Question: How Do I Know If I Have Asthma?
Answer:
While the typical person is diagnosed with asthma in early childhood, you can develop asthma at any age. Anyone with one or a combination of the following symptoms could have asthma:
Cough - often with symptoms worsening at night
Wheezing
Chest tightness
Decreased ability to perform normal activities
Frequent nighttime awakenings or symptoms
If you have any of these symptoms, you may want to discuss asthma with your healthcare provider. Asthma can sometimes be difficult to diagnose as the symptoms mentioned above can occur in diseases other than asthma.
MY THOUGHTS
So, do you think you should make a trip to your doctor's office?
Showing posts with label medical care. Show all posts
Showing posts with label medical care. Show all posts
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Thursday, April 21, 2011
HEALTH TEST: C-reactive Protein (CRP)
C-REACTIVE PROTEIN (CRP)
FROM THE ARTICLE 'Decoding Your Health Test Results'
By Alice Lesch Kelly, Special to Lifescript
Published April 11, 2011
Reviewed By Edward C. Geehr, M.D.
C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
Your liver produces this protein, and levels rise when arteries are inflamed or swollen. It’s a sign of cardiovascular disease.
A test called the hs-CRP (highly sensitive C-Reactive Protein) measures how much CRP is in your blood. People with high levels have twice the risk of heart attacks than those with low levels, according to the American Heart Association.
What’s optimal: An hs-CRP level of less than 1.0 mg/L (milligrams per liter) indicates low risk; 1.0 to 3.0 mg/L means average risk.
What’s not: An hs-CRP level more than 3.0 mg/L indicates a high risk.
CRP levels too high? Get doctor-recommended tips for a healthy heart.
MY THOUGHTS
I've never heard of this. I'm not sure if I've never taken the test or the doctor never discussed it with me. I'm taking that as a good sign.
FROM THE ARTICLE 'Decoding Your Health Test Results'
By Alice Lesch Kelly, Special to Lifescript
Published April 11, 2011
Reviewed By Edward C. Geehr, M.D.
C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
Your liver produces this protein, and levels rise when arteries are inflamed or swollen. It’s a sign of cardiovascular disease.
A test called the hs-CRP (highly sensitive C-Reactive Protein) measures how much CRP is in your blood. People with high levels have twice the risk of heart attacks than those with low levels, according to the American Heart Association.
What’s optimal: An hs-CRP level of less than 1.0 mg/L (milligrams per liter) indicates low risk; 1.0 to 3.0 mg/L means average risk.
What’s not: An hs-CRP level more than 3.0 mg/L indicates a high risk.
CRP levels too high? Get doctor-recommended tips for a healthy heart.
MY THOUGHTS
I've never heard of this. I'm not sure if I've never taken the test or the doctor never discussed it with me. I'm taking that as a good sign.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
EASING THE PAIN
Easing the Pain
Original Content | July 11, 2008
http://www.oprah.com/health/Know-Your-Body-Easing-the-Pain
There are some interesting genetic explorations that may provide more specific and targeted pain therapies in the future. The research in central (brain and spinal cord) pain mechanisms will help us to understand pain and perhaps lead the way to an objective assessment of this very important symptom. Until then, doctors recommend the following techniques for helping to ease your pain.
De-stressing
Mini-relaxations can be helpful for frequent de-stressing throughout the day. Techniques include taking a deep breath and blowing out through pursed or unpursed lips slowly to the count of 10. Children can pretend that they are blowing bubbles. Be aware that breath-holding and increased tension can increase pain. Here is an exercise that can demonstrate this point:
Make a fist and notice what happens to your breath. ... Most people hold their breath or breathe short, shallow breaths. Now make a fist and keep breathing. A fist is harder to make when the breath is allowed to flow in and out.
Repetitive relaxation
Focusing on a word, phrase or your breath for 10 to 20 minutes, once a day, can be helpful in balancing the stress caused by chronic pain and/or illness. Likewise, the use of relaxation tapes, prayers or activities such as yoga or Tai Chi can help relax the mind and body. Visualization and hypnosis techniques may help decrease pain symptoms or assist with relaxation.
These techniques all have the potential for eliciting the "relaxation response," a natural calming response that can be trained in humans. However, this repetitive focusing of your mind is not the same as "relaxing." Sleeping, reading a book, watching TV or listening to music will not produce the same results as this repetitive focusing of the mind.
Create a flare-up plan
People with chronic pain will have flare-ups, a worsening of their pain. Preparing for this inevitable event helps get through it. There are several ways that this can be approached. Writing down your pain treatment plans for the "everyday" pain and the flare-up pain can assist with assuring confidence that you can get through this. Identifying more than just medications to get through a flare and making those plans very detailed can give you the control back. For example:
•Medication: What medication and dose
•Call a friend: Who and their phone number
•Watch a movie: Which one and where to get it
•Stretch: Which exercises
•Lie down: How long and do what
Pacing activities
People in chronic pain must do their activities differently than when they weren't in pain. If they do, they will find that they can eventually be more active and have less pain. External cueing of uptime and downtime activities is important. Using a timer, for example, is helpful in the beginning.
A good example is a person with back pain who determines that standing increases pain after 15 minutes and sitting brings it back to baseline. They then rearrange their daily activities to alternate standing for 15 minutes with sitting for 20 minutes.
Aerobic exercise
Aerobic exercise, which requires oxygen, elevates heart rate through sustained movements of the body at moderate intensity. Activities such as brisk walking, swimming and stationary bicycling are considered aerobic exercise. There is a long list of diseases associated with a sedentary lifestyle, e.g., heart disease, obesity and osteoporosis. The risk of developing these disorders can be reduced by regular aerobic exercise. Being in pain doesn't mean you should neglect overall health and well-being.
For people in pain, water exercises can be especially relaxing because you lose about 70 percent of gravity's effect in water. Since movement is so much easier in water, there's a tendency to exercise longer and harder. It's always best to start out low and slow.
Journaling
Writing can be very therapeutic and doesn't need to be shared with anyone to have powerful effects. The narrative repair is the name given to the technique of writing about stressful or traumatic events. Writing in a diary or journaling is certainly not new, but research into the powerful healing effects of putting words down on paper is. There appears to be an evolving process as an individual continues to write, the narrative repair, that is associated with bringing coherence or meaning to a traumatic or life-changing experience. Bringing meaning to the pain experience can be an important step to healing, decreasing long-term disability or making peace with death.
MY THOUGHTS
I can only imagine how difficult chronic pain can be. And I can only pray that none of us will experience it.
Original Content | July 11, 2008
http://www.oprah.com/health/Know-Your-Body-Easing-the-Pain
There are some interesting genetic explorations that may provide more specific and targeted pain therapies in the future. The research in central (brain and spinal cord) pain mechanisms will help us to understand pain and perhaps lead the way to an objective assessment of this very important symptom. Until then, doctors recommend the following techniques for helping to ease your pain.
De-stressing
Mini-relaxations can be helpful for frequent de-stressing throughout the day. Techniques include taking a deep breath and blowing out through pursed or unpursed lips slowly to the count of 10. Children can pretend that they are blowing bubbles. Be aware that breath-holding and increased tension can increase pain. Here is an exercise that can demonstrate this point:
Make a fist and notice what happens to your breath. ... Most people hold their breath or breathe short, shallow breaths. Now make a fist and keep breathing. A fist is harder to make when the breath is allowed to flow in and out.
Repetitive relaxation
Focusing on a word, phrase or your breath for 10 to 20 minutes, once a day, can be helpful in balancing the stress caused by chronic pain and/or illness. Likewise, the use of relaxation tapes, prayers or activities such as yoga or Tai Chi can help relax the mind and body. Visualization and hypnosis techniques may help decrease pain symptoms or assist with relaxation.
These techniques all have the potential for eliciting the "relaxation response," a natural calming response that can be trained in humans. However, this repetitive focusing of your mind is not the same as "relaxing." Sleeping, reading a book, watching TV or listening to music will not produce the same results as this repetitive focusing of the mind.
Create a flare-up plan
People with chronic pain will have flare-ups, a worsening of their pain. Preparing for this inevitable event helps get through it. There are several ways that this can be approached. Writing down your pain treatment plans for the "everyday" pain and the flare-up pain can assist with assuring confidence that you can get through this. Identifying more than just medications to get through a flare and making those plans very detailed can give you the control back. For example:
•Medication: What medication and dose
•Call a friend: Who and their phone number
•Watch a movie: Which one and where to get it
•Stretch: Which exercises
•Lie down: How long and do what
Pacing activities
People in chronic pain must do their activities differently than when they weren't in pain. If they do, they will find that they can eventually be more active and have less pain. External cueing of uptime and downtime activities is important. Using a timer, for example, is helpful in the beginning.
A good example is a person with back pain who determines that standing increases pain after 15 minutes and sitting brings it back to baseline. They then rearrange their daily activities to alternate standing for 15 minutes with sitting for 20 minutes.
Aerobic exercise
Aerobic exercise, which requires oxygen, elevates heart rate through sustained movements of the body at moderate intensity. Activities such as brisk walking, swimming and stationary bicycling are considered aerobic exercise. There is a long list of diseases associated with a sedentary lifestyle, e.g., heart disease, obesity and osteoporosis. The risk of developing these disorders can be reduced by regular aerobic exercise. Being in pain doesn't mean you should neglect overall health and well-being.
For people in pain, water exercises can be especially relaxing because you lose about 70 percent of gravity's effect in water. Since movement is so much easier in water, there's a tendency to exercise longer and harder. It's always best to start out low and slow.
Journaling
Writing can be very therapeutic and doesn't need to be shared with anyone to have powerful effects. The narrative repair is the name given to the technique of writing about stressful or traumatic events. Writing in a diary or journaling is certainly not new, but research into the powerful healing effects of putting words down on paper is. There appears to be an evolving process as an individual continues to write, the narrative repair, that is associated with bringing coherence or meaning to a traumatic or life-changing experience. Bringing meaning to the pain experience can be an important step to healing, decreasing long-term disability or making peace with death.
MY THOUGHTS
I can only imagine how difficult chronic pain can be. And I can only pray that none of us will experience it.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
WHAT ABOUT YOUR CHOLESTEROL?
WHAT ABOUT YOUR CHOLESTEROL HEALTH TEST?
FROM THE ARTICLE 'Decoding Your Health Test Results'
By Alice Lesch Kelly, Special to Lifescript
Published April 11, 2011
Reviewed By Edward C. Geehr, M.D.
Cholesterol
The body needs some of this waxy, fatty substance to help it make hormones and vitamin D, for example. But too much cholesterol can accumulate on your arterial walls and “lead to heart attacks and strokes,” Wright says.
Your body produces two kinds of cholesterol: HDL, or “high-density lipoprotein,” is good for you because it helps keep arteries clear. The higher this number, the lower your risk of heart disease.
Bad cholesterol, or LDL or “low-density lipoprotein,” can build up in arteries and form plaque, a hard substance that can slow or block blood flow. The bigger the LDL reading, the higher your cardiac disease risk.
Two other types of bad cholesterol, triglycerides and Lp(a) cholesterol, also contribute to arterial plaque buildup.
Learn how to lower your cholesterol levels.
What’s optimal: Total blood cholesterol should be below 200 mg/dL (which means milligrams per deciliter of blood).
HDL should be over 50 for women
LDL, less than 100 is optimal; 100-129 is near-optimal
What’s not: Total blood cholesterol of 200-239 is borderline high; over 240 is high.
HDL: below 50 for women
LDL: 130-159 is borderline high; 160-189 is high; 190 or above is very high
MY THOUGHTS
Serious, huh? Scary how anything as simple as (wrong) fat deposits can lead to a deadly heart attack.
FROM THE ARTICLE 'Decoding Your Health Test Results'
By Alice Lesch Kelly, Special to Lifescript
Published April 11, 2011
Reviewed By Edward C. Geehr, M.D.
Cholesterol
The body needs some of this waxy, fatty substance to help it make hormones and vitamin D, for example. But too much cholesterol can accumulate on your arterial walls and “lead to heart attacks and strokes,” Wright says.
Your body produces two kinds of cholesterol: HDL, or “high-density lipoprotein,” is good for you because it helps keep arteries clear. The higher this number, the lower your risk of heart disease.
Bad cholesterol, or LDL or “low-density lipoprotein,” can build up in arteries and form plaque, a hard substance that can slow or block blood flow. The bigger the LDL reading, the higher your cardiac disease risk.
Two other types of bad cholesterol, triglycerides and Lp(a) cholesterol, also contribute to arterial plaque buildup.
Learn how to lower your cholesterol levels.
What’s optimal: Total blood cholesterol should be below 200 mg/dL (which means milligrams per deciliter of blood).
HDL should be over 50 for women
LDL, less than 100 is optimal; 100-129 is near-optimal
What’s not: Total blood cholesterol of 200-239 is borderline high; over 240 is high.
HDL: below 50 for women
LDL: 130-159 is borderline high; 160-189 is high; 190 or above is very high
MY THOUGHTS
Serious, huh? Scary how anything as simple as (wrong) fat deposits can lead to a deadly heart attack.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
UNDERSTANDING YOUR HEALTH TEST: BLOOD PRESSURE
WHAT YOUR HEALTH TEST RESULTS MEAN: BLOOD PRESSURE
from the article 'Decoding Your Health Test Results'
By Alice Lesch Kelly, Special to Lifescript
Published April 11, 2011
Reviewed By Edward C. Geehr, M.D.
Your doctor ordered a blood test. But do you understand the results? Or if you’re bordering on a heart attack, diabetes or underactive thyroid? We asked the experts to explain those critical numbers – and what they say about your health...
You look and feel great, but are you really in tip-top health? Routine medical tests can tell you – if you know how to interpret the results.
“A person who understands the significance of tests and results is better able to make decisions about their care,” says cardiologist Janet Wright, M.D.
Read on to find out which tests you need, what’s being measured and the next steps to take if you don’t ace the exam.
1. Blood Pressure
Blood pressure is simply a measurement of the force of blood pushing against artery walls as your heart pumps blood through the body.
Your doctor will read off two numbers. The top, or systolic, is the pressure that occurs when your heart beats. The bottom, or diastolic, measures pressure when your ticker rests between beats.
If your blood pressure is higher than normal, you have hypertension, which “damages arteries, leading to strokes, kidney failure, blindness and heart attacks,” Wright says.
What’s optimal: 120/80 mmHg. (That stands for millimeters of mercury, which is used to measure blood pressure.)
What’s not: A top number over 140 or a bottom number higher than 90 indicate high blood pressure.
A systolic number of 120-139 or a diastolic of 80-89 suggests pre-hypertension, which means you’re likely to end up with high blood pressure if you don’t exercise more or change your diet.
Some people have low blood pressure, but this is a problem only if it causes fainting or dizziness.
MY THOUGHTS
I don't think I have heard this health explained quite as clear as this. Hope this helps you gauge how healthy or sick (I hope not) your blood pressure is.
from the article 'Decoding Your Health Test Results'
By Alice Lesch Kelly, Special to Lifescript
Published April 11, 2011
Reviewed By Edward C. Geehr, M.D.
Your doctor ordered a blood test. But do you understand the results? Or if you’re bordering on a heart attack, diabetes or underactive thyroid? We asked the experts to explain those critical numbers – and what they say about your health...
You look and feel great, but are you really in tip-top health? Routine medical tests can tell you – if you know how to interpret the results.
“A person who understands the significance of tests and results is better able to make decisions about their care,” says cardiologist Janet Wright, M.D.
Read on to find out which tests you need, what’s being measured and the next steps to take if you don’t ace the exam.
1. Blood Pressure
Blood pressure is simply a measurement of the force of blood pushing against artery walls as your heart pumps blood through the body.
Your doctor will read off two numbers. The top, or systolic, is the pressure that occurs when your heart beats. The bottom, or diastolic, measures pressure when your ticker rests between beats.
If your blood pressure is higher than normal, you have hypertension, which “damages arteries, leading to strokes, kidney failure, blindness and heart attacks,” Wright says.
What’s optimal: 120/80 mmHg. (That stands for millimeters of mercury, which is used to measure blood pressure.)
What’s not: A top number over 140 or a bottom number higher than 90 indicate high blood pressure.
A systolic number of 120-139 or a diastolic of 80-89 suggests pre-hypertension, which means you’re likely to end up with high blood pressure if you don’t exercise more or change your diet.
Some people have low blood pressure, but this is a problem only if it causes fainting or dizziness.
MY THOUGHTS
I don't think I have heard this health explained quite as clear as this. Hope this helps you gauge how healthy or sick (I hope not) your blood pressure is.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
AVOIDING ALLERGENS
AVOIDING ALLERGENS
from the article "How to Avoid an Allergy Attack"
Don’t Let the High Pollen Count Bring On Seasonal Symptoms
By Leigh Leveen, Special to Lifescript
Published March 18, 2011
Avoiding Allergens
Here are 10 more things you can do to minimize your pollen exposure and reduce symptoms, according to allergist Tubiolo and UCLA’s Rachelefsky.
1. Don’t track in allergens. They can attach to your shoes. Cut down on indoor particles by parking shoes outside your door.
2. Change often. After spending time outdoors, change your clothes and put the dirty ones in the hamper.
3. Don’t wait till morning to shower. Showering when you get home erases any allergens you brought with you. This also helps keeps pollen out of your bedroom – a prime spot for allergens of all kinds.
4. Clear the air. To remove even tiny particles from the air, use air purifiers with HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filters. Keep them running continuously, and change filters according to manufacturer’s instructions.
You should also use high-quality filters in your vacuum cleaner, air conditioner and furnace to keep the air in your home as allergy free as possible.
5. Shut your doors and windows. A HEPA purifier can’t keep up if you’re constantly letting in allergen-filled outdoor air. If you need fresh air, open windows in the evening when pollen counts are lower.
6. Wait to go outside. Schedule outdoor time when the pollen count is lower – cool afternoons and evenings are your best bet. Be careful on hot, windy days and after a rain, when the air may be full of allergens.
And find someone else to mow your lawn or rake leaves, both of which can stir up pollen.
7. Keep track of pollen levels. The AAAAI’s National Allergy Bureau reports on pollen and mold levels around the country. Check it (or sign up for email alerts) to learn about high-allergen days when it’s better to stay indoors.
8. Change your workout schedule. Don’t avoid exercise just because you fear an allergy attack, Tubiolo advises.
But be smart about it: Schedule hikes and other outside exercise late in the day, and check the pollen count first. During peak season, take allergy medication before any outdoor activity, Tubiolo says.
Or find activities you can do indoors, such as swimming, basketball, weightlifting or yoga.
9. Protect your lungs. Pollution, fireplace smoke, dust and tobacco smoke have an adverse effect on your respiratory tract. These irritants will likely increase your susceptibility to seasonal allergies, Rachelefsky says, so avoid them as much as possible.
10. Travel wisely. Don’t let allergies sideline your vacation.
Use a pollen tracker to find destinations with the lowest counts. For example, heading to the beach or taking an ocean cruise probably won’t result in allergy attacks.
If you take a road trip, keep the windows and vents closed and the air conditioning on so that you breathe clean, dry air. (Worried about fuel consumption? Air conditioning gobbles gas, but so does driving with the windows down. And at highway speeds, there isn’t much difference, according to the Stanford University School of Earth Sciences.)
Take Your Medicine
It’s virtually impossible to avoid all allergens – which means you need medications in your allergy arsenal, Rachelefsky says.
“The best, first line of defense for an allergy attack is over-the-counter antihistamines, or an antihistamine/decongestant combination,” he says.
Antihistamines work by blocking your immune-system’s itchy and sneezy reactions, while decongestants reduce swollen tissue in the nose and elsewhere.
“Non-sedating antihistamines, such as Claritin (loratadine) and Zyrtec (cetirizine), offer relief from three of the four major symptoms of allergic rhinitis: sneezing, itching, watery eyes and runny nose,” Rachelefsky says.
Some sufferers also swear by natural remedies, such as saline nasal rinses that wash away allergens. (For more information, read How to Survive Your Allergies.)
After an allergy specialist determines exactly what your triggers are, you get a series of injections with a vaccine containing extracts of those allergens.
Eighty to 90% of patients experience dramatic improvements in their symptoms, Ellis says.
To learn more about seasonal allergies, visit our new Respiratory Health Center.
MY THOUGHTS
that's quite a list. but if i have pollen allergy, i will follow all 10. plus the meds. as i said, it can cause a huge amount discomfort. it's good to know there are ways to overcome this medical problem.
from the article "How to Avoid an Allergy Attack"
Don’t Let the High Pollen Count Bring On Seasonal Symptoms
By Leigh Leveen, Special to Lifescript
Published March 18, 2011
Avoiding Allergens
Here are 10 more things you can do to minimize your pollen exposure and reduce symptoms, according to allergist Tubiolo and UCLA’s Rachelefsky.
1. Don’t track in allergens. They can attach to your shoes. Cut down on indoor particles by parking shoes outside your door.
2. Change often. After spending time outdoors, change your clothes and put the dirty ones in the hamper.
3. Don’t wait till morning to shower. Showering when you get home erases any allergens you brought with you. This also helps keeps pollen out of your bedroom – a prime spot for allergens of all kinds.
4. Clear the air. To remove even tiny particles from the air, use air purifiers with HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filters. Keep them running continuously, and change filters according to manufacturer’s instructions.
You should also use high-quality filters in your vacuum cleaner, air conditioner and furnace to keep the air in your home as allergy free as possible.
5. Shut your doors and windows. A HEPA purifier can’t keep up if you’re constantly letting in allergen-filled outdoor air. If you need fresh air, open windows in the evening when pollen counts are lower.
6. Wait to go outside. Schedule outdoor time when the pollen count is lower – cool afternoons and evenings are your best bet. Be careful on hot, windy days and after a rain, when the air may be full of allergens.
And find someone else to mow your lawn or rake leaves, both of which can stir up pollen.
7. Keep track of pollen levels. The AAAAI’s National Allergy Bureau reports on pollen and mold levels around the country. Check it (or sign up for email alerts) to learn about high-allergen days when it’s better to stay indoors.
8. Change your workout schedule. Don’t avoid exercise just because you fear an allergy attack, Tubiolo advises.
But be smart about it: Schedule hikes and other outside exercise late in the day, and check the pollen count first. During peak season, take allergy medication before any outdoor activity, Tubiolo says.
Or find activities you can do indoors, such as swimming, basketball, weightlifting or yoga.
9. Protect your lungs. Pollution, fireplace smoke, dust and tobacco smoke have an adverse effect on your respiratory tract. These irritants will likely increase your susceptibility to seasonal allergies, Rachelefsky says, so avoid them as much as possible.
10. Travel wisely. Don’t let allergies sideline your vacation.
Use a pollen tracker to find destinations with the lowest counts. For example, heading to the beach or taking an ocean cruise probably won’t result in allergy attacks.
If you take a road trip, keep the windows and vents closed and the air conditioning on so that you breathe clean, dry air. (Worried about fuel consumption? Air conditioning gobbles gas, but so does driving with the windows down. And at highway speeds, there isn’t much difference, according to the Stanford University School of Earth Sciences.)
Take Your Medicine
It’s virtually impossible to avoid all allergens – which means you need medications in your allergy arsenal, Rachelefsky says.
“The best, first line of defense for an allergy attack is over-the-counter antihistamines, or an antihistamine/decongestant combination,” he says.
Antihistamines work by blocking your immune-system’s itchy and sneezy reactions, while decongestants reduce swollen tissue in the nose and elsewhere.
“Non-sedating antihistamines, such as Claritin (loratadine) and Zyrtec (cetirizine), offer relief from three of the four major symptoms of allergic rhinitis: sneezing, itching, watery eyes and runny nose,” Rachelefsky says.
Some sufferers also swear by natural remedies, such as saline nasal rinses that wash away allergens. (For more information, read How to Survive Your Allergies.)
After an allergy specialist determines exactly what your triggers are, you get a series of injections with a vaccine containing extracts of those allergens.
Eighty to 90% of patients experience dramatic improvements in their symptoms, Ellis says.
To learn more about seasonal allergies, visit our new Respiratory Health Center.
MY THOUGHTS
that's quite a list. but if i have pollen allergy, i will follow all 10. plus the meds. as i said, it can cause a huge amount discomfort. it's good to know there are ways to overcome this medical problem.
Monday, March 7, 2011
BEFORE BUYING ANTIHISTAMINES
Before You Buy Antihistamines
By Kristina Duda, R.N., About.com Guide
Updated January 08, 2010
About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board
Find out everything you need to know about antihistamines. What symptoms they treat, who should take them and who should not.
Check your symptoms
Antihistamines treat:
* sneezing
* runny nose
* watery eyes
* itchiness
* scratchy throat
* Symptoms of Common Cold
* Symptoms of the Flu
Frequency and Duration for Antihistamines
There are prescription and non-prescription antihistamines. They can last anywhere from 4 to 24 hours. Over the counter antihistamines used for occasional cold symptoms usually need to be taken every 4-6 hours.
Length of Use for Antihistamines
You should not take an over the counter antihistamine for more than 7 days before talking to your doctor. If your symptoms last longer than 7 days, you may have developed something more serious.
Important things to tell your doctor
You should tell your doctor if you have any of the following before taking an antihistamine:
* asthma or chronic bronchitis
* high blood pressure
* glaucoma
* liver disease
* kidney disease or difficulty urinating
* prostate problems
* ulcers or other stomach problems
* other chronic illnesses
* pregnant, trying to get pregnant or breastfeeding
* ALL medications you are taking, including herbal supplements
Common Antihistamines
Some common names for antihistamines are:
Over the counter
* Benadryl - diphenhydramine (generic)
* Claritin - loratidine (generic)
* Zyrtec - ceterizine (generic)
* Triaminic - chlorpheniramine (generic) - for children
Prescription
* Allegra - fexofenadine (generic)
MY THOUGHTS
i must be weird. i love antihistamines. especially benadryl. makes me fall asleep in a jiffy.
By Kristina Duda, R.N., About.com Guide
Updated January 08, 2010
About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board
Find out everything you need to know about antihistamines. What symptoms they treat, who should take them and who should not.
Check your symptoms
Antihistamines treat:
* sneezing
* runny nose
* watery eyes
* itchiness
* scratchy throat
* Symptoms of Common Cold
* Symptoms of the Flu
Frequency and Duration for Antihistamines
There are prescription and non-prescription antihistamines. They can last anywhere from 4 to 24 hours. Over the counter antihistamines used for occasional cold symptoms usually need to be taken every 4-6 hours.
Length of Use for Antihistamines
You should not take an over the counter antihistamine for more than 7 days before talking to your doctor. If your symptoms last longer than 7 days, you may have developed something more serious.
Important things to tell your doctor
You should tell your doctor if you have any of the following before taking an antihistamine:
* asthma or chronic bronchitis
* high blood pressure
* glaucoma
* liver disease
* kidney disease or difficulty urinating
* prostate problems
* ulcers or other stomach problems
* other chronic illnesses
* pregnant, trying to get pregnant or breastfeeding
* ALL medications you are taking, including herbal supplements
Common Antihistamines
Some common names for antihistamines are:
Over the counter
* Benadryl - diphenhydramine (generic)
* Claritin - loratidine (generic)
* Zyrtec - ceterizine (generic)
* Triaminic - chlorpheniramine (generic) - for children
Prescription
* Allegra - fexofenadine (generic)
MY THOUGHTS
i must be weird. i love antihistamines. especially benadryl. makes me fall asleep in a jiffy.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
HOW TO REDUCE FEVER WITHOUT MEDICATION
HOW TO REDUCE FEVER WITHOUT MEDICATION
from the article: Check Your Symptoms - What to do for Fever Symptoms
By Kristina Duda, R.N., About.com Guide
Updated October 19, 2009
How to Reduce a Fever Without Medication
There are a few options if you would prefer to try to reduce a fever without medication. These may also help if medication is not reducing the fever quickly enough.
* Taking a bath in lukewarm water -- be sure the water is not cold, if it causes shivering, that may cause the body temperature to increase.
* Cool packs or cool rags under the arms, on the forehead and in the groin area -- be sure the packs are not too cold.
* Be sure not to wrap the person with a fever in blankets or warm clothes. Although they may feel cold, added layers will only prevent the body temperature from dropping like it should. Dress the person in one layer of comfortable clothes, provided the environmental temperature is comfortable.
MY THOUGHTS
funny how we used to do exactly the opposite. windows closed, no ventilation. wearing the thickest of clothes. with socks. wrapped in layers and layers of the heaviest blanket. now, we know better, don't we? i hope so.
from the article: Check Your Symptoms - What to do for Fever Symptoms
By Kristina Duda, R.N., About.com Guide
Updated October 19, 2009
How to Reduce a Fever Without Medication
There are a few options if you would prefer to try to reduce a fever without medication. These may also help if medication is not reducing the fever quickly enough.
* Taking a bath in lukewarm water -- be sure the water is not cold, if it causes shivering, that may cause the body temperature to increase.
* Cool packs or cool rags under the arms, on the forehead and in the groin area -- be sure the packs are not too cold.
* Be sure not to wrap the person with a fever in blankets or warm clothes. Although they may feel cold, added layers will only prevent the body temperature from dropping like it should. Dress the person in one layer of comfortable clothes, provided the environmental temperature is comfortable.
MY THOUGHTS
funny how we used to do exactly the opposite. windows closed, no ventilation. wearing the thickest of clothes. with socks. wrapped in layers and layers of the heaviest blanket. now, we know better, don't we? i hope so.
Monday, January 24, 2011
RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME
Your health: Get help for Restless Leg Syndrome
By Alberto Espay, Guest columnist 12:38 PM Friday, January 7, 2011
It makes no sense: You’ve had a long day, and you’re ready for a restful night’s sleep. But as you lie in bed, you experience an uncontrollable urge to move your legs—perhaps accompanied by unpleasant sensations such as tingling, crawling or even pain.
You may have Restless Leg Syndrome, a neurological condition that is classified as a movement disorder, like Parkinson’s disease or essential tremor. There is no known single cause, but it is associated with dysfunction of the neurotransmitter known as dopamine at the spinal cord level.
The actual prevalence of RLS is not known, but according to the RLS Foundation, positive response rates for the question, “Do you have a creepy, crawly sensation in your legs at night when you attempt to sleep?” are between 3 and 15 percent.
Unfortunately, the vast majority of people don’t necessarily look for treatment for RLS. They may feel like it’s all in their head, or decide that it’s something they’re willing to live with rather than see a doctor. But RLS does respond to treatment in a majority of people, enabling them to improve the quality of their sleep substantially—and with it, enjoy an improvement in their daytime functioning.
A diagnosis of RLS usually involves four criteria, according to the RLS Foundation: An uncontrollable urge to move your legs, accompanied by uncomfortable sensations; the sensations begin or get worse during periods of rest; the symptoms get better when you move your legs; and the symptoms are worse in the evening.
RLS often runs in families, researchers say.
There are no lab tests to determine if you have RLS. If you visit a doctor, he or she will likely review your medical history, conduct a diagnostic interview and rule out any conditions that might be confused with RLS. In addition, you might be asked to stay overnight in a sleep lab.
Dopamine agonists, which mimic the effects of dopamine in the brain, are the first line of pharmacological treatment. The two commercially available (by prescription) are pramipexole (brand name Mirapex) and ropinirole (brand name Requip).
Other drugs, such as those used to treat nerve disorders, are prescribed if dopamine agonists are ineffective or have intolerable side effects. Also, gabapentin, benzodiazepines such as clonazepam or, if needed, opioids such as oxycodone and propoxyphene — medications typically associated with the treatment of pain—can be helpful for those who are unable to benefit from dopamine agonists.
Treatment for RLS typically relies on a low dose of medication taken by pill at bedtime, and people may not ever need an adjustment. So it’s really a good idea to consider visiting a doctor if you have any kind of symptoms that are taking you away from a good night’s sleep.
Alberto Espay, MD, is a UC Health neurologist. For an appointment with UC Health Neurology in West Chester Twp., call (513) 475-8272.
MY THOUGHTS
i'd probably be restless tonight trying to test if i have the restless leg syndrome. sometimes i get those tingly, numb feeling. but crawly?
By Alberto Espay, Guest columnist 12:38 PM Friday, January 7, 2011
It makes no sense: You’ve had a long day, and you’re ready for a restful night’s sleep. But as you lie in bed, you experience an uncontrollable urge to move your legs—perhaps accompanied by unpleasant sensations such as tingling, crawling or even pain.
You may have Restless Leg Syndrome, a neurological condition that is classified as a movement disorder, like Parkinson’s disease or essential tremor. There is no known single cause, but it is associated with dysfunction of the neurotransmitter known as dopamine at the spinal cord level.
The actual prevalence of RLS is not known, but according to the RLS Foundation, positive response rates for the question, “Do you have a creepy, crawly sensation in your legs at night when you attempt to sleep?” are between 3 and 15 percent.
Unfortunately, the vast majority of people don’t necessarily look for treatment for RLS. They may feel like it’s all in their head, or decide that it’s something they’re willing to live with rather than see a doctor. But RLS does respond to treatment in a majority of people, enabling them to improve the quality of their sleep substantially—and with it, enjoy an improvement in their daytime functioning.
A diagnosis of RLS usually involves four criteria, according to the RLS Foundation: An uncontrollable urge to move your legs, accompanied by uncomfortable sensations; the sensations begin or get worse during periods of rest; the symptoms get better when you move your legs; and the symptoms are worse in the evening.
RLS often runs in families, researchers say.
There are no lab tests to determine if you have RLS. If you visit a doctor, he or she will likely review your medical history, conduct a diagnostic interview and rule out any conditions that might be confused with RLS. In addition, you might be asked to stay overnight in a sleep lab.
Dopamine agonists, which mimic the effects of dopamine in the brain, are the first line of pharmacological treatment. The two commercially available (by prescription) are pramipexole (brand name Mirapex) and ropinirole (brand name Requip).
Other drugs, such as those used to treat nerve disorders, are prescribed if dopamine agonists are ineffective or have intolerable side effects. Also, gabapentin, benzodiazepines such as clonazepam or, if needed, opioids such as oxycodone and propoxyphene — medications typically associated with the treatment of pain—can be helpful for those who are unable to benefit from dopamine agonists.
Treatment for RLS typically relies on a low dose of medication taken by pill at bedtime, and people may not ever need an adjustment. So it’s really a good idea to consider visiting a doctor if you have any kind of symptoms that are taking you away from a good night’s sleep.
Alberto Espay, MD, is a UC Health neurologist. For an appointment with UC Health Neurology in West Chester Twp., call (513) 475-8272.
MY THOUGHTS
i'd probably be restless tonight trying to test if i have the restless leg syndrome. sometimes i get those tingly, numb feeling. but crawly?
Saturday, January 22, 2011
do you have FIBROMYALGIA
Fibromyalgia: Your Most Important Questions Answered
From the National Institutes of Health
Published January 21, 2011
Fibromyalgia is a common and chronic disorder characterized by widespread pain, diffuse tenderness and many other symptoms. So what do sufferers really need to know? Find out now…
Although fibromyalgia is often considered an arthritis-related condition, it’s not truly a form of arthritis (a disease of the joints) because it doesn’t cause inflammation or damage to the joints, muscles or other tissues.
But like arthritis, fibromyalgia can cause significant pain and fatigue that can interfere with a person’s daily activities. Also like arthritis, fibromyalgia is considered rheumatic, a medical condition that impairs the joints and/or soft tissues and causes chronic pain.
People with fibromyalgia may experience a variety of other symptoms, including:
* Cognitive and memory problems (sometimes referred to as “fibro fog”)
* Sleep disturbances
* Morning stiffness
* Headaches
* Irritable bowel syndrome
* Painful menstrual periods
* Numbness or tingling of the extremities
* Restless legs syndrome
* Temperature sensitivity
* Sensitivity to loud noises or bright lights
Fibromyalgia isn’t a disease, but a syndrome: a collection of signs, symptoms and medical problems that tend to occur together but are not related to a specific, identifiable cause. A disease, on the other hand, has a specific cause or causes and recognizable signs and symptoms.
Who Gets Fibromyalgia?
Scientists estimate that fibromyalgia affects 5 million Americans age 18 or older. For unknown reasons, between 80% and 90% are women; however, men and children also can be affected. Most people are diagnosed during middle age, although the symptoms often become present earlier in life.
People with certain rheumatic diseases - such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus (commonly called lupus) or ankylosing spondylitis (spinal arthritis) - may be more likely to have fibromyalgia too.
Several studies indicate that women with a family member with fibromyalgia are more likely to have the condition themselves, but the reason for this – whether it be heredity, shared environmental factors or both – is unknown. One current study supported by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) is trying to determine whether variations in certain genes cause some people to be more sensitive to stimuli, which leads to pain syndromes.
What Causes Fibromyalgia?
The causes of fibromyalgia are unknown, but there are probably several factors involved. Many people associate the development of fibromyalgia with a physically or emotionally stressful or traumatic event, such as an automobile accident. Some connect it to repetitive injuries. Others link it to an illness. For others, fibromyalgia seems to occur spontaneously.
Many researchers are examining other causes, including problems with how the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord) processes pain.
Some scientists speculate that a person’s genes may regulate the way his or her body processes painful stimuli. According to this theory, people with fibromyalgia may have a gene or genes that cause them to react strongly to stimuli that most people would not perceive as painful. There have already been several genes identified that occur more commonly in fibromyalgia patients, and NIAMS-supported researchers are currently looking at other possibilities.
How Is Fibromyalgia Diagnosed?
Research shows that people with fibromyalgia typically see many doctors before receiving the diagnosis. One reason for this may be that pain and fatigue, the main symptoms of fibromyalgia, overlap with those of many other conditions. Therefore, doctors often have to rule out other potential causes of these symptoms before making a fibromyalgia diagnosis.
Also, there are currently no diagnostic laboratory tests for fibromyalgia; standard laboratory tests fail to reveal a physiologic reason for pain. Because there is no generally accepted, objective test for fibromyalgia, some doctors unfortunately may conclude a patient’s pain is not real, or they may say there’s little they can do.
A doctor familiar with fibromyalgia, however, can make a diagnosis based on criteria established by the American College of Rheumatology (ACR): a history of widespread pain lasting more than 3 months, and the presence of diffuse tenderness.
Pain is considered to be widespread when it affects all four quadrants of the body, meaning it must be felt on both the left and right sides as well as above and below the waist. ACR also has designated 18 sites on the body as possible tender points. To meet the strict criteria for a fibromyalgia diagnosis, a person must have 11 or more tender points, but often patients with fibromyalgia will not always be this tender, especially men. People who have fibromyalgia certainly may feel pain at other sites too, but those 18 standard possible sites on the body are the criteria used for classification.
How Is Fibromyalgia Treated?
Fibromyalgia can be difficult to treat. Not all doctors are familiar with fibromyalgia and its treatment, so it is important to find a doctor who is. Many family physicians, general internists or rheumatologists (doctors who specialize in arthritis and other conditions that affect the joints or soft tissues) can treat fibromyalgia.
Fibromyalgia treatment often requires a team approach - with your doctor, a physical therapist, possibly other health professionals and, most importantly, yourself all playing an active role.
It can be hard to assemble this team, and you may struggle to find the right professionals to treat you. When you do, however, the combined expertise of these professionals can help you improve the quality of your life.
You may find several members of the treatment team at pain and rheumatology clinics that specialize in arthritis and other rheumatic diseases, including fibromyalgia.
Only three medications - duloxetine (Cymbalta), milnacipran (Savella) and pregabalin (Lyrica) - are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for fibromyalgia treatment.
Cymbalta was originally developed for and is still used to treat depression. Savella is similar to a drug used to treat depression but is FDA-approved only for fibromyalgia. Lyrica is a medication developed to treat neuropathic pain (chronic pain caused by damage to the nervous system). These products are not endorsed by the National Institutes of Health or any other government agency. Also, if a particular brand name is not mentioned, this does not mean or imply that the product is unsatisfactory.
The following are some of the most commonly used categories of drugs for fibromyalgia: (click on the link for details)
MY THOUGHTS
first time i've heard of this. it's alarming because most of the symptoms are so common and especially in women. it's not even age-related so you can have this at a young age. take note that some doctors are not familiar with it. and there are only 3 medicines that have been approved for fibromyalgia. don't be scared. be wise. see the doctor if you have half of the symptoms.
From the National Institutes of Health
Published January 21, 2011
Fibromyalgia is a common and chronic disorder characterized by widespread pain, diffuse tenderness and many other symptoms. So what do sufferers really need to know? Find out now…
Although fibromyalgia is often considered an arthritis-related condition, it’s not truly a form of arthritis (a disease of the joints) because it doesn’t cause inflammation or damage to the joints, muscles or other tissues.
But like arthritis, fibromyalgia can cause significant pain and fatigue that can interfere with a person’s daily activities. Also like arthritis, fibromyalgia is considered rheumatic, a medical condition that impairs the joints and/or soft tissues and causes chronic pain.
People with fibromyalgia may experience a variety of other symptoms, including:
* Cognitive and memory problems (sometimes referred to as “fibro fog”)
* Sleep disturbances
* Morning stiffness
* Headaches
* Irritable bowel syndrome
* Painful menstrual periods
* Numbness or tingling of the extremities
* Restless legs syndrome
* Temperature sensitivity
* Sensitivity to loud noises or bright lights
Fibromyalgia isn’t a disease, but a syndrome: a collection of signs, symptoms and medical problems that tend to occur together but are not related to a specific, identifiable cause. A disease, on the other hand, has a specific cause or causes and recognizable signs and symptoms.
Who Gets Fibromyalgia?
Scientists estimate that fibromyalgia affects 5 million Americans age 18 or older. For unknown reasons, between 80% and 90% are women; however, men and children also can be affected. Most people are diagnosed during middle age, although the symptoms often become present earlier in life.
People with certain rheumatic diseases - such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus (commonly called lupus) or ankylosing spondylitis (spinal arthritis) - may be more likely to have fibromyalgia too.
Several studies indicate that women with a family member with fibromyalgia are more likely to have the condition themselves, but the reason for this – whether it be heredity, shared environmental factors or both – is unknown. One current study supported by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) is trying to determine whether variations in certain genes cause some people to be more sensitive to stimuli, which leads to pain syndromes.
What Causes Fibromyalgia?
The causes of fibromyalgia are unknown, but there are probably several factors involved. Many people associate the development of fibromyalgia with a physically or emotionally stressful or traumatic event, such as an automobile accident. Some connect it to repetitive injuries. Others link it to an illness. For others, fibromyalgia seems to occur spontaneously.
Many researchers are examining other causes, including problems with how the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord) processes pain.
Some scientists speculate that a person’s genes may regulate the way his or her body processes painful stimuli. According to this theory, people with fibromyalgia may have a gene or genes that cause them to react strongly to stimuli that most people would not perceive as painful. There have already been several genes identified that occur more commonly in fibromyalgia patients, and NIAMS-supported researchers are currently looking at other possibilities.
How Is Fibromyalgia Diagnosed?
Research shows that people with fibromyalgia typically see many doctors before receiving the diagnosis. One reason for this may be that pain and fatigue, the main symptoms of fibromyalgia, overlap with those of many other conditions. Therefore, doctors often have to rule out other potential causes of these symptoms before making a fibromyalgia diagnosis.
Also, there are currently no diagnostic laboratory tests for fibromyalgia; standard laboratory tests fail to reveal a physiologic reason for pain. Because there is no generally accepted, objective test for fibromyalgia, some doctors unfortunately may conclude a patient’s pain is not real, or they may say there’s little they can do.
A doctor familiar with fibromyalgia, however, can make a diagnosis based on criteria established by the American College of Rheumatology (ACR): a history of widespread pain lasting more than 3 months, and the presence of diffuse tenderness.
Pain is considered to be widespread when it affects all four quadrants of the body, meaning it must be felt on both the left and right sides as well as above and below the waist. ACR also has designated 18 sites on the body as possible tender points. To meet the strict criteria for a fibromyalgia diagnosis, a person must have 11 or more tender points, but often patients with fibromyalgia will not always be this tender, especially men. People who have fibromyalgia certainly may feel pain at other sites too, but those 18 standard possible sites on the body are the criteria used for classification.
How Is Fibromyalgia Treated?
Fibromyalgia can be difficult to treat. Not all doctors are familiar with fibromyalgia and its treatment, so it is important to find a doctor who is. Many family physicians, general internists or rheumatologists (doctors who specialize in arthritis and other conditions that affect the joints or soft tissues) can treat fibromyalgia.
Fibromyalgia treatment often requires a team approach - with your doctor, a physical therapist, possibly other health professionals and, most importantly, yourself all playing an active role.
It can be hard to assemble this team, and you may struggle to find the right professionals to treat you. When you do, however, the combined expertise of these professionals can help you improve the quality of your life.
You may find several members of the treatment team at pain and rheumatology clinics that specialize in arthritis and other rheumatic diseases, including fibromyalgia.
Only three medications - duloxetine (Cymbalta), milnacipran (Savella) and pregabalin (Lyrica) - are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for fibromyalgia treatment.
Cymbalta was originally developed for and is still used to treat depression. Savella is similar to a drug used to treat depression but is FDA-approved only for fibromyalgia. Lyrica is a medication developed to treat neuropathic pain (chronic pain caused by damage to the nervous system). These products are not endorsed by the National Institutes of Health or any other government agency. Also, if a particular brand name is not mentioned, this does not mean or imply that the product is unsatisfactory.
The following are some of the most commonly used categories of drugs for fibromyalgia: (click on the link for details)
MY THOUGHTS
first time i've heard of this. it's alarming because most of the symptoms are so common and especially in women. it's not even age-related so you can have this at a young age. take note that some doctors are not familiar with it. and there are only 3 medicines that have been approved for fibromyalgia. don't be scared. be wise. see the doctor if you have half of the symptoms.
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