Thursday, October 23, 2008

What Can Cause Endometriosis

Doctors have been researching for years trying to determine the cause of endometriosis in women to no avail. Statistics say that over 70 million women are diagnosed with endometriosis - but no one is able to determine exactly what causes it. However, there have been many possibilities.

Hereditary

Some believe that women who have family members that have endometriosis are at a higher risk of developing the disease.

Retrograde Menstruation

This theory was first thought of during the 1920’s by Dr. Sampson. He believed that during the time of menstruation some women will produce a certain amount of menstrual fluid that will flow backwards from the uterus and will ‘cover the pelvic organs and pelvis lining’ with endometrium cells. However, this is one of the most flimsy theories because many women who have this problem have not developed endometriosis.

Disorders Of The Livers

Estrogen can be regulated and removed from the body by the liver. If the liver is not working properly then it can cause serious health problems including endometriosis.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Most Common Warts To Identify

Below is a list of some of the more common types of warts that people should look for. This list will help people to identify which one they have - which will help them to treat it properly.

Verruca Vulgaris

This is the most common type of wart. They are thick bumps that are referred to as plaques. They have a rough surface and often have small spots where the blood vessels have clotted. They can often be found on knees, elbows, and hands.

Plantar Warts

These warts can be found under the surface of feet. They are thick and can sometimes be mistaken for calluses and corns. They will usually have thrombosed blood vessels that cause black dots on the surface. They can be very uncomfortable and can spread over wide areas of the foot.

Genital Warts

These warts will appear in the genital peri-anal skin. They can appear many different ways - but often look like a normal warts. They can be hard to spot because they look just like the skin around them. Some can be small while others can be quite large.

Health Risks Of Tattoos

Getting a tattoo is very permanent for most people. Because of this you need to make sure that you are ready for this life changing appearance to your body. Go to different people who have tattoos or tattoo artists and ask them any questions that you have.

One of the more important questions and concerns that you should have are the medical problems that could affect you as a result of tattoos. We have a list of many common health problems that can affect you when getting one. Tattoo Safety should always be your number one concern.

Infections

Some tattoo parlors are not up to par and may use equipment and needles that are not sterile. When this happens the needles can transmit infectious diseases. Hepatitis is one of the more common diseases that is transmitted from person to person through improper tattoo needles.

Make sure that the equipment looks clean and watch them sterilize it. Even if someone sterilizes the needle it isn’t uncommon for the person to still have problems. It will be your job to prevent infections by properly caring for your tattoo during the first week.

Allergic Reactions

It is rare for people to be allergic to the tattoo pigments that are used to create the tattoo - but it is not unheard of. Even some people have experienced a reaction only years after they have had the tattoo.

Formation Of Keloids

Anyone who has a tendency of developing keloids should think twice before getting a tattoo. Keloids are scars that will grow out of the normal boundaries. Tattoos could cause serious keloids because they cause trauma to your skin.

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a popular health problem in women that occurs when the tissue around the uterus grows outside of the uterus and into other areas of the body. These areas are called implants, nodules, tumors, and lesions. They can be found on or beneath the ovaries, on the bladder, behind the uterus, or on the tissues that hold the uterus together.

Symptoms Of Endometriosis

The most common symptom that comes from this problem is pain. This pain is experienced in the pelvis, lower back, and abdomen. There are some women who do not experience any pain at all - but that can be rare.

The symptoms to look for are:

Extremely painful menstrual cramps

Pain with periods that gets steadily worse over time

Chronic pain in the pelvis and lower back

Pain during or after sex

Intestinal pain

Painful bowel movements or painful urination during menstrual periods

Heavy and/or long menstrual periods

Spotting or bleeding between periods

Infertility

Fatigue

Constipation

Bloating

Diarrhea

Gastrointestinal problems

Sunday, October 12, 2008

Success Of Surgery To Prevent Snoring

People who snore will work hard to put an end to it by using medications or specific snoring treatments. However, some will opt out of medications and instead will choose to undergo surgery. But before they make this decision and go through with it they want to understand the risks that are involved and how successful it will be at relieving them of this problem.

Research shows that surgeries are often times very effective at reducing snoring. Of course whether or not the surgery is successful will depend on how what is causing the snoring in the first place. For example someone who snores because of nasal congestion will not benefit from a palate procedure.

Success of the surgery also depends on the patient itself. In order for the surgery to become effective the person who sleeps with the snorer should also be able to sleep well.

Palate implant surgery is one of the most successful surgeries that helps to decrease snoring. 89% of people who snore are encouraged to undergo palatal surgery. Only patients who snore because of palate problems will improve from this surgery.

Saturday, October 11, 2008

The Stages of Colon Cancer

Colon cancer has become one of the worst known cancer diseases to hit Americans. There are actually five different stages to colon cancer. When the cancer is caught in one of its early stages the patient has a better chance of recovering depending on what treatments are used.

Stage 0 - This is the earliest stage of colon cancer. During this stage the cancer has only infected the lining of the colon and is confined to polyps (this is the tissue that is expanding from the surface of an organ). When these polyps are removed during the colonoscopy procedure they no longer have any chance of spreading to other areas of the body.

Stage I - During this stage the polyps has turned into a tumor and has progressed beyond the lining of the colon and moved into the wall. Treatments for this stage will require the removal of a section of the colon that the cancer has infected. This procedure is referred to as a resection.

Stage II - This stage occurs when the cancer has moved on to the tissue that surrounds the colon - but it has not yet spread itself to the lymph nodes. When the cancer has spread for one part of the body to another part it is referred to as metastasis colon cancer. Most will treat this stage with a resection.

Stage III - During this stage the cancer has traveled to the outside of the colon cancer and traveled to the lymph nodes. It has not yet spread to other organs in the body. The treatment is very aggressive and may include; resection and chemotherapy.

Stage IV - In this stage the colon cancer has traveled to other organs in the body (liver, lungs, etc.). Most often times it will be treated with a resection, radiation treatment, chemotherapy, or surgery to remove other parts of the body that are affected.

Friday, October 10, 2008

Inguinal Hernia Symptoms And Treatments

The most obvious sign that someone has an inguinal hernia is a lump where the upper thighs join together with the abdomen. This hernia may cause a few people pain. This pain comes from the fact that the bodies’ intestines are sticking out through a weak area in the abdominal wall.

In many cases hernias do not need any sort of specific treatment. This is because they are easily reduced and can be pushed back into place. If they get to be too uncomfortable they can be strapped to the groin. But this will only offer temporary relief. This does not fix the problem in any way and cannot prevent other complications.

There are times when the intestine can catch in the bulge - which causes its blood flow to be squeezed off. This is called the ‘strangulated’ part of the intestine and it can begin to die - which in turn can cause someone severe pain and complications. Patients with a strangulated intestine will need immediate surgery.

There are two types of inguinal hernia operations recommended for some people with hernias; hernioplasty and herniorrhaphy. Herniorrhaphy is the technique that is used more often and it is also the oldest. During this procedure an incision is made that will push the protrusion back into the abdomen. Then the weakened muscles surrounding the abdominal wall will be tightened with supportive tissue. During hernioplasty a mesh made of artificial fiber is used to bridge the weak muscles.

Diagnosing An Abdominal Hernia

Abdominal hernias are caused by fatty tissue that will push itself out of the abdominal wall and will cause a protrusion. The abdominal wall can become weak for a number of reasons that depends on the seriousness of the condition that the patient has.

How To Diagnose Abdominal Hernia

It is hard to diagnose abdominal hernia because the hernia can only be spotted when the abdominal pressure is increased. Doctors will often examine the patient while they are standing to make spotting it easier. If the hernia is not palpable the doctor will instruct the patient to cough or they will perform a Valsalva procedure as they palpates the abdominal wall. The examination will focus on the umbilicus the inguinal area and any other incisions that are present.

Inguinal masses may resemble hernias. When this happens it may be the cause of adenopathy (which could be malignant or infectious), lipoma, or an ectopic testis. These masses cannot be reduced in size and are completely solid.

Many patients who suffer from an abdominal hernia will suffer from a visible bulge that causes discomfort. The majority of hernias can be reduced with constant gentle pressure. An incarcerated hernia has no symptoms and cannot be reduced.

Strangulated hernias ware associated with a steady increasing of pain and vomiting. The hernia itself can be tender and the skin covering it may be erythematous. Depending on where it is located on the body it can cause peritonitis.

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Range Of Allergy Symptoms

There are many different type of allergies - but it is common for people to experience the same symptoms. Allergy symptoms are split into three different categories; mild, moderate, and severe.

- Mild Allergic Reactions
- Rash
- Itchy, watery eyes
- Congestion

Moderate Allergic Reactions

Mild symptoms to allergies do not have the tendency to spread to other parts of the body. Some moderate allergic symptoms can spread to other parts of the body they include:

- Itchiness
- Difficulty breathing

Severe Allergic Reaction

Severe allergic symptoms - also called - Anaphylaxis is a rare and life-threatening emergency in which the allergens attack the whole body in a severe matter. It usually begins with sudden itching of the face or eyes and can spread within a few minutes to the other parts of the body.

- Varying degrees of swellings that can make breathing and swallowing difficult
- Abdominal pain
Cramps
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Mental confusion or dizziness

Friday, October 3, 2008

Poison Ivy Signs

The poison ivy plant has a way of sneaking up on us when we least expect it. Sometimes we forget to look for it while trekking through the woods and other time they are hidden amongst the other plants. So when it does strike us we need to make sure that we are treating it by learning the signs that are associated with it.

Usually the rash will appear one or two days after the skin has come into contact with the poison ivy plant. The first sign you will see are curved lines of itchy, red blisters and bumps. This can continue for several days. It all depends on how much of the resin touches the skin at a given point or time. This will give the illusion that the rash is spreading even though the fluid in the blisters are part of an allergic reaction and contains no bacteria or chemicals.

Poison ivy is not contagious and cannot be passed from person to person or from one part of the body to another. Many people believe that animals can carry the poison ivy resin. This is true - but the practical significance is limited. Most people do not get it from their pets - but only from the plants.

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

What To Expect During Prenatal Visits

During the months that you are pregnant you will need to take good care of yourself and the precious little package you are carrying. You need to schedule your first prenatal appointment the minute you know you are pregnant. During these visits your doctor will check your vitals and your babies vitals and monitor your progress. Prenatal care is very important to ensure that your health and the health of your baby is stable and on track.

A typical prenatal care schedule for a low-risk woman with a normally progressing pregnancy is:

Weeks 4 to 28: 1 visit per month (every 4 weeks)
Weeks 28 to 36: 2 visits per month (every 2 to 3 weeks)
Weeks 36 to birth: 1 visit per week

A woman with a chronic medical condition or a “high-risk” pregnancy may have to see her health care provider more often.

At the first visit your doctor will:

- Identify medical problems.
- Discuss with you any medications you are taking.
- Do a physical exam and a pelvic (internal) exam.
- Weigh you.- Check your blood pressure.
- Check a urine sample for infection.
- Do some blood tests to check for anemia and see if you have had certain infections. You will be asked if you want a test for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.
- Do a Pap smear to check for cervical cancer and other tests for vaginal infections
- Figure out your due date: an estimate of the day your baby will be born. Most babies are born within two weeks (before or after) their due date.
- Make sure you’re taking a prenatal vitamin with folic acid (600 micrograms per day).

Fighting Depression Naturally

Do you feel sad and depressed all the time? Are you finding it difficult to spend time with your family and do every day things because of it? Depression is very real and many people are suffering from it. It is possible to take prescription drugs to help you - but the best way to beat it is to try all natural methods.

1. Your sleeping schedule and how much sleep you get can greatly affect your mood. Make sure that you keep up a regular sleeping schedule and get enough sleep.

2. Stay away from caffeine and other stimulants. They may give you a burst of energy - but they will also deplete your serotonin levels.

3. Take a multi-vitamin everyday if you are not able to eat well. Many mineral and vitamin deficiencies can cause depression symptoms. If you have mild to moderate depression symptoms you may want to consider St. John’s Wort, 5-HTP, or SAMe. These remedies are inexpensive and have minimal side effects.

4. Have an exercise routine. This doesn’t mean that you have to exercise every day - but try to exercise at least a few hours a week. It can be very energizing.

5. Do not drink too much alcohol. Alcohol is a depressant and can be toxic to your body when drunken in large amounts.

6. You need to eat a well balanced diet.

7. Try to control your thoughts and keep them positive. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a great way to stop negative thoughts from surfacing and bringing you down.

8. Learn to control your stress levels through therapy, meditation, or stress management.

9. Try to reach out to others who are less fortunate then you. This will help to fight against those depressive feelings and to focus on something better.

Treating Acid Reflux Naturally

Acid reflux is the inflammation of the esophagus that is caused when the contents of the stomach are regurgitated. People who suffer from acid reflux feel that there only hope and relief can come from medication that is prescribed by their doctors. However, there are other ways of treating this disease without medications.

There are ten popular remedies that may work for someone else - but not for you. It all depends on how well your body will react to them. Acid reflux is a very individual condition that can affect people differently and cause different symptoms.

1. Drink a glass of milk. Either whole or skim milk will help to immediately relieve the acid reflux.

2. Drinking water will dilute the acid in your stomach and will help to wash down anything that is trying to work its way up. Try drinking one to two glasses of water after your meal to avoid any problems.

3. Chewing a few almonds in the morning or right after your meals may be what helps those nasty symptoms. Only eat a few at a time.

4. Fennel and chamomile tea have soothing effects that will help to relieve acid reflux. Remember to slowly sip the tea and not to gulp it. It should also be at a temperature that is not too cold - but not too hot.

5. An apple a day keeps the acid reflux away. Eat an apple after every meal. Organic apples are the best and healthiest ones to eat.

6. Chew a piece of candied ginger when you feel the acid reflux starting up. If you don’t want to eat it straight you could always put a piece of it in your hot tea and let it sit for awhile before you drink it.

7. Swallow two to three tablespoons of apple cider vinegar that is undiluted. You should take this when you are having a some of the worse symptoms of acid reflux. You can also dissolve the same amount of the vinegar into warm water and drink it. This will help to prevent the symptoms from coming back.

8. Take papaya enzyme pills. Many people find that these help to alleviate the symptoms.

9. Aloe juice is hard to take because of its thick consistency - but it is hailed by many to be their favorite remedy.

10. After every meal chew a piece of sugarless gum for 30 minutes. This helps to stimulate the production of saliva - which will help to dilute the contents in your stomach and will help to wash down anything in your esophagus.

When considering these remedies you must understand that it might be a trial and error process. If you find that your symptoms become worse or do not go away then you should consult your physician.

Learning About Warts

There are over 100 different types of warts. Many people are not aware of what a wart is and how it can be passed on to different people. A wart is an HPV (human papilla virus).

Any parts of exposed skin has the ability to be infected by warts. The wart starts off small and looks like a cauliflower. At this stage it is generally known as a benign tumor on the skin. Warts can be transmitted from person to person through contact.

If you touch a wart on someone then you are at a high risk of having a wart grow on you. If your skin was broken when you touch someone infected then that risk is even higher. It can also be passed through objects like bath towels or any object that has come into contact with the wart.

As we said before there are several different types of warts The most common wart is the one that is usually found on fingers and hands. There are also plantar warts also known as foot warts - which are found on the soles of the feet. This type of wart can be debilitating on someone’s ability to walk.

Flat warts are flat on the surface and are usually grouped in large numbers. They can be found on the legs of mainly female adults and also on the faces of younger children.