Beer Increases HDL Cholesterol Levels

Moderate consumption of beer is recommended by specialists worldwide for its rich nutrient content which can help in various medical problems. Under what circumstances moderate consumption of beer helps? It increases “good cholesterol” (HDL) levels. The amount of “good cholesterol” – (HDL) levels increase during beer consumption and higher levels of “good cholesterol” are associated with a lower risk of coronary heart disease. Research has shown that a glass of beer each day can significantly increase HDL cholesterol levels.

Beer Lowers HDL

Besides this benefit, the researchers found that beer brings other benefits when there is no abuse and it is consumed with moderation:

1. Provides protection against Helicobacter pylori infection

Some research has shown that those who consume beer responsibly have a degree of protection against Helicobacter pylori, bacteria known to be the cause of most stomach ulcers and a possible risk factor for gastric cancer. Drinking beer facilitates eradication of this organism due to an antibacterial effect.

2. You do not gain weight as you do due to other  beverages. 

Beer has a much lower caloric values than other alcoholic beverages – 43 kcal per 100 ml beer with alcohol and only 17 kcal per 100 ml in those without alcohol.

3. Rehydrates after exercise

Spanish researchers from the Faculty of Medicine from the University of Granada and the Superior Council of Scientific Research in Madrid stated that responsible consumption of beer, with or without alcohol, is a way to rehydrate the body after exercise.

4. Reduces the risk of kidney stones

Beer is low in calcium and is rich in magnesium, which helps protect against the formation of bile and kidney stones.

5. Reduces the risk of Parkinson’s disease

Several studies have shown that the beer consumed in moderate quantities and several other factors of lifestyle are associated with a lower risk of developing Parkinson’s disease.

6. It is a source of antioxidants

Beer contains natural antioxidants, their power is both malt (barley) and hops.

7. It is a rich source of silica

From two natural sources: water and barley in particular, it was proven that silica is important for bone health, improves bone mineral density even in women who receive slica supplements diet through diet.

8. It is a source of vitamin B12 in vegetarian diets

A natural source of vitamin B12, found mainly in foods with animal origin and which has a decisive role in proper functioning of the nervous system, also called the “good mood” vitamin – beer.

9. It is a source of fiber

500 ml of beer generally include in average approximately ten percent of the recommended daily dose of soluble fiber while some beers can provide up to 30%.

Swollen Feet – Risk Factors, Prevention And Causes

In the hot days of summer, at high temperatures, the body reacts in different ways. In hot weather, some parts of the body retain excess water and swell. Under the effect of gravity, swelling is most obvious in the lower part of the legs: leg, ankle and foot. Even though this event is temporary, swollen feet can cause discomfort during summertime. Fortunately, there are several ways to reduce this inconvenience.

Swollen feet, sole and ankle, without this being associated with pain, is called peripheral edema. When swelling occurs, especially in conditions of heat, it is called heat edema. This swelling occurs due to heat especially when blood vessels dilate, and the person concerned maintained positions of standing or sitting for long intervals. The result is fluid retention in the legs.

Swollen Feet

Risk factors and ways to prevent swollen feet

Peripheral edema is common and is often rather uncomfortable looking, but a serious health condition. Some people, such as elderly, pregnant women, the childbearing period, overweight, are more likely to experience this condition. They can take extra precautions to prevent swelling occurred during the summer.

To prevent swelling triggered by warm weather, try to avoid high temperatures, as much as possible. Maintaining low levels of body heat will reduce vasodilation, and by this way the feel pressure in the legs. Equally important is to avoid prolonged standing or sitting in the upright position. Immobility causes accumulation of fluid in the legs, ankles and feet. If a person needs to make a long trip by car, train or plane and has to stay a long time, sitting in the same position, it is important, when possible, to change its position or make short walks. If walking is not possible moving or elevating the feet from the ground a few inches is recommended.

Also, consumption of salt predisposes to water retention. Therefore the patient will limit the salt intake, especially in hot weather to maintain a healthy balance of body health.

Ways to reduce swollen feet

Swollen feet can be reduced even by measures that can be applied at home.
As long standing is one of the causes that cause swelling in hot periods, avoiding it prevents swelling of the feet. Also, lifting feet off the ground counteracts the effects of gravity and fluid flow normalizes.
Exercise helps the heart to pump liquids that due to physical inactivity have accumulated in the lower limbs. Walking and other simple movements that are involving the legs can diminish swelling. Also, medical stockings with supportive role, can reduce the swollen feet symptoms.

When it is necessary to treat peripheral edema?
Although edema is a common symptom, it can sometimes be a sign of a more serious condition.
A person should seek medical assistance when fever, swollen feet, oliguria (decreased amount of urine) occurs or suffered in the past or currently manifests a liver disease.

A pregnant woman should tell the doctor if sudden worsening of the feet edema occurs. In addition, everyone should seek emergency medical service if home measures do not suceed in reducing the swelling, especially if these events are associated with breathing difficulties or chest pain.

Swollen Feet

Causes

Peripheral edema is the result of abnormal fluid retention in tissues and leg muscles. Gravity naturally contributes to the concentration of water in the lower regions of the body and the standing position amplifies the effects of gravity, resulting in swollen legs, ankles and feet.
Edema can occur as a result of obstruction, injury or pressure on the existing capillaries, which forces the fluid to drain into the interstitial spaces – and the effect is swelling.

Chronic venous insufficiency. Normally, the heart pumps blood  sufficient for major systems and cells of the body through arteries. In case of edema, insufficient blood is pumped from the extremities to the lungs and heart. To stimulate blood flow to the heart from the extremeties area, calf muscles and other muscles of the legs contract and push the blood up. In addition, leg veins are equipped with valves that open in one direction and which are designed to prevent backflow of blood that might occur due to gravity. Thus, blood flows in one direction: from the periphery to the heart. In the case of chronic venous insufficiency, the valves are damaged, allowing blood to flow back and accumulate in legs tissues. Swollen legs and ankles are the first signs of chronic venous insufficiency.

Congestive heart failure. Congestive heart failure is a disease in which the heart muscles are weak, the heart being unable to effectively pump the blood amount that the body needs. The condition can be caused by a heart attack, damage to valves and other cardiovascular disorders, hypertension, inflammation of heart muscle, etc… Specific symptoms are legs, ankles and feet swelling, shortness of breath, fatigue and fast or irregular heartbeat.

Lymphedema. Lymphedema is a condition characterized by swelling of the hands and feet, caused by blockage or dysfunction of the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is part of the immune system and is composed of tissue, lymph nodes and lymph vessels.The lymphatic vessels collects lymph throughout the body and drains it into the circulatory system. Blockage in lymphatic drainage of lymph system dysfunction  leads to lymph concentration in the interstitial space: the result is inflammation of the hands and feet.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease – Risk Factors, Causes, Symptoms, Prevention And Treatment

Pelvic inflammatory disease is an infection of the woman upper genital tract that includes: infection of the endometrium (endometritis), fallopian tubes (salpingitis), the ovaries, the uterine wall (myometrium) the lining of the uterus (endometritis) or pelvic peritoneum or portions of it (peritonitis). Also known as adnexitis, the condition is quite common in young women sexually active, woman with many births or with multiple sexual partners. The statistics say that 4 of 5 women have experienced the disease and the risk of relapse is high if treatment is incorrect the favoring conditions of the disease are maintained. Germs that are transmitted sexually as N. gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis are possible causes of the disease. Other etiologic agents are bacteria that form the bacterial flora of the cervix and vagina (H. influenzae, group B streptococcus, staphylococcus an, E. coli), which can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease if the woman has a weakened immune system.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

Risk Factors

In pelvic inflammatory disease a number of risk factors are incriminated:

• Abortion, uterine curettage, endometrial biopsy or other invasive maneuvers on the uterus
• Periods (approximately 70% of the adnexitis appear immediately after menstruation)
• Frequent vaginal irrigation, which can unbalance the normal vaginal flora or on the contrary poor hygiene
• Excessive exposure to cold
• Non-sterile vaginal swabs
• Intrauterine coil used as a contraceptive method
• Sometimes sex itself may favor the appearance of adnexitis because it favors the mobilization of bacteria to the uterus
• Multiple sex partners
• Smoking by lowering the body’s overall immunity.

Causes

Pelvic inflammatory disease is a serious infection of the female reproductive system, due to untreated or improper treated sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). In most cases these STDs are advancing from the vagina and cervix to the uterine cavity or upper genital tract. This can lead either to a total block of the fallopian tubes, preventing the egg to reach the uterus or a partial block, which increases the risk of developing an ectopic pregnancy.

Symptoms

Symptoms of pelvic inflammatory disease spread on a large scale from their complete absence to severe. Frequently pelvic inflammatory disease symptoms are considered as a sign of less severe diseases. Many women who had pelvic organs affected due to pelvic inflammatory disease stat that have not been diagnosed with PID ever. This is especially true if the pelvic inflammatory disease was caused by chlamydia, which can be asymptomatic. Often symptoms do not appear until pelvic inflammatory infection and inflammation has not spread to the fallopian tubes the abdominal cavity (peritoneum).
Symptoms of pelvic inflammatory disease tend to be more evident during the period of menstrual bleeding and sometimes in the coming weeks. The main symptom is abdominal pain found in lower pelvic inflammatory disease, usually described in the form of cramps or constant irritating. This pain can be worse during bowel movements, intercourse or during urinating.  One or more symptoms of the following may also be present

• A feeling of pressure in pelvis
• Pain in the lower dorsal region. Sometimes this pain may radiate to one or to both feet
• An abnormal vaginal discharge, yellow, brown or green or an increase in vaginal discharge
• Fever, usually over 38.33 degrees C. However, sometimes fever may be absent
• A vague feeling of weakness of the whole body or discomfort (malaise)
• Headaches
• Nausea or vomiting
• Painful intercourse (dyspareunia)
• Irregular menstrual bleeding
• Urinary symptoms such as burning or pain when urinating.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

Prevention

• Elimination of risk factors to prevent illness;
• Early treatment of sexually transmitted diseases prevents installation, relapses and infertility;
• Avoiding sex with multiple partners
• Avoid using the IUD (intrauterine devices
• Practice protected sex
• Protection by keeping warm the lower abdominal area, especially in winter
• Avoid long term use of the tampons
• Specialized medical control whenever the above events occur.

Pelvic inflammatory disease can spread to other abdominal organs, either from the pelvic organs through the lymphatic system or the terminal ends of the fallopian tubes. These  may be more common in women who recently:

• Gave birth
• Have supported some uterine tests or other procedures, such as: a sample of tissue from the superficial layer of the uterus (endometrial biopsy), scratching the surface layer of the uterus (dilation and curettage, examination of the uterus or fallopian tubes using a tube light at the end (hysteroscopy or hysterosalpingogra), abortion.

Treatment

If there is an acute infectious episode manifested by great pain accompanied by fever, vomiting, malaise, a medical examination is urgenlty needed, which can decide whether the patient must be hospitalized in serious forms. Drug therapy based on antibiotics, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, are proposed in different treatment schemes by doctors.

Antibiotic treatment takes 14 days for pelvic inflammatory disease. Although the person may begin to feel better sooner it is necessary to administer the treatment during this period of 2 weeks. Otherwise, the infection can recur.  Also NSAIDs can be used to ease the pain or discomfort. Further assessments are important to make sure the wanted treatment effect is obtained. Close monitoring can help prevent complications such as chronic pelvic pain or infertility. The doctor will a want to see the patient after 2-3 days from the start of the treatment, then after yet another 8-11 days. A new assessment will also be required at 4-6 weeks after completion of treatment to check whether the person is cured.

Antibiotics

If the patient has an intrauterine device, for contraceptive purpose and has a pelvic inflammatory disease, the intrauterine device may be removed, depending the severity of infection. The doctor will recommend hospitalization in the following situations:

• Pregnant woman
• The patient is in an advanced stage of the disease
• The person presents vomiting
• Surgery for tubo-ovarian abscess or ectopic pregnancy is required (which may be the result of pelvic inflammatory disease)
• The person can not be treated only at home.

Each partner that the patient had sexual contact with in the last 60 days should be evaluated for a sexually transmitted disease and treated adequate to prevent reinfection and spread of infection from person to person.
Treatment for gonorrhea or chlamydia is not the same treatment for pelvic inflammatory disease. Sometimes more antibiotics are prescribed for pelvic inflammatory disease and are administered for a longer period of time. To prevent reinfection abstinence from sexual intercourse is important until both the person concerned and partner / sexual partners have fully completed the antibiotic treatment (at least 14 days).

When the condition is mild or in the case of frequent relapses the patient can choose a successful alternative treatment and the herbalist doctor will guide the patient toward detecting and treating the root causes of the pelvic inflammatory disease.

Acute Renal Failure

Acute renal failure is characterized by the fact that the kidneys suddenly no longer fulfill their normal function. Normally kidneys filter the toxic byproducts (waste) and maintain normal levels of water, salt and minerals (electrolytes) in the blood. When kidneys stop working properly, products of metabolism, fluids and electrolytes accumulate in the body, situation which can be life threatening.

Causes

A number of diseases and special conditions can cause the kidneys to stop working normally. A patient may develop acute renal failure if:

• Lost a large amount of blood. This can occur due to a serious injury or major surgery. Was dehydrated due to excessive vomiting or  excessive use of diuretics.
• Has a serious heart disease such as heart failure, myocardial infarction, arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythm), hypertension, endocarditis, valvular or cardiac tamponade.
• Has a condition that may affect the kidneys or liver, such as nephrotic syndrome, cirrhosis, lupus or another disease that causes inflammation of blood vessels (vasculitis)
• Has other serious illness, as severe malnutrition, burns, serious harm or stress syndrome or severe infection (sepsis)
• Uses drugs that may affect the kidneys, including antibiotics such as gentamicin or streptomycin, converting enzyme inhibitors for high blood pressure values, NSAIDs, like aspirin or ibuprofen or contrast agents used in some X-ray investigations.
• Develops a sudden obstruction at some level in the urinary tract that blocks the elimination of urine from the kidney due to kidney stones, kidney tumors, injurys to the urinary tract or an enlarged prostate that can cause blockages.

Acute Renal Failure

Symptoms

Acute renal failure often causes no symptoms that the patient can notice. If the patient is in hospital, investigations performed for other conditions can detect the kidney damage. Symptoms that can occur:

• Swelling of legs and feet (edema)
• Small-production of urine or lack of it (oligoanury)
• Thirst and dry mouth
• Tachycardia (accelerated heart rate)
• Feeling of dizziness when the patient stands
• Loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting
• Confusion, anxiety, restlessness or drowsiness.
• Pain on either side, just below the rib cage up to the waist (flank pain).

Symptoms can help determine the type of kidney failure. Severe dehydration, a common cause of acute renal failure  may cause thirst, lack of dexterity (coordination) or light-headedness and a rapid  and weak pulse . Obstruction of the urinary tract, causing acute postrenal kidney failure can cause flank pain or renal lodges pain, blood in the urine (hematuria) or reduced urinary output (oliguria). Uremic syndrome (uremia) is a serious complication of prolonged and severe acute renal failure. It can cause severe drowsiness, confusion, convulsions, irregular heart rhythm and fluid accumulation in the lungs (pulmonary edema)

Acute Renal Failure

Physiopathogenic Mechanism

Acute renal failure develops within a few hours to several days when the kidneys lose their ability to remove products of metabolism and excess body fluids. The most common cause is reduced blood flow to the kidneys due to dehydration, surgery, an infection or a severe injury. When blood flow to the kidneys decreases, toxic byproducts and excess fluid are not removed properly from the body. Acute renal failure can cured with treatment within  days or week but some people produce permanent alterations in kidney structure leading to chronic renal failure. A small percentage of them will rely on regular dialysis or will need a kidney transplant. Left untreated acute renal failure may develop complications that affect the entire body. These include:

• Infection. It is one of the most frequent complications due to the patient’s immune system which does not work properly
• Uremic syndrome (uremia). May cause dizziness, confusion, convulsions, irregular heart rhythm and accumulation of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema)
• Raise in blood potassium levels (hyperkalemia). This can lead to serious heart problems.

Almost half of those who developed acute renal failure recover sufficiently their renal function to lead a normal life.
Older people and those with serious medical problems are less likely to regain their previous health. Those who die, do so due to the condition that caused kidney failure and renal failure not due to renal failure itself.

Risk Factors

People with certain illnesses or diseases and elderly persons are more prone to acute renal failure. Diseases that may increase the risk for renal failure are:

• Kidney disease such as nephrotic syndrome or liver disease such as liver cirrhosis
• Diabetes
• Heart failure
• Hypertension
• Obesity

Acute renal failure usually occurs in people who are already seriously ill or already in the hospital or in intensive care. People who have had heart surgery or abdominal or bone marrow transplant have a higher risk.

Acute Renal Failure Treatment

Diagnosis and investigations

The doctor will start evaluating patients with acute renal failure by making a case history and a physical exam. This includes a review of medical history and history of hospitalization (if the patient is hospitalized at the time), a record of drugs that the patient has used, an assessment of other conditions that could cause the appearance of acute renal failure. When acute renal failure is suspected, a complete evaluation is needed to determine the cause of kidney failure. This is an important part of diagnosis. The decision of treatment and chances of recovery depend usually on the causes of kidney failure. Identifying the cause is sometimes difficult and requires more investigations

Laboratory Tests

Blood and urine tests are performed routinely to evaluate acute renal failure. They can detect high levels of metabolic products in blood and a chemical imbalance in the body and can help diagnose and detect diseases or infections. Blood and urine tests may include:

• Serum creatinine. An increase in blood creatinine (serum creatinine) is usually the first sign of acute renal failure. Repeated testing of the creatinine level can help monitor progression of renal failure and determining the effective treatment. In the case of prerenal acute kidney failure for example, serum creatinine levels will rapidly return to normal once blood flow or volume depletion (fluid loss) are restored.
• Creatinine clearance. Estimates the remaining functional kidney by comparing the blood levels of creatinine with the levels of urine creatinine. When kidneys stop functioning properly, blood creatinine levels may increase while urinary creatinine levels may decrease
• Serum urea is the nitrogen amount found in the urea, an indicator of nitrogen retention (azotemia). When acute renal failure is present, serum urea level increases. Blood electrolytes that are tested are calcium, potassium and sodium.
• Blood count (CBC). CBC provides important information about red blood cells, white cells and platelets. Can be used to search for diseases or infections that could be the cause of kidney failure
• Other blood tests as erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and antinuclear antibodies (ANA) can be used to diagnose an infection, an autoimmune disease or other diseases if the patient history and symptoms suggest that one of these diseases could be present.

Acute Renal Failure

Urine tests performed:

• Urine analysis results can also provide information about urinary sediment, which is useful to assess acute renal failure (of renal cause)
• Urinary eosinophils (a type of white blood cells). The existence of eosinophils in the urine may indicate an allergic reaction that destroys the kidney. Often the allergic reaction is caused by a certain drug.
• The fraction of sodium excreted in urine. This examination can help differentiate between prerenal renal failure, where there is no damage to the kidney. Measures the kidney ability to eliminate sodium (Na), based on sodium and creatinine levels in both urine and blood
• 24-hour collected urine. Urine production is measured over a period of 24 hours. Sometimes it requires a probe to collect all urine produced correctly. Reduced urine production may or may not be present along with kidney failure, depending on the cause. Careful measurement of urine output over time, can also help monitor fluid balance in a person with kidney failure.

Imaging tests

Imaging tests may be used to determine whether to determine the nature of renal failure: acute or chronic. Also an obstruction in the urinary tract can be revealed. Imaging tests most commonly used for this purpose are:

• Abdominal ultrasound
• CT
• Abdominal radiography or urography, which can be used when a kidney stone is suspected . If there is belief that the obstruction is the cause of postrenal kidney failure, more detailed tests may be needed to determine the location and cause of obstruction.

These examinations can include those above and also:

• Retrograde pyelography
• MRI
• Renal scintigraphy (may help assess renal blood flow, if normal, or to determine if an obstruction is present).

New Urine Test Can Determine The Risk Of Prostate Cancer

A team of researchers created a investigational urine test which can determine prostate cancer risk in men with increased serum levels of prostate specific antigen (PSA), according to a study which was conducted on more than 1000 men. Previous research has show that this urine test is 100% accurate in detecting a gene mutation which is directly related to prostate cancer.

Anyway, this urine test, which can detect a gene mutation ( a fusion between TMPRSS2 gene and ERG gene), has a weak point, which is the fact that this mutation is found in only about 50% of patients with prostate cancers. For this reason, researchers felt the need for this new study, which is aiming to detect prostate cancer through a urine test, to introduce a new marker, in addition to existing ones. This new marker is prostate cancer antigen 3 (PCA3).

Prostate Cancer Test in laboratory

All of the men who were included in the study had increased serum levels of PSA and were subjected either to a biopsy or to a prostatectomy. The men who were included in this study were evaluated for TMPRSS2, ERG and PCA3 mutations, but some of them were tested with the first version of the urine test and others of them were tested with the new urine test. The researchers chose that the patients should be included in groups with low risk, intermediate risk and high risk for developing prostate cancer.

Of 1065 men, that benefit for prostate biopsies, 363 (34%) had a lower risk, 346 (32%) had a intermediate risk , and 356(33%) had a higher risk for developing prostate cancer. These findings were compared to the biopsy results. Biopsy results indicated cancer in 21% of patients that were included in the group with lower risk, in 43% of patients who were included in the group with intermediate risk, and in 69% of patients who were included in the group with higher risk for developing prostate cancer.

The researchers concluded that this new urine test, significantly improves the ability to predict if a man has prostate cancer. Also this test may represent a course of treatment for men with increased serum levels of PSA, because this test can decide if a person needs a prostate biopsy and then a surgical intervention or only needs that the urinary levels of TMPRSS2, ERG and PCA3 to be followed up.

Many men have increased serum PSA levels than those with prostate cancer, which can be difficult to prove without a biopsy. This test aims to be an intermediate step, before it is realized a prostate biopsy which can demonstrate the existence of a prostate cancer.

Gonorrhea Or Gonococcal Infection

Gonorrhea

Neisseria gonorrhoeae causes gonorrhea, a sexually transmitted disease that affects women, men and children. Every year approximately 1 million cases are reported, while at least the same number are not reported. Medical and social consequences are significant. The infection can cause infertility in women and is a major risk factor for HIV infection. On average, a man is infected every 4th intercourse with an infected woman while a woman is infected every 2nd intercourse with infected man.
Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection mechanism is different for men and women. A remarkable feature of this organism as researchers discovered is the extraordinary ability to survive in his only host, the human body and also gonorrhea infects men and women using different pathogenetic mechanisms.

Mechanism of infection

N. gonorrhoeae is an exclusively human pathogen that has no other host, besides the human mucosa, especially the genital mucosa. The microorganism developed remarkable mechanisms that avoid the host immune system attack (congenital and adapted). In particular, the bacteria surface has a coating of red cell antigens, antigenic structure identical to human red cells.
Through a unique mechanism, and apparently random, variable imporntant virulence factors are expresse, allowing N. gonorrhoeae to be ubiquitous in some people, in different environmental conditions. Adhesion factors, called pili,  have a wide variable antigenicity. This is due to a unique genetic mechanism, by which, large portions of the structure are encoded in some boxes that can be accidentally moved inside or outside the gene expressed. The mechanism is similar to the variable portion of immunoglobulins in mammals. The result is that a single microorganism has the ability to produce over 1 million distinct antigenic pili, thereby allowing it to overcome the host’s immune system attack.
A remarkable feature is the ability of N. gonorrhoeae to infect men and women by different pathogenetic mechanisms. Both mechanisms are highly efficient and take advantage of the environmental conditions and the expression of cell surface receptors. These mechanisms have been studied for the first time in the departments of microbiology, urology and obstetrics / gynecology, University of Iowa, USA.

In men

Studies have shown that epithelial cells lining the distal two-thirds of the male urethra are susceptible to infection with gonorrhea. Experimental human infections have shown that for 40 hours after infection, gonorrhea can not be cultivated in the urethral exudate or urine, because gonorrhea penetrates mucosal cells immediately after infection and can be cultivated only after it has replicated (duplicated) in these cells that will be “shelters”.
Their penetration into epithelial cells is not a random event. Pili, surface structures that allow gonorrhea to  avoid immune attack of the host, set  on the epithelial cell surface receptors from the urethra (urethral mucous forming). Meanwhile, gonococcal components enter the epithelial cells to prevent apoptosis (programmed cell death). This is prolonged cell life, while gonococci multiply within them. Eventually, when the number of gonococcal cells is very high, nutrients are depleted and the cells die.
In the tissue where the infection was initiated cytokines are produced by epithelial cells and are released into the bloodstream to recruit inflammatory cells at the infection site (neutrophils, which are usually found in the analysis of urethral exudates in men)

In Women

In women, gonococcal infection involves an interaction of different, more complex factors between host and N. gonorrhoeae. Initial targets of gonorrhea are ecto and endocervical tissues. These cells are remarkable in several respects. They produce and secrete all components of the complement alternative pathway and express surface type 3 (CR3) receptors of complement. Alternative pathway complement components interact with gonorrhea, resulting in assembling ligands for CR3 on the surface of N. gonorrhoeae . In addition, gonococcal pili, the main factor through which the bacteria attaches on host cells, and a channel of nutrients called porina and can interact with cells as such, without the need for other mechanisms to facilitate attachment. Cooperative interaction with CR3 results in altered plasma membrane (composed of epithelial cells mentioned above), and the formation of inclusions. Inclusions are protrusions (penetrations inside the membrane). Also, bacteria has the ability to secrete substances that facilitate their vacuolation. Once the epithelial cells were infected the bacteria begins to secrete various proteins. One of these proteins is the enzyme called phospholipase D (FD). It seems that phospholipase D accelerates epithelial cell surface CR3 position, thus facilitating invasion of new healthy cells by N. gonorrhoeae

Gonorrhea

Symptoms

Symptoms of gonorrhea usually appear after a period of 2 days to 3 weeks after exposure to infection. Some women and men are asymptomatic until severe complications.

Symptoms in women:

• Dysuria (burning sensation when urinating and painful)
• Yellow vaginal discharge
• Vascular fragility (bleeding very easily)
• Dyspareunia (painful intercourse).

Symptoms in men:

• White-yellow milky discharge ureteric
• Dysuria (burning sensation when urinating and painful)
• Redness and swelling of the opening of the urethra in the penis
• Lower abdominal pain
• Pain and edemas (swelling) in the testes.

Transmission mode

Gonococcal infection is transmitted through vaginal, anal or oral sex. Children are infected at birth if their mothers are infected.

Diagnosis

Detection of symptoms is difficult in many cases so most people do not know they are infected for a long period of time. Most of asymptomatic individuals will find they are infected when their partner is diagnosed. The only sure way to detect infection is to test (culture of urethral or vaginal secretions) for gonococcal infection. Diagnosis is based on vaginal or urethral cultures. For harvesting these secretions a cotton swab is used that is then sent to the laboratory for testing. Results are available in about 3 days. Harvesting is not painful and can be made even in asymptomatic individuals.

Gonorrhea

Complications

Gonococcal infection is dangerous, even if asymptomatic. Untreated gonococcal infection can lead to the following complications:

In children:

• Gonococcal eye (eye infection)
• Irreversible damage to the reproductive organs
• Infertility (difficulty in getting pregnant).

In adults:

• Sterility (inability to have children), as a result of acute salpingitis caused by the gonococcal infection
• Tubal ectopic pregnancy, a complication that can be fatal to the pregnant woman
• Arthritis

Treatment

Although it may have serious complications if left untreated, gonorrhea can be cured. Treatment consists of antibiotics (usually penicillin, erythromycin, tetracycline ofloxacin, cefixine, and ceftriaxine). It is very important that treatment is completed correctly to be effective. Unfortunately, antibiotics can not treat gonococcal infection complications.

Prophylaxis

Recommendations for prevention of gonococcal infection are identical to those for preventing other sexually transmitted diseases.
The best way to prevent gonococcal infection is abstinence (no sex) or sexual intercourse with one uninfected partner, which in turn has no other sexual partner. Another recommendation is to use protection during intercourse. Condoms, used properly from the beginning to the end of each sexual contact is the best protection option. Diaphragms and spermicides foams or gels are less effective and should not replace condoms, but can be used with it.

Note!

After unprotected intercourse with an infected partner sex, a specialist must be consulted. The sexual partner must be treated as well. It is very important to avoid sexual activity until the infection is treated. Otherwise, the partner is infected and can reinfect you. Also anterior partner/partners should be screened earlier and treated promptly in case of infection to prevent the spread of disease. 3-6 weeks after completion of antibiotic therapy, individuals are retested. This is very important to ensure that treatment was adequate and properly followed and the infection was cured.

Encephalitis 

Encephalitis means inflammation of brain , which is usually caused  by a virus. It is a rare but a potentially fatal condition. When the brain becomes inflamed and irritated it increases its volume, the normal circulation of blood is impaired, leading to symptoms such as confusion, fever and  severe headache. The disease comes in two forms: a primary and a more serious form and a secondary, easier form. Due to its gravity, most doctor visits are due to primary encephalitis. The most common cause of encephalitis is herpes simplex virus, the same virus that causes sores when cold and genital herpes. Sometimes this disease can be caused by viruses that cause mumps, rubella, measles, influenza and mononucleosis (Epstein-Barr virus). Another group of viruses called arboviruses can spread encephalitis mainly by mosquitoes and ticks bites. Only a small number of people stung by infected ticks or mosquitoes develop symptoms of encephalitis. Disease caused by arboviruses occurs usually in summer and early fall when mosquitoes bite people who spend more time outdoors. Although rare, infection with rabies virus can lead to encephalitis.

Encephalitis

Encephalitis symptoms

• Fever and headache are the symptoms of essential
• Lack of energy
• Dizziness, nausea and vomiting
• Photosensitivity
• Changes in personality
• Memory Loss
• Confused Speaking
• Hallucinations
• Delusions
• Unusual behavior

Encephalitis

Encephalitis itself is not contagious, but depending on the type of microbes, and infection can spread in several ways. A severe form of encephalitis can lead to coma or death. Severe symptoms such as seizures decrease the chances for a full recovery if, or if treatment is delayed. In case of acute encephalitis, it may take up to a week and full recovery may be spread over a period of several weeks, even months, depending on its stage of advancement.

Diagnosis

Laboratory tests that can be used to diagnose encephalitis include:

• Analysis of spinal cord fluid (CSF): This is one of the most important diagnostic tests, samples are taken during a spinal puncture, the needle is inserted into the lower spine between the vertebrae and spinal fluid is examined for evidence of infection, such as increased number of leukocytes and proteins
• In case of encephalitis caused by herpes simplex virus, traces of viral genetic material can be found in the CSF. A viral culture cand be made to identify the virus that caused encephalitis (a small amount of cerebrospinal fluid is placed in a container which contains cells that grow the virus. It may take several weeks until viral culture results are ready)

Imaging tests

• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the head can be used to detect specific areas of inflammation or bleeding in the brain caused by encephalitis. However, many patients with encephalitis have normal MRIs. Another imaging test, CT (computed tomography) of the face and head can be used to see these changes in the brain. CT uses X-rays to “photograph” the brain.

Encephalitis

Blood tests

• Testing blood for finding antibodies can identify some causes of encephalitis, including viruses transmitted by mosquitoes and viruses that cause mononucleosis (Epstein-Barr virus), cytomegalovirus and toxoplasmosis.
• Electroencephalogram (EEG). An electroencephalogram (EEG) can help confirm a diagnosis of encephalitis. An EEG records the electrical activity of the brain with the help of electrodes mounted on the head and attached to a computer. In case of encephalitis, the EEG will show an increased or decreased abnormal electrical activity. However, EEG can not show whether abnormal electrical activity is caused by encephalitis.

Brain biopsy

• Brain biopsy may be used to find the cause encephalitis, especially if herpes simplex virus is suspected as the cause of encephalitis and the patient shows improved clinical condition after treatment with acyclovir (antiviral medication used to treat infections with herpes simplex virus). An MRI can guide specialists in determining the site of biopsy, if biopsy is needed. Using MRI to guide the biopsy needle,  a small piece of brain tissue is extracted and examined to find the viral infection. Brain biopsy is rarely used, because blood tests and cerebrospinal fluid can provide an accurate diagnosis of encephalitis caused by herpes simplex virus.

Treatment

Encephalitis treatment is performed in the intensive care unit of a hospital where the vital signs of the patient are closely monitored (blood pressure, heart rate, breathing and the body fluids). Treatment depends on the symptoms and specific cause of encephalitis, if the cause can be identified. Encephalitis caused by herpes simplex virus or varicella-zoster can be treated with acyclovir (antiviral medication), which is administered intravenously. Because early treatment increases the chances of recovery, it is important that therapy with acyclovir should be started as soon as encephalitis is suspected, even if we do not know the exact cause of the disease. With early treatment, 70% of herpes simplex encephalitis recover. Treatment has the greatest effect if given within 4 days after onset.

Encephalitis Treatment

Call a physician as soon as possible if you consider encephalitis symptoms have installed such as severe headaches, fever and confusion, especially if accompanied by neck stiffness, nausea, vomiting and dizziness. Some doctors use valacyclovir for herpes simplex encephalitis, even though this medication has not been formally approved for the treatment of encephalitis.

Encephalitis caused by arboviruses, which are transmitted by mosquitoes and ticks, do not respond to acyclovir or other medications. Instead of trying to kill the virus, doctors treat the symptoms so the patient is comfortable and allow the body to heal itself. Mild fever can help the healing process and is usually not treated. Aspirin should not be administered to individuals younger than 20 years due to the risk of Reye syndrome. Seizures can be treated with anticonvulsant medications such as phenytoin (Dilantin) or phenobarbital. A ventilator (artificial breathing machine) and other supportive measures can be taken to help the patient who falls into a coma.