Showing posts with label Health Articles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Health Articles. Show all posts

Osteomalacia - Causes, Symptoms and Treatments

Osteomalacia - Causes, Symptoms and Treatments



Osteomalacia, or soft bones, often develops because of a lack of vitamin D. It causes severe bone pain and muscle weakness. In Victorian times the condition often affected children and was called rickets, but today osteomalacia usually affects adults, especially the elderly and/or people of South Asian origin.

The causes of adult osteomalacia are varied, but ultimately result in a vitamin D deficiency:

  • Insufficient nutritional quantities or faulty metabolism of vitamin D or phosphorus
  • Renal tubular acidosis
  • Malnutrition during pregnancy
  • Malabsorption syndrome
  • Hypophosphatemia
  • Chronic renal failure
  • Tumor-induced osteomalacia
  • Long-term anticonvulsant therapy
  • Coeliac disease
  • Cadmium poisoning, Itai-itai disease

Symptoms of osteomalacia can include:
  • pain felt in your bones – usually felt in your legs, groin, knees and feet
  • muscle weakness – usually affects your thighs, shoulders and main trunk of your body
  • back pain
  • pain caused by slight cracks in the bone (partial fractures) – sometimes these cracks can turn into complete breaks (complete fractures)

As the condition gets worse, pain can be felt everywhere and any movement can be painful.

Osteomalacia in adults starts insidiously as aches and pains in the lumbar (lower back) region and thighs, spreading later to the arms and ribs. The pain is symmetrical, non-radiating and is accompanied by sensitivity in the involved bones. Proximal muscles are weak, and there is difficulty in climbing up stairs and getting up from a squatting position.

Due to demineralization bones become less rigid. Physical signs include deformities like triradiate pelvis and lordosis. The patient has a typical "waddling" gait. However, those physical signs may derive from a previous osteomalacial state, since bones do not regain their original shape after they become deformed.

Pathologic fractures due to weight bearing may develop. Most of the time, the only alleged symptom is chronic fatigue, while bone aches are not spontaneous but only revealed by pressure or shocks.

It differs from renal osteodystrophy, where the latter shows hyperphosphatemia.

Patients who have osteomalacia can take vitamin D, calcium, or phosphate supplements, depending on the individual case. For instance, people with intestinal malabsorption (the intestines cannot absorb nutrients or vitamins properly) may need to take larger quantities of vitamin D and calcium.

Other treatments to relieve or correct osteomalacia symptoms may include:
  • Wearing braces to reduce or prevent bone irregularities
  • Surgery to correct bone deformities (in severe cases)
  • Adequate exposure to sunlight

10 Early Signs and Symptoms of Prostate Cancer

10 Early Signs and Symptoms of Prostate Cancer


Prostate cancer is one of the 10 most common diseases that afflict man. Unfortunately, men often are not aware of him until the disease is spread and more difficult to treat. This could be due to too many symptoms. At least, there is a way to recognize the symptoms of prostate cancer. Let us look at the following signs and symptoms:

1. Difficult urination

Could be a feeling of wanting to urinate but nothing comes out, stop when you're urinating, there is still a feeling of wanting to urinate or have to travel frequently to the toilet to urinate due out a little bit. This phenomenon is due to enlargement of the prostate gland is around the urinary tract due to a tumor in it so disturbing voiding process. The prostate gland will be greater with age a person. So check with your doctor to distinguish whether only prostate enlargement or cancer.

2. Pain during urination

This problem is also due to prostate tumors that suppress the urinary tract. However, pain can also be a symptom of prostate infection called prostatitis. It could also be a sign of prostate hyperplasia is not cancerous.

3. Bleeding during urination

These symptoms are rare, but should not be ignored. Immediately see a doctor even if only a little blood ejected, or only faint faint pink. Sometimes a urinary tract infection can also cause these symptoms.

4. Hard erection or sustain an erection

Prostate tumors may cause blood flow to the penis which should increase the time of the erection becomes blocked so hard erection. Could also cause an erection can not ejaculate after. But once again, an enlarged prostate may cause these symptoms.

5. Blood in semen

These symptoms, such as blood in the urine, may arise not so clear. Blood in large quantities and not just cause the color changed to pink. Still worth on alert.

6. Difficult defecation and no other gastrointestinal problems

The prostate gland is located below the bladder and in front of the rectum. As a result, when there is impaired intestinal tumors. But remember, difficult defecation Persistent could also lead to an enlarged prostate gland due to pressure on a continuous basis. Difficult defecation and gastrointestinal disorders may also indicate colon cancer.

7. Continuous pain in the lower back, pelvis or upper thighs

Frequently, prostate cancer spreads in these regions, ie at the lower back, pelvis and hip pain that is difficult to explain in this section can be a sign of disturbance

8. Frequent urination at night

If you often wake up at night more than once just to urinate, check immediately to the doctor.

9. Urine dripping or not strong enough

These symptoms similar to urinary incontinence (wetting). Urine can not be held until slowly out and drip. Or if it was not strong enough flow out.

10. The age of 50 and have risk factors

Because it does not cause symptoms, men who have risk factors should be screened routinely. These risk factors include a family member who had cancer, especially if it's the father, obesity / overweight and smoking is a risk factor for prostate cancer.

Staging of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is a rare tumor arising from the epithelium of the nasopharynx.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is difficult to detect early. That's probably because the nasopharnyx isn't easy to examine and symptoms of nasopharyngeal carcinoma mimic those of other more common conditions.

Three subtypes of NPC are recognized in the World Health Organisation (WHO) classification [20]:

• type 1: squamous cell carcinoma, typically found in the older adult population

• type 2: non-keratinizing carcinoma

• type 3: undifferentiated carcinoma

Possible noticeable symptoms of nasopharyngeal carcinoma include:

  • A lump in your neck caused by a swollen lymph node
  • Blood in your saliva
  • Bloody discharge from your nose
  • Nasal congestion
  • Hearing loss
  • Frequent ear infections
  • Headaches

Staging of Nasophayngeal Carcinoma

Staging of Nasophayngeal Carcinoma is based on clinical and radiologic examination. Most patients present with Stage III or IV disease.

Stage I is a small tumor confined to nasopharynx.

Stage II is a tumor extending in the local area, or that with any evidence of limited neck (nodal) disease.

Stage III is a large tumor with or without neck disease, or a tumor with bilateral neck disease.

Stage IV is a large tumor involving intracranial or infratemporal regions, an extensive neck disease, and/or any distant metastasis.

No sure way exists to prevent nasopharyngeal carcinoma. However, if you're concerned about your risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma, you may consider avoiding habits that have been associated with the disease. For instance, you may choose to cut back on the amount of salt-cured foods you eat or avoid these foods altogether.

Treatment for nasopharyngeal carcinoma usually involves radiation therapy, chemotherapy or a combination of the two. You can work with your doctor to determine the exact approach depending on your particular situation.

Hyperthyroid Crisis (Thyrotoxic Storm) - Self-Care at Home

Hyperthyroid Crisis (Thyrotoxic Storm) - Self-Care at Home



Thyroid storm, also referred to as thyrotoxic crisis, is an acute, life-threatening, hypermetabolic state induced by excessive release of thyroid hormones (THs) in individuals with thyrotoxicosis.

Symptoms of Thyroid Storm

  • Rapid heart beats (palpitations)
  • Greatly increased body temperature
  • Chest pain
  • Shortness of breath
  • Anxiety and irritability
  • Disorientation
  • Increased sweating
  • Weakness
  • Heart failure


Diagnosis of Thyroid Storm

The following tests are usually performed to diagnose thyroid storm:
  • blood cell count,
  • electrolyte levels,
  • blood sugar level,
  • liver function, and
  • thyroid hormone levels.

Investigations of Thyroid Storm
  • Investigations for any underlying precipitant - eg, infection screen.
  • TFTs: elevated T3 and T4 levels, elevated T3 uptake, suppressed TSH levels.
  • Indications of decompensation of homeostasis - eg, renal dysfunction, elevated creatine kinase, electrolyte imbalance (due to dehydration), anaemia, thrombocytopenia, raised white cell count, abnormal LFTs (raised levels of transaminases, lactate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin), hypercalcaemia, hyperglycaemia.
  • ECG.
  • CXR.
  • Arterial blood gases and pH.

Thyroid Storm Self-Care at Home

People experiencing thyroid storm are not able to function normally. Thyroid storm is always a medical emergency. People experiencing symptoms of thyroid storm should be taken to the closest hospital, because thyroid storm is a life-threatening condition.

Glaucoma - Symptoms, Risk Factors and Treatments

Glaucoma - Symptoms, Risk Factors and Treatments

Glaucoma is an eye disease in which the optic nerve is damaged in a characteristic pattern. This can permanently damage vision in the affected eye(s) and lead to blindness if left untreated.

Glaucoma is a disease that steals the sight of people around the world -- and they typically don't even know they have the disease until it has permanently destroyed at least 40 percent of their vision.

Symptoms of Glaucoma

Glaucoma often is called the "silent thief of sight," because most types typically cause no pain and produce no symptoms until noticeable vision loss occurs.

For this reason, glaucoma often progresses undetected until the optic nerve already has been irreversibly damaged, with varying degrees of permanent vision loss.

But with acute angle-closure glaucoma, symptoms that occur suddenly can include blurry vision, halos around lights, intense eye pain, nausea and vomiting. If you have these symptoms, make sure you see an eye care practitioner or visit the emergency room immediately so steps can be taken to prevent permanent vision loss.

Risk Factors of Glaucoma

  • Age over 45 years
  • Family history of glaucoma
  • Black racial ancestry
  • Diabetes
  • History of elevated intraocular pressure
  • Nearsightedness (high degree of myopia), which is the inability to see distant objects clearly
  • History of injury to the eye
  • Use of cortisone (steroids), either in the eye or systemically (orally or injected)
  • Farsightedness (hyperopia), which is seeing distant objects better than close ones (Farsighted people may have narrow drainage angles, which predispose them to acute [sudden] attacks of angle-closure glaucoma.)


Treatments of Glaucoma

Treatment can involve glaucoma surgery, lasers or medication, depending on the severity. Eye drops with medication aimed at lowering IOP usually are tried first to control glaucoma.

Because glaucoma often is painless, people may become careless about strict use of eye drops that can control eye pressure and help prevent permanent eye damage.

In fact, non-compliance with a program of prescribed glaucoma medication is a major reason for blindness caused by glaucoma.

If you find that the eye drops you are using for glaucoma are uncomfortable or inconvenient, never discontinue them without first consulting your eye doctor about a possible alternative therapy.

Emergency Care for Aortic Stenosis

Emergency Care for Aortic Stenosis

Aortic stenosis is the obstruction of blood flow across the aortic valve. The aortic valve has three flaps (cusps). Blood flows through the valve when the left ventricle contracts at the early part of the heartbeat. When the left ventricle relaxes, the aortic valve closes. Then the mitral valve opens to allow more blood into the ventricle ready for the next heartbeat.

The main causes of aortic stenosis include:

  • A birth defect of the aortic valve, which normally has three cusps:
  • An aortic valve that has only one cusp or is otherwise stenotic from birth
  • A bicuspid (two-part) aortic valve with progressive wear and tear
  • Progressive calcification of the aortic valve with age (most common in elderly)
  • Rarely, scarring of the aortic valve caused by Rheumatic Fever

The classic triad of symptoms in patients with aortic stenosis is as follows :
  • Chest pain: Angina pectoris in patients with aortic stenosis is typically precipitated by exertion and relieved by rest
  • Heart failure: Symptoms include paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, orthopnea, dyspnea on exertion, and shortness of breath
  • Syncope: Often occurs upon exertion when systemic vasodilatation in the presence of a fixed forward stroke volume causes the arterial systolic blood pressure to decline

Emergency Care for Aortic Stenosis

A patient presenting with uncontrolled heart failure should be treated supportively with oxygen, cardiac and oximetry monitoring, intravenous access, loop diuretics, nitrates (remembering the potential nitrate sensitivity of patients with aortic stenosis), morphine (as needed and tolerated), and noninvasive or invasive ventilatory support (as indicated). Patients with severe heart failure due to aortic stenosis that is resistant to medical management should be considered for urgent surgery.

How to Get Quality Sleep

How to Get Quality Sleep

Sleep is a routine activity that can rest your mind and soul. But too many of us ignore the hours of sleep. This is due to various factors such as tasks that have been piling up, playing games or browsing the Internet and other activities. Therefore, it is very difficult to get quality sleep for your health. Then, how to get quality sleep ....???

There are so many consequences that can result from reduced hours of sleep you have. Problems with weight, less passionate, troubled heart and body are susceptible to various diseases is the lack of impact of your daily bedtime. Thus the importance of quality sleep tips you should know. Companions, health tips. Here are tips for better sleep quality:

1. Keep doing morning sports activities on a regular basis. This is because, Sports that you do every morning will help you to fall asleep faster at night. So the quality sleep you can get by very easily.

2. Try to create a regular schedule for your sleep every night. By making a night time sleep schedule, then automatically you can get quality sleep easily anyway.

3. Try not to eat foods that are too filling your stomach in while going to sleep. This is because, that too very full stomach will lead to trouble sleeping. A light dinner are strongly advised to make your evening more quality sleep.

4. Try not to carry a cell phone or mobile phone in your bed. So you will not be doing activities like call someone or sms air with someone who can disturb your sleep. So the quality sleep you can easily get away with a cell phone or mobile phone of your bed.

5. Try to turn off your bedroom light before you sleep at night. With the room lights were extinguished will make you sleep more soundly. So the quality sleep you will be able to fulfill.

6. Get to know your habits before bed. So you will be easier to prepare everything to be able to sleep on time and get quality sleep anyway.

7. If you are someone who is always associated with computers, you should turn off your computer when your sleep schedule has arrived. But it is advisable to rest your brain and mind for half an hour before you sleep. So that your mind is more calm and you sleep more soundly and getting quality sleep anyway.

Diagnosis and Pain Management of Herpes zoster

Diagnosis and Pain Management of Herpes zoster


Herpes zoster commonly known as shingles and also known as zona, is a viral disease characterized by a painful skin rash with blisters in a limited area on one side of the body, often in a stripe.

Anyone who has recovered from chickenpox may develop shingles, including children. However, shingles most commonly occurs in people 50 years old or older. The risk of getting shingles increases as a person gets older. People who have medical conditions that keep the immune system from working properly, like cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections, or people who receive drugs that weaken the immune system, such as steroids and drugs given after organ transplantation, are also at greater risk to get shingles.

Shingles usually starts as a rash on one side of the face or body. The rash starts as blisters that scab after three to five days. The rash usually clears within two to four weeks.

Before the rash develops, there is often pain, itching, or tingling in the area where the rash will develop. Other symptoms of shingles can include fever, headache, chills, and upset stomach.

Diagnosis of Herpes zoster

The diagnosis of herpes zoster is usually clinical, with laboratory tests reserved for more atypical cases. The ideal specimen is a swab from the base of burst new vesicles in viral transport
medium. This can be processed for direct fluorescent antibody testing (1–2 hour turnaround time), DNA testing by PCR (turnaround time of one day, but more sensitive especially in older lesions) and
viral culture (takes 1–2 weeks and is less sensitive than PCR). Serology for antibodies to varicella zoster virus usually adds little to the diagnosis and may be falsely negative in early
presentation due to waning IgG antibodies below detectable levels.

Pain Management of Herpes zoster

Treating the pain associated with herpes zoster, particularly in the acute stage, is considered an integral component of management and may have benefits in reducing the severity and incidence of
postherpetic neuralgia. This should follow a stepwise approach based on current Australian guidelines.11 These have been summarised in Table 1. Of note, one double-blind randomised controlled trial showed a reduction in incidence of postherpetic neuralgia at six months by about half with early (within 48 hours of rash
onset) commencement of low-dose amitriptyline 25 mg at night (for 90 days) although caution must be used when treating the elderly.12
Pharmacological management of postherpetic neuralgia follows a similar stepwise approach and may additionally involve the use of gabapentin or pregabalin and topical capsaicin. Transcutaneous
electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) may also be useful.


Reference :

http://www.australianprescriber.com

Risk Factors and Symptoms of Osteoarthritis

Risk Factors and Symptoms of Osteoarthritis


Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. Osteoarthritis is a joint inflammation that results from cartilage degeneration. It causes pain, swelling, and reduced motion in your joints. It can occur in any joint, but usually it affects your hands, knees, hips or spine.

For many, although by no means everyone, arthritis seems to be an inevitable part of the aging process, and there are no signs of long-lasting cures in the immediate future. On the positive side, advances in both conventional medical treatment and alternative therapies make living with arthritis more bearable.

Risk factors of Osteoarthritis include:

  • Older age
  • Having family members with OA
  • Obesity
  • Joint injury or repetitive use (overuse) of joints
  • Joint deformity such as unequal leg length, bowlegs or knocked knees.


The main symptoms of osteoarthritis are:
  • pain (particularly when you’re moving the joint or at the end of the day)
  • stiffness (especially after rest – this usually eases after a minute or so as you get moving)
  • crepitus, a creaking, crunching, grinding sensation when you move the joint
  • hard swellings (caused by osteophytes)
  • soft swellings (caused by extra fluid in the joint)

Other symptoms can include:
  • the joint giving way because your muscles have become weak or the joint structure is less stable
  • the joint not moving as freely or as far as normal
  • the muscles around your joint looking thin or wasted

Reference :

http://www.arthritisresearchuk.org

Symptoms and Prevention of Cardiogenic shock

Symptoms and Prevention of Cardiogenic shock


Cardiogenic shock is a physiologic state in which inadequate tissue perfusion results from cardiac dysfunction, most often systolic. The most common causes are serious heart complications. Many of these occur during or after a heart attack (myocardial infarction).

Cardiogenic shock most commonly occurs as a complication of acute myocardial infarction (MI). It occurs in 7% of patients with ST-segment elevation MI and 3% with non ST-segment elevation MI. It is a medical emergency requiring immediate resuscitation.

Cardiogenic shock can result from the following types of cardiac dysfunction:

  • Systolic dysfunction
  • Diastolic dysfunction
  • Valvular dysfunction
  • Cardiac arrhythmias
  • Coronary artery disease
  • Mechanical complications

Symptoms of Cardiogenic shock
  • Chest pain or pressure
  • Coma
  • Decreased urination
  • Fast breathing
  • Fast pulse
  • Heavy sweating, moist skin
  • Lightheadedness
  • Loss of alertness and ability to concentrate
  • Restlessness, agitation, confusion
  • Shortness of breath
  • Skin that feels cool to the touch
  • Pale skin color or blotchy skin
  • Weak (thready) pulse

Prevention of Cardiogenic shock

Early coronary revascularisation in patients post-myocardial infarction (MI) and adequate treatment of patients with structural heart disease may help to prevent cardiogenic shock.
Better treatment of acute coronary syndrome seems to be reducing the rates of cardiogenic shock.

Reference :

http://www.patient.co.uk
http://emedicine.medscape.com
http://www.nlm.nih.gov

Prevent and Treat Peptic Ulcer Disease Naturally

Prevent and Treat Peptic Ulcer Disease Naturally


Peptic Ulcer Disease is the most common ulcer of an area of the gastrointestinal tract that is usually acidic and thus extremely painful. Four times as many peptic ulcers arise in the duodenum—the first part of the small intestine, just after the stomach—as in the stomach itself.

The main symptom of peptic ulcer is upper abdominal pain which can be dull, sharp, or burning. (Bloating and burping are not symptoms of peptic ulcer, and vomiting, poor appetite, and nausea are uncommon symptoms of peptic ulcer.)

Symptoms of a peptic ulcer can be :

  • abdominal pain, classically epigastric strongly correlated to mealtimes. In case of duodenal ulcers the pain appears about three hours after taking a meal;
  • bloating and abdominal fullness;
  • waterbrash (rush of saliva after an episode of regurgitation to dilute the acid in esophagus - although this is more associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease);
  • nausea, and copious vomiting;
  • loss of appetite and weight loss;
  • hematemesis (vomiting of blood); this can occur due to bleeding directly from a gastric ulcer, or from damage to the esophagus from severe/continuing vomiting.
  • melena (tarry, foul-smelling feces due to oxidized iron from hemoglobin);
  • rarely, an ulcer can lead to a gastric or duodenal perforation, which leads to acute peritonitis. This is extremely painful and requires immediate surgery.

Prevent and Treat Peptic Ulcer Disease Naturally

The best efforts to prevent ulcer disease is to eat on time, that is regular and not excessive, a balanced lifestyle and healthy, hygiene, and avoid stress.

As for treating ulcer disease can naturally use the following herbal ingredients:

The first drug ulcer disease (Avocado)

Ulcer disease, the first drug that is using avocado fruit seeds. To make it, wash the avocado seed, with boiled water, then grated avocado seed and mix 100 cc of boiled water with grated avocado seed before, then strain.

Rules used ulcer drugs:
mild ulcer disease, drinking juice avocado seeds 1 a day;
Chronic ulcer disease, drinking juice avocado seed 2 times a day, morning and evening, until healed.

The second drug ulcer disease (Turmeric)
The second ulcer drug use turmeric herb. To make it, take 2 segment turmeric, then peeled and cleaned, then grated turmeric, add boiled water, and squeeze to take out the juice.

For rules of use, drink twice a day, in the morning before eating and at night before bed.

That prescription natural remedy to overcome ulcer disease, which is down termurun been handed down by our ancestors. Hopefully ulcer disease herbal medicine can help those of you who are experiencing ulcer disease, whether mild, moderate or chronic.

What You Need to Know About Angina Pectoris

What You Need to Know About Angina Pectoris

Angina pectoris is the result of myocardial ischemia caused by an imbalance between myocardial blood supply and oxygen demand.

An episode of angina is not a heart attack. Having angina means you have an increased risk of having a heart attack.

  • A heart attack is when the blood supply to part of the heart is cut off and that part of the muscle dies (infarction).
  • Angina can be a helpful warning sign if it makes the patient seek timely medical help and avoid a heart attack.
  • Prolonged or unchecked angina can lead to a heart attack or increase the risk of having a heart rhythm abnormality. Either of those could lead to sudden death.

People who are at risk of angina are:
  • Men above 55 years old,
  • Women above 65 years old,
  • Obese or overweight,
  • Cigarette smokers,
  • Having high blood pressure,
  • Having high cholesterol levels,
  • Physically inactive,
  • Having kidney disease,
  • Having diabetes mellitus, and
  • Having family history of premature cardiovascular disease (men who suffer from heart disease below the age of 55 or women who suffer from the same disease below 65 year old).

Generally, angina pectoris is recognized in two types:
  • Stable angina is found more often in people. The symptoms of this type occur regularly and are predictable. Usually, people with this type suffer from the chest discomfort during exercise and stress, or after consuming heavy meals. Generally, the symptoms last not more than five minutes and improve when the patient rests or takes medications such as nitroglycerin, amlodipine besylate, or ranolazine.
  • Unstable angina is found less often but more serious than the first type. Unlike the stable one, the occurrence of unstable angina cannot be predicted. The symptoms of this type also tend to be more severe. Unstable angina usually creates more pain and occurs longer and more frequent. Usual medication or resting cannot improve the symptoms. While unstable angina differs from heart attack, it is often noted as the precursor to heart attack.

Your doctor or nurse will examine you and measure your blood pressure. Tests that may be done include:
  • Coronary angiography
  • Coronary risk profile (special blood tests)
  • ECG
  • Exercise tolerance test (stress test or treadmill test)
  • Nuclear medicine (thallium) stress test
  • Stress echocardiogram

Your doctor may give you one or more medicines to help prevent you from having angina.
  • ACE inhibitors to lower blood pressure and protect your heart
  • Beta-blockers to lower heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen use by the heart
  • Calcium channel blockers to relax arteries, lower blood pressure, and reduce strain on the heart
  • Nitrates to help prevent angina
  • Ranolazine (Ranexa) to treat chronic angina

Reference :
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Anemia Effects and How to Overcome

Anemia Effects and How to Overcome

Blood deficiency or anemia is a disease that can strike anyone, anytime. The effects of anemia are inherently different in each person:

  • In adult men: weak, tired, lethargic, and neglect, as well as dizziness, usually accompanied dizzy eyes.
  • In children: anemia can reduce learning ability and concentration, inhibited physical growth, brain development, and increase the risk of infectious disease.
  • In women: anemia lowered immune system so easily hurt, lower work productivity, lowered fitness.
  • In adolescent girls: lower learning ability and concentration, impair growth, so the height is not optimal.
  • In pregnant women: a moment can cause bleeding, or during childbirth, increasing the risk of having a baby with low weight, whereas in patients with severe anemia may cause the death of the pregnant mother and the baby.
Overall, anemia can also result from the body's metabolism is not smooth. This disease can be treated with blood booster drugs, and dietary intake of green, which supports such as soybeans, because the nutrients can make the symptoms of anemia was reduced and then disappeared, this is because the body's immune system may increase again.

Consuming soy on a regular basis can increase the body's metabolism and immunity, because the high levels of isoflavones found in soy beans. Besides soybeans rich in vitamins A, B, E, calcium and phosphorus.

Many ways to enjoy soy beans, with a wide range of processed products, one that I like most of the processed soy is soy milk, which is easily obtained with the cheap but still healthy and definitely delicious.

4 Steps Breathing Relaxation Technique

4 Steps Breathing Relaxation Technique

One of the most powerful ways to relieve tension and bring peace into your being is with breathing relaxation techniques. Working with your breath is effective, convenient, and free. Let's explore how to use the breath to bring a state of deep relaxation, profound peace, and well being into the body.

Step One:

Position: sit up straight, no physical movement, eyes closed. Palms closed and stuck on the thigh.

Breath: breathing techniques combined, normal naturally.

Time: 5-10 minutes.

After sitting upright and slowly closed his eyes, start by loosening all the muscles of your body. Starting from the neck muscles and shoulders, relax slowly. After that try to the other body parts that are still tense.

Begin to explore every part of the body with the mind visualization, from the tip of your toes, slowly climbed up into the crown of the head. Keep your eyes closed to relax.

After the whole body feels loose, limp and comfortable; enjoy that position for a moment and calm breathing, slow rhythm with no arrests at all. Keep your entire body feel good.

Step Two:

Position: sit up straight, no physical movement, eyes closed. Open palms, back of hands flat on your thighs.

Breath: breathing techniques combined, normal naturally.

Time: 5-10 minutes.

Position as you did in Step One, but open palms upward with back of his hand against the thigh.

Feel it with all parts of your body; mood, situation or condition of the room where you are practicing. Once you feel comfortable throughout your body, point the attention to the center of the open palms. Feel the sensation or vibration or anything that happens in the palm of the hand.

Step Three:

Position: standing straight, eyes closed, arms at your sides.

Breath: breathing techniques combined, normal naturally.

Time: 5-10 minutes.

After standing position you feel good and comfortable, place most of your attention on both arms, from the shoulder slowly descend into the upper arm, forearm and elbow until finally palms. Attention to the center of the palm.

After a while you may feel a sensation in the hands or vibrations in the arm and shoulder. Follow only if the vibration or energy is finally lift the arm up slowly, then down again. Stay tuned vibration or other sensations that lifts your arms without muscle power. Raised by itself, not on your willpower.

If you are someone who is less sensitive, so do not feel anything, just keep calm and relaxed. This does not mean you fail or do not benefit from this exercise. Exercise is not just physical, but also if the mind and soul.

Step Four:

Position: standing straight, eyes closed, palms facing each other in front of the chest, but do not touch (there is distance).

Breath: breathing techniques combined, normal naturally.

Time: 5-10 minutes.

Once you are comfortable position, place most of your attention on both arms, from the shoulder, slowly down to the arm, elbow and forearm and then palms. Direct your attention to the center of the palm.

After a while maybe you will feel a sensation or vibration energy in the palm of the hand. When a sensation or vibration energy in the palm of your hand was moving, just follow the movement, do not resist. Take hold of your hand movement without muscle power.

Difference Between Primary Dysmenorrhea and Secondary Dysmenorrhea

Difference Between Primary Dysmenorrhea and Secondary Dysmenorrhea

Dysmenorrhea is the medical term for pain with menstruation. There are two types of dysmenorrhea: "primary" and "secondary". Dysmenorrhea is often defined simply as menstrual pain, or at least menstrual pain that is excessive.

Menstrual pain is often used synonymously with menstrual cramps, but the latter may also refer to menstrual uterine contractions, which are generally of higher strength, duration and frequency than in the rest of the menstrual cycle.

Difference Between Primary Dysmenorrhea and Secondary Dysmenorrhea

Primary dysmenorrhea is common menstrual cramps that are recurrent and are not due to other diseases. Cramps usually begin one to two years after a woman starts getting her period. Primary dysmenorrhea is the most common type of dysmenorrhea, affecting more than 50% of women, and quite severe in about 15%. Primary dysmenorrhea is more likely to affect girls during adolescence. Fortunately for many women, the problem eases as they mature, particularly after a pregnancy. Pain usually begins 1 or 2 days before or when menstrual bleeding starts and is felt in the lower abdomen, back, or thighs and can range from mild to severe. Pain can typically last 12 to 72 hours and can be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and even diarrhea.

Secondary dysmenorrhea is menstrual pain that is generally related to some kind of gynecologic disorder. Secondary dysmenorrhea is pain that is caused by a disorder in the woman's reproductive organs, such as endometriosis, adenomyosis, uterine fibroids, or infection. Most of these disorders can be easily treated with medications or surgery. Secondary dysmenorrhea is more likely to affect women during adulthood. Pain from secondary dysmenorrhea usually begins earlier in the menstrual cycle and lasts longer than common menstrual cramps. The pain is not typically accompanied by nausea, vomiting, fatigue, or diarrhea.

Symptoms of Dysmenorrhea

A medical history and pelvic exam alone may provide enough information for the doctor to determine whether the cramps are caused by primary dysmenorrhea. In primary dysmenorrhea, the pelvic exam is normal between menses. Examination during menses may produce discomfort but no abnormal findings.

In secondary dysmenorrhea, there may be findings on physical exam. Additional tests may include radiologic studies (including ultrasound) and laparoscopy (involves inserting a tiny, flexible lighted tube through a small incision just below the navel to view the internal abdominal and pelvic organs).

Diet to Relieve Symptoms of Hyperemesis Gravidarum

Diet to Relieve Symptoms of Hyperemesis Gravidarum

Hyperemesis gravidarum is extreme, persistent nausea and vomiting during pregnancy that can lead to dehydration. Mild cases are treated with dietary changes, rest and antacids. More severe cases often require a stay in the hospital so that the mother can receive fluid and nutrition through an intravenous line (IV).

Diet to Relieve Symptoms of Hyperemesis Gravidarum

1. Speak to a dietitian about ensuring the nutritional adequacy of your diet during pregnancy and nutrition strategies to improve nausea and vomiting symptoms.

2. Speak to your health care provider about your symptoms and how they affect you. They may recommend a safe and effective medication to treat your nausea and/or vomiting and to prevent the progression of the condition.

3. Eat frequent small meals every two to three hours.

4. Eat dry crackers 15 minutes before getting out of bed in the morning.

5. Try eating cold food rather than hot food (cold foods have less odour).

6. Drink fluids half an hour before a meal or half an hour after a meal. Avoid drinking with your meal to prevent becoming overfull.

7. Drink about eight glasses of liquid during the day to avoid dehydration.

8. Do not skip meals needlessly.

9. Avoid spicy foods.

10. Avoid foods high in fat.

11. Herbal teas containing peppermint or ginger or other ginger-containing beverages may ease nausea.

12. Protein-containing snacks are helpful (e.g. yoghurt and fruit; wholegrain crackers with sliced cheese).

13. Sugar free mineral waters or soda waters can assist in settling nausea.

14. If odours bother you while cooking, try to improve ventilation in your kitchen area.

15. If possible, ask someone to assist you in the preparation of your meal.

Distinguishing between Morning Sickness and Hyperemesis Gravidarum

Distinguishing between Morning Sickness and Hyperemesis Gravidarum

Studies estimate that nausea and vomiting occurs in 50 to 90 per cent of pregnancies. For the majority of cases morning sickness is not a serious condition and it does not place you or your baby at any risk.

Hyperemesis gravidarum is the most severe form of morning sickness a pregnant woman can have. Hyperemesis gravidarum, or severe morning sickness, typically lasts until the 21st week of gestation, but there are cases where pregnant women suffer throughout the pregnancy.

The most severe form of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy is called hyperemesis gravidarum. This condition can place you and your baby at some risk as the nausea and vomiting prevent you from retaining and utilising food and fluids.

Morning Sickness:

1. Nausea sometimes accompanied by vomiting

2. Nausea that subsides at 12 weeks or soon after.

3. Vomiting that does not cause severe dehydration.

4. Vomiting that allows you to keep some food down.


Hyperemesis Gravidarum:

1. Nausea accompanied by severe vomiting.

2. Nausea that does not subside.

3. Vomiting that causes severe dehydration.

4. Vomiting that does not allow you to keep any food down.

The Benefits Of Iron Tablets for Pregnant Women

The Benefits Of Iron Tablets for Pregnant Women



Iron supplements are dietary supplements containing iron that can be prescribed by a doctor for a medical reason, or purchased from a vitamin shop, drug store etc. They are primarily used to treat anemia or other iron deficiencies. There are three ways that an iron supplement can be delivered: orally, intravenously or intramuscularly.

This tablet is needed by pregnant women. Many women have an inadequate level of iron in their system to begin with, and the lack becomes more pronounced during pregnancy.

Iron is very vital for the fetus; it is the only nutrient which the fetus depends totally on the mother for the supply. The average woman cannot depend on diet alone. The demand doubles during pregnancy and so iron supplements are added to compensate for the insufficiency.

Iron-deficiency anemia during pregnancy is linked to an increased risk of preterm delivery and low birth weight. It's also associated with a higher risk of stillbirth or newborn death, so it's something to take seriously.

There are two types of iron, heme and nonheme iron, categorized this way because the former is derived from meat and the other from non-meat sources. Heme iron is more readily absorbed than nonheme iron.

Signs and symptoms of iron deficiency may include brittle nails, swelling or soreness of the tongue, cracks in the sides of the mouth, an enlarged spleen, and frequent infections.

People who have iron-deficiency anemia may have an unusual craving for nonfood items, such as ice, dirt, paint, or starch. This craving is called pica (PI-ka or PE-ka).

Some people who have iron-deficiency anemia develop restless legs syndrome (RLS). RLS is a disorder that causes a strong urge to move the legs. This urge to move often occurs with strange and unpleasant feelings in the legs. People who have RLS often have a hard time sleeping.

Within a week or so after starting treatment, you should be producing a lot of new red blood cells and your hemoglobin level will begin to rise. It usually takes just a couple of months for the anemia to resolve, but your caregiver will likely advise you to continue taking iron supplements for several more months so you can replenish your iron stores.

One more important thing to note: Be vigilant about keeping any pills containing iron in childproof containers and away from children. More kids die from iron overdose each year than from any other kind of accidental drug poisoning. In fact, a single adult dose can poison a small child.

Take your prenatal vitamin and eat a healthy diet that includes plenty of iron-rich foods. Red meat is your best bet, although poultry (dark meat), other meats, and shellfish are good sources, too. Non-animal iron-rich foods include beans, lentils, tofu, raisins, dates, prunes, figs, apricots, potatoes (leave the skin on), broccoli, beets, leafy green vegetables, whole grain breads, nuts and seeds, blackstrap molasses, oatmeal, and iron-fortified cereals. Keep in mind that your body absorbs the iron from animal sources (heme iron) much more readily than the iron from non-animal sources (non-heme iron).

Diet for Patients With Hepatitis

Diet for Patients With Hepatitis

The word hepatitis comes from the Ancient Greek word hepar (root word hepat) meaning 'liver', and the Latin itis meaning inflammation. Hepatitis is a term used to describe inflammation (swelling) of the liver. It can occur as a result of a viral infection or because the liver is exposed to harmful substances such as alcohol.

Someone with hepatitis may:

  • have one of several disorders, including a viral or bacterial infection of the liver
  • have a liver injury caused by a toxin (poison)
  • have liver damage caused by interruption of the organ's normal blood supply
  • be experiencing an attack by his or her own immune system through an autoimmune disorder
  • have experienced abdominal trauma in the area of the liver

Most liver damage is caused by 3 hepatitis viruses, called hepatitis A, B and C. However, hepatitis can also be caused by alcohol and some other toxins and infections, as well as from our own autoimmune process (the body attacks itself).

Initial symptoms of hepatitis caused by infection are similar to the flu and include:
  • muscle and joint pain
  • a high temperature (fever) of 38C (100.4F) or above
  • feeling sick
  • being sick
  • headache
  • occasionally yellowing of the eyes and skin (jaundice)

Symptoms of chronic hepatitis can include:
  • feeling unusually tired all the time
  • depression
  • jaundice
  • a general sense of feeling unwell

Some restrictions to avoid hepatitis patients include:
  • All meals are high in fat like mutton and pork, offal, brains, ice cream, whole milk, cheese, butter / margarine, coconut oil and foods like goulash.
  • Canned food such as sardines and korned.
  • Cake or fatty snacks, such as cake, fried foods, fast food.
  • Raw foods that cause gas, such as sweet potatoes, beans, cabbage, radishes, cucumbers, durian, jackfruit.
  • Stimulating condiments, such as chili, onion, pepper, vinegar, ginger.
  • Beverages containing alcohol and soda.

While good food consumed hepatitis patients:
  • Source of carbohydrate, such as rice, oatmeal, white bread, tubers.
  • Sources of protein include eggs, fish, meat, chicken, tempeh, tofu, green beans, vegetables and fruits that do not cause gas.
  • Foods that contain high carbohydrate and easy to digest such as confectionery, fruit juice, jam, syrup, preserves, and honey.

Most Common Causes of Fatigue

Most Common Causes of Fatigue


Fatigue also referred exhaustion, tiredness, lethargy, languidness, languor, lassitude, and listlessness describes a physical and/or mental state of being tired and weak. Unlike weakness, fatigue can be alleviated by periods of rest. Fatigue can have physical or mental causes.

Physical Fatigue

Physical fatigue is the transient inability of a muscle to maintain optimal physical performance, and is made more severe by intense physical exercise.

Psychological (mental) Fatigue

Mental fatigue is a transient decrease in maximal cognitive performance resulting from prolonged periods of cognitive activity. It can manifest as somnolence, lethargy, or directed attention fatigue.

Most Common Causes of Fatigue

1. Cardiac Problems

If you have problems with the heart, such as coronary artery disease or heart failure, the ability of the heart to supply oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle and the rest of the body will be impaired. This may result in poor exercise tolerance and fatigue.

A sudden change in your exercise tolerance can be an early sign of heart problems such as coronary artery disease. Approximately one third of patients with underlying heart disease have no signs or symptoms (such as chest pain or myocardial infarction). The first sign of any underlying problem in this one third is sudden death. Therefore, it is imperative that you seek further evaluation if you are noticing increased fatigue that is not easily explained.

2. Anemia

A decrease in the amount of oxygen-carrying substance (hemoglobin) found in red blood cells (anemia). This may occur from blood loss related to intestinal bleeding, menstruation, and trauma. Chronic blood loss can result in iron deficiency which is required for the body to maintain appropriate hemoglobin levels required to carry oxygen. Nutritional deficiencies such as Vitamin B12 and folate can also result in anemia.

3. Kidney and Liver Abnormalities

Patients with kidney disease and liver disease have impaired ability to eliminate the waste products of the body. If the level of these chemicals get too high the patient will begin to experience weakness and fatigue.

4. Metabolic Disorders

Patients with metabolic disorders, such as diabetes, have impaired ability to utilize sugar (glucose) which is required to form energy for the body and organs.

5 Thyroid Abnormalities

Abnormalities of the thryoid gland may result in fatigue. It is important to determine if your thyroid gland is performing appropriately. If your gland is underactive you will require thyroid medication to restore your bodies normal levels. This will improve your energy and help with fatigue.

Fatigue may be related to an overactive or high thyroid level (hyperthyroidism). An overactive thyroid requires further evaluation. You may require radioactive ablation to destroy the overactive thyroid tissue. Other options include medication to control the symptoms caused by an overactive thyroid or medication to block the effects of the excess thyroid hormone in your body.

6. Mental Health Problems

Mental health problems can result in fatigue. Patients suffering from anxiety and depression will frequently complain of fatigue. This is an important consideration if no medical explanation for fatigue can be found. Anxiety and depression can also develop in someone with other chronic health problems, so it is important that a thorough evaluation be performed by your health care provider.

7. Chronic Fatigue

Chronic fatigue syndrome is an uncommon cause of severe, persistent fatigue. It is commonly associated with a previous viral infection such as epstein barr virus.