HEALTH - EATING DISORDERS

HEALTH - EATING DISORDERS

Eating disorders are a group of serious conditions in which you're so preoccupied with food and weight that you can often focus on little else. The main types of eating disorders are anorexia nervous, bulimia nervous and binge-eating disorder.  Eating disorders can cause serious physical problems, and at their most severe can even be life-threatening. Most people with eating disorders are females, but males can also have eating disorders. An exception is binge-eating disorder, which appears to affect almost as many males as females. Treatments for eating disorders usually involve psychotherapy, nutrition education, family counseling, medications and hospitalization. 

Biology. There may be genes that make certain people more vulnerable to developing eating disorders. People with first-degree relatives — siblings or parents with an eating disorder may be more likely to develop an eating disorder too, suggesting a possible genetic link. In addition, there's some evidence that serotonin, a naturally occurring brain chemical, may influence eating behaviors.

Psychological and emotional health. People with eating disorders may have psychological and emotional problems that contribute to the disorder. They may have low self-esteem, perfectionism, impulsive behavior, anger management difficulties, family conflicts and troubled relationships.

Society. The modern Western cultural environment often cultivates and reinforces a desire for thinness. Success and worth are often equated with being thin in popular culture. Peer pressure and what people see in the media may fuel this desire to be thin, particularly among young girls.

Treatment

Centers for eating disorder treatment are located all around the country and can offer help and healing for those suffering from anorexia, bulimia and compulsive overeating. If left untreated or the patient is unresponsive to therapy, these food addictions can be fatal. So these centers for eating disorder treatment are often in a life and death fight for their patients and their specialized treatment and their staffs have a unique perspective on the underlying causes of these many-headed disorders. While these three major disorders or diseases can affect a wide spectrum of ages and ethnicity, and while the sufferer of anorexia will physically appear wildly different from those who have a compulsive eating disorder, the causes are often very much the same. 

The heart of the treatment for all these patients is group therapy, personal counseling, education and in some cases, medical intervention. Anorexic patients are usually teens and college students, typically female although there are a small percentage of males who are also afflicted with the illness. The patient is usually quite concerned about body image and has transferred that concern into an obsessive fear of gaining weight. The fear turns the patient into someone who is slowly starving to death through purging, non-eating and excessive exercise. An anorexic patient is usually at fifteen percent below normal body weight and cannot perceive the often skeletal appearance as being abnormal. 

www.christianet.com/anorexia

www.ideamarketers.com

www.ideamarketers.com

HEALTH - HEART ATTACKS

HEALTH - HEART ATTACKS

The heart muscle requires a constant supply of oxygen-rich blood to nourish it. The coronary arteries provide the heart with this critical blood supply. If you have coronary artery disease, those arteries become narrow and blood cannot flow as well as they should. Fatty matter, calcium, proteins, and inflammatory cells build up within the arteries to form plaques of different sizes. The plaque deposits are hard on the outside and soft and mushy on the inside. When the plaque is hard, the outer shell cracks (plaque rupture), platelets (disc-shaped particles in the blood that aid clotting) come to the area, and blood clots form around the plaque. If a blood clot totally blocks the artery, the heart muscle becomes "starved" for oxygen. Within a short time, death of heart muscle cells occurs, causing permanent damage. This is a heart attack. While it is unusual, a heart attack can also be caused by a spasm of a coronary artery. 

During a coronary spasm, the coronary arteries restrict or spasm on and off, reducing blood supply to the heart muscle (ischemia). It may occur at rest and can even occur in people without significant coronary artery disease. Each coronary artery supplies blood to a region of heart muscle. The amount of damage to the heart muscle depends on the size of the area supplied by the blocked artery and the time between injury and treatment. Healing of the heart muscle begins soon after a heart attack and takes about eight weeks. Just like a skin wound, the heart's wound heals and a scar will form in the damaged area. But, the new scar tissue does not contract. So, the heart's pumping ability is lessened after a heart attack. The amount of lost pumping ability depends on the size and location of the scar.

Heart Attack Symptoms

Discomfort, pressure, heaviness, or pain in the chest, arm, or below the breastbone

Discomfort radiating to the back, jaw, throat, or arm

Fullness, indigestion, or choking feeling

Sweating, nausea, vomiting, or dizziness

Extreme weakness, anxiety, or shortness of breath

Rapid or irregular heartbeats

During a heart attack, symptoms last 30 minutes or longer and are not relieved by rest or nitroglycerin under the tongue. Some people have a heart attack without having any symptoms (a silent myocardial infarction). A silent MI can occur in any person, though it is more common among diabetics.

Treatment

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation  CPR  is one link in what the American Heart Association calls the "chain of survival" Learn CPR for a loved one. Learn information about heart stents, why they’re used, and what types are available. Automated External Defibrillators “AEDs" for short, are devices capable of interpreting a person's heart rhythm and automatically delivering a shock to prevent sudden death.

other details

www.prescientmedical.com

www.livestrong.com/heart-attacks

www.billionheartsbeating.com

HEALTH - BRAIN TUMOR

HEALTH - BRAIN TUMOR

A tumor is any mass caused by abnormal or uncontrolled growth of cells. Tumors in the brain are categorized according to several factors, including where they're located, the type of cells involved, and how quickly they're growing.

Low-grade vs. high-grade: Usually, low-grade tumors are slow-growing, while high-grade tumors are fast-growing and aggressive. High-grade tumors can invade nearby tissue or spread elsewhere in the body, and are more likely to recur after treatment. They are generally associated with a worse outlook.

Localized vs. invasive: A localized tumor is confined to one area and is generally easier to remove, as long as it's in an accessible part of the brain. An invasive tumor has spread to surrounding areas and is more difficult or impossible to remove completely.

Primary vs. secondary: Primary brain tumors originate in the brain. Secondary brain tumors are made up of cells that have spread (metastasized) to the brain from somewhere else in the body. In children, most brain tumors are primary.

Signs and Symptoms

A brain tumor can cause symptoms by directly pressing on the surrounding brain, or by causing a buildup of spinal fluid and pressure throughout the brain . A range of symptoms can develop as a result.

Signs or symptoms vary depending on a child's age and the location of the tumor, but may include: vomiting, seizures,  weakness of the face, trunk, arms, or legs , slurred speech, difficulty standing or walking , poor coordination,  headache in babies, a rapidly enlarging head

Because symptoms might develop gradually and can be like those of other common childhood conditions, brain tumors can be difficult to diagnose. So it's always wise to discuss any symptoms that concern you with your child's doctor.

Treatment

Treatment for a brain tumor requires a team of medical specialists. Most pediatric brain tumor patients require some combination of surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Advancements in all three treatment areas in the last few decades have contributed to better outcomes. The care of a child with a brain tumor is very complicated and requires close coordination between members of the medical team, which typically will include:

 

a pediatric neuro-oncologist (a doctor who specializes in treating cancers of the brain or spine)

a pediatric neurologist (a doctor who specializes in disorders of the nervous system)

a pediatric neurosurgeon (a surgeon who operates on the brain or spine)

a pediatric radiation therapist (a specialist who administers radiation therapy)

pediatric rehabilitation medicine specialists, including speech, physical, and occupational therapists

pediatric psychologists and social workers

These experts will choose a child's therapy very carefully. Finding a treatment that will be effective and cure the child but not cause unacceptable side effects is probably one of the most difficult aspects of treating brain tumors.

more information

www.braintumor.org

www.braintumourindia.com

www.abta.org

 

HEALTH - BED WETTING

HEALTH - BED WETTING

Bed wetting, or nocturnal enuresis, refers to the unintentional passage of urine during sleep. Enuresis is the medical term for wetting, whether in the clothing during the day or in bed at night. Another name for enuresis is urinary incontinence. For infants and young children, urination is involuntary. Wetting is normal for them. Most children achieve some degree of bladder control by 4 years of age. Daytime control is usually achieved first while nighttime control comes later. The age at which bladder control is expected varies considerably. Some parents expect dryness at a very early age, while others not until much later. Such a time line may reflect the culture and attitudes of the parents and caregivers. Factors that affect the age at which wetting is considered a problem include the following: The child's gender: Bed wetting is more common in boys. The child's development and maturity .The child's overall physical and emotional health chronic illness and/or emotional and physical abuse may predispose to bed wetting. Bed wetting is a very common problem. Parents must realize that enuresis is involuntary. 

The child who wets the bed needs parental support and reassurance. About 5-7 million children in the United States wet the bed. Most children simply outgrow bed wetting with a rate of resolution of the issue of about 15% per year. While bed wetting can be a symptom of an underlying disease, the large majority of children who wet the bed have no underlying disease. In fact, a true organic cause is identified in only about 1% of children who wet the bed. However, this does not mean that the child who wets the bed can control it or is doing it on purpose. Children who wet the bed are not lazy, willful, or disobedient. There are two types of bed wetting: primary and secondary. Primary bed wetting refers to bed wetting that has been ongoing since early childhood without a break. 

A child with primary bed wetting has never been dry at night for any significant length of time. Secondary bed wetting is bed wetting that starts again after the child has been dry at night for a significant period of time. In general, primary bed wetting probably indicates immaturity of the nervous system. A bed wetting child does not recognize the sensation of the full bladder during sleep and thus does not awaken during sleep to urinate into the toilet.

Bed wetting Treatment

General principles

Bed wetting is typically seen more as a social disturbance than a medical disease. It creates embarrassment and anxiety in the child and sometimes conflict with parents. The single most important thing parents can and should do is to be supportive and reassuring rather than blaming and punishing. Primary nocturnal enuresis has a very high rate of spontaneous resolution of approximately 15% per year.The many treatment options range from home remedies to drugs, even surgery for children with anatomical problems. Underlying medical or emotional conditions should first be ruled out.  

 

 If there is an underlying condition, it should be treated and eradicated. If bed wetting persists once these steps are taken, however, there is considerable debate as to how and when to treat. Treatment of uncomplicated bed wetting is not appropriate for children younger than 5 years of age.Because a majority of children 5 years and older spontaneously stop bed wetting without any treatment, many medical professionals generally choose to observe the child until age 7.

 

HEALTH - HEAT STROKE

HEALTH - HEAT STROKE

Heat stroke is a form of hyperthermia with accompanying physical and neurological symptoms. Unlike heat cramps and heat exhaustion, two less-severe forms of hypothermia, heat stroke is a true medical emergency that can be fatal if not properly and promptly treated. The body normally generates heat as a result of metabolism, and the body is usually able to dissipate the heat by either radiation of heat through the skin or by evaporation of sweat. 

However, in extreme heat, high humidity, or vigorous exertion under the sun, the body may not be able to dissipate the heat and the body temperature rises, sometimes up to 106 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. Another cause of heat stroke is dehydration. A dehydrated person may not be able to sweat fast enough to dissipate heat, which causes the body temperature to rise.

The population most susceptible to heat strokes are infants, the elderly, and athletes, or outdoor workers physically exerting themselves under the sun. Heat illness may be viewed as a continuum of illnesses relating to the body's inability to cope with heat. It includes minor illnesses, such as heat edema, heat rash , heat cramps, and tetany, as well as heat syncope and heat exhaustion. Heatstroke is the most severe form of the heat-related illnesses and is defined as a body temperature higher than 41.1°C (106°F) associated with neuralgic dysfunction. Two forms of heatstroke exist. Exert ional heatstroke (EHS) generally occurs in young individuals who engage in strenuous physical activity for a prolonged period of time in a hot environment. Classic nonexertional heatstroke (NEHS) more commonly affects sedentary elderly individuals, persons who are chronically ill, and very young persons. Classic NEHS occurs during environmental heat waves and is more common in areas that have not experienced a heat wave in many years. Both types of heatstroke are associated with a high morbidity and mortality, especially when therapy is delayed. 

Heat Stroke Treatment

The heat stroke treatment should be carried out, in such a way that it creates the following conditions:  Cools the patient, Hydrates the patient, Restores normal blood flow, Restores normal body temperature.

A person experiencing mild symptoms can be treated at home itself. But, if the person faints or the symptoms become worse, a doctor is recommended. In any case, the following step-by-step procedure should be adopted to provide heat stroke treatment. Heat stroke, the most severe form of heat emergencies, develops quickly and is potentially life-threatening. Long, extreme exposure to the sun or vigorous activity in extreme heat causes the body's cooling system to break down, allowing the internal temperature to rise to dangerous levels. 

The first signs of heat emergency are heat cramps, followed by dehydration and heat exhaustion, and finally heat stroke, according to the National Institutes of Health . Symptoms include headache, dizziness, disorientation, confusion, agitation, rapid pulse, high body temperature and hot, dry skin without sweat, seizures and loss of consciousness. Heat stroke can cause shock, brain damage, organ failure and death if left untreated.

extra information

www.stopoffpaints.com

www.medindia.net

www.healthy.net

HEALTH - FLU

HEALTH - FLU

The flu is caused by an influenza virus.

Influenza A usually arrives between early winter and early spring. Influenza B can appear at any time of the year. H1N1, or swine flu, caused worldwide illness in 2009-2010.

Most people catch the flu when they breathe in tiny droplets from coughs or sneezes of someone who has the flu. You can also catch the flu if you touch something with the virus on it, and then touch your mouth, nose, or eyes.Sometimes people confuse colds and flu. They do share some of the same symptoms. Most people get a cold several times each year. But they usually get the flu once every few years. People call a viral illness that makes them throw up or have diarrhea the stomach flu. This is incorrect. The flu mostly causes symptoms in the nose, throat, and lungs.

Treatment

Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) help lower fever. Sometimes doctors suggest you use both types of medicine. Do NOT use aspirin. A fever does not need to come all the way down to normal. Most people will feel better if their temperature drops by 1 degree. Over-the-counter cold medicines may make some of your symptoms better. Cough drops will help with your sore throat. You also need a lot of rest. Drink plenty of liquids. Avoid alcohol and tobacco.

 

WHAT ABOUT ANTIVIRAL MEDICATIONS

Most people with milder symptoms feel better in 3 - 4 days. They do not need to see a doctor or take antiviral medications. Doctors may give antiviral drugs to people who get very sick. People who are at high risk for problems from the flu may need these medicines. These medicines may shorten the time you have symptoms by about 1 day. They work better if you start taking them within 2 days of your first symptoms. Children at risk of a severe case of the flu may also need these medicines.

more information

www.flufacts.com

www.onlymyhealth.com

www.netdoctor.co.uk

HEALTH - CELIAC DISEASE

HEALTH - CELIAC DISEASE

The digestive system is the set of organs that digest food and absorb the important nutrients the body needs to stay healthy and grow. One important part of the digestive system is the small intestine, which is lined with millions of microscopic, finger-like projections called villi. Nutrients are absorbed into the body through the villi. People who have celiac  disease have a disorder that makes their bodies react to gluten. When they eat gluten, an immune system reaction to the protein gradually damages the villi in the small intestine. When the villi are damaged, the body is unable to absorb the vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients it needs to stay healthy.

People with celiac disease are therefore at risk of malnutrition and can develop anemia or osteoporosis (brittle bones from lack of calcium). The body's inability to absorb nutrients can also mean that young people with untreated celiac disease may not grow properly and may have weight loss and fatigue. In addition, people who have celiac disease may be prone to developing other diseases, such as thyroid disease, type 1 diabetes, and gastrointestinal cancer.

Signs and Symptoms

It's important to diagnose celiac disease early before it causes damage to the intestine. But because it's easy to confuse the symptoms with other intestinal disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome or lactose intolerance, teens with celiac disease may not know they have it. Some common symptoms of celiac disease are diarrhea, abdominal pain and bloating, and weight loss. Someone with the disease may feel tired and could be irritable or depressed. Some have skin rashes and mouth sores. Teens with undiagnosed celiac disease may go through puberty late. Someone might not show any symptoms until going through an emotionally or physically stressful event, such as going away to college, illness, or an injury or pregnancy.

Taking Care of Yourself

The good news about celiac disease is that the foods mentioned at the beginning of this article, including birthday cake and pizza can be prepared without gluten. So if you have celiac disease, you can still find ways to enjoy most of your favorite foods you just need to do some research and be aware of what's in the foods you eat.

Here are four things you should do if you have celiac disease:

1,Learn to read labels to find out if a food contains gluten.

2,Learn which foods is gluten free.

3,Find alternatives to wheat, barley, and rye flours and other gluten-containing grain ingredients for your recipes.

4,Find a support group where you and other people with the condition can share up-to-date information.

 

Treatment

Celiac Disease/Dermatitis Herpetiformis (CD/DH) are chronic disorders. The only treatment is the lifelong adherence to the gluten-free diet. When gluten is removed from the diet, the small intestine will start to heal and overall health improves. Medication is not normally required. Consult your physician regarding specific nutritional supplementation to correct any deficiencies. The diagnosed celiac should have medical follow-up to monitor the clinical response to the gluten-free diet. Adapting to the gluten-free diet requires some lifestyle changes. It is essential to read labels which are often imprecise, and to learn how to identify ingredients that may contain hidden gluten. Even small amounts of ingested gluten can affect those with CD and cause health problems. Dietary compliance increases the quality of life and decreases the likelihood of osteoporosis, intestinal lymphoma and other associated illnesses. Because osteoporosis is common and may be profound in patients with newly diagnosed CD, bone density should be measured at or shortly after diagnosis.

HEALTH - DRUG ABUSE

HEALTH - DRUG ABUSE

Some people are able to use recreational or prescription drugs without ever experiencing negative consequences or addiction. For many others, substance use can cause problems at work, home, school, and in relationships, leaving you feeling isolated, helpless, or ashamed. If you’re worried about your own or a friend or family member’s drug use, it’s important to know that help is available.

 Learning about the nature of drug abuse and addiction how it develops, what it looks like, and why it can have such a powerful hold will give you a better understanding of the problem and how to best deal with it. Drug abuse is a serious public health problem that affects almost every community and family in some way. Each year drug abuse results in around 40 million serious illnesses or injuries among people in the United States. 

Abused drugs include Amphetamines, Anabolic steroids, Club drugs, Cocaine Heroin,Inhalants,Marijuana,Prescription drugs and etc.,

Drug abuse also plays a role in many major social problems, such as drugged driving, violence, stress and child abuse. Drug abuse can lead to homelessness, crime and missed work or problems with keeping a job. It harms unborn babies and destroys families. There are different types of treatment for drug abuse. But the best is to prevent drug abuse in the first place. 

Drug addiction and the brain

Addiction is a complex disorder characterized by compulsive drug use. While each drug produces different physical effects, all abused substances share one thing in common: repeated use can alter the way the brain looks and functions. Taking a recreational drug causes a surge in levels of dopamine in your brain, which trigger feelings of pleasure. Your brain remembers these feelings and wants them repeated. If you become addicted, the substance takes on the same significance as other survival behaviors, such as eating and drinking. Changes in your brain interfere with your ability to think clearly, exercise good judgment, control your behavior, and feel normal without drugs. Whether you’re addicted to inhalants, heroin, Xanax, speed, or Vicodin, the uncontrollable craving to use grows more important than anything else, including family, friends, career, and even your own health and happiness.The urge to use is so strong that your mind finds many ways to deny or rationalize the addiction. You may drastically underestimate the quantity of drugs you’re taking, how much it impacts your life, and the level of control you have over your drug use. 

Support is essential to addiction recovery

Don’t try to go it alone; it’s all too easy to get discouraged and rationalize “just one more” hit or pill. Whether you choose to go to rehab, rely on self-help programs, get therapy, or take a self-directed treatment approach, support is essential. Recovering from drug addiction is much easier when you have people you can lean on for encouragement, comfort, and guidance. Support can come from:  family members ,close friends ,therapists or counselors other recovering addicts ,healthcare providers ,people from your faith community

Drug addiction can bring about changes in brain chemical cells and massive alterations in the synapses and DNA structure can occur. This amply illustrates the long term damages that can be caused by heavy drinking. Clinic hotlines and rehabilitation websites often have support groups and networking communities which one can participate locally or even through online. These are essential follow up ways to keep one on track. It is also important to keep up with counseling to overcome personal problems facing one's life. But drug abuse of all forms of substance abuse brings the highest form of problems with mind altering meds and hallucinogens changing brain composition and structure.

other details

www.nida.nih.gov

http://treatmentofdrugabuse.com/

www.drugsno.com