Conditions

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Conditions

Diaper Rash

Diaper rash

Introduction to Diaper Rash

Diaper rash is a fairly common symptom among newborn babies, infants and toddlers as they wear diapers. It mainly occurs when a wet diaper causes friction against the baby’s skin and irritates it enough to cause a rash.

Parents worry about their children’s health when they see diaper rash on their baby’s bottom and often have confusion about what to do about it.

Luckily, it is a temporary condition that is easily treatable and preventable for the future as well.

There are simple steps parents can take to reduce the inflammation and start the healing. Most remedies can be done at home and will not require any medications, unless it is a severe and unique case. Here are some common symptoms of diaper rash and easy tips to help baby feel better fast.

Symptoms

Diaper rash is most characterized as the appearance of a rash on the baby’s genital area. The skin will look tender, red and perhaps even puffy. You may notice red bumps as well. However, it is also common for babies of a darker complexion to get the same type of rash, but it will not always be red.

It can be lighter in color, or even more similar to their own skin tone. In addition to the genital area, the rash can also appear on the buttocks area and around the thighs. It can also be on the stomach and back of the baby. The bumps may bleed or ooze a little if the baby scratches it or there is a lot of friction. While a little bleeding is normal, anything more may indicate the onset of a secondary infection or a different type of skin condition.

Sometimes there is confusion with other skin conditions which can be more severe than diaper rash. While diaper and rash and another skin condition may occur at the same time, the more severe skin condition is often dismissed as diaper rash and not treated properly.

If the skin has blisters, open sores, patches of scabs with oozing fluids or moderate bleeding, these should be brought to the attention of your baby’s pediatrician for further treatment. This can be signs of eczema, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis or other skin conditions. You should also contact your doctor if the diaper rash continues or worsens for a week or longer, despite treatments at home.

Causes and Risk Factors

Wet or Soiled Diapers

There are various causes and risk factors that may cause diaper rash on babies. Not every baby’s skin will react the same and therefore, have different triggers to getting diaper rash. The most common cause of diaper rash, however, is a wet or soiled diaper that has not been changed frequently enough. This can result in diaper rash in two ways.

The first way is caused by chafing of a wet diaper against a baby’s skin, causing irritation. The other way is the urine or feces causing a skin infection from being next to the skin for a long period of time. Some babies will get diaper rash if they are not changed within an hour, while others are more prone to a rash if the diaper is left on overnight.

When the baby starts to sleep through the night and does not require nighttime feedings or wakes up during the nighttime, diaper rashes are more common. Diapers are sometimes left unchanged on the skin for up to 8 hours. Fecal matter tends to be more irritating to the skin than urine. If they have diarrhea, it is even more risky for diaper rash to occur.

Bacterial Infection

A yeast infection or bacterial infection may occur when the diaper is left on for a period of time. The combination of a wet diaper and an enclosed space results in a moist environment that causes bacteria and yeast to grow.

This gets deposited on the skin, and if the diaper is not changed frequently, it will breed the infection, causing itchy bumps and red dots on the skin. This can be more painful than a diaper rash caused by chafing. The bumps can often be found in the creases of the skin, where moisture tends to collect.

Even though it might originate in the creases of the skin, it can spread to the rest of the genital area, buttocks and stomach and thighs. Yeast infections can also occur if the baby is on antibiotics since the medicine kills both good and bad bacteria. This can cause an imbalance of bacteria, which leads to a yeast infection.

Breast Milk and Formula

Another cause of diaper rash is the type of food the baby is eating or drinking. Breastfed babies tend to have less diaper rashes than formula fed babies, but it is possible. Sometimes it can be due to the type of food a mother is eating.

The baby might be allergic to foods like nuts or soy and are receiving trace amounts of this food in the milk. However, the breasts do a great job acting as a filter and this is not common. For babies who do use formula and get diaper rashes frequently, it might be due to an allergy.

Sometimes babies are lactose intolerant and require soy-based or another based formula instead. Switching from breast milk to a formula for the first time can also increase the rate of diaper rashes as well. Breast milk is made up of the perfect combination of nutrients for a baby and switching to formula can be difficult on baby’s digestive system and he or she might produce stools that cause irritation to the skin.

Different Foods

When it comes to solid food, such as pureed baby food and rice cereal, we see a higher rate of diaper rashes occurring. The age bracket for babies to start solid foods tends to be between 4-6 months of age. The reason why diaper rashes are more prevalent during this age period is due to the changes of diet for baby.

The stools become different as well. The changes in stool are foreign to baby’s body and can cause the skin to react negatively. As new foods are introduced within the first 12 months of age, the stool will change and stools can still pose a risk factor for diaper rash. In addition, the baby might also be allergic to the type of food he or she is trying as well.

Irritating Materials

Sometimes the type of diaper or wipes can be the cause of infection. Most diapers and baby wipes contain dyes and fragrances that can cause sensitive skin to break out. They also tend to be bleached in order to give the appearance of “clean”. These all can be irritants to a baby’s delicate skin, especially in the genital area that is particularly sensitive.

Other products that often contain unnecessary fragrances and dyes are baby lotions, baby powders, detergent and fabric softener. Even products that are marketed towards babies tend to have added substances that may smell great and look nice, but can be harmful to baby’s bottom. Even baby clothing can be the source of a diaper rash or other types of rashes because of the type of material used, pesticides used in the cotton, or the detergent that it was washed in.

Neglect or Abuse

Sometimes a parent or caregiver can be neglectful and leave a baby with an unchanged, soiled diaper for hours at a time. This is different than leaving a diaper on overnight or by accident, because of certain circumstances. Neglect or abuse is intentional and demeaning to a child.

A diaper rash may be just one of many problems the baby is having if he or she is suffering from abuse or neglect. Just to be clear, not all diaper rashes are due to abuse or neglect. However, if you do suspect this is occurring, be sure to report it immediately. This can also be an occurrence among adults who wear adult diapers or incontinence problems.

Although this article focuses on diaper rashes on babies, many of the causes, concerns and treatments can be applied toward adults as well. If you are an adult who is a recipient of neglect or abuse, seek emergency assistance as soon as possible. This can be done by contacting the police or a trusted adult.

Prevention Options and Treatment

The prevention options and treatment of diaper rash tend to be the same types of methods. These include changing the diaper routinely, using gentle products and being aware of the foods baby is eating.

There are also a few steps you can take to treat the rash when it occurs, but will not necessarily prevent future occurrences. Each of these methods will be discussed in greater detail.

They are also very easy to do and can be done in the convenience at home. It requires simple changes in your routine that are beneficial to the child. Best of all, most of the treatments are free or low-cost to you, especially in the long run.

Frequent Changes

When it comes to preventing and clearing diaper rash, the number one thing you can do for your baby is change him or her on a regular basis. In a newborn baby, it is normal to expect 1-3 wet diapers a day. Their stools will also look sticky and dark. Within a few days, you should see 3-4 wet diapers a day, as well as regular bowel movements.

Breastfed babies tend to have a mustard-color, seedy diaper, which is completely normal. Formula fed baby’s stools tend to be darker, which is normal as well. By the 6th day, expect 6-8 wet or soiled diapers a day. As the baby turns 4 weeks of age, it is common to have 4-6 wet diapers a day, with about half of those being bowel movements.

Breastfed Babies

It is important to note that breastfed babies can sometimes have less bowel movements than their formula-fed counterparts. As the child becomes a toddler, wet diapers may increase, as well as the amount of urine during each wet cycle. However, the bowel movements tend to decrease as low as once a day or sometimes less. Although these are the average guidelines, baby’s frequency of wet and soiled diapers can be different. Talking with a pediatrician about frequency concerns can also be helpful.

With these frequency rates in mind, you can get a feel for how often your baby may need changing. Usually you will be able to detect a dirty diaper just by the scent, but if that is not the case, it would be a good idea to check once an hour when they are infants, except when you are both sleeping.

Stool Characteristics

Babies who are fed a strictly breastfed diet tend to have stools that are less smelly in nature as well, so it is a good idea to check them frequently for bowel movements. Diapers have evolved so that the technology in the material pulls moisture away from baby’s skin and absorbs it into the gel beads in the diaper.

What this means for you, as the parent, is not being able to always tell if a baby has a wet diaper. It may appear and feel dry to the touch, when in fact, underneath the layer of material are wet pellets. This new technology can also mask odors, making it harder to detect a diaper that needs changing.

Some diapers have added a line of blue to the inside bottom of the diaper than turns green when urine touches it. This can be helpful to see if your baby needs changing.

Technology in Treatments

It is similar to the technology used in training pants that help toddlers know when they need to change.
You will begin to get a feel for your baby’s changing routine. You might notice that they have more wet diapers at a certain time of the day or night, but less frequent as another portion of the day.

This is good because it means your baby will be changed regularly and will be less prone to getting a diaper rash. At the same time, if they already have a diaper rash, it would be a good idea to change even more frequently than before.

While they may have been able to stay in a wet diaper for an hour before, it would be best to change them even faster than that so you can be assured their bottoms will always be dry and placed next to a clean diaper, helping them heal faster.

Diaper Rash Applications:

There are a plethora of diaper rash ointments, creams and applications sold for babies. These can be helpful for parents on the go, but are not necessary and can actually make the infection worse. There are certain symptoms you should look for before applying diaper rash cream.

First of all, if there are any open wounds or bleeding, you do not want to apply cream. The reason behind this is because the cream will get into the cuts and can cause a bacterial infection. It also hinders the skin from healing because it is being blocked by the cream.

If you are out and about and do not have the option of letting their bottom dry, using diaper rash creams can be a short-term option. Breast milk applied to the rash is used in many countries where diaper rash creams are not an option and are costly. This is a free and natural way to heal the skin.

Letting the Skin Dry

Moisture is what caused the problem and the use of creams and such does not allow the rash to dry. After changing the baby, let him or her be naked for awhile, as long as it is not a cold environment. Getting some air to the body is actually a great way to dry the skin and start the healing.

If you are worried about the baby peeing, the use of a loose cloth diaper can come in handy. You can make your own using used clothing such as old t-shirts or soft flannel. Some parents switch to cloth diapers all together to save money and prevent diaper rash. In some cultures, this is the norm and is a gentle way to take care of the baby.

Colloidal Oatmeal

In order to ease the pain from a diaper rash, a warm soak in colloidal oatmeal will do the trick. Colloidal oatmeal works in two ways. It sooths the pain and it dries the skin. As mentioned before, we want to remove the moisture and drying actually helps heal the skin.

You can let the baby sit in the bath for 10 minutes and just enjoy the water. Be sure to dry them gently and thoroughly afterward. A box of 10 packets of colloidal oatmeal from Aveeno will cost you around $5.

Foods

When it comes to foods that cause irritation to the baby, there is no clear cut set of instructions to follow, except to notice which foods cause diaper rashes or an allergic reaction or not. Introduce one food at a time in order to always be aware of how the baby’s body reacts to each one. If you suspect allergies, talk with the baby’s pediatrician for further information.

Switching Products

Switching the types of products you use can make a difference in the way your baby’s skin reacts to products. Nearly every brand, from Huggies to Pampers sells a line of their diapers and wipes that are fragrance free and dye free. Other brands, such as Seventh Generation and White Cloud are void of fragrances all together.

Seventh Generations goes even further by not bleaching their diapers or wipes and uses organic materials. With the exception of White Cloud, each of these diapers and wipes cost more than regular diapers. Switching to fragrance free products such as lotions and detergent cost about the same as the ones you have already been using and are available in generic brands as well.

You can also switch out your baby powder for cornstarch which is gentler to the skin and does not have added substances to it and is still used by various Native American tribes today.

Resources

Mayoclinic.Com

Conditions

Nausea

Nausea is a term derived from the Greek word meaning seasickness or wamble. Alternative names include: emesis, stomach upset, and upset stomach.

These terms define the feeling of unease and a slight to severe discomfort within the upper stomach that gives the afflicted the urge to vomit, or throw up, which occurs when the body forces the contents from within the stomach.

When there is an attack of severe nausea, it is referred to a qualm. Nausea can be physical or psychological and can originate from various problems within the brain or upper gastrointestinal tract organs and can have many causes, which makes it difficult to pinpoint the actual cause of the nausea when it is prolonged.

Nausea is very common and accompanies a great many illnesses and bodily stress, and can even be caused by outside factors introduced within the body.

Nausea often serves as an indicator that there is a condition within the body that must be paid attention to. The most common cause of nausea is usually gastroenteritis, which is a stomach infection that can be brought on by various causes.

Food Poisoning & Other Factors

There is also food poisoning that can cause severe nausea and vomiting and can present other symptoms as well. There are various medications that can cause nausea, as well as changes in the body such as pregnancy. There are various medications that can also provide relief from the symptom, with great home treatments that will allow the nausea to subside.

The true root cause of an individual’s nausea must be treated in order for true treatment of nausea. There are many medications and home treatments that will make the nausea subside, however, they won’t treat the actual illness or ailment that is causing the nausea.

There are several individuals that undergo chemotherapy or other treatments for chronic diseases, which experience a high level of severe nausea, many times inhibiting the appropriate appetite needed to heal and accept treatment. For this reason, there are several newer methods of treating the nausea and providing relief in order to properly eat and maintain a suitable nutritional level, able to accept treatment more easily.

Symptoms

With nausea, the symptoms vary from person to person but typically remain the same. There is a dizziness and queasy sensation. Not all nausea is accompanied with vomiting as there is some nausea that just severely affects the equilibrium and causes dizziness.

There is also nausea that can cause dry heaving, which occurs when the body is attempting to expel the stomach contents, but the force is too minimal for any more than gagging.

This also occurs when the stomach is empty and cannot dispel any contents. Nausea can also cause minor, moderate, and severe vomiting that can be long or short term. This occurs when the stomach contents are expelled with great force and can include contents and a foamy substance when the stomach is empty.

Stay Hydrated

The best thing to do when this occurs is to remain hydrated with plenty of fluids and electrolytes. Nausea is more known as a symptom of other ailments and diseases, signifying an issue that can be further evaluated.
Many of the symptoms experienced with nausea are the effects of the underlying issue.

Whether there is a disease that an individual is not yet aware of, or a bacterial infection that requires treatment, the symptoms will present themselves with the nausea, making it easier to pinpoint the cause.

Nausea, itself, is a symptom that is useful in signifying there is an issue that requires attention. Though there are many common symptoms, many people are often able to identify if there is something more serious. Symptoms include a high fever, lethargy, and other serious symptoms that signify an infection or illness of some sort. These symptoms are quite critical to the identification and proper treatment of any illnesses that may be present.

Causes

There is a broad range of causes of nausea. There were actually 700 separate listed causes in 2009. Of all the causes, there were two that were most common: gastrointestinal infections and food poisoning. Also the most common causes as they are almost guaranteed are various medications, pregnancy, and alcohol consumption.

Listed as the most common causes to occur are

Motion sickness and seasickness
First stages of pregnancy with 50% to 90% of women affected
Medication
Severe pain
Psychological stress
Food poisoning

There are also common causes like infections that include the common stomach flu, concussion, various forms of cancer, heart attack, or even overeating, or binging. There are many instances when even a foul odor or smell can cause nausea in some individuals.

Age is also an indicator of the cause of nausea. Infants often throw up when trying to expel gas or if they overeat a bit.

There are also several other causes of nausea in infants and small children

Viral infection
Food poisoning
Milk allergy
Motion sickness
Coughing

Determining the Cause

When seeking to determine the cause of nausea, many physicians advice to assess the timing of the symptoms in order to determine where the illness is coming from. This includes after meals which could be caused by various causes such as food poisoning and gastritis.

If there is an ulcer, meals can induce nausea as well. Bulimia is an eating disorder that is known to cause nausea after meals, as the body is accustomed to dispelling contents after eating.

There is a one to eight hour window that signifies food poisoning as the cause for nausea, but there are various bacteria that are known to cause food related nausea, such as salmonella and Escherichia coli, or E. coli, poisoning. Nausea from these sources indicates a severe illness and the afflicted should seek treatment immediately.

Choosing the Treatment

It is very difficult to conclude the cause of the nausea without evaluating the other symptoms. When there is a severe headache, it could indicate a migraine headache has caused the nausea, however there are a great many other causes that are associated with a severe headache so more evaluation is necessary.

Evaluating several different symptoms could indicate to the physician just what the cause is, but it can be highly time-consuming and sometimes very difficult. There are other causes for nausea that are easily diagnosed as they are very typical such as morning sickness and alcoholism, but if nausea persists long term, there could be underlying issues that haven’t been identified.

Many people are aware of the nausea before it precedes when they are taking medications, treatments, or consuming a substance that often makes them sick. Pregnancy is almost always sure to bring nausea with it, which is predictable by individuals who are able to get advice from their obstetrician on the appropriate measures for treatment.

Risk Factors

With nausea serving as a symptom itself, there are several risk factors associated with the many various causes. Individuals that have an uneasy stomach that is easily upset are certainly more apt for developing nausea more than those that aren’t easily upset. When medication or alcohol is concerned, those with a lower tolerance are usually more at risk for nausea from the cause than those with a higher tolerance.

When it comes to pregnancy, there is no real risk factor, as nausea from pregnancy is a good sign that the fetus is thriving properly. Improper cleansing and preparing of meals could cause more risk for nausea, as well as consumption of chemicals or substances that are unfamiliar to the body or aren’t well liked.

Cancer patients and those with chronic disease are at great risk of nausea as they will be receiving treatments that induce nausea, which is a common side effect of the treatment. These patients are made aware of these symptoms and are often provided with a medication that can assist the nausea in subsiding.

Prevention Tips

Prevention Tips for nausea

There are various medications that can prevent nausea when it is attributed to motion sickness. There are also a great deal of medications that are available to prevent vomiting as resisting the urge to vomit can prevent the nausea from continuing.

When pregnant, eating breads can prevent vomiting and allow the stomach contents to be absorbed and less irritating to the stomach.

This is also a good tip for avoiding nausea when drinking alcohol or eating foods that upset the stomach. Making sure to take medications on a full stomach can ensure that there is no nausea associated with taking them.

Test and Diagnosis Considerations

When nausea is presented, there aren’t many investigations followed if the cause seems to be more common and less serious.

There are many lab tests that may be done in order to rule out the causes of more serious illnesses and diseases as well as the introduction of bacteria. There are various considerations to keep in mind to determine if there are serious issues that need to be identified.

Such considerations include

Long term nausea could be an indication of pregnancy
Home remedies are ineffective, allowing dehydration
There is a known injury
Vomiting for more than one day and/or accompanied by diarrhea
Under six years of age with vomiting for over a few hours
Over six years of age with vomiting over one day

These considerations are indicators of a more serious illness, infection, or situation that must be acknowledged and cannot be ignored. With vomiting causing dehydration very easily, it is important to be able to address and solve any health issues at once.

If the following signs are present, you should seek medical assistance at once for proper diagnosis of the root cause for the nausea:

Vomit contains blood that appears bright red or like coffee grounds
Stiff neck accompanied by a headache
Signs of confusion, lethargy, or decreased alertness
101 degree Fahrenheit fever or higher
Abdominal pain that is severe
Diarrhea
Rapid heartbeat, breathing, or pulse

If presented with these indicating symptoms, the health care professional will typically perform various blood tests and urine tests to identify any health issues that may be present.

These symptoms are usually accompanying a serious cause such as an infection, which can commonly be caused by bacteria that travels into the stomach and is recognized as a foreign, unwanted substance. The stomach will seek out to empty itself, which is where the vomiting and nausea occurs.

Treatment Options

There are various treatments for nausea that are effective no matter the age of the patient. Of course, it is essential to be aware of the cause of the nausea for proper treatment, otherwise, there is no real treatment and the nausea will return.

You don’t want to simply appease the nausea, you want it to go away and that means being aware of the cause as this will allow you to target the root cause in treatment. If you are experiencing nausea brought on by a common cause or a minor cause, you can try various treatments that are shown to be quite effective.

Drink plenty of clear liquids to rehydrate the body
Avoid solid food until the urge to vomit is gone
Discontinue medications with health care provider’s approval

Herbal and Home Remedies

There are several home remedies and herbal treatments for nausea. It is important to remember that nausea is a symptom of another illness which should be identified, however you can appease the symptom with various remedies.

Non-carbonated syrup
Ginger root
Emptying stomach through vomiting
Wheat germ
Rice water
Cumin seeds

You don’t have to avoid vomiting to decrease the nausea. Many times, vomiting is needed in order to eliminate the nausea that may be caused by whatever is in the stomach. Emptying the stomach is also helpful in finding the cause. If nausea continues on an empty stomach, chances are that there is a more serious issue that isn’t food related.

Various herbs are seen to have a great effect on treating nausea such as

Slippery elm
Mild tea
Ginger ale
Red raspberry
Herbal candles

Medications

There are many medications that can be quite inexpensive and very effective in preventing nausea and vomiting. One option that is given to those as a postoperative prevention for nausea and vomiting is Dimenhydrinate. There are many people undergoing chemotherapy treatments for cancer, which can cause severe nausea and vomiting.

Cannabinoids are effective in treating this nausea and allowing the appetite to increase. Zofran is an expensive choice for a medication that can eliminate nausea that is useful when treating long term nausea due to medicines or diseases.

Pyridoxine and metoclopramide are more expensive treatments for pregnant women experiencing nausea. There are various states that offer medical grade marijuana to offset the effects of cancers and other chronic illnesses.

Surgery

There is no surgery needed to treat nausea, as it is a symptom of other diseases. You may require some sort of surgery to provide treatment for another type of disease or illness, but the nausea cannot be treated with any form of surgery.

Nausea is very common, and there are people everywhere that are plagued with nausea quite often. Lifestyles, diets, activities, areas, and pretty much anything else can cause nausea to come about without warning. Nausea often serves as an excellent indicator that there is something going on that may need treatment or some sort of attention.

While there are some symptoms that accompany nausea to identify any other illnesses, there are some instances when nausea is just a common result of the medications used or the change in life, like with pregnancy.

Choosing the Right Treatment

Combating nausea is a bit simple as there are several medications and home remedies that will decrease the severity and settle the stomach. Sometimes a bit of bread or crackers will do the job, but other times there is the need for more aggressive measures with medication. For pregnancy, women are more willing to take the nausea as a good sign that the baby is healthy and everything is okay.

Nausea usually subsides within a short amount of time, which is very normal and signifies there may not be anything serious going on. There are other times when the nausea may continue long term which signifies there is an issue.

There is a greater need for attention when this occurs as frequent vomiting can quickly dehydrate the body and leave more serious issues to address. There are many products available to keep the body hydrated and to replenish the electrolytes in children when there are bouts of nausea.

Conclusions

Nausea is not an illness so there is no specific cause. Nausea is a symptom that is accompanied sometimes by vomiting which identifies there is an issue that is causing the stomach to expel its contents. This could be from improperly cooked foods or from bacteria that has been consumed.

If in the event vomiting does occur, it is important to know that sometimes it is necessary to empty the stomach in order to get relief and to ensure that whatever is in the stomach that may be causing the issue is dispelled.

Resources

MedicineNet.Com

Conditions

Mumps

The mumps is a condition that everyone has heard of in their time; it is an infection that primarily targets the parotid glands, which are one of the three pairs of salivary glands that are found in front of and below the ears. It is caused by a virus. If either an adult or a child contracts this condition, it bears the risk of causing swelling in either one or both of the parotid glands.

Mump Symptoms

Though it is potentially serious to experience complications of mumps, it is a rare occurrence, and the odds of even getting mumps to begin with are not very good. Before the 1960s, mumps were a very common occurrence, but after the licensing of the vaccine for mumps, the amount of instances have dramatically dropped in number.

Since outbreaks of mumps are still present within the United States and are also still fairly common throughout other parts in the world, it is important to obtain the vaccine to prevent this condition altogether.

Symptoms of Mumps

Up to one in every five people who become infected with the mumps do not experience any symptoms nor do they show any signs thereof. When the symptoms and signs do develop, however, it will usually occur roughly two or three weeks after being exposed to the virus. Such signs and symptoms of the mumps may include:

Swollen or painful salivary glands on either one or both sides of the face;
Pain when trying to chew or swallow;
Fever; and
Weakness and fatigue.

As one may gather, the primary, most common and most familiar symptom of having the mumps is the occurrence of the salivary glands swelling, which causes the cheeks to up and puff outward. In fact, the name of the condition itself, “mumps,” used to be the expression those gave back in the day when referencing bumps or lumps within the cheeks.

When to Visit a Doctor

It is important to go right to the doctor when symptoms of the mumps occur. Because mumps are much more uncommon these days, it is always possible that the present symptoms and signs are being caused by another condition entirely. For instance, swollen glands and a fever are also signs of a blocked salivary gland or tonsillitis, which is the inflammation of the tonsils.

There are also other viruses, though rarer, that may infect the parotid glands that may cause an illness similar to mumps.

Causes of Mumps

The sole cause of mumps is the mumps virus, which can easy be spread from one person to another person by way of infected saliva. In the event that a person is not immune, it is easy to contract the disease by simply breathing in the saliva droplets of a person who has just coughed or sneezed and is infected with the illness.

It is also possible to obtain the mumps virus from sharing a cup or sharing utensils from a person who is infected with the mumps. As it can be seen, the mumps are just about as contagious as the influenza, or flu, virus is.

Complications

Though the complications of mumps rarely occur, they are potentially very serious and may include any of the following:

Orchitis. This inflammatory condition only affects men, causing the swelling in either one or both of the testicles. Though this is a painful occurrence, it very rarely leads to the inability to father a child, which is sterility.
Pancreatitis. This refers to the swelling of the pancreas. The symptoms and signs of this inflammatory condition include nausea, vomiting and pain located in the upper abdomen.
Encephalitis. Similar to the mumps in that it is a viral infection, this is a condition that inflames the brain. Because the brain is such a sensitive place, encephalitis may lead to neurological problems and has the potential to become very life threatening. Again, though this is a very serious complication, encephalitis from the mumps is a rare occurrence.
Meningitis. This is the inflammation and the infection of both the membranes and the fluid that surrounds both the spinal cord and the brain. Should the mumps virus decide to spread throughout the bloodstream in order to infect the central nervous system, meningitis may occur. However, similar to encephalitis, the occurrence of meningitis as a complication of the mumps is very rare.
Inflammation of the ovaries. Obviously a condition that only affects women, a symptom of this condition may include pain in the lower abdomen. However, it rarely affects her fertility.
Miscarriage. Again, another condition that will only affect women, miscarriage may occur, especially when contracting the mumps while early in a pregnancy.

Preparing for the Doctor

If anybody begins to experience signs or symptoms that are common to the mumps, it is important to call the doctor. The next couple of sections may help in preparation for this appointment.

Information to gather well in advance:

Pre-appointment restrictions. Make sure to ask if there any present restrictions that must be followed prior to making the appointment, such as keeping away from other people in order to prevent spreading infection.
History of symptoms. Take a notepad and write down any and all symptoms that have been present and how long they have been present.
Recent exposure to any possible locations of infection. Try to remember whether any exposure may have been made to anybody who shares the same symptoms or signs common to the points within the last two or three weeks.
Key medical information. Think about whether any medication has been taken and write down their names, as well as any other health problems that are present.
Questions to ask the doctor. In order to make the most out of the time spent with the doctor, because it is limited, write down all intended questions in advance to remember to ask them.

The following is a list that aims to suggest questions that may be raised to the doctor with regards to the mumps:

What are some of the more likely reasons for experiencing these signs and symptoms?
Is there anything else that may be causing them?
What kind of treatment is recommended?
How soon will this condition improve?
Are there any helpful self-care tips or home remedies to relieve symptoms?
Is this contagious and for how long?
What steps are necessary to avoid infecting others?

Do not feel shy to ask any other questions should something come up that is not fully understood.

What to Expect From the Doctor

Likewise, the doctor will probably have a list of questions to ask, so make sure to be ready, which will reserve time to discuss anything else that may not be understood in more depth. The doctor may ask any of the following:

What symptoms and signs have been noticed?
When were these signs and symptoms first noticed?
Have any of these symptoms and signs gotten worse?
Do any of the symptoms include abdominal pain or testicular pain?
Has anybody else close experienced the same kind of symptoms that are similar and common to mumps in the last month or so?
Is the infected current with all the recommended vaccines for the age group in which they fall?
Is the infected undergoing treatment or are there any other treatments being done for other medical instances?
What drugs are being taken, including over the counter, prescription, supplements and vitamins?
Is the child in school or within child care?
Is the infected either breastfeeding or pregnant?

What to Do in the Meantime

Treating Mumps

It can be stressful waiting for the appointment to come around, though it is possible to ease the symptoms of the mumps by using over the counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, others) in addition to a cold compress.

However, do not give any child aspirin without first consulting a doctor.

Try to rest as often as possible, refraining from coming into contact with other people until having first seen the doctor. Within the first week that symptoms and signs begin to appear is when the mumps are their most contagious stage.

Tests and Diagnosis

Should the doctor suspect that the mumps are to blame for the symptoms, it may be necessary to take either a blood test or a virus culture. The blood test may be useful in detecting antibodies for pumps, which will determine whether or not this is a past or a recent infection.

Treatments and Drugs

Due to the fact that the mumps are caused by a virus, it will not be effective to take any antibiotics. As with just about any viral illness, the mumps infection need only complete its course. Luckily, the majority of cases of the mumps, provided that there are no complications, will only last about two weeks.

As a general rule of thumb, once a week has passed after a diagnosis of mumps, a person can no longer be considered contagious.

Prevention

For the most part, once an infection has occurred or the immunization of mumps has occurred, a person is considered to be immune to mumps. The vaccine for mumps is typically given in an inoculation that combines measles-mumps-rubella, or MMR.

This contains the most effective and the safest form of each kind of vaccine. Typically two doses of the MMR vaccine are applied as recommended prior to entering school, with the first being between the ages of 12 and 15 months and the second either between the ages of 4 and 6 years or the ages of 11 and 12 years.

Due an outbreak that recently occurred out in the Midwest, both health care workers and college students have been strongly encouraged to ensure that they have had their two doses of the MMR vaccine.

It has become increasingly obvious that just one dosage does not offer a sufficient amount of protection were an outbreak to occur. However, because this second dosage recommendation did not start until the late 1980s or the early 1990s, there are many young adults who have not actually gotten a second dosage and should consider doing so now.

Another vaccine is not needed under the following circumstances:

Two dosages were given after the age of 12 months or a single dosage was given of the MMR vaccine in addition to another dosage of the measles vaccine;
One MMR dosage was given and there is not a high risk of any exposure to mumps or measles;
A blood test was proven that there is immunity to rubella, measles or mumps;
Men born before 1957 do not need a vaccine;
Women before 1957 and will not be having children, have had a positive rubella test or have already had the rubella vaccine do not need more vaccinations.

If none of the above apply, a vaccine is recommended, especially those who:

are nonpregnant women who are of the age of childbearing;
attend trade school, college or a postsecondary school;
plan to take a cruise or plan to travel overseas; or
work in a child care center, a school, a medical facility or a hospital

The vaccine is not recommended for those who:

are pregnant women or women who intend to become pregnant within any of the four next weeks;

are people who have immune systems which are severely compromised, unless the benefits of the vaccine greatly exceed that of the risks; and

are people who have undergone a very serious, life threatening allergic reason to the antibiotic neomycin or to gelatin.In the event that cancer, a blood disorder or any other immune system affecting disease is present, it is important to consult a doctor before getting the MMR vaccine. Side Effects of the VaccineThe MMR vaccine cannot cause mumps and generally, people will not experience any kind of side effect from the application. A small handful of people might experience a rash or a mild fever and some may experience aches in the joints for a little while afterward. Not even one out of every million doses causes any kind of serious allergic reaction.

There have been concerns about whether or not there was a connection between autism and the MMR vaccine, though there have been extensive reports by the Institute of Medicine, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, all of which conclude that there is no such scientifically proven link between the two.

There is also no scientifically proven benefit in separating and individually taking the vaccines. The previously mentioned organizations have made a note that the autism spectrum disorder has often been found to be in toddlers for the first time between the ages of 18 and 30 months, which, as previously mentioned, is around when children are first given their MMR vaccine, but that the coincidence is merely that and should not be mistaken for any kind of cause and effect relationship.

Lifestyle and Home Remedies

The best treatments for the mumps are simply time and rest. There is very little that the doctor can do in order to speed up the process of recovery. However ,there are steps that can be taken in order to relieve the discomfort and pain, as well as ways to prevent others from becoming infected:

Rest in bed until the fever has fully gone away;
Remain isolated so that nobody else catches the disease. As previously mentioned, a person is most contagious up to five days after the onset of the symptoms and signs;
Take a nonsteroidial anti-inflammatory drug, such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, others) or some acetaminophen (Tylenol, Excedrin, others) in order to relieve symptoms. Adults may take aspirin. Children should not take this to prevent the rare but fatal Reye’s syndrome;
To relieve the pain of the swollen glands, use an ice pack;
To relieve the pain of tender testicles, consider wearing an athletic supporter;
Try to eat foods that are soft or soups that have broth so that no chewing need occur, such as cooked oatmeal or mashed potatoes;
Try to avoid sour foods or juices and citrus fruits because they stimulate the production of saliva;
Plan low-key activities, meaning that no real effort or strain should be made throughout the day since the main idea is to rest; and
Make sure to keep well hydrated with plenty of fluids.

When a child has the mumps, it is possible to help them relieve pain by employing the above tips; outside of that, all that can be done is be on the lookout for any complications. The doctor must immediately be notified in the event that any of the following suddenly develop with mumps:

A fever of at least 103 degrees Fahrenheit or 39 degrees Celsius;
Difficulty with eating foods or drinking fluids;
Any kind of confusion or other disorientation;
Any kind of abdominal pain, especially in females; and
In boys, should any pain or swelling of the testicles begin to occur.

Conditions

Sweating Disorder

Remedies for Hyperhidrosis

Not many of Americans have been there. A handshake upon walking into a job interview that you are dreading because you know your palms will be sweaty.

Or you find the perfect dress to wear on your night out on the town, but you know you can’t purchase it because it will show sweat stains. Maybe you’ve been walking a long distance to your car on a hot day only to have your flip-flop slide off because your feet are soaking wet.

As a child you constantly found your homework ripping from the moisture. You don’t talk to your friends and family about it because you find it embarrassing, or even gross.

Instead you furiously wipe your hands before going into that interview; you wear black quite often because it is the one color that won’t show sweat; and you find yourself wearing boots in the summer because you know that others won’t be able to see that your feet are dripping with sweat.

Only approximately 2% to 3% of the world’s population is affected by this condition, and out of those few people only 40% attempt to remedy the situation and seek treatment. What the other 60% fail to realize is that they are not alone, and a medical condition is nothing to be embarrassed about.

Living with hyperhidrosis, more commonly known as excessive sweating, may not be easy, but it is possible. While the sweating is often uncontrollable when not treated, following a proper treatment plan can and will help you in the prevention of embarrassing sweat moments.

Types of Hyperhidrosis

The most common form of hyperhidrosis is Palmar hyperhidrosis, commonly referred to as sweaty palms. It is also one of the most noticeable as having sweaty palms can create difficulties in living ones day-to-day life. Social situations can become awkward, and even functioning in ones job can be affected by this condition.

Imagine someone who spends all day at a computer and is responsible for excessive typing. Having to constantly stop working and try their hands to keep from affecting the keyboard not only slows down their work, but also draws attention to their situation.

The majority of patients suffering from Palmar hyperhidrosis will most likely also suffer from Plantar hyperhidrosis, or excessive foot sweating. While Plantar hyperhidrosis is not as noticeable as Palmar, it can also create difficulties in a patient’s life. Your shoes can become ruined after being soaked with sweat on a daily basis. Wearing shoes that others don’t have to even think twice about like sandals or flip-flops is a distant dream.

Absorbing Moisture

Wearing heels can be difficult unless knee-highs or pantyhose are worn to absorb some of the moisture to keep the shoes from sliding around while walking. Unlike Palmar hyperhidrosis, Plantar can also cause an embarrassing odor that would be noticeable to anyone around when shoes are removed, even if the person is wearing socks.

Axillary hyperhidrosis, known as armpit sweating, is the third type of hyperhidrosis that can affect an individual. While everyone has armpit sweating in some fashion, approximately 1% of the population actually has excessive, dripping, constant under arm sweating.

While 99% of the population can control their under arm sweating with over the counter deodorants and antiperspirants, those who suffer from Axillary hyperhidrosis are immune to the ingredients in these remedies. Like Plantar hyperhidrosis, most of those who suffer from Axillary hyperhidrosis also suffer from Palmar hyperhidrosis.

Facial Sweating

An additional type of hyperhidrosis is Facial Sweating and Blushing. It mostly exists as an added symptom of either Palmar, Plantar or Axillary hyperhidrosis and rarely exists on its own.

This can also be one of the more noticeable and embarrassing symptoms of hyperhidrosis, because while you can hide your hands or your feet, amd plan your clothing around under arm sweating you can’t hide your face from those around you. An added embarrassment is when a female is wearing makeup.

You cannot control the sweating, and what once was a perfect look is turned into a sweaty mess complete with running foundation, with nothing that can be immediately done to stop it from occurring.

Erythrophobia

While it is not necessarily the same as sweating, facial blushing, also known as Erythrophobia is also considered a part of hyperhidrosis. While most people experience some form of blushing at one time or another, Erythrophobia can pop up in the most unexpected time and places.

It will change the skin tone of your face, and when the condition is aggravated, the blushing can spread to the neck and chest areas. The most common occurrence is in social situations, especially those that are most important to the person involved.

Symptoms

The most common and noticeable symptom of hyperhidrosis is a simple one: excessive sweating. The majority of those who suffer from hyperhidrosis begin to notice the symptoms during late childhood and their early teen years. While one may not necessarily feel themselves sweating in their feet or under arms, stained clothing and foot odor can also be considered a symptom of the condition.

If one consistently has smeared ink when submitting handwritten papers, they could possibly be suffering from hyperhidrosis. Or if you are sweating through clothing in the dead of winter, it is most likely caused by hyperhidrosis.

Causes

One of the most commonly asked questions of hyperhidrosis patients is “what causes this?” followed by “is there anything I could have done to prevent it?” The answer, in a nutshell, is no. Sweating is essential to the body in order to help it stay cool. However, hyperhidrosis can sometimes be a result of a more prominent medical condition and is then referred to as secondary hyperhidrosis. This sweating can either take place all over the body, or remain concentrated in one specific area.

Some examples of conditions that can cause secondary hyperhidrosis are anxiety conditions, cancer, heart disease, lung disease, menopause, a stroke, hyperthyroidism and many other serious conditions.

But for the most part, the root cause of hyperhidrosis remains a mystery to doctors even today. The most commonly known cause is simply referred to as overactive sweat glands. Excessive sweating can be triggered by nerves, embarrassment, anger or fear; however to those who suffer from hyperhidrosis, the excessive sweating happens even without such triggers.

Odd Sweating Outbreaks

Even an evening watching one’s favorite television show can lead to an outbreak of sweating, leading to both physical and emotional discomfort. History and research have disproved the theory that anxiety, embarrassment or fear caused hyperhidrosis, as studies proved that those with the condition experienced excessive sweating even in periods of calm.

Sweating Theories

The most commonly agreed upon cause of hyperhidrosis is simply genetics. Those whose parents experienced some excessive sweating in their teenage years can also expect to experience it themselves.

Another belief is that teens going through puberty can experience an onset of excessive sweating as a result of a physiological reaction to their introduction to adulthood. In the same sense, women who are experiencing menopause can also find themselves suffering from hyperhidrosis, as their body reacts to the changes it is going through, much like those teens going through puberty. Reactions to certain foods and obesity have also been known to trigger an onset of excessive sweating.

Risks

While hyperhidrosis is not necessarily a serious or deadly disease, it is not without its risks. Most outsiders see the condition as more of a nuisance than something serious, however when an onset occurs, things could actually turn dangerous. Many people suffering from Palmar hyperhidrosis have difficulty driving when their condition is triggered, as their hands may slip from the steering wheel.

Those suffering from hyperhidrosis can also suffer from fungal nail infections, bacterial infections, athlete’s foot or jock itch, as the excessive sweating also releases excessive toxins and bacteria onto their bodies, which gets trapped between the skin and their clothing, with no room to breathe.

Testing and Diagnosis

Testing and Diagnosis of Sweating Problems

The first step in diagnosing hyperhidrosis is to schedule a visit with your doctor.

While the majority of general care physicians will recommend scheduling a visit with a dermatologist, as they will have the most advanced knowledge and treatment options, a primary care physician, however, can rule out any additional serious conditions that could cause one to suffer from secondary hyperhidrosis.

After scheduling your initial appointment, keep track of when an onset occurs. The doctors will need to know this in order to proceed with the proper method of treatment.

Once you have discussed your symptoms with the doctor, most will have you undergo the paper test. During the paper test, a certain type of paper specifically designed for the purpose is placed at the location of your excessive sweating.

As you continue to sweat, the paper absorbs and is weighed to determine exactly how much sweat you produced and if you are indeed producing enough sweat to be considered a hyperhidrosis patient.

If you are looking for an at home diagnosis before you make a doctor’s appointment, you can try the iodine-starch test. One would need to apply iodine to the area they feel is producing the excessive sweat. Once the iodine has dried, starch is then applied on top of the iodine. If the area turns blue, then it is likely you are suffering from hyperhidrosis.

Methods of Prevention

While it is impossible to entirely prevent hyperhidrosis from affecting you, there are some things that you can do to lessen the impact the symptoms will have on your day-to-day life. Many feel that the excessiveness of the sweating can be caused by the food you eat.

Foods that contain caffeine, as well as smoking cigarettes containing nicotine, can act as stimulants and increase the amount of perspiration from your body. In addition, foods such as garlic, onion and fish are believed to have an affect your body odor, which can increase the awareness others may have of your condition.

Also, if you are suffering from Axillary hyperhidrosis, it is recommended that you share under arm hair regularly, as the thickness of the hair can provide a breeding ground for odor creating bacteria.

Treatments

When you begin treatment for hyperhidrosis, the first thing the doctor will have you do is try an extra strength antiperspirant such as Drysol. In most cases, Drysol is available via prescription, and cost will vary depending on your insurance carrier’s policy.

It is a lotion in the form of aluminum hydrochloride, and unfortunately seems to cause more sweating than relief to most patients, as lotion usually accelerates the condition.

If the Drysol does not work, doctors usually have one of two options for the next step, depending on the patient. The first would be Oral Anti Hyperhidrosis Medications, mostly likely a medication that is used to treat other conditions that doctors have found to be successful in treating hyperhidrosis.

Neurotransmitters

The medications work by sending a specific neurotransmitter to interfere with certain receptors that play a role in the production of sweat. These medications usually include Robinul, Ditropan and Propantheline, and while they prove successful for some patients, others either do not have success or discontinue them due to side effects such as blurry vision and dry mouth. Like Drysol, these medications are available via prescription and costs will vary depending on the patient’s insurance carrier.

Botox

The other option is to have Botox injections at the sites of hyperhidrosis. In fact, most insurance companies are now demanding that patients try Botox injections before they will agree to pay for the next step of treatment. Botox is a temporary fix, and if it does work for you, multiple injections will be required as the effects begin to wear off.

To be continuously effective, Botox must be administered every six to twelve months. Treatments can be quite painful, and expensive because although insurance will cover partial costs, the frequency in which it is required can become costly.

ETS

If none of the options have worked for you, the final option is a new and permanent solution: Endoscopic Thoracic Sympathectomy (ETS). While this is a relatively new and unknown type of procedure, it appears to be the only option for a permanent treatment for hyperhidrosis.

ETS, while safe and effective, is still a surgery, performed under general anesthesia. Incisions are made under both armpits and the nerves relating to overactive sweating are clamped, thus decreasing the likelihood the patient will continue to have severe problems. However, only approximately 50% of patients have shown improvement, while the rest have gone through the procedure only to have the same problems as they did before.

Living with hyperhidrosis is not an easy task, and it is a condition that you will most likely never win the full battle with and go on to live your life without it. But with the proper treatment, preventative measures, you can make life more bearable while technology advances to create possibly more permanent solutions in the future.

Resources

cdc.gov

Conditions

Cataracts

What are Cataracts?

A cataract, a common eye condition among the elderly, is a clouding of the lens that can greatly affect the clarity of your vision. The lens is the portion of your eye that aids in focusing light onto your retina.

In a healthy lens, the color will be clear and transparent. However, in an eye with cataracts, the lens will be a milky white color.

The cloudiness of the lens hinders its ability to send light to the retina (the part of the eye that sends images to the brain). This creates an image that is blurred rather than being sharp as in a healthy eye.

While cataracts can develop in both eyes, they are not spread from eye to eye. Each cataract forms independently in the eye in which it develops. By age 75, approximately 70% of Americans have cataracts or have previously undergone cataract removal surgery.

Causes of Cataracts

The majority of cataracts are simply a product of the aging process however there are other causes. A secondary cataract is one that is caused by problems from a previous eye surgery for other problems such as glaucoma. A traumatic cataract is one that develops from an eye injury. These may not develop until years after the injury has occurred.

If you receive an injury to the eye, it is important to continually receive eye exams in order to detect the problem at an early stage. Another form of cataracts is a form known as congenital cataracts. This is a condition in which a baby is born with or develops cataracts in early childhood. In this condition, both eyes are usually affected.

However, in most cases the cataracts are so small that do not affect the child’s vision. If vision is impaired, the lens will have to be removed to correct the problem. Finally, there are also radiation cataracts. Radiation can affect many different part of the body including your eyes. Upon exposure to certain radiation, cataracts may soon develop.

Risk Factors of Cataracts

Because the majority of cataracts develop due to age, everyone is at risk for this problem. While age is the leading cause, there are other factors that also increase your chances for developing cataracts. Diabetes is one factor that puts you at a higher risk. If you have or develop diabetes it is important to monitor your blood sugars continuously.

By managing the disease and maintaining proper glucose numbers, you can decrease the chances of development. Also, cataracts have been shown to run in the family. If your family has a history of cataracts, then you should take all of the preventative measures possible to lower your risk. If you have had any previous eye surgeries or eye injuries you are also at a higher risk.

Damage to the eye can cause a cascade of events that lead to cataracts. Cataracts are also associated with steroid use. In particular, corticosteroids seem to increase the chances of cataracts. However, it is prolonged use of these drugs that put you at high risk, not simply using them for proper treatment. Over exposure to UV light (sunlight) and ionizing radiation (x-rays, gamma rays, or electron beams) also puts you at a higher risk.

Decreasing exposure or wearing protective pieces such as sunglasses or sunscreen can help to lower the risk. Finally, smoking also increases the risk of cataract development. If you fall into any of these categories, you should talk to your doctor about preventative measures as well as learn information about the disease.

Signs and Symptoms of Cataracts

While there are many causes of cataracts, each variation generally has the same signs and symptoms. The cataract usually develops slowly causing no pain. In the beginning stages, you may not even notice any vision impairment because the area clouded is so small.

As the disease progresses, more of the lens will become clouded and you will begin to notice blurred images or even image distortions. In addition to blurred or distorted vision, there are several other signs and symptoms that are characteristic of this disease.

The following are all common signs and symptoms of cataracts

Decreased Night Vision

Vision in night light or dark rooms may become more difficult. Because the lens is not transferring light as effectively, small amounts of light make seeing even more difficult. In these conditions you may find yourself straining your eyes in order to see properly. Because of this, you may also find yourself needing to increase the amount of light you need for reading and other related activities.

Sensitivity to bright lights and glare- One trademark symptom of cataracts is seeing halos around lights such as head lights and street lamps. This symptom goes hand in hand with the blurred vision. Because of the impaired lens, light is not transmitted as effectively causing un-even distribution.

Color Fade

You may notice that colors seem faded and in some cases take on a yellowish tint. This is also due to the cloudiness of the lens. Because the lens is no longer clear, colors will not appear as sharply. Also, in some cases, the clouding will progress to a level that gives items a yellow tint.

Double Vision

It is very common to begin seeing double in one eye. As with all of the other symptoms, the defect on the lens is the source of this problem as well.

Contrary to common believe, the cataract will not change your eye’s appearance. The only time that you will see a change is if the cataract becomes completely white.

This is a condition known as an overripe cataract. Aside from that condition, redness, itching, or irritation are not associated with cataracts but may indicate another type of eye infection. The only effective way for determining if you have a cataract is to get the proper testing done by a trained professional.

Tests and Diagnosis for Cataracts

There are many tests that can be performed during a typical eye exam to determine for cataracts. The first is called the Visual Acuity Test. This is the typical test that you receive on all eye exams. You simply read the letters across the room one eye at a time.

What they are testing for is the sharpness of vision. In a cataracts patient, the largest letters on the test may pear blurry even with the help of corrective lenses. Next, you will need to get a Slit-lamp examination. With a specialized tool that projects a small line of light, the doctor can examine the small structures of the eye such as the lens.

With this test, the doctor will be able to see any abnormalities of the lens such as clouding. In addition to the Slit-lamp exam, the doctor will also perform a retinal examination.

By using dilating drops, the pupil will widen and allow for a better viewing area of the internal structures.

By combining the Slit-lamp and retinal exam, they will be able to determine both if you have cataracts as well as how severe they are. All of these exams are ones that are performed at your typical eye exam making diagnosis of this problem much simpler and less costly that that of other diseases.

Prevention Techniques for Cataracts

There are a few preventative measures you can take to decrease your chances of getting cataracts.

The following list includes some of these measures

Eye Exams

it is very important to receive yearly eye exams so that any abnormalities or problems can be detected in the early stages. By knowing about the problem early on, you can take other preventative measures to prolong the progression of development.

Smoking

Smoking increases the chances of development of cataracts. Smoking produces free radicals within your body that cause damage to many structures. What free radicals do is disrupt the cells of your body turning your normal cells into free radicals as well. Your body will no longer recognize the distorted cells and begin to try to destroy them. In the process of destroying these damaged cells, the structure around them can also be damaged as well.

Diet

While not proven effectively, it is suggested that increasing the amount of vegetables and fruit in your diet may be a preventative measure. Testing is still being done to determine the truth of this claim.

Sun Exposure

As mentioned earlier, radiation can cause cataracts. Sun light is a form of radiation that can cause these damages as well. By limiting exposure you can significantly decrease your chances. However, wearing protective eye wear such as UV blocking sunglasses can help as well.

Take Care of Yourself

Certain illnesses such as diabetes increase the chances of cataracts. It is very important that you take care of all health conditions that you may have.

Treatment for Cataracts

Unfortunately, the only effective treatment for cataracts is surgery. What the surgery does is remove the clouded lens to allow proper flow of light to return to the retina once more. In most cases, the defective lens is replaced with a lens implant.

These implants are clear and are made specifically to mimic the anatomy of the lens of the eye. In some cases, lens replacement is not necessary. If this is the case, corrective lenses such as contacts or glasses can correct the vision after the clouded lens is removed. The success rate of cataract removal surgery is phenomenal. Ninety five percent of people who are treated in this manner have increased vision with little to no problems.

Here is a list of commonly asked questions about the surgery

When should surgery be done? Surgery is generally done as soon as the cataract begins to affect daily activities such as driving, reading, or performing task related to your job.

How is the surgery performed? If cataracts are present in both eyes, surgery will be done one eye at a time. This particular procedure is done as an outpatient surgery. A local anesthesia is applied to area and the process is very quick. First, you will be given drops that will dilate your pupil. After your pupil is dilated, the local anesthetic will be applied. Your eye will be properly cleansed and sterile coverings will be placed around it in order to prevent infections.

After all of these steps have been competed, at least one incision into the eye will be made. Once the incision has been made, the doctor can remove the cataract one of two ways. The first way used an ultra-sound type instrument that breaks the cataract up by sonic waves. After it has been broken up, the pieces are suctioned out of the eye. The second method is to mechanically break up the lens with specialized tools. After broken, the pieces are then removed directly through the incision in the eye.

Recovery Time

What is the recovery time? Recovery for cataract surgery is very quick. In some cases you may be able to perform activities such as driving the day after surgery. However, it is important to receive a postoperative check before doing any such activities for your safety.

There are currently no medications or supplements that can treat this disease. However, taking measures such as increasing the lighting in your home, using magnifying glasses for reading, and also modifying your lifestyle can help to prolong the progression of development.

Resources

Conditions

Low Blood Pressure

What is low blood pressure?

Low blood pressure, also called hypotension, occurs when the force of the blood pushing against the walls of arteries is lower than it should be.

When this happens, the heart is not pushing the blood out with enough force for it to get to the entire body, and crucial organs may not receive an adequate blood flow.

Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg). There is a systolic and a diastolic measurement involved when calculating blood pressure.

Systolic

The systolic measurement is the force of blood when the heart is contracting and the diastolic measurement is the force of blood when the heart is relaxed and the arteries are contracting. A normal blood pressure is somewhere around 120/80 mmHg.

Anything under 90/60 mmHg is considered hypotension.

There are a few different types of low blood pressure. Different types are given different names depending on causes and factors of hypotension. The different types are postural or orthostatic hypotension, postprandial hypotension, neurally medicated hypotension, and multiple system atrophy with orthostatic hypotension.

Low blood pressure

Postural or orthostatic hypotension is a sudden drop in blood pressure that many people over 65 years old experience upon standing up from a sitting or lying down position.

It is commonly a result of various medications, especially antidepressants.

Neurally mediated hypotension is also a type of hypotension that occurs upon standing after sitting or lying down, but it is more common in young people.

It is suspected to be a miscommunication between the heart and brain. Nerves in the heart tell the brain that the body’s blood pressure is too high instead of too low, so the brain compensates by lowering the blood pressure even more.

Nervous Systen Damage

Multiple system atrophy with orthostatic hypotension is low blood pressure due to nervous system damage. It is also called Shy-Drager syndrome. This disease causes damage to the body’s autonomic nervous system (ANS).

The ANS controls most of the subconscious functions of the body, including blood pressure. The main characteristic of the disease is a severe drop in blood pressure upon standing as well as very high blood pressure when lying down.

Postprandial hypotension is a drop in blood pressure 30 to 75 minutes after eating a big meal. After eating big meals, a lot of blood is sent to the intestines to help with digestion and absorption and the body should compensate by increasing its cardiac output. If compensation does not occur, postprandial hypotension does.

What are common symptoms of low blood pressure?

Normally the thing to people worry about is hypertension, or high blood pressure. Low blood pressure does not seem all that dangerous, and if there are no symptoms of low blood pressure, it usually isn’t a problem. If symptoms are present, however, it can signal a bigger problem than just low blood pressure. Symptoms can vary from person to person.

Common symptoms are

Dizziness or lightheadedness
Fainting
Seizures

Other symptoms can be present but are usually caused by whatever is causing the low blood pressure, not the low blood pressure itself.

Those symptoms include

Chest pain
Shortness of breath
Irregular heartbeat
High fever (above 101 °F)
Foul smelling urine
Stiff neck
Fatigue
Temporary blurring or loss of vision
Dysuria, which is painful urination
Dysphagia, which is difficulty in swallowing
Headache
Severe upper back pain
Loss of consciousness
Prolonged diarrhea or vomiting

What causes low blood pressure?

Hypotension can be caused by many different things.

Here is a list of the common causes

Pregnancy. Many women experience low blood pressure during pregnancy. This is usually normal and will generally return to a good pressure after they have given birth.
Heart Problems. If a person’s heart rate is extremely low, if they have heart valve problems, or have a history of heart attacks or heart failures, there is a good chance they will have a low blood pressure because the heart is not pumping efficiently enough to get a good blood supply everywhere.
Heat.
Hormonal problems. If a person has an underactive or overactive thyroid, diabetes, or high or low blood sugar, they may experience hypotension.
Dehydration. Even a small amount of dehydration can have a negative effect on blood pressure.
Severe infection known as septicemia. Septicemia is what happens when an infection enters the bloodstream. It can cause low blood pressure.
Severe allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is caused by common triggers such as food, medications, insect venoms and latex. It is very severe and can be fatal.
Lack of nutrients in diet. Vitamin B12 and folate are essential nutrients that can cause anemia which causes low blood pressure.

Am I at risk for low blood pressure?

Certain people are more at risk for low blood pressure than others. Risk factors include age, medications, and certain diseases.

Age can play a part in hypotension. Adults over the age of 65 are more prone to orthostatic hypotension. Younger adults are more prone to neutrally mediated hypotension.

Certain medications can lower a person’s blood pressure. One situation where medication can cause low blood pressure is when a person overdoses on high blood pressure drugs. Believe it or not, too much of a medication meant to make blood pressure go up can actually make it go down.

Other medications that cause low blood pressure are beta-blockers, calcium-channel blockers, angiotension-converting enzyme inhibitors, nitrates, drugs for Parkinson’s disease, antipsychotic drugs, neuroleptics, anti-anxiety agents, sedative-hypnotics, and tricyclic antidepressants.

Certain Diseases can also be risk factors for hypotension. Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, and heart conditions can all cause low blood pressure.

What can I do to prevent low blood pressure?

There are many ways to prevent hypotension. A healthy diet can go a long way in helping to prevent low blood pressure. A diet rich in grains, vegetables, fruits and lean chicken and fish is great when dealing with and preventing this problem.

Small, low-carb meals many times during the day are better than three large meals. Also, limit alcohol consumption and drink lots of water. Salt is also a good way to moderate blood pressure. It is important to have enough salt, but not too much. Too much salt leads to high blood pressure, not enough salt leads to low blood pressure. It is crucial to get just the right amount.

How is low blood pressure diagnosed?

A doctor may run a few different tests when a patient shows signs of low blood pressure. His ultimate goal is to find out the underlying cause of the hypotension, which can be more serious than the hypotension itself. Here is a list of the tests a doctor may do:

Blood Pressure Test

The doctor will first do a blood pressure test. This test is a simple, routine test done by inflating a cuff on the upper arm and listening with a stethoscope to the brachial artery for the pressures when the heart is contracting and when it is relaxing. This pressure is shown on a pressure-measuring gage.

Blood Tests

If the blood pressure test shows low blood pressure, the doctor may order blood tests. Blood tests will tell the doctor if the patient has high or low blood sugar or a low number of red blood cells. Any of those factors can be the reason for low blood pressure.

Heart Tests

The doctor may also order a few tests that will analyze the heart of the patient, such as an electrocardiogram or an echocardiogram. Both are noninvasive tests, the first can detect irregularities in a heartbeat as well as any abnormalities of the heart and blood or oxygen supply problems with the heart. The echocardiogram is basically an ultrasound of the chest.

It shows an image of the heart’s structures and function. Both of these tests can tell the doctor if the heart is causing the low blood pressure. Another test done to test the heart is a stress test. It is often easier to diagnose a heart problem when the heart is working hard instead of when it is at rest. The patient will do some kind of exercise and may be given medication to make his or her heart work harder. The patient’s heart will then be monitored by an electrocardiogram or an echocardiograph, or by a blood pressure test.

Valsalva maneuver

This is also a noninvasive test which will check how well the autonomic nervous system is working. It analyzes the ANS by watching the heart rate and blood pressure after several cycles of deep breathing.

Tilt table test

Another test a doctor may do is the tilt table test. This is done if the patient has neurally mediated hypotension. During this test, the patient lies on a flat table that is then tilted so the upper part of the body is raised to simulate moving from a horizontal to standing position. This will evaluate how the patient’s body reacts to changes in position.

How can I treat low blood pressure at home?

If a patient is diagnosed with hypotension, there are many different ways to treat it. Some of the treatments are similar to the preventative measures taken, such as using more salt and drinking more water. A risk of increasing salt is that if it is increased too much, hypertension may occur. Altering the diet may be the cheapest and one of the easiest ways to treat low blood pressure, but it may not be the most effective.

Because a poor diet can cause low blood pressure, there are some supplements and herbs that can be taken to raise blood pressure. Vitamins B, C and E are all important to any diet, especially when trying to get a good blood pressure. Vitamin B plays a role in supporting the functions of adrenal gland. Only 300 mg/day of Vitamin B should be taken, anymore than that can cause problems.

Vitamin C helps to maintain the strength of the blood vessel walls. Too much vitamin C (more than 2000 mg/day) can cause diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, kidney stones, and insomnia. Vitamin E helps to improve the supply of oxygen within the cellular machinery. Vitamin E in excess of 800 mg/day however, is suspected to raise the risk of death by 10%.

Strengthen Your Defense

If hypotension is caused by weak thyroid glands, there are some thing that can be taken to help strength them. The seaweed Kelp is one thing that helps the thyroid gland. If more than 2000 mcg/day is taken however, it can be harmful to the thyroid.

Bee pollen can help increase the functioning of all endocrine glands which will in turn raise blood pressure. Bee pollen does have side effects though and can induce nausea or an upset stomach, and some people can have an allergic reaction to it.

Most of these supplements and vitamins can be purchased for a fair price online or at a local drug store.

What herbs can I use to treat low blood pressure?

An herb that can increase the functioning of the endocrine glands is hyssop. When taken with kelp, blood pressure can be raised when the supplements stimulate the glands in the body and relieve other physical symptoms that come with hypotension. A side effect of hyssop is that it can cause nausea and diarrhea as well as dizziness in some people.

Another herb that can be taken is rosemary leaves. The leaves should be steeped in red wine, and one tablespoon can be taken every day to raise blood pressure.

Other herbs that can help are Siberian ginseng, the root of the goldenseal herb, the root of ginger, spirulina, and ginkgo biloba. To fortify the heart, supplements like the hawthorn berry and garlic can be taken. When the heart is fortified, it will in turn lower blood pressure. Any of these herbs can cause allergic reactions, have mild side effects, or react with other medications that are being taken.

Some of these herbs can be hard to find locally, but most can be purchased as supplements online for under $10 per bottle. When looking for fresh herbs, the price will be a little bit higher and harder to find.

How can I treat low blood pressure using medicine?

There are two types of drugs commonly used to regulate low blood pressure. They are Flurodrocortisone and Midodrine.

The drug fludrocortisone helps to boost the blood volume of the person suffering from low blood pressure which will then raise the blood pressure. Flurodrocortisone is a type of steroid which is derived from the hormones cortisol and aldosterone. This drug may decrease the body’s natural immune system and may make it easier for the patient to contract infections and disease.

It can alter moods, cause confusion, nightmares, difficulty sleeping, depression, and even suicidal thoughts. It should not be stopped suddenly as the body grows used to having the drug and needs to be weaned off slowly. The drug can cause swelling, high blood pressure, headaches, low potassium levels, depression, weight gain, and many other side effects. Doctors should work with patients to be sure the benefits of the drug outweigh the risks.

Midodrine

Midodrine is another drug that can be prescribed to help cure hypotension. It restricts the ability of blood vessels to expand, which raises blood pressure. Midodrine also has some side effects. Some people have allergic reactions to the drug which can cause a shortness of breath, hives, closing of the throat, swelling of the lips, face, or tongue, or a rash.

Another serious side effect is an irregular heartbeat. A doctor should be contacted immediately if either of those two things happens. Other less serious side effects are itching of the skin, increased need to urinate or difficulty urinating, felling of pressure inside the head, dryness of the mouth or anxiety.

Medication prices will vary depending on what type of insurance the person suffering from low blood pressure has. Generally, medications will be more expensive than natural remedies.

Resources

Mayoclinic.Com

MedicineNet.Com

Conditions

High Blood Pressure

High Blood Pressure Remedies

High blood pressure

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a cardiovascular disease characterized by abnormally high blood pressure. Blood pressure is the force of the blood against the walls of blood vessels in the body.

Maintaining a healthy blood pressure is essential to prevent cardiovascular diseases like heart attack or stroke, as well as kidney failure.

Hypertension can be classified either as primary hypertension or secondary hypertension.

Primary hypertension, often called essential hypertension, is diagnosed when there is no discernible cause for the elevation in blood pressure. On the other hand, secondary hypertension is a side effect of an underlying condition such as kidney disease.

Causes and Risk Factors

The causes of primary hypertension are largely unknown, but research has shown that it is linked with poor lifestyle choices and bad habits. These include smoking, diabetes, being overweight, lack of physical activity, genetics, Vitamin D deficiency, electrolyte imbalance, stress, using medications like birth control pills, race, gender, and chronic alcohol abuse.

Primary hypertension accounts for 90-95% of all cases of hypertension. Secondary hypertension is defined as high blood pressure caused by an underlying disease. For secondary hypertension, the most common cause is kidney disease. The renal system and blood pressure are closely linked. For people with kidney disease, their kidneys do not remove fluid from the body efficiently or in the case of kidney failure at all.

How it Works

The kidneys are responsible for maintaining blood volume and fluid balance in the body. When the kidneys fail, the ability to excrete fluid is lost, thus causing the body to retain water. This can cause swelling in the extremities, but also, the increased amount of fluid in the body can also cause high blood pressure. This can be thought of like a balloon that is filled with water.

As more and more water is pumped in, the balloon expands and the pressure increases with nowhere for the water to go. So too does the blood pressure when the kidneys fail. The kidneys are also responsible for releasing enzymes which control vascular constriction i.e. the narrowing or expansion of blood vessels.

Another cause of secondary hypertension is Cushing’s disease. Cushing’s disease is a condition where the adrenal glands, located on top of the kidneys, produce too much cortisol, which raises blood pressure.
Congenital conditions such as abnormally narrow major arteries may also play a role in the development of secondary hypertension.

Symptoms

Hypertension can be an insidious disease in that there are no apparent symptoms until the blood pressure is dangerously high. Many people do not know that they have high blood pressure or that they have had it for years.

Chronic hypertension has been linked to increased risk of cardiovascular events like stroke and heart attacks. Also, chronic hypertension is a primary contributor to kidney disease. As pressure increases, tiny, delicate capillaries, responsible for filtering the blood of toxins, are damaged and cease to function. As kidney disease can also cause hypertension, a dangerous and damaging loop begins.

Although mildly to moderately elevated blood pressure does not generally have any symptoms, severe elevations in blood pressure can cause the following symptoms to manifest themselves: extreme headache, blurry vision, dizziness, confusion, chest pain, vomiting, shortness of breath, pounding chest, irregular heart beat, and bloody urine.

If any of these symptoms occur, a medical care should be sought immediately, as they could cause organ damage, stroke, or heart attack.

Tests and Diagnosis

High blood pressure is diagnosed by taking a blood pressure reading with an instrument called a sphygmomanometer. Sphygmomanometer measure two readings of the blood pressure. The results of a blood pressure reading are given as a fraction. For example, a reading of 120/80 would be read as “one twenty over eighty.”

What do those two numbers mean? The first number, sometimes called the top number, since it’s on the top of the fraction, is the systolic blood pressure. Systolic blood pressure measures the maximum blood pressure in the blood vessels, which occurs when the heart contracts and pumps out blood. The second number, often called the bottom number, is a measure of the minimum blood pressure in the vascular system. This occurs when the heart is between contractions.

Measuring Results

Measuring blood pressure in a patient is quick and painless. Blood pressure monitors can be either manual or digital and can be done at a doctor’s office or at home. It is important to note that one elevated blood pressure reading does not indicate that one necessarily suffers from high blood pressure. Blood pressure is not a constant number.

Instead, it fluctuates throughout the day, depending on a person’s physical activity, time of day, and body position. For this reason, it is important for people with hypertension to take their blood pressure readings regularly, several times of they day at the same time every day. Only then can an accurate average pressure be found. which can lead to the diagnosis of hypertension.

Interpreting Blood Pressure Readings

For an average adult over the age of 20, the blood pressure should not be more than 120/80. That is, the systolic pressure should not be over 120 and the diastolic pressure should not be over 80.

Prehypertension is defined as slightly elevated blood pressure with systolic pressure of 120-139 and/or diastolic pressure between 80 and 89.

Stage 1 Hypertension is defined as having a systolic reading beteween 140 and 159 and/or diastolic pressure between 90 and 99.

Stage 2 Hypertension is defined as having a systolic pressure greater than 160 and/or a diastolic pressure above 100.

Beyond state 2 hypertension are medical emergencies called hypertensive urgency and hypertensive crisis. A hypertensive urgency is a medical emergency where the systolic pressure is greater than 180 and/or the diastolic pressure is greater than 120. The same criteria are required for a hypertensive crisis, but in a hypertensive crisis, end organ damage is presently occurring.

Immediate treatment is needed to stop organ damage in a hypertensive crisis. If suffering from any of the symptoms of extremely high blood pressure, a person should go to the emergency room immediately, before long term damage occurs.

Treatment Options

Treatment Options for high blood pressure

A antihypertensive medications make up a large segment of the pharmaceutical industry. There are a number of drugs that can help to reduce blood pressure. Natural remedies also exist that may assist in controlling hypertension.

Diuretics

The first line of defense against elevated blood pressure are diuretics. Diuretics are medications that increase urine production in an effort to reduce fluid volume.

Elevated fluid levels in the body can cause increases in blood pressure. Two important classes of diuretics exist that can reduce blood pressure — loop diuretics and thiazide diuretics.

Loop diuretics work by blocking the absorption of sodium in a system of the kidney. Sodium can cause the body to retain water which can be reabsorbed into the body, elevating blood pressure. Loop diuretics are very effective in controlling blood plasma volume and lowering potassium levels. High levels of potassium in the blood, hyperkalemia, can cause deadly arrhythmias.

Another class of diuretics are thiazide diuretics. Thiazide diuretics effect certain cells in the kidneys that causes interference in sodium and water transport in the body. They can also dilate blood vessels which lowers pressure. Thiazide diuretics do not remove potassium effectively and have less impact on urine output than loop diuretics.

Diuretics are a class of drugs that have been around for many decades. They provide adequate blood pressure control in most patients and are very inexpensive, thus making them one of the first choices for physicians.

ACE Inhibitors and ARBs

Hormones produced by the kidneys play an important role in the regulation of blood pressure. The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone (RAA) is the system of hormones and mechanisms that is responsible for this. Renin is a hormone produced by the kidneys when the body detects low blood pressure. Renin then instructs the body to rpoduce a protein called Angiotensin I.

Angiotensin I is then converted into Angiotensin II which constricts blood vessels, increasing blood pressure. The conversion of Angiotensin I to Angiotensin II also causes the adrenal glands to secrete another hormone called aldosterone, which can raise the blood pressure.

ACE Inhibitors

Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors) and Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARB) are two powerful drugs used to treat high blood pressure by interrupting the RAA cycle. ACE inhibitors prevent Angiotensin I from being converted into Angiotensin 2, the powerful vascular constricting protein.

By blocking the constriction of blood vessels, the veins and arteries remain wide open, causing the blood pressure to lower. ARBs work in a similar manner to ACE inhibitors, except they keep the body from responding to Angiotensin II. The arteries and veins are prevented from constricting, thus lowering blood pressure.

Both ACE Inhibitors and ARBs are powerful drugs that can lower blood pressure significantly. ACE inhibitors can have the side effect of causing dry coughs in some patients. Most ACE inhibitors are available in generic brands and are inexpensive.

ARBs, on the other hand are newer drugs, many of which still have active patents, and are therefore significantly higher in cost. ACE inhibitors and ARBs should not be used in patients with severe kidney damage or in patients with renal artery stenosis, because they may cause acute renal failure.

Beta Blockers

Beta blockers are common medications used to treat hypertension. They work by slowing down the heart and reducing the amount of work that the organ has to do in order to pump blood throughout the body. Because the heart has to work less, blood pressure can be reduced.

Typical side effects of beta blockers include dizziness, sexual dysfunction, fatigue, drowsiness, sensitivity to cold, slow heart rate, breathing problems, depression, and edema. Prices vary tremendously, depending on the brand on beta blocker.

Calcium Channel Blockers

Calcium channel blockers (CCB)work by blocking the absorption of calcium by the heart which slows down the contracting force of the heart, lowering blood pressure.

Many studies have shown that calcium channel blockers may not be as effective as ACE inhibitors, ARBs, or diuretics, however for patients who have problems with other drugs, calcium channel blockers may prove useful.

Side effects of CCBs include constipation, headache, fast heart beat, rash, drowsiness, nausea, and swelling. Like beta blockers, the price of CCBs varies with brand.

Other Medications

Direct Acting Vasodilators work by dilating the blood vessels, lowering blood pressure. Centrally acting agents work on the central nervous system to control blood pressure. These medications are often used in emergency situations to control hypertensive urgencies or emergencies and work very quickly.

Natural Treatments

Because primary hypertension is thought to be caused in most cases by lifestyle and personal habits, many natural treatments are available to help control blood pressure. Dietary changes, exercise, and meditation may help to control pressure.

Diet

One of the most significant changes in diet a person can make to reduce blood pressure is to cut back on sodium consumption. Sodium has a dual role in elevating blood pressure. First, sodium causes people to be thirsty and drink more water. Next, sodium causes water retention. Excess fluid in the body causes blood pressure to rise.

By avoiding salt when cooking and by passing up on processed foods, many people can see a reduction in blood pressure from this change alone. Also, potassium has been shown to have blood pressure lowering effects. Potassium rich foods like bananas and avocados can help people with blood pressure problems.

Caution should be taken when it comes to eating grapefruits. Grapefruits contain an enzyme which interferes with some medications like calcium channel blockers. Also, reducing the amount of fatty foods and foods high in cholesterol may help in maintaining blood pressure. These fatty foods cause plaque to build up on the walls of arteries, narrowing them and causing blood pressure to rise.

Exercise

A sedentary, inactive lifestyle has been associated with being one of the risk factors for developing high blood pressure. Getting at least 30 minutes of exercise per day can reduce blood pressure by helping a person lose weight and reduce stress. Exercise can also strengthen the heart, allowing it to work more efficiently, which reduces its workload and decreases blood pressure.

Yoga is also effective in reducing stress levels and increasing strength, which may play a role in the control of blood pressure.

Supplements and Herbs

Many studies have advocated the use of Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) for reducing blood pressure. CoQ10 can be taken in doses up to 200 mg daily. Side effects include diarrhea, rash and lowering of blood glucose levels.
Hawthorn is an herb that acts as a vasodilator, improving blood flow and reducing blood pressure. Hawthorn also has mild diuretic effects as well, which may help in reducing fluid in a person with hypertension.

Hawthorn may be take in increments of 300 mg 3 times per day. Rauwolfia is an root used in traditional Indian medicine. It works by acting on the sympathetic nervous system to reduce blood pressure. Rauwolfia should not be used by pregnant women or women who may become pregnant and may also have adverse effects on people with gastrointestinal problems.

Surgical Options

Until very recently, surgical options were not available to treat hypertension. However, experiments have been done that show very promising results in the surgical treatment of high blood pressure. A device has been approved in Europe which consists of a small implant placed around the collar bone. It produces electrical pulses, which can tell the body’s blood pressure monitoring system that the pressure is too high. The brain then instructs the body to release hormones that can lower blood pressure.

Another surgery called renal sympathetic nerve ablation is a procedure in which nerves near the kidneys that are responsible for maintaining the RAA system are cauterized. This procedure is still in clinical trials in the United States and Europe.

Prevention

Hypertension is not always preventable, but never the less, some things can be done to minimize its effects or to delay its onset. First of all, it is important to maintain a healthy weight. Being thin reduces the amount of work the heart has to do and also the pressure on the artery walls. Losing weight may also prevent diabetes and blocked arteries.

Quitting smoking can also help to prevent hypertension. Studies have shown that stress may be a major contributor to hypertension. Reducing stress can help to control blood pressure. Stress can be reduced through making sure that an adequate amount of sleep is had and through meditation and relaxation. Finally, going for an annual check up can help to detect hypertension early, when it is easiest to control.

Patients with a family history of hypertension should be especially careful and take their blood pressure regularly in order to detect any anomalies as soon as possible.

Conclusion

Hypertension is a serious problem that afflicts millions of people throughout the world. Left unchecked, high blood pressure can cause serious problems like stroke, heart attack, and kidney failure. However, by carefully monitoring their blood pressure and getting regular check ups, most people can maintain adequate control over their blood pressure, thus lowering their risks of having a major complication.

While hypertension may not be preventable, several lifestyle changes can be made to delay its onset or prevent it all together.

Resources

cdc.gov

Conditions

Asthma

Asthma is a chronic condition of the cardiopulmonary system that causes inflammation and constriction of bronchial airways, making it difficult to breathe.

Onset of asthma can range from being slow and mild to sudden and severe. A moderate to severe onset of symptoms is known as an asthma attack. The presence of asthma symptoms alternates with periods of relief.

Asthma is considered a serious, and sometimes life-threatening, disease. Over 22 million people in the U.S. have been diagnosed with asthma and it results in an average of 2 million trips to the emergency room in a single year. Although asthma is more common in children and young adults, symptoms can occur for the first time in people of any age.

Asthma is chronic, obstructive, and affects the cardiopulmonary system, but several factors keep it in a separate category from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, and chronic bronchitis.

Asthma has three defining characteristics

Inflammation

During an attack, the bronchial tubes become swollen, red, and sometimes painful. Inflammation can cause long-term lung damage, so treatment of the inflammation is of great concern to overall life expectation and quality of health.

Obstruction

Bronchial tubes are surrounded by bands of muscle. During regular breathing, these muscles stay relaxed. For asthmatic people, as an attack is triggered, the muscular bands tighten, restricting breathing. As the person tries to force air through the bronchial tubes to their lungs, it often makes a sound called wheezing.

Sensitivity

The airways of asthmatics are very sensitive to the environment and situations causing excessive activity. It is normal for the airways to tighten slightly when exposed to large amounts of allergens, but even slight amounts can trigger airways to tighten to a point near closure.

Symptoms of Asthma

The severity of symptoms varies greatly from person to person and from incident to incident. Symptoms are often characterized in four categories: mild, moderate, severe, and pending arrest.

These are the most common symptoms of asthma

Difficulty breathing/shortness of breath
Tight chest
Painful chest
Wheezing
Coughing
Increased heart rate
Anxiety
Loss of color
Excessive perspiration
Rapid breathing
Increased mucus production

Symptoms occur at different intervals with different people, and the intervals can be unpredictable. Some people can go for weeks or even months without any symptoms, while others experience symptoms daily. In addition, symptoms can also be brought on by specific triggers. In any case, it can be important to recognize the early warning signs of an impending asthma attack.

By recognizing these early signs, short-term treatment can be administered that may prevent the more severe symptoms of the attack

Coughing
Shortness of breath
Fatigue or weakness
Wheezing after exercise
Altered mood/easily annoyed
Allergy symptoms – runny nose, sneezing, congestion, headache
Difficulty sleeping

If an asthma attack goes untreated, it may worsen in severity very quickly. The lungs and airways may continue to tighten until airflow is so restricted that even wheezing is impossible. This condition is dangerous and is known as silent chest. These situations usually require professional treatment because not enough air is getting to the body. The person’s lips may turn blue, and if still left untreated, they may lose consciousness or die.

Causes of Asthma

The exact cause of asthma is unknown. As scientists continue to study the cause, it is thought to be a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Those with a family history of asthma are more likely to have it themselves.

Asthma symptoms can begin for no apparent reason but often begin with what is called a trigger. A trigger is an environmental factor or physical situation that sets in motion physiology changes causing an onset of symptoms.

Asthma triggers are different for every person. It is important for those who suffer from asthma and those close to someone who suffers from asthma to recognize the specific triggers that cause their symptoms to begin.

Most triggers are discovered simply through experience. Doctors can also identify some triggers through blood or skin testing. Some people who suffer from asthma use a peak flow meter. This device measures the quantity and frequency of air being exhaled. It can help to identify triggers. Once the triggers are recognized, it is possible to eliminate or reduce them from the person’s life. Although triggers differ, some are more common than others.

Here are some of the most common asthma triggers

Allergies

Most people with asthma (80%) also have allergies to airborne particles such as pollen, mold, animal hairs or dander, or dust mites. Cockroach droppings have also been found to cause allergic reactions related to asthma attacks.

Emotions

Strong emotions, stress, and anxiety have been known to trigger asthma attacks. These emotions can include sadness (crying), joy (laughing), and anger (yelling).

Exercise

Exercise or excessive physical activity is a very common asthma trigger. Symptoms usually begin in the first minutes of exercise and then subside about 30 minutes later. However, another attack may be induced hours later while at rest.

Food

Some foods can trigger allergic reactions that can lead to asthma attacks. Common food allergies related to asthma are eggs, milk, peanuts, wheat, fish, and fruit. Some food preservatives may also act as asthma triggers. Many different food preservatives exist, and some are safe for some people. It is important to watch for the specific additive.

Heartburn

Many people who suffer from asthma also suffer from heartburn or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). In people who suffer from GERD, stomach acid can rise up into the throat and cause irritation of the airways, leading to an asthma attack.

Illness

Colds and flu can cause asthma symptoms to be triggered because airways are much more sensitive under these afflictions.

Irritants

Foreign particles in the air can often cause asthma symptoms to be triggered. Irritants can include perfume, smoke, cleaners, paint, and anything else with a strong smell.

Medication

Some people are sensitive to certain medications. No one drug causes more asthma attacks than another. It varies between individuals.

Sinusitis

Sinusitis causes inflammation in the sinus cavities. Because the sinus cavities are connected to the airways, it causes them to become inflamed, also, leading to an asthma attack. Sinus infections must be treated quickly to reduce the onset of asthma symptoms.

Smoking

Believe it or not, many people who have asthma continue to smoke. Smoking makes asthma symptoms worse and triggers their onset often. People who have asthma and do not attempt to quit are only asking for trouble.

Weather

Asthma attacks often occur because of inclement weather. Those who suffer from asthma are usually susceptible to cold, but any temperature changes or changes in humidity or barometric pressure can trigger symptoms.

Risk Factors

The number of people diagnosed with asthma continues to grow each year, but scientists and doctors have yet to discover the exact reason. While the exact cause is unknown,

several risk factors have been linked to people who suffer from asthma

Family history/genetics
Severe childhood respiratory infections
Smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke
Living in dense populations that suffer from air pollution
Frequent exposure to irritable chemicals
Obesity
Low birth weight

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of asthma

Many tests are available to determine if what a patient is suffering from is asthma. One newer method is the methacholine bronchial challenge test.

Methacholine is a substance that a patient inhales. If the patient’s bronchial passages begin to narrow or spasm, it is a positive indication of asthma.

In most cases, however, a doctor can diagnose asthma through other means. Every doctor also has his or her favorite tests for detecting asthma, which may change from person to person, depending on the situation.

As with any diagnosis, if a patient feels something is wrong with it, they can ask for an explanation or receive a second opinion from another doctor.

One popular test for asthma is a simple question and answer test. This test is effective because many times when a patient visits the doctor for a diagnosis, they are not currently experiencing any symptoms.

When an asthmatic is not experiencing symptoms, they appear to be breathing normally. Patients should be sure to provide the doctor with as detailed answers as can be provided.

Here are some other tests used to determine asthma

Chest x-rays – These are usually only used for those currently experiencing symptoms.
Nitric oxide test –This test measures the amount of nitric oxide gas a patient exhales. People with inflamed airways tend to have higher levels than those with normal airways.
Peak flow test – This can be done either at home or in the doctor’s office. A doctor can explain the best way to use and read the peak flow meter.
Spirometry – This is a test that determines the volume of air a patient is able to exhale. It can prove or disprove bronchial obstruction. Spirometry is also used to ascertain the effectiveness of specific treatments.

Once diagnosed, a doctor will classify the condition on one of four severity levels

Mild intermittent – The patient experiences mild symptoms for two days or less and no more than two nights in a single month.
Mild persistent – The patient experiences mild symptoms at least twice per week, but never on the same day.
Moderate persistent – The patient experiences symptoms once per day at more night per week.
Severe persistent – The patient experiences symptoms multiple times most every day and several nights of the week.

Prevention

Asthma prevention is accomplished by designing a specific plan with a doctor that includes several facets

Put the plan in writing. This makes sure it is easy to follow and maintain.

Avoid asthma triggers. Avoiding the triggers that cause asthma reduces attacks.

Recognize early warning signs of an attack. If a person who suffers from asthma can recognize the signs leading to an attack, steps can be taken to prevent it.

Take medication as instructed. Some medication works long-term to help prevent attacks while other medication only relieves symptoms.

Treatment of Asthma

Numerous medical treatments exist for people who suffer from asthma, but all of them rely on medications. There is no cure for asthma nor is there any surgery that can relieve asthma except in life-threatening, emergency situations.

Asthma medication is divided into three groups

Long-term medication

These medications include anti-inflammatory drugs such as steroids. They are critical in reducing asthma attacks. They work by minimizing inflammation of and mucus production in the airways. This makes the body more resistant to triggers.

Corticosteroids – This group of drugs includes beclomethasone, budesonide, fluticasone, mometasone, and triamcinolone. They are usually inhaled and it may take several day up to several weeks before any noticeable effects are reached.

Leukotriene modifiers – These drugs include montelukast, zafirlukast, and zileuton. They are taken orally and can prevent attacks for up to 24 hours. These drugs, however, have been linked to psychological side effects, such as aggression, depression, hallucinations, becoming easily aggravated, and suicidal thoughts.

Long-acting beta agonists (LABA) – LABAs include formoterol and salmeterol. They open the airways upon inhalation, but some patients may experience severe attacks after their use.

Combination – These inhalers combine an LABA with a cortosteroid for maximum effectiveness and a reduction in side effects.

Quick-relief medications

These medications are bronchodilators that are inhaled and open the airways almost immediately in the case of asthma attacks. They provide fast relief from wheezing, coughing, tightness of the chest, and shortness of breath. Quick-relief medications are almost always used in conjunction with long-term medications.

Short-term beta agonists – This group of bronchodilators includes the most popular asthma medication – albuterol inhalers. Others include levalbuterol and pirbuterol. They act within one minute and last for several hours.

Ipratropium – This inhaled medication is another type of bronchodilator.

Corticosteroids – When injected, these long-term drugs can also provide fast relief from asthma attacks. Since injected corticosteroids have several side effects, they are only used in emergency situations.

Ephedrine – Ephedrine is an over-the-counter medication that opens the airways and eases breathing 30 – 60 minutes after taken orally. Ephedrine is a stimulant and therefore has side effects of increased heart rate, nervousness, and wakefulness.

Allergy-control Medications

These medications benefit those whose asthma is triggered by allergic reactions.

Antihistamines – Antihistamines and decongestants provide relief from allergy symptoms.

Immunotherapy – These injections are usually given weekly for several months and then reduced to monthly for several years. They help to provide long-term relief of allergy symptoms.

Omalizumab – Created for people who are susceptible to allergic triggers. It reduces the body’s reaction to airborne allergens.

Home Remedies for Asthma

Because asthma is such a widespread disease that has been known throughout history, home remedies and treatments abound. Many are ineffective and some provide short-acting relief, long-lasting relief, or even both for certain individuals. Most home remedies do not harm the patient, but if they do not work, it is recommended to use doctor-prescribed medications.

Here are some of the most popular and effective home remedies for asthma

Steam – Steam treatments are especially popular for the relief of asthma. Some say sweating is necessary in conjunction with the steam, but others say it provides no added benefits.

The steam should be breathed deeply to open the airways and relieve excess mucus. The steam in ideally inhaled from a bowl. Sometimes a towel is used to cover the head and the bowl together. Many people advocate the use of other ingredients in the water creating the steam. Such ingredients include garlic, ginger, garlic and ginger, juniper oil, and caraway seeds.

Honey – Honey has long been considered an effective treatment for asthma. During an attack, the patient should inhale the scent of a jar of honey for several minutes. It is also recommended to drink one teaspoon of honey in warm water three times per day.

Garlic – Boil one clove of garlic in one-half cup milk. Eat the garlic and drink the milk.

Turmeric – Drink one teaspoon of turmeric powder mixed with milk three times daily.

Mustard oil and Camphor – These two ingredients can be combined into an ointment that is rubbed into the back and chest.

Licorice root tea – Steep licorice root in hot water for 10 minutes and drink.

Cloves – Boil 5 cloves in one cup of water. Add honey and drink three times per day.

Ginger and Black Pepper – Mix ingredients in one tablespoon of molasses or honey and eat.

Fennel – Chewing on fennel is said to reduce mucus. It is not necessary to eat it.

Fresh air, sun, and water – Taking a break from the inside of buildings can help some people achieve relief from asthma. If heat is not a trigger, spending time at the beach, especially an ocean beach, can work wonders.

Resources

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