Follow these steps, and you'll be sleeping like a baby!
You've probably heard that you need eight hours of sleep a night to be healthy. However, if those eight hours are filled with light and restless sleep, it will probably be the equivalent of only a couple of hours. You need to fall into a deep sleep, and these steps will help you reach that goal.
Instructions
1. Practice deep breathing. Deep breathing will relax your entire body and slow down your heart rate. About half an hour before you go to bed, stop your activity and just sit or lie down. Then, breathe slowly and deeply. Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth.
2. Think about something funny. Laughter releases endorphins in your system, making you feel less stressed when you go to sleep. Read a joke book, or watch something funny like The Daily Show.
3. As you lie in bed, begin counting backwards from 99 to 1. Gently push any other thoughts out of your head and just focus on the numbers. If you lose track of where you were, just pick up from the last number you remember counting. If you get down to 1, you can start over from 99.
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Thyroid disease has become an extremely common ailment, and can happen frequently after the birth of a baby. Although postpartum thyroid disease is less serious than other types of thyroid diseases, and often can disappear entirely, it is important to understand the symptoms so that you can seek treatment for your thyroid.
Heart Palpitations
Heart palpitations feel like a fluttering in your heart muscle, and can indicate a thyroid hormone regulation problem.
Difficulty Losing Weight
Although gaining weight during pregnancy is very common, if you have difficulty losing the weight after your baby is born then you might have a postpartum thyroid dysfunction.
Racing Heartbeat
A racing heartbeat, especially while at rest, can be a symptom of a thyroid regulation problem and should be looked at by your doctor.
Cold Hands or Feet
If you continually have cold hands or feet, or feel cold while others do not, then you might have postpartum thyroid disease.
Thyroid Test
If you are worried that you may have a thyroid problem, check with your doctor about taking a thyroid test. A thyroid test is a simple blood test that will tell you for sure if you have postpartum thyroid disease.
Tags: have postpartum, have postpartum thyroid, thyroid disease, might have, might have postpartum
Raw vegetables provide enzymes that treat psoriasis naturally.
Natural remedies have been a staple of Asian and Native American cultures since their beginnings. Physicians frequently incorporate them into treatments. Scientists are discovering elements in them which explain why they work. Studies suggest individuals suffering from psoriasis can obtain relief with enzyme therapy. Enzyme therapy has also been shown to aid a long list of ailments including digestive disorders, skin problems, seizures, headaches, acne, diabetes, insomnia and various types of inflammation.
Psoriasis
The American Heritage Science Dictionary defines psoriasis as "a chronic, inflammatory skin disease in which recurring reddish patches, often covered with silvery scales, appear especially on the knees, elbow, scalp and trunk.... (It is) non-contagious and is inheritable."
Psoriasis varies in severity, size, spread and locations. In chronic cases, psoriasis can cover an individual's entire body.
According to the website Natural Cures For Psoriasis, more than 125 million people worldwide and 5 million in the United States are afflicted with the skin disease. Children whose parents have psoriasis are around 60 percent more likely to develop it themselves.
Plant Enzymes
In its natural state, food contains enzymes, vitamins and minerals. The enzymes found in raw food are in the proportion for proper digestion. Cooking, pasteurizing and canning destroy all the enzymes that were present in the food.
The four groups of plant enzymes are proteases, amylases, lipases and cellulases. Proteases work to break up protein chains into single amino acids. Amylases reduce sugars and some carbohydrates into sucrose, lactose and maltose. Lipases break down triglycerides or fat into separate fatty acids and glycerol. Cellulases work to digest the specific carbohydrate bonds found in fiber.
Diet
According to the Alternative Medicine Therapies website, while your diet does not have to include 100 percent raw food, your body cannot produce enzymes such as cellulase. Without enzymes, the body cannot produce the chemicals necessary to begin the digestion process and food is left behind in the body. The remaining food is converted into toxins and moves to the liver for detoxification. This process can lead to overuse of the liver and eventually lead to toxins within the colon.
Pre-packaged foods can actually block the enzymes necessary for your body to be healthy.
Psoriasis worsens when too many fat molecules are present within your immune system. Eating foods like nuts and raw vegetables can block fatty molecules from being able to form. It's important to avoid foods high in triglycerides.
Other Aids
The Natural Cures For Psoriasis website states that herbal products such as aloe vera, witch hazel, emu oil, neem oil, jojoba, mahonia aquifolium, capsaicum, tea tree oil and evening primrose oil soothe symptoms.
The website also states that proper amounts of dietary supplements such as milk thistle, burdock, yellow dock, mountain grape, sarsaparilla and red clover are known to improve the symptoms of psoriasis. Consult your physician before adding any supplements, as they may conflict with some prescription medications.
Breakthrough
Enzymes are so crucial to the treatment of psoriasis that a treatment made from the East Indian globe thistle represents one of the biggest breakthroughs.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) permitted Piramal Life Science Ltd. of India to begin a second clinical trial on its psoriasis treatment, tinefcon, in May 2010. Tinefcon is composed of partially purified plant extracts. Tinefcon is made from East Indian globe thistle and a Cdk-4 inhibitor.
Tags: body cannot, body cannot produce, cannot produce, Cures Psoriasis, East Indian
An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a medical condition in which the wall of the aorta, the main artery that pumps blood from the heart to the rest of the body, weakens and begins to bulge. Many AAA are small enough to require only monitoring and no treatment, but if the aneurysm is too large or growing too fast, treatment becomes imperative. The treatment for an AAA can be a minimally invasive procedure, or a major open-abdomen surgery.
Instructions
1. Talk to your doctor if you notice a pulsating mass in your belly. More likely, your doctor may discover AAA while testing for other health concerns, but often AAA are revealed through an abnormal X-ray. There are typically no symptoms. If your doctor suspects an aneurysm, she may order an ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or CT (computerized tomography) scan to confirm the diagnosis and measure the aneurysm.
2. Seek a second opinion to confirm the diagnosis and initial treatment plan. The aorta is about 1 inch in diameter. If the aneurysm is less than 2 inches, your doctor will usually recommend monitoring the aneurysm through regular ultrasound exams in order to ensure that it is not growing.
3. Ask your doctor why one treatment is better than another for you. There are two types of surgery for AAA. If the aneurysm is larger than 2.5 inches (5 cm) in diameter, or begins to grow quickly from one exam to the next, your doctor will likely recommend surgery. After that consultation, seek a second opinion before proceeding.
4. Ask your doctor about endovascular surgery, a minimally invasive procedure performed by an interventional radiologist. The surgery for AAA involves the physician making a small incision in your groin, inserting a catheter through it to the site of the AAA, and then through the catheter, positioning a tiny fabric tube called a stent graft within the aneurysm. The stent graft opens up and reinforces the wall of the aorta, so the blood flows through the tube and the weakened aortic wall can heal. This procedure uses sedation and epidural anesthesia, and involves an average hospital stay of about four days, followed by a recovery of about two weeks.
5. Ask about the risks and benefits associated with open-abdomen surgery. This method is often required for large AAA. Under general anesthesia, your surgeon will make a large incision from your breastbone to your pubic area and open your abdomen. He will clamp your aorta above the aneurysm, cut the aneurysm completely out and replace the damaged portion of your aorta with a graft, a tube designed to provide blood with a stronger, safer path. This surgery requires a hospital stay of eight to 10 days, followed by a recovery period of about a month and a half.
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Common medications combine to form the potentially addictive drug Lortab. The combination of the pain killer hydrocodone and acetaminophen, without close regulation, can lead to drug addiction. When doctor-prescribed, Lortab is usually taken once every five hours or so. Doctors only prescribe Lortab one month at a time to help prevent dependency. For addicts, help with Lortab addiction mimics most other chemical dependency treatments.
Instructions
1. Identify and recognize the problem. Without this step, treatment for Lortab addiction may not work. Those with a problem must recognize the problem. For those thinking they might have an addiction, one sign is visiting multiple doctors and different pharmacies to fill Lortab prescriptions. Friends and family members of someone with a Lortab addiction may notice mood swings and isolation from those closest to them.
2. Call your insurance company to see if it covers counseling or treatment centers for Lortab addiction. Check with your local Department of Health to see what types of programs are available for those without insurance. Treatment centers can cost thousands of dollars. Calling your insurance company to see what type of benefits you have for chemical dependency allows you to see how much money you need to come up with on your own.
3. Ask which treatment centers your health insurance plan approves for benefits. Some insurance plans only cover certain providers and won't pay for other providers or pay at a reduced rate. Once you get a list of approved Lortab addiction help providers, call the centers directly and ask if they still participate in your health insurance plan.
4. Utilize free Lortab addiction help if you don't have enough money or insurance. Withdrawal from Lortab creates non life-threatening symptoms. These symptoms include nausea, runny nose, muscle aches and sweating. Although patients can handle these symptoms on their own, supervision by a friend or family member for the first week gives the addict support. Once withdrawal symptoms subside, find a free, anonymous support group to stay clean. Churches and other religious centers usually have information about local support groups.
Tags: Lortab addiction, chemical dependency, addiction help, health insurance, health insurance plan
A child with ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, has difficulty concentrating. Because of this, he is more prone to inattention, boredom and daydreaming. Excessive daydreaming is often one of the first things that is noticed in a child with ADHD. While this can be annoying for the teacher or caretaker, some believe that daydreaming leads to ideas and solutions. Children with ADHD have often been hailed as creative or artistic.
Symptoms
Daydreaming is just one sign that a child may have ADHD. Some other symptoms are impulsiveness, disorganization, moodiness and hyperactivity.
Positive Aspects of Daydreaming
Daydreaming allows the child to enter a fantasy world and use her imagination. It lets the child explore her creativity (see Resources).
Negative Aspects of Daydreaming
Daydreaming can interfere with the child's ability to accomplish other tasks. It can also be a social barrier for the child if she daydreams excessively.
Medication
Many children are medicated to treat their ADHD symptoms. Some experience diminished symptoms, but still daydream often.
Solutions
Whether he is on medication or not, allowing the child time to daydream can help build his confidence and give him a mental break. It is also important that the child recognizes appropriate and inappropriate times for daydreaming.
Tags: with ADHD, Aspects Daydreaming, Aspects Daydreaming Daydreaming, child with, child with ADHD, Daydreaming Daydreaming
A thyroid tumor is a growth of excess cells that appears on the thyroid gland. A thyroid tumor can be cancerous or non-cancerous. The condition is normally diagnosed by your doctor using a physical examination, a blood test and a biopsy of the lumps that normally appear on the neck for a thyroid tumor.
Lumps
A thyroid tumor has the potential to create a series of noticeable lumps. One of the areas where you may find a lump associated with a thyroid tumor is in the front of your throat, around the area of your Adam's apple. You may also notice swollen lymph nodes on the base of your neck. These may seem similar to the swollen nodes you get when you have the flu.
Neck Pain
A thyroid tumor may make using your throat painful, or you may notice a pain in your neck that does not go away. You may find it difficult to swallow, and you may also feel pain when you try to breathe through your mouth. Your throat may start to feel raw and raspy, and your voice may become hoarse. If the condition is allowed to advance without treatment, it may become difficult to talk.
Cough
A cough is often a symptom for many different conditions, but it can also be a tell-tale sign of a thyroid tumor. You may develop a cough that initially seems harmless, but as the condition advances, the cough will become more prevalent and can become chronic. It could develop into a dry cough that can be very painful if the condition is left to develop without treatment.
Neck Stiffness
Aside from the pain experienced in the neck because of a thyroid tumor, there may be another set of neck symptoms that involve a different sensation. Your neck muscles may become tight and your neck may start to feel very stiff. As the tumor grows, you may feel as though there is something blocking your throat that cannot be resolved.
Treatment
A thyroid tumor and thyroid cancer are unique in their treatment because the primary initiative of treatment is usually surgery to remove the damaged part of the thyroid. Surgery to remove any part of the thyroid because of a thyroid tumor is called a thyroidectomy. In the case of a total thyroidectomy, in which the doctor must remove the entire thyroid to remove the tumor, you may be put on a regiment of radiation treatment to keep the cancer from spreading to other parts of the body.
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Meniere's Disease is a condition that causes intermittent symptoms of hearing loss, ringing in your ears and vertigo. While there is no cure for Meniere's Disease, doctors are often successful at controlling symptoms of the drug with medication.
Function
In the treatment of Meniere's Disease, doctors use medications to control symptoms of vertigo, such as motion sickness, nausea and vomiting. Additionally, diuretic drugs that help eliminate fluid from your body also remove excess fluid in your ears that contributes to Meniere's Disease.
Types
For vertigo, doctors prescribe meclizine, diazepam and prochlorperazine, reports the Mayo Clinic. Diuretics are usually paired for effectiveness, with triamterene and hydrochlorothiazide being the most commonly prescribed drugs for Meniere's Disease.
Time Frame
Treatments used for vertigo are usually short-term and meant to alleviate the symptom when it occurs. Diuretics are used long-term to help limit the frequency of all the symptoms caused by Meniere's Disease.
Risks
The most common side effect of the medications used to control vertigo is drowsiness. With diuretics, it is possible that levels of certain minerals like potassium will be flushed from your body along with excess fluid.
Considerations
While taking medications for vertigo, avoid drinking alcohol and do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how your medication affects you. If your doctor prescribes diuretics, try to increase your dietary intake of potassium by eating bananas, cantaloupe, oranges, spinach and sweet potatoes, suggests the Mayo Clinic.
Tags: Meniere Disease, Disease doctors, excess fluid, from your, from your body, Mayo Clinic
Of the various forms of porphyria, porphyria cutanea tarda is the most common. Although there is no porphyria registry in the U.S., the number of PCT sufferers in the U.S. is estimated at 1 in 25,000 to 50,000. Worldwide, the number of sufferers is highest in parts of Europe and Africa. PCT affects people of both genders and all races.
Definition
PCT is a chronic, autosomal dominant disorder. It is characterized by two traits: sunlight-sensitive skin and large quantities of uroporphyrin in the urine. It is often categorized in two types: sporadic and familial. In the sporadic, UROD uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase (UROD) deficiency occurs only in the hepatic cells (liver). The sporadic form (which accounts for about 80 percent of PCT cases) does not appear to be hereditary. In the familial, UROD occurs throughout the body. The familial form, accounting for about 20 percent of cases, is hereditary. UROD is a heme (blood) synthetic enzyme of the liver that involves the synthesis of blood's red pigment. The under-activity of this enzyme leads to an accumulation of porphyrins in the liver. This, in turn, leads to skin damage from the overproduced porphyrins, which are transported by the blood to the skin.
Signs and Symptoms
Typically, symptoms first appear in adulthood. The face, ears, forearms and backs of hands are especially sensitive and may be the first to exhibit signs. On these areas exposed to sunlight, chronic ulcerating lesions form, beginning as fluid-filled blisters. Sores may develop following relatively minor injuries. Where blisters heal, cysts may form. Changes in hair growth (increased facial hair) and coloring may also be noted. The skin around the eyes frequently develops mottled, brownish patches. In some cases, the skin becomes mechanically fragile, while in other cases, patches (especially on the neck, face and chest) may harden. Urine is typically darker than usual, having a reddish or tea-colored appearance. In severe cases, separation of the fingernails from the nail beds can occur.
Causes
Frequently, hepatitis viral infections are linked to PCT. Yet the underlying cause of PCT remains related to UROD activity during a critical point of hepatic heme synthesis. The disorder has also been associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Lastly, there is evidence of a genetic link--the presence of one or two hereditary hemochromatosis genes.
Treatment
As with any chronic condition, a doctor's treatment is advised. However, there are things a patient can do to help manage the condition. Patients with PCT can minimize flareups by avoiding alcohol, iron supplements, exposure to sunlight, and estrogen and chlorinated cyclic hydrocarbons, including those found in pesticides. Patients with PCT can also take simple preventive measures, such as always wearing sunblock and cover-up as much as possible. Even the use of tanning creams containing dihydroxyacetone may help block the sun's rays.
To deal with the problem of an overabundance of iron, doctors may treat patients by phlebotomy, a method that gradually reduces the amount of iron in the blood by removing some of the blood (typically a pint). The process is generally repeated until the patient is borderline anemic. Also, due to the link between PCT and hepatitis C, a doctor may treat the patient for hepatitis C. Chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine (drugs used to treat malaria) are other medications a doctor may prescribe.
Related
Porphyrias are generally grouped as either acute (hepatic) or cutaneous (erythropoietic). Acute porphyrias primarily affect the nervous system. In addition to the physical symptoms affecting the skin, abdominal pain, vomiting, seizures, hallucination and paranoia can occur. The associated pain can be both acute and chronic. In cutaneous porphyrias, the skin is mainly affected and there may not be abdominal pain. The lack of abdominal pain is a key factor in distinguishing cutaneous forms of porphyria from acute forms.
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Tooth gems are jewelry that's attached to the teeth, either permanently or semi-permanently, for the purpose of adornment and self-expression. A variety of tooth gems are worn by both males and females. A dentist may attach the gems in his office, or a do-it-yourselfer may attach them using an at-home kit.
Dentist Applied
When a dentist applies tooth gems using a dental adhesive, the bond can last as long as desired. There's no drilling or pain involved and the procedure takes about 20 minutes. Gems cause no harm to the teeth and can be removed at any time; however, they should be attached to natural teeth. Gems come in varieties such as sapphire, ruby, diamond, aquamarine and emerald.
At-Home Kits
A gem attached using an at-home kit lasts approximately one month. The procedure requires cleaning the tooth, etching the tooth, applying an adhesive and the gem. The tooth must remain dry to allow the adhesive and the gem to take hold. After each application of sealant over the gem, the area must be light-cured. There is one side effect associated with gem removal; adhesive residue may be left on the tooth. If it doesn't disappear after two weeks, call a dental professional.
Permanent Gems
To affix a gem permanently, a dentist must drill a small hole in the tooth. For this reason, the gem is difficult to remove later and when it is removed, the small hole remains in the tooth. This is something to keep in mind when deciding between permanent and semi-permanent tooth jewelry.
Gem Styles
Tooth gems come in various shapes, such as horseshoes, hearts, male and female signs, or small- and medium-sized crystals. You can place a gem on one tooth, or an entire row of teeth. The style and amount of tooth jewelry depends on the wearer's preference.
Oral Hygiene
The area around the gem must always be cleaned thoroughly; bacteria and food tend to collect around fittings in the mouth. Maintaining proper oral hygiene is important to prevent gum disease and cavities. Always remove the gem before having your teeth cleaned.
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Polymyositis is a connective tissue disease characterized by widespread muscle inflammation. If diagnosed with this rare muscle disease, you likely experience periods of intense muscle weakness, pain and fatigue. The exact cause of this condition is unknown. But fortunately, there are ways to treat symptoms and manage polymyositis.
Stop Inflammation With Medication
Widespread muscle inflammation is a common sign of polymyositis. And controlling this condition often calls for stopping the inflammation. Unfortunately, over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen will not improve this particular condition. Rather, you'll need a stronger anti-inflammatory to stop inflammation and muscle damage.
Doctors typically prescribe corticosteroids such as prednisone to reduce muscle inflammation. Along with prednisone, immunosuppressant drugs such as methotrexate are commonly used to treat polymyositis. Together, these medications decrease inflammation and ultimately lead to remission.
Bone loss is a side effect of long-term prednisone use. Talk to your doctor about Vitamin D and calcium supplements to promote bone health.
Stay Active
Even though polymyositis causes muscle weakness and fatigue, physical activity is crucial to overcoming this condition. Lack of movement can bring on stiffness and low energy. You don't have to engage in high-impact workouts or strenuous activities. Simple exercises such as walking around your block, pilates or swimming are enough to improve your muscle strength and fight tiredness.
Resolve to incorporate some type of activity into your daily routine. A good exercise program consists of 30 minutes of physical activity three to five times a week.
Get Plenty of Rest
Polymyositis is unpredictable. You may feel great and full of energy one day, and tired or sluggish the next day. Activity is perfect for boosting your energy level. But you will encounter periods of extreme fatigue and muscle pain. Rather than push yourself, rest your body and don't overdo it.
Adequate rest is essential to managing polymyositis. And lack of sleep or rest can worsen fatigue or bring on pain. Make it your aim to get a full night's rest--at least eight hours. Create an inviting sleep environment (temperature, television off, soothing background sounds), and stick with a regular sleep pattern. Go to bed and wake up at the same time each day, if possible. And most importantly, rest whenever necessary.
A weakened immune system opens the body to dangerous bacteria and viruses, which can threaten your health and well-being. To ward off such ailments, the immune system must be kept in optimal condition. To boost your immunity, consider integrating the principles of Ayurveda into your daily life.
Instructions
1. Recognize that the transition between seasons puts stress on the immune system and makes you more susceptible to illness. Take extra care of yourself during these transitions.
2. Enhance overall immune system function by engaging in cleansing routines. Eat light meals consisting of grains, vegetables and fruits for a few weeks during the autumn and spring. Drink lots of warm water to flush your system.
3. Focus on strengthening your immune system during the winter. Eat a solid diet consisting of warm food and drink. Soups, stews and warmed fruit maintain strength and boost immunity.
4. Cook with spices known to strengthen the functioning of the immune system, including cumin, fennel, coriander, turmeric and ginger.
5. Give yourself a warm oil massage daily. Follow with a warm shower or bath.
6. Get enough sleep to allow your organs to rejuvenate. Begin your nighttime routine with the sunset. Rise with the sunrise.
7. Integrate exercise such as yoga and walking into your daily routine. Regular exercise enhances circulation and consistently moves toxins out of the body.
Tags: immune system, Boost Immunity, Boost Immunity With, Immunity With, Immunity With Ayurveda, into your, into your daily
Finding out that you need dental surgery can be very stressful, given its common association with pain and discomfort. Dental surgeries include tooth extraction, dental implants or root canal procedures. If you are informed by your dentist that you require dental surgery, you can do the following in order to minimize your distress.
Instructions
1. Let your employer know that you need to have dental surgery done. Prior to the surgery, your dentist can give you a general idea about recovery times. Give your employer adequate notice so that you can take off the appropriate time to recover.
2. Ask for a price estimate prior to scheduling the surgery. You can submit this to your insurance company in order to determine ahead of time how much you will have to pay. Remember to check with your dental insurance company if the oral surgery needs to be precertified in order for benefits to be paid.
3. Head to the supermarket before you have your oral surgery performed. In order to make things go more smoothly following the procedure, shop for foods you are permitted to eat. You may need to eat soft foods, like gelatin, yogurt and pudding that do not require chewing
4. Review the instructions provided to you by the dentist. To ensure that things go smoothly, follow them implicitly. This may involve stopping certain medications prior to the procedure or not having anything to eat or drink if anesthesia is involved. You may also be given antibiotics to take beforehand to prevent infection.
5. Get emergency contact information from your oral surgeon's office. Keep these numbers in case you are having pain, swelling or bleeding at the site and need to notify the dentist.
Tags: dental surgery, insurance company, oral surgery, that need, that require
Thyroid medication is used to treat dysfunction in the thyroid gland. A condition called hypothyroidism describes an under-active thyroid gland. A lack of the hormone that this gland produces leads to fatigue and slower metabolism, which cause weight gain. The condition can be treated with thyroid medication, which may in turn lead to significant weight loss.
The Thyroid
The thyroid is a small gland located in the neck, consisting of twin lobes wrapped around the trachea. Its primary function is to regulate metabolism. It accomplishes this by metabolizing iodine and transforming it into two thyroid hormones. These substances regulate metabolism for every cell in the body. The gland may become dysfunctional due to a genetic defect, aging, or other causes, causing it to under- or over-produce its hormones.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is a chronic condition that causes the thyroid to produce fewer of its hormones, dramatically slowing metabolism. Aside from heredity, the condition can be caused by medication side effects, chemotherapy, pregnancy, pituitary gland problems, autoimmune disorder or iodine deficiency. The symptoms of the disease include fatigue, constipation, weight gain, weakness, joint pain, brittle fingernails, weak hair and depression.
Treatment
Treating hypothyroidism usually involves a drug treatment program of synthetic thyroid hormones to be taken indefinitely. The prescribing doctor will monitor the individual's thyroid hormone levels on a regular basis, checking every two to three months. When taken as directed, side effects can include increased heart rate, tremors and hunger. In turn, the drug treatment increases metabolism to a healthy level, making it easier for the patient to lose weight.
Weight Loss on Thyroid Medication
Thyroid hormone supplements for hypothyroidism are not sufficient to induce weight loss in and of themselves. They increase metabolism substantially in people with this condition, but proper diet and exercise are necessary to fully activate that metabolism and induce weight loss. Regular blood tests for thyroid hormone levels are crucial to control side effects and ensure that body's metabolism is at a healthy rate.
Dangers of Taking Thyroid Medication for Weight Loss
Taking thyroid medication to lose weight without first confirming a diagnosis of hypothyroidism is both extraordinarily dangerous and ineffective in the long term. It induces a hyperthyroid state, causing heart palpitations, diarrhea, nervousness and potential cardiac damage. The drug may induce weight loss temporarily, but eventually the thyroid will compensate for the introduction of synthetic hormone by damping down its own production. This can in turn lead to hypothyroidism, weakening the thyroid gland.
Tags: induce weight, induce weight loss, side effects, thyroid gland, Thyroid Medication, Weight Loss, drug treatment
The kidneys are two organs shaped like beans and are located on each side of the spine. The function of the kidneys is to filter the blood. The kidneys help to remove potentially harmful wastes from the blood by passing them out through the urine. The kidneys also help to regulate various substances in the body and help the body to maintain proper levels of water.
Polycystic Kidney Disease
One type of kidney ailment is polycystic kidney disease. This condition occurs when cysts develop in the kidneys. Polycystic kidney disease can lead to hypertension and kidney failure. Symptoms of polycystic kidney disease may include abdominal, back or side pain. Abdominal swelling may occur. Kidney stones may develop as well. Urination may occur more frequently and blood may be present in the urine. Kidney infections may occur regularly.
Kidney Cancer
Renal cell carcinoma is kidney cancer. According to the Mayo Clinic, about 51,000 individuals are diagnosed with kidney cancer every year. In the early stages, kidney cancer usually does not cause any symptoms. During the later stages, the following symptoms may occur: persistent back pain, blood in the urine, fevers and fatigue. Surgery is most often required to treat remove the affected parts of the kidney.
Kidney Failure
Kidney failure is an ailment that occurs when the kidney slowly loses its ability to filter the blood. Kidney failure often occurs as the result of hypertension or diabetes. Symptoms of kidney failure typically do not occur until an individual has lost 25 percent of his kidney function. Kidney failure may cause the urine to be dark colored, and it may cause a decrease in urine output. It can also bloody stools. Also, individuals experiencing kidney failure may have high blood pressure, anemia, nausea, vomiting, poor appetite, weakness, fatigue, frequent headaches, muscle cramps and problems sleeping. Pain may be felt along the side or in the middle or lower portion of the back. The skin may appear to be yellowish and the skin may be continually itchy.
Kidney Infection
A kidney infection occurs when a urinary tract infection travels up to the kidneys. Kidney infections require antibiotic treatment to prevent damage and complications. Symptoms of a kidney infection include increased urination, painful urination and urine that appears cloudy and has a strong smell. The urine may also contain blood or pus. Sometimes individuals may also be unable to urinate. Other symptoms include abdominal discomfort, back pain, side pain and fever. Severe kidney infections may also cause chills, night sweat episodes, nausea, vomiting, fatigue and confusion.
Kidney Stones
Kidney stones occur when minerals such as calcium and acid salts crystallize inside the kidneys instead of being excreted in the urine. Kidney stones cause intense pain that usually begins on the side of the body or in area of the back below the ribs. The pain may also be felt in the lower abdominal and the groin area. Other symptoms include bloody or cloudy urine. Also, the urine may smell foul. Increased urination may also occur. Kidney stones may also cause nausea, vomiting and fever. Although kidney stones are painful, they usually do not cause any problems and are mostly treated with pain medications.
Tags: Kidney stones, nausea vomiting, occurs when, also cause, back pain, filter blood
You look in the mirror, and wrinkles look back: fine lines around the eyes, deep frown lines between your brows and parenthesis around your mouth. The picture is not pretty, even though wrinkles are a natural part of aging. Although you cannot erase wrinkles completely once they set in without more aggressive techniques such plastic surgery, there are ways to stall wrinkles or make them less noticeable.
Factors Promoting Wrinkles
Wrinkles are determined by two factors: the natural process of aging and the environment. The natural process of aging causes the skin to produce less collagen and elastin, two important connective tissues in the skin. Typically, connective tissue starts to break down after age 30.
The environment can also cause wear and tear on the skin, much of which you can control, such as smoking, sun exposure, pollution, tanning and subjecting your skin to harsh climatic factors.
Ways to Get Rid of Wrinkles
You can diminish wrinkles or prevent premature wrinkles by adopting proactive measures to preserve skin health. Here's how:
Prevention
Are you familiar with the saying, "An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure?" In term of wrinkles, that saying can't be more true. Root out factors that contribute to premature wrinkles. Sun exposure is the chief culprit: ultraviolet A and B rays from the sun penetrate deep below skin layers and damage connective tissue. Limit sun exposure, and whenever you are out in the sun, wear a broad spectrum SPF (Sun Protection Factor ) of at least 15 or higher. Tanning produces the same harmful effects as the sun.
If you're a smoker, quit. Nothing damages collagen production more than nicotine. According to Anthony Yong, a scientist at the St. John's Institute of Dermatology, smoking also activates a gene in the skin that causes premature aging.
Nourish and Regenerate Skin
Nourishing your skin with moisturizers can help skin stay supple and keep wrinkles away. Look for these ingredients in the moisturizer that can nourish and regenerate skin:
Antioxidants
When used topically, antioxidants protect skin against cellular damage. Super skin antioxidants include beta-carotene, lycopene, and vitamins A, C and E. According to health.learninginfo.org., French scientists found that applying vitamins C, E and beta-carotene can significantly reduce sun damage and even reverse damage already done. Vitamin A is known to rebuild the skin's collagen infrastructure.
Alpha Hydroxyl Acids
Derived from fruit and milk sugars, the most commonly used alpha hydroxyl acids are glycolic acid and lactic acids. They have the special ability to penetrate and nourish skin. Cleopatra reportedly bathed in milk to improve her skin texture.
Other equally important ingredients include retinol, coenzyme Q10, kinetin, copper peptide, tea extracts and hyaluronic acid.
Nutrition And Other Options
Foods rich in antioxidants and essential fatty acids can also nourish skin. Eat a healthful diet of vegetables, whole grains, fish, nuts and fruits.
Some deep wrinkles need more aggressive intervention. Consult your dermatologist to choose the best option.
Tags: connective tissue, more aggressive, natural process, natural process aging, nourish skin
AIDS is a life-threatening disease also known as acquired immune deficiency syndrome. It is actually the last stage of another condition caused by a virus known as HIV, or human immunodeficiency virus. AIDS symptoms are caused by a person suffering from a compromised immune system, which makes the individual much more susceptible to the effects of bacteria, viruses, and other invading organisms that can precipitate disease and infection. The treatment for AIDS focuses on controlling the symptoms for as long as possible and on improving the quality of a patient's life using a variety of drugs since there is currently no cure for the disease.
Opportunistic infections
Someone that develops AIDS has already had a long history of a damaged immune system from an HIV infection. The patient with AIDS is extremely at risk from what are called opportunistic infections, or infections that are able to take advantage of an impaired immune system such as certain types of pneumonia. The white blood cells in the immune system that are responsible for leading the attack against foreign bodies in the body are called CD4 lymphocytes. One symptom of AIDS that actually identifies the disease is when someone with HIV has a CD4 lymphocyte count that is 200 or lower, since the normal range is anywhere between 800 and 1,200 in a healthy person.
AIDS symptoms
There are a variety of symptoms associated with AIDS, with the majority of them connected to whatever infections have been able to take hold in the patient. Night sweats are frequently observed in an AIDS sufferer and long-lasting fevers that are higher than 100 degrees Fahrenheit are not uncommon. Constant diarrhea and weight loss are also AIDS symptoms. Headaches, blurry or double vision, and shortness of breath are as well. Someone with AIDS can develop a dry cough and discover that white spots have formed on their tongue or inside of the mouth.
NRTIs and PIs
One way to treat AIDS and HIV is with medications called anti-retroviral drugs. These drugs come in several classes with the first one to be developed being nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitors-NRTIs. Retrovir and Epivir are examples of this type of AIDS medication, which attempts to keep the HIV virus from reproducing in the system. Protease inhibitors, or PIs, are drugs designed to stop the HIV virus from replicating in later stage cases. Medications like Norvir and Prezista fit this description. Protease inhibitors are often used in combination with other anti-HIV drugs to be more effective.
NNRTIs and NtRTIs
Variations of anti-retroviral drugs include non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors and nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors. Going by the acronyms of NNRTIs and NtRTIs respectively, these medications work by short circuiting the HIV virus as it attempts to reproduce. NNRTIs include such drugs as Viramune, Sustiva, and Rescriptor while Viread is the only Food and Drug Administration approved NtRTI. Viread has shown that it can affect AIDS as well as hepatitis B and seems to work in patients which are not helped by NNRTIs.
Specialized inhibitors
Science has seen drug-resistant strains of AIDS come to fruition in recent years, with many of the aforementioned drugs unable to affect these versions of the disease. Fusion inhibitors, namely the drug Fuzeon, have proven to be able to suppress some of these strains. Fusion inhibitors acquire their name from the fact that they work by not allowing the membrane of the HIV virus to fuse or join with the membranes of healthy cells. Integrase inhibitors are used for treating AIDS patients who seem to have become resistant to other drugs. Isentress is the only member of this drug class so far to gain FDA approval to treat AIDS according to the Mayo Clinic website. Selzentry is what is known as a chemokine co-receptor inhibitor; it is employed to treat a maverick form of AIDS called CCR5-tropic HIV1.
Tags: immune system, AIDS symptoms, reverse transcriptase, with AIDS, able take, AIDS with, anti-retroviral drugs
Sciatica is a condition that occurs when the root of the sciatic nerve--the largest nerve in the human body--is compressed. Sciatica symptoms can develop when an intevertebral disc herniates, or protrudes, and irritates or impinges on the sciatic nerve root. The result of this pressure on the nerve can be crippling back pain that extends through the hip, down the leg and sometimes into the foot. The symptoms of sciatica can take weeks to subside. There are things you can do, however, to aid in the healing process and eventually cure your bout of sciatica.
Instructions
1. Visit a doctor to determine if your sciatica is a symptom of a more-serious back condition. A physician may conduct a thorough examination and ask for a detailed description of your symptoms to rule out any potentially serious problems, including a herniated disc, degenerative disc disease or spinal stenosis (a narrowing of the spinal canal).
2. You can treat sciatica at home by taking over-the-counter pain medications such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen or aspirin. Ice packs may also help to ease the pain of sciatica and calm the inflamed nerves. A heating pad can be beneficial as well; consider alternating cold and heat on the most painful areas to ease discomfort.
3. Depending on your level of discomfort, you may need to take prescription medications to help ease the pain of sciatica. These can include narcotics, muscle relaxants and prescription-strength anti-inflammatory medications.
4. You may be prescribed a course of physical therapy to improve strength and flexibility in your back and alleviate sciatica pain. You may also undergo a series of epidural steroid injections to ease nerve inflammation and irritation.
5. You may wish to consider alternative treatments for your sciatica symptoms. Common alternative therapies for sciatica include acupuncture, massage, chiropractic care and hypnosis.
6. If your sciatica pain is not alleviated by conservative methods, or if an MRI indicates a problem involving severe nerve compression, you may be advised to have back surgery. A surgeon may perform an operation called a laminotomy with discectomy to remove any part of a disc herniation that is pressing on the sciatic nerve.
Tags: your sciatica, ease pain, ease pain sciatica, help ease, help ease pain
The last stages, or end stages, of liver cancer involve wasting, pain and suffering. Liver cancer is a serious disease in which affected individuals have less than a 50 percent survival rate. Treatment options include surgery, liver transplant, chemotherapy, proton beam therapy, ablation and chemoembolization. In 2008, over 20,000 new cases of liver cancer were diagnosed in America.
Loss of Appetite
End stage liver cancer patients typically do not want to eat and experience loss of appetite.
Weight Loss
Because liver cancer patients do not eat, they experience severe weight loss.
Jaundice
Jaundice is a classic sign of end stage liver cancer. Because the liver does not function properly, bilirubin builds up in the skin, causing it to turn yellow.
Abdominal Pain
Last stage liver cancer patients experience abdominal pain and tenderness.
Abdominal Swelling
When the liver cannot filter the blood properly due to the last stages of liver cancer, fluid builds up, causing abdominal swelling and distention.
Muscle Wasting
Patients with last stage liver cancer experience muscle wasting.
Hemorrhage
End stage liver cancer causes blockage of veins and ducts, which results in abdominal hemorrhaging.
Tags: liver cancer, stage liver, stage liver cancer, cancer patients, liver cancer patients
Alpha laser therapy uses red monochromatic light on the skin to allow light energy (protons) to penetrate your tissues. These protons interact with your molecules and restore normal cellular function. Alpha laser therapy stimulates specific points on your body, such as your ear, face and hands that relate to your addiction. The laser will make contact with all the different energy points on your body, and when these energy points are relaxed, it will put you in a normal frame of mind. The laser controls addiction by enhancing relaxation.
Alpha laser therapy enhances relaxation by helping release the endorphins in your body. Endorphins are natural chemicals in your body that keep you calm and collected, and they give your body the ability to cope with the side effects of addiction, such as withdrawal symptoms, cravings and other coping signs your body may exhibit.
Technology
The therapy uses low-powered lasers, and is a painless type of therapy that offers immediate results. A singular, concentrated light, called a light-emitting diode is used on the body that is both non-invasive and non-thermal. Alpha laser therapy produces photons by using laser diodes. Laser diodes are an active medium that acts as a semi-conductor that is found in a light-emitting diode. There are no adverse side effects involved with alpha laser therapy. It is considered a modern form of acupuncture.
Treatment
Alpha laser therapy is used in all sorts of treatments, including weight-loss, and alcohol and drug addiction. Alpha laser therapy helps you quit these habits by relieving you of the withdrawal symptoms, making it easier for you to deal with the repercussions that come with being addicted to food, drugs, alcohol and nicotine. The endorphins that are released with alpha laser therapy will help you relax and stay calm so that you can better deal with the anxiety, nervousness and tension that come with along with quitting food, drugs, alcohol and smoking.
The American Cancer Society lists laser treatment as a way to quit smoking. Along with laser treatment, alpha laser therapy offers a therapist that will help guide and ease your mind on what you will experience. This therapy will focus on your habits, cravings, nutritional information, and ending your addiction and drug habits.
Tags: laser therapy, your body, Alpha laser therapy, Alpha laser, Alpha laser, alpha laser therapy, body that
Sepsis is an infection that is present in the bloodstream or in soft tissue. Anyone battling a severe infection can develop sepsis, although people with suppressed immune systems or people with chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, are at greater risk. Sepsis is also a greater threat after some surgeries.Sepsis can cause the body to go into shock. Shock can quickly prove fatal and, because of this, sepsis is a medical emergency requiring immediate medical attention. If someone you know has an infection, there are signs of sepsis you should watch out for. If you discover any of the signs of sepsis, you should consult with medical professionals immediately. Ideally, a person who is suffering from a severe infection will already be in the hospital under medical care. If that is not the case, they should be put under a physician’s care as soon as possible.
Instructions
1. Check for a rash. A rash associated with sepsis may be anywhere on the body. If you do find a red marks or red areas, assume this person is becoming septic. Although red marks are not always present with sepsis, any time a rash appears on a person fighting an infection, sepsis may be the cause.Some rashes caused by sepsis are not easy to spot. They may resemble small hemorrhages or tiny red dots under the skin. Other times, the rash appears as larger red or purple blotches. In some cases of septicemia, the rash may appear in many places on the body at once.
2. Watch for signs of emotional volatility and loss of mental clarity. If the infection sufferer becomes hostile, weepy, forgetful, confused, nervous or exhibits other behavior changes, sepsis could be the cause.
3. Check the persons heart rate and respiratory rate. In cases of sepsis, the heart rate and respiratory will sometimes significantly increase. Check also for palpitations. Palpitations are common, especially if the patient is going into septic shock.
4. Check blood pressure. The blood pressure of the sepsis sufferer will often be low. In addition, blood pressure can plummet suddenly and should be monitored closely. Low blood pressure is a sign of shock and can be fatal.
5. Check for fever and for tremors. A sepsis sufferer may or may not have a fever or chills, but if anyone with a severe infection develops fever and/or chills, sepsis should be suspected.
At first the pain comes and goes quickly. It is just a spasm in your arm or leg. Gradually it comes more frequently and for a longer time. Finally, the pain shoots down your leg, or your arms are painfully numb. Even though the pain is felt in the leg or arm, it actually is the back that is out of whack and causing the problem. You've probably got a bulging, or protruding, disk, sometimes also referred to as a herniated disk, though technically that is a little worse situation.
How Do You Get a Protruding Disk?
Middle-aged and older persons, especially those involved in strenuous physical activity, are more likely to get a protruding disk. It may also be caused by a trauma of some sort, such as a car accident or lifting something heavy. Sitting improperly for long periods of time can also cause one. According to Bonati.com, a number of congenital conditions can also cause one.
What Are the Traditional Treatments?
Recommended treatment is generally open-back surgery, with certain risks, hospital stays and a lengthy recuperation time. If you don't want any part of this, what else can you do? Nonsurgical, conservative treatment should be the first course of action taken, with the exception of some extreme instances (You should see your doctor immediately if you have problems urinating or having bowel movements, or if you have numbness around your genitals).
Treatments to Do at Home
All of these home treatments, suggested by Spine-Health.com, are a good place to start before you spend a great deal of money and time on the next level of treatments.
• Resting and avoiding activities that aggravate your symptoms are the first lines of attack because many protruding disk problems will resolve, given time. It is important to avoid activities that aggravate your symptoms.
• Over-the-counter pain and inflammation medications, including acetaminophen, aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen can help.
•?Ice and heat application can be extremely helpful in relieving the painful symptoms of a protruding disk. By helping to relax the muscles of the back, ice and heat applications can relieve muscle spasm and provide significant pain relief.
Treatments Outside the Home: Semi-Professional
These semi-professional treatments are suggested by BiscupSpineInstitute.com for the next level of attack:
• Water therapy has become one of the most popular forms of exercise for spine problems.
• Core exercise programs, including Pilates & Yoga, are also recommended.
• Low-impact aerobic conditioning and personal training may help.
• Bracing to limit the motion and function of an area of the spine that is painful can give that area time to heal.
• Gyrotonic, a form of restoring normal motion and alignment of spines and joints, is another newer alternative.
Treatments Outside the Home: Professional
Following are some suggestions of BiscupSpineInstitute.com for professional treatments:
• Massage and massotherapy help to physically release chemicals into the blood stream, allowing normal circulation and function to return.
• Physical therapy and lumbar stabilization exercises can stabilize the lumbar spine muscles. Stronger, well-balanced muscles help minimize the risk of injury to the nerves and the disk.
• Spinal manipulation, which is typically performed by chiropractic and osteopathic physicians, has offered relief to many patients.
• Traction is one of the oldest forms of treatment for back and neck pain. Traction may be available at a chiropractor's or physical therapist's office.
• Acupuncture is an ancient Oriental medical technique used to treat a variety of painful conditions.
•Medications that may be prescribed are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDS); oral steroid medications, including Prednisone and Medrol; narcotic pain medications, useful for severe, short-term pain management (short term because they are addictive); muscle relaxers, used to treat spasm of spinal muscles; and
epidural steroid injections of cortisone, administered directly in the area of nerve compression.
Tags: activities that, activities that aggravate, aggravate your, aggravate your symptoms, also cause, Alternative Treatment
Kundalini Yoga is a form of yoga that uses continuous movements while practicing the postures, while breathing and chanting. As with many other forms of yoga, certain types of comfortable clothing are required in order to perform the postures correctly. Here's dress for Kundalini yoga.
Instructions
1. Wear clothing that is made of cotton, linen or another natural, breathable material. It's important to allow your body to breathe and perspire naturally while performing Kundalini asanas.
2. Dress modestly. Make sure your top and bottoms adequately cover you even while bending over. You don't want to have to worry about exposing yourself in class.
3. Go with light colored clothing. White clothing is traditional for practicing Kundalini yoga.
4. Choose loose-fitting clothing that will allow you to move around freely, but not so loose that it will ride up during poses. The aim is for you to be as comfortable as possible.
5. Tie your hair back so it will not be a distraction to you during your yoga session.
6. Remove your socks. Practicing yoga barefoot stimulates the 72,000 nerve endings in your feet.
Every year, Americans spend millions of dollars on products to whiten their teeth. However, teeth whitening paste can be made at home in a simple and less costly way. Cream of tartar, also known as potassium bitartrate or potassium hydrogen tartrate, is an ingredient in many teeth whitening products and can be found in most kitchens.
Cream of Tartar Properties
Cream of tartar is an ingredient in baking powders that works as a leavening agent. When combined with baking soda, its acidity activates baking powder. It has antimicrobial properties, and can be used for cleaning brass and copper cookware, removing stains from sinks and bathtubs, and many other household applications.
Tooth-Whitening Paste
To make your own tooth-whitening paste, mix the following together: 1 tsp. cream of tartar; 2 tsp. baking soda, a pinch of salt and 1 cup of water. Puree 3 to 6 ripe strawberries and brush them onto your teeth; let sit for 5 minutes before brushing with the cream of tartar and baking soda paste. Rinse thoroughly with water. The mixture should be used no more frequently than every two weeks, due to the abrasive nature of baking soda.
Best Results
For best results, brush your teeth regularly, and avoid products that stain teeth--such as coffee, tea and tobacco products.
Often occurring in children, fluid in the ear is usually a result of an ear infection. Medically speaking, fluid in the ear is called otitis media with effusion. Otitis media is a fancy name for middle ear inflammation, and effusion means fluid. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, nearly 90 percent of children are at some point diagnosed with fluid in the ear before turning age 5.
Causes
Behind the eardrum sets the middle ear. When the middle ear is healthy, it is filled with air. However, the middle ear can become filled with fluid if mucous-like substances build up in it. Ear fluid can be caused by a past ear infection, a cold or flu or the clogging of the Eustachian tube, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Symptoms
Symptoms of fluid in the ear include a popping sensation, ringing or feeling of pressure inside the ear. Also, symptoms can include loss of hearing, constant ear infections and trouble with balance and dizziness. When children are affected with fluid in the ear, they can often appear distracted and grouchy. Babies will often tug at their ears. Symptoms that often come before fluid in the ear include coughing and a stuffy nose, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics and American Academy of Family Physicians.
Diagnosis
Two ways of diagnosing ear fluid include a physician examining ears with an otoscope and performing a tympanometry test. With an otoscope, a physician uses an instrument to exam the eardrum to see if fluid exists behind the eardrum. The tympanometry test measures ear pressure and gives a gauge of how well the eardrum moves. An eardrum with fluid will not move as well as a healthy eardrum.
Problems
When fluid gathers in the middle ear, hearing is often affected as the eardrum's mobility is reduced and sounds cannot be gathered effectively. The American Academy of Pediatrics reports that in certain cases children with ear fluid may be at risk for delays in speaking or may have problems at school. If your child has multiple occurrences of fluid in the ear, consult a physician.
Treatment
Fluid in the ear can involve a variety of treatments. What works for one person may not be effective for someone else. Oftentimes, fluid will be monitored and will require no treatment as the fluid will go away on its own. Antibiotics can be used only if the fluid contains an infection. In extreme cases when the fluid does not disappear after months, a procedure where a tube is placed in the auditory tube allowing for the fluid to drain into the throat is performed.
Tags: American Academy, with fluid, Academy Pediatrics, American Academy Pediatrics, fluid include, fluid will, according American
Sports therapists are a special type of physical therapist who work with professional and amateur athletes. They help rehabilitate injured athletes, assist athletes in preventing injuries through proper training and other techniques and help athletes become more competitive. Many sports therapists have master's and doctoral degrees. Sports therapists typically work for professional teams, health and sports clubs and schools.
Instructions
1. Play sports in high school. Sports therapists work with professional and amateur athletes and a knowledge of sports is assumed. A sports therapist will want to be in good physical shape.
2. Choose a college that offers a sports therapy or physical therapy major. Required courses might include anatomy, chemistry, physics, psychology and physiology. You'll need to earn a bachelor of science degree.
3. Do an internship. Practical training is an important part of becoming a licensed sports therapist. At Boston University, for example, which has a sports therapy program, students are assigned internships at sports teams, hospitals and medical offices.
4. Get a state license to practice physical therapy. This is done by taking a test administered by state boards. Different states have different requirements.
5. Consider graduate school. The American Physical Therapy Association anticipates that by 2020, physical therapy will be provided by doctors of physical therapy and that they may be board-certified specialists A growing number of schools are offering master's and doctoral programs in sports therapy. These degrees take from six to nine semesters.
6. Earn sports therapy certification from the APTA. Awarded to those who have advanced knowledge of the field, the requirements for certification are demanding. Candidates must be licensed to practice physical therapy and have 2,000 hours of clinical practice in sports therapy. Candidates must also take a test.
Tags: physical therapy, sports therapy, work with professional, amateur athletes, Candidates must, help athletes, master doctoral
Psychotherapy, the "talking cure", can help with a variety of emotional, mental and psychological problems. A good therapist can help to unravel painful feelings and destructive behaviours, as well as providing support during difficult times. But it can be a daunting task to take the first step towards finding a therapist, so it helps to know where to begin.
Instructions
1. Get a recommendation or referral. The best way to find a good psychotherapist is through a personal recommendation, so ask around to see if anyone you know can suggest a good therapist. Your GP may also be able to make a referral to a psychotherapist in your area.
2. Check with local therapy and holistic health centres. If you are unable to get a recommendation from someone you know, you may find a therapist at a local health centre--particularly those that specialise in natural health. Bulletin boards at health clubs and natural food stores can also be a good source of information.
3. Check the therapist's credentials with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy or the UK Council for Psychotherapy. Both organisations also offer a therapist finding option on their websites, so you can locate an accredited or registered practitioner in your area.
4. Have a preliminary telephone conversation with the therapist. You can get some idea of a therapist's manner and professionalism by talking to them on the phone. Most reputable practitioners will be happy to explain their methods, services and costs as well as answer any questions you may have before committing to an appointment. You may want to ring several therapists to compare their styles and prices before arranging to meet in person.
5. Arrange a meeting. The first meeting is the time for you to discuss with the therapist what you are looking for and to hear what they can offer. Your connection with the psychotherapist is very important, so you may want to try a couple of different therapists before you decide which one to see on a regular basis. One of the most important factors in your decision is whether or not you feel comfortable with a particular therapist. During therapy, you may be sharing intimate details of your life, so you want to be sure that you find a therapist who inspires your trust.
Tags: find therapist, good therapist, with therapist, your area
Doctors who work with patients grappling with infertility are called reproductive endocrinologists (REs). One of the services offered by REs is egg donation. An egg donor is used when a woman who wishes to become pregnant has ovarian problems. Egg donation may be anonymous, or it may be one where both donor and recipient are known to each other. Finding an RE to guide you through this process may involve several steps.
Instructions
1. Look up the number of IVF (in vitro fertilization) procedures the doctor performs each year. This can be done by searching the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology's website (see Resources). Most doctors update their statistics each year. A larger number will indicate more experience. Egg donation is accomplished via IVF.
2. Look at the doctor's success rates. Success rates are determined by live birth rates. A live birth is counted if a living baby results from the procedure.
3. Examine the donor's oocyte statistics. Donor cycles are counted separately from cycles in which both partners contribute DNA material. In general, donor cycles rates should be high because doctors work with a very fertile population. However, some clinics may take blood relatives or women over a certain age that other clinics may not accept as donors. This should be taken into account, since it can lower success rates.
4. Ask the doctor how candidates for donation are chosen. Most clinics require any egg donation candidates to undergo extensive psychological counseling before they will accept them. Some clinics have a pool of donors who have helped couples have a successful pregnancy. Some clinics will let those considering egg donation choose candidates directly. Others may match up a candidate independently, but donor and recipient may be not be known to each other.
5. Ask to speak to previous clients. Many clinics have client testimonials on their websites and in brochures. Others may have a list of clients who have been through the procedures before and who are willing to speak with candidates.
6. Ask online. A good place to find information about the best possible RE for your situation is online. Some websites devoted to infertility have forums that address issues surrounding egg donation. Posters may recommend a certain doctor or caution against one based on previous experiences (see Resources).
Tags: clinics have, donor recipient, donor recipient known, each other, each year, known each, known each other
The American Stroke Association describes strokes as an arterial condition that occurs in the blood vessels leading to the brain. In the United States, strokes are the third cause of death, following heart disease and cancer. When a person is having a stroke, it means that something is blocking blood vessels so that he isn't able to carry oxygen and nutrients to the brain. There are two kinds of strokes: ischemic and hemorrhagic. Blood clots or other obstructions cause ischemic strokes, and ruptured blood vessels cause hemorrhagic strokes. Signs of an oncoming stroke appear suddenly and need immediate medical attention.
Mini-Stroke Signs
The National Institute of Neurological Disorder and Strokes states that one of the warning signs of an oncoming stroke is a transient ischemic attack, or TIA. This is a mini-stroke in which a person experiences minor stroke-like symptoms that don't cause permanent damage if treated. Unlike regular stroke signs, TIA signs last only a few minutes or hours.
Sudden Numbness
The American Heart Association states that the first sign of an oncoming stroke is numbness or weakness. This condition occurs on one side of the body, affecting the face, arm and/or leg. The sudden onset of this sign of a stroke affects mobility and causes a tingling sensation of these areas of the body.
Confusion
One of the common signs of an oncoming stroke is sudden confusion and trouble with verbal skill and comprehension. The weakened facial muscles leads to slurred speech in many people and even drooling on one side of the face. Sometimes, people having a stroke may not see these signs, but others around them may worry about their friend or family members' sudden bewilderment.
Eye Trouble
Sudden vision problems occur when a person is experiencing an oncoming stroke. This sign of a stroke causes a person to have vision problems in one or both eyes, according to the American Heart Association. Some people experience blurred vision or completely lose vision in their eyes.
Balance and Coordination
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Strokes states that loss of balance and coordination are signs of an oncoming stroke. People become dizzy and have trouble walking. The loss of balance and coordination could be dangerous if a person is alone and injures herself.
Sudden Headache
The American Heart Association says that sudden headaches are signs of an ongoing stroke. Unlike regular tension headaches, stroke headaches can be severe and people experience blinding, crushing pain. The headache pain becomes so severe that a person may have to lie down to get some kind of relief.
Tags: oncoming stroke, American Heart, American Heart Association, blood vessels, Heart Association, signs oncoming
Tennis elbow is a chronic repetitive strain injury that causes inflammation and tearing of the forearm tendons at their point of attachment on the elbow. Shiatsu uses finger pressure to release tension in the muscles and tendons, thereby reducing the inflammation and swelling in the tissues and alleviating pain.
Instructions
1. Relax the tendons and muscles of the forearm by applying pressure to the point located on the middle of your upper arm just in front of the insertion point of the shoulder muscle.
2. Reduce swelling, decrease pressure on the median nerve, and ease elbow and arm pain as you press with the pad of your thumb on the point at the end of the outer crease of your elbow.
3. Apply pressure to the point found on the back of your hand at the web between your thumb and index finger to release shoulder and arm tension.
4. Stimulate the point located on the back side of your upper arm one finger width above the tip of the elbow to relieve pain and stiffness in the elbow.
5. Strengthen and relax the tendons of the forearm and elbow to alleviate pain by applying firm, steady pressure to the point between the two bones on the outer forearm, two finger widths above the crease of the wrist.
Tags: pressure point, point located, Shiatsu Tennis, Shiatsu Tennis Elbow, your thumb
Ovarian cancer is hard enough to deal with upon the initial diagnosis, and sometimes even harder when recurrent ovarian cancer is diagnosed. Treatment for recurrent ovarian cancer will likely differ from the initial treatment.
Surgery
While aggressive surgery is often performed soon after the initial diagnosis, it usually isn't given much consideration upon recurrent ovarian cancer. Surgery may be considered if it a lot of time has passed since the successful completion of the first round of therapy and if there is strong evidence from follow up testing that suggests the disease is in a single mass and can be easily removed through surgery. There is no evidence showing surgery is beneficial for recurrent ovariancancer patients.
Platinum Sensitive Ovarian Cancer
Platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer means that the woman was in remission for six months or longer before being diagnosed with recurring ovarian cancer. This suggests the platinum-based chemotherapy did work on her particular cancer. Treatment with two separate drugs is typically used for recurrent cancer, as recent evidence, according to the NOCC (National Ovarian Cancer Coalition), shows that this is more effective as a second line of treatment. Two to four cycles are necessary for the doctor to see if the combination is working effectively.
Platinum Resistant Ovarian Cancer
If ovarian cancer recurs within six months of treatment, it is considered platinum-resistant, meaning the disease is resistant to typical chemotherapy drugs. However, there are secondary chemotherapy drugs that are available and will be tried singularly. Two to four cycles are necessary to know if the secondary drugs are working. Unfortunately, if chemotherapy is not working, the only thing the doctor can do is try to find medication that will halt the growth of the disease and keep the patient as comfortable, physically, mentally and emotionally as possible. This is called supportive care.
Clinical Trials
Another option for recurring ovarian cancer patients is to participate in clinical trials. This means you will be taking experimental chemotherapy drugs to determine if they are useful or not. These drugs may work, or they may have serious side effects. Participating in clinical drug trials can help, or they can hurt, but participating is a decision that should be carefully thought out, and talked through by you, your doctor and your family.
Hydrocephalus is a condition that is normally found in infants and young children, but in some cases it will occur in adults. The condition is caused by a build up of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain, which causes increased pressure. This pressure makes the brain tissue swell and press against the cranium. For young children and infants, hydrocephalus shows itself by misshapen or unusually large head size. Adult patients' brains may swell, but the main symptom seen in young children is not what you will find for older adults. If you think your child or loved one is experiencing hydrocephalus, see your doctor immediately.
Instructions
1. Know the symptoms for infants and young children. Hydrocephalus can present itself as early as during pregnancy (while the fetus is in utero). If you are pregnant, be sure to have regular ultrasounds. That way your obstetrician can diagnose any problems and identify hydrocephalus prior to the baby's birth. After birth, if your baby or young child's head grows abnormally or becomes unusually large, see your pediatrician right away. Unusual head size is the give-away symptom in young children, but there can also be sleepiness, headache, coordination problems, loss of appetite and personality change.
2. Know the symptoms for older children and adults. In older children and adults, symptoms can include headache with vomiting, coordination problems, sleepiness, memory loss, and personality changes. Hydrocephalus can be congenital or acquired. Congenital means that the patient was born with the disease, while acquired means that the patient acquired the disease after birth.
3. Know the symptoms for senior citizens. In senior citizens, Hydrocephalus is often misdiagnosed as dementia, as the symptoms for both illnesses include memory loss. With Hydrocephalus, however, typically there is also urinary incontinence and coordination problems as well. Other symptoms include personality changes, drowsiness and headache.
4. Make an appointment to see your doctor. Whether it is for your child, you, or someone you love, see the doctor immediately. To diagnose, consent to diagnostic testing. Typical tests run are a CT scan and MRI of the brain, blood tests, a spinal tap and other X-rays.
5. Receive treatment. Hydrocephalus can be treated, although there is no cure. Typically, patients will undergo surgery to have a shunt inserted in their brains. The shunt is a tube that allows the cerebrospinal fluid to drain properly. With proper drainage, the patient's brain is relieved of fluid buildup.
Tags: young children, coordination problems, Know symptoms, cerebrospinal fluid, children adults, doctor immediately, head size
Autoimmune pancreatitis has many of the same presenting symptoms as the more serious pancreatitis carcinoma. Fortunately, autoimmune pancreatitis can be effectively treated and cured.
Instructions
1. Ensure your condition is properly diagnosed. Surgery is the typical treatment for the more common pancreatitis carcinoma. While this treatment is appropriate for the cancerous version of chronic pancreatitis, it is not necessary for autoimmune pancreatitis.
2. Take a series of oral prednisone for three months. This is the most common treatment for autoimmune pancreatitis and it is very effective. 70 percent of patients who receive this treatment recover from the condition, however, a relapse is also very common. In the case of a relapse a second or third course of oral prednisone, which is a steroid, can be administered.
3. Treat pain with a variety of pain management options. Halt all alcohol consumption, as this not only accelerates the disease, it can irritate the pancreas and lead to exaggerated pain. Non-steroid anti-inflammatory medications are very effective for mild pain and over-the-counter acetaminophen is an inexpensive pain treatment option. For moderate pain, stronger pain relief agents like codiene, which is a mild narcotic, can be used. Stronger opiates can also be used to treat pain when the pain is severe. The final pain treatment option is somewhat controversial--the use of pancreatic enzymes. Research has returned mixed results on the effectiveness of this pain management option for autoimmune pancreatitis.