Dr. Melanie Grange - Internist

11/04/2024

Job vacancy for Medical Laboratory Technologist/Scientist.
Must have a valid MOHW license
Tel: 423-5227 or 623-5200
Trustlife Clinical Laboratory
5th Avenue, Corozal Town

Kindly share in order to reach more friends who might be interested !

17/04/2023

Let's talk‼️Rheumatoid arthritis‼️
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation and damage to the joints. It affects approximately 1% of the world's population and is more common in women than in men.

Causes:
The exact cause of RA is unknown, but it is believed to be a combination of genetic and environmental factors. In RA, the immune system mistakenly attacks the synovial lining of the joints, causing inflammation, swelling, and pain.

Symptoms:
The symptoms of RA can vary from person to person, but commonly include:

Joint pain and stiffness: The most common symptom of RA is pain and stiffness in the joints, particularly in the hands, wrists, feet, and ankles. The pain is usually worse in the morning or after periods of inactivity.

Swelling and tenderness: Inflamed joints can become swollen, warm, and tender to the touch. This can make it difficult to move the affected joint.

Fatigue: Many people with RA experience fatigue, or a feeling of extreme tiredness. This can be caused by the inflammation in the body, as well as the pain and discomfort associated with RA.

Fever: Some people with RA may experience a low-grade fever, especially during flare-ups.

Loss of appetite: RA can cause a loss of appetite, which can lead to unintended weight loss.

Rheumatoid nodules: These are small lumps that can form under the skin, particularly around the joints.

Joint deformity: Over time, RA can cause joint damage and deformity, particularly in the hands and feet.

Diagnosis:
RA is diagnosed through a combination of medical history, physical examination, and laboratory tests. The doctor will look for symptoms such as joint pain, swelling, stiffness, and loss of function. Blood tests may also be ordered to detect inflammation, rheumatoid factor (RF), and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibodies. X-rays and other imaging tests may also be done to evaluate joint damage.

Risk factors:
There are several factors that may increase the risk of developing RA, including:

Age: RA most commonly begins between the ages of 30 and 60.
Gender: Women are more likely to develop RA than men.
Genetics: A family history of RA increases the risk.
Smoking: Smoking ci******es increases the risk of developing RA.
Obesity: Being overweight or obese increases the risk of developing RA.

Treatment:
There is currently no cure for RA, but early diagnosis and treatment can help to manage symptoms and slow the progression of the disease. Treatment options include:

Medications: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), and biologic drugs can be used to reduce inflammation and slow joint damage.

Physical therapy: Exercise and physical therapy can help to improve joint function and reduce pain.

Surgery: In severe cases, surgery may be necessary to repair or replace damaged joints.

In conclusion, RA is a chronic autoimmune disease that can cause significant joint damage and disability. Early diagnosis and treatment are important for managing symptoms and slowing the progression of the disease. If you are experiencing joint pain or other symptoms, it is important to see a doctor for evaluation and diagnosis.

14/11/2022

Every November 14, World Diabetes Day is commemorated, which is an opportunity to raise awareness about the impact of diabetes on the health of people. It also seeks to highlight the opportunities to strengthen the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diabetes.

This year, the theme is “Education to Protect Tomorrow”. PAHO calls on the need to strengthen access to quality education on diabetes both for the health team and for people living with diabetes, their caregivers, and society in general.
Please visit your nearest People Diabetic Foundation to learn more about prevention, diagnosis and treatment of Diabetes Mellitus.

07/10/2022

Lets talk about Arthritis. Joint pain, joint swelling and stiffness are amongst the most common complaints in any doctor's office. What can I say no one likes pain and functional limitations.
Arthritis means inflammation or swelling of one or more joints. It describes more than 100 conditions that affect the joints, tissues around the joint, and other connective tissues. Specific symptoms vary depending on the type of arthritis, but usually include joint pain and stiffness. Some diseases that cause arthritis are Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Gout, Fibromyalgia and Lupus. Let's talk about Osteoarthritis also known as Arthrosis.

What is osteoarthritis (OA)❓

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis. Some people call it degenerative joint disease or “wear and tear” arthritis. It occurs most frequently in the hands, hips, shoulders and knees.

With OA, the cartilage within a joint begins to break down and the underlying bone begins to change. These changes usually develop slowly and get worse over time. OA can cause pain, stiffness, and swelling. In some cases it also causes reduced function and disability; some people are no longer able to do daily tasks or work.

What are the signs and symptoms of OA❓
Pain or aching
Stiffness
Decreased range of motion (or flexibility)
Swelling

What causes OA❓
OA is caused by damage or breakdown of joint cartilage between bones.

What are the risk factors for OA❓
Joint injury or overuse—Injury or overuse, such as knee bending and repetitive stress on a joint, can damage a joint and increase the risk of OA in that joint.
Age—The risk of developing OA increases with age.
Gender—Women are more likely to develop OA than men, especially after age 50.
Obesity—Extra weight puts more stress on joints, particularly weight-bearing joints like the hips and knees. This stress increases the risk of OA in that joint. Obesity may also have metabolic effects that increase the risk of OA.
Genetics—People who have family members with OA are more likely to develop OA. People who have hand OA are more likely to develop knee OA.
Race— Some Asian populations have lower risk for OA.

How is OA diagnosed❓
A doctor diagnoses OA through a review of symptoms, physical examination, X-rays, and lab tests.
A rheumatologist, a doctor who specializes in arthritis and other related conditions, internist and orthopedic can help if there are any questions about the diagnosis.

How is OA treated❓
There is no cure for OA, so doctors usually treat OA symptoms with a combination of therapies, which may include the following:

Increasing physical activity
Physical therapy with muscle strengthening exercises
Weight loss
Medications, including over-the-counter pain relievers and prescription drugs
Supportive devices such as crutches or canes
Surgery (if other treatment options have not been effective) for example knee replacement and hip replacement.
I will be speaking about Rheumatoid Arthritis on the post so you can know the difference between OA and RA❗
Source: www.cdc.gov/arthritis

13/07/2022

What is ischemic heart disease❓❓
It's the term given to heart problems caused by narrowed heart arteries. When arteries are narrowed, less blood and oxygen reaches the heart muscle. This is also called coronary artery disease and coronary heart disease. This can ultimately lead to heart attack.
What is a Heart Attack?
A heart attack most commonly results from
atherosclerosis (fatty buildups) in the arteries that carry blood to the heart muscle. Plaque buildup narrows the inside of the arteries, making it harder for blood to flow. If a plaque in a heart artery ruptures (breaks open), a blood clot forms. The clot further blocks the blood flow. When it completely stops blood flow to part of the heart muscle, a heart attack occurs. Then the section of the heart muscle supplied by that artery begins to die. Damage increases the longer an artery stays blocked. In some cases, it may even die. Once that muscle dies, the result is permanent heart damage.
The amount of damage to the heart muscle depends on the size of the area supplied by the blocked artery and the time between injury and treatment. The blocked artery should be opened as soon as possible to reduce heart damage.
What are the warning signs❓❓
Atherosclerosis develops over time, it often has no symptoms until there’s enough damage to lessen the blood flow to your heart muscle. You should know the warning signs of heart attack so you
can get help right away, either for yourself or someone close to you.
Some heart attacks are sudden and intense. But most start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Here are some of the signs that can mean a heart attack is happening:
• Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain in the center of your chest. It lasts more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back.
• Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, your back, neck, jaw or stomach.
• Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.
• Other signs such as breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.
How can I reduce my risk for a heart attack❓❓
Even if you have heart disease, there’s a lot
you can do to improve your heart health.
Work with your health care provider to set
goals to reduce your risk.
• Don’t smoke, and avoid second-hand
smoke.
• Treat high blood pressure, if you have it.
• Eat a heart-healthy diet that’s low in saturated and trans fats, sodium (salt) and added sugars.
• Get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity a week.
• Reach and maintain a healthy weight.
• Control your blood sugar if you have diabetes.
• See your doctor for regular check-ups.
• Take your medicines exactly as prescribed.

Source: heart.org ( American Heart Association )

12/07/2022

15/06/2022

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
What Is COPD?
COPD is a chronic inflammatory lung disease that prevents the lungs from getting enough air, making it very hard to breathe. Two of the most common types of COPD are chronic bronchitis and emphysema. It's most often caused by smoking ci******es or other to***co products, or long-term exposure to lung irritants, such as air pollution, chemicals or dust.
When a person has COPD, less air is able to flow into and out of the lungs because of one or more of the following:
1. The walls of the airways in the lungs, known as bronchial tubes, become inflamed and thickened (known as chronic bronchitis).
2. The walls between many of the tiny air sacs in the lungs are destroyed (known as emphysema).
3. The air sacs and the airways in the lungs are less elastic.
4. The airways in the lungs produce more mucus than normal, which can cause them to become clogged.
Test your Lungs Now ...

25/05/2022

Today World Thyroid Day is commemorated under the theme "It's not you, it's your thyroid"! Learn about Thyroid Disease today!

23/05/2022

What is fatty liver disease❓

Your liver is the largest organ inside your body. It helps your body digest food, store energy, and remove poisons. Fatty liver disease is a condition in which fat builds up in your liver.

There are two main types:

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
Alcoholic fatty liver disease

What is nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)❓

NAFLD is a type of fatty liver disease that is not related to heavy alcohol use. There are two kinds:

Simple fatty liver, in which you have fat in your liver but little or no inflammation or liver cell damage. Simple fatty liver typically does not get bad enough to cause liver damage or complications.
Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), in which you have inflammation and liver cell damage, as well as fat in your liver. Inflammation and liver cell damage can cause fibrosis, or scarring, of the liver. NASH may lead to cirrhosis or liver cancer.

What is alcoholic fatty liver disease❓
Alcoholic fatty liver disease is due to heavy alcohol use. Your liver breaks down most of the alcohol you drink, so it can be removed from your body. But the process of breaking it down can generate harmful substances. These substances can damage liver cells, promote inflammation, and weaken your body's natural defenses. The more alcohol that you drink, the more you damage your liver. Alcoholic fatty liver disease is the earliest stage of alcohol-related liver disease. The next stages are alcoholic hepatitis and cirrhosis.

Who is at risk for fatty liver disease❓
The cause of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is unknown. Researchers do know that it is more common in people who:

Have type 2 diabetes and prediabetes
Have obesity
Are middle aged or older (although children can also get it)
Are Hispanic, followed by non-Hispanic whites. It is less common in African Americans.
Have high levels of fats in the blood, such as cholesterol and triglycerides
Have high blood pressure
Take certain drugs, such as corticosteroids and some cancer drugs
Have certain metabolic disorders, including metabolic syndrome
Have rapid weight loss
Have certain infections, such as hepatitis C
Have been exposed to some toxins
NAFLD affects about 25% of people in the world.

Alcoholic fatty liver disease only happens in people who are heavy drinkers, especially those who have been drinking for a long period of time. The risk is higher for heavy drinkers who are women, have obesity, or have certain genetic mutations.

What are the symptoms of fatty liver disease❓
Both NAFLD and alcoholic fatty liver disease are usually silent diseases with few or no symptoms. If you do have symptoms, you may feel tired or have discomfort in the upper right side of your abdomen.

How is fatty liver disease diagnosed?
Because there are often no symptoms, it is not easy to find fatty liver disease. Your doctor may suspect that you have it if you get abnormal results on liver tests that you had for other reasons. To make a diagnosis, your doctor will use:

Your medical history
A physical exam
Various tests, including blood and imaging tests like an panabdominal ultrasound and sometimes a biopsy.

What are some lifestyle changes that can help with fatty liver disease❓

If you have any of the types of fatty liver disease, there are some lifestyle changes that can help:

Eat a healthy diet, limiting salt and sugar, plus eating lots of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
Get vaccinations for hepatitis A and B, the flu and pneumococcal disease. If you get hepatitis A or B along with fatty liver, it is more likely to lead to liver failure. People with chronic liver disease are more likely to get infections, so the other two vaccinations are also important.
Get regular exercise, which can help you lose weight and reduce fat in the liver
Talk with your doctor before using dietary supplements, such as vitamins, or any complementary or alternative medicines or medical practices. Some herbal remedies can damage your liver.
Source: medilineplus.gov

22/04/2022

Take Note❗Be safe than Sorry❗

Currently, there are 4 sexually transmitted infections (STIs or STDs) that can be managed but not permanently cured. These are:
Herpes (HSV)
Hepatitis B (HBV)
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
Human papillomavirus (HPV).