The demand for Gouty Arthritis homemade cures increased in the past few years because more people today suffer from gouty Arthritis. There are also many people who are now turning back to nature for treatment of most health problems. One way to avoid gouty arthritis is to avoid eating foods that are rich in uric acid like organ meat products and animal protein.
What is Gouty Arthritis?
Gouty arthritis is a kind of arthritis that is caused by uric acid build-up in joints; usually the big toe. However, it could also affect the ankles, knees, elbows, fingers, toes, wrists, and the foot (heel/instep). Gouty arthritis is one of the most painful forms of arthritis. Symptoms include inflammation, acute pain, tenderness, and redness in the affected area.
The best gouty arthritis homemade cures
One of the best gouty arthritis homemade cures is eating a proper diet. Add fruits that are rich in vitamin C to your daily menu. Fruits that are rich in vitamin C include Indian gooseberries, guavas, strawberries, cherries and other citrus fruits. Another vitamin C rich fruit is Lemon. Green leafy vegetables and apples should also be included in your diet.
Eat at least 3-4 bananas daily, this fruit is rich in phosphorous and minerals that can help eliminate uric acid from the body. Eating a well-planned diet is one of the best gouty arthritis homemade cures. You can also take supplements of zinc, and calcium. Aside from eating a balance diet, drink at least 8-12 glasses of water to rid some of the uric acid from the kidneys and liver.
To relieve joint pains caused by gouty arthritis, try these gouty arthritis homemade cures: gently massage warm olive oil or castor oil on the affected area. If your ankles or toes are affected try soaking your feet in warm water with ground ginger this will relieve the swelling and the pain.
People should realize early in life that a healthy diet and a healthy life style lead to long life and good health. So teach you kids what food to eat and what to avoid. You should also formulate or learn more of gouty arthritis homemade cures to be able to help yourself and your loved ones fight the disease.
Below are signs and symptoms manifested by individuals with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus:
* Hyperglycemia – increased blood glucose to 200 mg/dL or higher secondary to lack of insulin or the cells of the body do not react properly to insulin, insulin resistance.
* Increased urinary frequency – glucose leaks into the urine and the weight of sugar in the urine triggers urge to urinate.
* Increased thirst – due to frequent urination dehydration occurs and thirst receptors are activated.
* Weight loss
Some of the major complications of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus are listed below:
* Retinopathy – blurring of vision may occur due to continuous increased pressure in the veins and arterioles of the retina.
* Nephropathy – destruction of the nephrons secondary to the heavy weight of the sugar continuously passing through the kidneys’ filters.
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus can be managed by diet and lifestyle modification. For a complete diet modification consult a licensed dietician or your doctor. Light exercises and weight loss can also slow or prevent the progress of the disease.
In the desire to reduce the risks of stroke and heart attacks, anticholestrol drugs are prescribed to lower bad cholesterol level. Patients taking anticholesterol drug must be given precautionary measure before taking the drug and must be aware of the side effects of anticholestrol drugs to prevent possible undesirable effects of the drug.
Gastrointestinal Side effects of Anticholesterol Drugs
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Heartburn
- Abdominal pain
- Black stool
Hepatic Side effects of Anticholesterol Drugs
- Liver dysfunction, rarely causing mild hepatitis. Patients with liver disease should undergo liver function tests before the treatment
Muscular Side effects of Anticholesterol Drugs
- Leg cramps
- Myopathy or muscle damage
- Rhabdomyolysi, fatal muscle damage caused by chemical, biological and physical factors
- Unexplained muscle tenderness and weakness
- Deformation of facial muscle
- Increased in muscle movement
Neurologic Side effects of Anticholesterol Drugs
- Loss of sensation in the lower extremities such as hands and feet
- Headaches
- Difficulty falling asleep
- Polyneuropathy, simultaneously malfunctions of the peripheral nerves
- Memory lost or disturbed
- Back pain
- Change in eye sight
- Dysgeusia, lack of taste sensation
- Depression
- Lack of movement coordination
Renal Side effects of Anticholesterol Drugs
- Fluid retention, accumulation of fluid within tissues of the body
- Kidney failure, the kidney’s filtering system is damaged due to clogged muscle fibers
- Urinary problems
Many of the side effects of anticholesterol drugs are dose dependent, it is very important to notify the doctor immediately if you experience some of the side effects. Balanced diet, exercise and weight loss are some of the important things to be considered in controlling the level of bad cholesterol in the body. We only take anticholesterol drugs when the natural remedies fail to lower the level of cholesterol in the body.
Gout is a pathologic medical condition that encompasses several biochemical processes in the body. It is the elevation of (BUA) blood uric acid in the blood stream which maybe because of various underlying occurrences. When you can’t stretch those hands in the morning, or you feel pains in your joints every now and then, or you have low back pains, then you most probably have gout.
Uric acid comes from our diet and is the breakdown product of purines. Purines come from a variety of foods like cabbage, lettuce, sardines, visceral organs, and legumes (peas, beans, nuts, etc).
When we are fond of these foods and the excretory organ of our body could not excrete these substances normally, then they accumulate in the blood causing hyperuricemia, amass in the joints resulting to gouty arthritis and are turned in the kidney into kidney stones causing nephrolithiasis.
What are the symptoms of gout?
*You have early morning numbness or tight muscles. You can open and close your fist only with difficulty, as the day progresses this usually “loosens”. Even your feet feel tight and you have difficulty walking upon waking up.
*You have pain in your joints. Sometimes swelling occurs on your knee joints, ankle joints, or hand joints.
*You have a low back pain and sometimes have difficulty walking.
*You may have difficulty in urinating. In serious conditions, blood may even be present in your urine.
How can you be sure you have the condition?
*Consult your physician. He would be responsible in collating all your symptoms and lab results to give the correct diagnosis.
*Your Blood Uric Acid laboratory test would be elevated above the normal levels. Normal Values are usually between 2-6 mg/dL for females and 3-7 mg/dL for males.
*Your routine urinalysis may yield uric acid stones in the microscopic examination. Uric acid crystals may appear as rhombic plates or rosettes which are light or dark brown in color.
How is gout treated?
*Your family physician would be the best person to treat you if you have gout. This is because he knows about your medical history and is familiar with whatever other existing conditions you may have (i.e. diabetes, etc).
*The usual treatment is an anti-hyperuricemic drug that can “dissolve” the stones either in your joints or kidneys.
*Anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs maybe given to reduce swelling and alleviate pain.
*Water therapy is advised. More than 8 glasses of water should be consumed each day.
Are there any preventive measures?
Eating a healthy diet is the foremost preventive measure. The body needs purines but you should learn how to balance your intake. Legumes (beans, peas, anything in pods) are proteins and are needed as building blocks of the body.
*You should eat dishes with visceral organs moderately. We need the calcium coming from these dishes but too much will lead to hyperuricemia.
*Balance your intake of sardines and other canned goods; these are rich in uric acid.
*Balance your intake of the kale vegetables (cabbage, lettuce, etc) as these have high uric acid content.
*Do not drink alcohol when you are on a high purine diet as this will decrease the excretion of purines from your system. When the excretion of uric acid is decreased; this will then start to amass in your system and will eventually lead to gout. This is because uric acid can only be excreted in an acid urine because the can be dissolved an alcohol may cause eventual alkalinity of the urine.
*Exercise can help up to a certain extent to “loosen” the joints so make it a habit to have light exercises everyday. Exercise can also prevent other pathologic conditions like heart ailments, hypertension and the like.
Awareness of these preventive measures will help you avoid gout. Be informed and stay healthy.
Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus is also called “juvenile diabetes” for it occurs in an early age. It is also known as Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (IDDM) because the islets responsible for producing insulin are damaged or destroyed maybe secondary to previous viral illness or to trauma thus, no insulin is produced at all. This type of Diabetes is often treated with insulin replacement.
The Pancreas Insulin
The pancreas is a yellowish, fish-shaped organ located at the upper abdomen. It has two secretory functions : endocrine and exocrine. Its endocrine function is to secrete insulin.
Specifically, insulin is secreted by the beta cells of the islets of Langerhans. The Insulin is like a carrier of blood glucose. It is like a “key” so glucose can enter the “doors” of the cells of our body and be used as energy for our daily needs. Without insulin, the glucose we take in cannot be used by our body to produce energy. Thus, the glucose stays in the blood.
Pathophysiology
In the case of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus, there is a complete destruction of the beta cells of the islets of Langerhans which causes no insulin production. Since insulin is essential to glucose utilization, glucose stays and builds up in the blood stream causing hyperglycemia, or excess glucose in the blood. This excess glucose puts pressure to the kidneys and eventually leak into the urine. Due to the weight of glucose in the urine, urination is triggered so frequent – polyuria. Dehydration from frequent urination results to excessive thirst called polydypsia. And since glucose is not utilized by the body a person with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus is always hungry, a sign called polyphagia. Chronic Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus can lead to complications such as hypertention, retinopathy, and renal failure. Untreated Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus can lead to Diabetic Ketoacidosis. Diabetic Ketoacidosis results from rapid catabolism of fats. Since glucose cannot be utilized as a source of energy, fat breakdown is an alternative energy source. But fat catabolism has ketone byproducts, accumulation of which leads to Diabetic Ketoacidosis.
Below are signs and symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus
Arterial puncture is one method of blood collection. Licensed and skilled personnel should perform it. Laboratory technologists usually use arterial blood in blood gas analysis (BGA) or analysis of blood gas (ABG).
The procedure is similar to venipucture but should be done under anaerobic (no exposure to air) conditions to avoid escape of gas and shift from intracellular to extracellular fluid.
Materials needed
Luer lock syringe or appropriate syringe
Dry and sterile cotton
Wet and sterile cotton
Test tube rack
Test tube (optional depending on the type of collection vessel)
PPE
Here are the steps in performing arterial puncture.
Step 1
Wear your personal protective equipment properly.
Step 2
Prepare materials by checking each item and arranging them within arm’s reach. Do not place near the patient, especially if patient is a child.
Step 3
Select the best site of puncture. Arterial puncture sites are at the radial artery, femoral artery or brachial artery. Be certain that it is an artery instead of a vein, by feeling for the pulsations, which is characterized by a strong beating pulse. Veins usually disappear when you push hard.
Step 4
Puncture the artery at about 90 degrees angle. When you have correctly hit the vein, blood will push the plunger upwards. You just have to be ready to remove the needle from the artery when done the collecting the needed volume of arterial blood.
Step 5
After collection, remove the needle smoothly and apply pressure with sterile, dry cotton for 10 to 20 minutes. You could ask assistance from the patient, and then leave the cotton and place micropore.
Step 6
Depending upon the type of syringe used, you must seal the specimen container to ensure anaerobic exposure. Dispense in sealed containers.
Step 7
The blood sample or arterial blood should be covered at all times. Label the specimen properly. If you are not testing the blood immediately then keep it in chilled ice. Even when transporting, it should be placed in an icebox with crushed ice.
Step 8
Check the wound of the patient. Be certain there is no bleeding, before you allow him to stand.
Step 9
Dispose your used materials in specified containers. Clean your working area.
Step 10
Wash your hands thoroughly after the procedure.
Licensed personnel should do arterial puncture, as there is the danger of hitting major nerves, which can debilitate or paralyze a person. It may also cause hemorrhage if there is no correct patient’s after care.
Clinical chemistry is defined in layman’s language as the study of the substance in biological fluids most specifically blood, the methods and principles of determination, the intrinsic and extrinsic precautions, the normal levels and the clinical significance of abnormal values.
It belongs to the same discipline as clinical toxicology, endocrinology, physical chemistry, qualitative chemistry, quantitative chemistry, organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, general chemistry, and biochemistry.
Clinical chemistry is tackled in three general topics for medical technology students. Clinical chemistry 1 is Pure Blood Chemistry including the following topics: Introduction to clinical chemistry, laboratory math, quality assurance, specimen collection, carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, renal functions tests, and liver function tests.
Clinical chemistry 2 is Special Chemistry, which includes automation, blood gas analysis (BGA), electrolytes and enzymology. Blood gas analysis is very important in the maintenance of the acidity and alkalinity of blood. The determination has special precautions like an anaerobic collection and the use of dry heparin as an anticoagulant. Electrolytes, on the other hand, are very important substances too that the body has to maintain concentrations of. An elevation and decrease of the concentration levels indicates an existing pathologic condition.
Clinical chemistry 3 includes Toxicology, endocrinology, and drug testing. Toxicology is the section that deals with toxins that affect man. These include heavy metals, over-dosage of prescribed drugs, prohibited drugs, strong acids, strong bases and many more. Drug testing is specifically for drugs of abuse and illegal drugs. For endocrinology, different hormones in the body are studied and are utilized to help in the diagnosis of diseases.
Universities and colleges may differ a little bit from the topics included with each phase of clinical chemistry. What is important is that all of the topics are included and are discussed.
Clinical chemistry also is one very important section in the clinical laboratory because it is here where the concentrations of various substances are determined. Normal levels of each substance have been established and this is the basis for interpreting whether the results or concentrations of the unknown substance is normal or not. It the values fall below or above the normal levels, and then there is an existing pathologic condition or disease in the person. That is why it is very important that all procedures starting from patient identification, to specimen collection, to assaying, to reporting and recording should be reliable. Correct diagnosis of the patients’ condition is very important to facilitate successful therapy.
In order for the body to function normally, the maintenance of the acidity and alkalinity of the body is vital. The normal pH of blood is 7.35 to 7.45 with an average of 7.4. This slightly alkaline blood ph must be maintained to avoid detrimental effects like comma and evident death. How the body maintains its acidity and alkalinity is a complex process. Presented here is a simple outline regarding the complex process.
Organs involved
The organs involved in the maintenance of blood pH are the lungs and the kidneys. The lungs exhale carbon dioxide to help with pH control while the kidneys excrete hydrogen ions and bicarbonates according to the needs of the body.
Substances involved
Carbon dioxide and hydrogen are considered acidic substances they are excreted more when the body is too acidic. Bicarbonate is considered an alkaline substance so it is excreted more when the body is too alkaline.
Processes that occur
How the body maintains its acidity and alkalinity is based on the processes that occur in the kidneys and the lungs.
Hyperventilation
When the kidneys are dysfunctional and could not respond to the imbalance in blood pH, the lungs will respond. People hyperventilate to bring out more carbon dioxide, an acidic substance, thereby decreasing the acidity of the blood. When there is alkalosis, hypoventilation occurs to retain more carbon dioxide hence, making the blood more acidic.
Bicarbonate excretion by the kidneys
If the lungs are dysfunctional, the kidneys will respond by increasing or decreasing the excretion of bicarbonate and hydrogen ions. When the body is acidotic or has the condition acidosis, the kidneys will excrete more hydrogen ions and retain more bicarbonate to return the blood pH to normal. When the body is alkalotic, the kidneys will increase the excretion of bicarbonate and decrease the excretion of hydrogen ions. Through these processes, the blood pH is maintained.
Acid-base buffer system in the body
The formation of carbonic acid and bicarbonate is reversible so when the body needs more alkalinity, bicarbonate is formed. If the body needs more acidity, carbonic acid is formed.
Homeostasis is maintained through these processes and normal blood pH is restored. In cases where both the lungs and the kidneys are dysfunctional then medical intervention is needed and appropriate medication or management is given to the patient.
Knowing how the body maintains its acidity and alkalinity is good because you will understands why at times you hyperventilate even when you do not want to.
In the laboratory, it is crucial that the clinical laboratory scientist performs the tests reliably, because the doctor bases his diagnosis on these laboratory results. Any source of error therefore is eliminated to ensure that all results are accurate. One source of unreliable results is hemolysis. Hemolysis is the destruction or rupture of red blood cells (RBCs) causing the release of hemoglobin. An indication of hemolysis is a pink colored serum or plasma.
Here are pointers to avoid hemolysis in blood samples.
1. Do not use wet materials because water is a hypotonic solution that causes lysis of RBCs.
2. Do not squirt blood directly into the test tube. The rapid flow may cause hemolysis. Allow the blood instead to ooze at the sides of the tube.
3. Remove the needle before transferring the blood to appropriate containers, the small opening of the needle may cause hemolysis.
4. Do not centrifuge blood if it still has not clotted properly.
5. Do not rim or ring the blood several times. This is one major source of hemolysis.
6. Do not freeze whole blood right after collection.
7. Do not vigorously shake whole blood, to avoid hemolysis in blood samples.
8. Do not expose the whole blood specimen to excessively low and hot temperatures.
9. Do not prolong tourniquet application more than necessary.
10. Transfer the serum immediately to a different container to reduce the propensity for hemolysis.
11. Do not pull the plunger too quickly. If the bore of the needle is small, it may cause hemolysis
12. Allow the site to dry first after sterilization. The alcohol still present in the area may come in contact with your sample and may produce hemolysis.
13. There should be a proper angle of the needle to the vein to avoid transfixation, which may cause hemolysis.
14. Any application of mechanical trauma or pressure on the blood sample will cause hemolysis, whether during collection, processing, or transportation.
Avoid hemolysis in blood samples at all cost, as this would produce unreliable results. Unreliable results would lead to misdiagnosis. Misdiagnosis by the doctor because of your inaccurate results would endanger the life of the patient. Remember these pointers on how to avoid hemolysis in blood samples and feel confident and secure that you are giving out your best service to patients. Consider each patient as an important individual who deserves to receive reliable results.
The diasys spectrophotometer is a brand of spectrophotometer that you can operate manually or semi-manually. Just like any other spectrophotometer, it operates using the Beer-Lambert’s Law in which the amount of light absorbed is directly proportional to the concentration of the solution. Hence, the more colored a solution is the more concentrated it is, and the less colored a solution is, the less concentrated it is.
Steps
Step 1
Warm up the Diasys spectrophotometer for 10-15 minutes.
Step 2
Code in the number of the test using a standard list. Each substance has an assigned code. You can modify this number if you want to.
Step 3
Enter the wavelength range and leave the second wavelength prompt blank.
Step 4
Key in the following: if there are no choices, just type the information in the blanks provided.
sipping volume if you are to use the sipping method
Temperature for test
Units to use
Time of incubation
Intervals between readings
The standard value
choice of display values whether absorbance of concentration values
highest and lower limits of the substance
Step 5
The Diasys spectrophotometer will prompt you to aspirate water. Make use of distilled water.
Step 6
The Diasys spectrophotometer will prompt you to read your sample/s. The machine will blip after every reading. You could use the cuvette for cell well readings.
Step 7
Record your readings. If they are in absorbance, then you have to compute for the unknown concentration. If they are in concentrations, then you should record and report them accurately. You can program the machine for automatic printed results also.
Step 8
Terminate your procedure by cleaning the Diasys spectrophotometer of any dust, liquid or dirt. Remove all materials from the machine. Cover properly and unplug.
Warnings:
Warm the Diasys spectrophotometer properly to stabilize it and allow reliable readings.
If you decide to use a cuvette, wipe it with soft tissue paper or cloth to prevent smudges and dirt in interfering with the readings.
When washing your cuvettes, do not brush them, as scratches would reflect light, making the readings inaccurate.
During the readings, remove the solution from the sipping tube as soon as you hear the blip, so air could be aspirated, preventing contamination through the overflowing of one unknown solution to another.
Key in the correct information needed to obtain accurate results.
Record your results immediately.
You should keep the Diasys spectrophotometer in tiptop shape by protecting it from dirt and contamination. It should also be calibrated every year.
The 2 sidebars have been placed within an element so that you can enter information here at the bottom or up at the top that exists outside the 2 sidebars.
