Health Articles

Are you, like so many, wondering what’s the difference between regular flu and swine flu? This article will give you some simple answers. What is the Difference between Regular Flu Virus and the H1N1 Swine Flu Virus?

Regular flu is also referred to as seasonal flu. Generally it refers to influenza type A, B, or C, which is endemic to humans.

Unlike regular flu, swine flu actually originated inside the intestines of a pig and were somehow transmitted to a human, who spread it to other humans. Animal strains of flu originate in birds (H5N1 – bird flu) or pigs (H1N1 – swine flu). We believe the current swine flu strain originated on a pig farm in Mexico, near Vera Cruz.

Why is swine flu more dangerous than regular flu?

Because no one in the world had been exposed to this new strain of H1N1 (Swine flu) flu before the first cases appeared in Mexico in April 2009. Therefore, most of the population has no protection against this new virus. That’s why it is so important to get vaccinated when the vaccine becomes available.

Won’t your regular yearly flu shot protect you against swine flu?

It appears that it will not.

Can you explain the difference between regular and swine flu vaccines?

The regular flu vaccine is usually made up of a combination of the three most common human flu viruses. On the other hand, the new swine flu vaccine is made up of the H1N1 virus exclusively.

Remember, vaccines are designed to build up your immunity.

What is the difference in symptoms between regular flu and swine flu?

The initial symptoms appear to be the same: Coughing, sneezing, fever, aches and pains and general fatigue. Some people also develop vomiting and diarrhea.
However, with H1N1 (Swine Flu), within five days it is possible to have the onset of severe respiratory symptoms that progress to pneumonia or other life-threatening complications.

Are the folks with the highest risk factors identical for both types of flu?

No. The groups with the highest risk factors differ between the two types of flu.

Seasonal Flu is particularly dangerous for anyone with a weakened immune system, which generally includes the elderly. Younger people who are healthy normally are not bothered seriously by the side effects of seasonal flu.
Swine Flu Immunity
This is not the case with swine flu.

The CDC reports state that the H1N1 flu is more dangerous to people younger than 25 years of age.
People over 65 actually have less of a chance to contract it. It is believed they may have some immunity from exposure to similar (though not identical) strains in the 1950s and 60s.

How I know for sure if a family member has swine flu?

They will need to see a doctor or health care professional. A simple swab test will be performed and submitted for lab analysis. It should take just a day or two to know the results.

What’s the difference in the treatment between regular flu and H1N1 flu?

First off, always follow the advice of your doctor. Seek his or her advice to insure you are getting the best, most up to date treatment. It now appears that treatment for most people will be the same. This includes avoiding dehydration by taking in plenty of fluids, use of over-the-counter medications to help relieve coughing and congestion, and getting plenty of rest.

Your doctor may also suggest you take antiviral drugs. It appears the drugs Relenza and Tamiflu are somewhat effective against the swine flu virus, especially if taken within 48 hours from the development of your first symptoms. These antiviral drugs may reduce the severity of the flu which should help prevent serious complications.
If you have a sick child you need to watch him/her very closely. Keep the hydrated. If they seem overly lethargic, or have developed any breathing difficulty, call your pediatrician immediately.

Why is H1N1 pig flu more dangerous than seasonal flu?

It is possible that the swine flu could cause serious respiratory problems which could result in life threatening complications. These will generally develop around the fifth or sixth day, when regular flu symptoms should be disappearing.

Governments around the world have been put on alert by the World Health Organization to prepare for a global pandemic. In April, 2009, the WHO raised the warning level from level 4 to level 5.
Using history as our teacher, pandemic influenza in years past has almost disappeared in summer months, only to reappear with greater strength and deadliness in the fall and winter months. That is why every family should institute an action plan.
Governments are now preparing for disruptions to transportation and commerce. Families need to prepare for the same things.
Remedies that can help you prevent swine flu
The difference between regular flu and swine flu may mean serious consequences for the entire world. Learn what these consequences may include, and how you can get your family ready to face them now.

Type 2 diabetes is also known as adult onset diabetes. It is a chronic condition that has life-threatening implications. Warning signs and symptoms include blurred vision, increased urination (volume and frequency), fatigue, excessive thirst and increased appetite. You may also discover dark skin in the creases of your body. Common places are in the folds of the neck and armpits. These are all signs of insulin resistance or that your pancreas has ceased making insulin.

Normally, your body will excrete insulin to clear excess sugar out of your blood so that it can be used as cell fuel. If you develop type 2 diabetes, then your body is no longer able to metabolize sugar. The blood sugar stays high because insulin cannot move it into the cells, where it would normally be used as fuel. The fatigue comes when the cells cannot get the sugar for energy. Your cells then send signals to your brain that you need to eat sugary or starchy foods to give them the fuel that they need to function. So, you become hungry, eat more, sleep more, and make the problem worse.

The number one risk factor for type 2 diabetes is being overweight. Eating a diet high in sugar or starchy foods will cause you to become overweight and put you at higher risk for developing this condition. To understand how sugar lead to diabetes, we turn to the liver.

Normally, you eat fruits, vegetables and proteins. Your body slowly breaks these things down to provide your cells with sugar. So why is eating sugar directly so bad? The answer has to do with the speed in which the sugar hits the bloodstream. Simple sugars and processed foods quickly turn to glucose and fill up the bloodstream. Whenever your body has more fuel than it needs, it stores the excess in the liver.

Your liver becomes filled to capacity and then turns the sugar into fatty acids to clear them out and distribute them around the body. At first, the fat goes where it is supposed to, around the thighs, hips, upper arms and buttocks. When those areas become filled, then the fat goes to your organs instead.

This chain of events can easily and quickly turn into diabetes. It is very hard to control your appetite and cravings for sugar when your body thinks that it needs it so badly. The more times you give in, the bigger you will get, again, making the problem worse.

If you have type 2 diabetes, then your body is under constant stress and continually produces cortisol. Cortisol is a stress hormone that causes even more fat to build up around the organs in an effort to protect them from the free radicals that the disease is creating. Because high levels of sugars cannot react correctly with proteins, free radicals are produced all over your body at an alarming rate. They can quickly cause strokes, cancer, damage nerves and deteriorate blood vessels. It is believed that the free radicals are to blame for many amputations that are necessary after vessels and nerves are damaged.

You need to rid your body of these free radicals and excess cortisol daily. To do this, you will need to supplement your healthy diet with vitamin A, C and E (remember “ACE”). Higher doses of vitamins and supplements are necessary to maintain immunity and clear free radicals in diabetics. Talk to your doctor about your condition before you buy vitamins and start a vitamins and supplements routine.

While lower back pain can be caused by a multitude of things, some of them very serious, the overwhelming majority of lower back pains are caused by muscular strains and spasms. Many times, the injury occurs first thing in the morning when you get out of bed and begin your daily activities before your muscles are properly stretched out. Injury then, can happen from otherwise innocent maneuvers such as bending over to tie your shoelaces or toweling off after a shower, or even turning to wipe your backside after toileting. You can cause you back additional strain by poor posture, poor body positioning and mechanics when bending or lifting, and lack of exercise. Other causes of lower back pain include: urinary tract infections, a slipped or herniated disc, stress, fever, arthritis and kidney stones, to name a few. Once you have determined that you are suffering from a simple “pulled muscle” in your back, you can follow the recommended therapy below to help you get better, fast!

Treatment and Expectations:
The most important thing to maintain in treatment of simple lower back pains, is to maintain the natural curvature of the lower back. This can be achieved with a little back support to the lumbar area as shown in the accompanying diagram. Generally, there are three rules to follow:

—  Total bed rest until your back is completely healed. Hard for some of us to do, but your back will suffer longer if you don’t!
—  Lay in any position of comfort: If you lay on your back, a pillow or sofa cushion under your knees. If you lay on your side, a pillow between your knees.
— DO NOT do stretches or stretch your back out, no matter how good it feels!!! You always will cause a worse injury.

Take some Advil or Motrin for it’s anti-inflammatory and pain killing effects round the clock as labeled. Apply Ice for 10 minutes on, five minutes off for the first few hours, then use a Heating Pad, for up to two days after the pain has completely resolved. Above all, rest. In a few days, after your back gets better, you definitely want to avoid twisting, stooping, bending, lifting and any other activity that will aggravate your lower back muscles. You want to conduct yourself as if you have a long board tied to your back so as to immobilize your spine.

To avoid a repeat of this painful episode, begin a stretching and exercise program that will strengthen your back and abdominal muscles (to help support your spine) and be sure to stretch lightly when you get out of bed. Also, be sure to always use the proper technique when lifting and bending.

Seek a Medical Professional if:

— The pain last longer than one week and is worsening, or has no improvement.
— You lose control of your urine or stool.
— Have blood in your urine
— You feel any numbness or tingling to legs or feet.
— You begin to have paralysis or unusual weakness of any body part.
— When in doubt.

Statistics show that a large 90 present of the patients suffering from testicular cancer end up with a painless mass or lump in the testicle which most people do not even realize. On the contrary, some patients might realize or sense the feeling of pain and ache in the lower abdomen region. Men suffering from such a swelling, in other words enlargement is also a symptom seem in men suffering from testicular cancer. This is a chronic condition that cannot be over looked.

Some patients suffering from this testicular cancer has absolutely no symptoms in the early phase of this disease. When patients go to their doctors during routine checkups such as physical examinations, biopsy, ultra sound or diagnosis for infertility.

These are a few symptoms found in patients today.

- A mass or lump found in either of the testicles of a man

- Enlargement or swelling of the testicle

- Collection of fluids in the scrotum

- A mild ache or pain in the lower side of the abdomen, in the back, or in the groin

- A heavy feeling in scrotum.

- Getting pain or feeling discomfort in the testicle or scrotum.

- Softness or swilling in the breasts.

Risk factor: who among men today suffer or develop testicular cancer?
Testicular cancer information
Testicular cancer is not very common today. There is very little increase of the number in cases. The number of people dying due to cancer of the testicular has become less since the year 1960 as the treatments have improved. A risk factor in men is when there are chances of the disease developing. Young men today have a high chance of being victims today. Men ranging between the age of 20 and 34 are most affected by this testicular cancer. Among men, those of who have a family history of this cancer have a really high chance of getting it due to genetic reasons. Other men who are uncircumcised have a higher than normally average risk of developing this disease. White men are more likely to also get this disease as compared to the blacks. Other men who are likely to be targets are the Asian men, Hispanic, American Indian who develop this disease at a much higher rate. Testicular cancers, which occur in young men today, are hence at a high risk, regular checkups are a must.

Gluten allergy symptoms can be a very serious indicator of an underlying condition: celiac disease. If you are reading this than it is quite likely you are concerned about your body’s reaction to your consuming gluten.

Despite the term gluten allergy symptom, it is important to recognize that celiac disease does not usually manifest allergic reactions like the kind we associate with hay fever or peanut allergies. Gluten intolerance is in fact more systemic. It is a condition that will wear your digestive tract down over time.

As your body overreacts to the gluten in its system, your immune response slowly kills off the villi in your intestines. These villi are tiny hairs which act to capture and help absorb the nutrients from your food. When they die off, you are less capable of digesting and processing your food and the nutrients in it.

Gluten allergy symptoms often begin mild, with intestinal discomfort such as bloating and flatulence. Then over time they both increase in number and type as well as become more severe. Intestinal discomfort, for example, would go from bloating and flatulence to constipation and diarrhea. Other common gluten allergy symptoms include headaches, fatigue and a lowered immune system (you become sick more easily and more often).

Later stages of celiac disease are similar to severe malnutrition, only people don’t think they could be experiencing malnutrition because they believe they’re eating plenty of healthy food. However, if you are unknowingly gluten intolerant and you are eating foods which contain gluten, no matter how healthy you eat you can become malnourished.

So it is vital that if you suspect you may be gluten intolerant you must immediately cut gluten from your diet. This may be difficult at first, but you will soon learn that many major grocery chains and manufacturers are becoming more and more helpful to people with gluten intolerance. You will find that dealing with your gluten allergy symptoms is easier than you initially expect.

Fast food consumption today has reached an all time high. There are several reasons for it popularity. North Americans live a fast paced lifestyle and are often looking for a satisfying meal that is quick and convenient. Fast food is usually served immediately or within a few minutes and restaurants are only moments away.

There is another reason that these restaurants are so popular. Foods offered are high in unhealthy fats, carbohydrates and sugars which are very addictive with unpleasant side effects when consumed regularly. Regular consumers find that after a meal they experience unpleasant symptoms such as depression and foul moods that won’t subside until they go back for more.

Most fast food addicts would love to discover that fast food helps shed pounds, increases energy and promotes long life. The truth is that it is so toxic that it cannot be considered a source of nutrition. Most people today consider fast food to be unhealthy but what most people do not realize is how dangerous it really is. It is the leading cause of obesity in North America which is closely linked to heart disease, stroke and cancer.

Thirty percent of North American children are obese today, which is a rise of fifty percent in the last twenty years. With the high availability of these foods and super sizes, kids are eating mostly unhealthy foods and eating too much of it. Eating a diet that primarily consists of empty nutrient, calorie dense food also effects behavior and intelligence.
A detailed article that describes the different types of eating disorders, symptoms, and treatments.
One North American school concerned with the behavior problems and lack of academic achievement among student decided to remove fast food from the cafeteria and vending machines and provide only nutritious foods to see what impact it might have on the students. The change was remarkable. Those students that regularly ate in the cafeteria experienced a significant decrease in behavioral problems and increase in academic performance.

Fast food is loaded with carcinogens, contains toxins created from reused and reheated oils, it is calorie dense, low in nutrients and is the principle source of trans fatty acids. Trans fatty acids are man made fats which are more toxic to human health than saturated fats. An intake as low as one percent of total daily calories is considered to be a high risk for heart disease.

Many restaurants are working hard to satisfy public demand for healthier food choices. If fast food is a necessary part of your life, exploring these menu options may be the easiest and most effective method of breaking the habit.

All type of scars are in fact injuries that our bodies need to fight. The acne infection is another injury that also needs to be treated. Most of us know that our immune system always fights to repair affected cells in our body. In order to fight acne our body generates more white blood cells. When more white cells are generated the acne is automatically healed however we are still left with acne scars that are very unaesthetic. No one will ever be able to have the smooth and clear their skin as they had before as scars will always be there. There are a few ways to make the acne scars disappear so please read on to find out how to get rid of acne scars so you can have a much clearer and tone face once again.

The main types of acne scars.
Everyone has a different opinion about acne. There are also several myths which you should avoid into falling to believe. As long as there are several types of acne, each individual will develop different type of scars. Some people will have little scars but other can have large scars all over their face even if they have the exact same type of acne. The increased tissue formation has a tendency to form a certain type of scar while the loss of tissue will form another type of scars.

Keloids scars. When our body forms fibroblasts, they have a tendency to produce more collagen which will result in more scar tissues which are usually called keloids or keloid scars. There is another type of scar that is less common – the hyper tropic scar which comes from a Latin word meaning overgrowth. The keloids scars are the most unaesthetic type of acne scars but there are ways to get rid of them.

Depressed Scars. There are four types of depressed scars; macular, soft scars, ice pick scars and depressed fibrotic scars which are the most common amongst the depressed acne scars. Our body produces more white cells in order to protect the dermis. In this case there might be caused a loss of collagen which gives rise to deep or depression. Ice-pick scars are also very common in acne of all types however there are ways to get rid of them and the first thing to do is to wash your face with a non-oily soap at least two times a day.

Acne Scar Treatment. The easiest method to get rid of acne scars is by visiting your dermatologist. This is the most important step, your doctor will tell you the exact treatment for acne scars that is the most suitable for you. The costs for treating acne scars are quite high in most countries but there are several products that are quite affordable. Some therapies might be a bit more expensive but they’re usually a lot more effective than creams and lotions which won’t give any fabulous results. Some of the most common treatments for acne scars that have proven effective on the long run are the laser treatments, dermabransion, collagen treatment, skin surgeries, skin grafting and micro derma-brasion. The most difficult type of acne scar to treat is the keloids scar which can be treated using certain procedures such as injecting steroids.

Every one of us is affected by anxiety at one stage or another in our lifetime. Even though it is quite prevalent we need to know the difference between the usual anxiety and the chronic anxiety that usually leads the sufferer to anxiety panic attacks. Some common anxiety attack symptoms are discussed in this article.

Many symptoms are physical and they’re caused when we are on the verge of fighting or trying to get away from a danger or a threat. Even though we have evolved from the caveman, this instinct still tends to occur and overcome us – a lot unseemly at times.

When we are trying to run away from danger or preparing to fight our heartbeat rises and circulates more blood to lungs, kidneys, liver and other important organs that require blood the most. The lungs are also working harder to assist the heart and to provide us more oxygen to run and the muscles brace themselves for action. This leads to palpitations, tightening of the chest, sharp pains and shortness of breath that are commonly associated with anxiety attacks. Adrenaline is released in larger quantities in your body which is the reason for muscle twitchiness, cold and hot feelings and stomach related abnormalities like butterflies, weak legs, constipation and vomiting. The mind and other senses also become sharper and alert.

As a matter of fact, such bodily behavior is just to deal with the fight-or-flight needed at that moment. However, such anxiety attack symptoms even occur at times when there is nothing to fight or flee. All our instincts of not only outside our body but within it as well grow out of normal proportions. It is understandable when such perceptions occur when we are in the middle of a fight etc, but if this happens under normal circumstances – then what?

In this case, the mind is responsible for wrongly perceiving a threat and preparing the body accordingly. A threat is not there, though. The oxygen supply and adrenaline flow keeps on growing but there is no outlet to decrease it. Subsequently, to neutralize the increased adrenaline, it causes the victim to suffer hopelessness and some times it causes them to feel that something bad is going to happen to them or their family members. Most of the times, the patient sufferers from increased fear and terror just because they’re afraid of having another panic attack, that is why panic attacks should be treated first and the most effective way is to look at the root cause.

Anxiety attack symptoms usually last from 10 minutes to an hour. The easiest way to tell if a person may be suffering from a panic disorder is to see if the panic attacks occur for more than a week in a row.

Every person uses food used for energy and growth but a metabolic disorder called diabetes stops this from phenomenon. Glucose is essential in only if us with sufficient energy used for our every day tasks. Diabetes interrupts this function of glucose operating as it should be in our bodies. If absent unattended, the levels of glucose in the bloodstream can give rise to dangerous cost.

Here are two types of diabetes. In type 1 diabetes, which is moreover called juvenile beginning diabetes or insulin-dependent someplace the body completely stops producing in the least insulin, this method insulin be obliged to be given to the diabetic on a daily basis in support of them to live. Insulin is essential in that it acts as a regulator to the amount of glucose in the bloodstream. The second form of diabetes as a rule affects big people, this happens when the body cannot fabricate its own insulin or that which it does produce, it is unable to make proper use of it.

Energy is required by our body, which the body obtains from food that it converts into sugar. Too much glucose taking part in our bloodstream can give birth to particular serious trait special effects such as heart and kidney disease sightlessness, and on occasion amputation. By sticking to a diabetes health care regime, most of these conditions can be helped, and these conditions will vary form person to person but generally ought to find out improvements with some complaints halted altogether. Managing this condition means changing your lifestyle to suit your condition any medication that has been prescribed, this means maintaining the correct level of blood sugar, cholesterol and blood fat along with giving up cigarettes.

This also includes running your weight to keep contained by your height – weight category, which will be enormously advantageous in dropping your blood pressure. Diabetes is a disease that is enduring and have got to be managed and kept under control. Each year there are over five hundred thousand new cases of diabetes.

Being diagnosed with diabetes can be quite a shock at firstly but it is controllable, and one of the first ways to get along is your diet. Once we understand how are body breaks down the food groups we consume, it will help in planning meals and the types of foods will benefit. What we eat is eventually broken down into sugar, so sweets and fruits enter the bloodstream very quickly. Starches, i.E., carbohydrates take anywhere from one or two hours to break down, depending on the type of carbohydrate. Proteins and fats follow taking roughly four hours and six to eight hours respectfully. A diet plan for diabetes is various with all person according to the nutrition wanted and the type of diabetes a person has. With attention to the diet, type of food intake, and constant exercise, expand the capacity to control the blood sugar with little dependence of medication.

There are many diabetics living favorable, productive lives by simply taking charge of themselves and paying attention to making changes where they need to be made. If you have had an unexpected gain in weight and/or your energy levels have drastic swings, go get checked, for you and your loved ones.

The Clear Truth

Water is one of the most important weapons you will ever have in your weight loss arsenal. Not the fancy bottled water, although if that is what you choose, then fine. It does not have to be flavored, but again if that will help you get the water down, then by all means do so, as long as it is calorie and sugar free. Why is water so important and how could it possibly help in weight loss? There are a lot of reasons, actually.

Water is necessary for the very act of digestion. As you digest your food, you will notice that you create saliva to lubricate your food. If you do not have enough water in your body, you will likely find that you do not have enough saliva either. Water is needed in other parts of your digestive system too. You will notice when you have not had enough liquids when you find it uncomfortable or difficult to go to the bathroom. The delicate balance of liquids inside of your digestive tract is evident: too little water and your bathroom results will be hard, too much water and you might find yourself racing to go more often than you would care to.

If you do not drink enough during the day, your body will start pulling moisture from other places to be used for vital systems. Your hair and skin will become dry, brittle and subject to damage. There are times when you do not need a better shampoo, you just need a drink of water!

Your body’s need for water is constant- winter, summer, spring and fall. As you sweat, as in the summer when you are hot or anytime when you are exercising, your body loses even more of its precious fluids. If you do not replace what you are losing you can suffer from dehydration and electrolyte imbalance which can lead to mental confusion or fog, and eventually may through your body into chaos. Prolonged dehydration and electrolyte imbalances can lead to cardiac imbalances and arrest.

Another vital function that water performs is helping the kidneys flush out toxins from the body. When you are eating a diet that is high in protein, urea may build up in dangerous concentrations. High urea concentration can lead to increased kidney infections and eventual kidney scarring and atrophy.
Weight loss solutions at medical news blog.
Not drinking enough water can lead you to mistake thirst for hunger. If you are eating when all you need is a glass of water, you are ingesting many more calories than you might need each day. Drinking a glass of water instead of eating may be a better bet, especially if you are trying to lose weight.

Remember the concept of thermo genesis? Here is another place where that will kick in and help burn calories. The colder the water that you drink, the harder your body will have to work to use it. You will need to warm that water up to the right temperature before your body can send it on its way. Ice cold water not only feels more refreshing to you, it also helps you to lose weight by kicking off calorie burning metabolism as well.