Health | NC Health Action

Treatment for Restless Leg Syndrome

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Sleep disorders abound in the human population, and disturb our patterns of rest that are so essential to recharging the body and mind. Restless leg syndrome is one of these and has caught the attention of the mainstream media in recent years as a sleep and nervous system disorder. It can affect people at any age, but progresses as the affected person gets older.

This condition causes a tingling, itchy feeling in the legs that makes someone feel like they have to move them all the time. At its most intense when a person is resting and lying in bed, the sensation leads to sleep deprivation and in severe cases, can make it hard to walk. The overall effects of sleep deprivation lead to more stress and eventually other health problems if not treated.

Children and even infants can be affected, but the condition is often misdiagnosed, and it can be up to 20 years before a diagnosis is made and treatment can begin. By treating the underlying cause, the symptoms can be alleviated. If another medical condition is present and can be triggering the sensation in the legs, then doctors can treat that, but often avoiding certain foods and alcohol are enough to abate the problem. Medications can cause it as well and sometimes dietary supplements are all that is needed to correct any deficiencies that might be the cause.

Physical therapy is also an option. Stretching exercises as well as hot or cold baths, massages, and other techniques can help, so affected individuals can see a diminishing of the symptoms and get to sleep at night. Exercise in general is an important self treatment for restless leg syndrome. Eating a lot of food, and drinking alcohol or caffeine, before bedtime exacerbate the condition, as does worrying too much before going to sleep. By avoiding most of these things and by keeping a regular sleep schedule, the symptoms can be alleviated or perhaps prevented.

Filed Under: Medication, Treatment Tagged With: Health, Physical therapy, Restless Leg Syndrome, Sleep disorder, Treatment

Celebrities in Drug and Alcohol Treatment Centers

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When thinking about celebrities, it’s impossible to ignore the fact that some of the biggest stars end up going to rehab for an addiction to alcohol or drug abuse (often illegal drugs). In fact, many of them spend a significant amount of time in these centers because of new drug use, relapses, etc. The sad thing is that many of these celebrities that we know and love either have or will die due to their drug use.

Currently, it is said that Robert Downey Jr. is possibly the top drug user for celebrities who is currently living. He has been around drugs his entire life and even started using marijuana when he was six years old. He has been in and out of drug and alcohol treatment centers many times throughout his life. At this point, he has actually been clean for a few years, but the suspicion of many is still there.

There are many celebrities whose lives ended early because of drug use. In fact, some of these deaths are unclear as to whether they were accidental or not. For example, Marilyn Monroe died of a sleeping pill overdose. It is still unknown whether or not this was homicide or suicide. John Belushi was a well known and well loved comedy actor. Unfortunately, his death was the result of an accidental overdose of speedballs, which is a combination of heroin and cocaine.

Sadly, when we see those in the media who have drug addictions, and are in and out of rehab, some people start to think that it is OK behavior. Others know that it is not OK to constantly be working with treatment centers, and that drug addiction is a hard thing to deal with. Unfortunately, those celebrities that we see giving in to drug and alcohol addiction are getting younger and younger.

Filed Under: Addiction, General, Health Tagged With: Addictions, Alcoholism, Health, John Belushi, Marilyn Monroe, Robert Downey Jr, Substance abuse, Substance dependence

Women’s Health: Pap Smear

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It is human to err and falling into a bad crowd that leads you to MichaelsHouse.com can be quite a common occurance. That’s why it is so important to take care of yourself, even when it comes to your yearly pap smear.

Many women are afraid of getting pap smears, mostly because they think there is a lot of pain involved. That is not true.

When first going into the exam room, a nurse will take note of your height, weight and blood pressure. She will also probably want to know the date of your last period. The nurse will then ask if you have any questions. Once you are all done talking to the nurse, she will instruct you to remove your clothing, have you put on a hospital gown and cover yourself with a paper sheet. You will then wait for the gynecologist to arrive.

If the gynecologist is a man, he will be accompanied by a nurse during your exam. The doctor will then listen to your heart and also check for any lumps around your breast area. He or she will also feel your abdominal area to check for any abnormalities.

Once done, the gynecologist will have you lay back and place your feet in the stir-ups. A speculum will then be inserted into your vagina. This is done so that the doctor can inspect the inside of your vaginal cavity and have a clear look while taking any samples.

A long cotton swab will be inserted into your vagina, in order to take a sample of your cervix. This is done in order to check for any abnormalities or changes in your cervix.

Once done, the doctor will address any questions you have and then you will be instructed to get dressed. A pap smear can be painless and quick if you just learn to relax.

Filed Under: Health Care, Reproductive Health, Womens Health Tagged With: Cervix, Health, Pap test, Vagina

Hand Sanitizers: Healthy for the Body and Mind

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Germs consist of microorganisms, millions and millions of them which we cannot see and cause many diseases. They are everywhere and located on everything. It is almost unavoidable to come in contact with them. Germaphobia in itself consumes people and, in some cases, can be considered an illness, but the truth cannot be denied that germs pose a real hazard to human health.

The awareness of germs in causing diseases has many benefits. Antibiotics treat infections and surgeons must wash their hands before operating; this has saved many lives over the years. Our day-to-day activities put us in constant contact with germs, and the advent of hand sanitizers to compliment regular hand washing has added a significant level of protection against possible infections.

Carrying a small container of hand sanitizer is easy to do. You just put it in your pocket, and it comes in very handy when it is not possible to wash your hands. The solution is usually made up mainly of alcohol, which kills any germs on your hands; up to 99% by most claims. For germophobes, this statistic might leave them to wonder which 1% or fraction of a percent of the germs the sanitizer does not kill. These products have been proven to be very effective, however, and better yet, bacteria and viruses cannot become immune to the destructive element of the alcohol in these substances.

Germs are found on doorknobs, food, and even money. Every place you go, there is a surface that can cause potential panic in somebody so afraid of germs and illnesses. For people that suffer from germaphobia, and everyone else, using a sanitizer will alleviate just about all of the concern. It kills germs on the spot just by rubbing it in. The substance then evaporates and of course, the next time you touch something, you are again exposed to germs. A small bottle with the gel can be used over and over, without the need to run to a bathroom to find a sink to wash your hands.

Filed Under: Health Tagged With: Hand sanitizer, Hand washing, Health

Asthma in Youth

1. Of concern to Public Health Officials is the high number of youth living with asthma. Hundreds of children die annually from symptoms related to asthma and other breathing and respiratory issues. Some of this is preventable.

2. Dust Bunnies aren’t Cute

Dust mites carry germs and air born pollutants that contribute to breathing, asthma and other respiratory failure. Simple things like dusting furniture frequently, airing out rooms and, tossing stuffed animals that collect dust 100% of the time will make breathing easier for the entire household but especially for children suffering with asthma.

3. Inhalers and School Records

Parents familiar with caring for an asthmatic child know the routine and scary feeling when your child can’t breathe. Inhalers become school bag accessories and outdoor play and gym class are sometimes problematic. Of utmost importance is keeping your child’s school updated with current contact information for you, and emergency contact and your child’s doctor. In the event of a bad attack at school you want to be notified as soon as possible.

4. Dealing with Depression

If your child experiences depression from not being able to play outside with the other kids or not as much or hard as them, be aware and empathetic. It isn’t easy being a kid and it is never easy being the different kid. Especially if illness is involved. Most kids adapt and adjust and pull their inhaler out and use it as needed. It is hard to be anything but conscious about breathing when it isn’t happening for you naturally. Indoor activities that have a cool stamp but aren’t threats to your child’s physical health are encouraged.

5. Asthma Can Change

For some people flare-ups with asthma decrease over time and for some it seems to dissipate entirely. Unfortunately others are not bothered for years at a time and flare-ups happen later in life as an adult when a severe asthma attack can be life even more life threatening.

Filed Under: Health, Health Care Tagged With: Asthma, Breathing, Child, Health, House dust mite, Inhaler

Jet lag facts

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Lets just imagine a situation where you travel around the world half way through to attend a very important meeting that could make or break your company. Every thing goes well, you board the flight on time, you reach on time and you get to the meeting on time, but what is missing is your interest in this meeting. This is a form of jet lag that effects high flyers and people who work for aviation. It is also known as desynchronosis and is a disorder which is not quite that permanent. But it is important to know this disorder in case you are traveling the world to a different time zone. It causes fatigue and insomnia which bring down the performance of a person considerably. Other symptoms of a jet lag include confusion, headache, nausea, diarrhea, dehydration and other bag full of common disorders which easily succeed in ruining your important meeting or you one in a life time honeymoon. In extreme cases it can also lead to memory loss and co-ordination problems. The problem arises from the fact that when crossing time zones the body clock does not get accustomed to the new time zone and sleeping time table gets disoriented. This is the largest problem related to traveling around the world. It is not quite that common when traveling is done by ship, car or by train since the body gets enough time on the way to get it self in tune with the new time zone slowly. Athletes are specifically treated so that they do not get jet lagged at the most important game of their lives or careers. The hypothalamus is responsible for keeping time. This also adjusts other time depended functions such as sleep, thirst, hunger, excretion, etc. When you travel to a different time zone, the hypothalamus does not get time to cope with the new time table.

Filed Under: General Tagged With: Business, Circadian rhythm, Health, Jet lag, Preparation, Recreation, Time zone, Travel

Migraine Problem

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Migraine is a rising problem in teens around the world. It is a vascular headache that happens because of the dilation of ventriles. This causes the nerve fibers in the brain to release chemicals into nerve fibers, more specifically the ones around the arteries. The nerves enlarge and pressurize the nerves to release these chemicals which cause headaches.

These Headaches are common in the sympathetic nervous system which is responsible for stress and pain responses of the body. Hence this specific action if the nerves gets in to action when under stress from blood vessels. There are many types of migraines which are mild to severe Head aches. They also combine vomiting, nausea and diarrhea along with the headache. It is also responsible for delaying the digestive process and hence any medication taken will take a very long time to be absorbed in to the blood system. Along with this it also decreases blood circulation which leads to cold feet and hands and weakness. The mind becomes extra sensitive to lights, sound and colors, which cause the intensity of the Headline: ache to increase.

This problem is more prevalent in females than males, mostly because of the hormonal changes which come with premenstrual syndrome every month. More than 17% of females in United States suffer from mild to severe migraines. This problem too like other is said to be linked to genetic roots and is inherited from parents. Treatments involve therapies because medications are not that effective. Relaxation, ice and bio feedback therapies are quite useful in treating migraines and are frequently used when in extreme pain. Sleeping also causes the brain to relax and there by reduce the intensity of the headache. Hypnosis has been used to successfully reduce the intensity of headaches but are not that widely used.

Filed Under: General Tagged With: Blood vessel, Conditions and Diseases, Headache, Health, Migraine, Neurological Disorders, Pain, United States

What are pacemakers?

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Heart controls the flow of blood to the entire body. To do this it runs is a rhythm where electrical signals control the frequency and the strength of the heart beats. These electrical signals are usually generated from the brain. But in cases such as arrthythmia, the electrical signals become irregular and slow. There are different types of arrthymia, in cases where the heart beat is too fast, it is known as tachycardia. In case where the heart beat is too long and slow is called as bradycardia, both these conditions are treatable by using a pace maker. A pace maker is a device which substitutes the body generated electrical signals for artificial signals. This helps in overcoming the dependency of the faulty electrical signals from the body.

Pacemakers help in speeding up a slow hear beat which causes low blood pressure. It is also capable of making the heart run is proper rhythms. It makes sure that all the chambers of the heart open and close properly, letting all the blood out. Pacemakers make sure the heart gets the proper amount electrical signals to supply the entire body with sufficient amount of blood. These electrical devices also help in recording the heart beats of the heart and also other parameters like body temperature, infections, breathing rate and can be used to monitor remotely. Pacemakers are either installed to a temporary time interval when the heart’s electrical impulses are not normal such as after a heart attack or during some other reason. It is for lifetime. A pacemaker is placed either inside the body or outside the body near the chest or the abdomen. Having a pace maker can relieve symptoms of excessive fatigue and avoid fainting. A person with a pace maker needs to take care of the pace maker by not going near electromagnetic signals which can stop the pacemaker from working.

Filed Under: General Tagged With: Artificial pacemaker, Blood, Bradycardia, Health, Heart, Heart disease, Hypotension, Signal (electronics)

Thyroid Cancer and its symptomps

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The thyroid gland is a hormone producing gland located at the bottom of the neck. The follicles in a thyroid gland make hormones which modulate the temperature of the body, the energy level, heart rate and other important but lesser amounts of hormones. The C-cells in the thyroid glands produce calcitonin which keeps the blood calcium levels in control. The size of the thyroid glad in only about the size of your thumb and bean shaped. In case it is swollen, it can be felt in front of the neck. It is also the site where goiter is causes, the disease that arises because if iodine deficiency. There are three types of thyroid cancer. Follicular and papillary cancers are the most common types of thyroid cancers and are the most common type of thyroid cancers. These are treatable if detected early and are not that deadly. Medullary throid cancer is the second most common cancer but at 5% it is still lesser than papillary cancer. It is because of malignancy of the C-Cells and is also easier to control if detected early. It has the tendency to spread to other parts and cause cancer. Hence early control of this cancer is very important. The third and the rarest form of thyroid cancer is the anaplastic cancer which affects the follicular cells. This is the rare but also the most deadly form of cancer. Anaplastic cancer is very difficult to detect and is more difficult to control than other forms of cancers. It also spreads fasted than any of the other thyroid cancers. Treatment includes radioactive, surgery, radiation and hormone treatments. The treatment depends on the stage of the cancer and needs to be quickly treated when found out. If any leniency is shown, the cancer easily spreads to other parts of the body.

Filed Under: Health Care Tagged With: Cancer, Conditions and Diseases, Endocrine, Endocrine Disorders, Health, Hormone, Thyroid, Thyroid cancer

Rheumatoid Arthritis

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The immune system is the one and only defense of the body against foreign pathogens and particles. It attacks the micro organisms and cells that it considers to be foreign and kills them by attaching other white blood cells and releasing harmful substances. Rheumatoid Arthritis is a disease of the joints where the body’s own immune system turns towards its immune system. This disease causes inflammation of the joints and makes the joints sore and the person unable to walk or work. This is the reason it is also known as systemic illness. It is along lasting disease which may last for a life time in some patients, that too without showing any signs.

Joints are important for the flexibility of the bones and ate the crank shafts where both the bones join. When the immune system causes it to attack the tissues of the joint, it causes inflammation leading to swelling, redness, pain and stiffness. They can also effect other organs such as the muscles, tendons and ligaments causing inflammation. It can also lead to the complete destruction if the inflamed regions leaving the patient disabled for life unable to move these joints ever. It is a very common disease around the world, more prominent in women than in men. The mode of this disease spreading is unknown with scientists still spit balling as to the cause of this disease. As for most of the diseases that can not be explained, this disease too is said to occur because of inherent genetic reasons. It is also thought that this is caused by some bacterial and viral infections but none have proved to be effective in animal models. Hence the research is going on and is in full swing. If your children get this disease they might know the cause, until then there is also no way to protect one self from this disease.

Filed Under: Health Tagged With: American College of Rheumatology, Arthritis, Disease, Health, Immune system, Inflammation, Joint, Rheumatoid Arthritis