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Лечение аллергии-Allergy treatment

Течение болезни.

ПЫЛЬЦЕВАЯ АЛЛЕРГИЯ: ПЕРИОДЫ ТЕЧЕНИЯ БОЛЕЗНИ

В течении обострения пыльцевой аллергии клиницисты и ученые-аллергологи выделяют следующие периоды: начальный, период катаральных явлений, астматический, период выздоровления.

Начальный период (кратковременный по продолжительности) характеризуется общими расстройствами: недомоганием, утомляемостью, слабостью, потливостью, субфебрильной лихорадкой (лихорадка, при которой температура тела не поднимается выше 38оС). Иногда этот период может отсутствовать, и тогда заболевание начинается сразу со второго или третьего периода.

Период катаральных явлений по длительности редко превышает неделю и характеризуется прогрессирующим развитием симптомов первого периода, к которым присоединяются катаральные явления со стороны верхних дыхательных путей и глаз (трахеобронхит, ринит и конъюнктивит).

Астматический период является наиболее тяжелым этапом болезни. Продолжительность его в основном зависит от длительности цветения растения, виновного в возникновении болезни; она колеблется от 2-3 дней весной и до 3-5 недель осенью. Астматические явления в этом периоде протекают в виде чистой астмы или в виде астматического бронхита, или в виде полной картины бронхиальной астмы. Приступы пыльцевой астмы развиваются остро и протекают крайне тяжело, особенно у больных, сенсибилизированных к пыльце амброзии.

OLD PEOPLE AND SOCIETY: PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS

Old age is, and must be seen to be by society, a success story. The fact that the elderly are more prone to lots of different illnesses should not detract from this. Most elderly people live completely fit and independent lives. For those that do fall ill much can be done, and for most the condition can be cured or substantially alleviated.
Chronic conditions by their very nature will always be with the elderly in one form or another. To accept this fact as inevitably leading to dependence is wrong. Active rehabilitation can postpone dependence indefinitely, remembering that dependence in old age is not due to old age but to ill health. The aim must be to envisage old age as a time of enjoyment, with health problems tackled as vigorously as in the young. There will always be some for whom early and accurate diagnosis, full treatment and rehabilitation will be insufficient and in whom the underlying disease process will continue. This is certainly true of Alzheimer’s dementia. However there is some evidence that a caring environment accompanied by techniques such as reality orientation can postpone further rapid deterioration so that the disease only progresses gradually, leaving most sufferers a good quality of life for many years.
It is to be hoped that, with continuing public and professional education, ‘ageism’ in all areas diminishes. It is morally wrong and financially absurd to spend vast sums of money on a large group of people at the end of their disease process, placing them in institutions instead of ensuring prevention and early detection of disease. The old have as valid and worthy a stake in preventive medicine as any other age group. The pendulum has a long way to swing before the elderly receive the same kind of publicity associated with, say, child immunization projects, child abuse, AIDS, smoking, etc. All are important. Why are the elderly less important than others?
Parts of this awareness and consciousness-raising of health issues in the elderly will inevitably lead to more preventive work and early recognition of diseases by the primary health care team – GPs, nurses, health visitors, etc. This means that all health care professionals will have to keep abreast of current developments in all fields of health care in the elderly. The GP is a vital and powerful gatekeeper when it comes to the early detection and treatment of ill health in old age; this is especially the case in confusional states, where delay in diagnosis can be disastrous.
Education concerning health matters is needed not only at all professional levels but also in the lay press. If glossy magazines were to publish as many articles on the early recognition of conditions that may cause confusional states or other medical conditions common in the elderly as they do articles on how to detect breast lumps, they may well increase their circulation. They would also provide insight and knowledge to at least three generations of women instead of the one or two generations they aim at now – the children and grandchildren of our current elderly.
For many the present and future dilemma is how to cope with a relative with dementia. To cope adequately a carer must understand the condition and how it may progress. It means knowing what to do in certain circumstances and where to go for practical help, advice and support. It means having a network of both professional and informal help, of not coping with the burden alone. Coping means knowing the law, getting the entitlements and most importantly it means understanding the system to get the information, the help and the support.
The caring continues as it always has done – there appears to be no decline in these acts of self-sacrifice. And it will continue as long as the carers are met at least halfway by the state. The provision of fundamental information and practical help with the caring role, and support during emotional strain, family upheavals, etc., can come from both statutory and voluntary concerns. The statutory sector, however, cannot shirk its responsibilities and expect the voluntary sector to pick up all the pieces. The role of the carer and all its implications have to be publicly recognized by the state and due credit given. Financial help must be widened and increased, because the caring performed by individuals is not only beyond price; it is beyond the capabilities of any health service to match, no matter how that service is funded.
For too long the care of the elderly in all aspects has been known as a Cinderella specialty. It is time for Cinders to go to the ball and for the clock to remain perpetually at one minute to midnight. Fairy godmothers may be a bit hard to come by, but dedication, commitment and a pride in the work is available in abundance.
The medical and social difficulties associated with old age will not go away; indeed they will increase. We know the problems and we have the solutions. All that is needed is the social and political commitment and then perhaps most of us will have a happier old age.
*97/128/5*

Pharmacy Online

MEDICARE REBATE AND MEDICARE SCHEDULE FEE

Medicare Rebate
The Medicare rebate is 85 per cent of the Medicare Schedule Fee. When doctors bulk bill this is the percentage of the Schedule Fee that they receive. Patients also receive this proportion of the Schedule Fee when they pay their medical bills prior to the receipt of a Medicare Rebate. The fee the doctor charges for a patient may be much higher than the Schedule Fee and therefore much higher again than the Medicare Rebate. Why the government chooses to say a doctor’s service is worth the Schedule Fee; and then proceed to rebate 15 per cent less has never been adequately explained to either doctors or their patients.
Medicare Schedule Fee
The Medicare Schedule Fee is a value derived by public servants in Canberra. It is a unilateral determination calculated without consultation with either the public; or the medical profession. Because it is a determination made by government looking over its shoulder at fiscal policy the Schedule does not necessarily represent the real value of medical services it purports to reimburse.
Irrespective of the extent to which the Schedule Fee represents the market value of a doctor’s services, it has been used in conjunction with bulk billing to gain control of general practitioners incomes. In so far as he who pays the piper calls the tune the Federal Government now has defacto control of most general practitioner’s and some procedural specialist’s incomes; whilst the market place still controls their expenditure.
Institutionalized in this way there can be no end to conflict between the Federal Government and the medical profession. This state of affairs serves poorly the best interests of Australia’s sick and suffering. It is the thin edge of increased waiting times, rationing of services and arbitrary inroads into the nations health expenditure at the whim of party political purposes.
*96/131/5*

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CHILD’S DISORDERS: SWALLOWING DIFFICULTY (DYSPHAGIA)

Cause

If your child has trouble swallowing food or liquids it is most likely to be due to a sore throat, mouth infection or ulcer. Avoid giving him spicy or sour foods, and offer purees and soups instead of solid food which requires a lot of chewing. Ice blocks are often well tolerated, as are jellies. Swallowing difficulty may be associated with a serious underlying condition such as a weakness of the sphincter between the oesophagus and the stomach.

When to see your doctor immediately

• if your child is having difficulty breathing;

• if you suspect that he has swallowed or breathed in a foreign object;

• if your child is unable to swallow anything at all;

• if you suspect that your child has drunk some household chemical;

• if you suspect that your child has been stung or bitten by some insect.

You should also see your doctor if your child has a fever and is generally unwell for no apparent reason.

*241\90\8*

SEXUALITY, ILLNESS AND HEALTH/SEX AND CELL DISEASE (CANCER): TESTICULAR ANCER

Here some ideas regarding testicular cancer and sexuality. Most apply to cancer of the prostate as well.

1. Some, but not all, surgery may directly affect ejaculatory capacity. Remember, this surgery does not mean loss of psychasm or even loss of orgasmic contractions. There may be a loss of the ejaculatory fluid, but this loss has no impact on sexual capacity.

2. The type of rumor will determine actual physiological outcome. If their particular type of surgery affects fertility, some patients decide to freeze some of their sperm prior to surgery so they may decide to have children after. Many types of surgery do not affect fertility.

3. There is no loss of erection that accompanies testicular cancer treatment. Sometimes, prostatic cancer surgery affects erective reflex to varying degrees. Of course, anxiety, depression, and other emotions will affect your body, and that can affect blood flow to the penis.

4. Some patients report a diminished interest, arousal, or desire and other impact on their sexual-response system. If such states persist, ask your doctor about a serum-testosterone test to be sure your hormone levels an, within the appropriate range.

5. Short-term therapy, education, and reassurance can go a long way in pn>. venting or correcting the emotional setback that may come with this type of cell disease. Again, hire somebody who will work with you on this specific problem.

6. Even though we talk about cancer as a curse and call persons with over-growing cells «cancer victims,» sexual activity does not cause cancer, it does not directly cause any form of disease, even though intimacy can transmit some diseases. Guilt will only slow the healing process. Self, blame will only get in the way of a return to intimacy.

7. Loss of ejaculate or reduction of fertility due to the drugs or radiation used in treatment does not decrease virility or manhood. Remember our fourth perspective in all of this. Sex is not a measure of anything, it is a response growing from within a system of interaction between two people. Cutting anything on the body does not have to cut off sex.

*277\97\8*

YOUR MARITAL HEALTH/SEXUALITY FROM ANOTHER PERSPECTIVE: THE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING HUMAN SEXUALITY

Here are fourteen of the assumptions regarding human sexuality. In each case, I have altered the assumption from the fourth perspective to illustrate this orientation to sexuality.

1.    Intercourse is the ultimate sexual act between a man and woman,

and intercourse means insertion of the penis into the vagina.

Anything less than penetration is not really intercourse.

FOURTH PERSPECTIVE: Intercourse with the penis inside the vagina is not the ultimate intimate sexual act, but one option among many intimate choices. When it becomes the ultimate act, we miss opportunities for forms of intimacy that involve equally intense pleasure and sharing and we become goal-directed and one-dimensional in our sexuality.

2.    Men are the «inserters» and women are «receivers» in sexual

intercourse.

FOURTH PERSPECTIVE: A more productive orientation to sexual intercourse and all sexual interaction is one of «merging» rather than «penetration,» of doing with and together rather than to or for.

3.    Genital contractions are orgasm.

FOURTH PERSPECTIVE: Genital contractions following sexual stimulation are pleasurable reflexes. The total experience of physical, emotional, and cognitive merging with someone we love is called a’ ‘psychasm,» and may or may not be accompanied by genital or pelvic contractions.

4.    Orgasm is the measure of sexual fulfillment.

FOURTH PERSPECTIVE: The number of orgasms is related to the number of neuromuscular responses to genital stimulation. Sexual fulfillment is a more complex interpersonal process involving all levels of human responsiveness.

5.    Women have more trouble having orgasm than men.

FOURTH PERSPECTIVE: There is no evidence that pelvic reflex is related to gender, but expectations can influence physiological responsiveness.

6.    Women respond sexually more slowly than do men.

FOURTH PERSPECTIVE: «Speed» and «time» are not the key variables in sexual response, and mental, emotional, and cognitive factors are person-, not gender-, related.

7.    Men have a refractory period and a period during which they

must rest before continuing. Women can go on forever.

FOURTH PERSPECTIVE: All neurological responses are followed by some period of refraction or rest. Gender is not predictive of the length of this rest period.

*104\97\8*

THE JOY OF PERFECT HEALTH: BACTERIA

Most of us, (including most doctors and medical scientists) are kept unaware that the «bacteria» theory of disease is simply NOT true, and there is evidence, that Pasteur himself has falsified his own records to advance his own career. Among the most important things Pasteur did not report are:

• All bacteria can very quickly change according to their environment, not only from generation to generation, but in a single lifetime. This means that a simple change of conditions (bacteria food supply) can create a new type of bacteria in a few minutes! Friendly acidophilus in our intestines could quickly become any other bacteria – if its environment changes. Any particular bacterium can become any other bacterium and revert back again, if the conditions (food supply) change.

• Bacteria need food to survive and multiply. No food -no bacteria. Bacteria can only feed on dead organic matter. (There is no bacteria known to eat any living cells). If the organism does not provide the necessary conditions for bacteria to multiply (there is no dead organic matter and toxins) such an organism is not susceptible to bacteria invasion and it does not get sick at all. Therefore, if you inject bacteria to induce a disease – only 40-60 % of the weakest organisms will develop a disease and among those who do, there will be several types of different symptoms {different diseases), depending on the particular combination of pre-existing conditions for each individual organism.

• Given time, bacteria can learn and adapt themselves to extreme conditions, by entering into a hidden state, undetectable by conventional types of microscopes. When you restore favourable conditions (food supply) once more, bacteria appears and starts multiplying again. In modern medicine such bacteria are known as «drug resistant».

*3\96\8*

KIDNEY STONES – EFFECT OF DIFFERENT STONES

In the same way, infection, producing clumps of bacteria and pus, may allow stones to form as the salts are precipitated out of solution.

Obstruction to the free flow of urine always leads to infection and may cause stones. Changes in the pH of urine, making it more acid or alkaline, can also lead to the precipitation of salts.

Prolonged immobilisation, such as can occur with a person laid up in traction for a broken bone or in paraplegics and quadriplegics, can lead to the demineralisation of bone.

Calcium comes out of the bone and is excreted through the kidneys. This excess calcium can form stones.

Calculi may be made of different chemicals, sometimes from a combination of two or more substances.

Calcium oxalate stones are usually rough with sharp projections and, because these irritate the lining of the kidney and cause pain and bleeding, are usually detected while still small.

Calcium phosphate stones, on the other hand, are smooth and may grow to a large size without detection. They may fill the pelvis or collecting chamber of the kidney and project into pockets of the kidney substance.

*470/71/1*

BACKACHE – DESCRIPTION

A lateral process projects from either side.

Between two vertebrae is the intervertebral disc and it is this structure which is believed to cause most back problems.

The disc consists of an inner core of thick fluid, surrounded by tough fibroelastic cartilage arranged with interwoven strands.

From the late teens, the disc starts to degenerate — the inner core loses its fluid and becomes smaller and firmer, and the elastic tissue is subject to strain and may develop splits.

Whether the backache is due to normal degeneration or to injury is important not only to the sufferer and his doctor, but also to industry, insurance companies and the law, as most severe back conditions result in workers’ compensation claims.

It is this lack of agreement and lack of full knowledge of the pathology underlying the condition which leads to disagreements about treatment.

Backache may be the result of muscle strain or tearing or may come from injury or strain to ligaments or joints but it is now believed most back problems stem from a disorder of the disc.

*215/71/1*

SYMPTOMS, HOME CARE AND TREATMENT OF CHILDREN’S HIVES

Signs and symptoms

Hives appear as itchy, red, raised welts that can range in size from 5 millimeters to several centimeters across. The most noticeable characteristic of hives is that they change appearance rapidly – they come and go and change in size from one hour to the next. No other type of rash has these same characteristics, so you can be pretty sure that any welts that itch and change appearance rapidly are hives.

Sometimes an insect bite looks like a hive at the point of a bite; however, it does not come and go as rapidly. Hives that are triggered by an allergic reaction to an insect bite appear at sites distant from the bite itself. Hives can also accompany allergic arthritis, which is signaled by stiff, swollen, red joints.

The form of hives known as erythema multiforme appears as welts that look like red targets of different sizes painted on the skin.

You can sometimes pinpoint the cause of your child’s hives by considering his or her activities in the minutes or hours before the hives appeared.

Home care

Unless the child has been given medication with instructions to take it when the hives recur, home treatment of hives should be confined to measures to relieve the itching. Cold water compresses, calamine lotion, and corn flour baths may help make the child more comfortable. Frequent or repeated cases of hives require medical attention. Also, if the child has been given medication but the medication fails to relieve the symptoms, you should call the doctor.

Precautions

• If hives appear on the tongue, make the child cough, or cause difficulty in breathing or swallowing, see your doctor immediately.

• If hives are accompanied by fever see your doctor to rule out a strep infection.

• If antihistamines don’t help relieve a case of hives, telephone your doctor for advice.

Medical treatment

When your child has hives the doctor may administer epinephrine to reduce the intensity of the outbreak and then prescribe antihistamines to be taken by mouth. If the hives recur and it’s not possible to pinpoint the cause, the doctor may order skin tests or refer the child to an allergy specialist. The doctor may also order a throat culture to check for strep infection. If the child shows symptoms of arthritis, tests are necessary to confirm or rule out that possibility. If the hives are caused by an allergy to the venom released in an insect bite, the doctor may suggest a long-term course of injections to decrease the child’s sensitivity to the venom; these shots may be given over a period of years. In the case of an allergy of this type, the child may also be given medication and instructed to take it if he or she gets bitten.

*117/84/5*

SELF-HELP PREVENTION: DENTURE PROBLEMS

What are they?

There are many problems connected with wearing dentures, many of which are related to the fact that they are not nearly as stable as natural teeth. Advertisements suggest that denture fixatives are the answer and they certainly do work, but even the best false teeth are clumsy and cannot match up to natural teeth. Surveys have found that between 15 and 45 per cent of denture wearers are unhappy with them, and that 20 million people wear dentures in the US alone. This amounts to a very large number of individuals worldwide. One study found that about 30 per cent of denture wearers thought they needed refitting, or that they needed new dentures.

What causes them?

Some problems with dentures are inevitable because they are not fixed structures like natural teeth. They are only as good as the bony ridge or foundation on which they sit. In a fair percentage of denture wearers the bony ridge shrinks away. As this happens the dentures fit less and less well. This bone loss can be prevented.

Prevention

• Take more calcium. One study of people with denture problems found that those with good underlying bone were consuming about 900 mg calcium a day and that those who had jawbone problems were getting only about 500 mg calcium. Another trial looked at dummy tablets versus vitamin D (which helps with calcium absorption and better bone formation) for jawbone loss. After a year those taking the supplemental calcium had lost 34 per cent less bone from their upper jaws and 39 per cent less from their lower jaws than had the un-supplemented group. This study also found that the ratio of calcium to phosphorus the person consumed was important too. As levels of phosphorus rose jawbone resorption speeded up. The ideal ratio of calcium to phosphorus is 1:1. In red meat, though, there is twenty times too much phosphorus and in refined cereal products six times too much. They found that meat, bread and potato eaters experienced more of this bone loss than did other people. Also, soft drinks contain lots of phosphorus. Even teenage girls have been found to have started losing bone abnormally as a result of their soft-drink intake. This study recommended taking Dolomite, a phosphorus-free calcium and magnesium supplement. It can be bought at health-food shops and chemists. All of this is interesting even to those of us who still have our teeth, because the breakdown of tooth support is seen in gum disease. A study of people with bleeding, inflamed gums found that taking l g of supplemental calcium for six months produced considerable improvement. X-rays of the jawbones showed that bone loss reversed in 70 per cent of the cases.

*134/72/5*

WHAT VITAMINS CAN DO FOR YOU? VITAMIN A AND VITAMIN B1 (THIAMINE)

VITAMIN A

Functions: the single most important vitamin with respect to the immune system • necessary for night vision and protein synthesis • promotes fertility • stimulates bone growth • assists in growth and repair of body cells • essential for healthy skin and respiratory tract, as well as the linings of esophagus, stomach, intestine, colon, rectum, gall bladder, kidneys and urinary tract • prompts secretion of digestive «juices» • necessary for growth in the young.

Deficiency signs and symptoms: increased susceptibility to infection • night blindness and other eye problems • dryness, thickness and eruptions of the skin • dry, brittle nails • softness of bones and teeth.

Vitamin A’s enemies: mineral oil • alcohol • light • high temperature • air.

VITAMIN B1 (thiamine)

Functions: vital for a healthy immune system • necessary for the conversion of carbohydrates into energy in the nervous system and in muscles.

Deficiency signs and symptoms: mental problems such as loss of mental alertness, irritability, memory loss, confusion and depression • fatigue • loss of appetite • heart irregularities • numbness, tingling and weakness in the extremities and other parts of body (polyneuritis) • constipation • tenderness in the calves • burning sensations in the feet • the classic Bj deficiency disease is beriberi • extreme deficiency leads to heart failure, degeneration of nerve endings, and death. Vitamin B{s enemies: heat • air • excessive cooking of food • caffeine • alcohol • excessive dietary sugar.

*159\80\8*

TESTING FOR RELAXATION: TOTAL = TRUNK

Fill your lungs with as much air as you can. Holding the air in your lungs, bear down as if you were going to have a bowel movement. While holding the air and bearing down, place your fists up by your chin. Squeeze your arms tightly against your chest. Feel the tension in your chest muscles as you slowly count: one thousand . .. two thousand .. . three thousand … four thousand … five thousand … six thousand … seven thousand . . . eight thousand . . . nine thousand . . . ten thousand.

Slowly relax, letting the air out of your lungs.

Now, take in a deep breath through your nose. Hold it for a moment. Let it slowly out through your mouth, very slowly, taking at least five seconds to let it all out.

Take another breath … hold it … let it out slowly.

Fill your lungs once again, bear down, hold your fists by your chin and squeeze your arms against your chest. Hold that position, chest muscles clenched tightly, as you count slowly: one thousand … two thousand … three thousand … four thousand … five thousand … six thousand … seven thousand . . . eight thousand . . . nine thousand . . . ten thousand.

Slowly relax and exhale.

Take in a deep breath through your nose … a nice, deep breath.

Hold the breath for a moment. Now let it out slowly, very slowly, through your mouth, taking at least five seconds to empty your lungs. ^

Take another big breath, filling up your lungs.

Hold it for a moment. Now let it out very slowly.

Your trunk now feels relaxed.

*117\80\8*

FOOD FOR IMMUNE: SUPER RECIPES WITH FISH

FLIPPER’S CHOICE

1 lb. low-fat fish fillets pepper garlic powder basil oregano onion powder

1 sweet red pepper

1 can tomato sauce (no salt added)

Wash and dry fish fillets, cut into 2-inch strips. Place in baking dish; sprinkle on all the spices. Wash and slice red pepper, and place slices on top of fish. Pour tomato sauce over fish. Bake 10 minutes at 375° without turning.

Serves 2.

MILK FISH

4 6-oz. snapper or perch fillets 1/2 cup nonfat milk tarragon dillweed onion powder paprika

Preheat broiler. Dip fillets in milk, place in shallow baking dish and sprinkle with tarragon, dillweed, onion powder and paprika to taste. Broil about 3 inches from the heat source for 3 to 4 minutes, basting once with drippings. Turn, baste and sprinkle with additional herbs if desired. Broil 3 to 4 minutes longer.

Serves 4.

PASSYUNK FISH

2 onions

2 lemons

3 garlic cloves, minced 1 cup celery

1 small eggplant 1 large tomato 1 small can tomato paste, with water to make 11/2 cups 1/2 tsp. cumin 1 1/2 lbs. low-fat fish

Preheat oven to 350°. Wash vegetables. Thinly slice onion and lemon, chop garlic buds and celery, dice eggplant and slice tomato. Use a heavy pan to saute onions and garlic in water. Add celery and eggplant, tomato paste, water and spices. Cook about 10 minutes. Spread half the resulting sauce in a baking dish, put in fish; top off with remaining sauce, lemon and tomato slices. Cover dish and bake about 20 minutes. Uncover; cook 5 minutes more. Serve with brown rice.

Serves 2 to 3.

*74\80\8*

SUPER FOODS FOR IMMUNE: «GOOD” AND “BAD» ITEMS

Cholesterol: Leave It to Nature

Cholesterol is a «good/bad» item: good because it’s essential for life, bad because it’s associated with clogged arteries and heart disease.

Here’s the general rule I explain to my patients: Your body is very good at making all the cholesterol it needs. You don’t have to help it out by eating a lot more. In fact, you really don’t have to eat any cholesterol at all.

But eat it we do, in large amounts. Working hand in hand with fat, cholesterol plugs up arteries, especially the tiny arteries that supply the heart muscle and brain. When those arteries close up, some or all of your heart or brain will die.

The Pick-Me-Up That Lets You Down

Caffeine is another food item you can do without. Many studies have linked caffeine to irregular heart rhythms, increased blood pressure, heart disease, anxiety, the heartburn of gastritis and esophogitis, peptic ulcers, digestive problems and cancer. Ironically, the caffeine we drink to give us a lift eventually does the opposite. Caffeine gets your heart beating faster and increases your blood sugar. That’s what gives you the lift. Your body then reacts to the sudden energy surge by gathering up all the blood sugar it can and stuffing it into your cells. Too much sugar, however, is often gathered up. Now your blood sugar is low; you feel fatigued and want another cup of coffee. For many of my patients, every day is a cruel cycle of fatigue, coffee, brief lift, fatigue, coffee, brief lift, fatigue.

That’s why I call caffeine the pick-me-up that really lets us down, overstimulating our heart and muscles at the same time. It just makes trouble for our «doctor within.»

*30\80\8*

BODY SIGNAL ALERT DENTURES THAT DONT FIT PROPERLY: TREATMENT

The most important thing to do to prevent damage to your gums and your remaining teeth if you wear dentures is to go for regular dental checkups so your dentist can detect any tiny changes that occur in the fit of the dentures and make appropriate adjustments. It’s important to see your dentist immediately upon noticing any change in the way your dentures fit. And, as your bone structure changes over the years, your dentist will occasionally need to make a new denture for you.

The abrasion of the denture against your bone and the resulting irritation may occasionally result in an infection of the soft tissue of the gum. If this occurs, your dentist will prescribe an oral solution of antifungal medication such as nystatin suspension or Mycelex troches, lozenges that you’ll slowly dissolve in your mouth. Both should be taken three to five times a day for a week or two to totally clear up the infection.

Tips and Precautions

Some people sleep with their dentures in, but this can aggravate and speed up the deterioration of gum and bone tissue. Your gums need a break from the pressure the dentures place on them. That’s why it’s important to clean them thoroughly each night and to store them in a glass of water each night to prevent them from warping.

*232\167\8*

EARS, BUZZING AND HISSING SOUNDS IN

Description and Possible Medical Problems

If hitting the buzzer on your alarm clock each morning does nothing to relieve the constant ringing or buzzing in your ears, you probably have tinnitus. And you have probably lost some of your hearing as a result of the aging ear.

Tinnitus is a ringing in the head. It is usually caused when the arteries in the ear—like elsewhere in the body—begin to narrow; as a result, the ear «hears» the blood rushing through the ear. And sometimes a person with tinnitus can hear his own heartbeat. Regardless of the particular sound, however, tinnitus tends to get worse at night, when there is a lack of sounds to drown it out. And some people may feel they need to seek psychological treatment, because the constant sound can begin to drive them crazy.

Treatment

It’s sometimes difficult to pinpoint the sudden onset of tinnitus, since the cause can be due to an infection or obstruction, or to an underlying disease such as anemia or arteriosclerosis. If you have tinnitus, it’s important for you to see a doctor to rule out the possibility of a serious disease.

To diagnose tinnitus, your physician will go through an elimination process. Sometimes the culprit is as simple as removing an accumulation of earwax, which is the first thing she will check for. Next, she will test your hearing with a tuning fork to see if you have a problem hearing it. She will also do a neurological exam to check your coordination and balance, and if she finds that you have lost some degree of control over your balance in addition to having a significant hearing loss, you will be referred to a hearing specialist.

It might be a good idea to eliminate caffeine, alcohol, and cigarettes, since these can frequently aggravate tinnitus. People with constant tinnitus find that playing the radio at night helps drown out the ringing enough so they can fall asleep. Others have found that a sound machine that emulates water can help mask the ringing, as can a fan or air conditioner. Or, if you live in the city, just open the window. Often, a standard hearing aid will help ease the ringing of tinnitus because it decreases the internal buzzing and amplifies external noise.

*215\167\8*

VISION, SLOW, PROGRESSIVE CHANGE IN, ACCOMPANIED BY GENERAL CLOUDINESS: TREATMENT

If you’re one of those people who develop a mild case of cataracts and your vision remains relatively stable, your doctor may suggest that you do nothing for the time being. She may prescribe special eyedrops, which will enlarge the pupil and thus reduce the effect the cataract has on your vision, and take a wait-and-see approach. But if the cataracts develop and begin to hamper your eyesight, the only treatment is surgical removal.

Because cataract removal is such a common and relatively simple procedure, the surgery can be done under local or general anesthesia on an outpatient basis. During the operation, the lens of the affected eye is removed and a new, artificial lens is inserted in its place. The surgery takes about an hour, and the new lens may negate the need for glasses or contact lenses, since the surgeon can tailor a lens so that it will be the only corrective lens you’ll need.

My mother had her cataracts removed several years ago, and after the surgery she had to wear an eye patch for about a week. The family arranged for my sister to stay with her during that time, because we were concerned that she might fall because of her temporary loss of vision. Three weeks later, she was back to driving her car without wearing glasses.

For some people, however, a lens implant is unwise because of the shape and structure of the eye. In this case, when the lens is removed and no artificial lens is inserted, you will become farsighted. However, this condition can be corrected with eyeglasses or contact lenses.

Cataract removal with or without lens implantation will improve most people’s vision. Sometimes, however, the eyesight will remain poor. In this case the problem may lie with the retina, and your doctor will be able to treat this condition as well.

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FOCUSING, PROBLEMS IN

Description and Possible Medical Problems

If you have had trouble focusing your eyes lately, you should check to see if other symptoms are present. You should also ask yourself whether the focusing problem has come on suddenly or has appeared gradually. If your inability to focus appears all of a sudden, the problem is frequently just one of several symptoms—such as redness and irritation—that signal a temporary eye disorder such as conjunctivitis, the inflammation of another part of the eye, or a corneal ulcer.

Treatment

If you’ve only recently noticed that you find it difficult to focus easily, the problem is usually easy to fix. Maybe all you need is to have the strength of your glasses or contacts increased. Deterioration of vision is a given for most midlife adults, but the good news is that after the age of 65, usually no further vision loss takes place. In fact, some people have discovered that the shape of their eyes has changed in such a way that they don’t have to wear glasses at all. If, however, your inability to focus has appeared suddenly and your eyes are red and painful, you probably have an eye infection, and you should see your eye doctor to clear it up. For treatment details, see «Discharge with Redness» above.

Rest assured that if you’re having trouble focusing and it’s not accompanied by any other eye problem, it’s a normal sign of aging and is usually nothing to worry about.

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BODY SIGNAL ALERT EYE PAIN WITH REDNESS: DESCRIPTION AND POSSIBLE MEDICAL PROBLEMS

When you feel a pain in one or both eyes, it is usually one of several symptoms that accompany other eye problems. However, when it appears by itself and is accompanied by redness, it is usually due to an inflammation of one of the parts that make up the eyeball. Just as conjunctivitis, or pinkeye, is an inflammation of the conjunctiva (the membrane that lines the insides of the eyelids and part of the eyeball), other parts of the eye can also become inflamed. These include the iris, which is the colored part of your eye, and the sclera, a transparent film that serves as the outermost layer of the eye.

The choroid is located in the back of the eye, between the retina and the sclera. The choroid is the layer of the eye that contains the many blood vessels that nourish the eye, and, like the other parts of the eye, the choroid can become inflamed.

Iritis, or inflammation of the iris, is sometimes known as uveitis since the iris is part of the uvea, a membrane that lies just underneatl the sclera. The retina at the back of the eye can also become irritated.

Some of these conditions—such as scleritis—are more likely t( appear in a person who has rheumatoid arthritis, while others may arise for no apparent reason. Because it will be difficult for you to detemint – the cause of the pain yourself and the only symptom you’ll have is gen eralized pain in your eye with perhaps some redness, it’s important that you see your doctor.

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HOW TO PROTECT YOUR EYES FROM AGING SIGN

The aging process can be especially noticeable in the area around your eyes. That’s because the skin around your eyes is thinner and more delicate than on any other part of your body. To slow the aging process in the area around your eyes you must do everything you can to protect the entire area— including your eyelids.

There are several routine factors that cause wear and tear around your eyes. By avoiding or minimizing these factors you can maintain your smooth, youthful skin, and, in effect, a youthful appearance around your eyes.

1) Friction— done often enough, even a minimal amount of rubbing can cause injury to the skin around the eyes. That’s why it is important that you avoid, as much as possible, the common habit of rubbing your eyes, especially when they feel tired or sleepy. Rubbing your eyes in such a manner causes friction and could produce or worsen bags under the eyes because the skin stretches. Often, people who rub their eyes frequently, end up looking weary even when they are not.

2) Applying and removing makeup— the application and removal of certain kinds of eye makeup can also cause stretching, and lead to the appearance of «tired eyes». Whenever eye shadow or eye liner is applied and whenever makeup remover is used to remove waterproof mascara and liner, the skin is bound to be stretched. Some cosmetic consultants recommend that you use only an eye-brow pencil and non-waterproof mascara on the area around the eye, except on special occasions. Neither product involves the application or removal of cosmetics to and from the skin, and both come off easily at the end of the day with just a little soap and warm water.

3) Squinting— even a natural adaptive response such as squinting can eventually help make you look older. Most people squint instinctively as protection against excessive light. You are also likely to squint when you are trying to focus on something you are not able to see very well. While it may seem rather innocuous, such squinting simply «engraves» squint lines, or crow’s feet, around your eyes.

The best way to prevent squinting and the resulting damage to the skin around your eyes, is to wear tinted glasses to protect your eyes against bright light while you are outdoors, and glasses or contacts indoors or out to correct any vision problems.

Since wind and extremes of temperature compound the damage caused by chronic sun exposure, wearing glasses can also provide a shield against the elements. Even if you wear contact lenses for general use, it’s a good idea to have a pair of tinted or plain glasses on hand to wear whenever you go outside to help prevent the signs of aging around your eyes.

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HOW TO PREVENT AND GET RID OF ATHLETE’S FOOT

You don’t have to be an athlete to contact this common skin condition in which the skin between the toes becomes itchy and sore. Sometimes the skin will crack and peal away and, on occasion blister. The culprit is a fungal infection which thrives in warm, moist conditions. Sweaty footwear is often the breeding ground for this painful and annoying foot menace.

Here are some suggestions on how to prevent athlete’s foot and how to treat it once you’ve got it:

1) Buy two pairs of shoes— if possible, never wear the same pair of shoes day after day. It normally takes shoes at least 24 hours to dry out completely. You can also try keeping the insides of your shoes dry and clean with frequent use ol antifungal powder or spray and by wiping them with a disinfectant, such as Lysol, occasionally. Shoes that allow evaporation of moisture are best.

2) Change your socks— if your feet have a perverse tendency to perspire a lot, it’s a good idea to change your socks two or three times a day— cotton socks are best. To prevent the organism from breeding, it’s important that you make its living conditions as inhospitable as possible—clean and dry.

3) Dry your feet— after a shower or a bath, make sure your feet are allowed to dry thoroughly before you put them into shoes and socks. Once you’re sure your feet are dry, apply powder to help them stay that way.

4) Don’t go barefoot in public— you can help reduce the risk of contracting athlete’s foot by wearing slippers and/or shower shoes whenever you are in places where other people often walk around barefoot— swimming pools, health clubs, spas, gyms, locker rooms, and so on.

5) Wash your feet— once you have it, careful hygiene is often treatment enough, without having to resort to drugs. At least twice a day, you should wash the space between your toes with soap, water and a cloth. Be sure to dry the infected area thoroughly with a towel— especially the painful area between the toes. And always put on clean, dry socks.

6) Try aluminum chloride— a twice-daily application of a 30 percent aluminum chloride solution is often effective treatment because of its drying and antibacterial properties. Have your pharmacist make up the solution and use a cotton swab to apply it between your toes at least two times a day. Continue the treatment for two weeks after the condition has cleared up.

7) Use over-the-counter medications— once the infection has cleared up, you should take every precaution to keep it from recurring. One way to do that is to apply over-the-counter antifungal cream or lotion.

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EXERCISE AND CHOLESTEROL

Exercise combined with other healthful lifestyle choices, such as weight control and being a non-smoker, can help raise high-density lipoproteins (HDLs)— also known as «good cholesterol»—and as a result reduce certain health risks, including heart attack.

Medical experts say that even though HDL levels are to some extent genetically determined, they can be raised several ways, without using medication. In studies at Stanford University and Medical College of Virginia, losing excess weight and kicking a smoking habit have both been shown to lead to an increase in HDL levels. Postmenopausal women receiving estrogen replacement therapy also tend to have higher HDL levels.

Regular exercise is another method of ensuring high HDL levels. Experts say that regular muscle contractions stimulate the production of HDL. And while vigorous exercise produces the greatest effect, studies indicate that even mild exercise is of some benefit in raising HDL levels.

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HOW TO GET RID OF URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS

These infections are caused by one or more types of bacteria invading the bladder, urethra, or other parts of the urinary tract. Common UTI symptoms include a burning sensation on urinating and frequent urination. Backache and fever may also accompany the infection. Doctors say that at least 50 percent of all women will contract a bladder infection, sooner or later. Here are several expert recommendations for reducing the discomfort of UTI.

1) Drink a lot of water or juices— urologists say you should drink plenty of fluids— water and juices—to flush out the bacteria that are causing the inflammation. While there’s no conclusive evidence, some recent studies suggest that cranberry juice may indeed be an effective treatment for UTI.

2) Avoid coffee, tea and alcohol—these fluids may irritate the urinary tract.

3) Soaking in a hot bath— many women find this a good way to get relief from UTI.

4) Try an anti-inflammation drug— both aspirin and ibuprofen may help to reduce the inflammation in the bladder.

5) Get more vitamin C in your system— some doctors say that large doses of vitamin C can acidify the urine enough to disrupt the growth of bacteria. Before you begin taking vitamin C as a treatment for UTI, you should get your doctor’s approval.

6) Urinate before intercourse— an empty bladder can reduce the likelihood of irritation in the pelvis by allowing more space. It also helps get rid of bacteria that may be present in the vagina.

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ADVANTAGES OF BREASTFEEDING: WHAT YOUR DOCTOR MAY NOT HAVE TOLD YOU

One of the most important decisions a. mother makes in the months preceding her baby’s birth is how she will feed her baby. According to medical childcare experts, more and more mothers these days are choosing to breast feed. The decision seems to be a wise one because the American Academy of Pediatrics has labeled breastmilk as the «perfect» food for a baby during the first year of life. Moreover, breast milk is easy for the baby to digest, and it provides antibodies until the baby’s body can make them on its own. Breastfeeding also provides a special closeness for mother and baby, and it helps restore the uterus to pre-pregnancy size.

Here are several things a mother can do to ensure successful breastfeeding:

1) Go to breastfeeding classes before the baby is born.

2) Try to nurse the baby as soon as possible in the delivery room. Research shows that babies who begin nursing almost immediately after delivery are more successful at breastfeeding.

3) Nurse your baby as often as 8 to 12 times a day for the first few weeks, and let the baby nurse as long as he or she wants. The more a baby nurses, the more milk a mother will provide.

4) Allow the baby to nurse from both breasts during each feeding. Nurse on one side until it appears the baby is losing interest, then offer your baby the other breast.

The next time you feed your baby, begin with the side you ended with the time before.

5) Don’t give your baby supplemental bottles or a pacifier until you have been nursing successfully for more than three weeks and the baby is gaining weight.

6) The key to success for any breastfeeding mother is to pay attention to her baby, and having the support of those around her in her decision to breastfeed. Some experts even recommend joining breastfeeding support groups.

Any prospective mother considering breastfeeding her baby should consult a pediatrician who is supportive of breastfeeding and can help with any questions or problems that might arise.

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