Lymphatic Cancer Treatments

Lymphatic cancers (also known as lymphomas) are cancers of the body's immune system. In a lymphoma, some of the immune cells, which are often found in the bones, mutate, causing them to grow uncontrollably. These cancerous cells can spread to other tissues, where they can cause additional damage. Lymphomas can be divided into two categories: Hodgkin's lymphoma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, which have slightly different characteristics and treatment plans.

Surgery

According to the American Cancer Society, surgery is more commonly used for diagnostic reasons than for actual treatment, as it allows the physician to obtain a sample of the cancerous tissue. Nevertheless, surgery is occasionally a treatment option, especially for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma that has begun in an organ outside of the lymphatic system, such as the thyroid or stomach.

Radiation

The American Cancer Society says that radiation therapy is one of the most common treatments used to treat lymphomas, both of the Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's variety. Radiation therapy for lymphatic cancer generally comes in the form of external beam therapy, which is a procedure in which high-energy X-ray beams are directed at the site of the cancer, where the beams damage and kill cancer cells. The Mayo Clinic says that this type of treatment is often used to shrink tumors and is especially useful in lymphatic cancers that are detected in their early stages.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is the use of drugs that poison or kill off cancer cells. Chemotherapy typically involves the use of multiple chemotherapeutic agents, and the exact combination varies depending upon the type of lymphatic cancer. Hodgkin's lymphoma is generally treated with a combination of Bleomycin, Dacarbazine, Adriamycin and Vinblastine. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, on the other hand, is often treated with a combination of Adriamycin, Prednisone, Cyclophosphamide and Vincristine. These drug combinations are generally administered in carefully designed cycles spaced three or four weeks apart.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is a new mode of treatment for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma that employs a special kind of protein called an antibody to treat lymphatic cancer. These antibodies are designed to bind to small proteins that are found on the surface of the cancer cells. Once these antibodies have bound to a cancer cell, the body's immune system then attacks and kills the cancerous cells.

Stem Cell Transplants

In some cases, the only way to effectively treat a lymphoma is through the use of very high doses of chemotherapy. One of the side effects of prolonged chemotherapy, however, is damage to the bone marrow. Giving the patient stem cells from bone marrow or blood is one way to counteract this damage. These stem cells may be from the patient or from a donor. After the chemotherapy has been given and the patient has had some time to recover, the stem cells are then injected into the veins. These stem cells will then migrate to the bone marrow and reconstitute the damaged bone marrow tissue. This type of therapy, according to the American Cancer Society, is becoming more prevalent, because it allows physicians to prescribe chemotherapy regimens that would otherwise completely destroy the bone marrow.

Tags: bone marrow, stem cells, American Cancer, American Cancer Society, cancer cells, Cancer Society, lymphatic cancer

Get A Great Cardio Workout In 20 Minutes

Think you're too busy to exercise? Think again: If you work out 3 or 4 days a week for only 20 minutes a day, you will still improve your cardiovascular health, burn calories and tone muscles. Read on for different ways to help you create an effective cardio workout in as little as 20 minutes a day. Remember, the harder you push yourself the greater the benefit, and the better you will feel when you're done.

Instructions

1. Ride a stationary bike. Pedal with a medium resistance and challenging cadence, increasing speed and resistance gradually. Don't pedal like a maniac! Doing so might seem like the best way to get a good workout, but you will burn more calories if you maintain a cadence of 70 to 80 revolutions per minute (RPMs) with increased resistance.

2. Walk on a treadmill. Take rapid, long strides while pumping your elbows back and forth as you move, aiming for a pace of 4.5 miles per hour. You'll burn more calories and get a better workout if you power walk instead of running at a very slow pace. Increase the incline on the treadmill 10 minutes into your workout, while maintaining your speed.

3. Run on a treadmill. Warm up for 3 minutes, increasing your pace from a jog to a comfortable run. Following the warm up, run 1 minute intervals: Start with a challenging pace for 1 minute, then recover at a slow run for 1 minute. Repeat. As you run lengthen your stride, lift your knees and pump your arms.

4. Use an elliptical trainer. Set the machine to a medium or high resistance and ramp position. Try to reach 70 to 85 percent of your target heart rate. It can be tricky to get a good workout on the elliptical trainer if you don't know how the machine works. You'll burn more calories with increased resistance. Remember that during a vigorous workout, your breathing should be labored.

5. Use a stair climber. Use the "Aerobic Workout" setting that is programmed into most machines. Increase resistance so that you are breathing hard, but never sacrifice form. Keep the body upright with hands lightly touching the machine, or for a greater challenge don't touch the supports at all. Leaning heavily on the handlebars so you can go faster only decreases how hard the legs must work, cutting the calories expended.

6. Take a power walk outside. Walk as quickly as you can, maintaining proper form and control of your body, for the whole 20 minute workout. Choose a hilly course or one with a long (half-mile) medium incline. Try to complete a mile and a half in 20 minutes.

7. Do an interval run outside. Run at a hard pace for 100 meters, followed by a relaxed jog for 100 meters. Repeat this cycle for 20 minutes. Try to maintain your speed from the first interval to the last one.

8. Do a stationary biathlon. Run 1 mile on the treadmill at a hard pace. Then go directly to the bike and pedal at a challenging speed with a medium-to-hard resistance to complete your 20 minutes.

9. Get a cardio workout in the house on a rainy day. Run up and down your stairs 5 times. Next, do 2 sets of 25 crunches and 20 push-ups. Then stretch for 1 minute and repeat the whole cycle.

Tags: burn more, burn more calories, more calories, cardio workout, elliptical trainer, good workout

Relieve Fibromyalgia With Essential Oils

Fibromyalgia responds to deep, restful sleep.

Characterized by multiple sore and tender points and a diverse array of symptoms, the pain of fibromyalgia is chronic and unrelenting. Pain migrates to all parts of the body and varies in intensity. Fibromyalgia patients describe the pain as tingling or burning, numbness, throbbing, twitching or stabbing. Pain and stiffness are often most pronounced in the morning.

Fibromyalgia symptoms are aggravated by excessive physical activity, cold or humid weather, lack of restorative sleep, mental or physical fatigue, physical inactivity, stress and anxiety. Pure and natural essential oils contain anti-inflammatory, antianxiety, antispasmodic and antidepressant properties that are beneficial when managing fibromyalgia pain.

Instructions

1. Massage in a few drops basil oil at the base of the neck to relieve stiffness.

Massage a one to three drops of Helichrysum italicum "heilichrysum-everlasting" on body flex points and temples. Everlasting is uplifting and is helpful with stress, depression and anger management. Its calming properties allow the body to relax and unwind, relieving tension and stress.

2. The crisp evergreen scent of spruce is invigorating.

Add eight to 10 drops of Salvia sclarea "clary sage," Tsuga canadensis "Canadian spruce" or Juniperus communis "juniper berry" theraputic grade essential oil to a cup of Epsom salt. Any combination of your favorite oils may be used. Add the mixture to warm to hot bath water and soak away muscle tension, fatigue and soreness. The anti-inflammatory properties of the oils reduce inflammation, stiffness and swelling. Epsom Salt (Magnesium Sulfate) is employed to reduce inflammation, ease pain and flush harmful toxins from the body.

3. Spruce oil improves mood and heightens concentration.

Massage the flex and sore points of the body with pain relieving evergreen essential oils. Picea mariana "Canadian black spruce" essential oil presents a heavy evergreen, herbaceous scent that stimulates and invigorates. Black spruce oil exhibits strong antiseptic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. Black spruce blends well with Backhousia citriodora "lemon myrtle" and Cananga odorata "ylang ylang." Mix three drops of each oil with an ounce of pomegranate oil. The combined scents and properties provide dependable pain relief as the aromatic fragrances relax the mind and ease anxiety.

4. Lavender, rosemary and thyme oils freshen the air and add a delicate floral scent.

Promote restful, restorative sleep with the delicate scent of Lavandula angustifolia "lavender" essential oils. Place a few drops of lavender oil on a cotton ball and tuck the ball inside your pillow case. Add 10 to 20 drops of lavender oil to 1/3 cup of white vinegar and a cup of water. Place in a spray bottle and spray the mist to freshen stale household air. Thirty drops of lavender essential oil can be added to the final laundry rinse when washing bedding. Linens, blankets and pillows will surround you with the gentle, calming fragrance of lavender, promoting a sound, deep sleep. Lavender is useful in lowering high blood pressure.

Tags: drops lavender, Black spruce, essential oils, lavender essential, reduce inflammation, restorative sleep

Do The Cranberry Fat Flush

The Cranberry Fat Flush is one of many fad diets that focus on "cleansing" the body. The idea behind the cranberry juice portion of the diet is to flush away toxins, remove retained water and help with food cravings. The remainder of the diet focuses on eating very specific foods, getting lots of exercise and sleeping eight hours each night.

This diet cuts out sugar, alcohol, grains, fats (except flaxseed oil, an essential fatty acid), breads, starchy vegetables such as potatoes and dairy products during the first phase, which is the most difficult and lasts two weeks. During phase two, you can add one healthy carbohydrate each week. Proponents of the diet claim that average weight loss is about 5 pounds for women and up to 16 pounds for men during phase one. After that, weight loss is gradual, usually 1 to 2 pounds a week during the second phase.

Instructions

1. Mix 1 cup unsweetened cranberry juice with 56 oz. water. This will yield 64 oz. of the cranberry juice/water mixture you will drink throughout the day.

2. Mix 1 tbsp. psyllium husks into 8 oz. of the cranberry/water mixture and drink upon waking.

3. Drink 8 oz. hot water mixed with 1 to 2 tbsp. lemon juice (or juice from half a fresh lemon) before eating breakfast.

4. Include in your breakfast a source of protein and vegetables, such as an omelet. Drink 8 oz. cranberry juice/water mixture (no psyllium husks).

5. Eat a snack midway between breakfast and lunch consisting of a low-GI fruit, such as grapefruit or raspberries.

6. Have another 8-oz. glass of the cranberry juice/water mixture (no psyllium husks) about 20 minutes before lunch.

7. Eat a source of protein, low-GI vegetables and 8 oz. of the cranberry juice/water mixture (no psyllium husks) for lunch--for instance, salmon with broccoli and a side salad.

8. Have a glass of the cranberry/water mixture (no psyllium husks) midway between lunch and dinner.

9. Snack on another low-GI fruit, such as an apple, a few hours before dinner.

10. Drink 8 oz. cranberry juice/water mixture (no psyllium husks) 20 minutes before dinner.

11. Enjoy another lean protein source, such as a chicken breast, with a few low-GI vegetables, such as asparagus or green beans, and 8 oz. cranberry juice/water mixture (no psyllium husks) for dinner.

12. Have a glass of the cranberry juice/water mixed with 1 tbsp. psyllium husks about 1 hour before bed.

13. Maintain a daily workout regimen of at least 40 minutes throughout this diet. The exercise should involve cardiovascular activity such as walking, biking or swimming.

14. Add one healthful carbohydrate (such as sweet potatoes or carrots) into your meal plan per week after the first two weeks of the plan. Also, you may substitute plain spring water for the cranberry juice/water mixture, taken at the same intervals.

15. Keep adding healthful carbohydrates gradually to your meal plan as you reach your goal weight. These include brown rice and dairy products such as low-fat ricotta, hard cheeses and low-fat yogurt.

Tags: cranberry juice, water mixture, cranberry juice water, juice water, psyllium husks

Make Heated Socks

Keep your feet warm and cozy with heated socks.

Chilly weather, seasonal changes, body temperature, and spending time outdoors are all conducive to cold feet, which may make it difficult to accomplish physical tasks or sleep at night. With a few easy-to-find materials you can create your own heated socks to keep the chill away from your feet. When a pair of heavy socks does not seem to help, heated socks may provide the relief you are looking for.

Instructions

1. Lay the socks side-by-side and turn them inside out, with the top of the sock facing you. Wool or cotton socks are a good choice.

2. Cut four rectangles of felt measuring 3 inches by 4 1/2 inches each. The rectangles will be used to make the rice packs, which will warm the socks. If you choose, you may make your felt rectangles larger or smaller to fit your needs.

3. Use a whip stitch to sew the edges of the rectangles together. To do a whip stitch, thread your needle with at least 18 inches of thread and knot the end. Starting at the top left corner of the felt squares push the needle through the felt, away from you. Bring the needle up and over the felt's edge and at 1/16th inch from the knot, push the needle through the felt away from you. Continue in this manner and leave one 3-inch end open to fill the little pouch. At this step your rectangles will look like miniature pillow cases.

4. Fill the pouches with rice by inserting the small end of the funnel into the pouch. Slowly pour the rice into the pouch and do not over-fill the pouch. Leave enough of a lip of felt to sew the open end closed. Your rice pouch should look like a small pillow and the rice should be able to move freely inside.

5. Center the rice pack on top of the sock so that it is horizontal. You will need to stitch the pouch on the sock in six areas. Each corner of the pouch, and both sides at the center point, should be stitched to the sock to hold the pouch in place. Do not pass the needle all the way through the sock material or you will be able to see the stitching on the outside of the sock. If your thread is the same color as the sock, this may not matter.

6. Place the socks in the microwave when you have turned them to the right side. Microwave the socks for about 15 to 20 seconds. Be sure to test the temperature of the rice pack before wearing the socks to be sure they are not too hot. Depending on your microwave's power, you may need to adjust the heating time.

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Ionizing Footbath Information

Ionizing footbaths may remove heavy metals, relieve stress and pain, and relieve headaches.

Ionizing footbaths go by many names, including detox footbath, cell spa footbath, ionic detox foot bath, water detox, aqua detox and energetic footbath. Practitioners who offer ionizing footbath treatments such as chiropracter Sandra Talt claim that they detoxify the body through the pores in the feet. Massage Midwest, a Kansas massage clinic that offers the footbath treatments, reports that clients may need daily footbath sessions during early detoxification, then weekly or monthly sessions to maintain health. However, speculation exists as to the veracity of manufacturers' claims, and some people, including Dr. Andrew Weil of DrWeil.com, suggest ionizing footbaths are a scam.

Purpose of an Ionizing Footbath

According to her article in "Alaska Wellness," Sandra Talt, D.C., who offers ion detoxification treatments in Alaska, the purpose of an ionizing footbath is to draw toxins out of the body through the feet. She says that toxins accumulate throughout the day from the environment, pesticides in food, hormones, antibiotics, exhaust fumes and stress. The cleansing of toxins from organ systems such as the lymphatic system, kidneys and liver may improve your quality of life, restoring energy and health, she says.

How Ionizing Footbaths Work

Ionizing footbaths are tubs filled with water, salt and a coil, which iodizes the water, says manufacturers. You sit with your feet in the water for approximately 30 minutes. Your feet contain more than 2,000 pores, so they are considered the best place from which to excrete toxins from the body. According to footbath manufacturers, the toxins pulled from the feet change the color of the water. Massage Midwest reports that the colors may represent the different organs being cleansed: yellow for kidney and bladder; orange and brown for the joints; and green-brown and black for the liver, gallbladder and bowel.

Who Shouldn't Use Ionizing Footbaths

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not evaluated the ionizing footbath for medical purposes, as of 2011. Wellness centers that offer the treatments recommend that some people avoid using the footbaths. They include: pregnant women, lactating women, children under age 4, people with pacemakers, organ transplant recipients, people with hemophilia and people medicated with blood thinners, anti-spasmodics, psychotic episodes and epilepsy medicines. The reason behind the contraindications, according to Talt, is that detoxification through the feet may pull medications out that are necessary to maintain health, or that the detoxification may stir up additional toxins that can be transferred to a fetus through the placenta or through the breast milk to a breastfeeding infant.

Potential Scam

Little research has been done to prove the integrity of the ionizing footbath. In a February 2007 Q&A article on his website, DrWeil.com, Dr. Andrew Weil pointed to ionizing footbaths as being a scam, citing an investigation conducted by Ben Goldacre, a writer for the British online newspaper "Guardian Unlimited." Goldacre collected samples from a co-worker's footbath and also from a bowl of salt water with two metal nails, charged by a car battery. Upon testing the samples, Goldacre discovered that both samples were brown because of increased iron content. His determination was that the brown color in the footbath water came from the corrosion of the electrodes or coil in the salt water, and that the water would have changed color whether there were feet in the bath or not. Talt claims that anyone can monitor changes in toxin levels through hair analysis and blood tests as well as by having the sediment water tested after ionizing footbath sessions.

Tags: ionizing footbath, Andrew Weil, body through, footbath sessions, footbath treatments, maintain health, Massage Midwest

Treat Abscesses With Natural Remedies

Abscesses can be very painful and can disrupt your daily life for an extended period of time. While many different medications and antibiotics can be used to treat abscesses, there are also numerous natural remedies that can help heal this painful condition. These remedies are simple to perform, and it makes sense to treat a natural occurrence through natural means. Of course, always visit your doctor as soon as you develop an abscess, as it can lead to more serious conditions.

Instructions

1. Smash two raw garlic cloves until they are a fine paste. Mix 2 tbsp. of pure honey with the crushed garlic cloves and consume three times per week. If the taste of garlic is too strong for you, add more honey or purchase garlic pills and consume 4,000mg per day.

Hospital Treatment After Stomach Cancer Surgery

Surgery is almost a given with stomach cancer, as is a hospital stay.

According to the Mayo Clinic, stomach cancer (or gastric cancer) is not very common in the U.S. but is more prevalent in other parts of the world. If the cancer is detected early, surgery may be all that you need to remove the tumor. Regardless, as surgery is likely, you'll almost certainly have to spend some time in the hospital.

Length of Your Hospital Stay

You will likely be in the hospital for between three days and a week, and possibly longer. Recovery varies from person to person and is dependent upon the kind of surgery done and whether there are any complications.

Inpatient Monitoring

While in the hospital, you will be monitored for post-surgical complications, such as blood clots, bleeding, infection, damage to organs near your stomach (such as your liver) and any fluid leaking between your stomach and esophagus (a rare complication).

Coping with Pain

Expect to feel pain around the incision for the first few days after surgery. While you are in the hospital, you may have an epidural or a pain pump to help manage your pain and allow you to begin the recovery process.

Side Effects of Pain Medications

Pain medication, immobility and lack of eating or drinking regular quantities may cause constipation after surgery. Your doctor or nurse will be able to make suggestions on restore bowel movements.

Being Discharged

Before your discharge you will be given full instructions on home care, including any dietary changes that are necessary. Depending on the type of gastric cancer, you may also need further treatment, such as chemotherapy.

Tags: after surgery, gastric cancer, stomach cancer, While hospital, your stomach

Why Is Bariatric Surgery Controversial

Bariatric surgery is a method of achieving weight loss by reducing the size of the stomach, either by using a gastric band or actually removing a portion of the stomach. As life-changing as bariatric surgery has been for some obese patients it is still a controversial procedure.

History

Historically, bariatric surgery has had some health risks both during and after surgery. The lap band procedure has been viewed as safer and less invasive than gastric bypass.

Moral Implications

Bariatric surgery has moral implications in that some people feel doctors are trying to play God by changing the way a person digests food in order to cause weight loss.

Misconceptions

Some people view obesity as a problem that can be alleviated through diet and counseling. Most bariatric clinics do require patients to try other options before resorting to bariatric surgery.

Costs

Gastric bypass is a procedure that is covered by most insurance companies. Some healthy people believe that they should not have to pay for the high cost of this surgery for obese people through increased premiums for themselves.

Famous Ties

Celebrities Carnie Wilson, Roseanne Barr, Al Roker and Anne Rice have all undergone gastric bypass.

Tags: bariatric surgery, Bariatric surgery, gastric bypass, weight loss

Signs Of Forgetfulness

Today 4.5 million Americans have dementia, and the number is expected to reach over 7 million by 2025. Dementia, or forgetfulness, is a disease many people fear to fall victim to as they grow older. There are a number of signs to watch for if one is developing dementia.

Diseases

Forgetfulness is linked to one of two diseases. Although the condition starts as dementia, over the years it develops into Alzheimer's Disease or Multi-Infarct Dementia. These two harmful diseases have no cure. There are medications that lessen the symptoms.

Confusion

One of the first signs of dementia is confusion. A person who is confused about simple tasks can have dementia. A person with dementia is often disoriented about location and time and is unable to follow even the simplest directions. If someone gets lost in places that they have been in many times or continues to repeat the same question over and over, they have dementia.

Neglect

A person with dementia forgets things very easily. Many times forgetfulness leads to neglect. A person will neglect to care for her hygiene, personal safety and nutrition. Someone who has dementia will forget to eat, shower, turn off the stove, etc.... If the person has a pet, that animal may become neglected as well. The house may be messy because the dementia patient forgets to clean.

Memory Lapses

When you have memory lapses, that does not necessarily mean that you have dementia. Many factors in everyday life can cause a person to become overwhelmed and forget things. It is important to discuss the problem with your doctor if you have frequent memory lapses.

Causes

Some causes of dementia can be cured. Dementia can be caused by such things as a fever, dehydration, vitamin deficiency, poor nutrition, head injuries, emotional trauma or malnutrition. A doctor can treat these symptoms, but if dementia is from Alzheimer's disease, it cannot be cured, only treated.

Tags: have dementia, memory lapses, person with, person with dementia, they have, with dementia

Treat Excessive Urination

The medical term for excessive urination is polyuria. A person has polyuria when they urinate in large amounts throughout the day. There can be several causes for this disease such as drinking too much water, taking in too much salt, diabetes, kidney failure, and sickle cell anemia. Only your doctor can determine if the cause is a disease. In the meantime there are steps you can take that are proactive and will help you treat this disease.

Instructions

1. Get an imaging test. This test injects a dye in to your body. Your urine will increase and medical professionals will probably have you collect it for a period of 24 hours. This can confirm if there are any underlying causes for your excessive urination, so you will know better treat it.

2. Keep a daily journal. Keep track daily of how much you drink, how much you urinate, and how much you weigh. This diary will give the physicians the information they need to choose the right treatments for you. Make sure you take notes as to what color your urine is and if there is any blood in the urine.

3. Take medications such as Enablex. This drug treats an overactive bladder, so that you can don't have to go to the bathroom so frequently.

4. If you have excessive urination that is leading to incontinence you will want to practice kegel exercises. This exercise contract your muscles and makes them stronger. You can also use adult pads or diapers in your underwear to protect you from embarrassing leaks.

5. Consult an herbalist. There are many ingredients in nature that can help with excessive urination. Herbalists are trained to know which ones you should try and at what doses. These herbs won't harm you or give you side effects like medicine does. They are safe and also usually promote health in other parts of your body as well.

Tags: excessive urination, this disease, your body

Use Super Colon Cleanse

Having backed-up bowels and constipation is a nuisance that can be dealt with easily. Though there are a lot of products out there to help people get rid of toxins in the colon, Super Colon Cleanse claims to be completely natural and easier to use than most others. The pills are meant to help eliminate the toxins from the body that aren't eradicated through regular body processes.

Instructions

1. Read over the directions on the label of the bottle. Familiarize yourself with all of the steps and procedures of the directed use. Super Colon Cleanse contains herbs, milk-free acidophilus and psyllium husk powder to remove the toxins from your colon and body that don't normally come out in a bowel movement or when using regular Colon Cleanse.

2. Take four capsules of Super Colon Cleanse three times a day each day while you are cleansing your system. This is the recommended dosage for an adult. A child under 12 years old should take two capsules of Super Colon Cleanse three times a day.

3. Drink at least 12 ounces of water or juice with each dose of Super Colon Cleanse. People who don't drink enough fluid when taking these capsules sometimes experience choking, according to the manufacturer.

4. Watch for diarrhea, loose stool or any kind of pain in your abdominal area while taking Super Colon Cleanse. This can be a sign that there is something more significant going on. If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop taking Super Colon Cleanse immediately.

5. Use Super Colon Cleanse only periodically. It is not meant for constant use. The manufacturer of Super Colon Cleanse recommends using the pills only occasionally, while using the regular Colon Cleanse for maintenance in between uses of Super Colon Cleanse.

Tags: Colon Cleanse, Super Colon, Super Colon Cleanse, body that, capsules Super, capsules Super Colon

Foods To Avoid With An Irritable Bowel Syndrome

If you suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), you need to avoid fatty foods, since fat is difficult to digest and thus triggers both parts of IBS--constipation and diarrhea. When fat enters your stomach, it sets off the gastro colic reflex, causing your colon to contract, which can prompt an IBS attack.

Red Meat

Red meat, such as ground beef, hot dogs, steak, salami, roast beef and sausage can trigger an attack because the heavy animal proteins can lead to colon contraction and constipation.

Egg Yolks

You need to avoid the yolks because, like meat, too little fiber and too much fat can lead to severe constipation. Egg whites are fine.

Dairy Products

Dairy can trigger IBS even if you aren't lactose intolerant. Foods like butter, cheese, yogurt and ice cream contain both fat and lactose, and also contain whey and casein proteins, which cause horrible digestion issues.

Coffee

Regular and decaffeinated coffee has an enzyme that is harmful to the GI tract, and should be avoided.

Artificial Sweeteners

Sweeteners like Soritol may cause IBS symptoms of bloating, cramps and diarrhea.

Carbonation

If you drink carbonated sodas or mineral water, you may experience some bloating or cramps.

Tags: bloating cramps, Bowel Syndrome, Irritable Bowel, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, need avoid

Information On Theanine

Theanine, a chemical found in green tea, is available as a supplement that aids in the relief of stress and anxiety. This supplement helps the body produce calming amino acids and stimulates the brain's production of alpha waves.

How it Works

According to the Theanine.net, theanine increases the levels of serotonin and dopamine in the brain. These chemicals generate good feelings and occur naturally when you are in a good mood. The increased levels of dopamine and serotonin make you feel less stressed and anxious.

Side Effects

Theanine is safe, according to WebMD, when used once a week for a three-week period. As of 2010 there is no research indicating whether its use for longer time periods is safe. Pregnant women and women who are breastfeeding should avoid using theanine.

Recommended Dosage

As of 2010 no research has been conducted to determine how much theanine can be safely used at one time. EMedTV recommends starting with the dosage on the package's label and then adjusting the amount for your need. There is no recommended daily allowance (RDA) for this product because it is an amino acid and is not necessary for human nutrition.

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Information On Lactobacillus Acidophilus

Many people have heard lactobacillus sporogenes referred to as "probiotics" or "good bacteria." Lactobacillus is a type of microorganism that humans eat and are exposed to on a daily basis. Without lactobacillus, many types of foods wouldn't exist; also, studies have shown that lactobacillus plays an important role in keeping humans healthy. Learn about lactobacillus and its many health-related uses.

Identification

Lactobacillus sporogenes are microorganisms that live in an acidic environment. They provide important nutrients such as vitamin K and lactase, a type of enzyme. They also produce anti-microbial substances such as acidolin, lactocidin, bacteriocin and acidophilus that help our bodies fight diseases. Lactobacilli are beneficial bacteria that can typically be found in the human mouth, vagina and small intestine, as well as on the surface of many plants.

Food Production

Lactobacilli are crucial in the production and fermentation of certain types of dairy products and other foods. Fermentation is a process that has been used for years to preserve food. In the production of cheese, for example, lactobacilli bacteria break down the lactose (the main sugar) in milk, leaving behind lactic acid. Lactic acid is what ferments the milk, creating cheese. This process is also used in the production of yogurt, saurkraut and cured meats.

Medical

Lactobacillus bacteria has many medical uses as well. When this bacteria is used for medical purposes, they are referred to as "probiotics." Probiotics are found in many types of popular yogurts, which can help regulate the digestive system. Also, according to the Mayo Clinic, lactobacillus acidophilus vaginal suppositories have been used as a successful treatment for bacterial vaginosis.

Dosing

Lactobacillus can be taken in many different forms: supplement pills, yogurts, drinks and suppositories. Adults who are 18 years of age and older are recommended to take at least one to 10 billion live lactobacilli a day. Popular probiotic yogurts typically contain around one million live lactobacilli. If more lactobacilli are consumed than the recommended dosage, mild stomach aches may occur. In children under the age of 18, certain antibiotics can destroy important bacteria that help in digestion. A quarter of a teaspoon of any store-bought probiotic yogurt is the recommended dosage for children to promote digestive health.

Side Effects

When taken in the proper dosage, lactobacillus acidophilus yields very few negative side effects. Two of the most common side effects that eventually go away are mild stomach aches and gas. Some people who are lactose intolerant or have lactose allergies may feel discomfort after eating dairy products that have lactobacillus acidophilus in them. In some studies, according to the Mayo Clinic, women who have used lactobacillus suppositories complained of vaginal burning. Also, people who have weakened immune systems are advised against ingesting lactobacilli, since serious infections can occur.

Tags: according Mayo, according Mayo Clinic, bacteria that, been used, dairy products, lactobacillus acidophilus

What Are Some Symptoms Of Abnormal Cells In Pap Smears

Starting from the age of 21 or within 3 years of engaging in sexual activity, a woman should receive yearly pap smears. The result will show if you have abnormal cells.

Abnormal Pap Smear

Abnormal cells are referred to as dysplasia and are the result of an infection. Dysplasia is a pre-cancerous condition. Women panic when they hear that their pap smear detected abnormal cells. Keep in mind that abnormal cells do not indicate that you have cancer.

Signs

Signs indicating abnormal cells are: herpes, human papilloma virus (HPV), inflammation, trichomoniasis and dysplasia.

Testing

When a pap smear shows abnormal cells, further testing is done to pinpoint the source. Your health official will check for infection, herpes, yeast infection, trichomoniasis or HPV.

More Causes

Abnormal cells can also be the result of douching, recent sexual activity or vaginal creams. If you have an abnormal pap smear, it is advisable to retest a few months later.

Treatment

If your pap smear repeatedly results in abnormal cells, your physician may suggest the following: Colposcopy--via a speculum, a sample of the abnormal area is taken for diagnosis; Cryosurgery--this involves freezing the abnormal cells; or LEEP--in which a loop-shaped tool is used to remove the affected cells.

Tags: abnormal cells, abnormal cells, have abnormal, sexual activity

Identify Symptoms Of Hemophilia

Hemophilia is an inherited bleeding disorder that causes excessive bleeding from what otherwise might be considered minor cuts and scratches. Hemophilia occurs in and affects about 1 in every 10,000 young boys. While hemophilia can't be prevented, learning identify symptoms of hemophilia may initiate treatments and therapies that help to alleivate the danger uncontrolled bleeding. Family education is essential in order to promote a safe and healthy living environment for boys afflicted with hemophilia. With proper treatment, those suffering from hemophilia may lead a relatively normal life, which is why it is so important to identify symptoms of hemophilia early.

Instructions

1. Swollen joints often appear on infants or toddlers afflicted with hempphilia. After scratching or cutting knees or elbows, parents may notice excessive bleeding.

2. Bleeding that is difficult to stop following circumcision also serves as an alert to pediatricians that a male baby may have hemophilia.

3. Bruising after minimal activity, or the presence of large and deep bruising is also indicative of a blood disorder caused by inadequate clotting factors normally found in the blood.

4. Bleeding intensely from small cuts or scratches is a very common symptom of hemophilia. Nosebleeds are also fairly common, and take an especially long time to stop.

5. Discovering blood in the urine or stool leads most parents to take their child to the pediatrician or family doctor. The amount may be small or excessive, but always needs to be monitored.

Tags: afflicted with, cuts scratches, excessive bleeding, identify symptoms, symptoms hemophilia

Congestion & Bronchitis

Bronchitis is an infection in which the bronchial tubes become inflamed. It usually stems from a cold or other type of respiratory infection, according to the Mayo Clinic. It is important to recognize the symptoms of bronchitis, including congestion, and know the best way to treat the condition.

Effects

People with bronchitis will likely experience congestion, coughing, chills, wheezing and excessive mucus. Even after the other symptoms clear up, a cough may linger for a few weeks.

Types

Acute bronchitis is often caused by a virus and will likely clear up on its own. Chronic bronchitis is a more serious form of the disease, often caused by smoking and constant exposure to pollutants.

Identification

To diagnose you with bronchitis, your doctor will likely listen for congestion in your chest and lungs. If a serious infection is suspected, your doctor may order an X-ray of your chest.

Prevention/Solution

In most cases rest, drinking lots of fluids and taking over-the-counter decongestants are enough to make bronchitis and congestion go away. However, if the disease is chronic, your doctor may put you on antibiotics to treat the infection.

Warning

In most cases bronchitis is nothing to worry about it, but if it becomes chronic it can lead to issues such as pneumonia and asthma.

Tags: will likely, your doctor, most cases, often caused, with bronchitis

When Does A Cpr Certification Expire

CPR certificates usually have to renewed annually.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training classes are designed to accommodate people who want to learn basic life support. Expiration of CPR certificates is based on the location and organization from which the certification is acquired.

Ideal Users

Anyone wanting to be prepared for an emergency situation should acquire a CPR training certificate. Professionals in health-related fields, athletic coaches, lifeguards and caregivers for the elderly or children would especially benefit from the security offered by CPR certification.

Classes

CPR certification courses are often found in combination with first aid courses. Often, free CPR classes can be found at local health care facilities or online courses can be taken for a fee. The accepted standards for established CPR certification are set by the American Heart Association and the American Red Cross.

Expiration

CPR certificates usually expire somewhere after one or two years. The American Red Cross and all its national chapters recognize all CPR certificates as valid for up to one year from the course completion date or three years for first aid training. Although the American Red Cross has this national standard, some states have different expiration periods for their CPR certificates. The expiration date is listed on the certificate and on an individual's CPR card.

Tags: American Cross, certificates usually, Expiration certificates

Buy Cleocin T Face Medicine For Acne

Acne sufferers may have finally found a way to clear up unwanted acne. Cleocin T acne medicine purportedly clears up even the most stubborn acne outbreaks. Cleocin T is not an over the counter medication and requires a doctor’s approval before you can buy it.

Instructions

1. Make sure this is the medicine for you. Before you go out to buy Cleocin T face medicine for your acne, do a little research to see if there are over the counter substitutes that can work for you.

2. Call your doctor and make an appointment. You must have a prescription in order to buy Cleocin T acne medication. Therefore, you need to make an appointment with your doctor.

3. Discuss current medical problems with your doctor. While you’re in your doctor’s office make sure to tell your doctor if you’re currently exhibiting any symptoms of intestinal distress. If you are suffering from colitis or intestinal problems, you might not be a viable candidate for Cleocin T.

4. Use proper dosage. Once you buy Cleocin T acne medicine, make sure that you use it in accordance with the dosing instructions as prescribed by your doctor. If you use more than prescribed, it will not clear up the acne any sooner. Additionally, overusing the medication may subject you to unwanted side effects.

5. Take Cleocin T regularly. If you inadvertently forget to take one dose of Cleocin T, take it as soon as you remember. However, if you remember when it’s time for your next dose, do not double up on the medication to make up for the dose you missed.

Tags: your doctor, Cleocin acne, acne medicine, Cleocin acne medicine, make appointment, make sure, over counter

Induction Process Of Labor

Planning

If you have a labor induction, you will have to discuss this with your physician first. Likely reasons for inducing labor include going past your due date, a health condition that could endanger you or the baby or your water breaking without labor ensuing afterward. Once the decision is made, you may or may not have time to preregister with the hospital in which you will be delivering. Preregistering will save you time once the actual day of induction arrives.

Pre-Labor

Once you are admitted, a nurse will place an IV in your arm or hand. If your cervix is ready, the nurse will administer Pitocin through your IV. If your cervix isn't ready yet, you will be given a vaginally administered medicine to ripen it before Pitocin is administered. Common drugs for ripening the cervix include prostaglandins, misoprostol, mifepristone and relaxint. If you think you may want an epidural, you also will receive preparatory fluids through your IV. You also will have two belts placed around your belly. These belts hold small monitoring devices in place. These devices measure the baby's heart rate as well as the frequency and intensity of your contractions.

Labor and Delivery

Once the Pitocin enters your body, you probably will experience mildly to moderately painful contractions. Your bag of waters may or may not burst on its own. The nurse or doctor will periodically examine your cervix to see how far you've dilated and effaced. If you have been in labor for a considerable amount of time, the doctor may insert a small instrument called a cervical hook through your vagina in order to rupture the membrane that contains the amniotic fluid. Usually after the bag of waters breaks, your contractions will intensify in frequency and intensity. Once your contractions are frequent (about three to four minutes apart) and strong (lasting for about one minute), your Pitocin dosage will be increased. During this whole process, you may or may not opt to receive IV drugs for pain or an epidural. The administering of pain medication as well as the process of actually delivering the baby are the same as that of a non-induced labor.

Tags: through your, your cervix, your contractions, also will, cervix ready, frequency intensity, nurse will

Medications Used To Treat Type 2 Diabetes

Medications Used to Treat Type 2 Diabetes

Diet and exercise are the frontline treatment for type 2 diabetes. When this is not enough to maintain blood glucose levels, the doctor may then prescribe medication. There are multiple types of medications used to treat type 2 diabetes, in the form of pills or injection. Patients often require more than one medication to maintain blood sugar levels.

Alpha-glucosidase Inhibitors

Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors help lower blood glucose levels by blocking the breakdown of starches (bread, potatoes, pasta, etc.) in the intestine. Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors also slow the breakdown of certain sugars and the rise of glucose levels after eating. Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors should be taken right before eating. Common brand names of alpha-glucosidase inhibitors include Precose and Glyset. Common side effects include gas and diarrhea.

Biguanides

Biguanides decrease liver production of blood glucose levels. Biguanides also make muscle tissue more sensitive to insulin, allowing glucose to be absorbed and lowering blood glucose levels. Biguanides are generally taken twice a day. A common brand name of biguanides is Glucophage. Common side effects include diarrhea, which is generally improved when taking the medication with food.

DPP-4 Inhibitors

DPP-4 inhibitors are a new drug class that helps improve A1c levels without causing hypoglycemia. DPP-4 inhibitors prevent the breakdown of GLP-1, which is a naturally occurring compound in the body. GLP-1 does reduce blood glucose levels, but GLP-1 is broken down too quickly to be injected by itself. DPP-4 inhibitors interfere with the breakdown of GLP-1 and allow it to remain active longer to lower blood glucose only when necessary. A DPP-4 brand name is Januvia, and it comes in pill form. Positive effects of DPP-4 inhibitors include neutral or positive effects on cholesterol and generally do not cause weight gain.

Thiazolidinediones

Thiazolidinediones help insulin to perform better in muscles and fat as well as reduce the production of glucose in the liver. Thiazolidinediones reduce A1c levels and do not as a general rule have many side effects. One drug in the thiazolidinedione class (Rezulin) was taken off the market due to liver problems in a small number of patients. The other two drugs, rosiglitazone and pioglitazone, are closely monitored but have not shown any issues to date.

Sulfonylureas

Sulfonylureas work by stimulating beta cells in the pancreas to increase insulin production. Sulfonylureas have been around since the 1950s, but are no longer commonly prescribed. Diabinese is the only first-generation sulfonylurea still being prescribed. Sulfonylureas are usually taken before meals, one to two times a day. Mixed with alcohol, sulfonylureas can cause vomiting, flushing or sickness.

Meglitinides

Meglitinides, like sulfonylureas, stimulate beta cells to release more insulin. Both meglitinides and sulfonureas have a risk of causing hypoglycema (low blood glucose levels) due to the release of extra insulin. Meglitinides are taken before meals, three times a day. Common brand names of meglitinides include Prandin and Starlix.

Tags: blood glucose, glucose levels, blood glucose levels, side effects, Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, before meals

Indoor Tanning Side Effects

There's something to be said about a "healthy" glow from a few leisurely hours (and days) under the sun. It seems like you look and feel just a bit more fresh, youthful and alive with a little added color to your cheeks--there's a reason they call it "sun-kissed." Yet, when the winter months roll around, those golden rays mostly disappear, or at least our access to them does. And nestled in layer upon layer of coats, scarves and hats, our radiant skin slowly reverts back to that pasty white color we've somehow come to believe to be an unflattering quality. So, to keep that at bay, some flock to indoor tanning beds in spas and gyms. But that "healthy" glow we all desire isn't all that healthy, especially when we get it indoors.

Skin Cancer

One of the main problems with an indoor tan is something you've been hearing for years now--cancer. By exposing yourself to these ultraviolet rays for prolonged periods of time, even the artificial rays from the beds, you're increasing your chances of not only melanoma, but both basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, which are fairly invasive, recurring and can actually cause scarring or skin ulcers, not to mention death (see Resources below).

Skin Damage

Another major issue from tanning beds is the toll it takes on your skin, apart from the increased potential in your development of skin cancer. What happens when you subscribe to a life of indoor tanning is that your skin essentially begins to thin, so to speak. This then makes your epidermis less resilient to actual UV rays from the sun, diminishing your skins capacity to restore itself back to ultimate health after a burn, which is really all a tan is. While you may not be able to fundamentally see the effects right away, this inability to heal will lead to premature aging, which sort of defeats the purpose of the tan in the first place.

Eye Injury

Think about the way you hop in a tanning bed. Most of the time, the bulbs are ablaze when you actually climb in and lay down. Out in the sun, you're more apt to wear a pair of shades. In a bed, you might perch the little goggles atop your lids, but not until your in the bed. For all intents and purposes, you're exposing your eyes to very intense rays from the bulbs (more intense than the rays from the sun), which could injure your retina or burn your cornea. Plus, you can damage your eyes even when they're closed.

Adverse Reactions

A number of lotions, soaps, cosmetics and even medications can affect the way you tan, possibly increasing your chances of burning or developing some sort of rash that isn't from the heat. It is always wise to ask your doctor if there are any issues with being exposed to UV rays while on a certain prescription medication.

Incorrect Settings

Many people are never really sure how long their session should last. Though the risks have already been mentioned, people will inevitably continue to tan. If you're going to do so, make sure you know how long to be in the bed. A number of people end up being over-exposed because they're unfamiliar with the bed, the bulbs have recently been changed or they think their skin needs more "sun" than it actually does.

Tags: rays from, cell carcinoma, healthy glow, increasing your, increasing your chances

Menopause & Bleeding Hemorrhoids

Menopause is the time in a woman's life when menstruation comes to an end. Health professionals define menopause as 12 months after a woman's last menstrual period. Unfortunately menopause often comes with some unfavorable characteristics, one of which is hemorrhoids. Swelling and dilation around the veins of the anal region causes hemorrhoids. In some circumstances, hemorrhoids can bleed. Due to the increased susceptibility of developing hemorrhoids during menopause, women have a greater risk of experiencing bleeding hemorrhoids.

Causes

Although hemorrhoids can occur at any age, approximately 1/2 of all women will experience them by age 50, according to menopauserx.com, which is around the average age of menopausal onset in the United States. A woman's susceptibility to experiencing bleeding hemorrhoids during menopause can be increased from various conditions including prior childbirth, chronic constipation, prolonged sitting and the aging process, which includes going through menopause. One strong theory of the cause of hemorrhoids is varicose veins, which are also a result of the aging process.

Types

There are two types of hemorrhoids: external and internal. It is the internal hemorrhoids that are the most common cause of bleeding. Internal hemorrhoids lie above the dentate line, which separates the anal canal from the rectum. They are typically painless except if the vein is disturbed during a bowel movement. Although they lie within the anal canal, they may develop inflammation and become enlarged enough to project through the anal opening. Internal hemorrhoids also frequently leave individuals with a feeling that they did not completely empty their bowels during a bowel movement. External hemorrhoids, which lie below the dentate line, can result in extreme pain. Occasionally, a thrombosis--a blood clot formed by a dilated vein--can occur on the external hemorrhoid. When this occurs, the external hemorrhoid becomes hard and may be ulcerated to produce bleeding.

Symptoms

Symptoms vary depending on what type of hemorrhoid the woman has. Internal bleeding hemorrhoids are associated with rectal blood that appears bright red and leaves streaks on toilet paper during wiping and in the toilet bowl following a bowel movement. The stool may also have a bloody, mucus-like consistency. Internal bleeding hemorrhoids that become irritated and inflamed cause the feeling of having to pass stool even after a bowel movement has occurred. Common symptoms of external bleeding hemorrhoids include severe pain and blood stains in the underwear.

Treatment

Treatment for bleeding hemorrhoids during menopause varies. Suppositories, creams, natural remedies and surgery are all treatment options. A large selection of creams can be purchased over the counter to be used on external bleeding hemorrhoids. Suppositories are used for internal bleeding hemorrhoids but typically only treat pain and itching, not bleeding. Some women decide to use natural remedies such as topical herbs. On average, natural methods take longer to be effective but are just as successful as other treatment methods. Excessive hemorrhoid bleeding may require surgical methods of treatment. Banding is the most popular surgical technique. In this method, a rubber band is used to tie off the affected vein, thus preventing the blood supply from reaching it. Without adequate blood supply, the hemorrhoid will shrink and die. Another popular surgical technique is laser surgery. In this method, the vein is cauterized to avert the flow of blood to the hemorrhoid.

A Common Mistake

During the beginning of menopause and before the complete cessation of the menstrual period, many women experience sporadic menstrual bleeding. This often results in mistaking hemorrhoidal bleeding for menstrual bleeding. It is imperative for all women to know where their bleeding is coming from to recognize the existence of bleeding hemorrhoids. Whereas menstrual bleeding comes from the vagina, blood from hemorrhoids comes from the anal canal. There are still many other possible causes of bleeding during menopause, some of which can be life-threatening. In any circumstance, a woman should visit her doctor if she is experiencing bleeding of any kind.

Tags: bleeding hemorrhoids, bowel movement, during menopause, anal canal, experiencing bleeding, hemorrhoids during

Cure Pinworms Without Medicine

Ranging from tiny amoebas to big parasites, parasitic worms can be detected both by the naked eyes and by microscopes. Pinworm (enterobius vermicularis) is the common worm found in infections affecting kids. Symptoms of the presence of this worm include itching in the anal regions, digestive issues, insomnia and nervousness. Pinworms ingested in some form get excreted out of the body through the anal opening. These worms lay eggs in the outer environment that can be carried to any other individual on contact.

Instructions

1. Buy tea tree oil from a grocery store. When purchasing tea tree oil remember to check the date of manufacture stated on the outer cover of the bottle. Avoid an older sample of the product, as age can reduce its effectiveness.

2. Crush three to four cloves of garlic. Though this recipe is recommended for external topical application, cloves of garlic can also be eaten daily to kill the eggs of pinworms laid in the upper region of colon.

3. Mix the tea tree oil with crushed cloves of garlic and add some Vaseline.

4. Apply the mixture to the affected region of the anal canal. Though the mix may produce a slight burning sensation, it is effective in killing the pinworm eggs and relieving the itch.

Tags: cloves garlic

What Is An Alcohol Brownout

Excessive alcohol consumption can result in many negative consequences. Bad decisions that are made while intoxicated typically involve engaging in risky behavior such as drunk driving and unsafe sex. Depending on the amount of alcohol consumed, memory of these events may be incomplete or non-existent. Similar to an electrical brownout, an alcohol brownout results in a reduction in resources. Specifically, an alcohol brownout is impairment in memory due to excessive alcohol consumption during which only vague memories are able to be formed.

Attention and Memory

Alcohol is a depressant. It slows down the mind and impairs attention as well as memory. When attention is impaired, individuals are more prone to have accidents that would otherwise be avoidable. Memory impairment may affect an individual's ability to find an item such as keys or remember a simple memory such as a phone number. An alcohol brownout is considered a moderate impairment of memory since the memories are able to be recalled, albeit with some difficulty.

The Day After

The more alcohol consumed, the more damage is done to one's ability to form new memories. As such, events that occurred during a night of drinking may not be immediately recalled the next day. Sometimes it is not until another person discusses what happened the night before that some memories are triggered. Instances such as these are alcohol brownouts. During an alcohol brownout, memories that were formed are difficult to recall without help. Reminders of what happened help to elicit these memories.

Amnesia

Amnesia, or memory loss, is a serious risk for heavy drinkers. Events that cannot be recalled even after they are described to someone may be more than just memory loss. This is a significant impairment known as a blackout. As opposed to brownouts, memories are not formed during blackouts. Intoxicated individuals may have no recollection of an event since alcohol impaired their ability to form new memories. Therefore, they are unable to recall what happened because it was not stored in their memory.

Blood Alcohol Content

The severity of one's memory impairment is affected by one's blood alcohol content (BAC). Having a few drinks over the course of an hour will yield a higher blood alcohol level than if the same number of drinks were consumed over several hours. Higher blood alcohol levels are associated with higher levels of impairment. A BAC above .08 percent is considered legal impairment in the United States. BAC below .15 percent suggests moderate impairment and may include brownouts. BAC over .15 percent can result in significant impairment such as blackouts.

Controlled Drinking

Memory impairments in the form of brownouts or blackouts occur the day after having too much to drink. However, it is possible to control one's drinking to avoid significant impairment of any kind. Keeping track of the number of drinks is important. A glass of wine, a bottle of beer or one mixed drink an hour will only increase BAC slightly. Drinking on an empty stomach and at a rapid pace will make one's BAC increase quickly. Although not as severe, episodes of brownouts should be taken seriously. Excessive alcohol consumption over time can lead to permanent impairment of memory.

Tags: alcohol consumption, blood alcohol, impairment memory, significant impairment, what happened, ability form, ability form memories

Signs & Symptoms Of Bird Flu In Human Beings

Bird flu appears to originate with chickens.

The H5N1 avian influenza virus, more commonly known as bird flu, first surfaced in 1997 in Hong Kong, though some scientists believe that the Spanish Flu epidemic of 1918 may have been a version of bird flu. Tens of millions of birds have died from bird flu, and many humans have contracted it as well, with some fatalities.

Bird Flu Symptoms

Bird flu symptoms are similar to the symptoms of the standard influenza virus. Symptoms include fever greater than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit, a sore throat, and a cough that can be either dry or productive. Other symptoms are muscle aches, malaise, a runny nose and headache. Another common symptom is the appearance of an eye infection such as conjunctivitis. Sometimes conjunctivitis is the only obvious symptom of the bird flu. Doctors believe that the incubation period for avian flu to be between two and 10 days.

Complications of Bird Flu

If bird flu is not successfully treated in time, more-serious symptoms can develop. Respiratory complications and symptoms include pneumonia and acute respiratory distress. These respiratory symptoms are sometimes, but not always, accompanied by nausea, diarrhea, vomiting and neurologic changes.

Inflammation of the brain and heart can also occur, as can organ failure and sepsis. Some of these complications are potentially fatal, and bird flu has a survival rate of only 50 percent, so if you have these symptoms and believe that you have been exposed to bird flu, you should go to a doctor immediately.

Avoiding the Bird Flu

If you travel to an area where bird flu exists, take simple precautions to protect yourself. Avoid farms and marketplaces where wild or domesticated birds might be, and especially avoid ducks, chicken and geese. Wash eggs before you break them, and wash your hands after handling raw eggs. Avoid foods containing raw eggs. Wash your hands before and after handling raw poultry, and wash utensils and cutting boards that come into contact with poultry. Cook all poultry at high temperatures to kill the bird flu virus and avoid eating undercooked poultry.

If you believe that you have been exposed to the avian flu, monitor yourself for possible symptoms for seven days. Visit your doctor if you show any symptoms, and make sure to let him know if you have visited any open-air markets or farms where there were birds, or if you have been in a part of the world where an outbreak of bird flu is currently occurring. Your doctor can administer a blood test that will give you preliminary results in about four hours.

Tags: believe that, have been, after handling, been exposed, believe that have, birds have, have been exposed

Side Effects Of Relpax

Relpax is the brand name for the medication eletriptan hydrobromide, prescribed to relieve symptoms of migraine headaches including pain, nausea and sensitivity to sound and light. Distributed by Pfizer Inc., Relpax alleviates symptoms but does not prevent onset of migraines. Numerous side effects are possible.

Most Common Effects

In clinical studies with Relpax, as delineated by eMedTV, side effects occurring between 7 and 10 of participants included dizziness, drowsiness, nausea and weakness.

Other Side Effects

Side effects occurring in between 2 to 4 percent of study participants included abdominal pain, heartburn, indigestion, difficulty swallowing, chest tightness or pressure, dry mouth and headache.

Skin Sensation Effects

Abnormal skin sensations also can occur when taking Relpax. This might feel like tingling, burning or pricking.

Less Common Effects

Less common Relpax side effects include back pain, chills, heart palpitations, increased perspiration and sore throat.

Cardiovascular Concerns

Rarely, medications similar to Relpax have caused a heart attack, stroke or restricted blood flow to an area of the body. Symptoms include chest pain, shortness of breath, weakness on one side of the body and slurred speech. People with a history of cardiovascular disease should not use Relpax.

Tags: Common Effects, effects occurring, effects occurring between, occurring between, participants included

Ulcerative Colitis Surgery Recovery Time

Ulcerative colitis (UC)--a form of inflammatory bowel disease that causes abdominal pain, rectal bleeding and diarrhea--is a chronic disease that does not leave those it affects with many options. While not typically life threatening, it is life altering in many ways.

Explore Every Option

Surgery is considered to be the last option after all other treatment options such as medications, herbal remedies and special diets fail. Consult your doctor to make sure you are prepared for surgical options and research the recovery time after surgery.

Surgery is necessary in cases of severe infection in ulcerative colitis (excessive bleeding, mucous, pain). In some cases, an infection can become overwhelming (abscesses in the intestines, rectum), and colectomy surgery becomes a necessity. If you cannot enter a remission period, you may need to consider surgery.

Surgery Options: Proctocolectomy with Ileostomy

This procedure involves two separate surgeries: the removal of the rectum, anus and colon and the addition of a colostomy bag attached to the body for external waste removal. This is an "older" procedure in the sense that it has been performed for many years as an option for ulcerative colitis surgery. It does involve a hospital stay and an altered diet.

Recovery: Proctocolectomy with Ileostomy

When proctocolectomy with Ileostomy surgery is complete, you must wear an external waste bag at all times to collect waste from the intestines. You can expect to be in the hosptial for about 1-2 weeks with this procedure. It will take anywhere from 4-6 weeks until you feel fully recovered from surgery and feel ready for work or a normal diet. Once you have the colostomy bag, it must be emptied several times a day. It is small, basically unnoticeable to anyone who doesn't know you have one, and does not cause any unpleasant odors.

Surgery Options: Restorative Proctocolectomy

Restorative proctocolectomy is a more recent, and more commonly used, procedure. This procedure does not require the usage of an external colostomy bag to remove waste. Waste can be passed as it normally does through the body and out the rectum. The procedure involves the creation of a J-pouch in the body as a workaround to having the colon removed. For this process to be complete, three to four surgeries are required.

Recovery: Restorative Proctocolectomy

Recovery time from this procedure may actually take longer than that of individuals who have a colostomy bag. This is because the internal organs take longer to heal once the pouch is created in the body. You have a temporary colostomy bag while your intestines heal and the pouch becomes ready for use.

The recovery time varies. While a hospital stay is typically five days, a recovery period may be up to four months (because of the multiple surgeries to create the pouch). Many UC patients consider this time worth it because the success rate is high and UC symptoms drastically decrease. For example, an individual who was using the bathroom 15 to 20 times a day may go only four times a day and not experience an uncontrollable urge as often.

Tags: with Ileostomy, disease that, external waste, have colostomy, hospital stay, procedure involves, Proctocolectomy with Ileostomy

Prevent Telangiectasia Ataxia

Ataxia Telangiectasia (A-T) is a genetic disease that causes the immune system of the body to break down. It appears in childhood and is characterized by an early loss of muscle control. Because it is linked to a defective gene, there is no way to prevent A-T from affecting a child that has already been born with it. The only way to prevent Ataxia Telangiectasia is to take steps to ensure that you do not conceive a child who will have it.

Instructions

1. Get screened for the gene that can cause A-T (the ATM gene) before conceiving a child. Make sure your partner is screened as well. If you both come up positive for the ATM gene, you should consider other means of having children. With two sets of this gene, any child you create together will be at risk for developing A-T.

2. Even if you and your partner are not both carriers of the ATM gene, still consider other means of having children. The gene is recessive and usually requires both parents to carry it in order to affect the offspring. Because it is basically a genetic mutation, however, it could still occur even if only one of you are passing it along.

3. If you already have a child with A-T, consider not having any more children until you and your partner are screened for the ATM gene. If both of you are carriers, the only way to be sure you won’t have any more A-T affected children is to not conceive anymore together. If only one of you is a carrier, consider other means of conception, such as using genetic material from a non-carrier.

4. Once you become pregnant, have prenatal genetic testing done to see if the fetus is at risk of A-T. These tests are not always able to give a 100 percent definite answer about whether or not your child will have A-T, but if they come back positive you should consider your options in regards to whether or not you wish to have an affected baby.

Buy A Kneeling Chair

Reduce back pain and improve posture by using an ergonomic kneeling chair for long work sessions. Kneeling chairs are widely available at office furniture retailers. Try a kneeling chair if you suffer from chronic lower back pain after long work sessions in a traditional office chair. Find ergonomic kneeling chairs at your local furniture retailer or from online sources, such as BizChair.com.

Instructions

1. Expect difficulty the first time you maneuver yourself into a kneeling chair. See if you find the chair comfortable and easy to work in. Try different brands of kneeling chairs to find the chair that is right for you.

2. Ask about weight limitations for the chair. Be sure the chair can support anyone who is likely to use it.

3. Check that the chair adjusts to different seat heights and sitting positions. The chair and knee cushions must be padded and comfortable. Seat and knee platform widths vary, so find the seat width you find comfortable before committing.

4. Look for chairs that meet or exceed standards set by American National Standards Institute and the Business and Institutional Furniture and Manufacturers Association. These organizations establish voluntary minimum standards for the furniture industry.

Tags: kneeling chair, back pain, ergonomic kneeling, find chair, kneeling chairs, long work, long work sessions

Know When To See A Doctor For Unrefreshing Sleep

Know When to See a Doctor for Unrefreshing Sleep

We all experience unrefreshing sleep once in a while, usually due to normal stress about work and family issues in our daily lives. However, repeated bouts of unrefreshing sleep can be a sign of a more serious sleep disorder or other underlying cause which your doctor should evaluate. To know when to see a doctor, look into the cause of your poor sleep.

Instructions

Determine When You Need to See a Doctor

1. Look for symptoms of insomnia. Insomnia often occurs in cycles, where inability to fall asleep causes anxiety about sleeping, which reinforces the insomnia. Insomnia that occurs for more than 3 months is a sign that you should see a doctor about your unrefreshing sleep.

2. Ask your spouse or another family member to monitor you for signs of sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a breathing problem which causes you to stop breathing for a moment while you sleep. Because this constantly wakes them up, sufferers often report unrefreshing sleep. Any signs of sleep apnea should be reported to your doctor.

3. Monitor your exercise schedule. Working out too close to bedtime can cause an inability to fall asleep, but is usually not a reason for you to contact your doctor.

4. Read the labels on your medications. Many over-the-counter medications can interfere with your ability to get a restful night's sleep. If these medications seem to be a potential cause, you can usually cut back on them without calling your doctor.

5. Flip your mattress over to get a more restful sleep without having to call your doctor. When mattresses get worn in by use, they can become uncomfortable and interfere with your ability to get a good night's rest.

6. Check your sleeping habits to know whether medical help is needed. Poor sleeping habits such as changing your bedtime every night and sleeping in too long on the weekends can cause you to experience poor sleep during the week.

Tags: your doctor, unrefreshing sleep, Doctor Unrefreshing, Doctor Unrefreshing Sleep, fall asleep

Restore Porcelain On Teeth

Porcelain veneers resemble natural teeth in both look and strength. However, like natural teeth they can wear over time, particularly on the biting edges. Porcelain veneers overlay the natural tooth and do not have the support of the tooth root or jaw when biting on hard foods. Over time, chipping or cracking can occur and new porcelain veneers must be placed to restore the look of your teeth. Restoring porcelain veneers to teeth will require two visits: one to remove the damaged veneers and create a cast for the new veneer and one to place the new porcelain veneer once it has been constructed.

Instructions

1. Make an appointment with your cosmetic dentist as soon as you notice your porcelain veneers crack or chip. If the veneer becomes unattached, store the tooth in a container to take to the dentist. If the veneer is undamaged, the dentist may be able to replace it with some new adhesive.

2. Remove damaged porcelain veneers. The dentist will notch or score the damaged veneer to allow it to pop off. Alternatively, the dentist may shave off the veneer.

3. Evaluate other veneers. The dentist will check the other veneers in your mouth and may decide to replace all of the veneers to prevent future problems. If your veneers are older than 10 years, the dentist may decide to replace all veneers with updated technologies.

4. Clean and polish teeth to remove old adhesives and create a clean surface for the new porcelain veneers.

5. Recast the tooth or teeth. A new dental impression will need to be taken to create the new veneer. The dentist will provide you with temporary veneers to cover the exposed teeth until the new porcelain veneers can be places.

6. Return to the cosmetic dentist to have new porcelain veneers placed.

7. Apply adhesive to the tooth and set the new porcelain veneers.

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Know The Healthy Benefits Of Garlic Oil And Fresh Garlic

Garlic is a natural antifungal and antiviral and a host of many other good things. Although fresh garlic is really the best form of garlic, garlic powder and garlic oil pills may also be beneficial. Keeping in mind, garlic oil pills are mostly vegetable oil.

Instructions

1. To fight off colds. Many doctors now see the light and agree that conventional medicine is not always the best medicine. To fight the common cold, garlic teas may be helpful especially against upper respiratory, sinus and throat infections. Chop garlic cloves and boil in water, strain the garlic out and drink the tea.

2. To fight yeast infections. Consuming large quantities of garlic in your diet will help keep yeast at bay. To treat a thrush infection (yeast infection of the mouth), chew raw garlic cloves in addition to your regular treatment. For vaginal yeast infection, consuming fresh garlic is the best treatment over any other form of garlic. (see resources below for link on treating yeast infections naturally)

3. Promotes a healthy heart. Garlic lowers blood pressure, cholesterol, and plaque buildup possibly preventing heart attacks and strokes.

4. Detoxes the body. Garlic helps to remove mercury and other heavy metals from the body. It is important to detoxify the body from mercury as it causes brain degeneration. Some studies show high levels of mercury may cause autism and Alzheimer's disease.

5. Natural Antibacterial. Garlic was once used as an antibiotic before pharmaceutical companies started manufacturing stronger antibiotics. Garlic oil has been shown to help ear infections, Helicobacter pylori (the bacteria that cause stomach ulcers and possibly stomach cancer) and reportedly even staph infections.

6. Cancer Prevention. Some studies prove that consuming garlic reduces the risk of certain types of cancer including: breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, stomach cancer and esophageal cancer.

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