Breast Reduction Plastic Surgery Solves Many Physical Problems

A full bosom is generally considered desirable for women, but there can be too much of a good thing. Some women have breasts that are uncomfortably and excessively large for their bodies, and they seek relief with breast reduction surgery.The condition of excessively large breasts is known as breast...

A full bosom is generally considered desirable for women, but there can be too much of a good thing. Some women have breasts that are uncomfortably and excessively large for their bodies, and they seek relief with breast reduction surgery.

The condition of excessively large breasts is known as breast hypertrophy. The condition typically occurs during puberty, but can also happen as a result of pregnancy and then persist as a permanent feature of a woman's body. When breasts have grown very large, weight loss cannot correct the problem. The breasts are simply large and their size poses a physical burden.

If you think that your breasts might be too big for your body, then some of the following physical problems should be familiar to you.

• Back and neck pain



• Breathing trouble



• Poor posture, possibly leading even to skeletal changes



• Skin chafing and hygiene difficulties where your breasts overlap your torso



• Disrupted sleep



• Restricted movement



• Difficulty finding clothing that fits



• Bra straps digging painfully into shoulders



• Self consciousness about large breast size



• Athletic limitations

All of these uncomfortable problems and limitations can result from the weight and bulk of very large breasts dragging down your entire bodily frame.





To alleviate the sometimes severe discomfort of overly large breasts, the plastic surgery known as breast reduction or reduction mammaplasty may be a solution for you. Frequently women who undergo a breast reduction procedure are very satisfied with the relief they gain. They no longer have to live with constant pain or the self consciousness that often arises in women who have very large breasts.

Results of breast reduction vary for each individual. Your plastic surgeon will have to design a surgical procedure that will produce optimal results for your body. The goal will be to create smaller breasts that are more in proportion with the rest of your body and lighten your physical burden. A breast reduction procedure lowers the weight, bulk, and size of your breasts by surgically removing glandular tissue, fat, and skin and then rebuilding the remaining breast tissues into firmer and smaller shapes. Sometimes the areolas (nipple area) will also need to be reduced and repositioned. Liposuction might also be necessary in addition to the breast reduction surgery to clear up small fatty areas, particularly around the armpits.

It is very important to note that if you are planning on breastfeeding in the future, then your breast reduction surgery may reduce your ability to lactate. This happens because of removal of glandular tissue and the severing of milk ducts. Because breastfeeding is important for the health of mothers and infants, this side effect of breast reduction surgery should be weighed against the benefits very carefully.

If you have completed your childbearing or have no plans to breastfeed, then you need only consider the problems that can occur with surgery. Post surgical bleeding, infections, and fat necrosis (more common for smokers) are rare but possible difficulties that can arise from breast reduction surgery.

However, suffering from back pain, deteriorating posture, breathing difficulties, and being limited athletically may be more than sufficient to motivate you to seek breast reduction surgery. The benefits for your physical health, comfort, and improved self image are very enticing when you live with the constant burden of excessively large and sagging breasts.

If you choose to consult with a plastic surgeon about breast reduction surgery, he or she will assess your physical health and discuss what breast reduction outcomes can be achieved for your individual body. You will also need to discuss your motivations for the surgery. Along with a physical exam, you will provide your plastic surgeon with your medical history. Photographs will be taken of your breasts. The photographs are needed for surgical planning and for comparison after surgery. They also can be very helpful when submitting a medical claim with your health insurance.

Good candidates for breast reduction surgery are well-adjusted people in reasonably good health without any heart, lung, or kidney disease. Breast reduction surgery is not typically suitable for obese people.

Breast reduction surgery has allowed many women to free themselves from the burden and discomfort of breasts that grew too large. It is an increasingly popular procedure as more and more women realize that they have an option for relief.

Read More...

Can't Cope Without The Dope!

By Thomas L. Taliaferro, D.C.America has the distinction of consuming more than half the drugs in the world.We also produce more than half the world’s drugs.We supposedly have the best health care system in the world, or do we?According to the World Health Organization, America ranks 37th in t...

By Thomas L. Taliaferro, D.C.

America has the distinction of consuming more than half the drugs in the world. We also produce more than half the world%26rsquo;s drugs.

We supposedly have the best health care system in the world, or do we?

According to the World Health Organization, America ranks 37th in the world for health care and no higher than 70th in the world for overall health. So if what we are doing worked so well, why are we doing it so poorly?

In the July 26th , 2000 issue of JAMA, Barbara Starfield, MD of the Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health, wrote about how our system of health care ranks with such countries as Japan, Sweden, Denmark, Canada, France, Australia, Spain, Finland, the Netherlands, UK., Denmark, and Belgium.

The U.S. ranks:

• 13th - Last for low birth weight percentages



• 13th - Last for neonatal mortality and infant mortality



• 13th - Last for years of potential life lost



• 12th - Second to last for life expectancy at 1 year for males, 11th for females



• 11th %26ndash; For postnatal mortality



• 10th %26ndash; For age adjusted mortality.

Did you know that the 3rd preventable cause of death in this country is traditional medicine?

It has been estimated by the CDC that the following data represents only 10% of actual reports to their center.





Our health care system:

• Kills 12,000 annually from unnecessary surgery (being reported)



• Kills 7,000 annually from medication errors in hospitals (being reported)



• Kills 20,000 annually from other hospital errors (being reported)



• Kills 80-90,000 annually from hospital acquired infections (being reported)



• Kills 106-125,000 annually from non-error adverse effects of medication (being reported) That means you take a drug as prescribed and die anyway!

The results of this indicate approximately 230-284,000 deaths that ARE being reported lead to additional discussion.

This will lead to 116 extra doctor visits, 77 MILLION EXTRA PRESCRIPTIONS (do you think there is a financial incentive here?), 17 million emergency room visits, 8 million hospitalizations, 3 million long-term admissions, and 199,000 ADDITIONAL DEATHS. This means a total of 483,000 Americans die each and every year from our so called, %26ldquo;health care system%26rdquo;. The cost to us is $77 billion.

But don%26rsquo;t be so hard on medical doctors. It%26rsquo;s not their fault. It%26rsquo;s the fault of the system in which they were initially educated in as well as in their continuing education. It%26rsquo;s designed to be reactive instead of proactive. It%26rsquo;s designed to prescribe more drugs and ignore science in the fields of micro and macro nutrients, glyconutrients, phytochemicals, phtosterols, anti-oxidants, and natural vitamin and mineral supplements. It ignores food recommendations that can actually help the body heal.

Scary isn%26rsquo;t it? What is scarier is your apathy toward this. Thirty something college students are killed by a student with a history of psychotropic drug use and the country goes nuts for gun control. But where is your outrage with the drug companies that continue to brain wash you into thinking you were born with deficiencies in their products? Were you born with your body requiring foreign substances that can not be assimilated as food with the side effects that every single drug has?

People are dying needlessly here folks and you do nothing except run to druggist to get your Prozac, Paxil, Wellbutrin, Zoloft, Celexa, etc. because you can%26rsquo;t cope without the dope! Feel ill, take a pill! We have drugs for everything.

Ronald Reagan had a great slogan, %26ldquo;Drug Free America%26rdquo;. Ya right! Try telling that to Johnny who supposedly has ADHD and is told he needs Ritalin, a Class II narcotic in the same category as morphine, opium, and cocaine.

All drugs take approximately 12 years and $40 million to get to market. Drug companies will do anything to make a buck as has recently been reported concerning Bayer. They developed a drug for hemophiliacs that apparently was tainted with the AIDS virus, and THEY KNEW IT! The result after American%26rsquo;s started dying %26ndash; ship it to countries like Japan, Spain and others and have the profits keep rolling in!

All drugs have to go through what is called a LD-50 Toxicity Test prior to getting approval by the FDA. The LD-50 measures how much of a drug will be required to kill 50% of the test group. That%26rsquo;s right, all drugs have an LD-50, and therefore all drugs have the potential to kill you. Ever wonder why major drug companies have their labs next to major universities? Who do you think is being tested?

Look, I%26rsquo;m all for a drug that will save my life during an emergency. What I am against is the indiscriminate use of drugs that may have never been needed in the first place if people would just take care of what God gave them.

So what do I recommend to my patients and clients?

Take back control of your health that you have so freely given away to drug companies, insurance companies and doctors that are clueless in nutrition.

Did you know the average medical doctor receives less than 25 hours of nutrition throughout their entire education? Why then would you go to them for questions on nutrition? They can tell you everything about a drug and disease and very little as to how to improve health thus avoiding visits to them!

Every patient that comes into my office is offered an opportunity to join my adjusting lifestyles program. This includes a complete health survey, nutritional survey, lifestyle survey, and more. Then we tailor a specific nutritional program designed to replenish what pharmaceuticals have depleted and nourish your body with required nutrients. These would include: Glyconutrients, Plant based, natural vitamin and mineral supplements, Phytosterols and Phytochemicals, Plant based anti-oxidants, and immune support formula.

Medical doctors, pharmacists, dentists, veterinarians, chiropractors, nurses, and physician assistants can now get Category 1 Continuing Medical Education units in nutrition by a company called Proevity. Proevity%26rsquo;s level of education is so current, their curriculum has been accepted by all health care governing boards. So no longer can doctors use the excuse there is no science in nutrition.

You are what you eat is true. Health can be achieved by giving your body what your body needs to support life. It%26rsquo;s called FOOD. It%26rsquo;s not called a drug.

Read More...

Parenting: Loving Limits

One of the big challenges of parenting is knowing when to set limits on a child's behavior and what limits to set. This challenge becomes much easier when you look at limit setting in terms of your intent.Children, like the rest of us, do not like to be controlled. You probably can manage to find wa...
One of the big challenges of parenting is knowing when to set limits on a child's behavior and what limits to set. This challenge becomes much easier when you look at limit setting in terms of your intent. Children, like the rest of us, do not like to be controlled. You probably can manage to find ways to control younger children, but what are the consequences? One likely consequence is that, while your child may comply in one area, he or she will probably learn to make you crazy by resisting in other areas.

Another likely consequence is that your child is learning from you how to be controlling, and may use your controlling tactics - yelling, blaming, hitting, threatening, guilting - on younger siblings or other children.





You are the role model. Do you really want to be teaching these behaviors to your children? What if your intention were to take loving care of yourself rather than control your children?

For example Sara, who is 12 years old, had been mouthing off to her teacher at school. Her mother, Isabel, kept getting warnings from the school. But the warnings were not working. Sara kept being rude to her teacher, thinking it was funny. Isabel, upset and drained, decided to take care of herself. She knew that Sara was saving up for a new bike and didn't want to have to part with the money she got for Christmas. %26quot;Sara,%26quot; said Isabel, %26quot;I'm really tired and upset about hearing about your rudeness to your teacher. I will start to charging you for your rudeness.

The next time you receive a warning, you will be charged $20 dollars.%26quot; Sara screamed and yelled about this and finally calmed down. Two days later Sara mouthed off again. %26quot;$20 please,%26quot; said Isabel. %26quot;But mom, I'm saving for a bike!%26quot; %26quot;I know. $20 please. And next time, it will be $25 and the time after that it will be $30, and each time it will go up $5.%26quot; Sara handed Isabel a $20 bill and stopped mouthing off. Isabel had taken care of herself by charging a hefty fee for rudeness, rather than staying upset. Sara suffered a big consequence for her choices that resulted in her making new choices. Seven-year old Dylan was in a power struggle with his father, David, about brushing his teeth at night. The next time Dylan went to the dentist, he had a cavity due to not brushing. By that night, David had decided what to do. %26quot;Dylan, I'm tired of trying to get you to brush your teeth every night. It's not fun and I'm drained by it. So from now on, I will remind you once, and if you get cavities as a result of not brushing your teeth, you will have to pay the cost of the fillings with your birthday and Hanukah money.%26quot; The next time Dylan got a cavity, he had to pay the bill. It took half the money he had saved. After that, Dylan didn't even have to be reminded to brush his teeth.

The power struggle was over. Discovering a loving limit is a creative process. It takes thought to come up with a consequence for your child that makes you feel good. When your intent is to be kind to yourself and take loving care of yourself, you can go to your Guidance for help in coming up with consequences that make you feel happy. You can also discuss it with friends, engaging others in the creative process. When you want to find the loving limit, you will.

Read More...

Grieving Your Family of Origin

"I am always craving to be part of a healthy family," said Cathy. "The need feels insatiable. I know that I need to grieve the fact that I didn't have that, and I do. But I can't seem to grieve enough to heal this. How do I heal it? Can I heal it?" Many of us did not come from a healthy family. We d...

%26quot;I am always craving to be part of a healthy family,%26quot; said Cathy. %26quot;The need feels insatiable. I know that I need to grieve the fact that I didn't have that, and I do. But I can't seem to grieve enough to heal this. How do I heal it? Can I heal it?%26quot;

Many of us did not come from a healthy family. We did not receive the warmth, safety, stability, support, and affection that we needed. We did not feel loved. Many people try to heal this by creating their own loving family, giving to their children what they always wanted from their parents and never received. While this is a wonderful thing to do and can result in much joy, it may not heal the longing for a healthy family of origin.





Obviously, we cannot go back and redo our family of origin - at least not on the outer level. But we can do this on the inner level. I have found that when someone longs for what they did not receive in the past, it is because they are not giving it to themselves in the present. We all have the opportunity to create the family of our dreams on the inner level. We have the ability to become the mother and father to our inner child that we always wished we had. What does this mean?

%26quot;Cathy,%26quot; I said to her, %26quot;think about that little child within - the part of you that craves to be a part of a healthy family. See if you can feel compassion for that part of you, the part of you with the insatiable need. What does that part want that she never got?%26quot;

%26quot;She wants to feel safe and loved. She wants to know that she is never alone - that mom and dad will be here for her when she is sad or scared. She wants to be held. She wants to laugh and have fun with her parents, and be hugged by them all the time. She wants them to care about her feelings.%26quot;

%26quot;Yes, she wants and deserves all of that. Do you want to give that to her, or are you hoping that someone else will come along and give her what she didn't get?%26quot;
%26quot;Yes, that's what I've been hoping. But so far no one does it right!%26quot;
%26quot;Since you are the one who knows exactly what she wants and since you are the one who is always with her, why don't you want to be the one to give her what she needs?%26quot;
%26quot;I can't.%26quot;
%26quot;How old is the part of you that is saying that?%26quot;
%26quot;15.%26quot;
%26quot;Is it the responsibility of a 15 year old to take care of the child?%26quot;
%26quot;No, but there is no one else to do it.%26quot;
%26quot;So you think someone else can do it better - that others are more capable than your 15 year old? My experience is that most people don't take very good care of themselves - like your parents didn't. Why would they want to take care of you when they don%26rsquo;t want to take care of themselves? And what makes you think they can when they can't even take care of themselves?%26quot;
%26quot;Yeah. Well I guess that's the problem!%26quot;
%26quot;Cathy, put your focus into your heart and open to learning about what would be loving to you. Invite love and compassion into your heart for your child who wants so much to feel loved. Imagine your Guidance with you, holding you, bringing love into you. You are not 15, and you are not alone. The ability to take loving care of yourself is here, right now. You just need to move into the intent to learn and you will learn how. And when you do, your grief will be gone.%26quot;

The grief about the past is now. It is really not about the past. It is about how you are treating yourself now - right now.

Read More...

Five Steps to Help Prevent Macular Degeneration

Walking down the street one day, you notice that the telephone pole in front of you is looking rather odd. Instead of standing upright as it ought to, it looks, well... wavy. You glance around at the side of the building next to you, and it, too, is not its usual straight self. Don't worry, you're n...

Walking down the street one day, you notice that the telephone pole in front of you is looking rather odd. Instead of standing upright as it ought to, it looks, well... wavy. You glance around at the side of the building next to you, and it, too, is not its usual straight self.

Don't worry, you're not going nuts! But you may be one of 13 million Americans who have a common, age-related eye disease called macular degeneration.

Macular degeneration, often called AMD or ARMD (for %26quot;age- related macular degeneration%26quot;), is the leading cause of vision loss and legal blindness in Americans age 65 and older, according to the eye-health organization Prevent Blindness America. The macula is the part of the retina we use for reading, driving, recognizing faces, watching television, and fine work: in short, it is the region of maximum visual acuity.

The exact causes of AMD are still unknown, but risk factors include:
OnClick="window.open('article_show_image.php?img=user_files%2F37874%2FImage%2Fswis-macular_degeneration.jpg','','left=10,top=10,width=1520,height=1220,menubar=no,directories=no,toolbar=no,scrollbars=yes,resizable=yes,status=no')" alt="" />

• Age - the risk increases with age.



• Cigarette smoking



• A family history of macular degeneration



• Excessive exposure to sunlight



• High blood pressure and/or cardiovascular disease



• Being female and/or Caucasian - these groups tend to get the disease more than their counterparts.
  
  
  
  
  
  

Vision loss usually occurs gradually and typically affects both eyes at different rates. How do you know if you have AMD? If straight lines look wavy, as mentioned above, or there are shadowy areas or dark or empty spots in your central vision, you may be experiencing early signs of the disease. There are two forms of age-related macular degeneration: %26quot;wet%26quot; and %26quot;dry.%26quot; Most patients have the dry form, which may result from the aging and thinning of macular tissue, or disturbances in its pigmentation. In the wet form, new blood vessels grow beneath the retina and leak blood and fluid, which causes retinal cells to die and creates blind spots in central vision. The formation of blood vessels and deposits known as %26quot;drusen%26quot; from blood vessels in and under the macular is often the first physical sign that AMD may develop. The %26quot;wet%26quot; form accounts for 90 percent of all cases of legal blindness in macular degeneration patients.

While there is no cure for AMD, there are five steps you can take to lower your risk or slow down the progression of dry AMD.

1. Don't smoke. Smoking is a powerful risk factor for loss of vision with AMD. In fact, one study showed that smoking more than doubles the risk of AMD. This study also found that AMD is more than twice as common in people who smoke more than a pack of cigarettes a day, compared with people who do not smoke.
   
   



2. Wear sunglasses. UV protection may play an important role in preventing AMD. Beginning at a young age, begin protecting the eyes from UV light. Look for sunglasses that afford 100% UV protection or prescription eyewear with the same. A brimmed hat offers extra protection to shade the eyes when you are outdoors.
   
   



3. Care for your cardiovascular system. Recently published data shows that people with uncontrolled hypertension were approximately three times as likely to develop the wet, or more severe, type of macular degeneration, compared to those without hypertension. Regular cardiovascular activity, such as walking or biking, may reduce the rate of progression to advanced AMD by as much as 25 percent.
   
   



4. As Mom always said, eat your fruits and vegetables! Studies have shown that a diet rich in dark, leafy green vegetables will help decrease an individual's risk of developing AMD and/or help delay progression of the disease once it has begun. A recent study sponsored by the National Institutes of Health found that individuals who had the highest consumption of vegetables rich in carotenoids, especially lutein and zeaxanthin, had a 43% lower risk of developing AMD than those who ate these foods the least. Vegetables that are rich in these two carotenoids include raw spinach, kale, and collard greens. A new study also shows that people who eat three or more servings per day of fruit have a 36 percent lower risk of AMD compared to those who ate less than one-and-a-half servings per day. If an intermediate degree of AMD has already developed, or an advanced degree of AMD has developed in one eye, studies indicate that dietary supplementation with vitamins E and C, beta-carotene, zinc and copper may help to delay progression of the disease.
   
   



5. Limit dietary fat. Before you reach for that pint of Ben %26amp; Jerry's Wavy Gravy, consider that high fat intake is associated with an increased risk of AMD. A study published in the August 2001 issue of Archives of Ophthalmology found that consumption of omega-3 fatty acids, which are particularly prevalent in cold-water fish, had a protective effect against advanced macular degeneration. Meanwhile, consumption of omega-6 fatty acids, prevalent in vegetable oils, was associated with an increased risk. But go nuts for nuts! Eating one serving a day of any type of nut, according to AgingEye Times, reduces the risk of progression of AMD by 40 percent.

Of course, regular eye exams are key to preventing vision loss. Although AMD appears to be hereditary in some families but not in others, if you have a family history of the disease, it pays to be on the alert. If you are 65 or older, you should get a complete eye exam every one or two years, even if you have no problem seeing well.

Read More...

Medical Drug Addicts

It may come as a surprise to many of you that our health care system is appalling.We spend more money per capita on health care than any other country in the world.We produce over half the world's drugs and consume just as much.Isn't it funny then that we rank 37th in the world for health care (Worl...
It may come as a surprise to many of you that our health care system is appalling.
We spend more money per capita on health care than any other country in the world.
We produce over half the world's drugs and consume just as much.
Isn't it funny then that we rank 37th in the world for health care (World Health Organization) and 70th in the world for overall health. So if western medicine has all the answers, and drugs are the key, then why are we doing it so poorly?

%26quot;Feel ill take a pill%26quot; has become the anthem for today's doctors. But when you look at some of the top 300 prescriptions for 2005 it becomes apparent that doctors are creating medical drug addicts.
Back in the 70's to escape reality we had Mommy's Little Helper - Valium. Today we have Paxil #1, Lexapro #2, Xanex #4, Zoloft #12, Wellbutrin #19, and Prozac #43. Valium is still popular at #41.
So it appears that people have just gotten more and more depressed. Or is it just that people would rather pop a pill than take responsibility for their lives and change what needs to be changed?

If depression won't kill you perhaps pain will.





Hydrocodone was #3, Tramadol #5, Vicodin #6, Lyrica #7, Oxycodone #8, and Percocet #12.
Guess what? Each and every one of these drugs are addictive and have nasty side effects and have the potential for serious withdrawl symptoms. So while doctors, licensed pushers, are busy destroying your health, your central nervous system, organs, and your God given spirit, pharmaceutical company's are introducing more and more drugs to combat the side effects of the drugs already out there.

So while a doctor gets memberships to golf clubs, trips, money, or entertainment for writing a prescription, the street drug pusher gets 20 years in prison. Now that's an oxymoron!

Ok, we now see that the majority of prescriptions filled in 2005 were related to depression and pain. But it's not just pain and the blues contributing to our sick society.
3.36 Billion, yes BILLION total prescriptions were filled in 2005! All the while drug companies are laughing to the bank!
It has been estimated that every man, woman, and child in this country downs 11 prescriptions annually.
My family does not take any pharmaceutical medication so I would like to know who is getting our additional 44!

On average, for new patients coming into my office, I see 17 different drugs listed on intake forms. The record is 27 by a couple on MediCal, able to work, but choose not to. I wouldn't want to work either if the state paid me to stay high and home.

When are you going to wake up and realize drugs are not the answer to poor health? They are actually responsible for a significant number of deaths each and every year. Like in the neighborhood of 125,000 with another 1.5 million American's being injured by pharmaceuticals.

The problem with our health today, in my opinion, is due in part to the increasingly fast pace of technology, our attrocious food supply including the fast food industry, our stressful lifestyles, demands by our kids and one last bit of cranial matter, laziness!
People are to lazy to eat a low glycemic diet, to lazy to investigate new nutritional technologies such as glyconutrients, phytonutrients, phytosterols, anti-oxidants, and whole food sourced multi vitamins and minerals. People want to feel numb to their lives. They can't take the reality that their life actually sucks and choose to medicate instead of deal with what life has dealt them.
Everyone has problems folks. Do you think you have the front row?

Oh ya, I forgot, insurance doesn't pay for good food choices or supplements, or gym memberships, or jogging shoes, or Pilates, or Yoga, or swimming. AHH, but state governments will pay for you to sit on your fat butt, suck off the system, pop out more kids, and because of your depression, provide you with free drugs! Wow, what a great system! No wonder our borders are being invaded! Everyone wants to be stoned and get paid for doing nothing!

Each and every day I see patients who have no understanding of the fact that they are responsible for their own circumstances and health. It's to easy to blame a condition that you can't catch in the first place.
Heaven forbid you take back control of your health and JUST SAY NO TO DRUGS. But let us not forget the pill pushing MD's. They work in a system that is predicated on praying on unsuspecting, brain washed, legal drug addicts. They have no concept of health care only disease care. Heck, the average MD receives less than 25 hours of nutrition in 12 years of schooling so it's no wonder we get what we pay for, drugs!
Oh, that's right, drug company's can't make money on $40 million in research and 12 years of testing unless the drug gets approved by the FDA.
To bad we can't follow the Chinese example of executing our FDA for all the hundreds of thousands they are responsible for killing.

Read More...

Impact of sleep deprivation on our body

Sleep is as important to our body as food and water, although most of us don’t consider it to be something so essential. As a consequence, we often suffer from insufficient sleep or disruptions to the sleep-wake cycle, which can cause the physiological state known as fatigue. Fatigue could be ...
Sleep is as important to our body as food and water, although most of us don%26rsquo;t consider it to be something so essential. As a consequence, we often suffer from insufficient sleep or disruptions to the sleep-wake cycle, which can cause the physiological state known as fatigue. Fatigue could be considered a disease of the modern man.

An interesting study has shown that staying awake for 24 hours leads to a reduced hand-to-eye coordination comparable to having a blood alcohol content of 0.1. Besides these obvious consequences, lack of sleep can also affect the performance at work or at school. It could also be linked to an increased risk of emotional problems such as depression, mania, or miscellaneous drug addiction problems.

Normal regulation of sleep

A normal sleep cycle is regulated by several brain structures, external stimuli, and various hormones produced by the hypothalamus. One of the most important neurotransmitters involved is serotonin. There are three different processes controlled by our body during sleep regulation:

%26bull; A homeostatic process: This is a body%26rsquo;s need for sleep. It is what is necessary for normal day activity.
%26bull; A circadian process: This process controls how much time each part of sleep will last, as well as the propensity of these periods
%26bull; An ultradian process: The purpose of this process is still not well known and remains uncertain.

There are two phases of sleep. A phase called REM (rapid eye movement) and a non- REM phase. Scientists believe that we dream in the first phase, but can rarely remember anything from that phase. Sleep proceeds in cycles of REM and non-REM phases. In humans, this cycle is approximately 90%26ndash;110 minutes long.





Each phase may have a distinct physiological function.

Sleep hormones

As mentioned above, some neurotransmitters or hormones are highly correlated with sleep and wake states. Melatonin levels are highest during the night, which is why it%26rsquo;s believed that this hormone may promote sleep. Another substance called Adenosine is gradually accumulated in the human brain during wakefulness, and decreased during sleep. It is considered to be a controller of wake/sleep periods.

Sleep and memory

Many scientists believe that memory depends on sleep; more sleep %26ndash; better mnemonic abilities. Studies have shown that the REM phase of sleep helps the consolidation of memory, while non-REM sleep helps with the consolidation of declarative memories. Some disagree and say that saving memory directly into long-term memory is a slow process; they propose that cerebral input is first saved in a temporary memory store, and then encoded and transferred into long-term memory during sleep. The fact is that, never mind which theory is correct it%26rsquo;s certain that sleep does have a role in maintaining and consolidating memory.

Symptoms of sleep deprivation in adults

Some of the most common symptoms of sleep deprivation in adults include:

%26bull; Constant yawning
%26bull; Sleepy grogginess (sleep inertia)
%26bull; Poor concentration and mood changes (more irritable)
%26bull; Exhaustion, fatigue, and lack of physical energy
%26bull; The tendency to doze off when not active for a while
%26bull; Grogginess when waking in the morning
%26bull; The tendency to emotionally explode even at the mildest provocation
%26bull; Moods constantly changing, resulting in pessimism, sadness, stress and anger

Symptoms of sleep deprivation in children

Sleep deprivation affects children in different ways then it does adults. No one really knows the reason why, but children tend to speed up, unlike adults which slow down, when deprived of sleep. Symptoms of sleep deprivation in children include:

%26bull; Frequently losing temper
%26bull; Frequent and short daytime naps
%26bull; Grunginess in the morning
%26bull; Moodiness and irritability
%26bull; Over-activity and hyperactive behavior

Causes of sleep deprivation

Common causes include:

%26bull; Matter of personal choice: Many people simply don%26rsquo;t realize that they need sleep. Instead of regularly going to bed, they prefer socializing, watching television, etc.
%26bull; Illness: Several diseases such as colds and tonsillitis can cause snoring, gagging and frequent waking, and have a direct effect on sleep by fragmentation. There is also Morvan's syndrome, which causes people to go without sleep for several months at a time.
%26bull; Working night shift: One of the most common reasons why people don%26rsquo;t get enough sleep is work. People who do shift-work disrupt their sleep-wake cycles on a regular basis.
%26bull; Sleep disorder: There are several medical disorders capable of disrupting sleep on a regular basis. Some of the most common are sleep apnea, snoring, and periodic limb movement disorder.
%26bull; Medications: It is no secret that several different medications can affect how we sleep. Some of the most common %26ldquo;sleep-disrupting%26rdquo; medications are antiepileptic drugs and medications used to treat the attention deficit disorder (ADD).
%26bull; Bad habits: Drinking coffee or smoking cigarettes close to bedtime stimulates the nervous system and makes sleep less likely.

Lack of sleep and daytime performance

In you activities during the day, the amount of sleep you have behind you could be crucial; even an hour or two less than normal, could leave a great impact. Two-hour sleep loss can have a major impact including:

%26bull; Reduced decision-making skills
%26bull; Poorer memory
%26bull; Reduced concentration
%26bull; Reduced alertness
%26bull; Shortened attention span
%26bull; Slower than normal reaction time
%26bull; Poorer judgment
%26bull; Reduced awareness of the environment and situation
%26bull; Reduced work efficiency

How much sleep is enough?

Different people need different numbers of sleep hours, depending on age, physical activity levels, general health and other individual factors.

In general:

%26bull; Primary school children need about 9 to 10 hours
%26bull; Teenagers need about nine to 10 hours also, because of specific lifestyle factors such as early school start times, etc.
%26bull; Adults need less sleep then kids; it should be about 8 hours, depending on individual factors.

Sleep suggestions

Here are some useful tips on getting more quality sleep hours!

%26bull; Avoid taking sleeping pills. They can only worsen things.
%26bull; Get up at the same time every morning, even after a bad night's sleep.
%26bull; Avoid worrying, watching TV, reading scary books, and doing other things in bed besides sleeping and sex.
%26bull; Do not drink or eat anything caffeinated within six hours of bedtime.
%26bull; Purposefully go to bed earlier each night as early as you can, but not before you feel sleepy
%26bull; Don%26rsquo;t smoke or drink caffeinated beverages before bedtime
%26bull; Use relaxation techniques to help you fall asleep quickly.
%26bull; Seek professional assistance for sleep disorders such as snoring
%26bull; Avoid alcohol. It's relaxing, but can lead to insomnia when it clears your system.
%26bull; Spend time outdoors. People exposed to daylight or bright light therapy sleep better.


Read More...

Nutrition in preventing colon cancer

Unfortunately, most of the time we give little thought to the idea that we may be setting ourselves up for colon cancer. All the time, we do just what we shouldn’t - we don't drink enough water, or eat the right food. As a consequence, our colons are filling up with excess waste and rotting fe...
Unfortunately, most of the time we give little thought to the idea that we may be setting ourselves up for colon cancer. All the time, we do just what we shouldn%26rsquo;t - we don't drink enough water, or eat the right food. As a consequence, our colons are filling up with excess waste and rotting fecal matter, one of the most important risk factors for developing colon cancer. Most people don't think about colon cancer until they either get it or someone they love does. Remember %26ndash; we can prevent it!

Can colon cancer really be prevented?

Approximately 70 percent of diagnosed colon cancers could have been prevented with only moderate changes in diet and lifestyle. There are theories suggested by some experts that insulin resistance can contribute to the development of the colon cancer.

This condition is characterized by a circulation of higher levels of insulin, because the body is less responsive to it. Insulin seems to change cell processes in ways that promote the development of cancer. This condition is most common in overweight people; obviously, a proper diet is essential for colon cancer prevention.

Symptoms of colon cancer

A patient is often be asymptomatic, which is why it is often hard to tell if colon cancer is present or not. This is one reason why most experts recommend periodic screenings. This type of testing includes fecal occult blood testing and colonoscopy. Even when symptoms do occur, they depend on the site of the lesion.

Some of the most common symptoms are:

%26bull; Tarry stools (a condition called melena)
%26bull; Reduction in diameter of feces
%26bull; Change in bowel habits
%26bull; Change in frequency (constipation and/or diarrhea),
%26bull; Change in the quality of stools
%26bull; Change in consistency of stools
%26bull; Bloody stools or rectal bleeding
%26bull; Feeling of incomplete defecation (Tenesmus)
%26bull; Stools with mucus
%26bull; Bowel obstruction

Risk factors

Risk factors for colon cancer are as follows:

%26bull; Age: Older people, specifically over the age of 50, are more likely to get colon cancer.





Of course, it can also occur in younger people, though this happens less often.
%26bull; Diet: Studies have shown that a diet high in fat and calories and low in fiber can contribute to colon cancer. Appropriate diet is the key to colon cancer prevention.
%26bull; Polyps: A colon polyp is a benign growth on the wall of the colon or rectum. Although, not all polyps can turn into cancer, certain types can increase the risk of colon cancer.
%26bull; Family history: Colon cancer is of a hereditary nature. A person whose parent or child has had colon cancer is at an increased risk.
%26bull; Ulcerative colitis and IBD: People with longstanding ulcerative colitis or IBD (inflammatory bowel disease) are at increased risk of developing colon cancer.

Treatment of colon cancer

Surgery

This is probably the most effective treatment option. There are several types:

%26bull; Curative surgery is best done very early, while the cancer is still within a polyp. An operation of removal is called polypectomy. A cancer that has spread beyond the binderies of a polyp requires surgical removal of the section of colon containing the tumor with sufficient margins, and radical resection of local lymph nodes to reduce local recurrence.
%26bull; Palliative, or %26ldquo;non-curative%26rdquo; surgery is usually done in case of multiple metastases, when resection of the primary tumor is the only choice in order to reduce further morbidity caused by tumor bleeding, invasion, and its catabolic effect.
%26bull; Bypass Surgery or fecal diversion: In cases when the tumor has invaded nearby vital structures, the surgeons may prefer to bypass the tumor because the metastases make excision technically difficult or even completely impossible.

Chemotherapy

Although surgery is the most effective type of colon cancer treatment, chemotherapy can also be extremely helpful. It is used to reduce the chances of metastasis developing, shrink tumor size, or slow tumor growth.

Chemotherapy is sometimes done before and sometimes after surgery. We can divide it into several types:

%26bull; after surgery (adjuvant)
%26bull; before surgery (neo-adjuvant
%26bull; as the primary therapy if surgery is not indicated (palliative)

Some of the most commonly used medication in chemotherapy for colon cancer and, which have also been approved for use by the US Food and Drug Administration are:

%26bull; 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) or Capecitabine
%26bull; Leucovorin (LV, Folinic Acid)
%26bull; Irinotecan (Camptosar%26reg;)
%26bull; Oxaliplatin (Eloxatin%26reg;)
%26bull; Bevacizumab (Avastin%26reg;)
%26bull; Cetuximab (Erbitux%26reg;)
%26bull; Panitumumab (Vectibix)
%26bull; Bortezomib (Velcade%26reg;)
%26bull; Oblimersen (Genasense%26reg;, G3139)
%26bull; Gefitinib and Erlotinib (Tarceva%26reg;)
%26bull; Topotecan (Hycamtin%26reg;)

Radiation therapy

Radiotherapy is not used routinely in colon cancer, as it could lead to radiation enteritis, and is difficult to target specific portions of the colon. It is more common for radiation to be used in rectal cancer, since the rectum does not move as much as the colon and is thus easier to target.

Prevention of colon cancer %26ndash; nutrition and lifestyle change

Screening for colon cancer is a very important prevention factor. Some colon cancers develop from benign polyps, which is why discovering these polyps early, with several methods such as sigmoidoscopy or a colonoscopy available, may help prevent colon cancer. Not only that; studies have shown that if traces of colon cancer are found early, it is one of the most preventable and curable types of cancer.

Dietary changes

Some simple dietary changes might be helpful in lowering the risk of developing colon cancer.

Some of the most common advices are:


%26bull; Lower your intake of fat
%26bull; Lower your intake of calories
%26bull; Lower your meat and alcohol consumption

Also, a sedentary lifestyle combined with a diet high in saturated fats can contribute to colon cancer risk.

A diet low in fat and high in whole grains, fruit, vegetables, and legumes (beans, peas) may reduce the occurrence of some types of cancer, particularly colorectal cancer.

Fibers, the miracle food

Eating food that contains an adequate amount of fibers (wheat bran or whole wheat) is the most important component of a healthy-lifestyle program, which could aid in prevention of colorectal cancer. A daily intake for adults should be at least 25 grams total fiber.
Fibers help move waste through our digestive tract faster, so harmful substances don%26rsquo;t have much contact with the lining of the intestine. Also, high-fiber food is rich in phytonutrients, which protect against several forms of cancer.

Lifestyle changes

To prevent not only colon cancer, but rather all other types of cancer and several other diseases, one should make certain lifestyle changes: smoking cessation, aspirin use, decreased alcohol use, regular exercise, and dietary supplements. This will reduce morbidity from all possible disease and medical conditions and lead to a healthier life.

Some practical advices:

%26bull; Quit smoking
%26bull; Maintain a healthy weight
%26bull; Take aspirin
%26bull; Get five servings of vegetables, fruit, and whole grains a day for fiber, calcium and folic acid
%26bull; Avoid alcohol
%26bull; Limit red meat and saturated fat
%26bull; Exercise five days a week for at least half an hour

As we%26rsquo;ve already mentioned several times, these dietary and lifestyle changes also have a beneficial effect against other cancers and non-cancerous diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and obesity.


Read More...

Diagnosed with DISH (Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis)

DISH, or to be more precise, diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis, is a condition characterized by hardening of tendons and ligaments that commonly affects the spine. It is also known as Forestier's disease. DISH can affect different parts of spine: upper back (thoracic spine), neck (cervical sp...
DISH, or to be more precise, diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis, is a condition characterized by hardening of tendons and ligaments that commonly affects the spine. It is also known as Forestier's disease.

DISH can affect different parts of spine: upper back (thoracic spine), neck (cervical spine), and lower back (lumbar spine). Of course, it can also attack other parts of our body such as tendons and ligaments in the heels, ankles, knees, hips, shoulders, elbows and hands. Men are more likely than women to develop diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis, especially as older adults. Although symptoms similar to DISH have been noted in medical literature for almost a hundred years, it has been recognized as a disorder as late as 1997. For this reason many physicians are still unfamiliar with the disease, and it is often misdiagnosed. Treatment isn't necessary in most cases, although physical therapy may help. Surgery is sometimes the only possible way out.

Frequency of the condition

In the US, DISH is present in approximately 19% of men and 4% of women older than 50. International frequency shows that about 0.16% Caucasians suffer from this condition. No matter how symptoms are expressed, DISH still appears to be a phenomenon rather than a disease.

The symptoms of DISH

The symptoms of this condition primary depend on what part of body is affected.





Most commonly it%26rsquo;s the upper portion of the back, in which case the symptoms may include:

%26bull; Stiffness in the spine; it may be most noticeable in the morning.
%26bull; Pain, sometimes sharp, especially with certain movements such as twisting or bending; aggravated by pressure on the spine, relieved through mild activity.
%26bull; Decreased range of motion in the spine. Loss of lateral motion is most noticeable.
%26bull; Pain and stiffness in other parts of the body. Most commonly affected regions are ankles, knees, hips, shoulders, elbows, and hands.

Risk factors

The definitive cause of DISH is still a mystery. It remains unclear what causes diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis, which is why it%26rsquo;s hard to identify possible risk factors. Several theories are suggested, listing possible risk factors as:

%26bull; Specific medications: Retinoids, isotretinoin (Accutane%26reg;, others) similar to vitamin A can increase the risk of diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis. It still isn't clear whether a high intake of vitamin A increases risk.
%26bull; Diabetes and similar conditions related to hormone imbalances: People with diabetes are more likely to develop DISH than others.
%26bull; Heart disease and high blood pressure: Certain heart conditions, such as the coronary artery disease and high blood pressure, also contribute to the chances of developing diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis.

Diagnosis of DISH

As with any other physical condition, the best way to diagnose DISH is to first do a complete physical examination. The doctor should press lightly on the patient%26rsquo;s spine and joints to feel for abnormalities. Of course, if the patient complains of pain, the doctor will stop pressing, but also gain a clue to a possible diagnosis.

%26bull; X-ray imaging: A condition that attacks bones and tendons such as DISH can be diagnosted using spine X-rays. In the thoracic spine, where diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis is most common, X-rays may show calcification along the vertebrae.
%26bull; CT and MRI: Other types of imaging, such as computerized tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), may be helpful in diagnosing diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis, and even show better and more detailed results than X-rays.

Treatment of DISH

Unfortunately, there is no cure for diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis at the moment, but in the great majority of cases, treatment may not be necessary. The patients learn to live with their disease, finding their own methods of dealing with pain, stiffness, and other symptoms of idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis.
However, this isn't case with all patients. If a patient experiences more serious symptoms of diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis, his doctor is obligated to recommend treatments to control pain and maintain a range of motion in affected joints.

A first line of treatment %26ndash; relieving the pain

Relieving the pain caused by DISH is similar to that of other joint ailments. Most commonly prescribed medications are painkillers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol and others) or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Advil%26reg;, Motrin%26reg;, etc). In cases of serious pain problems, sometimes corticosteroid injections may be necessary to relieve it.

Relieving the stiffness

Simple physical therapy is probably the best way to fight this constant stiffness. Special physical therapy can easily and effectively reduce the stiffness associated with DISH.

Physical specialist should prescribe exercises which increase the range of motion in joints. These should be planned individually for every patient.

Possible complications if left untreated

Unfortunately, there are several possible complications which can occur in people diagnosed with DISH. Some of the most common are:

%26bull; Severe disability: As mentioned above, a range of motion in the affected joint can be seriously affected. Sometimes the joint can%26rsquo;t be used at all! This could be a serious problem especially if the affected joint is usually very mobile, such as shoulder, hip, or knee. This can make a person almost 100% immobile.

%26bull; Difficulty swallowing: Also very common, an unpleasant complication of diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis are swallowing difficulties. Bone spurs associated with DISH in the neck can put pressure on a patient%26rsquo;s esophagus, making it difficult to swallow. In addition, this can also cause other symptoms such as hoarse voice or difficulty breathing, especially when sleeping.

%26bull; Paralysis: One of the most serious complications of DISH is possible paralysis. If the condition attacks a certain ligament located in the spine (the posterior longitudinal ligament), this can press the spinal cord which results in paralysis.

Read More...

Hirsutism increased hair growth in women

Although many people have seen the manifestations of it, not too many have heard for the medical condition called Hirsutism. What exactly is Hirsutism? Well, it is defined as the excessive growth of thick dark hair in locations where hair growth in women normally is absent. In other words- it repre...

Although many people have seen the manifestations of it, not too many have heard for the medical condition called Hirsutism. What exactly is Hirsutism? Well, it is defined as the excessive growth of thick dark hair in locations where hair growth in women normally is absent. In other words- it represent a male-pattern growth of terminal body hair seen in women. What%26rsquo;s also characteristic- it usually occurs in androgen-stimulated locations, such as the face, chest, and areolae.

Good thing to know is that it represents a benign condition with only cosmetic complications. However, it is also important to point out that sometimes this condition isn't isolated! It can be a sign of some serious hormonal disorders, especially when it is accompanied by masculinizing signs. What's also characteristic- this condition is difficult to evaluate in women who have blond hair or who already have had cosmetic treatments such as depilation or hair whitening.

Hirsutism and hypertrichosis

Many people, even doctors, use terms hirsutism and hypertrichosis as synonyms but this isn't exactly right. Although the terms hirsutism and hypertrichosis often are used as two same things, the fact is that hypertrichosis actually refers to excess hair in areas that are not predominantly androgen dependent. That%26rsquo;s the main difference although the areas covered with hair can match; in which case- these two would really be the two same things.

Incidence of the condition

Several researches done in the past have shown that, when talking about women in the US, hirsutism is common and is estimated to occur in 1 in 20 women of reproductive age. When we talk about international proportions, then we should know that inherited familial hirsutism is found mostly in southern European and South Asian. How come? Well, the fact is that in these cases hirsutism is nothing more than a symptom of underlying endocrinopathy. Because hirsutism is a symptom, rather than a disease we simply can%26rsquo;t talk about mortality. Like we have already mentioned- it represents primarily a cosmetic and psychological concern.





If we talk about the age onset of the condition/disease, then we should know that it typically begins during puberty. In the case of underlying disease (such as congenital adrenal hyperplasia), this type of hirsutism begins early in childhood. It is also important to point out that the growth of facial hair commonly observed in postmenopausal women may be caused by unopposed androgen.

Normal hair growth

Now, let we hear some interesting facts about the normal body hair growth. Like we already know, human body is almost completely covered with hair. Exceptions are: the lips, the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet. How many hair follicles we have depends only on our genetic predisposition. Important thing to point out is that there are 2 types of hairs:

%26middot; Terminal hairs %26ndash; these hairs are usually thicker and found on eyebrows and head hair

%26middot; Vellus hairs %26ndash; these hairs are fine, light and later transformed into terminal hairs when exposed to androgens

Although it sounds impossible- the fact is that women have the same number of hairs on their bodies and faces as men do. There is only one difference. Later in life, male hormone, testosterone, makes hairs grow thicker, darker and longer, so that they appear more noticeable. Although even women produce small amounts of testosterone, this low level of this male hormone allows terminal hairs to appear in the pubic, axillary and nipple areas. This is completely normal and happens around puberty.

Possible causes of Hirsutism

Although most women always look at this condition as a sigh of something much more serious, this is far from correct! Several researches done in the past have confirmed that women with mild hirsutism and regular periods rarely have any underlying serious medical problem. Some of the most common possible causes of hirsutism are listed below.

1. Inherited condition

What's very important to know is that, in the great majority of hirsutism cases- the condition is simply inherited and may be present in other female relatives in the same family trait. It is also interesting to point out that most of these women have normal amounts of testosterone. How come? Well, it%26rsquo;s simple- problem isn't in the hormone, but in hair! In these cases- the hairs are more sensitive to small amounts of male hormone and so grow more quickly and thicker.

2. Racial

A racial causes of hirsutism are also noted because, some races, for example dark haired women from Mediterranean countries, have the highest incidence of this condition.

3. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

Well, like it is already mentioned, a very common cause of hirsutism is also a PCOS or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. It is well known that this condition is also associated with other symptoms such as acne, irregular periods, infertility and obesity.

4. Drugs

Some of the most common medications which can cause hormonal imbalances and hirsutism are:

Phenytoin (Epanutin) %26ndash; most common medication used in the treatment of epilepsy

Cyclosporine %26ndash; one of many medication commonly used after some organ transplant

Anabolic Steroids - used all around the world by athletes and body-builders

Minoxidil %26ndash; This is famous medication used in the treatment of high blood pressure and baldness

5. Hormonal imbalances- overproduction of androgens

Although women in generally produce small amounts of androgens. Locations of this androgen production are:

%26middot; the adrenal glands

%26middot; the ovary

%26middot; fat and muscle tissue

Any problem with these organs can cause hormonal imbalance and hirsutism!

6. Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia

Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia is one hereditary condition which affects the adrenal glands and makes them produce male-type hormones in big quantities! In generally, it is a problem with producing the Cortisol. Problem is also that it is often not diagnosed until teenage years or later in adult life.

Hirsutism treatment

Several researches done in the past have shown that simple weight losing reduces the amount of hormones in woman%26rsquo;s body that cause increased hair growth. There are also some other successful ways to eliminate the excess hair. Some of the most common are:

%26middot; Shaving %26ndash; definitely the safest and easiest method of removing hair

%26middot; Depilatories, or creams that remove hair

%26middot; Bleaching paste

%26middot; Electrolysis

%26middot; Laser hair removal

Medications

Important thing to point out is that, in fact, there really are some medications that doctor can prescribe in order to control male hormones that cause hirsutism. These medications are called anti-androgens! The fact is that these anti-androgens usually take at least 3 to 6 months to work. Besides these anti-androgens, there is also a drug made specifically to slow down the growth of facial hair and it can be bought as a prescription cream that you apply to the affected skin on your face and chin.

%26middot; Dianette

This medication contains estrogen. Everyone has heard about it because it is normally found in contraceptive pills. Beside estrogen it also contains low dose of Cyproterone. However, it should be noted that this medication may not suit everyone, especially older women. Side effects are possible like with any other drug and they are: bleeding between periods, tender breasts, nausea and headaches%26hellip;

%26middot; Cyproterone

It is important to know that this medication is chemically and anti-androgen, which means that it normally counteract male hormones. There is one thing that every woman should know if she%26rsquo;s planning to use this drug; it is necessary to prevent pregnancy during and for up to 6 months following treatment with anti-androgens as they have potential to damage a developing baby. This is important to know! To avoid this from happening- Cyproterone must be used along with an oral contraceptive pill.

%26middot; Spironolactone

Almost everyone has heard about Spironolactone which belongs to the group of is a weak diuretic medications! Diuretics are medications used in order to stimulate the kidneys to excrete water! It is also found that this drug has some anti-androgen activity. It should also be taken along with an oral contraceptive pill to avoid pregnancy.

%26middot; Metformin

This is also one very famous drug used in controlling the symptoms of diabetes- one very serious hormonal disorder. Some recent studies have showed that Metformin, beside anti-diabetic properties has also some useful properties beneficial in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome. It should be noted also that there are some side effects that could occur and the main side effects of Metformin are nausea, abdominal cramps, flatulence and constipation.

%26middot; Eflornithine

This medication comes in a form of cream which should be applied twice daily. Several patient-based studies have showed that it can slow the growth of facial hair by inhibiting a key enzyme involved in hair growth.

Read More...

Adrenalectomy surgical techniques and The Reasons Why

What exactly is an adrenalectomy? Well, it represents term describing the surgical removal of one or both adrenal glands. Most people find this definition a bit insufficient because not many of them know what adrenal glands really are! Well, the adrenal glands are endocrine glands and there are two ...

What exactly is an adrenalectomy? Well, it represents term describing the surgical removal of one or both adrenal glands. Most people find this definition a bit insufficient because not many of them know what adrenal glands really are! Well, the adrenal glands are endocrine glands and there are two of them in our organism, one above each kidney. Although they seem small and not so important- nothing is more far from truth! They represent an important hormone factory which produces hormones such as epinephrine, norepinephrine, androgens, estrogens, Aldosteron, and Cortisol. Then, what is the purpose of the removal? It%26rsquo;s simple. It is usually done in cases of serious illnesses or tumors affecting these glands! The removal is usually performed by conventional surgery, although, like in other abdominal operations- surgeons may use laparoscopy, which offers far less scarring (four very small incisions) and shorter healing time!

Anatomical and histological structure of adrenal glands

Like it has been already mentioned, there are two adrenal glands and each of them is made of two separate parts, an outer- CORTEX and an inner part- MEDULLA. Not only that these structures are structurally different and made of different cells, but these two parts produce two different groups of hormones which are needed to maintain normal body functions. The medulla, inner part of the glands, secretes adrenaline, one very important hormone which is responsible for part of the response to stress. On the other hand, cortex is also made of three different parts:

%26middot; Fascicular zone

%26middot; Glomerular zone

%26middot; Reticular zone

The cortex secretes several different hormones called corticosteroids because they have the steroid structure. Some of them are Cortisol, Aldosteron and some sex hormones. Their main function is to maintain the water and salt content of the body and also help to deal with stress.

Conditions affecting the adrenal glands

Although there are several possible indications for the removal of the adrenal gland- important thing to know is that this operation- adrenalectomy is usually advised for patients with tumors of the adrenal glands. Like other tumors- all tumors of adrenal gland may be malignant or benign. There is only one problem- almost all of them typically excrete excessive amounts of one or more hormones. When we talk about some malignant tumor, this procedure should not only help in correcting hormone imbalances, but also in removing tumors cells before they invade other parts of the body. These parts of tumor are called metastases.

Other hormone effects

It is important to point out that excessive production of adrenaline, such as seen in one condition-tumor called phaeochromocytoma, causes an over-exaggerated stress phenomenon of:

%26middot; high blood pressure

%26middot; shaking attacks

%26middot; sweating

One other condition called the Cushing%26rsquo;s disease is characterized by excessive secretion of steroid hormones produces high blood pressure, weight gain and muscular weakness. Although, this condition can be treated with this operation, most of the experts believe that it is better to treat this condition by direct approach to the pituitary which controls the adrenals and is situated at the base of the brain behind the root of the nose.

When we talk about Cushing's syndrome, then we should know that it is the term used whenever one adrenal is overactive, usually due to the development of a benign tumor. Other also common consequence of this condition is male characteristics, even in women. There are also situations when the tumor is inactive and produce no hormones what so ever. Some studies done recently have shown that in some cases, hormones produced by the adrenal glands can actually aggravate another condition such as breast cancer.

Preparations for adrenalectomy

Everyone should know that this operation isn't something you can schedule for a next day! It is extremely important to point out that every patient which is candidate for an adrenalectomy normally needs extensive drug treatment prior to surgery. This sometimes last for several weeks, but in most cases, about a week. This is also accompanied with several blood, urine and other tests. Only after all these tests, a candidate is considered safe and prepared for the adrenalectomy.

Surgical techniques of adrenalectomy

1. Open adrenalectomy

It is important to point out that the surgeon has a freedom to operate from almost any possible direction because it can depend on the patient%26rsquo;s type of body or on the exact medical problem. The most common is the anterior approach, where the surgeon approaches the gland through the front abdominal wall. Usually the incision will be horizontal, just under the rib arc. Only in few cases - a vertical incision can be done only with purpose to provide a better approach, especially if both adrenal glands are involved. When we talk about a posterior approach, we should know that, in this case- surgeon makes an incision on the patient%26rsquo;s back, sometimes on one and sometimes on each side of the body. Although, there are many surgeons that favor this approach, because it is a lot easier to perform, the fact is that this approach does not provide quite as clear a view of the surrounding structures as the anterior approach.

Just to be noted, a flank approach is also possible but it is rarely done. Only indication is patient%26rsquo;s obesity!

The last, but the most rarely used approach is the thoracic approach where the incision is made into the chest cavity. Only indication for this kind of operation is the situation when we talk about a very large tumor.

2. Laparoscopic adrenalectomy

Almost everyone has heard about the laparoscopic surgeries because this technique has been very popular these last couple of years because of minimal scarring and shorter recovery time! Like it is well known, this technique does not require opening of the body cavity, but making four small incisions which are made into a patient's flank, just under the rib cage. What exactly is a laparoscope? Well, it is one instrument which enables the surgeon to visualize the inside of the abdominal cavity on a television monitor.

What Happens during an Adrenalectomy

Here are some hints about what is being done during the adrenalectomy. Well, the first rule is that it is always done in general anesthesia. Like with any operation of this importance, just before the operation, patient is given a lot of heparin, a drug that should prevent blood clotting. The main thing is to remove the tumor from the patient%26rsquo;s body, never mind the size of it. In most cases, several days after the operation, patient is caring a small tube in the nose for several days, in order to keep the stomach empty, which could be extremely important. Because adrenal gland is very hormone %26ndash;productive, it is possible that, during the operation, blood pressure drops significantly. That%26rsquo;s why, during the operation, drugs will be given to maintain the blood pressure.

Post operative facts

It is important to point out that, because we are talking about one very serious operation, after the operation every patient will spend some time in the intensive care unit (ITU). Why? Well the answer is simple. Adrenal glands control many functions in our body and that%26rsquo;s why, few days after the operation, doctors must monitor the patient%26rsquo;s blood pressure, pulse and temperature, and the urine from the kidneys.

If we would like to talk about the recovery time, then we should know that the shortest recover time is when the incision is made in the patient%26rsquo;s back! In this case, patient is usually able to eat normally within 48 to72 hours. If the surgery has been performed through an abdominal approach, recovery time is usually delayed for 4 to 5 days.

Life-time consequences

There are some facts that every patient should know about this operation. Because the hormones produced by the adrenal glands are essential to life, it is not necessary to point out that, it is unavoidable to take steroid replacement tablets top the rest of your life. Good thing is that this is only if both adrenals are removed. If only one adrenal has been removed, it may not be necessary for you to take any additional long-term drugs. These drugs are strong steroid medications and the most commonly used are hydrocortisone and fludrocortisone.

Possible Complications of Adrenalectomy

Good thing to know about this operation is that there are only few possible complications and that they are extremely rare! Clotting in the veins, chest infection and pneumonia are unusual, but they are possible. Several studies done in the past have shown that they are lot commoner if the operation has been performed through the stomach!

Hormonal imbalances

One very special consequence of the adrenalectomy is imbalance of some of the most important hormones in our body. This could be a big problem and cause several other symptoms such as delayed wound healing, blood pressure fluctuations, and other metabolic problems.

Other risks are typical of many operations. These include:

%26middot; Lung problems

%26middot; Surgical infections

%26middot; Pain

%26middot; Extensive scarring

%26middot; Bleeding

%26middot; Damage to adjacent organs (spleen, pancreas)

%26middot; Loss of bowel function

%26middot; Blood clots in the lungs

%26middot; Infection of the wound%26hellip;

Read More...

Imbalance and Dizziness caused by Superior Canal Dehiscence Syndrome

Superior Canal Dehiscence Syndrome is an extremely rare condition. Like the name suggests, it is mostly characterized by vestibular (balance) symptoms directly caused by:(1) intense sound stimuli or(2) changes in intracranial or middle ear pressure.This pressure in the middle ear can be changed by a...
Superior Canal Dehiscence Syndrome is an extremely rare condition. Like the name suggests, it is mostly characterized by vestibular (balance) symptoms directly caused by:

(1) intense sound stimuli or
(2) changes in intracranial or middle ear pressure.

This pressure in the middle ear can be changed by a dehiscence of the bony layer that covers the superior semicircular canal, one of the three semicircular canals responsible for maintaining balance. However, although it is not so common, some individuals diagnosed with this syndrome only have hearing loss, and no imbalance symptoms.

Prevalence of the condition

The prevalence of complete dehiscence of the superior semicircular canal is approximately about 0.7% in the general population. However, not all patients with this syndrome have all the symptoms, so experts still don%26rsquo;t know the exact percentage of symptomatic patients among them. There is still no report of children being affected by the syndrome.

Mechanism of the condition

The cochleovestibular system of structures in the middle ear responsible for normal hearing and balance has two functional windows.

1. The oval window: Located at the footplate of one of the smallest bones in our body-the stapes, this window%26rsquo;s function is to allow sound to enter the inner ear (vestibule). This opening allows the mechanical wave to be transduced into neural activity, because it is the only way a sound can be perceived.

2. The round window: The function of this opening is a bit more controversial; it is considered to have several roles.





Its first role is thought to involve the release of sound and mechanical energy from the tympani part of the ear. Another proposed role is its participation in the secretion and absorption of substances in the inner ear.

These two windows of the inner ear work together to regulate hearing and balance. It is important to understand that all this can work only as previously described. In case of a dehiscence in the superior semicircular canal, a third-window effect is thought to take place. When that happens, endolymph within the labyrinthine system continues to move in relation to sound or pressure, which causes an activation of the vestibular system.

Possible causes

Experts proposed several different theories regarding the cause of superior canal dehiscence syndrome. An embryological etiology of this syndrome has been proposed, and is generally considered the most probable. According to this theory, the condition is caused by a postnatal failure of bone formation over the superior semicircular canal. Researchers used a computer to make a simulation model, and determined that the cause of bony dehiscence of the superior semicircular canal was due to a mal-positioned primitive otocyst-cell that later forms the bone.

What are the symptoms of the dehiscence syndrome?

As previously mentioned, not all patients with this syndrome have the symptoms, but when they do, these are the most common:

%26bull; Dizziness: The great majority of patients reports unsteadiness. This imbalance increases with activity and is relieved by rest. That%26rsquo;s why people often feel fine in the morning, but as the day passes, their balance gets progressively worse. Besides these balance problems, some patients also report a ringing in the ears. Other patients experience problems only when coughing, sneezing, or blowing their noses. This form of disease is tentatively named %26quot;valsalva-induced dizziness%26quot;.

%26bull; Pressure sensitivity: It is quite normal for a person to feel altered pressure sensations when moving from a high-pressure area to a low-pressure one. Such sensations are usually felt in airplanes or after diving. The changes in air pressure that occur in the middle ear normally do not affect the inner ear. However, in the case of dehiscence syndrome, changes in the middle ear pressure will directly affect the inner ear, stimulating the balance and causing typical symptoms.

%26bull; Sound sensitivity: Most patients also report a special kind of sound sensitivity. It is not unusual for patients with this syndrome to notice that the use of one%26rsquo;s own voice or a musical instrument will cause dizziness.

Diagnosis of dehiscence syndrome

Ideally, dehiscence syndrome diagnosis is done using a high resolution temporal bone CT scan.

Other tests available are:

%26bull; Valsalva test
%26bull; Tullio test (done in office, not very sensitive)
%26bull; Fistula test (best done in office, but can be done in a lab)
%26bull; Tympanometry

Laboratory tests that may be helpful include:

%26bull; MRI scan
%26bull; ECOG
%26bull; ENG
%26bull; Audiometry
%26bull; Temporal bone CT scan, high resolution
%26bull; VEMP (vestibular evoked myogenic potentials)

Treatment of dehiscence syndrome

Surgical Care: In most cases, the treatment is not necessary but surgical care is sometimes needed; it is reserved for patients with severe disabling symptoms. There are several forms of operation but these two are the most common: Middle fossa craniotomy and repair of fistula, and the transmastoid superior canal occlusion.

Middle fossa craniotomy and repair of fistula: The patients undergo a middle cranial fossa craniotomy on the affected side after which the temporal lobe is gently retracted. A dehiscence of the superior semicircular canal is typically covered with bone wax, bone cement, or fascia.

Transmastoid superior canal occlusion: This procedure is also an effective surgical method of treatment. First, mastoidectomy is being done, meaning a removal of the bone located behind our ears. After this, the superior semicircular canal is identified near the ossicular heads. The superior semicircular canal is then ablated with a combination of tissue and fascia, like in the first form of operation described above.

Prognosis

The success rate in the treatment of superior canal dehiscence is quite high, about 95%. A control study with 20 patients showed remarkable results. Nine patients had canal plugging and eleven had resurfacing procedures. Complete resolution of all vestibular symptoms and signs was achieved in 8 of the 9 patients after the canal was plugged. Seven of the 11 with resurfacing procedures had resolution of their vestibular complaints.

Useful tips

1. Avoid loud nose - no playing instruments or loud singing.
2. Avoid pressure fluctuations between the ear and the rest of the body. This includes weight lifting, straining to do things, or even strenuous sexual activity.
3. Pressure fluctuations between the middle ear and external ear should also be avoided. Patients should avoid situations where the ear might pop; for example, wear ear plugs or a nasal decongestant when traveling by plane.
4. Medications that can relieve symptoms are not very helpful in most cases, but sometimes benzodiazepines can help.

Read More...

Asthmatic triggers

Asthma is a chronic disease of the respiratory system in which the airway sometimes constricts and becomes inflamed. Also, the respiratory lining produces excessive amounts of thick mucus, often in response to one or more triggers. This mechanism is responsible for symptoms such as wheezing, shortne...
Asthma is a chronic disease of the respiratory system in which the airway sometimes constricts and becomes inflamed. Also, the respiratory lining produces excessive amounts of thick mucus, often in response to one or more triggers. This mechanism is responsible for symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing.

What triggers these asthma attacks?

Well, the answer to this question is not easy to give. Theoretically, there are many possible triggers, and yet every person reacts individually, so, there are simply no rules. Attacks may be triggered by such things as exposure to an environmental stimulant, cold air, warm air, moist air, exercise or exertion, or emotional stress. Fortunately, all these symptoms of asthma, which can range from mild to life-threatening, can usually be controlled with a combination of drugs and environmental changes. Of course, the most effective way of control is avoiding the triggers.

Asthma signs and symptoms

While in some individuals asthma is characterized by chronic respiratory impairment, in others it is an intermittent illness marked by episodic incidents. It is an extremely widely spread disease. Approximately 14 million adults and 6 million children in the U.S. have asthma.

An acute exacerbation of asthma is medically known as asthma attack. These attacks can be mild, symptomatic, asymptomatic, or severe.

The clinical characteristics of a most common form of an attack are:

%26bull; shortness of breath (dyspnea)
%26bull; wheezing
%26bull; stridor
%26bull; cough

Signs of an asthmatic episode include:

%26bull; wheezing
%26bull; rapid breathing (tachypnea)
%26bull; prolonged expiration
%26bull; a rapid heart rate (tachycardia)
%26bull; rhonchous lung sounds (audible through a stethoscope)
%26bull; over-inflation of the chest

As we%26rsquo;ve said earlier, sometimes asthma attacks can be extremely serious.





During these kinds of attacks the accessory muscles of respiration, especially sternocleidomastoid and scalene muscles of the neck may be cramped.

During very severe attacks, an asthma patient can:

%26bull; turn blue from lack of oxygen
%26bull; experience chest pain
%26bull; experience even loss of consciousness

Asthmatic aura

A number of asthmatic claim to be able to predict when an attack will happen because they experience something they call the %26ldquo;asthmatic aura%26rdquo;. Just before loss of consciousness, sometimes a patient will feel numbness in the limbs, and palms may start to sweat. Feet may become icy cold.

Triggers of asthma

What exactly triggers asthma? As previously mentioned, every person has their own triggers.

There are many possible asthma triggers and some of the most common are listed below:

%26bull; Allergens
%26bull; Irritants such as tobacco smoke, strong odors
%26bull; Gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD)
%26bull; Emotional anxiety
%26bull; Medications
%26bull; Foods
%26bull; Weather changes
%26bull; Viral or sinus infections
%26bull; Exercise

Allergens: These are different types of substances that can be found all around us.

Some of the most common are:

%26bull; House dust mite
%26bull; Pollens
%26bull; Molds
%26bull; Animal dander
%26bull; Cockroach droppings
%26bull; Food

If your asthma is triggered by allergens, simply avoiding them would be a much better plan then to use tons of medications to treat your symptoms.

Irritants: Asthmatic lungs aren%26rsquo;t as healthy as those of other people. This is why inflamed asthmatic airways are hyper-sensitive to environmental irritants.

Some of the most common environmental irritants are:

%26bull; tobacco smoke, wood smoke, chemicals in the air and ozone
%26bull; vapors, dust, gases or fumes
%26bull; strong odors or sprays such as perfumes, household cleaners, hairspray, cooking fumes, paints or varnishes
%26bull; coal dust, chalk dust or talcum powder

Also, in rare cases, even simple changing weather conditions, such as changes in temperature and humidity, barometric pressure or strong winds can cause severe asthma attacks. This is important because such irritants can hardly be avoided.

Infections: Some viral infections such as colds or viral pneumonia can trigger or aggravate asthma, especially in young children. Initially, experts were not sure about this claim, but after several studies done on this matter, it is now considered a proven fact.

Exercise: Sometimes strenuous physical exercise can also trigger attacks.

Some examples of activities which can trigger asthma are:

%26bull; prolonged mouth breathing
%26bull; diving for a long time
%26bull; exercising in cold, dry air
%26bull; medium- to long-distance running

Reflux disease: The gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition in which stomach acid flows back up the esophagus. Via this act, asthma can also be activated. The most common symptoms of GERD are:

%26bull; severe heartburn
%26bull; belching
%26bull; night asthma
%26bull; increased asthma symptoms after meals or exercise

Medications and food: Certain types of medication can cause asthma attacks in some patients. Some of the most common asthma trigger medications include aspirin (or other NSAIDS such as ibuprofen%26reg;) and beta-blockers. Aslo, certain types of food or food additives can trigger asthma symptoms. Some of the most common asthma triggers are milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, wheat, fish, and shellfish.

Emotional Anxiety: For a long time experts thought that asthma was in fact a psychological disorder, since it was known to happen to people under stress. Now, it has been proven not to be an emotional disorder, although emotions can trigger it. Anxiety and nervous stress probably cause fatigue, which may also increase asthma symptoms and aggravate an attack.

Asthma management %26ndash; medications

Asthma medications include those that prevent and control asthma symptoms, and those that reduce airway inflammation. We can divide these medications into two big groups- quick-relief and long-term control medications.

Quick-relief medications include:

%26bull; Bronchodilators: These medications are also called the %26ldquo;rescue medications%26quot; because they are used during active asthma attacks. Their purpose is to open up the bronchial tubes so that more air can flow through. They come in several forms such as inhalation medications, tablets, liquids or injections.

%26bull; Corticosteroids: Usually administered for short-term use orally or by injection to speed up the resolution of airway inflammation, corticosteroids have the same purpose as bronchodilators.

Long-term control medications

These medications should be taken daily to control the airway inflammation. Therefore, there is no point in using them during an asthma attack.

%26bull; Inhaled corticosteroids are probably the most effective long-term therapy available for persistent asthma.
%26bull; Cromolyn or Nedocromil stop the development of inflammation in the lungs, as well as help prevent it. Although they are not as effective as corticosteroids, they are generally considered much safer.
%26bull; Leukotriene modifiers are also extremely effective medications which work to fight potent chemicals called leukotrienes. This, of course, reduces airway inflammation.
%26bull; Methylxanthines are drugs that provide mild to moderate dilation of the airways and may have a mild anti-inflammatory effect. The most commonly used is Theophylline.
%26bull; Anti-IgE-medications are also useful. Omalizumab shows best results when used by patients with moderate to severe persistent allergic asthma. IgE is an antibody that we all have, responsible for causing allergic reactions in some people. Another drug from this class is Xolair, which is delivered by injection every two to four weeks. Like with any other medication, it can cause some side effects; risks include the possibility of a severe reaction within two hours of receiving the shot, blood-clotting problems, and a possible link to cancer.


Read More...