Viral Infection, Diabetes, Muscle Pain _Flu & Telemedicine

In last one week our doctors have either by home visit or tele consultation helped diabetics with viral infection.  We found some common misconceptions and risks which we want to highlight by this post.

1. In two instances both husband and wife were suffering from fever, body pain and dry cough. This was because of viral infection which was given by one partner to other. Viral infection is contagious and the most simple way it spreads is through handshake. Please wash your hands and disinfect the common objects which are handled like door handles, utensils.
2. Antibiotics do not help in viral infection and other way round may cause more harm. Many a times we have seen patients taking Azithral (azithromycin) without doctor prescription. Abuse of antibiotics can lead to obesity, diarrhoea and antibiotic resistance.
3. 
4. Diabetics who are taking Insulin or other oral hypoglycaemic agents need to be careful in taking the medication without adequate food intake. We have seen hypoglycaemic  episodes in such patients. Please keep a sugar monitor at home and ensure that you are taking adequate food. HYPOGLYCAEMIA IS MORE HARMFUL THAN HYPERGLYCAEMIA IN SHORT RUN. Hyperglycaemia for couple of days is not harmful. Please consult doctor.
5. Dehydration is also a major cause of weakness and complications. Elderly people with fever are more prone to dehydration. Ensure adequate hydration. Plain water and as per sugar levels ORS can be given to ensure good hydration.
6. Body ache, muscle pain can be there during viral infection. Long standing diabetics can have borderline kidney function. It is important to ensure that they do not take pain killers indiscriminately. Paracetamol is fine but other over the counter pain killers must be avoided. Again drinking plenty of water is important.  
   

CDC recommendation here- 

Get in touch with us to know more , you can call on +91 8892505557, reach@rightcare.in  , Prana Healthcare

Know Your Drug-Paracetamol

You would have taken "Paracetamol" on numerous occasions.  The common brand names available in India are -Crocin, Calpol, Dolo, Paracip. It is also present in many fixed drug combinations for cold and pain.
We highlight the benefits and risks of Paracetamol in this post.

Image:Flickr

Uses:

Many people think paracetamol is only for fever. Paracetamol also has the ability to relieve pain.

Therefore it is used in

• Headache
• Muscle ache
• Toothache
• Arthritis
• Back ache
• Cold &
• Fever

It only reduces the symptoms and does not correct the underlying pathology.

A recent paper mentions that it may not be effective in back ache. Lancet, News. So, we can probably use other placebo drugs for back pain and get the same relief!

Dose:

In children the dose can range from 15 mg/kg to 30 mg/kg up to 12 years.

In Adults: Dose for fever is 325 mg to 650 mg every 6 hours. Not to exceed 3 gm per day.

For pain: 650 mg every 6 hours or 1000 mg every 8 hours. 

Paracetamol in Combination:

For pain control it is available in combination with Ibuprofen, Diclofenac, Tramadol.  The dose of paracetamol available in such combinations is 325 mg. Dosage varies, please consult your doctor or use our tele-consultation service.

Side Effects:

Paracetamol is considered a "safe" drug. But it needs to be taken with caution in people who have liver disease. Also overdosing should be avoided.

• a rash or swelling – this could be a sign of an allergic reaction
• hypotension (low blood pressure) when given in hospital by infusion (a continuous drip of medicine into a vein in your arm) 
• liver and kidney damage, when taken at higher-than-recommended doses (overdose)

There have recent data collected from observational research which indicate that "Paracetamol" could be injurious to kidney, liver, gastric mucosa and heart when used for a long time. 

Even though paracetamol is very safe to be taken during pregnancy, reports indicate association with hyperactivity disorders in children. Safe to say that use paracetamol only when necessary under medical supervision. 

Addendum: Added on 16/04/2015

Paracetamol also known as acetaminophen also has been found to reduce the ability to have "pleasure"! Link to new article here

Acetaminophen is also found to increase the risk of few hematological malignancies.  Abstract here

What does this all mean? Be careful about taking drugs indiscriminately.