American researchers have completed clinical trials and concluded that a nasal spray containing a combination of budesonide and oxymetazoline is more effective in addressing the problem of chronic nasal congestion compared to a spray containing only budesonide. Furthermore, the combined preparation does not induce rebound rhinitis.
The results of the conducted trials were officially published in the scientific journal JAMA Otolaryngology — Head & Neck Surgery.
Diwali is a festival of light and joy, celebrated with the beauty of decorations, lights, and colorful garlands. However, eye health should not be neglected, as certain mistakes made during this festival can negatively affect vision. Therefore, it is crucial to follow specific rules during Diwali.
Professor Dr. Mahipal Singh Sachdev, Chairman of the Group of Hospitals Center, emphasized in an interview with Aajtak.in how important it is to monitor eye health during Diwali. He noted that smoke from fireworks and dust can cause irritation and allergic reactions in the eyes. Furthermore, improper use of cosmetics and contact lenses used during festivals can also harm the eyes, and any negligence regarding eye health can lead to serious consequences.
Dr. Mahipal advises avoiding direct contact with smoke during Diwali, as it can damage the eyes. If smoke gets into the eyes, they should be rinsed with water. There is also a risk of irritation and infection from touching the eyes with unwashed hands or sharing cosmetic products. It is recommended to remove makeup before going to sleep. Contact lens wearers must strictly follow instructions for cleaning and using them. It is also important to refrain from using eye drops without consulting a doctor if eye problems arise.
Signs such as redness, pain, constant tearing, or changes in vision should not be ignored. Often, people try home remedies or postpone seeing a doctor hoping the problem will disappear on its own. Nevertheless, sudden blurring or loss of vision, severe pain, or eye injury can indicate serious problems requiring immediate specialist consultation.
People suffering from diabetes and high blood pressure, as well as those who already have eye diseases, should pay extra attention to regular check-ups. Diabetes can damage retinal nerves, and symptoms may be unnoticed in the early stages. Therefore, it is important to undergo eye examinations as recommended by a doctor and keep other health issues under control.
In addition to cleaning the floors and walls in the house, it is extremely important to regularly clean the water reservoir installed on the roof. People usually clean the tank every few months to remove accumulated dirt, moss, and sediment, ensuring clean water in the house. However, often even after thorough tank cleaning, the water starts to emit an unpleasant smell when the tap is opened, and people do not understand what the exact problem is.
In fact, the cause of the water odor is not always a dirty tank. Sometimes the contamination in the household piping system, water filter, water heater, or sink drain can be to blame. Therefore, instead of constantly cleaning the tank, it is necessary to find the true cause of the odor. Below are discussed the causes of water odor after tank cleaning and methods to eliminate it.
Even after cleaning the tank, old water may remain in the pipes. If the water remains stagnant for a long time, it can acquire a musty or damp smell. In this case, you should leave all taps in the house open for some time so that the old water drains from the pipes. If the smell persists, it is recommended to check the entire piping system.
If the smell is present only in hot water but not in cold water, the probable cause is the water heater. Due to prolonged water stagnation and lack of maintenance in the boiler, sulfide bacteria can develop, which gives the water a strong unpleasant odor. In such a situation, it is correct to clean and maintain the water heater.
Sometimes when an odor appears near the sink or washbasin, it seems that the water is spoiled, whereas the real reason lies in drainage contamination. The accumulation of soap, oil, and food residues in the drain pipe promotes the development of bacteria and mold. To check this, fill a glass with water from the tap and take it away from the sink to smell it. If the water in the glass does not smell, the problem is most likely in the drain. If the water in the glass smells, the water supply system needs to be checked.
Taking care of the water filter is as important as cleaning the tank. With prolonged use without replacement, filtering elements can accumulate dirt and various organic substances, which worsens the taste and smell of the water. Therefore, it is necessary to replace the filters of water purification systems, such as reverse osmosis or other types of filters, on time according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Even after cleaning the tank and pipes, the water may have an earthy or swampy smell. This may be related to the water source. The growth of algae and organic substances in sources such as rivers or lakes can change the taste and smell of the water. If the water smell suddenly changes, you should notify the local water utility and request a water quality check.
The choice of a suitable filter or purification method should only be made after determining the root cause of the odor. There is no universal filter that suits all types of odors.
Activated carbon: Can help reduce the content of many organic substances and chlorine in water, improving its taste and reducing unpleasant odors.
Reverse osmosis (RO) filter: Used to reduce the concentration of various dissolved contaminants in water, but it is not the only solution for all types of odors.
Grinsand filter: Can be effective if the rotten egg smell is caused by hydrogen sulfide. It helps oxidize this gas, turning it into particles that can then be filtered out.
Degasifier: Used to remove gases, such as hydrogen sulfide, from water.
Colleagues of Daniel Sessler from the McGovern School of Medicine conducted clinical studies and concluded that the use of supplementary air sterilization systems in operating rooms does not lead to a reduction in the frequency of surgical wound infections.
As part of the ORACLE randomized crossover cluster trials, which were conducted in 68 operating rooms, either active supplementary air filtration and sterilization systems or simulated systems visually similar to them were used during four-week periods.
During the trials, over 110 thousand adult patients, both inpatients and outpatients without signs of prior wound infection, underwent surgery in these operating rooms. Furthermore, each surgical procedure lasted at least one hour.
The analysis included data from more than 107 thousand performed operations. The results of this study were officially published in the scientific journal Anesthesiology.
