MEDICAL HANDBOOK

Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome

2012-01-16T07:35:00.000-08:00

Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome

What is a Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome?

This disease, notably frequent among chronic alcoholics, is due to a deficiency of vitamin B₁ or thiamine.
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BERIBERI DISEASE: SYMPTONS, DIAGNOSIS, TREATMENT

2011-08-13T08:20:00.000-07:00

Thiamine deficiency, or beriberi, refers to the lack of thiamine pyrophosphate, the active form of the vitamin known as thiamine (also spelled thiamin), or vitamin B-1. Thiamine pyrophosphate, the biologically active form of thiamine, acts as a coenzyme in carbohydrate metabolism through the decarboxylation of alpha ketoacids; it also takes part in the formation of glucose by acting as a coenzyme for the transketolase in the pentose monophosphate pathway. Persons may become deficient in thiamine either by not ingesting enough vitamin B-1 through the diet or by excess use, which may occur in hyperthyroidism, pregnancy, lactation, or fever. Prolonged diarrhea may impair the body's ability to absorb vitamin B-1, and severe liver disease impairs its use.

Thiamine is a water-soluble vitamin that is absorbed in the jejunum by 2 processes. When the thiamine level in the small intestines is low, an active transport portal is responsible for absorption. When the thiamine concentration is high, a passive mucosal process takes place. Up to 5 mg of thiamine is absorbed through the small intestines. The small intestine is where phosphorylation of thiamine takes place.

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STEVENS JOHNSON SYNDROME SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT

2011-08-12T03:27:00.000-07:00

What is Stevens Johnson Syndrome?

Stevens-Johnson Syndrome is a potentially deadly skin disease that usually results from a drug reaction. Another form of the disease is called Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis, and again this usually results from a drug-related reaction. Both forms of the disease can be deadly as well as very painful and distressing. In most cases, these disorders are caused by a reaction to a drug, and one drug that has come under fire lately is the cox-2 inhibitor Bextra, which is already linked to these disorders.

There are other drugs that have been linked to Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, and these include some other NSAIDS (non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs), Allopurinol, Phenytoin, Carbamazepine, barbiturates, anticonvulsants, and sulfa antibiotics. The condition can sometimes – although not very often – be attributed to a bacterial infection, and in some cases there is no known cause for the onset of Stevens-Johnson Syndrome or Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis. However, the most common cause is through drug related reaction.

NOSEBLEEDING FIRST AID TREATMENT

2011-08-12T03:20:00.000-07:00

Self-Care at Home

A small amount of bleeding from a nosebleed requires little intervention. A common scenario is when a person with a cold or asinus infection blows his or her nose vigorously and notices some blood in the tissue. Avoiding any more vigorous nose blowing, sneezing, or nose picking is usually enough to keep the bleeding from getting worse.

How to stop a nosebleed

Remain calm.
Sit up straight.
Lean your head forward. Tilting your head back will only cause you to swallow the blood.
Pinch the nostrils together with your thumb and index finger for 10 minutes. Have someone time you to make sure you do not release the nostrils any earlier.
Spit out any blood in your mouth. Swallowing it may make you vomit.

URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS: UTI SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT

2011-08-02T01:30:00.000-07:00

Urinary Tract Infections

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection involving the kidneys, ureters, bladder, or urethra. These are the structures that urine passes through before being eliminated from the body.

The kidneys are a pair of small organs that lie on either side of the spine at about waist level. They have several important functions in the body, including removing waste and excess water from the blood and eliminating them as urine. These functions make them important in the regulation of blood pressure. Kidneys are also very sensitive to changes in blood sugar levels and blood pressure. Both diabetes and hypertension can cause damage to these organs.
Two ureters, narrow tubes about 10 inches long, drain urine from each kidney into the bladder.
The bladder is a small saclike organ that collects and stores urine. When the urine reaches a certain level in the bladder, you experience the sensation that you have to void, then the muscle lining the bladder can be voluntarily contracted to expel the urine.

METOLAZONE: CONTRAINDICATION AND SIDE EFFECTS

2011-08-02T00:43:00.000-07:00

What is this medicine?
METOLAZONE (me TOLE a zone) is a diuretic. It increases the amount of urine passed, which causes the body to lose salt and water. This medicine is used to treat high blood pressure. It is also reduces the swelling and water retention caused by heart or kidney disease.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

diabetes
gout
immune system problems, like lupus
kidney disease
liver disease
pancreatitis
small amount of urine or difficulty passing urine
an unusual or allergic reaction to metolazone, sulfa drugs, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
pregnant or trying to get pregnant
breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?
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LIVER CIRRHOSIS: SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

2011-08-01T00:47:00.000-07:00

1. Portal Hypertension
In cirrhosis, liver cell damage slows down blood flow. This causes a backup of blood through the portal vein, a condition called portal hypertension . The effects of portal hypertension can be widespread and serious, including fluid buildup and bleeding.

2. Ascites and Fluid Buildup. Ascites is fluid buildup in the abdomen. It is uncomfortable and can reduce breathing function and urination. Ascites is usually caused by portal hypertension, but it can result from other conditions. Swelling can also occur in the arms and legs and in the spleen. Although ascites itself is not fatal, it is a marker for severe progression. Once ascites occurs, only half of patients survive after 2 years. In fact, some experts refer to the phases of cirrhosis as preascitic and ascitic . Some doctors even believe that ascites signals the need for liver transplantation, particularly in alcoholic cirrhosis.

3. Variceal Bleeding. One of the most serious repercussions of portal hypertension is the development of varices , which are blood vessels that enlarge to provide an alternative pathway for blood diverted from the liver. In about two-thirds of patients they form in esophagus. Varices pose a high risk for rupture and bleeding because of the following characteristics:

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2011-08-01T00:44:00.000-07:00

Cirrhosis of the liver is a chronic disease that causes cell destruction and fibrosis (scarring) of hepatic tissue. Fibrosis alters normal liver structure and vasculature, impairing blood and lymph flow and resulting in hepatic insufficiency and hypertension in the portal vein. Complications include hyponatremia, water retention, bleeding esophageal varices. Coagulopathy, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, and hepatic encephalopathy.

Cirrhosis is a potentially life-threatening condition that occurs when scarring damages the liver. This scarring replaces healthy tissue and prevents the liver from working normally. Cirrhosis usually develops after years of liver inflammation. When chronic diseases cause the liver to become permanently injured and scarred, the condition is called Cirrhosis. Cirrhosis harms the structure of the liver and blocks the flow of blood. The loss of normal liver tissue slows the processing of nutrients, hormones, drugs, and toxins by the liver. Also, the production of proteins and other substances made by the liver is suppressed. People with cirrhosis often have few symptoms at first. The person may experience fatigue, weakness, and exhaustion. Loss of appetite is usual, often with nausea and weight loss. As liver function declines, water may accumulate in the legs and the abdomen (ascites). A decrease in proteins needed for blood clotting makes it easy for the person to bruise, bleeding or infection. In the later stages of cirrhosis, jaundice (yellow skin) may occur, caused by the buildup of bile pigment that is passed by the liver into the intestines. The liver of a person with cirrhosis also has trouble removing toxins, which may build up in the blood. Drugs taken usually are filtered out by the liver, and this cleansing process also is slowed down by cirrhosis.

People with cirrhosis often are very sensitive to medications and their side effects. The doctor often can diagnose cirrhosis from the patient’s symptoms and from laboratory tests. During a physical exam, the doctor could notice a change in how your liver feels or how large it is. If the doctor suspects Cirrhosis, you will be given blood tests. The purpose of these tests is to find out if liver disease is present. In some cases, other tests that take pictures of the liver are performed such as the computerized axial tomography (CAT) scan, and ultrasound. The doctor may decide to confirm the diagnosis by putting a needle through the skin (biopsy) to take a sample of tissue from the liver. In some cases, cirrhosis is diagnosed during surgery when the doctor is able to see the entire liver.

LEUKEMIA: CANCER OF THE WHITE BLOOD CELLS, SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

2011-08-01T00:29:00.000-07:00

Leukemia

The term leukemia refers to cancers of the white blood cells (also called leukocytes or WBCs). When a child has leukemia, large numbers of abnormal white blood cells are produced in the bone marrow. These abnormal white cells crowd the bone marrow and flood the bloodstream, but they cannot perform their proper role of protecting the body against disease because they are defective.

As leukemia progresses, the cancer interferes with the body's production of other types of blood cells, including red blood cells and platelets. This results in anemia (low numbers of red cells) and bleeding problems, in addition to the increased risk of infection caused by white cell abnormalities.

As a group, leukemias account for about 25% of all childhood cancers and affect about 2,200 American young people each year. Luckily, the chances for a cure are very good with leukemia. With treatment, most children with leukemia will be free of the disease without it coming back.

Types of Leukemia

In general, leukemias are classified into acute (rapidly developing) and chronic (slowly developing) forms. In children, about 98% of leukemias are acute.

FRUIT WONDERS: THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF APPLES

2011-08-01T00:24:00.000-07:00

THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF APPLES

An Apple a day, keeps the doctors away. We've probably heard this phrase for a long time and a lot time by now. But what really are the health benefits of apples.
Health Benefits of Apples First up, what really is an apple.

Apple is the pomaceous fruit of the apple tree, species Malus domestica. It is one of the most popular, healthy and widely cultivated tree fruits. It is one of the most recognizable fruit and is well loved.

Apples or eating it can help in lowering cholesterol, aiding digestion and detoxifying the body.
Apples are abundant in Quercetin, a flavonoid, which helps prevent the growth of prostate cancer cells.
Apples are said to help in slowing down ageing-related problems, avoiding wrinkles and promoting hair growth.
Apples have been found to have a positive result on those suffering from risk of stroke, Type II diabetes and asthma.

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CELIAC DISEASE: SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT

2011-07-31T00:37:00.000-07:00

Celiac disease is a chronic digestive disorder in which damage to the lining of the small intestine leads to the malabsorption of minerals and nutrients.

The destruction of the inner lining of the small intestine in celiac disease is caused by an immunological (allergic) reaction to gluten.

Gluten is a family of proteins present in wheat, barley, rye, and sometimes oats.

Individuals with celiac disease may develop diarrhea, steatorrhea, weight loss, flatulence, iron deficiency anemia, abnormal bleeding, or weakened bones. However, many adults with celiac disease may have either no symptoms or only vague abdominal discomfort such as bloating, abdominal distension, and excess gas.

Children with celiac disease may have stunted growth, and if untreated, childhood celiac disease can result in short stature as an adult.

Small intestinal biopsy is considered the most accurate test for celiac disease.

Blood tests can be performed to diagnose celiac disease; these include endomysial antibodies, anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies, and anti-gliadin antibodies.

There is no cure for celiac disease. The treatment of celiac disease is a gluten free diet.
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EMOTIONALLY UNSTABLE (BORDERLINE) PERSONALITY DISORDER: DIAGNOSIS AND COMPLICATIONS

2011-07-31T00:32:00.000-07:00

Diagnostic Features:

Emotionally Unstable (Borderline) Personality Disorder is a condition characterized by impulsive actions, rapidly shifting moods, and chaotic relationships. The individual usually goes from one emotional crisis to another. Often there is dependency, separation anxiety, unstable self-image, chronic feelings of emptiness, and threats of self-harm (suicide or self-mutilation). This disorder is only diagnosed when these behaviors become persistent and very disabling/distressing.

Complications:

Completed suicide occurs in 8%-10% of individuals with this disorder, and self-mutilative acts (e.g., cutting or burning) and suicide threats and attempts are very common. Recurrent job losses, interrupted education, and broken marriages are common.

Comorbidity:

Very stressful or chaotic childhoods are commonly reported (e.g., physical and sexual abuse, neglect, hostile conflict, and early parental loss or separation). Mood disorders, Substance-Related Disorders, Eating Disorders (usually Bulimia), Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, and other Personality Disorders frequently co-occur with this disorder.
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KAWASAKI DISEASE: TREATMENT AND COMPLICATIONS

2011-07-30T06:35:00.000-07:00

Kawasaki disease is an illness that involves the skin, mouth, and lymph nodes, and most often affects kids under age 5. The cause is unknown, but if the symptoms are recognized early, kids with Kawasaki disease can fully recover within a few days. Untreated, it can lead to serious complications that can affect the heart.

Kawasaki disease occurs in 19 out of every 100,000 kids in the United States. It is most common among children of Japanese and Korean descent, but can affect all ethnic groups.

Signs and Symptoms

Kawasaki disease can't be prevented, but usually has telltale symptoms and signs that appear in phases.

The first phase, which can last for up to 2 weeks, usually involves a persistent fever higher than 104° Fahrenheit (39° Celsius) and lasts for at least 5 days.

Other symptoms that typically develop include:

HUMAN VOLTAGE: HOW ELECTRICITY AFFECTS THE BODY

2011-07-30T06:28:00.000-07:00

Without electricity, you wouldn't be reading this article right now. And it's not because your computer wouldn't work. It's because your brain wouldn't work.

Everything we do is controlled and enabled by electrical signals running through our bodies. As we learned in intro physics, everything is made up of atoms, and atoms are made up of protons, neutrons and electrons. Protons have a positive charge, neutrons have a neutral charge, and electrons have a negative charge. When these charges are out of balance, an atom becomes either positively or negatively charged. The switch between one type of charge and the other allows electrons to flow from one atom to another. This flow of electrons, or a negative charge, is what we call electricity. Since our bodies are huge masses of atoms, we can generate electricity

When we talk about the nervous system sending "signals" to the brain, or synapses "firing," or the brain telling our hands to contract around a door handle, what we're talking about is electricity carrying messages between point A and point B. It's sort of like the digitalcable signal carrying 1s and 0s that deliver "Law & Order." Except in our bodies, electrons aren't flowing along a wire; instead, an electrical charge is jumping from one cell to the next until it reaches its destination.
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CREATINE: DIETARY SUPPLEMENT

2011-07-06T08:39:00.000-07:00

Creatine is a dietary supplement that is often used to improve athletic performance. Excessive use of creatine can strain the kidneys and cause kidney damage. Individuals should follow proper dosing recommendations for creatine and consult a physician prior to taking supplements. Individuals who currently take creatine and have kidney problems should discontinue use of creatine to prevent further kidney damage.

Creatine
Creatine is an amino acid that is synthesized in the kidneys and liver and supports muscle growth and contraction, according to Peace Health. Creatine is naturally available in fish and meat and is also marketed to athletes as a performance-enhancing supplement. According to the Mayo Clinic, the most popular creatine supplement is creatine monohydrate. Prolonged use or high doses of creatine may contribute to kidney damage.

Bulk Micronized Creatine 5lbs for only $25.99 Factory Direct Pricing www.MuscleFeast.com
Kidneys and Creatinine
Kidneys remove waste from the body, help form red blood cells and help regulate blood pressure. Creatinine is a chemical waste product of creatine. It is usually filtered out through the kidneys and excreted in the urine. High levels of creatinine in the blood can be caused by high doses of creatine and may be a sign of kidney damage and the inability of the kidneys to filter out creatinine.

MedlinePlus says kidney problems that are associated with high creatinine levels include acute tubular necrosis, diabetic nephropathy, glomerulonephritis or pyelonephritis, all of which can lead to chronic kidney disease (CKD) or kidney failure. CKD and kidney failure can result in seizures, coma and, ultimately, death. Individuals with either condition may need dialysis, a regular treatment that cleans the blood, or a kidney transplant.

CREATININE LEVEL: SOMETHING TO WATCH OUT FOR

2011-07-06T07:58:00.000-07:00

What is creatinine?

Creatinine is a chemical waste molecule that is generated from muscle metabolism. Creatinine is produced from creatine, a molecule of major importance for energy production in muscles. Approximately 2% of the body's creatine is converted to creatinine every day. Creatinine is transported through the bloodstream to the kidneys. The kidneys filter out most of the creatinine and dispose of it in the urine.

Because the muscle mass in the body is relatively constant from day to day, the creatinine level in the blood normally remains essentially unchanged on a daily basis.

Why is it important to check blood creatinine levels?

The kidneys maintain the blood creatinine in a normal range. Creatinine has been found to be a fairly reliable indicator of kidney function.

As the kidneys become impaired for any reason, the creatinine level in the blood will rise due to poor clearance by the kidneys. Abnormally high levels of creatinine thus warn of possible malfunction or failure of the kidneys. It is for this reason that standard blood tests routinely check the amount of creatinine in the blood. A more precise measure of the kidney function can be estimated by calculating how much creatinine is cleared from the body by the kidneys and it is referred to creatinine clearance.

What are "normal" blood creatinine levels?

Normal levels of creatinine in the blood are approximately 0.6 to 1.2 milligrams (mg) per deciliter (dl) in adult males and 0.5 to 1.1 milligrams per deciliter in adult females. (In the metric system, a milligram is a unit of weight equal to one-thousandth of a gram, and a deciliter is a unit of volume equal to one-tenth of a liter.)

Muscular young or middle-aged adults may have more creatinine in their blood than the norm for the general population. Elderly persons, on the other hand, may have less creatinine in their blood than the norm. Infants have normal levels of about 0.2 or more, depending on their muscle development. In people with malnutrition, severe weight loss, and long standing illnesses the muscle mass tends to diminish over time and, therefore, their creatinine level may be lower than expected for their age.

A person with only one kidney may have a normal level of about 1.8 or 1.9. Creatinine levels that reach 2.0 or more in babies and 10.0 or more in adults may indicate severe kidney impairment and the need for a dialysis machine to remove wastes from the blood.

Creatinine Normals

The typical reference ranges are 0.5 to 1.0 mg/dL (about 45-90 μmol/l) for women and 0.7 to 1.2 mg/dL (60-110 μmol/l) for men. While a baseline serum creatinine of 2.0 mg/dL (150 μmol/l) may indicate normal kidney function in a male body builder, a serum creatinine of 0.7 mg/dL (60 μmol/l) can indicate significant renal disease in a frail old woman.

In the United States, creatinine is typically reported in mg/dL, while in Canada and Europe μmol/litre may be used. 1 mg/dL of creatinine is 88.4 μmol/l1.

What are the reasons for elevated blood creatinine?

Any condition that impairs the function of the kidneys will probably raise the creatinine level in the blood. It is important to recognize whether the process leading to kidney dysfunction (kidney failure, azotemia) is longstanding or recent.

The most common causes of longstanding kidney disease in adults are high blood pressure and diabetes mellitus. Certain drugs can sometimes cause abnormally elevated creatinine levels. Serum creatinine can also transiently rise after ingestion of large amount of dietary meat.

Are there any symptoms associated with elevated blood creatinine levels?

The symptoms of kidney dysfunction (renal insufficiency) vary widely. Some people may have a incidental finding of severe kidney disease and elevated creatinine on routine blood work without having any symptoms at all. In others, depending on the cause of problem, many different symptoms may be present including:

feeling dehydrated,
fatigue,
shortness of breath,
confusion, or
many other nonspecific symptoms.

CREATINE MONOHYDRATE SIDE EFFECTS

2011-07-06T07:42:00.001-07:00

Creatine Monohydrate Side Effects

As far as what we've experienced, the best part about creatine is that there are no adverse side effects of creatine. As far as what has been reported in studies, creatine is completely safe and works as a very effective supplement. Yet although there are no risks of taking creatine, we don't know about its long-term effects as the record of research is relatively recent.

Just like every supplement it is not recommended to overuse creatine once your muscles have achieved the saturation value. That is, you should only take the dosage recommended by your doctor or as written on the bottle. A conservative approach is to plan to use creatine only for limited periods before taking a substantial break from it so the body can re-set to normal functioning.

Many experiments performed on creatine have shown that creatine does not cause any adverse side effects as such, but the only effect of taking creatine is that after taking the creatine supplement you will experience an increase in body mass. But, that is the thing I think that all bodybuilders and athletes would love to have.

Creatine Side Effects

In a three-year study designed to find out whether these creatine side effects really do exist, creatine was determined to have no effect on the incidence of injury or cramping in a group of American footballers. Although no negative side effects have ever been noted in the research, some effects that you may physically experience are:

Some of the people claim that creatine users are susceptible to cramps, muscle spasms, and some may even be prone to pulled muscles.
Persons taking creatine may also show allergic reactions like itching or hives.
Sometimes, there may be swelling in your face or hands.
Some persons taking creatine said that they had some tingling sensation in their throat.
Consumption of creatine may sometimes cause diarrhea or stomach problems.
You may sometimes experience trouble in breathing.
Creatine in some rare cases may also cause kidney stones.

Other Side Effects of Creatine may be:

You may experience chest tightness.
You may experience weight gain. But, that from my point of view is not a bad effect; it is a good result as all weight lifters love to have more and more mass.
Water Retention.
You may notice some gas problems and bloating.
Heat Intolerance.

If you are experiencing a lot of adverse side effects you should stop taking creatine right away and talk to your doctor.

WATER IS MUCH BETTER THAN ANY SPORTS DRINKS: MOST CHEAPER MEDICINE

2011-06-07T19:48:00.000-07:00

Are sports drinks better than water? The beverage industry would like you to think so. According to Beverage Digest, PepsiCo (the maker of Gatorade), the Coca-Cola Company (the maker of Powerade), and others made about 7 billion dollars in 2010 promoting the idea that to prevent dehydration and optimize performance, you need to guzzle their products.
However, unless you are a high-intensity athlete, water is still the best option, without the cost or calories.

Although sports drinks are marketed to the general population, they do not offer added health benefits to sedentary adults or even moderate exercisers but do provide unnecessary amounts of sugar, sodium, and artificial flavorings and preservatives.
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Congenital Heart Failure: TOF

2011-05-24T03:23:00.000-07:00

Tetralogy of Fallot consists of 4 features: a large ventricular septal defect, right ventricular outflow tract and pulmonary valve obstruction, right ventricular hypertrophy, and over-riding of the aorta. Symptoms include cyanosis, dyspnea with feeding, poor growth, and tet spells (sudden, potentially lethal episodes of severe cyanosis). A harsh systolic murmur at the left upper sternal border with a single 2nd heart sound (S₂) is common. Diagnosis is by echocardiography or cardiac catheterization. Definitive treatment is surgical repair.

Tetralogy of Fallot (see Fig. 6: Congenital Cardiovascular Anomalies: Tetralogy of Fallot.) accounts for 7 to 10% of congenital heart anomalies. Associated anomalies include right aortic arch (25%), abnormal coronary artery anatomy (5%), stenosis of the pulmonary artery branches, presence of aorticopulmonary collateral vessels, patent ductus arteriosus, complete atrioventricular septal defect, atrial septal defect, additional muscular ventricular septal defects (VSDs), and aortic valve regurgitation.

TOP 10 BLADDER SIGNS AND HOW TO MAKE IT STOP

2011-05-09T00:56:00.000-07:00

When your bladder isn't as reliable as you'd like, all sorts of day-to-day situations become unexpectedly stressful. Who wants to worry about embarrassing leaks every time you sit down to giggle over an episode of Modern Family? Here are the top ten bladder triggers, and ways to keep them in check.

1. Laughing or sneezing

Why leaks happen

The pelvic floor muscles that support the bladder and urethra are weakened. So when you laugh, the sphincter muscle at the juncture between the urethra and bladder can't hold as tightly as it should.

What to do

Schedule bathroom trips at regular, set intervals. Learning to follow a bathroom schedule is known as bladder training, and over time it can help your bladder relearn how not to release unexpectedly.

Get a referral to a physical therapist who specializes in pelvic floor strengthening. You can learn exercises to regain control over these muscles.

Practice double voiding. If incontinence seems to be related to your bladder not emptying completely, returning to the bathroom after waiting a few minutes can help eliminate residual urine.

Don't get caught out. If you haven't been to the bathroom in a while and someone launches into a joke, don't feel self-conscious about excusing yourself. It's OK to say, "Hold that thought" so you don't miss out on a good laugh.

2. Running, jumping, and exercise

Why leaks happen

"Exercise-induced urinary incontinence" is the term for stress incontinence that happens during physical exertion. When the pelvic floor muscles weaken, the muscles of the bladder and the urethra don't have the support they need to tighten fully and retain urine. Running, jumping, kicking, and any serious exertion can cause a release.

What to do

Don't be afraid to talk about it. It might come as a surprise to know that 30 to 40 percent of women have this problem -- it's not the rare little secret you think it is. Ask your doctor for help.

Sign up for pelvic floor therapy. A specialist will put you through a program of Kegel exercises designed to build up strength in the deep abdominal muscles that support the bladder.

Be vigilant about bathroom trips. Go just before a run or game, and don't be self-conscious about excusing yourself to use the bathroom again during a session.

Don't overhydrate. One eight-ounce glass of water before you exercise is plenty, experts say, but many women drink much more. Save the rest for during and after your training.

Wear a tampon. Inserting a tampon puts pressure on the urethra through the vaginal wall. There are also medical devices called pessaries that do much the same thing.

3. Sex

Why leaks happen

Sexual activity puts pressure on the abdomen, urethra, and bladder, which can trigger stress incontinence. Stimulation and arousal can bring on urge incontinence.

What to do

Limit fluid intake for an hour prior to sex.

Use the bathroom just before sex.

Perform pelvic floor exercises regularly to build up bladder control. Hint: They make sex better too!

Choose sex positions that make incontinence less likely. With the woman on top, it's easier to control your pelvic muscles and the stress caused by penetration; entry from behind puts less pressure on the bladder and urethra.

4. Alcohol

Why leaks happen

Not only is alcohol a bladder stimulant, it's also a diuretic, causing your body to flush out water through the kidneys. So it's a double whammy for those struggling with incontinence.

What to do

Choose water-based mixed drinks. A gin and tonic -- with plenty of tonic -- is much easier on the bladder than straight whisky.

Don't add insult to injury. Mixing one bladder irritant -- alcohol -- with another, such as coke or a citrus juice, is just going to make leakage more likely.

Cut back on the celebrating. You'll enjoy the evening more if you stay dry even if you have to give up that second drink.

Remember your water chaser. Following wine, beer, or a mixed drink with water flushes the irritating alcohol out more quickly.

5. Coffee and tea

Why leaks happen

Caffeine is a double whammy for those with incontinence because it's a diuretic and it stimulates the bladder. So it makes you have to go more often -- and it makes you have to go now.

What to do

Eliminate caffeine as much as possible. That means black tea and chocolate as well as coffee, experts say. If you can't start your day without a cup of joe, keep the refills down, and follow it with a glass of water to dilute the stimulating effects. Also, limit your coffee and tea drinking to mornings. If you're going to be running to the bathroom, you don't want it to be when you're trying to sleep.
6. Soda pop

Why leaks happen

Soda pop can contain carbonation, caffeine, and cocoa-based flavorings, all of which are among the most irritating bladder triggers. And many experts say diet cola's worse than coffee for those with incontinence; with the addition of artificial sweeteners, it contains four different bladder irritants.

What to do

Experiment. When you need an ice-cold refresher, try other options such as lemonade, herbal ice tea, or fizzy water with a splash of juice. When trying to break a cola addiction, gradually reduce your daily intake rather than quitting cold turkey.
7. Medications

Why leaks happen

Medications that relax muscles in other parts of the body often relax the muscles of the bladder and urethra as well. Meanwhile, some medications cause you to produce and expel more urine, while others make you sleepy and less alert. Some examples:

Alpha-blocking medications that lower blood pressure, such as Cardura (doxazosin), Minipress (prazosin), and Hytrin (terazosin), weaken the bladder's ability to hold tight.

Diuretics such as Bumex (bumetanide), Lasix (furosemide), Aldactone (spironolactone), and all the thiazides cause your body to flush liquids.

Antidepressants and other drugs with anticholinergic effects, such as Norpramin (desipramine), Cogentin (benztropine), Haldol (haloperidol), and Risperdal (risperidone), block a neurotransmitter and in the process can cause bladder spasms.

Sedatives and sleeping pills such as Ativan (lorazepam), Valium (diazepam), Dalmane (flurazepam), Lunesta (eszopiclone), and Ambien (zolpidem) relax muscles and make you sleep extremely deeply.

What to do

Check side effects. If you think a medication is affecting your bladder, check the listed side effects to see if urinary problems or incontinence is among them. Even if it's not in the notes, that doesn't mean your experience is invalid. Keep track of how the drug is affecting you from day to day, then talk to your doctor about whether it's possible to switch to an alternative medication.
8. Urinary tract infections (UTIs)

Why leaks happen

When a urinary tract infection irritates the lining of your bladder, the result can be strong, sudden urges to urinate. And you may not even know you have a UTI; some are symptomless, at least at first. There may also be other symptoms, such as itching or burning, discharge, or a fishy or foul-smelling odor.

What to do

Get tested for any suspected case of a UTI.

If you seem to be getting frequent bouts of UTIs or an infection won't clear up, ask your doctor about interstitial cystitis, a chronic condition that can lead to incontinence.

9. Super-tight jeans, leggings

Why leaks happen

There's a reason your doctor tells you to wear loose-fitting clothing to prevent vaginal and urinary tract infections. Airflow prevents moisture from becoming trapped and providing a breeding ground for bacteria. Wearing tight jeans, "jeggings," or thick stretchy leggings for long periods of time can lead to UTIs and bladder infections, which in turn can cause incontinence.

What to do

Give your body a break. If you want to wear tight jeans for a hot date, do so, but slip into your comfies as soon as you get home.

Save exercise leggings for class; shower and change before heading home.

Choose cotton over nylon, and watch that lycra content. The more lycra in the fabric, the more elasticized it is.

Go one size larger.

10. Constipation

Why leaks happen

The lower colon and rectum are located near the bladder and share many of the same nerves. When you have hard, compacted stool in your rectum, these nerves become overactive, with the result that you have sudden and frequent urges to go.

What to do

Bulk up your diet with fiber. Fiber prevents constipation and has the additional benefit of making the urinary tract muscles function more effectively.

Take laxatives temporarily to clear your colon and rectum.

Drink plenty of water at regular intervals.

Eat more fruits and veggies. The water content in fruits and vegetables helps prevent constipation.

10 WAYS TO LIVE NORMALLY WITH A LEAKY BLADDER

2011-05-08T21:55:00.001-07:00

Do you plan your day to make sure bathroom stops will be available at short notice and scope out buildings so you always know where the nearest bathroom is? Do you tell yourself to wait an hour for that glass of iced tea so you won't have to dash for the ladies'? If so, it's likely you have a condition called overactive bladder, or OAB. And if you're between 40 and 55, you may be one of the many women for whom OAB is a menopause- and age-related problem.

10 Ways to Live Normally With a Leaky Bladder

One comfort: You're in good company. Studies show overactive bladder affects at least -- and probably more than -- 17 percent of women in the U.S. Why more? Because this problem is vastly underreported, due to the embarrassment factor. (It's not the easiest thing to talk to your doctor about.) But help is available. In the meantime, here's what you should know about the connection between OAB and menopause -- along with available treatments.

What's the connection between menopause and OAB?

During perimenopause, the period leading up to menopause, and menopause itself, the level of estrogen -- which helps to keep the tissues of your bladder and urethra healthy -- begins to drop significantly. If you've begun to notice dryness and sensitivity during sex, it's likely you're at risk for bladder problems as well. The reason: Just as the tissues of the vaginal wall begin to thin and dry out, so does the tissue that lines the bladder. When that happens, your bladder becomes more sensitive to irritants and more susceptible to "hair-trigger" releases.

What's more, lack of estrogen can cause the pelvic muscles, which are responsible for maintaining bladder control, to weaken, eventually resulting in incontinence.

What kinds of bladder control problems can happen with menopause?

Overactive bladder problems take several forms:

Urgency: When you have to go, you have to go now.

Frequency: You have to go all the time, defined as a problem if you need to go more than eight times in a 24-hour period. And yes, this problem is a doozy for sleep disruption.

Urge incontinence: The need to go now comes on suddenly, and if life conspires to keep you from a bathroom, you're likely to have an accident.

How is overactive bladder diagnosed?

To diagnose a bladder control problem, your doctor will perform a physical exam, including a pelvic exam, and order lab tests to look for signs of a urinary tract infection or other problems. The doctor will likely ask you to keep a "voiding diary" in which you write down when you go, note any associated symptoms, and describe accidents or other problems. Keeping a diary can also help you reconstruct the circumstances prior to an accident (what you ate and drank beforehand, for example) or any overwhelming urges you can recall.

What treatments are available for menopause-related overactive bladder?

There are treatments for overactive bladder that help you control urges, treatments that strengthen muscles or improve muscle control, and treatments aimed to reduce irritation. Your primary care physician or a specialist can work with you to analyze the type of bladder problems you're having and devise the best treatment plan. Doctors are likely to suggest lifestyle changes, muscle-strengthening exercises, and bladder retraining before they start considering medications -- which might have side effects -- or surgery. What follows are the most common treatment strategies for bladder problems associated with menopause, in the approximate order a doctor might suggest them.

Treatments for menopause-related OAB

Dietary changes

Many women are surprised to learn how dramatically what they eat and drink can affect bladder function. With that in mind, try eliminating these foods and beverages -- all known to irritate the bladder, triggering urges -- one at a time:

coffee and black tea

citrus fruits and juices

chocolate

regular and diet sodas

alcohol

spicy foods

tomatoes and tomato-based foods and sauces

artificial sweeteners

vinegar and vinegar-based salad dressings

To protect your bladder from irritation and urges:

Drink eight glasses of water, spaced throughout the day.

Drink milk, almond milk, or soy milk to see if this soothes the bladder.

Take a probiotic supplement, which helps control yeast growth and promotes a healthy bladder.

Strengthening bladder muscles with Kegel exercises

With menopause and age, the pelvic floor muscles known as Kegels that control the bladder's ability to hold in urine can weaken. Strengthening these muscles is one of the best ways to control leakage. To do Kegel exercises, squeeze and hold the pelvic muscles and then relax them. You can locate these muscles by stopping the flow of urine midstream. Although it's possible to strengthen Kegels on your own, it's most effective to work with a nurse or physical therapist (PT) who specializes in pelvic floor strengthening.

Bladder retraining for OAB

Your bladder muscles have been conditioned over time to influence the sudden need to urinate -- probably in ways you're not even aware of. Bladder retraining is a therapeutic approach to relearning the ability to resist or inhibit the feeling of urgency. Working with a physical therapy nurse, you retrain your bladder by timing visits to the bathroom according to a strict schedule, gradually extending the intervals between bathroom visits. In addition, the therapist will teach you ways to distract yourself between bathroom visits. A bladder retraining program usually takes at least six to eight weeks to produce results.

Estrogen therapy

If your bladder symptoms first appeared during perimenopause or if you're experiencing other menopause-related symptoms, working with your ob/gyn to control these symptoms with hormone therapy may be the best solution. Many women find that vaginal estrogen, applied as a ring or cream, is extremely effective in treating overactive bladder. This is different from systemic hormone therapy, which uses oral hormones distributed throughout the body, and has fewer risks.

Weight loss

Weight gain -- often associated with menopause -- puts pressure on the bladder, urethra, and pelvic floor muscles. Many women have found that when they lose weight, their overactive bladder problems are gone along with the extra pounds. If you're overweight, try using your frustration with overactive bladder problems as a motivator to embark on a diet and exercise regime.

Other medications

A number of medications can help with OAB, but they're not usually the first treatments of choice, since they can have side effects. Known as anticholinergic agents, they block the action of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that stimulates the bladder to contract. By reducing contractions, they control sudden urges to go. Common brand names include Ditropan, Detrol, Oxytrol, Enablex, Sanctura, and Vesicare. The problem with anticholinergics is that they can block other bodily functions as well, causing side effects such as dry eyes, dry mouth, and constipation. Some women also report memory and cognitive problems from these medications.

Biofeedback

Many experts now recommend using biofeedback to aid in the process of retraining the bladder and strengthening pelvic floor muscles. Biofeedback uses electrodes to measure your heart rate, skin temperature, and breathing. It's designed to help you become more aware of your bladder and the muscles you use when you urinate, so you can develop more control.

Sacral nerve stimulation surgery

Electrically stimulating the nerves that control the bladder can greatly reduce or prevent incontinence. Sacral nerve stimulation uses a small neurotransmitter that's implanted under the skin and sends mild electrical impulses to a nerve located in the lower back (the sacral nerve) to influence the bladder and the pelvic floor muscles. The surgery doesn't have a permanent effect on nerves; it only works as long as the neurotransmitter is operational. This means it's a symptom treatment rather than a cure, but it also means it can be discontinued at any time.

THE EFFECTS OF RADIATION ON THE HUMAN BODY

2011-05-05T18:34:00.000-07:00

Effects of Radiation on the Human Body

(1) Hair

The losing of hair quickly and in clumps occurs with radiation exposure at 200 rems or higher.

(2) Brain

Since brain cells do not reproduce, they won't be damaged directly unless the exposure is 5,000 rems or greater. Like the heart, radiation kills nerve cells and small blood vessels, and can cause seizures and immediate death.

(3) Thyroid

The certain body parts are more specifically affected by exposure to different types of radiation sources. The thyroid gland is susceptible to radioactive iodine. In sufficient amounts, radioactive iodine can destroy all or part of the thyroid. By taking potassium iodide, one can reduce the effects of exposure.

(4) Blood System

When a person is exposed to around 100 rems, the blood's lymphocyte cell count will be reduced, leaving the victim more susceptible to infection. This is often refered to as mild radiation sickness. Early symptoms of radiation sickness mimic those of flu and may go unnoticed unless a blood count is done.According to data from Hiroshima and Nagaski, show that symptoms may persist for up to 10 years and may also have an increased long-term risk for leukemia and lymphoma.

(5) Heart

Intense exposure to radioactive material at 1,000 to 5,000 rems would do immediate damage to small blood vessels and probably cause heart failure and death directly.

(6) Gastrointestinal Tract

Radiation damage to the intestinal tract lining will cause nausea, bloody vomiting and diarrhea. This is occurs when the victim's exposure is 200 rems or more. The radiation will begin to destroy the cells in the body that divide rapidly. These including blood, GI tract, reproductive and hair cells, and harms their DNA and RNA of surviving cells.

(7) Reproductive Tract

Because reproductive tract cells divide rapidly, these areas of the body can be damaged at rem levels as low as 200. Long-term, some radiation sickness victims will become sterile.

LUPUS: SYMPTOMS AND CURE

2011-05-04T21:51:00.000-07:00

Lupus is an autoimmune condition wherein the immune system harms the healthy tissue and cells in the body. Individuals with lupus display varied symptoms based on the particulars of each case. These symptoms may be mild in some cases while severe in others. Some common and painful lupus symptoms include swollen and painful joints along with fatigue and unexplained fever.

A red skin rash called malar or butterfly rash is often one of the commonly observed lupus symptoms and it can be seen to appear across a patient’s cheeks and the nose. The rash may also be seen on the upper arms, face and the ears, chest, hands and the shoulders as well. People suffering from lupus are quite sensitive to sunlight and skin rashes tend to get worse on exposure to sunlight. So people with lupus often have to wear sun screen agents and avoid exposure to ultraviolet light.

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Lupus: Signs, symptoms, and cure

2011-05-03T21:51:00.000-07:00

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease in which the body's antibodies attack one's own tissues. Lupus attacks tissues such as the skin, muscles, tendons and ligaments as well as the kidneys, heart, lungs and brain.
Description of Lupus
Lupus frequently strikes women of childbearing years, however, it can affect both sexes from youth to the elderly and range in severity from mild to disabling.
In lupus, the regulation of the immune system goes awry and the body produces autoantibodies (antibodies that attack the patient's own tissues). This reaction results in inflammation that causes redness, pain and swelling in the affected parts of the body.
Lupus usually appears in one of two forms - systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE).

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ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE: BEST MEDICINE AND TREATMENT

2011-04-29T23:53:00.000-07:00

A progressive disease of brain is Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). The characteristics of this disease include memory impairment and disturbance in thinking functionality. According to scientists, the cause of the disease is either accumulation or increased production of specific protein that leads to death of nerve cells.

Treatment for Alzheimer’s Disease

Prescription drugs or medications are helpful in treating AD. Medication is useful for treating behavioral, physical and psychological changes that occur due to this degenerative disease.

US Food and Drug Administration approves five drugs for treating AD. These drugs include: Exelon, Cognex, Razadyne, Aricept and Namenda. These drugs can have side effects and research is going on to test its effectiveness. These drugs do not give positive results to some people while on some others it gives significant effects.

Working of Prescription Drugs

Cholinesterase Inhibitors drugs include Exelon, Cognex, Razadyne and Aricept. In the brain, they delay the breakdown of acetylcholine. For communication between nerve cells, acetylcholine is helpful and is important for memory.

Pharmaceutical Effects

In early stages of AD Exelon, Razadyne and Aricept are effective. For slowing down the degeneration of cognitive symptoms, these prescription drugs are effective. People exhibiting behavioral problems due to AD get relief from these drugs. The use of these drugs improves the quality of life.

Namenda (mematine)

Namenda is N-methyl D-aspartate, which acts on another nerve message transmitter known as glutamate. This drug protects brain from glutamate as it contributes in the death of brain’s nerve cells in people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. The use of this drug is effective in severe and moderate forms of AD. The improvement of the life of people suffering from AD is visible within few weeks by the use of this drug.

Side Effects of Drugs

Namenda – Headache, dizziness, skin rash, confusion and constipation are the major side effects. Some lesscommon side effects include back pain, insomnia, vomiting, fatigue, hallucinations, high blood pressure and shortness of breath.

Exelon Upset stomach, vomiting, fatigue, nausea and weight loss are some side effects. Dizziness, abdominal pain, tremor, sweating, psychiatric disturbance, diarrhea are some of the less common effects. Gastro intestinal bleeding may occur due to the drug.

Razadyne – If you are taking the drug for the first time you may commonly feel weight loss, nausea, appetite loss, vomiting. Headaches, urinary tract infections, tremor, dizziness, runny nose, blood in urine are some less common effects.

Aricept – Nausea, fatigue, muscle cramps are common effects. Rarely gastric or duodenal ulcers, liver damage, bladder overflow obstruction etc occurs.

Cognex – This is less commonly used as it can cause liver damage. Seizures, heart problems are serious side effects.

Make sure that you consult your doctor and do a lot of research before starting these medicines.

BIPOLAR DISORDER: RISK FOR SUICIDE

2011-04-27T05:17:00.000-07:00

Bipolar Disorder and Risk for Suicide
It is important to note that an estimated 15% to 20% of patients who suffer from bipolar disorder and who do not receive medical attention commit suicide. The risk is greater in the following individuals:
•In a 2001 study of bipolar disorder I disorder, more than 50% of patients attempted suicide; the risk was highest during depressive episodes.
•Some studies have suggested that the risk with bipolar disorder II patients is even higher than it is in patients with bipolar disorder I or major depression disorder
•Patients with mixed mania, and possibly when it is marked by irritability and paranoia, are also at particular risk.
•Many young pre- and early adolescent children with bipolar disorder are more severely ill than are adults with the disease. According to a 2001 study, 25% of children with bipolar disorder are seriously suicidal. They have a higher risk for mixed mania (simultaneous depression and mania), multiple and frequent cycles, and a long duration of illness without well periods.
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MANAGING CHRONIC PAIN: OVER THE COUNTER MEDICINES

2011-04-25T19:43:00.000-07:00

Chronic pain — what can I do?

Chronic or persistent pain is when pain occurs most days of the week, for at least a three month period. About 1 in 5 Australians suffer from chronic pain and it most commonly occurs in older people.

People experience pain differently and will have different responses to pain treatment. There are many ways to manage pain. You need to find the one that works best for you.

Managing pain involves strategies that help you reduce the impact of pain on your daily activities. It may include individually tailored exercises, performing activities that are within your pain tolerance and using pain relief medicines.

If you need a pain relief medicine, you may purchase it over the counter or get a prescription from your doctor. It is important to see your doctor, who can review your medicines, recommend options and help you decide what is best for you.

CONSUMER'S MEDICINE INFORMATION

2011-04-24T19:42:00.000-07:00

Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) is designed to inform consumers about prescription and pharmacist-only medicines. It provides information about a medicine and is written by the pharmaceutical manufacturer.

A CMI gives you important facts to know before, during and after taking your medicine.

The content of a CMI is defined by legislation and includes headings such as how to take your medicines, side effects and a description of the product. The legislation ensures the leaflet is accurate, unbiased and easy to use.

How do you use it?

Be sure to check that the brand name (usually in largest text) on your medicine exactly matches with the leaflet, to ensure you've chosen the right one.

RADIATION: SIDE EFFECTS ON HUMAN BODY

2011-04-24T18:37:00.000-07:00

Radiation Side Effects

The radiation side effects experienced by the normal body tissues during and after radiotherapy can be loosely divided into Acute and Late effects.

Acute radiation side effects constitute the acute reaction occurring during radiation and in the immediate weeks and months following treatment.

Acute Radiation Side Effects

Radiation treatment is painless and without sensation, with the exception of some mechanical sounds produced by the treatment machine associated with the start and finish of the treatment. Many patients receiving radiation therapy will experience very little reaction, but in most the normal tissues will develop some degree of radiation reaction. This varies in amount and type, depending on the part of the body treated and the amount of normal tissue included in the radiation treatment.

The degree to which individuals experience reaction varies considerably, but this section will deal with some general principles of radiation reaction. Where large areas of a patient are treated, such as the whole abdomen or chest, the reaction experienced will be mainly of a general nature. When small areas are treated the reaction will be confined to that area of the body that is radiated and to the individual tissues included in the treatment volume. Any general reaction will be much less or absent altogether.

MEDICINE UPDATES

2011-04-23T19:41:00.001-07:00

Medicine Update issues

Medicine Update lets you know about new medicines and new PBS listings. Each issue provides an independent assessment of current information and research about a different medicine.

Title	Date	Why read this
Denosumab (Prolia) for postmenopausal osteoporosis.	December 2010	Information on denosumab, a medicine used for treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis.
Exenatide (Byetta) for type 2 diabetes	December 2010	This issue provides information on exenatide (Byetta) for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.
Panadol Extra (paracetamol and caffeine) for pain	December 2010	This Medicine Update is for people who are taking, or thinking about taking, Panadol Extra.
Sitagliptin (Januvia) for type 2 diabetes	August 2010	This Medicine Update is for people who are taking, or thinking about taking, sitagliptin for type 2 diabetes.
Vildagliptin (Galvus) for type 2 diabetes	August 2010	This Medicine Update is for people who are taking, or thinking about taking, vildagliptin for type 2 diabetes.
Pramipexole (Sifrol and Sifrol ER) for Parkinson’s disease	August 2010	A new, long-acting form of pramipexole (Sifrol ER) is available for Parkinson’s disease. This revised Medicine Update describes the potential benefits, side effects and issues to be aware of with pramipexole (Sifrol) or the long-acting form (Sifrol ER).
Dabigatran (Pradaxa) for preventing blood clots after hip or knee replacement surgery	April 2010	Dabigatran is a new medicine to prevent blood clots forming after hip or knee replacement surgery. It works by thinning the blood.
Rivaroxaban (Xarelto) for preventing blood clots after hip or knee replacement surgery	April 2010	Rivaroxaban is a new medicine to prevent blood clots forming after hip or knee replacement surgery. It works by thinning the blood.
Zoledronic acid (Aclasta) for osteoporosis	April 2009	Information for consumers about zoledronic acid (Aclasta), a new treatment for osteoporosis. This treatment is used only once a year, and is given through a drip into a vein.
Tramadol for pain	December 2008	Information for consumers about tramadol, a painkiller prescribed by your doctor.
Duloxetine (Cymbalta) for major depression	August 2008	Information for consumers about duloxetine (Cymbalta), a new antidepressant for major depression.
Strontium ranelate (Protos) for osteoporosis in postmenopausal women	April 2008	Information for consumers about strontium ranelate (Protos) for osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.
Alendronate (Fosamax) for osteoporosis - preventing fractures in people with very fragile bones (low bone mineral density)	January 2008	Information for consumers about the drug Alendronate for preventing fractures in people with very fragile bones (low bone mineral density) and osteoporosis.
Fluticasone with salmeterol (Seretide) for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease	January 2008	Information for consumers about the drug Seretide, for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Varenicline (Champix) for quitting smoking	January 2008	An updated version of this article is coming soon. You can read this original version, but note that the information about PBS listings is now out of date.
Lumiracoxib (Prexige) for osteoarthritis	April 2007	Since this issue of Medicine Update was published, lumiracoxib (Prexige) has been withdrawn by the Therapeutic Goods Administration.

HEART TRANSPLANT: PROCEDURES

2011-04-21T18:29:00.000-07:00

Cardiac transplantation is a widely accepted therapy for the treatment of end-stage congestive heart failure. Most candidates for cardiac transplantation have not been helped by conventional medical therapy and are excluded from other surgical options because of the poor condition of the heart. About 45% of the candidates have ischemic cardiomyopathy; however, this percentage is rising because of the increase in coronary artery disease in younger age groups. Of the candidates, 54% have some form of dilated cardiomyopathy, which often has an unclear origin. The remaining 1% of candidates fall into the category of other diseases, including congenital heart disease, that are not amenable to surgical correction.

Candidacy determination and evaluation are key components of the process, as is postoperative follow-up care and immunosuppression management. Proper execution of these steps can culminate in an extremely satisfying outcome for both the physician and patient.

BORDERLINE PERSONALITY DISORDER: SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

2011-04-20T05:27:00.000-07:00

Most people with a borderline personality disorder are women and it's estimated 1-2% of American adults have Borderline Personality Disorder. Borderline personality becomes evident in early adulthood but becomes less common in older age groups.

People with borderline personality are unstable in their self-image, moods, behavior, and interpersonal relationships. The Merck Manual states "their thought processes are more disturbed than those of people with an antisocial personality, and their aggression is more often turned against the self. They are angrier, more impulsive, and more confused about their identity than are people with a histrionic personality."
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DISSOCIATIVE IDENTITY DISORDER (DID): SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

2011-04-17T05:29:00.000-07:00

Dissociative Identity Disorder is also referred to as Multiple Personality Disorder.

Dissociative identity disorder is chronic and potentially disabling or fatal, although many with the disorder function very well and lead creative and productive lives. People with this disorder are prone to injuring themselves. They may engage in self-mutilation. Many attempt suicide.

In Dissociative Identity Disorder, some of a person's personalities are aware of important personal information, whereas other personalities are unaware. Some personalities appear to know and interact with one another in an elaborate inner world. For example, personality A may be aware of personality B and know what B does, as if observing B's behavior; personality B may or may not be aware of personality A. Other personalities may or may not be aware of personality B, and personality B may or may not be aware of them.
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TEN MOST EXPENSIVE MEDICAL PROCEDURES

2011-04-16T07:46:00.000-07:00

1. Intestine Transplant
Cost: $1,121,800

A transplant of the intestine is done to replace dead intestinal tissue with live tissue from a donor, often because of disease or the presence of a tumor. Because intestinal disease is sometimes accompanied by liver failure, intestine transplants can be done in conjunction with a liver transplant, adding more than $180,000 to the bill.

2. Heart Transplant
Cost: $787,700

Heart transplants are among the most complicated of procedures, carrying great risk. Waiting lists are long, and preparation for the surgery is lengthy and expensive. Add to this the expensive procurement of the organ, and you can see why the cost is so great.

3. Bone Marrow Transplant
Cost: $676,800 Allogeneic ($300,400 for Autologous)

Bone marrow transplants can be done with a donor's marrow (allogeneic) or your own bone marrow (autologous), costing much less. Finding a donor for a bone marrow transplant is difficult, and complications after the procedure are very common. Add to this the risky nature of the procedure, the lengthy prep time in the hospital as well as an extensive recovery period, and you have a cocktail for a hefty medical bill.

4. Lung Transplant
Cost: $657,800 double ($450,400 for single)

When other therapies don't work, lung transplants are a last resort for patients of lung disease like emphysema and cystic fibrosis. As with other transplant surgeries, wait lists are long and cost is high because of the lengthy hospital stay.

5. Liver Transplant
Cost: $523,400

As with a heart transplant, liver transplants are high risk and high cost, with an accompanying waiting list. Criteria are high, which means administrative and prep procedure costs add to the bottom line.

6. Open Heart Surgery
Cost: $324,000

With heart disease as the leading cause of death in the U.S. at 26%, open heart surgery is a more common procedure than may be expected. Part of the high cost of open heart surgery is because it's often an urgent medical procedure that is usually followed by complications. Longer care and follow-up needed after surgery add to the price tag.

7. Pancreas Transplant
Cost: $275,500

Transplants of the pancreas are usually needed when a patient has type 1 diabetes or renal failure. It is often done in tandem with a kidney transplant, almost doubling the cost of the surgeries at $439,000.

8. Kidney Transplant
Cost: $259,000

Kidney transplants, like the other transplants on this list, are expensive due to the risk, recovery and prep expense. The one difference is that with kidney transplants, the old kidney isn't removed because it's been shown it reduces risk that way; surgeons find a different blood supply to attach the new kidney to.

9. Tracheotomy
Cost: $205,000

A tracheotomy involves making an incision in the neck to allow the patient to breathe, either permanently or temporarily. Since this is often an emergency room procedure, costs are high. After care is extensive, adding to the bill.

10. Destruction of Lesion of Retina
Cost: $153,000

When lesions on a retina (this is part of the eye), also called retinoblastoma, are removed, the risks are great as with the above-mentioned procedures. This procedure is pricey because of the precision skills required for this procedure, the lengthy recovery and follow-up.

Bottom Line
If you think these costs are high, consider that patients with a chronic disease affecting more than one organ often need multiple organ transplants, with bills exceeding a million dollars. Why the whopping price tags for all these surgeries? In cases of transplants, the hospital stay before and after the surgery makes up about 75 percent of the bill. Some of the cost comes from liability insurance, those high premiums hospitals and doctors have to pay to cover themselves in case of lawsuits. A side-effect of the large amount of liability lawsuits is that doctors often order more (expensive) tests than needed to cover themselves, a practice called defensive medicine.

Lack of insurance among more than 47 million Americans drives costs up, since the uninsured use emergency rooms, and often when they've waited so long that pricey emergency surgery is the only option. Add this to the high cost of medication and medical equipment, and you can see how these price tags balloon. The bottom line: health insurance coverage is vital if you need one of these life-threatening and extremely expensive procedures. (Learn what your options are in Fighting The High Costs Of Healthcare and Buying Private Health Insurance.)

FERTILITY CALENDAR METHOD

2011-04-15T06:36:00.000-07:00

Using a Fertility Calendar to Predict Ovulation

The calendar method predicts ovulation by looking at a woman's menstrual history. Ideally, the calendar method should be used in conjunction with other predictive strategies, like observing cervical fluids, changes in the position of the cervix, and BBT charting. Also, the calendar method can be used to determine when a woman should start using ovulation tests - products that detect her "LH Surge".

For a more comprehensive calendar method, consider creating a Fertility Chart: using several predictive methods together to pinpoint your most fertile window for conceiving.

BIPOLAR DISORDER: MEDICATIONS AND TREATMENT

2011-04-15T03:40:00.000-07:00

Bipolar disorder is a serious mental illness. People who have it experience dramatic mood swings. They may go from overly energetic, "high" and/or irritable, to sad and hopeless, and then back again. They often have normal moods in between. The up feeling is called mania. The down feeling is depression.
Bipolar disorder can run in families. It usually starts in late adolescence or early adulthood. If you think you may have it, tell your health care provider. A medical checkup can rule out other illnesses that might cause your mood changes.

Untreated, bipolar disorder can result in damaged relationships, poor job or school performance, and even suicide. However, there are effective treatments: medicines and "talk therapy". A combination usually works best.

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SOLIRIS: THE MOST EXPENSIVE MEDICINE IN THE WORLD

2011-04-11T20:36:00.000-07:00

At the top of the list is Soliris (eculizumab), produced by Alexion Pharmaceuticals to treat, ahem, paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria. PNH is a rare and life-threatening disease and is the only form of hemolytic anemia—a deficiency in red blood cells caused by their destruction, as opposed to low production—that is acquired rather than inherited.

PNH affects approximately 8,000 Americans. It’s because of that low figure that Alexion can charge $409,500 per year for the most expensive drug in the world. The rarity of the condition means there are very few competitors to compete with for pricing.

DRUG GUIDE

Your initial Soliris treatment (induction phase) involves a 600-mg infusion once a week for the first 4 weeks. Starting at Week 5, you will receive a 900-mg infusion every 2 weeks (maintenance phase). It is very important to make sure that you do not miss any scheduled treatments in order to continue to control hemolysis and to experience the full benefits of Soliris therapy.

Soliris is administered through an intravenous infusion (introduction of a solution into a vein). The 35-minute infusion must be prepared and administered by a qualified, licensed healthcare professional, usually at a healthcare clinic, doctor’s office, or infusion center.

For best results:

It's important not to miss any treatments. Soliris only controls hemolysis as long as you
take it
Make sure your doctor knows about any other drugs you are taking
Speak with your doctor before you take any vitamins, over-the-counter drugs, or natural supplements, as these may affect your therapy as well

SIDE EFFECTS:

Soliris^® is generally well tolerated. The most frequent adverse events observed in clinical studies were:

Headache
A runny nose (nasopharyngitis)
Back pain
Nausea
Tiredness (fatigue)

Overall, the rate of side effects was similar to placebo in clinical trials. For example, the number of headaches that occurred was similar between patients taking Soliris and those on placebo after the first 2 weeks of therapy.

BULIMIA NERVOSA: PRECAUTIONS AND TREATMENT

2011-04-09T05:07:00.000-07:00

Description of Bulimia Nervosa
Individuals with Bulimia are usually aware they have an eating disorder. Obsessed with food they often focus on and enjoy discussing diet related issues. The Bulimic may engage in self-starvation between binge-purge episodes thus presenting the same dangers as the anorexic, in addition to the ones presented by the binging and purging. Recurring episodes of rapid food consumption followed by tremendous guilt and often purging, a feeling of lacking control over his or her eating behaviors, regularly engaging in stringent diet plans and exercise, the excessive use of laxatives, diuretics, and/or diet pills and a persistent concern with body image can all be warning signs someone is suffering with Bulimia Nervosa.
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SPRAIN: TREATMENT AND TIPS

2011-04-08T06:34:00.000-07:00

1. Protect the sprained ankle.
This is quite simple, but amazingly common for people to forget. Don't walk on the sprained ankle, and protect it from further contact by immobilizing with a splint or brace.

2. REST.
Take a few days off of your feet. You don't have to be inactive, but be sure the ankle is being rested. Possible exercises you can do include swimming and cycling.

3. ICE.
This can be done several times a day for 15-20 minutes. This will keep the swelling to a minimum. Do NOT ice for more than 20 minutes, it will do more damage than good. For more information about icing an injury, read on...

4. COMPRESSION.
This does not have to be all of the time, but particularly when your foot is not elevated it would be advisable. A simple Ace wrap is fine for light compression.

5. ELEVATE.
This will also help to minimize the swelling that takes place. A few pillows under the ankle should be fine to get the leg up enough while keeping the injured limb comfortable.
Seek professional help.
While most ankle injuries are simple and heal naturally over a short time, some injuries are more severe and can necessitate more aggressive treatment.

Tips:
Never ice for more than 20 minutes.
Many people think the more the better, but this is not true! Maximum ice time should be 20 minutes every few hours. Read on for more information about icing an injury.
Get creative with icing your sprained ankle.
A bag of frozen corn or peas makes a great ice pack -- and it's both reusable and edible.
Compression bandages should be snug, not tight.
If too tight, your circulation will be impaired, and the healing process slowed.

GONORRHEA: SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT

2011-04-06T04:41:00.000-07:00

Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease that can be contracted through the exchange of bodily fluids such as blood, semen, and saliva. Also known as "the Clap," gonorrhea is caused by bacteria, which can infect the cervix, urethra, throat, or anus. Most people who contract gonorrhea are under the age of 30. In fact, 75% of all cases in the United States involve men and women between 16 and 30 years old. When treated efficiently, antibiotics cure 95% to 99% of all cases.

Catching a sexually transmitted disease such as Gonorrhea symptoms may leave a person embarrassed and avoiding a visit to the doctor out of fear of the humiliation they might feel. Gonorrhea is no laughing matter however and if you think you may have that or any of the STDs; you should take steps to get yourself treated right away. Gonorrhea can cause complications and put you or your unborn child if you are pregnant at serious risk. Gonorrhea symptoms usually start to appear about two to three days after you were infected.

Gonorrhea can be spread by not only vaginal sex but by anal and oral sex and can even be transmitted from hand to eye if the hand has touched an infected area. Pregnant women can pass this disease on to their children during childbirth.

Symptoms of Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea symptoms in women are abnormal vaginal discharge, abdominal pain, fever, burning while urinating, vomiting, and irregular periods. Women can also get gonorrhea in their throat and mouth via anal sex; symptoms of this include swollen glands and a sore throat. A rare condition called a disseminated gonococcal infection may also occur; Gonorrhea symptoms are fever, painful joints, rash, and sores on the feet, toes, fingers and hands.

For Men, Symptoms of Gonorrhea are usually much milder, with a burning sensation when urinating, and an abnormal discharge from the penis being the only noticeable symptoms. Many men will have no symptoms at all. Men may also get gonorrhea in the mouth, throat and eyes and symptoms will again be a sore throat and swollen glands.

Gonorrhea is usually diagnosed a bit differently in women than in men, for women a swab of the cervix is usually done and a culture is performed. For men the most accurate test is a gram stain test, where a sample of discharge is put under a microscope to observe if any bacteria are present.

Because gonorrhea left untreated can cause complications such as pelvic inflammatory disease in women, infertility and blindness if the infection reaches the eye, it is extremely important to get tested right away if you think you might have gonorrhea or any other STD. Treatment is easy, a course of the proper antibiotic will clear up this infection quickly. Treatment with antibiotics usually lasts for seven days and you should avoid all sexual contact for 14 days to avoid spreading the disease to anyone else.

Be sure to let your partner know if you have been diagnosed, as embarrassing as it may seem, if gonorrhea remains unchecked not only could you contract it again, it could be passed to others, and it could cause complications for your partner.

Gonorrhea can be difficult to diagnose, especially in women. This is because women often exhibit few or no symptoms, or mistake gonorrhea for a mild bladder infection; in fact, as many as 50% of female gonorrhea sufferers experience no symptoms. Men are much more likely to develop symptoms. Gonorrhea can infect the cervix, urethra, anus, and throat. Depending upon how you contracted the disease and how long you've had it for, you may experience symptoms affecting a number of these areas.

Symptoms of gonorrhea generally appear between 2 and 10 days after infection, although it
could take as long as 30 days for your symptoms to appear. If you are a woman and are suffering from gonorrhea, you may experience bleeding after sex and frequent, painful urination. These symptoms are especially common in the early stages of an infection of the cervix. Later symptoms include nausea, fever, vomiting, bleeding between periods, and a yellow or bloody vaginal discharge.

If you are a man infected with gonorrhea, you may experience pain while urinating, frequent urination, and swollen testicles. This indicates an infection of the urethra. You may also notice a white, green, or yellow discharge from the tip of your penis. Your penis will probably look tender and redder than usual and you may notice a swelling of the glands in the groin area.

The gonorrhea bacteria can also infect the anus and throat. Symptoms of an infection in the anus include painful bowel movements, itching, discharge, and bloody stool. An oral infection often causes a sore throat, and a pus-like material on the tonsils or on the back of the throat. Infections in these areas can easily spread to other parts of the body so it is important to get treated as soon as possible.

Possible Consequences of Infection

If it goes untreated, gonorrhea can be a potentially hazardous disease. Women infected with gonorrhea risk developing a variety of complications. The bacteria can easily travel from the cervix into the uterus, and eventually up the fallopian tubes. This can cause a condition called Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID). 15% of women who have the infection in their cervix will develop this disease. PID can damage your fallopian tubes and may lead to infertility. It can also increase your chance of having an ectopic pregnancy. This occurs when a fertilized egg grows outside of the uterus, usually inside of the fallopian tubes. Ectopic pregnancies are extremely dangerous and potentially life threatening.

Men who leave their gonorrhea untreated are also at risk for developing epididymitis, a painful condition of the testicles which can ultimately lead to infertility.

If you display any of the symptoms of gonorrhea, or think you may have been exposed, it is important to get tested for the infection as soon as possible. People infected with gonorrhea are more likely to contract Chlamydia or HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Pregnant women are strongly encouraged to be tested for gonorrhea as the infection can be passed on to your child.

STRAINS: PULLED MUSCLES SYMPTOMS AND FIRST AID

2011-04-05T06:31:00.000-07:00

A strain is when a muscle becomes overstretched and tears. This painful injury, also called a "pulled muscle," can be caused by an accident, improper use of a muscle, or overuse of a muscle.

Causes

Excessive physical activity or effort

Improperly warming up before a physical activity

Poor flexibility

Symptoms

Pain and difficulty moving the injured muscle

Discolored and bruised skin

Swelling

First Aid

Apply ice immediately to reduce swelling. Wrap the ice in cloth -- avoid using ice directly on the skin. Apply ice for 10 to 15 minutes every 1 hour for the first day. Then, every 3 to 4 hours.

Use ice for the first 3 days. After that, either heat or ice may be helpful.

Rest the pulled muscle for at least a day. If possible, keep the pulled muscle elevated above the level of the heart.

Avoid using a strained muscle while it is still painful. When the pain subsides, start activity slowly and in moderation.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

You are unable to move the muscle.

The injury is bleeding.

Call your doctor if the pain does not go away after several weeks.

Prevention

Warm-up properly before exercise and sports.

Keep your muscles strong and flexible.

CERVICAL CANCER: HOW TO PREVENT IT

2011-04-05T06:24:00.000-07:00

The cervix is part of a woman's reproductive system. It's in the pelvis. The cervix is the lower, narrow part of the uterus (womb).

The cervix is a passageway:

The cervix connects the uterus to the vagina. During a menstrual period, blood flows from the uterus through the cervix into the vagina. The vagina leads to the outside of the body.
The cervix makes mucus. During sex, mucus helps sperm move from the vagina through the cervix into the uterus.
During pregnancy, the cervix is tightly closed to help keep the baby inside the uterus. During childbirth, the cervix opens to allow the baby to pass through the vagina.

What is cancer?

Cancer begins in cells, the building blocks that make up tissues. Tissues make up the organs of the body.

Normal cells grow and divide to form new cells as the body needs them. When normal cells grow old or get damaged, they die, and new cells take their place.

Sometimes, this process goes wrong. New cells form when the body does not need them, and old or damaged cells do not die as they should. The buildup of extra cells often forms a mass of tissue called a growth or tumor.

Growths on the cervix can be benign or malignant. Benign growths are not cancer. They are not as harmful as malignant growths (cancer).

Benign growths (polyps, cysts, or genital warts):

are rarely a threat to life
don't invade the tissues around them

Malignant growths (cervical cancer):

may sometimes be a threat to life
can invade nearby tissues and organs
can spread to other parts of the body

Cervical cancer begins in cells on the surface of the cervix. Over time, the cervical cancer can invade more deeply into the cervix and nearby tissues. The cancer cells can spread by breaking away from the original (primary) tumor. They enter blood vessels or lymph vessels, which branch into all the tissues of the body. The cancer cells may attach to other tissues and grow to form new tumors that may damage those tissues. The spread of cancer is called metastasis. See the Staging section for information about cervical cancer that has spread.

Rheumatic Heart Disease: Risk and Treatment

2011-04-03T06:38:00.000-07:00

What is Rheumatic Heart Disease?
Rheumatic (roo-MAT-ik) heart disease was formerly one of the most serious forms of heart disease of childhood and adolescence. Rheumatic heart disease involves damage to the entire heart and its membranes.

Rheumatic heart disease is a complication of rheumatic fever and usually occurs after attacks of rheumatic fever. The incidence of rheumatic heart disease has been greatly reduced by widespread use of antibiotics effective against the streptococcal bacterium that causes rheumatic fever.

What causes Rheumatic Heart Disease?
Rheumatic fever causes rheumatic heart disease. Rheumatic fever results from an untreated strep throat. Rheumatic fever can damage the heartvalves. If the heart valves are damaged, they will fail to open and close properly. When this damage is permanent, the condition is called rheumatic heart disease.

Who is at risk for Rheumatic Fever?
Rheumatic fever is uncommon in the United States. However, rheumatic fever can occur in children who have had strep infections that were untreated or inadequately treated.

What are the symptoms of Rheumatic Heart Disease?
Some of the most common symptoms of rheumatic heart disease are: breathlessness, fatigue, palpitations, chest pain, and fainting attacks.

Treatment options for Rheumatic Heart Disease
Treatment of rheumatic heart disease may includemedication and surgery. Medication will aim to avoid overexertion. Surgery may be needed to replace the damaged valve(s).

Can Rheumatic Heart Disease be Prevented?
The best way to prevent rheumatic heart disease is to seek immediate medical attention to a strep throat and not let it progress to rheumatic fever.

Rheumatic Heart Disease Statistics

Rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease afflict about 1,800,000 Americans.
Rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease killed 5,014 Americans in 1997.

SKIN RASHES ALLERT: SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT

2011-04-01T20:55:00.000-07:00

Everyone, at one time or another, breaks out with some kind of rash. Rashes can be caused by many different kinds of things and many of them are very distinguishing. Read on to find out the most common, and how to identify and treat them.

The skin, like our cardiovascular or gastrointestinal, is a body system. It is known as the integumentary system and it is your body's first line of defense against disease. It is the body's largest organ and it serves this function of defense. The skin also controls the temperature of the body. The skin is made up of three layers, the top layer, the epidermis, the middle layer, the dermis and the bottom layer is called subcutaneous tissue. There are many things that can occur on the skin, one of which is a rash.

Everyone, at one time or another breaks out with some kind of rash. Rashes can be caused by many different kinds of things and many of them are very distinguishing. A rash can be defined as any spots or red markings that appear on the skin, which is often itchy. There are many different types of skin rashes. People develop rashes for different reasons, but usually it is due to an allergic reaction to something, either by direct contact or by ingesting something that the person in allergic to. Also rashes can be symptoms of certain diseases, such as chicken pox, measles or scarletina.

One such is known as dermatitis. Dermatitis is a form of skin inflammation or swelling. Symptoms of dermatitis include redness and inflammation of the skin, usually localized. The red area may form tiny blisters that leak clear fluid, and then become crusty. There is also severe itching. This is probably the worst part about a rash. There are actually many different kinds of dermatitis. Exposure to poison ivy, poison oak or poison sumac is an example of contact dermatitis because a rash due to an allergic reaction develops as a result of direct contact to the skin. Other common causes of contact dermatitis include allergic reaction to wearing certain jewelry such as nickel, wearing certain perfumes, using certain makeups, shampoos, detergents for your clothes, household cleaners or solvents,etc. It is important for you to know what you are allergic to and best dealt with by avoiding the things that you are allergic to. Sometimes someone doesn't know they are allergic to something until they develop the rash, and stumble upon it by accident. It can take up to a day or two to develop the rash, so remember what you have been exposed to. Contact dermatitis can usually be treated at home with antihistamines, such as benadryl, orally and topically, such as hydrocortisone creams. Use as directed. If it gets worse or doesn't' clear up, see your doctor.

Atopic dermatitis is a general rash that is caused by ingesting certain foods, such as, eggs, fish, peanuts, seafood, or milk. If you think a rash is caused by a certain food, try taking it out of the diet until the rash is cleared then slowly reintroduce it. If the rash develops again, chances are, it is a food allergy.

Other things that can cause a rash are medications. If rash develops after taking a certain medicine, such as a prescribed antibiotic, contact your doctor as soon as possible. Allergies to insect stings can also cause rashes and swelling. Once you have an allergic reaction to an insect sting, such as a hornet, it is possible to become even more sensitive to the sting, making the next sting you get even worse to where it could cause more swelling, even generalized swelling and possibly breathing difficulty. Talk to your doctor about wearing a medical alert bracelet and possibly the need for premeasured syringes of epinephrine that can be self-injected for emergencies.

Treatment of most rashes can be done at home. Often a person goes to the doctor with an unidentifiable rash and the doctor may prescribe mild steroidal treatment, such as prednisone. The most important thing is not to scratch, as hard as that may be. Also keeping the skin slightly moisturized with a mild hypoallergenic moisturizer, that is fragrance and odor free. Avoid hot showers and baths, as this tends to aggrivate the rash and make it itch more. Use mild soaps and nonabrasive sponges. Avoid scratchy or itchy or overly warm clothing. Dress cool and light in breathable fabrics like cotton.

Complications can occur with rashes, such as a mosquito bite being scratched and bacteria can invade it, causing imetigo, also known in layman's terms as indian fire. If blisters or pus forms, the rash gets worse instead of better, or if fever develops, see your doctor. There is probably a secondary bacterial infection such as staph, and you may require antibiotic treatment.

Other rashes or diseases that involve a rash include the following:

-Impetigo: is a very contagious bacterial, streptococcal infection that needs antibiotic treatment from a doctor. There is a rash that has small-crusted sores.

-Hives: also known medically as Urticaria. Hives are very itcy. They are small red round disc-like areas over the body. They range in size from a dime to a saucer. Hives are a result of an allergic reaction to just about anything such as certain foods, sunlight, medicine, insect bite or sting, heat and more, depending on the person. Some common triggers are chocolate, seafood, and strawberries.

-Psoriasis: the cause unknown but it is hereditary and can occur at any age. It causes thick scaled-over pinkish or purplish areas on the elbows, neck, knees, scalp or back. Stress and illness can make them reappear or worsen. Sometimes arthritis in the rash areas can occur. There is no cure.

-Prickly Heat: this occurs when sweat glands get blocked and sweat is trapped under the skin. Symptoms are itching, redness of the skin and tiny blisters. It's most common in hot humid weather. Anyone can develop it and it usually only lasts a few days. When the skin is cool and dry, it will disappear.

-Ringworm: is a circular rash with a raised border. It is usually just one and it is causes by a fungal infection, not by a worm. It can occur anywhere on the body and anyone can get one. Ringworm is contagious. Dogs and cats can be carriers. There are over-the-counter medications for ringworm, but see your doctor if it gets worse or spreads or occurs on the scalp which can cause hair loss.

-Rosacea: most common in women and people with fair complexions, appears as a flushed appearance on the face, almost like acne. It is also called adult acne. Some believe alcohol and spicy food aggrivate the condition. Vitamin deficiency or weakened immune system may also play a part. Treatment by your doctoc may include, antibiotics, prescribed soaps and washes and even new laser treatents.

-Fifth's disease: characterized by a bright red rash on the cheeks at first, then a lacy rash on the arm sand trunk later. Other symptoms include fatigue and low grade fever, sneezing and coughing, occurring primarily in small children. It starts with the rash and is caused by a respitory virus. It is contagious. It usually last about a week.

-Seborrhea: reddish scaling on the head and even on the face around the eyebrows. It is usually itchy. This is cradle cap in an infant. It's a form of dermatitis. There is no specific cause but may be hereditary. Selenium sulfide shampoo is used for treatment on the head. Prescription corticosteroid creams are used as well.

-Shingles: is caused by herpes zoster virus. It is very painful. It usually affects elderly or those with weakened immune systems. The rash follows a nerve path, usually around the abdomen or the ear. There is a red blistering rash in a line with intense burning and pain.

-Chicken pox: the symptoms of chicken pox are fever, cold symptoms, fatigue and a very itchy rash that looks like a bunch of pox or spots all over the body. They turn into blisters then burst and scab. The varicella zoster virus, the same one that causes shingles, causes it. It is highly contagious spread by droplets from the nose and mouth. Fever and aches appear a few days before the rash breaks out. Possible complications include pneumonia and encephalitis. Chicken pox occurs mostly in children although adults can who never had it as children can get it.

-measles: the symptoms of measles include cold-like symptoms, cough, sore throat, high fever, and a red rash starting on the face and moving down the body. It is a highly contageous viral infection. It begins with a fever and sore throat, then after about two to four days starts with the rash on the face.

-Scarlet fever or Scarletina: symptoms include sore throat, fever, and bright red rash that begins around the neck and trunk and spread over the body. After the illness is over, the skin flakes or desquamates. It is caused by the strep bacterium that first invades the tonsils causing sore throat and fever. The tongue becomes swollen and cherry red. Antibiotics are needed.

PARKINSON'S DISEASE: MEDICATION SIDE EFFECTS

2011-04-01T06:22:00.000-07:00

Many health professionals sooner or later help to care for someone with Parkinson’s disease (PD), a progressive disease for which there is no cure. Most of the one to one and one-half million people in the U.S. diagnosed with PD are older adults, but about fifteen percent are under age 60. Characteristic of PD is a gradual death of the dopamine-producing cells of the brain. This results in loss of motor functions, causing uncontrollable tremor (usually at rest), rigidity, slow movement (bradykinesia), poor balance, and inability to walk normally. Many people with PD fall frequently, due in part to this loss of motor function.

Medication side effects. Medications used to treat PD have improved greatly over the years, enhancing quality of life and lengthening the years of independent living for most people. Unfortunately, however, these medications frequently cause side effects that can be obstacles to good nutrition:

nausea
constipation
heartburn
confusion
depression
fatigue
loss of the senses of smell and taste
loss of appetite
dry mouth
anorexia
sleep disruption

These side effects, along with Parkinson symptoms, can lead to further complications, and these become increasingly common, particularly as the disease progresses:

unplanned weight loss
increased fatigue
orthostatic hypotension
bone thinning
nutrient depletion

Protein-levodopa interactions. Furthermore, those who use levodopa, considered the gold standard of PD medications, must deal with a major food-medication interaction, that of protein and levodopa. Most people with PD require levodopa (Dopar, Larodopa), or, most frequently, a combination of levodopa and carbidopa (Sinemet, Sinemet CR) or levodopa and benserazide (Madopar). However, dietary protein can block levodopa absorption, both from the gut and at the blood-brain barrier. Without the benefits of levodopa, the individual may be unable to move, self-feed, turn over in bed, use the toilet, or perform other normal activities of daily living.

Additional concerns include increasing disability, sensory changes, and changes to the gastrointestinal tract, particularly in middle and late stages of PD. Medications and disease progression can cause excessive urination, and/or urinary retention. In later stages, choking, dysphagia, and/or dementia may occur. Perhaps because of sensory changes, patients frequently develop a craving for sweets, eating them in preference to nutrient-dense, high-fiber foods; this can contribute to the constipation which is already prevalent due to the disease and/or its medications. These conditions are direct or indirect risk factors for malnutrition, dehydration, urinary tract infections, kidney stones, heat stroke, bone loss, bowel impaction, and/or unplanned weight loss.

Fracture risk. Bone loss and loss of muscle mass, combined with poor balance, shuffling gait, and increased incidence of falling, greatly increases the risk for bone fracture, and probably explains the rate of hip fractures in patients with PD. Indeed, when bone mineral density was compared with values for age-matched groups, PD patients had a higher incidence of severe osteoporosis.

Unplanned weight loss. Parkinson’s patients have been shown to have lower levels of fat-free mass yet similar resting metabolic rates versus a control group. The resulting sarcopenia (loss of muscle mass) may contribute to poor muscular control and incidence of falling. Furthermore, postoperative rehabilitation was found to be longer and less successful in male PD patients with hip fractures than in other patients with similar fractures.

Unplanned weight loss and low body mass index are significant predictors of morbidity and mortality in older adults; both are common in patients with PD. Because patients with PD may be at risk for bone fracture, and are more likely to experience unplanned weight loss, it is important that nutrition bolster bone strength and prevent loss of lean body mass. Yet, because of the numerous difficulties listed above, patients may not make food choices helpful to maintaining bone strength and muscle mass. Also, due to confusion, depression, fear of falling, fatigue, and social withdrawal, patients may not perform weightbearing physical activity, or receive exposure to sunlight, again implicated in bone health.

Xerostomia. Some further complications can occur. In my practice, I frequently observe patients with PD who have missing teeth. Many experience dry mouth, leading to a form of tooth decay that cannot always be treated; often, the tooth must be extracted. If bone loss in the jaw area also occurs, dentures and bridges may not fit properly, leading to poor mastication — another obstacle to good nutrition.

Loss of manual dexterity. Inability to finish meals on time is common and can lead to unplanned weight loss. This slowed eating can be due to poor coordination, and/or inability to properly use the muscles of the tongue and mouth in the chewing and swallowing process. When this is the case, I often counsel patients not to eat foods like tossed salads, which may be difficult to spear on a fork and place in the mouth; or foods which require a great deal of chewing. I encourage use of softer vegetables, juices, ground meats, finger foods, etc., instead.

Slowed peristalsis. PD and/or the medications used to treat PD may slow the body’s natural peristalsis, leading to difficulty swallowing, delayed stomach emptying, gastroesophageal reflux (acid reflux or heartburn), and constipation. All of these should be regarded as further barriers that must be overcome in order to obtain adequate nutrition.

Constipation. Overwhelmed by the progressive nature of the disease, and the need for frequent changes in type and amount of medications and their side effects, patients may sometimes ignore constipation. However, fecal impaction occurs often, and can be especially difficult for people with PD, who are often emotionally labile. Stresses and trauma can quickly lead to downward spirals in physical, mental and emotional health. Patients hospitalized with bowel impaction may not regain their former state of health, and in fact have been discharged to long-term-care facilities, unable to perform their usual activities of daily living any longer.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease. Heartburn and acid reflux are also quite common, and may cause patients to avoid eating in fear of the extreme discomfort. I encourage frequent small meals and snacks in this case, to avoid overfilling the stomach, and advise against eating anything for several hours before bedtime. Patients who use levodopa should be referred to a registered dietitian trained in Parkinson’s disease, as they may need low-protein snacks to avoid blocking levodopa absorption.

Protein redistribution. In later stages of PD, motor fluctuations are more prevalent, and protein-rich foods often become problematic, particularly as the individual is often taking levodopa more than three times a day and timing of meals and levodopa becomes difficult. At this time, protein redistribution diets are sometimes recommended.

One plan entails avoiding protein throughout the day, for better mobility; then eating the bulk of the day’s protein foods at the evening meal. There are several problems with this plan. Patients who try this plan find that reduced mobility at night leaves them unable to turn in bed, and sometimes tangled inextricably in their sheets. Also, they cannot get up to urinate at need. It is not uncommon for patients to decide to avoid protein at the evening meal as well as during the day, in order to gain mobility throughout the night. Protein-calorie malnutrition, and often hospitalization, are the results.

Another concern arises if the patient has diabetes. Proper control of blood sugar requires a balanced intake of protein, carbohydrate, and fat. Avoidance of protein leads to an eating plan that is unnaturally high in carbohydrates and/or fats, and this can disrupt blood sugar control.
Patients require understanding and guidance in order to meet their protein needs, and should be referred to a registered dietitian who understands PD. The dietitian can assess personal protein needs and develop an individualized eating plan that best meets each patient’s unique goals.

Dehydration. Mild to severe dehydration is also not uncommon, again, often due to polyuria, urine retention, and/or fear that one will be unable to reach the bathroom due to disability. Chronic dehydration can lead to urinary tract infections, kidney stones, kidney failure, heat stroke, and other conditions. I caution patients about such complications, and encourage them to drink as much water as possible when they take their medications. The ensuing "on time" with its increased mobility (as opposed to "off time" when medications wear off and mobility decreases) should be used to empty the bladder frequently. Then the bladder will be empty during "off time" when the patient is less able to move about. Patients with swallowing difficulties should see a speech pathologist, who can perform a swallowing evaluation and teach safe swallowing techniques, as well as a registered dietitian who can assess hydration needs and provide appropriate recommendations for fluid sources.

Nutrient needs. Patients also need to be well educated with regard to the need for food sources of fiber, both soluble and insoluble. Some individuals experience abnormal blood glucose levels, possibly due to medications, and soluble fiber can help to control this. Insoluble fiber is needed to combat constipation. Sources of calcium and vitamin D are important areas of discussion, too. Few older adults are aware that the recommended amounts of both nutrients have changed recently, and many people do not meet the current RDA levels. PD patients can have difficulty with these two nutrients, because milk, which is one of the most common sources of both calcium and vitamin D, is also high in protein, and can interfere with the absorption of levodopa.

Parkinson’s disease is highly individualized, presenting a distinct array of conditions for each patient. This may require extra care and attention on the part of the health care professional. As an example, protein redistribution may need to be carefully calculated for people who have elevated triglycerides or diabetes, and may not be possible at all for those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. For most patients, however, properly individualized meal planning provides for maximum levodopa utilization, and in some cases, may even allow for a reduction in the amount of levodopa used, with resulting reduction in adverse side effects. It is important to work closely with patients and physicians to achieve optimal results for each patient.

Health professionals working in gerontological care need to be well-informed about the nature of Parkinson’s disease, and the highly specialized nutrition needs of patients with PD. For example, timing of medications is crucial in hospitals and long-term-care institutions, as well as in home health care. Without antiparkinson medications, patients are unable to achieve the mobility they need in order to perform other functions, and risk for pressure ulcers, dehydration, and pneumonia is greatly increased. Meal timing is equally important, as the levodopa may not be absorbed if taken with protein foods. Delayed gastric emptying can affect protein-levodopa interactions, as well. Understanding of the need for protein redistribution diets is important.

Medical nutrition therapy is crucial for this population group and should begin as soon as possible following diagnosis of PD. Early intervention to educate patients and/or caregivers regarding need for an energy- and nutrient-dense diet, suitable sources of calcium and vitamin D, adequate hydration, and control of constipation, is of the utmost importance. Education of this type may aid in maintaining bone density and muscle mass, help prevent weight loss, dehydration, and fecal impaction, and assist in prevention of dental caries related to dry mouth.

Upon diagnosis of PD, patients should be referred to a registered dietitian for counseling. Further, as the patient’s abilities and needs change throughout the stages of this disease, dietitians should be part of the health care team, working to maintain adequate nutrition, checking for unplanned weight loss, and designing individualized nutrient-dense meals and snacks. Patients should be advised of the need for interaction with their dentists regarding dry mouth and need for oral hygiene. Neurologists, dentists, hospitals, home health and long-term-care agencies should be aware of the high risk for malnutrition and the many costs it brings to the patient and the health care system, as well as the ability of trained dietitians to provide the highly specialized medical nutrition therapy necessary to meet the challenges of patients with PD.

IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME (IBS) : SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

2011-03-31T06:26:00.000-07:00

What is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)?

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a “syndrome,” meaning a group of symptoms. The most common symptoms of IBS are abdominal pain or discomfort often reported as cramping, bloating, gas, diarrhea, and/or constipation. IBS affects the colon, or large bowel, which is the part of the digestive tract that stores stool.

IBS is not a disease. It’s a functional disorder, meaning that the bowel doesn’t work, or function, correctly.

Doctors are not sure what causes IBS. The nerves and muscles in the bowel appear to be extra sensitive in people with IBS. Muscles may contract too much when you eat. These contractions can cause cramping and diarrhea during or shortly after a meal. Or the nerves may react when the bowel stretches, causing cramping or pain.

IBS can be painful. But it does not damage the colon or other parts of the digestive system. IBS does not lead to other health problems.

The main symptoms of IBS are

abdominal pain or discomfort in the abdomen, often relieved by or associated with a bowel movement
chronic diarrhea, constipation, or a combination of both

Other symptoms are

whitish mucus in the stool
a swollen or bloated abdomen
the feeling that you have not finished a bowel movement

Women with IBS often have more symptoms during their menstrual periods.

he doctor may suspect that you have IBS because of your symptoms. Specific symptoms, called the Rome criteria, can be used to more accurately make this diagnosis. Medical tests may also be done to make sure you don’t have any other health problems that cause the same symptoms.

Medical Tests for IBS

In addition to a physical exam and blood tests, the following tests might be done to diagnose IBS:
Lower gastrointestinal (GI) series. This test uses x rays to diagnose problems in the large intestine. It is also called a barium enema x ray. Before you have the x ray, the doctor will put barium into your large intestine through the anus—the opening where stool leaves the body. Barium is a thick liquid that makes your intestines show up better on the x ray.
Colonoscopy. For this test the doctor inserts a long, thin tube, called a colonoscope, into your anus and up into your colon. The tube has a light and tiny lens on the end. The doctor can view the inside of your colon on a big television screen. In some cases, a shorter tube, called a flexible sigmoidoscope, is used to look at just the lower portion of the colon.

IBS has no cure, but you can do things to relieve symptoms. Treatment may involve

diet changes
medicine
stress relief

You may have to try a few things to see what works best for you. Your doctor can help you find the right treatment plan.

Diet Changes

Some foods and drinks make IBS worse.

Foods and drinks that may cause or worsen symptoms include

fatty foods, like french fries
milk products, like cheese or ice cream
chocolate
alcohol
caffeinated drinks, like coffee and some sodas
carbonated drinks, like soda

These foods may make IBS worse.

To find out which foods are a problem, keep a diary that tracks

what you eat during the day
what symptoms you have
when symptoms occur
what foods always make you feel sick

Take your notes to the doctor to see if certain foods trigger your symptoms or make them worse. If so, you should avoid eating these foods or eat less of them.

Some foods make IBS better.

Fiber may reduce the constipation associated with IBS because it makes stool soft and easier to pass. However, some people with IBS who have more sensitive nerves may feel a bit more abdominal discomfort after adding more fiber to their diet. Fiber is found in foods such as breads, cereals, beans, fruits, and vegetables.

Examples of foods with fiber include

Fruits	Vegetables	Breads, cereals, and beans
apples peaches	broccoli (raw) cabbage carrots (raw) peas	kidney beans lima beans whole-grain bread whole-grain cereal

Add foods with fiber to your diet a little at a time to let your body get used to them. Too much fiber at once can cause gas, which can trigger symptoms in a person with IBS.

Your doctor may ask you to add more fiber to your diet by taking a fiber pill or drinking water mixed with a special high-fiber powder.

Eat small meals.

Large meals can cause cramping and diarrhea in people with IBS. If this happens to you, try eating four or five small meals a day instead of less-frequent big meals.

Medicine

The doctor may give you medicine to help with symptoms.

Laxatives treat constipation. Many kinds of laxatives are available. Your doctor can help you find the laxative that is right for you.
Antispasmodics control spasms in the colon and help ease abdominal pain.
Antidepressants, even in lower doses than are used for treating depression, can help people with IBS. They can help reduce the abdominal discomfort or pain associated with IBS and, depending on the type chosen, may help the diarrhea or constipation.

Another drug is sometimes prescribed for the treatment of IBS. Alosetron hydrochloride (Lotronex) is for women with severe IBS whose main symptom is diarrhea. Because it can cause serious side effects, Lotronex is only used if other medicines do not work.

You need to follow your doctor’s instructions when you use the medicine. Otherwise, you may need to keep taking it in order to have a bowel movement. Talk with your doctor about potential side effects and what to do if you experience them.

Does stress cause IBS?

Emotional stress does not cause IBS. But people with IBS may have their bowels react more to stress. So, if you already have IBS, stress can make your symptoms worse.

Stress Relief

Learning to reduce stress can help with IBS. With less stress, you may find you have less cramping and pain. You may also find it easier to manage your symptoms.

Meditation, exercise, hypnosis, and counseling may help. You may need to try different activities to see what works best for you.

Points to Remember

IBS means your bowel doesn’t work the right way.
IBS can cause cramping, bloating, gas, diarrhea, and constipation.
IBS doesn’t damage the bowel or lead to other health problems.
The doctor will diagnose IBS based on your symptoms. You may need to have medical tests to rule out other health problems.
Stress doesn’t cause IBS, but it can make your symptoms worse.
Fatty foods, milk products, chocolate, alcohol, and caffeinated and carbonated drinks can trigger symptoms.
Eating foods with fiber and eating small meals throughout the day may reduce symptoms.
Treatment for IBS may include medicine, stress relief, and changes in eating habits.

Vitamin B6

2011-03-29T06:25:00.000-07:00

Vitamin B6, a part of the vitamin B complex group, is a water-soluble vitamin metabolized in the liver. Although there are several recognized forms, PLP (pyridoxal phosphate) is the active form and cofactor in many aspects of amino acid metabolism, and is necessary for the enzymatic reaction that governs the release of glucose and glycogen.

The seven forms of vitamin B6 are as follows:

Pyridoxine (PN): most commonly given as vitamin B6 supplement
Pyridoxine 5'-phosphate (PNP)
Pyridoxal (PL)
Pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP): the metabolically active form (sold as 'P-5-P' vitamin supplement)
Pyridoxamine (PM)
Pyridoxamine 5'-phosphate (PMP)
4-Pyridoxic acid (PA): the catabolite which is excreted in the urine

All forms of vitamin B except PA can be inter-converted.

Vitamin B6: Functions in the Human Body

Pyridoxal phosphate, the metabolically active form of vitamin B6 is involved in macronutrient metabolism, histamine synthesis, neurotransmitter synthesis, hemoglobin synthesis, and gene expression. Pyridoxal phosphate serves as a coenzyme and facilitates decarboxylation, transamination, racemization, elimination, replacement and beta-group inter-conversion reactions. Vitamin B6 is involved in over 100 chemical processes in the body per minute. These processes include the production of amino acids, creating neurotransmitters such as serotonin, metabolizing energy, and balancing a range of hormones. Like other B-vitamins, B6 also strengthens the immune system.

Vitamin B6: Recommended Daily Intake

The recommended RDI for vitamin B6 is displayed below.

Infants up to 6 months old: 100mcg
6 - 12 months old: 300mcg
1 - 3 years old: 500mcg
4 - 8 years old: 600mcg
Males 9 - 13 years old: 1mg
Males 14+: 1.3mg
Females 9 - 13 years old: 1mg
Females 14 - 50 years old: 1.2mg
Females 50+: 1.5mg
Pregnant females all ages: 1.9mg
Lactating females all ages: 2mg

Deficiency of B6 alone is rare and usually associated with a deficiency in other B-vitamins. Alcoholics and the elderly are most at risk, and availability to the body may be impaired by certain drugs such as anticonvulsants and corticosteroids. Clinical B6 deficiency syndrome is a seborrhoeic dermatitis outbreak and neurological symptoms of somnolence, confusion, and neuropathy will also occur. Less severe cases of deficiency will experience metabolic lesions and impaired glucose intolerance.

Vitamin B6: Risk of Overdose

Adverse effects of vitamin B consumption have only ever been observed in supplements and not food intake, yet although Vitamin B6 is a water soluble vitamin, excess RDI over a sustained period will result in neurological problems. Pain and numbness, and in some cases problems walking are typical symptoms of excessive consumption of pyridoxine at a level of 1,000mg per day. The Tolerable Upper Limit (TL) has been set at 100mg/pd by the US FDA (2000).

Source: Wl

TOP 10 INCURABLE DISEASE

2011-03-28T04:19:00.000-07:00

Modern medicine has done much to erradicate and cure disease, but it has failed in some areas. Of those areas, at least one disease that cannot be cured is suffered by many people in the world every year – the common cold. This is a list of the top ten incurable diseases. As always, click the images for a larger view. NOTE: There are no graphic images in this post.

10. Ebola

Ebola is a virus of the family Filoviridae that is responsible for a severe and often fatal viral hemorrhagic fever; outbreaks in primates such as gorillas and chimpanzees as well as humans have been recorded. The disease is characterized by extreme fever, rash, and profuse hemorrhaging. In humans, fatality rates range from 50 to 90 percent.

The virus takes its name from the Ebola River in the northern Congo basin of central Africa, where it first emerged in 1976. Outbreaks that year in Zaire (now Congo [Kinshasa]) and The Sudan resulted in hundreds of deaths, as did another outbreak in Zaire in 1995. Ebola is closely related to the Marburg virus, which was discovered in 1967, and the two are the only members of the Filoviridae that cause epidemic human disease. A third related agent, called Ebola Reston, caused an epidemic in laboratory monkeys in Reston, Virginia, but apparently is not fatal to humans.

9. Polio

Polio is known in full as poliomyelitis – also called infantile paralysis. It is an acute viral infectious disease of the nervous system that usually begins with general symptoms such as fever, headache, nausea, fatigue, and muscle pains and spasms and is sometimes followed by a more serious and permanent paralysis of muscles in one or more limbs, the throat, or the chest. More than half of all cases of polio occur in children under the age of five. The paralysis so commonly associated with the disease actually affects fewer than 1 percent of persons infected by the poliovirus.

Between 5 and 10 percent of infected persons display only the general symptoms outlined above, and more than 90 percent show no signs of illness at all. For those infected by the poliovirus, there is no cure, and in the mid-20th century hundreds of thousands of children were struck by the disease every year. Since the 1960s, thanks to widespread use of polio vaccines, polio has been eliminated from most of the world, and it is now endemic only in several countries of Africa and South Asia. Approximately 1,000–2,000 children are still paralyzed by polio each year, most of them in India.

8. Lupus Erythematosus

Also often referred to simply as lupus, this is an autoimmune disorder that causes chronic inflammation in various parts of the body. Three main types of lupus are recognized—discoid, systemic, and drug-induced.

Discoid lupus affects only the skin and does not usually involve internal organs. The term discoid refers to a rash of distinct reddened patches covered with grayish brown scales that may appear on the face, neck, and scalp. In about 10 percent of people with discoid lupus, the disease will evolve into the more severe systemic form of the disorder.

Systemic lupus erythematosus is the most common form of the disease. It may affect virtually any organ or structure of the body, especially the skin, kidneys, joints, heart, gastrointestinal tract, brain, and serous membranes (membranous linings of organs, joints, and cavities of the body.) While systemic lupus can affect any area of the body, most people experience symptoms in only a few organs. The skin rash, if present, resembles that of discoid lupus. In general, no two people will have identical symptoms. The course of the disease is also variable and is marked by periods when the disease is active and by other periods when symptoms are not evident (remission).

7. Influenza

Influenza, also known as the flu, or grippe, is an acute viral infection of the upper or lower respiratory tract that is marked by fever, chills, and a generalized feeling of weakness and pain in the muscles, together with varying degrees of soreness in the head and abdomen.

Influenza is caused by any of several strains of orthomyxoviruses, categorized as types A, B, and C. The three major types generally produce similar symptoms but are completely unrelated antigenically, so that infection with one type confers no immunity against the others. The A viruses cause the great influenza epidemics, and the B viruses cause smaller localized outbreaks; the C viruses are not important causes of disease in humans. Between pandemics, the viruses undergo constant, rapid evolution (a process called antigenic drift) in response to the pressures of human population immunity. Periodically, they undergo major evolutionary change by acquiring a new genome segment from another influenza virus (antigenic shift), effectively becoming a new subtype to which none, or very few, of the population is immune.

6. Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease

Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease is a rare fatal degenerative disease of the central nervous system. Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease occurs throughout the world at an incidence of one person in a million; however, among certain populations, such as Libyan Jews, rates are somewhat higher. The disease commonly occurs in adults between the ages of 40 and 70, although some young adults have been stricken with the disease. Both men and women are affected equally. The onset of the disease is usually characterized by vague psychiatric or behavioral changes, which are followed within weeks or months by a progressive dementia that is often accompanied by abnormal vision and involuntary movements. There is no known cure for the disease, which is usually fatal within a year of the onset of symptoms.

The disease was first described in the 1920s by the German neurologists Hans Gerhard Creutzfeldt and Alfons Maria Jakob. Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease is similar to other neurodegenerative diseases such as kuru, a human disorder, and scrapie, which occurs in sheep and goats. All three diseases are types of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, so called because of the characteristic spongelike pattern of neuronal destruction that leaves brain tissue filled with holes.

5. Diabetes

Diabetes is a disorder of carbohydrate metabolism characterized by impaired ability of the body to produce or respond to insulin and thereby maintain proper levels of sugar (glucose) in the blood.

There are two major forms of the disease. Type I diabetes, formerly referred to as insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and juvenile-onset diabetes, usually arises in childhood. It is an autoimmune disorder in which the diabetic person’s immune system produces antibodies that destroy the insulin-producing beta cells. Because the body is no longer able to produce insulin, daily injections of the hormone are required.

Type II diabetes, formerly called non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) and adult-onset diabetes, usually occurs after 40 years of age and becomes more common with increasing age. It arises from either sluggish pancreatic secretion of insulin or reduced responsiveness in target cells of the body to secreted insulin. It is linked to genetics and obesity, notably upper-body obesity. People with type II diabetes can control blood glucose levels through diet and exercise and, if necessary, by taking insulin injections or oral medications.

4. HIV/AIDS

AIDS is the byname of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome – a transmissible disease of the immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). HIV slowly attacks and destroys the immune system, the body’s defense against infection, leaving an individual vulnerable to a variety of other infections and certain malignancies that eventually cause death. AIDS is the final stage of HIV infection, during which time fatal infections and cancers frequently arise.

HIV/AIDS spread to epidemic proportions in the 1980s, particularly in Africa, where the disease may have originated. Spread was likely facilitated by several factors, including increasing urbanization and long-distance travel in Africa, international travel, changing sexual mores, and intravenous drug use. According to the United Nations 2004 report on AIDS, some 38 million people are living with HIV, approximately 5 million people become infected annually, and about 3 million people die each year from AIDS. Some 20 million people have died of the disease since 1981.

3. Asthma

Asthma is a chronic disorder of the lungs in which inflamed airways are prone to constrict, causing episodes of breathlessness, wheezing, coughing, and chest tightness that range in severity from mild to life-threatening. Inflamed airways become hypersensitive to a variety of stimuli, including dust mites, animal dander, pollen, air pollution, cigarette smoke, medications, weather conditions, and exercise. Stress can exacerbate symptoms.

Asthmatic episodes may begin suddenly or may take days to develop. Although an initial episode can occur at any age, about half of all cases occur in persons younger than 10 years of age, with boys being affected more often than girls. Among adults, however, the incidence of asthma is approximately equal in men and women. When asthma develops in childhood, it is often associated with an inherited susceptibility to allergens, substances such as pollen, dust mites, or animal dander that may induce an allergic reaction. In adults, asthma also may develop in response to allergens, but viral infections, aspirin, and exercise may cause the disease as well. Adults who develop asthma may have nasal polyps or sinusitis.

2. Cancer

Cancer refers to a group of more than 100 distinct diseases characterized by the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the body. Cancer affects one in every three persons born in developed countries and is a major cause of sickness and death throughout the world. Though it has been known since antiquity, significant improvements in cancer treatment have been made since the middle of the 20th century, mainly through a combination of timely and accurate diagnosis, selective surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapeutic drugs. Such advances actually have brought about a decrease in cancer deaths (at least in developed countries), and grounds for further optimism are seen in laboratory investigations into elucidating the causes and mechanisms of the disease.

Owing to continuing advances in cell biology, genetics, and biotechnology, researchers now have a fundamental understanding of what goes wrong in a cancer cell and in an individual who develops cancer—and these conceptual gains are steadily being converted into further progress in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of this disease.

1. The Common Cold

The common cold is an acute viral infection that starts in the upper respiratory tract, sometimes spreads to the lower structures, and may cause secondary infections in the eyes or middle ears. More than 100 agents cause the common cold, including parainfluenza, influenza, respiratory syncytial viruses, and reoviruses. Rhinoviruses, however, are the most frequent cause.

The popular term common cold reflects the feeling of chilliness on exposure to a cold environment that is part of the onset of symptoms. The feeling was originally believed to have a cause-and-effect relationship with the disease, but this is now known to be incorrect. The cold is caught from exposure to infected people, not from a cold environment, chilled wet feet, or drafts. People can carry the virus and communicate it without experiencing any of the symptoms themselves. Incubation is short — usually one to four days. The viruses start spreading from an infected person before the symptoms appear, and the spread reaches its peak during the symptomatic phase.

Notable Exclusions: Cystic Fibrosis, Multiple sclerosis

CRYPTOCHIDISM

2011-03-28T03:39:00.000-07:00

Cryptorchidism means "concealed testicle." It occurs when one or both testicles get stuck at some point in fetal descent.

Ectopic maldescent means one or both testicles have strayed from the normal path of descent. The usual place for a missing testicle is the groin.

Both these conditions are often called undescended testicles.

Description of Cryptorchidism (Undescended testicles)

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POST-TRAUMATICE STRESS DISORDER (PTSD): CAUSES AND DIAGNOSTIC

2011-03-27T05:31:00.000-07:00

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder is a severe reaction to an extremely traumatic event. The person can actually experience the event (i.e. be in a plane crash) or be a witness to the event (i.e. rescue worker at a plane crash).

Over time and with psychological help, some people learn to cope with the aftermath of the event. However, for others, symptoms such as flashbacks and depression can become worse, lasting a long period of time, and seriously disrupting the person's life.
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MOST EFFECTIVE ANTIDEPRESSAT MEDICATION

2011-03-27T04:56:00.000-07:00

Antidepressants are medicines used to help people who have depression. With the help of these depression medications, most people can achieve significant recovery from depression.

Antidepressant drugs are not happy pills, and they are not a panacea. They are prescription-only drugs that come with risks as well as benefits, and should only ever be taken under a doctor's supervision. They are, however, one depression treatment option. Taking medications for depression is not a sign of personal weakness - and there is good evidence that they do help.
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The importance of posture

2011-03-27T03:05:00.000-07:00

We have become a sedentary society. From dawn to dusk we are busy sitting at a desk, sitting in front of the television, sitting while driving or sitting in front of the computer working. As a result, our body is only hunching unconsciously the whole time that we are conscious and awake. Having a good posture is seldom taken into account until back pain strikes. Its importance can’t be stressed enough as apart from instilling confidence in us; it has a direct impact on our mental and physical well-being as well. A poor posture reflects negatively on our self-confidence and intelligence. Not only does it strain the back, neck and vertebrae muscles, it also makes the body expend more energy to perform the simplest of activities such as breathing. If you look at models and celebrities, you will see that they exude supreme confidence and poise. This is because they never slouch and maintain good posture in whatever they do, be it sitting or standing. If you want to know more, explore the information below elaborating on the importance of good posture.

KAWASAKI DISEASE

2011-03-26T03:24:00.000-07:00

What is Kawasaki's disease?

Kawasaki's disease is an uncommon illness in children that is characterized by high fever of at least five days' duration together with at least four of the following five findings:

Inflammation with reddening of the whites of the eyes (conjunctivitis) without pus
Redness or swelling of the hands or feet, or generalized skin peeling
Rash
Lymph node swelling in the neck
Cracking inflamed lips or throat, or red "strawberry" tongue

The above criteria are used to make a diagnosis of Kawasaki's disease. The terminology "incomplete Kawasaki's disease" is sometimes used for patients with only some features of classical Kawasaki's disease.

ATTENTION DEFICIT DISORDER: ADHD SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

2011-03-25T07:17:00.000-07:00

It’s normal for children to occasionally forget their homework, daydream during class, act without thinking, or get fidgety at the dinner table. But inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity are also signs of attention deficit disorder (ADD/ADHD). ADD/ADHD can lead to problems at home and school, and affect your child’s ability to learn and get along with others. It’s important for you to be able to spot the signs and symptoms, and get help if you see them in your child.
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TIPS TO GET A BETTER SLEEP

2011-03-25T03:28:00.000-07:00

"People with fibromyalgia tend to have very disturbed sleep," says Doris Cope, MD, director of Pain Management at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. "Even if they sleep 10 hours a night, they still feel fatigued, don't feel rested."

Research shows that with fibromyalgia, there is an automatic arousal in the brain during sleep. Frequent disruptions prevent the important restorative processes from occurring. Growth hormone is mostly produced during sleep. Without restorative sleep and the surge of growth hormone, muscles may not heal and neurotransmitters (like the mood chemical serotonin) are not replenished. The lack of a good night's sleep makes people with fibromyalgia wake up feeling tired and fatigued.

Tetralogy of Fallot: Signs and Symptoms

2011-03-24T03:23:00.000-07:00

Tetralogy (teh-TRAL-o-je) of Fallot (fah-LO) is a congenital heart defect. A congenital heart defect is a problem with the heart's structure that’s present at birth. This type of heart defect changes the normal flow of blood through the heart.

Tetralogy of Fallot is a rare, complex heart defect that occurs in about 5 out of every 10,000 babies. It affects boys and girls equally.

To understand this defect, it's helpful to know how a healthy heart works. The Diseases and Conditions Index How the Heart Works article describes the structure and function of a healthy heart. The article also has animations that show how your heart pumps blood and how your heart's electrical system works.

5 types of Chest injuries

2011-03-23T03:05:00.000-07:00

Rib fracture - May interfere with ventilation due to painl may lacerate liver or lung

Hemothorax - Blood in pleural space due to blunt or penetrating trauma; may cause significant blood loss and shock

Flail Chest - Loss of stability of chest wall due to multiple rib and possibly sternum fractures. Ventilation is compromised because detached portion of chest wall is pulled inward on inspiration and pushed outward on expiration

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STRUMAZOL: a treatment to Grave's disease

2011-03-22T21:53:00.000-07:00

Content: Thiamazole

Indications
Mild to severe hyperthyroidism, treatment of Grave's disease, prep of hyperthyroid patients for thyroidectomy & use as an adjunct to radioactive iodine therapy.

Dosage
Monotherapy Titrate according to hormone levels. Combination therapy w/ thyroid gland hormone replacement Start w/ 30 mg/day. If euthyroidism is involved, add synthetic levothyroxine after approx 6 wk.
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