Hepatitis C is a silent killer

TODAY if you have health problems such as fever, pain in the right side of the body, weakness, lethargy or so, you should immediately consult a doctor.

This is because of the problems you may be infected with an unknown disease is there and there were times when it has reached a chronic stage.

As the disease hepatitis C, it is difficult to detect infection by the patient's own because it always strikes without bringing specific symptoms or prolonged.

The disease is also categorized as a silent killer because many patients do not know they are infected themselves until many years but there is a reach tens of years.

Based on statistics from the World Health Organization (WHO), 60 percent to 70 percent of hepatitis C patients will suffer from chronic liver disease, while five percent to 20 percent will suffer from cirrhosis, while one per cent to five per cent will die from cirrhosis or liver cancer.

According to Consultant Physician and Gastroenterologist, Kelana Jaya Medical Centre, Dr. Jamal Malik Abdul Buhari, what a sad, most cases of hepatitis C are known only after the disease reaches a more chronic or even many patients believed to have been diagnosed with the virus far earlier.

He added that no less that only become aware of their bodies after the virus habitat health deteriorated due to liver failure or liver cancer growth.

"Because the disease is categorized as silent killer, you out there are encouraged to perform a blood test to detect the disease.

"This is due to hepatitis C through a blood test and can be detected early confirmation of the disease.

"And it should be noted these diseases affect people of any gender and age," he said when met recently.

He added that, even if a blood test can detect the presence of hepatitis C virus easily, but most people today refuse to do so.

Elaborating on the disease, said Dr.. Abdul Malik, it is not only due to infection can be transmitted even if the patients taking one drug, blood transfusion, alcohol consumption, unhealthy sexual habits as well as by injection such as body piercing, tattooing (tattoo) and drug injection.

Apart from that, Dr. Abdul Malik insisted they are at high risk for this disease are those who have excess weight, people with diabetes and hypertension patients.

Usually there are seven types of hepatitis viruses detected worldwide, the virus hepatitis A, B, C, D, E, F and G.

However, viruses that are commonly found are hepatitis A and E.

But according to Dr. Abdul Malik, the only hepatitis B and C, which can turn a possible chronic damage to the liver.

Meanwhile, according to Consultant Hepatology, University Malaya Medical Centre, Professor Dr. Rosmawati Mohamed, about 170 million people worldwide are infected with chronic hepatitis C and more than 350,000 are estimated to die each year from liver disease associated with hepatitis C virus

He further opportunity to cure hepatitis C patients with existing treatments, including the discovery of new drugs that are classified as a type of anti-viral drugs.

However Dr. Rosmawati advise patients who have recovered to avoid risky behaviors as a new hepatitis C virus can attack the same patient.

At the same time, besides always take care, early treatment of hepatitis C disease can also save lives.

.. source Utusan

Back pain at the young age

credit science photo library

QUESTION:

DOCTOR, I always have back pain on reaching age 25 this year. Do I have osteoporosis. Is this bone disease can be cured?



ANSWER:

Back pain is a common problem in all ages except children. Virtually every person will experience at least once in their lifetime. If the problem persists, they may experience symptoms should immediately consult a doctor. At least they have to get the doctor's opinion the cause of back pain experienced.

Sometimes back pain can be caused by common problems such as lifting, posture while working at the office and so on. When lifting things, many are often bent down, but they should bend the legs to carry the required motion. The office workers sitting at the table and facing the computer for hours without stretching.

SeriusWalaupun serious diseases such as cancer and spinal infections, is rare in young women, but other diseases can also cause back pain such as coral reefs should be considered. Patients should not be dependent on painkillers because it can cause side effects in the long run, such as damage to the kidneys and the risk of gastric pain.

Osteoporosis is rare in young women without other causes that may be experienced at the same time. Factors that may increase the risk for developing osteoporosis are among the professional athletes that use energy at optimum levels such as marathon runners, women lack of exercise and a low calcium diet, women who are too skinny and have a small body frame of bones, women with a family history of osteoporosis , women who smoke, have trouble absorbing the nutrients, have low estrogen levels may be due to premature menopause (menopause at a younger age), chemotherapy and suffer from a lack of vitamin D.

PerubahanSakit back is generally divided into two groups. Nearly 90 per cent of cases are in the 'function' of back pain without detectable changes in X-ray or scan Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Many of these patients were women working or married. Most of them work and sit in a chair for too long. As I have been informed that inappropriate sitting posture contribute to back pain.

Another feature of this group is their lack of exercise or recreational activities because of busy with office work and home. They are not physically and mentally healthy. Fatigue, stress and pressure somehow make them feel lower back pain more than the average person. Work lifting heavy objects that rarely do trigger symptoms of severe back pain because of the wrong technique and physical weakness.

In the meantime, another 10 per cent suffer from natural back pain with changes detected in X-Ray and MRI. Most of them suffer from the problem of deteriorating spinal cartilage structure known as degenerative disk disease;, and sometimes slip disc (intervertebral disc prolapse).

Disk is cartilage between spinal segments. It works as a shock absorber and allows movement (mobility) of the spine. It declined with the age of the disk loses moisture. This can be detected by MRI. It should be noted that not all of the degenerate disc causing back pain. This is because the slip disk occurs when the disk decline, prominent and pressing on the spinal cord. The signs are back pain accompanied by pain head to toe and below the knees.

From my observation, insha-Allah you experienced back pain are not serious, because most likely due to back pain from the first batch of 'function'. Of course, this pain can be cured. It is not due to osteoporosis. Nice to see a specialist bone (orthopedic) for further examination and appropriate course of treatment can be given.

source Utusan

Mamogram or ultrasound

STATISTICS show increased cases of breast cancer in women. Incidence of breast cancer sufferers was 1:19 in the country making it the most common cancer among all ethnic groups in the country.

Scan can usually detect cancer in stages 1 and 2 and most likely still be cured.

Radiology Consultants Kelana Jaya Medical Centre, Datin Dr. Fatima Moosa said for stage 1 cancer, nearly 90 percent can be restored.

"According to the standards of the United States (U.S.) women aged over 40 years are recommended mammogram once a year until the age of 50 years for screening every two years.

"After 70 years of age, a mammogram can be performed at any time when needed," he said when met at his office recently.

All women are at risk of getting breast cancer, however, more than 70 percent of cases occur unidentified source.

Dr. Fatima added, usually the risk of getting breast cancer increases with age, but women with a family history of cancer has a high chance of having the disease.

Women who have had cancer are at high risk for attack once again.

Women with lobular carcinoma also often attacked by cancer and those with early menarche and late menopause after the age of 55.

Additionally women who do not have children or give birth after the age of 35 are more prone to breast cancer.

Those who take high-fat diet, alcohol and smoking are also exposed to the risk of breast cancer.

Hence to avoid breast cancer, tests need to be done to detect it.

Usually mammogram is used to detect cancer at an early stage of the recovery potential is higher.

Scan is important because early treatment can be done and usually they are diagnosed with breast cancer have no risk.

Mammograms were only performed on women aged 40 years and above because fat cells have begun to decrease.

If mammograms only for women aged 40 years and above how to diagnose women under the age of 40?

Dr. She said, women under 40 years old is recommended to use ultrasound technique if suspected of having breast cancer.

"However ultrasound scans only certain areas only and depends on skilled operator and only for the target area," he said.

Ultrasound is very sensitive but not specific as mammograms.

"Ultrasound can not scan a breast portion," he said.

However, do not worry about the test because the radiation dose is low and can be done every year.

Thus the message Dr. Fatimah, if there are abnormalities in the breast, do not hesitate to see a doctor though not yet 40 years old.

source Utusan