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November 8, 2007

Facts about Osteoporosis You Did Not Know Posted By : Sheila Ffloyd

Filed under: Disease & Illness — webmaster @ 12:13 pm

Osteoporosis is one of the most prevalent conditions facing women today. This disease of the bones is caused by an excessive loss of calcium, resulting in brittle bones that can easily fracture.

Osteoporosis Targets Women



Men can develop osteoporosis, but the disease is most often found in women. Osteoporosis usually occurs after the age of forty, following the onset of menopause. A woman’s body will produce less estrogen as she becomes menopausal. Estrogen helps our bodies to retain calcium, and it is instrumental in keeping bones healthy and strong. That’s why it’s important for post-menopausal women to supplement their calcium intake and retain their bone density.

The rate in which osteoporosis affects women is much higher than the number of men afflicted with the disease. This is partly due to the fact that men usually have a greater bone mass than women. The natural aging process, however, can cause osteoporosis to develop in men as well as women.

If you are a woman of menopausal age, you are in the greatest risk group for developing osteoporosis. Caucasian females appear face a greater risk. Individuals with reduced muscular activity are also prone to osteoporosis. Weight can also be a contributing factor, so those who are underweight, including women with eating disorders such as bulimia and anorexia, may find themselves at greater risk of developing the disease. Family history is another known factor. If osteoporosis runs in your family, you should be making healthy lifestyle changes today to protect you from developing the disease.

Osteoporosis is Hard to Diagnose

Early diagnosis and subsequent preliminary treatments can be tricky, because many people don’t realize they have osteoporosis until they suffer from some kind of injury. It’s not unusual for patients to suffer from a bone fracture before they even realize that they have the disease.

However, changes in modern women’s health care are making it possible to detect the disease in its early stages, and even prevent osteoporosis altogether. New advances in bone scanning make it possible for doctors to test the bone density of their patients. With early detection and treatment, the progress of osteoporosis can be slowed or even stopped before too much damage is done.

Take steps today if you feel that you are at risk for developing osteoporosis. First and foremost, make an appointment to discuss your concerns and symptoms with your doctor or healthcare professional. He or she will ask about your complete medical history, and perform a complete a physical exam. If there are indications that you are at risk of osteoporosis, your doctor should order a blood test to analyze your calcium levels, assess your thyroid level and rule out other forms of arthritis.

Your doctor may also take X-rays to view your bone density. A bone marrow densitometer is a special machine that allows specialists to see inside your bones. It’s an accurate and painless way to measure bone density, and it can help your doctor to determine whether you may be at risk for developing osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis is one of the most common forms of arthritis affecting patients in the United States. Fortunately, increased education and public attention has led to a greater awareness of this potentially crippling condition. Today, more than ever before, women are able to fully understand the importance of preventing osteoporosis, and enjoy access to the best possible treatment options.


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Recurring Yeast Infection Posted By : Brian McQuirk

Filed under: Disease & Illness — webmaster @ 12:13 pm

Recurring Yeast Infection Information For the average, relatively healthy woman, non-recurring yeast infection is a non-imposing, slightly irritating situation that is generally cleared within a week using over-the-counter or homeopathic remedies. Recurring yeast infections or chronic yeast infection is not only annoying but it can also put you at risk of other illnesses like diabetes and chronic urinary tract infection.

Recurring yeast infections are a common problem in diabetics and in those who consume a high sugar diet. When you have more than four infections in a year, you have a condition known as recurring yeast infection. This article will discuss some of the common causes of recurring yeast infection. Birth control is one of the most common causes of recurring yeast infection. Some women have reported that their recurring yeast infection has gotten better after discontinuation of the pill. Another cause of recurring yeast infection is food, especially sugars and sweet treats. If the level of these sugars are not controlled well and allowed to get high, you will likely experience recurring yeast infection.



Moisture trapped around the vagina can also be the cause of recurring yeast infection. One of the last causes of recurring yeast infection is a change in the immune system. Women who have HIV are also at risk for recurring yeast infection. It is also important for recurring yeast infection sufferers to become familiar with the possible causes of their infections. For those with recurring yeast infections, the simple touch, tingle, or pain in the genital or pubic region can be the earliest alarm that the infection has returned. While many patients with recurring yeast infections are eventually placed on prescription medications, medical professionals are reluctant to use this course of treatment because of the possibility of becoming immune to the drug.

It is often suggested that recurring yeast infections be treated by alternating over-the-counter medication for one course, and a prescription for the next. One of the most common prescriptions for stubborn or recurring yeast infections is Diflucan, in varying strengths as needed. When might a recurring yeast infection happen. For example, an individual taking doxycycline or tetracycline for the prevention of acne is at a higher risk for developing recurring yeast infections. The problem with conventional medicine is that it generally does not restore a healthy body ecology, allowing a recurring yeast infection.

Skin infections involving Candida species can become a recurring yeast infection whenever the conditions leading to the infection do not change. If those with recurring yeast infections of the skin do not keep the affected areas clean and dry, even after the infection is treated, recurrences are likely. Perhaps the most severe form of a recurring yeast infection is that which affects the bowels. Candida overgrowth in the colon may not affect the bowel function but, instead, provide a reservoir for recurring yeast infections in other body areas, especially in the urogenital tract.

Cure

A proper diagnosis is very important to ensure you receive the most appropriate and effective treatment to cure your yeast infection. Some products merely relieve the symptoms, and others cure the infection. When choosing the treatment for your yeast infection, select a cure so you have the best chance to eliminate your yeast infection. If you’re treating a yeast infection, you should abstain from sex during the course of the treatment and cure (about seven days). Prescribed medicines may cure yeast infection but if you experience recurring yeast infections don?t ignore it as it may lead to chronic yeast infection.


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Gout Prevention - A Simple Guide Posted By : Mike D Tucker

Filed under: Disease & Illness — webmaster @ 12:13 pm

If you’re seeking relief through gout prevention, then you’ll want to read this article. Specifically we’ll talk about different proven ways to reduce pain from gout through proper dieting. Also, I will give you tips on how to immediately lessen the pain of each attack you may experience for gout. By following this article, you will be well on your way to enjoying quick gout prevention.

Gout occurs when the joints are consistently inflamed. The inflammation of the joints is usually caused by crystal formations which have settled into the joints. These crystals are formed from uric acid. The main source of uric acid comes from purine. Purine is found in every tissue in the body, and is it a vital component of health in the human body. However, too much purine will cause high levels of uric acid to enter into the blood stream. These high levels will not be able to be filtered out of the body properly, and will turn into crystals, and settle into your joints — causing immense pain.



One of the best ways for gout prevention is to alter your diet. This comes from avoiding foods that have high purine in them, and replacing them with foods with lower purine. Typically, foods that are high in protein and saturated fat, are usually high in purine as well. These include red meats, salmon, trout, anchovies, organ meats, chicken, mushrooms, sausages, sardines, herring, alcohol and animal heart tissue.

Foods that are low in purine are fruits, most vegetables, oatmeal, milk and cheeses.

In addition to foods, water increase will help the kidneys filter out Uric acid through your urine. The best sources for these are spring water and filtered water, and freshly juiced fruit drinks. The best fruit drinks are black or wild cherries, because they have specific substances in them that are best known for reducing sudden gout attacks. In fact, many dietitians have recommended drinking a glass of freshly juiced black cherries the moment a gout attack happens.

Dieting is the main way you can go about gout prevention. In addition, certain physicians also prescribe taking medication to help prevent gout. For example, patients who have had an organ transplant, often are prescribed medications to prevent them from suffering from gout.

In conclusion, use this as a starter’s guide to gout prevention. Make the necessary changes in your diet, and consult your physician to ensure your diet is healthy.


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Symptoms Of Yeast Infection In Women - 5 Signs Posted By :

Filed under: Disease & Illness — webmaster @ 12:13 pm

A yeast infection can be itchy, painful and very inconvenient, affecting not only you but the person that you love. If you think you may have a yeast infection, here are 5 signs to look for that can provide further clues about your condition.

What it Is:



A yeast infection is a condition whereby the natural yeasts in your vagina or other areas of your body begin to flourish more than usual due to an imbalance in the delicate ecology of your body. Yeast infections are uncomfortable, unsightly, and can impede normal, healthy sexual activity. The majority (as high as 75%) of the population will contract a yeast infection at least once during their lifetime.

The causes for such imbalance can be many and can include external agents like soaps and perfumes or internal agents like eating excess sugar or excessive moisture. Yeast tends to grow out of control when your body’s pH balance is disrupted or if certain bacteria that normally keep yeast levels to a minimum are destroyed due to an external influence. Yeasts can also grow out of control after being overfed by sugars for people who have excessively sugary diets.

Signs You May be Infected:

You will often become aware of a having a possible yeast infection when you notice intense, persistent itching in your vagina or vulva areas.

Another sign is excessive vaginal dryness. In yeast infection cases, this is caused by the yeast coating the walls of your vagina in such a way that your normal lubrication process is impeded.

Some people with vaginal yeast infections experience vaginal discharge. This is a white, odorless substance that may resemble cottage cheese.

If sexual relations with your partner have become unexplainably painful, this could also be the sign of a yeast infection.

Finally, if you experience a burning feeling during urination, this could be a yeast infection.

Of course, any of these symptoms could also be the sign of other maladies, so it is best to check with your doctor to be sure.

Treatments:

Treatments for yeast infection run the gamut from prescription drugs to natural remedies. A common remedy is Diflucan, an antifungal antibiotic that should only be taken to cure your yeast infection if prescribed by your doctor.

Natural remedies are also readily available for people who want to avoid medications or who are allergic to them. To find one that works, search the Internet for reviews of trusted remedies or ask friends which remedies have worked for them.

If you have any of the signs mentioned above, you could have a yeast infection. There is no need to worry, however: yeast infections occur for millions of women around the world every year. If you do have one, it is best to get treatment right away with a prescription-based or natural remedy.

Given the discomfort and unpleasantness that usually accompanies a yeast infection, it is always a good idea to seek treatment immediately if you suspect or confirm that you have an infection. A yeast infection can not only affect you, it can also affect your partner in terms of impeding your normal relations.


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PCOS - How is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Treated? Posted By : Paul B

Filed under: Disease & Illness — webmaster @ 12:13 pm

Because there is no cure for PCOS, it needs to be managed to prevent problems. According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, treatment is based on the symptoms each patient is having and whether she wants to conceive or needs contraception. Below are descriptions of treatments used for PCOS.

  • Birth control pills: For women who don’t want to become pregnant, birth control pills can regulate menstrual cycles, reduce male hormone levels, and help to clear acne. However, the birth control pill does not cure PCOS. The menstrual cycle will become abnormal again if the pill is stopped. Women may also think about taking a pill that only has progesterone, like Provera, to regulate the menstrual cycle and prevent endometrial problems. But according to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, progesterone alone does not help reduce acne and hair growth.



  • Diabetes Medications: The medicine, Metformin, also called Glucophage, which is used to treat type 2 diabetes, also helps with PCOS symptoms. Metformin affects the way insulin regulates glucose and decreases the testosterone production. Abnormal hair growth will slow down and ovulation may return after a few months of use. According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, these medications will not cause a person to become diabetic.

  • Fertility Medications: The main fertility problem for women with PCOS is the lack of ovulation. Even so, your sperm count should be checked and your spouse’s tubes checked to make sure they are open before fertility medications are used. Clomiphene (pills) and Gonadotropins (shots) can be used to stimulate the ovary to ovulate. PCOS patients are at increased risk for multiple births when using these medications. In vitro Fertilization (IVF) is sometimes recommended to control the chance of having triplets or more. Metformin can be taken with fertility medications and helps to make PCOS women ovulate on lower doses of medication.
  • Medicine for increased hair growth or extra male hormones: If a woman is not trying to get pregnant there are some other medicines that may reduce hair growth. Spironolactone is a blood pressure medicine that has been shown to decrease the male hormone’s effect on hair. Propecia, a medicine taken by men for hair loss, is another medication that blocks this effect. Both of these medicines can affect the development of a male fetus and should not be taken if pregnancy is possible. Other non-medical treatments such as electrolysis or laser hair removal are effective at getting rid of hair. A woman with PCOS can also take hormonal treatment to keep new hair from growing.
  • Surgery: Although it does not recommend as the first course of treatment, surgery called ovarian drilling is available to induce ovulation. The doctor makes a very small incision above or below the navel, and inserts a small instrument that acts like a telescope into the abdomen. This is called laparoscopy. The doctor then punctures the ovary with a small needle carrying an electric current to destroy a small portion of the ovary. This procedure carries a risk of developing scar tissue on the ovary. This surgery can lower male hormone levels and help with ovulation. However, these effects may only last a few months. This treatment does not help with increased hair growth and loss of scalp hair.
  • A healthy weight: Maintaining a healthy weight is another way women can help manage PCOS. Since obesity is common with PCOS, a healthy diet and physical activity help, maintain a healthy weight, which will help the body lower glucose levels, use insulin more efficiently, and may help restore a normal period. Even loss of 10% of her body weight can help make a woman’s cycle more regular.


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