Tag: Medical Conditions

Help Someone Having a Panic Attack

Panic attacks often occur to anyone without warning. So whenever someone had an attack, it is important that you know what to do.

Understand what a panic attack is. A panic attack is a sudden surge of overwhelming fear or anxiety. It is manifested by several signs and symptoms. During an attack, a person experiences increased heartbeat or palpitation, chest pain, hyperventilation or shortness of breath, stomach churning, upset stomach, trembling and shaking, muscle tension, sweating, dizziness and light-headedness, hot or cold flashes, tingling sensation or numbness, fear of dying, going crazy or losing control and feeling detached from the surroundings.

Seek for emergency medical help. It is important to call for a health professional especially if a person experiences an attack for the first time.

Identify the cause of the symptoms. The signs and symptoms of panic attack are similar to medical conditions. Hyperventilation or shortness of breath can be a sign of asthma. Chest pain, increased heartbeat or palpitation and sweating can be a heart attack. Talk to the person and determine if the symptoms are caused by other medical conditions. When in doubt, a health professional will be a great help.

While waiting for help, find the cause of attack. Once it is established that the cause of the symptoms is really a panic attack, find the source of the panic and take the person away from it. Do not make an assumption about what the person needs. A person who is suffering from the attack may know exactly what to do or has medications which will get him through the attack, so it is best to ask.

Don’t surprise the patient. Be predictable with your movements. Do not grab, hold or restrain. Keep him calm and stay calm yourself. Reassure the person that everything is going to be fine but do not dismiss his fear by saying “it’s all in your mind” or “don’t worry about it” or “you are overreacting.” Take note that the fear is very real to the victim so it dismissing the fear has no effect or can even make the matter worse.

Help the patient to control his breathing. Many patients breathe heavily during an attack; others hold their breath. Using deep breathing technique is a very effective way to purge the symptoms of a panic attack as well as calm the patient down. Guide the person and tell him to breathe in for 3 slow counts. Then ask him to hold his breath for 3 slow counts and breathe out for another 3 slow counts. Do this several times until the person is calm. You can also advice him to breathe into a paper bag. This way, he will re-breathe his carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide helps correct the blood acid level that had been disturbed by excessive breathing. But be careful when using paper bags since they may trigger another fear.

Stay with the person throughout his ordeal. Never leave a person especially if he is having difficulty in breathing. Be patient. They may act rude or unfriendly but remember that it is temporary and will go back to normal as soon as the attack is over.

Do not forget that for the patient, the thoughts are real. Reassure him the help is on the way. Never allow the patient to do things that will put his life at risk.

The Benefits of Chiropractic Care

You may have heard that chiropractic care has many benefits, especially when compared to traditional forms of healthcare. Although chiropractic care is increasing in popularity and is being accepted as a valid form of healthcare, as opposed to just alternative medicine, you may wonder about the claims. Are they true? What are the benefits of seeing a chiropractor?

The pain stops. Most patients experience a significant reduction, if not a complete elimination in pain after seeing a chiropractor. It all depends on the individual in question, the source of their problem, and the treatment offered. Those suffering from osteoarthritis are always susceptible to pain, as there is no cure. With that said, therapeutic massages overtime can help relieve the pain. Headaches caused by spinal distortion can be treated with a onetime neck adjustment.

Mobility improves. Chiropractors specialize in helping those in pain and those with decreased mobility. Often times, a joint just needs to be popped into place. This sounds simple enough, but the technical term is a chiropractic adjustment. When the joints are in proper alignment with the spine, they work better. So, patients typically experience an improvement in mobility and movement.

Can treat a wide range of complications that cause pain and discomfort. When it comes to pain and discomfort, we often think of car accidents and sports injuries. Many medical conditions cause pain or discomfort. Arthritis was used as an example above. Additional problems that chiropractic care can treat include sleep difficulties, allergies, scoliosis, earaches, severe menstrual cramps, and headaches.

The symptoms arent masked. When visiting a primary care physician to seek pain relief, most just recommend over-the-counter or prescribed pain pills. These are not a solution. They temporarily mask the problem, not treat it. Chiropractic care is based on the belief that natural care is best. It relies on manual therapy. With the use of the hands, a trained professional cannot only relieve pain, but stop the problem at the source.

Chiropractic care is a form of natural medicine. A chiropractor will not discourage patients from seeking temporary relief from over-the-counter pain products, but the focus is temporary. It should only be used until a chiropractor can see a patient. Also, these professionals do not prescribed medication. Yes, they cannot do so legally, but they do not feel the need to. Treatment and care involves the hands, not unnatural medicines.

Chiropractic care is safe. As previously stated, chiropractic care is a form of natural healthcare. You are not prescribed medications and you will not have your blood drawn. A doctor may use an MRI or an x-ray to diagnose a problem, but that is about it. The hands and the hands alone perform treatment. For that reason, there are no risks of complication, death, or infection. You are not discouraged from seeing your primary care physician for other medical issues, but if it involves pain, discomfort, and difficulty moving, a chiropractor is the safest way to seek treatment.

It is ideal for individuals of all ages. Most primary care physicians suggest medicine, but there are many risk and side effects. This is particularly true for young children and the elderly. Many prescribed medications provide only temporarily relief and they have many side effects. These medications may interact with others, causing additional complications. Since chiropractic care is 100% natural, there are no risks. This means that care is ideal for individuals of all ages, including the young, the elderly and pregnant women.

Chiropractors are well educated and trained professionals. One mistake that people make is thinking they can perform chiropractic care at home. After all, it involves the use of hands and we have them. Yes, this is true, but there are many dangers to performing this care at home, especially with chiropractic adjustments. One wrong move and a lot of damage could result. Chiropractors operating in the United States are trained individuals who have received the proper schooling and undergone the proper tests. Always opt for a Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.), as you get the best and safest level of care.

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Seeking Chiropractic Care: What You Need to Know

Do you suffer from pain, discomfort, or have difficulty moving? Whether that pain is caused by arthritis, an injury, or if you dont know the cause, you may consider chiropractic care. Chiropractic care is a natural way to seek pain relief. With proper treatment, that relief will be long-term and long-lasting. However, if this is your first time seeking chiropractic care, you may have many questions. Continue reading on to get your answers.

Question: What types of conditions can chiropractors treat?

Answer: A wide range. Many are actually surprised to hear that chiropractors treat more than just back pain. This is a common misconception. In actuality, they treat a wide range of medical conditions that result in pain, discomfort, and decreased mobility. They typically treat neuromusculosketal complaints and joint pains in the entire body.

Question: What types of treatments are offered in chiropractic care?

Answer: Many. Although many procedures are performed, two are common. They are adjustments and therapeutic massages. One mistake that many make is believing that they can perform these procedures at home; it is very risky. A chiropractic adjustment is a fine practice that only a few know how to master. Yes, only the hands are used, but precision force is required. The hands manipulate joints to enhance function, improve mobility, and reduce pain. These joints are important to mobility. One wrong move and a person can land themselves in a world of pain.

Question: Is chiropractic care safe?

Answer: Yes. Many are surprised to learn just how safe chiropractic care is. It is actually a lot safer than most traditional forms of medicine. Chiropractors do not prescribe medication. They cannot, but most would not anyways. This is because they believe in natural relief. They also aim for more than just temporary relief, but a permanent solution to the problem. Most primary care physicians mask pain with over-the-counter or prescribed pain pills. This temporarily stops pain, but it will return. On the other hand, chiropractors target the source of the pain and fix it. So, not only is chiropractic care safe, but you get better, longer lasting results.

Question: Do you need a referral before seeing a chiropractor?

Answer: You shouldnt. Many insurance providers do require referrals for specialists, such as surgeons. Although chiropractors do have a specialty, which is natural manual therapy, they are not legally classified as specialists. All states classify them as contact physicians. This means your insurance provider should not require you to have a referral. In fact, chiropractors provide referrals. In cases that they cannot treat, such as a neck fracture, the patient is referred to a qualified surgeon.

Question: Does chiropractic care hurt?

Answer: It shouldnt. If you opt for a certified chiropractor who performs all procedures correctly it should not hurt. The only exception is with a therapeutic massage. If you suffer from arthritis, your joints already hurt. The first couple of touches may result in some discomfort, but that will soon disappear. As for adjustments, they should not hurt. Although chiropractors advise against cracking our knuckles, we have all done it. It is similar. You may hear a popping sound, but will feel no pain.

Question: How do I find a chiropractor?

Answer: You have many options. It is easier to turn to your local phone book. In the yellow pages or the business directory, look under the headings of physicians, or chiropractic care. The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) allows you to search for doctors of chiropractic (D.C.) on their website, located at AmerChiro.org.

Question: Does insurance cover chiropractic care?

Answer: It depends on your insurance company and the coverage plan you selected. A growing number of insurance providers are extending coverage for chiropractic care. Some are doing so at the suggestion of employers and employees. Those in physically demanding professions, such as construction and mail delivery, can benefit from having easy and affordable access to care.

Question: What about those who do not have health insurance?

Answer: If you do not have health insurance, do not avoid seeking chiropractic care. Instead, find a care provider who is willing to work with you. Some will develop affordable payment plans. Some chiropractors also accept credit cards as payment. Although the costs increase with late fees and interest rates, it may be your only way to seek relief.

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Understanding Gilbert’s Disease

Many of us are afraid of having any kinds of diseases. This is because of the very hectic and fast paced lifestyle that people have today. Because of the kind of lifestyle that most people have, one can easily be left behind because of a minor setback like the flu or a cold. There are a lot of viruses that can affect us in all of our surroundings. You could be sitting quietly in your garden when a mosquito suddenly bit you and because of that bite you got infected with malaria. This is just on of the hundreds of real life scenarios that have caused illness to people. But with a little carefulness and a lot of prevention, these situations can be easily avoided. But for other conditions that are hereditary like the Gilberts disease a person can only do so much.

Hereditary medical conditions can be described as a disaster waiting to happen or a bomb waiting to explode. This is because the nature of most hereditary conditions is benign and dormant. A person can go on half their life without them knowing that in a few years they could be suffering horribly. The healing process takes years and it takes a lot of patience and understanding between the families and friends.

The real key to understanding the condition is by understanding the syndrome itself and putting yourself to the pinnacle of caring for your loved one. People with Gilberts disease and other hereditary diseases rarely fully recover from their conditions and some relatives just give up on their family members. Thats the reason why people should be really up to the task of taking care of the afflicted person for almost the rest of their lives.

To better understand the effects and the Gilberts disease a person must know the kind of condition a person afflicted with the disease feels. Commonly Gilberts disease is a common disorder passed down through each generation of families that attacks the way bilirubin is processed by the liver and this offensive against the livers processing may also lead to called jaundice.

Other names that we can call it

In the field of medicine, Gildberts disease comes in many names. Some of which in include Icterus intermittens juvenilis, low-grade chronic hyperbilirubinemia, familial non-hemolytic-non-obstructive jaundice, constitutional liver dysfunctions, unconjugated benign bilirubinemia among others. Although the names of the condition vary, they are all believed to have the same effect and symptoms as Gilberts disease.

Unveiling its causes

Gilberts disease affects up to 10% of some Caucasian populations this means that for every one hundred people ten of them suffer from the disease. The causes of the condition are still a bit of a mystery, one thing that is for sure is that it is hereditary. Signs and symptoms include mild jaundice (this is the yellowing of skin and whites of eyes), and fatigue.

It is really a trying and hard syndrome to over come, some people takes years to notice that they have Gilberts disease, and when they do find out sometimes its too late to be treated. Even though Gilberts disease can change a persons way of life the understanding and the commitment of the family should also be there. For those who might be suffering from this condition, it is best to consult a licensed physician before jumping to any conclusions or before taking in any form of treatment and medication.