2011 March

What Is Asthma? An Introduction to the Basics of Asthma

Asthma is very common among children, teens and adults. It is a disease that causes the lungs to tighten. An asthma attack is when your lungs are not getting enough air to breathe. The symptoms include: trouble breathing, wheezing, coughing, chest pain and chest tightness.

First of all, drugs alone will never affect a cure and the condition will become more firmly established over the years although drug is needed in some cases to relieve the symptoms. There is evidence to suggest that chronic allergic asthma in a young person which responds easily to inhaled steroids will gradually becomes irreversible chronic bronchitis for which steroid are little use.

The following can be done as part of a holistic plan:

(a) Identify the culprits

All allergens and irritants can be reduced to some extent but you need to know what you are allergic to and how to avoid them properly. Dust mites, pollen, animal hair and danders, waste, moulds and fungi are all going to be problematic. If you are not sure what causes your allergies, a skin prick test, blood test (RAST) and IgE antibodies test may help you to some extent.

(b) Clean your house properly

Dust mites excrete tiny particles into the air each day. It’s the protein in it that irritates people, causing allergic rhinitis. Dust mites can be gotten rid of and you need a very powerful vacuum cleaner (vacuum slowly and patiently for about five minutes one square foot) or by exposing them to extreme temperature, such as a 60 degrees washing machine cycle or around 12 hours in the freezer. A superficially clean house is not necessarily allergen free as the mites are usually inside cushions, sofas, pillows, mattresses and other bedding and puff out when you lay or sit on it.

You should swap carpets for wooden floors, remove pets from your house, invest in a good dehumidifier and vacuum cleaner; swap curtains for blinds, meticulously vacuum or steam clean your carpet and soft furnishings, hot wash and change your bedding and mattress covers; wipe all surfaces in the kitchen and bathroom with a chemical free cleaner (or simple mix water with lemon juice and vinegar) to wash away moulds and bacteria deposits. Note that dust mites flourish in a moist environment and that is why a dusty home which is dry may contain very few dust mites or dust mite allergens whereas a superficially clean home engaged in frequent dry-dusting can boost levels of dust mite allergens in the air.

By Health Care on March 31, 2011 | Asthma

How to Get Rid of Acne

People from all over the world suffer from acne. It may have started from you were a teenager growing up and may have continued into your adult years. Some people sail through adolescence without a single spot and as soon as they get to the adult stages their faces start breaking out. This can be quite frustrating and uncomfortable when you walk on the streets and people keep staring and pointing at your face. As a result you tend to close yourself in and not venture into the world because of fear of what people may think and say about you. You may think you do not have control over these constant breakouts, but the truth is you actually do….You can get rid of acne.

There are several remedies that you can try in order to get rid of acne.

• Wash the face twice a day with special acne soap. You can try getting a sulphur based soap specifically for acne and try to wash the face at least twice for the day for best results. Once when you wake in the mornings and before you go to bed at nights.

• Keep the hair away from the face. If you have extremely long hairs and bangs, it is best to keep them away from the face. The hair contains oils and this is what helps to contribute to the breakout of acne. As an extra tip, be sure to wash the hair on a regular basis thereby reducing the amount of dirt and oil that will be transmitted to the facial area.

• Take a multi-vitamin. Having regular breakouts of acne can be a sign that there is something wrong inside. Your skin actually feeds off nutrition and often times we do not even feed out bodies properly. Once your body is not getting the proper nutrition then it automatically starts fighting back by producing extra sebum that clogs the pores and reduces the ability for your skin to heal and fight bacteria

• Avoid squeezing or picking the pimples in the face. I know this may be hard not to do but you should definitely try to avoid squeezing, scratching, rubbing or irritating the pimples. When you squeeze you are in truth and in fact damaging the membranes below the skin which will cause infection and sebum to spread underneath the skin causing more pimples.

These are just some simple remedies that you can try in order to get rid of acne. That’s not all however, you can discover the amazing way to cure acne fast within 14 days without too much hassle.

By Health Care on March 30, 2011 | Main

Dangers Of Acne Medication

Isotretinoin, marketed as Accutane in the US, is prescribed as a last resort in severe cases of acne. Accutane is a form of vitamin A, which lowers the amount of oil released by your skin, and also helps your skin renew itself more quickly. Accutane is used to treat bad cases of nodulocystic acne, mostly after other acne treatments have been tried without success. A course of Accutane in tablet form is an effective acne treatment, but the dangers of this acne medication are that it could cause serious side effects in the user.
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These include severe birth defects in developing foetuses, which is why FDA regulations insist women of childbearing age take two pregnancy tests before starting a course of isotretinoin. And also use two kinds of birth control for a month before therapy begins, during the treatment, and a month afterwards. It is also imperative that they don’t breast feed during this time.

And there are other possible side effects from taking isotretinoin – severe chest or abdominal pain, diarrhea, rectal bleeding, thinning hair and depression.

Oral contraceptives can also be used to cure acne in female patients by suppressing their overactive sebaceous glands. They can be used as long-term acne therapy, but should not be prescribed to women who smoke, have a blood-clotting disorder, are over 35, or suffer from migraine. While the new low dose contraceptive pills are much safer than earlier versions, they still present some risk to users.

Oral contraceptives work by targeting one of the four main causes of acne – excess sebum. Sebum is a natural oil which protects the skin against moisture loss, but which clogs pores when your body makes too much.

Dermatologists don’t usually prescribe an oral contraceptive until other acne medications have failed to work. Benzoyl peroxide and topical retinoids are usually the first treatments tried. Depending on the type and severity of the acne, an oral antibiotic can also be part of the treatment plan. If a woman’s acne does not respond to these treatments, an oral contraceptive may be the next step.

Spironolactone, a synthetic steroid, is sometimes used with oral contraception to treat acne in adult females. Prescribed off-label to treat hormonally influenced breakouts, Spironolactone is used as an acne treatment for women only.

This medication isn’t a first line of defense against acne breakouts, being effective only against acne caused by hormonal fluctuations. But it can be especially helpful for women with hormonal disorders which trigger acne. The side effects can include irregular periods, breast tenderness, headaches and tiredness.

Bottom line? Modern drug treatments for acne are effective, but carry their own risks. Do your due diligence before you try them – and make sure you carry out your doctor’s instructions to the letter regarding check-ups and possible pregnancy.

By Health Care on March 26, 2011 | Acne

Sore Throat in Children

Sore throat in children is very common. Experts say it is one of the leading causes to the absence of kids from school. It normally comes accompanied by a cold. Viral throat infections are stubborn and take time to clear. You have to bear in mind that even though a sore throat can clear on its own, it is a good idea if you let a doctor examine the child and recommend the right drugs that will clear the infection completely. Many parents make the mistake of not taking their children to the hospital. They buy over the counter drugs. If your child has had recurrent sore throats, you should have a test done to establish the cause. Here are some easy steps that you can take to help children who are affected by a sore throat.

Doctors recommend that the child take a lot of water. These fluids should be hot or warm. Cold ones will make the situation worse. It is a good idea to avoid very acidic drinks as well too much sugar. The fluids will help to wash out the toxins in the body and make the child again. It is not easy to convince kids to take a lot of water especially young ones who do not understand the importance. You can add honey to sweeten the drinks. There are other things that you should not forget such as telling your child to speak in a low voice. The louder they strain the voice, the worse the condition will become. You should encourage them to breath through the nose. There are some foods that can promote healing and they include fresh vegetables. Avoid foods that are too acidic.

You should see a doctor for a good diagnosis. There are throat specialists who will be able to tell the problem with your child’s throat. In some cases, home remedies might work but you should not ignore the condition if it takes time to clear. You have to see a professional who can prescribe the right antibiotics. If you let these infections go without the right treatment, the bacteria become resistant and can have some very negative effects on your child’s health with time. You should ensure that you go through the recommended treatment.

You should make sure that you get any specialized treated that is required as early as possible. The main reason to have your children tested for the sore throat infection is to ensure that you can get the right treatment. However, it would not be use if you do not listen to the doctor’s instructions. Some of the medical procedures are scary to the kids but if they are meant to give them a better health, you should not hesitate to take them through. A wide research by the medical experts has shown that there are some problems that can be easily treated in children rather waiting till they are grown up. Sore throat in children has to be treated well with the right medication.

By Health Care on March 25, 2011 | Health Care

Water and Anxiety Cures

Thousands of people struggle with anxiety every single day. Whether they feel anxiety because of work related stress, because of home related problems, because of past trauma or because of just a generalized feeling, this anxiety can be frustrating and even life altering. Many people just deal with their anxiety on a daily basis. However, if you are facing a problem with recurring anxiety, you must remember that you can find anxiety cures that are very real, very helpful, and very effective.

One of the most important anxiety cures can be found right in your kitchen in abundance. Chances are, you are not getting enough of it, and chances are, that could be contributing to your anxiety. I am talking about water, of course. Many people do not realize it, but dehydration can actually lead to anxiety. If you are curious as to how, then read on.

Most people are in some state of dehydration throughout the day. They may not even realize it. However, when you are dehydrated, your body starts sending out signals that something is not right. This can actually create anxiety for you. In addition, when you are dehydrated, you will find that you are more irritable and you may not sleep well, causing exhaustion, which will lead to further anxiety.

You cannot count on other beverages to treat this problem. In fact, many beverages contain sodium, which will only make dehydration worse. Your body is made up of three quarters water. It needs water to continue functioning properly.

Water also helps to cut down on the concentration of negative effects from bad foods we eat. The whole diluting process can keep sodium from being absorbed into our body as well as fats and cholesterols. By keeping enough water in your body, you can dilute these things and help yourself become healthier. The healthier you are, the less your body will send out anxiety signals.

Because your body includes so much water already, it is no wonder it needs to be replenished on a regular basis. It is also no wonder that not enough water will send out trouble signals to the brain, triggering anxiety. Of all the anxiety cures that are available, water is one of the most effective options. In addition, water is prevalent and easy to access. If you take the time to drink water on a daily basis, you may be surprised to find how much more at ease you can be throughout the day.

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Difference Between Vegan and Vegetarian

A vegan is generally dedicated to using no animal products at all. This would include avoiding wearing leather shoes, leather clothes, jackets, gloves, consuming no animal products such as eggs, cheese, fish. They eat purely fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds, grains and beans. A vegan diet has proven to be quite healthy according to recent best seller, “The China Study,” by Colin Campbell. Dr. Campbell, who was chosen to head up this study because of his expertise, became a vegan by the end of this thirty-five year study.

Modern culture has perpetuated a protein myth, where it is thought we need large amounts of protein on a daily basis, yet this may in fact be some of the cause of modern illness. When we simplify our diet and the body begins taking in its nutrition in a simpler way, we actually utilize simpler forms of protein, as long as we get a good variety.

A vegetarian enjoys a little more complex diet. They consume generally all fruits and vegetables, grains, nuts, seeds and beans. However they may also include dairy products such as eggs, cheese and milk. A vegetarian who eats dairy products is called a lacto-vegetarian; one consuming eggs, milk and cheese is called lacto-ovo-vegetarian. Some may also consume fish, and might say “I don’t eat anything with legs.”

Experimenting and becoming dedicated to vegan or vegetarian practices can be a dance or an art, choosing a lifestyle that harmonizes with one’s spiritual, environmental and dietary beliefs and commitments. Often, vegans and vegetarians may have a spiritual commitment not to kill in order to eat.

From a health standpoint, it is a growth process on a journey of experimenting to find what works for each person’s body. Genetic heritage, blood type and environmental habits and exposure, all play a role in our adaptability to such dietary practices. It is learning how to do this dance, how to find what works for our own body, in our own growth process that helps us cultivate dietary choices and lifestyle that we can live with on a daily basis.

Popular healthful dietary practices today, often include a range of various stages of transition into vegan, vegetarian and all raw lifestyle. These dietary practices are being proven today to give us greater health, youth and longevity. We have so many foods available at all times of the year in our modern world, we have the luxury of enjoying diverse vegan and vegetarian foods.

By Health Care on March 23, 2011 | Nutrition

Do Home Remedies For Back Acne Actually Work?

What are the most effective home remedies for back acne? The answer will vary greatly, depending upon who you ask. For those who have constant break outs, the experimentation for finding a cure is ongoing.

Home remedies for back acne can range from pretty normal off the shelf type products to bizarre concoctions involving food products and cold medications. In their desperation to rid themselves of back acne, some people will try anything at all.

Some people swear by yogurt, while others say you should apply a combination of lemon juice and toothpaste. While you may be tempted to try some of these off the wall remedies, you should resist plastering weird home remedies for back acne onto your skin.

Save the yogurt and the lemon juice for your Greek salad. Instead, use proven home remedies for back acne that will actually resolve the problem, rather than aggravating it. You can get some really good and effective medications for any type of acne, but most prescription drugs are reserved for only the most severe cases of back acne.

While Pro Active may be one of the products that you are considering trying, it may be at the front of your mind because it is advertised constantly. Try to think about all of the home remedies for back acne that you should do each day.

  • For example, it is extremely important to maintain proper hygiene. This means washing each day with an anti bacterial soap, whether it is in the shower or in the bath tub.
  • After cleansing, your skin should be thoroughly dried. Do not scrub your skin relentlessly. You can gently exfoliate, but scrubbing is out.
  • Follow up with a good skin moisturizer that is water based, not oil based. Oily moisturizers tend to clog the pores and aggravate acne. If you are looking to use a natural non clogging oil, try natural oils including jojoba or tea tree oil. These types of natural oils do not simulate sebum production in the sebaceous glands, which means they will not aggravate or exacerbate your acne.
  • In addition to cleansing and moisturizing, it is very important to eat wholesome foods and plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits. Drink plenty of water each day to flush your system. Exercise is crucial in body health too. It promotes circulation and perspiration through the sweat glands which rids the body of toxins.

Using a combination of all of these things can help you to work towards acne free skin. A mask is a combination of various things that can be applied to your skin to reduce the oiliness and inflammation and draw out the bacteria and impurities that may be in the pores. Keeping your pores free of oil and debris can prevent the formation of bacteria which is the number one cause of acne. Once a pore is infected, acne is the result. It is when the problem is already out of control that most of us start to look for a remedy.

By Health Care on March 22, 2011 | Acne

How Is Hair Loss Caused?

Despite common perception, hair loss does not come down to one’s lack of luck. Most people naturally lose some of their hair as they get older. But age, changing hormones and heredity cause some to lose more than others. The result can be partial or total baldness, for which men are more likely to experience. So how does it start? Well, the normal life cycle of hair is between two and three years and during this cycle it grows approximately one centimetre each month. About ninety percent of the hair on your scalp is growing at any one time, with the remaining ten percent in a resting phase. After 3 to 4 months, the resting hair falls out and a new one starts to grow in its place. Given the natural cycle, it is normal to shed some hair each day. However, some people may lose more than normal. What causes excessive hair loss?

There are a number of factors that can cause temporary hair loss including:

  • Stress – stress is a powerful emotion that can wreak havoc on your behaviour, skin, nervous system and even your scalp. People often lose hair from the sheer stress of an illness or major surgery. The good news is that when caused by stress it is usually temporary.
  • Hormone imbalance – this type of hair loss is usually associated with an overactive or underactive thyroid glands or an androgen or estrogen is out of balance. In most instances, simply addressing the hormone imbalance may stop it.
  • Disease or infections – hair loss may occur as part of an underlying disease like lupus or diabetes or can eventuate due to certain infections like fungal infections of the scalp. Hair loss associated with disease or infections can usually be cured once the disease or infection is treated.
  • Medicines – anticoagulants or medicines used for gout, high blood pressure, depression or heart problems can cause hair loss.
  • Hairstyles – any hairstyles which pull on your hair (like cornrows, tight pigtails or hair rollers) can cause a type of loss called traction alopecia. If the pulling is stopped before scarring of the scalp develops, hair will grow back normally.

If you don’t fit into one of these categories, there is a good chance that you fit into the category known as ‘common baldness’. ‘Common baldness’ is an inherited trait found mostly in men which starts with a receding hairline and eventuates to baldness on top of the head.

There are a range of hair loss treatments on the market now from shampoos and balms to handheld laser machines. Which one you choose is extremely important so you should seek professional advice in selecting a treatment that is made specially to suit your lifestyle and your situation. You should look for a reputable company who has a good track record and is specialised in permanent hair replacement. For those who have already experienced excessive loss of hair, a hair transplant might be necessary. But rest assured, hair loss surgery has evolved and the procedure has become less invasive, promoting more natural hair growth results.

By Health Care on March 20, 2011 | Hair Loss

Female Hair Loss Due to Dietary Deficiencies

Female hair loss is one of the most dreaded conditions. One of the most overlooked reasons for the loss of hair has to do with dietary deficiencies. In this article, we will go over the problems of a hair thinning condition and how paying attention to one’s diet and nutrition plan can help.

While many health experts believe that the condition is viewed as a problem merely in the cosmetic sense, they also agree that hair thinning is sometimes a symptom of another underlying, more serious condition. There are different types of hair thinning, and their respective treatments often depend on their respective causes. The causes include stress, genetics, trauma to or pressure on the hair follicles, chemicals, and malnutrition, which we will particularly discuss in this article.

Lack of proper nutrition is one of the most common causes of female hair loss. Many people, men and women alike, often ignore their health, choosing to eat junk food, pre-packed meals and even stuff filled with artificial substances as well as chemicals. Sometimes, they choose to forego eating altogether. Then, when their hair starts to fall off, they are immensely shocked and wonder what they have done wrong. It’s ridiculous, but loss of hair for ladies is no funny matter, considering the emotional toll it could take.

Types of malnutrition normally associated with balding include thyroid diseases, eating disorders (such as anorexia nervosa and obesity), lupus, diabetes, anemia, and poor diet. Health experts also include in this classification all medical treatments that affect, albeit unintentionally, healthy cells (such as radiation and chemotherapy).

Hair can start falling off quickly when the nutrients needed by the growth process are in low supply or in extreme abundance. Too much vitamin A or too little protein, for instance, is enough to cause hormonal imbalance, disrupting hair growth and causing hair loss.

After learning the causes of loss of hair, the treatment options available to address the condition may now be considered. The treatment must be able to attack the underlying cause; all others are discouraged unless malnutrition is first dealt with. If the underlying cause, for instance, is an eating disorder, the patient must first undergo therapy, adopt a personalized dietary plan, and observe behavior modifications. Once a positive change in the condition occurs, she may begin to take supplements to promote hair growth.

Female hair loss is very treatable. The causes related to dietary deficiencies are manageable, even reversible. It is crucial that once hair thinning is detected, the patient sees a health expert right away in order to get a diagnosis and start on the recommended treatment right away.

By Health Care on March 19, 2011 | Hair Loss

Autism in Teenagers

The teen and young-adult years are difficult for everyone. In a teen with autism many of the problems are magnified to a very great degree.

Life is very difficult for both the teen and the parents. Of course much depends on severity of the autism. Just like every other teen, autistic teens go through puberty. The autistic teen experiences the same hormonal changes that every other teen experiences with one major difference. The behavior and abilities of the teen are drastically extreme depending on how the child reacts to the changes. These changes can be either very good or very bad.

This is a time that most teenagers experience greater social interaction. For the teenager with autism this is a most critical time. They have not developed the social skills that are age appropriate. They are usually considered odd or strange, or worse excluded entirely by the social crowd.

Much depends on whether the teen was even able to attend school, some manage quite well in the special education division, and others have been home bound or home schooled for most of their lives.

Autism manifests itself with the child having trouble communicating and managing social interaction. Along with this many have repetitive behaviors and poor emotional control. For these reasons most autistic teens do not learn now to behave according to sociological norms by experience. They need to be taught the proper way to behave. This is very difficult at the best, or at its worst, impossible due to rigid mindset and the volatile nature of the teen and his behavior and expectations. They do not easily adapt to things being different from they always have been.

This inability to fit in socially is very traumatic. Many react with violence or anger, others may refuse to interact at all. They also become aware that they are different from others their age. The may realize they have few if any friends and they have no plans.

For some the feeling of not fitting in may cause them to retreat further into themselves, while for other it is a motivation to learn more social skills.

A high functioning autistic teen often adapts and fits in. But the severely autistic teen may not fit in and may not be able to care for himself and need to rely on others for basic needs.

The change from child to adult is always difficult and parents fear letting go. If their child is autistic the parent may now realize that life is much more difficult and may have to do planning for the teen that they had not expected to do because the teen isn’t leaving home to go to college, or to work, or even to get his own apartment. This can cause incredible stress for both the teen and the parents.

By Health Care on March 18, 2011 | Autism

Diabetes During Pregnancy

Gestational diabetes is the term used for the occurrence of increased blood sugar levels during pregnancy. According to Medline Plus, three to eight out of 100 pregnant women develop gestational diabetes (GDM) between weeks twenty-four and twenty-eight of their pregnancy. Technically, gestational diabetes means “high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) first recognized during pregnancy.”

If you happen to have been diagnosed with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes before pregnancy, this means you have what is known as pregestational diabetes.

Although babies born to mothers with diabetes are at three times the risk for birth defects compared to babies born to mothers without diabetes, good medical treatment built around a healthy diet and exercise routine for the mother help produce normal healthy babies.

What are the risks of having diabetes in pregnancy?

1. Delivering a large baby: One of the main problems of diabetes during pregnancy is having a large baby leading to a difficult labor and delivery, and possibly a cesarean section, or C-section. Delivering a large baby through normal spontaneous vaginal delivery may put the baby at risk for shoulder dystocia, the impaction and difficult delivery of the fetal shoulders… for this reason, most macrosomic or large babies are delivered by C-section.

2. Congenital anomalies: No matter what type of diabetes you have, a healthy pregnancy depends on how well you manage your blood sugar. If you can keep your blood sugar levels as close to normal as possible throughout your pregnancy, then your chances of a healthy baby are as good as non-diabetics. Losing control of your blood sugar levels in the first eight weeks of pregnancy may interfere with the formation of your baby’s organs, and lead to heart defects or spina bifida. But with proper monitoring and control of your blood sugar these problems can be prevented.

3. Other complications after delivery: As additional glucose has entered the baby’s bloodstream prior to birth, the baby’s pancreas has made extra insulin in order to cope. Following birth, until the baby’s body has adjusted to normal sugar levels, this can cause the baby to suffer from hypoglycemia or low blood sugar levels. Although jaundice is common for all newborns, it tends to happen more often in babies born to mother with diabetes.

What are the risks for the development of gestational diabetes?

  • you’re overweight or obese
  • you have high blood pressure
  • you have miscarried or had a stillbirth
  • you previously gave birth to a large baby (more than nine pounds)
  • you had gestational diabetes in previous pregnancies
  • a strong family history of diabetes

What are the screening procedures for the diagnosis of gestational diabetes?

If you have even one of the above mentioned risks, it would be best to have yourself screened for this problem. Your doctor may suggest you take the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), a test that is usually done between the sixteenth to eighteenth week of pregnancy. The OGTT is carried out after a period of fasting, your baseline blood sugar will be measured after which you will be instructed to drink a sweet drink. A repeat blood sugar measurement will then be taken after two hours.

The key to the management of gestational diabetes is tight blood sugar control.

By admin on March 16, 2011 | Diabetes