Alarming experiences, either real or imagined, can trigger a stress response. Coping
Responses to stress include adaptation, psychological coping such as stress management, anxiety, and depression. Over the long term, distress can lead to diminished health and/or increased propensity to illness; to avoid this, stress must be managed. Stress management encompasses techniques intended to equip a person with effective coping mechanisms for dealing with psychological stress, with stress defined as a persons physiological response to an internal or external stimulus that triggers the fight-or-flight response. Stress management is effective when a person uses strategies to cope with or alter stressful situations. There are several ways of coping with stress, such as controlling the source of stress or learning to set limits and to say "no" to some of the demands that bosses or family members may make. A persons capacity to tolerate the source of stress may be increased by thinking about another topic such as a hobby, listening to music, or spending time in a wilderness. A way to control stress is first dealing with what is causing the stress if it is something the individual has control over. Other methods to control stress and reduce it can be: to not procrastinate and leave tasks for the last minute, do things you like, exercise, do breathing routines, go out with friends, and take a break.
Treatment
While treatment will vary depending on the cause of the condition, it may include antibiotics or antifungal medication. Actinomycetoma, the bacterial form, can be cured with antibiotics. Eumycetoma, the fungal form, is treated with antifungals. Surgery in the form of bone resection may be necessary in late presenting cases or to enhance the effects of medical treatment. In the more extensive cases amputation is another surgical treatment option. For both forms, extended treatment is necessary. Epidemiology
Mycetoma is endemic in some regions of the tropics and subtropics. India, Sub-Saharan Africa as Sudan, and Mexico are most affected. Pakistan is probably a moderate-endemic country. Sporadic cases have been reported across some North African countries. Egypt is probably a low-endemic country. Other animals
In cats, mycetoma can be treated with complete surgical removal. Antifungal drugs are rarely effective. References
External links
DermNet NZ: an online resource about skin diseases from the New Zealand Dermatological Society Incorporated. Orphanet: a reference portal from Europe that provides information on rare diseases and orphan drugs. ClinicalTrials.gov: a list of clinical trials related to mycetoma.