DiseaseIllness

In this article we're going to discuss the possible dangers and side effects of antihistamines and what people should be aware of when taking antihistamines to treat their allergies.

For the most part
antihistamines are safe. Having said that
antihistamines can have side effects which
if the antihistamine is not properly administered
can be serious.

The truth is
all medications have side effects. Some are mild
as in the case of an aspirin
unless you have stomach ulcers or aspirin sensitivity and others are more serious such as the side effects from chemotherapy
but for the most part
antihistamine side effects are fairly mild. The newest antihistamines are probably about the safest medications that there are. But there are differences between the various antihistamines and their side effects.

The older antihistamines have the most serious side effects. Because technology wasn't where it is now
older antihistamines can make you very sleepy
even to the point of falling asleep behind the wheel of a car. The harsh truth is
antihistamines have the same effect on your brain as alcohol. If you've been keeping up with the latest news you'll notice that people seem to be driving around in a drug induced haze. This is becoming a very serious problem in itself as there are no laws against driving while under the influence of prescription medication. That is most likely going to change very soon. According to experts
there is no doubt in their mind that older antihistamines can cause traffic accidents.

But that isn't where the effect of older antihistamines ends. They also affect learning and exam performance. Studies show that children with allergies who go to school after taking an antihistamine have poorer test scores than children who are not on antihistamines.

Another problem with older antihistamines is that one of the side effects is that people who use them sometimes have difficulty in passing water. or have increased pressure in their eyes. These symptoms
however
are very rare.

With the newer antihistamines
most
if not all of these side effects are a thing of the past. We have certainly come a long way. Therefore it is no longer necessary to use the older antihistamines.

Many people ask
how do we know the newer antihistamines are better? Actually
there are studies that clinically show that they are.

For starters
road safety studies were done. Two control groups were used. The one group was given older antihistamines and the other group was given the newer improved antihistamines. The results were staggering. The reaction time of the old antihistamine group was slower
their turning was more erratic
their attention was poor and in general they did not drive as skilfully. In some cases their driving was so bad and so dangerous that the test itself had to be stopped.

Another study was done on children going to school. Two control groups were again set up. The group that was given the older antihistamines had much lower test scores
sometimes as much as 20 to 30 points lower. Many of the students couldn't even finish their exams.

The only downside of the newer antihistamines
and for that matter any treatment of this sort for allergies
is that they are not a cure and over time a person can build up a resistance to a particular antihistamine where it no longer works. A new one then has to be given. The average length of time that a person can take a particular antihistamine before they have to move on to a new one is between 3 and 6 months.

In this article we're going to discuss probably the most common form of treatment for allergy sufferers; the use of antihistamines
what they are and how they work in the body to rid people of their allergy symptoms.

The first question most people ask about antihistamines is what they are. The reason is because when they see these little wonder pills advertised they are seeing the brand name and not what the pill actually is. The most popular brand names of antihistamines are Clarityn
Zyrtec
Allegra and Benadryl. There are plenty more though. The antihistamine industry is a multi billion dollar a year industry because of all the allergy sufferers but this still doesn't tell us what an antihistamine is.

The best way to explain what an antihistamine is and what it does is to actually break the word down. Antihistamine is composed of two words
anti and histamine. Anti means to be against something or act against something. Which leaves us with what a histamine is. A histamine is something that your body produces in defense to an attack of allergens. It is these histamines that bring on the terrible symptoms of sneezing
itching
watery eyes
etc. that we suffer from when we are attacked by these allergens. Thus
an antihistamine is something that works against the histamines that our body produces.

Your common antihistamine comes in a little pill. How it actually works is quite amazing. What these pills do is release a chemical in our body that is very similar to and looks like a histamine to our body. These look-alike histamines make our body think that we basically have enough of these and keep the receptors in our body from working against them. In other words they stop the histamines in our body from working
thus relieving the symptoms.

What most people don't know is that this is not the only function of histamines. They also play a very important role in the brain
keeping us attentive
alert and awake. So
if we stopped all of the histamines in the body from working we would basically fall asleep. This can be especially dangerous when driving a car or operating heavy machinery and in fact
this is exactly what happens when we take old antihistamines. So if you have any of these laying around in your home
please get rid of them and do not take them. Those expiration dates on antihistamines are there for a reason.

The good news is
newer forms of antihistamines have a much better effect on your allergies with less effect on your brain. How this is accomplished is actually very simple. Some medicines barely make it into the brain from the blood. This is actually not a good thing with antibiotics for brain infections. But when research workers figured this out they started to make antihistamines that also had the same properties as antibiotics
thus making it so that very little of the drug makes its way to the brain. If you read most antihistamine labels today it will say right on it
non drowsy
.

In our next article in this series we'll discuss the safety concerns of antihistamines.

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.

Alcoholism stages can be categorized into three stages of alcoholism - early stage
middle stage and end stage alcoholism or late stage alcoholism. Alcoholism stages generally take years to develop. Alcoholism is a disease where alcoholic beverage consumption is at a level that interferes with physical or mental health
and negatively impacts social
family or occupational responsibilities.

Consuming no more than one or two drinks per day for healthy men and a drink a day for healthy non-pregnant women are generally considered acceptable alcohol consumption without health risks. However
as the amount or frequency of drinking increases
the earliest of the alcoholism stages can develop as a result.

Early Stages of Alcoholism

In the early alcoholism stages
a person begins to depend on alcohol to affect their mood. They drink for relief from problems
and they begin thinking more and more about alcohol. The person and others around them may not recognize that they are in the earliest of the stages of alcoholism. A gradual increase in tolerance happens
meaning
it takes increasing amounts of alcohol to achieve the desired mood-altering effects. Often
the person can consume large amounts of alcohol without appearing impaired.

At the early alcoholism stages
the body has adapted to increasing amounts of alcohol. In fact
how a person functions will likely be improved with drinking as blood alcohol levels rise. For example
they can think and talk normally or walk a straight line with no problem. However
with continued alcohol consumption over time
the body begins to lose its ability to deal with high alcohol levels. As this occurs
when the alcoholic stops drinking and their blood alcohol level decreases
their thinking
talking or walking functions deteriorate
and they are moving into the next of the stages of alcoholism.

Middle Alcoholism Stages

The need and desire to drink gradually becomes more intense. Drinking larger amounts and more often happens as well as drinking earlier in the day. The alcoholic is losing control over drinking
and the body is losing its ability to process alcohol like it did in the early stages of alcoholism. Their tolerance decreases as they become intoxicated more easily. Withdrawal symptoms begin to become more severe if alcohol is reduced.

The person may now secretly recognize there is a drinking problem
and others may begin to notice as well. Unfortunately
the alcoholic no longer can judge how much alcohol their body can handle. Typically
the drinker denies to themselves and others that alcohol is a problem so they won't have to deal with their inner turmoil. Hangovers
blackouts and stomach problems can now be physical symptoms that occur on a regular basis.

End Stage Alcoholism

As alcoholism progresses
the alcoholic has become obsessed with drinking to the exclusion of nearly everything else. Everyone can tell there's a major problem. During the late alcoholism stages
the mental and physical health of the alcoholic are seriously deteriorating. Many of the body's organs have been damaged which lowers resistance to disease. Relationships at home or socially may have been severely damaged
and there can be mounting financial and legal problems due to the alcoholic's powerlessness over alcohol.

Every alcoholic will suffer from malnutrition. Alcohol in large amounts interferes with the digestion process and the passage of nutrients from the intestines into the bloodstream. Liver function has been damaged
further limiting the conversion of nutrients into a usable form that the body can assimilate. The damaged cells are not receiving the needed nutrients
they cannot repair themselves and the damage continues. Nutritional deficiencies cause a host of related problems to become worse. For example
a vitamin B-1 deficiency common in alcoholics can result in loss of mental alertness and appetite
fatigue
confusion and emotional instability.

And if the alcoholic continues drinking
alcohol will cause the death of the alcoholic in one way or another. From suicide
accidents and related injuries to direct damage to the body's organs and systems
death will likely be the final outcome of end stage alcoholism.

Are there warning signs of alcoholism? Yes! Understand the signs and symptoms that indicate that alcohol consumption is becoming or is already a problem. There are resources available in a variety of ways to help deal with alcoholism stages and the serious consequences of this disease.

Copyright 2006 InfoSearch Publishing

Alcoholism signs - are there ten warning signs of alcoholism? Yes! Understanding alcoholism signs can help you determine whether there is alcohol abuse or dependency. Consuming a drink or two per day for healthy men and a drink a day for healthy non-pregnant women is generally considered acceptable consumption without health risks. However
as the amount of drinking per occasion or per week increases
one or more of the ten warning signs of alcoholism can develop as a result.

Alcohol dependency is the most severe alcohol disorder. Two alcoholism signs associated with dependency are tolerance and withdrawal. Tolerance is the need for increasing amounts of alcohol consumption to become intoxicated. Withdrawal symptoms occur when alcohol intake is reduced or discontinued. Alcohol abusers are drinkers that may drink heavily at various times. Alcoholism signs for alcohol abusers can be related problems such as drinking and driving
violent episodes
or missing work or school.

In the USA alone
as many as 14 million adults are chronic heavy drinkers that abuse alcohol or are alcoholics. What is considered 'heavy drinking'? According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
drinking more than the amounts shown below would be considered heavy drinking:

• For healthy men under age 65
consuming no more than four drinks a day nor more than fourteen drinks a week.

• For healthy women under age 65 or healthy men over age 65
consuming no more than three drinks a day nor more than twelve drinks a week.

What are ten warning signs of alcoholism? Here are alcoholism signs listed (in no particular order):

1. Drinking Alone
2. Making Excuses
Finding Excuses to Drink
3. Daily or Frequent Drinking Needed to Function
4. Inability to Reduce or Stop Alcohol Intake
5. Violent Episodes Associated with Drinking
6. Drinking Secretly
7. Becoming Angry When Confronted About Drinking
8. Poorer Eating Habits
9. Failure to Care for Physical Appearance
10. Trembling in the Morning

Alcoholism signs can also include the inability to remember portions of the events of the previous evening or feeling anxious in a social situation where alcohol is not available. As you may know
it can be called 'problem drinking' when it becomes 'drinking that causes problems'.

Does heavy chronic drinking have health consequences? You bet it does. Chronic heavy drinking can result in serious damage to the liver
heart
brain and other vital organs. Such severe physical damage may irreversable and result in serious illnesses or even early death.

If the above ten warning signs of alcoholism help create interest in exploring possible alcohol addiction and finding help
the good news is that help is available. Consider contacting your physician
counselor or other qualified professional. Another time-tested source of help would be Alcoholics Anonymous. AA has local groups that meet regularly throughout the USA and other countries around the world. No matter how many alcoholism signs may exist
it is never too late to begin recovery from alcohol addiction. Obviously
the sooner recovery begins
the better.

Copyright 2006 InfoSearch Publishing

Alcoholism facts can help one better understand the extent of alcoholism and alcoholism warning signs. One of the alcoholism facts is that alcoholism is a type of drug addiction that can be both physical and psychological.

Facts of alcoholism include the reality that alcohol acts as a depressant on the central nervous system
resulting in a decrease of activity
tension and inhibitions. Alcohol affects other body systems as well. Gastrointestinal tract irritation can occur with erosion of the esophagus and stomach linings
causing nausea
vomiting and perhaps bleeding.

Additional alcoholism facts are that liver disease may develop and eventually become cirrhosis of the liver. The muscles of the heart may be negatively affected. Other facts of alcoholism can be related to sexual dysfunction. In men
problems with erections can occur with alcoholism. And alcoholic women can cease having their menstrual periods prematurely.

Here are more alcoholism facts:

• Alcohol and caffeine are the two most widely abused substances in the world. The facts of alcoholism are that alcohol is the more serious addiction due to alcohol-related accidents and incidents.

• The incidence of alcohol consumption and related problems is increasing. Researchers have found that about 15% of the population in the United States are problem drinkers
and about 5-10% of male drinkers and 3-5% of female drinkers can be diagnosed as alcohol dependent. This means as many as 14 million persons are affected by alcoholism in the USA alone. These facts of alcoholism numbers do not include family
friends and others additionally affected by the actions of alcoholics.

• Alcoholism can be divided into two categories - abuse and dependence. Alcohol dependence is the most severe alcohol disorder and is characterized by tolerance and withdrawal. Tolerance is the need for increased amounts of alcohol to become intoxicated. Withdrawal symptoms occur when alcohol intake is reduced or discontinued. Alcohol abusers are drinkers that may drink heavily at various times and have problems such as drinking and driving
violent episodes
or missing work or school.

• Alcohol use is mainly influenced by attitudes developed during the childhood and teen years. In addition
parent's attitudes and behaviors toward drinking
influence from peers and family relationships can impact how one views and treats the consumption of alcohol.

• About 20% of teens are considered 'problem drinkers' in the U.S. What this means is that they get drunk
they may have accidents
or they have problems with the law
family members
friends
school or work due to alcohol consumption and related facts of alcoholism.

• Alcohol effects appear within 10 minutes of drinking and are the maximum in approximately 40-60 minutes. Alcohol will stay in the bloodstream until the liver metabolizes the alcohol. If a person consumes alcohol at a rate faster than the liver is able to break it down
the blood alcohol content rises.

• Each state defines alcohol intoxication which is measured by blood alcohol concentration. A breathalyzer field test is commonly used to measure blood alcohol content for drivers. And another of the alcoholism facts is that most states have a legal limit of between 0.08 and 0.10. Different levels lead to increasingly serious effects. A blood alcohol level of 0.05 reduces inhibitions
.1
results in slurred speech and a blood alcohol level of 0.50 can result in coma.

The above information can be considered basic facts of alcoholism. If you or someone you know may have a drinking problem and wish to learn more alcoholism facts and perhaps seek help
there are resources available in various ways. It is never too late to begin recovery from alcohol addiction. Help is available
and the sooner one begins the recovery process
the better.

Copyright 2006 InfoSearch Publishing

Alcoholism can be given a lot of definitions and all of them stress the fact that there is a terrible disease that involves addiction to spirits. Apart from the physical dependence on alcohol
there are other psychological
genetic and social factors that may play a role in the development of alcoholism. Many social
economic and public health problems are determined by this very serious disease.

When alcoholism is concerned
symptoms include craving for alcohol
incapacity to have control over the use of alcohol
a greater tolerance to its effects
and withdrawal symptoms during the periods of abstinence. One should as well know that many alcoholics deny having a problem. In many cases intervention is necessary in order to persuade them to start treatment. Treatment in cases of alcoholism usually includes detoxification
counseling and psychotherapy
as well as treatment of associated medical problems
and different programmes for recovery and support.

Alcoholism involves physical and psychological addiction to the alcohol
and it often gets to a chronic
progressive form. There are situations in which it can become fatal
when alcohol consumption begins to interfere with your health
your social life or your occupational functioning. Alcoholics often continue to consume alcohol in huge quantities despite the multiple negative consequences of the disease. Nowadays
alcoholism is the most serious form of alcohol abuse. Alcoholism can be also defined in terms like "having a problem with drinking". If one has a problem with drinking
that can result in health or social problems (drunk driving
for instance)
but that doesn’t make one yet dependent on alcohol and it doesn’t mean one has fully lost control over using spirits - as in the case of alcoholism.

What is alcoholism?

Alcoholism is a disease that affects the part of the brain that controls your feelings
the way you make decisions
and the way you act. People with alcoholism cannot control how much they drink. What causes alcoholism?

Nobody knows what causes alcoholism. People with parents who have alcoholism have a greater chance of getting the disease. Alcoholism may be related to the things we learn when we are growing up. Alcoholism is not caused by a lack of will power or moral values.

How can I tell if I have alcoholism?

It is not easy to tell if you have alcoholism. You might drink socially at first
but over time the drinking can get out of control. Your family
friends
or doctor might notice it before you do. You might drink to help yourself go to sleep or deal with stress and anxiety. Over time
you need to drink more to feel the same way. As the drinking gets worse
you may have some of the following:

* Stomach ulcers

* Liver disease

* Mood problems
such as depression and irritability

* Trouble sleeping

* Problems with family and friends

* Problems at work.

You might have alcoholism if you have tried to quit drinking but were not able to stop. Alcoholism can make you do things you wouldn't do if you were sober. Some of these things can hurt other people
even the people you love.

Where can I get help for alcoholism?

Your doctor can help you find the right treatment program. You also can check with your health insurance company. Some insurance plans cover alcohol treatment only at certain places.

If you have been a heavy drinker for a long time
do not stop drinking suddenly. This can lead to serious withdrawal symptoms. What is withdrawal?

When you stop drinking
your body might find it hard with no alcohol. You might have some uncomfortable feelings. That is called withdrawal. You might feel anxious and confused or have trouble sleeping. If you get "the shakes" when you don't drink
or if you feel like you need to have a drink early in the day
you might need to take medicine when you stop drinking to help with the withdrawal. This is called detoxification (say:dee-tox-uh-fuh-kay-shun
or "detox
for short).

How can my doctor tell if I need detoxification?

Your doctor will ask you questions to see if you need to take medicine to stop drinking. It is important to be honest with your doctor about how much you drink and the kinds of drugs you take.

Can detoxification be done at home?

Yes, but only with close supervision from your doctor. You will need to have another person at home to help you take your medicine. If you have serious withdrawal symptoms or other medical problems, you might have to go to a hospital for detoxification. Tell your doctor if you had a seizure or got delirious when you tried to stop drinking before.

What happens after detoxification?

Detoxification is not enough to treat alcoholism. You should have counseling before and after detoxification. Counseling will help keep you from drinking again.

What about Alcoholics Anonymous?

Alcoholics Anonymous, or
A.A.
is a free support group for people with alcoholism. The people in A.A. help each other stay sober. Most communities have A.A. meetings, and most alcohol treatment programs tell their patients to go to these meetings.

Where can I get more information?

Your doctor

This information provides a general overview and may not apply to everyone. Talk to your family doctor to find out if this information applies to you and to get more information on this subject.

The first step of the program refers to the addition of the alcohol dependency and acceptance of the fact that the patient is powerless to alcohol
which leads to significant and unwanted life changes. After admitting the problem
the patients deal with admitting that they can recover from the unwanted condition and leave healthy lives again
due to a power “greater than themselves”. The third step of the program concentrates upon this “greater power”
which is associated with God; the patients accept that God can lead their lives and behavior
by guiding their wills in the right direction.

After the first steps that admit the problem and the power to change it
the patients are asked to make a morel introspection of themselves
in order to discover their needs and expectations regarding their problem. Admitting their mistakes to themselves
to God
to their family and friends represents the step that follows and which is the base of a process that accepts that patients are capable
as humans
to commit wrongs. This process
which is expressed in the steps from 5 to 9
includes asking for help from the “greater power” in order to remove the shortcomings
but also
it implies listing the persons that were affected in the past by the patient’s wrong means and asking them for understanding and forgiveness. Making direct amends to relatives and acquaintances is represented in step number 9 and it is the base for the further conduct
as patients are thought to continue observing their inner self and promptly admit their mistakes.

The last 2 steps of the Alcoholics Anonymous program refer to improving the contact that the patients established with God and constantly praying and asking for knowledge to entirely overcome their condition. Step 12 basically refers to the accomplishment of a spiritual awakening
as a result of the recovery steps and accepting and willing to teach other alcoholic patients to discover and overcome their problem. The ending result of the twelve-step program in alcohol rehab is sharing the experience
believes and behavior means with the others
in order to prevent further collapses and live a healthy life. Full body detox treatments are the most sought after toxin removing remedies that help people rebalance their bodies
achieving a very good health condition. Lots of doctors are recommending to their patients to follow a full body detox treatment in order to get healthier and of course
to ease the healing treatments they must take for recovering from different diseases. A general cleansing diet is recommended to be done from time to time even for people who don't seem to suffer from any chronic or profound maladies because the effect of a full body detox may prevent the development of many diseases and also it increases the body's immune system.

Research has shown that risks for cancer increase among men who have two alcoholic drinks a day and women who have one alcoholic drink per day. While everyone has been widely aware of the fact that smoking cigarettes greatly increase your risk of contracting cancer
there has been very little publicity of the fact that alcohol can act as a similar carcinogen.

By its very nature and design
the consumption of alcohol damages cells in your body. This damage can easily promote cell division
stimulate enzymes which cause the activation of other carcinogens and destroy certain nutrients that act as natural preventatives to cancer.

Most of the research indicates that a strong link exists between alcohol and cancers of the esophagus
pharynx and mouth. There is a suggested
those less strongly proven
link between cancers of the liver
breast and colon.

According to the American Cancer Society
oral cancers are six times more common in alcohol users than in non alcohol users.

Obviously
all of this evidence points to the conclusion that you should avoid alcohol so you can lower your chances of contracting these types of cancer.

For most people the question then comes down to a simple decision: are the benefits of drinking alcohol larger than the potential deficits of cancer? As long as the mythology continues that there is no cure for cancer
the question should be fairly simple to answer. Very few people would happily enjoy a few nights out with friends drinking for months or years of painful cancer.

Put plainly
our bodies are designed to heal themselves. Our immune system was created to keep our bodies healthy. However
like any other worker
our immune system cannot do its work if we don’t give it the necessary tools.

One of the effects of alcohol
which isn’t one of the reasons most folks drink it
is that it reduces the ability of your immune system to do its job. So
people who regularly drink alcohol are regularly inhibiting the ability of their immune system to do its job.

Our cells are constantly dividing and there are a large number of ways the cell can become malignant. In reality
we probably develop malignant cells on a daily basis. However
once they become known to our immune system as a threat
they are destroyed.

It’s only when our immune system somehow misses the indications that a cell is becoming a problem that we term it cancer.

There is no dispute about the fact that doing anything which will inhibit our immune system increases our chances for becoming ill. It’s significantly odd
then
that we all continue going about our lives while continually doing things that inhibit our immune systems.

In the end
we all need to evaluate the actions we take and the decisions we make with an eye towards the potential rewards versus the potential risks. Alcohol diminishes the immune system and a diminished immune system greatly elevates our chances of developing cancer. Next time you start to drink alcohol
stop and ask your immune system if it really wants to get drunk.

AIDS is an acronym for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome it causes a destruction of the immune system. It is the most advanced stage of the HIV virus (HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus). AIDS is defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as the presence of a positive HIV antibody test and one or more of the illnesses known as opportunistic infections.
The HIV virus
type 1 or 2 is widely known to be the cause of AIDS. HIV breaks down and attacks your T cells so your body is unable to defend itself against different infections. The HIV virus also attacks your peripheral nervous system
this causes nerve and muscle pain
especially in the feet
legs
and hands.
HIV is spread through direct contact with semen or blood of an individual that is infected. This can be transferred in many ways the most common is unprotected sexual intercourse. Other means of infection are infected blood transfusions
mother to infant (at time of birth
or through breast milk)
sharing needles with an infected person
and rarely a healthcare worker that gets pricked with an infected needle.
Often people who are infected with HIV have few symptoms and in some cases there are none. Other times
symptoms of HIV are confused with other illnesses such as the flu. This may be severe
with swollen glands in the neck and armpits
tiredness
fever and night sweats. This is where as much as 9 out of 10 of the infected individuals will develop AIDS. At this point the person may feel completely healthy and not even know that he/she has the virus. The next stage begins when the immune system starts to break down and the virus becomes more aggressive in damaging white cells. Several glands in the neck and armpits may swell and stay swollen for an extended period of time without any explanation. As this disease progresses boils or warts may spread over the body. They may also feel tremendously tired
night sweats
high fevers
chronic diarrhea
and they may lose a considerable amount of their body weight. Most cases have shown thrush as a symptom as well. At this point the person is in the final stages of HIV--AIDS. Severe chest infections with high fever are common and survival rate is above 70% but decrease with each recurrence.
A person is diagnosed with AIDS when he/she has one or more positive HIV screening and the presence of an AIDS defining condition. Some of the common conditions include but are not limited to: Meningitis
Encephalitis
Dementia
Pneumonia
Kaposi sarcoma
and Lymphoma. There is also a blood test called an Immune Profile that can be done. This test is used to measure the loss of immunity and help decide on the best treatment. There is a test that is rarely used due to its high cost
it is known as a Viral Load: This test detects the virus itself
and also measures the amount of HIV in the blood. It shows how quickly the HIV infection is likely to advance. A high viral load suggests that the person may progress rapidly to AIDS.
Although there is no cure for AIDS there are medical treatments that aide in prolonging
and maintaining the best quality of life possible. These include two nucleoside inhibitors
lamivudine and zidovudine. Actual treatment plans will vary with each patient
along with the physical aspect of this disease. The psychological side has to be addressed in order for a treatment plan to be effective.
The easiest way to escape contracting this disease is to avoid the risk factors that you are in control of. Such as: unprotected sex
not sharing a needle
and if you are in the healthcare field be sure to use all precautions necessary to avoid an accidental prick from a possible infected needle (remember that in this diseases early stages it is common for the person not to even know they are infected). Today AIDS is the fifth leading cause of death among all adults aged 25 to 44 in the United States. Among African-Americans in the 25 to 44 age group
AIDS is the leading cause of death for men and the second leading cause of death for women. Our society needs to become aware that by not protecting ourselves we are killing ourselves and that this has to stop.

AIDS: is now a commonly-used term for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome and also for HIV/AIDS; WHO uses the term to กฐdenote the entire health problem associate with HIV infection.กฑ

American Foundation for AIDS Research (AmFAR): was co-founded in 1985 by Dr. Mathilde Krim and by Dr. Michael Gottlieb. It remains an influential advocate for HIV/AIDS research and programs.

Anal sex: Sexual intercourse when the penis is inserted in the anus. Often used as a birth control measure by young adults.

Antibiotic: A substance that kills or inhibits the growth of organisms. Once considered a magic bullet
antibiotics are now commonly used to combat disease and infection. Indications are growing that many human viruses and bacteria are becoming resistant to current antibiotics.

Antibody: Members of a class of proteins known as immunoglobins. Antibodies may tag
destroy and neutralize bacteria
viruses or other harmful toxins. Antibodies attack infected cells
making them vulnerable to attack by other elements of the immune system.

Antigen: A foreign protein that causes an immune response (the production of antibodies to fight antigens). Common examples of antigens are the bacteria and viruses that cause human disease. The antibody is formed in response to a particular antigen unique to that antigen
reacting with no other.

For Detailed info about AIDS education: http://treatments-4-incurable-diseases.us/healthtalk/?p=76

If you or someone you know has a history of cancer
it is important to be aware of the potential health consequences from cancer and its treatment. Frequently
patients and families are not informed or do not recall discussions that occurred during the stress-filled days after diagnosis about such potential problems as pain
depression
infertility and other physical and emotional changes. Regardless of whether problems are temporary or permanent
most can be managed.

To begin to address the many and varied health-related needs of long-term cancer survivors
the American Journal of Nursing (AJN) recently released a report
based on a July 2005 symposium
that offers action strategies and recommendations.

"The late effects of cancer and treatment for survivors diagnosed as adults remain poorly documented
said Pamela J. Haylock, MA, RN, symposium co-director, cancer care consultant and doctoral student at the University of Texas Medical Branch School of Nursing in Galveston, TX.
Yet up to 75 percent of survivors have some health deficits related to their cancers and therapies. Knowing about potential risks and learning and using risk reduction strategies are important steps in survivors' recovery."

Nurses recommend that cancer survivors heed the following advice:

• Incorporate regular exercise
stress management
a healthful diet and weight control as part of a healthy lifestyle.

• Schedule regular health checkups.

• Ask your oncology team for a written summary of your cancer diagnosis
treatments
tests and recommended follow-up once treatment is complete. Create a folder to organize diagnostic and laboratory reports
and give it to your current health care provider to make a copy for his or her records.

• Ask your nurse or physician to help you and your caregivers learn about possible long-term effects of your cancer therapy and ways to prevent or minimize them. Effects differ from person to person; therefore
educating yourself is important.

• Inform physicians and nurses about your previous cancer history
treatment
current medications and long-term effects you may experience
including infertility
early menopause
indigestion
dry mouth or taste changes
constipation
diarrhea
sleep issues
fatigue
dry skin
memory loss
changes in thinking
vision or hearing problems
depression
relationship/sexuality issues
anxiety
confidence issues
pain
tingling
or numbness or swelling in the fingers and toes.

• Look for resources to assist with any physical
emotional or financial issues that you may experience.

Helpful Internet sites are www.acor.org
www.cancer.org
and www.canceradvocacy.org.

Adult Scoliosis is a spinal abnormality that occurs during adulthood
or is a continuation of the disease that was undiagnosed or ignored during childhood or adolescence.

Adult Scoliosis is generally idiopathic
which means that its cause is unknown. However
several other types of Scoliosis also occur in adults. These include congenital curve
paralytic curve
and myopathic deformity.

A congenital curve is present at birth
and if undiagnosed or untreated
may worsen in adulthood due to age and weakening of the spine. This results in Adult Scoliosis. A paralytic curve may be caused by an injury to the spine
while myopathic deformity may result from diseases like polio or cerebral palsy. Degeneration
osteoporosis
and spinal surgery are other causes of Adult Scoliosis.

Signs of Adult Scoliosis include one shoulder or hip higher than the other
a rib or back hump
and one arm longer than the other. Severe cases of Scoliosis are often accompanied by pain because the abnormal curvature creates pressure on the spine. This may even lead to difficulty in walking.

Doctors subject individuals suspected to be suffering from Scoliosis to the Adam’s Forward Bending Test. Test results are confirmed through X-ray
CT scan
or MRI. Treatment options include medication
physical exercise
bracing
and surgery.

Medication is recommended by doctors to relieve pain caused by Scoliosis. Physical exercise
such as walking
cycling
and swimming
helps to keep the body fit and maintain a correct posture. These counter the deforming effect of Scoliosis. Exercise also helps to reduce pain. Physical therapists can design exercise programs to suit the different needs of patients. Bracing in adults is used to ease pain and discomfort rather than prevent worsening of the curve
while surgery is generally used as the last resort.

Surgery becomes essential if the spinal curve is greater than 50 degrees and is accompanied by continuous pain. It is also conducted if the curve is increasing
because this could cause heart and lung problems. In certain cases
deformity caused by the disease necessitates surgery.

To conclude
Scoliosis in adults can be largely avoided through proper treatment of the disease in its early stages
during childhood or adolescence. The earlier the treatment commences
the lesser will be the pain and discomfort
and chances of surgery. Leading a healthy lifestyle can also curb its occurrence during adulthood.

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.

One of the things people with Adult ADHD symptoms really struggle with is procrastination. And procrastination really comes out of fear. What kind of fear?

There are two main fears people with Adult ADHD symptoms face when they try to start a big project.

1. How do I know I'm choosing the right thing to work on?

2. How do I know I won't fail
especially if I don't know anything about this yet?

First of all
you've got to ask yourself
What am I so afraid of?
Let’s just bring it out into the open. If I pick an opportunity
the fear becomes
Oh, my gosh. What am I going to miss?


The truth is
the second someone with Adult ADHD focuses on something
you're missing a lot of other things. That’s just the way it works.

It’s not about the opportunity. It’s not about which Internet-type thing you should be doing. It’s "why." You've got to ask yourself
How would this particular opportunity fit in with my larger vision?


Some people with Adult ADHD might not feel like they know exactly what they want to do with their whole lives. And this is where a lot of fear about choosing what to do next comes from.

Well
you know what? Whatever you want to do with your life right now
it probably is going to change at some point (especially if you have Adult ADHD). Just because you're going full tilt on something right now doesn't mean you have to do that for the rest of your life.

It does mean that
if you're going to spend your time doing something
it should be something you're incredibly passionate about to begin with
something that you'd like to spend all your time on anyway.

Most likely
if you have Adult ADHD symptoms
you'll find yourself in the exact same situation at some point in the future. It happens. You work really hard. You go full speed at something
and occasionally
you look up and you say
What the heck am I doing?


That's ok. At that point
if you really want to
you can shift your focus. No one's stopping you. But don't let that fear stop you from starting.

The second fear those with Adult ADHD symptoms feel has to do with how much there is to learn about a subject or skill
and the information overload that occurs so often with Adult ADHD.

My experience was
I said
I'm going to learn this Internet thing. I'm going to go out and I'm going to learn everything that I possibly can,
and I didn't realize at the very beginning that there were so many different subspecialties. It’s an entire industry.

You could be a specialist in list building
in search engine optimization
in advertising or all these different subspecialties
and you realize that what you're trying to do is go out and learn an entire industry. Of course
it doesn't really work that way.

You don't go out one day and say
Okay, I'm going to be a lawyer,
and understand every aspect of law. Even lawyers have to pick a specialty
be it corporate
criminal
bankruptcy or whatever. You don't say
I'm going to go out and learn everything there is to know about foreign language,
right? You pick one.

So
if that is true
that brings up another question for people with Adult ADHD symptoms: "What sub-specialty do I pick then? I have to pick one."

Again
we're teaching you ways to think with your Adult ADHD brain instead of against it here. As you're thinking about the anxiety of having to pick one area of specialty
for example
to grow your business or to work on in your life
remember that people with Adult ADHD symptoms have something that they use automatically every day they don't usually appreciate
and that is a very highly-developed intuition.

Intuition is why people with Adult ADHD make snap decisions all the time. You're really good at it naturally. It’s coming from your gut.

But you need a clear head to do it. So if you've got information overload
and you can't decide to focus on one thing
how do you clear your head?

What you need to do is this: You need to go on an "unsubscribe" campaign! Start with the information you have coming in on your computer every day.
You should continue subscribing to or buying the information from the people that you intuitively know are going to help you with your one main focus. But clear out the rest
so you don't even see it. Let your computer sort it so your head doesn't have to.

Do this with other things in your life too. Once you decide what you're main focus is (at least for now)--then "unsubscribe" or disconnect from anything
and anyone
that doesn't contribute to that one goal.

Then you can get down to the business of choosing a specialty and learning all about that one thing. You'll be amazed how much more focused you'll be
automatically! To learn more about how to beat procrastination and focus on your goals with Adult ADHD
see below.

ADHD stands for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and it is a chronic condition that can have a great impact on a child if a child does not get help
or if the right ADHD treatment is not prescribed.

Some of the most common symptoms of ADHD are impulsivity
inappropriate behavior
and hyperactivity. These children have difficulty staying on task and completing projects
which if not identified and treated early can be a huge barrier throughout the school years and eventually on the job. Before there was a diagnosis
these children were just seen as having lots of energy
or were just wild and always getting into trouble. Now that ADHD treatments are available
parents have the option of getting their child help so that they can be more productive in school and have fewer disruptions at home.

Not all parents and professionals agree on what type of ADHD treatment is the best
or if it should be used at all. Some parents feel that it is unnatural to treat a child with prescription medication that could have significant side effects
or otherwise harm the child. Side effects are dose dependent and can be lessened by reducing the dosage or switching to a different medication. Many times behavior modification therapy is not effective on its own
which is why ADHD treatment usually requires use of a stimulant drug. Stimulants have a paradoxical effect on children; these drugs do not increase hyperactivity
which is a normal response in adults
but help the child focus
control behaviors
and improve self-esteem. Stimulants used in ADHD treatment help children to complete tasks
learn more efficiently
and interact more positively with their peers.

Physicians and psychiatrists develop individualized ADHD treatments for each child
because not all experience the same symptoms or have the same level of severity. There can also be other conditions that are present as well
such as mental or physical disorders that need to be addressed in addition to ADHD treatment. Such conditions may have a great impact on how the child responds to therapy
and if not treated simultaneously will tend to slow down progress. There are a number of sites on the internet that discuss ADHD
the symptoms
and how to go about getting help for your child. ADHD treatments and the controversies surrounding them are also discussed in depth. If you suspect your child has ADHD have him or her evaluated by a professional as soon as possible
so that your child can get the treatment he or she needs.

While most people enjoy casino gambling
sports betting
lottery and bingo playing for the fun and excitement it provides
others may experience gambling as an addictive and distractive habit. Statistics show that while 85 percent of the adult population in the US enjoys some type of gambling every year
between 2 and 3 percent of will develop a gambling problem and 1 percent of them are diagnosed as pathological gamblers.

Where can you draw the line between harmless gambling to problem gambling? How can you tell if you or your friend are compulsive gamblers? Here you can find answers to these questions and other questions regarding problem gambling and gambling addiction.

What is the Meaning of Problem Gambling?
Problem gambling or compulsive gambling is defined as an uncontrollable urge to gamble despite the destructive effect of gambling on the gamblers life and despite feelings of guilt and remorse. Problem gambling tends to have a negative effect on the gamblers financial state
relationships and daily life. Severe cases of problem gambling can be defined as pathological gambling.

Am I a Compulsive Gambler?
1
Do you gamble until your last penny runs out?
2
Do you gamble to win back your former losses or debts?
3
Did you ever had to borrow money to continue gamble?
4
Did your gambling habit ever made you lie to your friends or family?
5
Did you ever skip work or other obligation to gamble?
6
Do you tend to gamble to forget about your personal problems or to celebrate happy occasions?
7
Does gambling have a negative affect on your daily life or relationships?

If you have answered yes on at least one of the questions listed above
then you have a problem.

Can Anyone Become a Compulsive Gambler?
Theoretically
yes. Any gambler can develop gambling problem regardless to the type of gambling he is occupied with
the amount of money and time he is spending on gambling. Researches show that slot machines that can be found in bars and convenient stores are the most addictive type of gambling activity
while lottery draws and bingo games are located on the other end of the scale. Gambling addiction is an emotional problem; its symptoms
causes and treatments are similar to any other form of addiction.

How Can I treat Gambling Addiction?
1
Group Therapy:
Gamblers Anonymous offers a 12 step self help program similar to the one offered to alcohol addicts in Alcoholics Anonymous. Group therapy also offers gambling addicts advice and support from professional counselors and other gambling addicts in different phases of their recovery process. Gambler Anonymous centers are available in more than 1
200
locations statewide.

2
Individual Therapy:
Cognitive or behavior therapy can help gambling addicts to identify their unaware thinking and acting patterns
which led them to gamble compulsively
and to replace them with controllable and healthier ways of thinking.

3
Psychiatric Medication:
It has recently been proven that antidepressant medications from the family of SSRIs
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors can be affective in treatment of gambling addicts.

ADD is often accompanied by a coexisting condition. On the other hand
often ADD and these other conditions have similar symptoms and
therefore
are easily misdiagnosed. Of course
this creates a plethora of problems as these disorders
when separate
must be treated differently. A misdiagnosis will lead to ineffective treatment. As coexisting conditions
these are especially of concern
because they increase the severity of many of the symptoms of ADD
as well as the negative impact on those that suffer them.

One such condition is Oppositional Defiant Disorder or Conduct Disorder. Children with this disorder tend to be very aggressive and defiant. They usually lose their tempers very easily and challenge authority figures. This is the most easily diagnosable behaviors
as teachers and parents become aware of this conduct quickly and seek treatment almost immediately. This particular disorder is common in children that are the hyperactive/impulsive type of ADD and occurs in 35% of children with ADD. This coexisting condition makes it much more likely that these sufferers will get in legal trouble as they age due to their authoritative defiance.

Many children that have ADD also suffer from mood disorders and/or depression. The complication associated with this coexisting condition is the increased likelihood of suicide common during teen years. 18% of ADD children also suffer from some type of mood disorder
and is it more likely to occur within the inattentive type of ADD. This is often not as easily diagnosed as compared to other conditions. Children with mood disorders as a coexisting condition must be treated with different medication than typical ADD treatment; therefore
such therapy may be more difficult.

Also a concern is anxiety disorders among ADD sufferers
which constitutes roughly 25% of those with ADD. Traits common of Anxiety Disorders are fear
panic
and worry
which may necessitate medication and/or counseling. As with mood disorders
combined treatment make therapy more complex and arduous.

Learning Disabilities are also conditions common with children that have ADD. While ADD
in itself
is not a learning disability
it can make it extremely difficult for children to perform well in school. If coupled with a learning disability
it makes it considerably more challenging for children to grasp academic concepts and utilize such knowledge.

For the most part
coexisting conditions make treatment more difficult and the side effects of both disorders more severe. The typical signs and symptoms of ADD are difficult enough to deal with
but with more intense severity
it often makes side effects deadly or incredibly negatively life altering.

Anthrax is an acute infectious disease that exists in animals and can by transmitted to humans. Caused by Bacillus anthracis
Anthrax
primarily affects farm animals such as goats
hogs
sheep
horses. In the majority of these cases the disease is fatal. To simply how the disease works: Bacillus anthracis creates toxins that cause fluid to accumulate in the body's tissues and kill cells.

Found in the soil
Anthrax spores have been been discovered to be able to survive for decades. It is most common for an animal to contract the disease while grazing in a field. Although you can become sick from eating the meat of an infected animal
it is most common that infected individuals have come in direct contact with an infected animal. This characteristic of Anthrax makes it almost completely restricted to certain occupations that handle animals first hand
such as veterinarians
and farmers.

In it's simple state
Anthrax is not generally fatal to humans. However
if not treated
the disease can work it's way through the blood vessels causing posoining of the blodd and death. Another type of Anthrax is
Gastrointestinal anthrax
which is much more fatal. Typically Gastrointestinal anthrax will begin with symptoms such as nausea
vomiting
and fever
and can then be followed by abdominal bleeding
tissue death
and septicemia.

Anthrax is a very well known
disease that ages back to ancient history. Most recently
in 2001
Anthrax was raised to a top concern when letters containing the Anthrax bacteria were mailed to several individuals
killing 5. These events were part of the growing terrorist problems in the United States
such as the Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center.

*Introduction :
Any Chemical released from the Pituitary gland induces physical activities or changes in the body. Pituitary gland is an endocrine gland present in the brain.

The release of chemical from the gland in a moderate quantity leads to correct growth of the human body. But if the release of the chemicals that induces the growth increases
then size of the bones increases and also results in the increase of the growth of soft tissues. This results to many abnormalities in the human body.

The hormone or chemical that induces growth is called as Growth Hormone or Somatotropin. Excess of release of this hormone from the pituitary gland will cause an alteration in the use of nutrients in the body. In children as the bones are still in the growing condition
these changes will cause more and more growth of the bones and this is called as Gigantism.
And in adults
after the bone formation has stopped
this change can cause an abnormality which is called as Acromegaly.

*Description :
Acromegaly is a rare condition caused in a very few people i.e. one person per 20
0
people can experience this abnormality. This is common in males and females. The identification is not easy for middle aged people till extreme conditions are observed.

*Cause of the Abnormality :
Pituitary gland is present at the base of the brain which release a number of chemicals that are responsible for many functional activities of the systems and organs of the body. The hormones are released and travel throughout the body and are mainly involved in the growth and reproductive activities.

A Gland called Hypothalamus which is present on the base of the brain regulates the secretion of the pituitary. It induces or stops the release of hormones from the pituitary by releasing hormones and sending to the pituitary gland. Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone(GHRH) is released from the hypothalamus which induces and also stops pituitary gland to release hormones.

In the liver
growth hormone produces IGF-1 called "Insulin-like Growth Factor-1" which is responsible for the growth throughout the body. In the condition of Acromegaly
the pituitary refuses to stop the Growth hormone which leads to increase in the levels of IGF-1 andthe body now loses the capacity to produce and utilise the nutrients.

*Conditions :
Induvidual's hands and feets grows more than normal
and they become thicker.
The conditions on the face also change i.e. the nose
jaws become large and the teeth are spread more wider. Tongue also becomes larger. These changes on the face are called as "Coarsening". the voice of that person becomes Deep and develop Snoring.

*Symptoms :
-Profused sweating
-Skin becomes Oily
-Body hair increases
-Blood Pressure increases
-Calcium increases in the urine
-Risk of Gallstones increases
-Swelling of thyroid glands
-Patients often suffer from headache.

Important cause : In about 90% of the patients
it is seen that a non-cancerous tumuor occurs in the pituitary gland
it is called as Pituitary Adenoma. And it is a major factor that causes Acromegaly.

How Does Pituitary Adenoma cause Acromegaly :
The tumuor increases in size and presses the adjacent structures present in the brain which cause headache
and also effects the vision. This may damage the pituitary tissues and also brings changes in the production of the hormones and due to this
the Growth Hormones are released in excess. And so this results in Acromegaly.
Also due to this
the sexual drive in the males and females decreases and brings changes in menstrual cycle in the females.

The condition if not treated
can cause an early death of the person as this would effect lungs
heart
brain
and also cause Cancer in the large intestine.

Natural stomach acid is in your stomach for a reason. The actual acid is not the cause of acid reflux disease. It is not a nasty poison that someone put there. The acid breaks down foods and sorts them out into the right department so to speak. Proper digestion depends on the presence of adequate stomach acid while you are eating.

When you eat
food moves from the mouth through the esophagus and into the stomach to be digested. At the end of the esophagus
there is a band of muscles that open and allow the food to go into the stomach. It then closes to prevent the food and acid from coming back up into the esophagus. Many people experience acid reflux when foods or digestive juices escape the stomach and come back up through the esophagus.

To make sure your stomach has enough acid at mealtimes
make sure you chew your food thoroughly. Getting saliva mixed into the food as you chew will get the digestion process off to a good start.

Snacking throughout the day causes the stomach to pump out acid gradually instead of saving it for mealtimes when it is needed the most. It is best to not eating closer than three hours apart. For example - if you eat breakfast at six a.m. and lunch at twelve p.m. then a snack at nine a.m. would be fine.

Next
make sure you do not drink too much liquid while eating a meal. Too much liquid dilutes the necessary acid in the stomach. The best policy is to drink a glass of water 30 minutes to one hour before or after your meal
with only a few ounces consumed during the meal. After you have eaten
one hour or two feel free to guzzle down all the pure natural water you want.

Another cause of acid reflux comes from eating large meals. This increases pressure on the stomach causing the stomach contents to be forced out and up into the esophagus. You will need to give your body at least two hours to digest your food properly. In addition
never ever lie down immediately after eating a large meal.

To avoid overproduction of acid eat smaller portions of food at each meal. It would also help a lot to eliminate any fried food or food that contains refined sugar
or caffeine.

Obesity can also increase abdominal pressure
and your risk of suffering from acid reflux as well. If you are overweight
cutting back on the amounts of food that you eat at each meal
and exercising daily should put you on the right path to helping you shed a few pounds.

Acid reflux is caused in some people when the sphincter muscle at the end of the esophagus becomes weak or does not close correctly. Prescription drugs
certain foods
alcohol
and smoking have been known to weaken the sphincter muscles.

Try not to use antacids since they cut down the acids you will need when you eat. Without enough acid
your stomach is unable to do its job of breaking down the food into the various nutrient components.

Inadequate digestion of proteins can cause the liver to increase production of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol
which is the bad cholesterol that does the most damage to your body.

Instead of taking antacids
try the following natural approach. If you still have sour stomach in between meals try eating something that will settle it without triggering more acid production such as sauerkraut. Your stomach should relax after eating sauerkraut in five to ten minutes.

The benefits of natural solutions are they normally cost a lot less
but even more important is the fact that natural solutions are a healthier alternative. They tend to reduce the possibility of becoming dependant on addictive chemical drugs.

There are also three herbs that are well known for soothing stomach muscles
which are chamomile
gentian
and ginger. If your problem does not respond successfully to natural remedies within a few days
please see your health care provider.

The lower end of the esophagus is protected by a valve called the Lower Esophageal sphincter (LES). This valve opens to allow food from the esophagus into the stomach and then closes up to protect the esophagus from the acid content of the stomach. Several conditions can compromise this valve
allowing gastric content into the esophagus. As in adults
infants also suffer from heartburn on occasions. This is mainly attributed to the fact that infants consume essentially liquid and soft foods
which tend to be rich in diary proteins. The most unfortunate part of infant acid reflux disease is that
unlike in adults
it is very difficult to determine if an infant has developed chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease. An infant is most unlikely to be able to complain of heartburn or any symptoms of the disease.

Acid reflux in infants is always as a result of a lot of factors
however
most of the causative factors tend to be aggravated by the fact that infants
spend a great deal of their days lying on their back or in a supine position and consume mostly liquid food. The tendency for liquid food to cause regurgitation
when combined with the pressure lying in a supine position exerts on the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) constitutes a greater risk of reflux acid incidence in infants. The incidence
however
could also be attributed to some other factors like
the anatomy of the infant's stomach
improper or incomplete development of the lower esophageal sphincter during fetal growth
poor diet
overweight
food allergies and a host of other factors.

Because infants
unlike adults
cannot complain of symptoms or explain how they feel
it is always very difficult to know when an infant is suffering from acid reflux. The best bet is to consult a pediatrician. Nevertheless
there are signs and clues that you may look out for in your infant that could suggest the presence of the disease. Some of these clues are:

- Sleeping problems
- Coughing
- Weight loss
- Lack of appetite
- Spitting up frequently
- Apnea
- Unusual irritability
- Chest pain
- Sore throat
- Bad breath
- Crying

Acid reflux disease can also cause respiratory problems including pneumonia
strictures and ulcerations on the esophageal wall
and malnourishment. Although
these signs don't always mean your infant is suffering from acid reflux disease
but they constitute a good enough reason to go see your pediatrician.

Of course
there are a few things you could do to help your child avoid acid reflux. Simple things like changing the child's food
keeping him/her upright for some time
especially after eating
keeping a eye on the child for any sign of chest pain or heartburn and a host of others. This extra attention could be all your child really needs.

The first explanation for the cause of this condition is that because of the incompetence of the Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES) acidic contents of the stomach are allowed up into the esophagus
which results in a burning sensation. The LES is a valve that is found at the lower end of the esophagus and separates it from the stomach and its contents but when this valve becomes dysfunctional
it allows the acidic content of the stomach to be regurgitated into the esophagus.

A separate school of thought believes that acidic reflux disease is caused by our eating habits. As it's often said
living in the civilized world entails eating more junk food and packaged and processed food than the stomach can digest. So
when we put so much into the stomach
most of the food ends up undigested. These undigested food materials turn into acidic waste in the stomach. This waste causes stomach spasms or twitching that causes an increase in stomach gas that pops open the LES valve between the esophagus and stomach sending acidic contents up the esophagus.

Yet
acidic reflux disease can be traced to aging in adults. It is believed in some quarters that as we age
the activity of the stomach reduces
so also its ability to produce hydrochloric acid. The reduction in the stomach activity and acid content of the stomach creates a breeding ground for infections which in themselves cause stomach pain and acid production leading to further symptoms of acid reflux.

Whatever the cause of acid reflux disease
what is constant about it
is the fact that it is a chronic disease. Most medicines
which inhibit production of acid in the stomach
only help to relieve the burning effect and other symptoms and not actually cure the condition. As a matter of fact
these drugs help in relieving the symptoms quite effectively
but the other side of the coin is that these drugs also cause several side effects in the body by cutting down the acid production in your stomach. Some of their side effects are that they reduce the ability of the stomach to digest food efficiently
they make you more vulnerable to diseases and microbes transmitted through food
increases the risk of food poisoning and a host of others.

While there are many medications and natural methods to rid yourself of that burning sensation that accompanies each acid reflux bout
the first line of action should be a thorough assessment of the your food and lifestyle. Some food materials are known to aggravate acid reflux
some of the foods include; citrus
caffeine
chocolate
fatty fried foods
garlic
and onions. Cutting down or avoiding these foods as much as possible is a good first attempt at preventing future acid reflux bouts.

Additional lifestyle assessment and modification that can help reduce acid reflux episodes include:

- Losing weight if you are overweight
- Cutting down alcohol to the barest minimum
- Eating just enough food to keep hunger away
- Don't go to bed until at least three hours after eating
- Raise your bed head six to eight inches

These very simple lifestyle improvements can keep you off those acid blockers and other acid reflux medications that cause almost the same amount of damage as the good they do to your body.

Commonly called 'heart burn'
acid reflux disease is a condition in which the liquid content of the stomach regurgitates (backs up
or refluxes) into the esophagus.

It's annoying and painful.

But you want to know the truth
the reflux of the stomach's liquid contents into the esophagus occurs in most normal individuals. However
when heartburn becomes acid reflux disease or Gastro esophageal reflux disease
commonly referred to as GERD
it is s real problem. That is because with GERD
the acid is stronger and stays in the esophagus longer causing more discomfort.

Most often
you will experience this during the daytime when you are upright
sitting straight
or standing. You body handles this reflux by the fluid flowing back down into your stomach. You swallow more during the daytime therefore draining the acid back to where it belongs. Your salivary glands produce saliva that also contains bicarbonate that acts to neutralize the acid your stomach has kicked up.

At night though
you may have a greater problem when acid reflux disease occurs that is because while sleeping
gravity does not work as well lying down
your constant swallowing stops
and the production of saliva is reduced.

Certain conditions make a person more prone to acid reflux disease
this GERD. For example
while you are pregnant
this can be a serious problem. Elevated hormone levels of pregnancy probably cause reflux by lowering the pressure in that part of your body known as the lower esophageal sphincter. Also
the growing baby puts more pressure on the abdomen. Both of these effects of pregnancy tend to increase the risk of GERD.

If your acid reflux disease is a minor condition
then you should only experience minor symptoms. These would include primarily heartburn
regurgitation
and nausea. However
if the condition is complicated
then watch out for the following symptoms.

The liquid that comes back into the esophagus damages the lining of the esophagus. The body tries to protect itself from the acid reflux disease by 'inflaming' the esophagus. Trying to speed the healing process through the inflammation
the wall of the esophagus may form an ulcer. The ulcer is a break in the lining of the esophagus wall. Then what happens is that there may be bleeding. If the bleeding is very severe
patients might need a blood transfusion or even surgical treatment.

If your heartburn is severe or acute
happening very frequently
you need to see a doctor.

What can you do for yourself to help the condition? Try sleeping a pillow a night that raises your chest up slightly so that gravity can bring the acid back down more easily. Since this condition usually occurs on a full stomach
eat earlier and eat less to keep the stomach from being too full. Ease off on the chocolate
peppermint
alcohol
and caffeinated drinks. Reduce fatty foods and of course
cut down or quit smoking. Other foods may aggravate the conditions. Avoid spicy or acid-containing foods
like citrus juices
carbonated beverages
and tomato juice.

Antacids and Alignates

Antacids are generally available without a doctor's prescription and relieve the symptoms of acid indigestion and heartburn (dyspepsia).

The usual ingredients of antacids are magnesium or aluminium and they work by neutralising the acid produced in the stomach which is the cause of indigestion and acid reflux. This group often contain sodium alginate which forms a protective coating over the lining of the gullet and the stomach.

Proton Pump Inhibitors

Proton pump Inhibitors are drugs which shut down the system in the stomach called the proton pump. It is this system which produces acid in the stomach
the leaking of which into the oesophagus causes acid reflux.

These drugs are taken in the form of tablets or capsules
as a powder to be diluted in water or as injections and are used to treat stomach ulcers and a rather rare condition called Zollinger-Ellison syndrome as well as acid reflux.

Omeprazole and Lansoprazole are well known varieties of this particular type of drug although there are several others.

Side effects are rare although they can include diarrhoea or constipation
stomach pains
wind
drowsiness
dizziness and headaches. In unusual cases
a severe allergic reaction can result. My personal experience with Omeprazole was seriously raised blood pressure and severe head pain. However
replacing Omeprazole with Ranitidine and taking blood pressure reduction medication for a couple of weeks sorted out that problem.

H2-Receptor Antagonists

This group of drugs works by attaching to and blocking the H2 receptor area on stomach cells which
when stimulated by the naturally produced chemical
histamine
generates acid.

Ranitidine is the best known of this drug group
others being Nizatidine
Famotidine and Cimetidine.

Side effects are few but can display as diarrhoea
headaches
dizziness and tiredness. Loss of hair has been reported by takers of Cimetidine and with nizatidine
sweating.

Both proton pump inhibitors and H2 receptor antagonists are used together with antibiotics to get rid of Helicobacter pylori infection which can cause stomach ulcers and duodenitis.

Warning: If symptoms of heartburn persist
consult your doctor. They could be indicative of something much more serious than indigestion. Never embark on a course of medication without consulting a doctor. Never take medicines prescribed for somebody else.

It seems that one of the major culprits causing acid reflux is alcohol. Not good news for the drinkers amongst us. Take heart though
it is probably only excessive drinking that's to blame - perceived wisdom is that a couple of glasses of wine with your dinner won't hurt you
although there is some argument as to whether red or white is better. Personally
I find white wine more acidic and therefore assumed that it would be more likely to cause acid reflux. However
as alcohol prevents the oesophageal sphincter from working properly and thus allows stomach acid to reflux into the oesophagus
the acidity of the alcohol may be irrelevant. Notwithstanding that
when drinking alcohol
limit quantities and dilute spirits with water or a mixer. Wine may also be diluted with water or lemonade. Gassy drinks like champagne and beer should be avoided if possible.

Alcohol is not the only culprit - chocolate
peppermint
coffee
tea
caffeinated soft drinks such as colas and citrus fruit juices also inhibit the normal workings of the oesophageal sphincter so keep intake of these to an absolute minimum
if you can't give them up completely.

Chewing gum and eating hard sweets cause excessive air to be swallowed
thus causing wind and reflux.

Fatty and fried foods also delay the emptying of the stomach so steer clear of any fatty meat
particularly those found on the delicatessen counter
such as salamis
sausages and pat้s. "Fatty" includes full fat milk and other dairy products (cheese
cream
butter
margarine). Tomatoes can aggravate the condition in some people
as can spices such as chillies (powdered
fresh or dried) and any derivatives like Tabasco. Condiments such as Worcestershire and soy sauces and any sort of horseradish or mustard should also be taken with care.

Now for the good news - you can eat
with some freedom
vegetables (not tomatoes)
chicken and turkey (without skin)
fish
apples
peaches
melons
pears and berries. You can eat
in moderation
skimmed or semi-skimmed milk
low fat spreads and cottage cheese. Oh
and you can drink water until you float!

A few other things you can do to avoid or alleviate acid reflux are:

Avoid eating large meals - little and often is better.
Avoid eating too late at night.
Don't lie down or bend over when you've just eaten a meal.
Put blocks of wood under the head of the bed to raise it by six inches or so.
Try not to wear tight clothing around the area of the abdomen and stomach.
Nicotine weakens the lower oesophageal muscle - give it up - it's not good for you anyway!
Lose weight if you need to. Obesity is not only usually caused by eating all the foods that you should be avoiding
but leads to worsened acid reflux.

Ultimately
everyone is different and foods that some people can tolerate cause incredibly painful indigestion for others. Only you can tell
so be sensible and avoid those foods that have an adverse effect.

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.

Definition of Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy is a general term describing a group of chronic non-pregressive neurological symptoms which cause impaired control of movement and which are evident in the first few years of life
usually before age 3. The disorders are induced by damage or faulty development of the motor areas in the brain
disrupting the patient's ability to control movement and posture. Symptoms of cerebral palsy include difficulty with fine motor tasks such as writing
poor balance and walking
and involuntary movements. The exact combination of symptoms differs from patient to patient and may vary over time. Some patients also have seizures and intellectual disability
however
this is not always the case. Babies with cerebral palsy are frequently slower than average in achieving developmental milestones like learning to roll over
sit
crawl
smile
or walk. Cerebral palsy is usually thought of as congenital or perinatal
however
it can also be acquired after birth. Many of the causes of cerebral palsy that have been identified through research are preventable or even treatable: head injury
Rh incompatibility
jaundice and rubella (German measles).

Diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy

Doctors diagnose cerebral palsy by tests of motor skills and reflexes and by medical history.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Computerized Tomography (CT) scans are typically ordered when the physician suspects cerebral palsy; howerer
they are not definitive. These tests can provide evidence of physical abnormalities such as hydrocephalus (an accumulation of fluid in the cerebral ventricles of the brain)
and they can be utilized to exclude other brain disorders. These scans do not prove that the patient has cerebral palsy; nor do they predict how well a specific patient will function in the future. Patients with normal scans may have severe symptoms
and while others whose scans are clearly abnormal have only modest physical signs. However
as a group
patients with cerebral palsy are statistically more likely to have brain scars
cysts
and other changes visible on scans. When physical examination suggests cerebral palsy
an abnormal scan helps confirms the clinical diagnosis.

Even though specific symptoms can change as time passes
cerebral palsy by definition isn't progressive
so if a patient shows increasing impairment
the problem is usually another neurological disorder.

Varieties of Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy is classified by the type of movement problem (such as spastic or even athetoid cerebral palsy) or by he body parts affected (hemiplegia
diplegia
and quadriplegia). Spasticity refers to the inability of a muscle to relax
while athetosis refers to an inability to control its movement. Babies who are initially hypotonic ("floppy") may later develop spasticity. Hemiplegia is cerebral palsy that involves 1 arm and 1 leg on one side of the body
whereas diplegia is the involvement of both legs. Quadriplegia refers to symptoms involving all 4 extremities as well as trunk and neck muscles. Balance and coordination problems are referred to as ataxia.

For instance
a patient with spastic diplegia has mostly spastic muscle problems of the legs
while perhaps also displaying a smaller component of athetosis and balance problems. The patient with athetoid quadriplegia
on the more hand
would have lack of control of the muscles of both arms and legs
however such a patient will usually have smaller problems with ataxia and spasticity as well. Normally a child with quadriplegic cerebral palsy will be unable to walk independently. The degree of impairment can vary from patient to patient and range from mild to severe.

Cerebral Palsy Therapy

There is no standard therapy that benefits all patients. Drugs are useful to control seizures and muscle cramps and braces can compensate for muscle imbalance. Surgery
mechanical aids to help overcome impairments
counseling for emotional and psychological needs
and physical
occupational
speech
and behavioral therapy are all effective.

Prognosis for Cerebral Palsy

Though cerebral palsy is incurable to date
many patients can enjoy near-normal lives if their neurological symptoms are properly managed.

Medical Research

There is evidence which suggests that cerebral palsy results from incorrect cell development early in prenatal life. As an example
a group of researchers has recently observed that approximately one-third of cerebral palsy patients also have missing enamel on certain teeth. Bleeding inside the brain
breathing and circulation problems and seizures can all cause cerebral palsy and each has separate causes and treatment. Researchers are currently conducting trials to determine whether certain drugs can help halt neonatal stroke
and more investigators are examining the causes of low birth-weight. More studies are being done to determine how brain trauma (like brain damage from a shortage of oxygen or blood flow
bleeding in the brain
and seizures) can cause the release of brain chemicals which lead to premanent brain damage.

Organizations Funding Cerebral Palsy Research & Therapy

Easter Seals
Epilepsy Foundation
March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation
United Cerebral Palsy
National Disability Sports Alliance
Childrens Neurobiological Solutions Foundation
Childrens Hemiplegia and Stroke Foundation.

Plainly put
anorexia is an eating disorder where a person starves him or herself. Anorexia mainly affects adolescent girls. They have an intense fear of becoming fat. They think they are overweight
but in fact most anorexics weigh a full 15% below their normal body weight. Anorexia strikes about 1% of adolescent females. This is about one in one hundred women.

Some psychiatrists think anorexia is not just about being thin or fat. It stems from fear a of growing up and losing control. It's about fear of becoming a women
growing up
building relationships
leaving home.
Her body is changing and growing and she doesn't like it and wants to be child sized again. Some psychiatrists think that eating disorders can also be caused by life experiences such abuse.

Some studies have shown that if a mother has anorexia a child is 12 time more likely to develop it than someone with no family history.

The person who suffers with anorexia cannot help herself. She must be treated by a mental health professional experienced in dealing with anorexia. Some receive long term psychotherapy.

The first thing however is to get this girl's health back as best as you can. This person may need to be coaxed to eat
and
may need a supportive caregiver to actually watch to make sure she eats. There are numerous health concerns with anorexia. Some of these are osteoporosis
irregular heart beat and in the most severe of cases permanent failure of normal growth development. Most women sufferers of anorexia will lose their normal menstrual cycle. If an anorexic woman would conceive a child she would be likely to miscarry or have a baby born prematurely.

Without treatment up to twenty percent of anorexia suffers will die. With treatment 60% can recover and maintain healthy weight. However
even with treatment about 20% of people will continue to have an unhealthy lifetime obsession with weight and food.

If you confront a loved one about anorexia get ready to deal with someone in a true state of denial. They will be angry
and may become more withdrawn and depressed. There is nothing that you can do to change your loved one's perception of him or herself. You can't make your loved one eat. There are many organizations that are available to help anorexia sufferers and their families get the help they need.

Frank Rella was teaching a high school music class when he had a wake-up call that changed his life. Frank felt pain in his chest and left work early.

When the pain got worse at home
he was rushed by ambulance to the hospital. Frank's greatest fear came true when the doctors said he had a heart attack.

"My heart attack was really a wake-up call
said Rella, a 42-year-old New Jersey resident who became a paramedic after his life-altering heart attack, so he could be on the frontlines of medical care.
I went through a lot of emotions and was worried about having a second attack. So now I make sure to take the right medications and work with my doctor to live a heart-healthy lifestyle."

Frank's story is not uncommon. A new survey of more than 500 heart attack survivors found that survivors see their attack as a wake-up call that gave them a second chance at life. However
most survivors also said their heart attack left them with feelings of depression and hopelessness. In fact
survivors said they feared another heart attack more than death. Even though survivors had these feelings
40
percent said they were not doing everything they could to prevent another attack. This fact is troubling since one in five men and one in three women will have another heart attack within six years.

"I see these survey results come to life in my practice every day. While many of my patients who have suffered a heart attack are very aware and afraid of their increased risk of having another one
they are not doing everything they can to live a heart-healthy life. The good news is that if they take certain steps
they can prevent another attack. I tell my patients to eat healthy
exercise and take their medications. Those medications may include a beta-blocker
ACE inhibitor
statin and aspirin
said Dr. William Abraham, director of the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine at The Ohio State University Medical Center.

In the survey, 80 percent of heart attack survivors said they needed more information to learn about their heart health. As a result, Mended Hearts, a nationwide heart patient support group affiliated with the American Heart Association, started a program called
Heartfelt Wake-Up Call." This program offers education and support to heart attack survivors and their families. For tips on "Heartfelt Living" and "Heartfelt Support
such as information about local support groups, tip sheets, survivors' stories and heart-healthy recipes, visit www.mendedhearts.org.

GlaxoSmithKline provided funding and assistance in the development of
Heartfelt Wake-Up Call."

"I encourage patients to take their health to heart" said Abraham.