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  • PrEP: Pre-exposure prevention of HIV

    PrEP: Pre-exposure prevention of HIV

    It is always better to take preventive measures than to face the issue itself. Such preventive measures are also available for HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus). PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) is a pill, if taken regularly, that can help in preventing HIV. It lowers the chances of getting the virus through sexual intercourse by 90 percent.

    Effectiveness

    As stated before, PrEP can help reduce the chances of contracting the virus by 90 percent if the pill is taken regularly. If protection is used during intercourse and daily pills, it increases the chances of staying safe. PrEP can even protect you from HIV from sharing needles.

    But it is important to keep in mind that for the pill to work best, you should diligently take it every day without missing it because if the pills are not taken daily, then the body may not have enough medication to block and fight off the virus. The pill does not protect you from other sexually transmitted diseases, so to be safe, make sure to use protection.

    When is PrEP at its best?

    PrEP is best for people who do not have HIV but have a high risk of contracting it. Get in touch with your doctor to find out when PrEP is the most effective. Sexually active people can take PrEP, and those who use syringes or are under some treatment that involves needles. If someone is at risk of getting HIV and is pregnant or breastfeeding or even trying to get pregnant, they should also start taking PrEP regularly to avoid the baby contracting HIV.

    Make sure to be completely honest about your situation when visiting a doctor regarding your health care. This will only help the doctors provide the right advice. Keep in mind that PrEP is for preventing HIV from happening; it won’t work on people who already have HIV or came in contact with someone with HIV.

    Side effects

    PrEP does not have any side effects that may cause serious problems. It is usually nausea, headaches, and appetite loss, which goes away once the body gets used to the medication. PrEP is a daily pill that is very safe to take, and most of the people who take it do not show any side effects.

    In case you do show some prolonging side effects, it is better to contact your doctor and find out the reason behind it.

    You can get PrEP from health clinics, doctor’s offices, or health departments. Even when you are consuming the pills, you will need to get tested for HIV every three months. If you test positive for HIV, then medications like Tafsure 25 will help in fighting the infection.

  • Kidney Cancer and its Treatments

    Kidney Cancer and its Treatments

    A comprehensive guide to the disease

    Renal cancer affects either the urethra or kidney. The cancer cells activate malignant cells in a specific organ like the kidney from where it can spread to the urethra. It has various types. The most common form of kidney cancer is renal cell carcinoma.

    Key indicators increasing chances of getting Kidney Cancer

    1. The age group of 45 to 75 years
    2. Transmission of the cancer-carrying gene in DNA due to family history
    3. Cigarette smoking
    4. Adiposity
    5. High blood pressure
    6. Kidney diseases or infections, dialysis or kidney-related treatment or transplant, etc.
    7. Consuming huge quantities of red meat, pork, beef, etc.

    Possible symptoms leading to Kidney Cancer

    1. Discoloration of urine
    2. Abdominal discomfort or related aches
    3. Swelling or expansion on the belly or side
    4. Swelling in the knees or limbs
    5. Swollen scrotum
    6. Poor appetite
    7. Rapid weight loss
    8. Tiredness, aches, etc.
    9. Night sweats

    Kidney Cancer Treatment

    There are many ways to reduce the risks of kidney cancer and successfully cure it. Some of them are listed below:

    1. The primary cure is surgery. The whole kidney, or just a specific part based on the tumor’s size and location, can be eliminated. Surgery typically involves the removal of lymph nodes or any related issues that hold cancer cells.
    2. Procedures for the destruction of cancer cells are also used.
    3. Immunotherapy is a medication that helps combat cancer cells in the immune system.

    Targeted therapy: Lenvakast 4mg

    Medicine is given aimed at destroying cancer cells. This is known as targeted therapy. This can minimize or delay the kidney tumor from developing and causing excess damage. An example of this is Lenvakast 4 mg (Lenvatinib). Lenvatinib is an inhibitor of kinases. It functions by inhibiting the activity of certain enzymes (kinases) and kinase activities involved in tumor-supplying blood vessel development and tumor and cancer cell growth and spread. It attacks the malignant cells, thus ensuring treatment. Make sure to consult your doctor. While taking it, ensure all precautions. All in all, Lenvatinib or Lenvakast 4mg works like magic on the cancerous cells and helps you resume a healthy life.

  • How Lenvakast 10 mg (Lenvatinib) can help cure Thyroid Cancer

    How Lenvakast 10 mg (Lenvatinib) can help cure Thyroid Cancer

    What is Thyroid Cancer?

    Thyroid cancer involves malignant cancerous cells attacking the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland is typically a small, butterfly-shaped gland in one’s neck that produces hormones. These hormones help regulate the temperature of your body, heart rate, development, and weight.

    Typically, cancer is detected when it progresses to other organs or tissues.

    What to look for regarding Thyroid Cancer

    Look for the following signs and symptoms:

    1. Any lumps or swelling on your neck
    2. Excessive coughing
    3. Any voice changes
    4. Swallowing or respiratory problems
    5. Pressure in neck or throat, etc.

    Treatment of differentiated Thyroid Cancer

    Often, thyroid cancer progresses into differentiated thyroid cancer. Treatment using radioactive iron, which usually works on thyroid cancer, does not work on differentiated thyroid cancer. Lenvakast 10mg (Lenvatinib) is used on its own to treat differentiated thyroid cancer.

    How can Lenvakast 10 mg (Lenvatinib) help in the treatment of Thyroid Cancer?

    Lenvatinib, the active agent in Lenvakast, is an ‘inhibitor of tyrosine kinase.’ This implies that it puts a limit on the action of enzymes. Present in cancer cells in some receptors, many mechanisms, including cell division and the growth of new blood vessels, are triggered by way of these enzymes.

    Application of Lenvakast 10 mg (Lenvatinib)

    Lenvatinib can prevent survival by blocking these enzymes, thereby cutting off blood flow, substantially decreasing the scale of multiplication and growth of the cancer cells. Cutting off the blood to these malignant cancerous cells in the thyroid gland helps prevent the effects of differentiated thyroid cancer.

    Effectiveness of Lenvakast 10 mg (Lenvatinib)

    Many studies have shown the effectiveness of Lenvakast 10mg (Lenvatinib) in curing differentiated thyroid cancer. The drug helps increase the duration that people live and reduces the cancerous thyroid cells’ risk of worsening their condition.

    However, there are some side effects to taking this medicine. High blood pressure, excessive weight loss, fatigue, excess protein presence in the urine, frequent vomiting, speech disorders, inflammation in the intestines, stomachaches, and headaches are the most frequent side effects. Furthermore, this drug must not be given to breastfeeding women. So, consult a doctor about the dosage and frequency of the medicine.

    Therefore, by blocking any new blood transport channels to the cancerous cells, Lenvakast 10mg (Lenvatinib) reduces and eliminates the cancerous cells.

  • What is Hepatitis C, and what are the common Symptoms?

    What is Hepatitis C, and what are the common Symptoms?

    Hepatitis C develops from the hepatitis C virus. On entering the body, the virus attacks the liver, which leads to inflammation and infection. The other types of hepatitis, A, and B, have vaccines, but hepatitis C does not have any vaccine. Though researchers and doctors are trying their best to develop one. And because there is no vaccine, this condition is quite contagious.

    There are two phases of this condition acute and chronic hepatitis C. When it comes to showing symptoms, acute hepatitis C shows symptoms quite early, whereas chronic hepatitis C symptoms take time to develop. The symptoms of chronic, are sometimes not even identifiable at first.

    Research and surveys show that most hepatitis C patients don’t even show any symptoms, but the rest do face some symptoms.

    Hepatitis C symptoms

    The symptoms are as follows:

    – Dark urine

    – Abdominal discomfort or pain

    – Fever

    – Joint pain

    – Loss of appetite

    – Jaundice

    These symptoms usually take 6 to 7 weeks to fully develop and become apparent.

    Transmissibility

    Hepatitis C is a contagious disease that spreads through blood-to-blood contact. It is not transmissible through any casual contact. But even if it is contagious, since blood-to-blood contact is the only way of transmission, it is not that contagious compared to other infections and viruses.

    The transmission of the virus can take place through one of these situations:

    – Sharing needles

    – Sharing razors or toothbrushes

    – Blood transfusion

    – Since the birth (mother had hepatitis C during pregnancy)

    – Organ transplant

    Hepatitis C tests

    Hepatitis C cannot be identified only through symptoms. Doctors will also like to know if there was any exposure to hepatitis C through any of the situations mentioned above. To check if the virus or any infection is present in the body, the doctor will do some blood tests. These tests will tell the genotype and the amount of the virus present in the blood. Such information will help in determining the medical treatment that will be most effective for the patient.

    Apart from these, some more liver-related tests will be done to check if there is any liver damage and if there is any sign of excessive toxins in the blood due to failure in the liver’s functioning.

    Treatment

    Many patients with hepatitis C do not require medical assistance, as their immune system is capable enough to fight the injection until it clears off. In such situations, the doctors will do regular checkups to ensure that the liver is functioning properly.

    Other than this, for people whose immune system is unable to fight the infection, medications are given based on the virus’s genotype. Ledikast is one such medication containing antiviral agents that effectively fight off the hepatitis C virus and the infection.

  • Thyroid Cancer: What is the Thyroid Gland and what are common Cancer Types?

    Thyroid Cancer: What is the Thyroid Gland and what are common Cancer Types?

    There are a variety of cancers, and one such cancer is of the thyroid. Thyroid cancer is due to cancerous growth and tumor in the thyroid gland. In today’s medical world, various treatments and procedures help remove the cancerous tumors, or in advanced cases, the thyroid is removed altogether. There are various types of thyroid cancers; let’s put some light on the cancer types and why cancer is caused in the thyroid.

    What is the thyroid?

    The thyroid gland is a gland that is of butterfly shape situated below the Adam’s apple and larynx, on the front side of the neck. The thyroid gland is part of the endocrine gland system and is responsible for hormone regulation in the body. It produces the thyroxine hormone by absorbing the iodine from the blood. The thyroxine is responsible for metabolism in the body. The shape of the thyroid is bi-lobed, which is joined by an isthmus. It is quite small, and when a tumor develops, it can be felt.

    Cells of thyroid

    When the cells of the thyroid gland start growing, it can form a tumor or nodules. Now, these modules can be cancerous or benign. In the case of benign, these tumors will not spread and will not cause cancer. But in the case of cancerous cells, the tumors become malignant and will start spreading. There are two types of cells in the thyroid that can cause cancer:

    1. Follicular cells: these cells are responsible for thyroxine production.
    2. C-cells: these cells are responsible for calcitonin production, which regulates calcium levels.

    Types of cancer

    Various cancer types can grow in the thyroid gland:

    • Papillary cancer: in this, cancer growth is from follicular cells. This cancer grows slowly but can spread into lymph nodes. This is the most common cancer type.
    • Follicular cancer: this cancer also grows through follicular cells, but they are not common. They do not spread to lymph nodes.
    • Medullary thyroid cancer: the MTC is a cancer of C-cells and is due to genetic tendency. In 25 percent of cases, medullary thyroid cancer is familial and can be stopped if diagnosed early.
    • Anaplastic thyroid cancer: this cancer type is rare and is known to grow the fastest. It is ill differentiated and can grow from benign tumors as well. It grows so fast that treating it can be quite difficult.

    Thyroid cancer is treatable these days, as there are various types of treatments and procedures. The thyroid cancer can be treated surgically and can be treated through medication like lenvakast 10 mg.

  • Hepatic Encephalopathy Brain Damage Due to Hepatitis

    Hepatic Encephalopathy Brain Damage Due to Hepatitis

    Hepatic encephalopathy is a condition in which, due to any liver disease, the brain’s functioning capabilities start to deteriorate. Just because the liver is unable to function properly and is unable to remove toxins from the blood, the amount of toxin in the blood keeps increasing and over time causes brain damage.

    People may have acute or chronic Hepatic encephalopathy, and if the condition worsens, there is a possibility that the diseased may slip into a coma or become unresponsive. Many times Hepatic encephalopathy can act as a symptom of terminal liver failure. The chronic condition may be permanent or a recurring situation with multiple episodes over a lifetime.

    Timely medical treatment is required to reduce the chances of experiencing any severe symptoms.

    Symptoms

    The symptoms directly depend on the severity of the Hepatic encephalopathy and the underlying reason that caused the liver to damage.

    For moderate Hepatic encephalopathy:

    – Confusion

    – Difficulty in thinking

    – Poor concentration

    – Hand movements

    – Forgetfulness

    – Personality change

    – Sweet or musty breath

    For severe Hepatic encephalopathy:

    – Seizures

    – Fatigue

    – Drowsiness

    – Shaky hands

    – Anxiety

    – Severe personality change

    – Slow movements

    – Confusion

    If someone shows the symptoms of severe Hepatic encephalopathy, it is advisable to take medical assistance immediately.

    Causes

    The exact factor that causes the disease is still unknown, but it gets triggered when there are many toxins present in the bloodstream. The buildup of toxins happens due to failure in liver functionality. The toxins that need to be removed after breaking down protein do not get filtered and mix with the blood, which, after a certain extent, starts damaging organs.

    Some conditions that trigger Hepatic encephalopathy are:

    – Kidney problems

    – Intake of excessive protein

    – Dehydration

    – Pneumonia

    – Hypoxia

    Conclusion

    Options for treatment of Hepatic encephalopathy depend on the cause and severity of the underlying condition. Less protein intake and proper functioning of the liver can help with the condition. Hepakast sachet is a medication that helps maintain the liver’s functioning ability, which helps with the Hepatic encephalopathy condition.

  • What is HIV and what causes this Disease?

    What is HIV and what causes this Disease?

    Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a virus that attacks the immune system of the body, and if left untreated, it weakens the system. The cell that is attacked is CD4 cells, immune system cells, also known as T-cells.  

     

    Over time, HIV kills the CD4 cells and weakens the immune system to the extent that it cannot fight any other infection, disease, and condition. With treatment, the infected person can continue with their life. Without proper treatment, an infected person can develop AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). HIV can cause-effect and changes in the entire body.

     

    What causes it?

    It is a transmissible disease, and its first outbreak goes back to the 1920s. Initially, this virus was found in chimpanzees and later moved to the human population when they consumed chimpanzee meat.

     

    During the first outbreak, the virus started to mutate inside the human body and became HIV. It started in Africa, and then over several decades, the virus spread in many parts of the world. HIV may have entered the human population in the 1920s, but the first time it was discovered in a human blood sample was 1959. 

     

    Transmission

    The virus does not transfer through water, air, or casual contact. It specifically transfers from one body to another using bodily fluid. The bodily fluid includes breast milk, blood, rectal and vaginal fluids, and semen. HIV can also be transmitted through tissue or organ transplant or blood transfusion. This is why there is thorough HIV testing for every organ, blood, or tissue donor. 

    An infected person, currently under treatment, with an undetectable viral load, may not transmit HIV to others.  

     

    Conclusion 

    Even though there is no specific treatment that may help eliminate HIV from the body, it attaches itself to the DNA. But, some medications help with managing HIV. Medical treatment requires antiretroviral therapy, and Viropil has the best combination of antiretroviral medicines.

  • Everything you need to know about Hepatitis B

    Everything you need to know about Hepatitis B

    The organ that gets affected in hepatitis B is the liver. The virus causes a liver infection that is also transmissible to other people. It usually is difficult to know if a person has this infection as it does not show any symptoms for 2 to 3 months.

    After that, the most common symptoms are:

    – Rash

    – Loss of appetite

    – Vomiting and/or nausea

    – Dark urine

    – Yellowing of the skin and eyes

    – Abdominal and/or joint pain or discomfort

    Most infected people can recover from it if it is acute hepatitis B without any medical assistance. But if the virus stays in the blood for about six months and more, then acute hepatitis B becomes chronic hepatitis B, which is more of a permanent infection. If this chronic infection is left untreated, it may cause some serious damage to the liver and cause some serious conditions.

    Transmission

    The primary way through which hepatitis B gets transmitted is through sexual intercourse. So sexually active people have higher chances of contracting the disease. Other than this, people can also get the disease through casual household contact. And this is possible because the virus can stay alive for several days, even outside the host’s body. Sharing the same nail files, razors and toothbrushes, unsterilized tattooing needles or syringes can also transmit hepatitis B.

    Prevention

    The best way to prevent any transmission is to engage in protected sexual intercourse. Also, avoid sharing personal items and other household tools such as toothbrushes, needles, nail clippers, dental floss, and other hygiene products. Get tattoos and piercing done from trusted and hygienic shops.

    Conclusion

    Only blood tests can tell if someone has hepatitis B or not. Once acute hepatitis B infection gets cured, the person becomes immune to hepatitis B. For treating chronic hepatitis B, treatments need to have antiviral medicines in it. Entekor 0.5 is a medicine that treats hepatitis B and the right combination of anti-viral drugs in it.

  • Overview of Cancers of Kidney, Liver and Thyroid

    Overview of Cancers of Kidney, Liver and Thyroid

    Cancers are one of the most abhorrent diseases in the history of mankind. Fighting such a disease takes a lot of strength and hope. Cancers can even occur in the kidney, liver, and thyroid gland. 

    The Thyroid Carcinoma usually occurs in our neck region, in the Thyroid Gland spreads to other parts of our body such as the liver and kidney. Just like every other cancer, this cancer also develops by DNA mutation, which leads to abnormal growth of cells.

     

    Causes

    (I) Obesity: Obesity has been known to cause many kinds of cancers. Maintaining a healthy body weight is a must because when a person is obese or overweight, he is more susceptible to various diseases, including cancer.

     

    (II) Family History: If thyroid or Liver or Kidney cancer runs in your family blood, then you are more likely to have it.

     

    (III) Alcohol Consumption: Alcohol consumption in excess amounts can cause permanent damage to the Liver and Kidney. 

     

    (IV) Radiation Therapy: Having undergone too much radiation therapies in the past also leads to DNA mutation in the cells, ultimately causes cancer.

     

    Symptoms

    (I) Swelling of the thyroid gland in the neck region along with pain. This happens due to cancer in the Thyroid gland. The patient might face difficulty in swallowing, and his voice becomes more hoarse.

     

    (II) In Kidney cancer, there is blood in the urine. The patient experiences pain in the abdomen region and swelling. High blood pressure is also common. 

     

    (III) Liver cancer usually includes symptoms like pain in the abdomen, yellowing of the skin and white portions in the eye, vomiting, and fatigue. People suffering from liver cirrhosis can have severe conditions if they develop this cancer. The best way to keep your liver healthy is to avoid alcohol as much as possible.

     

    Treatment

    Treatment of cancers involves transplant, radiation therapy, and, last but not least, certain medications. SORANIB is a drug that helps with the same. This medicine is not prescribed to individuals under eighteen years of age. Its uses are:

     

    (I) Treatment of Hepatocellular carcinoma that affects liver cells. 

    (II) Treatment of Renal Cell Cancer that affects the kidneys.

    (III) Treatment of thyroid cancer.

     

    Likewise, every drug, soranib also has some side effects, which are:

     

    (I) Pain in the abdominal region and stomach.

    (II) Bleeding Gums and loss of appetite.

    (III) Nausea, vomiting, and difficulty in breathing.

  • How Lenalidomide can help with Cancer Treatment?

    How Lenalidomide can help with Cancer Treatment?

    Cancer is a growing issue in today’s world, where cancer patients are increasing day by day. While the government has been actively involved in finding a cure for various types of cancers, there is some progress in the medical field that scientists have found. It is not easy to bear the cost of cancer treatment, but there are some available treatments and medicines which might fit your budget.

    The immediate step after cancer detection is to stop the growth of cancer cells. To do so, the doctors advise certain types of medicines that will halt the growth of those cells. Lenalidomide is one of those medicines that can stop the growth of cancer cells or slow it down. After cancer develops in the body, it rapidly spreads to other parts of the body. So, it is quite harmful, but the patient can be saved before the disease turns harmful if it is controlled. So, here are a few points to describe the steps for Lenalidomide use.

    Features of Lenalidomide:

    • This medicine is given along with others. The collaboration between medicines helps in stopping cancer. As far as the dosage is concerned, the medicine has to be orally ingested. After it is orally ingested, it goes into the bloodstream and does its work.
    • The medicine is on the World Health Organization list, which contains essential medicines globally. The medicine has its side effects, but when taken under control and a doctor’s supervision, it is quite useful.
    • The medicine is not suitable for certain types of cancer treatment because it has side effects that might result in death. The side effects from using the medicine are diarrhea, fever, sleep troubles, joint pain, and a few more.
    • The way the medicine works on the body might differ from person to person. But, in general, it has shown a positive response in stopping cancer from spreading.
    • In patients with anemia and blood or bone marrow malfunction, Lenalidomide can work wonders. This is because studies have shown that the medicine has helped decrease the need for blood transfusions.

    So if the question is why Lenalidomide, above lies the answer. Out of the few medicines we have for stopping cancer, Lenalidomide is one of the basic ones that work.