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Saturday, December 29, 2018

What is root canal?

What is root canal?

What is root canal?
What is root canal?

@healthbiztips by Arlene Gentallan

Root canal is a dental treatment in which the pulp inside a tooth is removed, then, the area is disinfected, and is sealed off with a filling (usually gutta percha. This procedure is usually prescribe by a dentist when the tooth infection is severe and penetrates deep into the roots of a tooth.

The purpose of root canal is to relieve inflammation and pain while preserving the tooth so it wouldn't have to be pulled out for extraction.

In a root canal procedure, blood vessel, nerves, connective tissue, and necrotic tissues inside an infected tooth are removed. A professional called an endodontists performs this dental procedure.

Root canal is done using local anesthesia in a dental clinic.
 It usually only takes 2 dental appointments to be completed.

On your initial visit for a root canal procedure, visualization diagnostic procedure will usually be performed such as dental x-ray. Local anesthesia will be used to numb the area. The pulp of the infected tooth is extracted and the area is sealed with a temporary filling. You'll have to come back to the endodontists for a permanent filling once they determine the tooth is free of infection.


Is kawasaki disease a lifelong disease?

Is kawasaki disease a lifelong disease?

Is kawasaki disease a lifelong disease?
Is kawasaki disease a lifelong disease?

@healthbiztips by Arlene Gentallan

Kawasaki disease is not a lifelong disease, but this disease can leave complications individuals bear for the rest of their lives. In fact, kawasaki disease is the leading cause of acquired heart disease among children.

Kawasaki disease is characterized by inflammation of blood vessels throughout the entire body. Without prompt treatment, this disease is life-threatening.

Complications of kawasaki disease includes:

  • aneurysm -- weakening and bulging of blood vessel wall which can potentially rupture (causing internal bleeding and blockage of blood flow)
  • dysrhythmia --irregar heart rythm
  • myocarditis -- inflammation of the heart
  • vasculitis -- inflammation of blood vessels


Friday, December 28, 2018

18 Facts about Asthma

18 Facts about Asthma

What usually comes into our mind when we hear the disease "asthma" is it's main symptom of difficulty breathing caused by an inflammed narrowed airways.

18 Facts about Asthma
18 Facts about Asthma

@healthbiztips by Arlene Gentallan

1. Asthma is a chronic disease marked by inflammation of the respiratory tract causing constriction and swelling of the airways (bronchial tubes) and overproduction of mucus.

2. Asthma is a non-communicable disease. It does spread from person to person. Although the exact cause of asthma is unknown, factors like genetics plays a role in it's development.

3. Asthma inflicts a staggering number of the population. In America alone, 27 million people suffer from this chronic disease.

4. Asthma is the most common chronic disease in children. In fact, in America, 1 out of 12 children suffers from it.

5. There is no cure for asthma. It is marked by remissions and exacerbations.

6. Being infected with a viral infection as a child increases an individual's risk of developing asthma.

7. Asthma has a genetic predisposition. If your parents have asthma, there is a high possibility that you'll also end up having this disease.

8. Individuals living in highly polluted areas are more likely to develop asthma.

9. Common asthma triggers includes:

  • dust mites
  • smoke
  • pollen
  • pet dander
  • mold
  • chemical irritants
  • strong smell
  • temperature change
  • stressful events
  • physical activity

10. Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) is the term used to describe an asthma attack that is triggered by a physical activity such as exercise.

11. Physical activity is crucial to attain a good health so make sure to consult your doctor to best manage your asthma that will enable you to stay physically fit and active.

12. Signs and Symptoms of an asthma attack includes:

  • wheezing
  • shortness of breath
  • difficulty of breathing
  • chest tightness
  • chest pain
  • coughing
  • increase in respiratory rate
  • fatigue

13. Asthma usually don't come with chills and fever. It can be a symptom of another airway disease such as bronchitis.

14. Emotions such as crying, laughing, anger, and sadness can trigger an asthma attack in some people.

15. Individuals may have varying severity of asthma attack.

16. Management of asthma includes preventing contact with potential irritants that can trigger an asthma attack, taking anti-allergic medications, and treatment symptoms once an asthma attack occurs.

17. The treatment plan prescribed for one person may not be an effective solution for some people. Each person may have varying response to asthma triggers and medicine.

18. Common medicines use to manage asthma includes corticosteroids (fluticasone), bronchodilators (salbutamol), steroids, and anti-inflammatory medications.

Blood doping: How Athletes Cheat the Game

Blood doping: How Athletes Cheat the Game


Is winning so glorious that an athlete would want to win a medal out of cheating through blood doping?

Blood dopping is an illegal way to enhance performance among athletes. This method to boosts athletic performance is banned by sports organizations including the world-renowned Olympics.

Blood doping: How Athletes Cheat the Game
Blood doping to boost athletic performance is cheating!

@healthbiztips by Arlene Gentallan

Blood doping: winning by cheating
How does blood doping works?

Blood doping works by boosting the oxygen carrying capability of the blood. When muscle receives more oxygen supply, the individual is able to perform better and endure longer duration of physical activity with minimal fatigue.

Blood doping is especially advantageous to athletes who participate in a sports activity where endurance and stamina is a key to victory like marathon and cycling.

However, this method is strictly banned in sport events because it is an unnatural way to boost physical performance. Strength and endurance should be built through rigorous practice and training, not through a bag of blood or drug enhancers. Like the use of performance enhancing drugs, blood doping violates the philosophy and rules of a fair game and friendly competition.

Sports events celebrates naturally-built human strenght, not the puny strategy of blood doping.


Blood doping methods

Blood doping can take several forms. The most notorious are erythropoietin injection, blood transfusion, and synthetic oxygen carrier transfusion.

1. Erythropoietin injection

Erythropoietin is naturally released by the kidneys in response to low oxygen level to trigger the bone marrow of bones to produce red blood cells. However, athletes who practice blood doping abuse erythropoietin's function by injecting themselves with it's synthetic form. Red blood cells are blood component that facilitates the transport of oxygen throughout the body.

Using erythropoietin injection as a form of blood doping is often hard to detect because the narrow window of time synthetic erythropoietin can be detected in the blood.


2.  Blood transfusion

Blood doping can take the form of a blood transfusion, in which an athlete, even without valid medical indication, receives an intravenous infusion of blood product to increase circulating levels of red blood cell. Red blood cells' primary function is to transport oxygen throught the body. The athlete could either receive his/her own pre-extracted saved blood (autologous transfusion) or blood from another person (homologous transfusion).

In homologous blood transfusion, there is a risk that the athlete receiving the blood can develop life-threatening blood transfusion reaction, even when blood typing and crossmatching is done.


3. Synthetic oxygen carriers

Blood doping by introducing synthetic oxygen carriers works like blood transfusion in increasing the blood's oxygen carrying capacity, although in this type of blood doping method, no actual blood is transfused. Instead, chemicals that acts as oxygen carrier in the blood stream is infused to an athlete.

A good example of synthetic oxygen carriers is hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier (HBOC).


Blood doping can kill an athlete

Blood doping doesn't come without risk to an athlete who practice it. It can lead to serious health issues, even death. Increasing circulating blood cells thickens the blood which causes the cardiac muscle to pump harder to be able to propel blood throughout the body. This leads to an increase in blood pressure and pulse rate.

The increase viscosity of the blood owing to blood doping can increase the individuals risk of developing deadly blood clots, which can cause a sudden heart attack or stroke.


How to catch athletes who exercise blood doping?

To maintain the integrity and honor of a competition, it is fitting to remove cheating athletes. Several tests can determine if an athlete is guilty of blood doping.

The World Anti-doping Agency uses "Athlete Passport" in which laboratory test (usually blood and urine test) is compare from previous tests to detect significant difference that can point out a potential blood doping practice. Synthetic oxygen carriers can be determined from blood samples.

Thursday, December 27, 2018

Localized tetanus

Localized tetanus

Localized tetanus is a form of tetanus that is restricted to a localized area of the body -- the site of entry of the Clostridium tetani bacteria.

Localized tetanus
Localized tetanus

@healthbiztips by Arlene Gentallan

In localized tetanus, the tetanospasmin, the neurotoxin produced by the bacteria, does not spread to the central nervous system. This form of tetanus is rare.

Sign and symptoms of localized tetanus includes weakness of the affected site and localized painful muscle contraction of the area.

Tetanus is not a communicable disease. Infection can occur when the bacteria Clostridium tetani contaminates burn, cuts, and wound. Deep wounds and improper wound care provides a suitable environment for Clostridium tetani growth.

Clostridium tetani, the bacteria responsible for causing tetanus, is an obligate anaerobe which means it can only grown in an environment where their is an absense of air. Deep wounds, dead tissues, and poorly debride wound offers a viable condition for these bacteria.

In up to 25% of tetanus cases, there is no identifiable wound or site of entry. However, if there is, wounds from which the localized tetanus originated may present with signs and symptoms of inflammation (pain, redness, swelling) and presence of drainage.

Monday, December 24, 2018

17 Interesting Facts about Clostridium tetani

17 Interesting Facts about Clostridium tetani


Clostridium tetani is the bacteria responsible for causing tetanus in humans. Here are interesting facts about this deadly bacteria.


17 Interesting Facts about Clostridium tetani
17 Interesting Facts about Clostridium tetani

@healthbiztips by Arlene Gentallan

1. Tetanus is a disease caused by a bacteria (Clostridium tetani) that targets the nervous system. In fact, Clostridium tetani can cause 4 types of tetanus:
1. Generalized tetanus is the most common form in which the infection spreads throughout the body.
2. Localized tetanus only affects the area near the site of C. tetani entry.
3. Cephalic tetanus involves the muscle of the face and is very painful.
4. Neonatal tetanus afflicts newborn babies and has a high fatality rate.

2. Clostridium tetani is a rod-shaped, gram positive bacteria.

3. Clostridium tetani is a bacteria that moves using rotary flagellum.

4. The word "clostridium" is derived from the Greek word "kloster" which means spindle.

5. Clostridium tetani spores are resistant to heat and can survive in the soil for several months up to years.

6. Contrary to popular beliefs, Clostridium tetani don't exclusively thrive in rusty nails.

7. Tetanus is a vaccine-preventable disease.

8. Tetanus is not contagious. Clostridium tetani isn't passed from direct person to person contact.

9. Clostridium tetani enters the human body through cuts, laceration, burn, and other wound.

10. In the presence of oxygen, Clostridium tetani bacteria turns into an endospore.

11. Spores or inactive form of Clostridium tetani is commonly found in soil, dust, and animal manure which gets activated when put in an anaerobic environment. As clostridium tetani grows, they release a lethal toxin called tetanospasmin.

12. Tetanospasmin spreads throughout the body through the cardiovascular and lymphatic system.

13. Clostridium tetani grows only in an environment where there is no air (obligate anaerobe).

14. Dead cells provide a suitable environment were Clostridium tetani can grown.

15. The toxin released by Clostridium tetani binds to nerve endings and stimulates uncontrollable muscle contraction. These muscle spasms can be so strong that it can literally break bones.

16. A study reveals that the most effective antibiotic to kill Clostridium tetani is sparfloxacin. Ciprofloxacin, clindamycin, chloramphenicol, eythromycin, gentamycin, metronidazole, penicillin G, and tetracycline also kills the bacteria.

17. Clostridium tetani belongs to the genus Clostridium to which also includes Clostridium botulinum (causative agent of botulism) and Clostridium difficile (an antibiotic-resistant bacteria that causes diarrhea.

4 Peculiar Reasons we Sneeze

4 Peculiar Reasons we Sneeze

Sneeze is our natural reflex to expel irritants from our airways. It's how we naturally get rid of foreign substances like pollen, dust, dander, and powder from our nose and airway.

While excessive sneezing can be a cause of annoyance and discomfort, you'll realize the importance of this reflex if you don't want those nasty foreign bodies be left stuck in your nose. But at times, we sneeze because of peculiar reasons.

4 Peculiar Reasons we Sneeze
4 Peculiar Reasons we Sneeze

@healthbiztips by Arlene Gentallan


4 Peculiar reasons we sneeze


1. Light

Bright light can trigger sneeze in about one fourth of individuals. The exact mechanism remains a mystery, but it's quite possible that it has something to do with the proximity of the optic nerve. Sneeze triggered by light is also called photic sneeze reflex.


2. Temperature change

Going from hot to cold or cold to hot can inevitably trigger the sneeze reflex.


3. Exercise

What? Even something as healthy as exercise can elicit a sneeze. One reason for this phenomenon is physical activity causes a person to hyperventilate which can lead to drying of the airways causing irritation, thus triggering a sneeze.


4. Plucking your eyebrow

Peculiar isn't it? There are people who elicit a sneeze when they pluck their eyebrow. This happens when the nasal nerve gets stimulated.



Sneezing Extremes

Having a terrible day with your constant sneeze? If you think sneezing causes you such tremendous annoyance and inconvenience, think about the cause of Donna Griffiths from England. Her sneezed did not stop for 978 days from January 1981 to September 1983.

Sunday, December 23, 2018

Is Corticosteroid Bad for Kawasaki Disease?

Is Corticosteroid Bad for Kawasaki Disease?

Corticosteroid or steroid is use to treat patients with kawasaki disease when conventional treatment using intravenous immunoglobulin is ineffective.

In kawasaki disease, their is an inflammation of blood vessels throughout the body. Without prompt treatment, threatening cardiovascular complications can arise. This illness usually affects children and is the leading cause of heart disease among this young age group.

Is Corticosteroid Bad for Kawasaki Disease?
Is Corticosteroid Bad for Kawasaki Disease?

@healthbiztips by Arlene Gentallan

Studies have conflicting results.

There are studies that reveal using corticosteroid (steroid) is beneficial to children with kawasaki disease as it decreases the risk of cardiovascular complication. Using corticosteroid decreases the duration of symptom of kawasaki disease and speeds up normalization of laboratory tests results such as c-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR).

The use of corticosteroid to treat kawasaki disease promotes faster recovery from the disease, thereby reducing hospital stay.

However, there are studies linking the use of corticosteroid to the increase the risk of developing aneurysm. Aneurysm is the bulging of artery due to weakness of the arterial wall which poses danger because it has a risk of rupturing which can lead to internal bleeding and blockage.

Corticosteroid to treat kawasaki disease is usually use as a last resort when conventional treatments fail to cure the disease, considering the fact that when kawasaki disease is left untreated, life threatening complications can arise.

However, other studies show that using corticosteroid to treat kawasaki disease is well tolerated and effective both as a first line treatment and as a last resort when conventional treatment fails to work.


The use of corticosteroid to treat kawasaki disease should be used with caution, taking into account both risks and benefits.

Resources:

Wardle AJ, Connolly GM, Seager MJ, Tulloh RM. Corticosteroids for the treatment of Kawasaki disease in children. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;1:CD011188. Published 2017 Jan 27. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD011188.pub2

Dhanrajani A, Yeung RSM. Revisiting the role of steroids and aspirin in the management of acute Kawasaki disease. Curr Opin Rheumatol. 2017;29(5):547-552.

Yang TJ, Lin MT, Lu CY, et al. The prevention of coronary arterial abnormalities in Kawasaki disease: A meta-analysis of the corticosteroid effectiveness. J Microbiol Immunol Infect. 2017;51(3):321-331.

Zhao CN, Du ZD, Gao LL. Corticosteroid Therapy Might be Associated with the Development of Coronary Aneurysm in Children with Kawasaki Disease. Chin Med J2016;129:922-8.

Are vitamins effective in boosting the immune system?

Are vitamins effective in boosting the immune system?

If you've ever missed school or work because of a disease or if you find it all too common to contract common diseases such as common cold, you'll realize just how important it is to build a strong immune system. A very popular and well accepted strategy to boost one's immune system is through vitamin intake or multivitamin supplementation.

Vitamin supplements litter drug stores and convenience stores. It has become a go to for people who want an instant boost in their immune system. Individuals most likely to take multivitamins are those working in highly stressful jobs like the call center, and those working in places where microbes count are high like the hospital and airlines.

Are vitamins effective in boosting the immune system?
Are vitamins effective in boosting the immune system?

@healthbiztips by Arlene Gentallan

YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM NEEDS VITAMINS TO WORK

Vitamins are among the crucial substances that builds a strong immune system. Vitamins such as vitamins A, B, C, D, and E plays indispensable part to maintain a healthy functioning immune system.


VITAMIN DEFICIENCY IS DANGEROUS

We need adequate intake of vitamins so we wouldn't run prey from a range of diseases:

  • Scurvy is caused by vitamin C deficiency.
  • Rickets is caused by vitamin D deficiency.
  • Beriberi is caused by vitamin B1 deficiency.
  • Ariboflavinosis is caused by vitamin B2 deficiency.
  • Pellagra is caused by vitamin B3 deficiency.



DON'T DOWNPLAY DIET

While it's terrifying how vitamin deficiency can cause diseases. Filling your gut with multivitamin supplement is not always the right answer. Diet has a crucial and natural role in maintaining our health. We should eat a variety of foods consisting of protein, carbohydrate, fruits, vegetables, and little fat to get vitamins.

The hustle and bustle of life can compromise our healthy diet and lifestyle. When time is constrained and a healthy diet is not always accessible, food supplements may seem like a convenient and wise choice.

Vitamin supplement, multivitamins, and food supplement can provide essential vitamins and minerals we are missing from our diet.

However,  do know that vitamin supplements should be taken as prescribed. Taking vitamin supplement to boost the immune system don't come without risk.


TOO MUCH VITAMINS IS BAD

You shouldn't abuse vitamins. Too much of essential stuffs can cause harm:

  • Vitamin A overdose can cause dizziness, blurring of vision, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dry itchy skin, sensitivity to light, weakening of bone, and liver damage.
  • Vitamin C overdose can cause nausea, constipation, and diarrhea.
  • Vitamin D overdose can cause headache, nausea, vomiting, muscle weakness, and kidney damage.
  • Vitamin E overdose can cause dizziness and abdominal pain.
  • Vitamin B6 overdose can cause nerve damage.


The Role of the Immune System

We are constantly surrounded by bacteria, viruses, and fungi. In fact, trillions of bacteria reside inside our body. While some are beneficial, others are catastrophic and deadly. Having to deal with these humongous number of microscopic germs may seem scary, but we have a strong ally that keeps these guys in constant check -- our immune system.

We appreciate our immune system's role as we painfully bear the headache, clogged and runny nose that comes with common cold. It's a common notion that having a strong immune system will lessen the chance of getting infected by a disease. The immune system is made up of complex and balanced processes that's crucial to our survival. Without an effective immune system, microbes can easily kill.


In conclusion, just as how the harmony and balance of our complex immune system sustains us, it is rightful that we sustain our immune system with the right amount of vitamins.


Saturday, December 22, 2018

What is the Correct way to wear Surgical Mask

What is the Correct way to wear Surgical Mask

You may have comes across the dilemma of how to properly wear a surgical mask (also known as a face mask). Should you wear it on it's white side or it's colored side. Which one is really the correct way to wear surgical mask?

What is the Correct way to wear Surgical Mask
What is the Correct way to wear Surgical Mask

@healthbiztips by Arlene Gentallan

Here's what they tell...

There are those who tell that the correct way to wear a surgical mask is to wear it with the colored side facing you when you want to prevent your infection (like respiratory tract infection) from spreading to other people. On the other hand, if you want to protect yourself from infection, you should wear the white side of the face mask facing you.

This notion assumes that the colored part of the surgical mask contains the filter which traps harmful bacteria and foreign particles. However, the above way of wearing a surgical mask has no valid basis. Even manufacturers of surgical mask don't have these instructions for donning the face mask.


What is the correct way to wear surgical mask?

It is important that a surgical mask is worn properly to ensure that the individual is getting the maximum protection it can offer. A surgical mask has 2 sides -- a white side and a colored side (usually blue, but other colors does exist such as green, red, yellow, and even white). You should wear it with the colored part facing outward. The bendable metal part at the edge of the face mask should be pinched to fit snugly on the bridge of your nose.

If you're wearing a surgical mask correctly, it's white part should be in contact with your skin and covers your nose, mouth, cheeks, and chin.

Whether you want to protect yourself from microorganisms rampant in public areas or prevent other people from getting ill with your infection, there is only one correct way to wear a surgical mask. Surgical mask is designed in a way where the white side should be in contact with your face.


The layers of a surgical mask: which one is the filter

The usual surgical mask has 3 ply containing 3 layers. The middle layer acts as a filter. Both 3 layers are non-woven and offers a good degree of water-resistance.


The Purpose of wearing surgical mask

Seeing many people wearing surgical mask all at once can evoke fear in some people as it may seem that their is an outbreak of a respiratory infection. However, in certain places, there are people who regularly wears surgical mask to protect themselves from environmental air pollution.

Wearing surgical mask serves 2 purpose. One is to protect the wearer from contracting an infection. Second, if the wearer has an infection that can be transmitted through the air or secretions, it helps protect those people around him/her.

Whether it be in a hospital setting, public places, or residential area, wearing surgical mask serves an important role in preventing the spread of infectious microorganisms, but it's not just wearing a surgical mask that counts, it is of utmost importance to know the correct way to wear surgical mask.


Important Reminders when Wearing Surgical Mask

Here are some of the things you have to bear in mind when wearing surgical mask:

  • Never use a surgical mask for more than 1 day.
  • It is ideal that you only use a surgical mask once.
  • Wash your hands before wearing a surgical mask.
  • Avoid touching surgical mask once you wear it because doing so will facilitate the transmission of microorganisms from your hand to your mask, thus contaminating it.
  • If you have to readjust the surgical mask you are wearing, make sure you first wash your hands or use a sanitizer.
  • Folding a surgical mask on your chin to expose your nose and mouth is an incorrect practice when wearing surgical mask.
  • When done using a surgical mask, do not place it in improper areas such as your pocket and around your arms with the intent of reusing it. This incorrect way of handling a surgical mask cause both yourself and the face mask to be contaminated.
  • If your surgical mask is already soaked, then it's time to change it.
  • There is a correct way both to wear and remove a surgical mask. When removing your surgical mask, do not touch it's outer layer to avoid contaminating your hands with it's filtered microbes. Remove it from it's earpiece, fold it inside out, then throw in the proper waste bin.
  • Wearing surgical mask is effective to prevent the transmission of droplet infection, but don't forget that hand hygiene is also important.
  • Surgical mask is not the ideal type of mask if you want to protect yourself from airborne infection such as tuberculosis. For these cases, it would require a higher specification such as the N91 face mask.

11 Facts about Compulsive Liar - psychology

11 Facts about Compulsive Liar - psychology

On average, a person lies several times a day, but compulsive liar takes lying to an all new level. It's as if their lying has gone out of control.

11 Facts about Compulsive Liar - psychology
11 Facts about Compulsive Liar - psychology
@healthbiztips by Arlene Gentallan

1. An average person lies, but with a purpose. For example, they can lie about compliments they say to friends to make them feel better or to take advantage of them. On the other hand, a compulsive liar habitually tells lies without consciously thinking about it and without any justifiable reason.

2. Compulsive liar often tell lies that does not benefit them. They can inject exaggerated lies even in the simplest context.

3. It is very hard for a compulsive liar to tell the truth. In fact, it's easier for them to spontaneously fabricate lies. The compulsion to tell lies usually starts during childhood and is associated with poor self-esteem.

4. A compulsive liar tells lies ranging from simple matter up to big issues that can jeopardize their personal life or career. It's terrifying that they seem to come up with a lie instantaneously, but they don't usually lie to manipulate other people.

5. Compulsive liars do not regret or fell bad about the lies they construct. In fact, they risk it all. They constantly lie even when their personal or professional life is at stake. They do not care about what other people say and how they will be judged.

6. Compulsive liar are so good at telling lies that they can fool many people. They can be so good at lying that it's very hard to tell if they're actually lying. A compulsive liar does not show even the most subtle sign when they are lying. Don't expect to see a compulsive liar agitated or uncomfortable when lying. In fact, constant lying is the normal way of life for a compulsive liar.

7. Even when a compulsive liar knew people can see through their lies, this doesn't stop them from telling lies. While a compulsive liar may be aware that they are telling a lie, they often can not help themselves from telling lies. Lying has become such a strong habit that's almost impossible to break.

8. Being a compulsive liar often accompanies certain personality disorders like ADHD, borderline personality disorder, and bipolar personality disorder. A compulsive liar often do not admit that they have such condition. Some compulsive liars only admit to seek treatment when their lying behavior has caused a tragic blow to their life.

9. A compulsive liar has more white matter in their brain's prefrotal cortex which makes sense considering the amount of brain work they have to do to make-up lies.

10. Compulsive liars are rare. This type of liar is also called habitual liar.

11. We don't know exactly what happens inside the minds of compulsive liar. There is very little research done about their psychology. In fact, compulsive liar is not considered a mental illness in itself.

Why is absolute silence deafening?

Why is absolute silence deafening?

Have you ever experienced entering a room where there is a complete lack of noise? A deafening silence that's dreary and unearthly greets you.

Why is absolute silence deafening?
Why is absolute silence deafening?

@healthbiztips by Arlene Gentallan

How you perceive absolute silence is actually your brain's work. Our brain is used to the constant stimulation around us. It has become our brain's adaptive mechanism to silence the background noises we use to hear in order for us to be able to focus on the things we do.

In this case when you're brain suddenly stops receiving sound stimulation, your brain doesn't stop processing your sensations. In fact, with the sudden absence of sound, your brain is startled.

This sudden change in noise level demands that your brain adapt to it, however, since it comes all of a sudden, you are left with this deafening feeling that seems to engulf your entire senses. It's an unfamiliar situation that feels uncomfortable.

Our brain is wired in a way that it fills in the gap. Have you experienced listening to a music, but was suddenly cut off and yet you still hear the melody in your head? Your brain subconscious predicts what's next, but when it fails to do so, you are bombarded with unease.



Silence isn't all that bad

Silence have positive effects to our mental and physical health. A research by I. Kirste and colleagues reveals that 2 hours of silence each day paves the way for the creation of new brain cells in the hippocampus. On the other hand, too much noise in our daily life can lead to cardiovascular problem and sleep deprivation.


Resource:

I. KirsteZeina, et al. Is silence golden? Effects of auditory stimuli and their absence on adult hippocampal neurogenesis. Brain Struct Funct. 2015 Mar;220(2):1221-8. doi: 10.1007/s00429-013-0679-3. Epub 2013 Dec 1.

Wednesday, December 12, 2018

15 Facts about Cold shock response -- How cold water kills faster

15 Facts about Cold shock response -- How cold water kills faster

15 Facts about Cold shock response -- How cold water kills faster
15 Facts about Cold shock response -- How cold water kills faster

Submerging in freezing cold water is deadly due to cold shock response (also known as cold water response). Cold shock response is poorly known by the public, however, it is through understanding bodily response towards cold water that we raise chances of survival.


@healthbiztips by Arlene Gentallan

Here are facts about cold shock response that are worth knowing:

1. Cold shock response is defined as the physiologic reaction of a person when there is a sudden shift to a very low temperature (usually below 15 degrees Celsius). Cold shock response is the adaptive mechanism of the body when exposed to very low temperature which makes death by cold water faster.


2. You can experience cold shock response the instant you fell in cold water. Some people think that they can easily swim to safety, not knowing what cold shock response does to their body. Cold shock response can render a person incapacitated in just a few minutes. In fact, it's not drowning, but it is cold shock response that is the leading cause of death from sudden immersion in cold water.


3. You might want to reflect on this next time you choose to stand on a thin sheet of ice or drop yourself in freezing cold water. Cold shock response can kill a person in just one minute. Don't underestimate cold shock response. It's a fatal physiologic response.


4. A sudden drop in temperature triggers cold shock response in which several physiologic reaction happens:

  • vasoconstriction (constriction of blood vessels)
  • tachycardia (increase pulse rate)
  • increase in blood pressure
  • hyperventilation (increase in respiratory rate)


5. In cold shock response, the sudden spike in the workload of the heart due to massive constriction of blood vessels, sudden increase in heart rate and blood pressure tremendously increases the chance of having heart attack or cardiac arrest even among people who don't have pre-existing cardiac problems.


6. With cold shock response, it is more difficult to hold one's breath while immersed in water because of the involuntary urge to gasp and the tendency to hyperventilate (rapid uncontrolled breathing), thus increasing the chances of drowning.


7. People experiencing cold shock response tremendously reduce their ability to hold their breath underwater. If normal people can hold their breath in a minute, once they experience cold shock response, they would only be able to do so in split seconds up to 10 seconds.


8. Many people have lost their lives due to cold shock response.


9. Cold shock response can kill even good swimmers. Cold shock response illicit involuntary response which can take experienced swimmers by surprise.


10. Splashing cold water into the face for 10-15 seconds before jumping in freezing cold water diminishes the bodily impact of cold shock response.


11. Cold shock response profoundly affects the mental state. Hyperventilation can lead to dizziness, muscle cramping, numbness, and loss of consciousness. In addition, the fear and panic experienced by the individual suffering from cold shock response is profound that it can interfere with thinking and sound decision making.


12. In cold shock response, even when you're afloat a very cold water, you'll be unable to move your body in just a few seconds. It is the body's defense mechanism to shunt blood away from the skin and muscle and to direct blood flow into vital organs for survival, but this can also lead to paralysis of muscle which prevents you from swimming to safety or float on water (if you don't yet have a life jacket on) when experiencing cold shock response.


13. Wearing a life jacket will increase your survival time in cold water. But, if you're already experiencing cold shock response, you may not even be able to voluntarily control your fingers.


14. It may take an average person about 60 to 90 seconds to recover from the life-threatening cold shock response and regain breathing control.


15. If you haven't yet drowned or had a sudden cardiac arrest up to this point due cold shock response, being stuck afloat in very cold water can knock you unconscious in 30 minutes to 1 hour due to hypothermia. There are cases of people who survived cold shock response but were still declared dead after several minutes to hours.

# cold shock response
# cold water response

Sunday, December 9, 2018

21 Facts about Kawasaki Disease

High grade fever (40 degrees Celsius or higher) for over 4 days that's unresponsive to paracetamol and ibuprofen is usually the first sign of kawasaki disease. Most parents are not familiar with this disease because it is very rare. However, without treatment, this is a fatal illness that's a leading cause of acquired heart disease in children.

21 Facts about Kawasaki Disease
21 Facts about Kawasaki Disease

@healthbiztips by Arlene Gentallan

1. Kawasaki disease is a rare illness that commonly affects children under 5 years of age.

2. Having an Asian descent (specially Japanese and Korean) increases the chance of developing kawasaki disease.

3.The cause of kawasaki disease is unknown.

4. Kawasaki disease is also known as mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome.

5. Kawasaki disease is not contagious.

6. Kawasaki disease is identified in the year 1967 and is named after the Japanese pediatrician Dr. Tomisaku Kawasaki.

7. Kawasaki disease occurs worldwide, but Japan has higher incidence of this disease.

8. Localized outbreaks of kawasaki disease usually occurs in the winter and spring.

9. Males are two times more likely to get this disease.

10. In kawasaki disease,  the walls of blood vessels becomes inflammed and weak which can lead to potentially fatal complications such as aneurysm, in which the weakened blood vessel bulges and can potentially rupture.

11. Kawaski disease can involve any type of blood vessels such as arteries, capillaries, and viens.

12. Early signs and symptoms of kawasaki disease includes:

  • high fever lasting more than 5 days that is unresponsive to paracetamol and ibuprofen
  • redness of the eye
  • red, dry, and cracked lips
  • shiny red swollen tongue (also called "strawberry tongue")
  • irritation of the throat
  • swollen lymph nodes, usually at the neck
  • rash on the chest, abdomen, limbs, and groin
  • red and swollen palms of the hand and soles of the feet

13. After about 2 weeks after the onset of fever, late sign and symptoms develops including:

  • peeling of the skin of the hands and feet
  • joint pain
  • abdominal pain
  • vomiting
  • diarrhea

14. There is no prevention for kawasaki disease.

15. There is no single test to diagnose kawasaki disease. Doctors base their diagnosis on the patient's signs and symptoms.

16. Because of the risk of heart involvement, doctors may prescribe an echocardiogram test.

17. With prompt treatment, full recovery from kawasaki disease is possible and complications are rare.

18. Common medical treatment for kawasaki disease includes aspirin and intravenous immunoglobulin (antibodies).

19. Without prompt treatment, kawasaki disease is fatal.

20. Complications of kawasaki disease includes aneurysm, myocarditis, vasculitis, and dysrhythmia.

21. Recurrence of kawasaki disease is rare.

Wednesday, December 5, 2018

Is thinking so hard... which makes pain so much better?

Imagine this. You are given a task to sit alone and think for about 15 minutes. You can think about anything you'd like, but you are not allow to sleep. This shouldn't be hard.

Let's make things a little exciting. I'll give you an option to press a button that will instantly give you a safe but painful dose of a mild electric shock. Let me make it clear that you don't have to press this shock button, unless you want to.

Let's have a demo. Please press the shock button. Very good! Now, you just realize that although this is a safe dose of a mild electric shock, it is still too painful. In fact, you'll even want to pay me just to avoid an electric shock.

How hard could this be? Sit and think. Who would want to self-administer an electric shock?

Is thinking so hard... which makes pain so much better?
Is thinking so hard... which makes pain so much better?

@healthbiztips by Arlene Gentallan

The Revelation

What if I tell you that their's an actual research that used this method only to reveal that being left alone to sit and think is unbearable that a good number of  people would rather shock themselves just to help them pass this seemingly tormenting moment.

Sitting and thinking is something you'd expect from every student. You know what I'm saying.

Strikingly, a good portion of people would rather inflict pain on themselves rather than be left alone to do nothing but think. In fact, 12 out of 18 male students and 6 out of 24 female students, who participated in the study by T. Wilson and colleagues, choose to self-admir electric shock on themselves. Astonishingly, some of them even pressed the shock button multiple times!

Prior studies showed that being alone to think is something a lot of people find boring and unpleasant. Quite surprising, given the fact that we have brain and imagination.

Don't overlook that their is a good portion of people who can actually survive their own thoughts and find meaning in solitary moments. But, we'll focus on those who can't.

In my opinion, this research opens our mind to the real deal: thinking in solitude can be hard. That may be a good reason why self study don't work out for some students, so they prefer study groups.

In the future, I sure hope they don't start installing electric shock button on each student's desk. Which makes me wonder. We'll, if you're a student, what do you think?
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