common cold/ running nose

Everyone at some point of life gets common cold. Some get it frequently, some get complications, and some have added infections. Here I'll be giving information about common cold for quick recovery.

What is common cold? How is it caused?

It is caused by virus. Viruses spread quickly from person to person. They cause mild damage and are killed by immunity. It a simple viral infection of the epithelium of the nose causing damage. Epithelium is the 1st layer of protection which protects the inner parts. Body protects itself from further damage and spread of infection by bringing in leucocytes (immunity cells).
Based on the severity the immunity reacts, leading to secretions- running nose, fever, body aches, headache etc. All this subsides in 3 days to 1 week.

Sometimes when the immunity is weak, this harmless virus can cause complications or spread to other organs.

Who are at risk for complications of common cold?

Complications occur in people with weak immunity. They are

• New born babies upto 2 weeks age
• Badly nourished children and old people
• Exposure to very cold, hot or wet environment. Closed or dusty workplace.
• Lack of exposure to sunlight
• Nasal septal defects
• Allergy
• Asthma, COPD, smokers
• Uncontrolled diabetes
• AIDS(not HIV)
• Genetic immune defects
• Injured nose

What are the complications of common cold?

• Prolonged running nose more than 1 week
• Sinusitis, headache
• Sore throat/ pharyngitis
• Pneumonia of the lungs. Common in people with asthma, COPD, smokers, etc
• Infection of the gastrointestinal system. Common in children & people with IBS, IBD, etc. Any infection or inflammation of intestines, damages the epithelium & normal flora.
• Secondary bacterial and fungal infections

What is the treatment of common cold?

Symptoms persist till virus persist. No antiviral medication is required for the virus. Prevention is best.
Prevention: Regular nutritious diet. Regular exercise. Exposure to sunlight. People with low immunity may require flu vaccine. Consult a doctor. Avoid people with cold. Wear a mask
Recovery: 3 days to 1 week.
Household remedies: Drink lot of water, fresh fruits, steam inhalations with turmeric powder, drinking warm water with ginger, warm milk etc. Decongestant creams & lotions to nose containing mint, camphoretc. Avoid exposure to cold air & water.
Medications: Consult a doctor. These are also useful in sorethroat
                  for symptomatic relief of blocked nose, headache, fever:Anti-histamines,           decongestants.
                  for regrowth of epithelium: folic acid (vit B), vit C, vit D
                  if spread to intestines- bloating, constipation, loose stool: probiotics

Happy recovery !!! :-)

duty in obs & gynaecology as a house surgeon

i was posted in obs & gynaecology 4 1 full day. it was gr8 experience. i assisted 3 labours/deliveries & 1 caesarian section.

hi
yesterday night i went 2 a party. party was arranged alongside a lake in central hyd better known as hussain sagar or necklace road. the spot is jalavihar. my friend invited us to the marriage reception of his brother. its a good pair v thought.
it was a nice party arranged in the winter night.its actually an excuse to meet friends out of the demanding schedule docs put themselves thro'. the atmosphere was gr8. music was arranged. tasted quite a few varieties of food. had hot choc 4 the 1st time! the only thing v missed was dancin.

LIFLINES

where do i start? about my life, family...
My parents say i was a bundle of multiple continuous Questions. i used to ask them about everything in my view, my house, about people around, world, universe....
the most interesting thing was i used to always put forward my views across any matter concerned fearlessly, rather contradicting what they said in the minutest detail.
i like stories. i used to ask everyone to tell me stories.

The person to mostly oblige my Qs & tell me stories was my dad.
my mom helped me in smoothenin my behavior. she still is my internal mirror.
my mirror (external) is my sister. the diplomatic look of me was created by my sister. she is the best diplomat i've seen well, next to me!.

my family is of diplomats.diplomacy runs in my blood.sister was my teenage pacifier.she was the first one to address my silly complaints against parents.later newspaper-the hindu, entered my life.
dad is very good at english though he studied in native language-telugu. rather he is a great imaginer using english to the fullest. he taught me many things....

english helps me to express but somehow i can't understand english as fast as in telugu. i had to often learn things by translating into telugu or imagine things.

dad used to encourage me to become well versed with english. that continued till i myself developed passion for english. i love to express myself. i also love sports. my interest in reading suddenly developed. i started reading voraciously-- reading everything i came across in english. first it was textbooks then additional textbooks, then newspaper-the hindu, then the Hardy boys novels. for most of a 3 years of my schooling i was just reading, nothing else! oops there is one more thing i used to do- watchin tv! it was young world section of the paper that taught me many things in story mode perhaps.
to be contd

first

Hi!
This is my first day in bloggin & its my first blog!