Health related information and news from around the world.
The biggest change in people’s attitudes is an increase in apathy. People with dementia gradually become less responsive, harder to talk to, emotionally flat. They lose interest in their jobs, their family and friends, their homes, even themselves. Perhaps some of the problems of memory loss and difficulty concentrating are caused by apathy. Lisa said [...]
One of my patients started on estrogen and progestin as she neared her fiftieth birthday and her periods became few and far between. After Elise went through menopause, a bone density scan showed her Z-score (comparing her to other women her age) was actually positive, and her T-score (comparing her to peak bone density) was [...]
When brain damage affects areas of the brain that control the coordination of movements, the child may be athetoid; movements are performed slowly and in a writhing fashion. Damage to other areas of the brain may cause more rigid movements, that is, dystonia. Since these control areas lie deep within the brain in regions less [...]
Tuberculosis is spread from infected individuals through the air by tiny droplets that contain Mycobacterium tuberculosis. These droplets are aerosolized when an infected patient coughs, sneezes, or speaks. Particles larger than this size are deposited in the upper air-way and tend not to cause infection. After inhalation, droplets are deposited in the respiratory bronchioles or [...]
Some people with BDD exercise excessively. They may run or do aerobics to decrease cellulite or the perceived flabbiness of their thighs, or to make their arms or legs slimmer or larger. Others do sit-ups to flatten their stomach. These behaviors are carried to an extreme. As a 30-year-old woman said, «My whole day is [...]
Acute bacterial and viral infections of the brain (meningitis and encephalitis), as we know, may cause acute seizures and may occasionally damage the brain and result in epilepsy. Other infections that occur before birth or, rarely, after birth may also damage the brain and lead to epilepsy. The most common infection of the brain world-wide [...]
Chicory people may even simulate sickness to keep friends and relatives waiting on them. They may even weep incessantly just for wanting attention all the time. Chicory characters like to have a kind of possessive pride in the feelings and lives of their dear ones. The grandma is very helpful to all the members of [...]
Acne is the bane of many teenagers’ existence. Although it is considered a ‘normal’ part of growing up, it seems unfair that just as interest in the opposite sex is beginning and confidence is all-important, a teenager may develop acne. Indeed, the psychological effects of acne can be devastating. Despite all this, it often goes [...]
«Record-keeping» is particularly poisonous when a person constantly compares himself with himself. Usually, he has a mental progress chart that is part of his poisonous onward-and-upward demand for continual improvement. The greater his need to prove himself in this way, the more toxic he becomes. The poisoning effect of performeritis is increased by the person’s [...]
Guilt does not necessarily have a cause. Guilt, like fear, is a feeling that may or may not have anything to do with the facts. Some people feel honestly that they did something they should not have done. Perhaps they knew they ran a risk when they became infected. Others are accepting blame for something [...]
Fasting is not advisable for diabetic patients, specially non-obsese Avoid over cooking of food, reheating and deep freezing etc. Certain food like ‘papad/bhujia’ (fried things) are taken in large amount by certain communities. These should be taken in right amount or should be avoided. Food to avoid: Sweets like rasagulla, sandesh, lalmohan, barfees, halwas, katli, [...]
Agency A nominated person (the agent) acts on a frail person’s behalf within specified instructions. This is especially seen in the social security system, where a pensioner will nominate someone to collect their benefits from the post office. The agent can only collect the money, and they must then hand it to the person concerned. [...]
Severe colicky pain in either loin with blood tinged urine signifies the presence of a kidney stone. Most kidney stones contain calcium. They occur when calcium crystallizes out of solution because the concentration of urinary calcium is too high. Urinary calcium can be elevated because people drink too much milk or eat too much cheese. [...]
One of the most frequent immediate causes of a heart attack is the formation of a blood clot which blocks the flow of blood in an already-occluded coronary artery. It’s logical, then, to think that preventing excessive clotting could reduce the incidence of heart attacks and strokes. And certainly we’ve all heard about the wisdom [...]
Every drug has been developed to achieve a specific goal. But just as an opponent can block a shot in sports, other drugs and certain foods can interact with your cardiac medications. I’ll provide a few examples in just a moment, but it would be impractical if not impossible to list every potential combination. That [...]
These are congenital defects (defects present at birth). During development of the foetus, there is incomplete closure of the lip or the roof of the mouth, forming an open cleft. Each can occur separately, but they often occur together, sometimes in association with other malformations. Usually only soft tissues are affected, but occasionally bone can [...]
Most premature babies require specialised care, usually within a newborn intensive care nursery, for up to several weeks after birth. The baby is nursed in a humidicrib and, depending on his condition, may require oxygen, intravenous infusion, tube feeding and careful monitoring. If your baby does need intensive care, your doctor will explain exactly what [...]
«I am deathly afraid that he is having an affair. He just doesn’t want that much sex anymore. Is he?» ANSWER: Frequency of and interest in sex is not a symptom. It does not «mean» anything if medical problems are ruled out. It is a means of sharing and expression that stands in and of [...]
Even if you do not plan to change anything else in your diet, for social, business or other reasons, improve the quality of the water you drink. Drink at least 2 or 3 litres of it every day. The latest research indicates, that it is not only the purity of water that is important, but [...]
In the condition known as hiatus hernia, there is reflux of the acid contents of the stomach up into the lower part of the gullet and this may produce indigestion. If this symptom of indigestion is of recent onset then it may be safely treated without further investigation. If it is severe or persistent or [...]
Penicillin was first isolated from a mould by Fleming in 1929 but it was Chaim and the Australian, Florey, who first brought it into clinical use in 1940. Originally, penicillin had to be given by injection but now derivatives are available which can be taken by mouth. This drug is bacteriocidal and has such a [...]
Psychologists and psychiatrists have been examining the effects of Stress on the immune system. How do we cope with stress? Do we fed reasonably able to deal effectively with the world and maintain a positive sense of self, or do we feel helpless, as if no effort can make a difference? What if endometriosis is [...]
This is a superficial, contagious infection of the skin sometimes known as ‘school sores’. As this name suggests, it is more common amongst school-age children. It usually affects more than one person in the family or group, and seems to be more common in the summer months. Most commonly it occurs on the face, particularly [...]
There is considerable scientific backing for the health benefits of a diet with a high proportion of starches. National health targets suggest that carbohydrates should provide about 55-60 per cent of daily energy. Unfortunately, carbohydrate intake in most Western countries has declined this century with the increased consumption of fat. Fibre intake in most Western [...]
Just because you have endometriosis does not necessarily mean that it is the only cause of your inability to conceive. Most doctors will want to do a number of tests to check that everything else is as it should be. First, you will be asked to have your hormone levels assessed. This is usually done [...]
Many of the symptoms of endometriosis are also the symptoms of other conditions — particularly other gynaecological conditions — and therefore endometriosis is easily confused with them. These include pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), irritable bowel syndrome, ovarian cysts, appendicitis, ectopic pregnancy and occasionally cancer. Pelvic inflammatory disease Pelvic inflammatory disease, often known as PID, refers [...]
Live yoghurt contains ‘friendly’ bacteria which form lactic acid in milk, suppressing the growth of harmful bacteria. Some of the bacteria which are used to make yoghurt are Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus. The bacteria in many yoghurts are still alive, but are kept dormant by refrigeration. However yoghurts which have been pasteurised [...]
Just as depression tends to cast a grey pall over everything in your world and in yourself, so there is an irresistible tendency to project that gloomy view into the future. The depressed person will always find something to be pessimistic about. And as with one’s view of the present, these gloomy predictions are often [...]
Plastic has become increasingly common, one might say all-pervasive, since the end of World War Two. The chemically susceptible person, however, should try to avoid unnecessary exposure to plastics wherever possible. The sources of plastics are explored in Chapter 6. As a simple preventive measure, one should go through one’s house and make all obvious [...]
While petting frogs is a harmless childhood activity, handling toads can be dangerous, the New England Journal of Medicine (314:1517) reports, since the skin of some types of toad secretes a poison which, when conveyed to the mouth, causes drooling, convulsive seizures, and serious disturbances of the heart rhythm. The Colorado River toad is the [...]
Emergency symptoms: Apply emergency treatment immediately. Important: A child with heatstroke who does not revive within minutes after treatment is in danger and requires immediate emergency care. Symptoms: feeling that lungs and muscles are «on fire», dry mouth, breathing difficulty, dizziness, nausea blurred vision, hot, dry skin, high fever, absence of sweating. Emergency treatment 1. [...]
For the past 50 years or so, we’ve been killing ourselves with a silent bang. It’s a little-known fact that suicide is the ninth leading cause of death in this country and the fifth leading cause among men ages 25 to 44. There is no simple answer for why men commit suicide, says John L. [...]
Non-steroidal drugs Non-steroidal drugs, other than the salicylates, are used as anti-inflammatory, analgesic or anti-pyretic agents. Some have a combination of more than one of these properties. In general, the way in which these drugs work is not known, although it is possible to demonstrate the relative efficacy of one versus another by special [...]
For a number of years researchers have sought ways to diagnose and monitor endometriosis that would avoid the need for a laparoscopy. Various methods have been tried, including examining the blood and endometrium for the presence of antibodies and testing for a substance known as the CA-125 antigen. Other methods are still being investigated. So [...]
Brain chemicals do more than regulate behavior. They also determine our moods. An imbalancetoo much or too little of a given substance-can produce symptoms of mental disorder ranging from depression to the abnormal elation and hyperactivity known as mania. As we have seen, the incidence of depression in relatives of eating-disordered people is higher than [...]
John Bradley always loved being outdoors. As a youngster growing up in northern Maine, he spent many more summer nights sleeping outside than in. His days were filled with work on his family’s potato farm, fishing, swimming, canoeing, and hiking in the woods. Now age 45, John still finds joy in the great outdoors. It [...]
Affirmation for Happiness Many of the patients I see, regardless of their symptoms, are unhappy. I give them this happiness affirmation: I really like myself. I am a worthwhile person. I am fantastically happy, and I have great happiness. Affirmation for Serenity We could all use serenity, especially the stress seekers who are always running [...]
Use your heart to determine whether you’re walking rapidly enough. Count your heartbeats by feeling your pulse at your wrist, your temples or on either side of your neck. Count the number of times your heart beats in ten seconds. Multiply that number by six to get your heart rate per minute. The goal is [...]
Nutritional deficiencies can attack your immune system directly, or they can launch a two-stage attack by way of the mind. Lack of nutrients, especially the B vitamins, can lead to such personality changes as depression, irritability, nervousness, anxiety and moodiness. As a group, the B vitamins are especially important for maintaining a positive outlook on [...]
Government and industry claim that there are «safe» levels for various toxins in the body. That idea is patently absurd. Five to 40 years may pass before chemicals and particles you were exposed to at work, home or school are expressed as a disease. To be safe, I say that any amount is too much. [...]
A third factor that influences medical trials is the type of patients a particular doctor sees. To take one example, a consultant gastroenterologist working in a large hospital will see a wide range of patients with persistent diarrhoea, who have been referred by their family doctor. These patients will vary in all sorts of ways, [...]
It’s common for doctors to receive a flat monthly fee for every patient under their care. Under this arrangement, known as capitation, the cost of lab tests, procedures and other care comes out of the doctor’s pocket. If the doctor orders an $80 X ray, $80 is deducted from his paycheck. Frequently, HMOs give bonuses [...]
what to look for: Whole wheat is typically the first ingredient, but it could be whole oats, whole rye or millet. typical nutritional data per slice: 90 calories, 1 g fat, 3 g fiber, 180 mg sodium. good brands: Arnold Natural 100% Whole Wheat… Oroweat 100% Whole Wheat…Stroehmann Dutch Country 100% Whole Wheat. important: Some [...]
A «hand-sanding» technique lets doctors remove wrinkles without the high cost of the usual technique (laser resurfacing). Called manual dermasanding, the technique involves injecting the wrinkled area with topical anesthetics. Wrinkles are then buffed away using a sandpaper-like material. Saw palmetto berries are widely recognized for their potential to diminish an enlarged prostate gland, say [...]
Eighty-seven percent of Americans have foot trouble—bunions, corns, calluses, foot odor, etc. Despite their prevalence, however, such problems are not inevitable, most can be prevented via a simple five-step foot-pamperinc regimen… • Soak your feet at the end of each day. Use lukewarm water along with Dr. Scholl’s Soap ‘n Soak Instant Foot Bath or [...]
Up to 12 million Americans are allergic to one or more foods—and most aren’t aware of it. Food allergies can stimulate activity of mast cells, immune cells that produce hay fever symptoms, such as nasal congestion, watery eyes, etc. self-test: In the morning, take your pulse for one minute on an empty stomach. Then eat [...]
It is sad that few hospitals now support postnatal family planning clinics and the opportunity to return to the place where the baby was born is seldom available. At such a visit the woman could show off the baby, have her new status as mother recognized and discuss her delivery, even though it might be [...]
Men are unlikely to admit that they consider contraception to be the woman’s business but again the shadow is there. ‘A lot of other men do,’ they say. Perhaps it is because many men are nervous about their sexuality. They stir quickly and not always when expected, and they are not used to the idea [...]
Some women present late because they genuinely did not believe themselves to be pregnant, often at the extremes of the reproductive age range, or because they have irregular cycles. Some deny the problem until the bulge begins to appear, or hope that they will miscarry. Others sadly may be the victim of a laborious system [...]
The COC is the most common form of contraception chosen by the younger patient. In view of this, it merits most attention in this chapter. The doctor looking after this age group has a unique opportunity to get it right at the first consultation as regards absolute and relative contraindications and risk factors. At the [...]