Medicine Blog

A bill continues to languish in Congress which was designed to resolve many thousands of asbestos related lawsuits, leaving many waiting for a just resolution as they continue to endure their painfull illness without compensation.

According to a study released in September 2004 by the American Thoracic Society (ATS), asbestos continues to be a hazard for more than a million American workers in the construction industry and those involved in buildings and equipment maintenance. The study also warns of new products that may contain asbestos,These products may include: brake pads, roofing materials,  and imported cement pipe and cement sheeting that could expose workers to an increased risk of asbestos related cancer.

Although government researchers are reporting a new rush of asbestos related claims, which is expected to continue over the next 20 years, it was believed when the legislation was first introduced in 2000 that the vast majority of asbestos related cancer claims were over, and the legislation was designed to take care of the thousands of remaining cases which were clogging up the courts.

But for many of the asbestos related cancer victims, the fact that the legislation continues to be held up has  meant many patients have been unable to collect damages owed they are certainly entitled to before death takes its toll.  The proposed legislation makes available, to the victims of asbestos related disease, a “trust fund” to take care of the needs of those suffering from mesothelioma and other asbestos related diseases. This legislation would eliminate companies from being sued and unclog courts of tens of thousands of new asbestos claims.

Though a compromise is on the table between the Republican and Democratic Senate leaders on the size of the asbestos fund of $140 billion, there is a lot of dispute and argument that a large number of people with asbestos cancer and other serious asbestos illnesses will be left out.  $140 billon dollars, they say, is insufficient to cover the rush of Americans expected to develop asbestos related disease over the next several decades.

There’s good news for people at risk for limb amputation due to complications from diabetes: A new laser procedure has been shown to be highly successful in “salvaging” limbs, thus providing a new alternative in the fight against amputation.

More than 1 million people in the U.S. suffer from critical limb ischemia (CLI), the most severe form of peripheral arterial disease (PAD)-a common condition in people with diabetes. CLI is the progressive accumulation of plaque and thrombus in the arteries of the leg, resulting in obstruction of blood flow. Left untreated, the condition can lead to pain, foot ulcers and limb loss. An estimated 160,000 amputations are performed in the U.S. each year, directly stemming from CLI-and many of them are preventable.

CLiRpath (Cool Laser Revascularization for Peripheral Artery Therapy) uses a “cool” excimer laser to treat arterial blockages common in CLI. The laser catheter is fed down patients’ leg arteries to the blockage that is causing their wounds and pain. CLiRpath vaporizes the blockage, allowing blood flow to resume, which may increase the chances that wounds can heal, limbs can be saved and patients’ psychological and physical well-being can be improved.

“CLiRpath is less intrusive and requires less recovery time than bypass surgery, and may provide CLI patients an alternative to amputation. While CLiRpath is not a cure for CLI, the therapy provides a minimally invasive treatment option for a potentially deadly condition,” said Dr. Craig Walker, an interventional cardiologist with the Cardiovascular Institute of the South, and a pioneer in developing and performing this advanced treatment.

CLiRpath, developed by Spectranetics Corp., is a critical breakthrough in helping prevent amputation. The procedure resulted in a 95 percent limb salvage rate for patients surviving to six months in a clinical trial, the LACI CTRO Registry.

Other Options

Conventional nonlaser treatments for blocked arteries include angioplasty, bypass surgery and medication. Angioplasty on its own is sometimes inadequate as a stand-alone treatment. In those cases, several techniques might be utilized, including excimer laser and rotational atherectomy. Your physician will make decisions on which is most appropriate.

A unique, interactive exhibit is traveling to 12 cities nationwide to educate health-conscious and at-risk people about cancers from the top of the body to the bottom – skin, oral, breast, prostate, lung and colorectal.

The Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation’s Check Your Insides Out – From Top to Bottom exhibit features six hands-on, family-friendly learning stations that enable visitors to:

Learn about the effects of sun exposure and the damage it can do to skin.

Walk through a gigantic, 20-foot-long, 8-foot-high colon to see healthy colon tissue and the various stages of colorectal cancer.

Listen to lungs “talk” about lung cancer facts.

Check out the inside of a large mouth to get the scoop on oral cancer prevention.

Learn early detection tips for prostate cancer.

Test knowledge of breast cancer and increase awareness of the facts.

“No matter your age, you should know the risk factors and symptoms for all types of cancer and know your family medical history,” said Carolyn Aldige, president and founder of the Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation. “The Check Your Insides Out – From Top to Bottom Tour educates adults, students and children alike about cancer prevention, risks, early detection and treatment through an interactive format. It even helps visitors outline their family history.”

The Tour will be traveling across America until February 2005. To find out if it is coming to a town near you, visit CheckYourInsidesOut.org.

The Check Your Insides Out – From Top to Bottom Tour is sponsored by the Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation and made possible by Bristol Myers-Squibb Co. and ImClone Systems Incorporated.

The Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation was started in 1985 when Aldige first understood the power of prevention to defeat cancer and recognized that too few of the country’s resources were used to promote cancer prevention research or education.

The fact is there are 5 diseases that are fatal to humans, the first one is heart attack, the second is cancer, then stroke, lung disease and last but moving up fast in the list is diabetes. The fatal five share two common elements, Free-radicals and inflammation. Free-radicals are molecules or atoms that are missing an electron, the free-radicals attack any healthy cells they come in contact with and steal an electron causing damage to the cell membrane. Inflammation is a process that is intended to help our body heal but in the case of disease, free-radicals cause deformities or mutations in the cells, the inflammation can not repair the damage so it actually begins to feed the now deformed or mutated cells. Let us take a closer look at all five of these fatal diseases.

Clots in the arteries cause 80% of all heart attacks and 83% of all strokes. The most common cause is a condition called Atherosclerosis or “hardening of the arteries”. This is were a build up of plaque which has a hard surface inside your artery has cracked and the platelets that are designed to clot in order to protect us from bleeding to death, end up clotting over the crack and cause a complete blockage of blood flow. In the case of heart attack the blockage is near the heart and in the case of stroke the blockage cuts off the supply of blood to the brain. When it comes to heart disease, the free-radicals attack cholesterol cells in the blood supply deforming them which in turn makes them sticky; now you have bad LDL which collects and sticks to the artery walls. Inflammation dose not play a major roll in heart attacks and stoke but scientists are calling chronic inflammation a silent killer in a vast majority of diseases and illnesses.

An estimated 570,280 people died, due to cancer in the year 2005. It seems that the overall death rate is on the decline for some types of cancers, but there are others on the rise, such as esophageal, liver and thyroid cancers. ALL cancers are caused by free-radicals damaging our DNA.  DNA holds the blue print for each cell that it creates.  This blue print is who you are; when the free-radicals attack the DNA the blue print becomes mutated and when the new cell is produced with this new blue print you have a cancer cell.  You do not have cancer until the inflammation process begins; inflammation is the bodies’ defense against illness or injury. Inflammation tries to destroy the cells that it dose not recognize as being you, the inflammation loses this fight yet our bodies keep sending more, causing chronic inflammation. At this point the cancer cells start to feed on the inflammation cells and cancer growth begins.

More than 35 million Americans have chronic lung diseases. Every year over 349,000 people die from lung disease – a death rate of 121.4 per 100,000. The lungs are far more complex than other organs in the body. The lungs have various minor rolls to play and three major ones; they are defenders of intruders, they remove waste and toxins from the blood, and their main purpose is to supply oxygen to the blood. There are more than three dozen different types of cells inside the lungs and they all have very specific tasks to accomplish. Our lungs are constantly battling with the outside world with each breath we take. If the lung function is impaired in anyway – you may have a potentially fatal lung disease. Lung diseases such as asthma, bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cystic fibrosis (CF), pneumonia, sarcoidosis, and many more can be fatal. In the case of lung diseases, free-radicals are coming in from the outside world in all forms of pollution; this creates inflammation which causes the obstruction of air flow.

Millions of Americans have type 2 diabetes; millions more have it and are not yet aware of it. Diabetes is the inability to use the sugar called glucose. Glucose is created when the body breaks down food for energy. The hormone insulin opens up the bodies’ cells to allow glucose to enter into the cell and be used as fuel. In diabetes the cell never opens up and the glucose flows through the blood stream causing high blood sugar levels. With diabetes the body either dose not make enough insulin or is resistant to its own natural insulin. High blood sugar can lead to very serious complications such as heart disease, kidney and eye disease and other problems like nerve damage and death. Heart disease is the leading cause of premature death in people with diabetes. Diabetes is the major cause of leg and foot amputations in Americans today. Infections are much harder to control in people with diabetes, they are at greater risk of complications and death due to infection. The number one risk for type two diabetes is too much body fat! Diabetes is on the rise; Americans are eating poorly and are lacking physical activity. Free-radicals are very active in a person with diabetes, attacking a number of cells because diabetes causes an abnormal immune function. Free-radicals are the reason you see so many different complications or side illnesses in this disease. Chronic inflammation is also a major player with this disease and in the side illnesses. All of the above diseases need medications to help regulate the disease but you need to know this, medications cause free-radical damage, and this damage is called side effects. All medications can cause side effects.

Lets take a look at free-radicals and inflammation and how they act.

If you have a room with ten 2 year old children; they only have one toy in the room; can you imagine the mayhem; nine children trying to steal the toy from one child. Do you think that one child has a chance? This is what free-radicals do to a cell. Now you have the parents come into the room and try to comfort the children who are without toys. The children are crying and throwing fits and are impossible to calm down, you’ll do anything, usually offer them cookies or some other sweet treat. This is only a momentary fix; you would have to keep feeding them to keep them calm. This is inflammation. But if you have ten more children enter the room all with an extra toy to share with the others; it becomes peaceful and everyone is happy. This is what anti-oxidants do.

You have the power to take your health into your own hands and put a stop to the damage now. Anti-oxidants help the body fight against free-radicals, anti-oxidants are a molecule or atom that has an extra electron. It gives this extra electron away and in turn the free-radical stops attacking healthy cells. Science has proven that ALL diseases and illnesses are caused by free-radical damage. There are risk factors for all diseases but free-radicals are the source and cause of major complications. Free-radicals can not be avoided; they are in air and water pollution, in the junk foods we eat, and caused by traumas and injuries. Free-radicals are a part of life; they even affect the aging process itself.

Anti-oxidants are essential for health, plants contain about 1,000 to 1,500 anti-oxidants, a diet of fruits and vegetables is essential, supplements are key, vitamins and minerals contain high numbers of anti-oxidants. You need to do some research and try to find fresh supplements; they tend to lose their potency the longer they sit on the self. There are also super charged, super powerful anti-oxidants in nature called Xanthones. Xanthones have the power to defeat a larger number of free-radicals at one time, due to strong carbon bonds that make the molecule stable. Each Xanthone performs a specific biological function inside the body unlike regular anti-oxidants.

Universities and scientists have been studying Xanthones for years, 200 have been identified in nature to date. The Aloe Vera plant contains one Xanthone. The Mangosteen Fruit contains 41 Xanthones. The Mangosteen fruit also contains 25,000 anti-oxidants. How can that help your health? The Mangosteen fruit has the highest number of anti-oxidants and Xanthones ever found in one source it also has been studied and papers published on (pub med at dot gov); you can type in Mangosteen and read the study findings, or you can call 1-888-374-4148 and listen to a recorded message about the powerful medicinal properties of Xanthones.

It is sad that most people save for retirement their entire adult life without realizing that possible future medical expenses can destroy any plans that they may have. By understanding your health requirements and the part that nutrition plays in that, you can greatly improve your quality of life into your retirement years.

Some wearers of contact lenses  may be tempted to save money by taking hygienic shortcuts when it comes to keeping their contacts clean.  Instead of buying cleansing solution for their lenses, they may decide to rinse them with plain water or even attempt to use a homemade solution.  While a few dollars may be saved by taking this nonchalant approach to cleaning the contacts lenses, the possible harmful consequences far outweigh the financial benefits of adopting a do-it-yourself mentality.

The problem with homemade concoctions is that these will lack anti-bacterial efficacy – harmful bacteria will continue run rampant on contact lenses and can cause serious medical complications if the eyes become infected.

A corneal ulcer is an open sore  or non-penetrating erosion in the transparent area at the front of the eyeball – the cornea – and is associated with infections caused by bacteria.  This is exactly the kind of bacteria that freely grows on contact lenses when homemade solutions are substituted for commercial cleansing solutions.  Corneal ulcers can also be precipitated by wearing soft contact lenses overnight.

Those who attempt to use their own homemade cleaning solutions also run the risk of contracting Acanthamoeba keratitis,  Acanthamoeba is a water-borne, microscopic parasite that can wreck havoc  in the form of an infection when it invades the cornea.  While using homemade solutions are often the cause, swimming  in lakes and swimming pools while wearing contacts can also trigger the condition.

The symptoms that accompany this infection are intense pain and redness, and those afflicted with the infection are often hospitalized.  If corneal scarring results, a cornea transplant may be necessary.  Treatment and therapy may last a year or more, and sometimes severe vision lost can be the outcome of a bout with Acanthamoeba keratitis.

It’s crucial to remember that  accessories like the lens cases for contact lenses must also be kept clean in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.  These instructions will specify what cleansing solution to use or may even specify that the use of hot tap water to clean the lens case is permissible.  A case that isn’t properly cleaned can be a breeding ground for bacteria in the same way that improperly cleansed contact lenses can be.  Eyecare professionals suggest discarding cases every three months or so and replacing them with new ones.

The good news is that the risk of contracting Acanthamoeba keratitis can be minimized by adopting these simple measures:

Avoid the use of homemade cleansing solutions

Make sure you use commercial cleansing solutions

Msure you clean the cases for your contacts; discard and replace the cases every three or four months

Be aware that sometimes wearing soft contact lenses overnight can cause infections  for some people

Be aware of all factors that may cause infections and medical complications, such as wearing contacts while swimming in lakes, pools or the ocean

Don’t allow destructive bacterial to build up on your contact lenses and in your cases.  Eye-damaging conditions like A keratitis  can be held at bay by following a simple set of hygeinic procedures that will help to ensure that your eyes stay healhly and infection free.

Meningitis-the mere thought of an outbreak of this life-threatening disease can cause panic in a community. However, knowing the signs and symptoms of meningitis and acting quickly to get medical attention could save your life.

Meningitis is an illness in which there is swelling of the meninges, the tissues that cover the brain and spinal cord. Viral or “aseptic” meningitis, which is the most common type, is caused by an infection with one of several types of viruses. In the United States, there are between 25,000 and 50,000 hospitalizations due to viral or “aseptic” meningitis each year.

“About 90 percent of the cases of viral meningitis are caused by a group of viruses known as ‘enteroviruses’ and are spread through sneezing or close contact with an infected person,” said Robert Breckenridge, M.D., FCAP of MAWD Pathology Group, Inc. in Kansas City, Mo. “While viral meningitis is serious, it is rarely fatal in persons with normal immune systems.”

Bacterial meningitis-meningococcal disease-is rare and much more serious than viral meningitis. In fact, it can be life-threatening if it is not treated early. Nearly 2,600 people in the United States get bacterial meningitis each year, and about 10 to 20 percent of them die. Lack of treatment for bacterial meningitis can result in brain damage, hearing loss, learning disabilities or death.

Both types of meningitis are diagnosed by pathologists – physicians who examine fluids and tissues to diagnose diseases. They can determine through a spinal tap, also known as a lumbar puncture, whether a patient’s spinal fluid indicates meningitis.

“Anyone at any age can get the disease,” said Dr. Breckenridge. “However, those at highest risk are infants; young people between the ages of 11 to 19; college students, who live in dormitories; refugees; military recruits; and people with weak immune systems.”

Some of the main symptoms of meningitis are a severe headache and stiff neck. In babies, the symptoms are not easy to identify, but may include fever, irritability, listlessness or refusal to eat.

“In many instances, the symptoms of viral meningitis and bacterial meningitis are the same. For this reason, if you think you or your child has meningitis, you should go to a hospital emergency room immediately,” said Dr. Breckenridge. “Early diagnosis and prompt treatment can save a person’s life.”

Currently, there is no specific treatment for viral meningitis. Most people fully recover on their own with bed rest, plenty of fluids and pain medication. However, those infected with bacterial meningitis need medical attention immediately and are usually treated with antibiotics.

“Exercising good personal hygiene-such as hand washing or sneezing into your sleeve rather than your hand-can help reduce your chances of becoming infected or spreading the disease,” said Dr. Breckenridge.

In the United States, an estimated 1.5 million Americans are afflicted with Parkinson’s disease (PD), with more than 60,000 new cases diagnosed each year. While the condition usually develops after the age of 65, 40 percent of people diagnosed are under age 60. Parkinson’s disease is a chronic, progressive disorder of the central nervous system that belongs to a group of conditions called motor system disorders. It affects nearly equal numbers of men and women, with no obvious social, ethnic, economic or geographic boundaries. There presently is no cure for the disease, and the cause is unknown.

Levodopa/carbidopa is commonly used early in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease, but as the disease progresses it becomes increasingly difficult to adequately control symptoms with this medication. In fact, Parkinson’s disease patients may experience many hours during the day in which their symptoms return as a result of medication wearing off. This wearing off is known as “off” time.

The good news is that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Zelapar (selegiline HCl) Orally Disintegrating Tablets, a once-daily adjunct therapy for Parkinson’s disease patients being treated with levodopa/carbidopa who exhibit deterioration in the quality of their response to this therapy. Utilizing a unique orally dissolving drug delivery system, Zelapar has been shown to reduce “off” time, on average, by more than two hours per day.

Marketed by Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Zelapar is a selective and irreversible monoamine oxidase type-B (MAO-B) inhibitor and is the first Parkinson’s disease treatment to use a novel delivery system called Zydis Technology, which allows the oral tablets to dissolve within seconds in the mouth and deliver more active drug at a lower dose.

“Many people with Parkinson’s disease are not adequately controlled on their current treatments,” said Cheryl Waters, M.D., F.R.C.P. (C), Albert B. and Judith L. Glickman professor, Department of Neurology, Columbia University. “The unique formulation of Zelapar allows the orally disintegrating tablets to dissolve within seconds. By delivering more active drug at a lower dose, Zelapar significantly reduces ‘off’ time, giving valuable hours back to the patient.”

A new medication is providing increased benefit for Parkinson’s disease patients-helping reduce “off” time, when symptoms are not adequately controlled.

Note to Editors: Important Safety Information

Zelapar is contraindicated in patients with a known hypersensitivity to any formulation of selegiline or any of the inactive ingredients of Zelapar. Serious, sometimes fatal reactions have been precipitated with the concomitant use of meperidine (e.g. Demerol and other tradenames) and MAO inhibitors including selective MAO-B inhibitors. These reactions have been characterized by coma, severe hypertension or hypotension, severe respiratory depression, convulsions, malignant hyperpyrexia, excitation, peripheral vascular collapse and death. In addition, the combination of MAO inhibitors and dextromethorphan has been reported to cause brief episodes of psychosis or bizarre behavior. Severe toxicity has also been reported in patients receiving the combination of tricyclic antidepressants and conventional selegiline and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and conventional selegiline. Zelapar should not be administered along with other selegiline products.

Zelapar may potentiate the dopaminergic side effects of levodopa and may cause or worsen preexisting dyskinesia. Decreasing the dose of levodopa may improve this side effect.

5.2 percent of patients discontinued Zelapar therapy due to adverse events (vs. one percent with placebo). The most common adverse events reported by patients treated with Zelapar were comparable to placebo, and included: nausea (11%), dizziness (11%), pain (8%), headache (7%), insomnia (7%), rhinitis (7%), dyskinesia (6%), skin disorders (6%), stomatitis (5%), back pain (5%) and dyspepsia (5%). Zelapar should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit to the mother justifies the potential risk to the fetus.

Frequently, the interaction between illness and treatment is described as a battle or a war.  If we hold with that analogy, then cancer can best be described as a civil war.  A cancerous cell operates as if it believes that martial law has been declared in the body.  Sadly, because we cling to this confrontational mindset, healing cancer becomes very difficult.

The term cancer actually describes a vast number of different conditions, all resulting from the same basic problem: there is a malfunction with the instructions held within the DNA of a cell.

The natural process of life ensures that a large portion of our cells are replaced as they wear out.  According to many estimates, ninety-nine percent of our cells are different today than they were last year.  Many of these cells are simply duplications of previous cells, which are constantly dividing.

This duplication is what allows us to live as long as we do, as damaged and worn out cells are replaced with new and healthy cells.  When something goes wrong with the duplication process, however, it has the opposite effect.

The fact that this problem even exists is actually incredible in its own way, because DNA contain enzymes to repair damaged DNA.  These enzymes are designed to proofread the instructions in cells to prevent incorrect copying, remove damaged portions and insert correct replacements and generally ensure that the cells don’t go haywire.

So, when a cell manages to get around the built in protection enzymes, the cell can quickly become lethal.  The damaged portion of the instructions tells the cell to divide endlessly.  Every duplicate cell has the same damaged instructions and divides endlessly, which can quickly become a problem, and makes healing cancer

difficult.

The current mindset of Western medicine is to heal cancer as if it is a foreign invader, coming into the body and wreaking havoc.  Because cancer is a part of our body, gone awry, this mindset has not been very successful.

Traditional cancer treatments, especially radiation and chemotherapy, are poisonous to cancer cells…which are like our healthy cells, only haywire…so they are also poisonous to our healthy cells.  In effect, the traditional treatments for

healing cancer count on the fact that they will poison and kill the cancer cells before they poison and kill the rest of the patient.

Healing cancer can only occur by accepting the fact that those cells are a part of us, embracing those cells and looking to heal them, not destroy them.  It isn’t possible to destroy cancerous cells without also killing healthy cells.

An amazing variety of alternative treatments exist, although it isn’t likely that you’ll hear much about it from your doctor.  This isn’t necessarily because your doctor is anti-alternative medicine, or part of a vast health care conspiracy: it’s highly possible that your doctor just isn’t well versed in the options available to you.You need to take the responsibility for your own care and look into the highly-effective, non-toxic, alternative therapies for healing cancer that are available to you.

Visit www.alternative-health-ebooks.com for more information and free articles. This article is available for reprint for your website and newsletter, provided that you maintain its copyright integrity and include the signature tag.

There are so many infections that are caused by Candida, especially the species Candida Albicans, in various parts of the body.

Moniliasis or Oral Thrush

This type of oral infection usually occurs when there is an overproduction of Candida Albicans. It is also common among denture wearers and occurs to both very young and elderly who are recovering from disease or have an immune system problem. Likewise, people who are experiencing dry mouth syndrome are also prone to having Candidiasis.

Candida may be triggered by antibiotic treatment, which decreases normal bacteria in the mouth. Good oral hygiene is encouraged to prevent Candidiasis. Dentures should also be removed especially before going to bed. There are saliva substitutes as well as prescribed medications that may be used to treat some severe case of oral thrush.

Intertrigo

This is an infection that occurs in the folds of skin, most commonly seen on overweight individuals. Redness and moisture in the skin fold are also observed. Small pustules appear around raised areas of inflamed skin and are usually filled with pus or papules around the main area of redness. Likewise, peeling, itching and swelling are also experienced.

Vulvovaginitis

This is one of the most common Candida infections, found mostly in women. The symptoms include swelling and itching of the vagina along with a thick, cream or white discharge. There is also pain during intercourse. There is an observed redness with rashes that oftentimes extends to the groin area. Vulvovaginitis is dominant among pregnant women and recurs frequently in women who are using birth control pills.

Men can also suffer from vulvovaginitis and this is indicated by inflammation that can be seen on the head of the penis. There can be swelling, and also small red papules or pustules, and often a burning sensation after sexual activity.

Diaper Candidiasis

This is the type of infection that is commonly seen in babies due to diaper rashes. However it should not be assumed that all diaper rashes are due to Candida. There are signs and symptoms such as small fragile pustules that are often dry and usually peel. In addition, this infection is accompanied by firm reddish nodules of 1 to 2cm on the vulva or the buttocks. There is also nodular granulomatous Candida or granulomatous gluteale infantum. This infection usually clears over time.

Paronychia

This is an example of a Candida infection that occurs on the nails. People who contract these types of infections generally have their hands in water or handle food on a regular basis as food encourages the growth of yeast on hands. The areas around the nails are usually swollen without the cuticles. There is also postural discharge that results to nail discoloration and often times caused the removal of the nail base. This is also called lateral onycholysis.

Chronic Mucocutaneous Candidiasis

This is an example of a recurrent Candida infection that does not respond to medical treatments. This is the type of infection is visible in the mouth and on the skin. It can be observed on infants and children. It is identified by persistent oral rashes that may be hypertrophic and produce thick plaque in the mouth.

Chronic paronychia is manifested by redness around the nail folds. This infection is usually a genetic condition that is either recessive or dominant. It also may cause endocrine disorders such as hypothyroidism or hypoparathyroidism.

If you suspect you are suffering with Candida, you should consult your primary care physician.

The true causes of Alzheimer’s disease remain elusive. However, researchers have made progress in understanding the neurological roots of this debilitating condition.

The disease is named after Alois Alzheimer, who was the first to identify the peculiar plaques and tangles in the brain, which is characteristic of the illness. Till the final decades of the twentieth century, Alzheimer’s could be diagnosed accurately only by a post-mortem examination.

Nowadays, scientists are beginning to uncover precisely what is happening and why those characteristic tangles and plaques crop up in the brain.

Many of the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease are caused by neurofibrillary tangles in the brain. Microscopic filaments clog the neurons. These filaments are made up of an abnormal kind of Tau protein.

In a normal brain, Tau protein bonds into microtubules and enables transmission of messages from one neuron to another. But in an Alzheimer brain, instead of bonding into message pathways, Tau protein bonds with itself. And the neuron messages go nowhere.

Since the neurons are clogged, signals from the environment are no longer transmitted the way they should be. That is why severe cognitive impairment is one of the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.

Scientists speculate that Tau protein malfunction which results in neurofibrillary tangles is caused by beta amyloid protein, but this is yet to be conclusively proved.

It is beta amyloid protein that causes plaques between neurons, which is the other main damage to the brain in Alzheimer’s disease.

The plaque deposits are sticky patches in the brain which contain beta amyloid protein. Plaque blocks communication pathways between neurons, which results in the memory problems and learning inabilities associated with Alzheimer’s disease.

The degree of cognitive impairment depends on the amount of plaque present. Plaque acts by interfering with the normal functioning of acetylcholine, which helps to transmit nerve messages.

Treatment for Alzheimer’s disease involves using acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, which works by blocking enzymes that consume the acetylcholine. This medication is effective during the early stages of the disease before too much plaque has already built up.

Some research seems to indicate that plaques cause tangles. One study took proteins from mice to eliminate the plaque-causing beta amyloid. They found that the proteins got rid of the tangles as well. Similar effects have been brought about by other medications as well.

Others believe that both plaques and tangles are the result of other processes. One possible culprit is swollen axons. Axons are critical for transmitting messages between neurons. When axons swell, they may block message transmission and perhaps lead to the plaques and tangles which bring on Alzheimer’s disease.

Scientists are working hard at uncovering the causes of Alzheimer’s disease, which may sooner or later lead to a comprehensive cure for this dreaded condition.

The term “Arthritis” refers to more than 100 different types of diseases which all cause pain, stiffness, and inflammation in the joints of affected people. All arthritis conditions involve some form of joint pain or the other. However, the seriousness of the joint pain, the duration of the joint pain and degree of the joint pain vary from one type of arthritis to another.

The two most prevalent types of arthritis include Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, in which joint cartilage is destroyed. In other cases of Osteoarthritis, the patient experiences bony outgrowth, also known as bone spurs and also lose of cartilage particles.

Osteoarthritis affects mostly aged people, from 55 years and older. That is why most people say it is an ‘aged disease’ of the joints. Osteoarthritis is mostly common in the hands, feet, spine, hips and knees of victims.

In rheumatoid arthritis, the patient experiences white blood cells in the synovial membrane dividing, growing and multiplying. These produce inflammation of the joint capsule and synovial membrane, loss of space in the synovial cavity, pain and stiffness in the joint. If there is no arthritis relief and treatment, this may lead to cartilage destruction.

Apart from these types of arthritis, another type of arthritis that commonly affects people is “Inflammatory Arthritis”. This type of arthritis causes very severe inflammation in the joints and the tendons of the victims.

This is mostly characterized by the swelling and inflammation of the synovial membrane – thereby causing severe pain and stiffness in the joints of the victims. Inflammatory arthritis makes the joint look red and warm when touched. Arthritis relief for victims is necessary to reduce the pain.

Arthritis relief is therefore very important, especially in a country like the United States where Arthritis is the number one cause of physical disability. There are an estimated total number of 43 million Americans – 16 percent of the population, suffering from one form of arthritis or the other.

It is not only adults who need arthritis relief, but also children. In the United States, about 300,000 children suffer from one type of arthritis related disease or another. Children, being very susceptible to pain, need arthritis relief and treatment more than ever before. Unlike adults who can endure joint pains to a great degree, children cannot and therefore need arthritis relief as soon as the problem starts.

What is acid reflux though?

It is the liquid in the stomach regurgitating into the oesophagus (gullet). Much of this liquid is acid produced in the stomach which is harmful to the walls of the oesophagus. Reflux happens to most people but because we spend much of our time upright, gravity ensures that the liquid returns to the stomach unnoticed. In addition, we swallow frequently which again returns regurgitated liquid to the stomach and saliva contains bicarbonate which helps to neutralise the acid in the stomach liquid.

It doesn’t do to ignore repeated instances of painful indigestion though, as it could be symptomatic of something much more serious. That refluxing acid can cause lasting damage to the lining of the oesophagus, which, if left untreated, can lead to other conditions.

A friend relates that when she was a child, her father was always chewing on Rennies, a well known antacid in the UK. He used to say that a good belch would cure the indigestion. It later turned out that he had a stomach ulcer. Despite that, when my friend, in turn, started suffering from frequent indigestion, she too chewed on the Rennies and went about her business.

Eventually, she realised that the extent of the indigestion couldn’t be normal so she consulted her doctor who referred her to a specialist for an endoscopy.

An endoscopy is a procedure whereby an endoscope, a thin, lighted tube, is inserted down the throat. The endoscope transmits images of the oesophagus, stomach, and duodenum, enabling the specialist to identify problem areas and, if necessary, obtain biopsies. The endoscope is usually inserted while the patient is under sedation thus avoiding the gagging reflex.

To return to my friend, a hiatus hernia was diagnosed. A hiatus hernia occurs when the upper part of the stomach pushes through the opening in the diaphragm where the oesophagus connects with the stomach, allowing the acid from the stomach to reflux. Fortunately, this was a small hiatus hernia, which could be easily treated with a course of medication.

A couple of years went by with only minor instances of indigestion, then my friend started to experience occasional bouts of very severe heartburn and sickness which she treated with the usual array of antacid preparations. Suddenly, one day she woke up with a severe pain in her lower stomach which didn’t respond to the usual remedies and in any event, didn’t resemble any of the normal symptoms of acid reflux.

A visit to the doctor and my friend found herself hospitalised for tests which revealed that the original small hiatus hernia was larger and bleeding and had lead to gastritis (inflammation of the stomach lining) and duodenitis (inflammation of the duodenum), both caused by an infection with the Helicobacter pylori bacteria. This bacteria is extremely common, thought to infect 70% of the world’s population, although most people do not display any symptoms of the infection.

The moral of this story is “Don’t ignore persistent acid reflux, it may be much more that just indigestion”.

Watch out for my next article on the treatment of acid reflux.

Fibromyalgia symptoms can become very serious if they are not appropriately dealt with. Many people confronted with the disorder experience an intensification of fibromyalgia symptoms over time. In most patients, the fibromyalgia symptoms also tend to spread throughout the entire body.

Fibromyalgia is a neurological condition that affects the musculoskeletal soft tissues such as muscles, tendons and ligaments.  The majority of people with fibromyalgia feel an intense muscular pain and discomfort, also accompanied by a pronounced level of fatigue throughout the whole body. At first, the muscular pain and fatigue usually occur in the upper parts of the body (neck, cervical region, upper back and shoulders), later spreading into other body regions (mid-back, arms, spine, lower back and thighs).

Other fibromyalgia symptoms are unrefreshing sleep or insomnia, physical weakness, poor ability of sustaining physical or mental effort, increased nervous excitability, migraines, short-term memory loss, poor concentration, anxiety, depression and confusion. Patients that are constantly confronted with fibromyalgia symptoms become depressed and have low self-esteem.

In many cases, most fibromyalgia symptoms are misleading in establishing an appropriate diagnose. They are difficult to relate with fibromyalgia, as they also occur to many other disorders and illnesses. Furthermore, the majority of patients confronted with fibromyalgia symptoms appear to be in perfect health and present no physical dysfunctions when they are examined by a specialist. Routine physical examinations and laboratory analysis are usually unable to reveal the presence of fibromyalgia. However, careful neurological examinations performed on people with fibromyalgia symptoms can trace abnormal brain activity, which is considered to be the main cause in generating the disorder.

The process of diagnosing fibromyalgia is performed mostly on patients’ reports of fibromyalgia symptoms and careful neurological examinations. However, there are also other ways of diagnosing the disorder. In all patients, the fibromyalgia symptoms of pain and discomfort seem to be located in specific points on the body, called trigger points or tender points. Although people with fibromyalgia experience different levels of pain in these trigger points, their presence is common to all patients. The presence of nine pairs of trigger points has been revealed in all people who suffer from fibromyalgia. These trigger points are located at the base of the skull, in the region of the neck, shoulders, chest, upper back, mid-back and lower back, buttocks, upper thighs, elbows and knees. The areas that surround the trigger points are also very sensitive and are referred to as tender points.

Fibromyalgia is considered to be a serious condition and it is very important to be revealed in time, in order to establish an appropriate treatment that can ameliorate fibromyalgia symptoms and undesirable effects. The muscular pain seems to be the major fibromyalgia symptom and it has been described in many ways: aching, burning, radiating or stabbing. However, apart from recidivating muscular pain, there are other fibromyalgia symptoms that can become very serious: depression, cognitive dysfunctions, confusion, lack of concentration, accelerated pulse, unstable blood pressure, fever, nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, abdominal swelling, diarrhea. If the disorder is not dealt with in time, it can lead to an aggravation of its symptoms, seriously endangering the lives of the affected persons.

Before you become overly concerned about “bird flu,” there are a few important facts you need to know about this disease.

“Bird flu” is not the same thing as human pandemic flu. “Bird flu”-H5N1 highly pathogenic Asian avian influenza-is a severe disease of birds. All the people known to have gotten it had close contact with infected birds, mostly in rural villages in Asia. Where there is no close contact with infected birds, there’s no human disease.

More good news: The food supply is protected. The poultry industry and the U.S. government take Asian avian influenza very seriously because it can threaten commercial poultry. It’s spread by migratory birds, so the federal government monitors wild birds in areas where there could be contact with Asian birds.

In addition, security on poultry farms is very tight. Poultry are kept away from wild birds. Strict procedures keep the virus from being tracked into the birds’ living space. Poultry farmers’ number one priority is to protect their flocks.

The industry and state governments sponsor extensive testing programs to watch for any signs of Asian avian influenza. Under the National Chicken Council’s program, which nearly all chicken companies follow, each flock is tested. Any poultry flock found to be infected with Asian avian influenza would be destroyed on the farm and would not enter the food supply.

You can also feel confident about your chicken or turkey dinners. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), you can’t get “bird flu” from properly handled and cooked food. Just be sure to follow the instructions already printed on each package of fresh meat and poultry sold in the United States. The instructions are the same as they have always been-nothing special is needed. On the remote chance that an infected bird got into the food supply, it wouldn’t affect consumers. The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends cooking poultry to a minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. This is more than enough to destroy any flu viruses that may be present.

“American consumers don’t have to worry about getting the avian flu virus from eating poultry,” says Dr. Michael Doyle, director of the Center for Food Safety at the University of Georgia. “We know that if you properly cook poultry, it’s safe.”

Is it a sinus infection or a common cold?  Sometimes it can be difficult to distinguish the difference.  Infection or inflammation of the sinuses also known as sinusitis affects millions of people every year and in many instances causes serious discomfort or pain.  The symptoms of sinus infections actually depend upon which of the four sinuses are affected and whether or not the sinus infection is acute or chronic.

Acute sinusitis normally lasts eight weeks or less or occurs no more than three times per year with an average episode lasting less than ten days. Chronic sinusitis on the other hand normally lasts longer than eight weeks or occurs more than four times per year with symptoms usually lasting longer than twenty days.

There are many symptoms of acute sinus infection including nasal discharge, post nasal drip whereby mucus drips down the throat behind the nose, facial pain or pressure in the area of the affected sinus cavities, fever and headaches.

Symptoms of chronic sinus infection include chronic soar throat, chronic nasal discharge, bad breath, prolonged facial pain, discomfort below the eyes or across the bridge of the nose, toothaches and low-grade headaches.

It is often difficult to determine whether or not you have a common cold or a sinus infection.  For example, a stuffy nose could be a symptom of a sinus infection or a common cold.

Your doctor can diagnose sinusitis using an assortment of methods including listening to your symptoms, doing a physical examination, taking X-rays, and if necessary, an MRI or CT scan (magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography).

.

Doctors have some good news, for a change, about cancer. Today, 79 percent of U.S. children diagnosed with cancer survive it. The bad news, however, is that nearly two-thirds will experience physical or psychological problems or learning disabilities as a result of their diagnosis or treatment.

These “late effects” can occur months, even years after cancer has been treated. If survivors don’t know about late effects, they might not associate the problems with the cancer diagnoses and a minor health problem could become a life-threatening issue.

Whatever their child’s health, parents can take a proactive approach. Here are suggestions:

– You are your child’s best advocate. Learn all you can about the diagnosis, treatment protocol and potential complications.

– Maintain a detailed medical journal. From diagnosis on, keep a pen and notepad with you at all times and write everything down. Not only will this assist you during your child’s treatment, it will give you an accessible record for the future.

– Be open and honest with yourself, your family and especially your child. Knowledge about late effects is necessary to help your child lead a full, healthy and productive life.

– Maintain a healthy lifestyle for your family. A good diet during treatment can help minimize side effects. Follow a low-fat, plant-based diet and encourage daily physical activity to increase energy, improve moods, boost self-esteem and stimulate the immune system.

– After treatment, gather necessary information for your child’s continued care.

– Realize that as a result of the cancer or its treatment, your child may have difficulties in school. Meet with administrators and teachers to discuss your child’s needs and health issues. Talk to the teachers about educational late effects and watch for learning problems. If necessary, have your child take a neuropsychological evaluation.

– Be aware that transitioning to “normal life” as treatment ends may cause fear, anxiety and stress.

“It is critical that childhood cancer survivors receive accurate and current information about late effects,” said Stacia Wagner, a National Children’s Cancer Society (N.C.C.S.) survivorship specialist and cancer survivor.

Are You Infected?

Symptoms of Parasite Infection

There are several symptoms that can be signs of parasite infection. However, many parasites go unnoticed. A parasite’s survival is dependant on how well it can conceal itself. This makes parasite infection very difficult to diagnose. Though if you listen closely to you body and notice the subtle changes that take place you can spot a parasite infection before it causes serious damage.

Digestive Problems

Numerous digestive problems can arise from parasite infections. Intestinal parasites can cause several symptoms normally associated with Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS. Diarrhea, constipations, gas, and bloating can all be caused by parasites and built up plaques. This sort of environment provides a breeding ground for parasites and and allows them to multiply and grow larger. This is why it is important to flush out parasites and the plaques from which they feed. Once the parasites have been removed you will be able to have normal, regular bowel movements and no longer experience the gas and bloating associated with a poorly functioning digestive system.

Weight Gain

Parasites rob our body of nutrients which can lead to decreased metabolism. Once metabolism is lowered we naturally burn fewer calories in a day. This means our body is storing more calories and gaining weight. Completing a parasite cleanse can restore your normal metabolism and make it easier to lose stubborn weight.

Low Energy Levels

Parasites leach off our energy supplies to live. They steal nutrients and can lower metabolism leaving us feeling tired and fatigued. If you’re noticing a general feeling of fatigue and having trouble explaining why then it may be due to a parasite infection.

Nutrient Deficiencies

Some cases of anemia have been attributed to parasite infection. Parasites stealing from our nutrient supplies can cause our bodies to experience deficiencies. If left unchecked they can leave our bodies weak and malnourished.

Poor Immune System Function

Parasites can even affect our immune system by decreasing our bodies’ production of antibodies. Usually these kinds of symptoms are excused as an abnormal flu season but they can often be due to parasites. Removing parasites can help you immune system function optimally and increase your ability to fight off infection and sickness.

Allergies

Some allergies can be attributed to parasite infection. Parasites release toxins into our systems that circulate and cause changes and allergic reactions. Rashes and other skin problems can arise with no apparent explanation. Many people note having healthier skin after completing a parasite cleanse.

Unexplained Aches and Pains

Unexplained aches, pains, and swelling have also been linked to parasite infection. Parasites can enclose themselves within the synovial sac of a joint and cause pain. They can also trigger a swelling response form the immune system.

This Article is Originally Published here: parasite-symptoms (http://www.parasite-cleanse.net/parasite-symptoms.html)

The global health community has been in a state of alarm due to recent outbreaks of the avian influenza disease in many parts of the world, particularly in Asia. The disease has infected humans, prompting many to believe that a global pandemic will soon occur.

In the past decades, avian influenza has affected only birds and in some cases, pigs. Avian influenza does not normally affect humans but the first human case of avian influenza has been recently documented. Diseases previously known to only affect animals have crossed over to humans – avian influenza being one of these diseases. As a consequence, this crossing over has started many of the health pandemics that the world has suffered from for centuries.

Avian flu virus: constantly mutating

Avian influenza typically affects birds, specifically migratory birds, ducks and chickens.

Avian influenza is an infectious viral disease that is similar to human flu. Several subtypes of Type A flu viruses cause avian influenza. Avian influenza differs from human flu in terms of the proteins that reside on the surface areas of the avian influenza virus subtypes.

It is known that there are 16 different HA (hemagglutinin) subtypes and nine NA (neuraminidase) subtypes of the avian influenza virus. These subtypes can combine with each other, producing different subtypes of the disease. Because of these constant combinations of subtypes, producing vaccines becomes even more difficult. One can never know what subtype will emerge next, let alone what its impact will be.

In addition, viruses are known to be constantly evolving. Viruses are constantly “changing their spots.” Thus, scientists have to also evolve the medicines and vaccines that are being produced in order to keep up with the viruses’ constant evolution.

H5N1: deadly avian flue subtype

So far, only a few subtypes of the avian influenza virus have managed to cross over from the bird species to human species. These subtypes are H9N2, H7N7, H7N3 and H5N1. Of these subtypes, H5N1 has created the biggest alarm within the international health community. Among the subtypes that have been reported to affect humans, the H5N1 subtype appears to be the worst. The H5N1 subtype has caused more than 50 deaths to date.

Bird flu symptoms in humans are dependent on the subtype that caused the infection. Some of the bird flu symptoms in humans are typical flu like symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat and muscle aches. Bird flu symptoms in humans also include eye infections, pneumonia, and severe respiratory diseases such as acute respiratory distress and other life-threatening complications.

Avian flu: human to human transmission may be possible

The avian influenza virus and its subtypes have the tendency to easily mutate. This may be one reason that the avian flu has managed to cross over from birds to human beings. This mutation may also be the reason that human to human transmission of the disease is a distinct possibility.

The World Health Organization has said that there are three ways for the virus to cross over and become a “human flu”, which means that the disease will not only be contracted from birds but also from humans. Humans may contract the virus and mutation occurs while the virus is within the body. The bird flu virus may also combine with ordinary human flu, thereby assimilating the characteristics of the disease, including its ability to infect humans. Mutation through combination with human flu can occur in the body of humans who contract the disease while being sick with human influenza or by being in contact (consumption, for example) with pigs, which serve as carrier of both kinds of flu.

In this article we’re going to discuss a common form of battling allergies with the use of allergy shots and how allergy shots work to build up a person’s immunity to outside allergens.

A growing number of people who suffer from allergies and not finding the relief that they want from antihistamines are turning towards allergy shots to hopefully put and end to their dreaded sneezing, wheezing, itching and misery.

So exactly what are allergy shots?  Allergy shots actually contain a very small amount of whatever it is that you’re allergic to.  If you have multiple allergies, such as a combination of indoor and outdoor allergies, then two shots are actually given.  One for the outdoor allergies and one for the indoor allergies.

How do allergy shots work?  Well, in theory it’s actually very simple.  Allergy shots help your body fight the allergen that is bothering you.  When you get shots of the allergen itself your body makes antibodies to the allergen.  These antibodies help block the effects of the allergen itself.  Your symptoms become less severe because the antibodies block the way your body reacts to the allergens.  After taking enough of these shots over a long period of time you might start to get relief from your symptoms.  This relief should last for a very long time.

Many kinds of allergies can be battled with allergy shots.  They work very well with allergies to pollen, or what is commonly called hay fever.  They also work for eye allergies, bee sting allergies, and even some drug allergies.  In many people, allergy shots can greatly improve asthma symptoms.  Most people will get allergy shots after they have exhausted every other option.

Unfortunately, not everyone can get allergy shots.  If you have severe asthma or a heart problem you should not get allergy shots.  Also, if you take a beta blocker for a heart condition you shouldn’t take allergy shots.  Children under five years of age should also not get allergy shots.  Also, you shouldn’t start allergy shots if you are pregnant.

If you decide, along with your doctor, to get allergy shots, he will first have to give you an allergy test to determine what allergies you have.  This test in effect is actual treatment as some of each allergen has to be injected into you in order to do the test.  After the results are in, a vaccine can be made which can then be given on a weekly or biweekly basis or for whatever interval the doctor thinks is necessary.

Once you start taking your shots you will at first have to take them every week or every other week.  After about 6 months most people can go on what is called maintenance and get shots once each month.  This usually continues for about 3 to 5 years until eventually most people no longer need to take shots because their immunity has been built up enough to the allergens.

Allergy shots are normally not harmful but some people do have reactions to them.  If you should have a severe reaction the doctor will usually keep you in his office for about 20 minutes each time you get your shot so that if you have a reaction he can give you something to counteract it.

One of the main causes of hyperthyroidism is Graves’ Disease.  Graves’ Disease, an autoimmune disease that sees an individual’s thyroid gland as a foreign object invading the body and produces antibodies to attack the gland.  This causes the thyroid gland to produce a greater than normal amount of thyroxine.  As a person’s thyroxine level increases, the body’s metabolic rate increases as well.  A higher metabolism rate can lead to a number of health problems, including irregular heartbeat and anxiety disorders.

Graves’ Disease occurs mostly in middle-aged women, but it has also been known to occur in children and the elderly.  There is said to be a genetic predisposition of the disease, but the cause remains unknown.

Symptoms of Graves’ Disease include a sensitivity to heat, weight loss, brittle hair, restlessness, muscle weakness, increased appetite, tremors, blurred or double vision, nervousness, redness and swelling of the eyes, fatigue, changes in heart beat and sex drive. While Graves’ Disease is an incurable ailment, it is not life threatening and can very well be treated with anti-thyroid drugs, radioactive iodine, or surgery to remove most of the thyroid gland.

While most individuals seem to do well on anti-thyroid medication, surgery may just be the best option in certain situations, such as individuals that have problems where the thyroid gland is interfering with the ability to swallow.  Radioactive iodine destroys part or all of the thyroid gland and renders it incapable of overproducing thyroxine.  The treatment consists of swallowing a pill containing radioactive iodine.  Side effects are minimal and the treatment is relatively painless.

More serious complications of Graves’ Disease are weakened heart muscle that can lead to heart failure, osteoporosis, or possible severe emotional disorders.  However, these complications are only likely to appear if Graves’ Disease is prolonged, untreated, or improperly treated.  By visiting your doctor for a checkup and discussing your symptoms and treatment options for Graves’ Disease long before your symptoms begin to turn serious, you can safely treat Graves’ Disease and live happier and healthier knowing that although there is no cure for Graves’ Disease, it can be successfully treated.

James Nebus, 71, never expected to walk his daughter down the aisle or see the birth of his first grandson.

While the holiday time is supposed to joyful, that was not the case for the Nebus family. In December of 2000, they received the grim news that Nebus had a brain tumor and only had months to live. But with highly aggressive treatment, a fighting spirit and a supportive family, he is now a cancer survivor who is hoping to inspire other patients with his story.

Diagnosed with a glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the most aggressive form of brain tumors, Nebus took his prognosis head on and researched available treatment options. That was when he found Dr. Phillip G. St. Louis, a Florida Hospital neurosurgeon, and Dr. Nicholas Avgeropoulos, a Florida Hospital Cancer Institute neuro-oncologist, who teamed up to help give Nebus his fighting chance.

Shortly after the initial diagnosis, Nebus underwent brain surgery to remove the tumor and implant Gliadel Wafers. Approved by the Food and Drug Administration, these chemotherapeutic wafers are inserted directly into the cavity where the tumor was removed.

Over several days, the wafers release chemotherapy and attack cancer cells. Gliadel Wafers are the only FDA-approved treatment to provide highly concentrated chemotherapy directly to the brain, while avoiding systemic side effects usually associated with chemotherapy. These biodegradable wafers are clinically proven to prolong survival without jeopardizing quality of life, as is often the case with such aggressive therapies.

It has been more than five years since Nebus had this initial operation. Since his diagnosis, Avgeropoulos has carefully watched over Nebus, administering additional therapies, to provide combined benefits of the treatments.

“Implanting the Gliadel Wafers only added a few minutes onto the initial surgery, yet the effects have contributed to James living more than five years after surgery” said Avgeropoulos. “We are thrilled by the progress of this remarkable man.”

Soon after the brain surgery, Nebus returned to his normal life. He played cards, traveled and spent time with his family. And although he retired, his family has maintained the family business, Rock Creek RV Resorts in Naples, Fla.

Each year, the family organizes a fundraiser at the RV resort to raise money for the Florida Hospital Cancer Institute and inspire other local GBM patients with Nebus’ story of survival. They want to tell other families to never lose hope, no matter what the diagnosis.

Nebus’ tumor has returned twice since that initial operation. Both times, St. Louis removed the tumor and implanted additional Gliadel Wafers. Nebus’ family cannot be certain how much time he has left, but they are incredibly thankful for the past five and a half years and the priceless memories they have shared as a family.  – NU

When someone is diagnosed with genital warts, you may find that you have no symptoms.  Some people may not even know that they are infected.  The warts may not be noticeable.  Some people will have warts.  They may be found in any size, big or small.  These warts are known to be responsible for pain and itching around the genital openings.

Anyone can get genital warts.  There are men and women of all ages that get genital warts.  This is a very common disease that is unfortunately increasing in more and more young people because they are not practicing safe sex.

When a woman is infected with certain virus types, cancer and pre cancerous changes of the cervix may start to develop.  The cervix is the end of the uterus that enters into the vagina.  Cells on the cervix are susceptible to the infection of the genital warts virus.  When someone is infected, the virus into pre cancerous cells can transform the cells of the cervix over time.

A pap smear is very important for women to have.  This is the way to detect when there are any problems. When you have an annual pap smear, you will be able to learn more about your body and the potential problems that may occur.  When certain diseases are found early, they can be treated and the problem is lessened and even sometimes cured.

It is found that when people are under stress, their immune system is more vulnerable to getting genital warts.  Most warts will appear on the genitals as elevations of the skin that are similar to warts found on other parts of the body.  The warts are usually found to be followed by other symptoms.  There can be some itching or pain involved with the warts.

Some of the genital warts can be so minute that it is almost impossible to see them and in other cases, they are so large that it is impossible to have intercourse.  In either case, it is so important to have the necessary treatment to get the warts removed so that you can be free to live a normal and healthy life.

There are many ways of helping genital warts.  The usual treatments are with creams and ointments.  These are usually found to be less affective or may take a longer period of time to heal.  Other treatments include laser surgery; injections of medications, or some people decide to let it alone.  This is not recommended, however, some feel too embarrassed or ashamed to get help.  The truth is that there are many people who have genital warts and it is nothing to be afraid of.  You should not feel ashamed about trying to get help for the situation.  In fact, once you get help, you will feel much better about the problem.

Blindness affects one in every 30 Americans, meaning that chances are you’re going to encounter someone who has impaired vision. Not everyone knows the proper way to behave around people with impaired vision.

The most important thing to remember about the blind is that they’re just like anyone else, only they can’t see. That, first and foremost, should determine how you treat them. Here are some specific tips:

– Blind people are not mentally deficient, uneducated or deaf. That means they can understand adult explanations at a normal volume.

– Similarly, blind people are capable of asking for what they need and of answering questions put to them.

– Taking pains to avoid sight-oriented language is likely to be more awkward for a blind person than simply using words and phrases such as “see,” “look” or “watch out for.” Blind people are familiar with these terms.

– Never pet or feed a guide dog, even a cute one. Guide dogs are highly trained working animals and don’t respond well to distraction.

– Remember to always greet the blind when entering their immediate surroundings and to let them know when you are leaving.

– Don’t leave a door ajar, which could be dangerous; the door should either be fully open or fully closed.

– When helping the blind cross a street, make it clear you are talking to them so they know they are about to be assisted. Even when not accepted, an offer of assistance is usually appreciated. If you relax, you’ll make it easier to sense when you’ve reached the curb.

– Walk in a straight line and avoid any unnecessary or sudden movements.

– If you come across steps, describe them and say how many there are and whether they go up or down.

These tips are from the Blinded Veterans Association.

Alzheimer’s disease is a form of dementia that causes gradual loss of a person’s mental abilities. It initially affects the cerebral cortex and often starts off as simple forgetfulness.

As the disease progresses, the person’s personality may undergo a complete transformation for the worse. The ability to think and function normally may be almost fully lost.

Is there a way to reduce one’s chances of getting the disease? There are no definite answers, partly because the disease itself is not fully understood yet.

It is thought that maintaining a healthy lifestyle with lots of mental activity may help prevent Alzheimer’s. There are no absolute safeguards against it, though.

Here are some steps you can take to minimize your chances of falling prey to this disease.

Remain mentally active.

Mental activity stimulates the brain neurons. The more you use your brain, the more it creates new neurological pathways and connections. In this respect, the brain is quite like the rest of the body, because if you use it, it tends to remain healthy. And if you don’t, the brain deteriorates.

Do crossword puzzles and word games. Take up public speaking or debating. Learn to play a musical instrument. Learn about art forms you were not familiar with before and attend cultural and other functions.

Anything that engages your brain and keeps you alert and active may help.

Get regular physical exercise.

The benefits of moderate physical exercise are well documented. Exercise results in increased oxygen flow to the brain and releases chemicals that make you feel good.

Plus, of course, exercise boosts your physical stamina and fitness levels. It helps reduce your weight, lowers your blood pressure and many other positive effects.

Go with any exercise that suits you, after taking your doctor’s advice. Choices include aerobics, gym workouts, tai chi, stretch exercises, yoga and more.

Eat healthy food.

Your chances of getting Alzheimer’s disease are lower if you cut down on cholesterol and fat in your diet. That means, avoid junk food and eat lots of fruits and vegetables. The latter helps build up your brain cells. Besides, fruits and vegetables are rich in antioxidants which are supposed to be good for the whole body.

Foods like leafy vegetables, fish and nuts may be excellent. Consult a doctor or nutritionist and come up with a diet that suits you.

Cultivate excellent family and social relationships

Having great relationships dramatically improves your experience of life. And there are many studies that show that longevity is linked to having good social relationships.

Involve yourself in hobby groups. Join a neighborhood walking club or canasta group. Go to block parties. Get active in community organizations. Go on weekend trips with friends. There are many ways to stay involved socially.

In the end, leading a well-balanced, healthy lifestyle will contribute immensely to your quality of life. And it can help slow or perhaps even halt the progress of Alzheimer’s disease in people who are predisposed to it.

Your colon transient time is the time it takes the food you eat to travel from your mouth through your rectum. A healthy time is 18 to 25 hours. This time relates to how long the food you eat stays in your intestinal tract and colon. Food, fecal matter or chyme in your colon should not stay longer than 12 hours otherwise you have constipation.  The other 12 hours, your food is in your stomach and small intestine.

Many doctors and others in the health field may tell you that it is ok not to have a bowel movement everyday.  This really goes against common sense.  If you eat every day, you should have a bowel movement everyday or 18 to 25 hours after you eat.

Long-term constipation is responsible for the start of practically all body illnesses and diseases. For this reason keeping regular is critical for your health. Constipation leads to auto-toxicity or self-poisoning of your body. When toxins move into your blood stream instead of out of your body with the fecal matter, the liver and other body organs become overwhelmed and become sluggish. With a toxic colon, you will have a hard time keeping free of disease and you will find it very difficult to lose weight.

Slow moving fecal matter in the colon causes re-absorption of fats and cholesterol back into your blood stream and liver instead of out of the body. This can lead to a “fatty liver”, which cannot digest fats properly and has to store them in its own cells, other organs, and body cells as pure fat.

Determining Your Transient Time

Here’s how to determine your transient time. First thing in the morning, drink one of the following drinks.

·     one ounce of liquid chlorophyll, the juice of one lemon and 8 oz. of distilled water.

·     or if you like beet juice, use 6-8 oz. of beet juice. You can buy the juice or make your own if you have a juicer.

Buy a small bottle of liquid chlorophyll that does not have peppermint added. The peppermint added has to strong of a taste for me. The cost is around $8.00

Check to see how long it takes to see green or red in your stools. This is your transient time. Average transient time is around 21 hours.

If your transient time exceeds 26 to 30 hours, then you have a mild case of constipation.  If your transient time 31 to 36 you are constipated.  If your transient time is 37 to 48 hour you have chronic constipation.

Check your transient time now.  Go get a bottle of chlorophyll and do the transient time test, then use the chlorophyll for a morning green drink that I describe in another article.

We have all had an experience where you have been required to speak to someone and you have been unable to concentrate on their response because of their bad breath. The medical term for this condition is known as halitosis and there can be a number of causes for it. However, the end result is always the same and it can be described as the presence of foul smelling gases in exhaled air.

So, what causes this to happen? Well, there are two main types of halitosis and one is easier to explain than the other. The first type is called transient bad breath and this can be caused as a result of a number of seemingly innocuous factors. Having a dry mouth, which can be due to thirst, stress or nerves, can cause bad breath as can certain food stuffs. Strong smelling food such as garlic, onion or other heavily spiced dishes can linger on the breath of the person who consumed it. Smoking is another factor which can cause bad breath and poor oral hygiene is a sure way to halitosis. Saliva is able to kill a certain degree of bacteria in the mouth but it does need to be helped by the use of toothbrushes, toothpaste and mouthwash. The most common form of transient bad breath is commonly known as morning breath. This occurs as a result of your mouth remaining relatively still for a long period of time and so your saliva production is slowed drastically and the bacteria build up overnight. Brushing your teeth in the morning removes the bacteria and so removes the odour.

Chronic bad breath is a more serious condition and it is persistent and difficult to treat. It can affect up to 25% of the population and is caused as a result of certain types of bacteria being produced in excessive amounts. Treatment is not readily available and the clinics which are starting to appear tend to just be outlets for a bad breath product which claims to remedy the problem but which does not treat the cause. As such, these products are only temporary relievers of the problem and not a cure.

A third type of halitosis is recognised but it is a side effect of the more serious condition of chronic liver failure. This type of bad breath is known as fetor hepaticus and is described as smelling as foul as a freshly opened corpse.

For many, bad breath is seen as something comical and people who suffer from it are ridiculed and avoided. However, for the sufferers themselves it can cause real psychological difficulties. Many find it difficult to form relationships and even to speak to people as they are conscious of the odour. They can become very depressed and withdrawn.

For those whose bad breath is of the transient type, many things can be done to rid yourself of it. It is known that the majority of smells come from bacteria produced by food debris which is trapped in the mouth. Following a good oral hygiene routine, including brushing and flossing, will remove these pieces of food and so prevent the bacteria from building up. Using mint flavoured mouth washes, chewing gums and lozenges can mask the problem briefly but do not rid the cause permanently. However, if you are on the go they can be beneficial until you are able to clean your teeth thoroughly

You can be a part of something important. Researchers are looking for ordinary Americans to be on the front lines of public health in the U.S.

Recently, a group of cancer experts in partnership with the Coalition of Cancer Cooperative Groups (www.CancerTrialsHelp.org) identified 10 high-priority colorectal clinical studies that address important research opportunities and merit support for rapid completion. Combined, these 10 large studies will need to enroll more than 17,500 people. Nine trials will explore new colorectal cancer treatments and one is a large colo-rectal prevention trial designed to enroll healthy individuals.

Patients and caregivers interested in participating in these important trials can find information through www.CancerTrialsHelp.org. A convenient resource called QuickLink has been built on this Web site to help learn more about these major colorectal cancer clinical trials and to easily determine if you are eligible for enrollment.

“Clinical trials are not just a vital source of information, they can be of great value to the individuals who participate in them,” said Robert L. Comis, M.D., president of the Coalition of Cancer Cooperative Groups. “A common misperception that some patients receive placebo has prevented some people from participating in clinical trials.” Placebos (also called “sugar pills”) are rarely used in cancer clinical trials and are never used in place of treatment.

There are nearly 270 colorectal cancer studies currently available for patients in the U.S., out of over 4,500 cancer trials of all types. Now, QuickLink provides information on 10 of the largest colorectal trials currently available, along with links to patient support services.

TrialCheck offers a fast and easy way for people to find out if they may be eligible to participate in these and other trials. Search results are displayed by proximity to the user’s zip code, making it easy to find clinical trials close to home. TrialCheck is the most frequently updated searchable database of cancer clinical trials in the U.S.

Clinical trial participants stand to personally benefit as well. Patients who join cancer clinical trials are given the best available treatment or a new treatment that, based on early clinical data, could be an improvement over the current standard therapy. In addition, there are many trials available for prevention, screening and early detection of colorectal cancer or precancerous polyps.

Participants in clinical trials are vital in the fight against cancer. The American Cancer Society estimates that there will be almost 150,000 new cases of colorectal cancer diagnosed in the U.S. in 2006. Many of these patients may be eligible to participate in these clinical trials as part of their treatment, and are encouraged to learn more and talk to their doctor.

Cancer clinical trials are designed to improve upon “best available therapies” while protecting the rights and welfare of participants.

Gospel culture and its powerful music have the ability to inspire people to take a positive role in nurturing their mind, body and spirit. Now, world-renowned, award-winning gospel artist Byron Cage is using the power of music to lead a new public awareness program-Strength in HarmonySM-to encourage those at risk for chronic kidney disease to recognize warning signs and obtain early medical intervention.

Strength in Harmony is being offered by Ortho Biotech Products, L.P., in partnership with The COSHAR Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization with a focus on health education through faith-based initiatives.

“I am excited to be working with Ortho Biotech and COSHAR on the Strength in Harmony initiative,” said Minister Cage. “I hope to help bring the African-American community together to take action against chronic kidney disease.”

Chronic kidney disease is a progressive condition in which the kidneys are unable to function effectively. Currently, 20 million Americans have kidney disease and another estimated 20 million are at risk. African-Americans are affected disproportionately as they represent 33 percent of patients treated for kidney failure in the U.S., but only 13 percent of the overall population. People at elevated risk include those with diabetes or high blood pressure, and those who have a family history of kidney disease.

The program launched with a kickoff concert at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Atlanta. The concert is one of two Strength in Harmony events taking place this year. The second, a free health workshop and concert featuring Minister Cage, will be held in November at Ebenezer AME Church in Ft. Washington, Maryland. Additionally, The COSHAR Foundation will distribute chronic kidney disease information to the 8,500 congregations that make up its Health Ministries Network.

“There is a great need for education about chronic kidney disease awareness in the African-American community,” said Sharon Allison-Ottey, M.D., COSHAR’s Director of Health and Community Initiatives. “The combination of spirituality and health awareness is a powerful team to combat this disease. The COSHAR Foundation is committed to assisting churches around the country in focusing health messages and efforts to make an impact on the health disparities in this country.”

Strength in Harmony is also supported by a coalition of organizations, including the American Association of Kidney Patients, American Kidney Fund, the Alliance of Minority Medical Associations and Together Rx Access, which offers a free prescription savings program for eligible individuals and families who lack prescription drug coverage and are not eligible for Medicare.

Many people do not realize that they have chronic kidney disease, or are at risk for developing it, until they have reached advanced stages of the condition. In fact, results from 37,000 individuals participating in the National Kidney Foundation’s (NKF) Kidney Early Evaluation Program (KEEP) screenings showed that half of the participants, most of whom had risk factors, had chronic kidney disease, but only 2 percent were aware of it.

“Ninety percent of the KEEP participants reported visiting their doctors in the last year yet most were not aware they could be at risk for chronic kidney disease,” reported Dr. Allan Collins, president-elect of the NKF.

This makes it so important that those at high risk for chronic kidney disease learn to recognize early warning signs of the condition, such as anemia. In fact, the KEEP screenings showed that 21 percent of African-American participants with CKD had anemia, a disproportionately higher rate than other races.

Anemia is a potentially debilitating condition that occurs when the body does not have enough red blood cells, which carry oxygen. Symptoms of anemia include feeling tired or weak, shortness of breath, dizziness, decreased ability to concentrate and paleness.

STD’S are a problem that many of today’s youth are faced with. They are a real threat to our society. STD’s consist of any disease that is acquired primarily through sexual contact. They are infectious diseases that spread from person-to-person through contact with infected bodily fluids. In this, you will be exposed to two of the more common threats in the world of STD’s. (However, there are several more.)

Clamidia is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases (STD’S) of our time caused by a bacterium know as Chlamydia trachomatis, which if left untreated for long can damage the reproductive organs. Symptoms may often times go unnoticed because they are usually mild or none at all. Un-reparable damages can be caused silently before the condition is even noticed, such as infertility. It’s very important to get a yearly physical and get tested to ensure your health. Most of the time there are never any symptoms at all in men.

Here is an interesting and very frightening statistic for everyone: between the years of 1987 and 2004 reported cases of clamidia jumped from 50.8 to 319.6 cases per 100,000 population!

Some methods fore treatment for clamidia include:

•     Azithromycin

•     Doxycycline

•     Erythromycin ethylsuccinate

•     Ofloxacin

Chlamydia is one of the most easily treated STD’S. These medications, when taken correctly will eliminate the disease 99.9% of the time. (These medications must be prescribed by your practicing physician.) See a doctor if you have questions.

A current threat to the youth of today is another STD by the name of hepatitis. Hepatitis is a rather more serious one however. Hepititus is inflammation of the liver that is caused by a virus. The result in contracting this one can almost certainly lead to death in many cases! There are five different types of viral hepatitis. They include but are not limited to: hepatitus A, B, & C. Also know as HAV, HAB, & HAC. These are merely the most common forms of the disease. However, the only one of these that is an STD is hepititus B. All others have alternate forms of infecting.

HBV

HBV can survive outside the body at least 7 days and still be capable of transmitting infection.

The symptoms for all three types of viral hepatitis are much the same. Symptoms are much more predominant in adults than in infected children. If symptoms do occur, they usually include:

•     Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)

•     Tiredness

•     nausea

•     dark urine

•     clay-colored bowel movements

•     loss of appetite

•     abdominal discomfort

Some of the treatment medication that can be used to treat this disease include:

•     Acyclovir (Zovirax)

•     Famciclovir (Famvir)

•     Valacyclovir (Valtrex)

These statements are merely facts that have been gathered. They are in no way a substitute to seeing a physician. If you have any doubts, see a doctor immediately. If you have been promiscuous in the past and have not been tested within the last 6 months, it is strongly suggested to do so.

Jenny Smith

A recent survey by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) found that many people know little or almost nothing about the warning signs, causes and effective treatments for mental illnesses-even though in any given year, one in five Americans suffers from a diagnosable mental disorder.

Each year, more people suffer from a mental illness than from cancer and diabetes combined.

Research shows that mental illnesses are caused by genetic and environmental factors, traumatic events and other physical illnesses and injuries.

Yet one-third of Americans mistakenly believe emotional or personal weakness is a major cause of common mental illnesses and almost as many think old age is a major cause. As a result, many Americans may not get the help they need.

Mental illnesses are real and treatable. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), the rate of successful treatment for depression (70 to 80 percent) is much higher than the rate for other chronic illnesses such as heart disease (45 to 50 percent).

Change in personality. Inability to cope with problems and daily activities. Marked changes in eating or sleeping patterns. Extreme highs and lows. These are just some of the warning signs of a mental illness, such as depression or anxiety disorder.

Only 47 percent of those surveyed felt well equipped to understand and identify the basic warning signs of a common mental illness, such as depression, anxiety disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder.

The great majority-84 percent-said they would like to know more about how to identify these warning signs.

By learning more, you may be able to help someone you know who may be suffering from a mental illness lead a healthier, happier life.

Twenty percent of Americans suffer from a diagnosable mental illness every year. Can you recognize the warning signs?

A new survey, the Global Asthma Physician and Patient (GAPP) Survey, offers new insights into asthma management by examining disconnects between asthma patients and physicians. This chronic disease, which affects more than 20 million Americans, causes inflammation and narrowing of the airways, making it difficult to breathe. In fact, asthma ranks within the top 10 conditions causing limitation of activity, and costs our nation $16.1 billion annually.

The GAPP Survey, the first survey to ask patients and physicians similar questions, found that 40 percent of adult patients in the U.S. are unaware mild asthma can be fatal, yet 64 percent categorize their asthma as mild.

Uncontrolled asthma symptoms decrease quality of life and increase health care spending. Patients who do not take their asthma medications as instructed reported increased symptoms (69 percent), limited physical activity (58 percent), more physician visits (25 percent), more hospitalizations or emergency room visits (13 percent), and absences from work (10 percent).

The GAPP Survey found that several key barriers exist preventing good asthma management. For example, patients and physicians have different perceptions about in-office education. More than one-third (38 percent) of patients estimate that no office time is spent on education, while nearly all (98 percent) physicians report that some time is devoted to this topic. Patients also report never discussing short-term medication side effects (43 percent), such as fungal infections in the mouth, sore throat or hoarseness. When these discussions do occur, nearly two-thirds of patients report having to initiate the conversation themselves.

Awareness of potential side effects is vital to treatment compliance. Patients reported that because of side effects they consider skipping or actually skip taking their medication. Recognizing side effects allows patients to work with their doctor and make necessary treatment adjustments or changes to reduce these side effects.

More than three-quarters (76 percent) of patients state that they would welcome new asthma treatment options. Most (81 percent) physicians agree there are still unmet needs in asthma treatment.

Eliminate the GAPPs in Your Asthma Management

If you have asthma, experts offer these tips:

– Educate yourself about asthma and treatments through discussions with your doctor and patient organizations.

– Never be afraid to begin discussions with your doctor and always ask about benefits/risks associated with your medication(s).

– Understand and recognize medication side effects and regularly discuss them with your doctor.

– Keep a symptoms diary and bring it to every office visit to help both you and your doctor to properly adjust your treatment plan.

– Take your medication as instructed. Not doing so can negatively impact your daily life.

– Discuss treatment options with your physician to find the most appropriate medications.

Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) is usually identifiable in early stages of childhood. There are instances when the disorder continues until adulthood if treatment is not prompt or effective. This is known as Adult Attention Deficit Disorder (AADD). The impact of AADD is severe compared to ADD because as an adult, coping strategies are required to a greater extent with regard to disorganization and other symptoms of the syndrome. The visible signs and symptoms of the disorder in adults are as below:

Impulsiveness. ADD adults have difficulties handling their impulsiveness. Sudden bouts of anger, impulsive spending, butting into conversations, and breaking relationships are all side effects of impulsiveness. This in turn leads to lack of cordial atmosphere and feelings of regret at later stages.

A high level of distraction. The ADD adult is always thinking of a myriad subjects and incidents that leave him/her unfocused and distracted. Apart from this, external stimuli introduce further distraction to the overactive mental process. When the adult leaves home and mixes with the society, he/she is bombarded with words, visuals, and noises that disturb and irritate.

Anxiety and lack of focus. Since the patient is also on the thinking track, there is tendency to do the task at hand with lesser concentration. This leaves them confused as to why mistakes occur in their work or why they leave their work half-completed. The patient resorts to writing important things in hand notes or schedulers.

Impatience. Just like children with ADD, adults too are fidgety with staying put in one place. They are always taking in things, keeping their hands busy, or keeping engaged in multiple activities. This tends to make them feel exhausted at times.

Socializing problems. Making friends, retaining relationships, caring for family members, and working co-operatively with colleagues are a strain for ADD adults due to their impatience and impulsiveness. This further brings down trust levels.

Lack of planning and disorganization. It is difficult for ADD adults to comprehend instructions, work procedures, do time estimates, and complete work within deadlines. They are unable to chalk out tasks involved in an activity and estimate the time likely to be taken for completing each task. This issue is the result of all the factors discussed above.

Memory problems. Short term memory loss is a hurdle for ADD adults that leads them to forget the task at hand or instructions given only a little while before. Their mind tends to jump from though to another in a matter of minutes, leaving them with no idea of the real situation.

Several strategies such as maintaining reminders in mobile phones, keeping notes in calendars and schedulers, attending skill-developing sessions, and deploying pneumonic to remember things would help these adults lead a comparatively normal life.

The loss of a dear and loved one is often quite difficult to deal with. The trauma of such a loss can sometimes be overpowering when psychological obstacles develop and prevent the pained soul from accepting the loss with peace in mind.

Specialists in the field or psychology, term this phase as the “denial phase”, when the bereaved soul refuses to accept whatever has happened. For example, a teenage daughter on losing her mother might start acting as if her mother is only normally asleep and might try to wake her up. She might refuse to use the words “dead” or “gone” for her beloved mother. To help her overcome this phase, she must be taken to the grave proceedings to visualize the finality of death, which might reinforce the reality she was trying to elude. But, most important of all, she must be allowed to take her own time to come to terms with the truth. Forcing matters on her, might worsen the situation.

This phase is often followed or coincided by the “anger phase”. At the sudden loss of a loved one, one tends to get angry at the situation, as one is then faced with a future one did not expect. This anger is generally directed towards destiny, the Almighty and who ever one thought did not do enough to save the life that has ended. When this anger is directed towards one’s own self, one often becomes depressed. More so when the anger remains suppressed. It is very important at this stage to express the anger. Family and friends around should be sensitive and should try to discover if any frustration and anger has accumulated in the mind of the person at loss. If they find trace of any such frustration, they should help at the anger getting expressed. They should keep vigil of the fact that the bereaved mind does not turn destructive in anger. The individual at loss should himself or herself try to get the anger out of his or her system by screaming, yelling or even cursing.

This phase is often coincided or followed by the ever-critical “depression phase”, when the bereaved mind is filled with a feeling of hopelessness as it is now when the individual first realizes that his or her loved one is never going to return. Letting go often proves to be very depressing. Some people overcome depression fast, while there are some who take really long to do so. But an aggrieved soul may not necessarily mean a clinically depressed soul. If only the grieving period seems to be a bit extended, accompanied by the refusal to accept support, loss of self-esteem and physical abnormalities, medical help should be sought. One should not shy off from seeking professional assistance. In the depression phase, it is normal that one will feel like crying one’s heart out. One should not be ashamed of doing so. Tears are generally healers. But again, if this continues for months, medical assistance should be sought.

A journey, through all these phases, normally brings the aggrieved mind to the “acceptance phase”. Even as it continues to love and miss the deceased, new days bring newer meanings and it accepts death as an unavoidable truth. It admits the fact that the loss was meant to be. Once the realization comes that “I am alive after all and I have to move on with life”, one tries and learns to live without the lost one. Books, songs, movies and journeys, that shift one’s perspective from one’s own grief to the wider connotations of life, often assist in bringing about this acceptance phase without much difficulty.

There are different ways to classify incontinence by dividing it between stress and urge related incontinence.

Urge incontinence is a state in which you know that you want to urinate but you just can’t hold it to reach the restroom even for a short time. With urge incontinence, you can feel the leakage coming. There’s no way to hold it longer, and if you try to run fast to the bathroom, the more likely you are to urinate prematurely. This condition is found after a bladder surgery and also radiation therapy and when females reach the postmenopausal stage. The withdrawal of their estrogen can result in urge incontinence developing.

Stress Incontinence is the most common type of incontinence. Women who have had children may experience this situation because their urinary tract has been compromised during pregnancy and childbirth. The leakage happens when they are sneezing, coughing, and laughing or when lifting a heavy object, which puts pressure in the bladder. Stress incontinence is described as the leakage when abdominal pressure is achieved this is most often caused by surgery and lax pelvic floor muscles.

Overflow incontinence is observed in bladders that are not working well because of the impaired sensation, passage destruction, and poor contractility. This happens when the amount of the urine goes beyond the capacity of the bladder, causing the urine to leak. You may have an unpleasant feeling because you feel that your bladder is never empty.

Some people with incontinence experience longer times in the bathroom because of the unpleasant feeling it gives them. Some people control this when they feel that their bladder is again full. This problem may be caused by physical obstructions and an example of this includes the prostate problems that men encounter.

Reflex incontinence is due to neurological trauma or spinal disease when you only have a little or no sensation at all. Also, you do not have control of the bladder which causes leakage. You may not feel your urine coming but notice that leakage took place before you knew it.

People who suffer with more than one type of incontinence experience mixed type incontinence. This means that you may have stress incontinence that may become functional incontinence. When a patient’s symptom does not fall into the types of incontinence as explained above, most definitely, it is considered the mixed type incontinence.

Incontinence may be the result of some surgical procedures brought on by rectal surgery or prostate and caesarean surgery. Treating the different types of incontinence must be decided with a plan. It may take a physical examination, analyzing your medical history and lengthy discussions with your doctor to establish a proper diagnosis.

Nail fungus is a condition in which fungi get under the nail of the toe or finger and cause an infection in the area. The infection can be of the nail itself or for the underlying skin in the area known as the nail bed. The condition is one in which you will want to have treated, especially if you find that it is painful or embarrassing to have. If you suffer for other conditions, such as diabetes, your doctor may want to take care of the problem as soon as possible so that it does not cause further damage to your skin. While you can have finger nail fungus, it is most commonly a toe nail fungus that will be present. In fact, at any given time, up to 18% of the population will have nail fungus infections.

Nail fungus does not necessary have to be treated. If it is not causing you any pain and you do not have a problem with the way it looks, then you may choose to not treat it at all. But, if you do this, you are increasing the chances for it to spread and worsen which may result in pain. It is also likely that it will take longer to treat at that point. The good news is, though, that you do not need to live with this condition. Nail fungus cures are available to help you.

There are several over the counter medications that can help in this condition. There is not a 100% nail fungus cure, but many people do find relief from these topical treatments. If you do not see any relief from them, you can and should contact your family doctor. He can prescribe medications that are stronger to help. Some of these medications do have side effects though. Nail fungus is something that many people have, yet you do not need to suffer from it when you seek out the help of fungal treatments such as these.

Please visit some of my web sites at  (http://nail–fungus.blogspot.com” title=”Nail Fungus-Nail Fungus) and (http://nail–fungus–cures.blogspot.com” title=”Nail Fungus Cures-Nail Fungus Cures)

A threat to the nation’s health is emerging in Asia and the Indian Sub Continent that has potentially devastating implications. Avian Flu (the H5N1 strain of Influenza A) is a fact in many parts of Asia, although to date the avian strain has not combined with human influenza in a sustained manner. If a new strain emerges in humans with the fatality profile of the H5N1 virus, the effect on the world population will be dramatic.

When the combination to create a human to human strain occurs however, and isolated cases may already involve human to human transmission, the conditions precedent to a world wide pandemic will be met. Pandemic flu is defined as “a global outbreak of disease that occurs when a new influenza A virus appears in humans, causes serious illness and then spreads easily from person to person world wide.” (Source: Grattan Woodson, MD, FACP) The original Avian Flu (H5N1) represents a deadly strain for humans with a 50% mortality rate and many experts believe that the pandemic could be equally lethal..

Pandemics occur when existing flu strains mutate and make their way from birds or swine to humans in a new strain for which humans have little no immunity. Historically pandemic influenza has caused widespread damage and death. Influenza pandemics are a regular occurrence in history.

Pandemics in History

To date, only influenza outbreaks account for  pandemics and pandemics have occurred throughout history. Over thirty pandemics have happened in recorded history. All influenza pandemics infect many times more people than normal seasonal ( flu caused by viruses that are already among people) influenza outbreaks. In addition major pandemics can have severe adverse effects on the economy and daily life.

Three flu pandemics occurred in the 20th century with differing levels of intensity..

•    The 1918 “Spanish Flu” Pandemic – A “major level event” pandemic that accounted for over 50 million deaths world wide.( Originated in Kansas, USA)

•    The 1957-58 “Asian Flu” pandemic – A “minor level event” pandemic that accounted for 36,000 deaths in the United States alone

•    The Hong Kong Influenza of 1968-69 – A  “minor level event “pandemic that accounted for about the same level of deaths as seasonal flu.

The severity of a pandemic depends upon the virus that causes it and the H5N1 Avian flu virus has proven to be particularly fatal to humans. One fact is clear: pandemic influenza will occur again – it is only a question of when. When a virus starts to spread easily and rapidly among humans the conditions for a pandemic have been met.

The 20th century pandemic examples occurred in waves of illness of up to three waves over a 9-12 month period. Often the first wave was not the most severe. During the 1918 Pandemic, over 90% of the deaths of the pandemic occurred during the second wave.

Human Impact on Virginia of a “Medium Level Event”

Northern Virginia is a densely populated, high technology corridor adjacent to Washington, D.C.. Because of the buildup in the Homeland Defense industry as a result of the war on terrorism, the population is large and experiencing rapid growth. Many of the new comers are young professionals with young families.

Based upon historic data a ‘medium level event”, more serious than the Asian Flu Pandemic of 1957-58 but not as severe as the 1918 Pandemic, will result in the following estimates for the State of Virginia:

•    2,700 to 6,300 deaths

•    12,000 to 28,500 hospitalizations

•    575,000 to 1.35 million outpatient visits

•    1.08 million to 2.52 million people becoming sick

Estimates for losses from a “major level event” are significantly higher.

Infrastructure Impact

In addition to human damage, the effect on the infrastructure will be considerable. Having a large number of ill people will be very destructive to the infrastructure. A major pandemic will likely disrupt essential public services and supplies and create temporary breakdowns in food delivery, electric and water utility service and possible public order in major urban centers. These critical industries are highly dependent on raw materials supplied by vendors and key employees with the expertise to maintain operations.

An Integrated Economy

The United Sates enjoys the benefits of a highly integrated economy with highly efficient delivery of goods and services and rapid communications. This level of integration allows for more efficient management of material inventories but would break down rapidly in the event of dislocation in any part of the chain. Basic industries like electrical and water utilities would soon cease to function. Disruption of channels of distribution for the food industry would result in rapid and near total shortages of food and water.

What Can Be Done to Prevent a Pandemic?

Flu Shots and the Pandemic

Standard flu shots for seasonal (normal) flu will not guard against a new pandemic strain of the flu virus because each new flu mutations have different DNA characteristics. For new strains it takes many months to develop and distribute a vaccine and during this time the new strain will most like have run its course.

Anti-Viral Treatments

Presently, the only available anti-viral antibiotic effective against the H5N1 strain of influenza is Tamiflu (oseltamivir) . This drug is in short supply, requires a doctor’s prescription and is not manufactured in the United States. Other anti viral antibiotics are in the development stage but are not proven ready for production.

What Can Be Done to Prepare for a Pandemic? – Prepare Now!!

Preparing now can limit the spread and effects of pandemic influenza. A pandemic would touch every aspect of society, so every part of society needs to prepare. Essential services may be disrupted, food and water supplies may be limited and medical care for those with chronic illnesses may be suspended..

Although most people will have little or no immunity to pandemic influenza, in the event of a flu pandemic proper planning and preparation will help mitigate the damage. Planning has already begun at the international, federal, state, local, community and individual business levels but experts agree that all planning must start at the family level.

The family will serve as the core of wellness and remedial care since hospitals and other health care provides will become quickly overrun with patients if a major level pandemic occurs.

As a basic unit of society, the family can provide first line care and prepare a preventative survival plan that can be rapidly implemented. These plans include improvement of basic hygiene, assembly of food, water and medical supplies and protocols for avoiding infection. Management of the protection of the family unit, with proper planning, can significantly reduce the impact of a pandemic.

Federal, state and local internet sites are the best source to help develop workable and effective Family Survival Plans. The State of Virginia and local counties in Northern Virginia like Fairfax County have initiated plans and planning out reach that will help mitigate the effects of a pandemic. Like all disaster plans, there is nominal cost associated with proper planning.

There are two parts of planning: resource planning and home treatment planning. Resource planning involves the stock piling of food, water, regular prescription and non prescription drugs and strategies for home care of infected individuals. Home treatment planning involves specific actions to treat infected individuals.

A key aspect of home treatment is treating dehydration.

Planning for the Treatment of Dehydration

As part of an overall pandemic disaster survival plan, the role of hydration cannot be overemphasized. The human body can survive for weeks without food but only days without water.

Preventing dehydration ranks highest of all treatments for influenza and many experts feel that preventing dehydration in flu victims will save more lives than all other treatments combined. (Source: Preparing for the Coming Influenza Pandemic by Grattan Woodson, MD, FACP)

Most family survival plans provide for a sufficient supply of drinking water to last for an extended period in the event that normal drinking water supply is disrupted. Pure water is required for both drinking and cooking. Many estimates call for 1 gallon per person per day for as long as the normal supply is disrupted.(At least two weeks and possibly more).

A good source of bottled water is required since normal supplies will be disrupted.

How to Choose a Water Supplier:

A family pandemic disaster plan needs to provide for a consistent source of pure drinking water. Tap and well water are unreliable sources during a pandemic and bottled water is considered the best source by many experts.

Purified water, because all minerals and contaminants have been removed, is the purest water and has the longest shelf life of any bottled water. Extended shelf life is important if the pandemic is extended by subsequent waves of infection.

Many believe that distilled/filtered/oxygenated water is the purest, best tasting water with the longest shelf life.

Pick a supplier with local manufacturing in the Northern Virginia area to avoid home delivery disruption. In the event that a pandemic disrupts channels of distribution, avoid bottled water suppliers who source their product from remote springs with long supply lines.

Although no one can predict with certainty the timing and virus strain of the next pandemic, the risk of an influenza pandemic is serious. Proper planning will serve to mitigate the effects of the pandemic.

Like all disaster planning, a small amount of serious planning is cost effective and good insurance to maintain good health. Plan for the worst and hope for the best.

What are Hemorrhoids?

Hemorrhoids (or piles are they are more commonly known) are simply the veins in your anus which have become distended (swollen with blood).  This is very similar to varicose veins, where the vein becomes large and lumpy, only these veins are around the anus which makes it a bit more embarrassing.

The vein swelling can affect the part of the anal canal just above the sphincter where it is less well supported and protected causing Internal Hemorrhoids.  Or it can affect the veins at the lower end of the canal causing External Hemorrhoids.  Either of these types can exhibit the same kinds of symptoms and are generally quite uncomfortable in most cases.

Hemorrhoids affect approximately 50% of the population and appear to be distributed evenly across both male and females although anecdotally, it appears that pregnant women are quite susceptible to this condition.

What are the symptoms of Hemorrhoids?

There are a number of symptoms of Hemorrhoids which as is usual with most medical symptoms could be any one of a number of medical conditions.  The best advice anyone could receive if they’re not sure, is to see a doctor as soon as possible.  Some of the other conditions which have similar symptoms to Hemorrhoids range from things like threadworm and colon cancer.  It is always best to go to your doctor and find out that you have nothing to worry about than to not go and only find out when the condition has become a lot worse than it could have been.

The main symptoms of Hemorrhoids are

Passing bowel movements are painful.

You have an itchy anus.

There are one or more painful or tender fleshy lumps in the anus area.

There is a feeling that your bowels are never empty.

Normally these symptoms are at worst uncomfortable and don’t stop you from conduction your day to day business.  However, in a few rare situations, they can be very painful if they are associated with a splitting of the anus (known as an anal fissure).

What is the treatment for Hemorrhoids?

In most instances, Hemorrhoids can be treated successfully without any professional medical intervention.  Despite that though, as I mentioned earlier, it is always best to consult a doctor if you’re unsure or the condition lasts for more than a couple of weeks.

Some examples of the treatment for hemorrhoids are to eat a lot of foods rich in fibre.  This can help to prevent constipation which can aggravate the condition.

Closely related to constipation, is to avoid straining and to use soft toilet tissue.  Then wash the area with warm water.

From all pharmacies, you should be able to buy some creams over the counter called Corticosteroids which contain a local anaesthetic and will soothe the pain and discomfort.  They are not recommended for long term use though.

There are three other treatments which all require you to visit a medical practitioner.

The first is where a chemical is injected into the hemorrhoid which causes them to shrivel up.

The second way, is called Banding.  Where a rubber band is placed around the base of the hemorrhoid.  The Hemorrhoid then shrinks and eventually falls off.

The final option is surgery called hemorrhoidectomy which is only conducted very rarely as less traumatic methods named above are used.  This option would normally be used on internal hemorrhoids which are very large.

There is significant concern about Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, also known as CFS. In fact, there are criteria patients must meet in order to be diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Receiving the diagnosis may be difficult for some patients because the guidelines for diagnosing are very specific. The fatigue must have been present at least six consecutive months and the corresponding symptoms must have developed after the fatigue. A clear definition of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, its symptoms, and treatment options will help sufferers get a clearer understanding of the syndrome.

What is Chronic Fatigue?

The basic definition of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome does not make sufferers feel much better. The syndrome is unexplained and is marked by weakness, fatigue, muscle pain, lethargy, trouble sleeping, and even fever and swollen lymph nodes. There is no known cause for the fatigue that is present in an individual that has no relation to over-exertion and is not rectified by rest.

Symptoms

Some of the symptoms associated with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome have been discussed. However, there is a very long list. There are a variety of symptoms that patients are very aware of and then there are other symptoms only doctors seem to notice. Regardless, when the symptoms are present for a period of time for no apparent cause and seem to have no remedy then Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is a frequent diagnosis.

Some of the frequent symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome include:

-Muscle Aches

-Persistent Fatigue

-Intermittent Fatigue

-Depression

-Tiredness

-Headache

-Swollen Lymph nodes

-Depression

-Memory Loss

-Weakness

-Difficulty Concentrating

-Achy Joints

Frequently Chronic Fatigue Syndrome begins during periods when individuals have been sick, under a tremendous amount of stress, or for no apparent reason at all. Many individuals have noted that after bouts with the flu, mono, a cold, bronchitis, hepatitis, and other similar illnesses CFS arises. Unfortunately, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome persists for months, sometimes coming and going and other times constantly affecting the patient. Other illnesses begin to clear up after a few days or weeks, but Chronic Fatigue Syndrome sticks around with no clear cause.

Diagnosing Chronic Fatigue

Doctors find it very difficult to diagnose Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. The reason why is because so many of its symptoms are symptoms of other illnesses. This is why many doctors like to see patients with the same symptoms that began after the fatigue for at least six months before giving a diagnosis. Obviously, sufferers of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome find the lack of an early diagnosis difficult to bear on top of their symptoms. However, doctors like to rule out diseases like Lupus and Multiple Sclerosis, as well as other diseases, before diagnosing Chronic Fatigue.

Additionally, researchers and doctors are becoming more aware of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and are more likely to make an earlier diagnosis based on fewer symptoms than ever before. That is not to say that Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is easy to diagnose, because it is not. However increased awareness and new definitions are helping doctors and patients of Chronic Fatigue each and every day.

Treatment Options

The treatment options for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome are varied and include alternative as well as prescription alternatives.

Some of the alternative care management options for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome include avoiding stress and undertaking light exercise. Other treatment options that work for some individuals include massage, aquatic therapy, chiropractic therapy, yoga, self hypnosis, tai chi, and even acupuncture. Psychotherapy has also proven helpful to sufferers of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome because it helps sufferers learn to cope with their symptoms.

Prescription treatment options for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome have not been approved by the FDA. There are however other prescription medications that are used to treat the symptoms presented with Chronic Fatigue. Frequently, the primary use of the medicine is secondary and its side effects are what benefit Chronic Fatigue sufferers. Medicines like antifungals, antidepressants, antivirals, cardiac drugs, antihistamines, immunoglobulins, corticoids, anti-inflammatories, and anti-convulsants among others are frequently prescribed to CFS sufferers.

Do You Have CFS?

If you are worried you have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or have some of the above stated symptoms for months on end then you should make an appointment with your physician. It is a good idea to keep a journal of your symptoms, when they began, and if new ones appear. This will help your doctor make the proper diagnosis and help receive some relief from your symptoms sooner.

Permission is granted to reprint this article as long as no changes are made, and the entire resource box is included.

If you are looking for a reputable and experienced disaster management company, then A-1perfection is the right choice for you. The website is highly recommended for those people who are looking for complete disaster management solutions. Disasters can occur in the form of floods, hurricanes, fire, etc. Perfection is one of the largest disaster management companies in the world today. The company is headquartered in Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin. A-1perfection has tie ups with major insurance companies and offers compensation as well as restoration to those who have suffered due to a disaster.

The company handles every aspect of the loss because of disaster right from reconstruction to restoration. Perfection has a 24-hour helpline number for answering your calls. The company offers different restoration services such as water and fire damage restoration, reconstruction, move outs, large loss division, duct cleaning, etc. The team at perfection is given world class training even before they are implemented in the disaster management team. The company is equipped to solve all your problems and bring your life back to normal in the shortest time possible.

In case of water damage restoration, A-1perfection has the capacity to handle any type of loss that is caused due to water – from a small leakage to big floods. The company also specializes in sewage backup services as well as disinfecting the area affected by water. Steps are taken to ensure that no more damage is done to property because of water. In terms of fire restoration, the company specializes in restoring property that has been destroyed by fire. Even in case of a fire, the company will use all equipment and means to stop the fire from spreading and damaging further property. The area is made smoke free quickly and an inventory analysis is also taken to check which property has been lost or

destroyed by fire.

For reconstruction of property, the firm has a full-fledged team of experts – carpenters, architects, engineers, electricians, plumbers, and fire restoration technicians. The main objective is to handle every aspect of the loss. Reconstruction includes jobs related to odor removal, water damage control, roof repair, plastering, carpet cleaning, carpentry, interior and exterior painting, soda blasting, and emergency power.

Other than reconstruction jobs, the company also specializes in carpet cleaning by a team of professionals. The cleaning process is completely safe and effective as special procedures are implemented to remove almost 96% of the dust allergens and bacteria in your carpet. No matter how expensive your carpet or rug is, it is always safe in the hands of Perfection. The company specializes in deep carpet cleaning as well as stain removal, pet odor removal, and mildew removal.

If you want to get rid of bad breath, it depends to some extent on the cause of the problem.  If you have any doubts, or the problem seems chronic, it would be wise to consult your dentist or physician to ensure that the bad breath is not symptomatic of other problems that should be addressed.  For instance, you could have periodontal problems (gum disease), and even diabetes can cause breath odor.

Having said that, generally the causes of bad breath are well known and can be addressed by applying the following admittedly general advice.  These are appropriate to the most common cases of bad breath, such as that which is caused by mouth bacteria creating a smell as it breaks down food consumed.

Firstly, if bacteria are responsible for the smell, wouldn’t removing or killing the bacteria alleviate the bad breath problem?  This is not a practical answer, as the bacteria are naturally occurring and required by the body to pre-process food before it passes to the stomach.  However, if we discourage the extent of activity of the bacteria by various means and this will reduce the problem.

The bacteria thrive on protein rich foods, so reducing the amount of meat consumed and increasing instead fruit and vegetable intake is a benefit and lessens bad breath.  You may also want to consider this action for general health reasons.

A dry mouth is possibly the most common reason for having a noticeable problem with the bacteria.  The bacteria are anaerobic, which literally means without oxygen, and saliva provides oxygen, so a lack of saliva encourages growth.  Saliva can be reduced if you breathe through the mouth, as for example when you sleep, and this causes “morning breath”.  Other mouth drying activities include missing meals, drinking alcohol and not drinking enough water to stay hydrated.

If you are in the habit of eating foods rich in garlic, onions or other strong smelling fare, then the answer to reducing a bad breath problem should be fairly obvious.  The smell is basically of a sulfurous nature, and is transferred to the blood, then to the lungs, where it is exhaled.  The smell will stay until expelled from the body.

Pay close attention to your dental hygiene to help get rid of bad breath.  It’s worth brushing not only your teeth but also the surface of your tongue and the roof of your mouth to reduce odor.  Daily flossing will remove food and debris, and should help get rid of the problem.

Genital herpes is one of the most contagious diseases. It is a STD- Sexually Transmitted Disease. Any sexual encounter with an affected person can get you genital herpes. Genital herpes flare-ups are quite painful and this disease takes a big toll on the psychology and affects relationships. Let us find out about how to prevent it.

Genital Herpes – how does it spread?

The herpes virus lies dormant in those who have got it. Suppose you have unprotected sex with somebody who is in dormant state, you may still get it. If you have sex – protected or unprotected with any body that has active sores of genital herpes, you may get it. Sometimes those who have contacted herpes may not be aware of that. That complicates the situation because they will unknowingly pass on the virus to you. Let us find out about what you can do?

Genital Herpes-protect yourself

To protect yourself from genital herpes you should avoid multiple partners. There is no way you can guarantee that one of your many partners is not having genital herpes. Have monogamous relationship. If you have a new partner, try to find out if she/he has had any symptoms of genital herpes. This may sound difficult, but there are no easy options. Use latex condoms. Avoid oral sex because that is always unprotected. Herpes never leaves you once you get it. Please protect yourself.

This article is only for informative purposes. This article is not intended to be a medical advise and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor for your medical concerns. Please follow any tip given in this article only after consulting your doctor. The author is not liable for any outcome or damage resulting from information obtained from this article.

Many people seem to have a distorted and incorrect definition of the word “remission,” as it is used in relation to  cancer patients.  Most commonly people seem to believe that going into  remission means that the patient is successfully treated and safe.

However, according to the American Cancer Society, cancer remission is a “period of time when the cancer is responding to treatment or is under control.  In a complete  cancer remission, all the signs and symptoms of the disease disappear…Complete cancer remissions may continue for several years and be considered cures.”

So, someone who goes into cancer remission is not showing signs or symptoms of the cancer.  It doesn’t matter how many cancer cells are still going strong and growing in the body of the patient, for any time frame that it isn’t causing “signs and symptoms,” the patient is said to be in remission.

Oddly enough, there isn’t much discussion in the advertisements for traditional cancer treatments regarding the extension in the length of life for the patient.  And there aren’t many discussions about the quality of life for the patient.

These two concepts are not factored in when talking about “cancer

remission” in a patient.Typically speaking, cancer remission refers to shrinkage in the size of a tumor or to the change in some of the tumor markers.  Tumor markers are substances, usually proteins, which are produced by the body in response to cancerous growth or tissues.  However, a lot of the markers are also found in non-cancerous conditions so they aren’t really a good diagnostic tool for cancer.

Traditional cancer therapies are successful in shrinking tumors and reducing tumor markers.  For this reason, cancer remission is used as the indication of “successful” cancer treatment.

Cancer remission doesn’t necessarily mean the patient doesn’t die.  For example, a patient is said to have been successfully treated for cancer if the therapies put them into remission, even if they die from pneumonia.  Despite the fact that the pneumonia was only fatal because of the cancer therapies, because cancer remission existed, it was successful treatment.

To most people, no treatment that still results in death should be considered successful.  However, when it comes to  cancer remission, that’s exactly what can happen when they pursue only traditional cancer treatment options.

There may be new hope for many cancer patients, their caregivers and loved ones.

That’s because America’s research-based pharmaceutical companies are today developing nearly 400 new medicines to treat cancer, according to a survey of ongoing research conducted by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA).

Many of the medicines now in development represent potential breakthrough cancer treatments, while others involve possible new uses for existing medicines.

The medicines in development are all either in clinical trials or under review by the Food and Drug Administration. They include:

– 62 for lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer death in the United States;

– 49 for breast cancer, which is expected to strike more than 200,000 American women this year;

– 50 for prostate cancer, which is expected to kill more than 30,000 American men this year; and

– 35 for colorectal cancer, the third most common cancer in both men and women in the U.S.

Other potential medicines target kidney cancer, pancreatic cancer, brain cancer, skin cancer, ovarian cancer and others. In addition, companies are working on new treatments to improve the quality of life for people undergoing cancer treatment.

“Anyone fighting cancer or anyone who has beaten it knows the importance of these medicines and this research,” said Billy Tauzin, PhRMA president and CEO who is also a cancer survivor. “Sometimes, the hope that one of these new medicines will work for you is what keeps you fighting the disease.”

Recent cancer research efforts have resulted in several new treatments. For example, a medicine to treat metastatic colorectal cancer is the first treatment approved that prevents the formation of new blood vessels that provide tumors with oxygen and nutrients. There’s also a medicine for the treatment of nonsmall-cell lung cancer that inhibits the formation and growth of tumor cells.

Research into possible new cancer cures and treatments is today being conducted by as many as 178 biopharmaceutical companies as well as by the National Cancer Institute.

The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America represents the country’s leading pharmaceutical research and biotechnology companies.

Toe nail fungus and finger nail fungus is a condition in which fungi get under the nail of the toe or finger and cause an infection in the area. The infection can be of the nail itself or for the underlying skin in the area known as the nail bed. The condition is one in which you will want to have treated, especially if you find that it is painful or embarrassing to have. If you suffer for other conditions, such as diabetes, your doctor may want to take care of the problem as soon as possible so that it does not cause further damage to your skin. While you can have finger nail fungus, it is most commonly a toe nail fungus that will be present. In fact, at any given time, up to 18% of the population will have nail fungus infections.

Nail fungus does not necessary have to be treated. If it is not causing you any pain and you do not have a problem with the way it looks, then you may choose to not treat it at all. But, if you do this, you are increasing the chances for it to spread and worsen which may result in pain. It is also likely that it will take longer to treat at that point. The good news is, though, that you do not need to live with this condition. Nail fungus cures are available to help you.

There are several over the counter medications that can help in this condition. There is not a 100% nail fungus cure, but many people do find relief from these topical treatments. If you do not see any relief from them, you can and should contact your family doctor. He can prescribe medications that are stronger to help. Some of these medications do have side effects though. Toe nail fungus and finger nail fungus is something that many people have, yet you do not need to suffer from it when you seek out the help of fungal treatments such as these.

Please visit some of my web sites at  (http://nail–fungus.blogspot.com” title=”Nail Fungus-Nail Fungus) and (http://nail–fungus–cures.blogspot.com” title=”Nail Fungus Cures-Nail Fungus Cures)