Senior Care Partners

Archive for September, 2010

A sinus infection is a condition whereby the mucosal lining of the sinuses are inflamed. It usually occurs after one has suffered from the common cold or viral influenza. But it may also be caused by a reaction to allergens.

Common sinus infection symptoms would include:

1. Chronic fatigue.
2. Cough.
3. Facial pain in the forehead, around the eyes or cheeks.
4. Headaches, especially in the forehead or the region around the eyes.
5. Nasal congestion or blockage.
6. Mucus could be in the form of thick yellow or yellowish green in color. For chronic sinus infection, the mucus may be thick, sticky and glue-like.
7. Pain in upper teeth. Usually the molars are affected.
8. Sore throat.
9. Sensitivity to bright lights.
10. Fever.

Medicines for treating sinus infection

For acute sinus infections, antibiotics such as amoxicillin, erythromycin or other broad-spectrum antibiotics are to be taken for about 10 days. In addition, doctors may also prescribe one or more of the following medicines which can help in reducing the inflammation in the mucosal lining of the sinuses and nasal passages to expedite the healing process:

1. Decongestants. These are medicines used for the relief of nasal congestion or stuffy nose. Decongestants reduce swelling by narrowing the blood vessels that are present in the mucosal lining. This reduces the blood supply to the swollen membranes, causing them to shrink. Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) is a commonly prescribed oral decongestant. Due to rebound effect of decongestants, it is important to note that they should not be used consecutively for more than 5 days.

2. Steroid Nasal Sprays. Steroid sprays like Flonase, Nasonex and Rhinocort, which work by reducing inflammation to promote mucus drainage in the sinuses, are often prescribed to treat chronic sinusitis and allergies symptoms.

3. Expectorants. These are medicines prescribed to thin mucus for easy drainage especially for patients having a cough.

5 Antihistamines. These are drugs that block the action of histamine (a compound released by our own body in allergic inflammatory reactions) which is responsible for immediate hypersensitivity reactions such as sneezing and itching.

It is important to realize that sinus infection can be difficult to treat, especially for those with a weakened immune system, the selection of the right antibiotic is really important and this rests solely at the discretion of the doctors. ENT specialists would normally prescribe third generation antibiotics that is more aggressive in treating sinusitis.

Is the US really filled with progressive “forward” thinkers, or are they merely trying to progress backwards into a pharmaceutical controlled health care system. Just look at the swine flu as an example. Our government and the “progressive” media can’t get swine flu vaccines to the market fast enough.

Heck, they are even skipping the clinical trial requirements that would determine, and removing the risk of lawsuit if the shots actually harm people.

But wait, what’s this? The Public Health Agency of Canada is actually conducting a large scale trial to see the results Vitamin D may have in effectively protecting its citizens from swine flu.

Talk about progressive, why isn’t the Leftist media condemning pharmaceutical companies right along with insurance companies? And when is the government going to stop demonizing natural cures, and stop pushing chemicals (that may or may not have any positive benefit, but at least one negative one)?

There is a really long complicated political answer to that, mostly about the loss of a “Disinterested Party” in our congress…but the short answer is when we vote for people to are interested in protecting health, not through insurance mandates, but through less government intervention, and more natural medicine.

Anyway back to the Canadians, they are basing this study on the wealth of evidence showing that Vitamin D can reduce the risk of infections.

You see, the Canadians of all people are pursuing the common sense solution to health, that actually has a long term benefit (healthier living) to go along with their short term goal of reducing swine flu and its severity. Does that seem like something out lawmakers should do? Or should the left just keep passing bills to protect corporate liability and put millions of dollars in the pocket of big pharma by creating irrational fear.

If you are concerned about getting swine flu this flu season, before you rush to get vaccinated, you may just be deficient in vitamin D, so get them checked. If you’re deficient, try sure to get as much sun as possible or pick up a high-grade supplement.

The Swine Flu effects which were once thought to be life threatening for everyone, turned out to be less severe. Over the course of the initial outbreak, fewer people died from it than the regular seasonal flu. Even less became sick enough to be emitted into a hospital. So what did this all mean?

The Swine Flu, Bird Flu and all others are very strong viruses. Yet as a virus mutates it can either become weaker or stronger. This was the case with the current epidemic of the Swine Flu. Although it still took lives and hospitalized many, it was not the virus which scientists and specialist have been projecting.

What everyone does know about any virus, is its effects on the body. Symptoms such as swelling, running nose, congestion, fever, muscle pains etc., can really impact a person’s life for up to four weeks and sometimes longer. Yet there are ways to prevent this from occurring or increase the likelihood of experiencing less severe symptoms. Supplements are one way to prevent contracting the virus.

Supplements That May Prevent The Swine Flu Effects

There are many different combination of supplements that are safe and gentle on the body. The combination is effective on preventing a cold or flu. The best supplements contain wording which explains how they work. Never purchase supplements that do not fully explain what they do or how they work. If you are unsure of a supplement, it is best to ask a health food store attendant.

Supplements all work a little differently depending on the combination. When starting a supplement, try it out for a month and see how you feel. Normally herbal and natural preventives are gentle on the body and do not cause any side effects. Checking the internet on possible side effects of a supplement or herb is highly recommended.

Supplements like wellness formulas, Immune formulas or immune functioning combinations are the best for boosting the immunities. They are targeted to just aiding the body to take care of itself.

It usually takes a supplement a month to help the body build a strong immunity against a virus. Only taking a supplement for a few weeks will not have much of an effect. Why does it take a month? Supplements and herbs are a gentle natural way to aid the body in perfecting its own immune response. For these benefits to take effect they need to happen slowly allowing the body to get use to the change. After a month the body will be well on its way to preventing a cold or influenza virus. Continuing the supplements is recommended to support the immune system.

The Epilepsy is one of the major neurological conditions where most of the people turn from one susceptible to the seizures. The Seizure is the change in awareness, behavior as well as in sensation that brings with reference to a brief electrical dilemma in the brain.

The common form of Epilepsy might vary from the brief disturbance of all the senses up to the short period of oblivion or in the staring spell and also leads up to the convulsion. A good number of the people have merely one kind of epilepsy whereas; various other patients may have some additional type than the common single type. Although they look different, all the epilepsy is caused due to the similar thing and it is the unexpected transform in how the body cell of the brain drive electrical signal to every other cell.

When one is suffering from epilepsy, he should be aware that it is not the mental disorder. This may be the reason of anything that could affect the brain that includes the minor strokes and sometimes tumors. It is found in the rare case where epilepsy is inborn. Often, no reason is to be set up. Therefore Epilepsy is typically not the type of form that gets worsen up by time. The greater part of the adult who has it is estimated to live a common life span. The Epilepsy treatment- may be of various kinds but it is generally treated with medicine approved by the neurologist, neurosurgeons, physician, whereas the primary caregivers every one frequently worry for the people suffering with epilepsy.

In a small number of cases the implantation of the stimulator in the indistinct nerve or a exacting diet may be useful. The neurosurgical operations of the epilepsy can be soothing, which trim down the occurrence or harshness of the seizures and in a number of patients the operation could be healing. Medications are well prescribed to take every day. Sometimes it is put together to stop the seizures in total or to decrease the incidence. These are all termed as the anti=epileptic drugs. Well these drugs too contain some of the common side effects that are eccentric plus others are all dose-dependent. The various surgical treatments could be an option for the epilepsy when the brain abnormality, as the tumor or part of scar tissue could be identified. Thus these abnormalities are supposed to be detached by the neurosurgeon. The Surgical treatments are regularly and are only offered to those patients whose epilepsy disease has not been prohibited by the adequate attempt with various manifold medications.

The main objectives of physical therapy are to promote body strength, function and mobility and prevent future physical injury. This is achieved through the physical therapy itself as well as through teaching patients safe exercising and movement techniques to avoid potential injury and protect joints. There are many types that include orthopedic, geriatric, rehabilitation, pediatric, pulmonary, cardiac and neurological.

One of the general needs of include tables. The types of tables needed in a physical therapy office are usually much different than the standard exam tables often found in other physicians’ offices. There are many types of therapy tables designed for many varied purposes depending on the needs of your particular client

Vitamin B is not only essential if you suffer from arthritis, but it is also vital for general health. It is involved in hundreds of bodily functions. Amongst other benefits, it is involved in energy production, a healthy nervous system, good skin, hormone production and balance and prostaglandin production- a function that makes it key in controlling the inflammation in arthritis. Another key link is its involvement in keeping homocysteine levels under control. Homocysteine plays a vital role in your general health. Let us look at the different types of vitamin B and how it will benefit you if you suffer from arthritis:

Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid)

For about 60 years now, it is known that a vitamin B5 deficiency in animals causes osteoarthritis and osteoporosis. When animals deficient in B5 received supplements, their arthritis improved and their inflammation levels (ESR levels) dropped. Since then, it has been confirmed that people with rheumatoid arthritis are nearly always lacking in B5. Studies show that when deficient patients receive B5 injections, their symptoms improve in about seven days. When the injections stop, their symptoms return. Also, when rheumatoid arthritis patients received 500mg of pantothenic acid four times a day, they experience a reduction in morning stiffness and pain after about two months.

So how does it work to improve your joint pain? There are a few theories as to how exactly it works, but the one that makes the most sense is that B5 is required for the body to make its own corticosteroids. That will explain why it improves rheumatoid arthritis. As for its benefits for osteoarthritis, it might improve the body’s calcium balance. Calcium is essential for joint health. You could probably benefit by taking about 500-1000mg per day for a trial period of two months.

Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide)

Vitamin B3, also known as niacin or niacinamide, has been used to successfully treat arthritis for many years. Its beneficial effect for arthritis was discovered when niacin was used to treat schizophrenia and cholesterol. Patients receiving this treatment reported improvements in their arthritis. More recent studies conclusively show that B3 supplementation reduces inflammation and improved range of motion. Most patients supplementing with B3 are able to reduce their pain medication. Vit B3 is also very effective in controlling high cholesterol. Note that the niacin form of B3 causes a blushing and a feeling of pins and needles. This reaction is normal and actually shows the power of this nutrient. If the blushing reaction is too severe, you can opt for the niacinamide form, which doesn’t cause blushing. Some companies also have a non-blushing form of niacin. Taking more than 2000mg of any B3 is pushing the limit. Take between 500mg-100mg vitamin B3 for arthritis and cholesterol.

Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)

Vitamin B6 benefits arthritis patients by controlling pain and improving joint mobility. It works by shrinking the synovial membranes of weight bearing joints. It is also involved in the production of anti-inflammatory prostaglandins. Studies have found that when the body is an inflammatory state, as with rheumatoid arthritis, the body uses up more B6 and overall levels drop. This indicates that the body uses this nutrient to fight inflammation. B6 is also used very successfully to treat carpal tunnel syndrome. Often, surgery is avoided after sustained B6 supplementation. 50mg can be taken to improve joint pain.

Folic Acid and Vitamin B12

In a study of 26 people that suffered from osteoarthritis in their hands, most patients showed less pain in their hand joints after supplementing with a combination of folic acid and vitamin B12. The study reported that the patients experienced no side-effects like those associated with taking pain medication. You probable need about 200mcg of folic acid and 10mcg of B12 to benefit the most.