Autism is a brain disorder that usually becomes detectable around the age of three. Children with mild autism generally have average to above-average IQ's. Mild autism is sometimes referred to as Asperger's Syndrome.
Impaired Social Skills
Children with mild autism may have difficulty starting and continuing a conversation, and can have difficulty maintaining eye contact.
Obsessions
Children with mild autism may have a favorite toy or favorite hobby and may not want to do anything that does not center around those favorites. The child may also talk incessantly about these obsessions.
Emotional Concerns
Mild autism sufferers may have mood swings, even at an early age. They may also get easily agitated when their routine is disrupted.
Repetitive Speech
Children with mild autism may repeat something said to them or may repeat parts of a story book or TV show. These children may have above-average memorization skills.
Impaired Motor Skills
The child with mild autism may have poor motor skills. For example, they may have difficulty catching a ball, and the learning of handwriting may be delayed.
Sensory Issues
Some children may have sensory issues. They may be bothered by bright lights, loud noises or even the texture of certain foods.
Tags: with mild autism, with mild, Children with, Children with mild, autism have
Wu-yi tea can support weight loss, fat metabolism and heart health.
If you are attempting to lose weight, drinking traditional chinese wu-yi tea may help accelerate weight loss and loosen your belt buckle faster. Wu-yi tea is a particular type of oolong tea originating from the Wuyi Mountains of the Fujian Province. Partially oxidised for flavor and color, wu-yi retains many of the health and metabolism benefits of green tea and makes for a healthy addition to a natural, holistic lifestyle.
Instructions
1. Purchase a certified organic brand of wu-yi tea. This will ensure the tea you are drinking every day is not covered in pesticides and fungicides. Check to make sure the brand of wu-yi tea you are purchasing actually comes from the Wuyi area in China. The particular cultivars used to make the tea are different than those grown to make green or black tea.
2. Drink 2 to 3 cups of Wu-Yi tea every day. In a study published in the "Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine" in 2009, researcher He Rong-rong and colleagues found giving wu-yi tea to severely obese subjects decreased their weight significantly. After six weeks, participants who ingested 8 g of tea each day lost weight, improved their fat metabolism and improved their cardiovascular health.
3. Avoid adding sweetening ingredients to tea such as sugar, honey, malt barley or agave syrup. These calorie-rich products will impede the weight-reducing benefits of drinking the tea when they are added for flavor. Enjoy drinking pure wu-yi tea that is free of sweeteners, additives and flavors.
4. Stop drinking wu-yi tea close to bed time. Just like black tea and green tea, wu-yi will contain some amount of caffeine in each cup. In a study published in the "Journal of the American College of Nutrition" in 2006, researchers found oolong teas such as wu-yi have an average caffeine content of 29 mg per gram of dried tea. While not as strong as a cup of black tea or a cup of coffee, wu-yi may cause stimulation of the central nervous system and contribute to restlessness and insomnia. Stop drinking wu-yi tea after 5 p.m. to give your body enough time to process the caffeine and remove it from your system.
Discs in the spine become herniated when a part of the nucleus (the soft spot inside the disc) is pushed out into the spinal canal. Herniated discs can occur in the cervical spine (neck), thoracic spine (upper back), or lumbar spine (lower back). Often, herniated discs will resolve on their own, typically within one to two months. However, some people experience severe pain, numbness, and tingling, a result of a nerve being pressed. In these cases, treatment is individualized based on where the disc is herniated, severity of symptoms, and the impact on activities of daily life.
Evaluation
Diagnosis of a herniated disc is made through a complete history and physician examination. A physician will ask about the onset of pain (gradual or sudden), what you were doing at the time the pain began, and what symptoms you are experiencing. Pain associated with a herniated disc is typically described as stabbing, sharp, or burning, with or without associated numbness, which radiates down through the leg or arm, depending on the location of the herniated disc. Additionally, the physician will assess motor, sensory, and reflex function by asking you to perform specific movements or maneuvers. Magnetic resonance imaging may be necessary to further delineate the location of the herniated disc.
Nonsurgical treatment
In most cases, nonsurgical, conservative treatment is initiated for herniated discs. This consists of medication such as acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, bed rest, and/or physical therapy.
Medications are recommended to help ease pain associated with herniated discs. While acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may be given for mild to moderate pain, individuals who experience more intense pain might be given neuropathic pain medications (eg, gabapentin, pregabalin, duloxetine, tramadol), muscle relaxants (eg, methocarbamol, carisoprodol, cyclobenzaprine), or a corticosteroid injection.
Physicians will usually recommend one or more days of bed rest. Any activity should be slow and gradual to allow for inflammation to decrease.
Physical therapy may include massage, ice and heat application, traction, stretching, ultrasound, or electrical muscle stimulation. The physical therapist will work closely with a physician's recommendations to develop a treatment plan based on individual symptoms.
Surgical treatment
For more severe cases in which pain significantly affects activities of daily living, function begins to deteriorate (i.e., bowel and/or bladder function, neurologic function worsens), or if discs are degenerating, surgical intervention should be considered.
The decision regarding which type of surgical procedure to perform depends on individual patient symptoms and location of the herniated disc. Options include minimally invasive procedures (e.g., chemonucleolysis), endoscopic procedures, or open compression (e.g., discectomy, microdiscectomy, laminotomy, laminectomy, spinal fusion).
Bee pollen is rich in nutrients, but there's little evidence that it improves athletic performance.
Bee pollen has a high concentration of nutrients. Specifically, it is rich in lecithin, a phospholipid essential for the metabolism of fats; antioxidants including vitamin C; and flavanoids such as quercetin. It is also contains carotenoids, minerals, proteins, carbohydrates, enzymes and essential amino acids.
Bee Pollen and Athletic Performance
While bee pollen contains many nutrients, there is little evidence that it improves athletic performance. The studies done have been relatively small, but each has concluded that bee pollen is no more effective on athletic performance than a placebo.
Twenty Adolescent Swimmers Performance Tested
There is little evidence that bee pollen has any beneficial effect on swimmers' performances.
In 1982 a study was published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine describing a six-week study comparing the performance of 20 adolescent swimmers, some of whom took bee pollen and the others who took a placebo. No statistically valid evidence was found indicating that there was any difference in the performance of the two groups.
Bee Pollen Study Done on Track Runners
Studies indicate that bee pollen doesn't affect athletic performance.
In 1978 scientists at Louisiana State University did a 12-week, double-blind study involving 18 cross-country runners. The runners were randomly divided into three groups. The first group took bee pollen, the second took protein extracts, and the third group was given a placebo. The runners' average speeds were tested during three-mile runs, at the beginning of the 12 weeks and at the end. The study concluded that there were no statistical differences between the athletic performance of the groups who took bee pollen, protein extracts or the placebo.
Tags: athletic performance, evidence that, little evidence, little evidence that, that pollen, took pollen, concluded that
Dieting can be a challenge, requiring a great deal of will and determination. The Atkins Diet, however, is designed to make dieting a little easier by allowing dieters to eat without feeling hungry. In the induction phase, dieters will reduce their carbohydrate intake to 20 net carbs per day for two weeks, generating an average weight loss of around six to thirteen pounds. With consistent weight loss over a period of time, just as in any other weight-loss program, it's likely that dieters will hit a plateau.
Instructions
1. In a journal, record everything that you eat and drink. Make sure that you're not exceeding your net carb count.
2. Cut back on artificial sweeteners, or eliminate them completely from your diet. Artificial sweeteners can stall weight loss by raising insulin levels. Drink more water. Water cleanses the body better than diet sodas.
3. Exercise more often. If you are exercising only a couple of days per week, increase your activity to four days a week, 45 to 60 minutes a day.
4. Switch up your workout routine. If you have been working out on an exercise bike, switch to a treadmill or an elliptical. Your body may adapt to a routine, failing to burn fat as efficiently as it once did. Try mixing up your workout every two to three weeks.
5. Do not eat before going to bed. Eating within three hours of going to bed can prevent fat burning while you are sleeping.
6. Measure your body to see if you are losing inches. If you are following your diet and exercising, you may be losing inches instead of pounds.Your body may be gaining muscle from exercising and lifting weights. If this is the case, your body is changing composition, and the pounds will come off in time. Be patient and soon you will see your weight start to drop again.
Tags: weight loss, days week, dieters will, losing inches, Your body, your diet, your workout
A natural way to help cure Hepatitis is with vitamins. Hepatitis is the medical term for inflammation of the liver. The three main types of Hepatitis include Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C. Below are some vitamins that have been proven effective in helping to treat all types of Hepatitis.
Instructions
1. Take a Vitamin E supplement daily. Many patients with Hepatitis have been shown to have a low level of Vitamin E. Vitamin E has been shown to be able to cure nearly half of patients with Hepatitis when taken for a 10 month period. Ideally you should take around 600 IU of Vitamin E daily.
2. Take a Vitamin C supplement daily. Vitamin C has been proven to help improve the condition of Hepatitis. Vitamin C can also be used to help prevent Hepatitis post transfusion.
3. Take 1,000 mcg of Vitamin B12 daily. Vitamin B12 has been shown to help improve the condition of Hepatitis for some patients. Vitamin B12 is more effective when taken through injections. Speak to a doctor about taking this treatment.
Tags: been shown, Take Vitamin, Vitamin been, been proven, condition Hepatitis, daily Vitamin, daily Vitamin been
It can be challenging to get an active toddler to bed, but most children will respond to a comforting, consistent routine designed to help get them to sleep.
Instructions
1. Keep him busy during the daytime. Most toddlers have lots of energy and enjoy going to the park or playground to work some of it off.
2. Choose a realistic bedtime for your child. Like adults, most children have distinct sleep preferences ' some are night owls, and others are morning people. While you can control this to some degree, consider a slightly later bedtime for a child who just doesn't seem tired by 7:00, or a slightly earlier bedtime for a child who falls asleep over his dinner plate.
3. Adjust nap lengths and times. If your child still naps, but then has trouble getting to sleep at night, try shortening the nap, or moving it ahead by an hour or so. If your child doesn't nap, a brief period of quiet time during the afternoon may be enough to rejuvenate him and keep him happy until bedtime.
4. Start your bedtime routine early, and take your time. After your child has dinner, begin the sequence of events that gradually leads up to bedtime.
5. Be consistent. In some families, the bedtime routine involves a bath, a snack, brushing teeth, and a story before bed. In others, it may be a shower, a video, a snuggle, brushing teeth, then bed. Once you have developed a routine that works for everyone in the family, it will become an important part of your child's "winding down" process.
6. Set clear boundaries and stick to them. Many children will beg for "just one more story" to keep from going to sleep, so decide in advance how many stories you will tell, how many crackers you will offer for a bedtime snack, and when the light will go off ' then stay within the limits you have set.
7. Create a soothing sleep environment. If your child's sleeping area is a calm, pleasant and secure place, this will help him get to sleep. He may also have a favorite toy, blanket or other attachment object that helps him sleep.
8. Stay as close as he needs you to. Some children are happy to go to sleep after a quick goodnight kiss, while others prefer to snuggle, hold hands or go to sleep with an adult in a nearby chair. This will change as your child grows and becomes more self-confident, so don't worry ' you won't have to rock your teenager to sleep.
9. Let him know you will be there if he needs you. Many toddlers have nightmares and night terrors, while some just need more nighttime comforting than others. Some families welcome children into the parents' bed, while others choose to set up a bed or couch in the child's room. Try to get to the root cause of your child's night waking, and remember that the phase will pass soon enough.
Tags: your child, bedtime child, bedtime routine, brushing teeth, children will, most children
Candida albicans is responsible for two different types of infections: oral thrush and candidiasis, a yeast infection of the vagina. In some cases, the Candida albicans organisms are opportunists that take advantage of a compromised immune system. In other cases, it's not clear what causes the overgrowth of this naturally occurring organism.
Transmission of Oral Thrush
Because the exact cause of an overgrowth of Candida albicans in the mouth not known, the mode of transmission of oral thrush is also unknown. It is advisable not to have direct mouth-to-mouth contact with someone who has an active oral thrush infection.
Transmission of Vaginal Thrush
The infection of an overgrowth of Candida albicans in the vagina is referred to by four different terms: vaginal thrush, candidiasis, moniliasis and vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC). There have been instances where the Candida albicans infection has been transmitted through direct sexual contact, officially making it a sexually transmitted disease.
Pregnant women who have a vaginal thrush infection when giving birth run the risk of the infant developing oral thrush.
Considerations
Anything that compromises the immune system's ability to fight off infection, such as immunosuppressive medications and immunosuppressive diseases such as HIV/AIDS as well as antibiotics, steroids, corticosteroid inhalers, chemotherapy and radiation all make a patient more likely to develop a Candida albicans infection.
Chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus and cancer may make a patient prone to Candida infections.
The very young and the elderly have higher incidences of oral thrush than other age groups.
Symptoms
The main symptom of oral thrush is a velvety-appearing white coating on the inside of the mouth. If this coating is wiped or scratched off, the tissue underneath will be bright red and may bleed.
Nearly 75 percent of women will develop vaginal thrush, or vaginal yeast infection, during their lifetime. The main symptom of this common condition is itching. There may also be a thick white vaginal discharge that resembles curdled milk. Pain with intercourse is not uncommon and there may be light bleeding from the vagina.
Candida Albicans and Breastfeeding
Woman who are breastfeeding are at risk for developing a Candida albicans infection of the nipples. This painful condition can easily be passed to the nursing infant. If a Candida albicans infection is suspected, both mother and infant must be treated to avoid recurrence.
The knee, because it is a joint that bears weight and contains soft tissues and nerves surrounding it, can become sore from a variety of diseases or conditions. If your knee becomes sore, or if you have it operated on, you will need to do knee exercises to build up strength. Do not begin knee exercises without consulting with your physician.
Stretching
Stretching aids the muscles and tendons around the knee joint to return to their normal form, helping to alleviate knee pain. To stretch, stand with your right side against a wall. Place your right hand on the wall and then cross your left leg at the back of your right leg. Place your weight on the left leg and support yourself against the wall by moving your left hip in the opposite direction of the wall. Hold this position for a count of five and repeat 10 times. Then repeat but switch to the opposite side by standing with your left half pointing toward the wall and placing your right leg behind the left.
Quadriceps Exercises
The quadriceps is a muscle group that supports the knee by directing the flattening of the knee and movement of the kneecap. Strengthening the quadriceps will assist with knee soreness.
An exercise for strengthening the quadriceps is through quadriceps contractions. Place yourself in a chair. Stretch your legs and keep your heels on the floor. Hold your knees as straight as you can. Contract your thigh muscles for 10 seconds. Relax for three seconds and repeat 10 times. Repeat this exercise several times during the day.
Another exercise for the quadriceps is quadriceps-strengthening leg lifts. While lying on your back, bend your left knee at a right angle and keep your foot on the ground. Keeping your right leg straight, gradually raise it to the level of the left knee. Hold the position for three seconds then do 10 reps. Repeat the exercise but switch sides.
Hamstring Exercises
Hamstrings are responsible for bending the knee and assist in pushing against an object. Like with quadriceps, strengthening hamstrings will aid with knee soreness.
An exercise for strengthening the hamstrings is through hamstring-strengthening contractions. While sitting in a chair, keep your heels on the ground. Keep your heels still, but pull back on the heels. Through this motion you will feel tightness in your hamstrings. Hold the position for 10 seconds. Take a three-second break and repeat the exercise 10 times.
Another way to strengthen the hamstrings is through hamstring-strengthening curls. While on your tummy, put your left foot on the back of your right heel. Gradually position your right heel toward your buttocks while resisting with your left leg, causing your hamstrings to contract. Hold the position for 10 seconds. Relax for three seconds and repeat 10 times.
Walking backwards also aids in strengthening the hamstrings. The backward motion allows for your weight to be spread uniformly. This effect puts less stress on the knees.
Tags: your right, your left, with your, Hold position, keep your
Auditory learners best understand information in spoken form.
Do you understand information best when it is told to you? Or perhaps you're more apt to comprehend something if you take part in completing a task involving it. Learning modalities, also referred to as learning styles, refer to the processes by which individuals best remember information. The three main modalities are visual, auditory and kinesthetic. However, there are both pros and cons to learning information delivered in a manner tailored to individual learning styles.
Maximization of Understanding
On a positive note, once an individual's primary learning modality has been identified, they are then able to seek educational opportunities that are tailored to their best learning interests. For instance, a college auditory learner may choose to enroll in classes that are primarily lecture-based, while a kinesthetic learner can seek additional lab-based courses. The ability to seek tailored educational settings helps give students the best chance of success based on their unique learning style.
Improved Communication
Understanding the different learning modalities may provide improved communication with peers, co-workers and loved ones. Once you are able to identify how you best comprehend information, you can ask those around you to modify information to clarify questions or confusion. For example, if a co-worker is verbally giving you directions to a meeting, but they're not making sense, you will be able to quickly draw a map or jot down notes to better coincide with a visual learning style.
Limitations
Unfortunately, some individuals rely too heavily upon their primary learning modality, thus limiting their ability to easily comprehend information in a variety of formats. It is important to remember that regardless of an individual's primary learning style, that everyone is capable of learning via all three major modalities. By avoiding situations that are not tailored to an individual's primary modality, educational opportunities are limited. For that reason, it is important for individuals to consciously practice improving their ability to comprehend information through all three primary learning styles.
Lack of Adaptation
The typical kindergarten through 12th-grade class is set up to teach primarily through the auditory learning style. Information is presented to students by an instructor in a lecture format. Unfortunately, not every lesson can be tailored to include the three primary learning modalities, which leaves some students frustrated or confused. Learners must be able to recognize their primary style preference while using the other learning styles as necessary to be successful in a standard learning environment.
People have worn copper jewelry for thousands of years. Presently, there are some who believe they can receive health benefits from wearing copper bracelets. This idea is not widely accepted by mainstream medicine, but it has endured as a popular folk remedy.
History
Ancient civilizations in places ranging from the Americas to Egypt used copper extensively. Throughout history people have used copper to make weapons, armor, pots, jewelry and artwork.
Significance
Copper is essential to human health. The body absorbs copper from foods such as nuts, shellfish and salt. Copper aids in the production of melanin, blood and bone and is used in many other essential bodily functions.
Theories/Speculation
There is anecdotal evidence and some research suggesting that copper is useful in relieving arthritis pain. Also, many believe that it is possible to absorb copper through the skin. These two ideas provide the basis for using copper bracelets as medical aids.
Considerations
There are almost no considerations to take into account when deciding to use a copper bracelet to treat arthritis. The only real side effect that could occur would be the formation of a rash due to personal allergies.
Fun Fact
Copper is an excellent conductor of electricity.
Tags: Medical Uses, Medical Uses Copper, used copper, Uses Copper, Uses Copper Bracelets
Whipped double cream makes a thick filling for dessert sandwiches.
Cream is a product dairy farmers produce from whole milk. In non-homogenized milk, the butterfat present rises to the top. Cream producers skim this fat layer off to make cream and make different grades of the product. The main difference between grades is the percentage of butterfat present. In the United Kingdom, two of the most common grades are double cream and single cream.
Butterfat
In Britain, single cream refers to a milk product that has between 10 percent and 12 percent butterfat. This relatively low level of butterfat creates a thin liquid similar to the U.S. product called half and half. In contrast, double cream in Britain refers to a cream product containing 48 percent butterfat. This is richer than any cream product commonly found in the United States; our heavy whipping cream has about 40 percent butterfat.
Whipping
Because of its high milk content, single cream is too thin to be whipped into soft or hard peaks. Double cream, however, is an excellent cream for whipping. It whips quickly into soft and then hard peaks. Some cooks find that double cream is so thick it strains their mixer. They add about 1 tbsp. of milk to every 1 cup of double cream to thin it for a better consistency for whipping. Because it whips so well, it is easy to overwhip double cream. This will produce butter and a thin liquid called whey. Cooks whipping double cream should stop the mixer every few seconds and lift the beater from the bowl to check if peaks are hard enough yet. Once overwhipped, it is not possible to turn butter back into cream.
Nutrition
Because double cream has more butterfat, it is more caloric. Double cream has 140 calories per 30 ml which includes 15.2 gm of fat, 1 gm of carbohydrates and 1.9 gmof protein. Single cream is much lighter; the same serving size has 40 calories with 5.4 gm of fat, 1.2 gm of carbohydrate and 1 gram of protein.
Versatility
It may not be convenient to keep several kinds of cream in the house. When purchasing only one kind of cream from U.K. grades, some chefs recommend double cream. This is because double cream can be thinned down with milk to make single cream if desired, but single cream cannot be converted into double cream at home. This makes double cream the more versatile product to keep on hand.
Natural breast enhancement can be done easily at home or in the gym. Exercises for the breast or pectoral muscles will help burn excess fat while firming the muscle layers in the chest. Exercises that naturally help enhance breast firmness are best done in two to three sets with sets consisting of 10 to 15 repetitions.
Butterfly presses
Lying face up on a mat or bench, extend arms above body at shoulder level. With weights or dumbbells in each hand, keep arms extended and open them so arms are parallel to the floor. Return arms to extended, shoulder-level position.
Finger lock
While standing, hold arms straight at shoulder level. Bend both arms toward the body and interlock fingers. Pull and hold for 5 seconds.
Pull overs
While lying back down on a mat or bench, extend arms above chest. With arms still extended, lower arms above head so arms are parallel to the floor. Keep arms extended and raise arms back above chest. A weight or dumbbell can be held between hands to increase difficulty.
Prayer press
While lying down on mat or bench, use both arms to extend a weight or dumbbell above the chest. Once extended, bend arms at the elbows to lower weight toward the chest. Arms should finish in a prayer-type position. Extend arms backabove chest.
Wall press
Stand 2 to 3 feet from a wall with feet shoulder-width apart. Extend arms and place palms on the wall. While keeping the elbows close to the body, bring chest toward the wall by bending the elbows. Then, push body away from wall by extending arms.
Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV), or herpes, is an incurable, infectious virus carried by thousands of adults and children that typically is spread through sexual contact. HSV-1 is one type of herpes and it affects the skin and upper body, particularly the area in or around the mouth or other parts of the face. Although not always recognized--or present--there are symptoms of facial herpes that will signal HSV infection.
Identification
Symptoms of facial herpes can cause reactions not only on facial skin but in or around the eye, nose and mouth. General symptoms include fever, sore mouth or throat, painful blisters, lesions or sores, swollen glands and neck pain. Sufferers may also feel as though they have the flu.
Considerations
During an outbreak, HSV-1 infected individuals experience areas of swelling on the face, followed by the presence of painful blisters on the nose or lips. These blisters will cluster together and then burst leaving open sores full of pus, which will eventually dry out and become crusty. They typically heal within three weeks.
Types
Herpes Keratitis, or Eye Herpes, can result from HSV-1 if an infected person touches an open sore and then rubs her eye. Symptoms include impaired or blurred vision, cornea tearing, light sensitivity and pain or redness in eyes.
Effects
Oral Herpes results in blisters on the lips or tongue that eventually rupture and heal. Symptoms can include increased saliva production and bad breath. Although not common, you may also experience difficulty in swallowing, hearing loss, muscle pain and chills.
Expert Insight
After infection and HSV has entered the body, the virus travels along nerve pathways to the inner ear where it will remain for life, causing--in many cases--reoccurring outbreaks of symptoms that can only be treated, not cured.
Warning
Infections are most severe after blisters have burst and left open sores containing fluid or pus. Touching these open wounds can cause spreading of the infection to other parts of your face or to others with whom you relate.
Prevention/Solution
Although incurable, it is possible to control herpes outbreaks and the accompanying symptoms in the following ways: take medications as prescribed by your doctor, avoid touching or irritation sores and wash your hands frequently if you do touch them, avoid kissing or oral sex when sores are present, eat a healthy diet and get enough rest and exercise.
Tags: facial herpes, HSV-1 infected, open sores, other parts, painful blisters, Symptoms include
Olive oil has special moisturizing and healing properties and has been used for years to soften skin, smooth hair and remove scar tissue. When combined with chamomile, rose hips and calendula essential oils, olive oil can be made into a potent scar-removing serum. Chamomile has natural skin-lightening properties that will help to lighten the appearance of the scar; calendula is known for its skin-healing qualities. This serum, applied daily, will gradually fade old and new scars.
Instructions
1. Create a natural, herbal scar-smoothing oil. Combine six drops each of chamomile and calendula essential oils in a glass bottle. Allow the oils to mellow into each other for about 2 days.
2. Add 2 tsp. olive oil and 1 tsp. rosehips seed oil to the essential oil mix. Shake the bottle to blend the oils together.
3. Cleanse the scarred skin with a mild, unscented soap and pat dry.
4. Apply a dime-sized amount of the olive oil serum onto the scarred skin. Rub the oil deeply into the scars in a circular motion. For best results, apply the olive oil serum twice a day. Remember that gradual and continued use will heal new scars and help fade old scars.
5. Continue applying the olive oil serum until you have removed all scars. Keep in mind that it may take up to 2 weeks before you start to see any results.
Bee pollen is one of nature’s perfect foods, containing every vitamin, mineral, enzyme and co-enzyme required by the human body. It’s not glamorous, expensive nor synthesized in a laboratory. But there are some risks and drawbacks; otherwise, everyone would probably use it. Here are some tips to let you in on the one common denominator shared by nearly every centenarian ever studied.
Instructions
1. Find at least one good local source of bee pollen. The best source of course is to raise bees, but that may be a stretch for most people. A local beekeeper is an excellent choice, but one may be hard to find and not all beekeepers harvest pollen, rather honey only. You can always ask for the dark honey at the bottom of the hive at a reduced price, which isn’t usually sold anyway. This honey is loaded with pollen already dissolved that you can add to food or eat straight that will add years to your life and life to your years.
2. Look for a store to buy pollen regularly year round. Try a health food or natural foods store or the local coop. National chains such as Whole Foods will have a refrigerator in the supplements section with several brands and sizes. Chances are the local brand will be cost-prohibitive, though they will often be superior in quality, always fresher and will contain samplings of the local fauna—which is a little safer and healthier for you than using pollen from another part of the country.
3. Make a conscious decision and clear plan to use bee pollen for a fair trial period, which is at least a couple of weeks. The first time I tried pollen, I felt really healthy and tossed down a heaping teaspoon with a glass of water and felt a little uncomfortable like I was having a niacin rush. But this is quite dangerous and can result in anything from a vicious rash or hives to a visit to the emergency room. Normally you won’t be able to hold it down if a more acute reaction is likely. But to play it safe, start with as little as a single grain the first day and increase the amount by double (or some nominal greater amount) each day for the entire trial period. Don’t wash it down with water or any drink, rather melt it in your mouth then swallow. You’ll understand quickly why most people elect the pressed pill or capsule containing whatever you think your body needs based on the label, though the fraction of the nutrients you are able to absorb makes most supplements the worst investment you can ever make.
4. Create a regimen you can follow strictly for consuming the bee pollen, and build your life around it. That in itself will render untold benefits. An example is first thing in the morning. If you choose the morning, make sure you allow enough time for the pollen to assimilate before you eat or drink anything but water. I prefer to swallow 2 large tablespoons quickly with 1 to 2 glasses of pure water. While gulping down the pollen doesn’t compare to melting it in your mouth, it works well enough. Sometimes I don’t even eat for a few hours, and experience amazing energy. The only person I’ve ever heard who consumes more pollen than this took 4 tablespoons a day and said he lost 40 pounds without doing anything else.
5. Follow your regimen closely for a few months, then adjust by taking off 1 to 2 days a week, and perhaps a week once or twice per year. Every time I finish off a bottle of pollen, I stop taking it for a few days before starting up again. During these periods, I might sometimes experiment with other supplements, but in general, bee pollen and cod liver oil are all I use (along with several glasses of fresh water that accompany them, which is surprisingly therapeutic even alone).
6. Note the changes in your health, vitality and quality of life. Ulcers disappear, weight stabilizes, skin tone improves, nails and hair strengthen and energy levels soar. Probably no other single thing can contribute to your health as much as this.
Tags: most people, taking days, trial period, with several, your health, your life
Giardiasis is a parasitic infection caused by Giardia lamblia. This protozoan is common throughout the world and is one of the earliest sources of infection in children. Giardiasis is transmitted to humans through a fecal-oral route or by contaminated water, and it causes a diarrheal illness. It has a low infective dose and more than 25 cysts are certain to cause infection.
Instructions
1. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water before cooking, drinking or eating. This is the single most effective way to prevent giardiasis from spreading. Avoid tap water during a community-wide outbreak. Dispose of sewage so that surface or groundwater is not contaminated.
2. Drink only treated water while hiking or traveling. Even ice should be treated before freezing. Boil water for one minute, or filter or purify it with a halogenating compound such as chlorine. Avoid raw or unpeeled fruit and even locally grown vegetables if you suspect they have been washed in contaminated water.
3. Practice strict personal hygiene when changing diapers, especially in a daycare center. Hands should still be washed even if gloves are worn. Keep children with diarrhea home from daycare.
4. Stay out of swimming pools if you already have giardiasis. Giardia is passed in the stool for several weeks after the symptoms abate and Giardia has a high tolerance for chlorine. Avoid swallowing water while swimming, especially in open water.
5. Prevent the sexual transmission of giardiasis by avoiding oral-anal and oral-genital contact.
Tags: chlorine Avoid, contaminated water, water while
The diagnosis of stage 4 metastatic breast cancer means the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. This could include a variety of areas like the liver, bones or lungs. However, there are still treatment options available that can slow down cancer growth and make you feel better. Plus, many breast cancer medications are in the trial phase of study, allowing patients to get access to cutting-edge treatment options.
Instructions
1. Those affected with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer should consider chemotherapy treatment, which uses medications that slow down the cancer's ability to grow. This type of treatment may be used in conjunction with other cancer treatments.
2. Slow down cancer with hormone therapy. Sometimes stage 4 metastatic breast cancer will respond to hormone therapies like Arimidex. These therapies cut down on the amount of estrogen your body produces, which essentially slows down the growth of the cancer.
3. Ask your doctor if you are HER2-positive. Women suffering from metastatic breast cancer may have too much protein, which is called HER2. This may allow cancer to spread more rapidly. Medications like Herceptin put a stop to the overproduction of this protein, which slows down cancer growth.
4. Consider participating in a clinical trial. Many of these trials are open to women affected by stage 4 metastatic breast cancer. This allows access to innovative cancer treatments that aren't yet available to the general population. As a study participant, you'll be helping expand treatment options available to people with this condition.
5. Ask about medications to help side effects. Many breast cancer treatments have side effects, including fatigue and nausea. Your doctor may be able to prescribe something to help ease uncomfortable side effects.
Tags: breast cancer, down cancer, metastatic breast, cancer treatments, metastatic breast cancer, side effects
Often called the "lunchtime" facelift, a contour thread lift is a relatively new cosmetic surgery procedure that only takes a few hours to complete. While not as extreme as a full surgical facelift, a contour thread lift is a more affordable way to get a more youthful appearance by lifting sagging skin. While a thread lift is a far more simple procedure than a tradition facelift, there are a few things you should consider when choosing a doctor.
Instructions
1. Schedule a preliminary consultation with at least two doctors so that you may make an educated decision when choosing a surgeon. Don't choose a doctor on price alone. While a contour thread facelift is a simple procedure in comparison to a full surgical facelift, any type of surgery involves risks and the qualifications of your doctor should be put before cost.
2. Review the credentials of your doctor, including education, board certification and specific thread lift training. While a surgeon may be experienced in various cosmetic surgery procedures, they should have specific training in the use of contour threads.
3. Ask to view before and after photos of your doctor's past patients. Not only will this give you a reasonable idea of what to expect from a contour thread facelift, it will help you determine the experience and expertise of you surgeon.
4. Bring an old photo of yourself to your consultation that reflects the results you would like to see. A good doctor will honestly tell you whether the results are possible or not. Not all people are good candidates for a contour thread facelift, and if your expectations are beyond what a thread lift can deliver, your doctor should tell you right away.
5. Inquire about the procedure, the equipment used and the specific techniques your doctor will be using to perform your contour thread facelift. Compare the response with that of another doctor. Each surgeon will have their own technique; however, you should be aware of the basic procedure in order to compare technique, healing time, cost and the final result you can expect.
According to the Department of Welfare, approximately 1.9 million of the 12.5 million residents of the State of Pennsylvania received assistance for medical care. Medical Assistance, also called Medicaid helps to pay for health care services for low income individuals, pregnant women, and children under the age of 18 who live on a limited income with high medical costs. If you need help with medical expenses and reside in the state of Pennsylvania, then you may want to apply for Pennsylvania Medicaid.
Instructions
1. Download and print the Pennsylvania Medicaid application form through the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare's website, at dpw.state.pa.us. If you do not have access to a printer, you may also go to your county's health and human services office.
2. Check what type of benefits you want to receive. If you are applying solely for Medicaid, choose "medical assistance." You will have a series of yes or no boxes to fill out on the medical assistance application, which will cover areas such as language, migrant worker status, permanent home, housing assistance and whether you have received a disqualification from receipt of services.
3. Enter your personal information, including your first name, middle initial, and last name. You will need to enter your address, how long you have resided at the location, telephone number, and previous address. You will also need to enter whether or not you have received benefits in another state or if you have used another name or social security number.
4. Fill in information for each member of your household, which includes anyone who lives at your address. You will need to enter the first and last name of each individual, whether they are applying for medical assistance, other names used, date of birth, gender, social security number, how they are related to the applicant and their educational level. You will then need to enter their veteran status, marital status, race, whether or not they have a Pennsylvania Access Card, the name on their birth certificate, mother's maiden name, and a state identification number.
5. Complete the criminal history inquiry. Although those with a criminal record can still receive benefits, they must comply with all court orders, probation requirements, parole, and be on time with payment of court or other fines.
6. Continue to answer questions about citizenship, sponsorship, if anyone in the household is a student, in the military, a widow or directly related to a veteran. Answer questions regarding disability status in regards to medical attention, drug or alcohol problems, health sustaining medication, social security, mental disability, and domestic violence.
7. Complete the employment and income information that goes over self-employment, number of hours worked, and asks whether anyone in the household worked in the last five years. You will need to include a work history. Provide verification of household income, including pay stubs, unemployment forms or other documentation to verify the income for each working member of your household.
8. Enter information about other medical insurance, loss of job, and if anyone is pregnant or seriously ill in the household.
9. Include information about property ownerships, including home, car, truck or motorcycle, life insurance policies, and burial plots.
10. Enter information about your unpaid medical bills, as well as paid medical expenses three months prior to the application date.
11. Include information about your household expenses, including utility costs, energy assistance, meals and shared expenses. You may need to provide verification of expenses, including rent, property taxes, insurance, lot rent, and utilities.
12. Sign and date the application form and either bring it into the county office or send it via mail.
Tags: information about, need enter, medical assistance, Pennsylvania Medicaid, social security, will need
Because ADD lacks the hyperactivity of ADHD, many women with ADD go through life without ever being diagnosed. Adult females are often diagnosed with ADD only after their children are diagnosed with the behavior disorder. ADD symptoms can make an adult female come across as self-absorbed, scatterbrained and indecisive. Learn more about the symptoms of ADD in adult females.
Focus Problems
Adult females suffering from ADD often have trouble focusing on one thing for long periods of time. They also find it difficult to concentrate on repetitive or boring chores such as housekeeping.
Disorganization
Females with ADD typically have trouble organizing their living and work spaces. They often come across as sloppy and scattered.
Habitual Tardiness
Adult females with ADD typically have a very poor sense of time, which causes them to run late to work, social events and scheduled appointments.
Emotionally Sensitive
ADD women tend to be extremely sensitive to criticism, emotionally charged and easily upset. These traits typically worsen during periods of hormonal change, such as PMS and menopause.
Social Problems
Adult females with ADD often have problems connecting with others on a social level. They blurt things out without thinking, forget names and tend to be tune out when others are talking.
Low Self-Esteem
The symptoms of ADD in adult females typically lead to a pattern of failure, which causes female ADD sufferers to have low self-esteem.
Tags: Adult females, Adult females with, come across, diagnosed with, females with, have trouble
The Last Rites or The Anointing of the Sick is usually associated with the Catholic religion. The Last Rites are given to a person who is terminally ill, or those whom are about to die. The following will help you perform Last Rites.
Instructions
1. Make sure, if you can, that all previous Catholic rituals are completed by the dying. These would include Baptism, Communion and Confirmation. Without these rituals previously done, the Last Rites, according to the Catholic faith, cannot be administered. If the dying person cannot communicate with you and no one can verify that he has received the other sacraments, assume that he has.
2. Call for a priest to come to the person who needs to receive Last Rites. It may not be possible for the family priest or a priest the person knows to administer the Last Rites. The person needing Last Rites might not be near home or the priest may be away on a trip. Have another priest ready to administer the Last Rites, just in case.
3. Give the priest room while he performs the Last Rites. He will first anoint the dying with sanctified oils on the forehead. Then he will recite the prayer said during the Anointing of the Sick rite.
4. Pray for the person who is being administered his or her Last Rites.
Tags: Last Rites, administer Last, administer Last Rites, Anointing Sick, Catholic Last, Catholic Last Rites
HRT can be stopped prior to surgery to avoid blood clots
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) can cause blood clotting; therefore, some doctors recommend stopping HRT before surgery, especially procedures that involve the knees or hip replacement. Both knee and hip surgeries have an increased risk of developing blood clots in the leg veins and in the lungs (venous thromboembolism).
Instructions
1. Allow enough time before surgery to slowly reduce the amount of hormones in your system. If you stop HRT suddenly, you may experience uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms such as headaches, insomnia or hot flashes.
2. Be patient. Hormonal levels need time to readjust. It's easy to get discouraged, but during the weaning process, it's important to remember that recovery is a gradual process.
3. Decrease dose slowly to mimic how your body naturally reduces hormones during times of change. Lower the dose by half each month. Your doctor can give you a lower dose amount, or you can take your pill every other day.
4. Stop the HRT pill temporarily from four to six weeks before your planned surgery, as long as your menopausal symptoms are under control, according to Medicines Control Agency.
5. Plan on decreasing the pill for 4 to 6 months prior to surgery if you are still experiencing menopausal symptoms at the time you begin preparing for surgery.
6. Ask your health-care provider when you can restart HRT. Many doctors suggest you wait 90 days after surgery to restart HRT.
Tags: before surgery, blood clots, menopausal symptoms, prior surgery
Breast cancer causes the most cancer deaths in American women after lung cancer, according to the Mayo Clinic. Many cases of breast cancer may be prevented through lifestyle changes, and early diagnosis through self exams and mammograms can catch the disease at early stages when it is more easily treated. Treatments for breast cancer include various types of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, which may be used in combination or separately.
Lifestyle
Lifestyle choices such as avoiding alcohol and smoking, exercising regularly, avoiding long-term hormone replacement therapy, maintaining a healthy weight and breastfeeding can prevent breast cancer.
Chemoprevention
Medication may be taken by women to prevent breast cancer. It is called chemoprevention, and includes the use of tamoxifen and raloxifene.
Preventive Surgery
Women with a very high risk of breast cancer may consider preventive mastectomy of one or both breasts.
Lumpectomy
Lumpectomy is the removal of a tumor and a small amount of adjacent tissue.
Mastectomy
Partial mastectomy removes the cancer and some healthy tissue; simple mastectomy removes one breast; modified radical mastectomy removes a breast plus the nearby lymph nodes and skin to treat breast cancer.
Radiation therapy
According to the Mayo Clinic, radiation therapy after surgery is the standard care for breast cancer treatment.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells and is used in women after surgery, especially in cancers that have spread outside of the breast.
Tags: breast cancer, breast cancer, mastectomy removes, after surgery, mastectomy removes breast, Mayo Clinic
Time for braces? But how do you find someone you can trust with your child's teeth? Read on for steps that can help you find the best orthodontist for your child.
Instructions
1. Check with your insurance provider for a list of orthodontic providers covered by your health insurance. Be aware that not all dental insurance provides orthodontic coverage.
2. Using that list, check with friends, family and online resources for a recommendation. You can also call your pediatrician or your child's dentist to see whom they most often work with.
3. Call the orthodontist's office and ask to visit. They may have you make an appointment to meet the orthodontist, or they may just offer to let you swing by to see the office.
4. Review the office space. Make sure the decor is child-friendly and the equipment is child-sized. See how they manage young children--a reward box, balloons and cartoon decor are all good indicators. Many orthodontic offices also show a movie, have video games and provide other distractions for older kids.
5. Ask what their plan is to help your child's teeth. Most up-to-date orthodontists prefer to intervene early to prevent any need for extractions and help build stronger root systems for your child's teeth. Typically, they'll have a stage 1 plan (from around 8 to around 11) and a plan for stage 2 (ages 12 and older).
6. Ask about costs. Since dental insurance doesn't always provide orthodontic coverage, you'll want an orthodontist who offers flexible payment options to maximize your ability pay for their work.
Tags: your child, child teeth, your child teeth, dental insurance, orthodontic coverage
Emergency volunteers are everyday citizens who are trained to help authorities and the public in the event of a major disaster or public crisis in which people need extra direction, help and support to keep themselves or their loved ones safe. While most of this help entails giving advice and information to people, there are specific procedures for different types of crises that emergency volunteers are trained to handle.
Medical Volunteers
Emergency volunteers who have a background in or knowledge of medicine will set up initial medical operations in the event of a crisis or emergency, ranging from nurses and physicians to morticians and chaplains. While authorities from the local, state or even federal government will be calling the shots as to where operations should be set up and how people who have been medically affected by the crisis are attended to, these volunteers will be on hand to serve wherever they are needed and where they are qualified to serve. Their duties include working in triage, monitoring patients and reporting to doctors and nurses about them, and helping administer mass immunizations, if that's what is needed.
Transportation
Those who can drive large trucks or pilot helicopters and have skills to provide other unique forms of transportation will also be part of the emergency volunteer corps. They will help move in equipment and supplies to the main area where the medical staffs and other authorities will be setting up their primary operations. Transportation through these volunteers is integral to the success of the operation and will be supervised by authorities from the state and federal government, depending on the crisis. Just about anyone can be a volunteer when it comes to transportation, as long as you have a car, proof of insurance and no criminal record. You'll be responsible for transporting everyone from victims to authorities helping with the crisis, to transporting supplies to and from the scene of the crisis. The bigger the vehicle you can provide, the better.
Debris Clearing and Removal
Be it a natural disaster or a manmade one, the emergency volunteers will play a real role in cleaning up whatever happened in a safe and efficient manner. After a hurricane, felled trees will be cut apart and the wood removed to be used elsewhere. Glass and debris will be piled together to be transported away and analyzed or disposed of properly so that they don't pose a threat to people or the surrounding environment. These emergency volunteers are skilled in construction materials and using large power tools and are involved in both the initial rescue process and the clean-up process. They help try to return the area to the way it was before the incident occurred and try to do so as quickly as possible.
Tags: emergency volunteers, authorities from, Emergency volunteers, federal government, these volunteers, volunteers will
MDS refers to a condition in the blood and bone marrow that is characterized by abnormal cells in the bone marrow, and low blood-cell count. It is more common in men then women, and most often afflicts men over the age of 70. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society states that between 2001 and 2005, 50,484 cases of MDS were diagnosed within the United States. Using these numbers, the Leukemia & Lymphoma society estimates that an average of 10,000 new MDS cases are diagnosed each year.
What is MDS?
MDS is a disorder of the bone marrow that results in problems with blood-cell count. Cells develop in the bone marrow into white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets. These blood cells serve important functions within the body--like carrying oxygen and fighting infection, among other things. Everyone has some immature cells within the bone marrow that have not, and do not, develop properly into a white or red blood cell or a platelet. Normally, the number of immature cells--called blasts--is at or below five percent. In patients with MDS, a higher number of blasts occurs because cells fail to develop properly.
Types of MDS
There are two major types of MDS, high-risk MDS and low-risk MDS. Patients with low-risk MDS have abnormal cells in the bone marrow, but the majority of their cells are normal. While low-risk MDS patients have blast levels above the normal five percent, the blast levels are generally not high enough to create serious health problems. Many low-risk MDS patients have anemia, but are able to manage this and any other symptoms of MDS well. High-risk MDS patients, on the other hand, have a higher number of blasts that are released into the blood stream. Their cells may not function normally, they may have very low blood-cell counts, and serious side effects may occur, up to and including fatality.
Is MDS a Cancer?
MDS is considered to be a cancer, in the sense that the cells in the bone marrow are abnormal. However, not all MDS syndromes are a form of leukemia. Although high-risk MDS can be fatal in its own right, it is distinct from MDS-related leukemia, called Acute Myelogenous Leukemia or AML. Only patients with a blast level higher than 20 percent are considered to have acute MDL.
What Causes MDS & How is it Diagnosed
Primary MDS, the most common myelodisplastic syndrome, has no known cause in many cases. However, repeated exposure to a chemical called benzine, which is found in cigarettes and some industrial settings, has been linked with the development of MDS. Secondary MDS may be caused by other cancer treatments, including radiation and chemotherapy. Secondary MDS is rare, even in patients who have undergone these cancer treatments, and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society suggests that patients who are diagnosed with secondary MDS may have had an underlying genetic condition that made their bodies more predisposed to developing treatment-related MDS.
Because MDS is largely asymptomatic, and the symptoms associated with it--fatigue and shortness of breath--can have many causes, MDS is primarily diagnosed as part of a routine physical that includes a CBC (complete blood-cell count). A conclusive diagnosis involves measuring blood-cell counts, and observing blood cells and bone marrow under a microscope.
What Treatments Are Available?
Treatment varies depending on the type of myelodisplastic syndrome. Low-risk MDS patients may simply watch and wait, monitoring symptoms and treating low blood-cell counts with blood transfusions. High-risk patients, and/or patients with AML, may be treated with high-dose chemotherapy. When possible, an allogenic stem cell transplant can be useful in managing MDS, but the procedure is risky and requires a matched donor.
Tags: bone marrow, blood cells, cells bone, cells bone marrow, blood-cell count, blood-cell counts, bone marrow that
Ultrasound is a popular choice for screening exams for an abdominal aortic aneurysm. It is a relatively safe imaging method because it does not use ionizing radiation to acquire images. Ionizing radiation is the type of radiation used with X-ray and computed tomographic (CT) imaging. Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to acquire images. Certain conditions can create difficulties with ultrasound imaging, so ultrasound for an abdominal aorta aneurysm requires preparation so the aorta can be visualized.
Instructions
1. Schedule the appointment for early in the morning so you will not go hungry throughout the day of the procedure.
2. Eat a healthy and filling meal the night before the exam. You may wish to avoid foods that cause gas for you.
3. Do not eat anything within the eight-hour period prior to the exam. This allows bowel gas to subside so the aorta can be seen using ultrasound.
4. Arrive at the hospital or clinic 15 minutes before the exam, or as you were directed when you made your appointment.
5. If the exam is taking place at a hospital, go to Patient Registration to let them know that you have arrived and to sign any paperwork that is required by the hospital.
6. Go to the department where the ultrasound will take place. The ultrasound technician will call your name when it is time to do the exam.
Anyone who has spent or spends a large amount of time in the sun runs the risk of developing skin cancer. In fact, this form of cancer is the most common type developed in humans. Each year more and more cases of the disease are diagnosed, with an estimate of more than 1 million new cases being diagnosed each year. It's thought that almost half of the population who lives to be 65 will develop some form of skin cancer in their life. Below is information on the different types of skin cancer and the treatments that are offered.
Types
There are three different types of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. Basal cell carcinoma is the least dangerous of these cancers and melanoma is the worst. Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are the most common types of skin cancer and are referred to as non-melanoma type of skin cancer. Since melanoma has a tendency to spread rapidly throughout the body, it's considered the worst form to have.
Basal Cell Carcinoma
Basal cell carcinoma is considered the least dangerous form of skin cancer because it rarely ever spreads to other regions of the body. Almost 90 percent of skin cancer cases are diagnosed as basal cell carcinoma. Though this cancer rarely metastasizes, it can cause damage to the surrounding tissues by its growth. This type of cancer is thought to be caused by intermittent exposure to the sun during periods in younger life, vacations and other brief but intense periods of getting sun and being burned. Being exposed to ultraviolet radiation such as in tanning booths is also known to cause this type of cancer.
Basil cell carcinoma can take months or years to grow and, though it rarely spreads, it can cause disfiguring damage to the eye, ear or nose if growing close to these regions. It usually starts by looking like a small, dome-shaped bump, covered in tiny blood vessels that are shiny and translucent. The doctor will make his diagnosis by taking a biopsy of the area.
There are many treatments offered for basil cell carcinoma and the success rate is greater than 90 percent. Curettage and desiccation is the most preferred method of removing this cancer. The cancer is basically scooped out by using an instrument like a spoon, then an electrical current is applied to the area to keep the bleeding under control and kill any remaining cells of the cancer. The tumor can also be surgically removed.
Another treatment is through radiation therapy. This type of therapy is used when the cancer has formed in areas that are difficult to remove through surgery. Cryosurgery treatment is also used and the cancerous area is frozen using liquid nitrogen. With Mohs micrographic surgery, the surgeon will remove the cancer a little at a time without affecting a large portion of the healthy tissue. The cancer can also be treated by using creams directly to the affected area.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma is another form of skin cancer that develops due to exposure to the sun or ultraviolet radiation. It may take years for this type of cancer to show up and, unlike basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma can spread to other parts of your body. The lower lip is an area where squamous cell carcinoma is prone to metastasize. This cancer usual begins as skin colored or red nodules that are quite firm. The most common place for this type of cancer to show up is on the forehead, cheeks, ears and backs of hands.
The doctor will take a biopsy to properly diagnosis if you have this type of cancer. The same treatments used for basal cell carcinoma are used to treat squamous cell. These are curettage and desiccation, surgical excision, radiation therapy, cryosurgery, Mohs micrographic surgery and treating the area with medical creams. Since this cancer has a possibility of spreading, it's best to get a diagnosis as early as possible so you can receive proper treatment.
Melanoma
Melanoma is the worst type of skin cancer you can have, as it spreads rapidly throughout the body and can cause death. If caught and treated early enough, melanoma can be treated by removing the affected area of skin. In a more advanced case of melanoma, the cancer may have spread to the organs and bones, and it's less likely to be cured. This cancer is listed in various stages from most curable to the most dangerous. There are five stages of melanoma, from stage 0 to stage IV, with the latter being the worse.
Where the melanoma is and whether it has spread will define which treatment will be best suited. For instance, if the melanoma is in the eye, the worse case of treatment will be in removing the eyeball. In stage IV melanoma, the cancer has spread and more than likely the treatment will be to control the symptoms instead of curing the disease. The survival rate for people developing melanoma in this stage is less than 50 percent.
Other treatments for melanoma are surgical removal of the affected area, radiation, chemotherapy or immunotherapy. Once you've been diagnosed with melanoma, the treatment of it will be ongoing. More than likely, the doctor will want to continue to check on the area where the cancer was removed every couple of months for five years. Since melanoma can return, it's very important to keep up on your appointments and care of your skin.
Follow-up Care
Even though skin cancer is the most curable of all cancers, once you've had it, you're more likely to develop skin cancer again. It's important to follow your doctor's orders for regular checkups and instructions for preventing any new skin cancers. Make sure to self check you own body for signs of any new or unusual looking growths or moles. Avoiding the sun is the best way to prevent the disease, but quite often this is not possible. When outside make sure to use sunscreen and wear protective clothing to cover your exposed areas of skin.
Tags: cell carcinoma, skin cancer, type cancer, skin cancer, squamous cell, this type cancer, treatment will
An abdominal aortic aneurysm is a dangerous health condition that can lead to rupture, hemorrhage and possible death. Once this condition is detected, it must be surgically repaired with specific follow-up care procedures for the patient.
Aneurysm and Repair
An abdominal aortic aneurysm is a weakened area of aortic wall (this is the largest artery in the human body). This weakened area causes a bulge in the wall of the aorta and this bulge is susceptible to bursting, which can cause a life-threatening situation.
The aorta is located in the chest and is connected to the left ventricle of the heart. Oxygen-rich blood is pumped through the aorta to the rest of the body, where it is used to support other functions of the body that require oxygen.
Because an aneurysm is potentially life-threatening, it has to be repaired once it is found. If it continues to grow, the aorta wall where the aneurysm is located grows progressively weaker, which increases the chance that it will burst. The patient has two options to consider in repair. He can undergo an open repair, where his abdominal wall will be opened up so the surgeon can directly view the aneurysm. The surgeon will repair the area weakened by the aneurysm by placing a graft made of synthetic material and suturing it to healthier areas of the aorta. This kind of open graft is the standard procedure used to repair the aneurysm. A second procedure, called the endovascular aneurysm repair, uses small incisions in the groin, exposing the femoral arteries. The surgeon uses X-rays to guide a stent graft to the area of aorta needing repair.
Open Repair Recovery
Once the patient has had her aneurysm repaired, she will be taken to recovery and intensive care for monitoring. She will be given pain medication to help her deal with post-surgical pain. Once she has recovered from anesthesia, she will be started on a liquid diet, then soft solids as soon as she is able to handle them. If the surgeon has placed a drainage tube in her stomach, she will not be able to eat or drink until that tube has been removed. This usually takes two to three days after surgery. As she makes progress after surgery, she will be moved to a post-surgical room and will be given the opportunity to get up and move around for longer periods. She will also be allowed to eat solid foods as she is able to tolerate them.
Endovascular Aneurysm Repair Recovery
After surgery, the patient will go to recovery. His surgeon may choose not to send him to intensive care. He will be given pain medication to help deal with the pain from his incisions. Once he has recovered, he will have his activity level slowly increased so he is able to walk around for longer time periods while he is still in the hospital.
He will be on a liquid diet, then a soft solid diet as his condition allows him to tolerate food. Once he is better able to tolerate solids he will be allowed to eat those.
Tags: will given, abdominal aortic, able tolerate, after surgery, Aneurysm Repair
Waiting for Pap smear results can be a headache. This important test tells you a lot about your health, so you may be anxious just to know all is well. If you have had an abnormal Pap smear results in the past, waiting is even more stressful. The good news is that most Pap results arrive reasonably quickly, so you can get the information you need to know and act accordingly.
Significance
Pap smears, sometimes referred to simply as "Paps," are tests used for detecting cancer cells in the cervix. This test is named for its developer, George Papanicolau. Pap smears are a part of most routine gynecological exams. During the test, the doctor inserts a speculum into the vagina and uses a cotton swab or a small brush to pick up some cells from the cervix. These cells are transferred to a slide when the doctor wipes the swab or brush across the surface of the slide and fixes them in place with a special solution. The slides are sent to a lab where the cells are examined. The lab reads the slide, searching for abnormal, pre-cancerous or cancerous cells.
Some Pap smears are read without technology, while some are scanned using a computer program; PAPNET and FocalPoint are two common programs for reading Paps.
Result Times
The amount of time you have to wait for results depends on where you live and where you had your Pap done. In some cases, results come as soon as two days later, while some women may face a wait time of up to two weeks. The workload of the lab that reads the results determines how quickly they're returned. At the time of your exam, your doctor will tell you when you can expect the results and how they will be delivered to you. Often, doctors mail a card advising a patient of normal results and make a phone call if the Pap smear indicated abnormal cells.
Extended Waiting Times
There are things that can delay your Pap smear results. If the doctor did not collect a sufficient supply of cells for testing, your results will be returned and the test will need to be repeated. Semen can make the smear difficult to read, so if you have had sex without a condom within 24 hours of your exam, your results could take longer than normal or the test may need to be repeated. The same holds true for smears taken during menstruation.
To reduce your chance of delayed results or repeated tests, abstain from sex at least one day before your exam and reschedule your appointment if you begin menstruating the day of the smear.
Understanding the Results
Normal results mean you're in the clear. Otherwise, your tests may indicate that you have an infection, cervical dysplasia (abnormal cells that may or may not be pre-cancerous) or cancerous cells. Your doctor will advise you on the next step to take.
Repeat Smears
Pap smears are generally done annually, unless there is an abnormal result. If you have abnormal cells, your doctor may want another exam in six months.
Tags: abnormal cells, your exam, cancerous cells, doctor will, exam your
There are many types of neurological diseases as well as medical conditions that cause neurological deficits. When the neurological system stops functioning properly, it can have an effect on the entire body. We need our nervous systems to help control most every aspect of the body from breathing to swallowing, walking and talking. Many times a full recovery from a neurological disorder is not attainable. Instead you have to treat the symptoms and work to eliminate the source of the nerve damage.
Medications
There are many medications geared toward treating damaged nerves to help them heal. When inflammation is decreased, pain is decreased as well and nerves have a greater chance of recovering. Lyrica and neurontin are two medications that work in this way. These two are also anti-seizure medications along with keppra, topomax and dilantin. These medications do not cure the problem that causes the seizures, instead they help to control seizures so that no further damage is done to the nervous system.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is an excellent way to help heal the body. If you suffer from a neurological disorder, your doctor may order physical therapy treatments to help the body learn function again at its optimum. Physical therapy for many neurological disorders is in-depth, and is many times a long-term process. Physical therapy for neurological disorders can include balance therapy, coordination training, stretching exercises, aerobic exercises and strength building exercises. Building good muscle strength and control is important for recovery from a neurological disorder.
Alternative Treatments
Alternative treatments are non-conventional medical treatments that can be beneficial to some people. Acupuncture is a non-conventional treatment that has shown promise for neurological recovery. Many times acupuncture is used in accordance with other, conventional treatments.
Herbs are also a non-conventional treatment. There are many herbs that can help relieve pain, help with nerve inflammation and soothe the nerves. Saint-John's-wort and vervain are nervous system relaxants that can help your nerves recover from damage.
Tags: from neurological disorder, neurological disorder, There many, from neurological, help control
For some people, quitting smoking is a monumental task, while others can take it or leave it and have no difficulty giving it up. People try to understand the psychology of stopping without realizing that it boils down to one simple thing: You have to want to quit. People who have a great deal of difficulty really don't want to stop smoking. They think patches, gums, and pills will force them to stop, so that the decision is out of their hands. Putting it in its simplest terms, what is more easy than to "not" do something? It's a matter of taking personal responsibility and control and, when you can come to terms with that fact, it's quite easy to stop smoking.
Instructions
1. Ask yourself if you really don't want to smoke anymore and, more importantly, give yourself an honest answer. Remember, you can't fool yourself.
2. Leave a couple cigarettes in the last pack you smoked and have it with you at all times. This may seem contrary to what you're trying to do but the point is, by having them and not smoking, you become empowered because the reason you are not smoking is because you are making that choice.
3. Fill in the gap. Smoking is a habit and when you quit a habit you must replace it with another. That's why most people gain weight when they stop smoking. Choose another healthier habit to replace smoking such as chewing sugarless gum or snacking on raw crunchy carrots or other vegetables.