Health News

DISEASES OF THE VEINS : THROMBOPHLEBITIS – SYMPTOMS AND WHO IS AFFECTED BY

admin — Sat, 30 Jul 2011 18:03:47 +0000

Thrombophlebitis means clotting of blood (thrombus) and inflammation (itis) in a vein, most commonly in the legs. It is often just called phlebitis. It can affect either the deep or surface (superficial) veins.Symptoms of Thrombophlebitis. When the deep veins are involved, your leg may become tender, painful, and swollen. You may also have a fever. When a superficial vein is involved, a red, hard, and tender bump or cordThe leg is still getting enough oxygen and nutrients from the arteries, so it is not threatened, but the back pressure of unreturned blood and the resulting may be present under the surface of the skin.Who Is Affected by Thrombophlebitis? Your risk for thrombophlebitis increases if you are confined or immobile for prolonged periods. Thrombophlebitis commonly occurs after surgery, heart attack, hip or leg fracture, or prolonged bed rest or inactivity (such as sitting for a long time in a plane or car). Cancer patients also have a higher risk, as do people who are overweight, who use oral contraceptives, or whose blood has an abnormally high tendency to clot.*206\252\8*

AORTIC DISSECTION – CAUSES & SYMPTOMS

admin — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 17:56:02 +0000

Dissection is catastrophic form of arterial disease. I usually involves the aorta or a portior of it (aortic dissection). Dissection means that layers of the wall of the aorta separate. The inner layer peels off from the remainder of the vessel so that blood can be forced between the layers, extending the dissection along the involved artery.Causes of Dissection. Aortic dissection tends to occur in persons with high blood pressure. There is also some association with diseases that cause general defects in the structural tissue of the body such as a hereditary syndrome called Marfan’s syndrome, abnormalities of the blood vessel walls such as cystic medial necrosis, certain types of atherosclerotic plaques that burrow into the heart vessel wall, certain types of arteritis (inflammation of arteries), bicuspid aortic valve (two cusps instead of the normal three), and pregnancy.Symptoms of Dissection. Dissection of the aorta causes sharp and tearing chest and back pain. Often the pain is focused in the back between the shoulder blades, although it may descend into the lower back as well or feel as if it is “boring” into the chest. Typically the pain is severe and comes on suddenly. It can be vague or like angina, and it is sometimes misinterpreted at first by both patients and doctors as a heart attack.*198\252\8*

OVERCOMING CANCER: SOLVING PROBLEMS THROUGH ILLNESS

admin — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 17:48:22 +0000

Willie was a patient who fell into the trap of having a stake in staying ill. Before he joined the air force, Willie had lived at home with his parents and had gone to school. In his family, at school, and at his part-time job, he felt hounded by people who were continuously pushing him to do things he really did not want to do. To “show them all,” he ran off and joined the military. Much to his dismay, he once again found himself surrounded by authority figures. Everyone outranked him and everywhere he turned, he was told what to do. Because he had enlisted and could not get out of the situation in less than four years, he felt trapped. What made it worse was that he felt he could not even complain about his fate to sympathetic listeners. During this time, Willie told us later, he fantasized about having a terminal disease, imagining how sorry everyone would be if they found out he was going to die.After Willie developed a lump in his neck, he came in for surgery and was told that a biopsy showed he had a malignant lymphoma (Hodgkin’s disease). When told of the diagnosis, he said he experienced a sense of excitement, almost happiness. Later, he became concerned about his unusual response t what most people would take as devastating news. It was this concern that led him to explore with us the psychological issues of his illness during the weeks he was receiving radiation therapy. During the course of this exploration he came to the realization that his sense of relief at the time of his diagnosis was because his illness “rescued” him from the trap he believed himself to be in and gave him a reason for allowing no further demands to be made on him. The dilemma, though, was that if he recovered he would again have to face the problem of his military obligation. This raised a considerable barrier to his commitment to getting well. Resolving this issue was a central focus of his psychological therapy—to which he responded well. A similar problem was faced by another patient of ours, a young psychiatrist. Approximately six months before his diagnosis, a long-term patient of his tried to commit suicide and another person was killed as a result. To make matters worse, the psychiatrist had been developing new approaches to psychiatry, and several people who disagreed with his ideas used the tragedy as an opportunity to question his “unorthodox” methods, aggravating the guilt he was already feeling. He went into a deep depressive cycle in which he contemplated taking his own life on several occasions. Six months later, he was diagnosed as having advanced lymphosarcoma involving his lungs and liver.The illness served several important psychological functions for the psychiatrist. One by-product was that it silenced his critics. After all, no one needed to or could decently criticize a “dying man.” In addition, the disease appeased his guilt, atoning for the exaggerated sense of responsibility he felt for his patient’s actions. Recovery, of course, would remove the source of his penance.Fortunately, as a psychiatrist, he had developed a high level of insight into his own psychological processes and was able to resolve his feelings substantially. At the time of his original diagnosis, he was given less than a 10 percent chance of surviving five years. Today, after six years and despite two flare-ups of his disease, he has maintained an active psychiatric practice.This patient was able to use the temporary “protection” offered by the disease to regroup his psychological forces so that he could cope more effectively once he got well. But some patients find no way to solve their problems except through illness. Another patient revealed that his disease was preceded by a great deal of stress in his professional life, a lack of time with his wife and children, and a pressure for financial success. His illness provided him with a generous disability allowance, ample time for family, and no pressure to produce. But his problems in going back to work have been insurmountable. Three times he reached the point where he was free of symptoms and could consider working again and each time, within weeks of his seriously contemplating returning to his profession, he had a serious flare-up.In still another case, the patient was part-owner of a business and felt that her partners put an unreasonable amount of the burden of running the business on her. Yet she had great, difficulty refusing their demands. Initially, her illness said no for her. Nobody would dare ask her to do anything while she was sick. But fortunately she realized that if she used the illness as a crutch, she might never get well. Instead, she is learning to say no without using illness as an excuse and has gone back to sharing the operation of the business, feeling’ good that she is able to assert her needs.Several other patients have found that their disease temporarily removed them from an intolerable job. Again, because the disease only suspends the problem for them, it is important that they confront the personal attitudes and behaviors that permitted the situation to become intolerable in the first place—or they are likely to re-create the situation and the disease each time they return to work.Illness gives patients temporary permission to act in more open ways emotionally. But if they cannot learn to give themselves that same permission when they are healthy, then the moment they get well the old rules again apply, and they find themselves in the psychologically and physically destructive situation that first contributed to their illness.This concept also accounts for the depression some patients report when they are told they are in remission—or that their disease is much better. Rather than the elation they expected to experience as a result of their good news, many report being perplexed because they feel depressed. Even though consciously they are pleased that their disease is better, unconsciously they are experiencing a loss of the tool their illness provided. The feeling of depression at the prospect of better health is important feedback that there is still psychologically important work to do.*36\347\2*

ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF THE BACKBONE: DISCS

admin — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 13:57:36 +0000

There are discs in the spinal column, in between the vertebrae. These discs, being filled with a gelatinous substance, provide a certain amount of cushioning and give mobility to the spine. If the discs were ‘rock-solid’ like bone, there would be no flexibility of the spine and bending forward or backward, rotational and natural movements would be impossible. Young bamboo shoots are extremely flexible but when the joints (discs) in them fuse as they mature, the flexibility is greatly reduced. There is an ailment of the backbone, ankylosing spondylitis (an autoimmune disease) where the spine joins up as a whole due to the calcification of the ligaments that bind the vertebrae together. The discs too solidify and thus appear like bamboo joints in an X-ray of the spine. This fusion leads to complete loss of flexibility of the back.The discs in the human spine are very well developed while other animals do not have such a well-defined structure as they do not walk erect. The discs cushion the weight of the body, like shock absorbers. In a horizontal spine such a structure (discs) would be a hindrance to the spine as it would be difficult to maintain the rigidity to support the weight of the visceral organs.*61\330\8*

HIV INFECTION AND ITS EFFECTS ON THE EMOTIONS: ANGER AND ENERGY-DEALING WITH ANGER

admin — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 13:50:56 +0000

Anger is a natural and justifiable response to this infection. People need to be allowed to be angry. People also need to learn how to express anger appropriately. Directing anger at the wrong target—like Helen at the Xerox machine or like Lisa’s husband at Lisa or like Alan at himself—is at best ineffectual and at worst harmful. Anger turned on yourself is recognized as a form of depression. Those who feel hopeless or isolate themselves or eat or drink too much or continue the behavior that put them at risk for the infection are hurting themselves. Usually people realize they are treating themselves badly, and before too long, they stop of their own accord. Sometimes a friend or relative notices that the person is drinking a lot or seems unhappy and recommends getting help. If you do not seem to be stopping on your own, get help from a psychiatrist, psychologist, or social worker. These mental health professionals will help you identify and understand the anger and will help the anger find its proper target. If necessary, they can also recommend alcohol- or drug-treatment programs. Even anger turned outward can be overwhelming. Certain actions and attitudes help people deal with anger. First, separate the anger from its target. Lisa’s husband, after talking to a psychiatrist, understood he was angry at the circumstances, not at Lisa for serving him cold oatmeal. Steven, who had been furious at the doctors he saw in the clinic, was able to say, “The doctors aren’t the people I’m mad at. I can identify the feeling now and separate it out.” Alan came to see he was depressed because he was turning his anger at the disease on himself and punishing himself with hopelessness and feelings of isolation. Second, find mechanisms that discharge anger. These will be different for different people. Helen screams, hits the bed until she is tired, and takes long walks through the fields around her small town. Steven jogs and works out in a gym. Dean tires too easily for regular physical exercise; instead, he yells, writes out his anger in a journal, and talks to his partner, parents, and relatives. Alan, though he remains somewhat depressed, finds he feels calm and relaxed after he meditates.
*64\191\2*

MEDICAL TREATMENT OF PMS: DIURETICS

admin — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 13:44:39 +0000

Diuretics are a standard treatment for water retention and will be of no help for other PMS symptoms. They work by interfering with normal kidney function so that the kidneys excrete more urine.PMS specialists tend to agree that diuretics should be reserved for women who actually gain weight in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. Some women develop abdominal bloating but do not put on weight and it is questionable whether they are retaining water at all or simply that their weight is redistributed just before a period. If you are not retaining water then a diuretic should not be prescribed.There are problems with diuretics as they can cause even worse water retention – rebound water retention – when you stop taking them. Some diuretics may cause a deficiency of the mineral potassium leading to symptoms of weakness and confusion and, in severe cases, heart palpitations.The diuretic most often prescribed for PMS is spironolactone which is thought to carry a lower risk of rebound water retention.*44\120\4*

TRADITIONAL THERAPY FOR RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS TREATMENT: DMARDs What is a DMARD?

admin — Wed, 18 May 2011 13:33:03 +0000

DMARDs stands for disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs. Most DMARDs take a long time to begin working. In addition, because these are such strong agents, you must be carefully monitored by your doctor while taking these drugs.
Some DMARDS that can be helpful to you.There are many DMARDs that are helpful in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, including Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine), Rheumatrex (methotrexate), Imuran (azathioprine), Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide), Arava (leflunomide), and Azulfidine (sulfasalazine).
Aren’t some of these drugs used in chemotherapy for treating cancer?In some instances, these drugs are useful for the treatment of various cancers. They interfere with the division of cells and can be useful in treating tumors. In the treatment of arthritis, we are trying to accomplish the same thing—the obliteration of the cells responsible for the disease process.
What is hydroxychloroquine?Hydroxychloroquine is a drug used to treat malaria. A brand name for this drug is Plaquenil.Hydroxychloroquine moderately useful in the treatment of RA.Exactly how it acts in the treatment of diseases like RA is not known. This drug is known to act as a mild suppressor of the immune response and gently even thins the blood in some studies.What is the usual dose?The standard dose of the drug is 200 milligrams twice a day. It becomes most effective about three to six weeks after you begin to take it.Hydroxychloroquine and a similar compound chloroquine are used for the treatment of diseases like lupus, Sjogren’s syndrome, and anti-phospholipid syndrome.It is considered one of the safest DMARDs available. Serious adverse effects are rare.
What are some of the side effects?Occasionally, patients may experience visual problems including change in pigmentation of the retina of the eye or some loss of feeling of the cornea. An eye exam is recommended six months after starting the drug and every six months thereafter. Persistent nausea or an allergic reaction with itching and rash are also possible. All in all, this drug is quite safe and free of side effects.*32/141/5*

IBS AND CANDIDA ALBICANS: DOES IT ONLY AFFECT THE BOWEL?

admin — Mon, 09 May 2011 11:29:31 +0000

No, it can move around; Candida can change from the simple form which causes oral or vaginal thrush to the invasive mycelial fungal form. This more sinister organism grows root-like tendrils which can actually penetrate the wall of its habitat. Instead of being a sealed unit the bowel becomes a leaking pipe through which the waste products of digestion, and the poisons manufactured in the ‘Candida chemical factory’ can escape into the bloodstream causing widespread problems. The Candida has a perfect transportation system to parts of the body which it does not normally inhabit and where there is no defence system to cope with it. The list of symptoms caused by chronic candidiasis is formidable – extremely long and with many apparently unrelated symptoms:constipation diarrhoea bloating allergies cystitis thrush acnescaly rashes nail bed infections sore tonguecracks at the side of the mouth sores in the nose ear infections athlete’s foot depression anxiety irritabilitypremenstrual tension*68\326\8*

DIFFICULTY FALLING OR STAYING ASLEEP: PROFILE OF A DIMS INSOMNIAC

admin — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 11:24:13 +0000

The sleep-wake pattern is the first clue to a diagnosis of DIMS. In addition, the length of time a disorder has persisted—a few days? years?—is a significant factor in understanding the problem. All of us suffer disturbed sleep at some time or another as a normal response to grief, illness, or a major change in our lives. A long-term sleep disruption, however, may be the result of behavioral patterns learned in childhood. This kind of conditioned response accounts for perhaps a third of all DIMS diagnoses.Like other physicians I have noticed other patterns of behavior common to many insomniacs. They frequently report that, come bedtime, they feel increasingly tense and anxious. They begin to ruminate about the state of their health, their problems at work, or their personal relationships. Thoughts of death intrude. I’ve already mentioned that common but bizarre prayer “Now I lay me down to sleep”; the scientific literature on sleep contains reports of people who have been terrorized by this innocent prayer and its not-too-concealed threat that they might die before they awaken. One sensitive parent I know of rewrote the prayer this way: “In the morning when I wake, keep me again for thy dear sake,” thus effectively shielding her children from the association between sleep and death.In large measure, insomniacs are people who lack adequate means of dealing with stress, who tend to turn their emotions inward. Laboratory studies demonstrate that these thought patterns have physiological consequences in that they stimulate the autonomic nervous system. Heart rate, muscle tension, and body temperature may increase, making onset of sleep more difficult. In the morning these individuals feel worse than on retiring: tired, unrested, irritable. They drag themselves through the day feeling tense, unhappy, not fully in control.*108\226\8*

HOW TO ASCERTAIN ASTHMA: THE DIAGNOSTIC TESTS – THE IGE TEST

admin — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 11:18:49 +0000

The presence of asthma is very closely related to the serum IgE or allergic antibody level. The IgE blood test is an important blood test, which measures the amount of allergic or IgE antibody in a child’s serum or body. A small sample of blood is processed through an analyzer to detect and count the IgE count. A high IgE level indicates that the child is susceptible to allergies, and allergies play an important role in the asthma.The test is very helpful in predicting if infants or young children with asthma will ever develop asthma, hay fever, or allergies even at a future date. The IgE antibody levels tend to get elevated years before a child develops signs of asthma or hay fever. Studies have concluded that even wheeze free children with high IgE levels may have allergic or hyperresponsive airways.*50\260\8*