Posts Tagged ‘Diseases and Conditions’

Mastectomy Bras - Feel Like Yourself Again

Friday, June 26th, 2009
by Ben Pate

A mastectomy is never an easy procedure. The recovery process can be difficult and trying, however there is a wide array of specially designed bras to make coping with the lasting effects of a mastectomy simple. A Mastectomy Bra is designed with the specific needs of mastectomy patients in mind. Giving heightened comfort and sensitivity as well as providing support and versatility.

Made with a dynamic design a mastectomy bra features hidden pockets which are made to hold breast forms. These forms are contained within the secure pocket to give a natural and beautiful look that denotes comfortable confidence to the wearer. The Mastectomy Bras come in a variety of styles and looks to suit any mastectomy patient and help them look their best.

The process of making the forms for mastectomy bras has branched out over the years and includes many different styles and a variety of options. The forms are most commonly made of materials such as foam, gel and silicone and provide different levels of weight and support depending on the personal preferences.

Mastectomy bras are engineered with a unique design that features hidden pockets to hold forms. These forms come in many different styles and are made to fit any patient and give a look of beauty and normalcy as well as be comfortable and secure. The idea is to provide the most effortless and fluid sense of security for the wearer while not interfering with their daily life and allowing them to look and feel great.

These wide and varied selection of materials used to make the forms used in each mastectomy bra gives each mastectomy patient the ability to choose the form that feels and fits just right for them. Common materials used in these forms include foam, gel and silicone and provide varying levels of weight, support and appearance.

Selecting a form made of a more gentle and lighter material after your immediate surgery will be the most gentle and fitting option in delicate recovery stages. Giving a free range of motion and a versatile flexibility that wont hinder everyday activities while still looking graceful and natural is one of the many perks of selecting a light-weight, fitting form.

Built and engineered with the unique needs of mastectomy patients in mind, mastectomy bras are made to provide unparalleled degrees of comfort and support as well as being sensitive to the wearer. Granting a remarkable appearance of beauty and normalcy allows patients to feel empowered and secure in wearing one.

About the Author:

Warning Of Swine Flu Also Known As H1N1

Friday, June 26th, 2009
by Dr John Taylor

- Influenza…how is it spread? - What is Swine Flu? - What is Pandemic Influenza? - How to protect yourself and family - Recognizing and measuring Influenza (children and fevers) - Taking a temperature (oral, armpit, ear) - Treating Influenza symptoms (children, adults, and seniors) - Family preparation (education, planning, supplies)

Swine flu H1N1 is a strain of the influenza virus that usually infects pigs. Transmission of H1N1 virus from pigs to humans is not common. Eating properly cooked pork poses no risk of infection. Often the only sign of infection is the presence of antibodies in the blood, that can only be detected by laboratory tests.

Due to a new strain of influenza A, there is 2009 swine flu outbreak in humans. H1N1 A that contained genes most closely related to swine influenza. The origin of this new strain is suspected in Latin America and can be transmitted between humans . People who have contacted swine flu have experienced normal symptoms of influenza for the most part but should still see a doctor.

The symptoms of swine flu virus are most similar to those of influenza in general. Symptoms include high temperature, coughing, body pain, sore throat, headache, etc.. and laziness. There is showing an increased percentage of patients reporting diarrhea and vomiting during the 2009 outbreak

Flu or also called influenza is a wide spread respiratory sickness which outbreaks every year usually between from May to September in the Southern Hemisphere, and November and March in the Northern Hemisphere. Unlike several other illnesses which once you have become ill, you are immune, the Influenza virus is mutating a little year by year, so the protection, or immunity, our bodies have generated against previous viruses is without effect.

It is known that approximately 20 per cent of humans infected will not have any symptoms, with others, symptoms can be mild to severe. Many kinds of colds and other viruses may cause similar symptoms, however the influenza weakens a person more than other viruses. However, if infected, very young children, people with some chronic medical illness and the elderly are more likely than healthy older children or adults to get very sick, and may need to be sent to hospital.

Influenza kills hundreds of thousands of people worldwide every year, and millions have perished in years of a pandemic, with older people being at the greatest risk of dying from the flu.

Curing Herpes: The Best Cure is Prevention

Friday, June 26th, 2009
by Sandra Griggs

With the ever-advancing knowledge in science, people today are positive about the development in curing herpes. Curing herpes would significantly transform the lives of about 50 million Americans with this infection. Genital herpes, commonly known as herpes is an infection due to the herpes simplex virus (HSV).

While researchers have yet to come up with ways of curing herpes, several treatments are available in preventing outbreaks. Doctors recommend natural treatments, which help patients by controlling their symptoms until scientists find a cure. The most natural therapy for herpes is perhaps hydration.

Oral medications are recommended when curing herpes. Such medications as Famvir, Valtrex, and Zovirax can help stop the HSV from swelling. These oral medications can even help reduce the duration of the eruption of herpes.

Famvir is taken usually thrice a day when used as a periodic treatment for the early herpes episode, or twice a day when curing herpes outbreaks that recur. It can reduce the length of the outbreaks and decrease the severity of pain. Side effects include nausea, headache, vomiting, tiredness, or diarrhea.

When used in episodic therapy, Valtrex can lessen pain and heal sores much quicker. Curing herpes this way also helps by preventing or delaying persistent herpes outbreaks when used as suppressive treatments. Expect side effects such as dizziness, stomach pain, loss of appetite, vomiting, headache, nausea, and weakness.

Zovirax as a periodic treatment helps reduce the severity of herpes eruptions and trim down their duration. Used in suppressive treatments, curing herpes this way helps by preventing or delaying recurring herpes outbreaks. Headache, vomiting, diarrhea, or nausea are some side effects that may eventually go during therapy.

During a herpes episode, you should follow some simple steps in order to speed the healing and to avoid spreading herpes to other people or other parts of the body. One attempt at preventing and curing herpes is to keep the infected area dry and clean. Also dont touch the sores to prevent further infections.

Always practice responsible or safe sex. Given the speed of the development in science, curing herpes is within our reach. But prevention remains the best approach in curing herpes.

About the Author:

Herpes Natural Treatment Reviewed

Thursday, June 25th, 2009
by Sandra Griggs

The last few years has been marked by the rise of herpes as one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases (STD) on a global aspect. It is often synonymous to discomfort, pain, and social stigma paving the way for the increase in the number of numerous herpes natural treatment. Generally, the objective of a herpes natural treatment is to alleviate the feelings of depression, embarrassment, and suicidal tendencies.

Conventional methods of treatment have caused depression and suicidal tendencies on the part of the patient. They develop the feeling of being judged during diagnosis as well as embarrassed when signing up. Herpes natural treatment works to reduce these feelings during an outbreak.

The difficulty with traditional antiviral medicines is that they can have serious complications such as diarrhea or nausea that increases stress and anxiety leading to genital herpes. This is where herpes natural treatment does their work.

Herpes natural treatment can be purchased on the Internet as well as off it. They are designed to conform to recent improvements in homeopathic medicines geared towards treating viral infections. Unlike the traditional modes of treatment, the natural method has been proven efficient.

Herpes natural treatment gives patients the same benefits provided by traditional methods without feeling embarrassed, anxious, and serious complications. Natural treatment methods for herpes have no recorded complications.

As a herpes natural treatment, the job of vitamins and minerals is to fight against bacteria and virus. Their role is critical because they help boost the body’s immune system. They can less potential herpes outbreaks.

The role of stress in triggering herpes outbreaks has never been discounted. When you are severely emotional, it is likely that you are blocking the flow of antiviral agents required in fighting sickness. To loosen the discomfort resulting from the outbreak, stress relievers can work as a herpes natural treatment.

If you are considering other options for reducing potential herpes outbreak, herpes natural treatment is an effective method you can consider. The good news is that there are plenty of herpes natural treatment that you can find in the market that are safe and effective.

About the Author:

Discover the Truth Behind Candida Symptoms

Thursday, June 25th, 2009
by Luke Lister

A Candida infection can cause all kinds of symptoms depending on where the infection has spread.

Yeast infections are the most common symptom of a Candida overgrowth. Yeast infections or thrush can affect the skin, mouth and any other part of the body, and can cause redness, burning, and itching. These obvious symptoms are not the only thing to look out for, since not everyone even develops skin problems with an overgrowth.

Some internal problems may be bloating, indigestion, and leaky gut syndrome, in which case the infection could be attributed to the intestinal area. However from the intestines the Candida can spread into the blood stream and move to any part of the body.

Once the Candida changes into its fungal form and spreads throughout the blood stream, you can expect to notice feelings of depression, anxiety, mood swings, and even memory loss.

You may also become sensitive to perfume, tobacco smoke and petrol, or develop allergies.

If you are experiencing unexplainable weight loss or even gain it may also be attributed to a Candida infection, but once you start the Candida diet, you should be able to control this.

Bad breath or halitosis can be a more serious problem, since it can affect you both physically and mentally, this can be attributed to an infection of the tongue, but also an intestinal infection.

Because of all these different warning signs, you really need to get tested by your doctor to find out for sure, but if you want to do a simple home test, you can try this spit test to get a good idea.

First thing when you get out of bed in the morning before you brush your teeth or eat, spit into glass of clear water, then leave it sit for up to half an hour. If within that time you notice the water turning cloudy, or the saliva developing strings or worse sinking straight to the bottom, chances are you have an overgrowth. You see healthy saliva should float on top of the water.

Obviously the spit test is not a definite result, but it is pretty accurate, I would suggest if you have any symptoms you still seek out a good doctor to test you. Of course there is also the Candida questionnaire you can find online by doing a simple search, it is much to lengthy to include in this short article.

About the Author:

What Can You Expect From The Miracle Mineral Supplement?

Thursday, June 25th, 2009
by Lee Jacobs

An element to health that is often overlooked as a leading cause to the breakdown of wellbeing is what we put in our mouths each day, and also what we don’t. At a biological level it becomes apparent that much of the food we consume is not entirely digested, and this may be driven by inadequate chewing, consistent overeating, consuming too much meat, bread, milk and other problematic foods, wrong combinations, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, innate inherited weaknesses and quite often emotional problems.

One of the leading causes of ill health is poor digestion. When food is not broken down sufficiently it results in a substantial growth of harmful bacteria in the small intestine, and this in turn results in putrefaction in the large colon. One should bear in mind that the body’s immune system is to a large extent driven from the small intestine with the appendix being part of the equation. In medical terms this is referred to as, “GALT” (Gut Associated Lymphoid Tissue). Of course, before serious illness sets in, there will be an ongoing battle between the harmful bacteria and the immune system and while this is taking place, severe inflammation will occur.

Because this undesirable activity starts at quite an early stage in your life, if you’re susceptible, you’ll soon start experiencing digestive disorders as well as intestinal problems. Alarmingly enough, these disorders can lead to gut permeability at a relatively early age, thus resulting in various allergies and auto immune problems as proteins which have not being digested properly, are allowed to pass unchecked into the bloodstream. Unless you take action, gut permeability will more often than not end up causing conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammation driven conditions.

Frequent constipation in later life is often the result of over stimulated bowels as a child. Unfortunately people who suffer from regular constipation later in life will more often than not also suffer from diverticulitis; a condition which courses the buildup of hard crust like deposits on the bowel lining.

When you continuously fail to take care of your bowel, the natural barrier becomes weekend thus allowing harmful byproducts to enter into your blood stream. When this happens your liver will be affected first, followed by your heart, and then your brain. Common symptoms include the inability to think clearly, severe headaches and an irregular heartbeat. When one considers that the portal vein is vital for the transport of nutrients from the bowel to the liver, it’s hardly surprising that this metabolic loading often results in liver failure.

As far as the bowel is concerned, let’s compare it to a sewerage system. When such a system is not working properly, waste matter will soon start spewing out onto the streets and of course, this will soon result in widespread disease. The same applies to your bowel. When it’s not functioning as it should be, waste soon builds up and illness follows.

A diet which is primarily raw can go a long way in correcting the problem over a period of time. In fact, ground linseed added to meals will help to ensure bowel stimulation. Essentially, everyone should have at least one or more bowel movements each day. This is necessary in order to ensure that waste is expelled as soon as possible before toxins have a chance to cause problems.

In addition to paying attention to the foods we eat, there is also a supplement called MMS. This supplement becomes a powerful anti-bacterial, anti-parasitic and anti-fungal compound once activated.

If you really want to overcome these diseases, you need to be willing to make certain changes with regards to your eating habits. You also need to start chewing your food thoroughly, and you need to increase the amount of raw foods you eat. Above all, always remember that stress is also a killer.

About the Author:

Herpes - Affects An estimated 80 Million In The USA!

Wednesday, June 24th, 2009
by Richard H Ealom

INTRODUCTION: Herpes is a very common infection produced by 2 different but closely related viruses. Simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and Simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). It infects the nervous system, modifying the DNA of the nerve cells supplying the skin through which it entered. It may also play a part in the spread of HIV, the virus that is said to cause AIDS. It is spread by touching, kissing, and sexual contact, including vaginal, anal, and oral sex. It is most contagious when sores are open and “weeping” until the scabs heal and fall off. Herpes is estimated to affect some 80,000,000 persons in America.

SYMPTOMS: include feeling like you have the flu and blisters that appear and then burst in the genital area, causing painful sores which may include burning feelings if urine flows over sores, unable to urinate if severe swelling of sores blocks the urethra, itching in the infected area.

Severe 1st episodes may have symptoms that include swollen, tender lymph glands in the groin, throat, and under the arms, fever, chills, headache, general feelings of malaise, achy, influenza-like feelings. Flare-ups usually heal in 10 days to 2 weeks. They may be more painful and last longer in women or men with illnesses that weaken the immune system like leukemia and HIV.

Outbreaks usually start with pain, tenderness, or itching in the genital area and may also include fever and headache. Avoid physical contact with the area from the time of the 1st symptoms (tingling, itching, burning) until all sores are totally healed, not just scabbed-over.

SORES: The first outbreak routinely occurs within 2 weeks after transmission, and the sores typically heal within 2 to 4 weeks. They may also show up inside the mouth, but this usually only occurs the first time oral symptoms appear. Also it is possible to get genital herpes from cold sores. Other signs and symptoms during the primary episode may include a second crop of sores, and flu-like symptoms, including fever and swollen glands. Genital herpes can produce recurrent painful sores in many adults, and infections can be severe in persons with suppressed immune systems. There may be some early warning signs before an outbreak happens such as tingling, burning, or itching where sores occurred before.

TREATMENT: There is no recognized cure for the disease, but antiviral medications can shorten and prevent outbreaks during the period of time the person takes the drug. Treatment should commence at the first signs of an outbreak for best results as far as length of time and healing are concern. Should it begin before the lesions appear, it is possible that the outbreak can be avoided. Recently valacyclovir was released to be used as a 3 day treatment for recurrent outbreaks of genital herpes. This is an effective approach that accomplishes the highest blood levels of medication available.

CONCLUSION: Herpes is an infection that is caused by a simplex virus. It can make people more susceptible to HIV infection, and it can make HIV-infected individuals more infectious. It is contagious if the carrier is producing and shedding virus and can produce a wide range of signs and symptoms. Some are dramatic and fairly easy to recognize; some are subtle and may be ignored or confused with another ailment. The Virus is contagious and can be passed from person to person through any form of unprotected sex.

Studies show that more than 500,000 Americans are diagnosed with genital herpes each year, and the largest increase is occurring in young teens. Efforts to develop a vaccine by biotechnology companies are ongoing. There is no cure to date.

About the Author:

Arthritis - A Life Long Disease?

Wednesday, June 24th, 2009
by Richard H Ealom

INTRODUCTION: Arthritis is defined as the presence of swelling, the presence of effusion (The escape of fluid into other parts), or the presence of two or more of the following signs: limited range of motion (ROM), tenderness, pain on movement, or joint warmth. It is a chronic condition that will be with you for a long time and possibly for the remainder of your life and is diagnosed through a careful evaluation of symptoms and a physical examination.

Arthritis is one of the most rapidly growing chronic diseases in North America and is a major cause of lost work time and serious disability for many people. It is not just an old person’s problem. The two most common kinds are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS: Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that happens when the body’s own immune system mistakenly attacks the synovium (cell lining inside the joint). It seems to have been described in paintings more than a century before the first detailed medical description of the condition in 1800 by Landre-Beauvais. The disease can be hard to diagnose early because it can begin gradually with subtle signs. Rheumatoid arthritis often starts in middle age and is most common in older people.

TREATMENT: Treatment choices include medications, reduction of joint stress, physical and occupational therapy, and surgical intervention. Treatment decisions require carefully considering the risks versus benefits.

Treating rheumatoid arthritis may involve: Lifestyle changes, Medicine, Surgery, Regular doctor visits as well as Alternative therapies. The goal of treatment in this chronic disease must be two-fold: to alleviate the suffering of the patient here and now, and to prevent the future destruction of the joints and resulting handicap if the disease is left unchecked.

RISK: The risk of first developing the condition (the disease incidence) appears to be greatest for women between 40 and 50 years of age, and for men somewhat later. It is important to understand that people with rheumatoid arthritis have a higher risk of developing lymphoma as a consequence of their autoimmune disease, independently from any potential drug effects.

It is important to note that rheumatoid arthritis itself is a risk factor for non-Hodgkins lymphomas. A modest increase in the risk of serious infection was observed in rheumatoid arthritis patients in clinical trials treated with anakinra in combination with DMARDS and other TNF inhibitors, compared to a placebo with DMARDs (2 % vs 1%).

CONCLUSION: Arthritis is a term that groups together over one hundred rheumatic diseases and other related conditions that cause stiffness, swelling and pain in the joints of the body. It is exploding in an aging American population and is one of the most rapidly growing chronic conditions in North America. Arthritis is a chronic disease that will be with you for a long time and potentially for the rest of your life.

About the Author:

Menopause: It’s A Natural Process - NOT A Disease!

Wednesday, June 24th, 2009
by Richard H Ealom

INTRODUCTION: Menopause is the point in a woman’s life when menstruation ceases permanently, signifying the end of her ability to have children and is diagnosed when a woman has gone without a period for twelve consecutive months. It is considered premature if it occurs prior to the age of 40, or artificial if radiation exposure, chemotherapeutic drugs, or surgery induces it. Menopause is something that happens to all women as they grow older.

HOT FLASHES: Hot flashes are perhaps the most troublesome symptom associated with approaching menopause and are experienced by a majority of women during the transition period (no pun intended). An ancient Chinese therapy offers some menopausal women another option for their hot flashes.

For others however, the decreasing levels of estrogen associated with menopause may cause more distressing symptoms that include: Mood swings - Decreased sex drive - Hot flashes - Sweating - Racing heart (palpitations) - Headaches - Vaginal dryness and soreness - Trouble sleeping and Bone thinning (osteoporosis). These symptoms can last from a few months to up to 10 years.

HORMONES: Known as the “change of life”, It is the last stage of a gradual biological process in which the ovaries reduce their production of female sex hormones–a process which begins about 3 to 5 years before the final menstrual period. When you are in your mid-30’s, your ovaries begin to change how much estrogen and progesterone (two female hormones) they make.

During this period, called perimenopause, which can last anywhere from five to fifteen years, the brain continues to send out hormones trying to stimulate the development of ovarian follicles, and it is normal for a woman’s ovaries to respond erratically, so that her hormones fluctuate a great deal from month to month. It continues to produce hormones even after ovulation stops, producing some estrogen and also androgens (male hormones) including testosterone.

To best understand what occurs at menopause, it is helpful to know about the physiology of menstruation and the hormones that are involved in your monthly cycle. Shifts in hormones are a major contributor to that sense of physical, mental, and emotional imbalance that may characterize a woman’s experience of menopause.

A lot of women discover that the right combination of herbs, exercise, nutritional support, and natural hormones helps them to control most of their symptoms. Eventually your ovaries stop creating estrogen and other hormones.

CANCER: Your chances for heart disease, cancer, and bone thinning (osteoporosis) rise after menopause. You should be checked regularly for colon, rectal and skin cancer. If you have a family history of breast cancer, check with your physician about your risk. If you have a uterus and decide to take estrogen, you need to also take progesterone to prevent endometrial cancer (cancer of the lining of the uterus).

“There’s been much experimental evidence and patient experience showing estrogen given alone can cause endometrial cancer,” says FDA’s Smith. Endometrial cancer is not the only risk from estrogen use. It is not understood whether estrogen use increases the risk of breast cancer, or what effect adding progestin might have on this risk. In recent years, several studies on breast cancer and estrogen use have been carried out, with conflicting results, says Smith.

TREATMENT: Menopause has become increasingly medicalized, which means it is viewed as something that requires intervention and treatment rather than as a natural life transition that may benefit from support. You don’t need treatment for it unless your symptoms bother you. Be sure to talk to your doctor about your possible health risks before you start a treatment for menopausal symptoms.

There are also “natural” treatments for the symptoms that can be bought over-the-counter, without a prescription. You can begin or end the treatment at any time.

CONCLUSION: Menopause is a natural process and not a disease. It is a normal part of life just like puberty. Part of the stigma is its association with aging, but we age no more rapidly in our 50s than in any other decade of life. In the United States, the average age is 51, with most women usually reaching natural menopause somewhere between 40 and 58 years of age. If you’ve never been an exerciser, it is a great excuse to make the change.

About the Author:

A Word on Genital Herpes Treatments

Wednesday, June 24th, 2009
by Sandra Griggs

Finding genital herpes treatments can be very tricky because in some people suffering from herpes, there is absence of symptoms. However, in other patients genital herpes treatments require immediate attention because of potential health complications.

In severe cases, genital herpes treatments are needed right away because some of symptoms such as blisters or sores have the tendency to spread to other parts of the body. The herpes virus can thrive in the mucus and can infect any part of the body where there is mucus.

“Herpetic whitlow,” which are sores located in the hands or fingers that can spread in various areas in the body through skin contact. For effective genital herpes treatments, you need to wear gloves on your hands or fingers.

“Ocular herpes” or “herpes keratitis” is a condition that takes place when the HSV virus has managed to infect the eyes. You need to find genital herpes treatments because this condition could lead to blindness.

It is not odd for a woman experiencing genital herpes outbreaks to suffer from vaginal yeast infections as well. Bear in mind that genital herpes is not a side effect of vaginal yeast infections but it is just incidental that they occur at the same time. When looking for genital herpes treatments, remember that outbreaks does not make you subject to vaginal yeast infections and vice versa.

In some patients, the herpes virus can penetrate into the cerebrospinal fluid and other tissues within the brain. If this happens, genital herpes treatments should also focus on curing meningitis or encephalitis. These conditions are extremely risky and life threatening.

Since genital herpes treatments are aimed towards the immune system, any compromise to it can make the internal organs prone to damage. It is likely to experience complications in the joints, liver, and lung. The same holds true for those who are having cancer, diabetes, HIV, or people undergoing chemotherapy.

There is no problem when it comes to finding genital herpes treatments because there are several methods available. You need to be educated and honest with your condition. Genital herpes treatments are easy to find due to a wide range of sources available.

About the Author: