Health News and Information » General health

THE NATURAL WAY TO HEALTHY EYES

admin — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 16:49:46 +0000

Sound nutrition is important for the proper functioning of all organs of the human body, including the organ of sight, the eye. A lack of certain vitamins can cause the eyes to work at less than their best, just as a lack of iron causes our blood to become less efficient.

The most important vitamin to the health of the eyes is Vitamin A. Its benefits are much more far reaching than enabling us to see at night. Prolonged lack of the “eye vitamin” can do irreversible damage to the entire eye. The vitamin is essential for the proper maintenance of the body’s moist surfaces, such as the eye.

The first warning sign of a serious deficiency is the drying of the conjunctiva, or the white part of the eye. It loses its natural moisture, as well as its whiteness, and becomes more susceptible to infections.

Uncorrected, the condition next affects the cornea. It, too, will lose its natural moisture and will no longer be smooth. The cornea, additionally, acquires a smoky or milky appearance, giving the person afflicted with this condition the feeling of looking at the world through frosted glasses.

In the final stages of the Vitamin A deficiency, the damage goes past the cornea, exposing the interior of the eye and allowing serious infections to set in. The net result is loss of the eye and complete blindness.

As with night blindness, prevention can be relatively simple with the addition of beta-carotene and Vitamin A into the diet. In fact, raw carrot juice, an excellent source of beta-carotene, is considered a natural solvent for all ulcerous conditions, such as the cornea experiences in a serious Vitamin A deficiency.

Drinking raw carrot juice, then, is a good habit for the overall health of the eye. It is also a good habit to munch on fresh carrots as a snack. Don’t peel them just scrub them well.

If for some reason, you find carrots difficult to bite, grate the vegetable instead and consume it that way. This is just as effective. As with the juice, though, prepare only the portions you plan on eating immediately, as the natural nutritional strength of the grated carrot weakens as it sits.

Beta-carotene – the product the human body uses to make Vitamin A – is also found in deep orange fruits and vegetables. Good sources include broccoli, apricots and squash.

It is best to consume fresh sources of Vitamin A, say the experts, rather than relying solely on vitamin supplements. Such supplements expose the body to possible overdoses. While pregnant women’s need for vitamins is greater than the rest of the population, as noted in the following chart, medical sources caution that overdoses may produce abnormalities in unborn babies. Doses of 50,000 I.U. daily are considered dangerous.

Parents should be wary of giving their children high-potency preparations of Vitamin A. Chronic toxicity may, in these instances, occur. Signs of such vitamin poisoning include irritability, nausea, vomiting, headaches, abnormal eating patterns and a red, peeling skin.

Internally, the overdose causes the liver and spleen to enlarge, as well as increases the pressure of the fluid inside the child’s head. The latter symptom mimics that of a brain tumor. An additional symptom, and the key usually in diagnosing the toxic condition, is painful swellings on the bone. With the elimination of the vitamin, the problems normally disappear in about a week.

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EXERCISE IN OUR LIFE

admin — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 16:48:48 +0000

A great deal of evidence supports the hypothesis that people who exercise regularly benefit across a wide range of health related variables. They have a better sleep pattern. They catch fewer colds, take less sick and even live longer than people who don’t exercise.

There is also a window of healthy exercise. People that pass the window of healthy exercise run down their immune systems and suffer more from infectious diseases. They feel run down and suffer from a multitude of miscellaneous musculoskeletal aches and pains.

The answer to how much exercise is very elusive. In terms of heart disease an hour of mild exercise each day is as beneficial as moderate to intense exercise. From the point of view of cardiovascular fitness three quarters of an hour at sufficient intensity to take the pulse rate over 130 beats a minute, is required at least three times a week. Weight loss requires an even more demanding regimen of exercise. Exercise of moderate intensity is required for three quarters of an hour six or seven times a week.

Once the competitive teens are over and adults embark upon their careers of employment and family commitment; exercise and recreation are two of the first casualties.

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CHILD’S HEALTH/SPECIFIC PROBLEMS BEHAVIOURS: GILLES DE LA TOURETTE SYNDROME

admin — Thu, 21 May 2009 07:07:19 +0000

This is a very uncommon form of tic disorder found in 1 in 10,000 children, especially males. The disorder usually begins in the school age period, and initially the child develops motor tics, affecting any muscle group in the body. Very often the tics then become more prominent, affecting multiple parts of the body, and then the child develops involuntary vocal tics. This may include grunts, barks and yelps, and then may progress to repeating the last words that he or a peer utters (echolalia). In about 40% of these children, the vocal tics may include rude or obscene phrases (coprolalia).

The cause of this condition is unknown, but it seems to have a genetic basis, often with a family history. Occasionally the condition appears to be precipitated by the administration of psychostimulant medication such as methylphenidate (Ritalin) or amphetamines which have been prescribed for ‘hyperactivity’ or attentional problems. The condition is associated with learning and behavioural problems, and sometimes language difficulties also occur.

This is a distressing and disabling condition which fortunately is very uncommon, and should not be confused with the common tics described above. Treatment consists of diagnosis and specific medications and ongoing management is best undertaken by a paediatrician or child neurologist. In many cases these children improve as they get older.

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CHILD’S HEALTH/MEDICAL TESTS AND PROCEDURES: SPUTUM CULTURE, STOOL EXAMINATION AND CULTURE

admin — Tue, 19 May 2009 06:22:50 +0000

SPUTUM CULTURE

Sputum, or phlegm, is usually present if your child has a chest infection. Most young children cough up the sputum and then immediately swallow it, so it is very difficult to obtain a specimen. Older children are better able to co-operate. The specimen is sent to the laboratory as soon as possible, checked under a microscope, and then incubated in a special culture medium. After 24 hours, any germs present can usually be identified, and after 48-72 hours the antibiotic that will be effective against them can be chosen. This aids both in diagnosis and treatment of chest infections.

STOOL EXAMINATION AND CULTURE

If your child has prolonged diarrhoea, your doctor may advise sending a stool specimen to the laboratory to try and determine which parasite or germ is responsible. This also helps your doctor to decide whether or not to treat the condition with antibiotics, and if so, which drug will be effective against the particular organism. Stool specimens must be sent to the laboratory as soon as possible, so that the organisms can be identified under the microscope or by culture. A stool examination is also used to determine whether there is a problem with absorption of sugar, fats or protein in the small bowel.

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YOUR MARITAL HEALTH/SEX AND PROBLEMS OF DAILY LIVING: PERSONAL PLAY AND MARITAL PLEASURE: SPOUSEHOOD AND “SPERSONHOOD”

admin — Mon, 18 May 2009 12:53:59 +0000

It is always tennis. Morning, noon, and night, it’s tennis. He has tennis cuff links and he doesn’t even have French cuffs on his shirts. I hate tennis and I couldn’t play it anyway because of my knee. I mean it. To him, love is just a tennis score.

WIFE

Balancing our needs for recreation and the needs of our marital relationship is a relatively new concern in our society. The day-today pressures of surviving used to take up all the time there was. Now we are told to exercise, to play, to have fun because it is healthy. We do want to play, but how do two people play together if interests and capabilities are different?

It was the rare couple in which both partners were equally involved in a recreational or avocational interest. “He golfs, I drive the cart. I enjoy the scenery, but he never sees it,” reported one wife. “To him the landscape is just a place to lose his golf ball.” As this example illustrates, sometimes a spouse will try to “go along” and enjoy the spouse’s enjoyment, but rarely does this completely fulfill one’s own needs for recreation and fun.

Our public schools seldom emphasize couples play. The boys and girls are separated into different gym classes. The activities are typically individual or team sports, seldom a boy and girl playing together. Even in team sports, the individual seems to be the focus in a society that values stars more than constellations, independence and the ability to stand out rather than the important skill of fitting in to enjoy a common purpose.

So how does super marital sex survive the distance that may result by different recreational involvement? One husband reported, “About the only thing we do together is sex. And then, we really have been doing it to each other.” Sex therapists typically ask about individual reports of fulfillment, the most popular question being “Are you orgasmic?” Couples are less often asked about their mutual interaction, the results of togetherness. The only hope is to change, or at least broaden, our view of play to include dyads, two persons playing together.

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HODGKIN’S DISEASE – GENERAL INFORMATION

admin — Fri, 15 May 2009 09:17:19 +0000

Hodgkin’s disease usually begins as a painless, progressive enlargement of the lymph glands.

Those glands in the neck are most commonly affected, but the condition may occur elsewhere, particularly in glands along the great blood vessels which are inside the chest or abdomen.

Sometimes the disease appears to be localised and very slowly progressive. In others it appears to be active and widespread right from the start. And in those cases it may be associated with weight loss, fever and often an itch.

Once regarded as invariably fatal, this disorder now may be not only controlled but cured. At present, a cure rate of just over 90% is possible.

It is usual to remove a lymph gland and to look at it under a microscope. It may be necessary to consider an operation on the abdomen to remove the spleen or enlarged glands inside.

One technique of establishing how wide-spread the disorder is, is to inject radio-opaque dye into the lymph channels in the legs.

The lymphatic system carries fluid from the tissues back through the body, and is interrupted every so often by these lymph glands. Finally the main lymph channel empties into the great vein in the chest. From here the blood is carried back to the heart.

The treatment of Hodgkin’s disease is by X-ray or chemo-therapy, or both.

In chemo-therapy drugs which are designed to kill the cancer cells are administered by mouth or injection. Often two or three of these drugs are used in conjunction, and cortisone is given at the same time to reduce the inflammation.

The success of treatment depends on how early the diagnosis is made and on how wide-spread is the involvement of the glands.

Hodgkin’s disease is uncommon.

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TOXAEMIA OF PREGNANCY – GROUP OF RISK

admin — Fri, 15 May 2009 07:32:27 +0000

This is most noticeable in the legs due to the effect of gravity. Pre-eclampsia is commoner in younger mothers in first pregnancies.

The first sign is a rise in the blood pressure.

High blood pressure or hypertension can be present before pregnancy and then she will need close watching throughout because high blood pressure itself can cause problems.

In pre-eclampsia all three signs are usually present: the rise in blood pressure, the albumin in the urine and the oedema.

The great risk is to the developing foetus. The constriction of the arteries affects the placenta and this interferes with the nourishment of the baby.

If the baby does not receive proper nourishment it may die in the womb, or if born alive, may succumb within the first few weeks.

Pre-eclamptic toxaemia can also cause bleeding behind the placenta where it attaches to the womb.

This bleeding, if large enough, will cause separation of the placenta from the lining of the womb and can damage the baby’s circulation and lead to its death.

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SKIN

admin — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 09:59:44 +0000

The skin is a complex part of our bodies. Throughout our lives it needs constant attention. Babies get nappy rash, birthmarks and eczema, children suffer measles, chicken-pox, warts and impetigo, teenagers endure acne, pimples, cold sores, blisters and athlete’s foot, dermatitis, allergies and psoriasis occur in adulthood. As we age the skin dries, varicose veins appear and for the unfortunate bed sores can occur. For all Australians of any age the threat of skin cancer lurks in the sky every summer. Also the hair and the nails are part of the skin and are prey to their own disorders.

Apart from the particular afflictions of the skin we will all experience at least once in a lifetime, there is the day to day need for skin care to help prevent the occurence of disorders.

Women are the largest group using skin preparations in the form of cosmetics. It is important to keep a sceptical eye on the product. Cosmetics that claim they are going beneath the basal layer of the epidermis should strictly be classified as a pharmaceutical. If the claim they are penetrating the skin is made, be wary of spending too much money.

Allergies are a problem for a number of women. Some people develop allergies to ‘natural products’ such as lanolin and carrot oil. Hypo-allergenic products may help but can also create allergies. The user needs to know the contents of the product or get advice from a specialist.

Skin cleansers include soaps and creams. If you are happy using soap and find a soap which does not make your skin tight or dry, the soap is the right pH value and alkalinity for your skin, then keep on using it. If soap is causing a contact dermatitis it may be the alkalinity or the perfume. Try a glycerine soap (transparent) that is unperfumed. Many people suffer a reaction to the perfumes in cosmetics. If the soap you are using does not agree with your baby, their skin will become pink and sore.

Antibacterial soaps for acne or body odour do not last more than a few hours. It is better to use a soap and then apply a specialised preparation. Tea tree oil can be used for fungal problems and acne. Sandalwood oil is an excellent underarm deodorant.

Always wash soap off as it can cause irritation and infection. This is particularly so in the elderly person, or babies, who may be washed by a carer. Rinse the person until all soap has gone.

Cleansers range from lathering to washing-off types to heavy oily mixtures that are wiped off. The lathering type is used by teenagers with oily skin and the oilier unction is preferred by older people. There are many such preparations on the market today which have natural bases and are a lot cheaper than the international labels. It is a case of buy and try and stick faithfully to the one that suits you. One of the most successful cleansers I ever used was made from beeswax and lanolin and cost $3 a tub!

Astringents are usually alcohol based and can be very drying to the skin, stripping it of all natural grease and lubrication. Some astringents claim they will close the pores of the skin but this is a somewhat fallacious claim. For older people, alcohol free toners with orange blossom water and witchhazel are refreshing. Men are victims of many commercial aftershave lotions which dry the skin.

Moisturisers are valuable for all skin types. The epidermis has a high water content but washing and air-conditioned environments can dry this out and the skin is lined with fine wrinkles. Moisturisers help keep the water in but one of the most effective water restoring methods is to drink plenty of water every day. Ten glasses will keep skin fresh and be of great benefit to the rest of the body.

Vegetable additives of use to the skin are aloe vera, jojoba oil, avocado oil, almond oil. Fresh vegetables can be applied directly to the skin to refresh it, such as cucumber on the eyes. Honey is a great cleanser of the skin and leaves it as soft a baby’s bottom. Some people enjoy the application of a raw egg left to dry and then washed off. It tightens the skin in the same way as a face mask. The effect of most of these external preparations is to stimulate the circulation of the skin.

Scrubs for the face made of cinnamon or oatmeal are useful to get grime out of the skin after a week walking through a city environment. A louffa can be used on the rest of the body. This process of cleaning the skin is enjoyable but once a week is enough as the removal of the top layer of skin is drying and an extra dose of moisturiser is called for.

Aromatherapy offers some skin mixes which are sensuous:

For normal skin, massage 1 drop of rose oil, 1 drop of chamomile oil and 2 teaspoons of almond oil into the face.

For oily skin wash the face with a mild soap, apply a witchhazel toner, then a facial oil made up of 1 drop of cypress oil, 1 drop of juniper oil, and 2 teaspoons of sweet almond oil.

For dry skin wash the face with mild soap, rinse in a cool wash of chamomile tea. Massage a mixture of 1 drop of lavender oil, 1 drop of sandalwood oil, 1 drop of rose oil and 2 teaspoons of carrier oil made up of 3 parts almond oil, 3 parts avocado oil and 1 part wheatgerm oil.

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CHILDREN’S HEALTH: FRACTURES

admin — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 09:30:57 +0000

A fracture, a broken bone, and a fractured bone are all terms for the same condition. Since children’s bones are still growing, their fractures are different in some ways from adult fractures -especially in very young children. For example, broken bones heal more quickly in children than in adults. Also, any fracture that heals in a poor position can cause deformity of the fractured bone, but in children, such deformity is sometimes corrected as the bone continues to grow. However, if the poor position of the bone during healing shortens or rotates the bone, further growth of the bone will not correct the deformity. Also certain types of fractures in children (such as fractures through the growing areas called cartilage near both ends of long bones) may stop growth of the bone and cause major deformities.

Signs and symptoms

Deformity of the bone that can be seen or felt is the most obvious sign of a fracture. In many fractures, however, there is no visible deformity. Then you must look for other symptoms of a fracture. There is pain in the area of the fracture, which is aggravated by attempts to move the broken bone. There is tenderness to pressure, which is most severe at the point of the fracture. The fractured part does not function or move normally. There is swelling at the fracture site. Bruising often develops, but sometimes not until days later and often in areas many centimeters from the fracture.

Home care

If you think your child may have a fractured bone, see your doctor. The doctor will properly diagnose and treat the fracture and will give you instructions for caring for the child at home.

Of course, you must take certain precautions immediately after the injury occurs. Protect the injured part of the body and keep it from moving. If the arm or shoulder is fractured, the child will usually hold the arm in the most comfortable position with the other arm. If a leg fracture is suspected, prevent your child from putting weight on the leg. If splinting is required for your child’s arm or leg, a thick newspaper tied around or under the affected area is often the best splint. Once you have immobilized the fractured area in a comfortable position, take the child to your doctor.

If there is any possibility that the spine or neck may be fractured, do not move the child. Call for an ambulance and allow professionals to take the child to a doctor or emergency room.

Precautions

• Do not move an injured limb when applying a splint. Splint a possible fracture in the position you found it in; do not try to straighten it out to make it conform to the splint. • Have a doctor treat possible fractures.

Medical treatment

Your doctor will examine the injury and order X rays. Treatment will largely depend upon what bone is fractured and what the X rays show. If necessary, the doctor will return the fractured bone to its normal position for proper healing. A cast or mechanical pins may be used.

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DEFEATING DISEASE: HEART DISEASE

admin — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 06:15:56 +0000

Nearly half a million guys die from cardiovascular disease each year-more than the next eight leading causes of death combined.

Scary stuff, right? It doesn’t have to be. Quite simply, your cardiovascular system is an amazingly powerful and resilient engineering marvel. Consider the statistics: About the size of two clenched fists, your heart pumps roughly 21,000 gallons of blood a day. In a year, it will beat 3 million times; over 70 years, 2.5 billion times. Stretched end to end, the vessels of your circulatory system-arteries, capillaries, and veins-would measure 60,000 miles. Extremely compact, incredibly reliable, with horsepower to spare. It’s like having a Ferrari engine in a Volkswagen Beetle. If you allow yourself to look like a Volkswagen Beetle.

The main point, experts say, is to take care of your heart and it will take care of you. Abuse it and it will still take care of you-for a while. But let’s face it, even the finest piece of craftsmanship will succumb to abuse over time.

“What you really have to come to grips with is that what you’re putting into your body impacts how your heart and body function. It matters. What you do over the long run matters. How active you are, not one day but over the long run, really matters,” says Alice Lichtenstein, D.Sc, spokesperson for the American Heart Association and associate professor at the Jean Meyer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University in Boston.

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