When the heart beats faster, flutters or seems to skip beats it is called heart palpitations. Usually they are only scary and need not be serious or do not require any treatment.

It is best to know what causes these heart palpitations since it will help in knowing when not to panic and when to seek medical help.

Stress & Anxiety

When you feel very intense emotions then certain hormones are released that in turn speed up the heartbeat. This is how your body gets ready to face a challenge, danger or threat.

Panic attacks are intense bouts of fear that last a few minutes, with symptoms like racing heartbeat, sweating, chills, trouble breathing and chest pain. A panic attack can resemble a heart attack.

Vigorous Exercise

A short run or intense treadmill exercise in the indoors are all good for your heart but it also makes your heart beat faster. The heart actually pumps more blood to power the muscles throughout the workout.

If the heart flutters or pounds, it could be because you are starting the workout after a long gap. It could also be due to arrhythmia and this will require medical consultation before your proceed.

Caffeine Reaction

Caffeine contains stimulants that raise the heart rate, whether it comes from the coffee you drink, from your energy drink, from tea, chocolate or your soft drink. It is not known whether this happens only in people with heart rhythm problems or just in anybody who consumes caffeine.

Nicotine Reaction

There are certain addictive chemicals in cigarettes and all tobacco products which raises the blood pressure and subsequently the heart rate. The best way to save your heart is to quit smoking though palpitations can also be a symptom of nicotine withdrawal, but stops within 3 to 4 weeks.

Hormones

Palpitations are often experienced by pregnant women, those near menopause or women in menopause. This is due to the changes in hormone levels. The raise in heart beat is often temporary and nothing to worry. Women who are anaemic during pregnancy are also prone to get palpitations.

High Fever

When the temperature is above 104 it definitely affects the heart rate and shows signs of palpitation. When there is high fever the body uses energy at a faster rate and so your heart beats faster to compensate this and causes palpitation.

Other causes for palpitation include certain medications, overactive thyroid, low blood sugar, alcohol and drugs.

Diabetic patients usually experience the sudden eruption of blisters on their skin, these are called diabetic blisters. The blisters look alarming when first spotted but they are painless and normally heal on their own, leaving no scars. Diabetic blisters are twice more likely to be found in men than women.

Where does it appear?

Diabetic blisters more often appear on the legs, feets and toes. They rarely are seen on hands, fingers and arms. Diabetic blisters can range from as large as 6 cm to micro ones. Diabetic blisters always appear in clusters, and the area around the blisters is not usually swollen or reddish.

Types of Treatment

Diabetic ulcers usually last for two to five weeks and heal by themselves without any treatment or intervention. The fluid in the blister is sterile, and to prevent infection one should not puncture the blister by him/herself.

Blisters can be treated with antibiotic cream or ointment and bandaged properly to protect them from further injuries. Topical creams are recommended depending on symptoms. Taking care of oneself and keeping away from sugar levels under check will help in avoiding blisters.

Causes of diabetic blisters

The exact cause for diabetic blisters is not yet found. Wearing shoes that don’t fit, and fungal infection are the main causes. If the blood sugar levels are out of control then one may get diabetic blisters. People who have diabetic neuropathy, nerve damage that reduces sensitivity to pain are more prone to diabetic blisters.

How to prevent diabetic blisters?

It is always important to take care of your skin if you are diabetic. Blisters and lesions may not give any pain and go unnoticed if a person is neuropathic. Here are a few ways to prevent blisters and secondary infections.

Inspect the feet thoroughly every day ideally before bed.

Wear proper fitting shoes and socks to prevent injury.

Wear gloves when using scissors or hand tools etc.

Most importantly strict diabetes control the crucial step in preventing diabetic blisters.

Athlete’s foot is also known as Tinea Pedis, it is a contagious fungal infection that affects the skin on the feet. It can quickly spread to other parts especially the toenails and the hands. This is commonly called Athlete’s foot because predominantly the infection is seen in athletes.

It is not a serious disease or condition but at times it becomes very stubborn and is not easily cured. If the patient has diabetes or a weakened immune system, then Athlete’s foot can be a very serious problem and requires a doctor’s attention immediately.

What causes Athlete’s foot?

Dermatophytic fungus readily grows on the feet and causes Athlete’s foot. The infection is easily caught when there is a contact with an infected person or by touching surfaces contaminated with the fungus. The fungus grows in warm and moist conditions. It is contacted that is more commonly from bathrooms, locker rooms and around swimming pools.

Who is at risk?

Athlete’s foot is so common that anyone can get it irrespective of age, sex or region. But there are certain habits and behaviours that increase the chance of contracting the disease.

Factors that increase the risk:

Being barefoot and visiting places barefoot, especially public toilets, showers, and swimming pools or sports locker rooms.

Sharing an infected person’s towels, shoes etc.

When you wear very tight fitting and closed toe shoes

When the feet is not dried and kept moist for long periods.

What are the symptoms of Athlete’s foot?

There are many possible symptoms for athlete’s foot and this may include:

• Constant itching, stinging or burning sensation between toes
• Itching and burning sensation on the soles of the feet
• Itching blisters on the feet
• When the skin on the feet peels off or cracks open, this happens mostly between toes and on the soles.
• Dry skin on the soles of the feet and on the toes
• Toenails which are dis-coloured, thickened and crumbly
• Toe nails that are pulled away from the nail bed.

What are the treatment options for athlete’s foot?

Athlete’s foot condition is better treated with  topical with or without oral by a trained dermatologist after taking required tests. Home care can be done by soaking cleaned and dried feet in salt water or vinegar, which helps in drying blisters and care should be taken to keep the feet and web spaces clean and dry.

Everyone should get a flu vaccination every year, is what flu experts are recommending. Each year the vaccine is decided based on the strains of influenza virus that are expected to be widespread that season.  Flu shots are available at all leading hospitals, clinics and doctor’s offices.

 Tetanus Vaccine

 Bacteria that causes tetanus enters the body through a wound or cut. Tetanus leads to severe muscle spasms, stiffness and lockjaw

with inability to open your mouth or swallow. Tdap (tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis) is a one-time vaccine and Td (tetanus-diphtheria) every 10 years is all that you need to prevent it. Pregnant mother should receive 2 dose if not previously immunized.

 Prevent Chicken-Pox

 You can avoid chickenpox (varicella) with some precautions. But still you can get it by being in a room with someone who has it.

Usually adults with chickenpox have a higher risk of complications, hospitalisation and death. Varicella infection is more severe in a pregnant woman and it can be a medical emergency. Chickenpox infection also puts a person at risk of shingles and the chickenpox vaccine offers some protection against it too.

 HPV Vaccine

 HPV vaccines protect men and women against strains of papillomavirus before sexual exposure. The virus causes cervical cancers in women and throat cancers in men. Some available HPV vaccines also protects against genital warts in both sexes. The virus occurs due to sexual contact.

Protect from Meningitis

 Usually young adults who live in college dorms, travelers to certain areas and those who stay in military camps are prone to be affected with meningitis since it spreads fast through such over crowd communities. They should get vaccinated against meningococcal disease which is a leading cause of bacterial meningitis. Each year a lot of people die around the world due to meningitis. Those who don’t die suffer from brain damage or hearing loss.

 Protect from Hepatitis

 Hepatitis virus can affect you without even knowing about it. The risk factors of hepatitis A include consuming contaminated food and water.  An infected person may spread it by not washing hands after going to the toilet. Hepatitis B spread by contact of blood or body fluid from the infected person. Sharing needles during drug use is also another reason and same sex practice. Hepatitis B can lead to serious damage and even death. Consult your doctor for a Hepatitis shot. Hepatitis A : 2 dose 6-12

Months apart; Hepatatis B – 3 dose

Similarly protect yourself with vaccines against measles, mumps and rubella or pneumococcus which causes.

Streptococcus Pneumonia : Recommended for younger people with chronic medical problems such as heart disease, diabetes, renal failure, sickle cell anaemia, usually given once> 65 years of age.