Tag: Person To Person

Rheumatoid Arthritis Overview

Rheumatoid Arthritis Overview
L. Hirt & eKnowItAll.com

Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory disease that affects your joints. It can cause swelling, stiffness, pain and loss of function in the joints it affects. Unlike other types of arthritis, it does not usually affect just one joint, but the matching joint on the other side of your body as well. The most commonly affected joints are the wrists and fingers. There are several forms of the disease, ranging from a short period of pain lasting for only a year to severe pain that lasts many years or an entire lifetime. SymptomsSymptoms can vary from person to person, but there are several features of the disease that often occur:Tender, swollen and warm joints often in the wrist or fingers Pain affecting the same joints on both sides of your bodyInflammation in other joints such as the knees or hipsProlonged periods of pain and stiffness, after long periods of rest or after waking upOccasional fevers, fatigue, and an overall feeling of not being wellFactors Increasing the Risk of Rheumatoid ArthritisRheumatoid arthritis can be hereditary, and can result from having specific genes that control your immune system. Several genes play a role in whether a person develops the disease, and how severely they are afflicted. Genetics, however, is not the only factor.It is believed that certain events trigger the onset of rheumatoid arthritis in people already susceptible to it because of their genes. The most likely causes are bacterial or viral infections.Women are more likely to develop the disease than men, and their hormone levels may affect the onset of the disease. For example, pregnancy often lessens the severity of the disease, while flare-ups often occur after giving birth.The Basics of Rheumatoid ArthritisJoints, where two bones connect, are normally surrounded by a protective and supportive capsule. The capsule surrounds the joint and the cartilage between the bones. Healthy joints have a lining of a tissue called synovium and produce a fluid that both nourishes and lubricates the bones and cartilage. In people with rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system produces white blood cells that attack the synovium. This causes the inflammation consistent with arthritis, and makes the joint swollen and painful. Once the disease develops, the inflamed synovium actually attacks the joint and its bone and cartilage, working to destroy it. Eventually, the muscles around the joint become too weak to support it properly, causing often severe pain and joint damage. Common TreatmentsNo matter what treatment doctors and patients choose, the goal is always to stop pain and inflammation, prevent further damage to joints and allow the person to function normally.Dealing with the Disease:Splints can be used to support an affected joint, letting it rest. This will reduce swelling and pain. Other simple tools can make daily tasks easier for people with the disease. For example, patients may use special devices to help them get in and out of bed.A healthy blend of rest and exercise is also important. Doctors suggest getting more exercise while the disease is not severe, and getting more rest when attacks flare-up. Exercise improves flexibility, muscle strength, and joint mobility, while also contributing to the patients overall well-being. When resting, it is best to rest for short periods, rather than taking long naps.To reduce the stress involved in coping with the disease, patients can utilize relaxation techniques, regular exercise, and support groups. Eating a balanced diet also contributes to overall well-being.Medication and SurgeryMost people with rheumatoid arthritis take some form of medication. Types include those to relieve pain, to reduce inflammation and to slow the onset of the disease. Common drugs include Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) and aspirins. The most effective treatments often include a combination of more powerful medications.Surgery can be performed to reduce pain and improve joint function and daily life. Common surgeries include joint replacement, tendon reconstruction, and synovectomy, in which doctors remove the inflamed synovial tissue. This is done only as part of other reconstructive surgery.For all patients, regular doctor visits, and routine blood and other laboratory tests are important and should be made on a regular basis. About the Author
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Narcolepsy: The Sleeping Disease

There are over 3 million cases of narcolepsy and is estimated by medical reports that 200,000 Americans, but just under 50,000 are actually officially diagnosed by a doctor. It has been said that it’s widespread like the neurological disease Parkinson’s disorder. This condition is usually recognized in both men and women at any age, yet the symptoms are usually first noticed in teenagers and younger age adults usually in their 20s and early 30s.

It’s been noted that there is a 15-year between the onset and actual diagnosis of the problem, which has contributed to the debilitating features of this particular disorder. Those who deal with narcolepsy have a plethora of cognitive, educational, occupational, and psychological issues that can arise from this problem. The presence of narcolepsy is 1 in 2000 people and is also found in people with diagnosed learning disabilities and currently the treatment options are very limited.

The studies that were conducted for this concluded that this problem is constantly under diagnosed in the general population in society. Some narcoleptics don’t show any signs visibly and the severity of the condition varies from person to person.

This is where medical science has its blunders because of the fact that this condition is so under diagnosed that it’s hard to really get a grasp of the severity of this problem, because it varies in levels from noticeable to barely obvious.

Polysonogram and Multiple Sleep Latency exams are the two tests that are done to give a formal and correct diagnostic approach to the condition and usually this is where the diagnosis presents the level of severity so that it’s properly noted by a specialist to ensure a proper treatment plan for that person. Tests are conducted in two-hour increments to allow the person to sleep and usually the polysonogram test does a continuous test of brain activity when it’s in REM sleep mode when sleep happens at night.

Usually most narcoleptics fall asleep in nighttime sleep mode fairly quickly. There are several methods of treatments for people with narcolepsy and usually it consists of anti-depressants and planned short-timed naps have also been helpful to lower the dependence on medicinal treatments and allowing the body to do what it should be doing naturally. Retraining the body to sleep at a reasonable time has helped those with narcolepsy to recognize sleeping at night and taking short naps during the day so that their body stays alert because a lot of narcoleptics have been putting themselves and others at risk when they fall asleep during their normal work day or even driving or operating machinery.

With the new wave of holistic medicine being readily available to help people with conditions from skin to psychological issues. Narcoleptics can also work with a treatment plan that includes a change in diet and incorporating exercise and taking nutritional supplements and formulas to give someone added nutrition if they’re not getting enough from the food they eat.

Narcolepsy is manageable if you follow the doctor’s instructions and taking medications when you’re supposed to and following therapy plans that are designed for that person to follow to the last detail.

Retin A Acne Scars-Leading Solution For Acne

Retin A is used in the treatment of many different skin problems including common acne. It can help improve the texture of the skin and correct problems with discoloration too. When it comes to Retin A acne scars may be reduced in two ways. The following information will show you how Retin A is used, what it does, how it can help, and potential concerns that you should be aware of.

Retin A is actually a brand name for the generic tretinoin; it is a compound that is directly related to vitamin A. It appears that Retin A amplifies vitamin A’s ability to promote the molecules that compose our skin cells. To put it in more simple terms, Retin A speeds up how quickly new skin cells are formed, and that helps to clear up the skin at a faster pace. New skin growth also means that there will be new elastin and collagen, both of which improve the quality of the skin. In short, with Retin A acne scars start to disappear.

If Retin A is so good at treating acne and acne scars, then why doesn’t everybody use it? As with any other form of medication (Retin A is a topical cream, but requires a prescription) some people experience side effects. Perhaps the most common side effect is skin irritation, which varies in severity from person to person. It can only be prescribed by a doctor, so be sure to follow their instructions precisely. You can often avoid the skin sensitivity issue by starting with a lower dose of the medicine and then gradually increasing it until you reach the dose that works for you.

Another side effect to be aware of is an increased sensitivity to the sun. While you may want to use Retin A to get rid of acne, you don’t want to do further damage to your skin by getting a sunburn. This is easily avoided by trying to stay out of the sun when possible and covering up with clothing and sunscreen when you do go out.

With Retin A acne scars will start to fade, but as new skin is coming in, the existing skin may also be thinned. For that reason, you should never use waxing to remove hair on any part of the body near or being treated with Retin A.

Those are the main side effects, but don’t let them scare you away from getting rid of your acne scars. Not everybody has these side effects, so it’s a viable option for treating acne. The sooner you can get it treated, the less chance you will have of permanent scarring. But if you already have scarring, then Retin A will most likely be able to help with that too.

As mentioned earlier, Retin A can only be prescribed by a doctor, so be sure to have a conversation with your doctor about your treatment options for acne. They may be able to suggest another product, or they may give you ideas for home remedies. Either way, it’s good to know that with Retin A acne scars may be a thing of the past.

Home Herpes Remedies

There are a few herpes remedies that can be used to minimize this painful and often embarrassing condition. However, understanding what herpes is and how it works is also part of what will make the herpes remedies themselves especially useful and worthwhile.

Herpes comes in two forms: Type 1 which will often cause sores around the mouth and lips and occasionally the genitals. Type 2 which causes sores around the genitals. Basically herpes is a virus that is passed from intimate contact but also from simple non-sexual contact. The symptoms are usually flue like and very painful open sores. Once someone has been infected, they have the virus for life, even though the episodes will often wane and disappear, the virus is still there in the body and can still be passed from person to person without even signs of an attack. Therefore it is important that precautions are always taken.

The use of baking soda as a herpes remedy is particularly useful to combat the pain and inconvenience of the open sores and blisters. The first few episodes of herpes can be very painful and vicious and using baking soda to dab on the painful open sores will help to heal the sores over quickly.

Another particularly good everyday foodstuff for herpes remedies is a tea bag particularly an Earl Grey tea bag. A wet and cold Earl Grey tea bag applied to the sores will help to dry them out and heal the sores over. This is because the bag includes tannins which are the active ingredient in quickly healing and drying the skin cells.

Salt too can be used to heal the sores and foster quicker healing. Pour the salt into a warm bath and bathe the affected area with the salty solution. Dab the area dry with a clean towel and then if at all possible, the sores should not be dressed with anything, underwear included, they should be left open to the air to aid speedier healing.

What can also help to sooth the pain of a herpes attack is applying ice to the sore and painful area. The ice should not be applied directly onto the skin, instead place the ice inside a plastic bag or wrap the ice in a towel and apply to the skin that way.

As herpes remedies go, make sure that if you have an herpes attack that you practice good personal hygiene. Avoid the sharing of towels and other personal affects because the virus can be easily passed in this way. Also keep yourself well hydrated, especially good is the drinking of peppermint tea which may help reduce pain and the fever that can come with an attack.