HealthyTips

Senin, 14 Maret 2011

Symptoms & Types

Sneezing, difficulty breathing, cramps, and vomiting–all are allergy symptoms. Learn the types of allergies, specific allergy symptoms, and emergency warning signs.

Symptoms

What Are Typical Allergy Symptoms?

Learn the difference between mild and severe allergy symptoms.

The reaction will depend on the body part involved and the severity of the reaction. Here’s what to look for.

Types

Hay Fever (Allergic Rhinitis)

Alllergic rhinitis, also known as hay fever, is an allergic response to pollen or other microscopic substances.

Hives (Urticaria)

Find out what causes hives and how to treat them.

Poison Ivy and Plant Allergies

Many people think poison ivy is contagious. Find out if that’s true and the best way to prevent poison ivy and other plant allergies.

Bee Sting Allergy

A normal reaction to a bee sting is different from a bee sting allergy. Do you know the difference?

Pet Allergies: What You Can Do

An allergy specialist shares her tips on dealing with pet allergies. And she should know. She has a cat, a dog, and many family members who have dog and cat allergies.

Latex Allergy

Learn about latex allergy symptoms and what to do in case of a severe reaction.

Mold Allergy

Mold is present in most indoor and outdoor spaces, and in many foods. Find out more about mold allergy symptoms and common food sources of mold.

Cosmetic Allergies

Are you allergic to certain cosmetics or makeup?

Drug Allergies

How do you tell the difference between a normal side effect a drug allergy? Find out here.

Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis)

This itchy skin rash, common in children and infants, affects some people all their lives.

Eye Allergies (Allergic Conjunctivitis)

How can you tell the difference between pink eye and eye allergies? Get started here.

Understanding Food Allergies

Do you get a reaction when you eat nuts, shellfish, or other foods? Learn what’s causing those food allergy symptoms.

Milk Allergy

Many unsuspecting products contain milk or milk products. Check our list.

Egg Allergy

If you have an egg allergy, check this food list for potential problems.

Nut Allergy

A nut allergy can become very serious, even fatal, rapidly. This food list will help you identify potential problems.

Fish Allergy

Some unexpected foods contain fish. If you’ve got a fish allergy, these tips will help keep you safe.

Shellfish Allergy

For most people with shellfish allergies, all shellfish must be avoided. Check out this list to learn which foods to avoid.

Soy Allergy

This allergy is most common among infants. By age two, the majority of children outgrow it. Find out more about the symptoms and how to avoid soy products.

Sun Allergy

Learn more about photosensitivity – an allergic response to sunlight.

Wheat Allergy

Knowing which ingredients to look for is key to avoiding a wheat allergy. Check this list for unsuspected products that contain wheat.

Aspirin Allergy (Salicylate Allergy)

How to recognize and treat salicylate allergy, or aspirin allergy.

Sulfite Allergy

About 1% of people have a sulfite allergy. This article has a list of foods that may contain sulfites.

Fall Allergies

Learn more about what triggers allergies in the fall season.

Warning Signs

Severe Allergies

A severe allergic reaction can be life-threatening. Learn more about the reaction called anaphylaxis so you can be prepared.

Complications

Allergies and Asthma

Allergies are a main trigger for asthma attacks. See what an asthma attack looks like in the lungs and learn the early warning signs.

How can you tell if your child’s allergies are causing asthma? Find out how to spot the symptoms and learn how asthma is treated in children.

Sinus Infection (Sinusitis)

Hay fever allergies can cause sinus blockage and infection. Learn how to spot sinus infection symptoms and how to treat the problem.

Assess Your Allergy Symptoms

How bad are your allergy problems? Find out with WebMD's Allergy and Sinus Health Check.

Rabu, 23 Februari 2011

No doubt, a person that snores will feel a certain sense of guilt about his habit and would thus welcome any tips to stop snoring.

You need not worry too much as there is plenty of information available on getting tips to stop snoring. The internet is a storehouse of information and all you need to do is search for ‘tips to stop snoring’ and you will find many possible solutions. There is sure to be much useful information that will start you on the road to having better sleep at night.

Pillows
Of course, how you use these tips to stop snoring will also determine their effectiveness as success will vary from individual to individual. Perhaps the simplest tip to stop snoring is to keep your head elevated while sleeping, and this can be achieved by sleeping with many pillows, or using thick pillows. You may also want to sleep on your side rather than on your back as this simple tip to stop snoring will prove it effective in preventing you from snoring.

Drugs
Another tip to stop snoring that is to your advantage, but it may not be to your liking is to reduce the amount of alcohol that you consume, especially before sleep time. In addition, you should also abstain from taking sleeping pills, tranquilizers as well as antihistamines immediately prior to turning in for the night. These preventive measures will help prevent your muscles from relaxing and thus not cause your air passage to be constrained.

Dairy
If these tips to stop snoring are not enough, you should try another tip which advises against your consuming dairy products immediately prior to going to bed as they are a source for building up of mucus, which will result in your snoring at night.

Since there are so many tips to stop snoring, it is no surprise how it has become such a big industry that caters to the millions of snorers in all parts of the world. There are anti-snoring pills as well as professionals who can be consulted to overcome this problem. Your best bet would be to experiment with the various pieces of advice that come your way and settle for the one that best suits your needs as well as puts an end to your snoring in an effective as well as economical manner.

Sabtu, 08 Januari 2011

ANEMIA

ANEMIA

Picture of Red Blood Cells

(Aplastic, hemolytic, iron deficiency and pernicious anemias)

There are many forms of anemia, the most common blood disorder. All are marked by abnormalities in the number or function of red blood cells or erythrocytes. These blood cells get their red colour from hemoglobin, an iron rich substance that carries oxygen.

The prevalent cause of anemia are malnutrition, metabolic defects, certain drugs, environmental toxins, excessive blood loss and cancer and various other diseases.

Diagnostic Studies and Procedures

All types of anemia produce weakness and fatigue, skin pallor, shortness of breath and palpitations but accurate diagnosis requires blood analyses, starting with a complete blood count or CCBC, in which the various cells in a specific amount of blood are counted with the aid of a microscope. While counting the cells, a lab technician will also look for abnornalities in their shape, size, colour and distribution.

For some anemias, diagnosis also requires analysis of bone marrow, which is obtained by aspiration with a hollow needle. In the United States, the common types of anemia are:

Iron deficiency anemia, the most prevalent, results when the body lacks enough iron to make hemoglobin. This can be caused by inadequate diet, an intestinal disorder or excessive blood loss, usually through heavy menstrual periods or other chronic bleeding.

Aplastic anemia occurs when the bone marrow cannot make enough of certain blood cell-red, white or platelets even though the ones produced are generally normal. Possible causes of aplastic anemia are a hereditary defect or a thymus gland tumor. Exposure to radiation and certain chemicals, including arsenic, benzene and some pesticides, may be implicated as well as anticancer drugs and some antibiotic. The condition may also develop following infections with a number of viruses. In about half of all cases however, a cause cannot be found.

Folic acid deficiency anemia almost always results from a deficiency of this B vitamin, which is needed to make hemoglobin. This anemia is especially common in alcoholics; less often, it is due to an intestinal disorder.

Hemolytic anemia occurs when red blood cells are destroyed faster than the body can produce new ones. Sometimes this is due to an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the red blood cells.

Pernicious anemia is caused by a deficiency of vitamin B12, usually when the stomach fails to produce intrinsic factor, a substance needed to absorb the vitamin into the bloodstream.

Medical Treatments

Iron deficiency anemia responds generally to iron pills and an increased intake of iron-rich foods, especially liver and lean red meats. Other good sources of iron are whole grains, dark green vegetables and legumes because chemicals in certain foods inhibit iron absorption, they should not be taken at the same meal with iron-rich foods. Included are dairy products, nuts, tea and coffee. Citrus fruits on the other hand, enhance iron absorption. In severe cases of iron deficiency anemia, involving major blood loss, a transfusion may be necessary.

Aplastic anemia caused by radiation, drugs or industrial chemicals is treated with transfussion until the bone marrow can resume its normal function. In recent years, bone marrow transplantation in which the patient’s marrow is destroyed and replaced with healthy marrow from a donor, has cured some cases, especially in patients under age thirty (30). Another relatively new treatment consists of injections of equine antithymocyte globulin (ATG), a substance obtained from horse serum. This approach has helped about 60 percent of patients. Alternatively, cyclosporine – a drug that suppresses the immune system may be used.

Folic asid deficiency anemia is treated with vitamin supplements and an increased intake of organ meats, raw fruits and vegetables. If intestinal absorption is the problem, folic asid must be given by injection.

Hemolytic anemia caused by medication can be treated by withdrawing it. If an autoimmune disorder is at fault, corticosteroids or other drugs to suppress the immune system are prescribed. In some cases, removal of the spleen, which destroyed red blood cells, cures the problem. Transfusions are sometimes necessary.

Pernicious anemia is treated with vitamin B12 injections. Initially the shots are given at least weekly. As the body’s vitamin B12 stored are replenished, monthly injections suffice.

Alternative Therapies

Anemia is a serious condition that does not lend itself to alternative therapies. In some cases, however, they maybe useful adjuncts to medical treatment.

Herbal medicine.

Dandelion tea and wine are ancient herbal remedies for anemia, especially if it’s due to iron deficiency. Brewing the tea or wine in a cast-iron pot increases the iron content. Using cast iron cookware to prepare acidic foods such as tomato sauce also adds significant iron to the diet.

Self-Treatment

Self diagnosis and treatment of anemia are potentially dangerous. By all means, consume a healthful, balanced diet but don’t resort to taking iron pills and other supplements without consulting a doctor first. Too much iron damages the liver, heart and other organs.

Other Causes of Anemia

Genetic disorders such as sickle cell disease and cooley’s anemia can cause abnormal red cells. A severe infestation of hookworms or other intestinal parasite can lead to anemia.

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