Drug allergies are adverse reactions to medication drugs and these reactions can be separated into three groups. First are those not actually related to the drug in question at all, but are coincidental and attributed to other mitigating factors associated with the illness or disease. Second are common predictable reactions like side effects related to taking other medication at the same time, or having an overdose. The third is unpredictable and uncommon reactions of which quite a few are allergic reactions that typically involve the immune system, being either immediate or delayed in reaction.

Allergic reactions can vary greatly from simple, slight rashes to very severe anaphylactic reactions of the immune system. Some drugs that can cause allergic reactions include heart drugs such as ACE inhibitors, antibiotics like penicillin, anesthetic drugs such as muscle relaxants, morphine, aspirin like drugs such as ibuprofen, chemotherapy drugs, antiseptics like iodine, vaccines such as tetanus, and colorings or preservatives in certain medications.

Reactions usually occur within one hour of taking the medication and can involve a measle-like rash that is very itchy. Some life threatening reactions may involve skin blistering with peeling accompanied by fever.

Common Allergic Reactions

Treatments of various drug allergic reactions involve the immediate withdrawal of the offending drug and then the administration of an antihistamine medicine. In severe allergic reactions, adrenaline and steroids may be used to save a life.

Hepatitis A is an infection of the liver caused by the hepatitis A virus. The well-respected World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that almost 1.5 million new cases of hepatitis A related illnesses occur each year worldwide, with a much higher number of people than this affected without showing any symptoms. The condition is more prevalent in the developing world where poverty and sanitation issues are rampant.

Hepatitis A is regarded as an acute infection as opposed to a chronic one, but in rare occurrences it can cause liver damage that is life threatening. The severity of symptoms in patients with the virus varies from individual to individual and whereas some may have no symptoms at all, others may develop symptoms to those similar of catching flu. As a rule, the older a person is, the more severe the infection, and therefore the symptoms, will be.

Some of the symptoms associated with hepatitis A include tiredness, weakness, fever, headache, nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, dehydration and diarrhea. After a week or so of these symptoms, jaundice will appear. This occurs because in hepatitis infections, the liver is unable to remove a substance known as bilirubin from the blood. The skin and whites of the eyes become a yellow color because of the buildup of this pigment.

Hepatitis can be avoided be taking the following precautions: high levels of personal hygiene, drinking safe tap water and getting vaccinated against the disease if a visit to a high risk country is to be taken.

Obesity occurs when excess weight causes health problems.  People with obesity usually have a BMI or Body Mass Index greater than 30.  Weight gain is usually caused when energy (calorie) intake is more than calories burnt.  There are many risks for people with obesity as it can contribute to an increase in a variety of diseases such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and some forms of cancer.  Some people are more prone to weight gain than others and this can be down to genes, however, most people find that obesity is a factor of lifestyle and eating behaviors.

Many people eat when they are depressed, lonely, anxious, stressed or just when they are bored.  Obesity is also linked to a lack of physical exercise.  In today’s day there seems to be more and more examples of children showing signs of obesity at an alarmingly young age.  Schools, parents and government organizations seem to be recognizing the need to encourage children to eat more healthily and to support exercise programs.

Obesity

There is a higher amount of processed, cheaper foods available on the market today which are higher in sugar, salt, and fat which contributes to the increase in obesity levels among young people.  Coupled with the trend for video games and increased numbers of TV channels it is no surprise that more and more young people are being diagnosed with obesity every day.

Diet and exercise are the most important factors when preventing obesity.  In order to lose weight people need to reduce daily calories and partake in at least 20 – 30 minutes of exercise daily.  Increased fruit and vegetables can help to feel full and reduce the chance of reaching for sugary foods which contain more fat.