walkmedicine is popular medicine information

walkmedicine is popular medicine information

walkmedicine is popular medicine information ( walkmedicine is popular medicine information proudly powered by Blogger. Template Design by SsTeam )

Read more!

posted by Administrator @ 12:46 AM 0 comments

Oil Zaitu Prevent the Bosom Cancer

ALL medical expert in fact have assure that olive able to prevent the bosom cancer. Sour of oleic representing fat acid in olive oil capable to depress the keIja of gene of growth of bosom cancer. The research conducted by all man of science of dart Evanston Northwestern Healthcare Research Institute, Illinois. In order to be known, olive is especial substance in menu of Mediterranean cookery ( Mediterranean Sea). Study which is also publicized in journal of this Annals oj Oncology become the finding drawing attention. A number of epidemiology study . reporting that amount of patient of bosom cancer in compared to by lower Mediterranean area of other area. Resident Mediterranean (it) is true a lot of consuming olive. Still, all expert still be crosslegged that invention problem opinion. Partly anticipate, caused by its sour content of oleic, some of again take a gamble on caused by is other;dissimilar food which incidentally consumed at the same time with olive.

Read more!

posted by Administrator @ 12:42 AM 0 comments

Wednesday, April 18, 2007

Herpes zoster Health Article

Definition
Herpes zoster is an acute, localized infection with varicella-zoster virus, which causes a painful, blistering rash.

Alternative Names
Shingles

Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Herpes zoster, or shingles, is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. After an episode of chickenpox, the virus becomes dormant in the body. Herpes zoster occurs as a result of the virus re-emerging after many years.
The cause of the re-activation is usually unknown, but seems to be linked to aging, stress or an impaired immune system. Often only one attack occurs, without recurrence.
If an adult or child is exposed to the herpes zoster virus and has not had chickenpox as a child or received the chickenpox vaccine, a severe case of chickenpox may develop rather than shingles.
After infection with chickenpox, the virus resides in a non-active state in the nerve tracts that emerge from the spine. When it is re-activated, it spreads along the nerve tract, first causing pain or a burning sensation.

The typical rash appears in 2 to 3 days, after the virus has reached the skin. It consists of red patches of skin with small blisters (vesicles) that look very similar to early chickenpox. The rash often increases over the next 3 to 5 days. Then, the blisters break forming small ulcers that begin to dry and form crusts. The crusts fall off in 2 to 3 weeks, leaving behind pink healing skin.
Lesions typically appear along a single dermatome (the body area served by a single spinal nerve) and are only on one side of the body (unilateral). The trunk is most often affected, showing a rectangular belt of rash from the spine around one side of the chest to the breastbone (sternum).
Lesions may also occur on the neck or face, particularly along the trigeminal nerve in the face. The trigeminal has three branches that go to the forehead, the mid-face, and the lower face. Which branch is involved determines where on the face the skin lesions will be.
Trigeminal nerve involvement may include lesions in the mouth or eye. Eye lesions may lead to permanent blindness if not treated with emergency medical care.

Involvement of the facial nerve may cause Ramsay Hunt syndrome with facial paralysis, hearing loss, loss of taste in half of the tongue and skin lesions around the ear and ear canal. Shingles may, on occasion, involve the genitals or upper leg.
Shingles may be complicated by a condition known as post-herpetic neuralgia. This is persistence of pain in the area where the shingles occurred that may last from months to years following the initial episode. This pain can be severe enough to be incapacitating. The elderly are at higher risk for this complication.
Herpes zoster can be contagious through direct contact to an individual who has not had chickenpox, and therefore has no immunity. Herpes zoster may affect any age group, but it is much more common in adults over 60 years old, in children who had chickenpox before the age of one year, and in individuals whose immune system is weakened. The disorder is common, with about 600,000 to one million cases in the U.S. per year.
Most commonly, an outbreak of shingles is localized and involves only one dermatome. Widespread or recurrent shingles may indicate an underlying problem with the immune system such as leukemia, Hodgkin's disease and other cancers, atopic dermatitis, HIV infection, or AIDS. People whose immune systems have been suppressed because of organ transplant or treatment for cancer are also at risk.

Symptoms
• Warning symptoms of unilateral pain, tingling, or burning sensation limited to a specific part of the body -- pain and burning sensation may be intense
• Reddening of the skin (erythema) followed by the appearance of blisters (vesicles)
• Grouped, dense, deep, small blisters that ooze and crust
Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:
• Fever, chills
• General feeling of malaise
• Headache
• Lymph node swelling
• Vision abnormalities
• Taste abnormalities
• Drooping eyelid (ptosis)
• Loss of eye motion (ophthalmoplegia)
• Hearing loss
• Joint pain
• Genital lesions (female or male)
• Abdominal pain
Signs and tests
Diagnosis is suspected based on the appearance of the skin lesions, and strengthened by a prior history of chickenpox or shingles. It can be confused with herpes simplex.
Tests are rarely necessary, but may include:
• Viral culture of skin lesion
• Tzanck test of skin lesion
• Complete blood count (CBC) may show elevated white blood cells, a nonspecific sign of infection
• Specific antibody (immunoglobulin) measurement demonstrates elevation of varicella antibodies

Treatment
Herpes zoster usually resolves spontaneously, and may not require treatment except for symptomatic relief, such as pain medication.
Acyclovir is an antiviral medication that may be prescribed to shorten the course, reduce pain, reduce complications, or protect an immunocompromised individual. Desciclovir, famciclovir, valacyclovir, and penciclovir are similar to acyclovir and may be used to treat herpes zoster.
For the greatest effect, acyclovir-like medications should be started within 24 hours of the appearance of pain or burning sensation, and preferably before the appearance of the characteristic blisters.
Typically, the drugs are given in oral doses four times greater than those recommended for herpes simplex or herpes genitalia. Severely immunocompromised individuals may require intravenous acyclovir therapy.
Corticosteroids, such as prednisone, may occasionally be used to reduce inflammation and risk of post-herpetic neuralgia. They have been shown to be most effective in the elderly population. Corticosteroids have certain risks that should be considered before using them.
Analgesics, mild to strong, may be needed to control pain. Antihistamines may be used topically (direct application to the body) or orally to reduce itching. Zostrix, a cream containing capzasin (an extract of pepper), may possibly prevent post-herpetic neuralgia.
Cool wet compresses can be used to reduce pain. Soothing baths and lotions, such as colloidal oatmeal bath, starch baths, or lotions and calamine lotion, may help to relieve itching and discomfort. Rest in bed until fever resolves.
Keep the skin clean, and do not re-use contaminated items. Nondisposable items should be washed in boiling water or otherwise disinfected before re-use. The person may need to be isolated while lesions are oozing to prevent infection of others -- especially pregnant women.

Expectations (prognosis)
Herpes zoster usually clears in 2 to 3 weeks and rarely recurs. Involvement of motor nerves may cause a temporary or permanent nerve palsy. Neuralgia (continued nerve pain) may persist for years in 50% of those over 60 years old who have shingles, particularly if the trigeminal nerve was affected. Eye lesions may lead to permanent blindness and require emergency medical care.

Complications
• Post herpetic neuralgia
• Secondary bacterial skin infections
• Recurrence (rare)
• Generalized infection, organ visceral lesions, encephalitis or sepsis in immunosuppressed persons
• Blindness (if lesions occur in the eye)
• Deafness
• Loss of taste
• Facial paralysis

Calling your health care provider
Call your health care provider if the symptoms indicate herpes zoster, particularly if you are immunosuppressed or if symptoms persist or worsen.

Prevention
Prevention is uncertain. Avoid contact with the skin lesions of persons with known herpes zoster infection (shingles or chickenpox) if you have never had chickenpox or the chickenpox vaccine, or ESPECIALLY if your immune system is compromised.
The chickenpox vaccine (varicella) is a recommended childhood vaccine. The vaccine may be recommended for teenagers or adults who have never had chickenpox.

From : healthline.com

Read more!

posted by Administrator @ 5:59 AM 0 comments

Insomnia Hits 'Night Owls' Harder

Insomnia's effects may depend on just when a person prefers to hit the sack.
According to new research, "night owls" suffer more from insomnia than those who try and get their z's earlier on.
Night owls also tended to be more concerned about their insomnia than the early-to-bed folks, despite the fact that they actually spent relatively more time in bed and got more sleep overall, the researchers found.
"We suspected that there may be more severe symptoms among night owl insomniacs," said the lead author, Jason C. Ong, an instructor of psychiatry in the Sleep Disorders Clinic at Stanford University in Palo Alto, Calif. "But we also found they exhibited much more distress about their sleep, in terms of attitude. They felt they needed eight hours of sleep, and they're not getting it, and that was associated with feelings of depression and irritability and that kind of thing."
Ong and his colleagues published their findings in the April 15 issue of the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine.
According to the researchers, physiological "insomnia" -- which affects 30 percent of American adults -- refers to disorders defined by poor sleep quality and difficulties falling and staying asleep.
By contrast, another type of sleep disturbance, known as a "circadian rhythm sleep disorder" (CRSD), can arise when the hours of your natural internal clock do not line up well with your social or professional schedule. The resulting "mismatch" can undermine your ability to fall asleep or wake up.
Traditionally, CRSD has been viewed as distinct from insomnia. Experts have theorized that when circadian rhythms match your daily schedule, you should theoretically experience problem-free sleep.

The new study focused on 312 outpatients (60 percent women) who had already started to undergo group behavior therapy for insomnia at the Stanford sleep clinic between 1999 and 2004.
Ong and his team asked all the men and women to indicate their usual (pre-insomnia) preference for sleep scheduling -- when they liked going to bed and waking up.
Based on that information, the patients were characterized as either "morning larks" who felt best going to bed early and rising early, or "night owls" who hit the sack late and slept in. There were also "intermediate" types who fell somewhere in between.
After sorting the participants according to their sleep preference -- or "chronotype"- the authors then reviewed week-long sleep diaries that annotated time of lights out, number of awakenings during sleep, time spent out of bed during sleep time, sleep quality, total time spent sleeping, and all sleep-aid drugs consumed.
In addition, a series of psychological surveys were administered to detect depression, frustration and negative beliefs related to either insomnia or sleep in general.
The Stanford team found that night owl insomniacs spent more time out of bed while trying to sleep, and generally experienced more sleeplessness than either morning larks or intermediate type insomniacs.
Night owls also displayed the most erratic bedtime and wake-time habits, and were relatively more depressed and more frustrated by their insomnia. For example, the "owls" expressed more concern than the others about the consequences of insomnia and their inability to control sleep.
They made up for such deficits by choosing to spend more time sleeping. In this way, they actually racked up more total sleep time than the other study participants.
No group differences, however, were found with respect to the number of times patients awoke during sleep, in their use of sleep-aids, or in the quality of their sleep.
The findings applied equally to men and women.
According to Ong's team, your natural sleeping schedule preference appears connected to the nature of your insomnia. They emphasized, however, that the findings only point to an association between sleep-time preferences and insomnia, rather than any cause-and-effect relationship.
They also cautioned that clinical measures of sleep -- such as blood levels of cortisol, melatonin, or changes in body temperature -- were not evaluated. Some of the patients also had medical conditions that could have affected their sleep patterns.
Nevertheless, Ong and his colleagues believe the findings could someday lead to targeted treatments that hone in on the patient's unique "insomnia profile."
"It would be premature to recommend any particular treatment at this point," said Ong. "The goal here was to learn from our patients. So this is more of a starting point that will hopefully stimulate more research into this area and help to develop some guidelines. But now we can say that maybe we should consider the idea of tailoring intervention and treating people differently, in light of this association."
Another sleep expert agreed more research is needed.
"To me this study underscores the urgent need for researchers to take more seriously the kinds of insomnia that people present with," said Michael L. Perlis, director of the University of Rochester's Sleep Research Laboratory.
He noted that while some patients have trouble falling asleep, others have trouble staying asleep or waking up too early, or any combination thereof.
"People don't experience one form of disorder or another for no reason," he said. "Maybe the reason is related to their chronotype, as is suggested by the Ong study. Maybe it's related to how people manage their insomnia? These issues need to be worked out, so that we can better define the disease and in so doing develop better treatments."

From : nlm.nih.gov

Read more!

posted by Administrator @ 5:57 AM 0 comments

Insomnia Hits 'Night Owls' Harder

Read more!

posted by Administrator @ 5:57 AM 0 comments

Acne Health Article

Definition
Acne is a skin condition characterized by whiteheads, blackheads, and inflamed red pimples or "zits."

Alternative Names
Acne vulgaris; Comedones; Cystic acne; Pimples; Zits

Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Acne occurs when tiny holes on the surface of the skin called pores become clogged. Each pore is an opening to a canal called a follicle, which contains a hair and an oil gland. Normally, the oil glands help keep the skin lubricated and help remove old skin cells. When glands produce too much oil, the pores can become blocked, accumulating dirt, debris, and bacteria. The blockage is called a plug or comedone.
The top of the plug may be white (whitehead) or dark (blackhead). If it ruptures, the material inside, including oil and bacteria, can spread to the surrounding area and cause an inflammatory reaction. If the inflammation is deep in your skin, the pimples may enlarge to form firm, painful cysts.
Acne commonly appears on the face and shoulders, but may also occur on the trunk, arms, legs, and buttocks.
Acne is most common in teenagers, but it can happen at an age, even as an infant. Three out of four teenagers have acne to some extent, probably caused by hormonal changes that stimulate oil production. However, people in their 30s and 40s may also have acne.
Acne tends to run in families and can be triggered by:
• Hormonal changes related to menstrual periods, pregnancy, birth control pills, or stress
• Greasy or oily cosmetic and hair products
• Certain drugs (such as steroids, testosterone, estrogen, and phenytoin)
• High levels of humidity and sweating
Despite the popular belief that chocolate, nuts, and other foods cause acne, this does not seem to be true.

Symptoms
• Whiteheads
• Blackheads
• Pustules
• Cysts
• Redness around the skin eruptions
• Inflammation around the skin eruptions
• Crusting of skin eruptions
• Scarring of the skin

Signs and tests
Your doctor can diagnose acne based on the appearance of the skin. Testing is usually not required.

Treatment
Take the following self-care steps to lessen the effects of acne:
• Clean your skin gently with a mild, non-drying soap (like Dove, Neutrogena, or Basics.) Remove all dirt or make-up. Wash once or twice a day, including after exercising. However, avoid excessive or repeated skin washing.
• Shampoo your hair daily, especially if it's oily. Comb or pull your hair back to keep the hair out of your face. Avoid tight headbands.
• Try not to squeeze, scratch, pick, or rub the pimples. Although it might be tempting to do this, it can lead to scarring and skin infections.
• Avoid touching your face with your hands or fingers.
• Avoid greasy cosmetics or creams. Look for water-based or "non-comedogenic" formulas. Take make-up off at night.
If these steps do not clear up the blemishes to an acceptable level, try over-the-counter acne medications. These creams and lotions are applied directly to the skin. They may contain benzoyl peroxide, sulfur, resorcinol, or salicylic acid. They work by killing bacteria, drying up the oil, and causing your skin to peel.
If the pimples are still a problem, a dermatologist can prescribe stronger medications and discuss other options with you.
Prescription medicines include:
• Oral antibiotics (taken by mouth) such as minocycline, doxycycline, and tetracycline
• Topical antibiotics (applied to the skin) such as clindamycin or erythromycin
• Synthetic vitamin A derivatives called retinoids such as retinoic acid cream or gel (Retin-A) and isotretinoin pills (Accutane) -- pregnant women and sexually active adolescent females should NOT take Accutane, as it causes severe birth defects
• Prescription formulas of benzoyl peroxide, sulfur, resorcinol, salicylic acid
Birth control pills can sometimes help clear up acne. (In some cases, though, they may make it worse.)
Your doctor may also suggest chemical skin peeling, removal of scars by dermabrasion, or removal or drainage of cysts.
A small amount of sun exposure may improve acne. However, excessive exposure to sunlight or ultraviolet rays is not recommended because it increases the risk of skin cancer.

Expectations (prognosis)
Acne usually subsides after adolescence, but may last into middle age. The condition generally responds well to treatment after a few weeks, but may flare up from time to time. Scarring may occur if severe acne is not treated. Some people, especially teenagers, can become significantly depressed if acne is not treated.

Complications
Possible complications include:
• Cysts
• Permanent facial scars
• Changes in skin color
• Damage to self-esteem, confidence, personality, and social life
• Side effects of Accutane (including liver damage and birth defects in an unborn baby)
• Side effects of other medications
Calling your health care provider
Call your doctor or a dermatologist if:
• Self-care measures and over-the-counter medicine have not helped after several months.
• Your acne is severe (for example, you have lots of redness around the pimples or you have cysts) or getting worse.
• You develop scars as the your acne clears up.
For infant acne, call your pediatrician if it does not clear up on its own in 3 months.

References
American Academy of Dermatology. AcneNet page. Available at: http://www.skincarephysicians.com/acnenet/acne.html. Accessed March 23, 2005.
Habif TP. Acne, Rosacea, and Related Disorders. In: Clinical Dermatology. 4th ed.Mosby, Inc., 2004; 162-194.

From : healthline.com

Read more!

posted by Administrator @ 5:52 AM 0 comments

Menopause Health Article

Definition
Menopause is the transition period in a woman's life when her ovaries stop producing eggs, her body produces less estrogen and progesterone, and menstruation becomes less frequent, eventually stopping altogether.

Alternative Names
Perimenopause; Postmenopause

Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Menopause is a natural event that normally occurs between the ages of 45 and 55.
Once menopause is complete (called postmenopause), you can no longer become pregnant.
The symptoms of menopause are caused by changes in estrogen and progesterone levels. As the ovaries become less functional, they produce less of these hormones and the body responds accordingly. The specific symptoms you experience and how significant (mild, moderate, or severe) varies from woman to woman.
In some women, menstrual flow comes to a sudden halt. More commonly, it tapers off. During this time, your menstrual periods generally become either more closely or more widely spaced. This irregularity may last for 1 to 3 years before menstruation finally ends completely.
A gradual decrease of estrogen generally allows your body to slowly adjust to the hormonal changes. When estrogen drops suddenly, as is seen when the ovaries are removed surgically (called surgical menopause), symptoms can be more severe.

Symptoms
The potential symptoms include:
• Hot flashes and skin flushing
• Night sweats
• Insomnia
• Mood swings including irritability, depression, and anxiety
• Irregular menstrual periods
• Spotting of blood in between periods
• Vaginal dryness and painful sexual intercourse
• Decreased sex drive
• Vaginal infections
• Urinary tract infections
In addition, the long-term effects of menopause include:
• Bone loss and eventual osteoporosis
• Changes in cholesterol levels and greater risk of heart disease

Signs and tests
Blood and urine tests can be used to measure hormone levels that may indicate when a woman is close to menopause or has already gone through menopause. Examples of these tests include:
• Estradiol
• FSH
• LH
A pelvic exam may indicate changes in the vaginal lining caused by changes in estrogen levels. A bone density test may be performed to screen for low bone density levels seen with osteoporosis.

Treatment
Menopause is a natural process. It does not require treatment unless the symptoms, such as hot flashes or vaginal dryness, are particularly bothersome.
One big decision you may face is whether or not to take hormones to relieve your symptoms. Discuss this thoroughly with your doctor, weighing your risks against any possible benefits. Pay careful attention to the many options currently available to you that do not involve taking hormones.
If you have a uterus and decide to take estrogen, you must also take progesterone to prevent endometrial cancer (cancer of the lining of the uterus). If you do not have a uterus, progesterone is not necessary.
HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY
For years, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) was the main treatment for menopause symptoms. Many physicians believed that HRT was not only good for reducing menopausal symptoms, but also reduced the risk of heart disease and bone fractures from osteoporosis. However, the results of a major study -- called the Women's Health Initiative -- has led physicians to revise their recommendations.
In fact, this important study was stopped early because the health risks outweighed the health benefits. Women taking the hormones did see some benefits. But they greatly increased their risk for breast cancer, heart attacks, strokes, and blood clots.
If your symptoms are severe, you may still want to consider HRT for short-term use (2-4 years) to reduce vaginal dryness, hot flashes, and other symptoms.
To reduce the risks of estrogen replacement therapy and still gain the benefits of the treatment, your doctor may recommend:
• Using estrogen/progesterone regimens that do not contain the form of progesterone used in the study.
• Using a lower dose of estrogen or a different estrogen preparation (for instance, a vaginal cream rather than a pill).
• Having frequent and regular pelvic exams and Pap smears to detect problems as early as possible.
• Having frequent and regular physical exams, including breast exams and mammograms.
ALTERNATIVES TO HRT
The good news is that you can take many steps to reduce your symptoms without taking hormones:
• Dress lightly and in layers
• Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and spicy foods
• Practice slow, deep breathing whenever a hot flash starts to come on (try taking six breaths per minute)
• See an acupuncturist
• Use relaxation techniques like yoga, tai chi, or meditation
• Eat soy foods
• Remain sexually active to preserve elasticity of your vagina
• Perform Kegel exercises daily to strengthen the muscles of your vagina and pelvis
• Use water-based lubricants during sexual intercourse
There are also some medications available to help with mood swings, hot flashes, and other symptoms. These include low doses of antidepressants such as paroxetine (Paxil), venlafaxine (Effexor), and fluoxetine (Prozac), or clonidine, which is normally used to control high blood pressure.
Complications
Estrogen is responsible for the buildup of the lining of the uterine cavity. During the reproductive years, this buildup occurs and then is shed (menstruation). This usually happens about a once a month.
The menopausal decrease in estrogen prevents this buildup from occurring. However, hormones produced by the adrenal glands are converted to estrogen, and sometimes this will cause postmenopausal bleeding.
This is often nothing to worry about, but because postmenopausal bleeding may also be an early indication of other problems, including cancer, a physician should always check any postmenopausal bleeding.
Decreased estrogen levels are also associated with an increased risk of developing osteoporosis and possibly an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

Calling your health care provider
Call your health care provider if:
• You are spotting blood between periods
• You have had 12 consecutive months with no period and suddenly vaginal bleeding begins again

Prevention
Menopause is a natural and expected part of a woman's development and does not need to be prevented. However, there are ways to reduce or eliminate some of the symptoms that accompany menopause. You can also reduce your risk of long-term problems like osteoporosis and heart disease.
• DO NOT smoke -- cigarette use can cause early menopause
• Exercise regularly to strengthen your bones, including activity that works with the resistance of gravity
• Take calcium and vitamin D
• Eat a low-fat diet
• If you show early signs of bone loss, talk to your doctor about medications that can help stop further weakening
• Control your blood pressure, cholesterol, and other risk factors for heart disease

References
Weismiller D. The Perimenopause and Menopause Experience: An Overview. Clin Fam Practice. 2002; 4(1).
Stenchever, MA. Comprehensive Gynecology, 4th ed. St. Louis, Mo:Mosby, Inc.; 2001:1217-1250.

From : healthline.com

Read more!

posted by Administrator @ 5:49 AM 0 comments

Arthritis Health Article

Definition
Arthritis is inflammation of one or more joints, which results in pain, swelling, and limited movement.
See also joint pain.

Alternative Names
Joint inflammation

Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Arthritis involves the breakdown of cartilage. Cartilage normally protects the joint, allowing for smooth movement. Cartilage also absorbs shock when pressure is placed on the joint, like when you walk. Without the usual amount of cartilage, the bones rub together, causing pain, swelling (inflammation), and stiffness.
You may have joint inflammation for a variety of reasons, including:
• Broken bone
• Infection (usually caused by bacteria or viruses)
• An autoimmune disease (the body attacks itself because the immune system believes a body part is foreign)
• General "wear and tear" on joints
Often, the inflammation goes away after the injury has healed, the disease is treated, or the infection has been cleared.
With some injuries and diseases, the inflammation does not go away or destruction results in long-term pain and deformity. When this happens, you have chronic arthritis. Osteoarthritis is the most common type and is more likely to occur as you age. You may feel it in any of your joints, but most commonly in your hips, knees or fingers. Risk factors for osteoarthritis include:
• Being overweight
• Previously injuring the affected joint
• Using the affected joint in a repetitive action that puts stress on the joint (baseball players, ballet dancers, and construction workers are all at risk)
Arthritis can occur in men and women of all ages. About 37 million people in America have arthritis of some kind, which is almost 1 out of every 7 people.

Other types or cause of arthritis include:
• Rheumatoid arthritis (in adults)
• Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (in children)
• Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
• Gout
• Scleroderma
• Psoriatic arthritis
• Ankylosing spondylitis
• Reiter's syndrome (reactive arthritis)
• Adult Still's disease
• Viral arthritis
• Gonococcal arthritis
• Other bacterial infections (non-gonococcal bacterial arthritis )
• Tertiary Lyme disease (the late stage)
• Tuberculous arthritis
• Fungal infections such as blastomycosis

Symptoms
If you have arthritis, you may experience:
• Joint pain
• Joint swelling
• Stiffness, especially in the morning
• Warmth around a joint
• Redness of the skin around a joint
• Reduced ability to move the joint

Signs and tests
First, your doctor will take a detailed medical history to see if arthritis or another musculoskeletal problem is the likely cause of your symptoms.
Next, a thorough physical examination may show that fluid is collecting around the joint. (This is called an "effusion.") The joint may be tender when it is gently pressed, and may be warm and red (especially in infectious arthritis and autoimmune arthritis). It may be painful or difficult to rotate the joints in some directions. This is known as "limited range-of-motion."
In some autoimmune forms of arthritis, the joints may become deformed if the disease is not treated. Such joint deformities are the hallmarks of severe, untreated rheumatoid arthritis.
Tests vary depending on the suspected cause. They often include blood tests and joint x-rays. To check for infection and other causes of arthritis (like gout caused by crystals), joint fluid is removed from the joint with a needle and examined under a microscope. See the specific types of arthritis for further information.

Treatment
Treatment of arthritis depends on the particular cause, which joints are affected, severity, and how the condition affects your daily activities. Your age and occupation will also be taken into consideration when your doctor works with you to create a treatment plan.
If possible, treatment will focus on eliminating the underlying cause of the arthritis. However, the cause is NOT necessarily curable, as with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Treatment, therefore, aims at reducing your pain and discomfort and preventing further disability.
It is possible to greatly improve your symptoms from osteoarthritis and other long-term types of arthritis without medications. In fact, making lifestyle changes without medications is preferable for osteoarthritis and other forms of joint inflammation. If needed, medications should be used in addition to lifestyle changes.
Exercise for arthritis is necessary to maintain healthy joints, relieve stiffness, reduce pain and fatigue, and improve muscle and bone strength. Your exercise program should be tailored to you as an individual. Work with a physical therapist to design an individualized program, which should include:
• Range of motion exercises for flexibility
• Strength training for muscle tone
• Low-impact aerobic activity (also called endurance exercise)
A physical therapist can apply heat and cold treatments as needed and fit you for splints or orthotic (straightening) devices to support and align joints. This may be particularly necessary for rheumatoid arthritis. Your physical therapist may also consider water therapy, ice massage, or transcutaneous nerve stimulation (TENS).
Rest is just as important as exercise. Sleeping 8 to 10 hours per night and taking naps during the day can help you recover from a flare-up more quickly and may even help prevent exacerbations. You should also:
• Avoid positions or movements that place extra stress on your affected joints.
• Avoid holding one position for too long.
• Reduce stress, which can aggravate your symptoms. Try meditation or guided imagery. And talk to your physical therapist about yoga or tai chi.
• Modify your home to make activities easier. For example, have grab bars in the shower, the tub, and near the toilet.
Other measures to try include:
• Taking glucosamine and chondroitin -- these form the building blocks of cartilage, the substance that lines joints. These supplements are available at health food stores or supermarkets. Early studies indicate that these compounds are safe and may improve your arthritis symptoms. More research is underway.
• Eat a diet rich in vitamins and minerals, especially antioxidants like vitamin E. These are found in fruits and vegetables. Get selenium from Brewer's yeast, wheat germ, garlic, whole grains, sunflower seeds, and Brazil nuts. Get omega-3 fatty acids from cold water fish (like salmon, mackerel, and herring), flaxseed, rapeseed (canola) oil, soybeans, soybean oil, pumpkin seeds, and walnuts.
• Apply capsaicin cream (derived from hot chili peppers) to the skin over your painful joints. You may feel improvement after applying the cream for 3-7 days.
MEDICATIONS
Your doctor will choose from a variety of medications as needed. Generally, the first drugs to try are available without a prescription. These include:
• Acetaminophen (Tylenol) -- recommended by the American College of Rheumatology and the American Geriatrics Society as first-line treatment for osteoarthritis. Take up to 4 grams a day (2 extra-strength Tylenols every 6 hours). This can provide significant relief of arthritis pain without many of the side effects of prescription drugs. DO NOT exceed the recommended doses of acetaminophen or take the drug in combination with large amounts of alcohol. These actions may damage your liver.
• Aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen -- these nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) drugs are often effective in combating arthritis pain. However, they have many potential risks, especially if used for a long time. They should not be taken in any amount without consulting your doctor. Potential side effects include heart attack, stroke, stomach ulcers, bleeding from the digestive tract, and kidney damage. In April 2005, the FDA asked drug manufacturers of NSAIDs to include a warning label on their product that alerts users of an increased risk for heart attack, stroke, and gastrointestinal bleeding. If you have kidney or liver disease, or a history of gastrointestinal bleeding, you should not take these medicines unless your doctor specifically recommends them.
Prescription medicines include:
• Cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors -- These drugs block an inflammation-promoting enzyme called COX-2. This class of drugs was initially believed to work as well as traditional NSAIDs, but with fewer stomach problems. However, numerous reports of heart attacks and stroke have prompted the FDA to re-evaluate the risks and benefits of the COX-2s. Rofecoxib (Vioxx) and valdecoxib (Bextra) have been withdrawn from the U.S. market following reports of heart attacks in patients taking the drugs. Celecoxib (Celebrex) is still available, but labeled with strong warnings and a recommendation that it be prescribed at the lowest possible dose for the shortest duration possible. Talk to your doctor about whether COX-2s are right for you.
• Corticosteroids ("steroids") -- these are medications that suppress the immune system and symptoms of inflammation. They are commonly used in severe cases of osteoarthritis, and they can be given orally or by injection. Steroids are used to treat autoimmune forms of arthritis but should be avoided in infectious arthritis. Steroids have multiple side effects, including upset stomach and gastrointestinal bleeding, high blood pressure, thinning of bones, cataracts, and increased infections. The risks are most pronounced when steroids are taken for long periods of time or at high doses. Close supervision by a physician is essential.
• Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs -- these have been used traditionally to treat rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune causes of arthritis. These drugs include gold salts, penicillamine, sulfasalazine, and hydroxychloroquine. More recently, methotrexate has been shown to slow the progression of rheumatoid arthritis and improve your quality of life. Methotrexate itself can be highly toxic and requires frequent blood tests for patients on the medication.
• Anti-biologics -- these are the most recent breakthrough for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Such medications, including etanercept (Enbrel), infliximab (Remicade) and adalimumab (Humira), are administered by injection and can dramatically improve your quality of life.
• Immunosuppressants -- these drugs, like azathioprine or cyclophosphamide, are used for serious cases of rheumatoid arthritis when other medications have failed.
It is very important to take your medications as directed by your doctor. If you are having difficulty doing so (for example, due to intolerable side effects), you should talk to your doctor.
SURGERY AND OTHER APPROACHES
In some cases, surgery to rebuild the joint (arthroplasty) or to replace the joint (such as a total knee joint replacement) may help maintain a more normal lifestyle. The decision to perform joint replacement surgery is normally made when other alternatives, such as lifestyle changes and medications, are no longer effective.
Normal joints contain a lubricant called "synovial fluid." In joints with arthritis, this fluid is not produced in adequate amounts. One other treatment approach is to inject arthritic joints with a manmade version of joint fluid such as hylan G-F 20 (Synvisc) or other hyaluronic acid preparations. This synthetic fluid may postpone the need for surgery at least temporarily and improve the quality of life for arthritis patients. Many studies are evaluating the effectiveness of this type of therapy.
Expectations (prognosis)
A few arthritis-related disorders can be completely cured with treatment. Most are chronic (long-term) conditions, however, and the goal of treatment is to control the pain and minimize joint damage. Chronic arthritis frequently goes in and out of remission.

Complications
• Chronic pain
• Lifestyle restrictions or disability

Calling your health care provider
Call your doctor if:
• Your joint pain persists beyond 3 days.
• You have severe unexplained joint pain.
• The affected joint is significantly swollen.
• You have a hard time moving the joint.
• Your skin around the joint is red or hot to the touch.
• You have a fever or have lost weight unintentionally.

Prevention
If arthritis is diagnosed and treated early, you can prevent joint damage. Find out if you have a family history of arthritis and share this information with your doctor, even if you have no joint symptoms.
Osteoarthritis may be more likely to develop if you abuse your joints (injure them many times or over-use them while injured). Take care not to overwork a damaged or sore joint. Similarly, avoid excessive repetitive motions.
Excess weight also increases the risk for developing osteoarthritis in the knees, and possibly in the hips and hands. See the article on body mass index to learn whether your weight is healthy.

References
Krishnan E. Reduction in long-term functional disability in rheumatoid arthritis from 1977 to 1998: a longitudinal study of 3035 patients. Am J Med. 2003; 115(5): 371-376.
Maini SR. Infliximab treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Rheum Dis Clin North Am. 2004; 30(2): 329-347.
Marx J. Rosen’s Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 5th ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2002:1583-1599.
Simon LS, Lipman AG, Jacox AK, etc. Pain in osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and juvenile chronic arthritis. 2nd ed. Glenview (IL): American Pain Society (APS); 2002.

From : healthline.com

Read more!

posted by Administrator @ 5:44 AM 0 comments

Monday, April 16, 2007

AIDS Health Article

Definition
AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) is the final and most serious stage of HIV disease, which causes severe damage to the immune system.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, AIDS begins when a person with HIV infection has a CD4 cell count below 200. (CD4 is also called "T-cell", a type of immune cell.) AIDS is also defined by numerous opportunistic infections and cancers that occur in the presence of HIV infection.

Alternative Names
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome

Causes, incidence, and risk factors
AIDS is the fifth leading cause of death among persons between ages 25 and 44 in the United States. About 47 million people worldwide have been infected with HIV since the start of the epidemic.
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) causes AIDS. The virus attacks the immune system and leaves the body vulnerable to a variety of life-threatening infections and cancers.
Common bacteria, yeast, parasites, and viruses that ordinarily do not cause serious disease in people with fully functional immune systems can cause fatal illnesses in people with AIDS.
HIV has been found in saliva, tears, nervous system tissue, blood, semen (including pre-seminal fluid), vaginal fluid, and breast milk. However, only blood, semen, vaginal secretions, and breast milk have been proven to transmit infection to others.
Transmission of the virus occurs:
1. Through sexual contact -- including oral, vaginal, and anal sex
2. Through blood -- via blood transfusions (now extremely rare in the U.S) or needle sharing
3. From mother to child -- a pregnant woman can transmit the virus to her fetus through their shared blood circulation, or a nursing mother can transmit it to her baby in her milk
Other transmission methods are rare and include accidental needle injury, artificial insemination with donated semen, and through a donated organ.
HIV infection is not spread by casual contact such as hugging, by touching items previously touched by a person infected with the virus, during participation in sports, or by mosquitoes.

It is not transmitted to a person who DONATES blood or organs. Those who donate organs are not in direct contact with those who receive them. Likewise, a person who donates blood is not in contact with the person receiving it. In all these procedures, sterile needles and instruments are used.
However, HIV can be transmitted to a person RECEIVING blood or organs from an infected donor. This is why blood banks and organ donor programs screen donors, blood, and tissues thoroughly.
Those at highest risk include persons engaging in unprotected sex, the sexual partners of those who participate in high-risk activities (such as anal sex), intravenous drug users who share needles, infants born to mothers with HIV, and people who received blood transfusions or clotting products between 1977 and 1985 (prior to standard screening for the virus in the blood).
AIDS begins with HIV infection. People infected with HIV may have no symptoms for ten years or longer, but they can still transmit the infection to others during this symptom-free period. Meanwhile, if the infection is not detected and treated, the immune system gradually weakens and AIDS develops.
Acute HIV infection progresses over time to asymptomatic HIV infection and then to early symptomatic HIV infection. Later, it progresses to AIDS (very advanced HIV infection with T-cell count below 200).
Most individuals infected with HIV, if not treated, will develop AIDS. There is a small group of patients who develop AIDS very slowly, or never at all. These patients are called non-progressors and many seem to have a genetic difference which prevents the virus from attaching to certain immune receptors.

Symptoms
The symptoms of AIDS are primarily the result of infections that do not normally develop in individuals with healthy immune systems. These are called opportunistic infections.
Patients with AIDS have had their immune system depleted by HIV and are very susceptible to such opportunistic infections. Common symptoms are fevers, sweats (particularly at night), swollen glands, chills, weakness, and weight loss.
See the signs and tests section below for a list of common opportunistic infections and major symptoms associated with them.
Note: Initial infection may produce no symptoms. Some people with HIV infection remain without symptoms for years between the time of exposure and development of AIDS. However, some people develop what feels like flu about two weeks after contracting the virus.
Signs and tests
The following is a list of AIDS-related infections and cancers that people with AIDS acquire as their CD4 count decreases. Previously, having AIDS was defined by having HIV infection and acquiring one of these additional diseases, but now it is simply defined as a CD4 count below 200. Many other illnesses and corresponding symptoms may develop in addition to those listed here.
Common with CD4 count below 350/ml:
• Herpes simplex virus -- causes ulcers in the mouth or genitals, occurring more frequently and more severely than previously
• Tuberculosis -- infection by the tuberculosis bacteria that predominately affects the lungs
• Oral or vaginal thrush -- yeast infection of the mouth or genitals
• Herpes zoster -- ulcers over a discrete patch of skin caused by this virus
• Non-Hodgkins lymphoma -- cancer of the lymph glands
CD4 count below 200/ml
• Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, "PCP pneumonia"
• Candida esophagitis -- painful yeast infection of the esophagus
CD4 count below 100/ml
• Cryptococcal meningitis -- infection of the brain by this fungus
• AIDS dementia -- worsening and slowing of mental function caused by HIV itself
• Toxoplasmosis encephalitis -- infection of the brain by this parasite, which is frequently found in cat feces
• Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy -- a viral disease of the brain caused by a virus (called the JC virus) that results in a quick decline in cognitive and motor functions
• Wasting syndrome -- extreme weight loss and anorexia caused by HIV
CD4 count below 50/ml
• Mycobacterium avium -- a blood infection by a bacterium related to tuberculosis
• Cytomegalovirus infection -- a viral infection that can affect almost any organ system, especially the eyes
In addition to the CD4 lymphocyte count, chest x-rays, Pap smears, and other tests are useful in managing HIV disease. Persons who engage in receptive anal sex may wish to consider anal Pap smears to detect potential cancers.

Treatment
There is no cure for AIDS at this time. However, several treatments are available that can delay the progression of disease for many years and improve the quality of life of those who have developed symptoms.
Antiviral therapy suppresses the replication of the HIV virus in the body. A combination of several antiretroviral agents, termed Highly Active Anti-Retroviral Therapy (HAART), has been highly effective in reducing the number of HIV particles in the blood stream, as measured by a blood test called the viral load. This can help the immune system bounce back for a while and improve T-cell counts.
Although this is not a cure for HIV, and people on HAART with suppressed levels of HIV can still transmit the virus to others through sex or sharing of needles, the treatment shows great promise.
There is good evidence that if the levels of HIV remain suppressed and the CD4 count remains high (above 200), that life and quality of life can be significantly prolonged and improved. However, HIV tends to become resistant in patients who do not take their medications on schedule every day. Also, certain strains of HIV mutate easily and may become resistant to HAART especially quickly.
Genetic tests are now available to determine whether a particular strain is resistant to a particular drug -- these may be useful in determining the best drug combination and adjusting it if it starts to fail.
When HIV becomes resistant to HAART, salvage therapy is required to try to suppress the resistant strain of HIV. Different combinations of medications are used to try to reduce viral load. This is often not successful, unfortunately, and the patient will usually develop AIDS and its complications.
Treatment with HAART is not without complications. HAART is a collection of different medications, each with its own side effect profile. Some common side effects are nausea, headache, weakness, malaise, and fat accumulation on the back and abdomen ("buffalo hump," lipodystrophy). When used long-term, these medications may increase the risk of heart attack by affecting fat metabolism.
Any doctor prescribing HAART should carefully follow the patient for possible side effects associated with the combination of medications being taken. In addition, routine blood tests measuring CD4 counts and HIV viral load (a blood test that measures how much virus is in the blood) should be taken every three to four months. The goal is to get the CD4 count as close to normal as possible, and to suppress the HIV viral load to an undetectable level.
Other antiviral agents are in investigational stages and many new drugs are in the pipeline. Growth factors that stimulate cell growth, such as Epogen (erthythropoetin) and G-CSF are sometimes used to treat anemia and low white blood cell counts associated with AIDS.
Medications are also used to prevent opportunistic infections (such as Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia) and can keep AIDS patients healthier for longer periods of time. Opportunistic infections are treated as they occur.
Support Groups
Joining support groups where members share common experiences and problems can often help the emotional stress of devastating illnesses. See AIDS - support group.

Expectations (prognosis)
At the present time, there is no cure for AIDS. It has proven to be a universally fatal illness. In the U.S., most patients survive many years following diagnosis because of the availability of the HAART treatment. HAART has dramatically increased the time from diagnosis to death, and research continues in drug treatments and vaccine development.

Complications
When a patient is infected with HIV, the virus slowly begins to destroy that patient's immune system. How fast this occurs differs in each individual. Treatment with HAART can help slow and even halt the destruction of the immune system.
However, once the immune system is severely damaged, that patient is said to have developed AIDS, and is now susceptible to infections and cancers that most healthy adults would not get.

Calling your health care provider
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you have any of the risk factors for HIV infection, or if symptoms of AIDS are present. By law, AIDS testing must be kept confidential. Your health care provider will review results of your testing with you.

Prevention
The following steps may seem personally restrictive, but they are effective and can save your life.
1. See the article on safe sex to learn how to reduce the chance of acquiring or spreading HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.
2. Do not use intravenous drugs. If IV drugs are used, do not share needles or syringes. Many communities now have needle exchange programs where used syringes can be disposed of and new, sterile needles obtained for free. These programs can also provide referrals to addiction treatment.
3. Avoid contacting blood from injuries or nosebleeds where the HIV status of the bleeding individual is unknown. Protective clothing, masks, and goggles may be appropriate when caring for people who are injured.
4. Anyone who tests positive for HIV may pass the disease on to others and should not donate blood, plasma, body organs, or sperm. An infected person should warn any prospective sexual partner of their HIV-positive status, should not exchange body fluids during sexual activity, and must use whatever preventative measures (such as condoms ) will afford the partner the most protection.
5. HIV-positive women who wish to become pregnant should seek counseling about the risk to unborn children and medical advances which may help prevent the fetus from becoming infected. Use of certain medications can dramatically reduce the chances that the baby will become infected during pregnancy.
6. Mothers who are HIV-positive should not breast feed their babies.
7. Safe-sex practices, such as latex condoms, are highly effective in preventing HIV transmission. HOWEVER, there remains a risk of acquiring the infection even with the use of condoms. Abstinence is the only sure way to prevent sexual transmission of HIV.
The riskiest sexual behavior is unprotected receptive anal intercourse -- the least risky sexual behavior is receiving oral sex. Performing oral sex on a man is associated with some risk of HIV transmission, but this is less risky than unprotected vaginal intercourse. Female-to-male transmission of the virus is much less likely than male-to-female transmission. Performing oral sex on a woman who does not have her period carries low risk of transmission.
HIV-positive patients who are taking anti-retroviral medications are less likely to transmit the virus. For example, pregnant women who are on treatment at the time of delivery transmit HIV to the infant about 5% of the time, compared to approximately 20% if medications are not used.
The U.S. blood supply is among the safest in the world. Nearly all people infected with HIV through blood transfusions received those transfusions before 1985, the year HIV testing began for all donated blood. Currently, the risk of infection with HIV in the United States through receiving a blood transfusion or blood products is extremely low and has become progressively lower, even in geographic areas with high HIV prevalence.
If you believe you have been exposed to HIV, seek medical attention IMMEDIATELY. There is some evidence that an immediate course of anti-viral drugs can reduce the chances that you will be infected. This is called post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), and it has been used to treat health care workers injured by needlesticks for years.
There is less information on the effectiveness of PEP for people exposed via sexual activity or intravenous drug use -- however, if you believe you have been exposed, you should discuss the possibility with a knowledgeable specialist (check local AIDS organizations for the latest information) as soon as possible. All rape victims should be offered PEP and should consider its potential risks and benefits in their particular case.

From : healthline.com

Read more!

posted by Administrator @ 5:45 AM 0 comments

Diabetes Health Channel

Definition
Diabetes is a life-long disease marked by high levels of sugar in the blood. It can be caused by too little insulin (a hormone produced by the pancreas to regulate blood sugar), resistance to insulin, or both.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors
To understand diabetes, it is important to first understand the normal process of food metabolism. Several things happen when food is digested:
• A sugar called glucose enters the bloodstream. Glucose is a source of fuel for the body.
• An organ called the pancreas makes insulin. The role of insulin is to move glucose from the bloodstream into muscle, fat, and liver cells, where it can be used as fuel.
People with diabetes have high blood glucose. This is because their pancreas does not make enough insulin or their muscle, fat, and liver cells do not respond to insulin normally, or both.
There are three major types of diabetes:
• Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in childhood. The body makes little or no insulin, and daily injections of insulin are required to sustain life. Without proper daily management, medical emergencies can arise.
• Type 2 diabetes is far more common than type 1 and makes up 90% or more of all cases of diabetes. It usually occurs in adulthood. Here, the pancreas does not make enough insulin to keep blood glucose levels normal, often because the body does not respond well to the insulin. Many people with type 2 diabetes do not know they have it, although it is a serious condition. Type 2 diabetes is becoming more common due to the growing number of older Americans, increasing obesity, and failure to exercise.
• Gestational diabetes is high blood glucose that develops at any time during pregnancy in a person who does not have diabetes.

Diabetes affects about 18 million Americans. There are many risk factors for diabetes, including:
• A parent, brother, or sister with diabetes
• Obesity
• Age greater than 45 years
• Some ethnic groups (particularly African-Americans and Hispanic Americans)
• Gestational diabetes or delivering a baby weighing more than 9 pounds
• High blood pressure
• High blood levels of triglycerides (a type of fat molecule)
• High blood cholesterol level
The American Diabetes Association recommends that all adults be screened for diabetes at least every three years. A person at high risk should be screened more often.

Symptoms
High blood levels of glucose can cause several problems, including frequent urination, excessive thirst, hunger, fatigue, weight loss, and blurry vision. However, because type 2 diabetes develops slowly, some people with high blood sugar experience no symptoms at all.
Symptoms of type 1 diabetes:
• Increased thirst
• Increased urination
• Weight loss in spite of increased appetite
• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Vomiting
Symptoms of type 2 diabetes:
• Increased thirst
• Increased urination
• Increased appetite
• Fatigue
• Blurred vision
• Slow-healing infections
• Impotence in men

Signs and tests
A urine analysis may be used to look for glucose and ketones from the breakdown of fat. However, a urine test alone does not diagnose diabetes. The following blood glucose tests are used to diagnose diabetes:
• Fasting blood glucose level -- diabetes is diagnosed if higher than 126 mg/dL on two occasions. Levels between 100 and 126 mg/dl are referred to as impaired fasting glucose or pre-diabetes. These levels are considered to be risk factors for type 2 diabetes and its complications.
• Random (non-fasting) blood glucose level -- diabetes is suspected if higher than 200 mg/dL and accompanied by the classic symptoms of increased thirst, urination, and fatigue. (This test must be confirmed with a fasting blood glucose test.)
• Oral glucose tolerance test -- diabetes is diagnosed if glucose level is higher than 200 mg/dL after 2 hours (This test is used more for type 2 diabetes.)
Patients with type 1 diabetes usually develop symptoms over a short period of time, and the condition is often diagnosed in an emergency setting. In addition to having high glucose levels, acutely ill type 1 diabetics have high levels of ketones.
Ketones are produced by the breakdown of fat and muscle, and they are toxic at high levels. Ketones in the blood cause a condition called "acidosis" (low blood pH). Urine testing detects both glucose and ketones in the urine. Blood glucose levels are also high.
Treatment
There is no cure for diabetes. The immediate goals are to stabilize your blood sugar and eliminate the symptoms of high blood sugar. The long-term goals of treatment are to prolong life, relieve symptoms, and prevent long-term complications such as heart disease and kidney failure.
LEARN THESE SKILLS
Basic diabetes management skills will help prevent the need for emergency care. These skills include:
• How to recognize and treat low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and high blood sugar (hyperglycemia)
• What to eat and when
• How to take insulin or oral medication
• How to test and record blood glucose
• How to test urine for ketones (type 1 diabetes only)
• How to adjust insulin and/or food intake when changing exercise and eating habits
• How to handle sick days
• Where to buy diabetes supplies and how to store them
After you learn the basics of diabetes care, learn how the disease can cause long-term health problems and the best ways to prevent these problems. People with diabetes need to review and update their knowledge, because new research and improved ways to treat diabetes are constantly being developed.
WHAT TO EAT
You should work closely with your health care provider to learn how much fat, protein, and carbohydrates you need in your diet. Your specific meal plans need to be tailored to your food habits and preferences. People with type 1 diabetes should eat at about the same times each day and try to be consistent with the types of food they choose. This helps to prevent blood sugars from becoming extremely high or low. Type 2 diabetics should follow a well-balanced and low-fat diet.
A registered dietician can be very helpful in planning dietary needs.
Weight management is important to achieving control of diabetes. Some people with type 2 diabetes can stop medications after losing excess weight, although the diabetes is still present.
HOW TO TAKE INSULIN OR ORAL MEDICATION
Medications to treat diabetes include insulin and glucose-lowering pills, called oral hypoglycemic agents. The bodies of people with type 1 diabetes cannot make their own insulin, so daily insulin injections are required. The bodies of people with type 2 diabetes make insulin but cannot use it effectively.
Insulin is not available in oral form. It is delivered by injections that are generally required one to four times per day. Some people use an insulin pump, which is worn at all times and delivers a steady flow of insulin throughout the day.
Insulin preparations differ in how quickly they start to work and how long they remain active. Sometimes different types of insulin are mixed together in a single injection. The types of insulin to use, the doses required, and the number of daily injections are chosen by a health care professional trained to provide diabetes care.
People who need insulin are taught to give themselves injections by their health care providers or diabetes educators.
Unlike type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes may respond to treatment with exercise, diet, and/or oral medications. There are several oral hypoglycemic agents that lower blood glucose in type 2 diabetes. They fall into one of three groups:
• Medications that increase insulin production by the pancreas. These include Amaryl, Glucotrol, and Glucotrol XL, Micronase, Diabeta, Glynase, Prandin, and Starlix.
• Medications that increase sensitivity to insulin. These include Glucophage, Avandia, and Actos.
• Medications that delay absorption of glucose from the gut. These include Precose and Glyset.
Most type 2 diabetics will require more than one medication for good blood sugar control within three years of starting their first medication. Different groups of oral medications may be combined, or insulin and oral medications may be used together.
Some people with type 2 diabetes find they no longer need medication if they lose weight and increase activity, because when their ideal weight is reached, their own insulin and a careful diet can control their blood glucose levels.
Oral hypoglycemic agents are not known to be safe for use in pregnancy; women who have type 2 diabetes and take these medications may be switched to insulin during pregnancy and while breast-feeding.
Gestational diabetes is treated with diet and insulin.
SELF-TESTING
Self-monitoring of blood glucose is done by checking the glucose content of a drop of blood. Regular testing tells you how well diet, medication, and exercise are working together to control your diabetes.
The results of the test can be used to adjust meals, activity, or medications to keep blood sugar levels in an appropriate range. Testing provides valuable information for the health care provider and identifies high and low blood sugar levels before serious problems develop.
The American Diabetes Association recommends that premeal blood sugar levels fall in the range of 80 to 120 mg/dL and bedtime blood levels fall in the range of 100 to 140 mg/dL. Your doctor may adjust this depending on your circumstances.
You should also ask your doctor how often to check your hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level. The HbA1c is a measure of average blood glucose during the previous two to three months. It is a very helpful way to monitor a patient's overall response to diabetes treatment over time. A person without diabetes has an HbA1c around 5%. People with diabetes should try to keep it below 7%.
Ketone testing is another test that is used in type 1 diabetes. Ketones build up in the blood when there is not enough insulin in people with type 1 diabetes, eventually "spilling over" into the urine. The ketone test is done on a urine sample. High levels of blood ketones may result in a serious condition called ketoacidosis. Ketone testing is usually done at the following times:
• When the blood sugar is higher than 240 mg/dL
• During acute illness (for example, pneumonia, heart attack, or stroke)
• When nausea or vomiting occur
• During pregnancy
EXERCISE
Regular exercise is especially important for people with diabetes. It helps with blood sugar control, weight loss, and high blood pressure. People with diabetes who exercise are less likely to experience a heart attack or stroke than diabetics who do not exercise regularly. You should be evaluated by your physician before starting an exercise program.
Here are some exercise considerations:
• Choose an enjoyable physical activity that is appropriate for your current fitness level.
• Exercise every day, and at the same time of day, if possible.
• Monitor blood glucose levels before and after exercise.
• Carry food that contains a fast-acting carbohydrate in case you become hypoglycemic during or after exercise.
• Carry a diabetes identification card and a mobile phone or change for a payphone in case of emergency.
• Drink extra fluids that do not contain sugar before, during, and after exercise.
Changes in exercise intensity or duration may require changes in diet or medication dose to keep blood sugar levels from going too high or low.
FOOT CARE
People with diabetes are prone to foot problems because of the likelihood of damage to blood vessels and nerves and a decreased ability to fight infection. Problems with blood flow and damage to nerves may cause an injury to the foot to go unnoticed until infection develops. Death of skin and other tissue can occur.
If left untreated, the affected foot may need to be amputated. Diabetes is the most common condition leading to amputations.
To prevent injury to the feet, people with diabetes should adopt a daily routine of checking and caring for the feet as follows:
• Check your feet every day, and report sores or changes and signs of infection.
• Wash your feet every day with lukewarm water and mild soap, and dry them thoroughly.
• Soften dry skin with lotion or petroleum jelly.
• Protect feet with comfortable, well-fitting shoes.
• Exercise daily to promote good circulation.
• See a podiatrist for foot problems or to have corns or calluses removed.
• Remove shoes and socks during a visit to your health care provider and remind him or her to examine your feet.
• Stop smoking, which hinders blood flow to the feet.
Support Groups
For additional information, see diabetes resources.

Expectations (prognosis)
The risks of long-term complications from diabetes can be reduced.
The Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT) studied the effects of tight blood sugar control on complications in type 1 diabetes. Patients treated for tight blood glucose control had an average HbA1c of approximately 7%, while patients treated less aggressively had an average HbA1c of about 9%. At the end of the study, the tight blood glucose group had dramatically fewer cases of kidney disease, eye disease, and nervous system disease than the less-aggressively treated patients.
In the United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS), researchers followed nearly 4,000 people with type 2 diabetes for 10 years. The study monitored how tight control of blood glucose (HbA1c of 7% or less) and blood pressure (less than 144 over less than 82) could protect a person from the long-term complications of diabetes.
This study found dramatically lower rates of kidney, eye, and nervous system complications in patients with tight control of blood glucose. In addition, there was a significant drop in all diabetes-related deaths, including lower risks of heart attack and stroke. Tight control of blood pressure was also found to lower the risks of heart disease and stroke.
The results of the DCCT and the UKPDS dramatically demonstrate that good blood glucose and blood pressure control, many of the complications of diabetes can be prevented.

Complications
Emergency complications include diabetic hyperglycemic hyperosmolar coma.
Long-term complications include:
• Diabetic retinopathy
• Diabetic nephropathy
• Diabetic neuropathy
• Peripheral vascular disease
• Hyperlipidemia, hypertension, atherosclerosis, and coronary artery disease

Calling your health care provider
Go to the emergency room or call the local emergency number (such as 911) if symptoms of ketoacidosis occur:
• Increased thirst and urination
• Nausea
• Deep and rapid breathing
• Abdominal pain
• Sweet-smelling breath
• Loss of consciousness
Go to the emergency room or call the local emergency number if symptoms of extremely low blood sugar (hypoglycemic coma or severe insulin reaction) occur:
• Weakness
• Drowsiness
• Headache
• Confusion
• Dizziness
• Double vision
• Lack of coordination
• Convulsions or unconsciousness

Prevention
Maintaining an ideal body weight and an active lifestyle may prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes. Currently there is no way to prevent type 1 diabetes.

From : healthline.com

Read more!

posted by Administrator @ 5:41 AM 0 comments

Diabetes Health Channel

Read more!

posted by Administrator @ 5:41 AM 0 comments

Asthma Health Article

Definition
Asthma is an inflammatory disorder of the airways, characterized by periodic attacks of wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing.

Alternative Names
Bronchial asthma; Exercise induced asthma - bronchial

Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Asthma is a disease in which inflammation of the airways causes airflow into and out of the lungs to be restricted. When an asthma attack occurs, the muscles of the bronchial tree become tight and the lining of the air passages swells, reducing airflow and producing the characteristic wheezing sound. Mucus production is increased.
Most people with asthma have periodic wheezing attacks separated by symptom-free periods. Some asthmatics have chronic shortness of breath with episodes of increased shortness of breath. Other asthmatics may have cough as their predominant symptom. Asthma attacks can last minutes to days, and can become dangerous if the airflow becomes severely restricted.
In sensitive individuals, asthma symptoms can be triggered by inhaled allergens (allergy triggers), such as pet dander, dust mites, cockroach allergens, molds, or pollens. Asthma symptoms can also be triggered by respiratory infections, exercise, cold air, tobacco smoke and other pollutants, stress, food, or drug allergies. Aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDS) provoke asthma in some patients.
Asthma is found in 3-5% of adults and 7-10% of children. Half of the people with asthma develop it before age 10, and most develop it before age 30. Asthma symptoms can decrease over time, especially in children.

Many people with asthma have an individual and/or family history of allergies, such as hay fever (allergic rhinitis) or eczema. Others have no history of allergies or evidence of allergic problems.

Symptoms
• wheezing
o usually begins suddenly
o is episodic
o may be worse at night or in early morning
o aggravated by exposure to cold air
o aggravated by exercise
o aggravated by heartburn (reflux)
o resolves spontaneously
o relieved by bronchodilators (drugs that open the airways)
• cough with or without sputum (phlegm) production
• shortness of breath that is aggravated by exercise
• breathing that requires increased work
• intercostal retractions (pulling of the skin between the ribs when breathing)
Emergency symptoms:
• extreme difficulty breathing
• bluish color to the lips and face
• severe anxiety due to shortness of breath
• rapid pulse
• sweating
• decreased level of consciousness (severe drowsiness or confusion) during an asthma attack
Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:
• nasal flaring
• chest pain
• tightness in the chest
• abnormal breathing pattern, in which exhalation (breathing out) takes more than twice as long as inspiration (breathing in)
• breathing which temporarily stops

Signs and tests
Your doctor will listen to the chest during an episode, to listen for wheezing sounds. However, lung sounds are usually normal between asthma episodes.
Tests may include:
• Lung function tests
• Peak flow measurements
• Chest x-ray
• Allergy skin or blood tests
• Arterial blood gas
• Eosinophil count (a type of white blood cell)

Treatment
Treatment is aimed at avoiding known allergens and respiratory irritants and controlling symptoms and airway inflammation through medication. Allergens can sometimes be identified by noting which substances cause an allergic reaction.
Allergy testing may also be helpful in identifying allergens in patients with persistent asthma. Common allergens include: pet dander, dust mites, cockroach allergens, molds, and pollens. Common respiratory irritants include: tobacco smoke, pollution, and fumes from burning wood or gas.
There are two basic kinds of medication for the treatment of asthma:
• Long-term control medications -- used on a regular basis to prevent attacks, not for treatment during an attack.
o inhaled steroids (Azmacort, Vanceril, AeroBid, Flovent) prevent inflammation
o leukotriene inhibitors (Singulair, Accolate)
o long-acting bronchodilators (Foradil, Serevent) help open airways
o cromolyn sodium (Intal) or nedocromil sodium
o aminophylline or theophylline (not used as frequently as in the past)
o combination of anti-inflammatory and bronchodilator, using either separate inhalers or a single inhaler (Advair Diskus)
o anti-IgE therapy (Xolair), a new injection treatment used in patients with more severe asthma
• Quick relief (rescue) medications -- used to relieve symptoms during an attack.
o short-acting bronchodilators (Proventil, Ventolin, Xopenex, and others)
o oral or intravenous corticosteroids (prednisone, methylprednisolone) stabilize severe episodes
People with mild asthma (infrequent attacks) may use relief medication as needed. Those with persistent asthma should take control medications on a regular basis to prevent symptoms from occurring. A severe asthma attack requires a medical evaluation and may require hospitalization, oxygen, and intravenous medications.
A peak flow meter, a simple device to measure lung volume, can be used at home to help you "see an attack coming" and take the appropriate action, sometimes even before any symptoms appear. If you are not monitoring asthma on a regular basis, an attack can take you by surprise.
Peak flow measurements can help show when medication is needed, or other action needs to be taken. Peak flow values of 50-80% of an individual’s personal best indicate a moderate asthma attack, while values below 50% indicate a severe attack.
Support Groups
The stress caused by illness can often be helped by joining a support group, where members share common experiences and problems. See asthma and allergy - support group.

Expectations (prognosis)
There is no cure for asthma, though symptoms sometimes decrease over time. With proper self management and medical treatment, most people with asthma can lead normal lives.

Complications
• respiratory fatigue
• pneumothorax
• death
• side effects of the medication used

Calling your health care provider
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you or your child experience mild asthma symptoms (to discuss treatment options).
Call your health care provider (or go to the emergency room) for moderate shortness of breath (shortness of breath with talking, peak flow 50-80% of personal best), if symptoms worsen or do not improve with treatment, or an attack requires more medication than recommended in the prescription.
Go to the emergency room for severe shortness of breath (shortness of breath at rest, peak flow less than 50% of personal best), if drowsiness or confusion develops, or for severe chest pain.

Prevention
Asthma symptoms can be substantially reduced by avoiding known allergens and respiratory irritants. If someone with asthma is sensitive to dust mites, exposure can be reduced by encasing mattresses and pillows in allergen-impermeable covers, removing carpets from bedrooms, and by vacuuming regularly. Exposure to dust mites and mold can be reduced by lowering indoor humidity.
If a person is allergic to an animal that cannot be removed from the home, the animal should be kept out of the patient's bedroom. Filtering material can be placed over the heating outlets to trap animal dander. Exposure to cigarette smoke, air pollution, industrial dusts, and irritating fumes should also be avoided.
Allergy desensitization may be helpful in reducing asthma symptoms and medication use, but the size of the benefit compared with other treatments is not known.

From : healthline.com

Read more!

posted by Administrator @ 5:36 AM 0 comments

Bone mineral density test Health Article

Definition
A bone mineral density (BMD) test can help your health care provider confirm a diagnosis of osteoporosis. The test can help in several ways:
• BMD testing is one of the most accurate ways to assess your bone health.
• When repeated over time, it can be used to monitor your rate of bone loss.
• It can detect osteoporosis at its earliest stage, so treatment can begin sooner.
• If you are being treated for osteoporosis, BMD testing can help your health care provider monitor your response to the treatment.

How the test is performed
Several different kinds of machines can do BMD testing. The most common methods use low-dose X-rays (about one-tenth the radiation dose of a chest X-ray). While you are lying in on a cushioned table, a scanner passes over your body. Typically, the machine takes X-rays of your lower spine and hip. In most cases you won't need to undress.
There are portable machines that just measure the bone density in your wrist or heel, and some experts believe these are useful preliminary screening tools that can help identify people who may have osteoporosis. However, your bone density can differ from site to site within your body, so these machines may not give a true picture of your risk of a hip fracture.

How to prepare for the test
Remove any jewelry before the BMD test. Inform your health care provider if you may be pregnant.

How the test will feel
The scan is painless, although you will need to remain still during the test.

Why the test is performed
Your health care provider may request a BMD test to confirm a diagnosis of osteoporosis.

Normal Values
The results of your test are usually reported as a "T score" and "Z score."
• The T score compares your bone density with that of healthy young women.
• The Z score compares your bone density with that of other people of your age, gender, and race.
In either score, a negative number means you have thinner bones than the standard. The more negative the number, the thinner your bones. A T score is within the normal range if it is a positive number, or at least no more negative than -1.0. (For example, -0.5 is within the normal range, although it is getting borderline.)
Your doctor will help you understand the results.

What abnormal results mean
• A T score from -1 to -2.5 indicates the beginning of bone loss (osteopenia).
• A T score below -2.5 indicates osteoporosis.

What the risks are
BMD testing involves exposure to a low level of radiation. Most experts feel that the risk is very low compared with the benefits of identifying osteoporosis before you break a bone.

Special considerations
Regular BMD testing can be important in combating osteoporosis in certain people. The overall cost-benefit value of screening everyone, including those who are not at high risk, is still a matter of debate. Many insurance companies today will pay for bone density testing under certain circumstances.
Most experts agree women over age 65 years are at highest risk and should have bone density tests.
Woman under 65 with additional risk factors for osteoporosis may also be screened.
Simple bone density scans using portable machines may be available as part of health fairs or screenings. These portable scanners may check the density of your wrist or heel. However, keep in mind that hip and spine scans are more reliable.

From : healthline.com

Read more!

posted by Administrator @ 5:35 AM 0 comments

Aging parents: 10 things to know for an emergency

Prepare for an emergency by gathering the information you might need should your parent be hurt and unable to respond to doctors' questions.
If your aging parents were to have a medical emergency, could you provide the vital information doctors would need to care for them? Do you know the names of your aging parents' doctors? Is your mom taking any medications? Has your dad ever had any surgery?
If you're like most, you probably don't know the answers to some of these questions about your aging parents. It only takes a few minutes to collect and write down this vital information. And it can save precious time in an emergency.
"Sometimes a parent isn't able to give medical information when an emergency arises, so emergency medical personnel must rely on the adult children or a spouse for that information," says Paul Takahashi, M.D., a specialist in geriatrics at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. "These are things you should know. Just as you fill out those emergency cards for your kids in school, you should have similar information available about your parents."
Below — in order of importance — is a list of 10 things you need to know about your aging parents' health.

1. Names of their doctors. If you don't know anything else, this is probably the most important piece of information. Why? Chances are good that your parents' doctors can provide much of the rest of the information needed as well as more details about your parents' specific health histories.
2. Birth dates. Often medical records and insurance information are cataloged according to birth date. This can improve communication in an emergency or a crisis.
3. List of allergies. This is especially important if one of your parents is allergic to medication — penicillin, for example.
4. Advance directives. An advance directive is a legal document that outlines a person's decisions about his or her health care, such as whether or not resuscitation efforts should be made and the use of life-support machines.
5. Major medical problems. This includes such diseases as diabetes or heart disease.
6. List of medications. It's especially important that a doctor know if your parent uses blood thinners.
7. Religious beliefs. This is particularly important in case blood transfusions are needed.
8. Insurance information. Know the name of your parents' health insurance provider and their policy numbers.
9. Prior surgery. List past medical procedures, such as cardiac bypass surgery.
10. Lifestyle information. Do your parents drink alcohol or use tobacco?
Knowing these 10 things should help you take care of your parents in an emergency.
HIPAA and privacy
During conversations with medical staff, the issue of privacy may come up. Staff may want to make sure they're allowed to speak with you regarding your parent's care. In the United States, patient privacy is governed by rules often referred to as HIPAA, or the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.
HIPAA does not prevent a doctor, nurse or health plan employee from discussing your parent's care with you if it's in the best interest of your parent. For example, if discussing your parent's care would help a doctor take care of your parent, that's considered in your parent's best interest.
To help you care for your aging parents, fill out this downloadable emergency medical information form and keep it with you in your wallet or purse.

From : mayoclinic.com

Read more!

posted by Administrator @ 5:33 AM 0 comments

Sunday, April 15, 2007

Genital Herpes In Women

What is genital herpes?

Genital herpes, also commonly called "herpes," is a viral infection by the herpes simplex virus (HSV) that is transmitted through intimate contact with the mucous-covered linings of the mouth or the vagina or the genital skin. The virus enters the linings or skin through microscopic tears. Once inside, the virus travels to the nerve roots near the spinal cord and settles there permanently.

When an infected person has a herpes outbreak, the virus travels down the nerve fibers to the site of the original infection. When it reaches the skin, the typical redness and blisters occur. After the initial outbreak, subsequent outbreaks tend to be sporadic. They may occur weekly or even years apart.

Two types of herpes viruses are associated with genital lesions: herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) and herpes simplex virus-2 (HSV-2). HSV-1 more often causes blisters of the mouth area while HSV-2 more often causes genital sores or lesions in the area around the anus. The outbreak of herpes is closely related to the functioning of the immune system. Women who have suppressed immune systems, because of stress, infection, or medications, have more frequent and longer-lasting outbreaks.

It is estimated that as many as 50 million persons in the United States are infected with genital HSV. Genital herpes is spread only by direct person-to-person contact. It is believed that 60% of sexually active adults carry the herpes virus. Part of the reason for the continued high infection rate is that most women infected with the herpes virus do not know that they are infected because they have few or no symptoms. In many women, there are "atypical" outbreaks where the only symptom may be mild itching or minimal discomfort. Moreover, the longer the woman has had the virus, the fewer the symptoms they have with their outbreaks. Finally, the virus can shed from the cervix into the vagina in women who are not experiencing any symptoms.

from : medicinenet.com

Read more!

posted by Administrator @ 4:45 AM 0 comments

Saturday, April 14, 2007

Flu Vaccine Grown in Insect Cells Called a Promising Alternative

TUESDAY, April 10 (HealthDay News) -- The latest buzz in flu vaccine development could be the use of an insect-cell-based vaccine, rather than egg-based immunizations, to speed up production and maintain effectiveness, particularly in the case of a pandemic flu outbreak.
An experimental vaccine was tested in about 300 people and produced an immune response strong enough to fight off the flu, while only causing minimal side effects, such as pain at the site of the injection, researchers reported in the April 11 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
"All currently licensed influenza vaccines in the United States are produced in embryonic hen's eggs," wrote the study authors, from Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, the University of Rochester and the University of Virginia. The authors also pointed out that "eggs require specialized manufacturing facilities and could be difficult to scale up rapidly in response to an emerging need such as a pandemic."

Each year, as many as 20 percent of the American population gets infected with the flu virus, resulting in about 200,000 hospitalizations annually. More than 35,000 Americans die each year from complications of the flu, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The influenza vaccine is the only known way to try to prevent the flu.
But, as the authors pointed out, developing a vaccine from eggs can be difficult. Millions and millions of eggs have to be kept at the right temperature, and flu viruses don't always grow well in eggs. Also, people who are allergic to eggs can't use egg-based vaccines.

But, one of the biggest difficulties stemming from the use of egg-based vaccines is the time it takes to manufacture these immunizations.

"It takes about six to nine months to make a batch, so you have to anticipate what will be the emerging flu strains almost a year ahead of time," explained Dr. Marc Siegel, an internist at New York University Medical Center and author of Bird Flu: Everything You Need to Know About the Next Pandemic.

"One advantage of this new vaccine technology -- assuming that it's clinically useful -- is that it would allow you to choose what the emerging strain is much closer to when it is actually emerging," he said.

The new vaccine, currently called FluB1OK, is produced by Protein Sciences Corp. of Meriden, Conn. A virus that normally infects insects called baculovirus and cells from caterpillars are used to manufacture the vaccine.

For this study, which was funded by Protein Sciences Corp., the researchers compared a placebo to two different versions of the new vaccine. One contained 75 micrograms of the vaccine, the other 135 micrograms. The actual vaccines were designed to protect against three strains of flu that were expected to be most active during the 2004-05 flu season, when the study was conducted.

One hundred and fifty-four people received a placebo injection, while 153 received the smaller dose of vaccine, and another 153 received the largest dose.

The vaccine was well-tolerated. Pain around the injection site was the most commonly reported "adverse event."

More important, no one who received the largest vaccine dose contracted the flu, compared to almost 5 percent of those who received a placebo and slightly more than 1 percent of those on the smaller dose of vaccine.

"In this study, (the new vaccine) was safe and immunogenic in a healthy adult population," wrote the study authors.

"This is a very promising, but early, finding," said Siegel, who added that "we need more studies that look at non egg-based technologies."

from : medicinenet.com

Read more!

posted by Administrator @ 9:43 PM 0 comments

More Pet Food Recalled

By Steven Reinberg
HealthDay Reporter

THURSDAY, April 5 (HealthDay News) -- Twenty more dog and cat foods joined an already massive list of recalled pet products on Thursday as a key Canadian company expanded its potentially tainted products' list back one more month.

Menu Foods, of Ontario, announced the voluntary recall for "cuts and gravy" products back to a manufacture date of Nov. 8, 2006. Its previous recall on March 16, which involved more than 60 million cans and pouches for close to 100 brands, had covered a production period between Dec. 3, 2006, and March 6, 2007.

The new recall now covers five more cat food varieties and four more dog food varieties of the moist products, which were all manufactured with imported wheat gluten tainted by melamine, a toxic chemical used to make plastics. And it also includes seven new varieties sold in Europe.

An additional recall for pet treats made by Sunshine Mills of Red Bay, Ala., -- particularly dog biscuits sold by Wal-Mart under the Ol'Roy brand -- was also announced Thursday because the treats were made with the contaminated wheat gluten.

In a press release issued after U.S. health officials held a teleconference to announce both new recalls, Menu Foods said it was recalling all products that used wheat gluten from its former supplier, ChemNutra Inc. That company, Menu Foods said in its press release, has issued its own recall of wheat gluten it imported from Xuzhou Anying Biologic Technology Development Co. in Wangdien, China.

The Menu Foods statement added, "The vast majority of the products affected by this expansion are already off retailers' shelves. No new brands have been added."

U.S. Food and Drug Administration officials, at their teleconference Thursday, did not have an exact list of the newly recalled products. But Dr. Stephen F. Sundlof, the FDA's chief veterinarian, told reporters, "Consumers should (still) feel safe in purchasing products not on the recall list."

The recall includes about 1 percent of all the pet food in the United States, Sundlof, the director of the FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine, added. "So there is plenty of safe food for consumers to buy," he said.

Sundlof also said the FDA still has no idea how many pets have died or become sick from the recalled food, beyond the 16 confirmed deaths so far.

"We know that there are a lot more animals that have been affected by this -- made ill and died -- but trying to put an estimate to it at this time is just not something we can do," Sundlof said.

To date, the FDA has received more than 12,000 calls to its consumer complaint line -- a record number, Sundlof said. However, he said he did not know how many of those calls were related to the pet food scare.

And the agency is still investigating the cause of the illnesses and deaths, he said.

The nationwide recall was based on the finding that melamine wound up in the pet food and in the wheat gluten imported from China that was used in the food. But, Sundlof said, while melamine is not typically used as a ingredient in food, it is not thought to be toxic.

"Melamine is a relatively nontoxic substance," Sundlof said. "We don't know how it relates to the conditions that we are seeing. We are relatively certain that there is a connection here someplace, whether it's melamine or some other contaminate that is traveling along with the melamine. All of the cases of disease and deaths in animals seem to be tracking only to the product which we know contains melamine."

Last week the FDA stopped wheat gluten imports from the Xuzhou Anying Biologic Technology Development Co. The company has said it is investigating the claims of contamination, the Associated Press reported on Thursday.

In addition, a group of pet owners has filed a federal class action lawsuit against Menu Foods. On Wednesday, pet owners and their attorneys said they are seeking an injunction to prevent the destruction of tainted food, because it is considered evidence in the class-action lawsuit, according to a press release.

Meanwhile, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., announced Thursday that the Senate will hold hearings to examine the pet-food recall, Bloomberg news reported.

Durban said he wanted to know why Menu Foods waited at least 22 days after it first suspected potential problems to recall its foods.

The latest Menu Food cat food recalled includes selected dates for Authority sliced chicken cans; Nutro Max Cat Gourmet Classics kitten and senior pouches; Pet Pride tuna, chicken, turkey and beef cans; Sophistacat chicken, beef, and salmon cans; and Science Diet Feline Savory Cuts cans.

The recalled dog food includes selected dates for Great Choice liver grill cuts in cans; Pet Pride chicken teriyaki and stew pouches; Springfield Prize chicken cuts cans; and Stater Brothers chicken cuts cans.

Consumers can find a complete list of the recalled foods at the Menu Foods Web site: http://www.menufoods.com/recall.

In addition, a complete list of recalled products from Sunshine Foods, including Nurture, Lassie and Pet Life dog biscuit brands, is posted on the FDA's Web site: http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/sunshinemills04_07.html.

In a separate pet food alert also issued Thursday, FDA officials warned consumers to throw out any American Bullie A.B. Bull Pizzle Puppy Chews and Dog Chews they had. The products, manufactured and distributed by T.W. Enterprises in Ferndale, Wash., are potentially contaminated with salmonella.

from : onhealth.com

Read more!

posted by Administrator @ 9:42 PM 0 comments

FDA Bans Some Rx Nausea Drugs

Suppositories With Unapproved Drug Taken Off U.S. Market

By Todd Zwillich
WebMD Medical News

Reviewed By Louise Chang, MD

April 6, 2007 -- The FDA has ordered several brands of prescription nausea and vomiting medication off the U.S. market, saying the drugs had not received government approval.

Regulators said roughly a dozen manufacturers and distributors have until May 9 to cease sales of rectal suppositories containing the drug. The move does not affect several trimethobenzamide-containing oral drugs and injection drugs also used for nausea and vomiting.

About 2 million suppositories containing trimethobenzamide were sold last year, according to FDA.

The ban affects widely distributed brands including Tigan, Tegamide, Trimethobenz, and Trimazide.

Patients taking any of those brands should talk with their doctors, says Jason Woo, MD, associate director of scientific and medical affairs in the FDA’s Office of Compliance. Officials said they had no safety concerns but that manufacturers had not shown substantial evidence that trimethobenzamide is effective in suppository form.

“[Patients] should discuss the alternatives. There are approved suppository products that are on the market,” he says.

Trimethobenzamide is one of hundreds of drugs circulating in the U.S. despite never gaining FDA approval. A 1962 law forcing companies to prove a drug’s effectiveness before selling it exempted products on the market before that year.

The FDA first determined in 1979 that companies never proved trimethobenzamide suppositories are effective. But in June 2006, the agency began a crackdown on unapproved drugs.

Deborah M. Autor, director of the FDA’s Office of Compliance, acknowledged that trimethobenzamide has remained unhindered for a long time.

“I think there are probably several hundred unapproved prescription drugs out there,” Autor says. “We think it’s important to get the word out to the industry.”

Any company wishing to continue selling trimethobenzamide suppository after May 9 must go through the FDA’s full approval process, says Michael Levy, director of the agency’s New Drugs and Labeling Compliance division.

Those that don’t “will then be subject to immediate enforcement action such as seizure and injunction,” he says.

from : medicinenet.com

Read more!

posted by Administrator @ 9:40 PM 0 comments

Fish Oils Delay Cognitive Decline, Studies Find

TUESDAY, April 10 (HealthDay News) -- Omega-3 fatty acids from fish may help prevent age-related cognitive decline, according to two new studies.

In one study, Dutch researchers examined the diet and cognitive function of 210 men, ages 70 to 89, who did not have Alzheimer's disease. The men were assessed in 1990 and again in 1995.

The researchers concluded that consumption of approximately 400 milligrams of omega-3 fatty acids per day (equivalent to eating six servings of lean fish per week or one serving of fatty fish per week) protects against cognitive decline.

In the other study, American researchers looked at omega-3 consumption and cognitive decline in 2,251 white males, ages 50 to 65, who were initially assessed between 1987 and 1989. The men were checked again three and nine years later.

The study found no association between baseline levels of omega-3 fatty acids in the men and overall cognitive decline. However, an analysis of specific types of cognitive decline did find that higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids were associated with protection against loss of verbal fluency.

This association was particularly strong in men with high blood pressure and dyslipidemia (disruption in the amount of lipids in the blood) but was not evident in men with major depression.

The studies were published in this month's American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. The authors of an accompanying editorial recommended that clinical trials be conducted to determine the effect of dietary fish, fish oil or both in elderly people at risk of cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease.

-- Robert Preidt

SOURCE: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, news release, April 9, 2007

from : onhealth.com

Read more!

posted by Administrator @ 9:38 PM 0 comments

A Brother's Death, a Sister's Awakening

WEDNESDAY, April 11 (HealthDay News) -- Andrea Kott's brother Steven died in 2004 after a 16-year battle with a rare form of cancer.

His was not a "good" death. He had tumors protruding out all over his body, was in constant pain, could not eat or drink, and long ago had had to give up his passion -- teaching.

"But even then, disabled and tormented, Steven clung to life; and I, a health reporter specializing in end-of-life care and the right-to-die movement, couldn't understand why," writes Kott in an opinion piece published in the April 11 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Steven's journey from life into death was, for Kott, an equally significant parallel journey.

"I first came at it with an arrogance. I've been writing about death and dying and I'm thinking, why would anybody want to keep going," she said during an interview. "When it got close, I started changing my mind. I couldn't bear to think of him not being in the world any more. It never occurred to me (earlier) that the suffering brought an extra richness and value, the person is still the same person, the relationship with that person and the people who love them is still the same relationship. They're still there."

Steven, who lived in Kent, Conn., was 44 in 1988 when he was diagnosed with a chordoma, a rare tumor that usually originates on the spine but eventually radiates to other bones throughout the body. Doctors removed the original tumor along with his tailbone and the nerves that controlled bowel, bladder and sexual function.

"If you had asked me when I was in my 20s and healthy what I'd choose -- death or life without being able to make love the old-fashioned way -- I'd probably have said death," Steven told Andrea a few months before his death.

Ultimately, he chose life, as many do.

"There are so many different ways that people experience their illness, but there's nothing unfamiliar about this story," said Dr. Michael Fisch, medical director of the Community Clinical Oncology Program at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. "He was striving to live and hold onto the things he valued the most in the face of very difficult circumstances."

At 50, Steven, a college literature professor, took up the violin, a lifelong dream, learning with a class of fifth graders at a local elementary school. He resumed teaching, took a second honeymoon with his wife in the Cayman Islands and won a Fulbright scholarship to teach in England.

He had five years of clean MRIs before the cancer returned, this time to his collarbone, effectively ending his budding violin career.

"This disease is not life-threatening," he said at one point. "It's life-style threatening."

But the tumors eventually took over. "From then on, every scan identified new tumors, wrapping around his ribs, strangling his sciatic nerve, and penetrating the membrane around his brain," writes Kott, who lives in Sleepy Hollow, N.Y. "They grew inside his body and then pushed their way out. One engulfed his vocal cords, making it look like he'd swallowed a tennis ball."

But Steven continued teaching, hiding tumors under big sweaters and wearing a microphone headset "like Madonna" after the surgeon removed his vocal cords. Toward the end of his life, tumors forced him to walk bent at a 45-degree angle, leaning over a walker.

Near the end of her brother's struggle, Kott found herself wanting him to cling to life -- yet also wanting him to let go.

"It's such a delicate balance between life and death, between whose suffering matters," said Kott. "The bottom line is that it's the patient's suffering, not the people around the patient."

"It's very easy when death is an abstraction to make pronouncements," she continued. "When death is staring you in the face, you can't know, you don't know. Steven taught me that. He taught me that there's no knowing from one minute to the next."

SOURCES: Andrea Kott, MPH, journalist and medical reporter, Sleepy Hollow, N.Y.; Michael Fisch, M.D., MPH, medical director, Community Clinical Oncology Program, the University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston; April 11, 2007, Journal of the American Medical Association

from : medicinenet.com

Read more!

posted by Administrator @ 9:36 PM 0 comments

Home

Amazon Search

Medicine Banner

Info Medicine

Eliminating Komedo with Protein

Oil Zaitu Prevent the Bosom Cancer

Herpes zoster Health Article

Insomnia Hits 'Night Owls' Harder

Acne Health Article

Menopause Health Article

Arthritis Health Article

AIDS Health Article

Diabetes Health Channel