Why Drugs Are Used

Why Drugs Are Used





Treatment of an infection is necessary only when the type or severity of symptoms shows that the immune system has not overcome the infection.



Bacterial infection can be treated with antibiotic or anti­bacterial drugs. Some of these drugs kill the infecting bacteria; others simply prevent them from multiplying.

Unnecessary use of antibiotics may result in the development of resistant bacteria.

Some antibiotics can be used to treat a broad range of infections, while others are effective against particular types of bacteria or in a certain part of the body. Antibiotics are most commonly given by mouth, or by injection in severe infections, but they may be applied topically for a local action.



Anti-viral drugs are used for severe viral infections that threaten body organs or survival. Anti-viral may be used in topical preparations, given by mouth, or administered in hospital by injection.



Other drugs used to fight infection include anti-protozoal drugs for protozoal infections such as malaria; anti-fungal drugs for infection by fungi and yeasts, including Candida (thrush); and anthelmintics to eradicate worm and fluke infestations. Infestation by skin parasites is usually treated with the topical application of insecticides.







Major Drug Groups



• Antibiotics and anti-bacterial drugs (including drugs for meningitis, drug treatment for Hansen's disease (Leprosy), and anti-tubercular drugs)

• Anti-viral drugs

• Vaccines and immunizations

• Anti-protozoal drugs (including anti-malarial drugs)

• Anti-fungal drugs

• Anthelminthic drugs

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PREMATURITY

CAUSE AND PREVENTION OF PREMATURITY





The incidents of prematurity are increasing day by day, throughout the world. Although for the most part the cause is unknown, there are a few obvious reasons for prematurity



INFANT VOMITING



Cervical incompetence



This probably is the only condition which is avoidable. But, until it has occurred once, there is no way of predicting and so preventing it. In this, the cervix is too weak to stay closed for the duration, generally giving way in the latter weeks of the second trimester. The incidence is higher in women who have had abortions.



Multiple pregnancies



Women who are carrying two or more babies are predisposed to premature birth, commonly occurring between 30 and 34 weeks.



Foetal abnormality



NAPPY RUSH



If an abnormality is detected by screening methods, such as ultrasound or amniocentesis. It may alert your doctor to the possibility of pre-term labour occurring.



Induction and caesarean section



Certain conditions, including pre-eclampsia and antepartum haemmorhage. Sometimes call for induction or caesarean, to save the lives of mother and/ or baby. Likewise, pre-existing maternal conditions, such as diabetes, epilepsy and kidney diseases, or serious illness may indicate intervention in the pregnancy.



INFANT COMPLICATIONS



Hydramnions



This rare condition, in which there is an excess of amniotic fluid, is most likely to occur where the uterus is carrying identical twins, although occasionally it is associated with diabetes,



Uterine abnormalities



Usually large fibroids muscle tumours in the uterine wall are the rare cause of pre-term labour. A congential abnormality in the size or shape of the uterus may prevent it from carrying a foetus for the full term.



Maternal age



Mother under the age of 20 years may have a predisposition to premature labour



Hereditary factors



If your mother delivered her baby prematurely, there is a slight chance that you will have inherited this trait.



INFANT TRUSH

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Prevention of pre-term birth

Where the reason is unknown, generally nothing can be done to prevent the start of premature labour. However, sometimes it can be halted if the baby is considered too young to survive.



If cervical incompetence caused a pre-term birth previously, a second may be avoided by the insertion of a cervical stitch at about 14 weeks gestation, to be removed a couple of weeks before expected delivery date or when labour starts, whichever happens first.



Drugs can be given to lower blood pressure, obviating the need for induction. However, once labour has started, intervention is usually not undertaken.





If premature labour begins for no apparent reason, a woman will be admitted to hospital where drugs may be administered to stop contraction temporarily. During this respite, the mother will be treated with a drug which will cross the placenta and work on developing the baby’s lungs.



When a woman has had a previous pre-term labour, she may be advised to abstain from intercourse for the final two months. This is because prostaglandins in semen are believed to trigger contractions.



Some doctors suggest that patients expecting multiple birth take to their beds as a safeguard from about 30 to 34 weeks of for the rest of their pregnancy.

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BABY MASSAGE AND BATHING

Massage is a marvelous way to enhance the natural bonding between the mother and the new born baby as touch is a natural way to establish contact between both. All babies instantly respond to cuddling and caressing. You must have noticed how a baby tightly curls its hands and feet when touched. In the case of babies, no essential oil is used, but only light vegetable oil, like sweet almond, sunflower and baby oil or olive oil, are used.



Advantages and significant points about massage



Unless Okayed by an aroma-therapist, no essential oil should be added to massage oil.



Do not expose the baby’s tender skin to strong or biting cold, cold winds and snow fall.



Warm your hands before the massage. It is still better if oil is also slightly warmed.



Gently stroke baby’s tender body and do not exert any pressure.



Do not massage when the baby is weeping or is ill or even when he resists any type of touch.



Room should be warm, quiet and without any draughts.



Massage relieves babies of colic, alleviates wind, improves digestion, cures coughs and colds etc.



Keep movements gently and smooth flowing.



Massage builds up general resistance of body.



Do not apply any oil on the baby’s eyes and face.



Do not massage immediately before, during or after a feed.





Make sure that massage helps your baby to feel lighter and better and that no discomfort or agitation is caused to her, if the baby weeps or cries during the massage, it means the massage area is either painful or too sensitive. In such a situation stop massaging. You may restart when the baby feels comfortable.



Procedure



Take a large sized towel and spread half portion on your legs or lap and other half under the baby’s back out. ensure there are no wrinkles or folds. Lay the baby on its back, or lay her in the position that makes her feel comfortable. Apply some oil, about 5 ml, to your palms and then apply gently and softly over the frontal portion of the body. Ensure that your hands are warm, the room is also warm and quiet and also there are no draughts. You can massage baby’s body either before the bath or after the bath. But the ideal time is said to be one hour before the bath.

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Frontal massage of the baby

· Gently and slowly apply a little oil on the front of the body, from shoulder to feet, but avoid the face. Now lightly stroke down the chest and abdomen using the tips of your fingers. By your light and delightful strokes, you can calm your baby’s body at any time. Remember, the touch of hands on the body will cheer up the baby and will show her happiness through gentle laughter of innocent smiles. Let the legs be kept in a straight line but if she curls them up, let her do so. It is a sign that she is enjoying the movements.

Keep the pressure very light. Move both your hands smoothly in circular strokes over the abdomen, working up the baby’s right side across and down the left side. Keep your movements continuous by lifting your left hand when your arms across. Now repeat such circular movement many a time

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Baby massage Left side

Left side



· If your baby lets you, gently stretch out both the arms to the sides, spreading hands and fingers. Then gently squeeze out along the arms and, with light and circular thumb movements massage the palms and wrist before you finish your movements, do not forget to stretch out each finger with a light pull.



Now move on to legs and feet, but work out only on and leg at a time. Supporting baby’s leg with both your hands, gently squeeze and release the fleshy part of his thigh. Thereafter, support the leg with one hand and stroke the leg, from knee to the thigh and back down again.

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Babay massage Right side

Right side



· Now move your supporting hand behind the ankle. Then gently smooth palm of your hand over top of baby’s foot—that is from toe to ankle and back again. As you reach the toes, stretch each toe very gently, without exerting any force/pressure. The same step should be repeated 4-5 times on the baby’s other leg also.

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