Health, Health tips,Health Articles

Is Green Tea helpful for your Daily Life...

2012-01-12T04:05:00.000-08:00

Yes, of course. Green tea is good for your healthier and sustainable life.......

The National Cancer Institute Proved that, Drinking Green Tea provides several health benefits in our daily life. It reduces the cholesterol and the risk of esophageal cancer in men and women nearly about 60%. Green tea helps to make your skin glow, heal blemishes, cuts, and rashes, soothe strained or tired eyes, fight body odor, and more.

According to Professor Takuo Okada, “Vitamin E reduces the number of peroxide lipids, which slows down cell degeneration and the aging process. Green tea has been shown to be twenty times more active in this respect than Vitamin E.”

Top 5 Natural Fat burning foods for Daily Life

2011-12-15T01:53:00.000-08:00

Nowadays weight loss is still one of the major problems all around the world. Because some people may take tablet by themselves without consulting the doctor, or some may be not interested in taking the medicine routinely. Some may say for weight loss, we have to do Physical exercise and diet. Yes, of course, probably it’s right. The people who want to lose their weight in a natural way. Here you can find an excellent solution and Keep in mind, its loss only your fat, and not your weight. Simultaneously, you have to do the physical exercise.

Eggs

Egg is one of the fat burning and breakfast food for the daily life of working people, because they don’t have time to eat a healthy food. Even for taking some food also, they will watch the time and eat. The people who are worrying for their fat can eat eggs over their daily life, because it contains the capability to emulsify fat and provide energy to your body.

Seafood

Some may ask a question like “How seafood will burn fat! Is this possible… “Yes, seafood is helpful for weight loss, because it reduce the level of a hormone is called Leptin, it works as a very slow metabolism rate in the body.

Ginger

Ginger is one of the best medicines for all disease; generally people may take ginger in your food for your daily life. Medically it has been proved that the ginger is a fat burning food, because it widens the blood vessels in the body and also increase metabolism.

Soybean

Soybean is one of best solution for fat loss, because it contains a chemical called lecithin which will helps for fat loss in your body, and break down the existing fats.

Onion

Onion plays an important role for fat loss and deserves a regular place in your diet. Onion controls cholesterol, purify the blood, and best for counteracting allergic reactions, because one chopped raw onion contains only 62 calories, and one raw medium onion contains just 42 calories.

Cholesterol Lowering Drink For Healthy Life

2011-11-29T02:35:00.000-08:00

Bad cholesterol it shouldn’t be stacked; because it is dangerous to health. Still, business was not easy to lower cholesterol. In addition to reducing the intake of foods containing fat and exercise, several types of drinks such as Lemon juice, Grape juice, Soy milk, Garlic juice are also effective for lowering cholesterol.

Lemon juice: Reduce Cholesterol

This drink is good and helpful for maintaining a healthy heart and lower cholesterol. According to the American Dietetic Association, lemon contains limonoids that cause a sour taste in citrus helpful for lowering cholesterol. In the liver, cholesterol is made from a material called apolipoprotein B and triglycerides and the solution for reducing the cholesterol is limonoids.

Lemon contains vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant, so it reduces the cholesterol completely from the body. In the Nigerian Journal of Physiological Sciences, reported that vitamin C than lemons after utilization for 30 days to lower cholesterol significantly.

Grape juice: Increase HDL

Research conducted in 2004 by Dr. Jane Freedman of Boston University Medical School showed that drinking grape juice in 14 consecutive days would raise High Density Lipoprotein(HDL) and total cholesterol gets into lower levels.

Soy milk

Soy milk contains protein, which is helpful for reducing the total cholesterol from your body.Plain soy milk is very nutritive; and it's an excellent source of high quality proteins, isoflavones and B-vitamins; free of the milk sugar (lactose) and is a good choice for people who are lactose intolerant.

Garlic Juice

Studies at Munich University, Germany, found that adding garlic to the diet is helpful for cholesterol shed about 10% in four months. Eating fresh garlic is often a trouble for many people because of poor taste and aroma sting. Garlic can dikreasikan with delicious fruit, the juice is rich in benefits, in order to more easily get into our bodies.

5 Best Upper Body Workouts for Women

2011-11-01T23:28:00.000-07:00

Biceps Curl

Biceps Curl is the most important exercise in toning up your front arms. Hold your body in a wide-legged position with your arms at your sides, the workout can be felt through your center and front arms.

Bow and Arrow

This workout targets all the muscles present in the upper, middle back, shoulder and arms. Since this version involves a side lunge, it strengthens your entire middle and lower body also.

X Raise

X Raise is one of the best workouts for shoulder and upper back. During this workout, your core muscles work hard to keep the rest of the body still as you move your arms.

Push Up

Push Ups is one of the best workouts that targets your body overall. The major effect of this workout would be on your chest, shoulders, arms and core. Place your feet widely to keep your body stable and it will be easier to press upward.

Dip

Dip is another upper-body move that targets the triceps, shoulders and chest muscles. The exerciser's hands support his entire body weight. The palms should be placed on the floor on either side of your hips. Lift your butt off the floor until its level with your hips and parallel to the floor. Bend your elbows to lower your butt and then straighten them back.

Lower Body Workouts for your Butt

2011-11-01T23:23:00.000-07:00

Most of us may not be happy about the shape and size of our butt. Some think that they're too small, too big and so on. The right combination of cardio and weight training exercises can make much difference to your butt depending on your body type. Lets have a look at the best workouts to strengthen your butt and thighs.

Squats: Squats are the best exercises to for your butt and thighs and help us build strength for our daily activities. Squat is considered as the vital exercise for increasing the size of legs and buttocks.

Lunges: Lunges are one of the challenging exercises that can be effective for a lot of muscles at the same time. We can workout the glutes and hamstrings with the front leg and the quads and calves with the back leg.

Step Ups: Step ups are the best exercises for the glutes. You need to place one foot on a step and push through the heel to lift your body up. The height should be as such so that your knee makes a 90-degree angle.

Hip Extensions: Hip Extensions targets gluteus maximus, the largest muscle in the body. This exercise works on more muscle groups. A dumbbell behind the knee or ankle weights can add more intensity to this workout.

One-Legged Deadlifts: Deadlift workouts are much important for shaping your butt . This one legged version adds more intensity and builds your stabilizer muscles and keeps your body balanced.

Protein in Soy Better than Milk for Improving Cholesterol Health

2011-10-25T02:44:00.000-07:00

A new study has revealed that supplements of soy protein are much better than milk protein in terms of improving blood levels of HDL (good) cholesterol and thus the overall lipid profile in healthy individuals.

The study, which has been published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, investigated the effect of soy and milk protein supplementation on lipids compared with carbohydrate among healthy adults.

Numerous research studies have demonstrated that soy protein reduces LDL ('the bad') cholesterol and increases HDL ('the good') cholesterol, supporting the soy protein heart health and cholesterol-lowering claim that is approved in 12 countries around the globe.

"Research has shown that lowering blood lipids reduces the risk of coronary heart disease and stroke." "The results of this study reveal that soy protein supplementation intake can help lower blood lipids, thus helping to reduce the risk of CHD in healthy individuals."

In this study, total cholesterol reduction as well as the total/HDL cholesterol ratio reduction was statistically significant with soy protein supplementation compared with carbohydrate.

Compared with milk protein, soy protein supplementation significantly increased HDL and significantly reduced total/HDL cholesterol ratio as well as lowered LDL cholesterol.

Research Suggests, Premature Babies at Risk of Ill Health in Later Life

2011-10-19T04:23:00.001-07:00

Young adults who were born prematurely show multiple biological signs of risks to future health, research from Imperial College London has found. The scientists, reporting their findings October 19 in the journal Pediatric Research, say that the research indicates that urgent work is now needed to monitor preterm babies into adulthood to improve the detection of early signs of disease.

The study of 48 volunteers aged 18-27 found that those who were born at 33 weeks of gestation or less had higher blood pressure, more fat tissue despite having a normal Body Mass Index, and more fat in their muscle and liver. These traits are linked to heart and circulatory disease and type 2 diabetes. The differences in fat around the abdomen were most marked in men.

The number of preterm babies born each year is rising, and in developed countries, around 2 per cent of babies are born before 33 weeks of gestation.

"This was only a small study but the differences we found were quite striking," said Professor Neena Modi, the lead investigator in the study from the Department of Medicine at Imperial College London. "The results suggest that we need to monitor the health of premature babies beyond infancy and childhood. Preterm men and women might be at greater risk of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy revealed differences in the chemical makeup of their urine, with preterm subjects producing more metabolites associated with inflammation, which is in keeping with the higher blood pressure and greater fat found in the preterm subjects.

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Kinesiologists Design Tiny Treadmill to Help Balance Baby Steps in Down Syndrome Infants

2011-10-04T02:18:00.000-07:00

Kinesiologsts developed a tiny treadmill to help infants with Down syndrome learn to balance themselves earlier. Typically, these children learn how to walk at 24 to 28 months, later than the 12 months for those without Down syndrome. The treadmill exercise, used about 8 minutes a day, helps to reinforce the underlying pattern of coordination in the legs. This repetition helps build core muscles and support the drive to stand up. After the babies take eight to 10 steps without help, they are outfitted with light reflecting markers. The information from these markers is recorded on cameras, revealing gait, speed and width of their steps. Researchers show walking is occurring six months sooner with the treadmill.

Down syndrome affects one in every 800 babies. It's a genetic condition that causes delays in intellectual and physical development. Researchers have now developed a treadmill for Down syndrome babies to help them walk earlier than ever before.

The treadmill training helps babies with Down learn to balance earlier. Signe Newcomb helps her daughter Lauren use the treadmill at home for eight minutes every day. "She likes to stand more and is building her core muscle strength," Newcomb said.

“Basically, we know how long their step is, how wide they walk and how fast they walk," Rosa Angulobarroso, a research scientist at the University of Michigan, said.

Studies show the babies learn to walk six months earlier than kids without treadmill training, and the quality of their walking is much better. It doesn't sound like much, but it can mean a world of difference.

Study Proposes, People Learn While They Sleep

2011-09-28T05:54:00.001-07:00

People may be learning while they're sleeping -- an unconscious form of memory that is still not well understood, according to a study by Michigan State University researchers.

"We speculate that we may be investigating a separate form of memory, distinct from traditional memory systems," said Kimberly Fenn, assistant professor of psychology and lead researcher on the project. "There is substantial evidence that during sleep, your brain is processing information without your awareness and this ability may contribute to memory in a waking state."

In the study of more than 250 people, Fenn and Zach Hambrick, associate professor of psychology, suggest people derive vastly different effects from this "sleep memory" ability, with some memories improving dramatically and others not at all. This ability is a new, previously undefined form of memory.

"This is the first step to investigate whether or not this potential new memory construct is related to outcomes such as classroom learning," Fenn said.

Why Women Need Fitness Training?

2011-09-20T02:05:00.001-07:00

Fitness is definitely needed for both men and women to maintain a healthy lifestyle. But when it comes to losing weight, both these genders have different requirements. Both men and women should not follow the same workout strategy because their body type is different.

Women can also go for strenuous types of workouts although their training requirement is different. Hence its important for women to undergo fitness training for weight loss purposes and also to lead a healthy lifestyle and body. Fitness training shapes your body and provides an excellent physique which makes you look more attractive than others and improves your confidence.

Apart from including cardiovascular exercises, their training should also include other types of exercises for muscles and abs. Fitness training should also be followed regularly by women in order to achieve their desired weight and to be fit. You will definitely experience tiredness on your muscle during the first time of your training and it means that your workout is effective. This would be the beginning of a new life for you and so start your fitness training and find the changes on your body.

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Cancer Smart Bomb Discovered from Crocus Flower

2011-09-19T02:34:00.001-07:00

Scientists from the UK have figured out a way to turn chemicals found in the crocus flower which blooms throughout the UK into a ‘smart bomb’ of sorts when it comes to a new cancer medication. This new treatment may potentially create a drug that is capable of targeting cancerous tumors, such as associated with breast, colon, lung and prostate, without causing any side effects.

The researchers, led by Professor Laurence Patterson, have found a way around the toxic nature of the chemical when it comes to healthy tissue in the body and determined a way to focus the toxicity towards the cancerous tumor. By attaching a chemical 'tail' to the colchicine molecule, the researchers have been able to deactivate the toxic properties until it reaches the targeted cancer. Cancer tumors contain an enzyme called MMP and this enzyme effectively removes the ‘tail’ and activates the colchicine. Once activated, the colchicine goes into action breaking up the blood vessels that feed the tumor and essential starve it. Because the drug is activated in the tumor, it does not affect outside tissue and no side effects have been noted.

In mice testing, all mice have responded to the treatment and in as many as half of the studies, the mice appeared cured of the cancer. The drug is effective toward cancers that produce tumors and the researchers have tested breast, colon, lung, prostate and sarcoma tumors at this point.

The researchers hope that if the clinical trials prove successful, a new drug could be available within the next six to seven years.

Orange Corn holds Guarantee for Reducing Blindness and Child Death

2011-09-13T01:37:00.000-07:00

Decreasing or increasing the function of a newly discovered gene in corn may increase vitamin A content and have significant implications for reducing childhood blindness and mortality rates, according to a Purdue University-led study.

Torbert Rocheford, the Patterson Endowed Chair of Translational Genomics and professor of agronomy at Purdue, led the study that made findings in yellow and particularly orange corn, a type he said likely originated in the Caribbean and is popular in some Asian and South American countries as well as in northern Italy.

The orange color comes from relatively higher levels of carotenoids, one of which is beta-carotene. Humans convert beta-carotene, which also is abundant in carrots, into vitamin A during digestion.

Between 250,000 and 500,000 children -- mostly in Africa and Southeast Asia -- go blind each year because of vitamin A deficiency, according to the World Health Organization. Half of those children will die within a year of going blind. Rocheford said increasing beta-carotene levels in cereal grains, such as corn, is an economical approach to addressing these deficiencies in developing countries.

Through a process known as hydroxylation, beta-carotene is converted into other carotenoids that can cut the amount of pro-vitamin A that is created through digestion in half, or eliminate it altogether.

Choose the Best Residential Weight Loss Programs

2011-08-26T01:53:00.000-07:00

Residential weight loss programs allow you to spotlight on yourself and losing weight, along with educating the healthy habits that will aid you keep the weight loss. Unfortunately, the price of a residential weight loss program makes it complex for many people to listen. However, if you have the money, this can be a big way to jump-start your diet. Find the fit camp that's right for you.

Ask about the food supplied. Diverse weight loss programs offer different types of diets. For example, you may see that few camps will have you following a firm vegan diet and lets you to eat as much as you want, few another camp offers a limited range of foods, but controls how much you eat. Some short-period weight loss centers supply only liquid diet.

Focus at the activity offerings. Learning exercise is going to be another big division of a weight loss program. If you like to spend more time there, you need to search one or more activities you like.

Find an effective weight loss camp with people like you. Evaluate the fee per day. To exactly compare the cost, you should calculate it on a single basis, because the duration of the program varies.

Effective Fat Burning Workouts for all Ages

2011-08-23T23:45:00.000-07:00

Weight Gain nightmare always starts from belly, while weight loss success also starts there. There is a scientific saying that "fat people gain belly fat first". It's always easier to attack an enemy's weak point and the same thing applies here too. Your abdomen should be your first target to lose weight.

There are three categories of fat in our body:

1. Blood fat
2. Subcutaneous fat
3. Omentum fat

Omentum fat is the reason for the increasing waistline because it's closer to the stomach and other organs. Since its closer, the excess fat is always supplied to Omentum fat. Apart from changing our body shape, it also affects our stomach, lungs, heart and other organs. That is the reason that most of the health professionals advice us to manage our middle section. Omentum fat starts reducing once we start losing weight.

Aerobic exercise and sit-ups would be the best combination to get rid of Omentum fat. Sit-ups helps to reduce your abdominal muscles and produce a sexy stomach. Some might think that in order to reduce weight, we need to do fat burning workouts. So the perfect approach would be a combination of sit-ups + aerobic exercise. Sit-ups strengthens your abdominal muscles, increases flexibility and improve your posture. Aerobic exercise is one of the best fat burning
workouts that burns lots of calories and reduces fat. Some other fat burning workouts are:

Table Tennis: The swing motion of racket is driven by the waist and abdominal muscles, which burns 192 calories every 30 minutes.

Yoga: Yoga posture shapes your back and abdominal muscles, burns 200 calories every 30 minutes.

Taekwondo: Taekwondo kicks helps you shed waist and abdominal fat, burns 312 calories every 30 minutes.

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New Device to Cut down Dialysis Risk

2011-08-23T00:10:00.000-07:00

Johns Hopkins University graduate students have invented a device to reduce the risk of infection, clotting and narrowing of the blood vessels in patients who need blood-cleansing dialysis because of kidney failure.

The device, designed to be implanted under the skin in a patient's leg, would give a technician easy access to the patient's bloodstream and could be easily opened and closed at the beginning and end of a dialysis procedure.

The students learned about the need for such a device last year while accompanying physicians on hospital rounds as part of their academic program. They watched as one doctor performed a procedure to open a narrowed blood vessel at a kidney patient's dialysis access site. They learned that this narrowing was a common complication facing kidney patients.

To address these problems, the students developed an access port that can be implanted in the leg beneath the skin, reducing the risk of infection. The Hemova Port's two valves can be opened by a dialysis technician with a syringe from outside the skin. The technician can similarly close the valves when the procedure is over, an approach that helps avoid infection and clotting. The device also includes a simple cleaning system, serving as yet another way to deter infections.

Currently, most dialysis access sites are in the arm or the heart. The Hemova device instead is sutured to the leg's femoral vein, avoiding the unnaturally high blood flows that cause vessel narrowing when dialysis machines are connected to veins and arteries in the arm.

Cooking with Oil is Healthiest or Not

2011-08-10T02:29:00.000-07:00

Almost everyone uses oil in some sort of meal. Although there are a variety of types to choose from, depending on the food and flavor of your dish, most oils can come with an additional fatty side and are not necessarily healthy for your body. Also, due to each oil having a different smoking temperature, to reap the benefits some oils are best used in salads. Below are a list of popular oils and the ones you should stay away from.

Canola oil: This oil is made from the seeds of genetically modified rapeseed. Initially designed for routine use of herbicides during production, Canola generally won’t be labeled organic. The high level of monounsaturated fats found in its base helps to reduce “unhealthy” LDL cholesterol and instead increase “healthy” HDL cholesterol.

Olive oil: By mechanically pressing olives this oil is produced in large quantities. It offers great protection against heart disease by raising HDL cholesterol. Olive oil should not be used for cooking because it has a low smoking temperature, which means it can alter the flavor of the food.

Peanut oil: Unfortunately many brands are chemically processed, but if you are interested, expeller-pressed brands can be found at specialty stores and online. The high smoke point makes it great for frying and the nutty taste leaves a delicate flavor in many dishes. Peanut oil is also high in monounsaturated fats like olive oil.

Sesame oil: This oil is high in polyunsaturated fats and Vitamin E. Although it is used primarily for cooking it can also be used for skin and hair care. Sesame oil also contains two powerful antioxidants, sesamol and sesamin.

Ghee: This Indian staple is used in many dishes and makes a great alternative to other oils. The clarified butter is a wonderful source of beta-carotene and vitamins A, D, E, and K.

Coconut oil: people tend to rave over the benefits of Coconut oil and it’s for good reason. By stimulating the thyroid gland, the oil helps to lower cholesterol, making it essential for preventing disease and slowing the way our body’s age. Coconut oil has 40% of lauric acid, human body takes this acid and fights bacterial and viral infections in infants and also can help strengthen the immune system in adults.

Researchers Discover New Drug to Treat Diabetes-Related Vision Loss

2011-08-02T23:35:00.000-07:00

A team of engineers and scientists at the University of British Columbia has developed a device that can be implanted behind the eye for controlled and on-demand release of drugs to treat retinal damage caused by diabetes.

Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of vision loss among patients with diabetes. The disease is caused by the unwanted growth of capillary cells in the retina, which in its advanced stages can result in blindness.

The lead authors are recent PhD mechanical engineering graduate Fatemeh Nazly Pirmoradi, and Mechanical Engineering Assoc. Prof. Mu Chiao, who studies nanoscience and microelectromechanical systems for biological applications. The co-authors are Prof. Helen Burt and research scientist John Jackson at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences researched,

A current treatment for diabetic retinopathy is laser therapy, which has side effects, among them laser burns or the loss of peripheral or night vision. Anti-cancer drugs may also used to treat the disease. However, these compounds clear quickly from the bloodstream so high dosages are required, thus exposing other tissues to toxicity.

Key to UBC's innovation is the ability to trigger the drug delivery system through an external magnetic field. The team accomplished this by sealing the reservoir of the implantable device -- which is no larger than the head of a pin -- with an elastic magnetic polydimethylsiloxane (silicone) membrane. A magnetic field causes the membrane to deform and discharge a specific amount of the drug, much like squeezing water out of a flexible bottle.

Thyroid Hormone Controls the Eye‘s Visual Pigments

2011-07-18T22:53:00.000-07:00

Thyroid hormone is crucially involved in controlling which visual pigment is produced in the cones. Previously, it was assumed that the colour sensitivity of the cones is fixed in the adult retina.

Children born with a thyroid hormone deficiency have serious defects of physiological and mental development, hence newborns are routinely checked for thyroid hormone deficiency, and hormone substitution therapy is given when indicated.

Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Brain Research in Frankfurt/M., together with colleagues at the University of Frankfurt and universities in Vienna, have now been able to show that in mature cones of mice and rats the production of visual pigment is regulated by thyroid hormone. It is assumed that this mechanism exists in all mammals, including humans. If so, the adult-onset of thyroid hormone deficiency would affect colour vision.

Studies in mice have shown that thyroid hormone also plays an important role in the development of the eye and particularly the cone visual cells. In the retina of the eye, the cones are the visual cells responsible for colour vision. Most mammals have two spectral cone types containing either of two visual pigments (opsins), one sensitive to shortwave light (UV/blue opsin), and the other to middle-to-longwave light (green opsin). Cones express a thyroid hormone receptor. Its activation by the hormone suppresses the synthesis of UV/blue opsin and activates the production of green opsin.

6 Nutrients for Veg-Eaters

2011-07-15T02:41:00.000-07:00

B12 Complex

A deficiency in B12 can also cause depression, mood issues, vision problems, low blood pressure, and dementia amongst a host of other issues. According to Vegetarian Savvy, besides animal products, many fortified vegan foods and supplements contain this crucial vitamin. Vegetarians can also get their fill from raw cow's milk or organic milk, organic cheese, and organic eggs.

Iron

The daily recommendation is 18 mg of iron a day. Iron intake requirements are 1.8 times higher for vegetarians because nonheme iron is not absorbed as well as heme iron. You can find it in pumpkin seeds, tofu, and sun dried tomatoes, Jerusalem artichokes, pine nuts, and sunflower seeds.

Iodine

Iodine is necessary for the production of a thyroid hormone. A deficiency in iodine can lead to the enlargement of the thyroid gland as well as mental retardation in unborn babies. Iodine can be found in a number of foods including eggs, milk, some breads, iodine salt, ice cream, nori, soy milk, soy sauce, and yogurt.

Omega 3 Fatty Acids

An imbalance in the body's fats with a shortage of essential fatty acids is linked to cancer, asthma, depression, accelerated aging, diabetes, and ADHD to name a few. An adult needs 1.4 to 4.6 grams of Omega 3 per day. Omega 3 can be found in hemp seeds, flax seeds, chia seeds, and algae (spirulina, blue-green algae, and chlorella).

Zinc

Zinc is crucial for growth and immune function. Men require 11 mg/day and women need 8 mg/day). Get zinc from whole grains, beans, yogurt, shiitake mushrooms, and sesame seeds.

Protein

Alzheimer's Prevention in your Pantry

2011-07-05T23:53:00.000-07:00

Alzheimer's, the degenerative brain disorder that disrupts memory, thought and behavior, is devastating to both patients and loved ones. According to the Alzheimer's Association, one in eight Americans over the age of 65 suffers from the disease. Now Tel Aviv University has discovered that an everyday spice in your kitchen cupboard could hold the key to Alzheimer's prevention.

An extract found in cinnamon bark, called CEppt, contains properties that can inhibit the development of the disease, according to Prof. Michael Ovadia of the Department of Zoology at Tel Aviv University. After discovering that the cinnamon extract had antiviral properties, Prof. Ovadia empirically tested these properties in both laboratory and animal Alzheimer's models.

The researchers isolated CEppt by grinding cinnamon and extracting the substance into an aqueous buffer solution. They then introduced this solution into the drinking water of mice that had been genetically altered to develop an aggressive form of Alzheimer's disease.

After four months, the researchers discovered that development of the disease had slowed remarkably and the animals' activity levels and longevity were comparable to that of their healthy counterparts.

Vaccine Supports Immune Targeting of Brain Tumors

2011-06-26T22:46:00.000-07:00

An experimental vaccine developed by researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center's Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Institute targets overactive antigens in highly aggressive brain tumors and improves length of survival in newly diagnosed patients, according to new data that was presented in a poster session at the 47th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

Patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme, the most common and aggressive type of tumor originating in the brain, typically live only 12 to 15 months after diagnosis even with standard treatments: surgery, radiation and chemotherapy.

ICT-107 is a product of the biotechnology company ImmunoCellular Therapeutics, Ltd. Keith L. Certain rights in the dendritic cell vaccine technology and corresponding intellectual property have been exclusively licensed by Cedars-Sinai to ImmunoCellular Therapeutics, including subsequently developed versions of the vaccine investigated in this clinical study.

Foods for Healthy and Glowing Skin

2011-06-14T04:08:00.000-07:00

You cannot just imagine keeping your skin healthy and glowing by using expensive lotions, creams, moisturizers or sunscreens, but essentially by eating right. You can found out by making tiny alterations to your diet and adding these foods to keep your skin healthy & glowing.

Berries

Berries like strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and plum have antioxidant properties. These antioxidants prevent skin damage and when skin cells are protected from damage and disintegration, they look youthful and younger for longer.

Spinach & Carrots

Carrots & spinach are excellent sources of vitamin A, which is a required nutrient for healthy skin. You should eat these vegetables for a healthy body and skin. You can have them raw, in salads or cooked with omelets and other dishes.

Green Tea

This drink contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. It has been proven to reduce the damage of sunburns and overexposure to ultraviolet light, which, in turn, reduces the risk of skin cancer.

Almonds

Essential fatty acids found in nuts and seeds help to keep the skin soft and supple. Almonds are amazingly healthy and full of Vitamin E which gives the skin that glory look. Vitamin E also helps in repairing skin tissues and maintaining skin moisture.

Water

Last, but certainly not the least, is water. Good hydration is our skin’s best friend. Water both hydrates the skin and moves toxins out and nutrients in. Also, if you are properly hydrated, you sweat more which, in turn, helps keep your skin clean and clear.

Babies Perform Sophisticated Analyses of Physical World

2011-06-03T04:27:00.001-07:00

Over the past two decades, scientists have shown that babies only a few months old have a solid grasp on basic rules of the physical world. They understand that objects can't wink in and out of existence, and that objects can't "teleport" from one spot to another.

Now, an international team of researchers co-led by MIT's Josh Tenenbaum has found that infants can use that knowledge to form surprisingly sophisticated expectations of how novel situations will unfold.

Furthermore, the scientists developed a computational model of infant cognition that accurately predicts infants' surprise at events that violate their conception of the physical world.

Infant cognition by studying babies at ages 3-, 6- and 12-months (and other key stages through the first two years of life) to map out what they know about the physical and social world.

Elizabeth Spelke, a professor of psychology at Harvard University, demonstrated that infants' level of surprise can be measured by how long they look at something: The more unexpected the event, the longer they watch.

Cancer Benefits in Old Therapy-New Study

2011-05-31T03:39:00.000-07:00

Cancer patients who used a 5000-year-old combination of gentle exercise and meditation experienced significantly higher well being levels, improved cognitive functioning and less inflammation compared to a control group, new University of Sydney research has found.

Dr Byeongsang Oh, a clinical senior lecturer at the Sydney Medical School who led the study, said the reduced inflammation in patients who practiced medical Qigong, a form of traditional Chinese medicine, was particularly significant.

"Patients who practiced medical Qigong experienced significant improvements in quality of life, including greater physical, functional, social and emotional well being, and enhanced cognitive functioning, while the control group deteriorated in all of these areas," Dr Oh says.

Hips Take Walking in Stride, Ankles Put Best Foot Forward in Run

2011-05-25T00:03:00.000-07:00

In a first-of-its-kind study comparing human walking and running motions -- and whether the hips, knees or ankles are the most important power sources for these motions -- researchers at North Carolina State University show that the hips generate more of the power when people walk, but the ankles generate more of the power when humans run. Knees provide approximately one-fifth or less of walking or running power.

A long history of previous studies has focused on the bio mechanics of human locomotion from a whole-body or individual limbs perspective. The study shows that, overall, hip generate more power when people walk. That is, until humans get to the point at which they're speed walking -- walking so fast that it feels more comfortable to run -- at 2 meters per second. Hips generate 44 percent of the power when people walk at a rate of 2 meters per second, with ankles contributing 39 percent of the power.

Curcumin Compound inhibits Effectiveness of Head and Neck Cancer Treatment

2011-05-20T05:38:00.000-07:00

Curcumin, the compound that gives curry powder its yellow/orange color, may inhibit the adverse effects of nicotine in patients with head and neck cancer who continue to smoke.

A primary reason that head and neck cancer treatments fail is the tumor cells become resistant to chemotherapy drugs. Now, researchers at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center have found that a compound derived from the Indian spice curcumin can help cells overcome that resistance.

"This work opens the possibility of using lower, less toxic doses of cisplatin to achieve an equivalent or enhanced tumors kill. Typically, when cells become resistant to cisplatin, we have to give increasingly higher doses. But this drug is so toxic that patients who survive treatment often experience long-term side effects from the treatment," says senior study author Thomas Carey, Ph.D., professor of otolaryngology and pharmacology.

Prevent Lower Back Injuries

2011-05-17T22:44:00.000-07:00

Most of us have suffered through at least one bout of low back pain in the course of our lifetime. The occurrence is alarmingly quite high, affecting approximately 60-80% of the adult population. In fact, physicians report that low back pain is so prevalent; it is second in medical visits to the common cold. The majority of LBP can be classified as mechanical; including problems affecting the many joints, discs, ligaments and muscles of the spine.

Include a proper warm-up
The benefits of injecting a warm-up prior to engaging in vigorous exercise are numerous. This preparatory exercise or movement helps protect against injury by improving the flexibility of the muscles. In general, the warm-up activity should last approximately 5-15 minutes with the focus on raising the total body temperature and muscles.

Build a strong core
There is an abundance of research to support the incorporation of a core specific programme into a regular training regime in order to prevent lower back injuries. Exercises specifically designed to challenge and activate the local stabilizers as well as the spinal extensors (erector spinae) are critical in preventing episodes of lower back pain.

Stay active
Maintaining a regular fitness regime will help in the prevention of lower back injuries. As exercise will strengthen and balance the muscles that assist in maintaining upright posture, performing them regularly is essential.

Kennadee-Three open-heart surgeries free from bleak prognosis

2011-05-10T23:28:00.001-07:00

When Shawna Albright was pregnant with her daughter Kennadee, doctors told her and her husband Don that the baby would not survive because of her complex heart defects. Two referrals and two echocardiograms later, doctors said there was no way the baby would survive her complex heart defects.

A referral to pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon Frank Hanley, MD, at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, where Hanley repairs congenital heart defects that other doctors won’t touch.

In May 2010, Shawna delivered baby Kennadee, Hanley soon realized the tiny girl was one of the most complex patients he had ever seen. Some infants have serious defects inside the heart; others have a hard-to-repair malformation of the artery leading to the lungs. Kennadee’s case was even worse. “Kennadee had the ‘10 out of 10’ pulmonary artery problem, but inside her heart she also had a complex defect that is a 9 or 10 out of 10 on the cardiac side of things,” Hanley said. “It would take three open-heart surgeries to achieve a complete repair,” he said.

Kennadee’s first two operations repaired her blood vessel problem. Her first surgery, a four-hour operation at age 2 weeks, allowed more blood to be pushed through these little vessels, prompting them to grow. It was a key step to prepare her for surgery number two.

The second operation, in September 2010 when Kennadee was 4 months old, was a marathon repair that Hanley, its pioneering inventor, has performed more than 500 times. The long, arduous procedure takes such stamina, focus and experience that very few surgeons attempt it.

So, in her third surgery in March 2011, in a re-plumbing of Kennadee’s heart, Hanley performed an eight-hour “double switch” procedure on the then-10-month-old.

“Without these surgeries, the prognosis for her long-term survival would be close to zero,” Hanley said. “Now, all of her cardiac and lung physiology is completely normal.” And now, Kennadee is looking good, feeling good, playing peek-a-boo and planning to celebrate her first birthday on May 21, an event that once seemed unimaginable.

Soft Drinks Increases Stroke Risk

2011-05-03T23:07:00.000-07:00

In a study of 2564 people of varying ethnic backgrounds, researchers at Columbia University in New York and the Miller School of Medicine in Miami found a significant correlation between diet soda consumption and the risk of stroke.

Started in 1993, Researchers divided people into seven groups: those who drank less than one soda of any type per month, those with moderate soda consumption (up to six per week), daily regular soda consumption (one or more daily), moderate diet soda only, daily diet soda only, moderate diet soda and sometimes regular soda, and daily diet soda with any regular soda consumption.

After considering all the other factors studied, researchers concluded that regular diet soda drinkers had a 48% increased chance of having a stroke, while those who drank diet soda every day had a 61% increased risk of stroke over those who drank other types of soda.

Holiday Hidden Eggs

2011-04-18T23:56:00.000-07:00

Easter Sunday is quickly approaching, and children from all over are anticipating belly-filling festivities staged just about everywhere, from egg hunts in Grandma's backyard to an egg roll on the White House lawn.

According to the National Confectioners Association, Easter is second only to Halloween in holiday confectionery sales, estimating that U.S. Candy might come in small packages covered in spring pastels, but a glance at the nutritional information reveals the potential danger. A 17-gram Reese's Peanut Butter Egg is 90 calories, a 42-gram package of marshmallow Peeps totals 140 calories, and one-quarter of a 5-ounce Palmer hollow milk chocolate bunny contains 180 calories.

Doctors, dietitians and exercise gurus agree that little kids -- and some big ones, too -- can indulge their cravings if they follow basic limitations.

Your Babies Development

2011-04-09T03:57:00.001-07:00

If you are a mother to a newborn baby, or soon to be a mother, you probably have many questions about the benefits of breastfeeding and how to do so. Learn some useful tips here on breastfeeding that will help you through in providing this most important and best nutrition for your baby.

Smoking during pregnancy can cause serious problems including miscarriage, complications during labor, premature birth and stillbirth. Pregnant women who smoke are strongly advised to stop smoking for the health of both mother and baby. Many women who quit smoking during pregnancy go on to stay smoke-free after their baby is born. Seek help from your health care professional if you find it difficult to quit smoking.

The first year of your child’s development is one of the most dynamic and interesting periods. The magnitude of changes that occur is huge and intense. However, each baby has his own pace so it is important to recognize your baby’s development so you can encourage him and help where you can. Every stage of your child’s development should be supported and encouraged to enhance his mental capacity.

Garden your way to be Energetic

2011-04-06T06:57:00.000-07:00

Tending your garden can make you feel energetic and happier, say experts.

Besides feeling younger, energetic and happier, gardeners are also more likely to be organized and optimistic than non-gardeners, say experts.

A regular spot of gardening gives the over-50s more of a "zest for life" than those who don't have an inclination for it, reported citing researchers.

Researchers from two universities in Texas analyzed about 300 people over 50, dividing them into gardeners and non- gardeners. They found that 71 per cent of gardeners said they did not "feel old" compared with 57 per cent of non-gardeners.

The gardeners also felt more energetic, got more exercise and were shown to be more mentally active. There were also higher scores for "life satisfaction" among gardeners while they were also more likely to eat fresh fruit and vegetables.

Excess Fructose May lead to Diabetes, Obesity and Other Health Conditions

2011-04-01T02:00:00.001-07:00

More and more people have become aware of the dangers of excessive fructose in diet. Dietary fructose is present primarily in added dietary sugars, honey, and fruit. Americans most frequently ingest fructose from sucrose, a disaccharide containing 50% fructose and 50% glucose bonded together, and high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), a mixture of free fructose and free glucose, usually in a 55/45 proportion.

With the introduction of HFCS in the 1970s, an increased intake of fructose has occurred and obesity rates have risen simultaneously. There is also increasing evidence that fructose may play a role in hypertension and renal disease. Dr. Johnson and Dr. Nakagawa recommend that low protein diets include an attempt to restrict added sugars containing fructose.

Secrets to have healthy diet

2011-03-22T05:52:00.000-07:00

It is environment-friendly, health friendly, and free of chemicals, but what makes best argument for switching to organic, wholesome ingredients is the pure taste that no non-organic can compete with.

This is what the health experts have to say, "Organic foods are just the right solution to reduce an individual's toxin burden of pesticides and food additives, besides increasing their nutrient intake." But that's not all today, the health experts are also talking about holistic diet- a diet regime that takes into account your body's natural state. Holistic diet talks about food that is fresh, mild and triggers our taste buds for health benefits. Says Dr Vaidehi Nawathe.

Holistic diet is also about the way it is prepared, stored, consumed. Whatever may be the food choice, it should be practical, fresh at the same time healthy. Right method of cooking and eating with proper frame of mind with a balance between increasing life demands and adequate mental - physical exercises have a positive impact on health."

Coffee Drinking Reduces Stroke Risk in Women

2011-03-11T04:49:00.000-08:00

Drinking more than a cup of coffee a day was associated with a 22 percent to 25 percent lower risk of stroke, compared with those who drank less.

Coffee is one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world. "Therefore, even small health effects of substances in coffee may have large public health consequences," said Susanna Larsson, Ph.D., lead author of the study and a researcher in the Division of Nutritional Epidemiology, National Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden.

Potential ways that coffee drinking might reduce the risk of stroke include weakening subclinical inflammation, reducing oxidative stress and improving insulin sensitivity, Larsson said.

"Some women have avoided consuming coffee because they have thought it is unhealthy. In fact, increasing evidence indicates that moderate coffee consumption may decrease the risk of some diseases such as diabetes, liver cancer and possibly stroke."

Diet of processed food linked to lower IQ

2011-03-01T00:39:00.000-08:00

A predominantly processed food diet at the age of three is directly associated with a lower IQ at the age of eight and a half, compared to children who eat a diet rich in fresh fruit and vegetables, according to an Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC), which is tracking the health of around 14,000 children.

The scientists who carried out the study emphasized however that they could not say for certain that processed foods are the cause of lower IQs as other factors such as social class and educational upbringing may be implicated.

Aging, interrupted

2011-02-24T02:16:00.001-08:00

The current pace of population aging is without parallel in human history but surprisingly little is known about the human aging process, because life spans of eight decades or more make it difficult to study. Now, researchers at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies have replicated premature aging related disease.

The team report that they have successfully generated induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells from skin cells obtained from patients with Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome—who age eight to 10 times faster than the rest of us—and differentiated them into smooth muscle cells displaying the telltale signs of vascular aging.

Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome is caused by a single point mutation in the gene encoding lamin A, which forms a protein scaffold on the inner edge of the nucleus that helps maintain chromatin structure and organize nuclear processes such as RNA and DNA synthesis. The mutation creates an alternative splice site that leads to the production of a truncated version of the protein known as progerin. Unlike the full-length protein, progerin does not properly integrate into the nuclear lamina, which disrupts the nuclear scaffold and causes a host of problems.

Progerin accumulates mainly in smooth muscle cells found within the walls of arterial blood vessels, and vascular smooth muscle cells degeneration is one of the hallmarks of Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome-associated arteriosclerosis. In fact, vascular smooth muscle cell senescence also plays a role in advanced arteriosclerosis within the normal aging population.

Fetal surgery is more effective than operating after birth

2011-02-16T04:35:00.000-08:00

Part of the spinal cord and spinal nerves, usually encased in a sac, protrude through an opening in the back and is exposed to the amniotic fluid. The brainstem (hindbrain) descends, or herniates, into the spinal canal in the neck and blocks the flow of cerebrospinal fluid. This can cause a damaging buildup of fluid in the brain called hydrocephalus.

Babies who undergo an operation to repair the birth defect spina bifida while still in the womb develop better and experience fewer neurologic complications than babies who have corrective surgery after birth, according to findings from a major multicenter trial led by UCSF researchers. The study is the first to systematically evaluate the best treatment for myelomeningocele, the most serious form of spina bifida, in which the bones of the spine do not fully form.

The eight-year trial, which was stopped early because results were so positive, shows that prenatal surgery greatly reduces the need to divert fluid away from the brain; improves mental development and motor function; and increases the likelihood that a child will one day walk unassisted. This is the first time a randomized clinical trial has clearly demonstrated that surgery before birth can improve the outcome for patients.

Importance of Salt

2011-02-08T23:33:00.001-08:00

Salt is essential to human life and the functioning of the human body, which is why we could never live without it. This is also why in the days of antiquity, salt could be worth more than gold, since you can't preserve meats with gold, but could easily do so with salt. This was of extreme importance in the days when we lived without refrigeration and modern preservatives.

Here are some of important functions of salt in the body:

• Salt is a strong anti-stress element for the body.
• Salt is used for extracting excess acidity from inside the cells, particularly brain cells.
• Salt is used for clearing the lungs of mucous plugs and sticky phlegm, particularly in asthma, emphysema and cystic fibrosis sufferers.
• Salt is essential for the prevention of muscle cramps.

Quantity of Salt:

Based on the requirements of a human body, an average adult requires an intake of 4.2g salt per day. The minimum requirement is 1.5g. Pro-salt campaigners argue that any healthy body will process just the right amount of salt it needs and the kidneys will dispose of any surplus.

Excess Salt:

Studies have indicated that too much salt consumption is linked to health problems, such as hypertension (high blood pressure) and osteoporosis. If you suffer from hypertension you would benefit from consuming less salt. Very young children, very elderly people, as well as people with kidney disease cannot excrete sodium and regulate body fluid efficiently.

Fat Fighting Food

2011-02-03T01:52:00.000-08:00

Every one knows that diet and exercise together helps in losing weight. Instead of helping us lose weight, starvation encourages fat build up by slowing down our metabolism. Instead of beating the urge to eat, you can use it to your advantage by eating fat fighting foods. Here are some foods that might increase your fat fighting ability:

Almonds:These nuts are high in alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which can accelerate your metabolism of fats. Also, almonds have high fiber content, protein and the good type of fat which satisfies your appetite very soon therefore you are less likely to have cravings and overeat.

Eggs:Eggs are packed with a variety of nutrients including protein, zinc, iron and vitamins A, D, E and B12, but contain just 85 calories each. Eating eggs for breakfast makes you feel fuller for longer so that you eat less at your next few meals.

Tomatoes:Tomatoes contain oligo fructose, a fiber that helps sustain the effects of Cholecystokinin (CCK) in your stomach. Tomatoes are also packed with vitamin C which helps in the production of carnitine. Research has shown that carnitine can help speed the body's fat-burning capacity by up to one-third.

Pomegranate:Pomegranate seeds are loaded with folate and disease-fighting antioxidants. They're low in calories and high in fiber, so they satisfy your sweet tooth without blowing your diet.

Cinnamon:One teaspoon of cinnamon a day with food can help metabolize sugar up to twenty times better than food not eaten with cinnamon. This result in less sugar in your bloodstream which means less fat stored.

Lentils:Lentils are a bona fide belly flattener. They are high in protein and soluble fiber, two nutrients that stabilize blood sugar levels.

Yogurt:Eating calcium-rich fat-free yogurt can boost your body's fat-burning mechanism, speed weight loss and trim your tummy. According to the researchers, meeting our daily calcium needs helps us burn fat more efficiently whereas not getting enough calcium triggers the release of calcitriol, a hormone that causes us to store fat.

Spices to be Healthy

2011-02-01T01:24:00.000-08:00

All the natural healing has alternative methods, especially including healing foods. Spices can be used for cooking, drinking as a tea, or used as a compress. Most spices have natural healing abilities. Cinnamon for example has been shown to lower glucose levels in your body. Eat just a half teaspoon a day to improve your health. Check out what healing properties other spices have.

Allspice -- has been used to relieve the pain of arthritis when used in a compress. It also settles the digestive system. If you're having problems with diarrhea or flatulence give allspice a try.

Basil -- can be used on skin infections and insect bites. Basil is high in vitamin A., vitamin C, phosphorus and calcium. It is also a source of iron, calcium, magnesium, and potassium. Basil tea can also soothe a headache and calm the nerves.

Bay Leaf -- Compresses made from bay leaf can be used to relieve the pain of a sprained joint. They also help relieve arthritic pain, and if applied to the chest can't relieve the congestive cough of bronchitis. When taken internally bay leaf relieves an upset stomach and colic in babies. It promotes good digestion and stimulates the appetite.

Black pepper -- has been used as a preventative medicine for many diseases. East Indians take a mixture of black pepper and honey every morning as a preventative for many common illnesses. Black pepper has been known to asthma, boils, colic, cough, diarrhea, fever, gas, hemorrhoids, indigestion, chronic rheumatism, obesity, phlegm, sinus congestion, skin diseases, sore throat, and worms.

Turmeric -- is used externally to heal wounds, relieve pain, and as a compress to break up chest congestion. Internally turmeric acts as a strong anti-inflammatory. It is one of the best spices to use for such conditions as multiple sclerosis. It is good in the treatment of hepatitis, where a blood purifier is needed. It helps inflammatory bowel diseases, ulcers, colic, and yeast infections.

Restrict Fluid Diet

2011-01-27T22:57:00.001-08:00

A fluid restriction diet is a type of diet that limits one’s fluid intake on a regular basis. These foods include ice cream, yogurt, soups, watery fruits and sauces among others. It are understood that water is one essential nutrient that the body needs. Water balance in the body is a crucial aspect that needs to be remembered for adequate hydration.

The fluid restricted diet helps the body prevent too much build up of water in the body. In conditions like this, following this kind of diet prevents adverse effects of too much liquid associated with different diseases.

One may consider a fluid restricted diet when one suffers from congestive heart failure. This condition is characterized by progressive weakening of the heart and difficulty of pumping blood to the body. In addition, people with end-stage renal diseases have impaired kidneys, thus, have the difficulty to produce urine.

One consideration for water intake is the use of small cups while drinking. This will help one limit a water intake. Also, one may consider measuring a daily water requirement in a container to easily limit one’s intake.

Fluid diet is a special diet that can be applied to patients with certain condition that may require water intake limits. Before deciding to take this diet, consult a physician for a professional advice to avoid developing disturbing health conditions.

Parent-Child play therapy throws out depression

2011-01-24T02:10:00.000-08:00

According to child psychiatry researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, a form of play therapy between parents and their toddlers can relieve depression in preschoolers.

Known as parent-child interaction therapy, the play-based technique has been used successfully to treat hyperactivity and disruptive disorders. The researchers adapted it, adding a focus on emotional development, to test whether it could help parents teach their children how to regulate negative emotions, such as guilt and sadness.

The original therapy was developed in the 1970s by Sheila M. Eyberg, PhD, distinguished professor of clinical and health psychology at the University of Florida in Gainesville.

"It’s designed to help parents understand what’s going on with their child," Lenze says. "It also trains parents in how to show empathy for the child and the emotions that child is displaying, as well as what to do about those emotions."
Another reason may involve brain development.

"The brain is undergoing tremendous, rapid change during this period of development," Luby says. "We think it is important to identify depression and intervene early so that we might prevent it from becoming a chronic and relapsing disorder."

Smoking Causes Genetic Damage

2011-01-18T03:49:00.000-08:00

In research described as "a stark warning" to those tempted to start smoking, scientists are reporting that cigarette smoke begins to cause genetic damage within minutes -- not years -- after inhalation into the lungs.

Stephen S. Hecht, Ph.D., and colleagues point out in the report that lung cancer claims a global toll largely as a result of cigarette smoking. Smoking also is linked to at least 18 other types of cancer. Evidence indicates that harmful substances in tobacco smoke termed polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, or PAHs, are one of the culprits in causing lung cancer.

"This study is unique," writes Hecht, an internationally recognized expert on cancer-causing substances found in cigarette smoke and smokeless tobacco. "It is the first to investigate human metabolism of a PAH specifically delivered by inhalation in cigarette smoke, without interference by other sources of exposure such as air pollution or the diet.

Homeopathy

2011-01-10T01:40:00.001-08:00

Homeopathy is a medical theory and practice that developed in reaction to the bloodletting, blistering, purging, and other harsh procedures of conventional medicine as it was practiced more than 200 years ago. Remedies made from many sources--including plants, minerals or animals--are prescribed based on both a person's symptoms and personality. Patients receiving homeopathic care frequently feel worse before they get better because homeopathic medicines often stimulate, rather than suppress, symptoms. This seeming reversal of logic is a relevant part of homeopathy because symptoms are viewed as the body's effort to restore health. The Food and Drug Administration regulates homeopathic remedies under provisions of the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Kinder, Gentler Medicine.

Some of the medicines of homeopathy evoke positive images--chamomile, marigold, daisy, onion. But even some of Mother Nature's cruelest creations--poison ivy, mercury, arsenic, pit viper venom, hemlock--are part of homeopathic care.

Another difference involves alcohol. Conventional drugs for adults can contain no more than 10 percent alcohol, and the amount is even less for children's medications.

However, homeopathic products are not exempt from all FDA regulations. If a homeopathic drug claims to treat a serious disease such as cancer it can be sold by prescription only. Only products sold for so-called self-limiting conditions--colds, headaches, and other minor health problems that eventually go away on their own--can be sold without a prescription.

Tips for Getting Regular exercise Fitness

2011-01-07T04:13:00.000-08:00

Studies have shown that regular exercise significantly increases life expectancy and improves overall health. Regular physical activity reduces the risk of cancer, heart disease, and osteoporosis.
Taking it slow and easy:
Walking offers the easiest, least expensive way to work out for most people. It's important to start out slowly if you have been inactive for a long period of time. It may be necessary for you to start with just 10 or 15 minutes and increase your walking as you feel able.
Back and neck stretch:
Stretching the back, neck and abdominal muscles before exercise can prevent sprained backs and necks.
Foot stretching:
Foot pain can be prevented by gently stretching the Achilles tendon. Pull your foot backward and hold for 10 seconds, repeat 10 times. Properly fitted and appropriate foot ware is also important in preventing foot injury.
Stretching muscles:
Gently stretch all major muscles prior to a workout to prevent muscle strains and pulls. Strengthen the muscles on the front of your thighs by contracting and relaxing the muscle with your knee straight. Contract to the count of ten and relax- repeat 10 times on each leg.
Shin stretching:
Shin injury can be prevented with a slow warm-up before and stretching following each workout. Proper arch support is also important as is a soft workout surface-- grass, instead of asphalt.
Elbow stretch:
Forearm strength can be built up by doing reverse curls with light weights or squeezing a rubber ball.
Swimming:
Swimming is probably the best overall activity for those who are afflicted by diseases of the bones and joints-- no stress is put on the joints and the water offers exceptional, non-stressful resistance.

Dental Tips

2011-01-04T02:10:00.000-08:00

Dental health by many is assumed to be a cosmetic issue. Your health in general is greatly affected by the health of your mouth. Dental health, cavities, is the number one disease in children today. Gingivitis can affect not only your teeth but your heart health. Follow these steps to insure your dental health.

Brush and Floss: Do this at least two times a day to remove plaque from your mouth. One of the most exciting products that we have seen in a long time is Tooth Soap. You must give it to try whether you have problems with your dental health or not.

Examine Your Mouth Regularly: You are in the best position to notice changes in your mouth. These changes could be chipped teeth, swollen gums, irregularities in your tongue or cheeks.

Visit Your Dentist Regularly: Twice a year is good for most people but others need to see the dentist more often. Discuss it with your own doctor.

Limit Snacks and Eat Healthy: Definitely limit high sugar snacks as they are more prone to cause dental problems but also cut down on all snacking.

Understand Your Own Dental Health Needs: Oral health depends on many things, including diet, overall health, overall dental habits, and medications that you are taking.

Quit Using Tobacco: Tobacco gives you bad breath and stains your teeth. It contributes to oral cancer, gingivitis, periodontitis, and tooth decay. If you use it, stop.

Whooping Cough (Pertussis)

2011-01-02T23:38:00.000-08:00

Whooping cough is a highly contagious disease and is spread by droplets from coughing and sneezing from an infected person.

Parents and family members are the main source of infection for babies.

Whooping cough is most serious in babies under 12 months of age, often requiring admission to hospital. Whooping cough can lead to complications such as haemorrhage, convulsions, pneumonia, coma, inflammation of the brain, permanent brain damage and long term lung damage. Around one in every 200 children under six months of age who catches whooping cough will die.

A mother does not pass any protection against whooping cough onto her baby whilst pregnant or breastfeeding.
What are the symptoms?

Whooping cough begins with symptoms similar to those of a cold then quickly leads to:

* Severe coughing spasms
* Vomiting at the end of the coughing spasm
* The baby may stop breathing for periods of time and may go blue
* Poor feeding
* The coughing can last for months
* 'Whooping' sound heard while breathing in

How can you prevent whooping cough?

Immunisation is the best way to control whooping cough and protect your baby. You and any adults
who care for your baby should get a booster vaccine for whooping cough. It is safe to be immunised while breastfeeding.

Whooping cough vaccination is offered as part of the government funded immunisation program for babies at 2, 4, and 6 months of age. Immunisation should be started on time to begin the protection in the baby. A whooping cough immunisation boost is given to children at 4 years of age and in year 10 of secondary school (or 15 years of age).

All parents are urged to check their child’s immunisations and catch up any missed doses with their doctor or council immunisation program.

Protection from immunisation is not life long and begins to fade after six to ten years. A booster vaccine (combined with diphtheria and tetanus) is recommended to maintain protection in the following groups:

* Adults before planning pregnancy, or for both parents as soon as possible after the birth of their baby
* Adults working with or caring for very young babies, especially health care workers and child care workers
* Any adult wishing to protect themselves against whooping cough

10 Types of Heart Drugs

2010-12-30T21:02:00.001-08:00

Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of people in the United States. A diagnosis of heart disease doesn't spell out certain doom, however. Exercise and a healthy diet are one way to fight it, and fortunately, nowadays there are many safe and effective drug treatments as well. Some are new, some are old, and some work when others don't. Your doctor will know which is the best drug (or drugs) for you, but it helps to be informed so you can take part in your own health care (and heart care) planning.

1: Cholesterol-lowering Drugs
2: Potassium
3: Calcium Channel Blockers
4: Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs)
5: Blood Thinners (anticoagulants)
6: Beta Blockers
7: Digitalis Preparations
8: Vasodilators
9: Diuretics
10: ACE Inhibitors

Reduce Baby Heat Rash

2010-12-29T20:52:00.001-08:00

Being a parent is often considered to be one of the toughest jobs in the world. It seems as though new studies or articles come out on a regular basis telling you about something else you should do or avoid doing to raise the healthiest child possible. But you might look at it this way: Life is too short to sweat the small stuff -- especially when sweating can lead to heat rash.

Heat rash is a relatively common condition, particularly in young children. It usually develops in hot and humid weather when the sweat ducts become blocked and clothing rubs the skin, causing redness and irritation. Although annoying and uncomfortable, the good news is that heat rash usually heals on its own in just a few days. More good news (especially for children) -- heat rash is not infectious or contagious.

The best way to reduce the risk of getting heat rash is take preventive measures to avoid it. Babies usually develop heat rash because their parents dress them in too much clothing in hot and humid weather. There is no reason to stay inside when the weather is nice, but it is important to keep your child cool and dry if you want to beat the heat (and the heat rash). Use lightweight, soft clothing in the summer. Another way to avoid heat rash is to keep your child's room cool at night. And try not to overuse powders or creams; these can block pores and lead to heat rash. If your child does end up getting heat rash, find a cool, dry place.

Sleep and Chronic Disease

2010-12-27T21:18:00.000-08:00

As chronic diseases have assumed an increasingly common role in premature death and illness, interest in the role of sleep in the development and management of chronic diseases has grown. Notably, insufficient sleep has been linked to the development and management of a number of chronic diseases and conditions, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and depression.

Diabetes:

Research has found that insufficient sleep is linked to an increased risk for the development of diabetes. Specifically, sleep duration and quality have emerged as predictors of levels of Hemoglobin A1c, an important marker of blood sugar control. Recent research suggests that optimizing sleep duration and quality may be important means of improving blood sugar control in persons with diabetes.

Cardiovascular Disease:

Persons with sleep apnea have been found to be at increased risk for a number of cardiovascular diseases. Notably, hypertension, stroke, coronary heart disease and irregular heartbeats (cardiac arrhythmias) have been found to be more common among those with disordered sleep than their peers without sleep abnormalities. Likewise, sleep apnea and hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis) appear to share some common physiological characteristics, further suggesting that sleep apnea may be an important predictor of cardiovascular disease.

Obesity:

Laboratory research has found that short sleep duration results in metabolic changes that may be linked to obesity. Epidemiologic studies conducted in the community have revealed an association between short sleep duration and excess body weight. Notably, this association has been reported in all age groups—but has been particularly pronounced in children. It is believed that sleep in childhood and adolescence is particularly important for brain development and that insufficient sleep in youngsters may adversely affect the function of a region of the brain known as the hypothalamus, which regulates appetite and the expenditure of energy.

Depression:

The relationship between sleep and depression is complex. While sleep disturbance has long been held to be an important symptom of depression, recent research has indicated that depressive symptoms may decrease once sleep apnea has been effectively treated and sufficient sleep restored. The interrelatedness of sleep and depression suggests it is important that the sleep sufficiency of persons with depression be assessed and that symptoms of depression are monitored among persons with a sleep disorder.

Night Blindness

2010-12-20T00:48:00.000-08:00

Night blindness is poor vision at night or in dim light.

Considerations
Night blindness may cause problems with driving at night. People with night blindness often have trouble seeing stars on a clear night or walking through a dark room, such as a movie theater.

These problems are often worse just after a person is in a brightly lit environment. Milder cases may just have a harder time adapting to darkness.
Causes

The causes of night blindness fall into two categories: treatable and nontreatable.

Treatable causes:

* Cataracts
* Nearsightedness
* Use of certain drugs
* Vitamin A deficiency (rare)

Nontreatable causes:

* Birth defects
* Retinitis pigmentosa

Home Care

Take safety measures to prevent accidents in areas of low light. Avoid driving a car at night, unless you get your eye doctor's approval.

Vitamin A supplements may be helpful if you have a vitamin A deficiency. Ask your doctor.
When to Contact a Medical Professional

It is important to have a complete eye exam to determine the cause, which may be treatable. Call your eye doctor if symptoms of night blindness persist or significantly affect your life.
What to Expect at Your Office Visit

Your health care provider will examine you and your eyes. The goal of the medical exam is to determine if the problem can be corrected (for example, with new glasses or cataract removal), or if the problem is due to something more serious.

The doctor may ask you questions, including:

* When did the night blindness begin?
* Did it occur suddenly or gradually?
* Does it happen all the time or just sometimes?
* How severe is the night blindness?
* Are you nearsighted?
* Do you have other vision changes?
* What other symptoms do you have?
* Do you have unusual stress, anxiety, or a fear of the dark?
* Does using corrective lenses improve night vision?
* What medications do you use?
* How is your diet?
* Have you recently injured your eyes or head?
* Do you have a family history of diabetes?

The eye exam will include:

* Color vision testing
* Pupil light reflex
* Refraction
* Retinal exam
* Slit lamp examination
* Visual acuity

Other tests may be done:

* Electroretinogram (ERG)
* Visual field

Muscle Cramp

2010-12-16T02:49:00.000-08:00

A muscle cramp is an uncontrollable and painful spasm of a muscle. Any muscle can be affected, but the muscles of the calf and foot are particularly prone. A cramp can last for varying periods of time and generally resolves by itself. The exact cause of cramp is unknown but risk factors may include poor physical condition, mineral and electrolyte imbalances and tight, inflexible muscles.

Cramps are usually harmless but may sometimes be symptomatic of an underlying medical disorder, such as atherosclerosis (narrowing of the arteries). Regular cramping or severe cramping that lasts longer than a few minutes should always be investigated by your doctor.

Symptoms
The symptoms of a muscle cramp include:

* Sudden sensation of uncontrollable and painful spasms in the muscle
* Muscle twitching.

Minerals and electrolytes
Muscle tissue relies, in part, on a range of minerals, electrolytes and other chemicals in order to contract and relax. Some of these important substances include calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium. Inadequate diet, dehydration, vomiting and diarrhoea are just some of the factors that are thought to disturb the body’s balance of minerals and electrolytes, and make muscles more susceptible to cramping.

Tetany is a special form of cramping – it can be brought on by overbreathing, which results in a low level of carbon dioxide in the blood. It is usually caused by anxiety.

Risk factors
The exact cause of muscle cramp is not known, but risk factors may include:

* Tight, inflexible muscles
* Poor physical condition
* Poor muscle tone
* Inadequate diet
* Physical overexertion
* Physical exertion of cold muscles
* Muscle injury
* Muscle fatigue
* Excessive perspiration
* Dehydration – caused by, for example, a bout of gastroenteritis
* Reduced blood supply (ischaemia)
* Wearing high-heeled shoes for lengthy periods.

Muscle cramp associated with medical conditions
Certain diseases or conditions may increase the risk of muscle cramp, including:

* Atherosclerosis – a condition characterised by narrowed arteries due to the formation of fatty plaques. Muscles are more likely to cramp if their blood supply is inadequate.
* Sciatica – pain in the buttock and leg caused by pressure on nerves in the lower back. In some cases, the irritated nerve may prompt the associated muscles to contract.
* Medications – some medical conditions require the regular use of fluid pills (diuretics). These drugs can interfere with the body’s mineral balance and contribute to cramping.

Treatment options
Most muscle cramps resolve after a few seconds or minutes. Treatment options include:

* Stretch and massage – lengthen the cramping muscle using a gentle, sustained stretch then lightly massage the area until the cramp subsides. If you are unsure how to stretch leg muscles, see your physiotherapist for advice.
* Icepack – in cases of severe cramp, an icepack applied for a few minutes may help the muscle to relax.
* Medication – some medications can be helpful to control muscle cramps. See your doctor for further information.
* Further treatment – see your doctor if you experience regular muscle cramping or if cramps last longer than a few minutes. You may have an undiagnosed medical condition that requires treatment.

Prevention strategies
Suggestions on how to reduce the likelihood of muscle cramp include:

* Increase your level of physical fitness.
* Incorporate regular stretching into your fitness routine.
* Warm up and cool down thoroughly whenever you exercise or play sport.
* Drink plenty of water before, during and after exercise.
* Make sure your diet is nutritionally adequate, and include plenty of fruits and vegetables.
* A regular massage may help to reduce muscle tension.
* Wear properly fitted shoes and avoid high heels.

Where to get help

* Your doctor
* Nurse on Call Tel. 1300 606 024 – for expert health information and advice (24 hours, 7 days)
* Pharmacist
* Massage therapist
* Physiotherapist
* An accredited practising dietitian, contact the Dietitians Association of Australia
* Australian Physiotherapy Association Tel. (03) 9534 9400

Things to remember

* A muscle cramp is an uncontrollable and painful spasm of a muscle.
* The exact cause is unknown, but some of the risk factors may include poor physical condition, dehydration and muscle fatigue.
* You can help reduce the duration and severity of cramp by gently stretching the muscle and massaging the area.
* See your doctor if you experience regular muscle cramping or if cramps last longer than a few minutes.

Conjunctivitis

2010-12-12T21:59:00.000-08:00

Conjunctivitis is swelling (inflammation) or infection of the membrane lining the eyelids (conjunctiva).
Causes

The conjunctiva is exposed to bacteria and other irritants. Tears help protect the conjunctiva by washing away bacteria. Tears also contain enzymes and antibodies that kill bacteria.

There are many causes of conjunctivitis. Viruses are the most common cause. Other causes include:

* Allergies (allergic conjunctivitis)
* Bacteria
* Certain diseases
* Chemical exposure
* Chlamydia
* Fungi
* Parasites (rarely)
* Use of contact lenses (especially extended-wear lenses)

"Pink eye" refers to a viral infection of the conjunctiva. These infections are especially contagious among children.

Newborns can be infected by bacteria in the birth canal. This condition is called ophthalmia neonatorum, and it must be treated immediately to preserve eyesight.

See also:

* Allergic conjunctivitis
* Keratoconjunctivitis sicca
* Neonatal conjunctivitis
* Trachoma
* Vernal conjunctivitis

Symptoms

* Blurred vision
* Crusts that form on the eyelid overnight
* Eye pain
* Gritty feeling in the eyes
* Increased tearing
* Itching of the eye
* Redness in the eyes
* Sensitivity to light

Exams and Tests

* Examination of the eyes
* Swab of conjunctiva for analysis

Treatment of conjunctivitis depends on the cause.

Allergic conjunctivitis may respond to allergy treatment. It may disappear on its own when the allergen that caused it is removed. Cool compresses may help soothe allergic conjunctivitis.

Antibiotic medication, usually eye drops, is effective for bacterial conjunctivitis. Viral conjunctivitis will disappear on its own. Many doctors give a mild antibiotic eyedrop for pink eye to prevent bacterial conjunctivitis.

You can soothe the discomfort of viral or bacterial conjunctivitis by applying warm compresses (clean cloths soaked in warm water) to your closed eyes.
Outlook (Prognosis)

The outcome is usually good with treatment.
Possible Complications

Reinfection within a household or school may occur if you don't follow preventive measures.
When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if your symptoms last longer than 3 or 4 days.
Prevention

Good hygiene can help prevent the spread of conjunctivitis:

* Change pillowcases frequently.
* Do not share eye cosmetics.
* Do not share towels or handkerchiefs.
* Handle and clean contact lenses properly.
* Keep hands away from the eye.
* Replace eye cosmetics regularly.
* Wash your hands often.

Alternative Names

Inflammation - conjunctiva; Pink eye

Forgetfulness - The Aging Brain

2010-12-06T02:49:00.000-08:00

In our 20s and 30s, our brains begin to change in ways that affect how we store memories. We become more forgetful. If you're in your 40s and 50s, you might worry that forgetfulness is an early sign of Alzheimer's disease. But, not all forgetfulness is serious. For instance, knowing a word and not being able to remember it is usually a temporary problem. It's common to forget some of the many things you need to do. And many people mix up, or even forget, appointments now and then. Use lists and a calendar to keep you on track. Put things like your keys in the same place every time.

Just as physical activity keeps your body strong, mental activity can help keep your mind engaged and challenged as you age. Some research suggests that activities that engage your brain might offer some protection against cognitive decline. Here are some activities you might try:

* Learning to play a musical instrument
* Playing Scrabble or doing crossword puzzles
* Starting a new hobby, such as crafts, painting, biking, or bird-watching
* Staying informed about what's going on in the world
* Reading

Also, some research suggests that physical activity, especially at high levels, may protect against cognitive decline.

Keep in mind the positive effects of aging on the brain. For instance, people can acquire new skills as they grow older. Middle-aged adults typically do better on tests involving knowledge and information than younger adults do. Vocabulary and word use improve with age. And although perhaps not “measurable,” a lifetime of building knowledge and real-world decision-making and experience results in wisdom that is rare in youth.

When Forgetting Isn't Normal

Although memory lapses are usually minor, serious memory loss and confusion are not a normal part of aging. Memory loss along with big changes in personality and behavior may mean there is a problem. Signs of a syndrome called dementia — the most common form is Alzheimer's disease — include symptoms such as:

* Asking the same questions over and over again
* Forgetting how to use everyday objects or words
* Becoming lost in familiar places
* Being unable to follow directions
* Neglecting personal safety, hygiene, and nutrition

These symptoms can also be caused by other more minor medical conditions, infections, nutrition problems, minor head injuries, bad reactions to medicine, or other physical problems that occur in later life. It's important to see a doctor right away to get a correct diagnosis and possibly fix the problem if it is not dementia.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

2010-12-01T05:00:00.000-08:00

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatism is a term used by physicians as a general category of all diseases that cause pain and disability affecting the joints and their supporting structures. The term arthritis is used for conditions arising from involvement of the joints and their immediate surrounding structures. It is commonly used as a general term to describe rheumatic diseases which essentially attack the joints. Therefore we hear that "he/she has some form of arthritis"

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects the joints of the body, and that can profoundly affect an individual's ability to function at normal level. The effects of rheumatoid arthritis can be traced to inflammation caused by the body's normal response to infections, injury, wounds, or foreign objects in the body. There are over 100 different types of arthritis. Here is a quick overview on the five most common forms of arthritis.

Osteoarthritis: Also known as "degenerative joint disease is by far the most common type of arthritis. Osteoarthritis develops as a result of the continual wear and tear experienced by the cartilage that surrounds our joints. The symptoms of osteoarthritis can range from very mild to severe. In general, men experience the brunt of their symptoms in the knees and hips while women tend to suffer more in their fingers.

Rheumatoid Arthritis: This condition is different from most other types of arthritis conditions in that it is a disease of the autoimmune system. Rheumatoid arthritis can also affect the vital organs in more advanced cases. Women are at a greater risk for developing this form of arthritis.

Seronegative Arthritis: These are a class of arthritis disorders that manifest symptoms similar to those of rheumatoid arthritis. Seronegative arthritis disorders tend to be related to skin disorders. These may include psoriasis, disorders of the immune system, and intestinal disorders.

Gout: This is a form of arthritis cause by the overproduction of uric acid in the body. The uric acid creates small crystals that may be felt beneath the surface of the skin. Gout affects about half a million people in the United States, and it is much more common among men. Gout usually affects one joint of the time, and it commonly strikes in the big toe.

Infective arthritis: This form of arthritis occurs when bacteria enters the bloodstream and infects the joints. Infective arthritis is usually the result of a wound or injury that becomes infected. Illness may also cause it, including the mumps and chicken pox.

Aspergillus

2010-11-21T20:51:00.000-08:00

Aspergillus is a fungus that commonly grows on rotting vegetation. Some people with asthma are allergic to Aspergillus and develop allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA). The symptoms include wheezing and blood-stained sputum.

Some people with asthma are allergic to the fungal spores. These can trigger an asthma attack if inhaled. Some people will develop a condition known as allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA), in which asthma worsens significantly, as a result of increased lung inflammation.

In rare cases, a person may suffer serious lung or other organ infection with this fungus. Some severely ill people, or those whose resistance is lowered because they are taking medications which suppress their immune system, may be affected.

The structure of the lungs
The lungs are inside the chest, protected by the ribcage and wrapped in a membrane called the pleura. The windpipe (trachea) splits into two tubes, called bronchi, that service one lung each. The bronchi divide into smaller tubes called bronchioles, which ultimately branch into even smaller air sacs called alveoli. Each alveolus has a fine mesh of capillaries. This is where the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place. A person with asthma who is allergic to Aspergillus will have spasms of the bronchioles, which causes breathlessness and wheezing.

Allergens and asthma
Nine out of 10 people with asthma find their symptoms worsen when they are exposed to certain triggers or allergens. An allergen is any substance that causes an overzealous response from the immune system, which treats the non-poisonous substance as if were poisonous. People with asthma are allergic to different triggers, such as cigarette smoke, wood smoke, pollen, dust mite or Aspergillus spores.

Men and women with asthma who are aged 20 to 40 years are most commonly affected. People with cystic fibrosis are also vulnerable. Treatment options include medications and avoiding exposure to the fungus whenever possible.

Symptoms
Symptoms of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis include:

* Wheezing
* Breathlessness
* Significant worsening of asthma symptoms
* A productive cough with brown mucus or mucus plugs
* Coughing up blood
* Loss of appetite
* Fever
* General malaise.

Complications of ABPA
Some of the complications of untreated allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis include:

* Haemoptysis - the irritated and inflamed airways can bleed and bloodstained phlegm is coughed up.
* Bronchiectasis - recurring bouts of inflammation eventually damage the bronchiolar walls.
* Atelectasis - this involves varying degrees of lung tissue collapse.
* Respiratory failure - the airways become obstructed, or a severe asthma attack squeezes the airways closed. This is a medical emergency.

Diagnosis methods
ABPA is diagnosed using a number of tests, including:

* Chest x-rays - to check for the presence of fluid in the lungs and for any abnormalities, such as enlarged, stretched or damaged airways. CT scans may also be used.
* Skin test - the skin is pricked and a tiny amount of the allergen is introduced. A person who is allergic to Aspergillus will experience swelling, itching and reddening of the site, usually within 20 minutes. However, the skin reaction may take as long as eight hours to develop in some people.
* Blood tests - antibodies are special proteins of the immune system that are tailor-made to counter specific antigens. Blood tests check for the presence of Aspergillus antibodies (Aspergillus precipitins). These precipitins bind with the spores and form tiny solids. Around half of all people with ABPA have elevated levels of immunoglobulin E, or IgE, which is a type of blood protein that prompts allergic reactions.
* Sputum tests - Aspergillus spores are sometimes visible in the person’s mucus when viewed under a microscope. The spores can be cultured from the mucus and positively identified using special dyes.

Treatment options
There is no cure for ABPA. The condition is managed with corticosteroids taken orally or with puffers. Antifungal medications generally have no effect. People with ABPA should be monitored regularly to make sure their condition is successfully managed.

Monitoring may include checking antibody levels and evaluating the airflow capacity of the lungs. People with asthma are generally advised to avoid their known triggers whenever possible. However, Aspergillus is a particularly common fungus. People with ABPA should try to stay away from marshes, forests, bogs, compost heaps and other areas where vegetation is known to be rotting.

Leukodystrophy

2010-11-09T03:51:00.000-08:00

Leukodystrophy refers to progressive degeneration of the white matter of the brain due to imperfect growth or development of the myelin sheath, the fatty covering that acts as an insulator around nerve fiber. Myelin, which lends its color to the white matter of the brain, is a complex substance made up of at least ten different chemicals. The leukodystrophies are a group of disorders that are caused by genetic defects in how myelin produces or metabolizes these chemicals. Each of the leukodystrophies is the result of a defect in the gene that controls one (and only one) of the chemicals. Specific leukodystrophies include metachromatic leukodystrophy, Krabbé disease, adrenoleukodystrophy, Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease, Canavan disease, Childhood Ataxia with Central Nervous System Hypomyelination or CACH (also known as Vanishing White Matter Disease), Alexander disease, Refsum disease, and cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis. The most common symptom of a leukodystrophy disease is a gradual decline in an infant or child who previously appeared well. Progressive loss may appear in body tone, movements, gait, speech, ability to eat, vision, hearing, and behavior. There is often a slowdown in mental and physical development. Symptoms vary according to the specific type of leukodystrophy, and may be difficult to recognize in the early stages of the disease.

Treatment for most of the leukodystrophies is symptomatic and supportive, and may include medications, physical, occupational, and speech therapies; and nutritional, educational, and recreational programs. Bone marrow transplantation is showing promise for a few of the leukodystrophies.

The prognosis for the leukodystrophies varies according to the specific type of leukodystrophy.

Seborrheic dermatitis

2010-11-01T04:48:00.000-07:00

Seborrheic dermatitis is a common, inflammatory skin condition that causes flaky, white to yellowish scales to form on oily areas such as the scalp or inside the ear. It can occur with or without reddened skin.

Cradle cap is the term used when seborrheic dermatitis affects the scalp of infants.

Causes

Seborrheic dermatitis is thought to be due to a combination of an over production of skin oil and irritation from a yeast called malessizia.

Seborrheic dermatitis appears to run in families. Stress, fatigue, weather extremes, oily skin, infrequent shampoos or skin cleaning, use of lotions that contain alcohol, skin disorders (such as acne), or obesity may increase the risk.

Neurologic conditions, including Parkinson's disease, head injury, and stroke may be associated with seborrheic dermatitis. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has also been linked to increased cases of seborrheic dermatitis.

Symptoms

Seborrheic dermatitis can occur on many different body areas. Typically it forms where the skin is oily or greasy. Commonly affected areas include the scalp, eyebrows, eyelids, creases of the nose, lips, behind the ears, in the external ear, and along skin folds on the middle of the body.

Seborrheic dermatitis in infants, also called cradle cap, is a harmless, temporary condition. It appears as thick, crusty, yellow or brown scales over the child's scalp. Similar scales may also be found on the eyelids, ear, around the nose, and in the groin. Cradle cap may be seen in newborns and small children up to age 3 .

Cradle cap is not contagious, nor is it caused by poor hygiene. It is not an allergy, and it is not dangerous. Cradle cap may or may not itch. If it itches, excessive scratching of the area may cause additional inflammation, and breaks in skin may cause mild infections or bleeding.

In general, symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis include:

* Skin lesions
* Plaques over large area
* Greasy, oily areas of skin
* Skin scales -- white and flaking, or yellowish, oily, and adherent -- "dandruff"
* Itching -- may become more itchy if infected
* Mild redness
* Hair loss

Exams and Tests

The diagnosis is based on the appearance and location of the skin lesions.

Treatment

You can treat flaking and dryness with over-the-counter dandruff or medicated shampoos. Shampoo the hair vigorously and frequently (preferably daily). Loosen scales with the fingers, scrub for at least 5 minutes, and rinse thoroughly. Active ingredients in these shampoos include salicylic acid, coal tar, zinc, resorcin, ketoconazole, or selenium.

Shampoos or lotions containing selenium, ketoconazole, or corticosteroids may be prescribed for severe cases. To apply shampoos, part the hair into small sections, apply to a small area at a time, and massage into the skin. If on face or chest, apply medicated lotion twice per day.

Seborrheic dermatitis may improve in the summer, especially after outdoor activities.

For infants with cradle cap:

1. Massage your baby's scalp gently with your fingers or a soft brush to loosen the scales and improve scalp circulation.
2. Give your child daily, gentle shampoos with a mild soap while scales are present. After scales have disappeared, you may reduce shampoos to twice weekly.
3. Be sure to rinse off all soap.
4. Brush your child's hair with a clean, soft brush after each shampoo and several times during the day.
5. If scales do not easily loosen and wash off, apply some mineral oil to the baby's scalp and wrap warm, wet cloths around his head for up to an hour before shampooing. Then, shampoo as directed above. Remember that your baby loses a lot of heat through his scalp. If you use warm, wet cloths with the mineral oil, check frequently to be sure that the cloths have not become cold. Cold, wet cloths could drastically reduce your baby's temperature.
6. If the scales continue to be a problem or concern, or if you child seems uncomfortable or scratches his scalp, contact your physician. He may prescribe a cream or lotion to apply to your baby's scalp several times a day.

Outlook (Prognosis)

Seborrheic dermatitis is a chronic (life-long) condition that can be controlled with treatment. It often has extended inactive periods followed by flare-ups.
Possible Complications

* Psychological distress, low self esteem, embarrassment
* Secondary bacterial or fungal infections

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if seborrheic dermatitis symptoms do not respond to self-care or over-the-counter treatments.

Also call if patches of seborrheic dermatitis drain fluid or pus, form crusts, or become very red or painful.

Prevention

The severity of seborrheic dermatitis can be lessened by controlling the risk factors and by paying careful attention to skin care.

Alternative Names

Dandruff; Seborrheic eczema; Cradle cap

Ingrown Nail Ingrown Nail

2010-10-26T04:11:00.000-07:00

Onychocryptosis, commonly known as ingrown nails (unguis incarnatus), is a common form of nail disease. It is a painful condition in which the nail grows or cuts into one or both sides of the nail bed. While ingrown nails can occur in both the nails of the hand and feet, they occur most commonly with toenails.

Cause

While many things can cause ingrown nails, the most common causes are improperly fitted shoes and nails that are improperly trimmed. Shoes or stockings that are too tight press on the sides of the nail, causing it to curl and dig into the skin.Nails that are cut too short, rounded off at the tip, or are peeled off at the edges versus being cut straight across are more likely to become ingrown as well. Other causes include an abnormally shaped nail bed, trauma to the nail plate or toe and other nail deformities. Proneness to nail deformities that cause ingrown nails can also be genetic.

Symptoms

Symptoms of an ingrown nail include pain along the margins of the nail, worsening of pain when wearing shoes or other tight articles, and sensitivity to pressure of any kind, even that of light bedding. By the very nature of the condition, ingrown nails become easily infected unless special care is taken to treat the condition early on and keep the area as clean as possible. Signs of infection include redness and swelling of the area around the nail, drainage of pus and/or a watery discharge tinged with blood.

Treatment

Treatment of ingrown nails ranges from soaking the afflicted area to surgery. In mild cases, doctors recommend daily soaking of the foot or hand in a mixture of warm water and Epsom salts and applying over-the-counter antibiotics while allowing the nail to grow out so it may be trimmed properly. Another remedy is to file the top of the nail flat. This will cause the nail to contract and pull the ingrown sides up.

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Causes of Watery Eyes

2010-10-20T05:36:00.000-07:00

Watery eyes occur when there is too much tear production or poor drainage of the tear duct.

Causes

Tears are necessary for the normal lubrication of the eye and to wash away particles and foreign bodies.

Causes of watery eyes include:

* Allergy to mold, dander, dustAllergy to mold, dander, dust
* BlepharitisBlepharitis
* Blockage of the tear duct
* ConjunctivitisConjunctivitis
* Environmental irritants (smog or chemicals in the air, wind, strong light, blowing dust)
* Eyelid turning inward or outward
* Foreign bodies and abrasions
* Infection
* Inward-growing eyelashes
* Irritation

Increased tearing sometimes accompanies:

* Eyestrain
* Laughing
* VomitingVomiting
* YawningYawning

Oddly enough, one of the most common causes of excess tearing is dry eyes. Drying causes the eyes to become uncomfortable, which stimulates the body to produce too many tears. One of the main tests for tearing is to check whether the eyes are too dry.

Home Care

Consider the cause of the tearing. If the eyes feel dry and burn and then begin to tear, consider using artificial tears before tearing occurs. This prevents the reflex tearing.

If the eyes are itchy and uncomfortable, consider allergy as a cause. Over-the-counter antihistamines can be useful. A mucous discharge from the eyes or red eyes may indicate a blocked tear duct or eyelid problem.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Tearing is not an emergency, but it can be very annoying and usually can be treated.

Contact your health care provider if you have:

* Prolonged unexplained tearing
* Red eyes, excess discharge
* Tearing associated with pain in the eye
* Tearing associated with tenderness around the nose or sinuses

What to Expect at Your Office Visit

The doctor will take a medical history and examine your eyes.

Medical history questions documenting increased tearing may include:

* Time pattern
o When did it begin?
o Is this the first occurrence?
o Does it occur all the time or off and on?
o Is there a pattern to the occurrences?
* Quality
o Is your vision affected?
o Do you wear or need corrective lenses?
o Is the increased tearing related to emotional responses?
o Is the tearing accompanied by pain? Stinging? Itching?
o Is the fluid clear?
o Are your eyes red or swollen?
o Is drainage or crusting present when you wake up?
* Location
o Does increased tearing affect both eyes?
o If so, are they affected equally?
* Aggravating factors
o What seems to cause or increase the tearing?
o What medications are you taking?
o Do you have allergiesallergies?
o Are you often exposed to wind, dust, chemicals, sun, or light?
o Have you had any recent injuries to the eyes?
* Relieving factors
o What seems to help reduce the tearing?
o Have you tried eye solutions?
* Other
o What other symptoms do you have?
o Is there any loss of visionloss of vision?
o Have there been changes in visionchanges in vision?
o Do you have a headacheheadache?
o Do you have nasal congestionnasal congestion or a runny noserunny nose?
o Do you have joint achesjoint aches or muscle achesmuscle aches?
o Has anyone else had similar symptoms recently?

The physical examination may include a detailed eye examination.

Diagnostic tests that may be performed are:

* Culture and sensitivity testing of tear specimen
* Schirmer's testSchirmer's test

Intervention:

Once the symptoms are explained, the cause is usually clear. Treatment can include:

* Antibiotics
* Artificial tears
* Surgery
* Topical antihistamines

If you might have a blockage of the tear system, your doctor may use a probe to test the tear drainage system. This is painless. If you have a blockage, you may have surgery to correct the problem. Minor surgery can fix improper eyelid position.

Itching scalp

2010-10-18T00:14:00.000-07:00

Dandruff describes scaling and itching of the skin on the scalp. Dandruff causes white flakes on the scalp. Medicated or anti-dandruff shampoos can help. Seborrhoeic dermatitis has similar symptoms to dandruff. Cradle cap in babies is a form of seborrhoeic dermatitis. Psoriasis can also cause an itchy scalp.

Dandruff (pityriasis capitis) is the term used to describe simple scaling of the skin on the scalp. About 50 per cent of the population suffers from dandruff. Applying simple oils (for example, bath oil) to the scalp can be useful in the treatment of dandruff.

Why dandruff occurs
The top layer of the skin is constantly being shed and renewed. Although this usually goes unnoticed when it occurs on most areas of the body, it may become more visible on the scalp as the hair traps the scaling skin.

Itching scalp
Itching scalp, with or without scaling, is a very common problem. It commonly occurs in middle aged people, for no obvious reason. The usual response is to scratch, and this will often cause scratch marks and little crusty sores throughout the scalp. Dandruff can cause itching scalp. There are also a number of less common skin conditions that can present as itching in the scalp.

Seborrhoeic dermatitis can cause itching scalp
Seborrhoeic dermatitis is the name given to a red, itchy, scaly reaction in the scalp. It is similar to dandruff, except the scale is more marked and the scalp is often inflamed. It can be very itchy and can affect other parts of the body, including the face, eyebrows, beard and central chest area.

Seborrhoeic dermatitis symptoms
Symptoms of seborrhoeic dermatitis develop gradually and may include:

* Dry or greasy diffuse scaling of the scalp. This is the most usual presentation.
* Yellow-red scaling on those areas of the body that are generally affected in extreme disease - along the hairline, behind the hairs, on the eyebrows, on the bridge of the nose, over the sternum (middle of the chest), in the creases between the nose and the lips, and inside the ears.

Why it occurs
Seborrhoeic dermatitis affects areas with high densities of large oil glands. The inflammation is caused by the body’s reaction to a yeast on the scalp and to products that break down oil produced by the oil gland.

Cradle cap
Cradle cap is a form of seborrhoeic dermatitis that occurs in newborns. It results in a thick, yellow-crusted scalp lesion. Other symptoms can include:

* Splits in the skin and behind the ears
* Red facial pustules
* Stubborn nappy rash.

Older children can develop thick, stubborn plaques on the scalp, measuring one to two centimetres across.

Factors that can make seborrhoeic dermatitis worse
The incidence and severity of seborrhoeic dermatitis seems to be affected by:

* Other illnesses - for example, patients with neurologic disease (especially Parkinson’s disease) or HIV may have severe seborrhoeic dermatitis.
* Emotional or physical stress.
* Genetic factors.
* The season - seborrhoeic dermatitis is usually worse in winter.

Psoriasis can cause itching scalp
Psoriasis is a relatively common skin condition that affects about three per cent of the population. It is often confined to the scalp, elbows and knees. While seborrhoeic dermatitis tends to involve almost all the scalp, psoriasis often occurs in small, localised patches of redness with quite prominent thick scaling. Because psoriasis may only occur on the scalp, it can be mistaken for a severe case of dandruff. Psoriasis has a genetic link - there is often a family history of the condition. It may be triggered by some form of stress.

Medicated shampoos can help dandruff and itching scalp
Regular washing of the scalp with medicated soaps may be all that is required to relieve itching scalp. The most common anti-dandruff shampoos contain one or more of the following ingredients:

* Tar - shampoos containing tar have been used for years, usually for more severe scalp conditions. In the past, the scent of the tar-based shampoos made them less acceptable. However, newer preparations are well tolerated and simple to use.
* Selenium sulphide.
* Zinc pyrithione or zinc omadine.
* Piroctone olamine - this is the most recent addition to the medicated shampoos. It is known as a 'second generation' anti-dandruff agent. It is less toxic than zinc pyrithione and is therefore safer for family use.
* Antifungal agents.

How often to use medicated shampoos
How often you need to use medicated shampoos will depend on how severe your dandruff is and what treatment you are using. Always read the directions on the shampoo pack before using it. Some products are mild enough to be used every day, while others should only be used once a week. Over time, you will work out how often to use the shampoo to keep your dandruff under control.

Where to get help

* Your doctor
* Your local chemist
* Dermatologist
* Australasian College of Dermatologists website

Things to remember

* Dandruff affects about 50 per cent of the population.
* Itching scalp can be caused by a number of conditions, including dandruff, seborrhoeic dermatitis and psoriasis.
* Medicated shampoos can be used to treat dandruff and relieve itchy scalp.

Signs of aging and skin cancer

2010-10-11T03:39:00.000-07:00

When it comes to our skin, many of us are more concerned with wrinkles, sun spots (also called liver spots), and other signs of aging than skin cancer. But skin cancer is a serious concern. It is the most common form of cancer in the United States. Research indicates that 40 to 50 percent of Americans who live to age 65 will have skin cancer at least once. Luckily, it's easy to manage concerns about signs of aging and skin cancer at the same time. The best way to prevent signs of aging is also the best way to prevent skin cancer: Protect yourself from the sun.

But what about promises of instant youth in a jar? Experts say that over-the-counter creams and lotions can help ease dry skin — which is more common as you age — but they can't turn back time.

Prescription creams, chemical peels, laser treatments, Botox, and other cosmetic procedures are being used to treat sun spots, wrinkles, and other signs of aging. But results vary and some treatments remain unproven. These treatments also don't prevent further damage. So for now, to ward off future signs of aging and lower your risk of skin cancer:

* Avoid the sun when its rays are strongest — between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
* Use sunscreen that has a high SPF number (15 or higher). It should also protect your skin from both UVA and UVB rays. Experts recommend using sunscreen daily, year-round — especially on your face.
* If you're out in the sun for a long time, protect your ears and scalp with a hat. For extra body protection, wear lightweight long-sleeved shirts and pants.

Checking your skin regularly is a good idea. Tell your doctor right away about skin changes, such as new growths, sores that don’t heal, or changes in the size, shape, color, or feel of an existing mole. Skin changes are not always cancer. But you should have a doctor check out a skin change to be sure. Many types of skin cancer can be cured if found and treated early.

Health Calculators

2010-10-07T04:02:00.000-07:00

Keeping body fit is the day-today of the world and nowadays people likes to be fit and healthy. Our fitness retreat program offers some of the helpful tools such as calculators to know your health condition, fitness, weight, calories, alcohol content blood and amount of fat sustained in the body and much more. It helps the people to come up with correct level of exercise and fitness required for the body.

Calories burned calculator

The calorie burner calculator is used to estimate the amount of calories burned during given activity and duration.

Blood alcohol level calculator

Blood alcohol level calculator determines the percentage of alcohol sustained in your bloodstream.

Hip, Waist, Chest Ratio Calculator

Among the different health calculators Hip, waist, chest ratio calculator is the popular most calculators. Hip, waist, chest ratio calculator are designed specifically to measure the waist, hip and chest ratio of the people.

Body Fat Calculator

Body fat calculator is designed to know the percentage of fat in the body. The calculator can be used to know the body fat.

for more information visit http://www.liveinfitnesscamp.com/

Bad Breath, Breath odor, Halitosis

2010-10-04T23:21:00.000-07:00

Breath odor is the scent of the air you breathe out of your mouth. Unpleasant, distinctive, or offensive breath odor is commonly called bad breath.

Considerations

Some disorders will produce specific, characteristic odors to the breath.

Bad breath related to poor oral hygiene is most common and caused by release of sulphur compounds by bacteria in the mouth.

A fruity odor to the breath occurs as the body attempts to get rid of excess acetone through the breathing. This is a sign of ketoacidosisketoacidosis, which may occur in diabetes. It is a potentially life-threatening condition.

Breath that smells like feces can occur with prolonged vomitingvomiting, especially when there is a bowel obstructionbowel obstruction. It may also occur temporarily if a person has a tube placed through the nose or mouth to the stomach to drain the stomach contents (nasogastric tube) in place.

The breath may have an ammonia-like odor (also described as urine-like or "fishy") in people with chronic kidney failurechronic kidney failure.

Causes

If previously normal breath turns into halitosis, causes could include:

* Abscessed toothAbscessed tooth
* AlcoholismAlcoholism
* Cavities
* Dentures
* Drugs
o Paraldehyde
o Triamterene and inhaled anesthetics
o Insulin - injection
* Food or beverages consumed (such as cabbage, garlic, raw onions, or coffee)
* Foreign body in the nose (usually in children)
o Often (but not always) there is a white, yellowish, or bloody discharge from one nostril
* Gum disease (gingivitisgingivitis, gingivostomatitisgingivostomatitis)
* Impacted toothImpacted tooth
* Lung infection
* Poor dental hygienedental hygiene
* SinusitisSinusitis
* Throat infection
* Tobacco smoking
* Vitamin supplements (especially in large doses)

Diseases that may be associated with breath odor (not presented in order of likelihood -- some are extremely unlikely):

* Acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitisAcute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis
* Acute necrotizing ulcerative mucositis
* Acute renal failureAcute renal failure
* Bowel obstruction (can cause breath to smell like feces)
* BronchiectasisBronchiectasis
* Chronic renal failure (can cause breath to smell like ammoniaammonia)
* DiabetesDiabetes (fruity or sweet chemical smell with ketoacidosis)
* Esophageal cancerEsophageal cancer
* Gastric carcinomaGastric carcinoma
* Gastrojejunocolic fistulafistula (fruity-smelling breath)
* Hepatic encephalopathyHepatic encephalopathy
* Diabetic ketoacidosisDiabetic ketoacidosis
* Lung abscessLung abscess
* OzenaOzena, or atrophic rhinitis
* Periodontal diseasePeriodontal disease
* PharyngitisPharyngitis
* Zenker's diverticulumdiverticulum

Home Care

Use proper dental hygiene (especially flossing), and remember that mouthwashes are not effective in treating the underlying problem.

Fresh parsley or a strong mint are often effective ways to fight temporary bad breath. Avoid smoking. Otherwise, follow prescribed therapy to treat the underlying cause.
When to Contact a Medical Professional
When to Contact a Medical Professional

* Breath odor persists and there is not an obvious cause (such as smoking or eating odor-causing foods).
* You have breath odor and signs of a respiratory infection, such as fever, cough, or face pain with discharge from the nose

What to Expect at Your Office Visit

Your doctor will take a medical history and perform a physical examination.

You may be asked the following medical history questions:

* Is there a specific odor?
* Is there a fishy smell?
* Does the breath smell like ammonia or urine?
* Does the breath smell like fruit or is there a sweet-chemical smell?
* Does the breath smell like feces?
* Does the breath smell like alcohol?
* Have you recently eaten a spicy meal, garlic, cabbage, or other "odorous" food?
* Do you take vitamin supplements?
* Do you smoke?
* Does good oral hygiene improve the odor?
* What home care measures have you tried? How effective are they?
* Is there a recent sore throat, sinus infection, tooth abscess, or other illness?
* What other symptoms do you have?

The physical examination will include a thorough examination of the mouth and the nose. A throat culturethroat culture may be taken if you have a sore throat or mouth sores.

In rare cases, diagnostic tests that may be performed include:

* Blood tests to screen for diabetes or kidney failure
* Endoscopy (EGDEGD)
* X-ray of the abdomenX-ray of the abdomen
* X-ray of the chestX-ray of the chest

Antibiotics may be prescribed for some conditions. For an object in the nose, the doctor will use an instrument to remove it.

Hay Fever or Pollen allergy

2010-09-30T06:05:00.000-07:00

Each spring, summer, and fall, trees, weeds and grasses release tiny pollen grains into the air. Some of the pollen ends up in your nose and throat. This can trigger a type of allergy called hay fever.

Symptoms can include

* Sneezing, often with a runny or clogged nose
* Coughing and postnasal drip
* Itching eyes, nose and throat
* Dark circles under the eyes

Taking medicines, using nasal sprays and rinsing out your nose can relieve symptoms. Allergy shots can help make you less sensitive to pollen and provide long-term relief.

Food allergy

2010-09-26T21:26:00.000-07:00

A food allergy is an exaggerated immune response triggered by eggs, peanuts, milk, or some other specific food.

Causes

Normally, your body's immune systemimmune system defends against potentially harmful substances, such as bacteria, viruses, and toxins. In some people, an immune response is triggered by a substance that is generally harmless, such as a specific food.

The cause of food allergies is related to your body making a type of allergy-producing substance called immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodiesantibodies to a particular food.

Although many people have a food intolerance, food allergies are less common. In a true food allergy, the immune system produces antibodies and histamine in response to the specific food.

Any food can cause an allergic reaction, but a few foods are the main culprits. In children, the most common food allergies are to:

* Eggs
* Milk
* Peanuts
* Shellfish (shrimp, crab, lobster, snails, clams)
* Soy
* Tree nuts
* Wheat

A food allergy frequently starts in childhood, but it can begin at any age. Fortunately, many children will outgrow their allergy to milk, egg, wheat, and soy by the time they are 5 years old if they avoid the offending foods when they are young. Allergies to peanuts, tree nuts, and shellfish tend to be lifelong.

In older children and adults, the most common food allergies are:

* Fish
* Peanuts
* Shellfish
* Tree nuts

Food additives -- such as dyes, thickeners, and preservatives – may rarely cause an allergic or intolerance reaction.

An oral allergy syndrome may occur after eating certain fresh fruits and vegetables. The allergens in these foods are similar to certain pollens. Examples are melon/ragweed pollen and apple/tree pollen.

Many Americans believe they have food allergies, while in reality fewer than 1% have true allergies. Most people's symptoms are caused by intolerances to foods such as:

* Corn products
* Cow's milk and dairy products (See: Lactose intoleranceLactose intolerance)
* Wheat and other gluten-containing grains (See: Celiac diseaseCeliac disease)

Symptoms

Symptoms usually begin immediately, within 2 hours after eating. Rarely, the symptoms may begin hours after eating the offending food.

If you develop symptoms shortly after eating a specific food, you may have a food allergy. Key symptoms include hiveshives, hoarse voice, and wheezingwheezing.

Other symptoms that may occur include:

* Abdominal painAbdominal pain
* DiarrheaDiarrhea
* Difficulty swallowingDifficulty swallowing
* ItchingItching of the mouth, throat, eyes, skin, or any area
* Lightheadedness or faintingfainting
* Nasal congestionNasal congestion
* NauseaNausea
* Runny noseRunny nose
* Swelling (angioedemaangioedema), especially of the eyelids, face, lips, and tongue
* Shortness of breathShortness of breath
* Stomach crampsStomach cramps
* VomitingVomiting

Symptoms of oral allergy syndrome:

* Itchy lips, tongue, and throat
* Swollen lips (sometimes)

Exams and Tests

In severe reactions, you may have low blood pressurelow blood pressure and blocked airways.

A blood or skin test can be done to identify elevated antibody levels (particularly IgE) and confirm that you have an allergy.

With elimination diets, you avoid the suspected food until your symptoms disappear. Then the foods are reintroduced to see if you develop an allergic reaction.

In provocation (challenge) testing, you are exposed 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.

Never try to deliberately cause a reaction or reintroduce a food on your own. These tests should only be performed under the guidance of a health care provider -- especially if your first reaction was severe.

Treatment

The only proven treatment for a food allergy is to avoid the food. If you suspect you or your child has a food allergy, consult an allergy specialist.

If you have symptoms on only one area of the body (for example, a hive on the chin after eating the specific food), you may not need any treatment. The symptoms will likely go away in a brief time. Antihistamines may relieve the discomfort. Soothing skin creams may provide some relief.

Consult your doctor if you think you have had an allergic reaction to food, even if it is only a local reaction.

Anyone diagnosed with a food allergy should carry (and know how to use) injectable epinephrine at all times. If you develop any type of serious or whole-body reaction (even hives) after eating the offending food, inject the epinephrine. Then go to the nearest hospital or emergency facility, preferably by ambulance. Seek immediate medical attention after injecting epinephrine for a food reaction.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

* Call your local emergency number, such as 911, if you have any serious or whole-body reactions (particularly wheezing or difficulty breathing) after eating a food.
* If your doctor prescribed epinephrine for severe reactions, inject it as soon as possible, even before calling 911. The sooner you inject the epinephrine, the better.
* Anyone who has had an allergic reaction to a food should be evaluated by an allergy specialist.

Prevention

BreastfeedingBreastfeeding may help prevent allergies. Otherwise, there is no known way to prevent food allergies except to delay introducing allergy-causing foods to infants until their gastrointestinal tract has had a chance to mature. The timing for this varies from food to food and from baby to baby.

Once an allergy has developed, carefully avoiding the offending food usually prevents further problems.

Face pain

2010-09-23T00:41:00.000-07:00

Face pain may be dull and throbbing or an intense, stabbing discomfort in one or both sides of the face or forehead.
Considerations
Considerations

Pain that starts in the face may be caused by a nerve disorder, an injury, or an infection in a structure of the face. Face pain may also begin elsewhere in the body.

Sometimes face pain occurs for no known reason.
Causes
Causes

* Abscessed toothAbscessed tooth (continuous throbbing pain on one side of the lower face aggravated by eating or touching)
* Cluster headacheCluster headache
* Herpes zosterHerpes zoster (shingles) or herpes simplexherpes simplex (cold sores) infection
* Injury to the face
* MigraineMigraine
* Myofascial pain syndrome
* SinusitisSinusitis or sinus infection (dull pain and tenderness around the eyes and cheekbones that worsens when bending forward)
* Tic douloureuxTic douloureux
* Temporomandibular joint dysfunction syndrome

Home Care
Home Care

Follow the treatment prescribed for the cause of the pain.

Painkillers may provide temporary relief. If the pain is severe or persistent, call your primary health care provider or dentist.
When to Contact a Medical Professional
When to Contact a Medical Professional

* Face pain is accompanied by chest, shoulder, neck, or arm pain. This could mean a heart attackheart attack. Call your local emergency number (such as 911).
* Pain is throbbing, worse on one side of the face, and aggravated by eating. Call a dentist.
* Pain is persistent, unexplained, or accompanied by other unexplained symptoms. Call your primary health care provider.

What to Expect at Your Office Visit
What to Expect at Your Office Visit

In emergency situations (such as a possible heart attack), you will first be stabilized. Then, the health care provider will take a medical history and perform a physical examination. For tooth problems, expect a referral to a dentist or orthodontist.

You may be asked the following questions:

* What part of your face is in pain?
* Is the pain on both sides?
* If the pain is only on one side, which side is it on?
* Is the pain over a sinus (forehead, cheekbones)?
* Did the pain begin suddenly?
* Is face pain occurring repeatedly (is it recurrent)?
* How long have the episodes of face pain lasted (for how many months)?
* How long does each episode of pain last (how many seconds)?
* Is the pain worse when speaking, chewing, or swallowing?
* Does the pain develop when touching a specific part of the face (trigger point)?
* Did face pain occur before the start of a brain or nervous system problem (weaknessweakness, speech loss)?
* What other symptoms do you have?

Diagnostic tests that may be performed include:

* Dental x-raysDental x-rays (if a tooth problem is suspected)
* ECGECG (if heart problems are suspected)
* TonometryTonometry (if glaucomaglaucoma is suspected)
* X-rays of the sinusesX-rays of the sinuses

Neurological tests will be performed if nerve damage is suspected.

Hyperthermia in Cancer Treatment

2010-09-21T00:30:00.000-07:00

· What is hyperthermia?

Hyperthermia (also called thermal therapy or thermotherapy) is a type of cancer treatment in which body tissue is exposed to high temperatures (up to 113°F). Research has shown that high temperatures can damage and kill cancer cells, usually with minimal injury to normal tissues. By killing cancer cells and damaging proteins and structures within cells, hyperthermia may shrink tumors.

Hyperthermia is under study in clinical trials (research studies with people) and is not widely available.

· How is hyperthermia used to treat cancer?

Hyperthermia is almost always used with other forms of cancer therapy, such as radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Hyperthermia may make some cancer cells more sensitive to radiation or harm other cancer cells that radiation cannot damage. When hyperthermia and radiation therapy are combined, they are often given within an hour of each other. Hyperthermia can also enhance the effects of certain anticancer drugs.

Numerous clinical trials have studied hyperthermia in combination with radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy. These studies have focused on the treatment of many types of cancer, including sarcoma, melanoma, and cancers of the head and neck, brain, lung, esophagus, breast, bladder, rectum, liver, appendix, cervix, and peritoneal lining. Many of these studies, but not all, have shown a significant reduction in tumor size when hyperthermia is combined with other treatments. However, not all of these studies have shown increased survival in patients receiving the combined treatments.

What are the different methods of hyperthermia?

Several methods of hyperthermia are currently under study, including local, regional, and whole-body hyperthermia.

* In local hyperthermia, heat is applied to a small area, such as a tumor, using various techniques that deliver energy to heat the tumor. Different types of energy may be used to apply heat, including microwave, radiofrequency, and ultrasound. Depending on the tumor location, there are several approaches to local hyperthermia:
o External approaches are used to treat tumors that are in or just below the skin. External applicators are positioned around or near the appropriate region, and energy is focused on the tumor to raise its temperature.
o Intraluminal or endocavitary methods may be used to treat tumors within or near body cavities, such as the esophagus or rectum. Probes are placed inside the cavity and inserted into the tumor to deliver energy and heat the area directly.
o Interstitial techniques are used to treat tumors deep within the body, such as brain tumors. This technique allows the tumor to be heated to higher temperatures than external techniques. Under anesthesia, probes or needles are inserted into the tumor. Imaging techniques, such as ultrasound, may be used to make sure the probe is properly positioned within the tumor. The heat source is then inserted into the probe. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a type of interstitial hyperthermia that uses radio waves to heat and kill cancer cells.
* In regional hyperthermia, various approaches may be used to heat large areas of tissue, such as a body cavity, organ, or limb.
o Deep tissue approaches may be used to treat cancers within the body, such as cervical or bladder cancer. External applicators are positioned around the body cavity or organ to be treated, and microwave or radiofrequency energy is focused on the area to raise its temperature.
o Regional perfusion techniques can be used to treat cancers in the arms and legs, such as melanoma, or cancer in some organs, such as the liver or lung. In this procedure, some of the patient’s blood is removed, heated, and then pumped (perfused) back into the limb or organ. Anticancer drugs are commonly given during this treatment.
o Continuous hyperthermic peritoneal perfusion (CHPP) is a technique used to treat cancers within the peritoneal cavity (the space within the abdomen that contains the intestines, stomach, and liver), including primary peritoneal mesothelioma and stomach cancer. During surgery, heated anticancer drugs flow from a warming device through the peritoneal cavity. The peritoneal cavity temperature reaches 106–108°F.
* Whole-body hyperthermia is used to treat metastatic cancer that has spread throughout the body. This can be accomplished by several techniques that raise the body temperature to 107–108°F, including the use of thermal chambers (similar to large incubators) or hot water blankets.

The effectiveness of hyperthermia treatment is related to the temperature achieved during the treatment, as well as the length of treatment and cell and tissue characteristics. To ensure that the desired temperature is reached, but not exceeded, the temperature of the tumor and surrounding tissue is monitored throughout hyperthermia treatment. Using local anesthesia, the doctor inserts small needles or tubes with tiny thermometers into the treatment area to monitor the temperature. Imaging techniques, such as CT (computed tomography), may be used to make sure the probes are properly positioned.

Does hyperthermia have any complications or side effects?

Most normal tissues are not damaged during hyperthermia if the temperature remains under 111°F. However, due to regional differences in tissue characteristics, higher temperatures may occur in various spots. This can result in burns, blisters, discomfort, or pain. Perfusion techniques can cause tissue swelling, blood clots, bleeding, and other damage to the normal tissues in the perfused area; however, most of these side effects are temporary. Whole-body hyperthermia can cause more serious side effects, including cardiac and vascular disorders, but these effects are uncommon. Diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting are commonly observed after whole-body hyperthermia.

What does the future hold for hyperthermia?

A number of challenges must be overcome before hyperthermia can be considered a standard treatment for cancer. Many clinical trials are being conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of hyperthermia. Some trials continue to research hyperthermia in combination with other therapies for the treatment of different cancers. Other studies focus on improving hyperthermia techniques.

Tonsillitis

2010-09-16T00:35:00.000-07:00

Tonsillitis is inflammation (swelling) of the tonsils.

Causes

The tonsils are lymph nodes in the back of the mouth and top of the throat. They normally help to filter out bacteria and other microorganisms to prevent infection in the body.

They may become so overwhelmed by bacterial or viral infection that they swell and become inflamed, causing tonsillitis. The infection may also be present in the throat and surrounding areas, causing inflammation of the pharynx. The pharynx is in the back of the throat, between the tonsils and the voicebox (larynx). See: PharyngitisPharyngitis

Tonsillitis is extremely common, particularly in children.

Symptoms

* Difficulty swallowingDifficulty swallowing
* Ear pain
* FeverFever, chills
* HeadacheHeadache
* Sore throat - lasts longer than 48 hours and may be severe
* Tenderness of the jaw and throat
* Voice changes, loss of voiceloss of voice

Exams and Tests

The health care provider will look in the mouth and throat for swollen tonsils. The tonsils are usually reddened and may have white spots on them. The lymph nodes in the jaw and neck may be swollen and tender to the touch.

Tests that may be done include:

* Rapid strep testRapid strep test
* Throat swab cultureThroat swab culture

Treatment

If the cause of the tonsillitis is bacteria such as strep, antibiotics are given to cure the infection. The antibiotics may be given once as a shot, or taken for 10 days by mouth.

If antibiotic pills are used, they must be taken for the entire amount of time prescribed by the doctor. DO NOT stop taking them just because the discomfort stops, or the infection may not be cured.

Rest to allow the body to heal. Fluids, especially warm (not hot), bland fluids or very cold fluids may soothe the throat. Gargle with warm salt water or suck on lozenges (containing benzocaine or similar ingredients) to reduce pain.

Over-the-counter medications, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen may be used to reduce pain and fever. Do NOT give a child aspirin. Aspirin has been linked to Reye syndromeReye syndrome.

Some people who have repeated infections may need surgery to remove the tonsils (tonsillectomytonsillectomy).

Outlook (Prognosis)

Tonsillitis symptoms usually improve 2 or 3 days after treatment starts. The infection usually is cured after treatment is completed, but some people may need more than one course of antibiotics.

Complications of untreated strep tonsillitis may be severe. Children with tonsillitis related to strep throat or pharyngitis should generally be kept home from school or day care until they have been on antibiotics for 24 hours. This helps reduce the spread of illness.
Possible Complications
Possible Complications

* Blocked airway from swollen tonsils
* Dehydration from difficulty swallowing fluids
* Kidney failure
* Peritonsillar abscessPeritonsillar abscess or abscess in other parts of the throat
* Pharyngitis - bacterial
* Post-streptococcal glomerulonephritisPost-streptococcal glomerulonephritis
* Rheumatic feverRheumatic fever and related cardiovascular disorders

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call your health care provider if:

* A sore throat lasts longer than 48 hours
* New symptoms develop
* Symptoms get worse
* You have other symptoms with the sore throat

Sore throat

2010-09-12T22:07:00.000-07:00

A sore throat is discomfort, pain, or scratchiness in the throat. A sore throat often makes it painful to swallow.

Sore throats are common. Most of the time the soreness is worse in the morning and improves as the day progresses.

Like colds, the vast majority of sore throats are caused by viral infections. This means most sore throats will NOT respond to antibiotics. Many people have a mild sore throat at the beginning of every cold. When the nose or sinuses become infected, drainage can run down the back of the throat and irritate it, especially at night. Or, the throat itself can be infected.

Some viruses can cause specific types of sore throat. For example, Coxsackievirus sometimes causes blisters in the throat, especially in the late summer and early fall. Mononucleosis and the flu can also cause specific viral throat infections.

Strep throatStrep throat is the most common bacterial cause of sore throat. Because strep throat can occasionally lead to rheumatic feverrheumatic fever, antibiotics are given. Strep throat often includes a feverfever (greater than 101°F), white, draining patches on the throat, and swollen or tender lymph glandslymph glands in the neck. Children may have a headacheheadache and stomach painstomach pain.

A sore throat is less likely to be strep throat if it is a minor part of a typical cold (with runny noserunny nose, stuffy ears, coughcough, and similar symptoms). Strep can NOT be accurately diagnosed by looking at the throat alone. It requires a laboratory test.

Sometimes breathing through the mouth will cause a sore throat in the absence of any infection. During the months of dry winter air, some people will wake up with a sore throat most mornings. This usually disappears after having something to drink.

In addition, allergies (allergic rhinitisallergic rhinitis) can cause a sore throat.

With a sore throat, sometimes the tonsils or surrounding parts of the throat are inflamed. Either way, removing the tonsils to try to prevent future sore throats is not recommended for most children.

Causes
Causes

* Breathing through the mouth (can cause drying and irritation of the throat)
* Common coldCommon cold
* Endotracheal intubationEndotracheal intubation (tube insertion)
* FluFlu
* Infectious mononucleosisInfectious mononucleosis
* Something stuck in the throat (See: Choking child or adultChoking child or adult and CPRCPR)
* Strep throatStrep throat
* Surgery such as tonsillectomytonsillectomy and adenoidectomyadenoidectomy
* Viral pharyngitispharyngitis

Home Care
Home Care

Most sore throats are soon over. In the meantime, the following remedies may help:

* Drink warm liquids. Honey or lemon tea is a time-tested remedy.
* Gargle several times a day with warm salt water (1/2 tsp of salt in 1 cup water).
* Cold liquids or popsicles help some sore throats.
* Sucking on hard candies or throat lozenges can be very soothing, because it increases saliva production. This is often as effective as more expensive remedies, but should not be used in young children because of the choking risk.
* Use a cool-mist vaporizer or humidifier to moisten and soothe a dry and painful throat.
* Try over-the-counter pain medications, such as acetaminophen. Do NOT give aspirin to children.

When to Contact a Medical Professional
When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call your health care provider if there is:

* Excessive drooling in a young child
* Fever, especially 101°F or greater
* Pus in the back of the throat
* Red rash that feels rough, and increased redness in the skin folds
* Severe difficulty swallowing or breathing
* Tender or swollen lymph glandsswollen lymph glands in the neck

Prevention
Prevention

Clean your hands frequently, especially before eating. This is a powerful way to help prevent many sore throat infections. You might avoid some sore throats by reducing contact with people with sore throats, but often these people are contagious even before they have symptoms, so this approach is less effective.

Not too long ago, tonsils were commonly removed in an attempt to prevent sore throats. This is no longer recommended in most circumstances.

A cool mist vaporizer or humidifier can prevent some sore throats caused by breathing dry air with an open mouth.

Tourette Syndrome

2010-09-10T00:54:00.000-07:00

What is Tourette syndrome?

Tourette syndrome (TS) is a neurological disorder characterized by repetitive, stereotyped, involuntary movements and vocalizations called tics. The disorder is named for Dr. Georges Gilles de la Tourette, the pioneering French neurologist who in 1885 first described the condition in an 86-year-old French noblewoman.

The early symptoms of TS are almost always noticed first in childhood, with the average onset between the ages of 7 and 10 years. TS occurs in people from all ethnic groups; males are affected about three to four times more often than females. It is estimated that 200,000 Americans have the most severe form of TS, and as many as one in 100 exhibit milder and less complex symptoms such as chronic motor or vocal tics or transient tics of childhood. Although TS can be a chronic condition with symptoms lasting a lifetime, most people with the condition experience their worst symptoms in their early teens, with improvement occurring in the late teens and continuing into adulthood.

What are the symptoms?

Tics are classified as either simple or complex. Simple motor tics are sudden, brief, repetitive movements that involve a limited number of muscle groups. Some of the more common simple tics include eye blinking and other vision irregularities, facial grimacing, shoulder shrugging, and head or shoulder jerking. Simple vocalizations might include repetitive throat-clearing, sniffing, or grunting sounds. Complex tics are distinct, coordinated patterns of movements involving several muscle groups. Complex motor tics might include facial grimacing combined with a head twist and a shoulder shrug. Other complex motor tics may actually appear purposeful, including sniffing or touching objects, hopping, jumping, bending, or twisting. Simple vocal tics may include throat-clearing, sniffing/snorting, grunting, or barking. More complex vocal tics include words or phrases. Perhaps the most dramatic and disabling tics include motor movements that result in self-harm such as punching oneself in the face or vocal tics including coprolalia (uttering swear words) or echolalia (repeating the words or phrases of others). Some tics are preceded by an urge or sensation in the affected muscle group, commonly called a premonitory urge. Some with TS will describe a need to complete a tic in a certain way or a certain number of times in order to relieve the urge or decrease the sensation.

Tics are often worse with excitement or anxiety and better during calm, focused activities. Certain physical experiences can trigger or worsen tics, for example tight collars may trigger neck tics, or hearing another person sniff or throat-clear may trigger similar sounds. Tics do not go away during sleep but are often significantly diminished.

What is the course of TS?

Tics come and go over time, varying in type, frequency, location, and severity. The first symptoms usually occur in the head and neck area and may progress to include muscles of the trunk and extremities. Motor tics generally precede the development of vocal tics and simple tics often precede complex tics. Most patients experience peak tic severity before the mid-teen years with improvement for the majority of patients in the late teen years and early adulthood. Approximately 10 percent of those affected have a progressive or disabling course that lasts into adulthood.

Can people with TS control their tics?

Although the symptoms of TS are involuntary, some people can sometimes suppress, camouflage, or otherwise manage their tics in an effort to minimize their impact on functioning. However, people with TS often report a substantial buildup in tension when suppressing their tics to the point where they feel that the tic must be expressed. Tics in response to an environmental trigger can appear to be voluntary or purposeful but are not.

What causes TS?

Although the cause of TS is unknown, current research points to abnormalities in certain brain regions (including the basal ganglia, frontal lobes, and cortex), the circuits that interconnect these regions, and the neurotransmitters (dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine) responsible for communication among nerve cells. Given the often complex presentation of TS, the cause of the disorder is likely to be equally complex.

What disorders are associated with TS?

Many with TS experience additional neurobehavioral problems including inattention; hyperactivity and impulsivity (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder—ADHD) and related problems with reading, writing, and arithmetic; and obsessive-compulsive symptoms such as intrusive thoughts/worries and repetitive behaviors. For example, worries about dirt and germs may be associated with repetitive hand-washing, and concerns about bad things happening may be associated with ritualistic behaviors such as counting, repeating, or ordering and arranging. People with TS have also reported problems with depression or anxiety disorders, as well as other difficulties with living, that may or may not be directly related to TS. Given the range of potential complications, people with TS are best served by receiving medical care that provides a comprehensive treatment plan.

How is TS diagnosed?

TS is a diagnosis that doctors make after verifying that the patient has had both motor and vocal tics for at least 1 year. The existence of other neurological or psychiatric conditions[1] can also help doctors arrive at a diagnosis. Common tics are not often misdiagnosed by knowledgeable clinicians. But atypical symptoms or atypical presentation (for example, onset of symptoms in adulthood) may require specific specialty expertise for diagnosis. There are no blood or laboratory tests needed for diagnosis, but neuroimaging studies, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computerized tomography (CT), and electroencephalogram (EEG) scans, or certain blood tests may be used to rule out other conditions that might be confused with TS.

It is not uncommon for patients to obtain a formal diagnosis of TS only after symptoms have been present for some time. The reasons for this are many. For families and physicians unfamiliar with TS, mild and even moderate tic symptoms may be considered inconsequential, part of a developmental phase, or the result of another condition. For example, parents may think that eye blinking is related to vision problems or that sniffing is related to seasonal allergies. Many patients are self-diagnosed after they, their parents, other relatives, or friends read or hear about TS from others.

How is TS treated?

Because tic symptoms do not often cause impairment, the majority of people with TS require no medication for tic suppression. However, effective medications are available for those whose symptoms interfere with functioning. Neuroleptics are the most consistently useful medications for tic suppression; a number are available but some are more effective than others (for example, haloperidol and pimozide). Unfortunately, there is no one medication that is helpful to all people with TS, nor does any medication completely eliminate symptoms. In addition, all medications have side effects. Most neuroleptic side effects can be managed by initiating treatment slowly and reducing the dose when side effects occur. The most common side effects of neuroleptics include sedation, weight gain, and cognitive dulling. Neurological side effects such as tremor, dystonic reactions (twisting movements or postures), parkinsonian-like symptoms, and other dyskinetic (involuntary) movements are less common and are readily managed with dose reduction. Discontinuing neuroleptics after long-term use must be done slowly to avoid rebound increases in tics and withdrawal dyskinesias. One form of withdrawal dyskinesia called tardive dyskinesia is a movement disorder distinct from TS that may result from the chronic use of neuroleptics. The risk of this side effect can be reduced by using lower doses of neuroleptics for shorter periods of time.

Other medications may also be useful for reducing tic severity, but most have not been as extensively studied or shown to be as consistently useful as neuroleptics. Additional medications with demonstrated efficacy include alpha-adrenergic agonists such as clonidine and guanfacine. These medications are used primarily for hypertension but are also used in the treatment of tics. The most common side effect from these medications that precludes their use is sedation.

Effective medications are also available to treat some of the associated neurobehavioral disorders that can occur in patients with TS. Recent research shows that stimulant medications such as methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine can lessen ADHD symptoms in people with TS without causing tics to become more severe. However, the product labeling for stimulants currently contraindicates the use of these drugs in children with tics/TS and those with a family history of tics. Scientists hope that future studies will include a thorough discussion of the risks and benefits of stimulants in those with TS or a family history of TS and will clarify this issue. For obsessive-compulsive symptoms that significantly disrupt daily functioning, the serotonin reuptake inhibitors (clomipramine, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, and sertraline) have been proven effective in some patients.

Psychotherapy may also be helpful. Although psychological problems do not cause TS, such problems may result from TS. Psychotherapy can help the person with TS better cope with the disorder and deal with the secondary social and emotional problems that sometimes occur. More recently, specific behavioral treatments that include awareness training and competing response training, such as voluntarily moving in response to a premonitory urge, have shown effectiveness in small controlled trials. Larger and more definitive NIH-funded studies are underway.

Is TS inherited?

Evidence from twin and family studies suggests that TS is an inherited disorder. Although early family studies suggested an autosomal dominant mode of inheritance (an autosomal dominant disorder is one in which only one copy of the defective gene, inherited from one parent, is necessary to produce the disorder), more recent studies suggest that the pattern of inheritance is much more complex. Although there may be a few genes with substantial effects, it is also possible that many genes with smaller effects and environmental factors may play a role in the development of TS. Genetic studies also suggest that some forms of ADHD and OCD are genetically related to TS, but there is less evidence for a genetic relationship between TS and other neurobehavioral problems that commonly co-occur with TS. It is important for families to understand that genetic predisposition may not necessarily result in full-blown TS; instead, it may express itself as a milder tic disorder or as obsessive-compulsive behaviors. It is also possible that the gene-carrying offspring will not develop any TS symptoms.

The sex of the person also plays an important role in TS gene expression. At-risk males are more likely to have tics and at-risk females are more likely to have obsessive-compulsive symptoms.

People with TS may have genetic risks for other neurobehavioral disorders such as depression or substance abuse. Genetic counseling of individuals with TS should include a full review of all potentially hereditary conditions in the family.

What is the prognosis?

Although there is no cure for TS, the condition in many individuals improves in the late teens and early 20s. As a result, some may actually become symptom-free or no longer need medication for tic suppression. Although the disorder is generally lifelong and chronic, it is not a degenerative condition. Individuals with TS have a normal life expectancy. TS does not impair intelligence. Although tic symptoms tend to decrease with age, it is possible that neurobehavioral disorders such as depression, panic attacks, mood swings, and antisocial behaviors can persist and cause impairment in adult life.

What is the best educational setting for children with TS?

Although students with TS often function well in the regular classroom, ADHD, learning disabilities, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, and frequent tics can greatly interfere with academic performance or social adjustment. After a comprehensive assessment, students should be placed in an educational setting that meets their individual needs. Students may require tutoring, smaller or special classes, and in some cases special schools.

All students with TS need a tolerant and compassionate setting that both encourages them to work to their full potential and is flexible enough to accommodate their special needs. This setting may include a private study area, exams outside the regular classroom, or even oral exams when the child's symptoms interfere with his or her ability to write. Untimed testing reduces stress for students with TS.

What research is being done?

Within the Federal government, the leading supporter of research on TS and other neurological disorders is the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). The NINDS, a part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), is responsible for supporting and conducting research on the brain and central nervous system.

NINDS sponsors research on TS both in its laboratories at the NIH and through grants to major medical institutions across the country. The National Institute of Mental Health, the National Center for Research Resources, the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, the National Institute on Drug Abuse, and the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders also support research of relevance to TS. And another component of the Department of Health and Human Services, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, funds professional education programs as well as TS research.

Knowledge about TS comes from studies across a number of medical and scientific disciplines, including genetics, neuroimaging, neuropathology, clinical trials (medication and non-medication), epidemiology, neurophysiology, neuroimmunology, and descriptive/diagnostic clinical science.

Genetic studies. Currently, NIH-funded investigators are conducting a variety of large-scale genetic studies. Rapid advances in the technology of gene finding will allow for genome-wide screening approaches in TS, and finding a gene or genes for TS would be a major step toward understanding genetic risk factors. In addition, understanding the genetics of TS genes will strengthen clinical diagnosis, improve genetic counseling, lead to the clarification of pathophysiology, and provide clues for more effective therapies.

Neuroimaging studies. Within the past 5 years, advances in imaging technology and an increase in trained investigators have led to an increasing use of novel and powerful techniques to identify brain regions, circuitry, and neurochemical factors important in TS and related conditions.

Neuropathology. Within the past 5 years, there has been an increase in the number and quality of donated postmortem brains from TS patients available for research purposes. This increase, coupled with advances in neuropathological techniques, has led to initial findings with implications for neuroimaging studies and animal models of TS.

Clinical trials. A number of clinical trials in TS have recently been completed or are currently underway. These include studies of stimulant treatment of ADHD in TS and behavioral treatments for reducing tic severity in children and adults. Smaller trials of novel approaches to treatment such as dopamine agonist and GABAergic medications also show promise.

Epidemiology and clinical science. Careful epidemiological studies now estimate the prevalence of TS to be substantially higher than previously thought with a wider range of clinical severity. Furthermore, clinical studies are providing new findings regarding TS and co-existing conditions. These include subtyping studies of TS and OCD, an examination of the link between ADHD and learning problems in children with TS, a new appreciation of sensory tics, and the role of co-existing disorders in rage attacks. One of the most important and controversial areas of TS science involves the relationship between TS and autoimmune brain injury associated with group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal infections or other infectious processes. There are a number of epidemiological and clinical investigations currently underway in this intriguing area.

Bedwetting

2010-09-07T04:59:00.000-07:00

Is your child ready to use a potty? The more important question may be, are you? Children are usually ready around ages 18-24 months. They often signal that they are ready by letting you know when their diapers need changing. You should be prepared to commit to three months of daily encouragement. Successful trips to the potty should be rewarded. Missteps shouldn't get as much attention. Training requires patience. If it is not successful, it may mean your child is not ready.

Many children wet the bed until they are 5 or even older. A child's bladder might be too small. Or the amount of urine produced overnight can be more than the bladder can hold. Some children sleep too deeply or take longer to learn bladder control. Children should not be punished for wetting the bed. They don't do it on purpose, and most outgrow it. Until then, bed-wetting alarms, bladder training and medicines might help.

The pad and bell method
One way to help your child become aware of urinating during sleep is to use a pad and bell. With this simple system, a bell rings and wakes the child once the pad is wet. Over a period of a few weeks, the child gains greater bladder control until they are consistently waking up to go to the toilet. It is best to use this under the guidance and supervision of a doctor.

Things to remember

* Bedwetting is common in young children and is part of their physical and emotional development.
* The child isn’t deliberately wetting the bed, so don’t punish them.
* Most children stop bedwetting as they grow older.
* A relapse of bedwetting can be a sign of stress in children.

Common Cold and Cough Medicines

2010-09-02T23:44:00.001-07:00

Sneezing, sore throat, a stuffy nose, coughing - everyone knows the symptoms of the common cold. It is probably the most common illness. In the course of a year, people in the United States suffer 1 billion colds.

You can get a cold by touching your eyes or nose after you touch surfaces with cold germs on them. You can also inhale the germs. Symptoms usually begin 2 or 3 days after infection and last 2 to 14 days. Washing your hands and staying away from people with colds will help you avoid colds.

There is no cure for the common cold. For relief, try

* Getting plenty of rest
* Drinking fluids
* Gargling with warm salt water
* Using cough drops or throat sprays - but not cough medicine for children under four
* Taking over-the-counter pain or cold medicines

However, do not give aspirin to children. And do not give cough medicine to children under four.

Sneezing, sore throat, a stuffy nose, coughing -- everyone knows the symptoms of the common cold. It is probably the most common illness. In the course of a year, people in the United States suffer 1 billion colds.

What can you do for your cold or cough symptoms? Besides drinking plenty of fluids and getting plenty of rest, you may want to take medicines. There are lots of different cold and cough medicines, and they do different things.

* Nasal decongestants - unclog a stuffy nose
* Cough suppressants - quiet a cough
* Expectorants - loosen mucus so you can cough it up
* Antihistamines - stop runny noses and sneezing
* Pain relievers - ease fever, headaches, and minor aches and pains

Here are some other things to keep in mind about cold and cough medicines. Read labels, because many cold and cough medicines contain the same active ingredients. Taking too much of certain pain relievers can lead to serious injury. Do not give cough medicines to children under four, and don't give aspirin to children. Finally, antibiotics won’t help a cold.

Neck and shoulder pain

2010-08-30T05:58:00.001-07:00

The head is supported by the neck, which is made up of seven bones (vertebrae) stacked one on top of the other. The vertebrae are cushioned by discs of cartilage and bound together with ligaments. Muscles provide movement and additional support. The neck is very mobile, which means it is less stable than other areas of the body and more susceptible to injury. Trauma, poor posture and degenerative diseases, such as arthritis, are the most common causes of neck pain.

The shoulder is a ball and socket joint with a large range of movement. Once again, a mobile joint tends to be more susceptible to injury. The shoulder joint relies heavily on the shoulder muscles for stability. Any dysfunction of these muscles or other anatomical structures such as the collar bone, shoulder blade or joint itself can cause pain and mobility problems.

Both neck and shoulder pain can be successfully treated with physiotherapy.

Whiplash injury to the neck
An injury to the neck that results from increased forces in opposite directions during a short time span or increased speed is often called a whiplash. This may occur as a result of a motor vehicle accident, diving accident or similar mishap. This type of injury can overstretch the neck and upper back region, resulting in a strain or tear to the supporting ligaments, muscles and discs, and even irritating the nerves.

The common symptoms of a whiplash injury are pain, stiffness, dizziness and headache. Recovery depends on the individual and extent of the injury, but can take weeks to months. Treatment options may include:

* Pain-killing medication
* Anti-inflammatory drugs or muscle relaxants
* Icepacks for three days
* Gentle mobilisation exercises
* Gentle soft tissue mobilisation (massage) from a physiotherapist.

Maintaining your normal daily activities is ideal, although modifications may be necessary to assist in the recovery of your neck. Be adaptable and remain positive. If pain persists, a further examination or investigation may be required.

Posture problems and neck pain
Poor posture can cause neck pain by putting extra strain on ligaments and muscles. Standing with the shoulders slouched and chin jutted forward, working with your head down for long periods of time, slumping while seated and sleeping face-down are common postural problems that affect the neck.

Suggestions on how to prevent posture-related neck pain include:

* Correct your posture when standing or sitting, adjust your pelvic position, lift your chest gently, nod your chin slightly and relax your shoulders.
* Ensure your workstation is set up to help you sit properly.
* Stretch and change position frequently while you are working.
* Try not to sleep on your stomach, which overextends your neck.
* Choose a urethane or down pillow for neck support while you sleep.
* Combat the muscle-tightening effects of stress with relaxation techniques.
* Exercise regularly to improve muscle tone and posture.

Osteoarthritis can affect the neck
Osteoarthritis is one of the most common types of arthritis. Anyone can be affected. However, since osteoarthritis is the result of altered usage of the joints of the body over prolonged periods of time, older people are particularly prone. Osteoarthritis is characterised by the breakdown of cartilage, the firm cushion found between two bones to stop them from grinding together.

Symptoms include pain, stiffness and muscle weakness. Commonly affected areas include the neck, lower back, hands, hip and knee. There is no cure for osteoarthritis, but it can be managed with exercise. Keeping the joint mobile and in its proper alignment are the best ways to improve the health of the cartilage.

Common shoulder injuries
Diagnosing the cause of shoulder pain involves assessing the degree of movement and strength in the joint, and possibly taking an x-ray and/or ultrasound. Some of the conditions that commonly cause shoulder pain include:

* Strains, due to overexertion
* Tendonitis, due to overuse
* Shoulder joint instability
* Dislocation
* Collar or upper arm bone fractures
* ‘Frozen’ shoulder
* Pinched nerves.

Physiotherapy can help
Neck and shoulder pain can be successfully treated with physiotherapy. You don’t need a doctor’s referral. The physiotherapist will investigate the pain and determine its cause. Treatment depends on the cause, but may include:

* Soft tissue massage
* Mobilisation to stretch tight muscles and other soft tissue structures
* Mobilisation or manipulation of the joint
* Specific exercise programs
* Taping to stabilise the shoulder joint
* Relaxation therapy
* Various treatments such as electrotherapy, heat, laser or ultrasound treatment
* Information on how to correct postural problems.

Causes of Chest Pain

2010-08-20T23:47:00.001-07:00

Chest pain may be serious and you should always seek urgent medical help. Chest pain may be caused by poor blood flow to the heart leading to angina or by a sudden blockage in the coronary arteries resulting in a heart attack.

However, there are other possible causes of chest pain such as indigestion and muscle strain. Aside from the heart, the many parts of the chest that can cause chest pain include the lungs, oesophagus (gullet), muscle, bone and skin.

Because of the complex system of nerves in the body, the cause of the chest pain may come from elsewhere in the body, such as the abdomen. If in doubt about the cause of your chest pain, call an ambulance.

Symptoms of a heart attack
Symptoms of a heart attack include:

* Severe crushing pain in the centre of your chest or behind the breastbone. You may feel this as a squeezing, tightening, choking or heavy pressure feeling.
* Pain may spread to the shoulders, arms, neck, throat or jaw.
* Sweating.
* Feeling anxious, dizzy or unwell.
* A sick feeling in the stomach.
* Being short of breath.
* Symptoms that often last 10 to 15 minutes or more.

Symptoms may vary from person to person, and some people have few symptoms or none at all.

Angina and heart attack
Angina is a short-lived chest pain that occurs when the heart has to work harder than usual. This often occurs with exercise or high emotion, cold weather or after eating a large meal. It eases when you rest.

Angina does not cause damage to the heart but, if it is not treated, it may lead to a heart attack. Many Australians die of heart attack because they don’t know the signs or wait too long to act. New treatments for heart attack can save lives and prevent serious heart damage.

Heart disease risk factors
The risk factors for heart disease include:

* Smoking
* Lack of exercise
* High blood pressure
* Obesity
* High cholesterol
* Diabetes
* Family history of heart disease
* Gender, since males are at greater risk than females
* Age, since the risk increases as we get older.

It is important to remember that people without these risk factors can also have heart disease.

Other common causes of chest pain
The symptoms of a heart attack are similar to other conditions, so your chest pain may have nothing to do with your heart. Common causes include:

* Indigestion or stomach acid coming up the oesophagus (reflux). This common problem can be made worse by smoking, alcohol, coffee, fatty foods and some drugs. You may feel this as a burning pain in the chest. It often goes away quickly with antacid or milk.
* Muscle strains.
* Inflammation in the rib joints near the breastbone (costochondritis).
* Herpes zoster or shingles can cause chest pain before a rash forms.

Seek urgent medical help
With chest pain, every minute counts. The faster a person gets to hospital for treatment, the better. If any activity brings on chest pain, stop what you are doing and call an ambulance to report a possible heart attack. If you have any doubt about your pain, call an ambulance anyway. While you are waiting for the ambulance, suggestions include:

* Stop and rest quietly by sitting or lying down.
* Chew half an aspirin straight away, unless your doctor has told you to avoid them.
* Do not attempt to drive yourself to hospital. Wait for the ambulance. It has specialised staff and equipment that may save your life.

Diagnosis methods
Before medical treatment can begin, the cause of the pain must be found. You may have a lot of tests done including:

* ECG - electrical tracing of the heart activity.
* Blood tests - to measure markers from the heart and other organs.
* Chest x-ray - to look at the lungs, heart and major blood vessels of the chest.
* If angina is suspected - further tests may be needed to check the state of the blood vessels that supply the heart. An exercise stress test (on an exercycle or treadmill) may be arranged. You may be referred to a cardiologist (heart doctor) for more tests.
* Other tests - it is not always easy to diagnose the cause of chest pain. Your doctor may need to see you more than once to be sure, and further tests may be needed.

Taking care of yourself at home
If your doctor has ruled out serious causes of chest pain, it is likely you will make a full recovery. General self-care suggestions include:

* Follow your doctor’s advice about treatment.
* In the first few days at home, try to take it easy.
* Rest if you feel tired.
* Slowly increase your activity, as you are able.
* There is no need to limit work or strenuous activity, including sex, if you feel well.
* Even if you feel well, follow-up with your doctor is important. See your local doctor in the next day or two.

Reduce your risk of heart attack
Ways to reduce your risk of heart attack include:

* Stop smoking - call Quitline for help and support.
* Be physically active - enjoy moderate physical activity for 30 minutes or more on most if not all days of the week.
* Eat a healthy diet - enjoy a diet low in fat and eat plenty of cereals, grains, vegetables and fruit.
* Watch your weight - keep a healthy weight by eating a good diet and exercising regularly.
* Regular check-ups - see your doctor for regular check-ups. Take your pills as directed. Don’t stop your pills unless your doctor tells you to.

Things to remember

Chest pain may be caused by poor blood flow to the heart leading to angina or by a sudden blockage in the coronary arteries resulting in a heart attack.
Other causes of chest pain include indigestion, reflux, muscle strain, inflammation in the rib joints near the breastbone, and herpes zoster or shingles.
If in doubt about the cause of your chest pain, call an ambulance.

Risks Involved in Tattooing

2010-08-18T03:01:00.000-07:00

* Infection. Unsterile tattooing equipment and needles can transmit infectious diseases, such as hepatitis and skin infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus ("staph") bacteria*. Tattoos received at facilities not regulated by your state or at facilities that use unsterile equipment (or re-use ink) may prevent you from being accepted as a blood or plasma donor for twelve months.

* Removal problems. Despite advances in laser technology, removing a tattoo is a painstaking process, usually involving several treatments and considerable expense. Complete removal without scarring may be impossible.
* Allergic reactions. Although reports of numerous adverse ractions associated with certain shades of ink in permanent makeup, marketed by a particular manufacturer, reports of allergic reactions to tattoo pigments have been rare. However, when they happen they may be particularly troublesome because the pigments can be hard to remove. Occasionally, people may develop an allergic reaction to tattoos they have had for years.
* Granulomas.These are nodules that may form around material that the body perceives as foreign, such as particles of tattoo pigment.
* Keloid formation. If you are prone to developing keloids -- scars that grow beyond normal boundaries -- you are at risk of keloid formation from a tattoo. Keloids may form any time you injure or traumatize your skin. Micropigmentation: State of the Art, a book written by Charles Zwerling, M.D., Annette Walker, R.N., and Norman Goldstein, M.D., states that keloids occur more frequently as a consequence of tattoo removal.
* MRI complications. There have been reports of people with tattoos or permanent makeup who experienced swelling or burning in the affected areas when they underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This seems to occur only rarely and apparently without lasting effects.

Osteonecrosis

2010-08-11T02:15:00.000-07:00

Osteonecrosis occurs when your bones lose their blood supply. The bones die and eventually collapse, leading to pain and arthritis. You can have osteonecrosis in one or several bones. It is most common in the upper leg. Other common sites are your upper arm and your knees, shoulders and ankles. The disease can affect men and women of any age, but it usually strikes in your thirties, forties or fifties.

Early in the disease you might not have any symptoms. Later, you will probably have joint pain that becomes more severe as the disease gets worse.

No one is sure what causes the disease. Risk factors include

* Long-term steroid treatment
* Alcohol abuse
* Joint injuries
* Having certain diseases, including arthritis and cancer

Treatments include medicines, using crutches, limiting activities that put weight on the affected joints, electrical stimulation and surgery.

Heel pain

2010-08-09T22:54:00.000-07:00

Causes

Most frequently heel pain is not the result of any single injury, such as a fall or twist, but rather the result of repetitive or excessive heel pounding.

Plantar fasciitisPlantar fasciitis is inflammation of the thick connective tissue on the sole of your foot that attaches to your heel. The pain is usually felt at the bottom of your heel and is often worse in the morning because of stiffness that occurs overnight. The following increase your risk of developing this painful problem:

* Shoes with poor arch support or soft soles
* Quick turns that put stress on your foot
* Tight calf muscles
* Repetitive pounding on your feet from long-distance running, especially running downhill or on uneven surfaces
* Pronation -- landing on the outside of your foot and rolling inward when walking or running; to know if you pronate, check the soles of your shoes to see if they are worn along the outer edge

Bone spurs in the heel can accompany plantar fasciitis, but are generally not the source of the pain. If you treat the plantar fasciitis appropriately, the bone spur is likely to no longer bother you.

Heel bursitisbursitis (inflammation of the back of the heel) can be caused by landing hard or awkwardly on the heel, or by pressure from shoes.

Achilles tendinitisAchilles tendinitis is inflammation of the large tendon that connects your calf muscle to your heel. This can be caused by:

* Running, especially on hard surfaces like concrete
* Tightness and lack of flexibility in your calf muscles
* Shoes with inadequate stability or shock absorption
* Sudden inward or outward turning of your heel when hitting the ground

Home Care

* Rest as much as possible for at least a week.
* Apply ice to the painful area. Do this at least twice a day for 10 to 15 minutes, more often in the first couple of days.
* Take acetaminophen for pain or ibuprofen for pain and inflammation.
* Wear proper-fitting shoes.
* A heel cup, felt pads in the heel area, or an orthotic device may help.
* Night splints can stretch the injured fascia and allow it to heal.

Additional steps:

* Apply moleskin to avoid pressure if you have bursitis.
* See a physical therapist to learn stretching and strengthening exercises. These help prevent plantar fasciitis or Achilles tendinitis from returning.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

* Your pain is getting worse despite home treatment
* There is little progress after 2 to 3 weeks of home treatment
* Your pain is sudden and severe
* You have redness or swelling of your heel or you cannot bear weight

What to Expect at Your Office Visit

Your doctor will take your medical history and perform a physical examination, including a full exam of your feet and legs.

To help diagnose the cause of the problem, your doctor will ask medical history questions, such as:

* Have you had this type of heel pain before? If so, what was the diagnosis and what caused the problem?
* When did this episode of pain begin?
* Do you have pain upon your first steps in the morning or after your first steps after rest?
* Where exactly is your pain?
* Is the pain dull and aching or sharp and stabbing?
* Is it worse after you exercise?
* Is it worse when you are standing?
* Do you have any swelling or redness of your heel?
* Have you had a fall or have you twisted your foot recently?
* Are you a runner? How far do you run? How often do you run? On what type of surface do you run?
* Do you walk or stand on your feet for long periods of time?
* What kind of shoes do you wear?
* Do you have any other symptoms?

Diagnostic tests that may be performed include a foot x-rayfoot x-ray, focusing on the heel.

If either plantar fasciitis or bursitis is diagnosed and if shoe changes and the use of orthotics have not been successful, cortisone injections may be tried. Surgery is a last resort and is seldom necessary.

If Achilles tendinitis is diagnosed, anti-inflammatory medicine may be prescribed. Heel lifts may be used. Stretching can be helpful. In particularly unresponsive cases, a walking cast or boot may be helpful. Surgery is usually not necessary.

Prevention

To prevent plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendinitis, maintain flexible and strong muscles in your calves, ankles, and feet. Always stretch and warm-up prior to athletic activities.

Wear comfortable, properly fitting shoes with good arch support and cushioning. If you pronate, look for athletic shoes with an antipronation device. If orthotics are prescribed by your provider, wear them in all of your shoes, not just while exercising.

Foot pain

2010-08-09T02:26:00.001-07:00

Pain or discomfort can be felt anywhere in the foot, including the heel, toes, arch, instep, sole, or ankles.

Foot pain can be caused by:

* BunionsBunions -- a protrusion at the base of the big toe, which can become inflamed. Bunions often develop over time from wearing narrow-toed shoes.
* Hammer toesHammer toes -- toes that curl downward into a claw-like position.
* Calluses and cornsCalluses and corns -- thickened skin from friction or pressure. Calluses are on the balls of the feet or heels. Corns appear on your toes.
* Plantar warts -- from pressure on the soles of your feet.
* Fallen archesFallen arches -- also called flat feet.

Poorly fitting shoes often cause these problems. Aging and being overweight also increase your chances of having foot problems.

Morton's neuroma is a type of foot pain that is usually centered between the third and fourth toes. It results from thickening and swelling of tissue around a nerve in the area. Symptoms include tingling and sharp, shooting, or burning pains in the ball of your foot (and sometimes toes), especially when wearing shoes or pressing on the area. Pain gradually gets worse over time. Morton's neuroma is more common in women than men.

Other common causes of foot pain include:

* Broken bonesBroken bones
* Stress fracture
* ArthritisArthritis
* GoutGout -- common in the big toe, which becomes red, swollen, and very tender
* Plantar fasciitisPlantar fasciitis
* Bone spur
* SprainsSprains
* Bursitis of the heel
* Tendinitis
Home Care
Home Care

* Apply ice to reduce pain and swelling. Do this just after an activity that aggravates your pain.
* Elevate your painful foot as much as possible.
* Reduce activity until the problem improves.
* Wear foot pads in areas of friction or pressure. This will prevent rubbing and irritation.
* Take over-the-counter pain medicine, like ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Try this for 2 to 3 weeks (unless you have a history of an ulcer, liver disease, or other condition that does not allow you to take one of these drugs).

For plantar warts, try an over-the-counter wart removal preparation.

For calluses, soak in warm water and then rub them down with a pumice stone. Do NOT cut or burn corns or calluses.

For foot pain caused by a stress fracture, an extended rest period is often necessary. Crutches may be used for a week or so to take the pressure off, if your foot is particularly painful.

For foot pain due to plantar fasciitis, shoe inserts and stretches may help.

When to Contact a Medical Professional
When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call your doctor if:

* You have sudden, severe pain.
* Your pain began following an injury -- especially if there is bleeding, bruising, deformity, or you cannot bear weight.
* You have redness or swelling of the joint, an open sore or ulcer on your foot, or a fever.
* You have new foot pain and have been diagnosed with diabetes or peripheral vascular disease (a condition characterized by poor circulation).
* You do not respond to self-care within 1 to 2 weeks.

What to Expect at Your Office Visit
What to Expect at Your Office Visit

Your doctor will perform a physical examination, paying particular attention to your feet, legs, and back, and your stance, posture, and gait.

To help diagnose the cause of the problem, your doctor will ask medical history questions, such as:

* Are both of your feet affected? If only one, which one?
* Exactly what part of your foot is affected?
* Does the pain move from joint to joint, or does it always occur in the same location?
* Did your pain begin suddenly and severely or slowly and mildly, gradually getting worse?
* How long have you had the pain?
* Is it worse at night or when you first wake up in the morning?
* Is it getting better?
* Does anything make your pain feel better or worse?
* Do you have any other symptoms?

X-rays may be useful in making a diagnosis.

For bunions, plantar fasciitis, bone spurs, Morton's neuroma, or other conditions, your doctor may inject cortisone. This will be considered if oral medication, changing your shoes, and other measures have not helped. No more than three injections in a year should be attempted in most cases.

A broken foot will be casted. Broken toes will be taped.

Orthotics fit by an orthotist or other specialist can help many structurally related problems. Physical therapy is also quite helpful for conditions related to overuse or tight muscles, such as plantar fasciitis or achilles tendinitis.

Removal of plantar warts, corns, or calluses may be necessary. This may be performed by a medical doctor or a podiatrist.

Surgery may be considered for certain conditions like bunions or hammer toes if the pain interferes with walking or other activities.
Prevention
Prevention

The following steps can prevent foot problems and foot pain:

* Wear comfortable, properly fitting shoes. They should have good arch support and cushioning.
* Wear shoes with adequate room around the ball of your foot and toe.
* Wear sneakers as often as possible, especially when walking.
* Avoid narrow-toed shoes and high heels.
* Replace running shoes frequently.
* Warm up before exercise, cool down after exercise, and stretch adequately.
* Increase your amount of exercise slowly over time to avoid putting excessive strain on your feet.
* Lose weight if you need to.
* Learn exercises to strengthen your feet and avoid pain. This can help flat feet and other potential foot problems.
* Keep feet dry to avoid friction. This may help prevent corns and calluses.
* Avoid alcohol to prevent attacks of gout.

Angina (Chest pain)

2010-08-05T23:50:00.000-07:00

Angina (an-JI-nuh or AN-juh-nuh) is chest pain or discomfort that occurs when an area of your heart muscle doesn't get enough oxygen-rich blood. Angina may feel like pressure or squeezing in your chest. The pain also may occur in your shoulders, arms, neck, jaw, or back. Angina pain may even feel like indigestion.

Angina isn't a disease; it's a symptom of an underlying heart problem. Angina usually is a symptom of coronary heart disease (CHD), also called coronary artery disease.

CHD is the most common type of heart disease in adults. It occurs if a fatty material called plaque (plak) builds up on the inner walls of your coronary arteries. These arteries carry oxygen-rich blood to your heart.

Figure A shows a normal artery with normal blood flow. The inset image shows a cross-section of a normal artery. Figure B shows an artery with plaque buildup. The inset image shows a cross-section of an artery with plaque buildup

Plaque narrows and stiffens the coronary arteries. This reduces the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle, causing chest pain. Plaque buildup also can lead to a heart attack if the plaque ruptures (breaks open) and causes a blood clot to form that blocks the artery.

Angina also can be a symptom of coronary microvascular disease (MVD). This is heart disease that affects the heart’s smallest coronary arteries. Unlike traditional CHD, coronary MVD doesn’t always create blockages in the arteries. Studies have shown that coronary MVD is more likely to affect women than men.

Coronary MVD also is called cardiac syndrome X and nonobstructive CHD.
Types of Angina

The types of angina are stable, unstable, variant (Prinzmetal's), and microvascular. Knowing how the types differ is important. This is because they have different symptoms and require different treatments.
Stable Angina

Stable angina is the most common type of angina. It occurs if the heart is working harder than usual. Stable angina has a regular pattern.

If you know you have stable angina, you can learn to recognize the pattern and predict when the pain will occur. The pain usually goes away a few minutes after you rest or take your angina medicine.

Stable angina isn't a heart attack, but it suggests that a heart attack is more likely in the future.
Unstable Angina

Unstable angina doesn't follow a pattern. It can occur with or without physical exertion, and it may not be relieved by rest or medicine.

Unstable angina is very dangerous and requires emergency treatment. This type of angina is a sign that a heart attack may happen soon.
Variant (Prinzmetal's) Angina

Variant angina is rare. It usually occurs while you're at rest, and the pain can be severe. Variant angina usually happens between midnight and early morning. Medicine can relieve this type of angina.
Microvascular Angina

Microvascular angina can be more severe and last longer than other types of angina; medicine may not relieve it. This type of angina may be a symptom of coronary MVD.
Overview

Experts believe that nearly 7 million people in the United States suffer from angina. About 400,000 people go to their doctors with new cases of angina every year. The condition occurs equally in men and women.

Angina can be a sign of heart disease, even if initial tests don't show evidence of CHD. However, not all chest pain or discomfort is a sign of a heart problem.

Other conditions also can cause chest pain, such as a pulmonary embolism (a blockage in a lung artery), a lung infection, aortic dissection (tearing of a major artery), pericarditis (inflammation in the tissues that surround the heart), or a panic attack.

All chest pain should be checked by a doctor.

Know more on Anxiety and Anxiety Disorders

2010-08-05T03:20:00.000-07:00

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Generalized Anxiety Disorder can begin at any age though it is most likely to start in childhood.iv People with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) will worry excessively about a variety of everyday problems for at least 6 months.v Children, pre-teens, and teens with GAD can’t relax, may startle easily, have trouble focusing, and will sometimes have trouble sleeping. Other signs of GAD can include fatigue, headaches, muscle tension, muscle aches, difficulty swallowing, trembling, twitching, irritability, sweating, nausea, lightheadedness, having to go to the bathroom frequently, feeling out of breath, and hot flashes. When their anxiety is bothering them, children with GAD can have trouble completing tasks, like homework.

If you think your son or daughter might have GAD, talk to a health care provider like a nurse or doctor, the counselor at your child’s school, or a mental health professional.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Children, pre-teens, or teens with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) constantly have thoughts that bother them (obsessions). They will develop routines and rituals (compulsions) in an attempt to control the stress these thoughts cause. At their worst, these rituals can take over a young person’s life.

Parents concerned about OCD should look for the most common OCD compulsions:vi

* Excessive hand washing due to fear of germs

* Counting constantly

* Repeating words silently

* Repeatedly rechecking completed tasks

OCD affects about 2.2 million Americans.vii It usually appears in childhood, adolescence, or early adulthood.viii OCD can change over time, and the effects of OCD can get weaker or stronger. Sometimes these effects fade completely.

In some cases, OCD can prevent children from feeling comfortable and behaving normally at home, at school, or in social situations. Some people with OCD may try to help themselves by avoiding situations that will upset them. In some cases, teens with OCD will turn to alcohol or drugs to try to calm themselves.ix, x

If your son or daughter shows signs of OCD, or you have any questions, talk to a health care provider like a nurse or doctor, the counselor at your child’s school, or a mental health professional.

Panic Disorder

Panic disorder causes sudden attacks of terror. These attacks are called panic attacks and can last minutes to hours. During these panic attacks, a teen can experience:

* A pounding heart

* Weakness, dizziness, or feeling faint

* Nausea

* Chest pain

* Numbness in the hands

* Feeling like they are being smothered

Children can suffer a panic attack at any time, even during sleep. Panic attacks often begin in late adolescence or early adulthood.xi However, just because a teen has a panic attack doesn’t mean that he or she has panic disorder – one panic attack does not equal panic disorder.

If you are concerned that your son or daughter might have panic disorder, talk to a health care provider like a nurse or doctor, the counselor at your child’s school, or a mental health professional.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

We often hear about Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) as something that affects adults (such as war veterans), but it can happen to a child who has experienced or witnessed trauma or traumatic events.

PTSD can affect children who have survived some sort of trauma. Children don’t have to be physically harmed to suffer from PTSD. Children can suffer from PTSD if something bad happens to them, if they witness a traumatic event, or a trauma happens to someone they love.

Children suffering from PTSD can show the following signs:

* Difficulty sleeping

* Emotional numbness (not feeling happiness or sadness, for example, when they should)

* Losing interest in favorite activities or hobbies

* Aggression

* Displays of violence

* Flashbacks

* Frequent bad dreams

PTSD affects about 7.7 million American adultsxii, but it can occur at any age, including childhood.xiii Children suffering from PTSD may also face depression, substance abuse, or one or more of the other anxiety disorders.xiv

If you believe that you child is suffering from PTSD, please talk to a health care provider like a nurse or doctor, the counselor at your child’s school, or a mental health professional.

Social Anxiety Disorder (Social Phobia)

Children with social anxiety disorder, also called social phobia, are so self-conscious that they find it very, very hard to take part in social situations. Children with social anxiety disorder have an intense and often constant fear of being watched and judged by others. They are very afraid of doing something that will embarrass them.

Sometimes this fear is caused by one specific thing or situation. For example, a child might worry for days, even weeks, leading up to a school test or oral presentation. Sometimes this fear is not caused by anything specific. In this case, a child with social anxiety disorder may be uncomfortable around anybody except family. This can make it very hard for a child or youth to make friends or attend school.

Signs of social phobia in children and youth include:

* Being overly sensitive to criticism

* Having trouble being assertive

* Suffering from low self-esteem

Social phobia affects about 15 million Americans.xv It usually begins in childhood or early adolescence.xvi People with social anxiety disorder may also have other anxiety disorders or depression.xvii, xviii Some people with social anxiety disorder may also develop problems with substance abuse.xix, xx

Dentures

2010-08-03T23:25:00.000-07:00

Dentures are false teeth made to replace teeth you have lost. Dentures can be complete or partial. Complete dentures cover your entire upper or lower jaw. Partials replace one or a few teeth.

Advances in dentistry have made many improvements in dentures. They are more natural looking and comfortable than they used to be. But they still may feel strange at first. In the beginning, your dentist may want to see you often to make sure the dentures fit. Over time, your mouth will change and your dentures may need to be adjusted or replaced. Be sure to let your dentist handle these adjustments.

Speaking and eating may feel different with dentures. Be careful when wearing dentures because they may make it harder for you to feel hot foods and liquids. Also, you may not notice things like bones in your mouth.

Information on Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

2010-07-27T04:21:00.000-07:00

What is carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)?

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the name for a group of problems that includes swelling, pain, tingling, and loss of strength in your wrist and hand. Your wrist is made of small bones that form a narrow groove or carpal tunnel. Tendons and a nerve called the median nerve must pass through this tunnel from your forearm into your hand. The median nerve controls the feelings and sensations in the palm side of your thumb and fingers. Sometimes swelling and irritation of the tendons can put pressure on the wrist nerve causing the symptoms of CTS. A person’s dominant hand is the one that is usually affected. However, nearly half of CTS sufferers have symptoms in both hands.

CTS has become more common in the U.S. and is quite costly in terms of time lost from work and expensive medical treatment. The U.S. Department of Labor reported that in 2003 the average number of missed days of work due to CTS was 23 days, costing over $2 billion a year. It is thought that about 3.7 percent of the general public in this country suffer from CTS.
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What are the symptoms of CTS?

Typically, CTS begins slowly with feelings of burning, tingling, and numbness in the wrist and hand. The areas most affected are the thumb, index and middle fingers. At first, symptoms may happen more often at night. Many CTS sufferers do not make the connection between a daytime activity that might be causing the CTS and the delayed symptoms. Also, many people sleep with their wrist bent, which may cause more pain and symptoms at night. As CTS gets worse, the tingling may be felt during the daytime too, along with pain moving from the wrist to your arm or down to your fingers. Pain is usually felt more on the palm side of the hand.

Another symptom of CTS is weakness of the hands that gets worse over time. Some people with CTS find it difficult to grasp an object, make a fist, or hold onto something small. The fingers may even feel like they are swollen even though they are not. Over time, this feeling will usually happen more often.

If left untreated, those with CTS can have a loss of feeling in some fingers and permanent weakness of the thumb. Thumb muscles can actually waste away over time. Eventually, CTS sufferers may have trouble telling the difference between hot and cold temperatures by touch.
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What causes CTS and who is more likely to develop it?

Women are three times more likely to have CTS than men. Although there is limited research on why this is the case, scientists have several ideas. It may be that the wrist bones are naturally smaller in most women, creating a tighter space through which the nerves and tendons must pass. Other researchers are looking at genetic links that make it more likely for women to have musculoskeletal injuries such as CTS. Women also deal with strong hormonal changes during pregnancy and menopause that make them more likely to suffer from CTS. Generally, women are at higher risk of CTS between the ages of 45 and 54. Then, the risk increases for both men and women as they age.

There are other factors that can cause CTS, including certain health problems and, in some cases, the cause is unknown.

These are some of the things that might raise your chances of developing CTS:

* Genetic predisposition. The carpal tunnel is smaller in some people than others.
* Repetitive Movements. People who do the same movements with their wrists and hands over and over may be more likely to develop CTS. People with certain types of jobs are more likely to have CTS, including manufacturing and assembly line workers, grocery store checkers, violinists, and carpenters. Some hobbies and sports that use repetitive hand movements can also cause CTS, such as golfing, knitting, and gardening. Whether or not long-term typing or computer use causes CTS is still being debated. Limited research points to a weak link, but more research is needed.
* Injury or Trauma. A sprain or a fracture of the wrist can cause swelling and pressure on the nerve, increasing the risk of CTS. Forceful and stressful movements of the hand and wrist can also cause trauma, such as strong vibrations caused by heavy machinery or power tools.
* Pregnancy. Hormonal changes during pregnancy and build up of fluid can put pregnant women at greater risk of getting CTS, especially during the last few months. Most doctors treat CTS in pregnant women with wrist splits or rest, rather than surgery, as CTS almost always goes away following childbirth.
* Menopause. Hormonal changes during menopause can put women at greater risk of getting CTS. Also, in some postmenopausal women, the wrist structures become enlarged and can press on the wrist nerve.
* Breast Cancer. Some women who have a mastectomy get lymphedema, the build-up of fluids that go beyond the lymph system's ability to drain it. In mastectomy patients, this causes pain and swelling of the arm. Although rare, some of these women will get CTS due to pressure on the nerve from this swelling.
* Medical Conditions. People who have diabetes, hypothyroidism, lupus, obesity, and rheumatoid arthritis are more likely to get CTS. In some of these patients, the normal structures in the wrist can become enlarged and lead to CTS.

Also, smokers with CTS usually have worse symptoms and recover more slowly than nonsmokers.
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How is CTS treated?

It is important to be treated by a doctor for CTS in order to avoid permanent damage to the wrist nerve and muscles of the hand and thumb. Underlying causes such as diabetes or a thyroid problem should be addressed first. Left untreated, CTS can cause nerve damage that leads to loss of feeling and less hand strength. Over time, the muscles of the thumb can become weak and damaged. You can even lose the ability to feel hot and cold by touch. Permanent injury occurs in about 1 percent of those with CTS.

CTS is much easier to treat early on. Most CTS patients get better after first-step treatments and the following tips for protecting the wrist. Treatments for CTS include the following:

* Wrist Splint. A splint can be worn to support and brace your wrist in a neutral position so that the nerves and tendons can recover. A splint can be worn 24 hours a day or only at night. Sometimes, wearing a splint at night helps to reduce the pain. Splinting can work the best when done within three months of having any symptoms of CTS.
* Rest. For people with mild CTS, stopping or doing less of a repetitive movement may be all that is needed. Your doctor will likely talk to you about steps that you should take to prevent CTS from coming back.
* Medication. The short-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may be helpful to control CTS pain. NSAIDs include aspirin, ibuprofen, and other non-prescription pain relievers. In severe cases, an injection of cortisone may help to reduce swelling. Your doctor may also give you corticosteroids in a pill form. But, these treatments only relieve symptoms temporarily. If CTS is caused by another health problem, your doctor will probably treat that problem first. If you have diabetes, it is important to know that long-term corticosteroid use can make it hard to control insulin levels.
* Physical Therapy. A physical therapist can help you do special exercises to make your wrist and hand stronger. There are also many different kinds of treatments that can make CTS better and help relieve symptoms. Massage, yoga, ultrasound, chiropractic manipulation, and acupuncture are just a few such options that have been found to be helpful. You should talk with your doctor before trying these alternative treatments.
* Surgery. CTS surgery is one of the most common surgeries done in the U.S. Generally, surgery is only an option for severe cases of CTS and/or after other treatments have failed for a period of at least six months. Open release surgery is a common approach to CTS surgery and involves making a small incision in the wrist or palm and cutting the ligament to enlarge the carpal tunnel. This surgery is done under a local anesthetic to numb the wrist and hand area and is an outpatient procedure.

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What is the best way to prevent CTS?

Current research is focused on figuring out what causes CTS and how to prevent it. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) and the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) support research on work-related factors that may cause CTS. Scientists are also researching better ways to detect and treat CTS, including alternative treatments such as acupuncture.

For more information on research, contact:

* NINDS at http://www.ninds.nih.gov or call 1-800-352-9424
* NIAMS at http://www.niams.nih.gov or call 1-301-496-8190 or 1-877-226-4267

The following steps can help to prevent CTS:

* Prevent workplace musculoskeletal injury. Make sure that your workspace and equipment are at the right height and distance for your hands and wrist to work with less strain. If you are working on a computer, the keyboard should be at a height that allows your wrist to rest comfortably without having to bend at an angle. Desk or table workspace should be about 27 to 29 inches above the floor for most people. It also helps to keep your elbows close to your sides as you type to reduce the strain on your forearm. Keeping good posture and wrist position can lower your risk of getting CTS.
* Take Breaks. Allowing your hand and wrist to rest and recover every so often will lower your risk of swelling. Experts believe that taking a 10 to 15 minute break every hour is a good way to prevent CTS.
* Vary Tasks. Avoid repetitive movements without changing up your routine. Try to do tasks that use different muscle movements during each hour. Break up tasks that require repetitive wrist and hand motion with those that do not.
* Relax Your Grip. Sometimes, people get into a habit of tensing muscles without needing to. Practice doing hand and wrist motion tasks more gently and less tightly. Stress and tension play a role in muscle strain and irritation.
* Do exercises. After doing repetitive movements for a while, you can sometimes cancel out the effects of those movements by flexing and bending your wrists and hands in the opposite direction. For example, after typing with your wrist and hand extended, it is helpful to make a tight fist and hold it for a second, then stretch out the fingers and hold for a few seconds. Try repeating this several times.
* Stay Warm. Muscles that are warm are less likely to get hurt and the risk of getting CTS is greater in a cold environment. It is important to keep your hands warm while you work, even if you must wear fingerless gloves.

Arthritis cannot be cured by diet, but some dietary changes may help

2010-07-23T05:53:00.000-07:00

No special diet or ‘miracle food’ can cure arthritis, but some conditions may be helped by avoiding or including certain foods or supplements. Arthritis is a general term describing over 100 different conditions that cause pain, stiffness and (often) inflammation in one or more joints. Everyone with arthritis can benefit from eating a healthy, well-balanced diet.

For example, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis seem to respond to an increased dietary intake of fish oils, while gout benefits from avoidance of alcohol and offal meats. The supplements glucosamine and chondroitin may help symptoms of osteoarthritis, but not other forms of arthritis.

Always seek the advice of your doctor or dietitian before changing your diet. You may be restricting your food intake unnecessarily or taking too much of products (such as mineral supplements) that may have no impact on your condition at all. Some supplements can also interact with other medications.

General recommendations
General dietary recommendations for a person with arthritis include:

* Eat a well-balanced diet.
* Avoid crash dieting or fasting.
* Increase dietary calcium to reduce the risk of osteoporosis in later life.
* Drink plenty of non-alcoholic fluids.
* Keep your weight within the normal range, by reducing the amount of dietary fats you consume.

Dietary modification for gout
Uric acid is a waste product that is normally excreted from the body in urine. Gout is a type of arthritis characterised by the build-up of uric acid in the joints (such as the big toe), which causes inflammation and pain.

Dietary changes that may help to ease the symptoms of gout include:

* Restrict or avoid alcohol.
* Restrict or avoid offal meats, such as liver, kidneys and brains.
* Restrict or avoid shellfish, such as prawns and scallops.
* Restrict or avoid some seafoods including sardines, herrings, mackerel and anchovies.
* Restrict or avoid products containing yeast, such as beer and Vegemite.
* Drink plenty of non-alcoholic fluids.
* Make sure you don’t overeat on a regular basis.
* Take your time when eating.

Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis
Fish oils that contain omega-3 fatty acids have been found to help reduce the inflammation associated with some forms of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis.

The omega-3 fatty acids seem to work by reducing the number of inflammatory ‘messenger’ molecules made by the body’s immune system. There may be additional health benefits to eating foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, including a lowered risk of asthma and prostate cancer.

Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids include:

* Oily fish (such as salmon and sardines)
* Linseeds and linseed (flaxseed) oil
* Canola (rapeseed) oil
* Walnuts
* Some fish oil supplements.

Ask your doctor before taking any supplements, to ensure the correct dosage. Fish liver oils (such as cod liver oil) contain high levels of vitamin A and should not be taken in large doses.

Other supplements
The supplements glucosamine and chondroitin are popular. Yet evidence about their success in treating arthritis is limited.

Studies show that glucosamine and chondroitin, taken either separately or in combination, may relieve pain for people with osteoarthritis (OA), where there has been a breakdown of cartilage. There is no evidence that these supplements are effective for any other forms of arthritis.

Glucosamine and chondroitin may interact with other medications, including warfarin, and should only be taken after consultation with your doctor.

Obesity may worsen arthritis symptoms
If you are overweight or obese, the extra load on your joints may be exacerbating your arthritis symptoms, especially if your affected joints include those of the hip, knee or spine. There is also a clear link between being overweight and an increased risk of developing osteoarthritis.

To lose excess weight you must be active, but this can be difficult for people with arthritis due to pain or stiffness. See your doctor, dietitian or health professional for information and advice. Weight reduction strategies may include:

* Switch to a diet that is high in nutrition, while low in kilojoules.
* Experiment with different sorts of activities – for example, it may be possible to enjoy swimming or some kinds of low impact exercises.
* Limit your exercise activities to unaffected joints – for example, if your hands are affected, you may be able to comfortably ride on a stationary bicycle.

Current evidence for dietary cures is sparse
Gout can be helped by avoiding some foods. However, there is no substantial scientific evidence that other forms of arthritis can be helped by avoiding particular foods, unless that person has specifically shown intolerance to them.

There is no evidence that acidic foods (such as lemons), ‘nightshade’ foods (such as tomatoes, potatoes and eggplants) or dairy foods trigger arthritis symptoms. These foods all contain important nutrients and avoiding them may be a health risk.

As research reveals more connections between diet and health, it is possible that stronger connections between particular foods and arthritis may emerge.

Tips for managing arthritis and diet
If you think a particular food may aggravate your arthritis, it can help to keep a diary of your food intake and symptoms. After a month, you may have some idea about which food could be provoking symptoms. You could then try removing that food from your diet for two weeks.

Don’t cut out a whole food category – for example, all dairy products – and make sure you are getting the vitamins and minerals that this food provides from other sources. It is important to let your doctor know that you are doing this.

Remember that remission may be coincidental
The symptoms of arthritis, particularly the inflammatory types, can change for no apparent reason. Don’t assume any improvement in your symptoms is due to what you eat or avoid. Be guided by your health professional.

Where to get help

* Your doctor
* An Accredited Practising Dietitian, Dietitians Association of Australia
* Arthritis Foundation of Victoria Tel. (03) 8531 8000 or 1800 011 041

Things to remember

* Arthritis is a general term describing over 100 different conditions that cause pain, stiffness and (often) inflammation in one or more joints.
* No special diet or ‘miracle food’ can cure arthritis, but some conditions may be helped by avoiding or including certain foods.
* Fish oil can ease the symptoms of inflammatory types of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis.
* The symptoms of gout can be eased by avoiding alcohol and offal meats, and by drinking plenty of water.

Information on Asperger Syndrome

2010-07-21T06:12:00.001-07:00

What is Asperger syndrome?
Asperger syndrome is an autism spectrum disorder, a group of conditions that include autism and other disorders with similar symptoms, such as problems with language and communication, and repetitive or restrictive patterns of thoughts and behavior.

People with Asperger syndrome have autism-like problems in areas of social interaction and communication, but have normal intelligence and verbal skills. Asperger syndrome is usually thought to be the mildest of the autism spectrum disorders.

What are the symptoms of Asperger syndrome?
One of the most distinct symptoms of Asperger syndrome is having an obsessive interest in a single object or topic—so much so that the person ignores other objects, topics, or thoughts.

Unlike some children with autism spectrum disorders, children with Asperger syndrome tend to have good vocabularies and grammar skills. But they usually have other language problems, such as being very literal and having trouble understanding non-verbal communications, such as body language.
Other symptoms of Asperger syndrome may include:

* Obsessive or repetitive routines and rituals
* Motor-skill problems, such as clumsy or uncoordinated movements and delays in motor skills
* Social-skill problems, especially related to communicating with others
* Sensitivity to sensory information, such as light, sound, texture, and taste

What is the treatment for Asperger syndrome?
There is no cure for Asperger syndrome, but people with Asperger syndrome can live full and happy lives, especially with early treatment intervention.

Treatment for Asperger syndrome can include educational and social skills training. It may also include behavioral therapy and medication for related conditions.

Get more information on Hay Fever

2010-07-20T00:43:00.000-07:00

Hay fever is the common name for a condition called allergic rhinitis, which means an allergy that affects the nose. Most people associate hay fever with spring, when airborne pollens from grasses are at their peak. However, hay fever can occur at any time of the year. This is known as perennial allergic rhinitis, which is usually caused by a reaction to allergens around the home such as dust mites, moulds or animal hair or fur.

Symptoms
Some of the symptoms of hay fever include:

* Sneezing
* A runny or stuffy nose
* Itchy ears, nose and throat
* Red, itchy or watery eyes
* Headaches.

In some cases, the symptoms of hay fever can be so severe that a person can’t sleep or concentrate, and may feel tired or unwell.

Hay fever is an allergic reaction
Your nose acts as a filter. The tiny hairs and mucus that line the nasal passages trap dust, pollens and other microscopic particles. A person with hay fever is allergic to some of the particles that get trapped in the nose, such as pollen.

An allergic reaction means the immune system treats a harmless substance as if it were dangerous, and launches an ‘attack’. The nasal passages become inflamed and more mucus is produced.

Reducing hay fever symptoms
Suggestions to prevent or limit symptoms of hay fever include:

* Check the pollen count forecast on television or in the newspaper. Try to stay indoors if it’s a high count.
* Stay indoors as much as possible in spring, on windy days or after thunderstorms.
* In your garden, choose plants that are pollinated by birds or insects, rather than plants that release their seeds into the air.
* Replace your lawn with bricked or paved areas.
* Smear petroleum jelly (like Vaseline) inside your nose to stop the pollen from touching the lining of your nose.
* Splash your eyes often with cold water to flush out any pollen.
* Reduce your exposure to dust and dust mites, animals and animal hair or fur (dander).

Medication can help
If you have hay fever, your body produces a substance called histamine, which leads to inflammation (redness and swelling) in the nose.

Some medications may help the symptoms of hay fever. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice. You may be advised to try:

* Corticosteroid nasal sprays – these help reduce the inflammation in the nose, which is the cause of nasal blockage and other symptoms. They need to be used regularly as directed to be effective.
* Anti-histamine medications (non-sedating) – these may be useful to control sneezing and itching, but are not as effective as sprays to control a severely blocked or runny nose. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice if you are breastfeeding, as some medications can cause breastfed babies to become irritable and restless.
* Eye drops – may relieve itchy, swollen or runny eyes. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice on choosing the correct eye drops.
* Immunotherapy – some people may benefit from immunotherapy, which exposes a person to increasing amounts of an allergen to improve tolerance and reduce symptoms. This therapy may help hay fever and some cases of asthma, but does not help food allergy. It should only be conducted under medical supervision as exposure to allergens can be dangerous and potentially life threatening. Seek advice from your doctor.

Where to get help

* Your doctor
* Your pharmacist.

Things to remember

* Hay fever is an allergic reaction to pollen and is common in spring.
* Perennial allergic rhinitis occurs all year round.
* Avoiding your triggers is the best way to reduce the frequency of hay fever attacks.