Senior Care Partners

Archive for May, 2010

Menopause is an integral part of women’s life; no women can avoid the ultimate consequences. It is one step in a long reproductive degenerative, aging process, which almost begins silently at the age of 40 or so. Declining levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone cause various changes, which eventually lead to menopause.

Menopause symptoms can vary from woman to woman; changing hormone levels can cause a variety of symptoms which may last from a few months to a few years or longer. Some women may feel the worse of it, yet some other may feel very less of it. One of the most noticeable changes that occur during the onset of menopause is visible changes in occurrence of periods. Many women experience less regular periods; some have a lighter menstrual flow than normal; others face a heavier flow and may bleed a lot for many days. Periods may occur less than 3 weeks apart or last more than a week. There may be slight spotting between periods. Women, who have had previous problems with heavy menstrual periods and cramps, will usually find marked relief from these symptoms, when menopause starts.

One more noticeable symptom is the repeated occurrences of “hot flashes”, which is sudden feeling of heat in the upper part or all of woman’s body. Face and neck become extremely flushed. Flashes can be as mild as a light instant blush or just very severe enough to wake her from a sound sleep (also called night sweats). Most flashes usually last between 30 seconds and 5 minutes. The most common visible effects are the occurrences of red blotches all over the body.

Menopause symptoms also include remarkable changes in the genital and bladder behavior. As the estrogen levels change, the genital area can get drier and thinner. The resultant dryness makes sexual intercourse more painful. Vaginal and urinary tract infections are also very common during this time. Other problems can make it hard enough to hold urine long enough to get even to the bathroom. Urine leaks also occur during exercise, sneezing, coughing, laughing, or running.
Sexual behavior also undergoes tremendous changes during menopause. Some women find that their feelings about sex change drastically with menopause. Some have marked changes to the vagina, such as dryness, that makes sexual intercourse very painful. Others feel freer and sexier after menopause — relieved that pregnancy is no longer a real worry.
Sleep problems are more common during menopause. Some women may find it very hard to sleep at night- they may not fall asleep easily or may wake too early. Once woken from sleep, they may find it very to go to sleep again. Hot flashes may also wake them up very easily.

One of the most common menopause changes is the change in mood. This may cause a marked shift in moods, caused by stress, family changes such as children leaving home, or feeling tired. Depression is how ever not a cause of menopause.

Drastic changes in body characteristics are another symptom of menopause. Some women find that their bodies change around the time of menopause. Women tend to get fattier and skin tends to get thinner too. Memory lapses do occur very frequently. Some women feel acute joint and muscle stiffness during menopause. Regular exercises will help them to over come many of these problems. Menopause is irreversible and is the gift of nature; it needs to be accepted whole heartedly and life style adjusted accordingly to the situation.

Menopause Symptoms [http://www.articles.1natural-health.com/menopause-symptoms.html]

Electroencephalogram (EEG)
It is a useful test for the diagnosis of epilepsy, where the report of an eyewitness is not either completely available, or is not available at all. But, in such cases, a word of caution. The EEG must be read very carefully, and the guidance of a specialist must be obtained, so that a non-epileptic person may not be labelled as a case of epilepsy, which will be indeed very unfortunate for the patient.

In some cases, where the EEG is negative, and the patient is still strongly suspected to be a case of epilepsy, EEG recordings are done after showing a flash to the patient (photic stimulation), and/or asking the patient to deeply breath (hyperventilation), or the EEG is recorded when the patient is instructed to be awake the whole night before the test is taken (called sleep-deprivation EEG), as under these circumstances there is a possibility of a positive graph. But again, a careful analysis of the EEG is required by an expert to exclude falsepositive results. In any case, if the EEG is grossly abnormal, risk of repeated attacks of epilepsy must be explained both to the patient and his family members, so that he remains under observation all the time till the attacks are controlled with specific treatment. An EEG is equally important for the diagnosis of childhood epilepsy.

In selected cases, a 24-hour continuous ambulatory recording of EEG may be taken on the same pattern as the Holter test, done in heart patients to see the various irregularities in the rhythm of the heart (arrhythmias). In such a continuous record of EEG, the chances of a positive graph increase, as the recording is for a considerable length of time, which increases the chances of detection of any abnormality in the graph. However, this test too has got its own limitations.

Hence, the value of clinical diagnosis and the true report of an eyewitness should be emphasized again.

Computed tomographic (CT) scanning

A computed tomographic (CT) scan is, indeed, a valuable, non-invasive test in detecting the causative lesions in cases of epilepsy, especially in cases of brain tumours. Besides tumours, the test is also useful in diagnosing other causes of epilepsy, like post-traumatic scarring/gliosis or porencephaly, i.e. cavity in the brain, tuberculoma (due to tuberculosis), cysticercosis (due to ingestion of infected pork), or cerebral infarction (due to occlusion/thrombosis of one of the vessels of the brain).

However, again a very careful interpretation is required for reading a CT scan for the diagnosis of a shadow /s, as it has been shown in various studies that following an attack of epilepsy, temporary shadows (disappearing in about 1-3 months) of varying sizes may appear in the brain. But such a diagnosis may not be free from danger, as such shadows may be pathological, more so, malignant, and therefore, a close follow-up is necessary, and repeated scans may be required to check if the lesion is lessening, persisting or increasing, so that no time is lost in carrying out life-saving treatment. At the same time, unnecessary treatment/ panic may be avoided.

Such lesions/shadows may probably be due to post-epileptic oedema/ swelling of the brain.

However, for a neurologist, such lesions create no problem for reaching a precise diagnosis, and, above all, the picture is seen as a whole, i.e., all accounts/aspects of the case are taken into consideration – the clinical manifestation of an attack of epilepsy, age of the patient, EEG report, and follow-up reports.

In several hospitals, special epilepsy clinics are being run where a large number of cases are seen/followed up weekly / fortnightly and, therefore, with experience, such problems are tackled in a routine manner, but may create a genuine difficulty, at times, for a general practitioner who may need the urgent opinion of a specialist.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

This test is more sensitive than a CT scan, and, therefore, in doubtful cases, it must be carried out, especially when a CT scan is not contributory, and there is no satisfactory improvement in the condition of the patient, in spite of a potent drug therapy for epilepsy.

Other tests may also be required, such as the examination of stools for worms, especially for pork tapeworm (Taenia solium), X-ray of both the calf muscles, below the knee, for the presence of calcified cysts of cysticerci, especially in places where the incidence of epilepsy is common as a result of taking infected pork. Worms in the gut, in general, irrespective of the type, may precipitate an attack of epilepsy, especially among children.

Needless to say that investigations have a definite role in suspected epilepsy, more so for the detection of possible lesions and their cure. Many of the cases of epilepsy are idiopathic, i.e., where no cause is available, requiring a long course of drugs, and in a very few, even a lifelong maintenance dose may be required.

Sinus infections are one of the most common infections across the world. Sinus attacks are caused by an infection in the sinuses or cavities that are present in the bones near the nose. When there is any swelling in these sinuses because of some infection, breathing becomes difficult, resulting in fever, headaches, and other discomforts. This is known as sinusitis.

Each sinus or cavity in the skull has an opening that allows free exchange of mucus and air. Each sinus is joined to the other by a mucous membrane lining. When there is an infection like hay fever or a disease like asthma, these sinuses and the lining become inflamed, causing air and mucus to be blocked inside or a vacuum to be created. This can cause pressure on the sinus walls, causing severe pain. Millions of dollars are spent for sinus medications and sinus research.

Sinus infections can cause a lot of pain and discomfort. Sometimes, the infection may also lead to some brain infections or other chronic problems. Though there is no effective remedy for sinus infections, a lot of comfort can be gained by treating the sinus symptoms like headaches, nasal discharge, nasal blocking, runny nose, ear/neck/cheek/jaw pain, swelling of eyelids, etc. However, acute or chronic sinus infections require prolonged treatments, comprised of antibiotics or therapies like saline nasal rinses, topical/oral decongestants, antihistamines, mucolytic agents, and intranasal corticosteroids.

Sinus infections can also be treated by some home remedies. A lot of relief can be obtained by inhaling steam from a vaporizer or a bowl of hot water. Applying a hot or a cold compress over the inflamed area would also provide relief. A decoction of mustard seed powder and water, instilled in the nostrils; eating jalapeno peppers; drinking juice of ripe grapes; applying a paste of cinnamon and water on the forehead; applying paste of ginger and water/milk on the forehead; applying paste of basil leaves, cloves, and dried ginger on the forehead; inhaling steam of eucalyptus oil; and drinking warm tea are all found to be effective in providing some relief. Drinking a lot of water and other fluids would also help. A great deal of rest is also required. However, it is better to consult a specialist if the infection persists.

Natural remedies for uterine fibroids can be used very effectively, avoiding the need to resort to surgery. Of course, if there is a clear danger from your fibroids (for example if they are cancerous) then you should consider the appropriate treatment recommended by your surgeon. However, fibroids are rarely life-threatening and this does give you the option of exploring alternative treatment methods.

There is one statistic about fibroids which I find truly shocking:-

Some 93% of women who use conventional methods to attempt to get rid of their fibroids find themselves in a worse situation after treatment. However, there is a small but growing group of women who have researched their options and found that it is possible to use natural remedies for fibroids towards permanent freedom.

There is no single cause of uterine fibroids and this means that to be successful, treatment must address and eliminate each and every root cause. As you might imagine, this is not an overnight process and you will need to be prepared to make a number of fairly significant lifestyle and dietary changes which some women do find difficult. However, I often say it’s a question of how much you want to be able to get rid of your fibroids-if you are well motivated, you should not find this a problem. Some women using natural remedies for uterine fibroids manage to eliminate their symptoms within a couple of weeks although significant shrinkage will take longer.

When you think about it, if you opt for surgery, you will have the lead-up time to surgery to consider and then the recovery time. Indeed, it could be many weeks before you are back to normal and in this time, if you apply it correctly, natural remedies for uterine fibroids could have worked without you having any discomfort or costly procedures.

What Steps Might You Take?

There are many stages involved, but two of the most useful natural remedies for uterine fibroids are dietary modification and liver detoxification.

Basic Principles Of A Fibroid Diet

First of all, use your common sense. There is much information out there about the principles of a basic healthy diet and this is a good starting point.

* Organic foods are best as these do not contain pesticides and additives
* Try to eat food in its natural unprocessed state
* Avoid meats with additives such as sausages and salami
* Regulate your portion sizes
* Avoid obviously unhealthy foods such as saturated fats and white refined carbohydrates such as sugars and white flour
* Ensure seafood is free of hormones and contaminants
* Control your intake of beans and grains
* Eat fruits and sugary vegetables in moderation
* Increase your intake of sprouting grains
* Your diet should ideally consist of 70% raw foods

Detoxification

Your digestion can become surprisingly sluggish and overloaded with toxins. When you have toxins in the bowels, this can lead to blood intoxication and a liver which is inefficient. The liver stores toxins and they migrate to other organs of the body, sometimes including the uterus. Before you can cure your fibroids, you will need to eliminate toxins.

Starting off with a deep cleansing program is the way forward and this protocol is always included in good natural remedies for uterine fibroids and this can include a 3 day juice program. Making your own juices is best as you will know exactly what is in them and their freshness is assured. Juices should be mainly green, including celery, which is well-known for its cleansing properties and low in sugar. Before a 3 day juice diet, it is wise to eat a light diet for a couple of days beforehand, consisting of salad ingredients and lightly steamed vegetables.

The two steps of dietary modification and detoxing are essential parts of natural remedies for uterine fibroids. However, to ensure success, you must also follow a number of other protocols designed to eliminate the root causes of all types of fibroids. Before beginning any treatment, it is wise to explore these other elements further as following an all-encompassing, “no-stone unturned” approach is the only way forward when using natural treatment.

Every patient suffering from Rheumatoid Arthritis is searching for alternative remedy, which could lower down growth of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) in the body. A recent research states that the people who intake 10 units (not more or less) of alcohol a week have reduced the severity of Rheumatoid Arthritis in body.

In this research, RA patients were initially divided into two groups, First group include those patients who do not take or have alcohol infrequently and the second group include those patients who take alcohol frequently (10 units of alcohol a week or five glasses of wine a week).

After 45 days, patients in the second group were observing lesser pain than before, whereas the condition of first group patients was still degrading at the same pace. Certain blood tests and X-Ray of all the joints were led to validate the reality and it was found that, there was much lower level of inflammation and swelling around the joints of the second group patients. Their X-Ray reports had also reflected less damage to joints of second group arthritis patients when compared to the first group patients in the same duration.

A lot of intense and deep research by research team, depicted that “the alcohol actually restrains the activity of immune system at a certain point which has a major impact on the ground where Rheumatoid Arthritis actually develops in body (when alcohol is taken in limited or prescribed quantity). The alcohol’s insensitivity and anti-inflammatory effects tend to lower down the activity of immune system in body and the actual reason behind reduced pain in the second group patients”.

The research team said that “the chances of recovering from Rheumatoid Arthritis can certainly increase with regular intake of prescribed quantity of alcohol, however any intake of alcohol apart from the prescribed quantity will certainly be harmful”.

This research also resulted that the prescribed quantity of alcohol is also helpful in lowering down symptoms of RA severity in the body. The symptoms of RA were also found low in the people who drink frequently and high in non-drinkers. In fact, alcohol is also useful in pulling down the risk of heart disease in many patients.

Rheumatoid Arthritis medicines, including immuno suppressant drugs like Confluence could damage the liver if patient intake more quantity of alcohol apart from the prescribed quantity with any immuno suppressant medicines. The patients should certainly not exceed prescribed 10 units of alcohol or 5 glasses of wine a week in order to get relief in joint pain. It should be noted that drinking of more quantity of alcohol, taking regular medicine or any antibiotic could harm liver.

Rheumatoid Arthritis is a disease, which is clearly a reflection of changing lifestyle, more than 2 percent of world population is currently affected by Rheumatoid Arthritis. There is an urgent need to find alternative treatment, which can lower down the RA effects and restrain further damage. Millions are spent every year to discover a medicine to cure Rheumatoid Arthritis, patients can certainly restrain themselves from every form of arthritis by adopting few simple measures.

A recent research conducted by a private arthritis research website, resulted that every men aged 45 and women aged 42 will be suffering from one or the other form of arthritis after 2020.

Choosing the right acid reflux medication for your needs isn’t always easy. After all, there are many causes and symptoms to consider. Furthermore, you need to find the right one that works for you. And that process just got more challenging as researchers have found that some heartburn drugs put users at a greater risk of osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis is a condition where the bones begin to lose their density (bone mineral density or BMD), placing the sufferer at increased risk of a fracture or break. It’s a condition that typically occurs as we age when the body is less able to regenerate healthy new bone.

Although it may not look it, bone is actually living tissue that is constantly renewing itself. It’s made up of a hard outer shell that contains collagen, minerals and blood vessels, as well as a softer core of bone marrow.

Bones are kept healthy and renewed by a supply of proteins and minerals absorbed from the blood, including calcium.

Specifically, it is proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) among the commonly prescribed acid reflux medications that put people at a higher risk of osteoporosis, according to a 2008 Canadian study. Proton pump inhibitors are drugs that stop the production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach in order to reduce damage caused by acid reflux or GERD.

The study examined 63,000 people aged fifty or older and looked into their medical records, prescription records, and other relevant elements. Among the group, 15,300 had fractures from osteoporosis, including those of the hip, spine, and wrist.

The participants in the study who had histories of fractures from osteoporosis were almost two times more likely to have used proton pump inhibitors for a minimum of seven years in comparison with other study participants. And sixty two percent of those participants in the study with hip fractures had used proton pump inhibitors for a minimum of five years. However, there was no evidence that the short-term use of proton pump inhibitors would increase the risk of osteoporosis-related fractures.

It should be noted that it is not the proton pump inhibitors that actually cause the fractures.

The study showed only that there is a link between the acid reflux medication and fractures due to osteoporosis. The researchers believe that as the PPI’s block the stomach’s hydrochloric acid, the body’s ability to absorb calcium may be impaired, leading to – or worsening – osteoporosis. However, more study is required to either prove or disprove this hypothesis.

Though the precise link between the long-term use of proton pump inhibitors and osteoporosis-related fractures has yet to be determined, there is enough evidence that should encourage you to discuss the risk of osteoporosis and related fractures with your doctor before starting to use proton pump inhibitors – especially over a longer period of time. Commonly prescribed PPI acid reflux medication includes: Prisolex, Aciphex, Nexium, Protonix, and Prevacid.

If you’re currently prescribed a PPI to control acid reflux it important to continue with your medication unless otherwise advised by a medical professional. If you have concerns over the long term use of PPI’s then raise your concerns at your next doctors visit.

When you speak with your doctor, you will need to work together to decide whether the benefits of taking PPIs outweigh the risk of osteoporosis-related fractures. You may decide to take proton pump inhibitors as a temporary acid reflux medication while other potential life changes or drugs are decided upon.

Those who are most at risk of being effected by this issue are people who are taking or who are about to begin taking PPIs and either have osteoporosis or are at risk of the disease.

Less powerful acid reflux medication may be a better solution for these people. For example, histamine blockers (also known as H2 anatgonists) are able to effectively treat GERD and its related symptoms. Though they are often less effective than proton pump inhibitors, they are not linked to osteoporosis fractures when used over the long term.

Alternatively you may wish to do away with acid reflux medication altogether (don’t forget to speak to your doctor first). This approach is successful for many thousands of people who rely on nothing more than small changes in their diet and some simple home remedies to keep symptoms at bay.