Healthy Tips & Patient Guide

Important Principles for Weaning

2012-01-17T02:42:00.001-08:00

Begin at ~ 6 mo of age.
Avoid foods with high allergenic potential (cow's milk, eggs, fish, nuts, soybeans).
At the proper age, encourage a cup rather than a bottle.
Introduce 1 food at a time.
Energy density should exceed that of breast milk.
Iron-containing foods (meat, iron-supplemented cereals) are required.
Zinc intake should be encouraged with foods such as meat, dairy products, wheat, and rice.
Phytate intake should be low to enhance mineral absorption.
Breast milk should continue to 12 mo; formula or cow's milk is then substituted.Give no more than 24 oz/day of cow's milk.
Fluids other than breast milk, formula, and water should be discouraged. Give no more than 4–6 oz/day of fruit juices. No soda.

Patient Guide to Bacterial Vaginosis

2011-11-29T00:04:00.000-08:00

What is bacterial vaginosis?

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the name of a condition in women where the normal balance of bacteria in the vagina is disrupted and replaced by an overgrowth of certain bacteria. It is sometimes accompanied by discharge, odor, pain, itching, or burning.

How common is bacterial vaginosis?

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common vaginal infection in women of childbearing age. In the United States, BV is common in pregnant women.

How do people get bacterial vaginosis?

The cause of BV is not fully understood. BV is associated with an imbalance in the bacteria that are normally found in a woman's vagina. The vagina normally contains mostly "good" bacteria, and fewer "harmful" bacteria. BV develops when there is an increase in harmful bacteria.

Not much is known about how women get BV. There are many unanswered questions about the role that harmful bacteria play in causing BV. Any woman can get BV. However, some activities or behaviors can upset the normal balance of bacteria in the vagina and put women at increased risk including:

It is not clear what role sexual activity plays in the development of BV. Women do not get BV from toilet seats, bedding, swimming pools, or from touching objects around them. Women who have never had sexual intercourse may also be affected.

What are the signs and symptoms of bacterial vaginosis?

Women with BV may have an abnormal vaginal discharge with an unpleasant odor. Some women report a strong fish-like odor, especially after intercourse. Discharge, if present, is usually white or gray; it can be thin. Women with BV may also have burning during urination or itching around the outside of the vagina, or both. However, most women with BV report no signs or symptoms at all.

BV can increase a woman's susceptibility to other STDS such as HIV, Herpes, Chlamydia, and Gonorrhea.

What are the complications of bacterial vaginosis?

In most cases, BV causes no complications. But there are some serious risks from BV including:

Having BV can increase a woman's susceptibility to HIV infection if she is exposed to the HIV virus.
Having BV increases the chances that an HIV-infected woman can pass HIV to her sex partner.
Having BV has been associated with an increase in the development of an infection following surgical procedures such as a hysterectomy or an abortion.
Having BV while pregnant may put a woman at increased risk for some complications of pregnancy, such as preterm delivery.
BV can increase a woman's susceptibility to other STDs, such as herpes simplex virus (HSV), chlamydia, and gonorrhea.

How does bacterial vaginosis affect a pregnant woman and her baby?

Pregnant women with BV more often have babies who are born premature or with low birth weight (low birth weight is less than 5.5 pounds).

The bacteria that cause BV can sometimes infect the uterus (womb) and fallopian tubes (tubes that carry eggs from the ovaries to the uterus). This type of infection is called pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID can cause infertility or damage the fallopian tubes enough to increase the future risk of ectopic pregnancy and infertility. Ectopic pregnancy is a life-threatening condition in which a fertilized egg grows outside the uterus, usually in a fallopian tube which can rupture.

How is bacterial vaginosis diagnosed?

A health care provider must examine the vagina for signs of BV and perform laboratory tests on a sample of vaginal fluid to look for bacteria associated with BV.

What is the treatment for bacterial vaginosis?

Although BV will sometimes clear up without treatment, all women with symptoms of BV should be treated to avoid complications. Male partners generally do not need to be treated. However, BV may spread between female sex partners.

Treatment is especially important for pregnant women. All pregnant women who have ever had a premature delivery or low birth weight baby should be considered for a BV examination, regardless of symptoms, and should be treated if they have BV. All pregnant women who have symptoms of BV should be checked and treated.

Some physicians recommend that all women undergoing a hysterectomy or abortion be treated for BV prior to the procedure, regardless of symptoms, to reduce their risk of developing an infection.

BV is treatable with antibiotics prescribed by a health care provider. Two different antibiotics are recommended as treatment for BV: metronidazole or clindamycin. Either can be used with non-pregnant or pregnant women, but the recommended dosages differ. Women with BV who are HIV-positive should receive the same treatment as those who are HIV-negative.

How can bacterial vaginosis be prevented?

BV is not completely understood by scientists, and the best ways to prevent it are unknown. However, it is known that BV is associated with having a new sex partner or having multiple sex partners.

The following basic prevention steps can help reduce the risk of upsetting the natural balance of bacteria in the vagina and developing BV:

Be abstinent.
Limit the number of sex partners.
Do not douche.
Use all of the medicine prescribed for treatment of BV, even if the signs and symptoms go away.

Source: CDC

Patient Guide to Chlamydia

2011-11-28T23:45:00.000-08:00

What is Chlamydia?

Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by the bacterium, Chlamydia trachomatis, which can damage a woman's reproductive organs. Even though symptoms of chlamydia are usually mild or absent, serious complications that cause irreversible damage, including infertility, can occur "silently" before a woman ever recognizes a problem. Chlamydia also can cause discharge from the penis of an infected man.

How common is chlamydia?

Chlamydia is the most frequently reported bacterial sexually transmitted disease in the United States. In 2009, 1,244,180 chlamydial infections were reported to CDC from 50 states and the District of Columbia. Under-reporting is substantial because most people with chlamydia are not aware of their infections and do not seek testing. Also, testing is not often done if patients are treated for their symptoms. An estimated 2.8 million infections occur annually in the U.S. Women are frequently re-infected if their sex partners are not treated.

How do people get chlamydia?

Chlamydia can be transmitted during vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Chlamydia can also be passed from an infected mother to her baby during vaginal childbirth.

Any sexually active person can be infected with chlamydia. The greater the number of sex partners, the greater the risk of infection. Because the cervix (opening to the uterus) of teenage girls and young women is not fully matured and is probably more susceptible to infection, they are at particularly high risk for infection if sexually active. Since chlamydia can be transmitted by oral or anal sex, men who have sex with men are also at risk for chlamydial infection.

What are the symptoms of chlamydia?

Chlamydia is known as a "silent" disease because the majority of infected people have no symptoms. If symptoms do occur, they usually appear within 1 to 3 weeks after exposure.

In women, the bacteria initially infect the cervix and the urethra (urine canal). Women who have symptoms might have an abnormal vaginal discharge or a burning sensation when urinating. If the infection spreads from the cervix to the fallopian tubes (tubes that carry fertilized eggs from the ovaries to the uterus), some women still have no signs or symptoms; others have lower abdominal pain, low back pain, nausea, fever, pain during intercourse, or bleeding between menstrual periods. Chlamydial infection of the cervix can spread to the rectum.

Men with signs or symptoms might have a discharge from their penis or a burning sensation when urinating. Men might also have burning and itching around the opening of the penis. Pain and swelling in the testicles are uncommon.

Men or women who have receptive anal intercourse may acquire chlamydial infection in the rectum, which can cause rectal pain, discharge, or bleeding. Chlamydia can also be found in the throats of women and men having oral sex with an infected partner.

What complications can result from untreated chlamydia?

If untreated, chlamydial infections can progress to serious reproductive and other health problems with both short-term and long-term consequences. Like the disease itself, the damage that chlamydia causes is often "silent."

In women, untreated infection can spread into the uterus or fallopian tubes and cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). This happens in about 10 to 15 percent of women with untreated chlamydia. Chlamydia can also cause fallopian tube infection without any symptoms. PID and “silent” infection in the upper genital tract can cause permanent damage to the fallopian tubes, uterus, and surrounding tissues. The damage can lead to chronic pelvic pain, infertility, and potentially fatal ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy outside the uterus). Chlamydia may also increase the chances of becoming infected with HIV, if exposed.

To help prevent the serious consequences of chlamydia, screening at least annually for chlamydia is recommended for all sexually active women age 25 years and younger. An annual screening test also is recommended for older women with risk factors for chlamydia (a new sex partner or multiple sex partners). All pregnant women should have a screening test for chlamydia.

Complications among men are rare. Infection sometimes spreads to the epididymis (the tube that carries sperm from the testis), causing pain, fever, and, rarely, sterility.

Rarely, genital chlamydial infection can cause arthritis that can be accompanied by skin lesions and inflammation of the eye and urethra (Reiter's syndrome).

How does chlamydia affect a pregnant woman and her baby?

In pregnant women, there is some evidence that untreated chlamydial infections can lead to premature delivery. Babies who are born to infected mothers can get chlamydial infections in their eyes and respiratory tracts. Chlamydia is a leading cause of early infant pneumonia and conjunctivitis (pink eye) in newborns.

How is chlamydia diagnosed?

There are laboratory tests to diagnose chlamydia. Some can be performed on urine, other tests require that a specimen be collected from a site such as the penis or cervix.

What is the treatment for chlamydia?

Chlamydia can be easily treated and cured with antibiotics. A single dose of azithromycin or a week of doxycycline (twice daily) are the most commonly used treatments. HIV-positive persons with chlamydia should receive the same treatment as those who are HIV negative.

All sex partners should be evaluated, tested, and treated. Persons with chlamydia should abstain from sexual intercourse for 7 days after single dose antibiotics or until completion of a 7-day course of antibiotics, to prevent spreading the infection to partners.

Women whose sex partners have not been appropriately treated are at high risk for re-infection. Having multiple infections increases a woman's risk of serious reproductive health complications, including infertility. Women and men with chlamydia should be retested about three months after treatment of an initial infection, regardless of whether they believe that their sex partners were treated.

How can chlamydia be prevented?

The surest way to avoid transmission of STDs is to abstain from sexual contact, or to be in a long-term mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who has been tested and is known to be uninfected.

CDC recommends yearly chlamydia testing of all sexually active women age 25 or younger, older women with risk factors for chlamydial infections (those who have a new sex partner or multiple sex partners), and all pregnant women. An appropriate sexual risk assessment by a health care provider should always be conducted and may indicate more frequent screening for some women.

Any genital symptoms such as an unusual sore, discharge with odor, burning during urination, or bleeding between menstrual cycles could mean an STD infection. If a woman or man has any of these symptoms, they should stop having sex and consult a health care provider immediately. Treating STDs early in women can prevent PID. Women and men who are told they have an STD and are treated for it should notify all of their recent sex partners (sex partners within the preceding 60 days) so they can see a health care provider and be evaluated for STDs. Sexual activity should not resume until all sex partners have been examined and, if necessary, treated.

Source: CDC

Patient Guide to Gonorrhea

2011-11-27T23:41:00.000-08:00

What is gonorrhea?

Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Gonorrhea is caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae, a bacterium that can grow and multiply easily in the warm, moist areas of the reproductive tract, including the cervix (opening to the womb), uterus (womb), and fallopian tubes (egg canals) in women, and in the urethra (urine canal) in women and men. The bacterium can also grow in the mouth, throat, eyes, and anus.

How common is gonorrhea?

Gonorrhea is a very common infectious disease. CDC estimates that more than 700,000 persons in the U.S. get new gonorrheal infections each year. Less than half of these infections are reported to CDC. In 2009, 301,174 cases of gonorrhea were reported to CDC.

How do people get gonorrhea?

Gonorrhea is spread through contact with the penis, vagina, mouth, or anus. Ejaculation does not have to occur for gonorrhea to be transmitted or acquired. Gonorrhea can also be spread from mother to baby during delivery.

People who have had gonorrhea and received treatment may get infected again if they have sexual contact with a person infected with gonorrhea.

Who is at risk for gonorrhea?

Any sexually active person can be infected with gonorrhea. In the United States, the highest reported rates of infection are among sexually active teenagers, young adults, and African Americans.

What are the signs and symptoms of gonorrhea?

Some men with gonorrhea may have no symptoms at all. However, some men have signs or symptoms that appear one to fourteen days after infection. Symptoms and signs include a burning sensation when urinating, or a white, yellow, or green discharge from the penis. Sometimes men with gonorrhea get painful or swollen testicles.

In women, the symptoms of gonorrhea are often mild, but most women who are infected have no symptoms. Even when a woman has symptoms, they can be so non-specific as to be mistaken for a bladder or vaginal infection. The initial symptoms and signs in women include a painful or burning sensation when urinating, increased vaginal discharge, or vaginal bleeding between periods. Women with gonorrhea are at risk of developing serious complications from the infection, regardless of the presence or severity of symptoms.

Symptoms of rectal infection in both men and women may include discharge, anal itching, soreness, bleeding, or painful bowel movements. Rectal infection also may cause no symptoms. Infections in the throat may cause a sore throat, but usually causes no symptoms.

What are the complications of gonorrhea?

Untreated gonorrhea can cause serious and permanent health problems in both women and men.

In women, gonorrhea is a common cause of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). About 750,000 women each year in the United States develop PID. The symptoms may be quite mild or can be very severe and can include abdominal pain and fever. PID can lead to internal abscesses (pus-filled “pockets” that are hard to cure) and long-lasting, chronic pelvic pain. PID can damage the fallopian tubes enough to cause infertility or increase the risk of ectopic pregnancy. Ectopic pregnancy is a life-threatening condition in which a fertilized egg grows outside the uterus, usually in a fallopian tube.

In men, gonorrhea can cause epididymitis, a painful condition of the ducts attached to the testicles that may lead to infertility if left untreated.

Gonorrhea can spread to the blood or joints. This condition can be life threatening. In addition, people with gonorrhea can more easily contract HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. HIV-infected people with gonorrhea can transmit HIV more easily to someone else than if they did not have gonorrhea.

How does gonorrhea affect a pregnant woman and her baby?

If a pregnant woman has gonorrhea, she may give the infection to her baby as the baby passes through the birth canal during delivery. This can cause blindness, joint infection, or a life-threatening blood infection in the baby. Treatment of gonorrhea as soon as it is detected in pregnant women will reduce the risk of these complications. Pregnant women should consult a health care provider for appropriate examination, testing, and treatment, as necessary.

How is gonorrhea diagnosed?

Several laboratory tests are available to diagnose gonorrhea. A doctor or nurse can obtain a sample for testing from the parts of the body likely to be infected (cervix, urethra, rectum, or throat) and send the sample to a laboratory for analysis. Gonorrhea that is present in the cervix or urethra can be diagnosed in a laboratory by testing a urine sample. A quick laboratory test for gonorrhea in men with symptoms that can be done in some clinics or doctor’s offices is a Gram stain. A Gram stain of a sample from a urethra allows the doctor to see the gonorrhea bacterium under a microscope.

What is the treatment for gonorrhea?

Antibiotics can successfully cure gonorrhea in adolescents and adults. However, drug-resistant strains of gonorrhea are increasing in many areas of the world, including the United States, and successful treatment of gonorrhea is becoming more difficult. CDC now recommends dual therapy (i.e. using two drugs) for the treatment of gonorrhea. Persons with gonorrhea should be tested for other STDs.

It is important to take all of the medication prescribed to cure gonorrhea. Although medication will stop the infection, it will not repair any permanent damage done by the disease. People who have had gonorrhea and have been treated can get the disease again if they have sexual contact with persons infected with gonorrhea. If a person’s symptoms continue even after receiving treatment, he or she should return to a doctor to be reevaluated.

How can gonorrhea be prevented?

The surest way to avoid transmission of STDs is to abstain from sexual intercourse, or to be in a long-term mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who has been tested and is known to be uninfected.

Latex condoms, when used consistently and correctly, can reduce the risk of transmission of gonorrhea.

Any genital symptoms such as discharge or burning during urination or unusual sore or rash should be a signal to stop having sex and to see a doctor immediately. If a person has been diagnosed and treated for gonorrhea, he or she should notify all recent sex partners so they can see a health care provider and be treated. This will reduce the risk that the sex partners will develop serious complications from gonorrhea and will also reduce the person’s risk of becoming re-infected. The person and all of his or her sex partners must avoid sex until they have completed their treatment for gonorrhea and until they and their sex partners no longer have symptoms.

Source: CDC

Patient Guide to Bladder cancer

2011-11-26T08:28:00.000-08:00

What is bladder cancer?

Bladder cancer happens when normal cells in the bladder change into abnormal cells, and grow out of control. Bladder cancer is more common in men and in older people.

What are the symptoms of bladder cancer?

Symptoms of bladder cancer can come and go. They can include:

Blood in the urine, which makes your urine look pink or red.

Pain on the sides of your back or above your pubic area.

Pain when urinating, urinating often, or leaking urine

These symptoms can also be caused by conditions that are not bladder cancer. But if you see blood in your urine, you should be checked by a doctor.

Is there a test for bladder cancer?

Yes. Doctors can use different types of tests to look for bladder cancer. These include:

Urine tests : Urine tests can show what kind of cells are in the urine.
X-rays, CT scans, or other imaging tests : These tests create images of your urinary tract. They can show tumors or abnormal growths.
Cystoscopy : Cystoscopy is a procedure that allows the doctor to look inside the bladder. To do a cystoscopy, the doctor inserts a small tube into the urethral opening, the opening through which urine leaves the body. Then he or she threads the tube up into the bladder. The tube has a tiny camera that projects images of the bladder onto a screen. If the doctor sees anything unusual, he or she might take a sample of tissue (biopsy) to look at under the microscope.

What is bladder cancer staging?

Cancer staging is a way in which doctors find out how far a cancer has spread. The right treatment for you will depend a lot on the stage of your cancer. Your treatment will also depend on your age and your other medical problems.

How is bladder cancer treated?

People with bladder cancer often have one or more of the following treatments:

Surgery: Bladder cancer is usually treated with surgery that can include:

Taking out the cancer and leaving the bladder in place. In many cases, this is done through cystoscopy.
Taking out the cancer and a part of the bladder. After this surgery, people can often urinate normally and have normal sexual function.
Taking out the cancer, the bladder, and nearby internal organs. This surgery can damage the nerves that control sexual function.

Chemotherapy : Chemotherapy is the term doctors use to describe a group of medicines that kill cancer cells. These medicines can go either into a vein or directly into your bladder. Some people get these medicines before surgery to shrink the cancer and make it easier to remove. People might also receive these medicines after surgery to keep the cancer from growing, spreading, or coming back.
Other therapy : Another type of medicine for bladder cancer goes directly into the bladder. This medicine is different than chemotherapy. It teaches your body’s infection-fighting system to attack cancer cells.
Radiation therapy : Radiation kills cancer cells.

Patient Guide to Crohn’s disease

2011-11-25T23:26:00.000-08:00

What is Crohn’s disease?

Crohn’s disease is a disorder that can cause diarrhea, belly pain, and other symptoms that affect the digestive tract. The digestive tract is the part of the body and takes in and breaks down food. It includes the mouth, the stomach, and the intestines.

When it is working normally, the body’s immune system kills germs and "bad" cells that could turn into cancer. Sometimes, instead of killing only bad cells, something goes wrong and the immune system starts to attack healthy cells. That is called an "autoimmune response." It is what happens in Crohn’s disease. If you have Crohn’s disease, your body is attacking the lining of the digestive tract. This causes inflammation, which can lead to sores (ulcers) and bleeding.

The symptoms of Crohn’s disease can get better or worse at different times. But the condition cannot be cured. Luckily, there are medicines and other treatments that can improve its symptoms.

What are the symptoms of Crohn’s disease?

The most common symptoms are diarrhea, belly pain, feeling tired, weight loss, and fever. Some people with Crohn’s disease also get mouth sores, skin rashes, joint pain, and eye redness.

Is there a test for Crohn’s disease?

Yes. There are a few tests that can help diagnose Crohn’s disease. Doctors use x-rays or scans to look at the upper intestine and a test called “colonoscopy” to look at the lower intestine. During a colonoscopy, the doctor puts a thin tube into your rectum and threads it up into your colon. The tube has a camera attached to it, so the doctor can look inside your colon.

Is there anything I can do on my own to feel better?

Yes. Your symptoms might improve if you:

Cut down on foods that make your symptoms worse. Some people have problems with foods that have a lot of fiber, such as fruits and vegetables.
Quit smoking, if you smoke. Smoking makes symptoms worse and increases the chances that you will need surgery.
Avoid medicines such as ibuprofen and naproxen.

How is Crohn's disease treated?

There are many different medicines that help reduce the symptoms of Crohn’s disease. Almost all of these medicines work by reducing inflammation and the body’s immune response. Some medicines treat symptoms when they are at their worst. Other medicines help keep symptoms from starting up or coming back. Doctors sometimes also prescribe antibiotics to people with Crohn’s disease.

Patient Guide to Bell's Palsy

2011-11-24T08:25:00.000-08:00

What is Bell's palsy?

Bell's palsy is a condition in which the nerve that controls the muscles of the face becomes injured or even stops working altogether. This causes the facial muscles to become weak or paralyzed. Common signs of Bell's palsy are weakness of muscles on one side of the face, drooping eyelid or mouth on one side, or drooling from one side of the mouth.

Bell's palsy affects about 40,000 people each year in the United States, affecting all races and both genders equally. Diabetes and pregnancy increase the risk of developing Bell's palsy.

Most people with Bell's palsy recover completely. A minority of people continue to have some symptoms for life. If you have any signs of Bell's palsy, you should see a doctor or nurse because treatment is available.

What are the causes of Bell's palsy?

Bell’s palsy is caused by an inflammation of the facial nerve. This inflammation may be caused by a virus. There is some evidence that the virus is often herpes simplex virus (HSV), the same virus that causes cold sores and genital herpes. Other viruses may also cause the condition, including herpes zoster virus, cytomegalovirus, and Epstein Barr virus.

The inflammation causes swelling of a nerve that controls movement of one side of the face. The nerve, as well as tiny blood vessels near the nerve, must travel through a tight area surrounded by bone. As the nerve swells, it becomes compressed (pinched) and its protective covering breaks down, interfering with the nerve's ability to communicate with the muscles. This causes weakness or paralysis of the muscles in one side of the face. Weakness of these muscles can make it difficult to smile or close the eye.

What are the symptoms of Bell's palsy?

Bell's palsy causes one side of the face to be partly or completely paralyzed. This may cause:

Eyebrow sagging.
Drooping of the eye and corner of the mouth.
One eye will not close completely.

In some cases, you may lose the normal ability to close one eye, which can lead to drying of the surface of the eye (the cornea). Loud noises may cause discomfort in the ear on the affected side — a condition called dysacusis. In addition, some people lose the sense of taste on the front of the tongue.

The changes caused by Bell's palsy will affect the appearance of your face, including how you smile. These changes are often obvious to others, and can cause people with Bell's palsy to feel distressed and to avoid social activities.

The symptoms of Bell's palsy usually appear over a period of a day or two. Most patients begin to improve within three weeks after the first symptoms begin. Improvement may continue for three to six months.

How is Bell's palsy diagnosed?

Bell's palsy is usually diagnosed based on your symptoms and a physical examination. Blood and other tests are not usually needed, but doctors do sometimes test for Lyme disease, an infection that can cause weakness of the face.

How is Bell's palsy treated?

There is no cure for Bell's palsy, but treatment can help you to get better faster, especially if you can start treatment within the first few days. However, you may not have to be treated for Bell's palsy if your symptoms are mild. Talk to your doctor or nurse to ask if you should be treated.

Eye care — You will need eye treatments if you cannot close your eye. If the cornea, which is the clear protective covering of the eye, becomes overly dry, there is a risk of permanent eye damage. You can use artificial tears (eye drops) as often as every hour during the day to keep the eye moist. A moisturizing ointment is usually better at night. You can use the ointment during the day, although it will make your vision blurry. If your eye does not close completely, you should protect it during the day with glasses or goggles. Use a patch over your eye at night, but be sure not to use tape on your eyelid since the patch could slip and scratch the cornea.
Medications — Most people who are diagnosed with Bell's palsy quickly (within 2 to 3 days of the first symptoms) are treated with steroids (eg, prednisone) for one week. Steroids, also called glucocorticoids, can reduce swelling and improve your chances of recovering completely [1]. These medicines work best when started early (within three days of the first symptoms). Antiviral medicines (eg, valacyclovir, Valtrex®) are sometimes used in conjunction with glucocorticoids, but controlled trials have not found an added benefit from the use of these agents.
Monitoring — You will need a follow up visit with your doctor or nurse after you start treatment. At this visit, you will have an examination and you can discuss any questions or problems.

Patient Guide to Glaucoma

2011-11-23T08:20:00.000-08:00

What is glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a disease that damages the main nerve in the eye, called the optic nerve. It causes vision loss and can even lead to blindness. There are different types of glaucoma. The most common type in the United States is open-angle glaucoma. This article is about open-angle glaucoma.

What are the symptoms of glaucoma?

At first, glaucoma does not usually cause symptoms. When it does cause vision loss, it starts by affecting the edges of what you see. In other words, the center of what you look at often looks clear. But things that are off to the side do not. Some people call this “tunnel vision.” As the disease gets worse, all vision can be affected.

Is there a test for glaucoma?

Yes. To check for glaucoma, doctors can use a few different tests. They can:

Look into the back of your eye with a magnifying tool and see if there are signs of nerve damage.
Check how well you see things in the center of your vision, and how well you see things that are off to the side.
Check the pressure inside your eye by pushing or blowing on your eye with a special tool. (People with glaucoma often have too much pressure inside the eye.)

Everyone age 40 and older should be tested for glaucoma at least once. Testing helps doctors find and treat the disease early, before it causes symptoms. That’s important, because treatment for glaucoma can prevent or slow down vision loss. But it cannot undo damage that has already been done.

How is glaucoma treated?

Effective treatments for glaucoma all work by lowering the pressure inside the eye. There are 3 ways to lower eye pressure: eye drops, surgery, or laser therapy.

Eye drop medicines : There are 2 main types of glaucoma eye drops: prostaglandins and beta blockers.
Laser therapy : Laser therapy improves the way fluid drains from the eye.
Surgery : Surgery involves making a small opening or inserting a tiny tube in the eye so that fluid can drain better.

Patient Guide to Appendicitis

2011-11-22T08:16:00.000-08:00

What is appendicitis?

Appendicitis is the name for when the appendix gets infected and inflamed. The appendix is a long, thin pouch that is shaped like a finger. It hangs down from the large intestine, or colon. If that happens, the pouch can swell and in some cases burst. That’s dangerous, because a burst appendix can cause widespread infection.

What are the symptoms of appendicitis?

The usual symptoms include:

Severe pain in the lower part of the belly, on the right side. (For many people, the pain starts near the belly button and then moves to the lower right side.)
Loss of appetite Nausea and vomiting.
Fever.

Some people have a different set of symptoms that include:

Stomach upset.
Having a lot of gas.
Irregular bowel movements.
Diarrhea.
Feeling ill.

Is there a test for appendicitis?

Your doctor can run tests that can help him or her find the cause of your symptoms. But if you do have appendicitis, he or she will probably be able to diagnose it just by doing an exam. Your doctor or nurse can learn a lot about your condition by pressing on your belly and talking with you about your symptoms.

How is appendicitis treated?

The main treatment for appendicitis is surgery to remove the appendix. This surgery can be done in 2 ways:

Open surgery : During an open surgery, the doctor makes a cut near the appendix that is big enough to pull the appendix through.
Laparoscopic surgery : During laparoscopic surgery, the doctor makes a few cuts that are much smaller than those used in open surgery. Then he or she inserts long, thin tools into the belly. One of the tools has a camera (called a “laparoscope”) on the end, which sends pictures to a TV screen. The doctor can look at the image on the screen to know where to cut and what to remove. Then he or she uses the long tools to do the surgery.

If your appendix has burst, your surgery will probably be more complicated than it would be if it had not burst. Your doctor will need to wash away the material that spills out when an appendix bursts. As a result, your cuts may be larger or you may spend more time in surgery.

If it has been a few days since your appendix burst, your doctor might decide not to do surgery at all. That’s because the body sometimes forms a wall inside the belly, to block off the area that became infected when the appendix burst. In cases like that, doctors usually give antibiotics and carefully watch people. But they often avoid surgery, because it can be dangerous in people who fit this description.

Patient Guide to Pancreatitis

2011-11-21T23:15:00.000-08:00

What is pancreatitis?

Pancreatitis is a condition that can cause severe belly pain. The pancreas is an organ that makes hormones and juices that help break down food. Pancreatitis is the term doctors and nurses use when this organ gets irritated or swollen. Most people get over pancreatitis without any long-lasting effects. But a few people get very sick.

What causes pancreatitis?

There are many causes of pancreatitis. But most cases are caused by gallstones or alcohol abuse:

Gallstones : Gallstones are hard lumps that form inside an organ called the gallbladder. Both the pancreas and the gallbladder drain into a single tube. If that tube gets clogged by a gallstone, neither of the organs can drain. When that happens, the fluids from both organs get backed up. That can cause pain.
Alcohol abuse : People who drink too much alcohol for too long sometimes get alcohol-related pancreatitis. People with this form of pancreatitis usually start to feel pain 1 to 3 days after drinking a lot of alcohol or after they suddenly stop drinking. They usually also have nausea and vomiting (throwing up). People with this form of pancreatitis must learn to give up alcohol to keep from getting pancreatitis again.

Is there a test for pancreatitis?

There is no easy test for pancreatitis. Doctors sometimes have trouble diagnosing it, because its symptoms can be caused by a lot of things. Even so, there are a few tests that can help your doctor figure out if you have pancreatitis.

How is pancreatitis treated?

Pancreatitis is usually treated in the hospital. There, your doctor or nurse can give you fluids and pain medicines to help you feel better. If you cannot eat, he or she can give you food through a tube. Some people with pancreatitis get an infection. Your doctor or nurse may give you antibiotics to treat or prevent infection. Another important part of treatment is to get rid of the cause of the pancreatitis. If your pancreatitis is caused by gallstones, your doctor may need to treat them, too.

Patient Guide to Atrial fibrillation

2011-11-20T08:22:00.000-08:00

What is atrial fibrillation?

Atrial fibrillation is the most common heart rhythm problem people have. The condition puts you at risk of stroke and other problems. Another term for atrial fibrillation is "A-fib."

In people with A-fib, the electrical signals that control the heartbeat become abnormal. As a result, the top two chambers of the heart stop pumping effectively, and blood that should move out of these chambers gets left behind. As the blood pools, it can start to form clots. These clots can travel up to the brain through the blood vessels, and cause strokes.

In some people, A-fib never goes away. In others, A-fib can come and go. If you had one or more bouts of A-fib, but have a normal heart rhythm now, ask your doctor what you can do to keep A-fib from coming back.

Some people can reduce their chances of having A-fib again by:

Controlling their blood pressure.
Not drinking a lot of alcohol in one sitting (limit to 1 to 2 drinks in one day).
Cutting down on caffeine.
Getting treatment for an overactive thyroid gland.

What are the symptoms of atrial fibrillation?

Some people with A-fib have no symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they can include:

Feeling as though your heart is racing, skipping beats, or beating out of sync.
Mild chest "tightness" or pain.
Feeling lightheaded, dizzy, or like you might pass out.
Having trouble breathing, especially with exercise.

Is there a test for atrial fibrillation?

If your doctor or nurse suspects you have A-fib, he or she will probably do a test called an electrocardiogram. This test, also known as an "ECG" or "EKG," measures the electrical activity in your heart.

How is atrial fibrillation treated?

Treatment can include one or more of these:

Medicines to control the speed or rhythm of the heartbeat.
Medicines to keep clots from forming.
A treatment called “cardioversion” that involves applying a mild electrical current to the heart to fix its rhythm.
Treatments called "ablation," which use heat ("radiofrequency ablation") or cold ("cryoablation") to destroy the small part of the heart that is sending abnormal electrical signals.
A device called a pacemaker that is implanted in your body and sends electrical signals to the heart to control the heartbeat.
Surgery to create scar tissue in the heart to block the flow of electrical signals.

Patient Guide to Rheumatoid arthritis

2011-11-19T23:14:00.000-08:00

What is rheumatoid arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease that causes pain, swelling, and stiffness in the joints. It is one of many different types of arthritis. Doctors and nurses do not know what causes it. But they do know that it happens when the body’s infection-fighting system, called the immune system, "attacks" the joints.

How can I tell whether I have rheumatoid arthritis or another type of arthritis?

You cannot tell. Only a doctor or nurse can tell you that. But there are some clues to look for. For instance, rheumatoid arthritis usually starts by affecting the small joints in the fingers, the balls of the feet, and the wrists. It usually affects both the left and the right side at the same time.

If your doctor or nurse tells you that you have rheumatoid arthritis, start treatment right away. Do not wait until your symptoms get worse. Getting treated early can help prevent a lot of the damage the disease can do to your body.

What happens as rheumatoid arthritis gets worse?

Even though it may start in the fingers and toes, rheumatoid arthritis can affect any of the joints. Sometimes it damages the joints forever. Plus, rheumatoid arthritis can cause problems in other parts of the body, such as the heart, lungs, or eyes. Doctors and nurses have no way of knowing which people will get which symptoms or how bad the symptoms will get.

What are the treatments for rheumatoid arthritis?

There are dozens of medicines for rheumatoid arthritis. The right one for you will depend on:

How bad your symptoms are.
How many of your joints are affected.
How your disease has changed over time.
What side effects you feel with the medicines you try.
What your X-rays look like.
The results of certain blood tests.

Is there anything I can do on my own to feel better?

Yes. It is very important that you stay active. You may want to avoid being active because you are in pain. But that can make things worse. It will make your muscles weak and your joints stiffer than they already are. A physical therapist can help you figure out which exercises will do the most good.

Another thing you can do to on your own is to eat a healthy diet. People with rheumatoid arthritis are at risk for heart disease, so avoid fatty foods. Instead, eats lots of fruits and vegetables.

Patient Guide to Shingles

2011-11-18T08:12:00.000-08:00

What is shingles?

Shingles is a painful rash. It is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. After someone has chickenpox, the virus sometimes hides out, "asleep" in the body. Years later, it can "wake up" and cause shingles. The rash caused by shingles is shaped like a band or a belt. Shingles can affect people of all ages, but it is most common in those older than 50. Another name for shingles is "herpes zoster." That is the name of the virus that causes shingles.

Is shingles contagious?

Yes and no. It is NOT possible to "catch" shingles from someone who has the rash. But is possible to “catch” the virus that causes shingles and then get sick with chickenpox. Shingles and chickenpox are caused by the same virus. The first time a person is infected with that virus, he or she gets chickenpox, not shingles. You probably will not catch the virus (or get chickenpox) if you:

Had chickenpox or shingles in the past.
Had the chickenpox vaccine.
Were born before 1980 (most people born before 1980 have had chickenpox even if they don’t remember it).

If you have never had chickenpox or the chickenpox vaccine, be careful around anyone with shingles. Do not touch their rash. If you do, you could get sick with chickenpox. In rare cases, people can even get chickenpox from just being near someone with shingles. This is most likely in people who cannot fight infections well.

What are the symptoms of shingles?

At first, shingles causes weird sensations on your skin. You might feel itching, burning, pain or tingling. Some people get a fever, feel sick, or get a headache. Within 1 to 2 days, a rash with blisters appears. Blisters most often appear in a band across the chest and back. They can show up on other parts of the body, too. The blisters cause pain that can be mild or severe.

Within 3 to 4 days, shingles blisters can become open sores or "ulcers". These ulcers can get infected. Within 7 to 10 days, the rash should scab over. By then, most people are no longer contagious.

Can shingles be serious?

Yes. Shingles can be serious, but that is rare. About 1 out of 10 people with shingles will get something called “postherpetic neuralgia,” or “PHN.” People with PHN keep feeling pain or discomfort even after their rash goes away. This pain can last for months or even years. It can be so bad that it makes it hard to sleep, causes weight loss, and leads to depression.

Shingles can also cause:

Skin infections.
Eye problems (if the rash is near the eye).
Ear problems (if the rash is near the ear).
Dangerous infections in people who have other health problems.

Should I be treated?

Yes. Your doctor or nurse should give you medicines to help you get rid of the virus. These medicines are called antivirals. They can speed your recovery and reduce the chances that you will have shingles-related problems like PHN.

Can the pain be treated?

Some people can deal with their pain with non-prescription pain medicines, but most people need prescription medicines.

How should I take care of the rash?

Keep the parts of your skin that have a rash clean and dry. Do not use creams or gels unless your doctor or nurse says you should.

Can shingles be prevented?

People can reduce the chances of getting shingles by having the shingles vaccine. The vaccine can also make the symptoms of shingles milder if they do occur. Most people age 60 and older should get the shingles vaccine.

Patient Guide to Stroke

2011-11-17T02:14:00.000-08:00

What is a stroke?

Stroke is the term doctors use when a part of the brain dies because it goes without blood for too long. It can happen when the blood supply to a part of the brain is cut off, because an artery in the brain gets clogged or starts bleeding.

How do strokes affect people?

The effects of a stroke depend on a lot of things, including which part and how much of the brain is affected and how quickly the stroke is treated.

How can you tell if someone is having a stroke?

There is an easy way to remember the signs of a stroke. Just think of the word “FAST”. Each letter in the word stands for one of the things you should watch for:

Face - Does the person’s face look uneven or droop on one side?
Arm - Does the person have weakness or numbness in one or both arms? Does one arm drift down if the person tries to hold both arms out?
Speech - Is the person having trouble speaking? Does his or her speech sound strange?
Time - If you notice any of these stroke signs, call 9-1-1.

You need to act fast. The sooner treatment begins, the better the chances of recovery.

How are strokes treated?

The right treatment depends on what kind of stroke you are having. To figure this out, you need to get to the hospital quickly. People whose strokes are caused by clogged arteries can get medicines that break up blood clots. These medicines can help reopen clogged arteries. Get medicines that prevent new blood clots. These medicines also help prevent future strokes. People whose strokes are caused by bleeding can have treatments that reduce the damage caused by bleeding in or around the brainStop taking medicines that increase bleeding, or take a lower doseHave surgery to repair the artery or stop the bleeding.

Can strokes be prevented?

You can reduce your chances of having a stroke by:

Getting treated for high blood pressure.
Not smoking.
Being active.
Controlling your blood sugar if you have diabetes.
Losing weight if you are overweight.
Eating lots of fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products, but not a lot of fatty or salty foods.
Taking your medicines exactly as directed.

Patient Guide to Fibromyalgia

2011-11-16T23:09:00.000-08:00

What is fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is a condition that causes people to feel pain in the muscles all over their body. People with fibromyalgia also have "tender points," places on their body that hurt when they are touched. No one knows what causes fibromyalgia.

Can fibromyalgia be cured?

Some people seem to get over fibromyalgia. But in most people it cannot be cured. Even so, people can learn to deal with the condition and to lead fairly normal lives. Fibromyalgia does not get worse over time, and it is not life-threatening.

Does fibromyalgia cause symptoms besides muscle pain?

Yes. People with fibromyalgia often say they feel tired all the time and that sleep does not help them feel rested. They may also have:

Flu-like symptoms.
Headaches.
Depression and anxiety.
Stomach pain.
Too many or too few bowel movements (diarrhea or constipation).
Pain in the bladder or the need to urinate in a hurry or often.
Problems with the jaw.

Is there a test for fibromyalgia?

No, there is no test. To diagnose it, doctors and nurses have to go by symptoms. First they look for other causes of the symptoms, such as arthritis or a hormone problem. They diagnose the condition if they can find no other cause, and if a person has:

Muscle pain all over their body.
Severe tenderness in at least 11 of the 18 known “tender points” of fibromyalgia.

Sometimes doctors diagnose fibromyalgia without checking for the number of tender points a person has. This might happen if the person has many areas that feel painful, and is bothered a lot by symptoms that are often caused by fibromyalgia. Some of these symptoms include feeling tired when getting up in the morning and during the day, and having trouble thinking clearly.

How is fibromyalgia treated?

There are medicines and strategies to help with the symptoms of fibromyalgia. But there is no one treatment that works for everyone. You and your healthcare team will need to work together to find the right mix of treatments for you. In general, treatment can include:

Medicines to relieve pain, improve sleep, or improve mood Physical therapy to learn exercises and stretches.
Relaxation therapy.
Working with a counselor.

To get the best treatment, many people need a team that includes:

A doctor.
A physical therapist.
Someone trained in mental health (such as a social worker or counselor).

Be open to medicines

Your doctor or nurse may suggest that you take a medicine normally used to treat depression or seizures. If so, be open to trying it. Even if you are not depressed and do not have seizures, these medicines may help. That is because they work on the brain areas that deal with pain.

What can I do on my own?

It is really important that you stay active. Walking, swimming, or biking can all help ease muscle pain. If you have not been active, it might hurt a little more when you start. But being active can help improve your symptoms.

It is also really important that you try not to be too negative about your life. Your outlook has a big effect on how you feel pain. Do your best to be positive.

Patient Guide to Influenza Vaccine

2011-11-15T08:14:00.000-08:00

Getting the influenza vaccine is the most effective way to reduce the chance of becoming infected with the flu. People who get the influenza vaccine have a lower chance of illness and death from influenza compared to people who are not vaccinated.

Vaccine Timing

Because the influenza virus changes (or "mutates") slightly from year to year, you need a new influenza vaccine before each flu season. People should get the flu vaccine as soon as it is available to get the most benefit.
In the northern hemisphere, the flu season usually occurs between November and April. In the southern hemisphere, the flu season usually occurs between May and October. Flu can occur at any time of year in the tropics.

Vaccine Effectiveness

People who are vaccinated form antibodies (proteins), which destroy the influenza virus after the person is exposed. It generally takes about two weeks to make these antibodies. The vaccine usually protects 50 to 80 percent of those who are vaccinated from getting the flu.
If you get the flu after being vaccinated, your symptoms are likely to be milder and last for a shorter time compared to people who were not vaccinated.

Injection versus nasal spray

The flu vaccine is available in two forms in the United States, as an injection and a nasal spray.

The injection is approved for adults and children 6 months and older.
The nasal spray is approved only for healthy children age 2 years and older and healthy adults up to 49 years.

Pregnant women and people who have a weakened immune system or who have chronic medical problems should not get the nasal spray since it contains live virus. If you live with a person with a severely weakened immune system, you should not get the nasal spray.

Vaccine side effects

The most common side effect of the flu shot is soreness at the injection site.
People with a serious allergy to egg products should talk with their doctor or nurse before getting the nasal spray or shot because both are prepared from viruses grown in eggs.

Other possible side effects of these vaccines include body aches, headache, and a low-grade fever (usually less than 100.4ºF or 38ºC). These problems are usually mild and go away within a day or two.
Many people are concerned about the safety of vaccines. But for most people the risk of complications from the vaccine is much smaller than the risk of complications from being infected with the flu. While no vaccine is 100 percent safe for everyone, the flu vaccine appears to be low-risk. For example:

The flu vaccine is less likely than the flu itself to increase the risk of a nervous system disorder called Guillain-Barré syndrome.
There is no evidence that the flu vaccine increases the risk of birth defects or miscarriage.
Some formulations of the flu vaccine contain a preservative called thimerosal, which is derived from mercury. However, there is no convincing evidence that the small amount of thimerosal in this vaccine will be harmful to children, pregnant women, or adults.
Several groups, including the Vaccine Adverse Event Report System (VAERS, http://vaers.hhs.gov), monitor the reports of vaccine side effects closely.

Who should be vaccinated?

Adults age 50 or older.
People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities.
Adults and children who have chronic lung or heart conditions. This includes children with asthma.Adults and children with chronic diseases such as diabetes or kidney disease.
Adults and children with HIV infection, or who have received organ or stem cell transplants.
Children and teenagers age 6 months to 18 years who are taking long-term aspirin therapy and might be at risk for Reye syndrome.
Women who will be pregnant during the influenza season.
Adults and children who might transmit influenza to high-risk individuals (including people listed above). This includes healthcare workers, workers in nursing homes, home health workers, and people who live with a high-risk individual.

Patient Guide to Gallstones

2011-11-14T08:07:00.000-08:00

What are gallstones?

Gallstones are small stones that form inside the gallbladder. The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ that is tucked under your liver. It stores bile, a fluid that helps the body break down fat. They can be tiny specks or get as big as the whole gallbladder, which can be up to 6 inches long.

Normally, the gallbladder fills with bile in between meals. Then, when you eat fatty foods, the gallbladder empties the bile into the intestine. Sometimes, though, gallstones clog the gallbladder and keep it from draining. Other times, gallstones just irritate the gallbladder. If the gallstones are pushed out of the gallbladder, they can keep the liver or pancreas from draining.

What are the symptoms of gallstones?

In most cases, gallstones do not cause any symptoms. When they do cause symptoms, gallstones can cause:

Belly pain : often on the right side just under the rib cage or in the middle top portion of the belly.
Pain in the back or right shoulder.
Nausea and vomiting.

Are gallstones serious?

Not usually. In rare cases they can lead to serious problems, including:

Jaundice, a condition that turns your skin and eyes yellow.
Infection.
Gallbladder tears, which can lead to death.
Inflammation of the pancreas.

Is there a test for gallstones?

Yes, doctors can find out if you have gallstones by doing an imaging test, such as an ultrasound. An ultrasound is a painless test that uses sound waves to make an image of your gallbladder. Even if tests show that you have gallstones, that does not mean they are causing symptoms. Your doctor might need to do other tests to make sure your stones and your symptoms are related.

How are gallstones treated?

People with gallstones generally have 3 treatment options. They can have:

No treatment : This option is best for people with no symptoms. If they start having symptoms, they can think about treatment then.
Surgery to remove the gallbladder and the stones : Gallbladder surgery is routine in the United States. But it involves using anesthesia, so it has some risks. The surgery does not affect digestion very much. But about half the people who have surgery have mild symptoms afterward, including watery bowel movements, gas, or bloating. These symptoms usually get better. People who have their gallbladder removed do not need to worry about gallstones coming back.
Treatment to get rid of the stones but keep the gallbladder : People who choose this approach can take medicines to break up gallstones or be treated with a device that breaks up stones (or both). These treatments can work, but they take time — months to years. People with severe symptoms may not want to wait that long to feel better. Plus, the stones can come back after these treatments.

How do I know which treatment to have?

The right treatment for you will depend on:

How large your stones are.
Whether you have symptoms, and how bad the symptoms are.
How you feel about the treatment options.

Ask your doctor how each treatment might affect you. Then work with him or her to find the treatment that makes the most sense for you.

Can I do anything to keep from getting (more) gallstones?

Yes. You can:

Eat at least 3 meals a day, and make sure each meal has a little bit of fat. That way the gallbladder has to empty every time you eat.
Choose foods that have a lot of fiber and calcium, but not a lot of saturated fat. Good choices include fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products.
Try to keep yourself at a healthy weight. People who are overweight are more likely to get gallstones.

How to Treat Child's Croup at Home

2011-07-25T08:07:00.000-07:00

Most children with croup have mild symptoms and can be successfully treated at home. This includes using mist from a humidifier or sitting with the child in a bathroom (not in the shower) filled with steam generated by running hot water from the shower. A parent should stay with the child during mist treatment; a favorite book or lullaby may help to decrease the child's anxiety and prevent crying, which can worsen stridor.

Hot steam humidifiers should be avoided because of the risk of burns. If the child's stridor does not improve during the mist treatment, the parent should contact their child's healthcare provider.

Other suggestions for home treatment of mild croup include:

Allow the child to breathe cool air during the night by opening a window or door.
Fever can be treated with an over-the-counter medication such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
Coughing can be treated with warm, clear fluids to loosen mucus on the vocal chords. Warm water, apple juice, or lemonade is safe for children older than four months. Frozen juice popsicles also can be given.
Smoking in the home should be avoided; smoke can worsen a child's cough.
Keep the child's head elevated. An infant can be placed in a car seat. A child may be propped up in bed with an extra pillow. Pillows should not be used with infants younger than 12 months of age.
Parents may sleep in the same room with their child during an episode of croup so that they will be immediately available if the child begins to have difficulty breathing.

When to take your child or infant to the doctor

2011-07-24T08:01:00.000-07:00

Your child should be seen as soon as possible if he or she:

Does not respond to you, has trouble waking up, or is limp
Has trouble breathing
Has blue lips, tongue, or nails
Starts to lean forward and drool
Is an infant, and the soft spot on his or her head seems to be bulging or caving in
Has a stiff neck
Has a severe headache
Has severe belly pain
Has a rash or purple spots that look like bruises on the skin (that were not there before he or she got sick)
Refuses to drink anything or seems too sick to drink enough
Will not stop crying
Is very cranky or irritable

Call or visit your child's doctor or nurse if your child:

Has diarrhea that lasts more than two to three days or seems to be getting worse
Has vomiting that goes on for more than one day
Seems to be dehydrated (signs include urinating less than usual, not having tears when crying, being less alert and less active than usual)
Has a specific symptom, such as a sore throat or ear pain
Has pain when he or she urinates

Patient Guide to Measure A Child's Temperature

2011-07-23T07:54:00.000-07:00

The best way to measure a child's temperature depends upon several factors. In all children, a rectal temperature is the most accurate. However, it is possible to accurately measure the temperature in the mouth (for children older than four or five years) or ear (for children older than six months) when the proper technique is used.

Temperatures measured in the armpit are the least accurate, but may be useful as a first test in an infant who is younger than three months. If the armpit temperature is over 99ºF (37.2ºC), the rectal temperature should be measured.

It is not accurate to measure a child's temperature by feeling the child's skin. This is called a tactile temperature, and it is highly dependent upon the temperature of the person who is feeling the child's skin.

Glass versus digital thermometers

Digital thermometers are inexpensive, widely available, and are the most accurate way to measure temperature. A variety of styles are available.

Glass thermometers that contain mercury are not recommended due to the potential risks of exposure to mercury (which is toxic) if the thermometer is broken. If a digital thermometer is not available, be sure to carefully "shake down" the glass thermometer before use. Instructions for disposing of thermometers that contain mercury are available online (www.epa.gov/mercury/spills/index.htm).

Other types of thermometers are available, including plastic strip, forehead, and pacifier thermometers. However, these are not as accurate as digital thermometers and are not recommended.

Rectal temperature

The child or infant should lie down on their stomach across an adult's lap.
Apply a small amount of petroleum jelly (eg, Vaseline) to the end of the thermometer.
Gently insert the thermometer into the child's anus until the silver tip of the thermometer is not visible (1/4 to 1/2 inch inside the anus).
Hold the thermometer in place.
A glass thermometer requires 2 minutes while most digital thermometers need less than one minute.

Oral temperature

Do not measure the temperature in a child's mouth if he or she has consumed a hot or cold food or drink in the last 30 minutes.
Clean the thermometer with cool water and soap.
Rinse with water.
Place the tip of the thermometer under the child's tongue towards the back.
Ask the child to hold the thermometer with his or her lips.
Keep the lips sealed around the thermometer.
A glass thermometer requires about 3 minutes while most digital thermometers need less than one minute.

Armpit temperature

Place the tip of the thermometer in the child's dry armpit.
Hold the thermometer in place by holding the child's elbow against the chest for 4 to 5 minutes.

Ear temperature

Ear thermometers are not reliable in infants less than 6 months old.
If the child has been outside on a cold day, wait 15 minutes before measuring the ear temperature.
Ear tubes and ear infections do not affect the accuracy of an ear temperature.
To measure temperature accurately in the ear, the parent must pull the child's outer ear backwards before inserting the thermometer.
Hold the ear probe in the child's ear for about two seconds.

Patient Guide to Sinusitis

2011-07-22T07:41:00.000-07:00

What is sinusitis?

Sinusitis is a condition that can cause a stuffy nose, pain in the face, and yellow or green discharge (mucus) from the nose. The sinuses are hollow areas in the bones of the face. They have a thin lining that normally makes a small amount of mucus. When this lining gets infected, it swells and makes extra mucus. This causes symptoms.

Sinusitis can occur when a person gets sick with a cold. The germs causing the cold can also infect the sinuses. Many times, a person feels like his or her cold is getting better. But then he or she gets sinusitis and begins to feel sick again.

What are the symptoms of sinusitis?

Common symptoms of sinusitis include:

Stuffy or blocked nose.
Thick yellow or green discharge from the nose.
Pain in the teeth.
Pain or pressure in the face. This often feels worse when a person bends forward.

People with sinusitis can also have other symptoms that include:

Fever
Cough
Trouble smelling
Ear pressure or fullness
Headache
Bad breath
Feeling tired

Most of the time, symptoms start to improve in 7 to 10 days.

Should I see a doctor or nurse?

See your doctor or nurse if your symptoms last more than 7 days, or if your symptoms get better at first but then get worse.

Sometimes, sinusitis can lead to serious problems. See your doctor or nurse right away (do not wait 7 days) if you have:

Fever higher than 102.5°F (39.2°C).
Sudden and severe pain in the face and head.
Trouble seeing or seeing double.
Trouble thinking clearly.
Swelling or redness around one or both eyes.
Trouble breathing or a stiff neck.

Is there anything I can do on my own to feel better?

Yes. To reduce your symptoms, you can:

Take an over the counter pain reliever to reduce the pain.
Rinse your nose and sinuses with salt water a few times a day – Ask your doctor or nurse about the best way to do this.
Use a decongestant nose spray – These sprays are sold in a pharmacy. But do not use decongestant nose sprays for more than 2 to 3 days in a row. Using them more than 3 days in a row can make symptoms worse.

How is sinusitis treated?

Most of the time, sinusitis does not need to be treated with antibiotic medicines. This is because most sinusitis is caused by viruses — not bacteria — and antibiotics do not kill viruses. Many people get over sinus infections without antibiotics.

Some people with sinusitis do need treatment with antibiotics. If your symptoms have not improved after 7 to 10 days, ask your doctor if you should take antibiotics. Your doctor might recommend that you wait one more week to see if your symptoms improve. But if you have symptoms such as a fever or a lot of pain, he or she might prescribe antibiotics. It is important to follow your doctor’s instructions about taking your antibiotics.

What if my symptoms do not get better?

If your symptoms do not get better, talk with your doctor or nurse. He or she might order tests to figure out why you still have symptoms. These can include:

CT scan or other imaging tests – Imaging tests create pictures of the inside of the body.
A test to look inside the sinuses – For this test, a doctor puts a thin tube with a camera on the end into the nose and up into the sinuses.

Some people get a lot of sinus infections or have symptoms that last at least 3 months. These people can have a different type of sinusitis called “chronic sinusitis.” Chronic sinusitis can be caused by different things. For example, some people have growths in their nose or sinuses that are called “polyps.” Other people have allergies that cause their symptoms.

Chronic sinusitis can be treated in different ways. If you have chronic sinusitis, talk with your doctor about which treatments are right for you.

Patient Guide to Anaphylaxis

2011-07-21T09:14:00.000-07:00

Definition of Anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis is the term doctors use to describe a serious allergic reaction. It can happen very quickly and can cause death. Anaphylaxis can happen after a person:

Eats a food he or she is allergic to
Takes a medicine he or she is allergic to
Is stung by an insect he or she is allergic to
Touches something made out of latex if he or she is allergic to latex
Other triggers can also cause anaphylaxis.

You might know if you are allergic to something. But you can also have anaphylaxis even if you don’t know you have an allergy.

Symptoms of Anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis can involve one or more parts of the body. The most common symptoms are:

Hives – raised, red patches of skin that are very itchy.
Angioedema – a condition that causes puffiness, usually of the face, eyelids, ears, mouth, hands, or feet.

Other symptoms can include:

Redness or itching of the skin (without hives).
Swelling or itching of the eyes.
Runny nose or swelling of the tongue.
Trouble breathing, wheezing, or a change in your voice.
Throwing up or having diarrhea.
Feeling dizzy or passing out.

With anaphylaxis, you can get very sick, very quickly. Your symptoms can also change. You may first get hives on your skin. Soon after that, you may throw up or have trouble breathing. Each time you have anaphylaxis, you can have different symptoms. Symptoms also differ from person to person.
The symptoms you have with anaphylaxis can be worse if you:

Have asthma.
Have other health problems such as lung or heart disease.

Treatment of Anaphylaxis
At the hospital, the doctor will give you treatments to stop the anaphylaxis and reduce your symptoms. The doctor will also watch you to make sure your symptoms do not get worse.
People who have had anaphylaxis before often get a prescription for a device called an auto-injector (for example, the EpiPen®). This device carries one or two shots of a medicine called epinephrine. This medicine can help stop anaphylaxis. The auto-injector makes it easy for you to give yourself the shot. If you have an auto-injector, you should keep it with you at all times. Use it right away any time you think you are having anaphylaxis.

Prevention of Anaphylaxis
If you have had anaphylaxis, you should talk with your doctor or nurse. If needed, your doctor can do tests to find out what you are allergic to.
Your doctor can help you make a plan to prevent future anaphylaxis. As part of your plan, you can:

Learn about the symptoms of anaphylaxis so you will know when to get help.
Have an epinephrine auto-injector with you at all times.
Avoid foods, medicines, or insects you are allergic to.
Wear a medical bracelet to let others know about your allergy.

Patient Guide to Food Allergy

2011-07-20T09:07:00.000-07:00

Definition of Food Allergy
A food allergy is when a person’s immune system responds as if a certain food is harmful to the body. If a person eats, touches, or breathes in that food, he or she can have an allergic reaction. Most allergic reactions happen within 5 minutes to 1 hour after eating or touching the food.
The most common foods that people are allergic to are:

Milk and foods that contain milk, such as ice cream or butter (called dairy foods)
Eggs
Wheat
Soy
Peanuts
Tree nuts, such as almonds or cashews
Fish
Shellfish, such as shrimp or oysters

People can have an allergy to one or more foods. Sometimes it is hard to tell if you really have a food allergy or not. People can feel sick after eating some foods for other reasons. For example, people can get heartburn after eating spicy foods. But that is not the same as a food allergy.

Symptoms of Food Allergy
The symptoms of a food allergy can range from mild to severe. Mild symptoms can include:

Hives: raised, red patches of skin that are very itchy
Red or swollen skin
Itchy, watery, or swollen eyes
Runny nose or sneezing

Severe symptoms are also called “anaphylaxis.” They can include:

Swelling of the throat, or coughing a lot
Wheezing or trouble breathing
Throwing up or having diarrhea
Feeling dizzy or passing out
Death

Symptoms can differ from person to person. Also, a person can have different symptoms each time he or she has an allergic reaction.

Test for Food Allergy
Doctors can use two types of tests to tell if you have a food allergy. You and your doctor will decide which is best for you.

Skin test: For a skin test, the doctor will put a drop of the food you might be allergic to on your skin and make a tiny prick in the skin. Then, he or she will watch your skin to see if you get a red, itchy bump, like a mosquito bite.
Blood test: Blood tests for food allergies look for antibodies (proteins) called “IgEs” that the body makes when it is having an allergic response.

Your doctor or nurse will also do an exam and talk with you. Sometimes it can be hard to figure out what food you are allergic to. Keeping a record of the foods you eat and the symptoms you have is helpful.

Treatment of Food Allergy
The best treatment for a severe reaction is a medicine called “epinephrine.” At the hospital, doctors can give you epinephrine and other medicines to treat your symptoms. Doctors will also watch to make sure your symptoms don’t get worse.
If you have had severe reactions to foods before, your doctor might have prescribed a device called an “auto-injector.” This device has one or two shots of epinephrine that you can give yourself. Many people get an auto-injector called an “EpiPen”. You should keep your auto-injector with you at all times. Use it right away if you think you are having a severe allergic reaction.
If you have mild food allergy symptoms, your doctor may prescribe medicine to help stop your itching and hives.

Prevention of Food Allergy
You can prevent an allergic reaction by not eating the food you are allergic to. Even a tiny bite of food can cause a big reaction. You and your doctor can make a food allergy plan that includes:

Knowing how to avoid the food you are allergic to by reading food labels.
Telling restaurants about your food allergy if you eat out.
Knowing when to get help for a reaction.
Having an epinephrine auto-injector with you at all times.
Wearing a medical bracelet to let others know about your allergy.

Patient Guide to Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs)

2011-07-19T09:53:00.000-07:00

Definition of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs)
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a group of developmental disorders that cause lifelong difficulties with socializing, communicating, and behavior. The term "spectrum" refers to the fact that some people have a few mild symptoms while others have severe symptoms that are disabling.

Symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs)
Symptoms of autistic disorder are usually recognized between two and three years of age, although they may be present earlier. By definition, symptoms must be present by three years of age.
In approximately two-thirds of children with autism, the first sign is a lack of communication skills by two years of age.

Social interaction : Difficulty with or lack of interaction with family and friends is a hallmark of autism spectrum disorder.
Communication : The second hallmark of autism spectrum disorder is significant difficulty with communication. This is the most common concern of parents, which often leads the parent to seek medical attention. The child may lack the ability to speak or understand and/or may show no interest in communicating.
Behavior : The third hallmark of autism spectrum disorder is repetitive behaviors and interests.
Cognitive skills : Cognitive skills include the ability to think, remember, and process information. In children with autism, these skills are often uneven, regardless of the child's level of intelligence. The person can often perform tasks that require memorization or putting things together (eg, puzzles), but may have difficulty with tasks that require higher-level skills, such as reasoning, interpretation, or abstract thinking.
Sensory perception : Many people with autism spectrum disorder perceive sounds, tastes, or touch differently. For example, the person may be overly sensitive to normal noise levels or have no response to loud noises.
Macrocephaly : Approximately one-fourth of children with autism spectrum disorder have a larger than normal-size head. The medical term for this is macrocephaly. This may be related to abnormalities in early brain development, which contribute to the signs and symptoms of autism discussed above.

Signs of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs)
According to CDC, a child with an ASD might:

Not play "pretend" games (pretend to "feed" a doll)
Not point at objects to show interest (point at an airplane flying over)
Not look at objects when another person points at them
Have trouble relating to others or not have an interest in other people at all
Avoid eye contact and want to be alone
Prefer not to be held or cuddled or might cuddle only when they want to
Appear to be unaware when other people talk to them but respond to other sounds
Be very interested in people, but not know how to talk, play, or relate to them
Repeat or echo words or phrases said to them, or repeat words or phrases in place of normal language (echolalia)
Have trouble expressing their needs using typical words or motions
Repeat actions over and over again
Have trouble adapting when a routine changes
Have unusual reactions to the way things smell, taste, look, feel, or sound
Lose skills they once had (for instance, stop saying words they were once using)

Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs)
Autism cannot be cured. However, a healthcare provider can work with parents to develop a treatment plan to help the child reach his or her full potential. The optimal treatment plan depends upon the child's age, diagnosis, underlying medical problems, and other individual factors.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a plan that provides structure, direction, and organization for the child. In the United States, services are often provided through an early intervention program and then subsequently through the public school system after the age of three years, administered by the individual states.

Patient Guide to Endometriosis

2011-07-18T09:41:00.001-07:00

Definition of endometriosis

Endometriosis is a condition that affects women. It can cause pain in the lower part of the belly and trouble getting pregnant.
Endometriosis occurs when tissue normally found in a woman’s uterus grows outside of the uterus. This tissue, which does not belong outside the uterus, can then break down, bleed, and cause symptoms.

The symptoms of endometriosis

Some women with endometriosis have no symptoms. But most have pain in the lower part of the belly that can occur:

Before or during monthly periodsBetween monthly periodsDuring or after sexWhen urinating or having a bowel movement (often during monthly periods)
Other symptoms of endometriosis can include:
Trouble getting pregnantGrowths on the ovaries that a doctor can feel during an exam

All of these symptoms can also be caused by conditions that are not endometriosis. But if you have any of these symptoms, tell your doctor or nurse.

Tests for endometriosis

There is no test for endometriosis. But your doctor or nurse might suspect you have it by learning about your symptoms and doing an exam.
The only way to know for sure if you have endometriosis is for a doctor to do surgery and look for endometriosis tissue outside the uterus.

Endometriosis treatment

Endometriosis can be treated in different ways. The right treatment for you will depend on your symptoms and on whether you want to be able to get pregnant in the future.
Doctors can use medicines to treat endometriosis. These include:

Pain medicines
Birth control medicines.
Hormones that stop monthly periods.

Some women choose to have surgery to treat endometriosis. Different types of surgery can include:

Laparoscopy: In this type of surgery, a doctor will make a small cut in the belly and put a tube with a camera inside the body. Then he or she can see and remove endometriosis tissue.
“Open” surgery to remove large growths: When a woman has large growths of tissue, it is not always possible to remove them through laparoscopy. In such cases, women sometimes have traditional or “open” surgery, which involves a larger cut in the belly.
Hysterectomy: A hysterectomy is surgery to remove a woman’s uterus. Sometimes, the doctor will also remove the ovaries and tubes that connect the ovaries to the uterus (fallopian tubes) (figure 2). A woman cannot get pregnant after her uterus is removed.

Patient Guide to Diabetic Retinopathy

2011-07-17T22:56:00.000-07:00

Definition of diabetic retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is an eye problem that can lead to vision loss and even blindness. It affects people with diabetes. It is most common in people who do not control their blood sugar well.

Symptoms of diabetic retinopathy

Most people with diabetic retinopathy have no symptoms until the disease is very advanced. By then, it is usually too late to do anything about the vision loss. That’s why it is important to get screened for the condition early. That way, doctors can take steps to protect your eyes before your vision is damaged.

When symptoms start, they can include:

Blurry vision
Dark or floating spots
Trouble seeing things that are at the center of your focus when reading or driving
Trouble telling colors apart

Tests for diabetic retinopathy

To check for diabetic retinopathy, eye doctors can do 1 of 2 main tests:

Dilated eye exam

During this exam, the eye doctor gives you eye drops to make your pupils open up. (The drops make it easier for the doctor to see the different parts of the inside of your eye.) After the drops have done their job, the doctor looks at the back of your eye, called the retina. That’s the part of the eye that is damaged by diabetic retinopathy.

Digital retinal imaging

For this test, a technician takes pictures of the eye with a special camera. Then he or she sends the pictures to an eye doctor, who checks for disease. It is OK to use this test if your past eye tests have all been normal or if you have no eye doctors nearby. Otherwise, you should have a dilated eye exam.

If either the dilated eye exam or the digital retinal imaging test shows a problem, the eye doctor might suggest other tests, too.

All people with diabetes should have their eyes checked every year. Ideally, the checkup should include a dilated eye exam done by an eye doctor. (People who have had normal eye exams in the past and do not have an eye doctor nearby can instead have digital retinal imaging.).

For people with type 1 diabetes, yearly eye exams should start 3 to 5 years after diagnosis.For people with type 2 diabetes, yearly eye exams should start right after diagnosis.

When I see a doctor or nurse?

If you notice any vision loss (or dark spots in your vision), see an eye doctor as soon as possible.

Treatment of diabetic retinopathy

When mild, diabetic retinopathy is not always treated. But people with the condition do need to keep their blood sugar and blood pressure levels as close to normal as possible. This helps keep the condition from getting worse.

Treatments for diabetic retinopathy can include:

Photocoagulation

This is laser surgery to seal or destroy leaking or growing blood vessels in the retina.

Vitrectomy

This is surgery to remove blood from the part of the eye called the “vitreous humor”. Doctors do this surgery if the blood vessels in the retina leak into the vitreous humor.

Prevention of retinopathy

Yes. If you have diabetes, you can reduce your chances of getting diabetic retinopathy by keeping your blood sugar and blood pressure levels as close to normal as possible. It might also be important to keep cholesterol levels in the normal range.

Special Recommendations for Women Before Pregnancy

2011-05-28T03:21:00.001-07:00

Maintain a healthy weight.
Engage in physical activity regularly.
If you need to gain or lose weight, do so gradually (no more than 1–2 lbs/week).
If you are trying to become pregnant and you ordinarily drink alcoholic beverages, stop drinking or cut back on the amount you drink.
If you smoke, quit or cut back to improve your health.
To minimize your risk of having an infant with a neural tube defect, eat a highly fortified breakfast cereal that provides 100% of the Daily Value (DV) for folate (read the food label to find out) or take a vitamin supplement that provides 400 µg/day of folic acid. Folic acid, the synthetic form of folate, is obtained only from fortified foods or vitamin supplements. It is not yet known whether naturally occurring folate is as effective as folic acid in the prevention of neural tube defects.

References:
Nutrition National Center for Education in Maternal and Child Health under its cooperative agreement (MCU-119301) with the Maternal and Child Heath Bureau, Health Resources and Services Administration, Public Health Service, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Update for Nutrition During Pregnancy and Lactation. Washington, DC: National Academy Press; 1998.

Healthy Eating Tips: Learn how to Eat Healthy in only 33 Steps!

2010-12-02T10:21:00.000-08:00

If you want to know in a quick easy way, what you should and shouldn't eat, then this book will set you straight. In an easy to read format of 33 points, you will discover the differences in types of fat, meat, milk etc and all the good delicious foods you should be eating plus a list of all the the foods you should be cutting back on or avoiding. When you start a healthy diet, you will naturally lose the extra weight you have gained from unhealthy eating. To help you on your way, you even get a new healthy shopping list to take to the supermarket! If you want to learn to eat healthy or lose weight naturally then this is a handy book for your kitchen shelf.

About the Author

Health Writer, Researcher, books and articles, Health & Fitness expert, ezinearticles.

Product Details

Paperback: 56 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace (August 11, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1453760644
ISBN-13: 978-1453760642
Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.1 inches

A Patient's Guide to Heart Rhythm Problems

2010-12-02T06:26:00.000-08:00

Heart rhythm problems can be a matter of life or death. In this easy-to-read guide, Dr. Todd Cohen provides comprehensive information to help people with heart rhythm problems (arrhythmias) get an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Dr. Cohen tells readers what they need to know about palpitations, rapid heart rhythms (tachycardias), slow heart rhythms (bradycardias), cardiac arrest, and other conditions related to irregular heartbeats.

With the goal of informing and empowering heart patients, Dr. Cohen describes the heart's basic function, the various conditions associated with arrhythmia, and recommended courses of treatment. He discusses such procedures as tilt table testing, electrophysiology studies, catheter ablation, and device implantation (including cardiac monitors, pacemakers, defibrillators, and biventricular devices); explains the essentials of CPR and the use of Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs); and presents the latest guidelines from the American College of Cardiology, the American Heart Association, and the Heart Rhythm Society.

A Patient's Guide to Heart Rhythm Problems will help readers understand :

how the heart works and what can go wrong
the tests and other diagnostic procedures they may undergo
how their doctor reaches a diagnosis
what their diagnosis means
how their doctor might treat the problem
when medication alone is sufficient treatment
when pacemaker, defibrillator, or biventricular therapy is appropriate
how to get the best possible medical care -- in and out of the hospital

Endorsed by the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association, this essential resource features tables highlighting key information, as well as patient narratives that provide personal insight into arrhythmia tests, treatments, and technologies.

Product Details

Hardcover: 232 pages
Publisher: The Johns Hopkins University Press; 1 edition (October 11, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0801897742
ISBN-13: 978-0801897740
Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 1.1 inches

List Price: $45.00

Living with Lymphoma: A Patient's Guide

2010-11-27T14:16:00.000-08:00

When neurobiologist Elizabeth M. Adler was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, she learned everything she could about the disease, both to cope with the emotional stress of being diagnosed and to make sure she made the best possible decisions for her treatment. In Living with Lymphoma, she combines her knowledge of lymphoma -- both scientific and personal -- with the desire to help other patients come to grips with this complex, and often baffling, disease.
Adler thoroughly explains the disease, describing the many different kinds of Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, the wide range of symptoms, and the various treatment options available. Convinced that understanding lymphoma's biological basis will help patients make better treatment decisions, Adler explains basic cell biology and how the immune system functions. Readers will gain sufficient background to understand and evaluate medical literature, and to ask their physicians questions specific to their own needs.
In the introduction, Dr. Michael R. Bishop of the National Institutes of Health provides a physician's perspective on the delicate nature of doctor-patient relationships in the context of a life-threatening disease -- especially the importance of patient education and open communication in making decisions about treatment options and quality of life.
Drawing on her scientific expertise and personal journey -- as well as her empathy, passion, and humor -- Adler has created a valuable guide for people with lymphoma and the people caring for them.

Product Details

Paperback: 424 pages
Publisher: The Johns Hopkins University Press; 1 edition (September 30, 2005)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0801881803
ISBN-13: 978-0801881800
Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.7 inches

A Patient's Guide to PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) : Understanding and Reversing

2010-11-26T06:25:00.000-08:00

A comprehensive guide to polycystic ovary syndrome, from a leading authority on the condition One in ten American women of childbearing age is affected by polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) to some degree, and many suffer from serious symptoms, such as infertility, early miscarriage, chronic pelvic pain, weight gain, high blood pressure, acne, and abnormal hair growth. PCOS is by far the most common hormone imbalance in women of this age group, yet few women understand the threat it poses to their health--or how to prevent it.
In A Patient's Guide to PCOS, Dr. Walter Futterweit, a foremost authority on PCOS in America, tells women everything they need to know about this condition and how to treat it. Drawing on his twenty-five years researching and treating the condition and his ongoing long-term study of more than a thousand women with PCOS, Futterweit discusses:

what PCOS is and how it affects your body
what to eat and how to exercise to control PCOS
all the treatment options, including the latest drug therapies
how to reverse PCOS-induced infertility and restore healthy skin and hair
resources for preventing, diagnosing, and treating PCOS

This comprehensive guide contains everything women need to know about PCOS--from identifying warning signs and seeking a diagnosis to finding emotional support in recovery--to regain their health and resume their lives.

About the Author

Walter Futterweit, M.D. F.A.C.E., F.A.C.P., is co-chief of the Endocrine Clinic and Clinical Professor of Medicine at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City. Author of more than 100 papers and numerous textbook chapters, he lectures regularly before lay and professional groups, conducts ongoing research about PCOS, and maintains a private practice in Manhattan focused on PCOS. He is married and lives in New York City.

Product Details

Paperback: 251 pages
Publisher: Holt Paperbacks; 1st edition (March 21, 2006)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0805078282
ISBN-13: 978-0805078282
Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches

The Patient's Guide To Heart Valve Replacement And Heart Valve Repair

2010-11-25T10:50:00.000-08:00

Each year, over 250,000 heart valve repair and heart valve replacement operations are performed for conditions including stenosis, prolapse, insufficiency, aneurysm, Tetralogy of Fallot and regurgitation. As a result, patients experience several different types of cardiac bypass surgery including aortic valve replacement, mitral valve repair and the Ross Procedure.

HOWEVER... DID YOU KNOW?In a 2007 survey, the majority of former heart valve surgery patients interviewed stated that their expectations were "mismanaged - both before and after surgery."

AND... DID YOU KNOW? In that same study, most heart valve surgery patients noted that recovering from cardiac surgery was "more difficult than expected."

The Patient's Guide To Heart Valve Surgery was written by Adam Pick, a double heart valve surgery patient, to address these troubling issues and prepare both patients and their caregivers for the challenges and opportunities of valve surgery - from diagnosis through recovery. The book is intended for patients needing heart valve repair or heart valve replacement surgeries (e.g. mitral valve repair, aortic valve replacement, tricuspid valve repair, pulmonary valve replacement).

Ultimately, this unique book was created to help YOU minimize the stress of heart valve surgery and enhance the patient's recovery.

As of today, The Patient's Guide To Heart Valve Surgery has been read by thousands of patients and caregivers in over 35 countries around the world. Dr. Marc Darrow, MD, UCLA School Of Medicine, recently noted about this special book, "If you require mitral valve replacement, aortic valve repair or any heart valve surgery, I strongly encourage patients and their caregivers to read this book!"

About the Author

As one of the leading analysts in his field, Adam Pick has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, BusinessWeek and The Economist for his unique knowledge of electronics manufacturing.

A native and current resident of Los Angeles, Adam earned a bachelors and graduate degree from the University of Michigan.

On November 3, 2005, Adam learned that he would need heart valve replacement surgery. Eight weeks later, Dr. Vaughn Starnes performed aortic and pulmonary valve replacements (the Ross Procedure) on Mr. Pick at the University of Southern California Medical Center.

After a difficult recovery with many unexpected challenges, Adam is back to work, exercising five times per week and traveling the world for fun and business. Adam s heart valve surgery success story was elevated on July 7, 2007 when he married Robyn Podell, his girlfriend of two years.

As part of his experience with heart valve surgery, Mr. Pick learned the highs, the lows, the challenges, the opportunities and the frustrations of heart valve surgery. His book, The Patient's Guide To Heart Valve Surgery, is his attempt to support patients and caregivers through the entire heart valve surgery process - from diagnosis through recovery.

Product Details

Paperback: 178 pages
Publisher: Adam Pick; Revised edition (November 1, 2006)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0615147038
ISBN-13: 978-0615147031
Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 7.7 x 0.6 inches

A Patient's Guide to Glaucoma

2010-03-31T00:41:00.000-07:00

A Patient's Guide to Glaucoma by Young H Kwon, John H Fingert, and Emily C Greenlee is a very useful educational resource. The authors have done an excellent job of covering the pertinent aspects of glaucoma from the patient's perspective. It provides more complete explanations of aspects of glaucoma care than any other presently available resource. It will be very helpful to patients who want more information about medications, laser, trabeculectomy, tube-shunt surgery, and many other subjects.

About Author
John S. Cohen, MD : Director, Glaucoma Service Cincinnati Eye Institute, Volunteer Clinical Professor University of Cincinnati
Drs. Kwon, Greenlee and Fingert are to be congratulated for creating this outstanding educational program on glaucoma. These materials provide an excellent overview of the disease and its treatment. The guide can be read in its entirety or searched to answer specific questions. It is aimed at the intelligent patient seeking to understand his or her disease. The ophthalmologist's best ally in battling glaucoma is a well-informed patient and this guide will serve to develop patients who truly understand their disease.
W.L.M. Alward, MD : The Frederick C. Blodi Chair in Ophthalmology, Professor of Ophthalmology, Vice-Chair, Dept of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, University of Iowa.

Book Details

Paperback: 172 pages
Publisher: FEP International (April 23, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 097970751X
ISBN-13: 978-0979707513
Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.5 inches

List Price: $17.95

How to prevent common cold in adults

2010-01-27T06:43:00.000-08:00

Hand washing is an essential and highly effective way to prevent the spread of infection. Hands should be wet with water and plain soap, and rubbed together for 15 to 30 seconds. Special attention should be paid to the fingernails, between the fingers, and the wrists. Hands should be rinsed thoroughly, and dried with a single use towel.
Alcohol-based hand rubs are a good alternative for disinfecting hands if a sink is not available. Hand rubs should be spread over the entire surface of hands, fingers, and wrists until dry, and may be used several times. These rubs can be used repeatedly without skin irritation or loss of effectiveness. Hand rubs are available as a liquid or wipe in small, portable sizes that are easy to carry in a pocket or handbag. When a sink is available, visibly soiled hands should be washed with soap and water.
Hands should be washed before preparing food and eating, and after coughing, blowing the nose, or sneezing. While it is not always possible to limit contact with people who may be infected with a cold, touching the eyes, nose, or mouth after direct contact should be avoided when possible.
In addition, tissues should be used to cover the mouth when sneezing or coughing. These used tissues should be disposed of promptly. Sneezing/coughing into the sleeve of one's clothing (at the inner elbow) is another means of containing sprays of saliva and secretions and does not contaminate the hands.

How to prevent from bacterial and viral conjunctivitis

2010-01-24T06:37:00.000-08:00

Bacterial and viral conjunctivitis are both highly contagious and spread by direct contact with secretions or contact with contaminated objects. Simple hygiene measures can help minimize transmission to others.

Adults or children with bacterial or viral conjunctivitis should not share handkerchiefs, tissues, towels, cosmetics, or bed sheets/pillows with uninfected family or friends.
Hand washing is an essential and highly effective way to prevent the spread of infection. Hands should be wet with water and plain soap, and rubbed together for 15 to 30 seconds. It is not necessary to use antibacterial hand soap. Teach children to wash their hands before and after eating and after touching the eyes, coughing, or sneezing.
Alcohol-based hand rubs are a good alternative for disinfecting hands if a sink is not available. Hand rubs should be spread over the entire surface of hands, fingers, and wrists until dry, and may be used several times. These rubs can be used repeatedly without skin irritation or loss of effectiveness.

How to use and clean a DPI (Dry Powder Inhaler)

2010-01-23T06:34:00.000-08:00

The instructions for using a DPI depend upon the individual type and brand. The following are general instructions. Consult the instructions with your device for specific instructions.

Remove the cap. For single use devices, load a capsule into the device as directed.
Breathe out slowly and completely (not into the mouthpiece).
Place the mouthpiece between the front teeth and seal the lips around it.
Breathe in through the mouth quickly and deeply over two to three seconds.
Remove the inhaler from the mouth. Hold your breath for as long as possible (4 to 10 seconds). Breathe out slowly.

Cleaning the DPI
Most DPIs should not be washed with soap and water. The mouthpiece can be cleaned with a dry cloth approximately once per week. Consult the instructions with your inhaler for further information.

HOW TO USE A PEAK FLOW METER

2010-01-22T06:32:00.000-08:00

PEFR monitoring should be performed on a regular basis, even when asthma symptoms are not present. PEFR should also be checked if symptoms of coughing, wheezing, or shortness of breath develops. Patients should demonstrate PEFR measurement with their healthcare provider to verify that their technique is accurate.
Different brands of peak flow meters have unique features; however, these general instructions can be adapted to an individual's peak flow meter.
Getting the best readings
Several steps are important to make sure the peak flow meter records an accurate value: The peak flow meter should read zero or its lowest reading when not in use Use the peak flow meter while standing up straight Take in as deep a breath as possible Place the peak flow meter in the mouth, with the tongue under the mouthpiece Close the lips tightly around the mouthpiece Blow out as hard and fast as possible; do not throw the head forward while blowing out Breathe a few normal breaths and then repeat the process two more times. Write down the highest number obtained. Do not average the numbers.
Note: The test should be repeated if the tongue partially blocks the mouthpiece or if the patient coughs or spits during the test. Most peak flow meters need to be cleaned periodically; cleaning instructions should be available when the unit is purchased.
Establishing a baseline measurement
Unlike a blood pressure reading or a cholesterol test, there is no PEFR that is normal for everyone. For this reason, it is important to determine what PEFR value is normal for you.
To determine your normal PEFR, you should measure their PEFR when you have no asthma symptoms. Three PEFR measurements should be done with the same peak flow meter two to four times daily for two to three weeks.
You should note the highest PEFR measure achieved; this is the "personal best" PEFR. This number is used to determine if future PEFR readings are normal or low, and is also used to create a normal PEFR range (between 80 and 100 percent of the personal best PEFR).
Readings below the normal range are a sign of airway narrowing in the lungs. A low PEFR can occur before asthma symptoms such as wheezing or shortness of breath develop.
A personal best PEFR value should be remeasured once per year to account for growth (in children) or changes in the disease (in both children and adults). In addition, home PEFR measurements should be verified with readings taken with equipment in a healthcare provider's office since this equipment is more sensitive. For long term management, most clinicians will recommend PEFR testing once per day, usually in the morning.

HEPATITIS A VACCINE

2010-01-10T07:18:00.000-08:00

Hepatitis due to infection with the hepatitis A virus (HAV) is one of the most common viral infections in children and adolescents in the United States. HAV infection often causes few or no symptoms in younger children. By contrast, infection in adults can vary in severity from a mild flu-like illness to rapidly progressive, severe liver disease. Vaccinating children can help to protect adult caregivers from a potentially serious illness.
HAV is found in the stool of infected individuals. A person can become infected with HAV by consuming contaminated food or water or by touching the mouth, nose, or eyes after touching a contaminated surface (eg, in the bathroom or during a diaper change). Washing the hands can help to prevent infection.
Timing and dose — Hepatitis A vaccine is recommended for all children between 12 and 23 months of age. Older children and adults also can consider being immunized. In all age groups, two doses are required, given at least six months apart.
The vaccine is also recommended for certain high-risk adults, such as food handlers, international travelers, people with blood clotting disorders or chronic liver disease and those who live in communities with a high hepatitis A infection rate.
Hepatitis A vaccine precautions — HAV vaccine should not be given if the child had a severe reaction to the vaccine after the first dose. The vaccine contains alum and phenoxyethanol, and should not be given to children with a known sensitivity to these additives. The most common side effect of the HAV vaccine is brief redness or discomfort at the injection site.
Hepatitis A vaccine effectiveness — The HAV vaccine protects nearly 100 percent of children who receive the recommended two doses.

VARICELLA (CHICKENPOX) Immunizations

2010-01-09T07:17:00.000-08:00

Varicella is a highly contagious viral illness caused by infection with the varicella zoster virus (VZV). The disease causes fever, sore throat, and a distinctive, itchy rash with fluid-filled blisters that later forms scabs. The virus is transmitted by the spread of airborne droplets or direct contact with skin lesions. Complications of chickenpox may include bacterial infections of the skin, pneumonia, or, less commonly, inflammation of the brain.
Before the vaccine was available, an estimated 3.7 million cases of chickenpox occurred in the United States every year, resulting in nearly 9000 hospitalizations and approximately 100 deaths.
Timing and dose — In the United States, VZV vaccine is recommended for all children at 12 to 18 months of age (show table 1). A second dose is recommended at 4 to 6 years of age. A combination measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella vaccine (MMRV, ProQuad) may be used in children between 12 months and 12 years. The VZV vaccine is not needed if a child develops typical chickenpox disease before the vaccine is given.
Chickenpox vaccine precautions — The varicella vaccine contains live weakened VZV, thus it is not recommended for children with a weakened immune system or during moderate to severe illness. The vaccine should be delayed in a child who has recently received a blood transfusion or other blood product. The vaccine is not recommended for children who have a severe allergy to neomycin or gelatin (show table 5). The most common side effects of the VZV vaccine are redness or soreness at the injection site and a mild rash (about five spots).
Chickenpox vaccine effectiveness — The chickenpox vaccine protects 70 to 90 percent of people who get it. However, about 1 percent of people who are given the vaccine develop chickenpox; in these people, the infection is usually mild, fever does not usually occur, and skin blisters do not develop.

MEASLES-MUMPS-RUBELLA (MMR) Immunizations

2010-01-08T07:12:00.000-08:00

Measles, mumps, and rubella are illnesses that may be transmitted by airborne droplets released during coughing or sneezing.
Measles (also known as rubeola) is a highly contagious viral illness of the respiratory tract that primarily affects children; it causes a distinctive rash, fever, and cough, and may result in complications, including infection of the middle ear, lungs, and brain.
Mumps is an acute, usually mild viral infection of childhood that causes painful swelling of the salivary glands. Mumps complications can develop, including inflammation of the brain (encephalitis), the protective membranes of the brain (meningitis) and, in males after puberty, swelling and tenderness of one or both testes (orchitis).
Rubella, also known as German measles, is a mild viral infection that causes fever, swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck, and a distinctive rash; however, it can cause severe birth defects (congenital rubella syndrome) if a woman becomes infected during early pregnancy.
The number of people affected by these diseases has fallen dramatically in the United States since vaccines were developed. Despite the rarity of theses diseases in the United States, vaccination is still recommended for a number of reasons:
Individuals who visit or emigrate from countries that do not vaccinate against measles can spread the virus to those who are not immune.
Measles that develops during pregnancy can cause early labor and miscarriage.
The most serious complications of mumps occur more frequently in adults than children, including orchitis (leading to sterility in men), neurologic complications, and a risk of fetal death if the infection is acquired in early pregnancy.
A well-immunized childhood population serves to protect almost everyone, including adults as well as other children.
Timing and dose — The first dose of MMR is administered at 12 to 15 months of age. A second dose is recommended routinely before school entry (between 4 and 6 years of age).
MMR vaccine precautions — Common side effects of the MMR vaccine include a mild rash or fever; these may be seen one to two weeks after the vaccine is given, and usually lasts one to three days.
Reasons to avoid the MMR vaccine include pregnancy, some immune system conditions, use of medications that weaken the immune system, cancer, or a severe allergy to gelatin or the antibiotic neomycin. Immunization should be delayed in children with significant illness, with or without a fever, and in those who have recently received a blood transfusion or other blood product (eg, serum immune globulin).
Concern has been raised about a possible link between the MMR vaccine, autism, autism spectrum disorder, and type 1 diabetes. To date, no study has provided evidence that such a link exists.
MMR vaccine effectiveness — When given on time, the MMR vaccine protects more than 99 percent of children from developing measles and 95 percent of children from developing mumps and rubella.

INFLUENZA Immunizations

2010-01-07T07:11:00.000-08:00

Commonly known as flu, influenza is a highly contagious viral infection that occurs in outbreaks worldwide, usually during the winter in the United States. Young children and those with certain underlying medical conditions are at increased risk for severe or complicated influenza infection. Immunizing all children (and adults) can help decrease this risk.
Immunization against influenza is recommended for all children age 6 months to 18 years.
Timing and dose — There are two types of influenza vaccine; one is injected while the other is given as a nasal spray. The injection is approved for adults and children 6 months and older, while the intranasal spray is approved only for people between 24 months and 49 years.
People who have a weakened immune system or who have chronic heart, lung, kidney, or metabolic disease should not use the intranasal spray since it contains live virus that has been weakened. Household contacts of those who have severely weakened immune systems should also not receive the intranasal spray.
The influenza viruses change every year, which means that a reformulated vaccine must be given every year (in the fall). In the first year that a child (younger than age 10 years) receives the vaccine, two doses are recommended; the second dose is given at least one month after the first. The influenza vaccine does not prevent illnesses such as the common cold or strep throat.
Influenza vaccine precautions — Both forms of the influenza vaccine are prepared with chicken eggs. Thus, children who have had a severe allergic reaction to chicken or egg proteins should not be given the vaccine (show table 4). However, for children with a history of these allergies, the vaccine may be given under supervision of an allergist.
Injectable influenza vaccine precautions — Vaccination may be delayed in children with a fever until their symptoms have resolved. However, immunization does not need to be delayed in children with mild illnesses that do not cause a fever. The most common side effect of the injectable vaccine is redness and soreness at the injection site. A low-grade fever may develop after vaccination, particularly in children younger than 2 years.
Nasal spray influenza vaccine precautions — The nasal spray form of influenza vaccine is not recommended for children who take aspirin daily and those with a weakened immune system, Guillain-Barré syndrome, asthma, and other conditions (eg, chronic lung or heart problems, pregnancy, chronic metabolic disease, kidney dysfunction, and blood disorders). The nasal spray vaccine is not recommended for children younger than 24 months.
Influenza vaccine effectiveness — The injectable influenza vaccine protects between 70 and 90 percent of healthy children from developing laboratory-confirmed influenza infection. The nasal spray vaccine protects about 87 percent of children between ages 5 and 7 years.

PNEUMOCOCCAL Immunizations

2010-01-06T07:08:00.000-08:00

Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) can cause serious infections, including meningitis and pneumonia, that can be fatal in young children. This also is true in older children with a chronic medical condition or a weakened immune system.
Before infants were routinely immunized against pneumococcus in the United States, there were approximately 17,000 cases of invasive disease each year among children younger than 5 years of age, including 700 cases of meningitis and 200 deaths.
Timing and dose — Children should receive a total of four doses of pneumococcal vaccine. Doses should be given at 2, 4, and 6 and 12 to 15 months of age. The first dose can be given as early as 6 weeks of age. For children who do not receive vaccinations on this schedule, a catch-up schedule is provided.
Pneumococcal vaccine precautions — The most common side effect of the vaccine is an injection site reaction (redness, pain) and fever.
Pneumococcal vaccine effectiveness — Pneumococcal vaccine is more than 90 percent effective in preventing invasive illness.

HAEMOPHILUS INFLUENZAE B (Hib) Immunizations

2010-01-05T07:07:00.000-08:00

Until the mid-1990s, Haemophilus influenzae serotype b (Hib) was the most common cause of bacterial meningitis (inflammation of the covering of the brain) in children. It was also responsible for other serious bacterial infections, including skin, throat, and joint infections. The widespread use of Hib vaccines in infancy has led to a dramatic decline in the incidence of invasive Hib disease in children. However, the disease remains common in countries that do not use the vaccine. Despite its name, Hib is not actually related to the influenza virus.
Timing and dose — There are several types of Hib vaccines available in the United States; one is given in three doses at 2, 4, and 6 months of age and as a booster dose at 12 to 15 months. The second type is given in two doses, at 2 and 4 months, and as a booster dose at 12 to 15 months of age. There are vaccines that combine the Hib vaccine with another vaccine, including Hib/hepatitis B vaccine and Hib/DTaP vaccine.
Hib vaccine precautions — There are no medical conditions that require a child to avoid receiving Hib vaccine, other than a severe allergic reaction to one of the vaccine components. Reactions (eg, fever, irritability) are uncommon after Hib vaccine. Local reactions, consisting of pain, redness, and/or swelling at the injection site occur in approximately 25 percent of children. Such local reactions usually are mild and resolve within 24 hours.
Hib vaccine effectiveness — Hib vaccines protect 95 to 100 percent of children from developing a serious infection caused by Hib.

ROTAVIRUS Immunizations

2010-01-04T07:05:00.000-08:00

Rotavirus is the single most important cause of severe diarrhea and dehydration in infants and young children. Immunization against rotavirus is recommended for all infants in the United States.Two vaccines (Rotateq/RV1, Rotarix/RV5) are available.
Timing and dose — The vaccine is in a liquid form and is given by mouth (not as a shot). The first dose of the vaccine should be given between 6 and 15 weeks of age, but not after 15 weeks. The number of doses (two or three) depends upon which vaccine is given:

RotaTeq/RV1 — Three doses of RV1 are recommended, given at 2, 4, and 6 months of age. The third dose of the vaccine should be given by 8 months of age.
Rotarix/RV5 — Two doses of RV5 are recommended, given at 2 and 4 months of age. The second dose should be given by 8 months of age.

Rotavirus vaccine precautions — Rotavirus vaccine should not be given to infants with HIV infection. In all infants, there is a small risk of diarrhea and vomiting in the week after the vaccine is given. If an infant develops abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, blood in the stool, or has a change in bowel movements after receiving the rotavirus vaccine, the parents should contact their child's healthcare provider immediately.
Rotavirus vaccine effectiveness — Rotavirus vaccine does not prevent diarrhea or vomiting caused by other bacteria or viruses, but it is very effective in preventing diarrhea caused by rotavirus. The vaccine protects about 98 percent of children from severe diarrhea related to rotavirus and about 74 percent of children from any diarrhea related to rotavirus.

DIPHTHERIA, TETANUS, PERTUSSIS Immunizations

2010-01-03T07:02:00.000-08:00

Diphtheria is a highly contagious disease caused by the toxin of a bacteria. It is usually transmitted via droplet particles that are coughed or sneezed into the air. The toxin can lead to damage of the kidneys, brain, nervous system, or heart.
Tetanus is another very serious infection that is caused by a bacterial toxin. The bacteria reside in soil and the intestinal tracts of certain mammals. It enters the body through an open wound, multiplies, and produces a toxin that can affect nerves controlling muscle activity. A common symptom of tetanus infection is stiffness of the jaw muscles ("lockjaw").
Pertussis, or whooping cough, is an upper respiratory illness caused by a bacteria. The organism is highly contagious, spreads easily and can cause serious illness, especially in infants.
Tetanus and diphtheria disease are rare in the United States because of the high numbers of people who have been immunized. However, the number of infants in the United States who are affected by pertussis is rising despite widespread vaccination. The good news is that infants who are immunized against pertussis disease are typically less ill than those who are not immunized.
Timing and dose — Combined diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis (DTaP) immunization is recommended for all children in the United States. The acellular form of pertussis vaccine (DTaP) has replaced the older form of pertussis vaccine (DTP), known as the whole cell vaccine. A total of five separate doses are recommended, at 2, 4, and 6 months of age, with the fourth dose given at 15 to 18 months and the fifth at 4 to 6 years of age.
Adolescents should receive a booster dose of tetanus diphtheria pertussis vaccine at 11 to 12 years of age (called Tdap). Subsequent doses are recommended at 10-year intervals throughout life.
DTaP and DTP vaccine precautions — Common side effects include injection site pain, redness, and swelling; fever; drowsiness; and loss of appetite. These reactions are more common after the fourth and fifth doses.
Children who have a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) or brain swelling within seven days of receiving the DTaP or DTP vaccine should not receive future doses of this vaccine.
If a child develops one of the following problems within 48 hours of receiving the diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine, the next vaccine should be given with caution. Temperature ≥ 104.8ºF, not related to a known cause Collapse or shock-like state Persistent, inconsolable crying lasting three hours or longer Seizure or convulsions within three days after the vaccine
In the event that one or more of these reactions occurs in an infant or young child, some experts recommend giving only the combination diphtheria-tetanus (DT) vaccine.
Parents should call their child's healthcare provider (for high fever or excessive crying) or emergency medical services (for collapse or seizures) if one or more of these reactions develop.
Children who develop other symptoms after receiving the vaccine, such as low-grade fever or irritability, can be given the vaccine at the next recommended interval.
To minimize the chance of a fever following a dose of this vaccine, some providers recommend giving acetaminophen to the child before the vaccine and, if needed, every four hours for 24 hours thereafter. This recommendation particularly applies to children with a personal or family history (siblings or parents) of seizures related to fever.
DTaP effectiveness — DTaP is a very effective vaccine that protects 80 to 85 percent from pertussis, 95 percent from diphtheria, and nearly 100 percent from tetanus. Because protection can fade over time, booster vaccines are needed at least every 10 years.

HEPATITIS B Immunizations

2010-01-02T07:00:00.000-08:00

Inflammation of the liver (hepatitis) can be caused by toxic drugs, chemical agents, and certain viral infections, including hepatitis B virus (HBV). Although the hepatitis B virus infection often resolves or causes no symptoms, HBV can cause chronic liver disease that leads to progressive liver scarring (cirrhosis) or liver cancer. HBV is transmitted by contact with an infected individual's body fluids, such as during unprotected sexual intercourse, by sharing contaminated needles, or from contact with contaminated blood or blood products. In addition, HBV can be transmitted from an infected pregnant woman to her baby. (See "Patient information: Hepatitis B").
Although most infants are not at high risk for becoming infected with HBV, immunizing during infancy is the most effective way to ensure lifetime protection.
Timing and dose — HBV vaccination is recommended for all children beginning at birth. The series also can be started at a later time. The vaccine requires three doses, with the first usually given a day or two after birth. The second and third doses are given one to two months later and then at 6 to 18 months of age.
Hepatitis B vaccine precautions — HBV vaccination is not recommended for people with a severe allergy to baker's yeast. The vaccine can be given to people with a history of multiple sclerosis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, autoimmune disease, or other chronic disorders, as well as to pregnant women.
HBV vaccine effectiveness — When given according to the recommended schedule, the HBV vaccine protects 98 to 100 percent of individuals from developing chronic hepatitis B infection.

Poliomyelitis Immunizations

2010-01-01T06:59:00.000-08:00

During the first half of the 20th century, poliomyelitis was a major cause of serious illness and death throughout the world. It is still a significant health problem in some developing countries. Before a vaccine was available, more than 20,000 cases of polio were reported in the United States per year. The primary signs of polio include muscle weakness, pain, and fatigue; ultimately, the illness can lead to paralysis and even death.
Vaccination of all children is recommended to avoid new outbreaks. In the United States, the polio vaccine is made from a killed virus and is injected (called IPV). In other countries, where polio disease is still a major problem, oral polio vaccine (OPV) is given.
Timing and dose
The injected polio vaccination series in the United States consists of four doses; the first and second doses are given at 2 and 4 months of age. The third dose is usually given at 6 to 18 months of age, and a fourth dose is routinely given at 4 to 6 years, before school entry. Children who miss a dose should be given the remaining doses.
Polio vaccine precautions
The injected polio vaccine should not be given to children who have a severe allergy to antibiotics contained in the vaccine, including neomycin, streptomycin, or polymyxin B. There is little to no risk of side effects (eg, swelling at injection site). There is no risk of developing poliomyelitis with the IPV vaccine currently used in the United States.
Polio vaccine effectiveness
When three doses of the polio vaccine are given, 99 percent of children develop immunity. Fortunately, even the one percent of children in the United States who do not develop immunity after being vaccinated are unlikely to develop polio. This is because of "herd immunity", meaning that most people who have been vaccinated against polio are immune, which protects even those who are not immune.

Recommendations and Treatments for Snoring

2008-07-17T01:09:00.000-07:00

There are various treatments for snoring, and these overlap with the treatments for OSAHS. Currently, there is no medication that consistently prevents or treats snoring in all snorers. Most of the nonsurgical therapies include modification or elimination of risk factors related to snoring and OSAHS.

Obesity has been consistently shown to be related to snoring and obstructive apnea.10 Therefore, a recommendation for weight loss is a common modality in the treatment of snoring and sleep apnea. The extent of weight loss that will reduce one's snoring is as yet unknown, but losing as little as 3 kg has been previously noted to be beneficial in reducing sleep apnea and its most common symptomp's snoring.
Avoidance of alcohol, especially immediately before bedtime, may be necessary to treat snoring. Snorers are recommended to avoid drinking alcohol 3 to 5 hours before going to bed.
Various medications may be helpful, including nasal lubricants, nasal decongestants, and anti-inflammatory drugs such as inhaled steroids, if nasal obstruction or congestion is present. This is especially common with allergic rhinitis and acute episodes of snoring.
Smoking has been linked to SDB. Smoking cessation is recommended for the treatment of snoring and OSAHS.
Sleeping in a lateral decubitus or side-lying position is recommended by most sleep experts. Although the result of such recommendations is unknown, techniques such as the sewing of tennis balls to the back of sleepwear or using a wedge-pillow to promote side-lying sleep can be instituted to prevent snoring related to a supine sleep position. (These therapies are not recommended for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea or hypopnea with hypoxemia.)
Nasal dilators are devices that are used to improve asymptomatic snoring and consist of external and internal devices placed on or in the nares. The external device is an adhesive strip that adheres to the nares and expands the nasal passage. An internal device is inserted into both nares and it splints the nasal passage open with its elastic action.
Oral appliances are also used to improve asymptomatic snoring. Oral appliances are divided into two categories: Tongue-retaining and mandibular-advancement devices. Oral appliances enlarge the oral airway by preventing the tongue from collapsing into the airway during sleep. Two types of oral appliances exist: Adjustable appliances, which allow the appliance to be titrated or advanced, and nonadjustable appliances, which are fixed.
Nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) prevents snoring, but patients with primary snoring show poor adherence to this therapy.

Surgical treatment for snoring includes nasal or pharyngeal surgery including laser and other experimental procedures.

Nasal and pharyngeal surgeries are commonly used to treat snoring when nonsurgical therapies fail. The reason why surgery is not recommended as a first-line treatment is related to the availability of nonsurgical measures and the uncertainty of the success of surgical procedures.
Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) and laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP) procedures involve full or partial uvulectomy with reconstructive surgery of the pharynx and/or palate. The best candidates for these types of surgeries are patients with primary snoring who are not obese and have abnormal anatomy including enlarged tonsils, adenoids, and small pharyngeal inlet. Interventions such as UPPP are not generally recommended as first-line therapy for sleep apnea.

What can you do to quit smoking?

2008-07-04T04:11:00.000-07:00

First, pick a date to quit. Quitting all at once is much more likely to succeed than trying to cut down gradually.
Tell your family and friends about your plans to quit, and ask for their support. Then, before stopping, throw away all your cigarettes, don't keep any where you live.
Before you stop smoking, think about the situations which make you want a cigarette. If you always smoke after a meal, plan what you'll do instead. If you smoke during certain tasks at work, figure out what can replace the cigarette.
Some people like to hold something in their hand in certain situations; substituting a pencil or pen can work for them.
Many feel comforted by having something in their mouth, sugar-free gum or candy, or carrot or celery sticks are good choices.
Some people use cigarettes to relax when they are stressed. Substituting walking, reading, or meditating can be a good alternative.
Many people need help to quit smoking. Help can come in several forms. Tell your doctor, who will advise about nicotine replacement therapy. Some general practices run smoking cessation clinics with specifically trained nursing staff. Being in a support programme makes it likelier you'll succeed.

Tips on Reducing the Amount of Fat in Diet

2008-07-04T04:10:00.002-07:00

Use spreads on bread sparingly; try replacing with jam, marmite, or pickles.
Use semi-skimmed or skimmed milk.
Eat low-fat dairy produce, diet yoghurts, half-fat or cottage cheeses, replace cream with yoghurt or custard.
Grill rather than fry and use small amounts of olive oil in cooking only when essential.
Avoid processed meats such as mince and sausages which are very high in fat; try replacing with soya products or mixing meat and soya together.
Remove fat and skin from meat before cooking.

How can I lose weight?

2008-07-04T04:10:00.001-07:00

Losing and maintaining weight loss is concerned with a gradual and permanent change in eating habits. This is helped by also increasing the amount of exercise you take.
Fad and very low calorie diets are unlikely to be a long-term solution. Aim to lose weight slowly and make small easy changes to your diet first and then build on your success by attempting further changes.
Do not underestimate the importance of small maintained changes such as reducing the amount of fat in your diet and be realistic about what you can change in any period of time, particularly if other life changes are occurring simultaneously.
Eat regular meals, think before having seconds and try to avoid eating in between meals.

What is a healthy diet?

2008-07-04T04:09:00.001-07:00

A variety of foods should be eaten and lower fat options and healthy cooking methods, such as grilling instead of frying, should be used.
Complex carbohydrates such as bread, rice, pasta, and potatoes. Try to eat wholemeal pasta, bread, and rice weekly.
At least 5 portions of fruits and vegetables a day. This includes fresh, frozen, dried, and tinned varieties (fruit juice counts as one portion).
Servings of low-fat dairy products a day. Use butter, margarine, and oils sparingly.
Women, especially teenagers, should eat plenty of calcium-containing foods, such as dairy produce, green vegetables, and fortified breads and cereal. Calcium builds strong bones and reduces the risk of osteoporosis.
Meat, fish, or other protein-rich foods such as beans and lentils, keeping to moderate amounts daily. Try to eat one portion of oily fish such as salmon once a week.
Women need more iron than men, found again in fortified cereals and bread and red meat, due to the loss through menstruation and pregnancy.

Strategy and the Fat Smoker; Doing What's Obvious But Not Easy

2008-07-02T08:31:00.000-07:00

Strategy and the Fat Smoker; Doing What's Obvious But Not Easy by David H Maister offers the reader the motivation, tools and wisdom to achieve more than we might ever have thought possible. This is essential reading for anyone determined to succeed.
We often (or even usually) know what we should be doing in both personal and professional life. We also know why we should be doing it and (often) how to do it. Figuring all that out is not too difficult. What is very hard is actually doing what you know to be good for you in the long-run, in spite of short-run temptations. The same is true for organizations. What is noteworthy is how similar (if not identical) most firms' strategies really are: provide outstanding client service, act like team players, provide a good place to work, invest in your future. No sensible firm (or person) would enunciate a strategy that advocated anything else. However, just because something is obvious does not make it easy. Real strategy lies not in figuring out what to do, but in devising ways to ensure that, compared to others, we actually do more of what everybody knows they should do.
This simple insight, if accepted, has profound implications for:

1. how organizations should think about strategy
2. how they should think about clients, marketing and selling and
3. how they should think about management.

In 18 chapters, Maister explores the fat smoker syndrome and how individuals, managers and organizations can overcome the temptations of the short-term and actually do what they already know is good for them.

About the Author
David Maister is widely acknowledged as one of the world's leading authorities on the management of professional service firms. For 25 years he has acted as a consultant to the most prominent professional firms around the world, on a wide variety of strategic and managerial issues. Prior to launching his consulting practice in 1985, he served on the faculty of the Harvard Business School. He is the author of the bestselling books Managing the Professional Service Firm (1993), True Professionalism (1997), The Trusted Advisor (2000), Practice What You Preach (2001) and First Among Equals (2002.)

Book Details

Hardcover: 288 pages
Publisher: The Spangle Press; 1st American Hardcover Ed edition (January 2, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0979845718
ISBN-13: 9780979845710
Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 1.2 inches
List Price: $29.99
Price: $19.79
You Save: $10.20 (34%)

Kiss Your Fat Goodbye: The Ultimate Guide to Losing Weight and Building a Healthy Body for Life

2008-07-01T08:27:00.000-07:00

Kiss Your Fat Goodbye: The Ultimate Guide to Losing Weight and Building a Healthy Body for Life by Gary Phd Null explores the science behind weight gain and provides an easy-to-follow weight-loss regimen based on all-natural nutrition, exercise, and holistic therapies. Complete with a thirty-one-day eating plan packed with delicious, low-fat recipes that can be tailored to your individual needs, Kiss Your Fat Goodbye shows you how to jump-start your metabolism and develop healthier, lifelong eating habits. You will learn how to:

Listen to your body and determine your unique dietary needs.
Use detoxification as the key to weight-loss success—safely and effectively.
Reduce with juice and blend a variety of slimming, health-enhancing beverages.
Use the 125 recipes in the eating plan to prepare appetizing, slenderizing dishes—from breakfast to dessert.
Choose vitamins and supplements that will boost your weight-loss efforts.
Develop a personalized exercise regimen—and stick with it.
Use stress management and self-actualization techniques to set personal goals, improve your body image, and stay positive and energized.

Best of all, with Kiss Your Fat Goodbye the inches and pounds you lose are secondary to what you gain: a lifetime of confidence, happiness, good eating, and good health.

About the Author
Gary Null, Ph.D., is the author of over fifty books, including the bestselling Gary Null’s Ultimate Anti-Aging Program, Power Aging, Get Healthy Now!, and The Complete Encyclopedia of Natural Healing. A highly sought-after lecturer and educator, and the manufacturer of his own line of vitamins and supplements, Null is the host of America’s longest-running nationally syndicated daily health program, “Natural Living with Gary Null.” He appears regularly on PBS and has been featured in numerous publications, including Time, Fitness, and Natural Health. He lives in New York City. You can visit Gary Null at his website: www.garynull.com.

Book Details

Paperback: 720 pages
Publisher: Broadway; 1 edition (February 28, 2006)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0767925173
ISBN-13: 9780767925174
Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 1.6 inches
List Price: $19.95
Price: $13.57
You Save: $6.38 (32%)

Home Treatment for Gestational Diabetes

2008-06-30T16:05:00.000-07:00

1. Getting regular exercise.
2. Checking your blood sugar.
3. Other aspects of your care:

If changing the way you eat and exercising do not control your blood sugar level, you may need to take daily insulin shots.
If you were overweight before you became pregnant, do not try to lose weight while you are pregnant. Ask your doctor how much weight you should gain during your pregnancy.
Your doctor may have you check kick counts and let him or her know if you think your baby has been moving less than usual. Most pregnant women can feel their baby move after the 18th week of pregnancy. Normally, a baby moves several times during the day. If you don't feel movement for what seems like a long time, lie on your left side for 30 minutes or longer. If you don't feel movement within 2 hours, call your doctor.
If you take insulin, it can cause your blood sugar to drop below the safe range. Even though very low blood sugar is rare in women who have gestational diabetes, it is important to know the symptoms of low blood sugar and have quick-sugar foods with you at all times.

The Wisdom of Menopause: Creating Physical and Emotional Health and Healing During the Change

2008-06-29T06:30:00.000-07:00

The Wisdom of Menopause: Creating Physical and Emotional Health and Healing During the Change 2nd Edition by Christiane Northrup shows:

How menopause jump-starts changes in the brain, issuing a dramatic wake-up call to body, mind, and emotions.
How to ensure the long-term health of breasts, bones, and heart.
How the body adjusts naturally to changing hormones.
Why bestselling drugs like Premarin may not be the best choice.
How to deal with metabolism shifts, weight gain, sexual problems, and appearance issues.
How to negotiate the challenges of “the empty nest” and midlife marriage.
And much more.

In a book destined to be a classic, Dr. Northrup shows women how they can make menopause a time of personal empowerment and positive energy–emerging wiser, healthier, and stronger in both mind and body than ever before.

Book Details

Paperback: 656 pages
Publisher: Bantam; 2nd edition (October 31, 2006)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0553384090
ISBN-13: 9780553384093
Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 1.4 inches
List Price: $20.00
Price: $13.60
You Save: $6.40 (32%)

1001 Tips for Living Well With Diabetes

2008-06-28T09:16:00.000-07:00

1001 Tips for Living Well With Diabetes by American Diabetes Association is all of the world’s best advice for excellent diabetes care rolled into one comprehensive volume. A compilation of ADA’s 10 bestselling 101 Tips series books, 1,001 Tips for Living Well with Diabetes provides head-to-toe coverage for managing diabetes and answers the most frequently asked questions of diabetes patients.
Here the experts at ADA give readers advice and suggestions to make living with diabetes easier, to stay healthy, and to fend off complications before they start. 1,001 Tips for Living Well with Diabetes covers everything from dealing with depression and stress to aging well in order to avoid common agerelated complications. People with diabetes will find tips for:

Eating healthy to lose weight and keep diabetes in check while still enjoying the foods they love.
Preventing common diabetes complications such as kidney disease, heart disease, and eye disease.
Improving blood sugar in order to avoid dangerous highs and lows.
Avoiding potentially lethal drug interactions as well as understanding the side effects.
Caring for their feet to prevent athlete’s foot, ulcers, and amputation.
And more.

About the Author
McGraw-Hill authors represent the leading experts in their fields and are dedicated to improving the lives, careers, and interests of readers worldwide.

Book Details

Paperback: 1100 pages
Publisher: American Diabetes Association; 1 edition (August 1, 2004)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1580402186
ISBN-13: 9781580402187
Dimensions: 8.7 x 6.1 x 1.9 inches
List Price: $19.95
Price: $15.56
You Save: $4.39 (22%)

If I'm So Smart, Why Can't I Lose Weight?: Tools to Get it Done

2008-06-27T08:04:00.000-07:00

If I'm So Smart, Why Can't I Lose Weight?: Tools to Get it Done by Brooke Castillo is a wholistic approach to learning the tools to deal with life without using food, except for fuel and no more than 20% joy. Innovative and inspiring, Brooke Castillo has been studying weight loss for over fifteen years. Always interested in helping people and in understanding what makes them tick, she studied psychology at Santa Clara University. Her own struggles and frustration with losing seventy-five pounds guided her into putting together her unique weight-loss program, which quickly showed astonishing results. A certified North Star Coach, trained by Dr. Martha Beck and her associates, Brooke has a thriving coaching practice where she works one-on-one with clients. Brooke Castillo also offers seminars and online weight loss packages. Brooke, her husband and her two children live in Folsom, California.

Book Details

Paperback: 248 pages
Publisher: BookSurge Publishing (April 27, 2006)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1419618474
ISBN-13: 9781419618475
Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.3 x 0.8 inches
List Price: $14.99
Price: $10.19
You Save: $4.80 (32%)

Eat Fat, Lose Fat: The Healthy Alternative to Trans Fats

2008-06-27T06:52:00.000-07:00

Eat Fat, Lose Fat: The Healthy Alternative to Trans Fats by Mary Enig and Sally Fallon flouts conventional wisdom by revealing that so-called healthy vegetable oils (such as corn and soybean) are in large part responsible for our national obesity and health crisis, while the saturated fats traditionally considered “harmful” (from such foods as coconut, butter, and meat) are essential to weight loss and health.
Just in time for the FDA’s new mandatory trans fats labeling, the three programs in this book, which features delicious recipes, show that eating healthy fats is the answer to losing weight and achieving good health for a lifetime.

About the Author
DR. MARY ENIG is a world-renowned biochemist and nutritionist, best known for her early protests against trans fats more than twenty-five years ago. She is the coauthor, with Sally Fallon, of the bestselling Nourishing Traditions.
SALLY FALLON is the founder and president of the Weston A. Price Foundation, a nonprofit organization that boasts over 300 chapters throughout the United States and abroad. The Weston Price quarterly journal, Wise Traditions, reaches 6,500 subscribers per issue.

Book Details

Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Plume (March 28, 2006)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0452285666
ISBN-13: 9780452285668
Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
List Price: $15.00
Price: $10.20
You Save: $4.80 (32%)

Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom: Creating Physical and Emotional Health and Healing

2008-06-26T06:46:00.000-07:00

Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom: Creating Physical and Emotional Health and Healing 3rd Edition by Christiane Northrup covers the treatment of many physical concerns--among them PMS, menstrual cramps, breast cancer, fibroids, endometriosis, infertility, depression, childbirth, abortion, cystitis, and menopause--explaining how many of these physical problems have roots in emotional upsets. For example, a woman who is unhappy with her marriage may be infertile because deep down, she knows that her husband is not the right man to have children with; a teenager who has cramps may be having problems accepting society's expectations of her as a woman.

Some readers may be put off at first by Northrup's obviously unconventional ways of thinking. Her medical approach is decidedly feminist, blaming our "addictive" and patriarchal society for many of the health problems plaguing women. She clearly illustrates her ideas, however, by drawing upon two decades of experience from her medical practice and citing dozens of her patients' remarkable personal stories. Northrup also delineates the best way to go about tuning in to one's body and mind in order to start the healing process, a self-induced therapy of sorts. She also includes in the book a copy of the eye-opening health inventory she gives her clients. It includes unusual questions such as "Are you bored with your life?" and "Do you have enough friends or neighbors?"
This book will be of special benefit to women who are pregnant or entering menopause. Northrup is an unequivocal believer in natural births and her dialogue on the birthing process will remove the fears of even the most petrified mother-to-be. She criticizes episiotomies (she should know; she's given birth without one) and supports midwifery. She also warns against the harmfulness of cesarean births and includes illustrations of acupressure points that help turn around a breech baby.
For women in perimenopause or menopause, Northrup will help turn this life phase into one of peace and personal growth instead of one of suffering. She was one of the first doctors to use natural progesterone to treat menopausal symptoms, and this revised edition includes a clear primer on the latest in hormone replacement therapy and how to determine if it's right for you. Northrup also expounds upon the benefits of acupuncture and herbalism--as well as emotional self-analysis--for alleviating hot flashes and mood swings.

Book Details

Paperback: 944 pages
Publisher: Bantam; 3 edition (October 31, 2006)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0553384104
ISBN-13: 9780553384109
Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.3 x 2.2 inches

List Price: $20.00

Tips to Prevent Gestational Diabetes

2008-06-25T16:00:00.000-07:00

For some women, gestational diabetes can not be prevented. But you may be less able to obtain gestational diabetes by staying at a healthy weight and not gaining too much weight during pregnancy. Regular exercise may also help prevent blood sugar within a safe area and to prevent gestational diabetes.
If you have a history of gestational diabetes, you are in danger of developing it again in the future pregnancy. You are also the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, a permanent form of diabetes. One of the best ways to prevent the development of gestational diabetes is once again remain in a healthy weight.
If you have a history of gestational diabetes, drugs, which increase resistance to insulin, such as niacin and glucocorticoid drugs (such as prednisone, and dexamethasone). It is also a good idea to prevent the progestin-only birth control pills, because they may increase the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. The low dose combination birth control pills with estrogen and progestin are not linked with increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Talk to your doctor about the fact that the best means of prevention for the you.
A baby who was born, a woman with gestational diabetes, the risk is overweight and for the development of type 2 diabetes. If you are able to breast-feed your baby, and in May, less than a coincidence that he is overweight. If a child grows older, encourage him or her to eat healthy foods and exercise regularly to the Prevention of type 2 diabetes.

Dr. Susan Love's Menopause and Hormone Book: Making Informed Choices

2008-06-25T10:42:00.000-07:00

Dr. Susan Love's Menopause and Hormone Book: Making Informed Choices 2nd Edition by Susan M. Love and Karen Lindsey praised by Newsday as “the bible for a whole generation of menopausal women,” renowned physician and pioneering women’s health advocate Dr. Susan Love warned about the potential dangers of the long-term prescription of hormone replacement therapy. Her insightful words of caution have been backed up by the stunning results of the recent studies on hormone replacement.
In this revised edition, Dr. Love offers a remarkably clear set of guidelines as to what the studies have shown about the risks regarding heart disease, breast cancer, stroke, and other conditions, and what effect hormone therapy has on osteoporosis. She offers definitive expert advice about whether or not to go on hormone replacement therapy and, if so, for how long, as well as how to taper off hormones; and she introduces the alternative methods for treating the symptoms of menopause.
Dr. Love stresses that menopause is not a disease that needs to be cured—it is a natural life stage, and every woman ought to choose her own mix of options for coping with symptoms. A questionnaire about your own health history and life preferences helps you develop a program that will best fit your unique needs. With clarity and compassion, she walks you through every option for both the short and the long term, including:

lifestyle changes (diet, exercise, and stress management)
alternative therapies (including herbs and homeopathic remedies)
available medications other than hormones

About the Author
DR. SUSAN LOVE, M.D., is an adjunct professor of surgery at UCLA and the president of the Susan Love, M.D., Breast Cancer Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the eradication of breast cancer. She is the author, with Karen Lindsey, of the renowned Dr. Susan Love’s Breast Book. She lives in Los Angeles.

Book Details

Paperback: 160 pages
Publisher: The Johns Hopkins University Press; second edition (October 4, 2004)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0801880130
ISBN-13: 9780801880131
Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
List Price: $16.95
Price: $11.53
You Save: $5.42 (32%)

Get Balanced-the Natural Way to Better Health with Superfoods

2008-06-24T09:43:00.000-07:00

Get Balanced-the Natural Way to Better Health with Superfoods by Jan Lovejoy is a comprehensive nutrition reference guide on superfoods and how they work in the body. Plus each chapter explains the physiological needs and processes of the human body in an easy to understand way.

About the Author
Passionate about nutrition, Jan Lovejoy travels far and wide educating audiences on the subject of healthy aging. Jan is a certified nutritionist, herbalist and cosmetologist, and in her first book she combines these many areas of expertise to offer the reader an easy-to-follow guide to healtherier eating and living. Founder of SGN Nutrition, jan is also the formulator of emerald Balance and X Balance, popular Superfood nutritional drinks. A healhy and vibrant grandmother, she currently lives, works and thrives in San Diego, California.

Book Details

Paperback: 242 pages
Publisher: SGN Nutrition; first edition (January 16, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0979180309
ISBN-13: 9780979180309
Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
List Price: $15.95

Fatness to Fitness: Former Fat Kid Reveals His Most Powerful Personal Strategies and Techniques to Help You Quickly and Safely Achieve Permanent Fitne

2008-06-23T09:30:00.000-07:00

Fatness to Fitness: Former Fat Kid Reveals His Most Powerful Personal Strategies and Techniques to Help You Quickly and Safely Achieve Permanent Fitness Success by Joey Atlas will deliver you to eternal fitness success. From world famous exercise physiologist, Joey Atlas, comes a book that many people have been waiting very patiently for. When an author 'throws in' almost $300 worth of free bonus materials, including a 3-level, home exercise DVD - you know the motivation is to truly help the reader succeed. Visit - YourFitnessBook.com/amazon - for free bonus package details.
Blending the trials and tribulations of his own life with 21 years of hands on experience in working with hundreds of clients and a complete education in the form and function of the human body - Joey delivers not just a book - but a tool that you will turn to time and time again for solid guidance, clear direction and powerful inspiration.
Often referred to as 'the trainer's trainer' - Joey earned this informal title by helping the every day person cut through the hype and nonsense that floods the markets, with his simplified, but extremely effective approach to lifelong fitness success. Word from 'the masses' about Joey kept finding it's way to fitness pros - and a steady rise in demand for his articles and fitness DVDs prompted him to realize that his perspective on the mind-body connection, habits of nutrition and methods of exercise needed to be put in book form and made available to the world.

Book Details

Paperback: 144 pages
Publisher: Underdog Press (May 22, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1605305154
ISBN-13: 9781605305158
Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.5 inches
List Price: $17.77

Breast Cancer Answers: Practical Tips And Personal Advice From A Survivor

2008-06-22T03:55:00.000-07:00

Breast Cancer Answers: Practical Tips And Personal Advice From A Survivor by Judith King.
Judy King has walked the path, seen the benefits, and dealt with the limits of the medical establishment's approach to breast cancer. Now she has written the book she wishes she had, one that will help the newly diagnosed understand the ins and outs of a wide variety of procedures and stages of the journey, as well as where to look for help from within and outside traditional medicine. Breast Cancer Answers is not a panacea, but it will certainly ease the burden of the hundreds of thousands who will, unfortunately, join her journey. Many breast cancer books and Websites offer limited help, but none compiles the wisdom of so many cancer survivors and experts into an easy-to-search reference book like Breast Cancer Answers. This book tells you how to deal with work concerns, insurance and relational issues, special nutritional and emotional needs, and side effects of treatments. Like a trusted confidant, it addresses topics you may be embarrassed to discuss with your doctor or even your best friend, such as depression and changes in sexuality. Three years of research, interviews with experts, a caring support group, conversations with dozens of breast cancer patients, and Judy's own experience provide the abundant help found in Breast Cancer Answers.

Book Details

Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: New Page Books (September 2004)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1564147576
ISBN-13: 9781564147578
Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.8 inches

The Only Menopause Guide You'll Need

2008-06-21T06:39:00.000-07:00

The Only Menopause Guide You'll Need 2nd Edition by Michele C. Moore helps patients make informed treatment choices and offers a balanced account of options that range from traditional medical practice to holistic and alternative approaches.
Drawing on her own experience as well the experiences of friends, colleagues, and patients, Dr. Moore provides information about the symptoms of perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause. Her analysis of treatment options includes lifestyle changes and herbal and homeopathic remedies in addition to allopathic medicine. Above all, she encourages patients to participate actively in their own health care, accept responsibility for their choices, and cope with the consequences of those choices while remaining proactive. She also emphasizes the need for each woman to monitor her health condition closely and to reassess her situation as her health needs change through the years.
Sympathetic and authoritative, this helpful books prepares women to deal with the inevitable changes in body, mind, and spirit that accompany menopause.

About the Author
Michele Moore, M.D., is a physician in private practice in Keene, New Hampshire. Her practice emphasizes integrated preventive health care, focusing on chronic illnesses, allergies, environmental medicine, and acupuncture. She has written and lectured extensively on women's health care and holistic medicine.

Book Details

Paperback: 160 pages
Publisher: The Johns Hopkins University Press; second edition edition (October 4, 2004)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0801880130
ISBN-13: 9780801880131
Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
List Price: $15.95
Price: $10.85
You Save: $5.10 (32%)

Tips to Prevent Diabetes Problems

2008-06-17T15:51:00.000-07:00

You can do many things to prevent diabetes problems. For example:

To keep your feet healthy, check them each day.
Ask your health care team whether you should take a low-dose aspirin every day to lower your risk for heart disease.
To keep your eyes healthy, visit an eye care professional once a year for a complete eye examination that includes using drops in your eyes to dilate the pupils.
Make sure your doctor checks your urine for protein every year.
At least once a year, your blood creatinine level should be checked.
Also once a year, your health care provider should do a complete foot exam.

101 Tips for a Healthy Pregnancy with Diabetes

2008-06-17T01:23:00.000-07:00

101 Tips for a Healthy Pregnancy with Diabetes by Patti Bazel Geil, Patricia Geil and Laura Hieronymus helps women with diabetes cope with pregnancy using a quick, easy-to-read question-&-answer format. 101 Tips for a Healthy Pregnancy with Diabetes offers tips on topics such as prepregnancy; nutrition; managing medication; managing diabetes during pregnancy; making it through labor; postpartum; and much more.

Book Info
(American Diabetes Association) Consumer text provides helpful tips and advice pertaining to managing diabetes while pregnant. Easy-to-read, question/answer format covers such topics as prepregnancy, nutrition, medication, diabetes care, labor, and postpartum care. Softcover.

About the Author
Patti B. Geil, M.S., R.D., F.A.D.A., C.D.E. and Laura B. Hieronymous, R.N., M.S.Ed., C.P.T., C.D.E. have many years of professional and personal experience with diabetes and pregnancy. They have collaborated on several articles and public presentations on the topic of diabetes and pregnancy.
Patti Geil has written several other books for the American Diabetes Association.

Book Details

Paperback: 128 pages
Publisher: American Diabetes Association; 1 edition (August 7, 2003)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1580401309
ISBN-13: 9781580401302
Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.5 inches

List Price: $14.95

The Top 100 Health Tips: 100 Essential Foods and Recipes

2008-06-17T00:47:00.000-07:00

With The Top 100 Health Tips: 100 Essential Foods and Recipes by Janet Wright, you’ll not only improve the way you look and feel, but even potentially reverse years of declining health! Featuring 100 color photographs, this guide to eating wisely offers simple ways to get more exercise and change detrimental lifestyle habits. From choosing foods to detoxifing the body, the ideas include natural remedies and nutritional supplements that can clear the mind, strengthen the immune system, regulate emotions, and boost memory. There are also secrets of common herbs and spices that hold tremendous promise for reversing the aging process, alongside specific tactics and recipes for fighting insomnia, lowering stress, and treating conditions such as eczema.

Book Details

Paperback: 128 pages
Publisher: Duncan Baird; 1 edition (January 1, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1844835219
ISBN-13: 9781844835218
Dimensions: 6.6 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
List Price: $9.95

Things to Do Every Day for Good Diabetes Care

2008-06-14T15:56:00.000-07:00

Taking care of diabetes is a team effort between you and your health care team—doctor, diabetes nurse educator, diabetes dietitian educator, pharmacist, and others. You are the most important member of the team. Here are what you should do:

Follow the healthy eating plan that you and your doctor or dietitian have worked out.
Be active a total of 30 minutes most days. Ask your doctor what activities are best for you.
Take your medicines as directed.
Check your blood glucose every day. Each time you check your blood glucose, write the number in your record book.
Check your feet every day for cuts, blisters, sores, swelling, redness, or sore toenails.
Brush and floss your teeth every day.
Control your blood pressure and cholesterol.
Don’t smoke.

Weight-Bearing Exercise for Your Strong Bones

2008-06-14T15:39:00.000-07:00

What are the best ways to exercise and improve your bone health -- even when you have osteoporosis? Try weight-bearing workouts that stress bones and muscles more than your everyday life. Talk to your doctor and make sure the workout you choose is safe for you. Then give these latest trends a try!

1. Tai Chi
Tai chi -- a form of slow, graceful moves -- builds both coordination and strong bones. A study reported in Physician and Sportsmedicine found that tai chi could slow bone loss in postmenopausal women. The women, who did 45 minutes of tai chi a day, five days a week for a year, enjoyed a rate of bone loss up to three-and-a-half times slower than the non-tai-chi group. Their bone health gains showed up on bone mineral density tests.

2. Yoga
A study reported in Yoga Journal found an increase in bone mineral density in the spine for women who did yoga regularly. From the slow, precise Iyengar style to the athletic, vigorous ashtanga, yoga can build bone health in your hips, spine, and wrists -- the bones most vulnerable to fracture.
Standing poses like Warrior I and II work the large bones of the hips and legs, while poses like Downward Dog work the wrists, arms, and shoulders. Both the Cobra and Locust poses, which work the back muscles, may preserve the health of the spine. Yoga also sharpens your balance, coordination, concentration, and body awareness -- and thus helps prevent falls.

3. Brisk Walking
Walking is a great way to revamp your bone health. A study of nurses found that walking four hours a week gave them a 41% lower risk of hip fractures, compared to walking less than an hour a week. Brisk walking is best, but you can adapt your speed to your current fitness level.

4. Golf
Maybe you've always thought golf was for old folks -- people who could no longer do "real" sports. Think again. Shouldering that golf bag around 18 holes, and swinging the big clubs to drive the ball long, adds up to a lot of upper-body work. And all that walking, and chasing balls lost in the rough, means plenty of work for your hips and spine. Golf gives "weight-bearing exercise" a whole new name.

5. Dancing
We're talking the hottest trends in salsa, samba, Lindy hop, rhumba, East coast swing, foxtrot, and tango. Use those hips to get your heart pumping in more ways than one, and build strong bones while you're at it. Or try the newest aerobics, kickboxing, or step class at your health club or local Y. New classes emerge every few months to keep members motivated. A lot of them now combine strength training with dance or step moves -- and will perk up your balance as well.

6. Hiking
The work of weight-bearing -- and the impact as your feet hit the ground -- can increase bone density, especially in your hips. It's just like walking, and then some. You'll get even more impact on those bones if you're going uphill or downhill, and that can improve bone health even more. More impact on your feet and legs translates into more bone density, says the surgeon general.
And with hiking, boredom is rarely an issue. You're often socializing and meeting new people, as well as expanding your horizons as you see new landscapes.

7. Racquet Sports
Tennis, squash, and paddle tennis can rally your bone density. You're stressing your racquet arm, wrist, and shoulder every time you hit the ball, and working your hips and spine with all that running around -- and chasing down wild balls. If you're going for racquet sports, go for singles. You'll get a lot more from your workout in terms of bone health, since you'll be running around more.

8. Strength Training
Lifting weights, using the weight machines at your health club, or doing calisthenics, are forms of strength or resistance training. You're working against some form of resistance -- whether it's a set of "free" weights, your own body weight, or weight machines -- to stress a sequence of muscles and bones. Strength training at least twice a week, says the surgeon general, is needed to stimulate bone growth.

Every gym has a trainer who can design a workout for your legs, back, shoulders, and arms. One that's right for your fitness level and can rally your bone health.

Exercise in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus

2008-04-27T17:25:00.000-07:00

Exercise has long been recognized as an important factor for the treatment of diabetes mellitus. Before the discovery of insulin, patients with diabetes, particularly those with Type 1 diabetes, were very limited in their ability to exercise, because it was almost impossible for them to avoid dehydration and ketosis. After treatment with insulin was established as a mainstay of treatment, the exercise is no longer an elusive activities. With their ability to exercise, it became clear that hypoglycemia is often developed in the immediate post-exercise period and during the 24 hours after exercise. It was also acknowledged that ketosis could be induced by exercise in patients with poor glucose control and that even patients with excellent control sometimes develop hyperglycaemia after vigorous exercise. As our understanding of exercise in patients with type 1 diabetes has increased, the goal was to manage homeostasis glucose metabolism and fuel so that patients can participate fully in all forms of exercise.
Improvements in glucose-monitoring technology have further contributed to the feasibility of active physical exercise programs for people with diabetes. In particular, personal blood glucose monitors have allowed patients to follow their blood glucose levels closely and thus readily develop individualized exercise regimens. This has made it much easier for individuals with diabetes to participate in competitive sports or endurance activities such as marathon running. It is important to address strategies for avoiding hypoglycemia (both during and after exercise), as well as hyperglycemia and ketosis, with all patients before they embark on routine exercise.
Patients with type 2 diabetes clearly benefit from frequent exercise. Physical activity plays an important part in the treatment strategy in these patients, as it decreases obesity and lowers blood pressure while improving insulin sensitivity, long-term glycemic control, and blood lipid profiles. Because of the risk of exercise unmasking ischemia as well as causing soft tissue and joint injury or retinal hemorrhage, it is critical that all patients have a complete history and physical examination before they engage in moderate or vigorous activity.
For all patients with diabetes, physician-patient interaction is key to establishing a successful exercise program. A team approach that involves coordination among exercise physiologists, nutritionists, diabetes educators, the physician, and the patient is usually the most effective way to create an individualized exercise regimen that provides benefits to the patient while avoiding potential harm.

How to Look for Melanoma

2007-07-28T13:22:00.002-07:00

Examine your body front and back in the mirror, then right and left sides with arms raised.
Bend your elbows and carefully look at your palms, forearms, and under your upper arms.
Look at the backs of your legs and feet, the spaces between your toes, and the soles of your feet.
Examine the back of your neck and scalp with a hand mirror. Part your hair for a closer look.
Finally, check your back and buttocks with a mirror.

Tips to Lower Cancer Risk

2007-07-28T13:22:00.001-07:00

cancer will probably to be the most common cause of death among adult. So that, it's very important to explore ways of reducing the risk of developing cancer. The American Cancer SOciety recommends the following dietary precautions to help reduce the risk of getting cancer:

Avoid obesity.
Reduce total fat intake.
Eat a wide variety of vegetables such as cauliflower, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts, which contain phytochemicals, known to reduce the risk of cancer, and fruits that are high in vitamin A, vitamin C, and fiber.
Avoid smoked, salt-cured, and nitrate-cured foods.
Limit alcohol consumption.

Tips To Prevent Or Alleviate Dry Itchy Abdomen During Pregnancy

2007-07-28T13:20:00.000-07:00

You should keep your abdomen moisturized.
You can also use anti-itch cream such as calamine lotion to help provide more relief.
Cholestasis can be treated with medications. To help alleviate PUPP (Pruritic Urticarial Papules and Plagues) your health care provider can prescribe oral medicine and anti-itch creams.
Try taking a nice oatmeal bath to help relieve some of the discomfort.

Source : AmericanPregnancy.org

Tips To Prevent Varicose Veins During Pregnancy

2007-07-28T13:19:00.001-07:00

Avoid standing for long periods of time
Walk as much as possible to help the blood return to your heart
Always prop your feet up on a stool when sitting
Avoid sitting for long periods of time
Wear support stockings
Get enough vitamin C (this helps keeps your veins healthy and elastic)
Sit with your legs higher than your head for at least half an hour a day.
Avoid excessive weight gain

Source : AmericanPregnancy.org

Tips To Increase Your Milk Supply

2007-07-28T13:18:00.000-07:00

Try to eat well and drink enough fluids. You need a minimum of 2700 calories each day while you are lactating.
Nurse frequently, for as long as your baby will nurse. Try to get in a minimum of 8 feedings in 24 hours, and more if possible.
Offer both breasts at each feeding. Try "switch nursing" - first feed your baby from one breast, then as your baby's sucking slows down, switch to the next breast. Repeat, until you have offered each breast twice. Then let your baby nurse for as long as he wants.
Try massaging and compressing the breast gently as you nurse. This can help the rich, higher calorie hind milk let down more efficiently.
Apply a hot (preferably damp) compress to your breasts before nursing.
Check your positioning to make sure that he is latching on properly. If the areola is not far enough back in his mouth, he may not be able to compress the milk sinuses effectively in order to release the milk.
Avoid bottles, if possible. You want your baby's sucking needs to be met at the breast. If your baby needs to be supplemented, try to use a cup, syringe, or tube feeding system, especially in the very beginning (babies under 2 weeks old).
If you want to increase your supply quickly, use a breast pump (preferably a double pump model) to express milk for 5-10 minutes after you nurse your baby, or a least 8 times in 24 hours.

Tips on Dealing with Toddlers

2007-07-28T13:17:00.000-07:00

Stop the power struggle by disengaging. Don't jump into the fray with a 2-year-old. Take a deep breath and stay calm.
Give toddlers limited choices instead of demands. Ask, "Would you like to pick up the books by yourself or would you like my help?"
Get children involved in working with you. Toddlers need power and autonomy. Instead of telling a toddler to stay out of the trash, ask him to help put something in the trash, and then close the lid.
Be specific and assertive, not vague and passive. Don't ask, "Why did you take those scissors? Can't you be nice?" Do say, "Give me the scissors. These are too sharp. They could cut you. I will get you a plastic pair."
Notice, don't judge. Noticing your children encourages them without classifying them as "good" or "bad." Instead of saying, "You are such a good boy," say "You showed your friend how to butter his bread without tearing it. That was helpful."
If your child struggles with a going-to-bed routine, take photographs of him putting on his pajamas, brushing his teeth, reading a book, and so on. Mount the photos on a "bedtime" poster and let the poster be the boss. Ask, "What do we do next in our good night routine?"
Take time to enjoy your children. Roll around with them, play with them, laugh with them.
Feed yourself positive messages. When faced with a conflict, don't tell yourself you can't handle it. Tell yourself that you will figure out what to do.

Tips To Prevent Stretch Marks During Pregnancy

2007-07-28T13:16:00.000-07:00

Exercising. Ask your health care provider about it.
Applying lotions that contain vitamin E and alpha hydroxy acids have been said to help in the prevention of stretch marks. These remedies have not been medically proven to have a direct effect on stretch marks, but it never hurts to try.
If you find that nothing is working for you, take comfort in knowing that these streaks will fade to silvery faint lines after delivery.

Source : AmericanPregnancy.org

Healthy Habits Strategies to Lose Weight For Life

2007-07-28T13:15:00.001-07:00

You can lose weight permanently. But, it is not easy to do. The important thing you should do is make a commitment to gradually implement healthier eating habits for the rest of your life. Here they are :

Eat a low fat, high carbohydrate diet.
Eat breakfast every day.
Eat five small meals throughout the day.
Do not restrict foods.
Limit sugar and bring on the fiber.
Take an exercise.
Stay away from gimmicks.
Change your lifestyle.
Recover from relapses quickly.
Keep a food journal.

Safety Tips For Using Anticoagulants

2007-07-28T13:13:00.000-07:00

Take the medication at the same time each day.
Check with your doctor before using nonprescription drugs, especially ones that contain aspirin.
Talk to your doctor before taking any vitamins or supplements.
Tell any new health professionals that you are taking medication that affects how your blood clots.
Be alert for signs of bleeding, and call the doctor immediately if any of the following symptoms occur: Blood in urine or red or tarry stools; Bleeding from the nose or gums or spitting up blood; New, excessive, or prolonged vaginal bleeding; and, Frequent, severe bruising or tiny red or purple spots on the skin.
Talk to your doctor about medications you are taking to find out how often you should have blood tests.
If you are taking ticlopidine, get frequent blood tests to check your white blood cell count during the first 3 months of treatment.

Tips To Prevent Children From Ear Infections

2007-07-28T13:11:00.000-07:00

Do not smoke around children.
Make sure your child does not go to sleep while sucking on a bottle.

Source : WebMD Medical Reference

Kitchen Beauty Tips for Beautiful Skin

2007-07-28T13:10:00.000-07:00

Lemon juice. Added to water, this makes a great facial toner.
Orange slices. Just rub a slice of orange on your face. The vitamin C in oranges will revive dull skin.
Vegetable shortening. This is great for eczema. Heat it in the microwave for 10 seconds, then slather it on.
Egg whites. For an instant facelift, dab egg whites over your face, sit stock still until it dries, then apply makeup.
Avocado. Mash one up, mix in a little lemon juice, and apply to face and neck and let it dry.
Rice flour. This is an "old-timey" secret. Put some in a compact. It is the best face powder money can buy.
Pumpkin. Out of the can, hold the sugar and cinnamon. It is a great conditioner for the face or whole body.
Parsley flakes. Put a few spoons in an ice cube tray section, add water, and freeze. Rub it on a pimple and it takes down swelling in a few minutes.
Coffee grounds. Actually, these are for the whole body, especially problem "rear" and thigh areas. Rub the grounds into your cellulite with a veggie brush. Then wrap with plastic wrap and sit for 15 minutes. Make sure you use full-octane coffee -- no decaf.
Eggs, honey, lemon juice. This is a mask for rough skin, not dry. Combine one egg, one tablespoon of honey, and a half teaspoon of lemon juice, apply with your fingers and leave it on 20-30 minutes, then rinse and apply freshener.
Beets. Cut the top off a beet and carry it in her purse as a lip stain.

Source : WebMD Medical Reference

How Much Physical Activity You Need

2007-07-28T13:09:00.000-07:00

The National Academies’ Institute of Medicine’s recommendation of 60 minutes of daily exercise to prevent weight gain.
The American College of Sports Medicine recommends a five to ten minutes warm up and then 30 to 45 minutes of continuous aerobic activity, such as swimming, biking, walking, dancing, or jogging, three to five times a week, with a stretch and cool down period in the last five to 10 minutes.
The ACSM also recommends weight training: at least one set (eight to 12 repetitions) each of eight to 10 different exercises, targeting the body's major muscle groups.
The surgeon general recommends accumulating 30 minutes of moderate intensity activity (hard enough to leave you feeling warm and slightly out of breath) on most, if not all, days of the week. You can do it in two bouts of 15 minutes, three bouts of 10 minutes, or one bout of 30 minutes. This recommendation emphasizes incorporating activity into your daily life, such as walking instead of taking the bus, parking your car farther from the mall and walking across the parking lot, taking stairs instead of the elevator, and washing your car by hand.

Tips To Have More Healthful Oral Hygiene During Pregnancy

2007-07-28T13:07:00.000-07:00

Good dental care is essential during pregnancy.
You should also keep your scheduled professional cleanings and discuss any problems with your dentist. Have at least one oral checkup with your dentist during pregnancy.
Use a daily or periodic warm salt water rinse (1 tea-spoon to 1 cup).
You should brush your teeth at least twice a day especially after vomiting from morning sickness and floss at least once a day. A soft toothbrush may cause less irritation to your gums.
Practice good nutrition.
Your gums usually return to normal following the delivery of your baby. The bleeding and sensitivity should diminish.
If swelling and irritation continue after delivery or get worse during your pregnancy, contact your dentist.
If gingivitis is left unchecked it may lead to a more serious form of gum disease called periodontitis. Periodontitis during pregnancy increases the chance of preterm birth. The good news is that with good oral hygiene and routine professional cleanings, there should be nothing for you to worry about.

Source : AmericanPregnancy.org

Tips To Treat Sciatic Nerve Pain During Pregnancy

2007-07-28T13:06:00.000-07:00

The simplest remedy is to lie on your side, opposite of the pain. This may help relieve the pressure on the nerve.
Avoid heavy lifting and minimize standing for long periods of time. If you experience pressure while standing, try elevating one foot and resting it on something. Swimming may also ease discomfort.
You may experience relief by applying heat or cold to the troubled area.
Your health care provider may recommend acetaminophen to relieve the pain.
It is important to contact your health care provider if the pain becomes constant, or increases in severity or frequency.

Source : AmericanPregnancy.org

Tips To Start Exercise

2007-07-28T13:05:00.001-07:00

If you always take the elevator, try the stairs.
If you try to park next to the door of wherever you're going, park farther away and walk.
If your habit is to eat at your desk, take a 10- to 20-minute walk first, then have your lunch (or take a walk after you eat).
Instead of watching TV all day Saturday and Sunday, plan active weekends. Go to the park, take a walking tour, ride your bike, or row a boat.

Source : WebMD Medical Reference

Tips to Get More Produce Power Into Your Diet

2007-07-28T13:03:00.000-07:00

Buy fresh produce in season.
Always keep a stash of frozen vegetables on hand, to toss into soups, salads, stews, and egg dishes or to microwave for an easy side dish.
Splurge on pre-washed, pre-cut fruits and veggies.
Experiment with new types of fruits and veggies -- like a broccoli slaw salad mix, or pomegranate juice. Remember that just because you didn't like certain fruits and veggies as a child doesn't mean you won't like them now.
Vary the texture. Kids tend to like raw, crunchy fruits and veggies with low-fat dip. Try shredding veggies to top sandwiches or salads.
Choose sweet potatoes over white potatoes for more potassium and beta carotene.
Go easy on sauces. Instead, flavor vegetables with fresh or dried herbs and a splash of lemon juice or balsamic vinegar.
Have a vegetarian meal at least once a week. It can be as simple as soup and salad, or a stir-fry meal.
Eat a salad full of fruits and/or veggies each night with dinner. Just go easy on the dressing and high-fat toppings.
Grill fruits and vegetables to make them sweeter and more delicious.
Chop, dice, or shred vegetables into muffins, stews, lasagna, meatloaf, and casseroles.
Use pureed vegetables to thicken soups, stews, gravies, and casseroles.
Decorate plates with edible garnishes, like cucumber twists, red pepper strips, or cantaloupe slices.
Keep a bowl of fruit on the counter and some cut-up vegetables in the refrigerator for healthy snacks.
Remember that while 100% fruit juice is a good choice, whole or cut-up fruit has the added benefit of fiber.
Add fruit to yogurt, pancakes, waffles, or cereal at breakfast.
Whip up a smoothie made with fruit and low-fat or nonfat yogurt for a quick, nourishing snack or meal.
Freeze grapes and bananas for a refreshing and cool treat.

Source : WebMD Medical Reference

Kitchen Beauty Tips for Hair

2007-07-28T13:01:00.000-07:00

Olive oil. Heat some extra virgin olive oil in the microwave for 10 seconds and apply to dry hair. Leave it on for about 10 minutes, and then shampoo.
Flat beer. Be sure to use beer that has lost its zing, or else heat fresh beer and allow it to cool. Wash your hair, pour it on, and comb.
Lemon juice. Wash hair and apply a tablespoon of lemon juice mixed with 2 ounces of strained liver. Wrap your head in a towel or wrap with plastic and sit under a warm dryer for 15 minutes. Rinse thoroughly.
Vinegar. Cider vinegar is good for brunettes, white vinegar for blondes. Four tablespoons in three glasses of warm water. Then use lots of cool water to remove the salady smell.
Lemons. Add juice of two lemons in two glasses of lukewarm water. If your hair does not tend to be dry, you can skip the rinse and let the sun add some highlights.

Source : WebMD Medical Reference

Safety Tips For Using Warfarin (such as Coumadin)

2007-07-28T13:00:00.000-07:00

Get regular blood tests to ensure that you are taking the right amount of medication.
Eat a balanced diet.
Do not suddenly change your intake of vitamin K–rich foods, such as broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, asparagus, lettuce, spinach, and some vegetable juices. It is most important to maintain a consistent level of vitamin K foods in your diet. Vitamin K can interfere with the action of warfarin, making it more likely that your blood will clot.
Avoid excessive use of alcohol. If you drink, do so only in moderation. Alcohol may increase the effect of warfarin.
Don't use tobacco of any kind.
Talk to your doctor before taking any vitamins or supplements. Do not take ginkgo biloba or garlic while using warfarin.
Avoid activities that have a high risk for injury, such as skiing, football, or other contact sports. If you are taking warfarin, an injury could result in excessive bleeding.
Wear a seat belt anytime you are traveling in a car.

Breastfeeding Tips

2007-07-28T12:58:00.000-07:00

Choose a comfortable place for breastfeeding. The more relaxed you are, the easier it will be. If you or your baby are easily distracted, find somewhere quiet.
You may feel dehydrated while breastfeeding so always keep a glass of water handy.
Holding your baby correctly when breastfeeding is essential so your arms and back do not get sore.
Bring your baby's head close to your breast and gently touch his cheek with your nipple. His head should turn towards your nipple. Then, gently brush his lip with your nipple to encourage him to latch on.
When your baby latches on correctly his mouth should cover the entire nipple and a large portion of the surrounding breast tissue. If latching hurts, break the suction by gently inserting a clean finger between the baby's gums and your nipple. Try again. Do not get discouraged if you (and your baby) find breastfeeding hard at first. This is quite normal.
Your baby will suck rhythmically for 10-15 minutes on each breast, but he may pause periodically. He should seem satisfied after nursing, and may fall asleep at the second breast.
Your newborn should nurse between 8-12 times in 24 hours, that is, every 2 to 3 hours. But some babies may nurse more frequently, even hourly. You may need to wake your newborn up for feedings because they may not demand to be fed often enough, especially during the first week or two.
After breastfeeding your baby, you should burp him to get rid of any swallowed air.

Baby Teething Tips

2007-07-28T12:56:00.000-07:00

Give your baby a mild pain reliever that is labeled for his or her specific age. For example, acetaminophen or ibuprofen may help relieve your baby's discomfort. Do not give aspirin to anyone younger than 20, because it has been linked to Reye's syndrome, a rare but serious disease.
Use a clean finger (or cold teething ring) to gently rub your baby's gum for about 2 minutes at a time. Many babies find this comforting, although they may objection at first.
Give safe objects for your baby to chew on, such as teething rings.

Source : WebMD Medical Reference

Beauty Products from the Medicine Cabinet or Fridge

2007-07-28T12:55:00.000-07:00

Hemorrhoid cream. The cream version, not the greasy one, can be used for undereye puffiness. Let it soak in and apply makeup. It is also good to de-puff the jawline.
White toothpaste. Regular toothpaste, not the gel kind, can be dabbed on pimples to dry them overnight.
Eye drops. If you do not have time to treat a pimple overnight, anti-reddening eye-drops can also be applied to pimples with a swab, left for 10 to 15 seconds, then makeup applied. The drops take the red right out, making the blemish coverable.
Vitamin K salve, available over the counter, helps prevent stretch marks.
Pepto-Bismol makes a great face-tightening mask. Let it dry, and then remove with warm water. It also helps seal the fate of cold sores.
Milk of magnesia. If your skin is oily, apply milk of magnesia and let it dry, then rinse before making up.
Baby wipes. Forget the expensive face cleansing pads or cloths. These work fine to remove grime and makeup.
Aspirin can be used to treat dandruff. In her book, The Model's Way to Beauty, Slenderness and Glowing Health, former Wilhelmina model Oleda Baker recommends mixing an inch of warm water in a coffee cup, dissolving 30 aspirin tablets and 1/2 tablespoon of baking soda, and applying the foaming concoction to your hair after shampooing. Leave it on for 15 minutes and then comb to work out flakes. Doing this every day for a week can eliminate dandruff.
Vaseline. No one is allergic to petroleum jelly and it makes an excellent moisturizer, especially around the eyes. The layer holds in moisture.

Source : WebMD Medical Reference

Dietary Guidelines for Americans

2007-05-15T11:29:00.001-07:00

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans are the most current and widely used guidelines. The newest version appeared in June 1, 2000 as the fifth edition of Nutrition and Your Health: Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Here they are :

Aim for healthy weight.
Exercise at least 30 minutes each day.
Make food choices based on the U.S. Department of Agriculture “food pyramid” diagram.
Eat a variety of grains daily, especially whole grains.
Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables daily.
Keep food safe to eat.
Choose a diet that is low in saturated fat and cholesterol and moderate in total fat.
Choose beverages and foods to moderate your intake sugars.
Choose and prepare foods with less salt.
Drink alcoholic beverage in moderation.

Dietary Guidelines for Americans

2007-05-15T11:29:00.000-07:00

Aim for healthy weight.
Exercise at least 30 minutes each day.
Make food choices based on the U.S. Department of Agriculture “food pyramid” diagram.
Eat a variety of grains daily, especially whole grains.
Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables daily.
Keep food safe to eat.
Choose a diet that is low in saturated fat and cholesterol and moderate in total fat.
Choose beverages and foods to moderate your intake sugars.
Choose and prepare foods with less salt.
Drink alcoholic beverage in moderation.

Tips for Keeping the Fat Content of The Diet Down

2007-05-15T08:06:00.000-07:00

Current dietary recommendations suggest that no more than 30 % of a person's total calories should come from fat. But, it's very difficult to do because there are a lot of fatty food that offered to us. How we can reduce the fat content of our meals? Here some tips to keep the fat content of our diet down:

Become familiar with today's food labels, and use the information provided to reduce the fat content of our meals.
Cut away and discard skin from meats such as chicken.
When eating out, don't order foods with cream-based sauces, such as fettucine alfredo.
Trim all visible fat from meat, both within the cut and along the edges.
Layer vegetables over baked potatoes to reduce any tendency to add butter, margerine, or sour cream.
Request salad dressing and other condiments on the side so that you can control the amount you use.
Eat more vegetables, fruits and breads in place of meats and cheeses.
Use jelly and apple butter in place of butter and margarine on toast, bread and bagels.

TIPS TO PREVENT ACNE FROM GETTING WORSE

2007-03-26T10:29:00.000-07:00

Wash your face gently, twice a day with warm water and a mild soap. This will help remove dead skin cells and excess oil that is clogging pores.

Avoid hard scrubbing, harsh soaps or alcohol-based products. They may irritate your skin and make acne worse.

Wash your hair everyday, if it is oily.

Try to avoid exposure to grease, such as working around frying foods.

Also stay away from pore-clogging cosmetics or hair products.

Do not picking or squeeze pimples usually causes more swelling and redness. It actually pushes the infection deeper into your skin.

Friction from athletic gear, such as bike helmets, backpacks, or tight collars, can cause acne to flare up, especially if you sweat. It may help to shower after any activity that causes heavy sweating.

TIPS TO GET YOU SLEEPING BETTER WITHOUT RESTLESS LEGS SYNDROME

2007-03-26T10:28:00.000-07:00

Avoid alcohol, nicotine and caffeine all together or at least for several hours before bedtime.

Take medications (prescription and nonprescription) only as directed by your doctor.

Exercise every day.

Stretch your legs at the beginning and end of each day.

Massage your legs regularly.

Avoid eating a heavy meal close to bedtime.

Maintain a regular sleep schedule.

Avoid daytime naps.

Use your bed only for sleeping.

Try not to use bedtime as worry time.

TIPS TO STOP SNORING

2007-03-26T10:26:00.000-07:00

Change your sleep position.

Sleeping on your sides maybe will help you stop snoring.

Try raising the head of your bed about 4 inches.

Lose 10% of your body weight to help stop snoring.

Avoid alcohol and sedatives to stop snoring.

Inhale steam before bed to stop snoring.

Try nasal strips to stop snoring.

TIPS TO PREVENT RINGWORM

2007-03-26T10:25:00.000-07:00

Do not share clothing, sports equipment, towels, or sheets.

Wash your clothes in hot water with fungus-killing (fungicidal) soap if you think you have been exposed to ringworm.

Wear slippers or sandals in locker rooms, showers, and public bathing areas.

Shower and shampoo thoroughly after any sport that requires skin-to-skin contact.

Wear loose-fitting cotton clothing.

Change your socks and underwear at least once a day.

Keep your skin clean and dry.

Always dry yourself completely after showers or baths.

Put your socks on before your underwear if you have athlete's foot, so that fungi do not spread from your feet to your groin.

Take your pet to the vet if it has patches of missing hair, which could be a sign of a fungal infection.

Apply talcum or other drying powder to the affected area daily to prevent ringworm from returning after treatment,