10 Common Skin Irritants

---

Irritated skin can itch, burn and frustrate your daily routine. Be aware of potential skin irritants around you. 

 

Chances are you've experienced a skin irritation at some point in your life. You may have had anything from a mild redness to frustrating swelling and itching to a severe case of blisters or sores. Your skin is your body's largest organ and its primary layer of defense, so it often takes the first blow against irritants in the world around you.

Dermatitis is the term used to describe a wide range of skin inflammation. Some categories of dermatitis are a result of internal conditions, and some chemical process in the body can trigger them. For example, eczema is usually hereditary, and outbreaks can be triggered by stress, allergies or asthma. Contact dermatitis, though, is a result of your skin's contact with some external irritant that creates an allergic reaction.
Because you come in contact with so many things on a day-to-day basis, it's sometimes hard to discover the exact cause of a rash or itch. You may have mild chafing from the wind or your clothes, or a case of contact dermatitis from household chemicals, poison ivy and even sunscreen. This article describes 10 common skin irritants, listed in no particular order, and what you can do to keep your skin protected.
No matter what skin irritation you have, you can treat the symptoms with lotions and over-the-counter medicated skin creams. If the irritation persists or worsens, you should see a health professional for a more precise diagnosis and treatment.

---

10

Plants

Poison oak leaves can prompt an allergic reaction similar to the rash shown here.

Campers, hikers, and gardeners may encounter some of nature's most common skin irritants: poison ivy, oak and sumac. Despite their ominous moniker, these plants create different reactions in people, none of which pose serious health risks.
If you encounter poison ivy, you might have red, itchy bumps or blisters that appear in the days following your encounter, and lasting about 2-3 weeks. This reaction is caused by an allergic reaction to a resin found in the plant called urushiol. If the rash is severe or in a particularly frustrating area, such as the face, a medical professional may prescribe a treatment of oral steroids to reduce the inflammation. Another treatment is the drug Bentoquatam, sold under the trade name IvyBlock, which has been shown to absorb urushiol, and to help prevent and relieve rashes from poison ivy, oak and sumac.

While you're avoiding urushiol, you may be voluntarily subjecting yourself to another irritating plant chemical: capsaicin. Capsaicin is the chemical that makes hot peppers "hot." Besides burning your tongue when you eat it, capsaicin can also create an intense burning sensation in your skin and eyes. Unless you have an allergic reaction to capsaicin, though, just washing thoroughly with soap and water should be sufficient treatment for your skin.
Your best prevention against skin irritation from plant contact is keeping your skin covered. Wear sufficient clothing to come between you and the plants when you're walking among natural brush. Also, wear protective gloves and use caution when handling the leaves of poison ivy or the pods of hot peppers.

9

Household Cleaners

Before your tackle your house cleaning, know what chemicals you're using that could potentially irritate or damage your skin.

Most household chemicals, such as cleaning products, have clear messages on their labels, like "do not swallow" and "avoid contact with eyes." Many of these products can also irritate, or even damage, your skin. You can avoid exposure by wearing protective gloves while you're using the products.
Here are some of the cleaners you may have around the house that can irritate your skin:

• All-purpose cleaners can include ammonia, trisodium phosphate (TSP) and other hazardous chemicals designed to break up grease and remove stains from porous surfaces. While limited skin exposure to these chemicals may not seem to affect the skin, prolonged exposure can have caustic effects, drying and breaking down your skin's surface.
• Window and glass cleaners typically include ammonia and isopropanol. Not only can these be caustic to the skin, but they can also irritate your eyes and nasal passages and should be used in a well-ventilated area.
• Dishwashing detergents can leave your hands dry and flaky with significant use, but usually aren't harmful to the skin. The more concentrated detergents for automatic dishwashers are more harmful and can cause your skin to burn and itch.
• Toilet cleaners and mold and mildew removers have pesticides that are highly caustic, sometimes including bleach, which also has dangerous fumes.
• Drain cleaner main ingredients include lye and sulfuric acid, which are highly caustic and cause dangerous fumes.

Scientists have studied the health impact of these cleaners, and researched alternative cleaners that are not as harmful to your body. Some products now contain alternative chemicals reported to be less harmful and, sometimes, more environmentally safe.

8

Laundry Detergents

Laundry detergent can leave small amounts of chemicals in your clothes that could possibly irritate your skin.

Laundry detergent can have caustic affects with prolonged exposure to your skin. What this section covers, though, is the effect of remnants of the laundry detergent and fabric softener left in your clothes when you wash them. Laundry detergent includes ingrediants such as:

• Surfactants dissolve in water and "lift" dirt and oils from the laundry.
• Builders aid the surfactants by softening hard (mineral-rich) water to make the detergent more effective.
• Enzymes are designed to break down stains made up of organic proteins, such as blood and grass.
• Chlorine bleach removes color from fabrics while also disinfecting and deodorizing the laundry.
• Oxygen bleach will bleach clothes, but is less powerful and safer for fabrics than chlorine bleach.
• Whiteners (optical brighteners) absorb invisible forms of light and re-emits it as blue light, making clothes seem brighter.
• Fragrance can mask the chemical smell of the detergent and produce an emotional response when using the product.

Builders and bleaches are caustic out of the box or bottle, but are readily rinsed away in the wash. The detergent's surfactant, as in other soaps, is low in toxicity, but could give you dry, itchy skin if your clothes are not thoroughly rinsed. The more notable irritants are the dyes and fragrances, which are left on clothes even after they are rinsed. These culprits can produce itching and rash for people with sensitive skin or specific dye or fragrance allergies. Fragrance and dyes in fabric softener can produce similar allergic reactions.
Many manufacturers have responded to their sensitive and allergic consumers, creating fragrance-free and dye-free detergents and fabric softeners. Without the fragrance, you can still smell the detergent's other ingredients. When your laundry is finished, though, all potential irritants should be rinsed away.

7

Sunscreen

If you have sensitive skin or allergies, try different sunscreens with different ingredients until you find one that works best for your skin.

When you apply sunscreen, your goal is usually to protect your skin from harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun. Physical sunblocks can include zinc oxide and titanium oxide, which reflect all ultraviolet (UV) radiation before it gets to your skin. More commonly marketed, though, are chemical sunblocks, which absorb into the skin, and then in turn absorb some of the UV radiation before it can affect your skin. Both physical and chemical sunscreens are marketed in both dedicated lotions, and as part of other cosmetics such as facial moisturizers, hand creams, and foundation makeup. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends a sunscreen that includes as much of the UV spectrum as possible, with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 [source: AAD].
Suncreen has specific chemicals that could provoke allergic reactions in some people. The FDA has approved more than 16 compounds as UV filters for sunscreens sold in the United States, so there's a wide variety of ingredients for manufacturers from which to choose. The University of California, San Francisco, recommends that if you have an allergic reaction to a specific sunscreen, such as severe itching or a rash, try another sunscreen with a different combination of chemicals [source: UCSF].

One of the most common allergic reactions to sunscreens is to para-aminobenzoic acid, or PABA. Though PABA is an essential nutrient in some animals, its internal benefits for humans are still under research. Topically, though, it is known to be an effective sunscreen. If you experience rash when using a sunscreen that has PABA, stop using it and try one of the "PABA-free" sunscreens to see if your allergic reaction is prompted by the PABA.

6

Bugs and Bug Repellent

Mosquito

Whether or not you're an outdoor enthusiast, you have likely encountered bugs, and perhaps attempted to repel those bugs to avoid bites, stings and general unpleasantness. Both the bugs and the repellents are potential skin irritants.
Most bugs are harmless to your skin unless they bite or sting you. Some bugs, such as mosquitoes, ticks and bedbugs, bite with the objective to feast on your blood. Others, such as bees, ants and spiders, attempt to defend or attack with a venom of amino acids, peptides and proteins. While only some of the world's bugs have potentially lethal venoms, all bug bites and stings can produce allergic reactions ranging from a mild swelling and itching to a violent rash with blisters or sores.
When you're trying to avoid the pesky critters, one of your options is to apply a repellant lotion or spray to your exposed skin. These products usually contain N-diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET) and other chemicals known to be effective at preventing bites from several types of insects. The Environmental Protection Agency has concluded from toxicity testing that DEET does not present a health concern for most people. However, the EPA recommends sparing use, washing it off thoroughly when you return indoors, and discontinuing use if you have any adverse reactions.
Your skin's best protection against bugs is clothing. When exposed skin is vulnerable, and applying a repellent to the skin is risky, long sleeves and trousers may be your healthiest option. You can even apply the repellent to the clothing for an extra layer of defense. If you spend a significant amount of time outdoors, you might even consider special insect-repellent clothing.

5

Heat

Hot, humid weather is just one cause of the skin irritation known as heat rash.

In hot, humid weather, you may experience a skin irritation known as a heat rash. Despite its name, the heat is only an indirect cause of the rash. Heat rash is an outbreak of blisters or red lumps in the skin resulting from excessive sweating. The bumps are created when sweat ducts get blocked and trap perspiration under your skin.
Heat rash usually clears up on its own, but you can relieve its swelling, itching and prickly feeling by cooling your skin and moving to a place where you won't continue to sweat. You can try to prevent heat rash by keeping cool on hot, humid days. Even with prevention, though, some people are more prone to heat rash than others, including newborns and those taking certain medications.
Heat rash can also defy weather conditions. Any time your body overheats or lacks sufficient exposure to sweat normally, heat rash may be a risk. This includes bundling up a lot in the winter, using heavy ointments or creams, or being confined to a bed for long periods.

4

Shaving and Hair Removal

Facial shaving is a daily ritual for many men.

Shaving can irritate your skin when you haven't sufficiently lubricated the skin's surface. For lubrication, you can use a commercial shaving cream, or just a generous lather from soap. Without lubrication, the razor may have too much friction as it travels over your skin, and it can catch and scrape at the skin's surface. This can result in welts on the skin that burn and itch, called razor burn.
As an alternative, there are also many hair removal, or depilatory, creams on the market. Test each product on a small patch of skin before using it on larger areas. Depilatory users have reported allergic reactions and chemical burns with symptoms such as itching, rash, blisters, burning and peeling. If you experience any of these reactions when testing a depilatory, wash the area thoroughly to remove the cream, and avoid using that particular product.
Waxing removes the entire hair shaft from its follicle for a longer-lasting effect. Because the wax adheres to both skin and hair, the fast rip of the waxed strip can leave your leave your skin red, burning, itching and possibly bumpy for a few hours as it recovers from the trauma. Some waxing products can help reduce this, as can lotions and anti-inflammatory medications.
Permanent hair removal can be a tempting long-term solution to the skin irritation and other inconveniences of regular shaving and waxing. Both electrolysis and laser hair removal can give you a temporary stinging pain at the treatment site. Your skin can be slightly red and swollen for a short time following these procedures, and you can treat this with medicated ointments. Though rare, some who have had laser procedures have reported blistering, scarring, and a change in skin pigmentation 

 

 

 

3

Cosmetics

Foundations and color cosmetics can contain ingredients that prompt an allergic response for some users.

Lotions, deodorants, acne treatments and other products can cause skin irritation if you have an allergic reaction to the chemicals, or if the chemicals break down into potentially hazardous substances. The first potential culprit is the active ingredients in a cosmetic product. Some antiperspirants, for example, can cause an allergic reaction, making you itch or, even worse, break out in a rash. Cosmetics can contain strong active ingredients, like alpha-hydroxy acids, that can irritate or even damage the skin if they are not paired with proper use and protective products such as sunscreen. Test each new cosmetic product carefully, and use it as directed. Discontinue using any product if you have skin irritations or other adverse reactions.

Other potential culprits are additives, such as colors and fragrances and preservatives. For some people, these can also cause allergic reactions. Fortunately, manufacturers have responded to people with allergies and sensitive skin by putting out fragrance-free cosmetics and other products that are free of additives and, sometimes, preservatives.
Though some cosmetics contain preservatives to give them a longer shelf life, they can change composition over time or when exposed to heat or bacteria. For example, foundation makeup with sunscreen is limited to the shelf-life of the sunscreen (about two to three years), can lose its sunblock quality if exposed to high temperatures, and can spread bacteria if you use your finger or a reusable applicator to scoop it from the bottle. To prevent skin irritation, acne and other harmful effects, only use a cosmetic product for its manufacturer-recommended shelf-life (some have expiration dates printed on them), and follow instructions on the label for proper storage. Also, keep makeup applicators clean with soap and hot water to remove bacteria.

2

Soap

Irritated skin can itch, burn and frustrate your daily routine. Be aware of potential skin irritants around you.

Your favorite soap may be one that smells good, lathers well, or just leaves your skin squeaky clean. Can it be irritating your skin? If you have itchy, dry skin between showers, you might want to consider whether the soap you're using is the culprit.
Soap is a surfactant, a substance that, when mixed with water, can remove dirt and oil from a surface to leave it clean. Soap is the natural result of a chemical reaction between an alkaline solution and a fat or oil, yielding alkali salts of fatty acids (the soap) plus glycerin. In contrast to soap, detergents are made without the fats and oils in an effort to avoid soap scum.
Soap can irritate the skin in a couple of ways. First, you can have an allergic response to a fragrance or dye added to the soap. Even if you have used the same soap for years, you could develop the allergy and suddenly respond to the soap in a way you hadn't before. The other way soap can irritate your skin is by stripping it of too much of the natural oils needed to keep your skin soft and elastic. If you suspect your soap is making you itch or drying out your skin, be sure to rinse well each time you wash, and consider choosing a different body cleanser such as mild cleansing product that isn't actually soap.

1

Clothing

Clothing can cause skin irritation from the abrasiveness of the fabric against your skin, or from allergic reactions to the fabric.

While many of the skin irritants in this article are avoidable, you aren't likely to avoid wearing clothes. Clothing itself can be a skin irritant for a variety of reasons:

• The abrasiveness of the fabric itself
• Allergic responses to dyes, metal fasteners, appliqués or chemical additives used in processing the fabric
• Scratching from tags, fasteners and seams
• Chafing from frequent movement against the fabric
• Heat rash or bacterial infections from fabric that does not allow the skin to breathe or dry quickly

You may have some difficultly determining that your skin irritation is from your clothing. First, you want to eliminate other things, such as your soap, laundry detergent and toiletries and cosmetics applied directly to your skin. Then, you want to examine where the irritation is occurring, and see if you can clearly identify something in or on a particular article of clothing that is coming in contact with the irritated skin.
If you're itching to learn more, go on to the next page to link to more great resources about your skin and skin irritants.

Coronary Artery Disease

.

 Coronary Artery Disease

 Coronary Artery Disease

Coronary artery disease or coronary heart disease (CHD) is a leading cause of death, both in the UK and worldwide. It describes a reduction in blood flow to the myocardiumand has several causes and consequences.

CHD can result in reduced blood flow to the heart as a result of narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries. This may be due to atherosclerosis, thrombosis, high blood pressure, diabetes or smoking. All these factors lead to a reduced flow of blood to theheart through physical obstruction or changes in the vessel wall.

Angina pectoris is a moderate consequence of CHD. Angina pectoris describes the transient pain a person may feel on exercise as a result of lack of oxygen supplied to the heart. This pain is felt across the chest but is quickly resolved upon rest. Exercise is a trigger for angina as the coronary arteries fill during the diastolic period of the cardiac cycle. On exercising, the diastolic period is shortened meaning that there is less time for blood flow to overcome a blockage in one of the coronary vessels in order to supply theheart.

If left untreated, angina can soon progress to more severe consequences, such as a myocardial infarction. The sudden occlusion of an artery results in infarction and necrosis of the myocardium.  This means a section of the heart is unable to beat (which part of the heart depends on which artery has become occluded).  

© 2015-2016 TeachMeAnatomy.com [CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0]

TUNDU KATIKA MOYO WA MTOTO

Ugonjwa wa tundu katika moyo wa mtoto.

Kama kawaida safu hii huwa tunajadili masuala mbalimbali yanayohusu afya na tiba ili kupata ufahamu zaidi juu ya kuimarisha afya zetu na ya jamii kwa ujumla.
Leo tutazungumzia ugonjwa unaojulikana kama tundu katika kuta za ventrikali za moyo au kwa kitaalamu Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD).

Tatizo hili hutokea mara nyingi ambapo watoto 2-6 kati ya 1,000 uzaliwa nalo.
Tundu katika kuta za chini za moyo au VSD ni pale panapokuwepo na uwazi katika sehemu ya kuta ya septum inayotenganisha chemba za ventrikali zilizo chini ya moyo.

Moyo unapoanza kuumbika huanza kama bomba lililo wazi na kuendelea kujigawa katika sehemu mbalimbali na kuunda kuta.
Iwapo kitendo hicho hakitatekelezwa ipasavyo, hutokea uwazi katika kuta ya septum kwenye chemba za chini.

Kuwepo tundu hilo huruhusu damu yenye oksijeni kupita kutoka chemba ya kushoto ya chini ya moyo na kuingia katika chemba ya kulia ya chini ya moyo, badala ya kuingia kwenye mshipa wa aorta na kuelekea nje ya moyo kama inavyotakiwa.

Tundu la VSD linaweza kuwa dogo, la kati au kubwa. Tundu dogo katika kuta za chini za moyo huruhusu damu ndogo tu kutoka upande mmoja wa moyo kwenda wa pili hivyo haliathiri utendaji wa kawaida wa moyo na kwa kawaida huwa halihitaji matibabu maalumu.

Matundu ya aina hiyo huziba yenyewe wakati moyo unapoendelea kukua kipindi cha utotoni. Matundu yenye ukubwa wa kati na kubwa katika kuta za chini za moyo huruhusu kiwango kikubwa zaidi cha damu kupenya toka upande mmoja wa moyo kwenda mwingine, na mara nyingi huhitaji matibabu maalumu.

Watoto wenye tundu dogo katika moyo, huweza kukua bila matatizo yoyote, wakati wale wenye tundu kubwa huanza kuonyesha dalili mapema.

Vifuatavyo ni vihatarishi ambavyo vinaweza kusababisha mtoto kuzaliwa na tundu katika kuta za chini za moyo. Mama kuwa na maambukizi ya Rubella katika kipindi cha ujauzito au kuwa na ugonjwa wa kisukari cha wakati wa ujauzito ambao haujadhibitiwa na kuwa mnywaji wa pombe au mtumiaji wa madawa ya kulevya.

Mjamzito akitumia bila ushauri wa daktari baadhi ya dawa za hospitali katika kipindi cha ujauzito pia huweza kusababisha mtoto azaliwe na tundu katika kuta za chini za moyo.

DALILI
Iwapo tundu ni dogo huwa halina dalili yoyote na pale mtoto anapoendelea kukua tundu hilo hujifunga lenyewe. Lakini tundu likiwa kubwa, japokuwa mtoto anayezaliwa huwa haonyeshi dalili yoyote katika kipindi hicho lakini baadaye huwa na dalili zifuatazo.

Rangi ya ngozi yake, midomo na kucha hubadilika na kuwa ya bluu, kunyonya au kula huwa kwa shida sana, ukuaji na kupumua kwa shida, kuchoka haraka, kujaa miguu na kuvimba tumbo, kuwa na mapigo ya moyo ya haraka.

Mtoto mwenye tatizo hili anapopimwa na daktari kwa kifaa, huweza kusikia ishara ya ongezeko la sauti ya ziada ya mapigo ya moyo wa mtoto hali ambayo kitaalamu huitwa holosystolic murmur.

MATATIZO YA FIGO

Matatizo ya Figo na dalili zake.

Figo ni miongoni mwa viungo muhimu katika mfumo wa utendaji kazi wa mwili wa binadamu. Mwili wa binadamu una figo mbili zenye maumbo yanayofanana, yakiwa yamejificha nje ya utando unaozunguka tumbo, chini kidogo ya mbavu. Ugonjwa wa figo ni tatizo kubwa kwa watu wengi,ugonjwa huu si tu unaleta maumivu kwa mgonjwa,bali pia hautibiki kirahisi pamoja na gharama za matibabu husika kuwa kubwa na wengi kushindwa kuzimudu.

VISABABISHI VYA UGONJWA WA FIGO
1.Matumizi mabaya ya dawa hasa za maumivu kama diclofenac na madawa mengine ya maumivu.
2.Uvutaji wa sigara na unywaji wa pombe kupita kiasi

KAZI ZA FIGO

1. Kuchuja vitu mbalimbali pamoja na sumu katika damu, kusaidia kuhifadhi,kudhibiti kiwango cha maji na madini (electrolytes) mwilini.
Figo huchuja vitu hivyo pamoja na maji yaliyo mwilini na kutengeneza mkojo, huchuja pia maji yasiyohitajika mwilini huku yakinyonya madini na kemikali muhimu kuzirudisha katika mzunguko wa damu na kutoa nje uchafu usiohitajika.
2. Kusaidia kutengeneza kiasili cha erythropoletin ambacho ni muhimu katika utengenezaji wa chembechembe nyekundu za damu, hupokea asilimia 25 ya damu na kila figo ina chembechembe hai ndogo milioni moja, pia kusaidia kudhibiti na kurekebisha shinikizo la damu mwilini (blood pressure).

AINA ZA UGONJWA WA FIGO.
Zipo Aina mbili za Ugonjwa wa figo

1.Aina ya `kwanza figo kushindwa kufanya kazi kwa ghafla na muda mfupi.
2. Aina ya pili ni ile ya figo kushindwa kufanya kazi polepole na kwa muda mrefu.Figo huharibiwa taratibu na kuendelea kupunguza uwezo wake wa kufanya kazi kadiri siku zinavyokwenda.Figo kushindwa kufanya kazi polepole na kwa muda mrefu.

SABABU ZA FIGO KUSHINDWA KUFANYA KAZI KWA GAFLA
1. Kupungua kwa mzunguko wa damu kwenye figo, kemikali za mwilini au kushambuliwa na sumu. Sababu za figo kushindwa kufanya kazi ghafla

2.Ugonjwa wa moyo, moyo kushindwa kusukuma damu kwa ghafla, au waliougua maradhi ya moyo kwa muda mrefu.

3.Sababu zinazofanya figo ishindwe kufanya kazi taratibu na kwa muda mrefu na hatimaye kushindwa kabisa kuwa ni presha kuwa juu, kisukari, magonjwa yanayosababishwa na bakteria, HIV, saratani na sumu mbalimbali zinazoingia mwilini.

DALILI ZA FIGO KUSHINDWA KUFANYA KAZI.

1.Dalili ya kwanza ni kupungua kwa kiasi cha mkojo, kushindwa kupumua, kusikia kichefuchefu, kutapika na kuvimba miguu.

2.Dalili nyingine ni maji kujaa mwilini, madini ya mwili kuwa juu hasa ya ‘potashiamu’, asidi nyingi, matatizo katika moyo, ubongo, kukosa hamu ya kula na kudhoofika mwili.
3. Dalili nyingine kwa wagonjwa ambao hawagunduliki mapema ni kuvimba macho wakati wa asubuhi na uvimbe kupungua baadaye.
4. Dalili nyingine ni kuvimba miguu asubuhi, kupungukiwa damu mwilini kama dalili za kwanza (kwani figo ikishindwa kufanya kazi ya kusaidia kutengeneza damu).

TAFADHALI SHARE NA WENGINE ILI ELIMU HII IWEZE KUWA SAIDIA

PROSTATE GLAND (TEZI DUME)

Hii ndiyo makala inayoelezea ugonjwa wa Tezidume.

Tezi dume ni sehemu mojawapo ya mfumo wa uzazi wa kiume. Inaundwa na sehemu mbili, lobes, ambazo zimeunganishwa na kufunikwa kwa nje kwa utando wa tishu. Tezi hii ipo mbele kidogo ya puru (rectum) na na chini kidogo ya kibofu cha mkojo. Tezi dume inauzunguka mrija unaounganisha kibofu cha mkojo na uume (urethra).

Mojawapo ya kazi za tezi dume ni kutoa majimaji yanayochanganyika na mbegu za kiume (sperms) wakati wa kilele cha tendo la ngono. Mchanganyiko huu wa mbegu pamoja na majimaji hayo hufanya shahawa (semen). Aidha majimaji hayo husaidia kuzipa mbegu za kiume nguvu ya kusafiri kwenye uke mpaka kufikia kwenye mirija ya fallopian tayari kwa utungisho na yai la kike. Vilevile
husaidia kupunguza hali ya kitindikali iliyopo katika uke, ambayo kama isiporekebishwa, huweza kuua mbegu nyingi za kiume na kufanya utungisho kuwa wa tabu.

Kuvimba Tezi Dume (BPH)
Kwa kadiri mwanaume anavyozeeka, ni jambo la kawaida pia kwa tezi dume kuongezeka ukubwa na kuvimba. Hali hii kitabibu huitwa Benign Prostate Hyperplasia au wengine hupenda kutumia maneno Benign Prostate Hypertrophy kwa kifupi BPH. Kwenye makala hii tutautumia sana ufupisho huu wa BPH ili kurahisisha mambo.

Ukuaji wa tezi dume hupitia hatua kuu mbili. Hatua ya kwanza hutokea kipindi cha balehe wakati tezi dume linapoongezeka ukubwa na kuwa mara mbili ya lilivyokuwa hapo awali. Baada ya hapo ukuaji husimama kwa muda mpaka kijana anapofikisha miaka 25 hadi 30 ndipo hatua ya pili ya ukuaji huanza tena. Ukuaji huendelea kwa viwango na kasi tofauti kati ya mtu na mtu na hatimaye kusababisha BPH katika umri wa utu uzima.

Wakati tezi dume linapokua na kutanuka, utando wa tishu unaozulizunguka hutanuka pia. Hata hivyo ingawa tezi dume huendelea kukua, hufikia wakati utando wake huacha kutanuka na kufanya tezi dume kubana mrija wa kutolea mkojo kutoka kwenye kibofu. Hali hii husababisha kibofu cha mkojo kuwa na ngozi ngumu. Hali hii hufanya kibofu cha mkojo kuhisi kutaka kutoa mkojo nje hata kama kiasi cha mkojo ndani yake ni kidogo sana. Hufikia wakati, kibofu huwa dhaifu na kupoteza uwezo wake wa kuhisi kutoa mkojo na hivyo kufanya mtu anapokojoa kushindwa kutoa mkojo wote na badala yake hubakiza kiasi fulani cha mkojo kwenye kibofu.

BPH husababishwa na nini?
Chanzo halisi cha BPH au vihatarishi vyake (risk factors) havijulikani kwa uhakika. Kwa muda mrefu imekuwa ikichukuliwa kuwa BPH hutokea kwa wanaume watu wazima na wazee tu. Aidha imewahi kuonekana huko nyuma kuwa PBH haitokei kwa wanaume ambao wamewahi kufanyiwa operesheni ya kuondoa korodani au wale ambao walizaliwa bila korodani. Hali imepelekea baadhi ya watafiti kuamini kuwa BPH ina uhusiano mkubwa na umri wa mtu pamoja na uwepo wa korodani.

Kuna dhana (theories) kadhaa zinazojaribu kuelezea chanzo cha BPH. Dhana hizo ni pamoja na

1. Uhusiano kati ya BPH na homoni ya estrogen: Wanaume huzalisha testosterone, homoni ya muhimu sana katika mwili wa mwanaume. Hali kadhalika huzalisha pia estrogen ambayo ni homoni ya kike kwa kiwango kidogo sana. Kadiri jinsi mtu anavyozeeka, ndivyo uzalishaji wa testosterone unavyokuwa mdogo na kufanya kiwango chake katika damu kupungua kulinganisha na kiwango cha estrogen ambacho huongezeka kwa kiasi fulani. Pamoja na kazi nyingine, estrogen pia huchochea ukuaji wa chembe hai za mwili. Tafiti zilizofanywa kwa wanyama zimeonesha kuwa BPH hutokea kwa sababu kiwango kikubwa cha estrogen katika damu huchochea ukuaji wa seli za tezi dume na hivyo kufanya tezi dume kuvimba.
2. Uhusiano kati ya BPH na Dihydrotestosterone (DHT): DHT ni kiasili kinachozalishwa kutokana na testosterone kwenye tezi dume, ambacho husaidia kuthibiti ukuaji wa tezi dume. Ingawa wanyama wengi hupoteza uwezo wa kuzalisha DHT wanapofikia umri wa uzee, baadhi ya tafiti zimeonesha kuwa, kwa binadamu, hata kama kiwango cha testosterone kitapungua sana katika damu, wanaume watu wazima bado wana uwezo wa kuzalisha kiasili hiki cha DHT katika tezi dume zao. Uzalishaji na uklimbikaji huu wa DHT huchochea kwa kiasi kikubwa ukuaji wa seli za tezi dume na kusababisha BPH. Wanasayansi wamegundua kuwa wanaume watu wazima wenye kiwango kidogo cha DHT hawapati BPH.
3. Uhusiano kati ya BPH na maelekezo ya seli: Dhana nyingine inasema kwamba baadhi ya seli kutoka katika sehemu fulani ya matezi yanayohusika na ukuaji mwilini hupewa maelekezo wakati mtu anapokuwa bado mdogo. Seli hizi hutunza maelekezo hayo na baada ya miaka kadhaa maelekezo haya huanzwa kutekelezwa na seli za matezi mengine. Mojawapo ya melekezo hayo ni kuchochea ukuaji wa tezi dume na kusababisha BPH.

Dalili za BPH
Dalili za BPH hutokea kwa sababu ya kubanwa kwa njia ya kutoa mkojo nje ya mwili (urethra) au kibofu kushindwa kuthibiti mkojo. Aidha dalili hizi hutofautiana kati ya mtu na mtu, ingawa karibu wagonjwa wote

1. Hukojoa mkojo unaokatika katika
2. Hukojoa mkojo wenye mtiririko dhaifu
3. Husita kabla ya kuanza kukojoa
4. Hali ya kujihisi kubanwa na mkojo kila mara
5. Kushindwa kuthibiti mkojo kiasi cha mkojo kutirika wenyewe
6. Hali ya kuhisi mkojo haujaisha kwenye kibofu
7. hukojoa mara kwa mara hasa nyakati za usiku
8. Kushindwa kukojoa kabisa (urine retention)
9. Au dalili zinazotokana na madhara ya BPH

Madhara ya BPH
BPH kama ilivyo saratani ya tezi dume, inaweza kumletea mgonjwa madhara (complications) kadhaa. Madhara hayo ni pamoja na

1. Mkojo kushindwa kutoka (retention of urine)
2. Mgandamizo kwenye kibofu cha mkojo
3. Vijiwe kwenye kibofu cha mkojo
4. Uambukizi katika njia ya mkojo (UTI)
5. Madhara katika figo au kibofu
6. Shinikizo la damu
7. Kushindwa kutoa shahawa kwenye uume (retrograde ejaculation)
8. Maambukizi mbalimbali
9. Nimonia (Pneumonia)
10. Damu kuganda
11. Uhanithi

Vipimo na Uchunguzi

Baada ya mgonjwa kujihisi dalili zilizotajwa hapo juu, daktari atamfanyia uchunguzi wa mwili kabla ya kumfanyia vipimo zaidi. Vipimo vyaweza kutofautiana kati ya mgonjwa namgonjwa, lakini baadhi ya vipimo ni pamoja na

1. Kuchunguza Tezi Dume kupitia njia ya haja kubwa au Digital Rectal Examination (DRE): Hiki ni kipimo cha kwanza kabisa ambacho mgonja hufanyiwa na daktari wake. Ni kipimo kinachoweza kumpa daktari picha ya tatizo na kufahamu kuhusu ukubwa na hali ya tezi dume. Daktari akiwa amevaa glovu huingiza kidole chake cha shahada katika njia ya haja kubwa au puru (rectum) ya mgonjwa kasha kuzungusha zungusha ili kufahamu kama tezi limevimba ama la na pia hali yake kama ni gumu kuliko kawaida ama lina utando na nyama laini.
2. Kipimo cha damu cha Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA): PSA husaidia kutofautisha kati ya saratani ya tezi dume na BPH. PSA ni aina ya protein inayozalishwa na seli za tezi dume na kiwango chake huongezeka iwapo kuna saratani ya tezi dume.
3. Utrasound ya Puru (Rectal Ultrasound): Kipimo hiki hufanyika iwapo daktari atahisi kuwepo kwa saratani ya tezi dume badala ya BPH. Utrasound ya puru pamoja na kuonesha taswira ya tezi dume ilivyo, pia humuwezesha daktari kuchukua kinyama (biopsy) kwenye tezi dume kwa ajili ya uchunguzi zaidi ili kutofautisha kati ya saratani na BPH.
4. Kiwango cha utokaji wa mkojo (Urine Flow Study): Ni kipimo kinachotumika kufahamu kasi ya utokaji wa mkojo. Mkojo unaotoka kwa kasi na kiwango kidogo huashiria kuwepo kwa BPH.
5. Kipimo cha kuchunguza kibofu cha mkojo (Cystoscopy): Kipimo hiki husaidia kuweza kufahamu ukubwa wa tezi, sehemu tezi lilipobana njia ya mkojo na kiwango cha kubana huko. Aidha huwezesha pia kutambua hali ya kibofu cha mkojo ikoje.

Matibabu
Matibabu ya BPH yameganyika katika sehemu mbili, yale yanayofanywa kwa kutumia dawa na yale yanayofanywa kwa kutumia upasuaji mdogo. Aidha matibabu hufanywa kwa watu wenye BPH kubwa zaidi na dalili zinazowaletea usumbufu na kuathiri maisha yao, wakati wale wenye dalili ndogo ndogo hawalazimiki sana kuhitaji matibabu.

Matibabu kwa njia ya dawa
Dawa hizi hutumika kwa lengo la kulifanya tezi dume kusinyaa na kupungua ukubwa wake. Dawa hizo ni pamoja na

• Finasteride na dutasteride ambazo huzuia uzalishajiwa homoni ya DHT. Matumizi ya dawa hizi husaidia kuzuia kukua na kuvimba kwa tezi dume au kulifanya tezi dume kusinyaa kabisa kwa baadhi ya wanaume.
• Terazosin, doxazosin, tamsulosin na alfuzosin husaidia kulainisha misuli ya tezi dume na hivyo kupunguza mbano wa mrija wa urethra, hali inayosaidia mkojo kutoka vizuri.

Matibabu kwa njia ya Upasuaji
Upasuaji mdogo (minimal Invasive procedures)

Upasuaji mdogo husaidia kuondoa dalili za BPH na hufanyika pale ambapo matibabu kwa njia ya dawa yameshindwa kuonesha mafanikio yeyote. Njia hizo ni

• Tiba ya kutumia mawimbi ya joto (Transurethral microwave procedures, TUMT): Tiba hii hutumia kifaa kinachotoa mawimbi ya joto (microwave) yanayochoma na kuharibu tishu zilizovimba za tezi dume. Matibabu huchukua chini ya saa moja na yanaweza kufanyika bila mgonjwa kuhitaji kulazwa.
• Tiba ya kutumia sindano maalum (Transurethral needle ablation, TUNA): Njia hii hutumia visindano vidogo ambavyo huunganiswa kwenye chombo chenye kutoa nishati ya joto kuunguza tishu zilizovimba za tezi dume.
• Tiba ya kutumia joto la maji (Water-induced thermotherapy): Tiba hii hutumia maji ya moto yaliyochemshwa kwa kifaa maalum kuunguza na kupunguza tishu zilizovimba za tezi dume.

Upasuaji mkubwa
Madaktari wengi hushauri kuondolewa kabisa kwa tezi dume iwapo itathibitika kuwa mgonjwa ana BPH. Zipo njia nyingi za upasuaji wa BPH, nazo ni pamoja na upasuaji kwa kupitia kwenye mrija wa mkojo (Transurethral surgery, TURP), upasuaji mkubwa wa wazi (Open surgery), upasuaji wa kutumia nishati kuondoa tishu za tezi dume (Laser surgery), na upasuaji wa kutumia joto la fibreoptic probe kuchoma tishu za tezi dume (Interstitial laser coagulation).

Vitu vya kufanya baada ya Upasuaji wa Tezi dume
Mara baada ya upasuaji wa tezi dume inashauriwa

• Kunywa maji kwa wingi ili kusafisha kibofu cha mkojo
• Epuka kujikakamua sana unapojihisi kwenda haja kubwa
• Kula lishe bora ili kuepuka kupata choo kigumu. Iwapo mgonjwa atapatwa na choo kigumu ni vyema amuone daktari ili amshauri jinsi ya kuondoa tatizo.
• Epuka na acha kunyanyua vitu vizito.
• Hairuhusiwi kuendesha gari wala kuendesha mtambo wowote ule mpaka utakapopona kabisa.

Matatizo yanayoweza kutokea baada ya upasuaji

• Shida wakati wa kukojoa: Kawaida huchukua muda wa siku kadhaa mtu kuweza kurejea katika hali yake ya kawaida ya kukojoa.
• Shida ya kuthibiti mkojo usitoke ovyo (Incontinence): Ni kawaida kwa mgonjwa kushindwa kuthibiti kutoka kwa mkojo katika siku za mwanzo baada ya operesheni. Hata hivyo hali hii hujirekebisha baada ya siku kadhaa kupita.
• Kutokwa na damu: Katika siku za wali mara baada ya TURP, kidonda kwenye tezi dume kinaweza kuvuja damu ambayo itaonekana katika mkojo. Hta hivyo hali hii hukoma baada ya wiki kadhaa. Hata hivyo iwapo utokaji damu ni mzito sana, inashauriwa kumuona daktari haraka.

Uwezo wa kufanya ngono baada ya upasuaji

Wagonjwa wengi waliofanyiwa upasuaji wa BPH uhofia sana kuhusu uwezo wao wa kufurahia tendo la ngono mara baada ya upasuaji. Kwa kawaida, huchukua muda fulani kwa agonjwa kuweza kurejea hali ya kawaida ya kufurahia tendo hili.

• Mdiso au kudindisha (Erections): Madaktari wengi husema kuwa iwapo mgonjwa aliweza kupata mdiso au kudinda muda mfupi baada ya upasuaji, uwezo wake wa kuendelea kupa mdiso ni mkubwa zaidi. Hata hivyo iwapo mgonjwa hakuwa na uwezo wa kudisa tangu awali, upasuaji wa tezi dume hauna uwezo wa kumrejeshea uwezo wake wa kudisa.
• Kutoa mbegu (Ejaculation): Ingawa wanaume waliofanyiwa upasuaji wa tezi dume bado wanaweza kupata mdiso, mara nyingi upasuaji huu huwafanya wawe wagumba yaani wasioweza kupata watoto. Hali hii kwa kitaalamu huitwa retrograde ejaculation au kilele (mshindo) kikavu (dry climax). Kwa kawaida, wakati wa tendo la ngono, mbegu za kiume kutoka kwenye korodani huingia kwenye urethra karibu na kijitundu cha kibofu cha mkojo. Wakati wa tendo la ngono, misuli maalum hufunga kijitundu hicho ili kuzuia mbegu zisiingie kwenye kibofu badala yake zielekee kwenye urethra ya katika uume. Hata hivyo, upasuajiwa BPH huondoa misuli hiyo na kufanya mbegu kuingia kwenye kibofu cha mkojo badala ya kuendelea kwenye urethra ya uume. Shahawa hizo hatimaye hutolewa nje ya kibofu pamoja na mkojo.
• Kufika kilele (Orgasm): Huwa hakuna tofauti kubwa ya kufika kilele (orgasm) kabla na baada ya kufanyiwa upasuaji.

BPH na Saratani ya Tezi Dume: Hakuna Uhusiano wa moja kwa moja
Ingawa baadhi ya dalili za BPH zinafanan na zile za saratani ya tezi dume, kuwa na BPH hakuongezi uwezekano wa kupata saratani ya tezi dume. Hata hivyo, mwenye BPH anaweza pia na saratani ya tezi dume bila saratani hiyo kugundulika, ama wakati huo huo au siku za baadaye. Hivyo inashauriwa kuwa, ni vema wanaume wote kuanzia miaka 40 na keundelea kufanya uchunguzi wa tezi dume zao walau mara moja kila mwaka.