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Showing posts from 2016

Recovering from Hernia Surgery

Hernias of any type do not self-correct – they require surgery to be properly repaired. One of the most common hernias in males is the inguinal hernia, which occurs near the groin area when part of the intestine protrudes through a weak spot in the abdomen. If left uncorrected, a hernia will become larger in size, as well as more uncomfortable. The hernia is typically caused by heavy lifting or straining, paired with a weakness in the abdominal wall. Further lifting or straining can make the hernia worse, but as time goes on, even small amounts of strain such as blowing the nose or having a bowel movement can cause the hernia to expand. The true danger in a hernia lies in the possibility that a part of the bowel will also poke out through the abdominal wall, leading to a strangulation of that part of the bowel and possibly death for the patient. While this is an unlikely outcome, patients who are suffering severe nausea and a sharp pain in the area of their hernia, rather than the

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Someone may develop post-traumatic stress disorder when he experiences or witnesses an event that causes intense fear and helplessness. What Are the Symptoms of PTSD? PTSD symptoms typically begin within three months of a traumatic event. It is important to get treatment as soon as possible after symptoms develop to prevent PTSD from becoming a long-term condition. Symptoms are commonly grouped into three types: Re-experiencing symptoms (flashbacks), avoidance, and increased anxiety or emotional arousal (hyperarousal): Re-experiencing symptoms: flashbacks, bad dreams and repeated frightening thoughts-reliving the trauma over and over Avoidance symptoms: avoiding places, events, or objects that are reminders of the experience. Hyperarousal symptoms: being easily startled, feeling tense, having difficulty sleeping, and/or having angry outbursts. The symptoms that children or teenagers experience may not be the same as with adults. In very young children, these symptoms can includ

Salicylates

All types of salicylates (from the main ingredient acetylsalicylic acid or ASA), have been implicated in a condition called Reye’s Syndrome, associated with ASPIRIN® ingestion, especially by children, used to treat feverish colds or viral diseases. Drugs studies using acetaminophen (paracetamol outside N. A.), as well as ibuprofen and others, have only shown some unproven implications for Reye’s. With the advent of alternative pain killers, Reye’s has become less common in recent years. Nonetheless, it is important to realize that even such routinely used over-the-counter medications must be used sparingly and wisely. Headache and pain sufferers sometimes have to make tough choices. Awareness of Reye's Syndrome is Key to Prevention Reye's can strike quickly, affecting all body organs, especially the brain and the liver (although usually without jaundice). It is frequently associated with the use of any form of salicylate-containing drugs (ASPIRIN®-type medications) for tr

Respiratory Syncytial Virus

When an adult has cardiac related issues, there are numerous factors that may be the cause. Heart disease , high cholesterol, obesity and high blood pressure can all contribute to emergency cardiac incidents. In children and infants whose hearts are typically young and strong, a cardiac event is troubling because it is unexpected. Most cardiac arrests in the very young can be attributed to an alternate cause that is usually respiration related, like RSV. Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) A surveillance study published in the Feb. 05, 2009 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine showed that RSV is linked to substantial morbidity in US children. The study, " The Burden of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection in Young Children," conducted by Dr. Caroline Breese Hall et al, from the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, also showed that most children who presented with RSV were previously healthy. Worldwide, RSV is the most common cause of lower r

RNA Interference

RNA interference (RNAi), discovered by Andrew Fire and Craig Mello in 1998, is essentially the use of small fragments of RNA, known as small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) to block, or interfere with, the production of specific genes. These occur naturally in mammalian cells, but can also be generated artificially and delivered into cells. Each RNA fragment has a sequence that is complementary to a part of the target gene, in that it is exactly complementary to the sequence of the gene. When it binds, it effectively blocks that part of the gene, by preventing interaction with the machinery of the cell whose job it is to translate that DNA sequence into protein. As a result, the protein is not made. Since its discovery, RNAi has been used extensively in the laboratory to research which genes are responsible for what functions. By blocking a gene, and observing the effect it has on a cell or organism, the function on that gene can be deduced. Prior to RNAi, this kind of research was only

Risks of Tanning

No matter the season, indoor tanning remains a habitual practice for many individuals. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), around one million people in the United States tan on average each day, with 28 million tanning indoors annually. Due to the consistent increase in these numbers, many questions have been raised regarding the potential risks of this popular trend. Skin Cancer and Tanning The practice of indoor tanning is most often associated with young girls, with the AAD reporting that 70 percent of salon goers are females between the ages of 16 and 29. However, there is no “typical” characteristic of a tanner, as both men and women, young and old, attend salons every day. Throughout the year, there are a number of occasions that patrons use as an excuse to get a tan, including prom, weddings, vacation, graduation, senior pictures, spring break, and more. With the increased use of tanning beds comes an increase in the research conducted. Organizatio

Non-Opioid Pain Management to Prevent Painkiller Addiction

Even for those without an addictive disorder, the long-term use of opioids will result in an increased tolerance to them and withdrawal symptoms when coming off of them. This has led many primary care physicians to avoid prescribing opioids for chronic pain and instead refer their patients to pain management programs for treatment. For patients in addiction recovery, it is wise to consider the many alternatives to opioid-based pain management. Addiction versus Dependence According to the Journal of American Psychiatry , the word "dependence" was introduced in an effort to combat the stigma associated with the word "addiction," differentiating between patients with psychological cravings for a drug and those with isolated physical dependence. Instead of clarifying, however, this distinction has become confusing for patients. The continued interchangeability of the terms in the media compounds the problem. The New England Journal of Medicine defines physical

Immune System Basics

The human immune system is a multifaceted entity that is designed to fulfill two tasks: it distinguishes what is “us” from what is “not us,” and then eliminates what is “not us.” Any molecule that can be recognized by the immune system – whether it is self or non-self – is called an antigen. A healthy immune system is capable of effectively handling potentially harmful antigens, including infectious organisms, allergens, and abnormal cells (such as cancer cells). While not technically part of the immune system, there are several anatomic barriers that must be surmounted by foreign antigens before the immune system is activated: The skin, with its germ-inhibiting sheen of oils and sweat; the mucus that coats the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and urogenital tracts; and specialized, hair-like cilia projecting from respiratory epithelial cells all serve as obstacles that help prevent attacks on the human organism. Any antigen that breaches these barriers can trigger two types of immu

Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease Symptoms

Degenerative disc diseas e is one of the most common causes of low back pain, typically affecting active, healthy people in their 30s and 40s. However, since spinal disc degeneration is a natural part of the aging process, this condition also tends to affect the elderly. What is Degenerative Disc Disease? Degenerative disc disease is, in fact, not really a disease. It is actually a chronic, gradual deterioration of the soft, spongy discs that separate and cushion spinal vertebrae. Over time, intervertebral discs break down, naturally losing their flexibility, elasticity and shock absorbing qualities. Ligaments surrounding discs (annulus fibrosis) become brittle and more likely to tear, causing bulges or ruptures. Also, the gel-like center of discs (nucleus pulposus) begins to dry out and shrink, making them thinner and narrowing the distance between vertebrae. As a result, painful conditions such as spinal stenosis and herniated, bulging and protruding discs may develop by exert

Migraine Headache Remedies That Bring Pain Relief

When a migraine headache strikes, sometimes lying down in a dark room with a cool cloth across the forehead offers some relief. But usually more help is needed in order to bring migraine headache relief. Taking Medication to Relieve the Migraine Headache Symptoms For some migraine sufferers, over-the-counter medications offer relief in fighting the migraine pain. These medications usually contain ingredients like ibuprofen, ASPIRIN®, acetaminophen, naproxen, and caffeine. A migraine sufferer should be careful about using these medications too frequently because overuse can cause rebound headaches or a dependency problem. The Cleveland Clinic website recommends that anyone needing to use over-the-counter pain medicines more than three times a week should see a health care provider to talk about other options for treating the migraine attacks. Where over-the-counter medications are not sufficient to provide migraine headache relief, there are prescription medicines available. Thes

Natural Constipation Relief for Adults

Every individual will experience constipation during some point in their lives, but those who are pregnant and the elderly may experience this condition with increased frequency. The National Institute of Health (NIH) in conjunction with the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC) have determined over 4 million adults experience constipation frequently, and use over-the-counter (OTC) remedies as treatment in a majority of cases. Most individuals perceive this condition as a medical problem when it is only a temporary condition, but it can be a symptom of the body not functioning properly and can potentially be the result of a medical condition. About Constipation The average person believes if a bowel movement does not occur once a day, the body is experiencing constipation. However, this condition is only present when a movement occurs less than three times a week. Other symptoms may include, but are not limited to: Straining during bowel movements Bloa

Medical X-rays – Radiological Imaging From Film to Digital X-rays

X-ray pictures were the earliest medical imaging technique. The first X-ray film of the human body was taken in 1895 by the discoverer of X-rays Wilhelm Röntgen, showing his wife’s left hand with her wedding ring. Despite the development of newer technologies such computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasonography, X-rays remain important for the diagnosis of many disorders. Radiography Equipment X-rays are a type of electromagnetic radiation, similar to visible light but with a wavelength shorter than can be seen with the human eye. In nature, X-rays are generated by violent events such as an exploding star. Medical X-rays, in contrast, are produced by passing a very large electrical voltage across a device called a vacuum or X-ray tube. When the current strikes a metal target inside the vacuum tube, X-rays are emitted, travelling with such high energy that they are able to pass through opaque objects placed in their path, in the same way that light pass

Non-surgical Treatment Options for Lumbar DDD

Most people suffering from lumbar degenerative disc disease can be successfully treated through a course of conservative, non-surgical care. Heat and Ice Treatments Localized applications of heat helps to increase blood flow, which aids in the healing process. Many patients use heat on stiff muscles and joints to increase flexibility and range of motion. Applications of ice are used to decrease localized swelling, inflammation and pain associated with many different types of injuries. Medications for DDD Pain Relief A variety of medications may be prescribed to manage pain associated with degenerative disc disease. Mild pain can be relieved through the use of drugs such as acetaminophen (Tylenol). Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen, naproxen and COX-2 inhibitors are used not only to manage pain, but to reduce swelling in the body as well. Intense episodes of pain are typically managed with oral steroids, muscle relaxants or narcotics. Patient

Night Blindness: Causes and Treatment of Decreased Night Vision

Decreased night vision is a common concern for adults over 50. Although some middle-aged adults may realize that their night vision is not as clear as it once was, others may try to deny there is a problem. Decreased night vision among older adults is especially concerning because it may affect their ability to drive after dark. Causes of Night Vision Problems Difficulty seeing in dim light is known as night blindness. Night blindness isn’t actually a disorder – it’s a symptom of other underlying problems. One common cause of night blindness is untreated nearsightedness or myopia. Night blindness can also have a variety of other causes, including vitamin A or zinc deficiency and exposure to the sun. Night vision problems can be caused by chronic diseases, such as diabetes. People with diabetes often experience nerve damage, which can affect the retina and lead to night blindness. Problems specific to the eye can also cause night vision problems. For example, the first sign of

Nosebleed Causes, Prevention and Treatment

It is very common, especially in children, to suffer from an occasional bloody nose. Nosebleeds are usually easy to treat and are not a cause for concern. However, frequent recurring nosebleeds may indicate a serious condition that requires medical attention. Causes of Nosebleeds Nosebleeds may be triggered by numerous factors; here are some of the most common: Dry air: The mucosal lining of the nose is very thin, and when the air is dry, such as in the winter when indoor rooms are heated or in the summer in dry climates, the nasal mucosa can become dry and cracked. Trauma: Trauma to the nose from the outside as by a blow, or from the inside by picking the nose or vigorous nose-blowing can break small vessels. Decongestants: Decongestants, corticosteroids, and other allergy or cold medications can dry out nasal passages. Allergies and infections: Allergies and acute or chronic sinus infections can cause inflammation of the nasal passages, which can lead to irritation. Frequ

Over-Sanitization and Its Impact on Health & the Environment

When the H1N1 pandemic struck, health authorities encouraged the use of hand sanitizers and disinfectant spray in an attempt to stem the outbreak. But while there is nothing wrong with the use of sanitizing products per se, too many people might have taken the way advice too far. Prevalence of Triclosan and Triclocarban in the Environment Triclosan and triclocarban are two chemicals commonly used in many household cleaning products and in disinfectants – otherwise known as antimicrobials . In sufficient amounts, these two chemicals are known to cause among other things skin irritation, allergy susceptibility, bacterial and endocrine disruption. These chemicals do not break down easily once it is washed down the drain. Traces of triclosan have been found in many of the waterways in the United States and even downstream from water treatment plants. This resilience to treatment is cause for great concern because once exposed to sunlight and water, triclosan could change into a toxi

Participatory Medicine

Participatory medicine is the emerging paradigm of health care. Dr. Zerhouni, Director of the National Institutes of Health, stated in an interview that the relationship between patient and doctor is changing rapidly. Previously, the patient assumed a passive role, receiving direction from an all-knowing doctor. The doctor is now expected to provide more explanation and communication with the patient and the patient is expected to become more literate and take a more active role in his or her own health. Internet Use Resulted in the Emergence of the e-patient The availability of the Internet allowed patients to access medical information that was previously unavailable. The medical establishment previously took the view that the lay person was generally unable to understand complex medical problems, so medical libraries and other sources of information were "off-limits." The Internet leveled the playing field, and the results were astounding. When individuals faced med

Ocular Albinism

The lack of pigment that defines albinism affects not only outward appearance, but ocular development, as well. Oculocutaneous albinism affects pigment in the skin, hair and eyes. Ocular albinism exclusively affects the development of the eye. In these patients, skin and hair pigmentation appears normal. People with both forms of albinism experience congenital visual problems associated with lack of pigment in the eye. Albinism is a genetic condition. Because of this, and because of the complexity of the eye, treatment options for vision problems associated with albinism are limited. However, there are existing treatments that can improve patients’ vision, and recent research in gene therapy may give new hope to sufferers. Vision Problems Associated with Albinism According to Richard and Laura Windsor of the Low Vision Centers of Indiana (2004), the defining characteristic of ocular albinism is poor development in the center of the retina. This area, called the foveal pit, co

Lyme Disease – Know the Signs and Symptoms

Lyme disease is an illness caused by bacteria from the species called Borrelia. This bacterium can live in the stomachs of deer and mice. When a tick feeds from an infected animal, they can become carriers of this bacterium. These ticks can spread the disease to a person by biting the skin thus allowing the bacterium to enter the human body. The disease cannot be spread from person to person. (Journals.uchicago.edu “Clinical Infectious Diseases,” accessed October 6, 2016). Symptoms of Lyme Disease Early symptoms of Lyme disease develop within days to weeks of the initial contact. The early symptoms include headaches, fever, weakness and fatigue. The area on the skin where the bacterium enter becomes inflamed with a red, circular, non-raised rash that eventually looks like a bull’s eye target. Not all patients develop this rash and the rash, swelling and redness can resolve on its own in about a month. Other early symptoms may include muscle and joint stiffness and swollen glan