List Illness

Causes and Cures Erectile Dysfunction

2009-04-07T08:29:00.000-07:00

Causes and Cures Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction (ed, impotence), is highly prevalent but ironically the least discussed male condition. Due to social taboos associated with the word Erectile Dysfunction (Impotence) many men choose to suffer from it silently rather than going in for erectile dysfunction treatment.

Causes Erectile Dysfunction: There are a few things that might be giving you trouble. One is prostatitis, which is an infection of the prostate that causes swelling and interferes with erections. It can usually be cured by a course of antibiotics. Another is a urinary tract infection, which can be tested quite easily and treated. Obviously getting to the source of your problem (be it mental or physical or a combination of both) is better than treating a symptom.

You could also have a hormone imbalance, which sounds possible since your sexual drive isn't there (some men who experience organic impotence still have the desire, but not the physical reaction). Talk to your doctor about all your options. It could be a sign of a more serious problem.

Cures Erectile Dysfunction: Of course in the short term getting the spark and intimacy back into your love life with a little help will put your mind at ease as well, so definitely check out cialis, viagra and levitra.

Mental Illness Medication List

2009-04-07T06:06:00.000-07:00

Mental Illness Medication List

Abilify (Aripiprazole) is used for treating schizophrenia and certa...
Ashwagandha enables its users to handle stress.
Atarax (Hydroxyzine) is used for treating anxiety and sedation.
Buspar (Buspirone) is indicated for the management of anxiety disor...
Celexa (Citalopram) is used for treating depression.
Cymbalta (Duloxetine) is used for treating depression and generaliz...
Desyrel (Trazodone) is primarily used for the treatment of depression.
Effexor (Venlafaxine) is an oral antidepressant drug.
Elavil (Amitriptyline) is used to elevate the mood of patients with...
Emsam (Selegiline) is a medicine, used for the treatment of depress...
Endep (Amitriptyline) is used to treat symptoms of depression, alon...
Geodon (Ziprasidone) is used to treat severe mental disorders.
Lexapro (Escitalopram) is used for treating depression and anxiety.
Pamelor (Nortriptyline) is used for treating depression.
Paxil (Paroxetine) is an anti-depressant drug.
Prozac (Fluoxetine) is in a new class of antidepressant medications...
Remeron (Mirtazapine) is used to treat major depressive disorder.
Risperdal (Risperidone) is used for treating schizophrenia or bipol...
Sarafem (Fluoxetine) is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (S...
Seroquel (Quetiapine) is used for treating schizophrenia.
Sinequan (Doxepin) is used to elevate the mood of patients with dep...
Wellbutrin SR (Bupropion) is a pharmaceutical prescription antidepr...
Zoloft (Sertraline) is a prescription medicine used to treat depres...
Zyban (Bupropion) is an antidepressant and indicated as an aid to s...
Zyprexa (Olanzapine) is used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar dis...

Two Genes Linked To Disabling Arthritis Identified

2008-03-06T08:34:00.000-08:00

An international team of researchers led by a Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center geneticist has discovered two genes linked to a disabling form of arthritis called ankylosing spondylitis, a painful and progressive disease in which some or all of the spine's vertebrae fuse together. The researchers also validated the association of two genes implicated in Graves' disease, an autoimmune condition that causes overactivity of the thyroid gland.
Principal investigator and corresponding author Lon Cardon, Ph.D., and colleagues in the U.K.-based Wellcome Trust Case Control Consortium and The Australo-Anglo-American Spondylitis Consortium reported their findings online Oct. 21 in Nature Genetics.

The study revealed two genes linked to ankylosing spondylitis: ARTS1 and IL23R, both of which influence immune function. Together with the previously known gene HLA-B27, the new findings increase to three the number of genes known to be involved in the disease. A person who carries all three genetic variants would be expected to have a one-in-four chance of developing the disease.

The discovery of both genes, as well as the validation of two prime genetic suspects in Graves' disease -- genes known as TSHR and FCRL3 -- arose from a comprehensive scan of the human genome in which dozens of researchers used genotyping technology to analyze DNA samples from thousands of patients suffering from a variety of common diseases and compared them to DNA from a similar number of healthy control subjects.

In addition to Graves' disease and ankylosing spondylitis, the study mined for common genetic variations associated with multiple sclerosis and breast cancer. The most significant findings, however, were in ankylosing spondylitis, a type of arthritis that not only affects the spine but also can attack other joints and organs, including the heart, lungs and eyes. The condition afflicts an estimated one in 200 males and one in 500 females and typically strikes during adolescence and young adulthood.

Previous research also has linked IL23R with inflammatory-bowel disease (Crohn's disease) and psoriasis. "Clinically these diseases tend to occur together -- people with inflammatory-bowel disease also tend to have a higher probability of having ankylosing spondylitis and psoriasis. The IL23R gene provides a genetic link that sheds new light on their co-occurrence," said Cardon, a member of the Hutchinson Center's Human Biology Division.

With these new clues in hand, researchers next will study the genes in model organisms to work out the pathways by which they cause disease. The ultimate goal is improved diagnostics and drug discovery. For example, knowing that genetic variation in IL23R is a risk factor for both Crohn's disease and ankylosing spondylitis suggests that drugs being tested for one also may be effective against the other.

"We already knew that IL23R is involved in inflammation, but no one had ever thought it was involved in ankylosing spondylitis," said Matthew Brown, M.D., a clinical researcher from the Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics at the University of Oxford, who co-led the study with Cardon. A treatment for Crohn's disease that inhibits the activity of this gene already is undergoing human trials, Brown said, and the drug also looks very promising as a potential treatment for ankylosing spondylitis.

"This is an exciting time for genetics. The Wellcome Trust Case Consortium has yielded more genetic discoveries for common diseases in 2007 than have been made in the entire history of the field," said Cardon, a statistical methodologist who last year came to the Hutchinson Center's Human Biology Division from the University of Oxford, where he conducted the research and retains an academic post.

"Seattle is very, very strong in epidemiology and genetics and has a worldwide reputation in biostatistics -- that's what brought me here," said Cardon, also a professor of biostatistics at the University of Washington.
Pain Relief

Emergency Contraception

2008-03-06T08:16:00.001-08:00

Emergency Contraception

Hundreds of school girls have become regular users of the morning-after pill, an emergency contraceptive. This is according to pharmacists who are concerned about the rate at which teenage girls, some as young as 13, were buying the drugs. Health specialists say the drug normally used after unprotected sex can pose a threat to one's health and cause cycle problems.

George Muntingh of the University of Pretoria's Faculty of Medicine says easy access to contraception also aggravates the problem. Studies show that there has been an increase of HIV/Aids infection among youngsters due unprotected sex. "It is therefore the responsibility of the pharmacist to counsel the buyer before selling the pill," he says.

He added that suppliers need to be re-evaluated and stricter conditions of sale need to be enforced and administered by bodies like the Medicines Control Council.

He said however, other efforts to curtail the practice have been put in place. Life skills programmes have been introduced at some schools to educate youngsters to practice safer sex and abstinence.

Emergency contraception is a way to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex. Often called the morning-after pill, emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) are hormone pills that can be taken up to 72 hours after having unprotected sex.

Most states require a doctor to prescribe emergency contraception; however, recently some states have allowed nonphysicians to provide ECPs. Either way it is important to seek medical help and guidance.

Emergency contraception is most effective when it is taken as soon as possible after intercourse. But some studies have shown that it can still work up to 120 hours after intercourse.

The intrauterine device (IUD) can sometimes be used as a form of emergency contraception. This is rarely prescribed for teens, though.

How Does It Work?
In high doses, the hormones estrogen and progesterone can prevent pregnancy. The number of pills taken depends on the type of pill being used. The first dose of pills should be taken within 72 hours of unprotected intercourse followed by a second dose of pills 12 hours later.

The hormones may work in a number of ways to prevent pregnancy. They may delay ovulation (the release of an egg during a girl's monthly cycle), affect the movement and function of the sperm, affect the development of the uterine lining, and disrupt the actual fertilization process.

ECPs are less effective if fertilization has already occurred. If implantation has already occurred and a girl is pregnant, ECPs will not interrupt the pregnancy.

How Well Does It Work?
About 1 or 2 in every 100 women who use ECPs will become pregnant despite taking ECPs within 72 hours after having unprotected sex. The effectiveness of emergency contraception methods is calculated differently from the effectiveness of other contraceptives because of how they are used. Emergency contraception is the only type of contraception method that is used after unprotected sex.

Emergency contraception is most effective when taken as soon as possible after unprotected sex. Because of this, the name morning-after pill is somewhat misleading: Ideally the pill should be taken immediately after sex, without waiting for the next morning.

Emergency contraception will not prevent pregnancy if a girl has unprotected sex after taking the ECPs.

Because emergency contraception does not prevent all pregnancies, a woman should see her doctor if she doesn't get her next expected period after taking it.

Protection Against STDs
Emergency contraception does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Couples having sex must always use condoms to protect against STDs even when using another method of birth control.

Emergency contraception is not recommended as a regular birth control method. Instead, it is used for emergencies only. If a couple is having sex and the condom breaks or slips off, if a diaphragm or cervical cap slips out of place, or if a girl forgot to take her birth control pills for 2 days in a row, a girl may want to consider using emergency contraception. It is also available to teens who are forced to have unprotected sex.

Emergency contraception is not recommended for girls who know they are pregnant.

Birth control

Birth Control Pill

2008-03-06T08:10:00.000-08:00

Birth Control Pill

The birth control pill (also called "the Pill") is a daily pill that contains hormones to change the way the body works and prevent pregnancy. Hormones are chemical substances that control the functioning of the body's organs. In this case, the hormones in the Pill control the ovaries and the uterus.

Most birth control pills are "combination pills" containing a combination of the hormones estrogen and progesterone to prevent ovulation (the release of an egg during the monthly cycle). A woman cannot get pregnant if she doesn't ovulate because there is no egg to be fertilized. The Pill also works by thickening the mucus around the cervix, which makes it difficult for sperm to enter the uterus and reach any eggs that may have been released. The hormones in the Pill can also sometimes affect the lining of the uterus, making it difficult for an egg to attach to the wall of the uterus.

Most combination pills come in either a 21-day pack or a 28-day pack. One hormone pill is taken each day at about the same time for 21 days. Depending on your pack, you will either stop taking birth control pills for 7 days (as in the 21-day pack) or you will take a pill that contains no hormones for 7 days (the 28-day pack). A woman has her period when she stops taking the pills that contain hormones. Some women prefer the 28-day pack because it helps them stay in the habit of taking a pill every day.

There is also a type of combination pill that decreases the frequency of a woman's period by supplying a hormone pill for 12 weeks and then inactive pills for 7 days. This decreases the number of periods to one every 3 months instead of one every month.

Another kind of pill that may change the number of monthly periods is the low-dose progesterone pill, sometimes called the mini-pill. This type of birth control pill differs from the other pills in that it only contains one type of hormone — progesterone — rather than a combination of estrogen and progesterone. It works by changing the cervical mucus and the lining of the uterus, and sometimes by affecting ovulation as well. The mini-pill can be slightly less effective at preventing pregnancy.

The mini-pill is taken every day without a break. A girl who is taking the mini-pill may have no period at all or she may go several months without a period. For the minipill to work, it must be taken at the same time every day, without missing any doses.

Any type of birth control pill works best when it is taken every single day at the same time of day, regardless of whether a girl is going to have sex. This is especially important with progesterone-only pills.

For the first 7 days of taking the Pill, a girl should use an additional form of contraception, such as condoms, to prevent pregnancy. After 7 days, the Pill should work alone to prevent pregnancy. But continuing to use condoms will protect against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

If pills are skipped or forgotten, a girl is not protected against pregnancy and she will need a backup form of birth control, such as condoms. Or she will need to stop having sex for a while. Do not take a friend's or relative's pills.

How Well Does It Work?
Over the course of 1 year, 5 to 8 out of 100 typical couples who rely on the Pill to prevent pregnancy will have an accidental pregnancy. Of course, this is an average figure and the chance of getting pregnant depends on whether you take your birth control pills every day. The Pill is an effective form of birth control, but even missing 1 day increases the chance of getting pregnant.

In general, how well each type of birth control method works depends on a lot of things. These include whether a person has any health conditions or is taking any medications or herbal supplements that might interfere with its use. For example, antibiotics or an herb like St. John's wort can interfere with the effectiveness of the Pill.

How well a particular method of birth control works also depends on whether the method chosen is convenient — and whether the person remembers to use it correctly all the time.

Protection Against STDs
The birth control pill does not protect against STDs. Couples having sex must always use condoms along with the Pill to protect against STDs.

Abstinence (the decision to not have sex) is the only method that always prevents pregnancy and STDs.

Possible Side Effects
The birth control pill is a safe and effective method of birth control. Most young women who take the Pill have none to very few side effects. The side effects that some women have while on the Pill include:

irregular menstrual bleeding
nausea, weight gain, headaches, dizziness, and breast tenderness
mood changes
blood clots (rare in women under 35 who do not smoke)

Some of these side effects improve over the first 3 months on the Pill. When a girl has side effects, a doctor will sometimes prescribe a different brand of the Pill.

The Pill also has some side effects that most girls are happy about. It usually makes periods much lighter, reduces cramps, and is often prescribed for women who have menstrual problems. Taking the Pill often improves acne, and some doctors prescribe it for this purpose. Birth control pills have also been found to protect against some forms of breast disease, anemia, ovarian cysts, and ovarian and endometrial cancers.
Birth control

Condom - birth control

2008-03-06T07:46:00.000-08:00

Condom

A condom is a type of birth control (contraceptive). Condoms are worn during intercourse to prevent pregnancy and the spread of some sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), such as HIV, gonorrhea, and chlamydia.

Other than a vasectomy, the condom is the only available method of birth control for men.

A condom blocks sperm from coming in contact with the inside of the vagina, where it could reach an egg. (If sperm reaches an egg, pregnancy can result.) A condom also prevents disease-causing substances from spreading from one person to another.

Until recently, the condom was used only by men. A female condom is now available.

The male condom is a thin cover that fits over a man's erect penis. Condoms are made of latex rubber, polyurethane, or animal skin. For the best protection, the condom must be put on before the penis comes into contact with or enters the vagina (because pre-ejaculation fluids carry both sperm and disease). The condom must be carefully removed immediately after ejaculation so that no semen leaks out.

The female condom fits inside the vagina. It has two rings to keep the condom in place -- one ring is placed over the woman's cervix and another one is placed over her vulva. This positioning prevents the condom from being pushed up into the vagina, and creates a protective covering over the outside of the vagina, which prevents sperm from contacting the area.

Theoretically, if a condom is used consistently and correctly, it should prevent pregnancy 97% of the time. The actual effectiveness among users, however, is only between 80% and 90%. This is due to:

Occasional rupture of a condom during intercourse
Semen spilling from a condom during withdrawal
Waiting too long to put a condom on the penis (penis comes into contact with vagina before condom is on)
Break in condom due to manufacturing problems (rare)
Failure to use a condom during each act of intercourse
How well a condom works to prevent STDs also depends on the above-mentioned factors.

It should be noted that only latex and polyurethane condoms, but not those made of natural animal membranes, effectively prevent the spread of viral infections such as HIV.

Condoms that contain spermicides may slightly further reduce the risk of pregnancy, but they are no more likely to reduce the risk of HIV or STDs than condoms lubricated with other substances.

Condoms are available without a prescription
They are inexpensive
They can be bought at most drugstores, in vending machines in some restrooms, by mail order, and at certain health care clinics.
Some pre-planning is needed in order to have a condom handy at the time of intercourse.
Since the condom must be put on when the penis is erect, but before contact is made between the penis and vagina, there is usually a brief interruption during foreplay. Many couples solve the problem by incorporating the process of placing the condom on the penis into foreplay.

Provides protection against pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.
Condoms have a slight tourniquet effect on the outer veins of the penis. This may be beneficial for men who have trouble keeping an erection.
The condom frequently prolongs a man's ejaculation.

A few men can not maintain an erection after putting on a condom.
The woman is not aware of warm fluid entering her body (important to some women, not to others).
Friction of the condom may reduce clitoral stimulation and reduce lubrication, making intercourse less enjoyable or even uncomfortable. (Lubricated condoms may reduce this problem.)
Intercourse may be less pleasurable since the man must withdraw his penis immediately after ejaculation.
Allergic reactions to latex condoms are rare, but they do occur. (Changing to condoms made of polyurethane or animal membranes may help.)

Remove the condom from its package, being careful not to tear or poke a hole in it while opening the package.
If the condom has a little tip (receptacle) on the end of it (to collect semen), place the condom against the top of the penis and carefully roll the sides down the shaft of the penis. If there is not a receptacle, be sure to leave a little space between the condom and the end of the penis. Otherwise, the semen may push up the sides of the condom and come out at the bottom before the penis and condom are withdrawn. Be sure there is not any air between the penis and the condom. This can cause it to break.
Some people find it helpful to unroll the condom a little before putting it on the penis. This leaves plenty of room for semen collection and prevents the condom from being stretched too tightly over the penis.
After ejaculation the condom must be removed from the vagina. The best way is to grasp the condom at the base of the penis and hold it as the penis is withdrawn.
You should always throw out condoms after use. Keep in mind that flushing a condom down the toilet may clog plumbing. Instead of flushing condoms, you can wrap them in toilet tissue or put them in plastic bags before throwing them in a garbage can. If necessary, put the condom in a garbage can that is out of reach of children and pets.

Make sure condoms are available and conveniently located. If no condoms are handy at the time of a sexual encounter, you may be tempted to have intercourse without one.
Carefully withdraw the penis immediately after ejaculation so that semen cannot leak out of the condom as the erection is lost.
Use each condom only once.
Do not carry condoms in your wallet for long periods of time. Replace them every once in a while. Friction from opening and closing your wallet, and from walking (if you carry your wallet in your pocket) can lead to tiny holes in the condom. Nevertheless, it is better to use a condom that has been in your wallet for a long time than to not use one at all.
Don't use a condom that is brittle, sticky, or discolored. These are signs of age, and old condoms are more likely to break.
If a condom package is damaged, don't use the condom because it also may be damaged.
Do not use a petroleum-based substance such as Vaseline as a lubricant. These substances break down latex, the material in some condoms.
If you feel a condom break during intercourse, stop immediately and put on a new one. Remember, ejaculation does not have to occur for a pregnancy to result (pre-ejaculatory fluids can contain active sperm), or for a disease to be transmitted.
If ejaculation occurs with a broken condom, insert a spermicidal foam or jelly to help reduce the risk of pregnancy or STD transmission. (Do NOT use nonoxynol-9.)
Store condoms in a cool, dry place away from sunlight and heat.
Birth control

Cholesterol Drug Hits Diabetes With One-two Punch, Study Says

2008-03-06T02:58:00.000-08:00

Results from the clinical trial demonstrated that the compound colesevelam HCl, in combination with Sulfonylurea-based therapy in patients with inadequately controlled type 2 diabetes, achieved significantly reduced glucose levels versus those in the study taking a placebo.

"People with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol face a number of challenges in keeping their glucose levels and cholesterol in check. This study demonstrated the potential to improve two important metabolic parameters with one drug," says Fonseca.

Patients who received colesevelam HCl were shown in the study to have significant reductions in blood sugar levels, and participants' lipid profiles in the colesevelam HCl group also showed substantial improvement over placebo. An application for the commercial production and sale of the drug is currently being assessed by the U. S. Food and Drug Administration.

The American Diabetes Association estimates that 20.8 million people in the United States have diabetes and over 90 percent of these have type 2 diabetes. The Association recommends that these patients control their glucose levels, keeping their blood sugar level at less than 7 percent. The National Cholesterol Education Program recommends that patients with type 2 diabetes keep their cholesterol levels in check and target a goal of less than 100 mg/dL for "bad cholesterol" levels in the blood.

The study was recently presented at the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists' 16th Annual Meeting and Clinical Congress.
Diabetes treatment

Diabetes Associated With Decreases In Life Expectancy And Number Of Years Free Of Heart Disease

2008-03-06T02:44:00.000-08:00

"Globalization of the Western lifestyle led to diabetes mellitus being a major and progressive health care problem worldwide," the authors write as background information in the article. By 2000, more than 171 million individuals had diabetes--a number that is expected to double in 25 years. Research has shown that individuals with diabetes have an increased risk of illness and death, including double the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Oscar H. Franco, M.D., D.Sc., Ph.D., of University Medical Center Rotterdam, the Netherlands, and Unilever Corporate Research, Sharnbrook, England, and colleagues used data from the Framingham Heart Study, a group of 5,209 men and women age 28 to 62 years recruited between 1948 and 1951 and followed for more than 46 years. The researchers selected three follow-up periods of 12 years each that began in 1956 to 1958, 1969 to 1973, and 1985 to 1989. Participants were followed during each of the three periods until they developed cardiovascular disease or died, and their diabetes status was measured again at the beginning of each interval.

"Women with diabetes had more than double the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and, among those already with cardiovascular disease, mortality compared with non-diabetic women," the authors write. "Diabetic men, compared with non-diabetic men, had more than double the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and a 1.7 times higher risk of dying once cardiovascular disease was present." Among those age 50 and older, diabetic men lived an average of 7.5 years less than men without diabetes, and diabetes reduced women's life expectancy by an average of 8.2 years. Life expectancy free of cardiovascular disease was reduced by 7.8 years in men and 8.4 years in women with diabetes.

"Having diabetes at age 50 years and older represents not only a significant increase in the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and mortality but also an important decrease in life expectancy and life expectancy free of cardiovascular disease," the authors write. "These findings underscore the importance of diabetes prevention for the promotion of healthy aging. Toward this end, it is essential to implement global strategies to change the current 'Western' lifestyle and to promote the adoption of physical activity and healthy diets."

"Prevention of diabetes is a fundamental task facing today's society, with the aim to achieve populations living longer and healthier lives," they conclude.

Diabetes treatment

Portion-control Dishes May Help Obese Diabetics Lose Weight

2008-03-06T02:14:00.000-08:00

Between 1960 and 2000, the proportion of U.S. adults who were obese increased from 13.4 percent to 30.9 percent, according to background information in the article. Most cases of type 2 diabetes can be attributed directly to obesity. Restricting calories has been shown to improve blood sugar control in diabetics, partially by contributing to weight loss. "The increasing prevalence of obesity is paralleled by increasing portion sizes in the marketplace," the authors write. "Portion sizes are an important determinant of energy intake; the number of calories ingested by subjects at a meal has been directly correlated with the serving size offered."

Sue D. Pedersen, M.D., F.R.C.P.C., and colleagues at the University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, conducted a six-month controlled trial of commercially available portion control plates and bowls in 2004. The plates were divided into sections for carbohydrates, proteins, cheese and sauce, with the rest left open for vegetables. The sections approximately totaled an 800-calorie meal for men and a 650-calorie meal for women.

The cereal bowl is designed to allow a 200-calorie meal of cereal and milk. Half of 130 obese patients with diabetes (average age 56) were randomly assigned to use the plate for their largest meal and the bowl when they ate cereal for breakfast. The other half of the participants received usual care, which consisted of dietary assessment and teaching by dieticians.

At the end of the six-month follow-up, 122 patients remained in the study. Individuals using the portion-control dishes lost an average of 1.8 percent of their body weight, while those receiving usual care lost an average of 0.1 percent. A significantly larger proportion of those using the dishes--16.9 percent vs. 4.6 percent--lost at least 5 percent of their body weight. "This is important, as a 5 percent weight loss has been shown to be clinically significant in terms of decreasing morbidity and mortality associated with obesity-linked disorders such as cancer and myocardial infarction [heart attack]," the authors write.

In addition, more of those in the intervention group vs. the regular care group experienced a decrease in their use of diabetes medications after six months (26.2 percent vs. 10.8 percent).

"In conclusion, the portion control tool studied in this trial was effective in inducing weight loss in obese persons with type 2 diabetes mellitus comparable to that seen in investigations of weight loss pharmacotherapy," the authors write. "This simple, inexpensive tool also enabled obese patients with diabetes mellitus to decrease their hypoglycemic medication requirements. This intervention holds promise for use in overweight populations with and without diabetes mellitus."

diabetes treatment

Diabetics Experience More Complications Following Trauma

2008-03-06T02:05:00.000-08:00

Approximately 17 million Americans have diabetes, with one-third remaining undiagnosed, according to background information in the article. These patients develop complications more frequently and do worse after an acute illness than individuals without diabetes. Studies show that diabetics do worse after being hospitalized for stroke, heart attack and heart surgery, but little is known about their outcomes after trauma.

Rehan Ahmad, D.O., and colleagues at the Penn State College of Medicine and Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Penn., used a statewide database to identify 12,489 patients with diabetes who were hospitalized at 27 trauma centers between 1984 and 2002. They then selected an additional 12,489 patients who were the same age and sex and had the same severity of injury but did not have diabetes for comparison.

There was no difference between the two groups in death rates or length of hospital stay. However, compared with patients who did not have diabetes, patients with diabetes:

* were more likely to experience any complication (23 percent vs. 14 percent)
* were more likely to require care in the intensive care unit (ICU) (38.4 percent vs. 35.9 percent)
* stayed in the ICU longer on average (7.6 days vs. 6.1 days)
* required longer duration of ventilator support (10.8 days vs. 8.4 days)
* developed more infections (11.3 percent vs. 6.3 percent)

"Patients with diabetes mellitus were less likely to be discharged to home and were more likely to require skilled nursing care after discharge compared with patients who did not have diabetes mellitus," the authors write. "This may have accounted for the similarity in overall hospital length of stay between the diabetes mellitus and non--diabetes mellitus groups. In addition, improved diabetes mellitus treatment modalities and advances in critical care and trauma resuscitation likely contributed to comparable mortality rates between the two groups, despite the greater morbidity associated with having diabetes mellitus."

Previous studies have demonstrated that diabetes reduces the effectiveness of some components of the immune system, the authors continue. "Results from this study confirm that patients with diabetes mellitus are at higher risk for developing an infectious complication, despite matching for sex, age and the severity of injury," they conclude. "They also require a higher level of care, which adds to the cost of hospitalization. Future studies are needed to evaluate the effect of improved glycemic control on hospitalized patients with diabetes mellitus involved in trauma."

Diabetes treatment:

diabetes treatment

Causes prostatitis

2008-03-05T11:47:00.000-08:00

Causes and Management of Prostatitis

You or someone you know may have been diagnosed as having a type of prostatitis, a common and painful disease of the prostate gland and its surrounding structures. The following has been designed to answer your questions about prostatitis.

What is the prostate?

The prostate is a part of the male reproductive system, is about the same size and shape of a walnut and weighs about an ounce. It is located below the bladder and in front of the rectum and surrounds the urethra, the tube-like structure that carries urine from the bladder out through the penis. The main function of the prostate is to produce ejaculatory fluid.

What are the different types of prostatitis and their causes?

Acute bacterial prostatitis is the least common type of prostatitis and is always caused by bacterial infection. It is usually easy to diagnose because of the typical symptoms and signs. It is a severe urinary tract infection associated often with fevers and chills, and a visit to a doctor or hospital is required. Acute bacterial prostatitis can affect any age group but commonly occurs in older and middle-aged men. Another type that is caused by bacterial infection is chronic bacterial prostatitis which is characterized by recurrent urinary tract infections in men. When symptoms do appear, they are generally less severe than acute bacterial prostatitis and rarely have fever, but often recur. This condition can also affect any age group but is most common in young and middle-aged men.

Nonbacterial prostatitis and prostatodynia, now properly referred to as chronic pelvic pain syndrome, are the most common types of prostatitis. The exact cause of these non-bacterial prostatitis conditions is not known, but may be due to persistent infection, inflammation and/or pelvic muscle spasm. Inflammation in the prostate can also occur without symptoms.

What causes prostatitis?

The bacteria that cause acute and chronic bacterial prostatitis get into the prostate from the urethra by backward flow of infected urine into the prostate ducts. Bacterial prostatitis is not contagious and is not considered to be a sexually transmitted disease. A sexual partner cannot catch this infection.

Certain conditions or medical procedures increase the risk of contracting bacterial prostatitis. There is a higher risk if the man has recently had a catheter or other instrument inserted into his urethra, an abnormality of his urinary tract or a recent bladder infection.

Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome may be caused by atypical organisms such as chlamydia, mycoplasma (which may be transmitted by sexual contact) ureaplasma or may also be due to a chemical or immunologic reaction to an initial injury, The nerves and muscles in the pelvis may cause pain in the area, either as a response to the prostate infection or inflammation or as an isolated problem itself.

What are the symptoms of prostatitis?

The symptoms of the various prostatitis syndromes depends upon the category.

In acute bacterial prostatitis, the symptoms are severe and sudden and may cause the patient to seek emergency medical care. Chills, fever, severe burning during urination and the inability to completely empty the bladder are common.

In chronic bacterial prostatitis, the symptoms are similar but do not produce fever. They include: burning during urination; urinary frequency, especially at night; perineal, testicular, bladder and low back pain; and painful ejaculation. The condition can be episodic, with flare-ups and remissions, associated with infection, treatment and subsequent recurrence.

The symptoms of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome include difficult and sometimes painful urination, discomfort or pain in the perineum, bladder, testicles and penis as well as difficult and painful ejaculation. In some cases, these symptoms can be indistinguishable from those described above for chronic bacterial prostatitis.

How is prostatitis diagnosed?

The correct diagnosis is very important because the treatment is different for the different types of prostatitis syndromes. In addition, it is extremely important to make sure that the symptoms are not caused by other conditions such as urethritis, cystitis, an enlarged prostate or cancer. To help make an accurate diagnosis, several types of examinations are useful.

To examine the prostate gland, the physician will perform a digital rectal examination (DRE). This is a simple examination in which the doctor will pass a lubricated, gloved finger into the rectum. Because the prostate is located just in front of the rectum, it can be easily pressed. The physician will be able to determine whether the prostate is enlarged or tender. Lumps or firm areas can suggest the presence of prostate cancer. The physician will also assess the degree of pain or discomfort the patient experiences as he presses the muscles and ligaments of the pelvic floor and perineum. If a man has prostatitis, this examination may produce momentary pain or discomfort but it causes neither damage nor significant prolonged pain.

If the physician requires a closer look at the prostate gland or decides that a biopsy is necessary, he may order a transrectal ultrasound, which allows him to visualize the prostate gland. If you are at risk for cancer, your physician will consider ordering a PSA test. During a prostate infection however, the PSA can be falsely elevated.

If your physician suspects that you have prostatitis or one of the other prostate problems, he may refer you to a urologist, a doctor who specializes in diseases of the urinary tract and male reproductive system, to confirm the diagnosis.

The urologist will repeat some of the examinations already performed by the first physician. The urologist will also assess the degree of pain or discomfort the patient experiences as he presses the prostate. The urologist may analyze various urine specimens as well as a specimen of prostatic fluid obtained by massaging the prostate gland during the DRE. The various urine specimens and prostatic fluid will be analyzed for signs of inflammation and infection. These samples may help the urologist determine whether your problem is inflammation or infection and whether the problem is in the urethra, bladder or prostate.

Other tests the urologist may consider employing include cystoscopy in which a small telescope is passed through the urethra into the bladder permitting examination of the urethra, prostate and bladder. The urologist may also order urine flow studies, which help measure the strength of your urine flow and any obstruction caused by the prostate, urethra or pelvic muscles.

Correct diagnosis is the key to the management of prostatitis.
Prostatitis cannot always be cured but can be managed.
Treatment should be followed even if symptoms have improved.
Patients with prostatitis are not at higher risk for developing prostate cancer.
There is no reason to discontinue normal sexual relations unless they are uncomfortable, usually during an acute phase.
One can live a reasonably normal life with prostatitis.

Prostate Treatment

Prostatitis - Disorders of the Prostate

2008-03-05T11:24:00.000-08:00

Prostatitis - Disorders of the Prostate

Prostatitis may account for up to 25 percent of all office visits by young and middle-aged men for complaints involving the genital and urinary systems. The term prostatitis actually encompasses four disorders:

Acute bacterial prostatitis is the least common of the four types but also the easiest to diagnose and treat effectively. Men with this disease often have chills, fever, pain in the lower back and genital area, urinary frequency and urgency often at night, burning or painful urination, body aches, and a demonstrable infection of the urinary tract as evidenced by white blood cells and bacteria in the urine. The treatment is an appropriate antibiotic.
Chronic bacterial prostatitis, also relatively uncommon, is acute prostatitis associated with an underlying defect in the prostate, which becomes a focal point for bacterial persistence in the urinary tract. Effective treatment usually requires identifying and removing the defect and then treating the infection with antibiotics. However, antibiotics often do not cure this condition.
Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome is the most common but least understood form of prostatitis. It is found in men of any age, its symptoms go away and then return without warning, and it may be inflammatory or noninflammatory. In the inflammatory form, urine, semen, and other fluids from the prostate show no evidence of a known infecting organism but do contain the kinds of cells the body usually produces to fight infection. In the noninflammatory form, no evidence of inflammation, including infection-fighting cells, is present.

Antibiotics will not help nonbacterial prostatitis. You may have to work with your doctor to find a treatment that's good for you. Changing your diet or taking warm baths may help. Your doctor may give you a medicine called an alpha blocker to relax the muscle tissue in the prostate. No single solution works for everyone with this condition.
Asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis is the diagnosis when the patient does not complain of pain or discomfort but has infection-fighting cells in his semen. Doctors usually find this form of prostatitis when looking for causes of infertility or testing for prostate cancer.
Prostate Treatment

Prostatitis

2008-01-27T09:58:00.000-08:00

Prostatitis

The prostate is a gland. It makes fluid that becomes part of semen, the white fluid that contains sperm. The prostate lies low in the body — in front of the rectum and below the bladder (where urine is stored). It surrounds the tube that carries urine away from the bladder (urethra).
When you’re a young man, your prostate is about the size of a walnut. It slowly grows larger as you get older. If the prostate gets too large, it can cause urinary problems. Infection or cancer in the prostate can also cause urinary and other problems. Often, men notice symptoms themselves, and sometimes their doctor finds something during a routine check-up.
There are several different kinds of prostate problems. Only a doctor can tell one from another. That’s why you need to see your doctor if something doesn’t seem right to you.
Acute prostatitis is an infection of the prostate caused by bacteria. It usually starts all of a sudden. It can cause fever, chills, or pain in the lower back and between the legs. It can cause pain when you urinate. If you have these symptoms, see your doctor right away. Antibiotic drugs can kill the bacteria and help you feel better.
Chronic prostatitis is an infection of the prostate that keeps coming back time after time. This problem can be hard to treat. Sometimes, taking antibiotics for a long time may work. Talk with your doctor about other things you can do to help you feel better.
Benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH, is very common in older men. The prostate is enlarged, but it is not cancerous. Over time, an enlarged prostate may press against the urethra, making it hard to urinate. It may cause dribbling after you urinate or a need to urinate often, especially at night. Your doctor will do a rectal exam to check for BPH. And you may need to have special x-rays or scans to check your urethra, prostate, and bladder.

Use as directed by your doctor:

Proscar : Proscar is used for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), which is enlargement of the prostate gland and reducing symptoms, including a weak or interrupted... Learn more

Avodart : Avodart is used to treat symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH or enlargement of the prostate gland) and to reduce the risk of urinary blockage and the need for prostate surgery...Learn more

Hytrin : Hytrin (Terazosin) is used to treat the symptoms of urinary obstruction as a result of an enlarged prostate... Learn more

Flomax : Flomax (Tamsulosin) is an alpha-blocker that is used to improve symptoms, associated with an enlarged prostate... Learn more

Urispas : This medication relaxes the muscles of the urinary tract. It is used to relieve pain, burning, urinary urgency and frequency and other symptoms associated with urinary tract infections, bladder infections and prostate infections... Learn more

Diabetes mellitus

2008-01-26T12:28:00.000-08:00

Diabetes mellitus

Diabetes mellitus (is a syndrome characterized by disordered metabolism and inappropriately high blood sugar (hyperglycaemia) resulting from either low levels of the hormone insulin or from abnormal resistance to insulin's effects coupled with inadequate levels of insulin secretion to compensate. The characteristic symptoms are excessive urine production (polyuria), excessive thirst and increased fluid intake (polydipsia), and blurred vision. These symptoms are likely absent if the blood sugar is only mildly elevated.

Diabetes means your blood glucose, or blood sugar, is too high. With Type 1 diabetes, your pancreas does not make insulin. Insulin is a hormone that helps glucose get into your cells to give them energy. Without insulin, too much glucose stays in your blood. Over time, high blood glucose can lead to serious problems with your heart, eyes, kidneys, nerves, and gums and teeth.

Diabetes - type 1
Type 1 diabetes happens most often in children and young adults but can appear at any age.Symptoms:

Being very thirsty
Urinating often
Feeling very hungry or tired
Losing weight without trying
Having sores that heal slowly
Having dry, itchy skin
Losing the feeling in your feet or having tingling in your feet
Having blurry eyesight
A blood test can show if you have diabetes. If you do, you will need to take insulin for the rest of your life.

Diabetes - type 2

Type 2 diabetes is a life-long disease marked by high levels of sugar in the blood. It occurs when the body does not respond correctly to insulin, a hormone released by the pancreas. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes usually occurs gradually. Most people with the disease are overweight at the time of diagnosis. However, type 2 diabetes can also develop in those who are thin, especially the elderly.

Risk factors:

Family history and genetics play a large role in type 2 diabetes. Low activity level, poor diet, and excess body weight (especially around the waist) significantly increase your risk for type 2 diabetes.
Age greater than 45 years
Previously identified impaired glucose tolerance by your doctor
High blood pressure
HDL cholesterol of less than 35 mg/dL or triglyceride level of greater than 250 mg/dL
History of gestational diabetes
Symptoms Return to top

Often, people with type 2 diabetes have no symptoms at all. If you do have symptoms, they may include:

Increased thirst
Increased urination
Increased appetite
Fatigue
Blurred vision
Frequent or slow-healing infections
Erectile dysfunction

Type 2 diabetes is diagnosed with the following blood tests:

Fasting blood glucose level - diabetes is diagnosed if higher than 126 mg/dL on 2 occasions.
Random (non-fasting) blood glucose level - diabetes is suspected if higher than 200 mg/dL and accompanied by the classic symptoms of increased thirst, urination, and fatigue (this test must be confirmed with a fasting blood glucose test).
Oral glucose tolerance test - diabetes is diagnosed if glucose level is higher than 200 mg/dL after 2 hours.
The first goals are to eliminate the symptoms and stabilize your blood glucose levels. The ongoing goals are to prevent long-term complications and prolong your life. The primary treatment for type 2 diabetes is exercise and diet.

You should learn basic diabetes management skills. They will help prevent complications and the need for medical care. These skills include:

How to test and record your blood glucose (see blood glucose monitoring)
What to eat and when
How to take medications, if indicated
How to recognize and treat low and high blood sugar
How to handle sick days
Where to buy diabetes supplies and how to store them
It may take several months to learn the basic skills. Always continue to educate yourself about the disease and its complications, as well as how to control and live with diabetes. Over time, stay current on new research and treatment.

Diet fnd weight control

Meal planning includes choosing healthy foods, eating the right amount of food, and eating meals at the right time. You should work closely with your health care provider to learn how much fat, protein, and carbohydrates you need in your diet. Your specific meal plans need to be tailored to your food habits and preferences.

Managing your weight and eating a well-balanced diet are important. Some people with type 2 diabetes can stop medications after intentional weight loss, although the diabetes is still present. A registered dietitian can be helpful in determining your specific, individual dietary needs. See diabetes diet.

Regular physical activity

Regular exercise is important for everyone, but especially if you have diabetes. Regular exercise helps control the amount of glucose in the blood. It also helps burn excess calories and fat so you can manage your weight.

Exercise improves overall health by improving blood flow and blood pressure. It decreases insulin resistance even without weight loss. Exercise also increases the body's energy level, lowers tension, and improves your ability to handle stress.

The following should be considered when starting an exercise routine:

Check with your health care provider before starting an exercise program.
Choose an enjoyable physical activity that is appropriate for the current fitness level.
Exercise every day, and at the same time of day, if possible.
Monitor blood glucose levels at home before and after exercise.
Carry food that contains a fast-acting carbohydrate in case blood glucose levels get too low during or after exercise.
Wear a diabetes identification bracelet and carry change or a cell phone for a phone call in case of emergency.
Drink extra fluids that do not contain sugar before, during, and after exercise.
Changes in exercise intensity or duration may require modification of your diet or medication to keep blood glucose levels in an appropriate range.

When diet and exercise do not help maintain normal or near-normal blood glucose levels, your doctor may prescribe medication.

Anti Diabetic

Cancer

2008-01-26T07:23:00.000-08:00

Cancer

Cancer begins in your cells, which are the building blocks of your body. Normally, your body forms new cells as you need them, replacing old cells that die. Sometimes this process goes wrong. New cells grow even when you don't need them, and old cells don't die when they should. These extra cells can form a mass called a tumor. Tumors can be benign or malignant. Benign tumors aren't cancer while malignant ones are. Cells from malignant tumors can invade nearby tissues. They can also break away and spread to other parts of the body.
Most cancers are named for where they start. For example, lung cancer starts in the lung, and breast cancer starts in the breast. The spread of cancer from one part of the body to another is called metastasis. Symptoms and treatment depend on the cancer type and how advanced it is. Treatment plans may include surgery, radiation and/or chemotherapy.

Breast cancer affects one in eight women during their lives. Breast cancer kills more women in the United States than any cancer except lung cancer. No one knows why some women get breast cancer, but there a number of risk factors. Risks that you cannot change include
Age - the chance of getting breast cancer rises as a woman gets older.
Genes - there are two genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2, that greatly increase the risk. Women who have family members with breast or ovarian cancer may wish to be tested.
Personal factors - beginning periods before age 12 or going through menopause after age 55
Other risks include being overweight, using hormone replacement therapy, taking birth control pills, drinking alcohol, not having children or having your first child after age 35 or having dense breasts.
Symptoms of breast cancer may include a lump in the breast, a change in size or shape of the breast or discharge from a nipple. Breast self-exam and mammography can help find breast cancer early when it is most treatable. Treatment may consist of radiation, lumpectomy, mastectomy, chemotherapy and hormone therapy.
Men can have breast cancer, too, but the number of cases is small.

Uterine Cancer. The uterus, or womb, is an important female reproductive organ. It is the place where a baby grows when a women is pregnant. There are different types of uterine cancer. The most common type starts in the endometrium, the lining of the uterus. This type of cancer is sometimes called endometrial cancer.
The symptoms of uterine cancer include:
Unusual vaginal bleeding or discharge
Trouble urinating
Pelvic pain
Pain during intercourse
Uterine cancer usually occurs after menopause. Being obese and taking estrogen-alone hormone replacement therapy also increase your risk. Treatment varies depending on your overall health, how advanced the cancer is and whether hormones affect its growth. Treatment is usually a hysterectomy, which is surgery to remove the uterus. Other options include hormone therapy and radiation.

Prostate Cancer. Prostate cancer is a common type of cancer among American men. It is most common among African American men. Treatment for prostate cancer works best when the disease is found early.
Diagnosing Prostate Cancer. Early prostate cancer does not usually cause symptoms. As the cancer grows, it may cause trouble urinating. Also, you may need to urinate often, especially at night. Other symptoms can be pain or burning during urination, blood in the urine or semen, pain in the back, hips, or pelvis, and painful ejaculation.
To figure out if these symptoms are caused by prostate cancer, your doctor will ask you questions about your past medical problems. He or she will perform a physical exam. In the exam, the doctor will put a gloved finger into your rectum to feel your prostate through the wall of the rectum. Hard or lumpy areas may be a sign of cancer.
Your doctor may also do a test to check the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level in your blood. PSA levels may be high in men who have an enlarged prostate gland or prostate cancer. You may also need to have an ultrasound exam. In this procedure, a probe that produces sound waves is put into the rectum. Sound waves bounce off the tissues, and a computer uses the echoes to make a picture of the prostate.
A biopsy is almost always needed to diagnose prostate cancer. This can be done in a doctor’s office using a local anesthetic. The doctor takes out tiny pieces of the prostate and sends them to a laboratory to be checked for cancer cells under a microscope.
The following can be signs of prostate cancer. Keep in mind that they are much more likely to be caused by benign diseases than by cancer.

Frequent urge to urinate
Blood in urine or semen
Painful or burning urination
Difficulty in urinating
Not being able to urinate
Painful ejaculation
Frequent pain or stiffness in lower back, hips or upper thighs
Dribbling of urine
If you have any of these symptoms, see your doctor right away.

Bursitis

2008-01-26T07:13:00.000-08:00

Bursitis

A bursa is a filmy-colored sac that protects and cushions your joints. Bursitis means inflammation of one of your bursa sacs. The inflammation may result from arthritis in the joint or injury or infection of a bursa. Bursitis produces pain and tenderness and may limit the movement of nearby joints.
You can get bursitis in your shoulders, elbows, hips, knees, heels and big toe. Injuries, overuse and repetitive stress are common causes of bursitis. Certain diseases, such as arthritis and gout, might also cause it. It sometimes occurs with tendinitis.
Causes.
Bursitis is commonly caused by repetition of movement or excessive pressure. Elbows and knees are the most commonly affected because they are rested upon more than many parts of the body with bursae and they also get the most repetitive use. Inflammation of bursae can also be caused by other inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. Scoliosis can also be a cause of bursitis of the shoulders although this is rare. Shoulder bursitis is more commonly due to overuse of the shoulder joint and muscles. The other main cause of bursitis is traumatic injury, which can cause swelling of the bursae.
Symptoms.
Symptoms can vary from an ache and stiffness in the local area of the joint, to a burning that surrounds the whole joint around the inflamed bursa. With this condition, the pain is usually worse during and after activity, and the bursa and surrounding joint area can become stiffer the following day.

Birth Control

2008-01-26T05:26:00.001-08:00

Birth Control

Birth control, also known as contraception, is designed to prevent pregnancy. Birth control methods may work in a number of different ways.
Barrier methods include the diaphragm, the cervical cap and condoms. These methods prevent pregnancy by blocking sperm from getting into the uterus. Barrier methods must be used every time you have sex. A woman must visit her doctor to be fitted for a diaphragm or a cervical cap. Using a diaphragm may increase the risk of urinary tract infections in some women.

Intrauterine methods. An IUD is put in a woman's uterus by her doctor. An Intrauterine Device is a small object that is inserted through the cervix and placed in the uterus to prevent pregnancy. The IUD is not noticeable during intercourse. They work by changing the the the lining of the uterus and fallopian tubes affecting the movements of eggs and sperm and so that fertilization does not occur. Most doctors prefer to use IUDs only in women who have already had a baby. Side effects of IUDs include heavier bleeding and stronger cramps during periods.

Hormonal methods. The vaginal contraceptive ring is a thin, flexible ring that is inserted into the vagina. It releases hormones that keep you from getting pregnant. These hormones are the same ones used in most birth control pills. The ring is left in the vagina for 3 weeks. It doesn't have to be in a specific position in the vagina. After 3 weeks, you remove the ring, and your period will start. After 7 days, you insert a new ring.
If the ring is out of your vagina for more than 3 hours, it may not work effectively when you put it back in. To protect against pregnancy, you will need to use another form of birth control until the ring has been in all the time for 7 days in a row.Women who use the vaginal ring should not smoke.

Birth control pills work mostly by preventing ovulation (the release of an egg by the ovaries). Most pills are made of two hormones called estrogen and progestin. For the pill to work, you have to take it every day.
Some common side effects of birth control pills are nausea, headaches, breast swelling, water retention, weight gain and depression. The pill may reduce cramping and shorten the number of days of bleeding during the menstrual period. The pill may also help premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Women who take the pill should not smoke.

Emergency contraception. Some combined pills and POPs may be taken in high doses to prevent pregnancy after a birth control failure (such as a condom breaking) or after unprotected sex. Hormonal emergency contraception is also known as the "morning after pill," although it is licensed for use up to three days after intercourse.
Sterilization is when a man or woman has an operation to permanently prevent pregnancy. If you're sure that you don't want to have children or you don't want more children, sterilization may be the right choice for you. Tubal ligation involves closing off a woman's fallopian tubes so eggs can't travel through them to reach the uterus.

Ankylosing Spondylitis

2008-01-26T05:05:00.000-08:00

Ankylosing Spondylitis

Rheumatoid spondylitis
Ankylosing spondylitis is a type of arthritis of the spine. It causes swelling between your vertebrae, which are the disks that make up your spine, and in the joints between your spine and pelvis. Ankylosing spondylitis is an autoimmune disease. This means your immune system, which normally protects your body from infection, attacks your body's own tissues. The disease is more common and more severe in men. It often runs in families.
A dramatic loss of flexibility in the lumbar spine is an early sign of AS. Although most symptoms begin in the lumbar and sacroiliac areas, they may involve the neck and upper back as well. Arthritis may also occur in the shoulder, hips and feet. Some patients have eye inflammation, and more severe cases must be observed for heart valve involvement.
These problems often start in late adolescence or early adulthood. Over time, ankylosing spondylitis can fuse your vertebrae together, limiting movement. Symptoms can worsen or improve or stop altogether. The disease has no cure, but medicines can relieve the pain, swelling and other symptoms.

Ankylosing spondylitis treatment

Asthma

2008-01-26T00:43:00.000-08:00

Asthma

Asthma is a chronic condition involving the respiratory system in which the airway occasionally constricts, becomes inflamed, and is lined with excessive amounts of mucus, often in response to one or more triggers. These episodes may be triggered by such things as exposure to an environmental stimulant (or allergen) such as cold air, warm air, moist air, exercise or exertion, or emotional stress. In children, the most common triggers are viral illnesses such as those that cause the common cold. This airway narrowing causes symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing. The airway constriction responds to bronchodilators. Between episodes, most patients feel well but can have mild symptoms and they may remain short of breath after exercise for longer periods of time than the unaffected individual. The symptoms of asthma, which can range from mild to life threatening, can usually be controlled with a combination of drugs and environmental changes.
How do I control my asthma symptoms?
Treatment of your symptoms involves avoiding things that cause asthma attacks, keeping track of your symptoms and taking medicine.
How can I avoid allergens and irritants?
If pollen and mold cause your symptoms, use your air-conditioner and try to keep the windows of your home and car closed. Change the filter on your heating and cooling system frequently.

To keep mold down, clean and air out bathrooms, kitchens and basements often. Keep the level of humidity under 50%. You can do this with an air conditioner or a dehumidifier.

People who are allergic to dust are actually allergic to the droppings of dust mites. To reduce dust mites in your home, wash bedsheets weekly in hot water (above 130°F). Cover mattresses and pillows in airtight covers and remove carpets and drapes. If you must have carpet, you can treat it with chemicals to help reduce dust mites. Try to avoid stuffed animals, dried flowers and other things that catch dust.

Pets can cause problems if you're allergic to them. If you have a pet, keep it out of your bedroom.
Don't allow smoking in your house or car. Tobacco smoke can make your asthma worse.
How do I control my asthma symptoms?
Treatment of your symptoms involves avoiding things that cause asthma attacks, keeping track of your symptoms and taking medicine.

Use as directed by your doctor:

Proventil : Proventil is used to treat people with asthma and other chest illnesses. It is particularly prescribed to relieve asthma symptoms, and to prevent asthma symptoms brought on by exercise or other triggers... Learn more

Advair Discus : Advair Discus (Fluticasone/Salmeterol) is used for long-term prevention and treatment of asthma and chronic lung diseases... Learn more

Pulmicort inhaler : This is an anti-inflammatory medication (corticosteroid) used in the prevention of asthma. It is not used to relieve an asthma attack. If an asthma attack occurs, use other medication as prescribed... Learn more

Ventolin : Ventolin is used to treat people with asthma and other chest illnesses. It is particularly prescribed to relieve asthma symptoms, and to prevent asthma symptoms brought on by exercise or other triggers... Learn more

Serevent : Serevent is used for long-term treatment of asthma. It may be used to prevent breathing problems in certain patients, including patients with night-time asthma, or breathing problems caused by exercise... Learn more

Aristocort : Aristocort (Triamcinolone) is used for treating a variety of medical conditions, including but not limited to, insufficiency of the adrenal cortex, inflammatory disorders, allergic disorders, and connective tissue disorders. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor... Learn more

Singulair : Montelukast is used for the treatment of asthma and seasonal allergic rhinitis. Montelukast begins working after 3 to 14 days of therapy. Therefore, it should not be used for the treatment of an acute asthmatic attack... Learn more

Allergy

2008-01-25T01:34:00.000-08:00

Allergy

Allergy is a disorder of the immune system that is often called atopy. Allergic reactions occur to environmental substances known as allergens; these reactions are acquired, predictable and rapid. Strictly, allergy is one of four forms of hypersensitivity and is called type I (or immediate) hypersensitivity. It is characterized by excessive activation of certain white blood cells called mast cells and basophils by a type of antibody, known as IgE, resulting in an extreme inflammatory response. Common allergic reactions include eczema, hives, hay fever, asthma, food allergies, and reactions to the venom of stinging insects such as wasps and bees

Signs and symptoms
Common symptoms of allergy Affected organ Symptom
Nose swelling of the nasal mucosa (allergic rhinitis)
Sinuses allergic sinusitis
Eyes redness and itching of the conjunctiva (allergic conjunctivitis)
Airways Sneezing, bronchoconstriction, wheezing and dyspnea, sometimes outright attacks of asthma, in severe cases the airway constricts due to swelling known as anaphylaxis
Ears feeling of fullness, possibly pain, and impaired hearing due to the lack of eustachian tube drainage.
Skin rashes, such as eczema and hives (urticaria)
Gastrointestinal tract abdominal pain, bloating, vomiting, Diarrhea
Many allergens are airborne particles, such as dust or pollen. Allergic rhinitis, also known as hay fever, occurs in response to airborne pollen, and causes irritation of the nose, sneezing, and itching and redness of the eyes.[6] Inhaled allergens can also lead to asthmatic symptoms, caused by narrowing of the airways (bronchoconstriction) and increased production of mucus in the lungs, shortness of breath (dyspnea), coughing and wheezing.
Use as directed by your doctor:

Prednisone: Prednisone most often is used for treating several types of arthritis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, systemic lupus, allergic reactions, asthma and severe psoriasis... Learn more

Flonase : Flonase Spray is used for treatment of allergic and non-allergic nasal symptoms including congestion, sneezing, itching, and runny nose... Learn more

Clarinex : Clarinex is used for treating the symptoms of allergic conditions (eg, watery eyes, runny nose, itching eyes, sneezing, hives). It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor... Learn more

Rhinocort : Rhinocort treats nasal allergy symptoms, including runny nose, nasal congestion, and sneezing. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor... Learn more

Medrol : Medrol is used for treating severe allergies, arthritis, asthma, certain blood disorders, and skin conditions. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor... Learn more

Allegra : Allegra is indicated for the relief of symptoms associated with seasonal allergic rhinitis in adults and children 6 years of age and older. Symptoms treated effectively were sneezing, rhinorrhea, itchy nose/palate/throat, itchy/watery/red eyes... Learn more

Aristocort : Aristocort (Triamcinolone) is used for treating a variety of medical conditions, including but not limited to, insufficiency of the adrenal cortex, inflammatory disorders, allergic disorders, and connective tissue disorders. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor... Learn more

Zyrtec : Zyrtec is an antihistamine. Antihistamines prevent sneezing, runny nose, itching and watering of the eyes, and other allergic symptoms. Zyrtec is used to treat allergies, hives (urticaria), and other allergic inflammatory conditions... Learn more