called the endothelium, an elastic membrane that permits the artery to enlarge and contract, a layer of smooth muscle, and a layer of connective tissue. Arteriosclerosis is a broad term that means a hardening of the inner and middle layers of the artery. It is characterized by irregularly distributed lipid deposits in the intima of large and medium-sized arteries, leading to a narrowing of arterial lumens and resulting eventually to fibrosis and calcification. Restriction of blood flow gives rise to most clinical manifestations, which differ with the distribution and severity.

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