BED BUGS CAN TRANSMIT PARASITE THAT CAUSES CHAGAS DISEASE

The bed bug may be just as dangerous as its sinister cousin, the triatomine, or "kissing" bug. A new study from Penn Medicine researchers in the Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics demonstrated that bed bugs, like the triatomines, can transmit Trypanosoma cruzi, the parasite that causes Chagas disease, one of the most prevalent and deadly diseases in the Americas.

The role of the bloodsucking triatomine bugs as vectors of Chagas disease -- which affects 6 to 8 million worldwide, mostly in Latin America, and kills about 50,000 a year -- has long been recognized. The insects infect people not through their bite but feces, which they deposit on their sleeping host, often around the face, after feeding. Bed bugs, on the other hand, are usually considered disease-free nuisances whose victims are left with only itchy welts from bites and sleepless nights.

In a study published online this week in the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, senior author Michael Z. Levy, PhD, assistant professor in the department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology at the University of Pennsylvania's Perelman School of Medicine, and researchers at the Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia in Peru conducted a series of laboratory experiments that demonstrated bi-directional transmission of T. cruzi between mice and bed bugs.

In the first experiment run at the Zoonotic Disease Research Center in Arequipa, Peru, the researchers exposed 10 mice infected with the parasite to 20 uninfected bed bugs every three days for a month. Of about 2,000 bed bugs used in the experiment, the majority acquired T. cruzi after feeding on the mice. In a separate experiment to test transmission from bug to mouse, they found that 9 out of 12 (75 percent) uninfected mice acquired the parasite after each one lived for 30 days with 20 infected bed bugs.

In a third experiment, investigators succeeded in infecting mice by placing feces of infected bed bugs on the animal's skin that had either been inflamed by bed bug bites, or scraped with a needle. Four out of 10 mice (40 percent) acquired the parasite by this manner; 1 out of 5 (20 percent) were infected when the skin was broken by the insect's bites only. A final experiment performed at the Penn bed bug lab in Philadelphia demonstrated that bed bugs, like triatomines, defecate when they feed.

"We've shown that the bed bug can acquire and transmit the parasite. Our next step is to determine whether they are, or will become, an important player in the epidemiology of Chagas disease," Levy said. "There are some reasons to worry -- bed bugs have more frequent contact with people than kissing bugs, and there are more of them in infested houses, giving them ample opportunity to transmit the parasite. But perhaps there is something important we don't yet understand about them that mitigates the threat."

T. cruzi is also especially at home in the guts of bed bugs. "I've never seen so many parasites in an insect," said Renzo Salazar, a biologist at the Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia and co-author on the study. "I expected a scenario with very low infection, but we found many parasites -- they really replicate well in the gut of the bed bugs."

Wicked Cousins

Bed bugs and kissing bugs are distant cousins but share many striking similarities. Both insects hide in household cracks and crevices waiting for nightfall and the opportunity to feed on sleeping hosts. They are from the same order of insects (Hemiptera) and both only feed on blood. (One main difference is their size: kissing bugs are five times as big as a bed bug). With so much in common, it seemed logical to the authors that the kissing bug's most infamous trait, the transmission of T. cruzi, is also shared by the bed bug.

Other investigators have shared this suspicion. In 1912, just three years after Carlos Chagas described the transmission of the disease by kissing bugs, French parasitologist Émile Brumpt recounted that he had infected almost 100 bed bugs exposed to an infectious mouse, and then used them to infect two healthy mice. Decades later an Argentine group replicated his work. These experiments, largely ignored during the recent bed bug resurgence, missed one key point.

"Mice can hunt and eat bed bugs," said Ricardo Castillo-Neyra, DVM, PhD, coauthor and postdoctoral fellow at the Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia and Penn. "The older studies were almost certainly only documenting oral transmission of the parasite. Our work shows for the first time that bed bugs can transmit the parasite when their feces are in contact with broken skin, the route by which humans are usually infected."

Emerging Problem

More people in the U.S. are infected with T. cruzi now than ever before. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that the number of Chagas disease cases in the U.S. today could be as high as 300,000.

"There have always been triatomine bugs and cases of Chagas disease in the U.S., but the kissing bugs we have here don't come into homes frequently like the more dangerous species in South and Central America do," Levy said. "I am much more concerned about the role of bed bugs. They are already here -- in our homes, in our beds and in high numbers. What we found has thrown a wrench in the way I think about transmission, and where Chagas disease could emerge next."

Equally worrying is the invasion of bed bugs into areas where Chagas disease is prevalent, especially in countries where traditional insect vectors of the parasite have been nearly eliminated, Levy said. In these areas, bed bugs will be repeatedly exposed to T. cruzi, and could re-spark transmission where it had been extinguished.

"Bed bugs are harder to kill than triatomines due to their resistance to common insecticides." Levy said. "No one is prepared for large scale bed bug control. If the parasite starts to spread through bed bugs, decades of progress on Chagas disease control in the Americas could be erased, and we would have no means at our disposal to repeat what had been accomplished."

Often referred to as a silent killer, Chagas disease is hard to diagnose in its early stages because the symptoms are mild or absent. The parasites are hidden mainly in the heart and digestive muscle and over time can cause cardiac disorders and sometimes digestive or neurological problems. In later years, the infection can lead to sudden death or heart failure caused by progressive destruction of the heart muscle. Although there are some drugs to treat Chagas disease, they become less effective the longer a person is infected.

The long asymptomatic period of Chagas disease complicates surveillance for new outbreaks of transmission. In Arequipa, Peru, thousands became infected with the parasite before a case appeared in the hospital. The same could happen in cities in the United States if the parasite were to emerge in the bed bug populations, the authors say.

"Carlos Chagas discovered T. cruzi in triatomine insects before he saw a single case of the disease," Levy said. "We need to learn from his intuition -- check the bugs for the parasite."

HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES FOR NONALCOHOLIC FATTY LIVER DISEASE

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is a term used to describe the accumulation of fat in the liver of people who drink little or no alcohol.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is common and, for most people, causes no signs and symptoms and no complications.

But in some people with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, the fat that accumulates can cause inflammation and scarring in the liver. This more serious form of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is sometimes called nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.

At its most severe, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease can progress to liver failure.

Causes--Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease occurs when your liver has trouble breaking down fats, causing fat to build up in your liver tissue.

Doctors aren't sure what causes nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. The wide range of diseases and conditions linked to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is so diverse that it's difficult to pinpoint any one cause.

Types of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease can take several forms — from harmless to life-threatening. Forms include:

Nonalcoholic fatty liver. It's not normal for fat to build up in your liver, but it won't necessarily hurt you. In its simplest form, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease can cause excess liver fat, but no complications. This condition is thought to be very common.

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. In a small number of people with fatty liver, the fat causes inflammation in the liver. This can impair the liver's ability to function and lead to scarring of the liver (cirrhosis).

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease-associated cirrhosis.Liver inflammation leads to scarring of the liver tissue. With time, scarring can become so severe that the liver no longer functions adequately (liver failure).

Symptoms--Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease usually causes no signs and symptoms. When it does, they may include:---Fatigue,  Pain in the upper right abdomen, Weight loss

HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES

CHELIDONIUM Q- Chelidonium is the top  Homeopathic medicine for Fatty Liver treatment. The marked symptom for using this  medicine is pain in right upper abdomen and pain under right shoulder. There may also be an enlargement of liver.The person is usually constipated. The stool passes in the form of hard balls. A distended abdomen with nausea and vomiting is also experienced. The patient suffers from excessive weakness. In case of jaundice in a patient with Fatty Liver too, Chelidonium is the best Homeopathic remedy.  Desire for very hot drinks and hot food

CARDUS MARIANUS Q—.Pain in the liver region . Left lobe is very sensitive. Fullness and soreness with moist skin. Constipation. Stool hard, difficul and knotty. Alternates with diarrhea. Golden colored urine Nausea, vomiting of green acid fluid

BOLDO Q-Congestion of liver . Burning weight in liver and stomach. Bitter taste , no appetite

LYCOPODIUM CLAVATUM  200- Lycopodium is another  remedy of great help for treating Fatty Liver with gastric symptoms and acidity. The patient complains of distension or bloating of abdomen soon after eating anything. The abdomen feels full of gas. Burning belching is also experienced. Even eating a little causes fullness in abdomen. The patient feels heaviness and pain in the right upper part of abdomen. Usually the symptoms get worse towards the evening. Farinaceous food makes the person worse. An unusual craving for sweets and hot drinks in excess may be present.

PHOSPHOROUS 200-Phosphorus is the best l Homeopathic medicine for patients of Fatty Liver who feel as if the food is coming upwards after eating. This is accompanied by sour belching. Vomiting may also occur in a few cases, along with pain in liver. The stool and flatus are very offensive. The patient feels weak after passing stool. The craving for peculiar things in diet is an important indication for using this  medicine in Fatty Liver patients. These peculiar things include ice creams, cold drinks and refreshing items like juices.

CALCAREA CARB 30- Calcarea Carb is a very beneficial  Homeopathic medicine for mainly obese Fatty Liver patients. The person is fatty, flabby with excess fat in liver and whole abdomen. This Homeopathic remedy successfully helps in burning excess fat in liver.The digestion is very slow in such persons with a long-standing constipation. The abdomen always remains distended. Milk is not suitable for these persons.  Desire for boiled eggs or strange things like chalk and pencils.  Sensitivity to cold air and excessive sweating on the head.

NUX VOMICA 30- Nux Vomica is the best fatty liver  remedy  in homeopathy when the cause is over consumption of  Alcohol . It is prescribed when pain in abdomen begins a few hours after eating, with a feeling of stone in abdomen. Sour or bitter belching accompanies the pain. A very significant symptom for selecting Homeopathic remedy Nux Vomica for Fatty Liver is constipation with an ineffectual urge to pass stool or poop. The stool, however, is insufficient and unsatisfactory. The passing out of stool gives some relief from the pain in abdomen but the urge to pass stool is renewed soon after. The patient craves for fattyfood, spicy food, coffee and alcoholic drinks in diet.

SOME RICE BASED FOOD FOR PEOPLE WITH CELIAC DISEASE CONTAIN RELEVANT AMOUNT OF ARSENIC

Rice is one of the few cereal grains consumed by people with celiac disease, as it does not contain gluten. However, it can have high concentrations of a toxic substance -- arsenic -- as revealed by the analyses of flour, cakes, bread, pasta and other foods made with rice, conducted by researchers from the Miguel Hernández University of Elche, Spain. The European Union is working to establish the maximum quantities of arsenic in these products.

Celiac disease affects almost 1% of the population of the western world, a group which cannot tolerate gluten and is thus obliged to consume products without it, such as rice. But this grain, depending on its origin, can also contain worrying levels of arsenic, a toxic and carcinogenic substance.

For the majority of consumers this does not pose any problem because they do not eat much rice every day, but this is not the case for celiac disease sufferers. Researchers from the Miguel Hernández University of Elche (UMH) have analysed the presence of arsenic in flour, bread, sweets, pastas, beers and milk made with rice and intended for this particular group of the population.

The results of the analyses, presented in the journal 'Food Additives & Contaminants', warn that some of these products contain "important contents" of total arsenic (As-t, up to 120 µg/kg) and inorganic arsenic (As-i, up to 85.8 µg/kg). Total arsenic is the sum of the organic arsenic, which is combined with carbon, and inorganic arsenic, which reacts with other elements such as oxygen, chlorine and sulphur, and is more harmful.

With these figures the As-t and As-i contents only of rice used as a main ingredient -- leaving aside the other components of the food products -- were estimated and were found to be as high as 235 and 198 µg/kg, respectively..

Moreover, the daily intake of inorganic arsenic by celiac disease sufferers -- a consequence of their consumption of rice products -- was calculated as between 0.45 and 0.46 µg/kg (micrograms per kilogram of body weight) for women and men weighing 58 and 75 kg respectively. And, in the case of children (up to the age of five), these figures are even higher, ranging between 0.61 and 0.78 µg/kg, according to another study published in the 'Journal of Food Science'.

A panel of experts from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) of the EU established in 2009 that there is evidence to suggest that an intake range of 0.3 -- 8.0 µg/kg of body weight per day entails a risk of developing lung, skin or bladder cancer. The estimated intakes in the two studies therefore vary within this range.

As Ángel Carbonell, co-author of the studies, explains: "These figures show that we cannot exclude a risk to the health of people who consume these kinds of products," although he recognises an important point: "The European Union has not yet established legal limits for the maximum content of arsenic in rice and rice-based foods, though it is currently working on this."

Lack of legislation

The researchers' recommendation is clear: "What is needed is for health agencies to legislate to limit the levels of arsenic that cannot be exceeded in rice-based foods intended for consumers who suffer from celiac disease." Until now, celiac disease was diagnosed predominantly in children, but in recent years the profile has changed and one in every five people with the disease is over 65 years old.

Currently, every EU country is taking samples of these products, analysing them and conveying the results to the EFSA to draw up a database broad enough to be able to make decisions. The Spanish Agency for Consumer Affairs, Food Safety and Nutrition (AECOSAN) has recently sent the Spanish report, put together in collaboration with the researchers responsible for this study..

Another important recommendation they make is to include quality information on labels: "The inorganic arsenic content in every food product should be indicated, and the variety of rice used and its provenance should be identified clearly, because some are more recommended than others," affirms Sandra Munera, one of the authors.

Arsenic is naturally present in Earth's crust, but in some regions its abundance is greater than in others, and its concentration also increases with the use of pesticides. The substance then spreads through water to rice, one of the few plants that is cultivated when flooded.

One of the 'cleanest' types of rice is from the Doñana National Park, as the use of pesticides has not been permitted here and arsenic is not naturally present in large quantities. On the other hand, in countries like India and Bangladesh, where waters are contaminated with inorganic arsenic and rice constitutes a staple food for the population, the result is currently one of the largest mass poisonings in history.

Motor Neurone Disease

Motor neurone disease is really a rare, progressive disease affecting thenerves within the brain and spinal-cord that supply the muscles from the body. This leads to weakness from the muscles and reduced function.
The control over motor neurone disease includes; exercises and stretching, joint care, positioning, the supply of aids and equipment, and breathing exercises. Through physiotherapy we try to maintain your quality of life provided possible.
Motor neurone disease (MND) is really a term used to describe an organization ofrelated diseases that affect the motor neurones within the brain and spinal-cord. Motor neurones are the nerve cells along that the brain transmits instructions towards the muscles. Therefore, degeneration from the motor neurones leads to weakness and wasting of muscles.
Motor neurone disease is most typical among people aged Fifty to seventy, and affects men a little more than women.

Effects of Motor Neurone Disease
The the signs of motor neurone disease usually occur first within the arms or legs. Usually, the first symptoms are mild, and can include stumbling, dragging of the foot or difficulty gripping objects. Symptomsinclude progressive weakness, muscle wasting and spasticity or stiffness within the arms and legs. Muscle weakness and wasting within the muscles supplying the face and throat may also cause difficulties with speech, chewing and swallowing.
Within the advanced stages from the disease, an individual may become almost totally immobile. The rate of disease progression, however, varies enormously from person to person.
There are no periods of remission with motor neurone disease but individuals can experience a "plateau" of weeks as well as months where no deterioration occurs. Motor neurone disease generally doesn't have impact at all on memory or intellect. Motor neurone disease also offers no impact on sight, hearing, taste, smell, sensation or bladder and bowel function.

Diagnosis of Motor Neurone Disease
Detecting motor neurone disease is made by aneurologist based on the good reputation for the symptoms along with a neurological examination. There isn't any diagnostic test for motor neurone disease. Other investigations might be performed to rule out other disorders that could present with similar symptoms to motor neurone disease.
Regardless of this, the diagnosis of motor neurone disease remains a clinical one. Once other diseases happen to be excluded, a rapid advancement of symptoms is a strong diagnostic factor. Even though progression of motor neurone disease may sometimes "plateau", it'll never resolve and can ultimately continue.

Physiotherapy for Motor Neurone Disease
Diagnosis of motor neurone disease can impact all aspects of the lives individuals and your loved ones. Through physiotherapy we try to keep your work, home and dating life as active as you possibly can.
Physiotherapy for motor neurone disease includes;
• exercises and stretches
• joint care
• breathing exercises and chest clearance techniques
• pain control
• anticipating and minimising secondary complications of motor neurone disease
• provision of apparatus, walking aids, orthoses and wheelchairs
• advice for you personally and those caring for yourself on handling techniques and equipment
• referral to appropriate health care professionals (eg. occupational therapy, speech and language therapy)
The results of physiotherapy could be:
• increased quality of life
• increased independence
• increased levels of energy
• reduced pain and muscle spasms
• reduced chance of chest infections
• reduced stiffness

HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES FOR RHEUMATIC HEART DISEASE

Rheumatic heart disease describes a group of short-term (acute) and long-term (chronic) heart disorders that can occur as a result of rheumatic fever. One common result of rheumatic fever is heart valve damage. This damage to the heart valves may lead to a valve disorder.

Rheumatic fever

Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory disease that may affect many connective tissues of the body, especially those of the heart, joints, brain or skin. It usually starts out as a strep throat (streptococcal) infection. Anyone can get acute rheumatic fever, but it usually occurs in children between the ages of 5 and 15 years. About 60% of people with rheumatic fever develop some degree of subsequent heart disease.

Every part of the heart, including the outer sac (the pericardium), the inner lining (the endocardium) and the valves may be damaged by inflammation caused by acute rheumatic fever. However, the most common form of rheumatic heart disease affects the heart valves, particularly the mitral valve. It may take several years after an episode of rheumatic fever for valve damage to develop or symptoms to appear.

Symptoms

Symptoms of heart valve problems, which are often the result of rheumatic heart disease, can include: chest pain, excessive fatigue, heart palpitations (when the heart flutters or misses beats), a thumping sensation in the chest, shortness of breath, and swollen ankles, wrists or stomach

HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIS

ARSENICUM ALBUM 30-- Palpitation , pain and dyspnea. Rheumatic heart of cigarette smokers and tobacco chewers

AURUM MET 30-  Pain in the heart and a feeling as if the heart stopped beating for two or three seconds. Rheumatism with hypertension

CACTUS GRANDIFLORUS 3X- Pain in the heart with feeling of construction in it. Vertigo  and low blood pressure

KALI NITRICUM 30- Violent stitch in the heart with steady with steady but weak pulse

KALMIA LAT 30- Heartrheumatism of tobacco smokers and chewers . Pains are so sharp as if he will not be able to take the next breath. Pain travels to shoulder blades

LACHESIS 200- Rheumatic pains of heart specially during menopause. Constricted feeling around the heart

NATRIUM IOD 30- Incipient rheumatic endocarditis. Vertigo and dyspnea

RANUNCULUS BULBOSUS Q- 10-15 drops a dose relieves various kinds of pains and rheumatic pains in the chest walls , in the ribs, sternum, heart, muscular tissue and shoulder blades when these are worse in cold air and atmospheric changes

SPIGELIA 30- Rheumatic carditis with trembling pulse

SPONGIA 30- Rheumatism with asthmatic symptoms

SUMBUL 30- Aching and numbness of the left arm with pain in the heart  and hypochondrial regions

HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES FOR FIFTH DISEASE

Fifth disease or Slapped cheek disease or  Parvovirus infection or Erythema infectiosumis a common and highly contagious childhood ailment — sometimes called slapped-cheek disease because of the distinctive face rash that develops. Parvovirus infection has also been known as fifth disease because, historically, it was one of five common childhood illnesses characterized by a rash.

In most children, parvovirus infection is mild and requires little treatment. However, in some adults, the infection can be serious. Parvovirus infection in some pregnant women can lead to serious health problems for the fetus. Parvovirus infection is also more serious for people with some kinds of anemia or who have a compromised immune system.

Cause-The human parvovirus B19 causes parvovirus infection. This is different from the parvovirus seen in dogs and cats, so you can't get the infection from a pet or vice versa.

Human parvovirus infection is most common among elementary school-age children during outbreaks in the winter and spring months, but anyone can become ill with it anytime of the year. It spreads from person to person, just like a cold, often through respiratory secretions and hand-to-hand contact.

Parvovirus infection can also spread through blood. A pregnant woman who is infected can pass the virus to her baby.

The illness is contagious in the week before the rash appears. Once the rash appears, the person with the illness is no longer considered contagious and doesn't need to be isolated.

Symptoms- Most people with parvovirus infection have no signs or symptoms. When symptoms do appear, they vary greatly depending on the age of the person who has the disease.

Early signs and symptoms of parvovirus infection in children may include-Fever,Upset stomach, Headache, Runny nose

Several days after the appearance of early symptoms, a distinctive bright red facial rash may appear — usually on both cheeks. Eventually it may extend to the arms, trunk, thighs and buttocks, where the rash has a pink, lacy, slightly raised appearance. The rash may be itchy, especially on the soles of the feet

Generally, the rash occurs near the end of the illness. It's possible to mistake the rash for other viral rashes or a medicine-related rash. The rash may come and go for up to three weeks, becoming more visible when a child is exposed to extreme temperatures or spends time in the sun

HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES

APIS MEL 30-. —for skin rashes that feel hot and dry and are sensitive to touch; may be accompanied by sore throat; often the rash area is puffy & hard and can resemble a bee sting. The rash is stingy. Symptoms are relieved by cool drinks and baths and worsened by heat and warm liquids, they can have little or no thirst.

BELLADONNA 30- when the condition comes on with a fast onset, the cheeks are very red with a radiating heat and can be accompanied by a high temperature & dilated pupils. Headache can be throbbing. May desire lemon or sharp flavored drinks

 CALENDULA 30 – for burns and skin lesions that are fairly superficial; often used after the acute phase of the skin condition has subsided to aid in complete recovery

FERUM PHOS 6X- Slow onset, low grade fever, nose bleed

RHUS TOXICODENDRON 30  — used for rashes, blisters and vesicles accompanied by intense itching that worsens at night and improves with the application of heat; this remedy is most appropriate for individuals who are generally restless and unable to get comfortable at night. Often have desire for milk or milk products. Often restless & can’t get comfortable. Can affect tendons & ligaments & have painful joints

SULPHUR 200-—for skin disorders that are accompanied by fever and intense itching; this remedy is most appropriate for individuals who are thirsty, irritable while sick, lazy