Medicine and Medical Care

Needs of water in life

2012-01-17T22:51:00.000-08:00

I recently wrote about the importance of water in life on Earth. It is clear: there is no life without water. No substance could replace it. It is a mayor constituent of every life form. A human being can survive without food, vitamins and light for a certain time, but only a couple of days without water. Considering that, I think we have been taking it too much for granted. The water deserves to be treated with respect. Here are some convincing facts about it:

1) It fulfills cellular and inter-cellular space.

2) Participates in all chemical reactions in the body.

3) Carries nutrients and waste products.

4) Dissolves minerals, vitamins and amino acids.

5) Regulates body temperature.

6) Helps in proper digestion of food.

7) Allows normal movement of joints.

8) Protects eyes, spine and brain of stress and shock.

Obviously, the body cannot work without it.

We find the water in all human tissues, from muscle to bone. However, the body does not have the ability to store water reserves. It is, therefore, of great importance to drink it regularly. The thirst is a natural mechanism through which the organism comes to know that it needs water. Unfortunately, we feel the thirst only when we are about to dehydrate. So do not wait to feel the thirst. Drink water throughout the day and increase its intake if you lose more body fluid than usual.

We ingest the water through foods or beverages and excrete it from the body through urine, feces, respiration and sweating. The water intake, which comes from food, is slightly lower than that from drinks. It is healthier to drink clear water than to drink other beverages such as soft drinks, coffee, tea or alcohol drinks.

Dehydration is a condition that appears when the loss of water from the body exceeds the intake of water in the body. It can vary from mild to those with fatal consequences, and it is mostly related with some diseases which symptoms are vomiting or diarrhea, or both. It is also common in excessive sweating.

Chronic dehydration is a less obvious loss of body fluids than dehydration. It occurs in persons that have not been drinking enough water per day for many years. Bad habit of this type can become a serious problem for your health for various reasons. If the brain does not receive enough liquid it cannot operate normally. Shortly, we get headache. That is an often symptom of dehydration. The kidneys need adequately water to filter out waste and toxins from the body. If there are not enough fluid intakes, they can malfunction. That condition can also lead to kidney stone formation. It is necessary to drink adequate amounts of water to enable a normal digestion of food.

You can now understand why it is crucial to drink enough water daily. Do not replenish it! Yes, the water is indeed more valuable than it seems at first sight! Drink at least eight glasses of water a day, and more if necessary. The water enables the body to function properly and helps in the prevention of several diseases. It is truly vital to the good life. You should respect it!

Know basic information about Tiger Balm

2011-12-28T22:32:00.001-08:00

Tiger Balm is basically an ointment that was discovered in Burma and has been used for centuries in Burma and China as a pain relief medicine. This medicine was discovered by Aw Chu Kin, a chemist from Burma after receiving several requests from his neighbors to create a medicine that would be capable of relieving pain instantly without side effects. During those times, painkillers were not available and people living in the hilly regions had very few options to treat muscle pain after walking throughout the day on hilly terrain. After receiving requests from his neighbors, Aw Chu Kin started researching with several natural products that were known to relieve pain and accidentally he created a solution that could heat up muscles and act as a muscle relaxant. He named his product as Tiger Balm.

Tiger Balm Ingredients

It basically contains some natural ingredients along with salicyclic acid that has the capability to increase pain threshold and also relax muscles. The beauty of this product lies in the fact that it does not alter chemical balances inside the body to treat pain, but it basically reduces the sensation of pain by acting as a local anesthetic and also relaxes the muscles so that condition gets treated from inside. It became so popular in Burma that many companies started manufacturing it on a large scale and gradually the product entered China and through China reached the rest of the world.

Tiger Balm Varieties

There are different varieties of Tiger Balm available in the market and all of them have specific applications against specific pain conditions. Let us take a look at the different type of balms available and their uses:

Red type: This is the original Tiger Balm that was developed by Aw Chu Kin and can be applied over the whole body to treat all kinds of muscle pain. However, this can be used to treat chronic muscle pain and also does not have a very good effect on being associated with bone injury.
Liniment type: The composition of this one is exactly the same as the red type, except that it is available in the form of oil, rather than an ointment. This is useful for covering a big skin surface.
White type: this one is a bit different from the red one because it contains camphor and clove bud oil that produces a soothing sensation on the skin while heating up the muscles from inside. This variety of Tiger Balm is beneficial for those people who cannot stand heat on the skin or have very sensitive skin.
Muscle rub type: This variety of Tiger Balm contains some additional organic ingredients that have long-lasting effect and can keep an area pain free throughout the day after one-time application.

Caution: The Balm is an excellent product if you are worried only about muscle pain; but, it would fail to produce results if you have some internal injury or have pain associated with low blood flow to particular areas of the body. Almost all the ingredients are organic and not usually produce skin allergies, but if you are allergic to salicyclic acid or any of its derivatives, you should consult a doctor before using the Balm.

Role of Pathology within Medicine

2011-11-17T01:47:00.000-08:00

The initial detection and identification of the most common up to the deadliest cancers that affects the human body can be accredited to one distinctive study-Pathology. Pathology is a study that deals with the diagnosis of the nature of diseases. As a crucial part of medical science, it investigates the essential nature of a particular disease and monitors the development of abnormal conditions as well as the over-all functional changes that outcomes from the disease progression. When a person visits a physician because of a certain tumor that appeared in the most unflattering part of the body, the physician will have to endorse laboratory tests first. Pathology is responsible with the extensive diagnosis in the laboratory process, it sets the final standard if the tumor is cancerous or not. It also provides what type of cancer and its classification. While this is the common but crucial function of pathology, there is a more integral fact that should be attributed to its existence.

Statistics shows that between 70-90 percent of all medical decisions from hospital admissions to discharge, have involve some sort of pathology investigations. It invests to multiple medical and laboratory testing to detect diseases in its earlier phases. Therefore, this is also one of the most important roles for pathology in the world of medicine- the ability to diagnose any disease even before symptoms appear. There is wide range of examination practiced by pathologist to evaluate results. They use human tissue, blood, and other body fluids to track the origin of a particular disease. It determines what could be the best and appropriate treatment. It has been identified that through pathology, numerous surgical treatments could have been prevented. Since then, role of pathology in medicine have emerged in a more advance stage. Through the precise studies of this field, improvements to major operations were made.

Pathology has truly built their vital role in medicine. To further illustrate this, for the past years, there were millions of people suffering from different types of cancer. Records show that as pathology improves, there has been a noticeable change. There are now a good number of survivors living and enjoying their normal lifestyle because of the advancement in diagnosis, developed surgical procedures, and varieties of treatments. This marks the beginning of a new era. Continued research in this field will deliver more effective and innovative cures for diseases around the world. Prevention will have greater impact than treatments.

Quickest way lose belly fat

2011-09-14T01:01:00.000-07:00

What on earth is the quickest way to reduce belly weight? Numerous countless men and women would definitely wish to know the solution to this question. Figuring out the details I am about to inform you, will also enable you to get rid of belly unwanted fat rapidly and most significantly proficiently.

The reality is the fact that 95% of diet programs tend not to deliver the results. Diets are notoriously ineffective, regarding long-term extra fat reduction. Sure, you could eliminate 15-20 lbs rather swiftly however it will not be long term. By definition, diet programs are short-term restriction of calories. Most diets, function from the same exact concepts. They call for you to reduce your calories incredibly reduced and any time you do that, then as expected you can shed excess weight particularly swiftly. Fundamentally you starve by yourself. But since the human body has formulated fairly complicated and helpful defense mechanisms, it safeguards you from starvation. Each time the body senses a foods shortage, the defense mechanisms start off doing work.

It's psychologically out of the question to stay on very low calories for lengthy intervals of lifestyle. Anyone may well survive on minimal calories for one month, a second, three months or someone else for one yr, but finally all of them quit as well as the stomach weight come back again. There is more and more weight loss program systems and fat loss merchandise readily available, but the obesity dilemma is finding even worse. So it does not matter what sort of a eating plan you happen to be making use of, it's not at all the fastest tactic to reduce stomach body fat or even the smartest.

So what exactly is fastest solution to get rid of belly extra fat?

Long term excess fat reduction cannot be achieved by heading on and then off diet plans. The fastest technique to get rid of stomach extra fat and most significantly the best will be to adopt eating and activity behavior that you can maintain for the relaxation of the lifetime. If you eat the ideal foods, the suitable amount of foods and doing exercises frequently, you then will shed stomach weight and continue to keep it off. If you'd like to appearance definitely lean, you make your eating plan extra restrictive at times, however the healthful consuming behavior keep the exact same. Or the 2nd alternative may be to burn off a lot more calories with exercise.

Anybody really wants to know the quickest method to get rid of stomach extra fat and they hope to uncover some magic diet regime or supplement, that will help them obtain that, so that they don't should modify their lifestyle and behavior. The actuality is always that the eating behaviors of a lot of people are terrible and if you don't adjust these permanently, you then will hardly ever do well. If healthful eating and ordinary working out really don't turn out to be routines, then you definitely can't anticipate eliminating belly excess fat.

I do know it is not easy to form proper consuming and working out behavior. It requires a whole lot of energy and willpower for making it happen. But once you sort these routines, then people beneficial habits are equally as hard to break as undesirable behavior. Every body can do it as well as the to begin with phase is usually the toughest, however the much more procedures you consider, the easier they turned out to be and very shortly it is usually all second nature.

The essential nutritional and exercise behavior might be formed in only three weeks. So in the event you give it 100% while in the initially 3 weeks, you then are usually certain that a few of these undesirable routines have gone and better ones have taken their destination. For those who are receiving leaner and losing stomach unwanted fat, it will offer you even more determination to help keep going. So in my impression the quickest way to lose stomach excessive fat and gain long term final results is always to alter your behavior.

Vitamins for a Safe Pregnancy and Baby

2011-05-18T00:39:00.000-07:00

Doctors always tell their pregnant clients to take their needed prenatal vitamins to ensure their safe pregnancies, as well as the health of their babies. The vitamins are said to help ensure that nothing is wrong with the baby, to make sure that the different systems of the fetus is in good condition. The vitamins also help to make sure that the fetus does not suffer from any nutritional deficiencies during the pregnancy and even after birth. It is believed that some birth defects could be avoided if the mother takes the needed vitamins during the entire pregnancy, as instructed by her doctor.

Vitamins are essential nutrients that are needed by the body to function. There are many types of vitamins which the body needs in order to correctly do the different processes in the body. Vitamins are usually obtained from the diet, as the body cannot synthesize the needed amount inside the body. Vitamins are usually obtained from different kinds of food, and for some, from different vitamin supplements. These are very important elements and a lack could lead to some health complications and could make a person prone to different diseases or conditions.

A doctor prescribes prenatal vitamins for pregnant women in order to make sure that the pregnancy is safe and that the baby inside the womb gets all the needed nutrients, as well as the mother. It is true that when a mother is pregnant, she is eating for two people. A deficiency in one element in the mother may also mean the same for the baby, which could then be dangerous. It is important to make sure that the baby gets everything that it needs to grow or else his or her growth in the womb might be delayed or stunted. A big part of his or her development inside the womb depends on the nutrients that enter his or her body.

When the mother takes the prescribed vitamins, she is putting herself in a position where it shows that she cares for her health, as well as her baby's. These vitamins are usually prescribed for the mother to take during the pregnancy and even up to a couple of months after the birth. The vitamins are meant to add to the vitamins that are already in the diet, and are not taken to replace them. These vitamins are more effective when taken together with a healthy diet. A lack thereof may result to some problems in the mother's and baby's health.

Taking prenatal vitamins not only assures the health of the mother, but also the baby's. These vitamins are not meant to replace the diet of the mother, but instead, to add or supplement. It is important to take these vitamins because it helps to avoid the development of any condition or disease in the mother or her baby. The vitamins are meant to provide the needed elements to ensure that a mother provides the needed nutrients to her baby. A healthy baby means a happy mother, and a happy mother means a happy family.

Herbal Medication

2011-04-09T00:40:00.000-07:00

Somewhere around 4000 BC, in the brilliant Himalayas, one of the prime sages of ancient India, Srila Vyasadeva wrote down the Vedas for the first time, this comprised a wing, which is called Ayurveda: "The science of Life" (''Ayur'' means life and ''Veda'' means science). Herbal medicine and remedies have from the earliest of times been the nemesis for the world of science and medicine, particularly for the older civilizations such as in India and China. The importance of alternative medicine, inclusive of Ayurveda, Aromatherapy, etc., has been, of late, chosen by the general public in first world nations. Hence, ayurvedic remedies in specific is receiving popularity day by day, bit by bit by virtue of the Modern world enthusiasm, in some measure because 21st century medicine has started to pose numerous far-reaching problems.
One of the biggest problems with allopathic medicine is not knowing when to stop antibiotics. We have taken allopathic medicines as our birth-right to such extent where users may become unaffected to therapies of the allopathy type. On the other hand, where we as yet have not come to be tolerant to modernized medicine, there we bear the full force of its side effects. Many a times prescription drugs cure single sign of illness or problem but can give rise to other indirect side (sometimes adverse) effects. Natural and ayurvedic medicine, on the other side, are much safer and dependable, in most cases, compared with prescription medications.
Herbal medicines, alternative medicine and natural supplements have been in existence for many years and have stood the test of time. Herbal medicines and ayurvedic medicines attend to your body in holistic manner. Ayurveda medicine have a vast spectrum and can heal anything from physical or mental pressure to hair-loss, lessen your blood pressure, reduce cholesterol levels and even help cut back blood sugar levels in diabetics, or even, in professional cases, treat cancer.
Unlike 21st century medicine, that is usually used as a reactive process to fight disease once it occurs, Ayurvedic remedies are used to tone up and nutrify the body before the occurrence of negative physical circumstances. Ayurvedic remedy teaches that each living soul is a concoction of three doshas or key energies in the body - Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Every human is brought into existence with an ideal balance and unique blending among the three doshas. Later on in life, opposing health may crop up from an inequality in the three doshas and the science of Ayurveda is employed to bring back this basic balance.
As for the realm of medicine, Ayurveda or herbalism has worked wonders. After all, it is healing hundreds and thousands of human beings to not only guard, but further increase their mental as well as physical stamina along with their physical beauty.
Ayurveda believes beauty as being a blend of regular physical and mental wellness and appropriate daily care. The analysis in this field has attained fame in the last few years as myriad of beauty medicines for acne, mental wellbeing, hair-loss, etc., are helping common people keep physically fit and physically attractive. As for their capability, they do pretty well in the market because their side effects are almost negligible. Basing the treatment on the body's harmony - Kaph, Vata and Pitta; herbal medicines cater to the requirements of various human beings of different body base.
So, in today's world, where amusement comes without its similar danger, Ayurveda, herbalism and herbal medicines are a saving grace and are surely here to stay.

Sports Medicine Career

2011-02-05T06:46:00.001-08:00

Do you want a rewarding career that also lets you work with a lot of people? Do you enjoy sports and physical activity? Do you want to be a doctor? If you answered yes to any of these then you may be interested in a career in sports medicine. A career in sports medicine has many advantages for you. Not only is it an excellent career, but people educated in sports medicine are always needed. You know you will always have a job in the field of sports medicine.
Sports medicine has two fields of expertise. Sports medicine first focuses on injury treatment and injury prevention for athletes. The second focus of sports medicine is to provide an athlete or athletes with performance enhancement. This can be for any type of athlete. In sports medicine you can treat: runners, bicyclists, football players, soccer players, hockey players, baseball players, and many other types of athletes. Sports medicine is open to many fields. The goal of a person who works in sports medicine is to make sure the athletes he or she treats achieve top performance and optimal health at all times.

Pain Killer Addiction and finding a way out

2010-11-24T07:02:00.000-08:00

Although detoxification is not a treatment for pain killer addiction, it can help relieve withdrawal symptoms while the patient adjusts to being free of pain killers or other prescription drugs. Addiction is both a biological and psychological condition. There are a number of effective treatment options to treat pain killer addiction to prescription opioids and to help manage the sometimes severe withdrawal symptoms that can accompany sudden stopping of pain killers or drugs.

Opioids should never be taken when drinking alcohol (also a drug) or when alcohol may still be in the system. Many chronic pain patients may be under-treated as a result of doctors who are trying to gain control over pain killer addiction, they report. Less common side effects and adverse reactions of pain killers are: confusion, hallucinations, delirium, hives, itching, hypothermia, bradycardia (slow heart rate), tachycardia (rapid heart rate), raised intracranial pressure, ureteric or biliary spasm, muscle rigidity and flushing.

Many other drugs can interact with the opioids and cause a variety of symptoms; this can be fatal. There are many side effects and adverse reactions that can occur with the use of opioids as pain killers. An opioid-dependent pain patient has improved function with the use of the drug while an opioid-addicted patient does not have improvement.

When you're addicted physically to a drug, like pain killers or alcohol, etc., it's because you've suppressed or shut down your body's production of endorphins, which are natural opiate pain killers; when this happens you start craving the drug that you replaced the endorphins with whether it's alcohol, any of a number of drugs or pain killers. Patients can innocently start taking pain killers after a moderate injury or because of a severe injury in an automobile accident, fall or for post surgical pain. Physical dependence on a drug suggests that sudden stopping of the drug may result in negative consequences.

Often people who are addicted to pain killers are plagued with various symptoms to different degrees; many times they don't associate the symptoms with the drug. Chronic pain affects one out of three or four adults; millions of people suffer from severe disabling pain. Pain killer addiction includes: opiate dependency, opiate addiction, narcotic dependency, narcotic addiction, and pain killer dependency or painkiller dependency.

Many insurance plans do cover inpatient detox, check yours if you have insurance. Some insurance companies will pay for one or two weeks; some may pay for rehabilitation too. You must leave the routine responsibilities of your life for a week or two or suffer the inevitable outcome and bad health effects of prolonged drug addiction.

Find out from your local health professionals where the closest and best pain killer addiction treatment centers are. You must make a change in your lifestyle in order to prevent you from taking pain killers and or other drugs again. It's important to go through rehab following your detox stay: make it a part of your plan of action.

A patient being treated with a pain killer can become dependent, but with controlled and appropriate use of the medication, the patient can return to some level of normal living and normal activities following discontinuance of the drug. It's important to remember that when people first start taking pain killers for an acute or chronic pain condition, they don't intend to become addicted. Experts say that only a small segment of patients with a medical need for using narcotic pain medications ever become addicted.

Welcome Happiness With a Smile on Your Face

2010-11-16T08:11:00.000-08:00

What is the first thing that we usually notice on a person's face, when we first meet or greet him? In my opinion, it is a smile; or maybe the lack of it, that is the first thing to get noticed. And what can be more charming than a flawless, enchanting smile? And this is exactly the sort of smile which all of us dream of having. Perhaps, now its time for some action and reality bites as well; and it's time to transform our dreams into reality. With the extremely helpful procedures made available by the boom in cosmetic dentistry, your dream smile is not at all far from adorning your pretty face.

Say hello to the world of cosmetic dentistry, where everything is possible when it comes to restoring the structure and condition of your teeth, or restructuring or beautifying your jaw to give you a celebrity smile. There are various intricate and complex procedures involved in cosmetic dentistry that can improve the condition of your teeth to a great extent. Whether your teeth is chipped or broken, doesn't make much of a difference; even before you get to know, a cosmetic dentist can easily use veneers or implants to make your pearls look even. However, in case of tooth decay due to cavity, white fillings are used. Also, there are techniques for whitening and polishing of teeth that have been stained due to excessive indulgence in coffee, sodas or smoking. So that means, you teeth will end up looking even, bright, shiny, strong and smooth. Not just that, there are procedures for reconstruction of the jaw as well so that you choose a smile that suits your face the best. All throughout all these complex procedures, a cosmetic dentist will guide you with his expert advice and valuable suggestions as well. Isn't that amazing?

Because it's not everyday, that we get a golden opportunity to change the way the world looks at us.

Most of you would feel that these procedures would cost really high. However, it is important to note that it is not so, and these procedures are extremely affordable by common people like you and me.

So now you have nothing to stop you from smiling and charming people around you; as the procedures can be conducted by your local cosmetic dentist and are extremely pocket friendly as well. What adds to it is that there isn't much effort required on your part and within a matter of just a couple of days; you would get your impeccable smile, beautifying your face, and enhancing your personality. So book an appointment with your nearby cosmetic dentist right away and get ready to welcome happiness with your new smile.

Clinical Examination in Respiratory Disorders

2010-09-04T02:24:00.001-07:00

Cough with or without expectoration, chest pain, dyspnea and hemoptysis are the most frequent respiratory symptoms. Cough with expectoration is a prominent symptom in inflammatory lesions such as bronchitis and pneumonia or in irritative and allergic lesions of the respiratory tract. Pharyngitis, laryngitis, tracheitis and early stages of bronchitis give rise to cough without expectoration. In some infections like Bordetella pertussis and Klebsiella, paroxysms of cough are followed by a long inspiratory whoop caused by laryngeal spasm. Cough elicited by change of posture (Postural Cough) is characteristic of bronchiectasis, lung abscess, and bronchopleural fistula, "Bovine Cough" or "gander Cough" is the term used to denote cough devoid of its explosive (tussive) phase. This occurs in bilateral adductor paralysis of the vocal cords. In asthma cough and dyspnea tend to recur regularly at night. In left sided heart failure with pulmonary edema, cough occurs in the recumbent posture. Development of a sudden and uncontrollable paroxysm of cough in an otherwise healthy person should suggest the possibility of an aspirated foreign body.
Cough is generally a protective reflex designed to keep the airway patent and clear the exudates. Sometimes irritant cough becomes troublesome, interfering with sleep and causing severe annoyance to the patient. Other unto-wards effects of cough include syncope (cough syncope), penumothorax, mediastinal and surgical emphysema and rib fractures (cough fracture). In children paroxysmal cough may lead to sub-conjuctival hemorrhage.
Sputum
The material expectorated from the respiratory tract is called sputum. In healthy individuals the secretion of the respiratory passages is less than 100ml in 24 hours. And this is just adequate to provide a protective lining, and there is no expectoration. Expectoration in excess of 10-25 ml of sputum in 24 hours, should raise the possibility of disease. Copious amounts in excess of 300 ml are seen in bronchiectasis and lung abscess. Character of the sputum often suggests the underlying pathology. Sputum is serosanguinous in pulmonary edema, mucoid and sticky in asthma and chronic bronchitis, thick and purulent in bronchiectasis and lung abscess, creamy yellow in pulmonary tuberculosis, blood stained in carcinoma, tuberculosis, bronchiectasis, mitrial stenosis and pulmonary infarction, rusty in pneumonia and black in coal worker's pneumoconiosis. Foul smelling sputum is suggestive of bronchiectasis, lung abscess or gangrene of the lung.
Presence of blood in the sputum is termed "hemoptysis". In true hemoptysis blood is derived from the airways or the lungs. The quantity of blood may be small as in mitral stenosis or massive as in cavitary pulmonary tuberculosis or neoplasm. Sometimes blood is derived from the upper respiratory passages or mouth and this is termed "spurious hemoptysis". Hemoptysis is a manifestation of serious underlysing disease warranting full investigation. Though rare, massive hemoptysis results in considerable loss of blood demanding emergency management in non-respiratory hypertension occurring in mitral stenosis, acute pulmonary edema, pulmonary infarction, trauma and hemorrhagic diseases. Rarely massive and fatal hemoptysis may develop when an aortic aneurysm erodes into the trachea or a bronchus. Spurious hemoptysis is commonly resorted to by hysterical individuals to attract medical attention.
management of hemoptysis:
The patient should be hospitalized as an emergency and a rapid clinical examination is done to determine the cause. It is important to avoid percussion, which may worsen the hemoptysis. The patient is put to bed and sedated with diazepam 10mg administered intramuscularly. Respiratory depressants such as morphine should be avoided since they impair expectoration. Blood loss and its effects are assessed by monitoring the volume of blood expectorated and the pulse, respiration and blood pressure. If the blood loss exceeds 200-300ml in 24 hours and it is persistent, blood transfusion is indicated.
In the majority of cases the underlying cause can be made out by clinical examination and chest radiography. Specific treatment is instituted early (e.g antituberculosis drugs in abscess, etc) in conditions where such treatment is available, majority of cases subside with rest, sedation, and blood transfusion. In conditions like pulmonary neoplasms, bleeding tends to persist, In such cases emergency bronchoscopy is done to locate the lesion and bleeding is located and the opposite lung is normal, induction of collapse by artificial pneumothorax serves to arrest bleeding promptly.
Digital clubbing (Hippocratic fingers)
This is caused by increase in the volume of soft tissue in and around the distal phalanges of the fingers and toes, especially the nail beds. This leads to increased curvature of the nails. Severity of clubbing varies and this has been graded for clinical purposes.
Grade 1: Fluctuation of the nail can be elicited on the nail bed.
Grade 2: The normal angle between the nail and nail bed is lost.
Grade 3: The terminal portion of the phalanx and nail appears as a drumstick or a parrot beak.
Grade 4: In addition to digital clubbing, other regions show pulmonary osteo-arthropathy.
Causes
• Respiratory diseases- suppurative lesions like bronchiectasis, lung abscess, emphysema, and infected cysts; advanced tuberculosis with bronchiectatic changes, bronchoganic carcinoma, pneumoconiosis, fobrosing alveolitis, and pleural fibroma.
• Cardiovascular disorders- Cyanotic congenital heart diseases and infective endocarditis.
• Alimentary disorders- Malabsorption states, ulcerative colitis, cirrhosis of the liver, hepatomas and amoebic live abscess.
• Miscellaneous groups- Clubbing may develop in thyroxicosis. At times it may occur nonpathologically in several members of a family (familial clubbing). Repeated trauma to the finger tips as occurring in carpenters and blacksmiths leads to occupational clubbing.

Make hair healthy

2010-07-13T07:50:00.000-07:00

The healthier you hair is, the more beautiful it will be. More often, you will make your hair look rather terrible if you often perm it or dyed it when you find a rather stylish one. Fortunately, there are some wonderful methods for you to take good care of your hair. Read on, you will find them really very helpful.

Above all, you should pay enough attention to wash your hair in a suitable way. Choose the most suitable shampoo for your hair and you can get advice from the salesman. When you wash your hair with shampoo, you should check that the foam is enough and try to add some water rather than shampoo if you think there is not enough foam. And you had better wash for two times which can make your hair cleaner and fluffier. And if you have dry hair, it may cause hurt to your hair if you wash for every day. And there is no need to change your shampoo very often unless you just have hair perm or in the winter when the climate is very dry.

Secondly, you should choose the right conditioner and use it in the correct way. there are many kinds of conditioners and only those contain enough protein can help strengthen the endurance and give enough nutrition to your hair. Before you use the conditioner, you are required to dry the hair with a towel so that the nutrition in the conditioner can be absorbed in an easier way. Then put some conditioner on the central part or the tips of the hair rather than the scalp hair foot. Add drops of olive oil will make the effect much better.

The last but not the least, you should use the dryer in a correct way so that there will be less hurt. It is much better for the hair to dry in a natural way, and if you had to use the dryer, you must not make your hair completely dry and if your hair is curl, you should shape it when it is still wet. And change the level at the lowest one will ensure your hair not to be hurt by the hot air. Keeping the distance of between the dryer and your hair over three inches and never let the dryer stay at the same place will be good ways to protect your hair.

Stop bleeding piles

2010-07-10T01:07:00.000-07:00

Are your daily normal activities being disrupted by nasty piles? Just when you think you have total control over your piles or hemorrhoids, they start to bleed out. The consequence is more pain and irritation down there. And it can strike anywhere and anytime. Imagine when symptoms strike while you are making a speech in a company gathering or when you're out on a date. There is no way you can reach down there for a free scratch. Don't allow it to go on for long. Start researching on some much needed bleeding hemorrhoids treatment to ease your suffering.

Hemorrhoids are the inflammation of veins in the rectum that are similar to varicose veins found in the legs. These are mostly caused by increased pressure on the veins of the pelvic and rectal area. There are bowel habits that contribute to such pressure such as hurrying to defecate, thus leading to excessive straining or when you have persistent constipation due to lack of fiber in the body. Other factors are being overweight, pregnant, and even anal intercourse.

Hemorrhoids can be very unpleasant and painful. When they turn severe, they bleed and are pushed out of the anus and can cause a great deal of discomfort. Most people panic at the sight of blood, especially when it comes out of an unlikely part of the body such as the anus. But before you press the panic button, be aware that there are natural and surgical bleeding hemorrhoids treatment that you can grasp for support and relief.

If you are terrified to 'go under the knife' and would rather take comfort in natural cures and home remedies, consider the following techniques:

• The most basic and highly important bleeding hemorrhoids treatment is to change your diet. Incorporate fiber-rich foods like whole grains, cereals and raw vegetables. Fiber helps foods in the digestive tract to move freely and smoothly. Be firm in staying away from coffee and alcohol.
• Try the Sitz Bath Therapy as a bleeding hemorrhoids treatment. Simply fill a large basin or tub with warm water and soak your hips and buttocks. This helps reduce bleeding and inflammation. You may also add salt into the water and make a saline solution. Do this 4 to 7 times a day depending on the severity of your hemorrhoids.
• An effective bleeding hemorrhoids treatment is the application of creams and ointments that can be bought in your local health stores. A popular example is the witch hazel cream that is best for shrinking lumps and making them disappear.

If your hemorrhoids are giving you unbearable pain and discomfort, you have the option to have them surgically removed. Surgery ensures the permanent removal of hemorrhoids. Some of these types of surgeries are:

• Hemorrhoidectomy, which is the physical removal of hemorrhoids with the use of a scalpel, cautery and other surgical apparatus;
• Laser Surgery is done by destroying the lumps with the aid of a laser beam; and
• Injection Sclerotherapy or the injection of a thickening agent into the lumps to recede the swelling and slowly die out.

These are only some of the options available for bleeding hemorrhoids treatment. If you are unsure or undecided on your preferences, best to start with the natural remedies to do away with side effects. And when you are ready for a surgery, talk to a qualified physician for proper medical advice.

Eliminate Age Spots

2010-05-25T02:36:00.000-07:00

You need to be cautious about what form of over the counter treatment you choose when seeking to eliminate age spots. Although most consumers innocently assume that there is nothing in topical skin care products that could harm them, they are very wrong in that assumption. Most of the over the counter skin care formulas contain a wealth of ingredients that could cause you harm.

The companies at times fill their products up with chemical compounds, mostly because they cost very little to use. Most people who use these products seem to believe that these chemicals are a necessary part of a skin care formula, and that they are necessary as preservatives and such. These chemical agents are not necessary at all, and many of them pose a danger to your health.

This is why you want to opt for an all natural formula to safely and effectively eliminate age spots, but even with all natural formulas you have to be careful. Some of the organic compounds commonly used as "skin whiteners" for reducing the amount of melanin in your skin can put you in grave danger. Some of the most widely used compounds are either toxic, or carcinogenic.

Hydroquinone is possibly the most popular melanin inhibitor available, but the millions of people that apply this compound to their skin may be putting themselves at risk of developing leukemia. Mercury (II) chloride and ammoniated mercury are also popular, but developing high levels of mercury in the system doesn't bode well for you at all.

These organic compounds to eliminate age spots can accumulate in your soft tissue over time, so it is best to avoid the use of products that contain them if it can be helped. There are natural compounds for reducing the melanin hyperpigmentation in your skin that are perfectly safe for you to use. Extrapone nutgrass root extract is one of them.

This compound comes from India, and has been used for centuries by the Indian people for the purpose of lightening the pigment of the skin. Extrapone nutgrass root extract will reduce the melanin content of your skin by up to 40%. It will get rid of the dark spots that now mar your complexion, and by keeping melanin content low prevent new hyperpigmentation from forming.

Extrapone nutgrass root extract is the way to go if you want to safely and effectively eliminate age spots.

Four natural ways to help prevent early hair loss

2010-05-18T00:42:00.000-07:00

Hair loss occurs in a progressive nature. Most men have a specific pattern in which hair starts to fall out and then over the years increases down the same route. Women on the other hand, do not typically have the same experience. Unlike a receding hairline, or a particular bald spot forming on a man's scalp, a woman will generally experience broad hair thinning throughout the entire top of her head. In both cases, men and women, the pattern in which air falls out increases in time.

Many people assume that losing hair as we age is just a normal part of life. This same group of people also assumes that we have no responsibility when it comes to the cause of hair loss or the increased of the amount of hair that is lost in time. However, this is a wrong assumption. Below are a few examples of how people can directly cause the loss of their hair, whether they realize it or not.

1. Wearing hats most of the time: It is very fashionable these days to sport head coverings and tight caps. However, because hats can affect the blood flow to the scalp, this may cause hair loss. This is especially true if you wear tight hats. The result of hair loss due to covering your scalp with a hat does take time to make it's effects known, but once it starts, the pattern of loosing your hair speeds up faster than if you had never started the hat-wearing habit.

2. Oily scalp: Here is another example of a condition that can be directly related to the decrease amount of blood flow that is available to your hair follicles. By not washing your scalp enough a build up of natural skin oils can affect your hair. Regular washing can help reduce this problem.

3. Brushing your hair too much: This is one issue that I have personally experienced myself. I was once told by a hairstylist that if I want to grow my hair long then I should brush it with 50 strokes every time I went into the bathroom. Needless to say, after about six months, I noticed severe thinning in the areas that I was brushing. Once I stopped, the hair eventually started to come back like normal. Unfortunately, I set forth in motion a pattern that caused my hair to grow back thinner in that area for the rest of my life.

4. Brushing your hair too little: Opposite of brushing your hair too much, by not brushing your hair enough, you may not be stimulating the right amount of blood flow needed to retain growth in hair follicles. It doesn't take much, but just brushing your hair with a few strokes that hit the scalp will be enough stimulation.

Diabetic Meal Plan - Why Do You Need a Diabetic Meal Plan

2010-03-09T01:07:00.000-08:00

Diabetes is one of the killer illnesses that most people have today. There are good number of people nowadays who are already suffering from diabetes, and due to such condition, they may be deprived from eating those foods which they usually eat. There are several problems that these diabetic people are usually facing. Most of the time, they want to eat those foods that they were used to eating before; however, with their condition it is impossible to live the normal life again. In such case, they need to have a diabetic meal plan.

If you are among those people who are suffering from diabetes, then you may need to have a menu which you need to follow in order to ensure that you are going to eat those foods which are good for your condition. When you are going to have your diabetic meal plan, then make sure that you are going to follow it by heart so that you can have the best benefits from it.

One thing that you are going to do is to lists down all the best foods that are advice to you by your doctor. It is important as well that you are going to make a list of those foods that are just suited for your health so that you can make sure that it will not affect your health by making your diabetes worst. Make sure that you have all the lists of foods so that you can immediately work on with your diabetic meal plan.

You can have lots of choices. You need to make sure that foods which are having low sugar content are present in your diabetic meal plan. There are lots of foods that are having low sugar content, and it is advisable for you to have since it will help your sugar level to get low. Moreover, with your diabetic meal plan, you can have the best guide for your every day meal. You can use it anytime when you wanted to eat, and you can already follow the right foods that you can eat in each meal that you are going to take.

If you wanted to have the best and ideal diabetic meal plan, you can also choose to consult the best dietitian in your place so that you can have the guarantee that meals are well planned and that they are arranged very well according to the various nutrients that you usually need. You can also try to follow those vegetarian foods, which are also best for diabetic patients.

You can search online for these best diabetic meal plan, and try to have it as well as your guide for your daily meal. When you are having the diabetic meal plan, then you can have the chance of controlling the calorie and the sugar level in your body. You can even control your weight loss and will even give you the full strength in your everyday living.

Hearing Loss Prevention

2010-01-23T00:25:00.000-08:00

Hearing loss prevention; most of us talk about it but very few of us actually take steps towards this. Loss of hearing usually occurs gradually and one of the main reasons for this is exposure to loud noise for long periods of time. Practice these hearing loss prevention methods which are natural and can be incorporated in your daily life.

It is important to be aware of the fact that loud noise can lead to gradual loss of hearing and you must take steps to minimize this. There are many tools like snow blowers and power lawn mowers which are noisy; hence cut down on the use of these or minimize the time that they are used. Noise emitted from vehicles especially motorbikes are another source of pollution so it is important that you expose yourself less to this type of sound.

There are certain recommended noise limits that you should expose yourself to so cut down going to those areas or stop indulging in those activities that emit noise above these levels. Another natural hearing loss prevention method is to use protectors like ear muffs or ear plugs. Many people stuff cotton balls or tissue into their ears but this is not a protective method at all. If used in the right manner, these protectors can help you cut down a lot to noise exposure.

Another top way of hearing loss prevention is to turn down the volume whenever you can. Avoid listening to very loud music on your radio or stereo system. Also turn down the television volume to the necessary level while watching. Listening to music on ear phones for long periods of time is also to be avoided and when using head phones, remember not to bring down the volume.

Also, remember never ever to stick in sharp objects into your ear like hair pin, cotton swab or any sharp object to remove earwax. Blow your nose gently especially when you are suffering from cold. These natural tips can to a great length prevent loss of hearing even in old age. Prevent your hearing loss right now, don't wait any longer.

Headache Prevention - Sinus Headache

2009-12-26T02:00:00.001-08:00

As you know a sinus headache can be extremely painful and last for ages. The headache is just a consequence of inflammation within the sinus cavities of your skull. Inflammation causes swelling of the tissue lining the cavities and creates pressure which is experienced as a headache.

It is important to differentiate between pain from the sinus and a dental infection. The feeling can be the same. You may find your ENT specialist and dental specialist at odds over what the problem is.

From a natural medicine perspective the treatment is much the same. Patients with these headaches with unclear origins have responded to the same treatment.

Just a hole in the head

The simple reason that we have sinus cavities, or holes in the head, is to reduce the weight of your skull, which makes it easier for your neck and spine to support your head. Imagine if your head weighed just another 1kg or 2 pounds. The effort to support it especially when you are moving quickly or stopping suddenly would be too much for your neck.

Now imagine your sinus cavities as small spaces or air pockets in your forehead and under your eyes. These pockets are lined with tissue just like inside your mouth. Like your mouth this is a warm moist environment.

If the tissue becomes aggravated by pollen or dust or from a cold, the tissue swells up. You notice this especially when you have a cold and you feel congested and tend to block up when you lie down.

The problem with the sinus is that after the cold or whatever caused the aggravation the tissue remains a little inflamed. It doesn't quite heal completely. Next time you experience some dust or pollen or eat a food which causes mucus membrane inflammation, then sinus tissue swells quickly and causes pain.

Now you reach for the decongestants or anti-histamines, or pain killers. These all help but don't solve the problem, and the infection starts again.

To relieve this for good you need to do 7 things.

1. Remove the most common foods which typically cause allergic reactions or immune suppression. e.g. dairy, eggs, sugar, artificial sweeteners and wheat. Remove one at a time to test which is affecting you. To re test you introduce a small amount back into your diet and look to see if any symptoms return.

2. Treat the infection with herbs such a Echinacea, Golden Rod and Cats Claw.

3. Treat the sinus tissue with Golden Seal and Agrimony.

4. Use sinus specific herbs such as Golden Rod and Elderberry.

5. Use the anti allergy herbs such as Baical Skullcap and Albezzia

6. Vitamin C and Zinc for immunity.

7. Lots of fresh vegetables and fruit.

8. Plenty of clean water.

9. Daily walking will boost your immune system and reduce sinus and hayfever symptoms.

10. Ensure you get adequate rest and manage your stress.

Want to Burn Fat? Eat More Protein

2009-12-09T22:24:00.000-08:00

Muscles are made of protein. This statement is rather obvious to all of us. So to build muscle, equally obviously, you need to take proteins. This can be found in eggs, fish meat, cottage cheese or protein concentrates like protein powder.

To appreciate the importance of proteins in your body, you have to understand that your body cells are constantly being replaced by new ones. The tissue, made of protein, is in a state of flux, constantly being changed as old cells die and new cells replace them. Rheo Blair states "It is as if you lived in a building whose bricks were systematically taken out and replaced every year. If you keep the same blueprint then it will still look like the same building. But it won't be the same in actuality. The human body is in a constant state of flux, it loks the same from day to day, but through multiple biological processes, it is always rebuilding itself."

Science has proven that 99% of the atoms in your body are replaced within one year. Every cell in your body is always being recycled. Protein is what is used in the creation of new cells. It is the building blocks of your body. Skin, hair, bones, hormones, and antibodies are formed of protein. Save for water, protein is the most abundant substance in your body. Like other nutrients, proteins are made of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. But unlike other nutrients, proteins are the only nutrients that bring nitrogen into the body. Thus by measuring the amount of nitrogen in ones excreta, compared to the amount taken in, one can estimate the amount of protein used for muscle growth. If the difference is positive, then muscle is being made. But if the difference is negative, there is a negative nitrogen balance, and the body literally begins feed on its own muscle to produce energy. Proteins are broken down by digestive acids like protease to smaller units called peptides. This occurs in the stomach where there are acidic conditions necessary for the digestion of proteins. The peptides are in turn are digested by peptidase, found in the duodenum, into amino acids. These are what the body actually absorbs and utilizes to form body tissue, including muscle.

There are 20 amino acids that are required for the normal growth of the body. Eleven of these are naturally made in the body and thus are called non-essential amino acids. The other nine have to be ingested into the body as it cannot synthesize them and are thus called essential amino acids. Foods containing both types of amino acids in the exact amounts as they are needed by the body are called complete proteins. Only when all the essential amino acids are available can the body grow muscles. Otherwise it starts breaking down body tissue to suffice the amount of essential amino acids for growth and repair purposes. Thus lack of these amino acids actually leads to muscle loss.

Clearing Blocked Ears - Four Ways to Clear Your Blocked Ears

2009-11-25T08:06:00.000-08:00

If you have blocked ears or have ever had blocked up ears, you are aware how painful it is. It feels like someone stuffed wax in your ears until they couldn't fit anymore. It isn't just hard to hear, but usually also very irritating. Having blocked up ears is very painful, and anyone who has them will want to unblock them as soon as possible. Read this article to find out how to go about clearing blocked ears on your own at home.

Ear blockages have many causes, including: a cold or allergies, a sinus infection, an ear infection, air pressure changes (such as those on a plane), diving and getting water in the ears, and severely compacted earwax blockage. It usually disappears over time, but it can linger for a while, and it's incredibly frustrating while it's there, so clearing blocked ears on your own is a good idea.

Here's a few methods for clearing blocked ears:

- The quickest way to clear up a blocked ear is swallowing over and over. Taking this action clears the sinuses a little and eases pressure. If it's a cold or allergies clogging up your ears, this is a good, fast method.

- The next method is also simple to implement. Yawn as huge as you can manage, stretching your mouth as big as you can go. This works the same way swallowing does, opening up the sinuses and relieving pressure. It is different from the first method, however, and can work where swallowing doesn't.

- If the first two methods aren't effective, use a hot pad over your ear. This will both make your ear feel a little better and get rid of any water that might be in your ears. A hand blower will also work, but it doesn't feel as nice.

- The final thing you can do is use steam. Start a very hot shower, filling the bathroom with steam, or set some water to boil, put the water in a bowl and put your face over the bowl with a towel on your head, inhaling the steam. If none of the other methods have been successful in clearing blocked ears, undoubtedly try this one.

Home Care For Cancer Patients

2009-10-13T08:44:00.000-07:00

In home health care can help cancer patients stay in the comfort of their own home while they receive care. The home offers an atmosphere of comfort and security. While hospital stays can contribute to feelings of isolation and loneliness, staying at home allows patients to stay connected with family and friends. It has both advantages and disadvantages to the patient and caregivers. Sometimes, in-home care can create new challenges for those involved. It may also bring about changes to relationships or require family members cope with aspects of patient care they would not have seen otherwise. It is important that patients and caregivers prepare for these obstacles.

Care services within the home may be administered by doctors, nurses, home health aides, or even family members. If you are considering this type of care, you should ask your doctor about the patient's specific needs and if they can be met by home care. Get information about the types of home care services the patient will require and discuss these with the people who will be administering care.

Use of a home health care agency is usually necessary when the person has advanced medical needs. Research agencies in your area to find the one that best fits your needs. Most agencies provide home health care aides that can assist with personal care, meal preparation, homemaking, and general health management. Services may also include visits by nurses or social workers and access to medical equipment.

It may also be helpful to hire independent home health care providers, rather than an agency. For people paying out of pocket, using independent home health care providers is usually less expensive than hiring an agency. However, you will have to coordinate payment and scheduling yourself.

There are many public and private sources that help patients pay for home care. It may be helpful to look into benefits provided the government, like Medicare or Medicaid. Some private health or long-term care insurance policies cover the costs of certain home care services. Other organizations, like the American Cancer Society, offer free services to cancer patients and their families.

Breast Enlargement

2009-08-14T02:56:00.000-07:00

The only thing new with natural breast enlargement using herbs, is that we now recognize how and why certain herbs can make a basis for breasts to enlarge which is a mastogenic effect. To completely recognize natural breast enlargement, we will first make clear what causes a female to develope breasts.

The female body that around ages 10-13 goes thru what is called it puberty. Prior to proberty, estrogens are so secreted in small quantities. Following with puberty however, the quantity of estrogens secreted under that the influence of the pituitary hormones (FHS, LH) much increases some 20 fold or more and attach to binder sites. At this time so the female breast enlarges and then changes from that of a child to that of an adult. Estrogens effect onto the breast growth process causes fat deposition and then development of the stromal tissues of the breast and growth of an extensive ductile system resulting in breast enlargement. Along with the estrogen, progesterone and prolactin are secreted in higher quantities from the ovaries after puberty so and again attach to binder sites. These two hormones are responsible for growth of the lobules and alveoli of the female breast determining growth and function of these structures. In summary, for the estrogens initiate breast enlargement and are responsible for the characteristic external appearance of the enlarged mature female breast but do not complete converting the breasts into milk producing organs.

For the person who is effective, her breast will be enlarged at a rate of 1/2 to 1 niche a month for 2-3 months duration before she reaches up to the limited peak.

1.1) Some person response 2.5 cm within 5 days. Person who has large breast size will show quick response but will soon reach up into the peak point. In the other hand, person who has small breast size will react slow response and take more time before her reaching into the peak point.

1.2) Aging person should apply a low ingested dose which will ennourish the physical health not depending on sex and has no effect on breast enlargement.

1.3) Below age or teenager should be prohibited as allow her body system to grow up into fully maturity

1.4) Anybody who have a record of hyperthyroidism or thyroid related disease, ovary and uterus diseases and breast tumor or cancer cannot use.

2) The phytoestrogen will act as woman hormone, so it will work antagonistic way when apply in man (may decrease the genital size). However in aging person the intake at low dose will ennourish the physical health not depending on sex.

3) For Pueraria cream product 2-3 cm of cream from tube is enough. Pueraria cream after spreading on your hand is rubbed by your finger on your breast from base to nipple in circular manner twice a day as of capsule type.

The use of Pueraria product in both capsule and cream should be continued for 6 months. After that, the dosage can be decreased in half and the breast will still be maintained at the peak level.

Healthier Diet

2009-04-20T02:10:00.000-07:00

Healthy eating is a topic that is important to many people. We often hear that Americans are not eating a healthy diet. In recent decades our average weight has risen substantially while our fruit and vegetable consumption has decreased. One of the most important things we can do for our waistlines and our general health, is to increase our intake of fruits and vegetables daily. By incorporating a few simple lifestyle changes, you can do just that!Fruits and vegetables help prevent diseasesFruits and vegetables have many important vitamins and minerals as well as fiber. Studies have shown that people who eat greater amounts of fruits and vegetables have lower rates of heart disease, stroke and some types of cancer. Choose vegetables in a wide range of colors to ensure that you get many of the important vitamins and minerals. The deeper the color of the fruit or vegetable, the more nutrients it contains. Choose the deeply colored sweet potatoes over white potatoes, for example.Fruits and vegetables help with weight lossIncreasing your fruit and vegetable intake can be helpful in a weight loss program as well. The water and fiber content in fruits and vegetables helps you to feel fuller, quicker and they are often low in calories. The more of the right foods that you eat, the less room you will have for the unhealthy foods. As you eat more of the healthy foods, your appetite for them will increase as well. Remember that the fruits and vegetables are a substitute for the higher calorie foods, not in addition to them. If you only add fruits and vegetables to your current diet then you will be increasing your calorie intake, not reducing it.Tips for adding more fruits and vegetables to your daily dietLook for ways to increase the fruits and vegetables in dishes you already eat, and add extra fruits and vegetables to dishes that already include them. In the morning, try adding more vegetables to a morning omelet and more fruit to breakfasts cereals for example. Add extra vegetables to stir fry dishes and soups and decrease the rice and pasta. Buy pre-washed and cut vegetables and fruits in the produce section at the grocery store, to provide convenient alternatives to high-fat snack foods. If healthy alternatives are as convenient as the unhealthy snacks, you will be more likely to make wise choices.Fill half your plate with fruit or vegetables at mealtime. Keep fresh fruit handy at home. Take small bags of cut fruit and a small container of vanilla yogurt for dipping or small bag of cut vegetables and a container of low calorie dip, to work as an mid-day snack. That should keep you away from the vending machine. You can also keep a variety of dried fruits in your desk drawer for snacking emergencies.Getting kids to eat more fruits and vegetablesMany fast food restaurants are adding healthy alternatives to their menus. Order apple slices or a fruit bowls in place of French fries or a chicken fillet sandwich or wrap in place of a burger. Try the smoothie shop instead of the ice cream parlor for a healthier treat that also incorporates a serving of fruit.Fruits and vegetables are necessary for a healthy diet. By incorporating more of them into your daily routine at home and at the office, you can do wonders for your general health and you can also shed a few pounds in the process.

Truth about face cream

2009-03-04T07:12:00.000-08:00

You might disagree, but hear me out on this. I have read numerous face cream reviews and have even written a few, myself. It is important to share information with fellow consumers. It's obvious that we can't rely on manufacturers to provide honest information. Sure, some manufacturers do come clean with the facts. But, most just hide behind glossy advertisements and celebrity endorsements.

A new internet database, created by the Environmental Working Group, a public safety watchdog, of sorts, provides consumers with a little extra help. The database lists the ingredients in thousands of different skincare products and the EWG ranks those ingredients in terms of safety.

They also allow consumers to upload face cream reviews or make comments about the products. Some consumers are unhappy with the EWG evaluation, but the base their evaluations solely on the facts.

Cosmetic companies commonly use known allergens, irritants and toxins in their products. The reason behind this is money. There is no other explanation. As hard as the EPA and the FDA fights to get better regulations for skincare products manufactured in the US, the more lobbyists cosmetic companies send to Washington.

The hope of the EWG is simply to inform the consumer, so that they can make their own choices. It took years of hard work to get this information to the public and I, for one, am appreciative of all of the work that they have done.

If you read enough face cream reviews, you will see that some people "love" a product, while others "hate" it. That's not really surprising when you have a little more information.

According to surveys conducted by the Food and Drug Administration, 25% of all cosmetic users have had an adverse reaction to one of the skincare products that they have used. So, if you read 10 face cream reviews for the same product, two or three are likely to be negative.

It is a known fact that sensitivity to some allergens develops over time. So, an ingredient that may have been non-irritating in a person's youth can cause a reaction, as they get older.

It is also known that there are lower levels of hyaluronic acid in older skin. Hyaluronic acid is one of the things that prevent toxins and irritants from penetrating deeply. The deeper it penetrates, the more likely it is to cause irritation. That is probably the reason that you see some many negative comments about wrinkle creams and anti-aging face cream reviews.

Cosmetic companies never seem to consider how a harsh compound could affect an older person. They spend a lot of time figuring out their ad campaigns and marketing techniques. But, they spend very little time on researching or developing truly effective products.

Put this to the test right away! There is a new entry into the skincare product category. It is a company that makes some of the best anti-aging supplements on the market. You won't read many face cream reviews for their products, unless you find their website. They allow their customers to leave comments on their blog. So far, there hasn't been a single negative one.

Removing Headache Or Migraine

2009-01-20T07:35:00.000-08:00

Everyone has headaches from time to time, but some have them much more often than others. It's your body trying to tell you something, of course, it's hard to self-diagnosis. Did you know that much of the time these migraines or head aches are indeed caused from decreased blood flow? That's not good, you can understand why.

Perhaps, rather than popping a pill next time you have a headache, you should instead try using simple brain exercises and mind tricks to get everything working again. In fact, these mind exercises are so powerful that if you do them often, you simply may not even get head aches at all. Let me explain two exercises that can assist you:

Brain Exercise Number One:

Create a tingly sensation, warmth, heat, start at your toes and go one-inch per minute. Do not itch if you feel it, slowly work up your body, tell yourself you are healing inch-by-inch. Go slow, at first you will not be able to concentrate well enough to do your whole body, but eventually you will. By the time you get to your head, you will have forgotten about the pain or headache.

Plus, when you do get up to your brain you will see that the blood is flowing again and thus, you will have solved the problem. You will feel good again, without pain and without having taken any medication.

Brain Exercise Number Two:

Create an imaginary ring outside your head and spin this ring around your head both horizontally and vertically. This will also get the blood flowing, thus alleviating any discomfort and you will feel great again.

If these techniques do not work, you can then go to Plan B and take those little pills that are specially designed for migraines. Think on this and win.

Joint Pain Relief

2009-01-10T06:13:00.000-08:00

If you joints are constantly killing you, here are three suggestions:

1. Traumeel is a product that has been used for years in Germany to relieve pain. I have not been overly impressed with the ointment; however, my colleagues claim that injecting it is the way to go. Dave Tate at Elite Fitness sells both forms. Let me just add the mandatory precaution here: make sure to have a qualified medical practitioner administer the injection if you go that route.

2. There's a product called Nu Joint Matrix that you spray on topically ... and guess what, this stuff seems to work! To test it for yourself, perform multiple sets of heavy eccentrics to induce muscular soreness and then apply the spray to only one side. You will notice the difference in no time. In fact, the company claims that it kicks in within 10 minutes of application. It smells like Pledge on your body but works more like Windex does in the movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding!

3. Dr. D's Joint Support is by far the best joint supplement on the market. It attacks through several mechanisms - believe me, Dr. Di Pasquale makes sure that no stone is unturned! I recommend that you start with 5 tablets three times a day with meals. You can eventually wean down to twice daily (with breakast and dinner), and finally once a day (with breakfast) - the duration of each phase depends upon the severity of your pain as well as your financial status!

Now, imagine taking all three (injectable, topical and oral) applications at once! It should go without saying that regular consumption of Omega-3 fats (i.e. fish oil and flax seed oil) will help keep those joints well-lubed. Also, forget Tylenol (Acetiminaphen) and NSAIDs such as Advil (Ibuprofen) or Aspirin (ASA.) Research shows that on top of the havoc they pose on the gut's inner lining, they hinder protein synthesis.

Neck injury

2008-12-19T06:23:00.000-08:00

Your spinal cord contains the nerves that carry messages between your brain and body. The cord passes through your neck and back. A spinal cord injury is very serious because it can cause paralysis below the site of the injury.

Considerations

When someone has a spinal injury, additional movement may cause further damage to the nerves in the cord and can sometimes mean the difference between life and death.

If you think someone could possibly have a spinal injury, DO NOT move the injured person even a little bit, unless it is absolutely necessary (like getting someone out of a burning car).

If you are in doubt about whether a person has a spinal injury, assume that he or she DOES have one.

Causes

Bullet or stab wound
Direct trauma to the face, neck, head, or back (e.g., car accidents)
Diving accident
Electric shock
Extreme twisting of the trunk
Sports injury (landing on head)
Major blow to the head or chest, car accident, fall from a great height

Symptoms

Head held in unusual position
Numbness or tingling that radiates down an arm or leg
Weakness
Difficulty walking
Paralysis of arms or legs
No bladder or bowel control
Shock (pale, clammy skin; bluish lips and fingernails; acting dazed or semi-conscious)
Unconscious
Stiff neck, headache, or neck pain

First Aid

The main goal is to keep the person immobile and safe until medical help arrives.

Hold the person's head and neck in the position in which they were found. DO NOT attempt to reposition the neck. Do not allow the neck to bend or twist.

IF THE PERSON IS UNRESPONSIVE

Check the person's breathing and circulation. If necessary, begin rescue breathing and CPR.
DO NOT tilt the head back when attempting to open the airway. Instead, place your fingers on the jaw on each side of the head. Lift the jaw forward.

IF YOU NEED TO ROLL THE PERSON

Do not roll the person over unless the person is vomiting or choking on blood, or you need to check for breathing.

Two people are needed.
One person should be stationed at the head, the other at the person's side.
Keep the person's head, neck, and back in line with each other while you roll him or her onto one side.

DO NOT

DO NOT bend, twist, or lift the person's head or body.
DO NOT attempt to move the person before medical help arrives unless it is absolutely necessary.
DO NOT remove a helmet if a spinal injury is suspected.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call you local emergency number if there has been any injury that affects the neck or spinal cord. Keep the person absolutely immobile. Unless there is urgent danger, keep the person in the position where he or she was found.

Prevention

Wear seat belts.
Avoid drinking alcohol and driving.
Avoid diving into pools, lakes, rivers and surf, particularly if you cannot determine the depth of the water, or if the water is not clear.
Avoid motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles.
Avoid "spearing" (tackling or diving into a person with your head).

Health Care Tips

2008-11-24T06:29:00.001-08:00

n recent times, hi-tech lifestyles and busy schedules have been responsible for the poor health of large numbers of people all over the world. An unhealthy lifestyle, and the absence of a regular exercise routine, are the major causes of undue stress and poor health.

A proper health care regime is required to combat the mounting levels of stress, and to help maintain a balance in both professional and personal life. In a nutshell, taking good care of yourself involves managing stress levels, preventing common ailments, and leading a balanced lifestyle. Overall, looking after yourself includes all aspects of physical and mental well-being.

In order to avoid suffering from common ailments and to enjoy a healthy lifestyle, you just need to keep the following tips in mind:

Follow an exercise regime
You need to take time out from your busy and hectic schedule everyday and exercise. Exercising can go a long way towards keeping you fit and active, and giving you a feeling of vitality throughout the day. Doctors advise a brisk walk for about 40 minutes every day, and this is especially effective when done in the morning. Initially, you can start with just half an hour of walking if you do not have any more time than this to spare. A regular exercise routine also helps you to burn extra calories and will keep you fit.

Maintain your correct weight
Maintaining your correct weight does not necessarily mean that you have to starve yourself, or become emaciated. Instead, it means having a healthy body which is free from disease, and a healthy immune system. You need to take part in physical activities, as well as to reduce the intake of calories, in a proper and systematic manner. You should have a proper body mass index, where you are the correct weight for your height. This goes a long way towards helping you to keep active, and maintaining the health of your skin and hair.

Eat at regular intervals
It is better for your health to eat small amounts at regular intervals, instead of eating huge amounts all in one go. Eating too much at once can result in an accumulation of fat, which is really harmful. Try to eat smaller amounts at regular intervals.

Quit drinking and smoking
Regular smoking and drinking can have a very bad effect on your health. It may not be obvious when you are young, but it will become apparent as you grow older. If you want to have a healthy life during your retirement years, you need to quit drinking and smoking. Excessive drinking can cause irreversible damage to your liver. Regular smoking can damage your lungs to the extent that you find it extremely difficult to breathe.

Make sure you get an adequate amount of sleep
In order to have a healthy lifestyle and proper health, you must make sure that you have an adequate amount of sleep. This is one of the most significant factors for keeping a healthy mind and an active body. Sound sleep is most essential, as it helps your body to rejuvenate and your mind to relax. It is only adequate sleep that can give you that healthy facial glow.

Follow the above suggestions, keep your stress levels low, and good health can be yours. Meditation and yoga can also contribute to your happiness and health.

Anti Aging Skin Care

2008-11-12T06:42:00.000-08:00

As we get older, it is inevitable that we are going to experience the signs of aging: fine lines, wrinkles, age spots, sagging skin, etc. Because it is virtually impossible to turn back the hands of time, it is crucial that we learn to take care of our skin early on. However, the way skin care works in your teens, 20s and 30s is very different from skin care in your 40s, 50s and beyond. For this reason alone, it is important to understand the concept of anti aging skin care.

The concept of anti aging skin care deals with the idea that aging skin presents its own set of challenges. The anti aging industry has made billions of dollars each year by formulating and distributing various new products that work to keep aging skin more youthful, supple, and resilient. If you're in the market for anti aging skin care products, it's important that you do you research about what type of items are available and which would be best for your needs.

Many of today's anti aging skin care products come in the form of serums, creams, and lotions. New versions are debuted all the time--each with its own claim to fame about the benefits it can provide your complexion. The most popular anti aging skin care items are those that eliminate and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles on the face. These are the two most common signs of aging and the most annoying to deal with. Using special ingredients and formulations, these products work to plump out the skin and increase the production of collagen, which results in youthful skin that is softer, suppler, and--most important--free of fine lines and wrinkles.

Those who suffer from the signs of aging often due so because of sun damage from years of excessive sun exposure without the aid of sunscreen or sun block. Not only can being out in the sun unprotected put you at risk for serious conditions like skin cancer, it can also make you prone to premature aging. If you don't practice good sun care early on in your teen and young adult years, you run the risk of getting sun damage, which will result in the presence of early fine lines and wrinkles well before your time.

Quality anti aging skin care products can be found just about anywhere these days: fine department stores, grocery stores, and online. You can also seek the assistance of a dermatologist, who can help you figure out what products would benefit your skin the most and what steps you can follow to take better care of your complexion. Because each person reacts differently, it is important to test the product out on a patch of skin first. Doing this will reduce the chances of developing a negative skin reaction. If the anti aging skin care product you've purchased makes your skin worse, stop using it right away and return the product for a full refund.

Stop smoking

2008-11-05T06:02:00.000-08:00

Many smokers feel unable to quit. In some cases, they feel it to be a stress buster or something that gives them peace of mind, helping them get over troubles. But is that really true? People who smoke are bound to harm their health. In the long run it will take its toll on their body, sometimes proving to be fatal. There are several options to help smokers give up smoking, or to help them cut down on their smoking. The one method which has been proven to be successful, that helps people quit smoking completely is Stop smoking hypnosis. Reaching to the inner mind and giving it directions to stop smoking is what the hypnotherapist does. During the process of stop smoking hypnosis, the patient is helped to relax, and become more sensitive to suggestion. This is when the therapist starts giving positive suggestions to help the client overcome the habit. These suggestions remain in the mind of the client, who then will ideally quit smoking completely with just one session of stop smoking hypnosis. But for some others, it could take longer, depending on how deeply rooted the problem is and their willingness to change it as well. For those who are wary of this treatment, the only solution is to give it a try and see how effective it is. Evidence shows that people have been cured to a point where they cannot stand the smell of tobacco or cigarette once the hypnosis therapy has been completed. That is how powerful this method of healing has been, so to quit smoking, give hypnosis a try. .

Stop Ejaculating Early Tonight

2008-10-25T22:54:00.001-07:00

If you want to stop ejaculating early, you need to learn the right techniques and put them into action. I used to be very "quick with the trigger" and I could never satisfy a woman, considering that it takes the average woman 20 minutes to achieve orgasm during intercourse. I was lucky to last 5 minutes! However, thanks to simple techniques that are very easy to duplicate, I became a "marathon man" and now I never climax involuntarily and I always satisfy my lovers!

To help other men become long-lasting, satisfying lovers like I did, here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about how to stop ejaculating early:

Are there certain sexual positions I can use that will keep me from ejaculating so early?

Usually, if you struggle with premature ejaculation, you can help yourself a little by having her be on top. When she is on top, your penis isn't stimulated as directly, and you can usually last longer. However, a better long-term solution is to re-train your body from the inside out to climax only when you (and she) are ready -- that way you can thrust away in any position!

Are there any creams I can apply to my penis to make it less sensitive?

None that will actually work. Desensitizing creams will only cause you discomfort and embarrassment. Who wants to have to interrupt foreplay to apply a sticky, smelly cream?

Is it really possible for me to stop ejaculating early using natural methods that require just my own body?

Absolutely. The key is to learn natural techniques for stopping premature ejaculation that require just your own body and NO pills or creams. Study up only on NATURAL techniques using unbiased sources, then formulate an action plan that suits your unique needs. The sooner you put it to use, the sooner you will see results. As soon as TONIGHT, you can be having better, longer lasting, more mutually satisfying sex!

Toothache Remedy

2008-10-12T07:32:00.000-07:00

Toothache pain is one of the worst types of nagging annoyances a person can experience. From the throbbing pain, to being unable to eat this is truly something that draws sympathy. Many people simply can't afford to go to the dentist when they're teeth hurt so what is a person to do? There are several home remedies that you may want to give a try before you break down and spend the money with the dentist. However, a word of warning - you will be in danger if your tooth becomes abscessed and you should not put your health at risk. Try a few things first, if you want to, but if they don't relieve the pain or if your tooth becomes abscessed, then get yourself in to the dentist asap. Here are a few of "Grandma's Old Home Toothache Remedies" that you may want to try.

It has been proved that a pepper powder and salt mixture can help prevent dental cavities, gum bleeding, bad breath, gum pain, and tooth aches. If you have sensitive teeth to cold substances, then this mixture can also cure that as well. If the pepper powder and salt do not help the tooth ache, substitute the salt for clove oil instead.

Whiskey and Brandy have been a reliable source for pain relief for many years. It has been said to cure an infant's teeth pain, as well as flush out a cold. While this is not an acceptable use of treatment for children, it does wonders for a tooth ache. Soak a cotton ball in Whiskey or Brandy and then let it sit directly on the infected tooth. Soaking a cotton ball in vanilla extract is another method of relieving the pain of a tooth ache. The extract will numb the area. You can also swish the extract around as a mouth wash, and it will be just as effective.

Those with a tooth ache will usually try to treat the pain at home instead of having to go to the dentist's office. However, the worst thing that you can do is to try and ignore the pain in hopes that it will go away naturally. You can try and treat the problem at home, but your tooth pain might be caused by very serious problems such as a cavity, gum disease, or a cracked tooth. If the home remedies mentioned above fail to work, then it might be time to seek the help of a professional.

Prevent Sweating

2008-09-30T07:40:00.000-07:00

The trick is to finding the right preventative method for you. And the key to that lies in knowing your body. Knowing what your sweating triggers are, knowing what conditions lessens your sweat, and what conditions makes your stop altogether.

Antiperspirants and deodorants don’t always work, and the product you have been using might have lost its effectiveness for you. Not everyone can use the same product for years without the body beginning to build up some type of immunity against it. This is one good reason to rotate your antiperspirants and deodorants. It not only keeps your body on its toes, but it also gives it a much needed change.

There are of course, other ways to prevent sweating which doesn’t make use of commercially available antiperspirants and deodorants. Some people find that the chemical substances and compounds to be found in these products are not to their taste and prefer the use of something closer to nature, such as a crystal rock deodorant.

These deodorants are supposed to work wonders, and although they don’t prevent sweating per se, it does help to eliminate the odor causing bacteria which gives your sweat that stale odor. If you only sweat moderately, and want to only get rid of the odor, then these crystal deodorants are just the thing for you.

There are other methods with which you can prevent sweating however, rather than just controlling the odor, and not all of these methods use the conventional methods of medication and treatment. Some of these methods which help you to prevent sweating lean more towards the holistic side of healing.

And although these methods work just fine and can even be good for you, if you have an underlying health condition, are taking medication, or are pregnant, you might first want to consult with your physician to make sure that you won’t suffer any adverse effects from using these methods to prevent sweating.

Herbal treatments and remedies are not the only way to go about holistic treatments however. You also have the option of using other methods such as acupuncture and homeopathy to help you prevent sweating.

If however, you’re thinking about using any of these treatment methods to prevent sweating, you will want to make sure that you engage the services of a trained professional in that particular field. Otherwise you might wind up having to deal with something other than your sweating problems.

Treating Ear Infections in Children

2008-09-12T09:40:00.000-07:00

Children, including infants, are susceptible to viruses and germs that cause various kinds of infection. When these germs crash into the ears, several kinds of infections can take place. A swimmer's ear infection afflicts the outer portion the ear. When the infection hits the inner zones of the ear, the case gets labeled as middle ear infection. The irritating disorder causes the body to react by releasing yellowish viscous liquid or pus to the infected interior parts of the ear. The sticky liquid contains compounds that fight off bacteria.

The process of staving off ear infections creates pain. The interior of the ear beyond the eardrum looks like a small air pocket. The moment pus fills this portion of the ear, we feel as if something is going to explode. It creates throbbing sensations that make us irritated and uncomfortable.

The experience can get nastier among children. The infections, the process of fending them off, and the resulting pain and irritations, can get complicated and may cause fever. Also, the clogging of the interior parts of the ear with anti-bacteria liquid can create difficulties in hearing for some children.

Infants under the the age of three are the least capable of coping with ear infections. The Eustachian Tubes which connect the throat to the inner portions of the ear are not yet fully developed among this age group. These tubes facilitate air movements within the inner portions of the ear. With underdeveloped tubes, hostile germs trapped inside them multiply more easily, causing greater harm to the body. As the child grows, however, these tubes also increase their capacity to expel unwanted intruders such as infection-causing germs and viruses.

The common cold, which victimizes more children than adults, can also cause ear infections. This happens because cold likewise triggers a process that leads to dysfunctions in the Eustachian Tubes, allowing germs to slip into the middle portions of the ear. Hence although ear infections by themselves are not contagious, they can easily spread through the cold virus.

The family is therefore well advised to seek the help of physicians when anyone of its members shows signs of ear infections or even a recurring case of cold. Doctors examine the afflicted ear with a medical device called otoscope. The special apparatus emits light and makes the eardrum visible. The eardrum is a delicate thin membrane that separates the external portions of the ear from the interior parts. When needed, the Doctor can also use the otoscope to blow air into the ear and test the eardrum if it is working. The pus that fills the middle parts of the ear as a natural body response to the infection presses the eardrum and may cause it to turn red, swollen and disconfigured.

In such cases doctors recommend that a dose of pain relievers be taken for a couple of days. Moreover, they will prescribe anti-biotics for infection cases that are caused by bacteria. Applying anti-biotics can effectively check infections, but it must be done thoroughly and consistent with what the doctor prescribes to prevent the disease from coming back. Children who get inflicted with ear infections too often might be required to undergo other tests like tympanogram and audiogram.

Children need to be extra careful to prevent ear infection. Regular washing of hands is important. This prevents the spread of cold viruses. In the same manner, children need to keep distance from people who suffer from cold. If contact with persons who are infected with cold cannot be avoided, they must thoroughly and frequently cleanse their hands, and avoid touching their noses or eyes. Also, tobacco smoke adversely affects the normal functioning of Eustachian Tubes and can create dire consequences for children. Smokers will therefore do the children a favor if they keep themselves away from children.

Drugs and Medicines to Treat High Blood Pressure

2008-08-28T03:31:00.000-07:00

What is Blood Pressure? All the tissues and organs of the body need nourishment in the form of oxygen, glucose, and minerals for their normal functioning. This nourishment is carried by the blood to various sites through the blood vessels by the pumping action of the heart. With each contraction of the heart, blood is pushed into the arteries. In healthy persons this pressure is normal, but in some it may be more than normal. This above normal pressure in the arteries is called high blood pressure or hypertension. In some cases it may be less than normal and is then termed low blood pressure or hypotension. Blood pressure has two components - Systolic (upper) and Diastolic (lower). It is written as 120/80 mm Hg which means 120 mm Hg systolic and 80 mm Hg diastolic. The abbreviation 'mm Hg' stands for millimeter of mercury. Correct Way to Measure BP: Routine office BP measurement is done in a sitting position. One has to sit quietly with back supported for 5 minutes and arm placed at the level of heart. Coffee tea or smoking are not allowed in the preceding hour. For establishing hypertension at least three readings, one week apart must be taken. At each sitting two readings should be taken to confirm diagnosis. Readings are taken in both arms and if there is a significant difference then the arm with higher reading is selected for subsequent measurements. In diabetics, BP is taken in supine or lying down position and repeated, 2 minutes later, in upright position. This is done to detect any fall in BP in upright position. This is very important in diabetics and elderly lest they may fall under the effect of medicines used to control hypertension. In a number of cases BP is higher in the physician's clinic than at home. This is due to a stress in the presence of doctor and is called as 'white-coat hypertension'. This phenomenon is more common in females. Self-check provide useful information on blood pressure response to treatment, may improve adherence to therapy and is useful in evaluating the extent of 'white-coat' hypertension. Home measurements can be done by 'dial type' variant of BP instrument, electronic self-inflating sets or by miniature versions which are placed on wrists. These instruments are reasonably accurate. However, they must be calibrated from time to time. This can be determined by measuring the blood pressure with an instrument called sphygmomanometer (BP measuring instrument). Normally, blood pressure varies from individual to individual, depending upon factors such as heredity, age, sex, nutrition, and body weight. A diastolic blood pressure of 90 mmHg or above is classified as hypertension and requires medical consultation. The treatment of BP is generally determined by the rise of systolic and diastolic BP. However, one should not get apprehensive if the BP goes above the normal limit once in a while. Types and Causes of Hypertension: Hypertension has been divided into two categories: essential or primary hypertension, and secondary hypertension. The exact cause of primary or essential hypertension is not known but there is generally a narrowing of the blood vessels. In secondary hypertension, there is involvement of other organs or systems such as the kidney, adrenal glands, and disorders like toxaemia of pregnancy. In secondary hypertension, the cause can be treated and blood pressure brought to normal. Primary hypertension lasts a lifetime and needs continuous treatment. Almost 90% cases of hypertension are of primary variety. Syndrome-X is given to a constellation of obesity, high BP, insulin resistance and raised blood lipids. It is commonly seen in our country.When Does Blood Pressure Become High? BP depends upon three important factors: force of contraction, the rate of beating of the heart, and the resistance to blood flow caused by the inner diameter of the blood vessels. Besides these, the volume of blood may also affect the BP. It is a common experience that emotional trauma or excitement, physical exercise or exertion increase the heart rate, which is experienced in the form of palpitation (bouncing or beating of the heart against the chest wall), resulting in a rise in BP. This is generally short-lived and does not require any treatment. The dangerous form of high BP is one which persists on repeated examinations. What Happens When the Blood Pressure Is High? The symptoms of high blood pressure may be related to elevated pressure itself, a disease of the blood vessel, or some other underlying diseases responsible for elevation of blood pressure. The most common symptom of elevated blood pressure is headache, specially in the back portion of the head. This is usually more severe when the person wakes up in the morning. Other symptoms are dizziness, giddiness, palpitation, and easy fatigability. In more severe cases the symptoms are bleeding through the nose or blood in the urine, blurring of vision due to changes in the arteries of the retina (screen for vision in the eye), incidence of dizziness or fainting due to transient decrease in blood flow to the brain, pain in the chest, and breathlessness. When blood supply of brain is drastically reduced, paralysis or 'stroke' may occur.It is a well-established fact that hypertension may be both the cause and effect of heart or kidney disorders, and may decrease the life expectancy of a person. Statistics show that hypertension, if untreated, shortens the life span of a person. There is 2-4 fold increase in ischaemic heart disease. High blood pressure is also the second most common cause of kidney failure. It is, therefore, important to detect the cause early and start the treatment. The treatment consists of general measures and drugs therapy. Any BP above 140/90 mm Hg should be treated. New evidence shows that BP should be kept below 130/80 mm Hg in pregnancy. diabetes and kidney disease.

Burn Stomach Fat and Stay Healthy

2008-08-21T21:51:00.000-07:00

A 'pot belly'... 'love handles'.... the 'spare tire' are all terms used to describe the belly fat or stomach fat that many of us put on. It is the area of the body that many people want to do something about. The fat accumulation is more in the stomach and related areas.

We lead busy life in today's world and the food we eat is not always hygienic and healthy. The excessive intake of food irrespective of the life that we lead is the main cause of fat accumulation on the stomach area. This area is more prone to the accumulation of fat along with some other areas like the hips, the underside of the arms etc. There are many people who want to burn stomach fat fast.

The most important step to burn stomach fat is to eat low fat food. The diet is an important prerequisite in burning stomach fat. This diet should be a balanced diet and should contain more fiber rich foods. There should be ample fruits and vegetables in our diets.

The two methods to burn stomach fat are to eat right and to exercise everyday. The fastest way to burn stomach fat is a combination of the right diet and weight training and aerobic exercises. If you are having the right diet and exercise regularly you can burn stomach fat easily.

The right combination of weight training and aerobic exercises helps to burn fat and gain muscle. The combined exercise program for belly fat burning involves the combination of weight training and aerobic exercise on alternate days of the week.

Weight training exercises can be done on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and the aerobic exercises on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday with an off day on Sunday.

These exercises help to burn fat and gain muscle and the more the muscle the greater is the rate of metabolism to burning excess fat. So the building of muscles has many benefits.

The diet should consist of light food and avoid fried foods as much as possible. The exercise should start with the light body warm up. The light aerobic exercises are ideal for this. As stomach fat is accumulated in the middle section of the body, the right exercises are those that exercise this part of the body.

This is the routine you have to follow to burn stomach fat and have a lean stomach which can be your pride.

What You Need to Know About High Cholesterol

2008-08-19T11:11:00.001-07:00

The aim of this article is to open your eyes to the hazards of increment in cholesterol level in our body, the causes that instigate it and few well -known medicines that are efficient in curtailing the adverse effects of this rising cholesterol.

Cholesterol is defined as the substance, which is found in blood, fats and tissues of our body and the excess of which can cause a heart attack. So, a surge in the cholesterol level of the body chimes the alarm of risk to the most precious organ- heart. But cholesterol does not function only negatively. It has a positive task of building the cell walls of one's body cells and producing the essential hormone called estrogen or testosterone. Normal quantity of cholesterol that is less than 200 milligrams is not harmful to human body.
However, the cholesterol level in the body increases due to many reasons. Some of the significant ones are-

Cholesterol is problematic for those whose bodies cannot secrete large amount of fatty substances.

Intake of cholesterol abounding food or what is known as a poor diet.

Lack of exercise with regular heavy eating.

Obesity due to food habits or hormonal imbalance
.
Hereditary or genetic transfer prevalent in instances where family has a history of heart ailments.

On behalf of these origins doctors advise people to keep a check on their diet, other addictives like narcotics, alcohol etc. and to engage in work- outs like exercises and the like.

Symptoms- High cholesterol can be identified with the appearance of soft yellow skin close to your eyes and the lack of energy or weariness due to clogging of the arteries.

Medication- Few medicines that are deemed to be considerably efficient in case of cholesterol management are-

Advicor is prescribed when the LDL i.e. the low-density lipoprotein and HDL- high-density lipoprotein are inadequate in body. Advicor are Lovastatin and Niacin. These help in plummeting the cholesterol level. This medicine should never be eaten empty stomach. A combo of exercise, rich diet (where nutrition supersedes fats and cholesterol) and Advicor can produce wonderful effects. However, the medicine should be avoided in case the person is allergic to Niacin and Lovastatin, is suffering from liver or any such disease and in case of pregnancy, breast feeding etc. It is best to take Advicor on advice your physician. Like other medicines, Advicor too has its own side effects.

Zocor is another name in the list of cholesterol regulating medicines. It is most often prescribed when the LDL reaches 130 and there is a huge threat of a heart attack. Zocor reduces the possibility or peril of bypass surgery, angioplasty etc. to a great extent.

Lescol is mostly recommended in cases where the individual is liable or has already undergone a cardiac arrest or blocking of arteries and other such problems. The drug is meant for those patients who are impotent in reducing their cholesterol with low fats and poor cholesterol food. Lescol too should not be taken in situation of pregnancy and breast feed for it can have drastic repercussions on the fetus.

Lipitor is also a suggested medicine when the LDL scales to 130 or more. It too functions as a drug helpful in lowering the blood cholesterol and so the threat of a heart disorder.

Along with these and many other noteworthy prescriptive drugs what should be borne in mind is the regularity that is required in taking them and the exercises and diet prescribed to accentuate their effect. Recklessness in any of these measures can be fatal to your life

New Lasik Surgery Techniques

2008-08-15T08:59:00.000-07:00

New lasik surgery is so much better than in the past and promises a greater range of correction options, better vision after the surgery and less complications and risks. In the long run this means that more people can get rid of their contact lenses and glasses and will be able to experience the benefits of laser vision correction.

The current lasik procedures can correct problems of nearsightedness, far sightedness and astigmatisms, but have not been able to address problems with the thickness and shape of the cornea or severe vision problems and problems with night vision due to risky complications. The side effects of the current lasik procedures include painful dry eyes, halo's and painful bursts of light and blurry vision.

New lasik procedures will allow an eye surgeon to scan the eye to determine the thickness and shape of the cornea more accurately prior to ever actually firing a laser. This will give laser eye surgeons a much better initial evaluation of the problem that needs to be corrected, will help them determine better treatment options and will help to avoid unnecessary complications related to lasik surgey.

Clinical trials of the new lasik surgery procedures have shown patients returning to near perfect levels of vision within one month of having the eye surgery. They were able to see more clearly and in more detail much sooner after their lasik surgery was completed. In the past lasik patients would have to wait up to 6 months for their vision to be completely restored to normal. This is a huge leap in recovery time and is a great benefit to those people contemplating lasik surgery.

With new lasik procedures the eye surgeon begins by taking a 'picture' of the patients cornea with lasik imaging software. This is then run through recognition software to make a map of the persons eye, showing the thickness and shape of the eye in great detail. These 'eye maps' allow lasik surgeons to make much more precise adjustments and also to plan in advance for possible complications from lasik surgery.

With the new lasik surgery techniques the eye surgeon can keep the natural shape of the cornea, remove less tissue and can even correct night vision problems. New lasik techniques also leave the patient more comfortable since the laser bursts are much shorter, typically just 20 seconds, compared with the 60 second bursts that are needed now. Less damaging, less painful and faster recovery are all benefits of new lasik surgery techniques.

Fight Allergies with Vitamins

2008-08-09T07:53:00.000-07:00

Allergies are abnormal reactions to normally harmless substances. The allergens can be inhaled, swallowed or come into contact with the skin.

Allergens that most frequently cause problems are: pollen, mold, dust, foods, animal dander, insect bites, insect spores, viruses and bacteria.

Normally the human body learns to defend itself though experience. That is by attacking a foreign substance that has invaded and harming the body by producing antibodies. The best know of these antibodies are called histamines. Some times the immune system mistakenly recognizes a foreign to be harmful when it is not. This can lead to the overproduction of histamines specially designed to destroy the specific foreign substance.

If the overproduction of the histamines is large enough the surrounding tissue is also damaged resulting in sneezing, a stuffy head, sniffing, stuffed-up head, red and watery eyes or a skin rash.

A person with Allergies is burdened with an overprotective immune system and is forever on guard against everyday things that don't bother the rest of us. It might be a cute affectionate kitten, a patch of green grass, to a slice of fresh garden tomato.

Some of us can roll in poison ivy and come out without any problems, while others can merely brush up against a few leaves of the stuff and there are scratching for weeks. In most cases, allergies are more annoying that debilitating but to the extreme allergy suffers life can be pure misery or even death.

There are five main types of Allergic Reactions:

Type 1.Foods, mold, animal dander, pollen, or dust can cause an immediate allergy attack. Whey your body responds to the invasion, your body releases histamine from the irritated area such as the skin, nasal and bronchial areas.

Type 2.Allergens combine with healthy cells in the your body and attack the health cells. This is common in upper gastro intestinal tack.

Type 3.Allergens invade the immune system and can cause injury to cells throughout the body.

Type 4.T-cells become activated and result in an inflammation of the effected area. An example of this is a rash caused by poison ivy.

Type 5.Instead of the antibodies binding to the cell components as they do in type 2 allergies the antibodies bind to the receptors on the surface of the cells.

We all carry a heavy load of various stress factors that slowly wear out our immune systems, over the years, making us more susceptible to allergy attacks. We are exposed to many more environmental pollutants and industrial toxins that ever before in history.

No mater what type of allergy you are suffering from their is a good chance that you can find relief from it. You can fight allergies with vitamins and over the counter products.

Common Vitamins and over the counter products can help with Allergies such as Vitamin A, Vitamin B, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Pantothenic Acid, Glucosamine, Antioxidants, Allergy Aid, and Quercitin.

Vitamin A is a known antioxidant and can assist the human body in the healing process. Vitamin A is stored in the liver and fat cells of the human body and can reach toxic levels. DO NOT take more than the recommended dosage of Vitamin A.

Up to one-third of older people can no longer absorb Vitamin B from their food. Vitamin B is needed to form red blood cells and keep nerves healthy.

Vitamin C is nature's protective nutrient, essential for defending the body against pollution and infection and enhances the bodies immune system.

Beta Carotene protects the mucus membranes of the mouth, nose, throat and lungs. It also helps protect Vitamin C from oxidation, which enables it to perform at optimum efficiency.

Vitamin E protects the lung tissue from inhaled pollutants and aids in the functioning of the immune system.

Many find Pantothenic Acid to be very helpful against allergy symptoms. It is another form of nontoxic B vitamins. Pantothenic Acid is critical in the metabolism and synthesis of carbohydrates, proteins and fats.

Glucosamine is an anti-inflammatory and may give some relief from allergy symptoms.

Substances called antioxidants can neutralize free radical by pairing up or binding with the free radical elections thus inhibiting them from damaging cells in the human body.

Allergy Aid supplies 9 beneficial Herb's to help provide temporary relief of respiratory allergies. The natural action of these specific Herb's help to open bronchial tubes and ease breathing.

Quercitin is a well known flavonoid. Flavonoids are powerful antioxidants and can reduce inflammation boost the immune system and strengthen blood vessels and improve circulation. Quercitin is also known for its ability to block the release of histamines, thus reducing or preventing allergy symptoms.

Always consult your doctor before using this information.

This Article is nutritional in nature and is not to be construed as medical advice.

How Can I Lower My Blood Pressure

2008-08-07T07:01:00.000-07:00

What is Blood Pressure?

When do we say that a person(s) is suffering with Blood Pressure?

Blood Pressure also called as Hypertension has become a very common among us these days. Blood Pressure in short called as B.P. is one's systolic pressure and diastolic pressure measurements. If we consult a doctor he wraps a band around our biceps and records the measurement for example:- 120/80. Here 120 is the systolic pressure and 80 is the diastolic pressure. One may be enigmatic over what are these systolic and diastolic pressures are? Let me explain you....

Systolic pressure is the force exerted by the heart on the blood vessels when it pumps blood whereas Diastolic pressure is the lowest pressure exerted by the blood on the walls of blood vessels when heart is relaxed. Both these measurements are important to make a note.

A person suffering from high values of these pressures is said to be having high B.P.

Well, with this understanding lets go deep and know the affects of B.P. But before that lets know the causes

Causes for B.P.?

Over Anxiety, Enormous Exercises, Nervousness are some of the causes to have high reading of the measurements(systolic and diastolic pressures).Before knowing the affect of each of the above causes lets know what happens if we neglect this?Neglecting this may hampers one's health. We may face premature strokes and also heart attacks. It is advised to consult a Physician when the you feel uncomfortable.

Now lets know each factor causing BP in detail

Every one has blood pressure and this varies from individual to individual. Some may have High value which causes health problems. Researchers say that there are some factors which we cannot be controlled on the other hand we also have some factors that we can control in order to keep it in limits. Are you thinking "how can i lower my blood pressure?" So, lets know what are those factors that we can control.

Exercise makes oneself Healthy. Regular exercise contribute for well being and healthy body. A scheduled work out like walking, jogging, swimming, cycling will keep your body fit.

Another important factor is food, What we eat? And How much we eat? is very much a important concern in keeping ourselves healthy. Eating a Fibre rich, Fat low, high protein and Low Cholesterol food such as vegetables like tomatoes, potatoes, mangoes, leafy vegetables, pulses etc., will make us healthy. Try to avoid junk food which disturbs your appetite.

Alcohol & Smoking are another important factors on which we can have a regulation. Over consumption of alcohol will affect the human health. We don't say you to stop consuming it completely but limit yourself to a peg or two. We know that Smoking is Injurious to Health. Smoking causes peripheral vascular disease as well as hardening of the arteries. So stop smoking and let your life go rocking.

Add Salt to taste in your food because Excessive usage of Salt in your diet increases B.P. It seems to be puzzling, but its a fact. Sodium is the major content in salt. The human adult needs 1teaspoon of table salt per day on an average this amount to an equivalent of approximately 2 to 3 grams of salt. A low-sodium diet may decrease the likelihood of heart or kidney disease and stroke and also B.P.

Saving Money on Blood Pressure Medication

2008-08-02T08:10:00.000-07:00

For years, people who have been troubled by both high blood pressure and diabetic kidney problems have believed that the more expensive blood pressure medications gave them an added benefit in the form of protection for their kidneys. So, they tended to spend extra dollars on expensive blood pressure medications even though cheaper generic equivalents were available. The less expensive generics, they were being told by their doctors, did less to help keep their kidneys healthy.

But a recent study on medications and their relationship to kidney health has cast doubt on conventional wisdom.

The study, conducted in the United Kingdom, suggests that the more expensive medications offer no more benefit to the kidneys than the less expensive generics. The real key, the study seems to say, is finding a medication that brings blood pressure down.

Dr. Raymond MacAllister at the Centre for Clinical Pharmacology at University College in London was quoted by HealthDay Reporter as saying, "In patients with high blood pressure who are at risk of progressive kidney disease -- particularly diabetics -- it doesn't matter which drug you use, provided you get good control of the blood pressure."

The current guidelines for treating blood pressure in patients with kidney disease, especially diabetics, calls for the use of two types of drugs -- angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin-II receptor blockers (ARB). These are considered to be first-line medications to help lower blood pressure in those who have diabetic kidney disease. For several years, medical professionals have assumed that these drugs have specific protective effects for the kidneys, beyond their ability to lower blood pressure.

But the study done my MacAllister's group and published in the December 10, 2005 issue of The Lancet questions such assumptions.

The British team looked at evidence supporting the use of ACE inhibitors and ARBs as first-line treatment for patients with kidney disease. They reviewed and examined results from 127 trials that investigated blood pressure-lowering drugs on the progression of kidney disease.

They found that ACE inhibitors and ARBs fared no better than other blood pressure-lowering drugs in preventing diabetic kidney disease. It was also unclear if these two drug classes were more effective in patients with non diabetic kidney disease.

McAllister also noted that the study would not come as welcome news to some pharmaceutical companies.

But it will certainly please consumers who are already strapped and struggling with the high cost of blood pressure and kidney disease medications.

Brushing Prevents Heart Attacks

2008-07-29T08:05:00.000-07:00

What's the simplest way to prevent a heart attack? Just keep your mouth clean by means of brushing and flossing. Experts say this simple act could save your life.

Doctors have long suspected that there may be a link between oral health and heart disease. That link became clearer after a recent study showed that those with blocked arteries had a severe case of gum disease.

At the annual meeting of the European Society of Cardiology in Vienna, Austria, French researcher Dr. Nicolas Amabile said that patients with artery disease often had bad teeth caused by periodontitis or periodontal disease.

In this condition, the gums become swollen due to the accumulation of plaque around the teeth. As the gums become irritated, they recede and there is pain when eating hot, cold or sweet foods. Untreated, teeth loosen and fall out. This can be prevented with good oral hygiene in the form of brushing, flossing and regular visits to the dentist.

"Your mouth is normally teeming with bacteria. Usually you can keep these bacteria under control with good oral health care, such as daily brushing and flossing. Saliva is also a key defense against bacteria and viruses. It contains enzymes that destroy bacteria in different ways. But harmful bacteria can sometimes grow out of control and lead to periodontitis, a serious gum infection," warned Mayo Clinic doctors.

Amabile found that the more severe periodontitis is, the greater the risk of heart disease. He arrived at this conclusion after he and his team of French dentists and cardiologists studied 131 patients who were referred to their hospital in Marseille, France.

"The most severe teeth disease was associated with the most widespread arterial lesions. Since periodontitis is easily accessible to treatment with antibiotics and dental care, one might think its treatment could also be beneficial for coronary artery disease. This has to be confirmed with larger studies but may represent a new original approach to handle heart disease in the future." he told Jenny Hope of the Daily Mail.

Researchers have yet to discover how gum disease triggers heart disease but they suspect that bacteria from infected gums are the answer. They believe that bacteria from gum disease can enter the bloodstream and travel through the arteries to the heart, posing a risk to cardiovascular health.

"When your gums are healthy, bacteria in your mouth usually don't enter your bloodstream. However, gum disease may provide bacteria a port of entry into your bloodstream. Sometimes invasive dental treatments can also allow bacteria to enter your bloodstream. And medications or treatments that reduce saliva flow or disrupt the normal balance of bacteria in your mouth may also lead to oral changes, making it easier for bacteria to enter your bloodstream. Some researchers believe that these bacteria and inflammation from your mouth are linked to other health problems in the rest of your body," said Mayo Clinic doctors.

To preserve your good health, don't forget to brush daily, especially after meals. Make it a daily habit to save your heart.

How to Use Folk Medicine to Treat Bruises

2008-07-23T07:39:00.000-07:00

Folk medicine has long been used to treat simple conditions like bruises and scrapes, to complex conditions like arthritis. Folk medicine is a traditional, often regionally-based form of medical care that predates modern medicine by millennia. You may successfully treat bruises at home using time-honored folk medicine techniques, many of which can be accomplished with a simple trip to the grocery store or with the help of items already available in your pantry. Follow these steps to learn how.

Realize that if a bruise is extremely, painfully sensitive to the touch, a bone may be broken underneath. This may also indicate that a tendon has been damaged.

Seek the assistance of a doctor when you think there's internal physical damage beneath a bruise. The limits of folk medicine must be respected.

Visit a doctor if a bruise persists for more than 3 weeks.

Treat the Bruise

Elevate the affected limb to ease circulation. If a limb is not affected, immobilize the wounded body part by lying down. Continue for up to 24 hours.

Apply ice to bruises to fight swelling and encourage faster healing.

Use a frozen bag of peas or other small vegetables in lieu of an ice pack for greater surface coverage. The peas or vegetables will maintain their frozen shape longer than ice. They thaw at a slower rate. They also mold nicely to the body. Use again after re-freezing.

Drink herbal tea while recuperating. This folk-medicine practice may help treat a bruise by helping control your blood flow.

Learn more about folk medicine remedies for bruising at MedicineNet.com.

Affordable Health Care

2008-06-21T22:38:00.000-07:00

Locating affordable health care for Americans is not as easy as it used to be. Whilst increased premiums are part of the reason, many employers are reducing the level of cover due to budgetary cutbacks. It is because I am one of the many affected by this that I know because prior to this year my companys health care package was really good. My employers excuse was it was getting to expensive with the current company and was going to switch to a less expensive one.Unfortunately, the old system did not benefit everyone in the company but the new one would, it was claimed. I am told that the new insurance package is still very good and I am lucky to have it. I don not mind other workers benefiting but it costs me more now, almost twice as much more to have my family covered in the plan. This means, that for my company to provide a health plan to all of the employees, it is no longer affordable for us. To be honest, I got on well with the old provider but cannot see that happening here even if the health care plan is half decent. The new affordable health care plan initiated by my company meant that certain workers found themselves a lot worse off financially with additional co-pays and expenses. It makes more sense when you realize just how good the old policy was because I did not pay cent when I stayed in hospital 2 years ago giving birth to my daughter. Compare this to the new health care plan and I would be out of pocket by over 4,000 dollars.This figure does not take into account additional amounts I must pay out of my salary. Luckily there are more and more affordable health care programs being created to help those that do not have any coverage. Those less fortunate can now get free health care more readily and workers without health care are able to join special schemes. In principle, these plans are a good thing but there are always those that misuse it making the situation difficult for genuine cases.Those programs should be for struggling families who are taking steps to better their futures, not for people who have no motivation and live off of the state systems and affordable health care programs. We often forget who is ultimately paying for these schemes; My employer definitely found advantages in finding a lower cost health plan provider for their employees! Many of the workers found themselves subsidizing the companys desire to save money yet still provide a scheme by ensuring that they paid in their paychecks. In the long term we really need to do something in America to help those in need find affordable health care.

Allergy Testing

2008-05-19T04:14:00.000-07:00

Allergy Testing:-
Allergy tests are any of several tests used to determine the substances to which a person is allergic.
There are many methods of allergy testing. Among the more common are:
Skin tests
Elimination-type tests
Radioallergosorbent test (RAST)
Skin tests are the most common. Specific methods vary. The scratch test, one of the most common methods, involves placing a small amount of suspected allergy-causing substances on the skin, usually the forearm, upper arm, or the back. Then, the skin is scratched or pricked so the allergen goes under the skin's surface. The health care provider closely watches the skin for signs of a reaction, usually swelling and redness of the site. Results are usually obtained within about 20 minutes, and a number of allergens can be tested at the same time.
A similar method involves injecting a small amount of allergen under the surface of the skin and watching for a reaction at the site.
Skin tests are most useful for diagnosing:
Insect bite allergies
Penicillin allergy
Respiratory allergies
Penicillin and closely related medications are the only drugs that can be tested using skin tests. Skin tests for other drugs are at best non-informative and can be dangerous.
An elimination diet can be used to check for food allergies. An elimination diet is one in which the suspected foods are avoided for several weeks and then gradually re-introduced one at a time while the person is observed for signs of an allergic reaction.
Another version of this diet is the double-blind test. This method involves giving suspected foods and harmless substances in a disguised form. The person being tested and the provider are both unaware of whether the substance tested in that session is the harmless substance or the suspected food. A third party knows the identity of the substances and identifies them with some sort of code. This test requires several sessions if more than one substance is under investigation.
While the double-blind strategy is useful and practical for mild allergic reactions, it must be done carefully in individuals with suspected severe reactions to foods. Blood tests may be a safer first approach. Skin testing is almost never performed to detect food allergies because of the higher risk of causing a severe allergic reaction.
RAST measures the amount of specific IgE antibodies in the blood. These antibodies are present if there is a true allergic reaction.Other blood tests include:

Blood differential
Serum immunoglobulin electrophoresis
Provocation (challenge) testing involves exposing a person to a suspected allergen under controlled circumstances. This may be done in the diet or by breathing in the suspected allergen. This type of test may provoke severe allergic reactions. Challenge testing should only be done by a doctor.
Before any allergy testing, the health care provider will ask for a very detailed medical history. This may include questions about such things as illnesses, emotional and social conditions, work, entertainment, lifestyle, foods, and eating habits.
If skin testing will be performed, you should NOT take antihistamines before the test. This may lead to a false-negative result, falsely reassuring you that a substance is unlikely to cause a severe allergic reaction. Your doctor will tell you which medicines to avoid and when to stop taking them before the test.
Skin tests may cause very mild discomfort when the skin is scratched or pricked. Itching may accompany a positive reaction to the allergen.
Allergy tests are used to determine the specific substances that cause an allergic reaction in an individual.
They may also be used to determine if a group of symptoms is a true allergic reaction, which involves antibodies and histamine release. Some food intolerances, in which there is an inability to digest a food because of lack of appropriate enzymes, produce symptoms similar to allergies. Some drugs, such as aspirin, can cause allergy-like symptoms without the formation of antibodies or the release of histamine.Additional conditions under which the test may be performed:
Allergic rhinitis
Angioedema
Contact dermatitis
Nasal obstruction
In a nonallergic person, allergy tests should be negative (no response to the allergen).
Most often, a positive test means you are allergic to the substance in question. The skin tests are most reliable when testing for airborne substances (such as animal dander or pollen). However, if the dose of allergen is excessive, a positive reaction will occur even in persons who are not allergic.Risks related to skin and food allergy tests may include:
Allergic reaction
Life-threatening anaphylactic reaction
The accuracy of allergy testing varies quite a bit. Even the same test performed at different times on a person may give different results. A person may react to a substance during testing, but never react during normal exposure. A person may also have a negative allergy test and yet still be allergic to the substance.

Breast Cancer Screening

2008-05-12T01:19:00.000-07:00

Women need to empower themselves about the benefits and risks of mammography and examine the additional screening tools available today. One current philosophy suggests breast health screening should begin at age 25. Where does this recommendation come from and why is this valid?
For MOST women, the recommendation for annual breast cancer screening begins at the age of 40. Unfortunately, the American Cancer Society stated that the number one cause of death in women between the ages of 40-44 is breast cancer. So what does this mean for women? It means that we screen at age 40 and potentially find tumors that have been growing for an estimated 8-10 years. Mammography, like most conventional tests, evaluates structure.
There exists a technology that can detect an issue YEARS before a tumor can be seen on X-ray or palpated during an exam. This technology has been approved by the FDA as an adjunctive screening tool since 1982 and offers NO RADIATION, NO COMPRESSION AND NO PAIN. For women who are refusing to have a mammogram or those who want clinical correlation for an existing problem, digital infrared thermal imaging may be of interest.
There are very strict protocols both for testing and interpreting. Perhaps due to these guidelines, thermography (as with all digital technology) has exploded in its technique and capabilities. Thermal cameras detect heat emitted from the body and display it as a picture on a computer monitor. These images are unique to the person and remain stable over time. It is because of these characteristics that thermal imaging is a valuable and effective screening tool. Tumors or other breast diseases measures warmer than surrounding tissue and can thereby alert a physician to a problem before a tumor is actually palpable.
Medical doctors who interpret the breast scans are board certified and endure an additional two years of training to qualify as a thermologist. Thermography is not limited by breast density and is ideal for women who have had cosmetic or reconstructive surgery. It is recommended that since cancer typically has a 15 year life span from onset to death, women begin thermographic screenings at age 25. As previously mentioned, the number one killer of women ages 40-44 is breast cancer. Therefore, a woman diagnosed with breast cancer at age 40 possibly had the cancer as early as age 30. Since most women do not have a mammogram until age 40, there is a critical time period from age 25 to 39 that thermography could be especially beneficial. Thermography, because it analyzes function, may identify a problem years earlier. DITI may allow women time and opportunity to support their immune system, change their lifestyle and give their body the best chance to alter their fate.
By combining both technologies, the detection rate increases to 95-98%, surpassing either technology as a stand-alone therapy. Thermography, like mammography, is a personal choice for women. This decision ideally should be made in collaboration between you and your physician. However, thermography does not require a physician's order.
Thermographic screening is not covered by most insurance companies but is surprisingly affordable for most people. For more information or to find a certified clinic in your area, go to www.proactivehealthonline.com.
Brenda Witt is co-owner of Proactive Health Solutions in Southern California. She is an American College of Clinical Thermology (ACCT) certified thermographer in the Orange County area.

A simple approach to good skin care

2008-03-20T22:33:00.000-07:00

Facial skin care is a very confusing world with thousands of products available in stores and on-line as well as innumerable beauty ads which have no boundaries to their stated claims given that they are not FDA-sanctioned pharmaceuticals. How does the average person who wants to just improve their skin and facial appearance weave their way through this maze?

First and foremost, like all things in medicine, a diagnosis has to be made. You can't very well select the right treatment if you don't have a working diagnosis as to the skin problems. This can be done in two ways; being evaluated by a very experienced aesthetician who has a lot of medical experience (i.e., working in a doctor's office preferably a plastic surgeon or dermatologist) and/or getting a Visia skin complexion analysis. Like a CAT scan for your skin, this computerized digital skin analysis system evaluates everything from wrinkles, pore size, to the amount of sun damage...and documents it photographically. This provides not only a set of diagnoses for the skin but also becomes a reference from which to judge the results of any future treatments.

From a product and treatment standpoint, there are only 5 things you can do to your skin...that's it! All skin care products and even more invasive skin treatments attempt to address one or all of them. as there is nothing topically more that can be done. These five functions include: cleanse, hydrate, protect, exfoliate, and stimulate. All of these different effects combined create smoother and tighter skin. If all five functions are achieved in a skin care program, then the best results can be obtained. If only one or two of these product functions are done, then the skin results will be less. Simplistically, a cleanser is needed morning and night, a daytime moisturizer/sunscreen protestant, and noctural regimens of exfoliation (e.g., AHA, lactic acids, Retina-A) alternating with stimulants (e.g., Vitamin C and peptides) comprise a basic program. The most variable part of this regimen is what you do at night with exfoliation and collagen stimulation. Getting professional aesthetician help is critical. Many product lines today already have it laid out for you in kits or steps. As you can see, there is no good reason for more than 5 to 7 skin care products, if they are properly selected and monitored. And the good news is....A good medical line usually turns out to be more cost-effective than randomly choosing products from an over-the-counter salesperson.

The fundamental concept in medical skin care to day is....simplifying, a focused approach, and monitor the results and how you react to them. If you then add in regular exfoliations with microdermabrasions and chemical peels....with an inject able filler or a little Botox if needed...you are on your way to better-looking skin with a good return on your investment.

Vitamin safety

2008-03-04T08:58:00.000-08:00

Does the government monitor the safety of vitamins?

No. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) monitors drugs but not vitamins. However, standard vitamin and mineral tablets are considered relatively risk-free if you avoid high doses. Keep in mind that most experts feel that it is best to get your vitamins from eating a variety of foods, rather than taking pills. Very high doses of some vitamins, such as vitamin A or E, can make you ill or may increase the risk of developing other health problems. Consult your physician before taking any "mega" doses of any particular vitamin.

Nevus araneus

2008-02-29T08:52:00.000-08:00

Spider angioma is an abnormal collection of blood vessels near the surface of the skin.

A spider angioma lesion typically has a red dot in the center with reddish extensions radiating out for some distance around it (a few millimeters to a centimeter or more). Spider angiomas can occur anywhere but are most common on the face and trunk.

Spider angiomas are very common and are especially prevalent during pregnancy and in patients with liver disease.

Vascular (blood vessel) lesion

May have a red dot in the center
Has reddish extensions that radiate from the center
Disappears with pressure and reappears when the pressure is released.

Common in both children and adults
Most frequently seen on the face and trunk

No testing is usually necessary, but a skin biopsy may be needed to confirm the diagnosis in some cases.

Treatment is generally not necessary. In some cases, electrocauterization or laser treatment may be used.

Spider angiomas often disappear in children but tend to persist in adults.

A spider angioma can usually be examined at a routine visit. It is especially important for adults to mention the development of a new spider angioma, to rule out associated medical conditions.

Treatment of delayed ejaculation

2008-02-23T08:24:00.000-08:00

If the man has never ejaculated through any form of stimulation (such as wet dreams, masturbation, or intercourse), a urologist should be consulted to determine if there is a congenital or physical cause.

If, however, he is able to ejaculate in a reasonable period of time by some form of stimulation, he should seek sex therapy from a therapist specializing in ejaculatory problems. Treatment usually includes both partners. The therapist will usually educate the couple about the fundamentals of sexual response and how to communicate and guide the partner to provide ideal stimulation, rather than trying to make a sexual response occur.

Therapy commonly involves a series of homework assignments wherein the couple, in the privacy of their home, engage in sexual activities that reduce performance pressure and focus on pleasure.

Typically, sexual intercourse will be prohibited for a limited period of time, while the couple gradually enhances their ability to enjoy ejaculation through other types of stimulation.

In cases where there is a problematic relationship or an inhibition of sexual desire between the couple, therapy to enhance the relationship and emotional intimacy may be required as a preliminary step.

Sometimes hypnosis may be a useful adjunct to therapy, particularly if a partner is not willing to participate in therapy. Self-treatment of this problem will probably be unsuccessful in most cases.

If a medication is believed to be the cause of the problem, other medication options may be discussed. (Never stop taking any medicine without first talking to your doctor.) This may be difficult in certain instances, especially when the medication is working appropriately to solve a pre-existing medical or psychological problem.

Hip pain

2008-02-05T02:22:00.000-08:00

Hip-related pain is not always felt directly over the hip. Instead, you may feel it in the middle of your thigh or in your groin. Similarly, pain you feel in the hip may actually reflect a problem in your back, rather than your hip itself.
Two possible causes of hip pain are fractures and insufficient blood flow to the hip (aseptic necrosis).
A hip fracture can change the quality of your life significantly. Fewer than 50% of those with a hip fracture return to their former level of activity. In addition, while recovering from a hip fracture, several possible complications can be life-threatening. These include pneumonia and a blood clot in the leg , which can dislodge and travel to cause a clot in the lungs . Both are due to immobility following a hip fracture and hip surgery.
Hip fractures become more common as people age because falls are more likely and bones become less dense. People with osteoporosis can get a fracture from simple, everyday activities, not just a dramatic fall or injury.
Aseptic necrosis can happen if you have been on steroids for a long time or you have sickle cell anemia. Injury and regular use of alcohol also increase your risk.
Legg-Calve-Perthes disease is a type of aseptic necrosis that happens in children.
Other possible causes of hip pain include:
Arthritis -- often felt in the front part of your thigh or in your groin
Trochanteric bursitis -- hurts when you get up from a chair, walk, climb stairs, and drive
Tendinitis from repetitive or strenuous activity
Strain or sprain
Low-back pain such as sciatica
Infection

Alternative Medicine

2008-02-01T07:15:00.000-08:00

Find Alternative Medicine Schools in the United States and Canada. Teaching students how to use natural therapy and medicines to restore and maintain health, alternative medicine schools also elaborate on how these natural therapies date back to 420 B.C.; around the time of Hippocrates.

Students of alternative medicine schools will begin to understand that alternative medicine is considered a practice beyond the realm of conventional modern medicine. For example, naturopathy, chiropractic, Ayurvedic, homeopathy, acupuncture and so many other alternative medicine treatments are readily taught in a variety of alternative medicine schools because the demand for these treatments is on the rise.

Because our bodies are composed of chemical and physical reactions, holistic practitioners, who have gained training through one of several alternative medicine schools, affirm that illness is not directly caused by pathogens such as viruses or bacterium; instead is the consequence of the body's reaction (in an effort to shield and heal itself) to a pathogen. Naturopathic and holistic doctors assist potential clients through alternative medicine by plainly alleviating symptoms of disease. This, among other valid motives, is a great reason for students to pursue an education through alternative medicine schools.

Successful graduates of alternative medicine schools learn to treat most conditions like headaches, sore throats, flu and cold, indigestion, ear infections, dermatitis, urinary tract infections, sprains and strains. Some chronic conditions such as migraines, autoimmune disorders, cardiovascular disease, arthritis, cancer, muscle-skeletal pain, depression, stress, and even pregnancy and childbirth may be treated with alternative medicine as well.

Alternative medicine schools teach students proper nutrition in conjunction with vitamin and mineral supplements, and because plants and herbs are commonly used in alternative medicine to treat illness, students enrolled in alternative medicine schools will also attain a comprehensive education in other natural and non-invasive therapies. Some of these natural therapies may include hydrotherapy and hypnotherapy, which are common courses, taught in alternative medicine schools.

Overall, alternative medicine schools instruct students in how to improve mental, emotional, and physical health through natural and complementary medicines. In addition to encouraging psychic and spiritual growth, students who have graduated from alternative medicine schools learn how to help patients in restoring and maintaining overall wellbeing.

If you'd like to become an alternative medicine therapist or practitioner, Holistic Junction offers a vast array of alternative medicine schools from which you may choose to enroll. Take the leap and obtain a career in alternative medicine today!

Cancer - acute childhood leukemia

2008-01-27T07:00:00.000-08:00

Alternative Names ALL; Acute childhood leukemia; Cancer - acute childhood leukemia (ALL); Leukemia - acute childhood (ALL)

Definition Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) is a fast-growing cancer in which the body produces a large number of immature white blood cells (lymphocytes). These cells can be found in the blood, bone marrow, lymph nodes, spleen, and other organs.

Causes ALL makes up 80% of childhood acute leukemias. Most cases occur in children between ages 3 and 7. The disease may also occur in adults.

In acute leukemia, cancerous cells multiply quickly and replace normal cells. Cancerous cells take over normal parts of bone marrow, causing bone marrow failure. A person with ALL is more likely to bleed and have infections because there are fewer normal blood cells.Most cases of ALL have no obvious cause. However, chromosome problems, radiation, toxins such as benzene, and some chemotherapy drugs may play a role in the development of leukemia. Persons with Down syndrome or who have a brother or sister with leukemia have an increased risk for ALL.

Symptoms

Bleeding gums
Bone pain or tenderness
Easy bruising
Excessive or prolonged bleeding
Fatigue
Fever
Joint pain
Infection
Menstrual irregularities
Nosebleeds
Paleness
Palpitations
Pinpoint red spots on the skin
Shortness of breath (made worse by exercise)
Swollen glands (lymphadenopathy)
Swollen gums
Unintentional weight loss

Exams and Tests A physical exam may reveal the following:

Bruising
Enlarged liver and spleen
Signs of bleeding (petechiae, purpura)

Blood tests may show the following:

Abnormal WBC count
Anemia on a CBC
Low platelet count

A bone marrow aspiration may be show abnormal levels of certain cells.

ALL may also change the results of the following tests:

T-lymphocyte count
B-cell leukemia/lymphoma panel
White blood cell differential

If you are diagnosed with ALL, genetic tests will be done to determine the specific type of ALL. Doctors can look for chromosome changes in the cells of some leukemias. Leukemias with certain types of chromosome changes have a poor outlook, while those with other types of genes can have a very good outlook.

Treatment The goal of treatment is to get the blood counts and the bone marrow to normal. If this occurs, the cancer is considered to be in remission.

If you have acute lymphocytic leukemia, you'll need chemotherapy. For the first round of chemotherapy, you may need to go to the hospital for 3 to 6 weeks, but may later get chemotherapy on an outpatient basis. If you have a low white blood cell count, you may need to be placed in a room by yourself so you do not catch an infection.

Additional treatments depend on other symptoms. They may include:

Transfusion of blood products, such as platelets or special red blood cells, to fight anemia
Antibiotics to fight infection

If you go into remission, you may receive additional chemotherapy or radiation therapy to kill any cancer cells that are in the spinal fluid. You may also receive chemotherapy from time to time to prevent relapse.

If your leukemia returns or does not respond to other treatments, your doctor may recommend a bone marrow transplant after high-dose chemotherapy.

Support Groups Patients can ease the stress of their illness by joining a support group where members share common experiences and problems.

Outlook (Prognosis) Children usually have a better outcome than adults. The majority of adults go into complete remission. Without treatment, a person with ALL can expect to live for about 3 months.

Possible Complications DIC (disseminated intravascular coagulation)

Relapse of ALL
Severe infection

When to Contact a Medical Professional Call your health care provider if you develop ALL-like symptoms, or if you have ALL and you have a persistent fever or other signs of infection.

Prevention Because the cause is usually unknown, it is not possible to prevent most cases. You may reduce your risk of ALL by avoiding exposure to toxins, radiation, and chemicals.

References Abeloff MD, Armitage JO, Niederhuber JE, Kastan MB, McKena WG. Clinical Oncology. 3rd ed. Orlando, Fl: Churchill Livingstone; 2004.

Hoffman R, Benz EJ, Shattil SS, et al. Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice. 4th ed. Orlando, Fl: Churchill Livingstone; 2005.

American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts and Figures 2007. Atlanta, GA: American Cancer Society; 2007.

Safe Sex

2008-01-17T07:58:00.000-08:00

Know for safe sex

Safe sex is way of lowering your chances of catching a sexually transmitted disease. This class of diseases, called STDs for short, includes any infection spread during sex. STDs include gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV (the AIDS virus), Chlamydia, trichomoniasis, herpes, pubic lice, and genital warts. Many sexually transmitted diseases can be cured with a week or two of treatment. If not treated, however, some of these diseases can cause infertility. Others eventually can be fatal. You can't tell by looking whether someone has an STD, and many people don't know they are infected. Practicing safe sex keeps you and your partner from sharing body fluids, such as vaginal fluids and semen. These fluids typically carry STDs. Safe sex does not guarantee that you'll avoid infection. The only 100-percent certain way to protect yourself is to never have sex or to sleep with only one person who is completely faithful to you. However, if you do have sex with more than one person, having safe sex EVERY TIME will improve your odds of remaining infection-free.

DO

Limit your activity to things that do not involve exchange of body fluids. For example, safe sex includes:

Hugging and body-to-body rubbing
Masturbation alone or with someone else
Massage
Dry kissing
Sex with the use of a condom

Avoid activities that will result in an exchange of body fluids. The following things are NOT safe:

Mouth-to-mouth kissing (French kissing)
Sharing sex toys
Using saliva as a lubricant
Sex without the use of a condom

Abdominal Ultrasound

2008-01-15T01:13:00.000-08:00

Ultrasound - abdomen; abdominal sonogram

Abdominal ultrasound is an imaging procedure used to examine the internal organs of the abdomen including the liver, gallbladder, spleen, pancreas, and kidneys. The blood vessels to some of these organs can also be evaluated with the use of ultrasound techniques.

The ultrasound machine sends out high-frequency sound waves that reflect off body structures to create a picture. Unlike with x-rays, there is no ionizing radiation exposure with this test.

The test is done in the ultrasound or radiology department. You will be lying down for the procedure. A clear, water-based conducting gel is applied to the skin over the area being examined to help with the transmission of the sound waves. The ultrasound transducer (a handheld probe) is then moved over the abdomen.

You may be asked to move to other positions so the health care provider can examine different areas. You may also be asked to hold your breath for short periods of time during the examination.

The procedure usually takes less than 30 minutes.

Preparation for the procedure depends on the nature of the problem and your age. Usually patients are asked to not eat or drink for several hours before the examination. Your health care provider will advise you about specific preparation.

There is little discomfort. The conducting gel may feel slightly cold and wet.

There are many reasons for performing an abdominal ultrasound, including looking for the following:

A cause of abdominal pain
Stones in the gallbladder or kidney
A cause for enlargement of an abdominal organ

The reason for the examination will depend on your symptoms.

The organs examined are normal in appearance.

The significance of abnormal results depends on the organ being examined and the nature of the problem. You should consult your health care provider with any questions and concerns.Many possible conditions could be revealed by an abdominal ultrasound. Some of these include:

Gallstones
Kidney stones
Cholecystitis
Hydronephrosis
Splenomegaly
Pancreatitis

Polycystic kidney disease:

2008-01-10T06:58:00.000-08:00

Polycystic kidney disease:

Cysts - kidneys; Kidney - polycystic; Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease; ADPKD

Definition Polycystic kidney disease is a kidney disorder passed down through families in which multiple cysts form on the kidneys, causing them to become enlarged.

Causes Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is passed down through families (inherited), usually as an autosomal dominant trait. If one parent carries the gene, the children have a 50% chance of developing the disorder.Autosomal dominant PKD occurs in both children and adults, but it is much more common in adults, with symptoms often not showing up until middle age. It affects nearly 1 in 1,000 Americans. The actual number may be more, as some people do not have symptoms. The disorder may not be discovered unless tests revealing the disease are performed for other reasons.

An autosomal recessive form of polycystic kidney disease also exists and appears in infancy or childhood. This type tends to be very serious and progresses rapidly, resulting in end-stage kidney failure and generally causing death in infancy or childhood.

Persons with PKD have multiple clusters of cysts form on the kidneys. The exact action that triggers cyst formation is unknown. In early stages of the disease, the cysts cause the kidney to swell, disrupting kidney function and leading to chronic high blood pressure and kidney infections. The cysts may cause the kidneys to increase production of erythropoietin, a hormone that stimulates production of red blood cells. This leads to too many red blood cells, rather than the anemia seen in chronic kidney disease.

Bleeding in a cyst can cause flank pain. Kidney stones are more common in people with PKD.PKD is associated with the following conditions:

Brain aneurysms
Cysts in the liver, pancreas, and testes
Diverticula of the colon

As many as half of people with PKD have cysts on the liver. A personal or family history of PKD increases your risk for the condition.

Symptoms

Abdominal pain or tenderness
Blood in the urine
Excessive urination at night
Flank pain on one or both sides

Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease include the following:

Drowsiness
High blood pressure
Joint pain
Nail abnormalities
Painful menstruation

Exams and Tests Examination may show high blood pressure, kidney or abdominal masses, abdominal tenderness over the liver, and enlarged liver.

There may be heart murmurs or other signs of aortic insufficiency or mitral insufficiency.

A urinalysis may show urine protein or blood in the urine.
A CBC may show decreased or increased RBCs and hematocrit.
Cerebral angiography may show associated aneurysms.

Those with a personal or family history of PKD should be evaluated to determine if cerebal aneurysms are a cause of headaches.

Polycystic kidney disease and associated cysts on the liver or other organs may be detected with the following tests:

Abdominal ultrasound
Abdominal CT scan
Abdominal MRI scan
IVP

In a family with several members with PKD, genetic tests can be done to determine whether a person at risk carries the PKD gene.

Treatment

The goal of treatment is to control symptoms and prevent complications. High blood pressure may be difficult to control, but control of it is the most important aspect of treatment.

Treatment may include:

Blood pressure medicines
Diuretics
Low-salt diet

Any urinary tract infection should be treated promptly with appropriate antibiotics.

Cysts that are painful, infected, bleeding or causing an obstruction may need to be drained. (There are usually too many cysts to make removal a feasible alternative.)

Surgical removal of one or both kidneys may be required. Treatment of end-stage kidney disease may include kidney dialysis or kidney transplantation.

Support Groups

The stress of an illness can often be helped by joining a support group where members share common experiences and problems.

See: Kidney disease - support group

Outlook (Prognosis)

The disease gets worse slowly, eventually resulting in end-stage kidney failure. It is also associated with liver disease, including infection of liver cysts.

Medical treatment may provide relief of symptoms for many years.

The absence of systemic disease or autoimmune disease makes people with polycystic kidney disease good candidates for kidney transplantation.

Possible Complications

High blood pressure
Anemia
Recurrent urinary tract infection
Recurrent kidney infection
Kidney stones
Kidney failure, mild to severe
End-stage kidney disease
Bleeding or rupture of cysts
Infection of liver cysts
Liver failure, mild to severe

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call your health care provider if symptoms indicate polycystic kidney disease may be present.

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if there is a family history of polycystic kidney disease or associated disorders and children are planned. Genetic counseling may be offered.

Prevention

Currently, no treatment can prevent the cysts from forming or enlarging.

Blood Pressure

2007-12-26T06:08:00.000-08:00

Diastolic blood pressure; Systolic blood pressure

Definition

Blood pressure is a measurement of the force applied to the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps blood through the body. The pressure is determined by the force and amount of blood pumped, and the size and flexibility of the arteries.

Blood pressure is continually changing depending on activity, temperature, diet, emotional state, posture, physical state, and medication use.

How the Test is Performed

Blood pressure is usually measured while you are seated with your arm resting on a table. Your arm should be slightly bent so that it is at the same level as your heart. The upper arm should be bare, with your sleeve comfortably rolled up.

Blood pressure readings are measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) and usually given as 2 numbers. For example, 110 over 70 (written as 110/70).

The top number is the systolic blood pressure reading. It represents the maximum pressure exerted when the heart contracts.
The bottom number is the diastolic blood pressure reading. It represents the pressure in the arteries when the heart is at rest.

To obtain your blood pressure measurement, your health care provider will wrap the blood pressure cuff snugly around your upper arm, positioning it so that the lower edge of the cuff is 1 inch above the bend of the elbow.

The health care provider will locate the large artery on the inside of the elbow by feeling for the pulse and will place the head of the stethoscope over this artery, below the cuff. It should not rub the cuff or any clothing because these noises may block out the pulse sounds. Correct positioning of the stethoscope is important to get an accurate recording.

Your health care provider will close the valve on the rubber inflating bulb and then will squeeze it rapidly to inflate the cuff until the dial or column of mercury reads 30 mmHg higher than the usual systolic pressure. If the usual systolic pressure is unknown, the cuff is inflated to 210 mmHg.

Next, the valve is opened slightly, allowing the pressure to fall gradually (2 to 3 mmHg per second). As the pressure falls, the level on the dial or mercury tube at which the pulsing is first heard is recorded. This is the systolic pressure.

As the air continues to be let out, the sounds will disappear. The point at which the sound disappears is recorded. This is the diastolic pressure (the lowest amount of pressure in the arteries as the heart rests).

The procedure may be performed two or more times.

How to Prepare for the Test

The test may be done at any time. When it is performed for comparison purposes, it is usually done after resting for at least 5 minutes. All you need to perform a blood pressure measurement is a cuff and a device for detecting the pulse in the artery (stethoscope or microphone).

How the Test Will Feel

You will feel the pressure of the cuff on your arm. If the test is repeated a few times, you may feel temporary numbness or tingling in your hand.

Why the Test is Performed

Most people cannot sense if their blood pressure is high (hypertension) because there are usually no symptoms. High blood pressure increases the risk of heart failure, heart attack, stroke, and kidney failure. For people who have high blood pressure, this test is a way of monitoring the effectiveness of medications and dietary modifications.

Low blood pressure may be a sign of a variety of illnesses, including heart failure, infection, gland disorders, and dehydration.

Normal Results Return to top

In adults, the systolic pressure should be less than 120 mmHg and the diastolic pressure should be less than 80 mmHg.

What Abnormal Results Mean

Pre-high blood pressure:

Top number is consistently 120 to 139 or the bottom number reads 80 to 89

Stage 1 high blood pressure:

Top number is consistently 140 to 159 or the bottom number reads 90 to 99

Stage 2 high blood pressure:

Top number is consistently 160 or over or the bottom number reads 100 or over

Low blood pressure (hypotension):

Top number reading lower than 90 or pressure 25 mmHg lower than usual

Blood pressure readings may be affected by many different conditions, including:

Cardiovascular disorders
Neurological conditions
Kidney and urological disorders
Pre-eclampsia in pregnant women
Psychological factors such as stress, anger, or fear
Various medications
"White coat hypertension" may occur if the medical visit itself produces extreme anxiety

Risks

There are no significant risks associated with checking blood pressure.

If you have vascular access (shunt) for kidney dialysis on your arm, you should not have your blood pressure checked on that arm.

Considerations

Repeated measurements are important. A single high measurement does not necessarily mean you have high blood pressure. On the other hand, a single normal measurement does not necessarily mean that you don't have high blood pressure.

Blood pressure readings taken at home can provide important information to your doctor. Such readings may be a better measure of your current blood pressure than those taken at your doctor's office, as long as you make sure your machine is accurate. You can ask your health care provider to compare readings in the office. Many people become nervous at the doctor's office and have higher readings that they normally would at home. This is called white-coat hypertension.

Consult your provider if your blood pressure measurements are consistently high or low or if you have symptoms at the same time as the high or low reading.

Excessive Hair in Women

2007-12-22T07:10:00.000-08:00

The normal amount of body hair varies widely among women. When coarse, dark hairs grow where women typically do not grow dark hair, such as the lip, chin, chest, abdomen, or back, the condition is called hirsutism.

Causes

Excessive hair growth in women is usually from too much male hormone (androgen). A common cause is polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). In most cases, however, the specific cause is never identified. It tends to run in families. In general, hirsutism is a harmless condition. But many women find it bothersome, even embarrassing.

If hirsutism develops suddenly and is accompanied by other typical male features, such as deepening voice, acne, or increased muscle mass, it may be caused by a more serious disorder. These causes, such as hormone-secreting tumors or cancer, are rare.

Rare causes include:

Tumor or cancer of the adrenal gland.
Tumor or cancer of the ovary
Cushing's syndrome
Congenital adrenal hyperplasia
Hyperthecosis
Medications (testosterone, danazol, anabolic steroids, glucocorticoids, cyclosporine, minoxidil, phenytoin)

Home Care

There are a variety of ways to remove unwanted hair:

Bleaching -- lightening hair to make it less noticeable.
Hair removal -- shaving, plucking, waxing, or chemical depilation.
Electrolysis -- using electrical current to damage individual hair follicles so they do not grow back. This is expensive and requires multiple treatments.
Laser hair removal -- using laser to damage individual hair follicles so they do not grow back. This is expensive and requires multiple treatments.
Weight loss -- in overweight women, weight loss can decrease male hormone levels and reduce hair growth.

Birth control pills and anti-androgen medications can also help reduce hair growth. A doctor must prescribe these medications.

Digestive system

2007-12-08T06:15:00.000-08:00

The digestive tract is the system of organs within multicellular animals that takes in food, digests it to extract energy and nutrients, and expels the remaining waste. The major functions of the GI tract are ingestion, digestion, absorption, and excretion.The GI tract differs substantially from animal to animal. Some animals have multi-chambered stomachs, while some animals' stomachs contain a single chamber. In a normal human adult male, the GI tract is approximately 6.5 meters (20 feet) long and consists of the upper and lower GI tracts. The tract may also be divided into foregut, midgut, and hindgut, reflecting the embryological origin of each segment of the tract.

Medical care

2007-08-24T23:02:00.000-07:00

Western medical care is shared between medical professionals (physicians) and other professionals such as physician assistants, nurses and pharmacists, sometimes known as allied health professionals. Historically, only those with a medical doctorate have been considered to practice medicine. Clinicians (licensed professionals who deal with patients) can be physicians, nurses, therapists or others. The medical profession is the social and occupational structure of the group of people formally trained and authorized to apply medical knowledge. Many countries and legal jurisdictions have legal limitations on who may practice medicine. Medicine comprises various specialized sub-branches, such as cardiology, pulmonology, neurology, or other fields such as sports medicine, research or public health. Human societies have had various different systems of health care practice since at least the beginning of recorded history. Medicine, in the modern period, is the mainstream scientific tradition which developed in the Western world since the early Renaissance (around 1450). Many other traditions of health care are still practiced throughout the world; most of these are separate from Western medicine, which is also called biomedicine, allopathic medicine or the Hippocratic tradition. The most highly developed of these are traditional Chinese medicine, Tibetan medicine and the Ayurvedic traditions of India and Sri Lanka. Various non-mainstream traditions of health care have also developed in the Western world. These systems are sometimes considered companions to Hippocratic medicine, and sometimes are seen as competition to the Western tradition. Few of them have any scientific confirmation of their tenets, because if they did they would be brought into the fold of Western medicine. "Medicine" is also often used amongst medical professionals as shorthand for internal medicine. Veterinary medicine is the practice of health care in animal species other than human being