Jan
4
Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder, but it must be said that it is also a psychological disorder. The person having anorexia is preoccupied to lose weight, and in time, this persons starts to believe that the weight loss is a sign of control over the body. Then, the one affected by anorexia continues with an endless cycle of restrictive eating, and this can lead finally to self- starvation. This cycle becomes an obsession.
It was seen that women are the most affected by this illness, especially adolescent girls. Anorexia is more common in middle and upper socioeconomic groups, and the Caucasians are the most often affected people.
At this moment, science can’t explain which is the exact cause of anorexia, but there are a few factors that seem to be responsible. Because the modern society associated the concept of “beauty” with “thin”, many women are under the pressure to be thin and attractive, and for that, they begin dieting and starving. Also, seems that a low self –esteem is another cause that can lead to anorexia.
Some researchers say that there is a genetic component that may play a role in determining a person’s susceptibility to anorexia, and others suggest that this illness can result from a particular dysfunction often seen in families of anorexia patients. In this type of dysfunction, family members become so interdependent, that they cannot achieve their own personality, so children, especially girls take a restrictive diet to prevent growing up, in their thinking that restricts the maturational process, and they will be forever in the parent-child relationship.
There also exists the suspicion that anorexia is caused by a dysfunction in the part of the brain which regulates certain metabolic processes.
People that have anorexia deny this problem, they want to hide the symptoms, that’s why it is complicated to diagnose this disease. In many times, the family members see that there is a great weight loss, and ask for medical help, but the one who has anorexia may be unreliable in terms of providing accurate information, that’s why in many cases the doctor needs to obtain information from the others members of the family in order to evaluate the degree of weight loss and extent of the disorder.
There are four basic criteria for the diagnosis of anorexia nervosa and we can mention the denial to maintain a body weight according to the age and height, permanent fear of gaining weight and becoming fat, a distorted self- perception, and in women who begun their menstrual cycle, at least three consecutive periods are missed or menstrual periods occur only after a hormone is administered.
There are two types of anorexia: the binge eating/purging type and the restricting type.
The person having the first type engages in binge eating or purging behavior, which means it includes self-induced vomiting, misuse of laxatives, diuretics, or enemas.
The one who has the second type severely restricts food intake.
It is very important for us to understand that there are different persons having different bodies, and we mustn’t get obsessed by the so called “perfect bodies” imposed by the modern society.
Jan
4
Schools’ Biggest Threat
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What do W.R. Myers High School, Heritage High School, Columbine High School and Virginia Tech, have in common aside from being academic institutions? Do the names Todd Cameron Smith, Thomas Solomon Jr., Eric Harris, Dylan Klebold and Cho Seung-Hui sound familiar? What is the common factor among those persons mentioned earlier? Why is it important to talk about their situation? This is basically what this article is all about. The relationship among those questions posted initially will be shown as the answers are revealed one by one.
Schools are considered by most parents as their children’s second home. This may be because most students actually spend more time in school than at home. These institutions are also known as places of learning and it is of great importance that the atmosphere and condition in these places are conducive for such undertaking. Also, most parents expect their children to be safe and secure in school. However, the situations in W.R. Myers High School, Heritage High School, Columbine High School and Virginia Tech during 4 fateful days were far from being conducive for learning. It was on 28 April 1999, 20 May 1999, 20 April 1999 and 16 April 2007 when several students were killed during school shootings at W.R. Myers High, Heritage high, Columbine High and Virginia Tech, respectively. These tragedies are just four of the several school shootings that have happened in the United States since 1966. Because of the increasing incidence of this type of crime, law enforcers, parents, teachers, and other concerned citizens are now taking action to come up with a solution for this problem.
Todd Cameron Smith killed one student and injured two others at W.R. Myers High School when he was just 14 years old. Thomas Solomon Jr. was a 15-year-old sophomore at Heritage High School when he brought a rifle and a handgun to school and randomly shot and injured six students. Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold were both students at Columbine High School when they bombed their school cafeteria, killed 12 students and a teacher, and injured 24 others before committing suicide. Cho Seung-Hui was a 23-year-old senior at Virginia Tech when he killed 32 students and injured a lot more before also committing suicide. All five students are said to have experienced being bullied in their respective schools, thus, partly being the cause of those students’ anxiety problems or depression. Also, their aggression towards others resulting to crimes committed may also be partly attributed to their depression and the experience of bullying.
In 1998, the National Institute of Child Health and Development (NICHD) conducted a survey on bullying among 15,686 6th to 10th grades students all over America. The survey showed that 30%
of those students who participated have either experienced being a bully, had been victims of bullying or both. From the survey, it was further determined that nationwide, 3.2 million kids or teenagers were being bullied while 3.7 million others are bullies. Another study done by NICHD correlated the act of bullying and of being bullied with depressive and suicidal tendencies among those who have experienced it. The study indicated that “frequently, bullied kids are more depressed and suicidal.” Figures also reflected that among those who took part in the survey and had experienced being bullied, 26% of girls and 16% of boys have moderate to severe depression while eight percent (8%) of girls and four percent (4%) of boys are suicidal. Though it is said that bullies have higher tendencies to commit crimes, the profile of most attackers in school shootings are mostly those of the victims of bullying. This is supported by a study also done by NICHD which stated that “those who have both experienced being bullied and being bullies may be more at-risk and more dangerous.”
Various preventive measures have been promoted in response to the school shootings that have occurred over the past few years. Security within schools have been improved which included stricter screening of students who could possibly be carrying illegal firearms or weapons into campus. However, organizations such as Fight Crime: Invest In Kids and the US Secret Service suggest that getting to the root of the problem rather than just mere physical security will provide the best solution to address the serious situation. Considering that these school shootings somehow resulted from distress in school caused by bullying, efforts should also be directed to setting up programs that would prevent these types of negative or destructive behavior among students. Nowadays, there are already existing anti-bullying and anti-aggression programs such as the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program which is implemented in the US and in other countries. These programs aim to increase awareness about bullying among parents, teachers and students; create rules in school that prevent bullying; provide positive consequences for those who avoid; and negative consequences for those who engage in bullying.
Through these preventive measures and awareness programs, both government and non-governments organizations, as well as numerous concerned citizens, hope to avoid another Columbine or Virginia Tech incident. It is also a way of keeping the image of schools as institutions for learning with assurance of safety and security. Preventing the incidence of bullying not only answers problems with depression among the youth but also decreases the rise in youth crimes.
Jan
4
Bronchitis- acute bronchitis
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Has it ever happened to you to believe that just when you were about to recover from a cold or even the flu an annoying cough and some pain in your chest start to develop? You might be inclined to believe that the cold has come back again and it was not really over. Well, that is not the problem. What you might feel is only the beginning of acute bronchitis. With bronchitis, chills and a mild fever will also appear.
Bronchitis is usually the result of a cold. This happens because the same virus that causes the flu, also causes bronchitis. Furthermore, almost any infection in the respiratory system leads to bronchitis. This condition, bronchitis can be of two types: acute bronchitis or chronic bronchitis. Acute bronchitis is a milder illness that affects the inner portion of the bronchial tubes. As a result of bronchitis, these airways become inlamated or even infected. People suffer from a cold very often, but not so after do they develop bronchitis afterwards. However, almost everyone has had bronchitis once in his/ her life. Acute bronchitis is a very mild illness that usually pases on it’ s own. The majority of bronchitis cases last about one week. Acute bronchitis also does not lea
ve effects. However, the cough, which is the trade mark of bronchitis may last a few weeks longer, after your bronchitis has healed. Br careful, though, because if you have bronchitis, even acute bronchitis, quite often, this may lead to
other serious problems. Chronic bronchitis or asthma may be the follow- ups of acute bronchitis.
The symptoms of acute bronchitis are similar to those of the cold. The first bronchitis sign that one will surely have is coughing. If the cough also brings mucus, green or yellow, that there is no doubt that you have acute bronchitis. The mucus that you coygh when you have bronchitis does not come from the stomach, but it is produced by the airways. In normal health conditions, your airways produce mucus, but it does not come up because they are always swallows with the saliva. When you have bronchitis, the airways are inflamed and thus, the mucus accumulates. Furthermore, in bronchitis cases your body also produces more mucus. When you cough, the primary bronchitis symptom, the mucus comes up. If it is also other color but white, besides bronchitis, you might have another infection. However, not in all bronchitis cases, sputum is produced.
Jan
4
The Need To Change Lipid Nutriture
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THE ESKIMO EVIDENCE
There is a variety of persuading
evidence that the fatty acid content of modern human and domesticated animal
diets should be altered. The ability of fish oils to affect cardiovascular
disease has recently become widely known. However, this is not new. It
originally came to light more than 35 years ago.1,2 Epidemiological studies of
Greenland Eskimos demonstrated a low incidence of cardiovascular disease
compared to Western nations. A component of fish oil has subsequently been
linked to this preventive action by some investigators. Since Eskimos, on their
native diets, are known to be afflicted with only one tenth the amount of
myocardial infarction as is present in Danes and Americans, incorporating the
preventive factors of the Eskimo diet in the Western diet might therefore have
dramatic health consequences.3
ANIMAL EVIDENCE
Experimental evidence from animal
studies demonstrates a like effect of improper lipid nutriture. For example, in
vessel ligating studies measuring vascular necrosis in rats, cats, dogs, swine,
and primates, it has been determined that increasing omega-3 fatty acids
produces a protective effect.4-8
A comparison of the tissues of
domestic animals to that of wild animals demonstrates the dramatic nutritional
shift which has occurred with domestication and modern farming practices. (Fig.
30) If humans eat factory farmed animals, their tissues will mirror the changes
which have occurred in the food animal. Humans, like domestic animals, will
also therefore have fatty acid profile discordancy with their preindustrialized
ancestors
[ Comparison Of Domestic An Wild
Animal Meat Image ]
http://www.wysong.net/articles/lipid/figures/figure30.jpg
PRE-MODERN POPULATION EVIDENCE
There are likely factors other
than just the incorporation of high levels of fish oils in the diet which have
protective effects against cardiovascular disease. Anthropological studies
demonstrate that preindustrial civilizations and wild populations of animals do
not fall victim to this disease as we do, yet they do not by and large consume
fish. Consuming a natural, raw, whole food diet likely presents a wide range of
health augmenting effects which help protect not only against cardiovascular
disease but many other degenerative diseases as well. 9,10
A study of the nature of the
modern processed diet as compared to natural diets demonstrates the wide gap
that has occurred between the two. Not only have oils been stripped from their
natural food context but, through various processing methods, they have been
altered in ways that prevent their participation in essential fatty acid
functions. These alterations may not only remove nutritional value but may turn
them into metabolic toxins as previously discussed. Such changes have occurred
within a very short time period, primarily within the last 50-75 years.
However, the genome was adapted
over thousands of years to natural food sources containing natural ratios of
natural fatty acids. Food changes, like environmental changes which are
occurring at a rapid pace, can outstrip the ability of organisms to adapt. We
are in a genetic time warp; our genes are adapted to a natural form of food and
environment, yet we are now increasingly experiencing an entirely different
context. By outlining this idea from the perspective of time our precarious
position is dramatically demonstrated. Study and ponder Figure 31 well; it
represents the most important concept in the book.
[ Time And Adaptation Image ]
http://www.wysong.net/articles/lipid/figures/figure31.jpg
It is now estimated that 75-80% of
all deaths occurring in Western cultures are a result of exposing our genes to
the wrong environment and food. Chronic degenerative diseases are the symptoms
of th
is genetic discordancy. These include cardiovascular disease, cancers,
arthritis, autoimmune diseases, adult onset diabetes, and a wide range of other
degenerative conditions.11, 12
The logical solution is to restore
the diet to its more archetypal, natural form. This can be accomplished through
fresh raw, natural products in the diet and the selection of specific foods
which contain high levels of certain beneficial nutrients.
If processed foods are to be
consumed, foods should be selected as close to their original form as possible
with minimization of manipulation.
THE DYNAMICS OF TISSUE FATTY ACIDS
“We are what we eat” is
particularly true in relation to lipid nutrition. Since lipids make up a large
percentage of the substance of the body, and lipids undergo a continual
turnover, our lipid composition is therefore a direct reflection of what we have
been eating.
The composition of serum
triglycerides reflects the composition of the last few meals: that of
cholesterol esters (in LDL’s for example) and erythrocyte membranes reflects
the intake of the preceding weeks or months: whereas the composition of adipose
tissue is an index of the habitual diet over the past 23 years.13 Changing the
dietary composition of fatty acids will therefore first change serum lipids,
then LDL’s and erythrocytes, then adipose tissue. In other words, if we are
eating high saturated fat burgers and french fries boiled in denatured oil, our
membranes will reflect this composition and predispose us to degenerative
disease over time. On the other hand, if our diet consists of a large
proportion of fresh, raw vegetables, fruits and seeds minimally prepared, our
membranes will reflect the composition of these ingredients with omega-3, -6,
and -9 fatty acids more nearly matching our distant preindustrial ancestors,
our genetic expectation. (Fig. 32)
COMPLEMENTARY NUTRIENTS
A variety of nutrient cofactors
contributes to proper lipid nutrition. As fatty acids are enzymatically
converted into energy, eicosanoids, and structural components, enzyme systems
are at work. These systems require the presence of micronutrients found in
whole natural foods such as the minerals zinc, copper, potassium, iron, and
manganese, and vitamins such as B3′ B6′ B12′ C and folic acid. About two thirds
of the 50 or more known essential nutrients are believed to be involved.
Focusing only on fatty acids would be as erroneous
[ Tissue Fatty Acid Dynamics Image
]
http://www.wysong.net/articles/lipid/figures/figure32.jpg
as omitting them. Nutrition is an
unimaginably complex entanglement of elements that is best supported by
balanced whole fresh foods and intelligent, balanced supplementation when
necessary.
References available within book
text, click the following link to view this article on wysong.net:
http://www.wysong.net/articles/lipid/10_article_lipid_chapter_ten_lipid_nutriture.shtml
For further reading, or for more
information about, Dr Wysong and the Wysong Corporation please visit www.wysong.net or write to wysong@wysong.net. For resources on healthier foods for people
including snacks, and breakfast cereals please visit www.cerealwysong.com.
Jan
4
The thyroid gland is a precision instrument that is vital in growth and metabolism. This means that not only is the thyroid gland essential for the function of our bodies, but also that it needs to be working perfectly for optimum health.
One of the most common forms of thyroid problem is hypothyroidism or an under active thyroid gland. The most prevalent form of hypothyroidism is thyroiditis or Hashimoto’s Disease, an auto immune disease affecting the thyroid gland. Hypothyroidism can also be caused by a thyroid gland that is inflamed or sluggish. Thyroid problems can be due to iodine deficiency, an after effect of surgery or medication, or dysfunction of the pituitary gland. First, let’s look at the symptoms and diagnosis of thyroid problems more closely.
What are the symptoms of hypothyroidism?
One of the first signs is usually weight gain, especially if the pounds pile on quickly and are almost impossible to remove. The skin could become dry and rough, the hair dry and coarse, and constant tiredness are also symptoms of this thyroid problem. There could also be memory loss, cramps and constipation. All of these symptoms or just a few can be present, which means diagnosis of a thyroid problem by your physician I recommended.
A blood test for levels of thyroid hormones TSH and T4 is the most precise way to diagnose a health problem. Now, most precise does not necessarily mean very precise, and in fact there is no specific level of thyroid hormones that is “normal” for everyone. Thyroid problems can appear in someone who has the same levels as someone else who seems perfectly fine. The range of thyroid levels considered normal is quite wide. Nevertheless, a blood test remains the best way to diagnose a thyroid health problem, such as hypothyroidism.
Treatment of hypothyroidism
The conventional treatment for thyroid health problems is Levothyroxine, a synthetic thyroid hormo
ne. This treatment can be often very hit-and-miss, with constant monitoring needed as to how levothyroxine levels are affecting the condition. An alternate method of treating thyroid health problems is using a natural thyroid hormone, such as an extract from cows. Here however, there is always the fear of virus contamination. In both cases it is hoped that changing the thyroid hormone levels will treat the causes of the thyroid problem, rather than just temporarily relieve the symptoms.
Natural treatment of hypothyroidism
Vitamins and supplements are also vital when treating thyroid health problems, and for general thyroid support. Vitamins A and C help a lot, as does an increased intake of copper. It’s best to cut out stimulants like alcohol, tea and coffee, as well as smoking. Food with additives and preservatives should be avoided, while fresh vegetables and fruit should be increased to restore balance to your body.
There are also natural remedies being used to treat various thyroid problems. Kelp is said to be very effective and has been used for centuries in Chinese medicine. However, if you are using it to for thyroid support, you must be sure that the kelp comes from a reputed source as it can be contaminated with effluents if it has been harvested too close to the shore. Go-ji or the lyceum berry is also said to be good for thyroid problems, as is avena sativa, a wild oat plant.
The causes of thyroid problems are numerous, so the best way to maintain thyroid health is by taking a holistic approach to health and nutrition. In addition, various herbs and natural remedies are available that are believed to actively treat the problem. Only Mitamins can create a vitamin supplement that combines the essential vitamins and minerals needed for thyroid health with herbs that are known to help in the treatment of thyroid problems.
Jan
3
Crucial information on leukemia
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Leukemia is a Greek word witch actually means white blood. The diseases usually begins in the white blood cells of the patient, or in the bone marrow that produces white cells, spreading quickly through out the body eventually affecting a lot of vital organs.
The vital liquid, that is blood, contains two major types of cells; the first type would be the red blood cell, witch is slightly bigger in numbers than the white cells. The red blood cells carry the much needed oxygen from the body’s lungs to the organs (it also caries around nutrients). On the other hand the white blood cell is the primary soldier of the immune system helping the body greatly in fighting of viruses and diseases.
The way that leukemia works it that it disrupts the normal processes of the body, the production of white blood cells actually increasing this way. Because of the large numbers they start behaving un natural, fact that eventually leads to the harming of organs and the inability of the body to fight dangerous diseases.
The factors that actually trigger the appearance of leukemia in the body of the human are still unknown. Some say that certain chemicals, radiation or chemo therapy are responsible for making people ill. Other think that the most probable causes are genetic an hereditary factors.
Modern doctors and scientist, with
the help of state of the art equipment, have actually found that leukemia consists of 4 main types. Symptoms vary from one type to another, each of them needing a different treatment than the other. More general symptoms present in every patient that is suffering from leukemia, regardless of the type, consist of a feeling of weakness or fatigue in the body, bruises that seem abnormal, open wounds that slow very hard, bone or joint pain and even anemia.
Leukemia has been found to affect people regardless of their age, built, state of health or location. Still a greater number has been seen to appear in children, this being the more acute and faster growing type. In people over 40 the disease has a more relaxed passe, being more of a chronic illness.
Correctly diagnosing the type of leukemia that the patient is suffering from is actually crucial, determining the proper treatment being linked with this. The way in witch a treatment can be put together is very diverse. The patient may receive a combination of therapies, a bone marrow transplant, radiation therapy, chemo therapy, or even stem cell transplant.
The four types of leukemia that severely affect the human population are : acute lymphocytic leukemia, chronic lymphocytic leukemia , acute myelogenous leukemia and chronic myelogenous leukemia.
Jan
3
Lyme disease (Borreliosis) is a bacterial infection. Lyme disease is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi. Borrelia burgdorferi transmitted by the bite of a deer tick.Deer ticks can be so small that they are almost impossible to see. Therefore, many people with Lyme disease never even saw a tick. These people are more likely to develop symptoms because the tick remained on their body longer. Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne disease in the United States. There are more than 16,000 cases of Lyme disease per year in the United States. Humans are infected by ticks in the nymph stage 85% of the time (spring to summer) and the adult stage 15% of the time (fall). Infection is often contracted during warm-weather months when ticks are active. The spirochete enters the skin at the site of the tick bite. After incubating for 3-30 days, the bacteria migrate through the skin and may spread to lymph nodes or disseminate through the bloodstream to organs or distant skin sites. Risk factors for Lyme disease include walking in high grasses, other activities that increase tick exposure, and having a pet that may carry ticks home.
Lyme disease is not contagious and cannot be transmitted from person to person. Black-legged ticks ( Ixodes scapularis) are responsible for transmitting Lyme disease bacteria to humans. A tick must be attached to a person for 2-3 days to pass on the infection. This is due to the life cycle of B burgdorferi in ticks. In previously infected ticks, only small numbers of bacteria are present until the tick feeds. Once feeding begins, the bacteria then multiply in the gut of the tick. The bacteria then migrate to the salivary glands of the tick after 2-3 days. There, they are injected into the animal by the tick as it ends its feeding. Until this multiplication occurs, ticks are rarely able to pass on the infection. Ticks are actually a type of mite. Ticks vary in size and colour; blacklegged ticks are very small. Before feeding, adult females are approximately 3-5 mm in length and red and dark brown in colour; following a blood-meal, females can be as large as a grape.LD is transmitted to humans by ticks. Larval and nymphal stages feed on infected reservoir hosts, acquire the organism and then, after moulting to the next life stage (nymphs and adults respectively), pass on the infection to humans and other animals.
Lyme Disease ( commonly misspelled as Lime or Lymes ) symptoms may show up fast, with a bang, or very slowly and innocu
ously. Patients may have an expanding rash, which may appear 3 to 30 days after a tick bite. This rash, called erythema migrans. There may be initial flu-like symptoms with fever, headache, nausea, jaw pain, light sensitivity, red eyes, muscle ache and stiff neck. Many write this off as a flu and because the nymph stage of the tick is so tiny many do not recall a tick bite. The late symptoms of Lyme disease can appear months after initial infection and often progress in cumulative fashion over time. Neuro-psychiatric symptoms often develop much later in disease sequence, much like tertiary neurosyphilis.
Lyme disease spirochetes disseminate from the site of the tick bite by cutaneous, lymphatic and blood borne routes. The signs of early disseminated infection usually occur days to weeks after the appearance of a solitary erythema migrans lesion. Cats do contract Lyme Disease but very uncommonly. The Ixodes tick is often called the deer tick because the adult stage of the tick prefers to feed on deer. However, it will feed on other creatures such as skunks, birds, canines and people.
There are several available treatments for Stroke. Anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen, are sometimes prescribed to relieve joint stiffness. In most cases, 14 to 30 days of treatment with an antibiotic kills the bacteria. Prompt treatment with drugs, such as tetracycline, can quickly clear up the early symptoms and prevent serious complications. Even in the late stages, penicillin and other drugs are still effective in most cases. The immunomodulating, neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory potential of minocycline may be helpful in late/chronic Lyme disease with neurological or other inflammatory manifestations. Minocycline is used in other neurodegenerative and inflammatory disorders such as Multiple sclerosis, Parkinsons, Huntingtons disease, Rheumatoid Arthritis. Use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (which is used conventionally to treat a number of other conditions), as an adjunct to antibiotics for Lyme has been discussed. Alternative medicine approaches include bee venom because it contains the peptide melittin, which has been shown to exert profound inhibitory effects on lyme bacteria in vitro.Wash affected area with soap and water or disinfect (with alcohol or household disinfectant) after removing ticks. Use insect repellants that effectively repel ticks (such as those containing DEET). Apply the repellent to pant legs, socks, shoes, and the skin.
Jan
3
Home Remedy for Fever
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Fever is not a disease. Fever occurs when the body’s internal “thermostat” raises the body temperature above its normal level. Normal body temperature varies by person, age, activity, and time of day. The average normal body temperature is 98.6°F (37°C). Fever serves as one of the body’s natural defenses against bacteria and viruses which cannot live at a higher temperature. Raising the temperature a few degrees can give the body the winning edge. In addition, a fever activates the body’s immune system, accelerating the production of white blood cells, antibodies, and many other infection-fighting agents. A slight fever can make it harder for them to survive. Fever also activates your body’s immune system. Once the higher temperature is achieved, the shivering and chills stop. When the infection has been overcome or drugs such as aspirin or acetaminophen (Tylenol) have been taken, the thermostat resets to normal and the body’s cooling mechanisms switch on: the blood moves to the surface and sweating occurs.
There are many variations in normal body temperature, and this needs to be considered when measuring fever. Most people’s body temperatures even change a little bit during the course of the day. Fevers are primarily caused by viral or bacterial infections, such as pneumonia or influenza. Fever has several potential causes. First is infection-Most fevers are caused by infection or other illness. Fever helps the body fight infections by stimulating natural defense mechanisms. Second is Overdressing-Infants, especially newborns, may get fevers if they’re overbundled or in a hot environment because they can’t regulate their body temperature.Third is Immunizations-Babies and children sometimes get a low-grade fever after getting vaccinated. When an infection occurs, fever-inducing agents called pyrogens are released, either by the body’s immune system or by the invading cells themselves, that trigger the resetting of the thermostat. In other circumstances, the immune system may overreact (allergic reactions) or become damaged (autoimmune diseases), causing the uncontrolled release of pyrogens
Fever is not the only sign of a serious illness. There are different symptoms of a fever. The symptoms of a fever depends on what is causing it. Sometimes a fever can cause a chill. A chill occurs because when the brain raises the body’s “thermostat,” the body responds by shivering to raise the temperature. Fevers may be useful to some extent since they allow the body to reach high temperatures. This causes an unbearable environment for some pathogens. White blood cells also rapidly proliferate due to the suitable environment and can also help fight off the harmful pathogens and microbes that invaded the body. Children develop higher temperatures with activities like playing, but this is not fever because their set-point is normal. Elderly patients may have a decreased ability to generate body heat during a fever, so even a low-grade fever can have serious underlying causes in geriatrics.
Fever is an important signal that there’s something wrong in the body. Treatment of fever should be based primarily on lowering the setpoint, but facilitating heat loss may also contribute. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil). If you child has an infection, using a fever reducer will not help your child to get better any faster. Drugs to lower fever (antipyretics) can be given if a patient (particularly a child) is uncomfortable. These include aspirin, acetaminophen (Tylenol), and ibuprofin (Advil). Aspirin, however, should not be given to a child or adolescent with a fever since this drug has been linked to an increased risk of Reye’s syndrome. Bathing a patient in cool water can also help alleviate a high fever. Wet cloth or pads are also used for treatment, and applied to the forehead. Heat loss may be an effect of (possibly a combination of) heat conduction, convection, radiation or evaporation (sweating, perspiration). There are several things you to help bring the temperature down and make the person more comfortable. Keep the room at a comfortable temperature, but make sure that fresh air is circulating. Make sure they drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration. Give ice cubes to suck.
Jan
3
Sjogren’s Syndrome – Definition, Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
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Sjögren’s syndrome is a chronic inflammatory disorder of probable autoimmune nature. Autoimmune diseases are characterized by the abnormal production of extra antibodies in the blood that are directed against various tissues of the body. About 50% of the time Sjögren’s syndrome occurs alone, and 50% of the time it occurs in the presence of another connective tissue disease. The classic signs of the Sjögren’s syndrome, therefore, includes enlargement of the parotid glands with mucosal dryness manifest by dry mouth (xerostomia) and dry eyes (xerophthalmia). Sjogren’s syndrome is also associated with rheumatic disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis. Sjogren’s syndrome that only involves gland inflammation (resulting dry eyes and mouth, etc.), and is not associated with a connective tissue disease, is referred to as primary Sjogren’s syndrome. Secondary Sjogren’s syndrome involves not only gland inflammation, but is also associated with a connective tissue disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, or scleroderma.
Symptoms associated with Sjögren’s are caused by the infiltration of immune-system cells, usually B and T lymphocytes, into the glands responsible for secreting fluid. This condition can affect people of any age, but symptoms usually appear between the ages of 45 and 55. In Sjogren’s syndrome, your immune system attacks the glands that make tears and saliva. Sjögren’s may also cause dryness of other organs, affecting the kidneys, GI tract, blood vessels, lung, liver, pancreas, and the central nervous system. Many patients experience debilitating fatigue and joint pain. Symptoms can plateau, worsen, or go into remission. While some people experience mild symptoms, others suffer debilitating symptoms that greatly impair their quality of life. Virtually all organs may be involved. The disease commonly affects the eyes, mouth, parotid gland, lungs, kidneys, skin, and nervous system. Sjogren’s syndrome can also cause problems in other parts of the body, including the joints, lungs, muscles, kidneys, nerves, thyroid gland, liver, pancreas, stomach and brain.
Sjögren’s occurs in all age groups in both women and men. It is estimated to strike as many as 4 million people in the United States. Sjogren’s Syndrome is also found more commonly in families that have members with other autoimmune illnesses, such as systemic lupus erythematosus, autoimmune thyroid disease, juvenile diabetes, etc. Sjögren’s syndrome—dryness, fatigue, pain, head and neck complaints, hoarseness, or hearing loss—can also occur as a result of medication use, anxiety and depression, or normal aging. The majority of the patients with Sjögren’s syndrome have symptoms related to diminished lacrimal and salivary gland functions. The initial manifestations may be nonspecific, such as arthralgias, Raynaud’s phenomenon and fatigue, and usually 8 to 10 years elapse from the initial symptoms to the full-blown development of the disease. Patients usually complain of difficulty in eating dry food (like trying to eat crackers without water), inability to speak continuously, oral soreness, changes in tasting and smelling and fissures of the tongue and lips (angular queilitis).
Treatment is generally symptomatic and supportive. Infections are treated with anti-fungal or antibiotic preparations. Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) has been helpful for some manifestations of Sjogren’s syndrome. Moisture replacement therapies may ease the symptoms of dryness. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may be used to treat musculoskeletal symptoms. Lacriserts, is used by some to alleviate dry eyes. Two prescription medications, Salagen (pilocarpine hydrochloride) and Evoxac (cevimeline), are available to treat dry mouth.. Serious complications, such as vasculitis, can require immune suppression medications, including cortisone (prednisone and others) and/or azathioprine (Imuran) or cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan). Many of these types of agents are available as over-the-counter products including toothpaste, gum, and mouthwash (Biotene). Vitamin E oil has been used with some success. Infections of the mouth and teeth should be addressed as early as possible in order to avoid more severe complications.
Jan
3
Perhaps when tea tree oil was not yet very popular, people with toenail fungus had to face a future where they either had to live with their ugly festering toenails or have surgery to remove all their affected toenails altogether. But now that tea tree oil is readily available, people with toenail fungus can have relief from their dilemma.
Many people testify to the almost magical effects of tea tree oil on their fungal infections. Because it is a natural essential oil, it is a safer and cheaper alternative for eliminating fungal infections compared to consuming drugs which may have harmful side effects on your body, or buying costly prescription drugs. Tea tree oil is not enough. It is only part of the equation.
Origins of tea tree oil
Tea tree oil is derived from the tree named Melaleuca alternifolia which grows in Australia. At present, people can buy their bottles of tea tree oil from alternative medicine and homeopathic product suppliers.
Therapeutic effects of tea tree oil
The oil reportedly can destroy fungus, bacteria, viruses and yeast. It is generally used as an active ingredient in anti-fungal preparations that also use other essential oils in tandem with it. Thus, it is not recommended that you consume tea tree oil preparations because it or the other essential oils mixed with it might cause complications. As it is deemed a home remedy, there are no scientific claims that have been validated yet about its therapeutic effects though there are already medical practitioners who recommend it to their patients.
Ruling out other conditions
It is vital that you get the proper diagnosis of toenail
fungal infection from your doctor before attempting to treat yourself with tea tree oil. This is because your thickened and deformed toenails might be caused by other factors, such as: skin conditions, spread of bacteria, and injury to the nail (among others.) To properly diagnose you, the doctor may need to take a sample of the affected nail to be sent to a laboratory for testing. If the condition is definitely a fungal infection, then the doctor may line up treatment options for you to consider. If the doctor does not know yet about tea tree oil and its reputed therapeutic effects on fungal infections, you may want to inform him about what you have researched so far. Or you might want to get a second opinion from a doctor who has been prescribing tea tree oil to his patients already. The problem with some people is that they resort to using tea tree oil even without knowing the exact cause of their nail condition, then get disappointed when the tea tree oil does not seem to work. Get the right diagnosis first, then try tea tree oil – that is the way to go about it.
Scientific investigation about tea tree oil
Because there is a growing amount of positive feedback about the wonderful benefits people have gotten from tea tree oil as an anti-fungal product, there is already a movement to investigate such claims. That is a positive trend which may eventually lead to the widespread recognition of tea tree oil as an anti-fungal therapy by the medical and scientific community. Remember that using tea tree oil is not enough we strongly suggest that you visit www.outsidehealth.net to learn about the other anti fungal oils that must be used.