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Showing posts from August, 2016

Is it Strep Throat?

Strep throat is a common bacterial infection that typically affects children ages five to 10, although anybody can have strep throat. Other people are carriers of the strep bacteria, but do not show any symptoms. What is Strep Throat? The most obvious sign of strep throat is a sore throat, and white or yellow spots can often be seen in the back of the throat. Those affected may also have a fever, loss of appetite, or headache. Most sore throats are caused by viruses, which the body will defend on its own without antibiotics. A sore throat which worsens or persists should be checked by a doctor. Occasionally, strep will show up in other areas of the body as well. Strep (and usually staph) can live in the nose and cause pain and bleeding inside the nose. Is it Strep? The only way to know for sure if someone is infected with the streptococcus bacteria is to have a test done in a doctor's office. A doctor who suspects strep will usually take two swabs of the throat, or infected

Irritable Bowel Syndrome and How to Manage Your Symptoms

How IBS is Diagnosed? Diagnosing IBS can be a lengthy and complex process, as no actual test for IBS exists. Many disorders of the stomach or bowel often have similar systems to IBS so must therefore be ruled out before any final diagnosis is made. When a patient consults their doctor with symptoms of IBS, the doctor will often refer the patient for tests for conditions such as coeliac disease, Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. Occasionally in more severe cases, the patient may even be referred for a colonoscopy, an exploratory procedure of the bowel. Only when all other possibilities are ruled out can there be a diagnosis of IBS. Any abnormality in bowel movement or stools can be a sign of IBS. Symptoms of IBS The main symptoms of IBS are abdominal pain , often described as colic-type pain, stomach cramps, bloating, diarrhoea, constipation, flatulence and an urgency to go to the toilet. Other symptoms can include lower back pain, nausea, headaches, tiredness, mucu

Insomnia – An Overview of Causes and Treatments

Defined as having difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, insomnia affects 58% of U.S. adults, according to the National Sleep Foundation. Women are more susceptible to insomnia than men, and occurrences seems to increase with age. Those in lower socioeconomic groups appear to have an especially high incidence of insomnia, as do alcoholics. Types of Insomnia Many people experience an occasional day or even several days of insomnia, where sleep just won’t come, no matter how tired they are. This is known as “transient insomnia” and typically lasts for less than one week. With “acute insomnia,” sleep difficulties last slightly longer, but less than a month. Sufferers of “chronic insomnia” are unable to sleep or to sleep enough most nights for more than a month, to the point where it is affecting their relationships, their job and their wellbeing. Causes of Insomnia Insomnia can be caused by certain medications, by a sleep disorder such as sleep apnea, by another conditi

How to Stop a Nosebleed

A bloody nose can happen at any time and if it happens frequently, they can be very annoying. But why exactly do they creep up on us? According to John P. Cunha, DO in his article "Nosebleed (Epistaxis)" on MedicineNet.com, nosebleeds can happen when the nasal membranes become dry from the winter and household heaters. Not to mention, people on blood-thinning medication are more likely to experience nosebleeds. Other factors, says Cunha, include: High blood pressure; Trauma, which includes picking your nose; Infections. Treating Nosebleeds at Home Consider these pointers for safely treating a nosebleed at home. Sit down and relax. Don't lean your head back — instead, lean forward. This will make your nose bleed less, positioning your head above the heart. If you lean back, this can cause your body to experience more issues, such as gagging, nausea and vomiting. Squeeze the softer parts of your nose together. Apply an ice pack or a bag of frozen vegetables

How to Prevent Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a serious bone condition that results from low bone density and weakening bone strength. It makes the bones fragile and susceptible to fractures. In fact, it is considered by medical experts as a silent killer since a victim will feel no symptom of bone loss until the bones become so weak that sudden strain, bump, or fall leads to a fracture and a notable loss in height. Fractures caused by osteoporosis are usually concentrated on the hip, ribs, vertebra, and wrist. Osteoporosis is diagnosed by measuring the bone’s mineral density using a low-radiation scan. Many think that osteoporosis is prevalent among older people; however, even young people can fall prey to this debilitating illness. Osteoporosis is a Serious Threat to Wellbeing Studies conducted by the International Osteoporosis Foundation show that in Europe, one person suffers from osteoporosis-related fracture every 30 seconds. In the United States, more than 10 million people are diagnosed with osteo

How to Avoid Stress-related Migraines

Trying to find the cause for a migraine headache is often hard. There are several factors that can trigger a migraine such as eating certain foods as aged cheese, wine or nuts. One of the main causes of migraine headaches is stress, so it makes sense to develop ways to control stress for reducing the likelihood of a migraine headache. Often migraine sufferers are significantly affected by stress. Certain types of chemicals in the brain are released during stress. These chemicals are designed to fight whatever the stressful situation is and are known as the “flight or fight” response, according to Web MD.com. When these chemicals are released, sometimes blood vessel changes can result in migraine pain. Causes of Stress that Causes Migraines There are many causes of stress that can result in migraine pain . For example, some the most common triggers for migraine stress are life-changing events such as getting married or divorce. Having a baby is another major life change cau