I am very obsessive about cleanliness while one of my male friends is obsessive about his hairstyle. I have heard that one of my young aunts is so very particular about cleanliness that she wipes her floor twice day and changes the drapes once a week. She was later diagnosed with OCD- Obsessive compulsive Disorder. My fondness for clean cutlery or clear glasses and my friend’s love for well-kept hair and creaseless shirt does not indicate any disorder.

Recent surveys show that even young children of ages four exhibit some characteristics of OCD. OCD is an anxiety disorder with recurrent unwanted obsessions or thoughts as its main trait. These obsessions may also be accompanied by repetitive behaviors or compulsions contributing to the name Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Those affected by this may be extremely particular on handwashing, cleaning, counting and the like. They are forced to engage themselves in activities like these (rituals) in order to avoid their obsessive thoughts. These thoughts are chronic, time-consuming and severe. They are involuntary and senseless. For example, the thought of dirty hands make them wash hands repeatedly for hours until their hands are raw and chapped. Doubt always haunts them and an urge to check on things again and again live with them. They try to hide these thoughts and feelings in fear of social ostracization and rebuke.

OCD is a common disorder affecting millions of people while at least 1 among 200 children are doubted to have OCD. OCD in children, if left untreated, can interfere with its growth and development and may make his life difficult. In children fear of contamination and aggressive and catastrophic fears dominate their lifestyle. Many suffer from multiple compulsive behaviors which disrupt their innocent childhood.

The exact cause for OCD is uncertain. It is believed that your compulsions owe their origin to the biological changes in your body or the behavior habits acquired over the time. Serotonin is a chemical in the brain that helps to carry messages from one nerve cell to another. Serotonin causes repeated behaviors in people and it is seen lacking in people with OCD. Some experts point out that having parents or other family members with OCD increases your risk of developing OCD though any genes related to OCD has not been traced so far. Stress may also play a vital role in causing OCD as emotional distress is a part of its obsessive compulsions. Panic attacks, phobias, anxiety, ADHD, dyslexia or depression may further destroy the normal and quality life of people with OCD.

In little children an early diagnosis is called for to detect OCD and it deter its development. Behavior therapy and medicines like clomipramine are recommeded treatments for OCD. Drugs may have minor side effects like nausea and drowsiness.

Well, I do. My sore throat is often extreme, accompanied by cold, and develops into a cough. Last time I had a sore throat I was tested for strep throat with negative results. Tonsillitis runs in my family and my father was operated for tonsillitis in childhood. Most often sore throat are minor afflictions which go away on their own with home remedies like gargling salt water and so on. Viruses are the main cause for sore throats though bacterial infections and other factors like an allergy can also set off a sore throat.

Your sore throat may be due to:

• Cold
• Too much yelling or shouting (muscle strain).
• Back-flow of stomach acid into throat, (GERD).
• Allergy
• Smoking
• Air pollution or dry air
• Breathing through the mouth due to cold.

HIV infection and tumors can also cause severe pain in the throat.

Viral illnesses like Common cold, Influenza and Mononucleosis (mono) also manifest in the form of sore throat. However you can have a sore throat along with Measles, Croup and Chicken Pox.

Mono

We already know about Common cold and Influenza. Mono not only causes sore throat, in some people it also leads to fever, body aches and swollen lymph nodes (in the neck, armpits and groin). It is accompanied by fatigue and enlargement of spleen causing pain in the upper left part of the belly. The lymph nodes may remain swollen for a little while even after recovering from Mono.

Doctors recommend salt water or saline gargles, drinking lots of water (drinking a sip at regular and short intervals) and complete rest. There is no medicine for viral infections.

Strep throat, Tonsillitis and Diphtheria are a result of Bacterial infections.

Strep throat

Caused by streptococcal bacteria, Strep throat is contagious. Very commonly found among children and teens, Strep throat may also have a fever of 101 F or higher, swollen lymph nodes and white or yellow coated tonsils. It is important to remember that strep throat may occur also when your tonsils is removed. Since it is bacterial antibiotics work well for Strep throat. If left untreated it may lead to Rheumatic fever.

Tonsillitis

Tonsillitis can be caused by both viruses and bacteria. The tonsils or the adenoids can be inflamed causing pain and difficulty in swallowing. Tiredness, runny nose, fever, cough are all part of Tonsillitis. Swollen adenoids (Adenoiditis) cause headache and vomiting and at times lead to ear infections. Pain killers and gargling salt water generally helps to get rid of tonsillitis.

Corynebacterium diphtheria is behind Diphtheria, a serious respiratory illness. It may have a variety of symptoms like bloody drainage from the nose, fever, croup (cough), breathing problems, chills and so on. It needs immediate medical attention.

Home treatment and care for Sore Throat

· Drink lots of fluids. It will prevent dehydration and also helps to soothe your throat. Adults may take honey and lemon in hot water.

· Gargle warm salt water.

· To prevent spreading infection avoid work and school for a couple of days until you start with your medicines.

· Do not share the same utensils, towels and the like with your family.

· Quit smoking and passive smoking!

A fever of above 100 F, swollen lymph nodes, a rash and breathing problems along with sore throat will need prompt medical attention.

-Aparna K V

” My heels ache as I press them on the ground like while getting up from a chair. I can’t figure the time when it started or the reason why it started. It could be because I started driving recently, which I was not used to. ” My friend and I were having one of our usual chats when he said this. I have heard of my mother complaining of a heel pain long back. But certainly she did not drive and the pain was due to some other reason. On the other hand, my friend’s heel pain turned out to be because of his overweight and his new athletic feat, cricket after work.

Plantar Fasciitis and Heel Pain

A thick band of tissue covers the bottom of the foot and connects your heel bone to your toes.called the Plantar Fascia. Any irritation to it can lead to the inflammation of plantar fascia and can cause heel pain or Plantar Fasciitis.

Symptoms

1. Sharp excruciating pain in the inside part of the bottom of your heel.
2. Localized pain in the heel when you get up in the morning.
3. It worsens as you climb the stairs or stand on tiptoe
4. Aching heel after sports or athletics like jogging or playing.
5. The pain subsides after a few minutes of walking.
6. Pain in the sole and heels.
7. Mild swelling.

Causes

The causes of plantar fasciitis may vary from individual to individual.

1. Many people suffer from heel pain due to sudden physical activities. If you have been inactive for a long time and all of a sudden when you start some activity like jogging, waking, playing outdoor games, jumping etc you put a lot of weight on your foot. When you do high-impact movements you are in fact exerting yourself. Any physical activity that exerts a lot of pressure on your foot can trigger off the pain. Henc