Sirius Satellite Radio Vs XM Satellite Radio

A satellite radio or subscription based radio is a radio service broadcasted by using satellite and it covers wider geographical area than local radio services. Today, satellite radio is leading the advancement of radio services in several countries, especially in the United States and Canada. Satellite radio service is being offered by two companies, XM Satellite Radio and Sirius Satellite Radio. Both companies are offering over 100 channels of streaming music, news, sports and entertainment. 

Sirius Satellite Radio is offering more than 130 channels of satellite radio featuring digital quality music and entertainment programs, sports and news whenever and wherever you want to listen in US and Canada. It uses a fleet of satellites to broadcast high quality radio streaming. To me, Sirius Radio is on demand entertainment that you can listen whatever and whenever you want, which is making it more and more popular. With most advanced satellite radio devices, you can also see the artist and song information on display while listening to the channel.

XM Satellite Radio is also a famous satellite radio service of North America in head-to-head competition with Sirius Satellite Radio. XM provides pay-for-service radio, similar to cable television. Services of XM Satellite Radio include 73 different music streams, 21 local traffic and weather streams, 39 news, sports, talk and amusement channels and 23 play-by-play sports channels. You can also listen to XM Satellite Radio on DirecTV for which no XM payment is necessary, but you must have paid DirecTV subscription.

Local repeaters just like broadcast translator boosters make sure the availability of the signals even if the radio antenna is not clear to satellite. For example, by the skyscrapers repeaters strengthen the radio signals so as in main tunnels for providing ultimate services to the subscribers. So, it is also convenient for local programming to be broadcast such as traffic and weather in major cities and areas. One good thing I must say is satellite radio is free from commercials and also free from rules and regulations by federal committees and this is what you pay for to enjoy non-stop streaming. Choice is Yours!

Birthday is Racing with the Earth Around the Sun

Starting of just another day but with the call of a nice friend singing like a bird “Happy Birthday to you - may you have many many more” and it waken me up. For some moments, I was surprised oh…I got this day 26 times in my life but I still don’t know why am I having it again and again, in the same usual way??






                Grabbing my Birthday Cake with Vertu Ferrari in hand

I am so sure that I came into this world at right time and right place but it took me long time to figure it out and yet I still don’t know why am I in this world? I’ve completed 26 revolutions around the sun and it’s interesting to know that I always complete my revolution on 354^th day that means 11 days before the Earth do but I’m still on the same location – sounds confusing.

In the end, I want to thank all of you for being the part of my life in anyway and for helping me to get through the life. Well, I enjoyed my Birthday alone in the last years but now it’s the time to move forward for another round trip in the solar system and I wish I could find some new stars to shine with.  Birthday is the start-finish day of the race with the Earth around the Sun and everyday is the race day.

Medication Side Effects

As we age, we tend to get more side effects from lesser amounts of drugs. This is because the body mechanisms that eliminate drugs from our system are less effective; our liver and kidneys do not work as quickly to excrete these substances from the body. Drug side effects become extremely common, and most of them are not even recognized. Instead, the side effects are thought of as problems in their own right. Common drugs like codeine can cause depression and sleepiness. Simple tranquilizers like valium can muddy your thinking and your memory. Aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs become more irritating to your stomach, even though you may not feel the early symptoms as keenly. Somewhere between 10 to 20 percent of hospital admissions for seniors are the direct result of medication side effects. Most of the medications that cause the side effects were not medically required.

Prevention

This potential problem needs constant orientation. We tend to gradually accumulate an overflowing medicine chest. New drugs are started more frequently than older ones are discontinued. Usually, your entire medication program is seldom reviewed at the same time, either by you or by your doctor.

There is only one sure way to avoid medication side effects, and that is to take no medications at all. At the most basic level, you should always ask yourself whether elimination of all medicines might be possible. Of you think this might be possible, then talk it over to your doctor. At the least, you and your doctor develop a plan that involves many fewer medications, even if they cannot all be eliminated.

You can stop over-the-counter drugs by yourself. Ask yourself if you really need the medication. Try for a while without it and see if and problems come up. Talk over many questions with your doctor. Repeat this process at least every six months and prune your medications back to those that are truly essential.

Payday Loans for Urgent Financial Needs

If the money is short and you’re going through hard time and you have to pay some late fees or any overdraft charges and bills, obviously it’s a pathetic situation BUT WAIT! You’re not alone! Whenever you’ll face such kind of situation the payday loans is always there to support your short term financial crisis. You will get a quick loan within two hours of loan application to meet your urgent financial needs…sounds good!? Loan will be deposited to your checking or saving account so you don’t have to leave the comfort of your home to go and apply for the loan.

Payday loans are helping people to come back from their current weak financial position so they don’t have to disturb their routine to meet unexpected expenses. One really good thing I felt about these payday loans is that anyone can be qualified who meets the minimal requirements such as you have to be US Citizen and must be 18 or older. And you are receiving or earning a regular income of at least $1,000 per month and holding a valid account as mentioned above, with direct deposit. Another great deal is that you don’t have to worry about your bad credit because to approve your loan they do not perform credit checks…bingo!

I think now you are feeling relax with their great offer – NO? Worried about the misuse of personal information? Just Kickback! You don’t need to fax your details. They will get all the necessary details through the website using a SSL (Secure Socket Layer) connection. Let me remind you payday loans will only finance you for the short term until your next pay day and is not suitable for continuous financial problems. However, your loan can be extended upon your request before the maturity date. You can read FAQ’s section on the website and also contact their friendly customer service representatives, always ready to help you in your hard time.

Avoiding AIDS and Other Preventable Infections

The major infectious diseases of the past, such as smallpox, polio and tuberculosis, have greatly decreased as national health problems. This is principally a result of preventive measures. Now, the major infectious disease threat to individuals below age 65 is a new disease, AIDS.

AIDS, the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, is caused by a virus. This virus first was recognized to cause human illness in 1977. The virus attacks a particular group of the body's white blood cells (a subclass of the T lymphocytes) and persists for a long time in these cells. The virus destroys the cells' ability to fight off additional infections, and the additional infections are frequently fatal. This virus makes the important body defense mechanism, the immune system, deficient (unable to fight back). In contrast to immune deficiency syndromes that are present at birth, it is usually "acquired" during adult life when the individual becomes infected by the AIDS virus.

The AIDS virus is transmitted from person to person body secretions - such as semen, vaginal secretions, or even breast milk - or by transfusion of infected blood. It can be transmitted to the fetus by an infected mother. In some infected individuals, the immune system appears to remain intact; these individuals are not sick but still may be able to infect other. In others, there are relatively minor symptoms such as fatigue and swollen lymph glands. Over time, the immune system is profoundly altered in at least one-half of infected individuals; after the first major infection, death will often follow within a year or two.

AIDS was first discovered in homosexual men who have had large numbers of sexual contacts. The frequency of sexual exposure greatly increases the probability of coming in contact with the virus. Seventy to 80 percent of all cases continue to occur in gay men. Increasingly, however, cases are reported in intravenous drug abusers who become infected through contaminated needless and syringes, after heterosexuals contact with prostitutes, or after other heterosexual contact. The number of different sexual contacts is critically important; the larger the number of possibilities for transmission of virus through different partners, the larger the risk. Gay men in stable, monogamous relationships are at little, if any, increased risk. The problems with blood transfusions of a few years ago have been almost entirely eliminated because all blood is now tested for the presence of the virus before transfusion. It does not appear that the disease can be transmitted by coughing or other non-intimate contact. Medical personnel do not appear to be at substantial risk.  

Rapid progress in understanding AIDS is being made, but a vaccine or a cure is not yet available. A test that detects antibody to the virus with reasonable accuracy is available. Early studies with this test indicate that as many as 1 million persons in the United States already have antibodies to the virus. This suggests that they have been exposed to and possibly infected by the AIDS virus- an alarming statistic for a virus that has been around for only a few years.

Control of this disease depends largely on quarantine of the virus through the collective health actions of individuals. I strongly argue the following three measures; they not only help prevent AIDS but also other sexually transmitted diseases and other serious infections such as hepatitis (inflammation of the liver) and septicemia (blood poisoning).

1. Decrease the risk of sexual transmission.
Recognize that casual sexual activity, either homosexual or heterosexual, paid or free, can be hazardous and that the risk goes up. With the number of different individuals involved. Regular and careful use of condoms (but not other birth control techniques) can greatly reduce the risk of infection. Practice “safer sex”.

2. If you think you may have been at risk for infection, get tested.
The test should be positive within a month if you have been infected, but not right away. Do this not only for yourself but to avoid the tragedy of unknowingly spreading the disease.

3. lend your efforts to the war on drugs.
Particularly emphasize those things that can influence friends and children to avoid the many serious risks of these practices.

Alcohol Intake

Excessive alcohol intake is a serious problem for some people in
every age group. Excessive drinking leads to depression and this can
have negative effects on your entire life. Look for the danger signs.
These include morning drinking, citations for driving while intoxicated,
automobile accidents after any alcohol intake at all, drinking to make
problems go away, drinking behavior that worries your spouse on your
friends, or medical problems of ulcer or gastritis. If any one of these
danger signs has occurred in your recent life, you should cut down. If
more than one of them have occurred, you should contact your nearest
Alcoholic Anonymous chapter or get some other form of professional help.

Usually, this problem gets too little attention too late. You should
look for these problems in family and friends, express your concerns to
them, and cooperate fully to help them establish a program for alcohol
control or elimination. You perhaps can save their lives, and perhaps
even your own

Learn to Observe Yourself

The careful physical examination requires skill and experience. Some important observations can be made at home. If you can report accurate information on these points, you can further help your doctor.

Temperature
Don’t say “fever” or “running a temperature” or “burning up.”  But a thermometer, read the instructions, practice shaking the thermometer down, and be able to report the exact temperature. If you have a small child, buy a rectal thermometer and learn how to use it.

Pulse
If the problem involves a rapid or forceful heartbeat, know exactly how fast it is beating. Feel a pulse in the arm or throat, or put an ear to the chest. Count the exact number of beats occurring in one minute, or have someone do this for you. If you think that there is a problem with the pulse, determine whether the beat is regular or irregular. Is the heart “skipping a beat,” “turning flip-flops,” “missing every other beat,” or is it completely irregular? A pulse irregularity often gone by the time you reach the doctor. If you describe it accurately, your doctor may be able to understand what happened.

Breast
The mammary tissue is normally a bit lumpy.  Adult women should carefully examine their breasts every month in order to detect changes. Press the breast tissue against the chest wall, not between the fingers. Try several positions-lying down, sitting, and with the arm on the side being examined raised over the head. Look particularly for differences between the two breasts. If you note a suspicious lump, see the doctor immediately. Many women delay out of fear. Please don’t. Very few lumps are cancerous, but if the lump is malignant, it is important that it be removed early. Often the patient can feel a lump that the doctor misses; help the doctor locate the problem area.

Weight
Changes in weight are frequently very important. Know what your normal weight is. If your weight changes, know by how much and over what period it changed.

Other Findings
Know your body. When something changes, report it accurately. A change in skin color, a lymph gland on the back of the neck, an increase in swelling in the legs, and many other new events are easily observed. Just as important, knowledge of your body will help you avoid reporting silly things. The “Adam’s apple” is not a tumor. “Knobs” on the lower ribs or pelvis are usually normal. The vertebra (bone) at the lower neck normally sticks out. There is normal bump at the back of the head-the “knowledge bump.” I’ve known patients to report each of these as emergencies.

Immunizations

Immunizations have had far greater positive impact on health in the developed nations than all of the other health services put together. Only a few years ago only a few years ago, smallpox, cholera, paralytic polio, diphtheria, whooping cough, and tetanus killed large numbers of people. These diseases are now effectively controlled by immunization in the United States and in most other developed nations. Smallpox has been eradicated from the entire world, and there is no longer any need for smallpox immunization. An incredible success story!

Frequent immunization is not needed now because these diseases occur less often and because we now know that the immunizations provide protection for a long time. Thus, tetanus boosters are only required every ten years for adults who have had the basic series of tetanus injections. As these conditions become rare, the problems of side effects from the inoculations are in some instances as great as the risk of the illness.

Keep a careful record of your immunizations. Do not allow yourself to be re-inoculated just because you have lost records of previous immunizations. If you haven’t had a tetanus shot for ten years or so, ask for a booster shot while visiting the doctor for another reason. You can save future tips to the doctor by being protected for the next ten years. In general, do not seek out the optional immunizations. Flu shots, for example, are only partially effective and often cause a degree of illness themselves; they are recommended only for the elderly and for those with severe lung diseases.

Bathroom Accessories

The needs of bathroom are always changing as the time pass. Chrome coated brass is used to pull out the waste. Toothbrush holder is used for keeping tooth brush and paste and a soap dish is attached with it. Other accessories are shaving mirror, towel rail and tissues. A bathroom could not be thought without tub, the shower, and commode. Contemporary bathroom should have beautifully designed bath, shower curtain in different fabrics. These products are available at the stores easily.

The true bathroom accessories will make a statement of your lifestyle, your attitude, and your frame of mind. There are some typical accessories that every one is familiar with: towel racks, paper holder, and some “fixed” accessories that are essentially attached to the walls. Find standard, almost imperceptible choices for these bathroom accessories.. There are varieties of bathroom accessories existing that have coordinating pieces or you can mix and match on the bases of color, style, or season. Let your individuality stand out with the accessories that are on the market nowadays. Another, often overlooked bathroom accessory is artwork. A simple picture, with a beautiful frame, can turn the blue and yellow room into the beach themed space.

Another way to jazz up your bathroom is the use of outlandish accessories in new ways. A paper towel holder (in the kitchen) can easily be altered to a magazine rack for the bathroom. A pleasant, big basket could be the fantastic towel storage. A plant hanger could an attractive paper holder as well. You are only limited by your imagination. Bathroom accessories are a fun and good way of giving your bathroom a facelift. Bathroom accessories are not much costly and easily available at excellent prices. Bathroom accessories can be purchased from retail and online bathroom stores at reasonable prices.

Bifold Doors

Bi fold doors are distinctive and vertical folding doors providing swift, easy and quite entry to the peoples. Mike Schweiss introduced Bifold doors in 1980. Mike’s first Bifold door size was 12 x 12 and placed in a factory at Renville County highway shed. Bifold doors are typically used in closet, pantries and between rooms. Bifold doors are always made in pair of two, four and six sides. Its side open from the center of the door.

Bifold doors are normally single doors, wardrobe doors and deliberate for the use in offices. Bifold doors also sometime uses as inner door for a greenhouse. Bifold private doors are space saver and let you easily use your whole closet. However, these types of bifold doors have some drawbacks. Sliding closet doors will only let you to open one split at a time even as closets with hinged doors face difficulties when any items are put near and around the outside of the door.

By far the most suitable design for door is the bifold closet door. If your room just has a small enigmatic, then you would be better to go for just one bifold closet door, but if it is big enough, then you could choose two bifold doors on opposite sides. Whilst, two bifold doors are not required they are extremely more pleasing to the eye and will add a small piece of a modern architectural look to your home. If you choose a stunning color scheme on the bifold doors, it will make the closets mix together with the rest of the wall to make the room feel more pooled and beautiful. A bifold closet door is the definitely a perfect option whether you have a small closet or a large walk-in closet. Another main thing to consider when selecting closet doors is the type of door that will affect the space and style of your room. If you want to save space, then preferably you should choose bifold closet doors. Not only are they visually beautiful but they drastically cut down on the space that a hinged door cover up in a room.

Use of Emergency Contraceptives:

Contraceptives are drugs used to prevent unwanted pregnancy. There are different forms of contraceptives: regular, emergency and permanent method. Here we are focusing more on emergency methods. Emergency contraceptives are the use of drugs or devices to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sexual intercourse. People try to use it in the wrong way but its use in right time and right way can prevent further many complications. Complications such as mental tension, unwanted pregnancy and abortions can be prevented.

Emergency contraceptives should be used in cases of unprotected sex, sexual assault or when condom is broken to help prevent pregnancy. Even though none of the contraceptive methods we use are 100% protective, it’s still better using them then taking chances. Emergency contraceptive methods should not be used by the females who are sexually active as regular contraceptive methods (birth Control pills) are better. There are different types of emergency contraceptives which are in use. They are:

• Hormone containing Pills: It contains higher dose of same hormones that are used in regular birth control pills. It contains combination of Estrogen and Progesterone which is taken as 2 pills 12 hours apart. The first dose should be taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex. The other pill used is progesterone only pill, which can also be used within 72 hours of unprotected sex but more effective if used as soon as possible (0.75mg stat and 12 hrs. apart).
• Intrauterine device: The IUD used for emergency contraception is the Copper T 380A IUD. It can be inserted up to 5 days after unprotected sexual intercourse but should be inserted as soon as possible. The IUD can be removed after your next menstrual period, when it is confirmed that you are not pregnant.
• Anti-progesterone: It has not been used widely. The single dose of drug can be taken within 27days of cycle irrespective of days and numbers of intercourse.

Common side effects of emergency contraceptive pills are similar to those of birth control pills. They include nausea, abdominal pain, fatigue, headache,and menstrual changes. Breast tenderness, fluid retention, and dizziness may also occur. Many of these symptoms may be less severe with progestin-only or intrauterine forms of emergency contraception.

Emergency contraception is not as effective as ongoing birth control. It should not be used routinely instead of birth control. If you are sexually active and wish to avoid pregnancy, you may wish to consider using a consistent form of birth control.

Know When to Use the Hospital

The hospital is expensive. It is not home or hotel. Lives are saved and lost. The hospital must be used, and it must be avoided. To manage these contradictions, the need for hospitalization for you or a member of your family must be carefully considered in each instance.

Don’t use the hospital if services can be performed elsewhere. The acute (short-term) general hospital provides acute general medicine; it does not perform other functions well.

Don’t use the hospital for rest; it is not good place to go for rest. It is busy, noisy, unfamiliar and populated with unfamiliar roommates. Its nights are punctuated with interruptions, and it has an unusual time schedule. It has many employees, a few of whom will be less thoughtful than others.

Don’t use the hospital for the “inconvenience” of having a number of tests done in a few days. It does not provide tests in the most efficient manner; indeed, most laboratories and X-ray facilities are not open on the weekend, and special procedures may require several days just to be scheduled.

Many people have urged that we establish a system of “hoptels.” “Hoptels” would provide lodging at minimal cost, allow for efficient test performance, and be appropriate for periods of rest and minimal activity. A number of experiments along these lines are underway. Until more appropriate facilities are available,
however, use the acute hospital with great reluctance.

Over a century ago, the Hungarian physician Inaz Philipp Semmelweiss noted two events: (1) Mothers giving birth at home and their infants fared better than those in the hospital, and (2) the existence of the often fatal “childbed fever” was one of the risks of the hospital. This problem, due to poor hygiene in the deliver rooms, has long since been corrected. But in our present age, new evidence suggests that for many conditions home treatment may work better than the treatment in the hospital. For example, home treatment for minor heart attacks in the elderly has been reported as possibly better than hospital treatment. It is apparent to most hospital visitors that the crisis atmosphere of the short-term acute hospital does not promote the calmest state of mind for the patient. Many therapeutic features of the home cannot be duplicated in the hospital.

The hospice movement attempts to provide humane, caring, medically sound treatment with a minimum of the technological trappings of the hospital. Hospice and home-care programs are growing rapidly and are very worthwhile.

Eye Irritation Treatment

The tear mechanism normally soothes, cleans, and lubricates the eye. Occasionally, the environment can overwhelm this mechanism, or the tear flow may be insufficient. In these cases, the eye becomes “tired,” feels dry or gritty, and may itch. A number of compounds that may aid this problem are available.

1) Murine and Visine
There are two general types of eye preparations. One class contains compounds intended to sooth the eye (Murine). Added to the compounds may be substances that shrink blood vessels and thus “get the red out” (Visine); these substances are decongestants to get rid of a bloodshot appearance is totally cosmetic. It is possible that such preparations can actually interfere with the normal healing process, although this is unlikely.

2) Methylcellulose Eyedrops
The second group of preparations makes no claims of special soothing effect and contains no decongestants. They are solutions with concentrations like those of the body so that no irritation occurs.  Their purpose is to lubricate the eye, to be “artificial tears.” These are preparations preferred by ophthalmologists for minor eye irritation. Methylcellulose eye drops are an example of this type.

3) Prefrin
Prefrin is a substance that lies somewhere between the two types of eye preparations discussed above; it contains both substances that soothe and lubricate the eye and a decongestant.

Dosage
Use as frequently as needed in the quantity required. You can’t use too much, although usually a few drops give just as much relief as a bottleful. If your problem of dry eyes is constant, you should check it out with the doctor because an underlying problem could be present. Usually, the symptom of dry eyes lasts only a few hours and is readily relieved. Too much sun, wind, or dust usually causes the minor irritation.

Side Effects
No serious side effects have been reported. Visine and other drugs containing decongestants tend to sting a bit. None of these drugs treat eye infections or injuries or remove foreign bodies from the eye.

Insect bite and its treatment:

Even though there are several insects which can inflict poison by bite or sting, the common ones which cause medical problems are bees, wasps and ants which are found near us. They belong to group Hymenoptera. As, these species live in groups if one stings you theirs more chance of you stinging by others. Mostly Bees and wasps inject poisonous venom by stinging into your skin.

The injury is mostly confined to the area close to the stings but may also result in severe bodily dysfunction as kidney failure. Most common presentation is local allergic reaction to and near the sting site as pain, swelling and itching. Sometimes larger zone of bacterial infection may also result within 12-36 hours of bite. Systemic Symptoms resulting in swelling of whole body, wheezing, difficulty in breathing, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, decrease urine output etc. in severe cases unconsciousness and death may occur.

One recent case which I came across was a person who was sting by more than 100 wasps came with complain of decrease urine output and swelling of whole body. Vitals (Pulse, BP, Temp, Respiratory rate) were stable and on examination he had swelling of whole body, with difficulty in breathing and added sounds in chest. Urine output was nil. Blood test revealed acute renal failure for which he had to undergo hemodialysis for 5-6 episodes with other medical treatment. At end the patient symptoms resolved and he went back home at good health.

Treatment of wasp bite mostly depends on the severity of the condition. Many of the complications from an allergic reaction respond well to various medications-when given in time. Simple allergic bite in non allergic person doesn’t need more than first aid. Avoid bites by wearing protective clothing, using insect repellent. Remove any stingers present in the body; wash whole body with soap; apply ice to the sting site as frequent as possible; use of antibiotic cream to sting site; antihistaminic medicine for itching and painkillers for pain relief. If symptoms are severe seek the medical attention immediately which can help in preventing your life, as death can occur sometimes.

Insomnia

Insomnia:

Insomnia is defined as “difficulty in initiating or maintaining sleep”. Nearly 30-50% people have sleepless nights, it may be due to improper sleep habit. It may be either due to inadequate quantity or quality of sleep. Insomnia is not a disease itself it’s a symptom which can vary from people to people. It can be seen in all age groups. If it lasts for more than 3 weeks one should visit the doctor as it may be due to some disease process and also may interfere with one’s daily activity.

It is classified according to the duration of symptoms presented:

• Transient Insomnia- less than one week

• Short-term Insomnia- lasting 1-3 weeks

• Chronic Insomnia- more than 3 weeks.

Causes of Insomnia: May be due to situational factor, medical or psychiatric causes or sleep problems.

• Transient or short term: jet lag, changes in shift work, Stress, acute illness, withdrawal from drugs, alcohol, sedatives or other medicines.

• Chronic may be due to psychiatric causes or physiological.

• Psychiatric: anxiety, Mood Disorder, Depression, Schizophrenia

• Physiological (medical causes): Chronic fatigue syndrome, Chronic pain syndrome, Acid peptic disease,Asthma,Obstructive sleep Apnea, Tumors, Strokes, Parkinson’s disease and many more.

• Drugs related: Blood pressure medicines, Medicines for depression, anxiety; some over the counter cold or asthma medicines.

Treatment:

It depends on identifying the cause factor and treating one. Generally treatment includes both non-medical and medical aspect.

• Non-medical treatment and Behavioral Therapy: Maintaining sleep hygiene (regular bed time; no drinks, coffee at bed time; no smoke; no TV or worries and Relaxation therapy. These methods work most of the time not requiring medication.

• Medicine: Drugs according to the medical causes such as antidepressant for Depression. Antihistamines, Sedatives etc.

Screening and Prevention of Disease Conditions:

As we know “Prevention is always better then cure”. A primary goal of health services is to prevent disease or to detect early so that early interventions can be made. A primary goal of screening is early detection of the risk factor or the disease at a stage where it can be cured. Screening would be effective if it’s going to carry out in conditions as heart diseases, cancer, lung diseases which results in high death rates in each part of world. Screening of risk factors for lung diseases and cancer as smoking can be identified early, it puts on to your life when quitted at the start of your symptoms. Also identifying these risk factors and providing counseling helps. There are several conditions where screening is considered helpful in early diagnosis of diseases. Such conditions may or may not run in families. But, the conditions like breast cancer, colon cancer, poly-cystic kidney disease and many more may run in families if presented in early age group. These conditions can be ruled out or treated in other members if screening can be done in its earliest.

Here are few diseases whose screening methods are simple and effective by some means:

• Breast Cancer Screening in females: Mammography at age of 40 then every 1-2 years

• Cervical Cancer screening: Pap smear at age of 21 or within 3 years of onset of sex, then every 3hrs until age 65.

• Colon Cancer Screening: Colonoscopy at age 50 and every 10years. If family history is present then 10 year early to the age group of member diagnosed. If more than 3 members start from age of 25 and be done every 1-2 years.

• Diabetes: >45 years or earlier if additional risk factors present. Then every 3years.

• Blood Pressure, height, weight: >18 years and yearly

• Cholesterol: men >35; Women> 45 years of age and every 5years.

Some Questions of Medication

As we grow older above the age of 30, we begin to lose a part of our “organ reserve.” In youth, our hearts van pump ten times the amount of blood required to sustain life, our kidneys can excrete six times the waste products that we produce in our bodies each day, and every other organ has similar reserve powers that fortunately are very seldom required. After age30, we begin to lose this reserve at a rate of 1 or 2 percent each year. We don’t even notice the loss, unless we are in a situation in which we really need it. Loss of reserve power means that it is more difficult to restore the equilibrium of the body after a severe insult to a body function.

As we age, our bodies detoxify drugs at a slower rate. In medical terms, the drug is metabolized more slowly. A little goes along way. In essence, we can get the same effect for a lower dosage; the regular dose of a drug can become an overdose. The first rule that a good doctor observes with an older patient is to keep the dose low.

Side effects of medications can simulate disease, and unwary doctors and patients often mistake a drug reaction for an underlying medical problem. A small dose of codeine may cause severe fatigue and sleepiness, a little digitalis may cause profound nausea and vomiting, a diuretic to remove fluid from the ankles may cause dizziness and kidney problems. The second rule that a good doctor observes is to suspect that the whole problem might be a minor drug reaction, cured simply by removing the offending drug. The largest problems come from the anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin, naproxen, piroxicam, ibuprofen, indomethacin, and meclofenamate. These drugs frequently cause bleeding from the stomach and often cause hospitalization or even death. Older people are at three times the risk of younger ones.

Entirely new side effects can appear in the elderly. A sleeping pill may keep the patient awake. A tranquilizer may excite the patient or cause severe depression. These paradoxical reactions are not fully understood, but they are very common. Again, the good doctor and the thoughtful patient or relative will suspect the drug first.

Skin Fungus Treatment

Anti-Fungul Preparation
Fungal infections of the skin are not serious, so treatment is not urgent. In general, the fungus needs moist, undisturbed areas to grow and will often disappear with regular cleansing, drying, and application of a powder to keep the area dry. Cleansing should be performed twice daily.
If you need a medication, there are effective non-toxic agents available. For athlete’s foot use one of the zinc undecylenate creams or powders, such as Desenex. In difficult cases, tolnaftate (Tinactin) is very effective. This agent is useful for almost all sin fungus problems, but it is more expensive.

Dosage
For athlete’s foot, use as directed on the label. For other skin problems, selenium sulfide is available by prescription in a 2.5% solution. Over the counter, a 1% solution is available as Selsun Blue shampoo. Use the shampoo as a cream and let it dry on the lesions; repeat several times a day to compensate for the weaker strength.

Side Effects
There are very few. Selenium sulfide can burn the skin if used to excess, so decrease application if you notice any irritation. Selenium may discolor hair and will stain clothes. Be very careful when applying any of these products around the eyes. And don’t take them by mouth.

Watch Your Salt Intake

Too much sodium (salt) in the system tends to retain fluid in the body, increasing the blood pressure and predisposing to problems such as swelling of the legs. The heart has to work harder with the increased amount of blood volume. Thus, it is good to decrease salt intake, the average person in United States takes in about 12 grams (g) of sodium each day, one of the highest intakes in the world. Our convenience foods and our fast foods are usually loaded with salt.  Salt is in ketchup, in most sauces, and in hidden form in many foods. You need to read the labels to find it: look for “sodium,” not “salt”, the recommended amount is 4 grams a day of salt for a typical person. You will get plenty without adding anything. Under a doctor’s advice, patients with problems of high blood pressure, heart failure, or some other difficulties may need to reduce salt much more radically.

Do you have the typical craving for junk food? Don’t despair, there are healthy snacks! One of our favorites: popcorn, butterless, hot-air cooked, sprayed with butter-flavored PAM, and sprinkled with a little Parmesan cheese. Even better, try popcorn with olive oil instead of butter, unsalted peanuts in the shell, or French bread basted with olive oil and toasted with oregano or garlic.

Obesity and Its Consequences

Obesity is defined as excessive collection of fat (adipose tissue) in the body. Fat tissues which are widely present in adipose tissue in our body are used to store excess energy. It releases stored energy as free fatty acids for the use of other sites. This energy can be used for humans to survive starvation for as long as months. Due to the adaptation of sedentary life style these fats get deposited in our various body parts and result in many adverse health consequences.

Measures of Obesity:

• BMI (Body Mass Index) = wt. kg/ Ht2 m.

                Normal = 19-25
                Overweight= 25-3
                Obesity >30
                Morbid Obesity >40

• Waist to Hip ratio= > 0.9 (W); > 1 (M)
• Anthropometry (skin fold thickness) = mostly used in children <5>

BMI is the most important indicator used widely.

Consequences of Obesity:

The definitive cause of obesity is unknown some says it may be due to genetical inheritance or due to the high intake of foods more than required. Obesity can result from increased energy intake, decreased energy expenditure, or a combination of the two. Thus, identifying the etiology of obesity should involve measurements of both parameters. This results in many adverse health conditions as

• Diabetes Mellitus
• Reproductive Disorders: Male- hypogonadism, Gynecomastia; female- Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
• Heart Disease: Coronary Disease, Stroke, Heart Failure, Hypertension associated
• Pulmonary Disease: may cause increased work in breathing, Severe Obesity results in Obstructive Sleep Apnea ( snoring while sleeping)
• Gallstones: Obesity is associated with enhanced biliary secretion of cholesterol, super saturation of bile, and a higher incidence of gallstones, particularly cholesterol gallstones.
• Cancer: In males cancer of the esophagus, colon, rectum, pancreas, liver, and prostate; obesity in females is associated with higher mortality from cancer of the gallbladder, bile ducts, breasts, endometrium, cervix, and ovaries.
• Bone, joint and cutaneous disease: Osteoarthritis, Gout.

Treatment:

• Behavior modification: Eating Habits, Counseling regarding weight loss.
  
• Diet: Reduced Caloric Intake. A deficit of 1000 kcal/d should cause a loss of 1 kg per week. Advantages of very low calorie diets are the greater rate of weight loss compared to less restrictive diets. In patients on such diets, blood pressure, blood glucose, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels fall, and pulmonary function and exercise tolerance improve. Sleep apnea may improve within a few weeks. Complications of very low energy diets are: fatigue, constipation or diarrhea, dry skin, hair loss, menstrual irregularities, orthostatic dizziness, and difficulty concentrating.
  
• Exercise: It plays a major role in decreasing obesity and is valuable to sustain diet. Daily means of light exercise or jogging keeps oneself healthy and prevents from other health conditions as heat diseases.
  
• Drugs: Despite modest short-term benefits from several agents, medication-induced weight loss is not a cure and is often associated with rebound weight gain after the cessation of drug use. The use of these drugs has their own side effects too. This makes it hard to prescribe for long term use in cases of Obesity.
  
• Surgery: In response to typically ineffective treatment using diet, exercise, and available drugs, surgical approaches are increasingly being employed. The potential benefits of surgery include major weight loss and improvement in hypertension, diabetes, sleep apnea, CHF, angina, hyperlipidemia, and venous disease. Two procedures in common use today are the vertical-banded gastroplasty and the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

The Marketing of Medical Services

Increased competition in medicine is here. With nostalgia, we note a certain loss of dignity. Hospitals compete with other hospitals for patients. Health insurance plans compete with other plans. Doctors compete with doctors. There are advertisements and direct marketing to consumers (patients).

You need to be aware of these changes because once-conservative institutions are now trying to influence your choices. A new event, the hospital “chain” with facilities in many cities and national marketing practices, has developed. Payment for spectacular new technologies, such as the artificial heart, may be internally justified, at least in part, because it calls attention to the merits of particular companies. Marketing directors, or their equivalent, have been hired at many hospitals, even small ones. The hospital public relations director interacts with media, and regular press releases as well as attractive brochures are prepared.

To an extent, the marketing educates and aware of the features of the alternative choices you might make. But beware of hype and jargon. Guidelines from this blog might be more effective means of finding good-quality care than slick brochures and press releases.

Oral Poisoning and Home Treatment

Although poisons may be inhaled or absorbed through the skin, for the most part they are swallowed. The term ingestion refers to oral poisoning.

Most poisoning can be prevented. Children almost always swallow poison accidently. Keep harmful substances, such as medications, insecticides, caustic cleaners, and organic solvents like kerosene, gasoline or furniture polish out of the reach of children. The most damaging are strong alkali solutions such as drain cleaners (Drano and others), which will destroy any tissue with which they come in contact.

Treatment must be prompt to be effective, but accurate identification of the substance is as important as speed. Don’t panic. Call the doctor or poison control center immediately and get advice on what to do. Attempt to identify the substance without causing undue delay. Always bring the container with you to the emergency room. Life-support measures take precedence in the case of the unconscious victim, but the ingested substance must be identified before proper therapy can be instituted.

Suicide attempts cause many significant medication overdoses. Any suicide attempt is an indication that help is needed. Such help is needed even if the patient has “recovered” and is in no immediate danger. Most successful suicides are preceded by unsuccessful attempts.

Home Treatment

All cases of poisoning require professional help. Someone should call for help immediately. If the patient is conscious and alert and the ingredients swallowed are known, there are two types of treatment: those in which vomiting should be induced, and those in which it should not. Vomiting can be dangerous if the poison contains strong acids, alkalis or petroleum products. These substances can destroy the esophagus or damage the lungs as they are vomited. Neutralize them with milk while contacting the physician. If you don’t have milk, use water or milk of magnesia.

Vomiting is a safe way to remove medications and suspicious materials. It is more effective and safer than using a stomach pump and does not require the doctor’s help. Vomiting can sometimes can be achieved immediately by stimulating the back of the throat with a finger (don’t be squeamish!), or by giving two to four tea spoons of syrup (not extract) of ipecac, followed by as much liquid as the patient can drink. Vomiting follows usually within 20 minutes, but because time is important, using your finger to induce is sometimes quicker. Or you can try both methods. Mustard mixed with warm water also works. If there is no vomiting in 25 minutes, repeat the dose of syrup of ipecac. Collect the vomitus so that it can be examined by the doctor.

Before, after, or during first aid, contact a doctor. Many communities have established poison control centers to identify poison and give advice. These are often located in emergency rooms. Find out if such a center exists in your community, and if so, record the telephone number both on the accompanying decision chart and in front of this book. Quick first aid and fast professional advice are your best chance to avoid a tragedy.

If an accidental poisoning has occurred, make sure that it doesn’t happen again. Put poison where children cannot reach them. Flush old medications down the toilet.

Digeus System Optimizer - PC Health Docotor

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Security feature is an added advantage to avoid any personal traces and internet usage tracking. Managing of start-up, icons, processes and services is no more a difficult job with its latest version. In short, Digeus System Optimizer is a PC health doctor that can work with any operating system from Windows 95 to Windows 7. I would recommend a trial of this great package of tools using their free trial offer.

The Problem of the Multiple Problems

Most of the major diseases of our time are more common in the older patient. Diabetes, atherosclerosis, osteoarthritis, cancer, and the other major problems are more common with increasing age. And the older patient, with less organ reserve, may have several problems at once, thus creating special difficulties.

If you already have one significant medical problem, a second one is more serious than if it occurred when you were in good health. Because the simple rules do not apply as well in this situation, you have to use more judgment. In general, a combination of problems is more serious than the sum of the problems dealt with by themselves.

One problem can easily complicate another. High blood pressure can increase kidney failure, which can increase blood pressure. A problem of breathlessness caused by the heart can complicate breathlessness caused by lung disease. Arthritis can increase inactivity, which leads to promise in which all aspects of the situation are considered. You need a doctor to help you in these decisions much more often than in the uncomplicated, isolated illnesses of relative youth.

GOD Bless Pakistan - Happy 63rd Independence Day

Today is the great day in the history of Pakistan and is most important for every Pakistani. We’re having this lucky morning in the Holy Ramadan right after 63 years, when it was in the same Holy month and lucky enough to give us a separate homeland against countless sacrifices of our forefathers. In this perspective I would wish my nation a very Happy Independence Day, but truly speaking we’re not in a condition to celebrate this day as it supposed to be!



But, situation is not much different today as it was in 1947, because we’re going through a crucial time again as the nation is tackling with several situations like worst ever flood in the history of Pakistan that effected more than 150 million people and weak law and order situation. We are fighting hard to reclaim the peace and prosperousness in our lives as we did 63 years before and this is reminding us the sacrifices and hard efforts of that time. Today, I’m proud of my nation but ashamed of my president Zardari, because he is enjoying his luxurious life in Europe at the cost of flood victims. O ALLAH please forgive us and show him right path to accompany and help his poor people. I appeal to those Pakistanis who are well settled abroad to step forward and donate for their people.

I pray that ALLAH give us courage, patience and power to reunite and fight back to the normal and may ALLAH bless us all. In the end, I must say that we should all help our brothers and sisters as much as we can in this time of need and pray for all those who are not among us, may their souls rest in heaven.

Head Trauma and Treatment:

Head is the most important part of our body and the slightest trauma is to be observed carefully. It may cause severe symptoms and result. The commonest cause of the Head Trauma is Road Traffic Accident.

There are different mechanisms of Injury to Head:

· Closed Head Injury

· Impact of the brain on the skull may result in hemorrhage( collection of blood in Brain)

· Penetrating Injury

· Secondary Causes: may be due to the infections affecting brain, edema, due to poor blood supply to brain.

Clinical Presentation:

· Nausea, Vomiting, Loss of Consciousness are the most common complaints which should be acted promptly after a head trauma.

· Occurrence of Lucid Interval ( i.e. patient lose and gain consciousness which suggest hematoma)

· Amnesia ( related to the severity of the blow)

· Skull Fractures increase risk of hemorrhage and meningitis.

· On examination: We should look for the wounds and other injuries and also the neck region.

· Bleeding should be looked for- may be from eyes, from inside the ear or behind the ear, nose.

· Neurological examination should also be tested. Based mainly on the history of the level of consciousness. We must look for any abnormal signs in the patient accordingly as unable to move hand/legs; deviation of mouth; seizure; unable to speak; unable to remember the incident and serial examination of eyes/ears/nose done simultaneously.

Management:

· Initial step would be to assess the level of consciousness.

· Have to be careful regarding the neck trauma.

· Immediately at the hospital CT scan without contrast should be done as it identifies hemorrhage and contusion.

· Skull and facial X-rays

· Cervical Spine X-rays to rule out fracture or dislocation.

· Awake, alert patients are observed in the hospital for 24 hours with hourly assessment to detect deterioration.

· Surgical emergency evacuation done in cases of hemorrhage.

Constipation and Treatment

A natural diet is recommended with natural vegetable-fiber residue, to the use of any laxative. But if you must use a laxative, the most attractive alternatives are psyllium as a bulk laxative or milk of magnesia to hold water in the bowel and soften the stool.

Bulk (Psyllium Containing Laxative)

Metamucil and Effer-Syllium contain substances refined from the psyllium seed. They can help both diarrhea and constipation. Psyllium draws water into the stool, forms a gel or thick solution, and thus provides bulk. It is not absorbed by the digestive tract but only passes through; thus, it is a natural product and essentially has no contraindications or side effects. It has been recommended as a weight-reduction aid when taken before meals because it induces a feeling of fullness that may reduce appetite; however, it doesn’t seem very effective in this role.

Dosage

One teaspoonful, stirred in a glass of water, taken twice daily is a typical dose. A second glass of water or juice should also be taken. Psyllium is also available in more expensive, individual-dose packets, for times when you don’t have a teaspoon. The effervescent versions mix a bit more rapidly and taste better to some people.

Side Effects

If the bulk laxative is taken without sufficient water, the gel that is formed could conceivably lodge in the esophagus (the tube that leads from the mouth to the stomach). Sufficient liquid will prevent this problem.

Your Doctor Can Save You Money on Drugs

Your doctor plays a major role in the cost of drugs by choosing the drugs to be prescribed. For example, if you have an infection due to bacteria, you may be given tetracycline or erythromycin. Tetracycline costs about twenty cents a capsule, whereas erythromycin costs about $9. At the doctor’s option, a steroid prescription for asthma may be prednisone at 14 cents per tablet or methylprednisolone at $1 or more per tablet. Medically, such drug choices are between agents of similar effectiveness. If your doctor prescribes a drug by its trade name, in many states the pharmacist must fill the prescription with that particular brand-name product. The brand-name product frequently costs many times more than its “generic” equivalent. Does your doctor know the relative cost of alternative drugs? Many doctors do not.

The drug-prescribing habits of different doctors can be divided into two groups: the “additive” and the “substitutive.” With each visit to an “additive” doctor, you receive a medication in addition to those you already have. With a “substitutive” doctor, the medication you were previously taking is discontinued and a new medicine is substituted. Usually the “substitutive” practice is advantageous to your health as well as your pocketbook.

Most of the time, medication can be taken by mouth. Sometimes medication is given by injection because of the physician’s uncertainty that you will take the medication as prescribed; by injecting it, there is no question that the medication has been taken. However, as a thoughtful and reliable patient, you can assure your doctor that you will comply with an oral regimen. Taking medication orally is less painful, less likely to result in an allergic reaction, and far less expensive. There are exceptions, but whenever possible you should take medication by mouth rather than by injection.

If it is clear that you must take medication for a prolonged period, ask the doctor to allow refills on the prescription. With many drugs, it is not necessary to incur the expense of an additional doctor visit just to get a prescription written. However, under some circumstances, the doctor may prefer to examine you before deciding whether the drug can safely continued or is still required. Ask your doctor if refills on the prescription are permitted.

The careful doctor will ensure that you fully understand each drug that you are taking, the reasons you are taking it, the side effects that may arise, and the expected length of time that you will taking the medication. A daily medication schedule will be arranged so that it is convenient as well as medically effective. If the program is confusing, ask for written instructions. It is crucial that you understand the why and how of your drug therapy. Do not leave the doctor’s office for the pharmacy without understanding your medication.

TUBERCULOSIS

TB is one of the most frequent infectious diseases in humans, more in developing countries like us. The disease is mostly caused by Mycobacterium Tuberculosis organism. The disease usually affects the lungs, although in up to one-third of cases other organs are involved. If properly treated, tuberculosis caused by drug-susceptible strains is curable in virtually all cases. If untreated, the disease may be fatal within 5 years in more than half of cases. Transmission usually takes place through the airborne spread of droplet nuclei produced by patients with infectious pulmonary tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis is most commonly transmitted from a patient with infectious pulmonary tuberculosis to other persons by droplet nuclei, which are aerosolized by coughing, sneezing, or speaking. Several studies of close contacts have clearly demonstrated that tuberculosis patients whose sputum contains bacteria visible by microscopy play the greatest role in the spread of infection.

Clinical Presentation:

Tuberculosis is of various types and can occur in several parts of our body. Mostly lungs are involved and patients present with mostly Cough present for more than 2 weeks, Sputum, evening rise in fever, loss of appetite, weight loss these are the main complains from patient. There are other symptoms which can be presented according to the types of presentation. Others Common types of TB presentation with general features are:

• Abdominal TB: Pain abdomen, Abdomen distension, difficulty in breathing

• TB Pleural Effusion: Shortness of Breath, Chest Pain

• Miliary TB: Present as swelling in all over the body

• Cervical Lymphadenitis TB: Neck lumps

• TB meningitis: involving the brain and may cause loss of consciousness

• TB bone/Spine: Pain in back not relieving my medicine,

Diagnosis: Sputum Examination; Chest X-ray; Skin Test; and other depending upon the type of involvement.

Treatment: Starting the Anti-Tuberculosis Drugs for either 6 months or 12 months depending upon the site of involvement. If not on time it can be fatal.

Lawn and Garden Equipments

Gardens and lawns require proper care for looking green and gorgeous. Several people cannot take good care required for lawns and gardens because of lack of time so they engage a professional for taking care of their lawns and gardens. The essential and required instrument for looking after gardens is sprinkler. Sprinklers are widely used to water the lawns or gardens at particular times. Other garden tools are used to make lawns and gardens look more beautiful and vigorous.

A number of people do gardening as a hobby, because it helps to relax and decreases the unease in the life. For this purpose, it is significant to know that what kinds of garden tools are necessary. To get the most from your gardening activity, you will need some particular tools for gardening. Your all necessities may be simple, if you have the normal size city garden. Different types of gardens need different types of tools. The first thing you should probably do is to secure yourself because, you may face some hard results without good protection. The weather remains hot frequently during the gardening season, so you should make sure that you have sheltered your head with a good and appropriate hat. This hat will keep your skin safe from harmful sunlight. Perhaps you will want to spend your time in garden with a pair of gardening belts to protect yourself from sharp briars, fertilizers and bug bites. These belts are easily available at garden stores. Always be cautious about your clothes. Keep in mind that you have to deal with dirt, mud, chemicals and several other things, so you will have to put on the clothes that can get the heat. If you use spray for your lawn or garden, then you must use mask.

The dimensions will decide that what type of equipments you will need for your lawn and garden. A small garden will never require big and functional equipments, as in case of a big garden. Some ordinary garden equipment can be used in both big and small lawn and garden comprises shovel, rake, hoe and fork. Never stop thinking about the everyday usual things. Many people almost forget about these ordinary equipments. Definitely you will require tomato cages or stakes, trellises for your mountaineering plants to grow up. Garden hose is also significant equipment that is widely used in gardening.

Dental Problems and Prevention

Bacteria growing within the mouth cavity contribute to plaque, dental decay, and gum disease. The processes and the prevention are well understood.

Prevention

Diet is important. In particular, avoid refined sugars, white breads, and sugar-containing soft drinks. These are the favorite foods of bacteria. Regular brushing with fluoride toothpaste is critically important. Dental flossing or use of a rubber tip or toothpicks also is important and should be performed on a regular basis. If water is not fluoridated, children should take fluoride tablets at least through age 12. dental checkups are important.

Bladder Infections and Prevention

If bacteria breed and multiply in the bladder, they cause irritation, inflammation, and painful, frequent, and even bloody urination. The bacteria first have to get there, and this happen most frequently in females because the urethra is short and the bladder not far from the outside. Bacteria usually enter through the urethra. For bacteria to breed, they must be able to multiply rapidly than they are flushed out of the bladder during urination.

Prevention

Adequate fluid intake and the resulting relatively frequent need for urination is the best prevention. You should drink enough so that your urine is clear, colorless, and plentiful at least once every day. Hygiene of the genital area is important because most of the bacteria come from the intestine via the anus. After using the toilet, females should wipe with toilet paper from front to back to avoid transfer of bacteria to the neighborhood of the urethral opening. For early symptoms, drinking cranberry juice is substantial quantities is an excellent secondary prevention. Cranberry juice contains a natural antibiotic that slows the multiplication of the bacteria.

Back Problems and Prevention

Osteoarthritis also occurs in the joints of the spine and can be aggravated by collapse of spinal vertebrae (bones) due to osteoporosis. In younger individuals, problems with herniated (ruptured) inter-vertebral discs are common, but by the age of 50 or 60, the disc itself becomes more scarred and fibrous and less prone to rupture.

Prevention

Exercise is required to keep the muscles that support the back strong. Weight-bearing exercise is important to keep the bone-mineral content high and spinal bones strong. The abdominal muscles must also be strong because they too provide support for the spine. Weight control is the second line of defense; back problems frequently occur in over weight individuals. With excess body fat, there are unusual and greater stresses, often accompanying lack of exercise, and often reduced muscle strength.

Diet is important in that calcium intake should be maintained at substantial level. Take calcium supplements, if necessary, to help keep the bones strong, particularly in seniors. Previous injury is the fourth risk factor; and, if you have had recurrent back problems, attention to exercise and weight control is even more important. Learning to lift correctly, with the legs, help reduce risk.

The Limits of Prevention

Sometimes you may be suffering from an illness that was caused by something you did early in life, perhaps even at a time when the effects of that action were not well understood. It is important to avoid “victim blaming” or, in this instance, “blaming yourself.” The past is past and you will never know for sure that was the cause of a current problem.

The important goal is that you work for the future. Work for primary prevention of diseases before they appear. Work for early detection and treatment of illnesses that are already there. If you already have one or more substantial medical problems, you specially need to work actively to prevent additional problems in other areas.

Finally, there are number of major illnesses for which there is no known primary prevention. Some of these are listed below:

* Rheumatoid arthritis
* Ulcerative colitis
* Systematic lupus erythematosus
* Crohn’s disease
* Multiple Sclerosis
* Parkinson’s disease
* Alzheimer’s disease
* Polymyalgia rheumatica

Some of these eventually may turn out to be infectious diseases or the aftermath of infections. Some may be the result of toxic exposures of as yet unknown type. In some, there are hints that risk factors may exist; for example, one study found increased cigarette-smoking rates in Alzheimer’s disease patients. Even with these problems, there is a great deal that you can do to minimize the problem.

Improvement of risk factors at any age improves the quality of life. And it does so at essentially no cost (with the exception of medications required to treat high blood pressure). A good diet is of equal or lesser expense than a bad one. Junk food is also expensive. Exercise is one of the least expensive uses of your time. Tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption are costly habits. A thin individual has lower food costs than if he or she were obese. Seat belts undoubtedly cost some money, but they are now required by law and are already in most cars.

The major goal of prevention is improvement of quality of your life in all areas, from vigor and vitality to economic viability. The quality and pleasure of our life can be materially improved by your careful attention to these few critically important factors.

Falls and Fractures

Falls cause an astonishing amount of difficulty for older individuals. Falls may result from frailty, slowed reaction time, lack of conditioning, poor vision, poor hearing, presence of medical disease, or a whole variety of different problems that are common in older people. The key is to think of the impact as well as the fall. (It isn’t the falling that is the problem; it is hitting the ground.) This means that you have to think about your environment as well as about your physical condition.

Prevention

Certainly, you want strong bones; the approach to preventing osteoporosis has been outlined above. You want your body to be as strong as possible, and this entails all of the principles described throughout this blog. Then you need to consider the dangers in your environment. Loose throw rugs, absence of good lighting, failure to use non-skid tape in the bathtub, absence of hand rails in difficult places, and other such factors are very important. What about your vision? Think through a typical day, imagine those places where it is most likely that you might fall, and make a plan to reduce the danger. Go through the same process for each person with whom you live – if they break something, it will decrease the quality of your life.

Antihistamine Decongestant Compounds

Allerest, Sine-off, Chlor-Trimeton, Sinarest, Sinutab, Dristan, and so on are over-the-counter drugs designed for treatments of minor allergic symptoms. They are similar to cold compounds described below, but they less frequently contain pain and fever agents like aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen. Usually, these drug compounds contain an antihistamine and a decongestant agent. If you tolerate one of these drugs well and get good relief, it may be continued for several weeks (for example, through a hay fever season) without seeing a doctor. The same sort of drug taken as nose drops or nasal spray should be used more sparingly and only for short periods. You can purchase ingredients of the compound separately, and I advise you to do so.

Reading the Labels

The decongestant is often phenylephrine, ephedrine, or phenylpropanolamine. If the compound name is not familiar, the suffix “-ephrine” or “-edrine” will usually identify this component of the compound. The antihistamine is often chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton) or pyrilamine. If not, the antihistamine is sometimes (but not always) identifiable on the label by the suffix “-amine.”

Dosage

Take according to product directions. Reduce dose if side effects are note, or try another compound.

Side Effects

These are usually minor and disappear after the drug is stopped or decreased in dose. Agitation and insomnia usually indicate too much of the decongestant component. Drowsiness usually indicates too much antihistamine. If you can avoid the substance to which you are allergic, it is far superior to taking drugs. Drugs, to a certain degree, inevitably impair your functioning.

Diabetes and Prevention

As we age or if we are overweight, our bodies are not able to handle a high sugar load. The glucose (sugar) stays in higher levels in the blood and for longer periods of time. The problem is greatly increased if exercise is inadequate. As a result of the high blood sugar, some of this sugar is wastefully excreted in the urine. This results in the typical early symptoms of frequent, heavy nutrition. The condition is a relative lack of insulin because insulin is required for uptake (absorption) of sugar by the cells. For reasons that are not entirely clear, diabetes itself becomes a risk factor for atherosclerosis. Diabetes also can cause complications affecting vision, kidney function, and nervous-system function.

Prevention

Diabetic symptoms beginning for the first time after age 30 can frequently be reversed completely by simple non-medical treatment. Even with the more serious type of diabetes beginning early in life, these approaches help a great deal; however, insulin treatment is usually also necessary in early-onset diabetes. First, weight loss is important because it decreases food need and intake. Exercise is very important because it helps the uptake of sugar by the cells from the blood.

A diet that stresses complex carbohydrates (such as whole-wheat grains, cereals, vegetables, and fruits) and that contains adequate fiber is important. Complex carbohydrates, as opposed to the pure white sugar, are broken down more slowly by the body. This evens out the rate at which the sugars enter the blood so that the body can handle them better.

What is Atherosclerosis ?

Atherosclerosis contributes to nearly one-half of death and illness in the United States. About 40 feet of large and small arteries throughout the body, down to about the size of a soda straw, are the site of this problem. Small plaques (patches), made mostly of cholesterol, accumulate on the inside walls of these arteries, this results in narrowing of the arteries. The narrow and irregular artery now becomes susceptible to a sudden blood clot. This can cause a heart attack or stroke. Or, it can result in so much narrowing of the artery that not enough oxygen-carrying blood can get through. This can cause angina or intermittent claudication (discussed below). The various syndromes depend on the particular arteries that are involved and whether there is a sudden clot or a continually weak blood flow. Evidence now points out that atherosclerotic plaques that are already in place can shrink in size with diet and exercise. Reduction in plaques has been scientifically shown in monkeys and most recently through X-ray dye studies (arteriograms) of human hearts.

Atherosclerotic deaths are usually due to heart attack or stroke. These can result from sudden formation of blood clot in the arteries of the heart or brain. There is increasingly good treatment for these clots immediately after they have formed, but not having the clot at all is far better.

Heart attack and stroke can also be non-fatal problems. These cause a great deal of pain and disability. Additionally, atherosclerosis causes many other non-fatal problems. Angina pectoris (heart pain) results from inadequate blood supply to the heart muscle. Pain results when exercise and other activities increase the heart’s need for oxygen that cannot be supplied through the narrowed artery. Intermittent claudication is a similar condition involving the arteries to the legs. Pain in the legs comes during exercise when the leg muscles need more oxygen than they can receive.

Congestive heart failure results when the heart is unable to pump as much blood as the body needs due to weakening or scaring of the heart muscle. Transient ischemic attacks are like little strokes in which short-lived clots form in the arteries that supply blood to the brain. Multiple infarct dementia results when recurrent small clots in the brain result in death of some brain tissue. This damages thinking and memory. Kidney function can break down when the arteries leading to the kidney become narrowed.

Weight Training Guide

Exercise is always been a part of life and exercise is very significant to live a fit life. Those people who do exercise regularly they live a very healthy life and the pace of there success is very high because they keep themselves very fit and very active so that they can match the speed of life. These days life is getting faster and faster and it is difficult for people to do exercise and they are increasing weight rapidly and there is more need to exercise regularly and to lose weight. There are a lot of weight loss exercises that an individual can adopt to lose weight. Weight training is not only used to lose weight but it is also adopted to make the body stronger and vigorous to do a lot of work.

Weight training is very useful for the strength of muscles and joints. Weight training must be suitable to the kind of strength that you want. The person who is doing weight training he/she must know that what kind of strength and what type of results he or she wants to get from the particular weight training, because there are several different types of weight training exercises to get the different types of results. There is a very wide variety of workouts for adopting.

You should always follow the good weight training tips when you are performing weight training exercises. The following weight training tips are very useful and these tips can really help you in your workouts.

1. Set a goal in your weight training
2. Plan an order and regularity in weight training
3. You should have a commitment in your weight training
4. You have to be eager in weight training for your success
5. Your attitude must be good and you have to be confident.

Weight training equipments are crucial part of weight training because if you use proper equipment for the right training it can really amuse you with good results. These days people don’t have enough time to go in the gyms for weight training therefore people are now using weight training equipments at there own home. Weight training equipments are available in vast varieties that also offer different functionality.

Bench press is very useful weight loss exercise that is often used to lose weight. This exercise can be done with the help of bars and plates. A very right technique is used in this weight training equipment. You need to put your back on it and then you have to start exercise. You can lift it with your legs also to build up your leg muscles. Dumbbells are used for the strength of the arms’ muscles at the front and the back. If u does a regular workout with Dumbbells, it can really make your arms and back muscles strong. There are lots of other weight training equipments that can also be used in weight training.

Trauma and Prevention

Trauma is not, strictly speaking, a “disease,” but it results in large number of deaths and even more pain and suffering. It causes over 75 percent of serious illness and death between the ages of 15 and 25. Obviously, trauma is the result of a direct injury to the body. Overwhelmingly, these injuries, whether injury is to driver, pedestrian, or occupant, are the result of an automobile accident. There are about ten serious injuries, often resulting in lifelong problems, for every death.

Prevention

Seat belt use is by far the most important single habit to develop. This is an easy habit, without cost, which reduces risk by over one-half. Remember that seat belt use is for driver and passenger, in both the front and back seats. Using seat belts is a way of achieving greater personal control over your destiny. You think ahead, you plan, and you avoid trouble. You choose, far more than you ever imagined, whether or not you stay healthy.

Alcohol or drug intoxication is responsible for nearly one-half of all accidents. Prescription drugs (and illegal drugs) are another frequent cause of impairment. Codeine, Valium, and a whole range of sedatives and tranquilizers can alter reflexes and judgment enough to cause accidents. Don’t drive if you are impaired. Don’t ride with anyone who is impaired.

Magnificently Designed Convertible Furniture

It’s not wrong to say that the home interior shown in the video below is absolutely magnificently designed. This give you much room and storage space if you have a small home or live in an apartment. This video shows the beautifully crafted convertible beds, convertible tables, convertible sofas and even the convertible storage shelves to give you maximum room in your place.

I think this kind of convertible furniture is a great innovation by Resource Furniture and is a master piece of art in itself and everyone would love to get it installed in their new homes. However, it can be installed in existing places but I think it will cost you a little more time and money. I would love to have this in my home if I could make money for it. What do you think, isn’t it a good idea for small luxury homes ???

Dark Circles Under Eyes

Our skin responds to unfavorable conditions in many ways like acne, dryness, redness etc. Dark circles under eyes are also a response to some unfavorable condition. Dark circles around eyes make you look tired and ill and also they are difficult to hide under makeup. Causes of dark circles under eyes are many such as severe illness, lack of sleep or improper diet and the treatment. A dark circle under eye may form in a day. Getting rid of dark circles is difficult but may be achieved by using various products like creams and gels that are available in the market which reduce and even remove dark circles under eyes if used regularly.

The skin around eyes is sensitive and harsh treatments may damage it further. Homemade treatments for dark circles are also very effective. Washing your eyes with cold water or rose water gives a soothing effect to tired eyes. Get a good night sleep and make your diet nourishing with vitamins and minerals. Drink lots of water as dehydration may also be a cause. As a homemade remedy, put cotton pads soaked in ice cold milk over your eyes. Placing cucumber slices or potato slices also helps in reduction of dark circles. Another remedy is placing used tea bags on eyes after putting them in the freezer for a few minutes.

Dark eye circles are also the effect of age and a good anti aging eye cream or eye gel may help in reduction of such dark under eye circles. Dark circles under eye may be an alarm for an illness if all other factors are favorable like proper sleep and nourishment. It may also be caused as a drug side effect. Dark circles sometimes run in the family and the causes are genetic which are difficult to control. They are also caused due to bruising of eyes, allergies and even eczema. Dark circles under the eyes are also due to pigmentation and can be reduces by skin lightening creams. Some people use Hydroquinone cream for dark circles or reduction in spots as it helps in general skin lightening caused by any factor but for dark circles of eyes it should only be used on prescription from a dermatologist or physician.

Dark circles make you look ill while clear skin around the eyes enhance your eyes and also give them a brighter look so you look fresher with sparkling eyes. So be careful of dark circles!

Health Disorders - Ignorance or Negligence

Health is wealth; if there is health we can do anything, anytime and anywhere. But, we people ignore and Neglect small things and don’t give notice to them unless and until we have bigger problems. It’s so obvious in us that even we know it might result in bigger issues we neglect as much as possible.

As, being a doctor myself I come across such cases all the time, 8 out of 10 cases which present in our department are result of such ignorance and negligence. People visit us with complain of chest pain mostly with symptoms of burning sensation in chest with food consumption or without food. They come after months of such presentation unless it becomes severe in nature from once in month to everyday. We think that it’s just few times we are having such problem and don’t need attention or visit doctor. It’s obvious, as in our mind we feel that visiting a doctor will result in various tests and medicines, which we don’t want to take. But, just think if we could visit on time we can prevent so many complications which may result from such cases. Simple burning sensation may result in ulcer, and ulcer may either burst or spread throughout the abdomen or may become cancer in some cases. Saving time from going doctor and avoiding taking one medicine makes us to get admitted to hospital and have to take several medicines at once.

It is not that every symptom may be harmful or present later as problematic; but it’s better to get prevented from such problems on time. “Prevention is better than cure” either stop smoking to prevent so many cancers or other diseases or avoid smoking after it causes some problem. Doctors can only give advice but it’s up to whether to follow them or not.

Save yourself and your surrounding and doctor before it’s too late. Avoid negligence or ignoring, ‘’Act early’’.