What is vulvitis?
Vulvitis is not a disease, but refers to the inflammation of the soft folds of skin on the outside of the female genitalia, the vulva. The irritation can be caused by infection, allergic reaction, or injury. The skin of the vulva is especially susceptible to irritation due to its moistness and warmth.
Who is affected by vulvitis?
Any woman of any age can be affected by vulvitis. Girls who have not yet reached puberty or post-menopausal women may be at higher risk of vulvitis. Their lower estrogen levels may make them more susceptible to the condition due to thinner, dryer vulvar tissues.
What causes vulvitis?
Vulvitis can be caused by many factors or irritants, including:
The use of colored or perfumed toilet paper
An allergic reaction to bubble bath or soap used to clean the genital area
Use of vaginal sprays or douches
Irritation by a chlorinated swimming pool or hot tub water
Allergic reaction to spermicide
Allergic reaction to sanitary napkins
Wearing synthetic underwear or nylon pantyhose without a breathable cotton crotch
Wearing a wet bathing suit for extended periods of time
Bike or horseback riding
Fungal or bacterial infections including scabies or pubic lice
Herpes
Skin conditions such as eczema or dermatitis
What are the symptoms of vulvitis?
The symptoms of vulvitis can include:
Extreme and constant itching
A burning sensation in the vulvar area
Vaginal discharge
Small cracks on the skin of the vulva
Redness and swelling on the vulva and labia (lips of the vagina)
Blisters on the vulva
Scaly, thick, whitish patches on the vulva
The symptoms of vulvitis can also suggest other disorders or diseases of the genitals. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you should consult your healthcare provider.
What is vitamin K?
Vitamin K is a nutrient that the body requires in small, regular amounts. It is essential for the formation of several substances called coagulation factors as well as protein C and protein S that work together to clot the blood when injuries to blood vessels occur and to prevent excessive clotting. Insufficient vitamin K can lead to excessive bleeding and easy bruising. Vitamin K is also thought to play an important role in
the prevention of bone loss. Low blood levels of vitamin K have been associated with low bone density, and there is some evidence that adequate levels of vitamin K can improve bone health while reducing the risk of fractures.
There are three different types of vitamin K:
Vitamin K1 (phylloquinone or phytomenadione) is the natural from of vitamin K that comes from foods, especially green leafy vegetables but also dairy products and vegetable oils. K1 is considered as the "plant form" of vitamin K, but it is also produced commercially to treat some conditions associated with excess bleeding.
Vitamin K2 (menaquinones) is made by bacteria, the normal flora in the intestines. Bacteria in the intestines can also convert K1 into K2.
Vitamin K2 supplements K1 from the diet to meet the body's requirements.
Menadione is a non-natural, man-made chemical compound that is used in some countries as anutritional supplement because of its vitamin K activity. It is sometimes called K3.
Menadione supplements are currently banned in the U.S. because of their potential toxicity in human use. Since the body is not able to produce a sufficient amount of vitamin K, a certain amount must be taken in through the diet. It is present in a wide variety of foods, and the normal diet in the U.S. typically supplies enough. Examples of different foods that contain high amounts of vitamin K per serving, often more than the recommended Daily Allowance (RDA), include leafy green vegetables such as kale, collards, spinach, green leaf lettuce, and other vegetables such as broccoli, asparagus, brussels sprouts, and cabbage. Other sources include dairy products, cereals, vegetable oils, and soybeans. K1 and K2, the types provided by the diet and produced by the body, are both fat-soluble and are stored in the body's fat tissue and in the liver. An adult typically stores about a week's worth of vitamin K.
What are the causes for Vitamin K Deficiency?
The most common causes of vitamin K deficiency are insufficient dietary intake, inadequate absorption, and decreased storage of the vitamin due to liver disease, but it may also be caused by decreased production in the intestines.
In the India., dietary deficiency of vitamin K is rare in healthy individuals but is relatively common in those who are severely ill or who have certain chronic conditions. For example, it is often seen in patients with serious illnesses, including people with cancer who are receiving chemotherapy, chronic dialysis patients, and people who are at risk for malnutrition, such as those with a poor diet associated with alcoholism or drug abuse.
Malabsorption, especially impaired absorption of fats due to diseases such as cystic fibrosis, celiac disease, chronic pancreatitis or Crohns disease, may cause vitamin K deficiency.
Cholestatic liver diseases such as a bile duct obstruction or primary biliary cirrhosis can also lead to malabsorption and a deficiency in vitamin K.
Some medications, such as antibiotics, antacids, and anti-seizure medications can interfere with the absorption of vitamin K1, decrease the quantity of K2 produced in the intestines, or cause degradation of vitamin K.
High doses of aspirin may increase vitamin K requirements.
Newborns may be deficient in vitamin K because their intestines do not yet have normal flora, and breast milk does not provide them with much vitamin K. In addition, if the newborn's mother takes certain drugs during pregnancy, such as anti-seizure medications, then the infant may be vitamin K-deficient at birth.
Vitamin K deficiencies in newborns are associated with vitamin K deficiency bleeding or VKDB (also known as hemorrhagic disease of the newborn). This can cause excessive bleeding and bruising and, in severe cases, can lead to fatal bleeding into the brain. VKDB used to be a relatively common occurrence but it has become rare because of the practice of administering a vitamin K injection to all newborns shortly after birth, as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. When surgeries are necessary, the infants may also be given vitamin K before the procedure to prevent excessive bleeding.
A common question is whether people who are treated with the anticoagulant drug warfarin should avoid eating foods that are rich in vitamin K and whether limiting these foods can cause an increased risk of vitamin K deficiency. Warfarin is prescribed for people with a variety of conditions such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and some cardiovascular diseases (CVD) to "thin" their blood and prevent inappropriate clotting. A healthcare practitioner will typically prescribe warfarin and measure how well that dose “thins” the blood using a test called PT/INR. The dose may be adjusted up or down depending on the result and to ensure the dose is sufficient in preventing clots without causing excessive bleeding.
Other causes of Vitamin K deficiency.
Warfarin works by reducing the liver’s ability to use vitamin K to make blood clotting factors. Thus, warfarin and vitamin K are antagonists—they work against each other. Significant increases or decreases in the amount of vitamin K a person consumes can affect how well their dose of warfarin works in preventing blood clots without causing excess bleeding. So rather than avoiding foods rich in vitamin K, it is more important for people taking warfarin to consume a consistent amount of those foods each day. These individuals can get the vitamin K they need as long as they are consistent about the amount they consume.
What are the symptoms of Vitamin K Deficiency?
The signs and symptoms associated with vitamin K deficiency may include:
Easy bruising
Oozing from nose or gums
Excessive bleeding from wounds, punctures, and injection or surgical sites
Heavy menstrual periods
Bleeding from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract
Blood in the urine and/or stool
Increased prothrombin time (PT/INR)
In vitamin K deficiency bleeding in newborns, signs and symptoms may be similar to those listed above but, in more serious cases, may also involve bleeding within the skull (intracranial).
A deficiency of vitamin K may be suspected when symptoms listed above appear in someone who is at an increased risk, such as:
Those who have a chronic condition associated with malnutrition or malabsorption
Those who have been on long-term treatment with antibiotics; the antibiotics can kill the bacteria that aid in the production of vitamin K2 in the small intestine.
Seriously ill patients such as cancer or dialysis patients
Overview
Ventricular tachycardia is a heart rhythm disorder (arrhythmia) caused by abnormal electrical signals in the lower chambers of the heart (ventricles). Your heart rate is regulated by electrical signals sent across heart tissues. A healthy heart normally beats about 60 to 100 times a minute when at rest and is defined by signals that originate in the upper chambers of the heart (atria). In ventricular tachycardia (V-tach or VT), abnormal electrical signals in the ventricles cause the heart to beat faster than normal, usually 100 or more beats a minute, out of sync with the upper chambers.
What is Ventricular Tachycardia?
When Ventricular tachycardia happens, your heart may not be able to pump enough blood to your body and lungs because the chambers are beating so fast or out of sync with each other that they don't have time to fill properly. Ventricular tachycardia may be brief, lasting for only a few seconds, and perhaps not cause any symptoms. Or it can last for much longer and cause symptoms such as dizziness, lightheadedness, palpitations or even loss of consciousness.
In some cases, ventricular tachycardia can cause your heart to stop (sudden cardiac arrest), which is a life-threatening medical emergency. This condition usually occurs in people with other heart conditions, such as those who have had a previous heart attack or other structural heart disease (cardiomyopathy).
Ventricular fibrillation:
A dangerous condition related to ventricular tachycardia is ventricular fibrillation (V-fib). In V-fib, your lower heart chambers contract in a very rapid and uncoordinated manner. Sometimes this rhythm may occur as a result of ventricular tachycardia degenerating into ventricular fibrillation, or it may originate from single ventricular beats. This abnormal rhythm happens most often in people with established heart disease or a prior heart attack. It may also occur due to electrolyte abnormalities (such as high or low potassium levels) or, rarely, in otherwise normal hearts. Ventricular fibrillation may also cause sudden cardiac arrest and lead to death if not treated immediately.
What are the symptoms?
Brief episodes of ventricular tachycardia may not cause any symptoms in some people. Others may experience:
Dizziness
Shortness of breath
Lightheadedness
Feeling as if your heart is racing (palpitations)
Chest pain (angina)
Seizures
Sustained or more serious episodes of ventricular tachycardia may cause:
Loss of consciousness or fainting
Cardiac arrest (sudden death)
When to see a doctor?
A number of conditions can cause ventricular tachycardia. It's important to get a prompt, accurate diagnosis and appropriate care. See your doctor if you or your child experiences any V-tach symptoms.
If you faint, have difficulty breathing or have chest pain lasting more than a few minutes, get emergency care, or call your local emergency number. Seek emergency care for anyone experiencing these symptoms.
What are the causes?
V-tach is caused by a disruption in the normal electrical impulses that control the rate of your ventricles' pumping action. Many things can cause or contribute to problems with the heart's electrical system. These include:
Lack of oxygen to the heart due to tissue damage from heart disease
Abnormal electrical pathways in the heart present at birth (congenital heart conditions, including long QT syndrome)
Structural heart disease (cardiomyopathy)
Medication side effects
An inflammatory disease affecting skin or other tissues (sarcoidosis)
Abuse of recreational drugs, such as cocaine
Imbalance of electrolytes, mineral-related substances necessary for conducting electrical impulses
In some cases, the exact cause of ventricular tachycardia can't be determined (idiopathic ventricular tachycardia).
The heart's electrical system:
To understand the causes of heart rate or rhythm problems such as ventricular tachycardia, it helps to understand how the heart's internal electrical system works.
Your heart is made up of four chambers — two upper chambers (atria) and two lower chambers (ventricles). The rhythm of your heart is normally controlled by a natural pacemaker called the sinus node, which is located in the right atrium. The sinus node produces electrical impulses that normally start each heartbeat.
From the sinus node, electrical impulses travel across the atria, causing the atria muscles to contract and pump blood into the ventricles.
The electrical impulses then arrive at a cluster of cells called the atrioventricular (AV) node — usually the only pathway for signals to travel from the atria to the ventricles.
The AV node slows down the electrical signal before sending it to the ventricles. This slight delay allows the ventricles to fill with blood. When electrical impulses reach the muscles of the ventricles, they contract, causing them to pump blood either to the lungs or to the rest of the body.
When anything disrupts this complex system, it can cause the heart to beat too fast (tachycardia), too slow (bradycardia) or with an irregular rhythm.
What are the risk factors?
Any condition that puts a strain on the heart or damages heart tissue can increase your risk of ventricular tachycardia. Lifestyle changes or medical treatment may decrease the risk associated with the following factors:
Heart disease (for example, prior heart attack, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, inflammatory diseases of the heart or genetic conditions)
Use of recreational drugs
Severe electrolyte abnormalities
Medication side effects
Other risk factors
If you have a family history of ventricular tachycardia or other heart rhythm disorders, you may have an increased risk of ventricular tachycardia.
Complications:
Complications of ventricular tachycardia vary in severity depending on such factors as the rate, and duration of a rapid heart rate, the frequency with which it happens, and the existence of other heart conditions. Possible complications include:
Inability of the heart to pump enough blood (heart failure)
Frequent fainting spells or unconsciousness
Sudden death caused by cardiac arrest
Prevention:
The most effective way to prevent ventricular tachycardia is to reduce your risk of developing heart disease. If you already have heart disease, monitor it and follow your treatment plan to lower your ventricular tachycardia risk. In some cases, ventricular tachycardia may occur in the absence of heart disease (idiopathic ventricular tachycardia).
How to prevent heart disease?
Treat or eliminate risk factors that may lead to heart disease. Take the following steps:
Exercise and eat a healthy diet. Live a heart-healthy lifestyle by exercising regularly and eating a healthy, low-fat diet that's rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight increases your risk of developing heart disease.
Keep blood pressure and cholesterol levels under control. Make lifestyle changes and take medications as prescribed to correct high blood pressure (hypertension) or high cholesterol.
Stop smoking. If you smoke and can't quit on your own, talk to your doctor about strategies or programs to help you break a smoking habit.
Drink in moderation. If you choose to drink alcohol, do so in moderation.
For healthy adults, that means up to one drink a day for women of all ages and men older than age 65, and up to two drinks a day for men age 65 and younger. For some conditions it's recommended that you completely avoid alcohol. Ask your doctor for advice specific to your condition. If you can't control your alcohol consumption, talk to your doctor about a program to quit drinking and manage other behaviors related to alcohol abuse.
Don't use recreational drugs. Don't use stimulants, such as cocaine. Talk to your doctor about an appropriate program for you if you need help ending recreational drug use.
Use over-the-counter medications with caution. Some cold and cough medications contain stimulants that may trigger a rapid heartbeat. Ask your doctor which medications you need to avoid.
Limit caffeine. If you drink caffeinated beverages, do so in moderation (no more than one to two beverages daily).
Control stress. Avoid unnecessary stress and learn coping techniques to handle normal stress in a healthy way.
Go to scheduled checkups. Have regular physical exams and report any signs or symptoms to your doctor.
How to monitor and treat existing heart disease?
If you already have heart disease, you can take steps to lower your risk of developing ventricular tachycardia or another arrhythmia:
Follow the plan. Be sure you understand your treatment plan, and take all medications as prescribed.
Report changes immediately. If your symptoms change or get worse or you develop new symptoms, tell your doctor immediately.
What is Valvular Heart Disease?
Valvular heart disease is characterized by damage to or a defect in one of the four heart valves: the mitral, aortic, tricuspid or pulmonary. The mitral and tricuspid valves control the flow of blood between the atria and the ventricles (the upper and lower chambers of the heart). The pulmonary valve controls the flow of blood from the heart to the lungs, and the aortic valve governs blood flow between the heart and the aorta, and thereby the blood vessels to the rest of the body. The mitral and aortic valves are the ones most frequently affected by valvular heart disease.
Normally functioning valves ensure that blood flows with proper force in the proper direction at the proper time. In valvular heart disease, the valves become too narrow and hardened (stenotic) to open fully, or are unable to close completely (incompetent).
A stenotic valve forces blood to back up in the adjacent heart chamber. While an incompetent valve allows blood to leak back into the chamber it previously exited. To compensate for poor pumping action, the heart muscle enlarges and thickens, thereby losing elasticity and efficiency. In addition, in some cases, blood pooling in the chambers of the heart has a greater tendency to clot, increasing the risk of stroke or pulmonary embolism.
The severity of valvular heart disease varies. In mild cases there may be no symptoms, while in advanced cases, valvular heart disease may lead to congestive heart failure and other complications. Treatment depends upon the extent of the disease.
When to Call an Ambulance?
Call an ambulance if you experience severe chest pain.
When to Call Your Doctor?
Call your physician if you develop persistent shortness of breath, palpitations or dizziness.
What are the symptoms?
Valve disease symptoms can occur suddenly, depending upon how quickly the disease develops. If it advances slowly, then your heart may adjust and you may not notice the onset of any symptoms easily. Additionally, the severity of the symptoms does not necessarily correlate to the severity of the valve disease. That is, you could have no symptoms at all, but have severe valve disease. Conversely, severe symptoms could arise from even a small valve leak.
Many of the symptoms are similar to those associated with congestive heart failure, such as shortness of breath and wheezing after limited physical exertion and swelling of the feet, ankles, hands or abdomen (edema). Other symptoms include:
Palpitations, chest pain (may be mild)
Fatigue
Dizziness or fainting (with aortic stenosis)
Fever (with bacterial endocarditis)
Rapid weight gain
What are the causes?
There are many different types of valve disease; some types can be present at birth (congenital), while others may be acquired later in life.
Heart valve tissue may degenerate with age.
Rheumatic fever may cause valvular heart disease.
Bacterial endocarditis, an infection of the inner lining of the heart muscle and heart valves (endocardium), is a cause of valvular heart disease.
High blood pressure and atherosclerosis may damage the aortic valve.
A heart attack may damage the muscles that control the heart valves.
Other disorders such as carcinoid tumors, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, or syphilis may damage one or more heart valves.
Methysergide, a medication used to treat migraine headaches, and some diet drugs may promote valvular heart disease.
Radiation therapy (used to treat cancer) may be associated with valvular heart disease.
What are the prevention steps?
Get prompt treatment for a sore throat that lasts longer than 48 hours, especially if accompanied by a fever. Timely administration of antibiotics may prevent the development of rheumatic fever which can cause valvular heart disease. A heart-healthy lifestyle is also advised to reduce the risks of high blood pressure, atherosclerosis and heart attack.
Don’t smoke.
Consume no more than two alcoholic beverages a day.
Eat a healthy, balanced diet low in salt and fat, exercise regularly and lose weight if you are overweight.
Adhere to a prescribed treatment program for other forms of heart disease.
If you are diabetic, maintain careful control of your blood sugar.
White discharge is a fairly common occurrence for a woman but for some first-time mothers, it became a cause of concern when they start having more of the white discharge during pregnancy in the second trimester.
Why there is a white discharge during pregnancy in the second trimester?
There are many possible causes of having thick white discharge in the second trimester of pregnancy. Most of the time it is normal, but it could also indicate something serious.
Leucorrhoea:
The most common reason woman might experience increased white discharge during pregnancy in second trimester is leucorrhoea. It is a normal part of pregnancy and happens to many women. In fact, this is the same white discharge they might have seen before their periods. The only difference is this time it is thicker and more in amount. Leucorrhoea is a thick white discharge with a mild smell. It is made up of secretions from the cervix and vagina.
When pregnant, the estrogen production in body increases causing a greater flow of blood to vagina. More mucus is produced from cervix glands as a result. This then comes out of vagina as a white discharge.”
This white discharge is important because it helps protect developing baby by maintaining a healthy balance of helpful bacteria in birth canal and vaginal area.
Yeast Infection:
If you experience vaginal itching and a burning sensation during urination along with a thick, white discharge resembling cottage cheese, then it might be the sign of a yeast infection in your vagina. Yeast infection is common in women but its chances of occurring increase during pregnancy. During pregnancy, hormonal changes disrupt the pH balance of the vagina causing yeast infection. It is not dangerous and doesn’t harm the baby.
Sexually Transmitted Infections:
Sexually Transmitted Infections are bacterial or viral infections transmitted through genital, oral or anal sex. It causes a yellow or white discharge but with a foul smell and woman might also experience pain during sex and urination. Sexually Transmitted Infections are harmful to woman and her baby and hence, require immediate treatment. The most common STI is gonococcal infection. In most cases, these infections can be treated with antibiotics. Whenever woman notice that white discharge has a foul smell or is associated with itching then consult the doctor immediately.
Bacterial Vaginosis:
As the name suggests, Bacterial Vaginosis is caused by an imbalance in the normal bacteria existing in a woman’s vagina. It is unclear what causes the imbalance. Bacterial vaginosis is a serious concern during pregnancy. It leads to an increased risk of preterm birth or miscarriage thus needs immediate medical attention.