poliomyelitis

POLIOMYELITIS [INFANTILE PARALYSIS]

Poliomyelitis or polio is a disease which causes crippling of the limbs.it is chiefly a disease of temperate countries with the greatest occurrence during the hottest season of the year.in the tropics it is quite common but generally does not reach the epidemic stage.the motor nerves of the brain and spinal cord are attacked making the muscles of the body,particularly those of the limbs and lungs,paralysed and unresponsive to external stimuli.generally not all the nerves supplying the muscles are destroyed.sometimes the attack may spread to the vital centres of the brain,thuss making breathing or swallowing imposible.such attacks kill the patient very rapidly.the epidemic always attack infants first,then children and lastly adults.

               Causative organism

              Picorna virus

                 Sources of infection

The spread can be by contact,but it is generally by droplets.the discharge of the virus from the mouth,nose and faeces of patients could easily infect others,particularly during epidemics.one can also be infected by drinking virus-contaminated water.houseflies may be vectors of the virus.

                Symptom

*the virus attacks the gut causing some fever.

*a sore throat develops

*severe headache

*serious neck,back and limb pains

*when the virus enters the central nervous system,attacking the motor neurons,the pains continue

*paralysis of limbs due to death of the nerves controlling the muscles of the limbs

*paralysis of the respiratory tract muscles and swallowing muscles.even if one survives this symptoms,one would once more have to be taught how to breath or swallow.some patients are enclosed in a machine called an ‘iron lung’which ventilates their lungs.

                   Prevention and control

Very little can be done by way of prevention.polio can be controlled however by general mass immunization either by injection or by an oral vaccine(usually on a sugar lump)

   The WhO has done a lot to prevent this disease,which is no longer endemic in many tropical countries

Health benefits of pawpaw

7 Health Benefits Of Eating Pawpaw Sure, you know that pawpaw is a fruit; you rightfully assume it’s good for you, but do you know that the benefits of eating pawpaw go far beyond the generic boost of vitamin C. Papaya Contains Antioxidants One of the benefits of eating papaya is that it helps to prevent cancer. Papaya is a rich source of antioxidants that the body needs to fight against cancer-causing cells. Vitamin C, E and beta- carotenes are antioxidants that prevent all kinds of cancers. So adding a daily serving of papaya to your diet may lessen your risk of developing cancer. Papaya is Used to Treat Digestive Disorders Papaya is a great source of proteolytic enzymes that are very important in digesting food. The most important of these proteolytic enzymes found in papaya is papain. Papain breaks down proteins in food, allowing for better digestion. Papain is used in prescription of digestive enzymes to treat individuals with cystic fibrosisor pancreatic conditions; producing for them what the body cannot produce naturally. Eating papaya is also a benefit because papain taken orally treats less serious digestion disorders such as bloating and chronic indigestion. In these cases papain is extracted, dried and sold as tablets. Papaya Boosts Male Virility Another great benefit of papaya is to boost male virility. Papaya contains an enzyme called arginine which is known in the medically community to boost blood flow around the man-hood. Arginine boosts nitric acid in the body to relax the muscles surrounding the blood vessels tat supply the man- hood. These blood vessels then dilate and increase blood flow. A more concentrated form of arginine is used to treat erectile dysfunction. Papaya Prevents Premature Aging Many alternative medical practitioners believe that one of the benefits of papaya is to control premature aging. Papaya helps the body to properly digest food and when the body digests all the nutrients it needs, the body will remain vital for a long time. Papaya is Used as a Cleanser Taking a quarter pint (150ml) of papaya juice, cucumber juice and green bean juice in alternating hours for 12 hours can be a benefit to your colon. These juices work as potent natural cleansers when combined. Papaya is also rich in fiber, which travels through the body and binds itself to cancer-causing toxins in the colon. The fiber in papaya flushes out the toxins in the colon and so one of the benefits of papaya is that it helps prevent colon cancer especially, due to its antioxidants and its fiber content. Papaya Prevents Heart Attacks and Strokes The antioxidants in papaya prevent cholesterol from oxidizing. When cholesterol becomes oxidized it forms plaque in the blood vessel walls that can eventually build up and cause a heart attack or stroke. Also, fiber is known to lower cholesterol. The fiber in papaya converts a substance called homocysteine into harmless amino acids that the body can process, but without the breakdown, homocysteine can eventually damage blood vessel walls, causing strokes or heart attacks. Papaya Treats Inflammation Papain and chymopapain, protein-digestive enzymes found in papaya lowers inflammation and improve healing from burns. Papain breaks down the inactive proteins in the skin, removing dead tissue from burns. This benefits the body as it helps heal skin injuries, relieves psoriasis, removes warts, treats ringworms and cold sores. Also vitamins C, E and beta carotenes are good at reducing inflammation and as such these nutrients are used to treat asthma, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis among many other inflammatory ailments.