One can get infected with pneumonia from many sources. The source of an infection helps the diagnosis as there are some organisms specific to the sources. Even hospitals and health care institutions which cater to long-term nursing for chronic illness, old age, etc.  generally have infecting agents that sometimes are drug resistant.

The common pneumonia symptoms may include
– Pain in the chest when you breathe or cough
– A cough, which may produce phlegm
– Fever, sweating, or shivering
– Fatigue
– Lower body temperatures (this is mainly found in adults age 65 and above and those with weak immune systems)
– Vomiting, nausea, or diarrhea
– Shortness of breath

Diagnosis of pneumonia symptoms is aided by the history of the case and physical examination, especially an auscultation of the lungs which gives an accurate idea of the location of the infection. An X-ray would confirm the locality and extent of the infection. To identify the infecting agent, a blood test and sputum brought up by a deep cough is subjected to pathological tests. Pneumonia interferes with oxygen transfers thereby reducing the oxygen levels in the blood. The level of oxygen in the blood is estimated by pulse oximetry. If the patient is aged above 65 yrs, is admitted to a hospital, and has other serious health issues, additional tests may be prescribed. A CT scan may be asked for if the infection is taking more time to clear. This helps the doctor to have greater clarity about the lung condition. He may order a pleural fluid culture to accurately determine the causative agent.

The treatment approach for pneumonia symptoms is primarily decided on the basis of the infecting organism. Generally, community-acquired pneumonia is easy to treat while hospital- and healthcare unit-acquired are most difficult as they are more drug resistant. Antibiotics can be prescribed on the basis of the infecting agent. The other commonly-used drugs are cough medicines, anti pyretic, and anodynes to keep the fever and body aches under control. In the case of fungal infections, antifungal medicines will be prescribed after examining a culture of the fluid from the lung or sputum culture. In viral pneumonia, however, the approach is to subdue the fever and bodily discomfort and allow the disease to run its course. Cases of community-acquired pneumonia can often be treated at home. Hospitalization is required only where risks of complications are high.

Assisted living is a residential facility for the elderly, disabled individuals, mentally challenged people, and even those with special needs. It provides basic services such as dressing, bathing, cooking, shopping, paying bills, and taking medications to the residents. However, such facilities are not licensed as skilled nursing facilities are.

An assisted living facility (ALF) or an assisted living residence or is similar to a retirement home; the facilities provided are same, and they cater to the senior population. The main purpose of an assisted living facility is to help seniors live independently in a safe environment.

What is it?
These facilities offer assistance with and supervision over activities of daily living (ADLs) such as three meals a day, housekeeping, and so on. They also do a proper coordination of services from outside health care providers and monitor the residents’ activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Assistance often includes the administration or supervision of medication and personal care services. Depending on the assistance required with the ADLs, the facilities are broadly classified into the following.

• Type I – Assisted living facility: Apart from providing basic monitoring for 24 hours and 7 days a week, the residents also get a minimum assistance for up to 2 ADLs. Typically, the service plan also includes assistance from a nurse who can help with daily medication.
• Type II – Assisted living facility: Here, you can get full assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) along with general nursing care from the facility staff.
• Small Healthcare facility: This one is similar to Type II with the major difference being that there are a lesser number of residents. You get to enjoy a homely environment as it is a licensed home occupied by the owner or operator, and supervised nursing care is provided on a daily basis from a fixed plan of care.

Assisted living facilities aim toward providing a homely environment, making it a suitable place to live in for someone who needs some assistance with everyday life, but does not need intensive care as offered in nursing homes.

For those who can’t afford to pay for vaccines, the government provides the same at no cost. The Vaccine for Children (VFC) program is a federal initiative started in 1963. This initiative aims to immunize children who have no health insurance through both the private and public sectors.

Essentially, this initiative is meant for children below the age of 19 who are uninsured, underinsured, Medicaid eligible, and an American Indian or Alaska native. To clarify the underinsured part, one can avail the scheme if the child has a health insurance but that insurance does not cover vaccines, specific vaccines, or those that have a fixed dollar limit. The underinsured ones can reach out to any of the Federal Qualified Health Centers or Rural Health Clinics for availing the scheme.

Nevertheless, there could be certain costs associated with the vaccination which may include administration fee, office visit fees, and fees for extras such as blood or eye tests. Additionally, the administrative fees vary from state to state which can be equally waived off if one is unable to pay.

These vaccines come in either single or combination doses against 14 preventable diseases as per the ACIP. The CDC is the administrator of VFC for purchasing and distribution of the vaccines. Moreover, most of the pediatricians are enrolling to the VFC providers. Every state’s health department has a VFC program which makes it easier for a local resident to receive free immunization. Following is the list of the recommended vaccinations offered under the scheme:

• Diphtheria
• Haemophilus influenza type B (HIB)
• Hepatitis A/B
• Human papillomavirus
• Influenza flu
• Measles
• Meningococcal
• Mumps
• Pertussis
• Pneumococcal
• Polio
• Rotavirus
• Rubella
• Tetanus
• Varicella

All these vaccines are carefully evaluated as per the safety guidelines and compliance norms before it gets rolled out by the VFC. Needless to say, this program aims to eliminate all barriers toward free immunization and create a safer environment for both residents and visitors.

Melanoma is a form of skin cancer that develops in the cells that produce melanin. Melanoma can also form in the eyes and, in rare cases, the nose or throat. The cause of the condition is unknown, but there are many factors that can contribute to its development. In this article, we shall discuss how certain foods affect melanoma. Continue reading to see which ones can help you fight this condition.

Foods with high protein content

When it comes to managing melanoma, it is important to add protein-rich foods to your meals. This is because protein is one of the building blocks of the human body, and they contribute to a lot of essential body functions. Proteins help with repairing cells and rebuilding tissue. They also help strengthen the immune system and help the body recover from illnesses.

Whole grains

Whole grains are an essential part of a healthy lifestyle. They are a great source of both fiber and carbohydrates that help the body stay energized. Individuals can add foods like oatmeal and brown rice to their meals instead of processed and refined grains.

Fruits and vegetables

Fruits and vegetables are rich sources of nutrients, antioxidants, and vitamins. Antioxidants found in many fruits and vegetables protect the body from damage caused by free radicals. Certain fruits and vegetables also have lycopene, an antioxidant that protects the skin from sun damage.

Foods with healthy fat content
When it comes to avoiding and fighting melanoma, people can also try adding foods with healthy fat content such as omega-3 fatty acids to their meals. This is because omega-3 fatty acids inhibit COX-2, which promotes the progression of skin cancer in the body. Omega-3 fatty acids also help reduce inflammation and help the body stay healthy. It is recommended to try adding foods such as salmon, sardines, walnuts, and flaxseed to get the required amounts of omega-3 fatty acids.

Those who suffer from melanoma also need to take medications to keep the condition in check. Common medications include:

OPDIVO®

OPDIVO®, also known as nivolumab, is a prescription medication that is used to treat advanced melanoma. The medication is often prescribed in combination with YERVOY®. Common side effects of children include bone pain, change in taste, and mouth sores.

Dacarbazine

Dacarbazine is used to treat melanoma that has spread to other parts of the body. Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, flushing, and flu-like symptoms.

Every disease has some or the other myth attached to it. While some of them might turn out to be true, most of them are not. Herpes might sound like a common health issue, but still, there are many misconceptions doing rounds among people. Here, we will bust a few myths about herpes. Keep reading.

Myth 1: Rashes caused by herpes are permanent
This statement is not true since the rashes do go away. Though rashes take some time to disappear, they dissipate eventually and are not a permanent symptom of this infection.

Myth 2: One can get herpes from a toilet seat
It is not true since the microbes that cause genital herpes cannot survive for too long outside the human body and that too on a surface like a toilet seat.

Myth 3: If your partner has herpes, they are promiscuous
This statement has no truth to it. It is very likely that your partner might be carrying the infection for a long time and that it has recently activated itself.

Myth 4: People with herpes cannot donate blood
People who have oral or genital herpes can definitely donate blood as long as they are not weak.

Myth 5: You cannot have sexual intercourse post-herpes
There are many ways to manage the outbreak, including protecting oneself from getting this infection. Herpes is not a permanent condition, and you can definitely have sexual intercourse after you have dealt with the infection or even during it, if it is safe.

Myth 6: You cannot get herpes from oral sex
You can definitely get oral herpes if you perform oral sex since the virus is easily transmitted through the saliva.

Myth 7: You will know it when you have herpes
A lot of people who suffer from herpes are unaware of their condition. Sometimes it may not even show any symptoms. The only way for you to know for sure is to get yourself tested for the same.

These above-mentioned myths have no truth to them, so when you hear any of these, it is better for you to disregard them and trust a doctor’s verdict and advice instead.

Urinary problems in men are quite common. These problems can range from frequent urination to pain in the bladder and overactive bladder.

Frequent urination is when you need to empty the bladder more than (at least) eight times in a day. Frequent urination problem is also associated with the urgency to empty the bladder. This is medically referred to as an overactive bladder (OAB). In OAB, frequent urination is a problem rather than a symptom of another disease.

Causes

Frequent urination problems can occur due to many medical conditions. These can range from minor to major health concerns.

• Urinary tract infection (UTI): Any infections in the urinary tract can lead to frequent urination. The infection is accompanied by abdominal discomfort or pain and fever.
• Prostate problems: When the prostate becomes enlarged, it can push against the urethra wall and impede urine flow. The urethra is the thin tube that transfers urine out of the bladder. With the constant pressing of the urethra, the bladder begins to contract even with little urine present inside it. The contractions cause frequent urge to urinate.
• Diuretic use: Medicines that treat high blood pressure and some kidney problems like fluid buildup can cause frequent urination in men.
• Diabetes: Frequent urination problem can be a symptom of diabetes (both type 1 and type 2). Large amounts of urine can occur due to diabetes as the body eliminates unused glucose through the urination process.
• Neurological problems: Any neurological damage or problems such as a stroke can cause bladder function disorders. Multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injuries often cause frequent urination. These problems can cause the nerves associated with the bladder to malfunction.
• Bladder cancer: Urination frequency can increase when the bladder is damaged due to cancerous cells.
• Radiation therapy: Radiation treatment for any cancer can lead to frequent urination. However, this is not very common.
• Bladder dysfunction: When any bladder problem occurs, often it can lead to frequent urination problem.

Frequent urination is treatable with the help of medications, surgeries and diet modifications. Your doctor can recommend a treatment plan based on your health needs.

Neuropathy is a common condition that occurs when the peripheral nerves happen to get disrupted or damaged. Although it mostly occurs after the age of 55, there are many cases where this disorder affects you even at a younger age. Neuropathy can trigger a wide array of indications including erectile dysfunction to constipation. The most common neuropathy symptoms that one should not ignore are as follows

• Numbness and pain: The burning sensation and tingling in your legs and arms can be one of the earliest indications of some kind of damaged nerve. They normally occur in your feet and toes and may also trigger severe pain. You may also experience numbness in these areas.
• Muscular issues: Any nerve damage normally triggers difficulty in muscle control and even weakness. Sometimes you will find difficulty in the movement of a particular part of your body. Simple tasks like buttoning your shirt may seem difficult. You can also experience cramps or twitching of your muscles. Another neuropathy symptom includes falling down suddenly.
• Various issues with different organs of the body: Neuropathy can affect various parts of the body, and the various symptoms that one would experience with different organs of the body are given below.
  – Digestive system: If you have any neuropathic issue, you may experience neuropathy symptoms like issues in the digestion of food and even constipation. You can also experience heart burns and bloated sensations without even having a proper full meal. Some people also experience difficulties in swallowing food.
  – Heart: If there happens to be any damage to the nerves connected to the heart, one may experience symptoms like lightheadedness when they stand up.
  – Bladder issues: Leakage of urine is a prominent symptom of peripheral neuropathy.
  – Sexual issues: Erectile dysfunction for men and dryness of the vagina are all common neuropathy symptoms.
  – Excessive sweating: This is yet another symptom that should not be ignored as this occurs even when the climate is quite cool and pleasant and even when you are resting.

If you experience any of the above-mentioned symptoms, the best course of action is to consult a doctor who specializes in neurological disorders so that treatment can begin at the earliest. You will, therefore, be able to prevent unwanted complications due to ignorance.

Both these terms—electronic medical records (EMR) and electronic health records (EHR)—seem to have a simple change of an alphabet in the middle, but still, both of the terms are used by doctors, patients and other health practitioners interchangeably. There is a slight difference between these two forms of record systems. Let us find out more.

Know the difference
Before we delve any further, we must first understand what the two terms mean. An EMR is an Electronic Medical Record which is used by clinicians in carrying our diagnosis and treatment of an ailment based on the health metrics contained therein. These records include information regarding the past ailments and any allergies as well as current medication, for the patient. Whereas EHR is known as an Electronic Health Record, and it is used to record all the information that pertains to the state of the patient’s health. In this way, an EHR goes a little further than an EMR and helps in understanding the health of the individual rather than merely carrying out treatment and diagnosis of a particular ailment.

Data usage
While the EMR or Electronic Medical Record will keep track of all the information about the ailment for which the patient may visit the doctor, it also helps in setting screening schedules depending on the health and other metrics defined with the records. The EHR goes a little further by depicting the health of the patient. This information is not merely collected and collated, but it is also in a format which can be shared across health organizations and with clinicians who can compute this data to help in better care giving practices across various clinical settings.

Benefits
While the Electronic Medical Records will talk about the ailment and screening schedules, the EHR will be helpful in emergency situations as well so that proper care may be accorded without having to hunt for the appropriate health information.

Maintaining medical records is of utmost importance in today’s day and age so that one can get the right care at the right time for timely treatment of an ailment.