Health Articles

Tendonitis, sometimes called tendinitis, is inflammation or irritation of a tendon. The tendon is any one of the thick fibrous cords that attach muscles to bones. Tendonitis is sometimes confused with tendinosis, which has similar symptoms but requires a different treatment. Tendinosis should refer to the large-scale acute injuries accompanied by inflammation. The condition causes pain and tenderness just outside a joint. Tendonitis can occur in any of your body’s tendons, but is most common around your shoulders, elbows, wrists, knees, and heels. It is usually referred to by the body part involved, such as Achilles tendonitis (affecting the Achilles tendon), or patellar tendonitis (jumper’s knee, affecting the patellar tendon). Other common names are tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, pitcher’s shoulder, and swimmer’s shoulder.

Symptoms vary, but usually occur at the point where the tendon attaches to the bone. Pain, often a dull ache or severe pain and local stiffness can be surrounded by a burning sensation that surrounds the entire joint and tendon area. Mild swelling may be present along with tenderness, heat, and redness. You may even have visible knots surrounding the joint. The condition may worsen the following day as the muscles tighten from the movement of the tendon. If the symptoms last for several months, it is probably tendinosis.

Tendonitis can be caused by a sudden injury, but is most likely the result of repetition of a particular movement over a period of time. This can be the result of repetitive motions at work, working on your hobby, or performing sports activities. Older people are more susceptible to tendonitis because as we age, our tendons become less flexible.

Tendonitis can range from mild to severe. To treat tendonitis at home, remember P.R.I.C.E. – Protection, rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), such as aspirin and ibuprofen (advil, motrin, and others) or products with acetaminophen (Tylenol) may be taken to reduce the discomfort. Topical applications may also help to reduce pain. Rest is a key part in treating tendonitis, but prolonged inactivity can cause stiffness. After a few days, it is recommended that you gently go through a full range of motions.

Most cases of tendonitis respond well to home treatment. If the condition persists for more than a few days, consult your physician. Depending on the severity of your injury, surgical repair may be needed. Without proper treatment you increase your risk of tendon rupture- a more serious condition that may require surgery.

Screening for Schizophrenia is useful to identify people who might be suffering from Schizophrenia. It is not uncommon for people without Schizophrenia symptoms to go through the screening since early detection and treatment, like any illness is always beneficial. Screening is also important to people with family history of Schizophrenia as this group of people has a higher chance to get this mental disorder. There are many methods to diagnose Schizophrenia as discussed below.

Questionnaire by the psychologist

Screenings are commonly done by visiting the psychotherapist. The psychotherapist will ask several questions and the patient will have to answer honestly. Some of the questions commonly asked are:

• Are you able to see, feel and touch things or people which no one else can?

• Do you hear voices talking to you?
• Do you prefer to be alone?
• Do you feel that people around you are always staring at you?
• Do you feel that there is someone who is trying to poison or harm you?
• Can you feel an external power trying to control you?
• How long have you been experiencing such feelings?
• Are there any major changes, incidents or accidents in your life recently?

Apart from questioning the patient, the psychotherapist might also perform a questionnaire with the family members, friends and loved ones. The psychotherapist will then record all the answers and perform an analysis to assess if the person is suffering from Schizophrenia.

Eliminating any False Diagnosis

The psychotherapist will eliminate any false judgment which might occur simply as a result of:

Social phobia – in which a person fears any situation of embarrassment in public, the person feels that people are constantly observing and judging him all the time.

Personality Disorder – in which a person feels that others are not trustworthy and hostile, the person feels profound suspicion for everyone, including his friends and family members.

Biopolar Disorder – is another mental disorder whereby the person experiences extreme changes in mood

Blood Tests:

As a screening step, it is important to perform a blood test analysis on the person undertaking screening to confirm that the symptoms he is experiencing are not due to the consumption of alcohol or addictive drugs.

Imaging:

Brain imaging is a suggested method for screening because the observed symptoms that are being associated with Schizophrenia might be because of brain abnormality like congenital birth defect, brain tumor, brain injury. It is vital to use brain imaging technology such as MRI or CT scan to rule out these possibilities.

The M?ller-Lyer illusion:

Studies have found that ” M?ller-Lyer Illusion”, a type of optical illusion introduced by M?ler-Lyer in the year 1,889, can also be used as a tool for screening schizophrenia.

Scientists are looking forward to develop precise and advanced tools for the screening and diagnosis of Schizophrenia. Such tools have to be developed on the molecular and genetic level.

What is Osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis literally means ‘porous bones’ and occurs as a result of calcium phosphate being taken from bones and reabsorbed by the body. This leaves the bones thinner and weaker and liable to fracture especially in an older person.

A typical result is a broken hip. Osteoporosis is most likely to affect men over 70 and women over 50 and resulting fractures can be serious and life-changing. The cause of the disease is still not fully understood but in women is sometimes caused by an estrogen shortage during menopause and in men by a drop in testosterone. Because its results can be so serious it is important to seek treatment. Your doctor can request a bone density test to determine if you have osteoporosis and find out how severe it is.

Effects of Osteoporosis When the disease is in the later stages the fragile bones caused by it often result in a fracture of some type, especially broken wrists, hips and spinal bone, and these fractures can have serious consequences. Fractures in seniors can lead to severe pain and loss of mobility as well as limiting the lifestyle of the person affected. Even after a fracture has healed the pain may be considerable and the challenge is to cope with this pain as effectively as possible. The chronic pain and problems resulting from osteoporosis can occur in the form of stiffness and weakness, muscle tension and spasms. The challenge is to manage the pain in ways that are best for you.

The nonmedication methods below may relieve your pain and prevent it from returning.

• Osteoporosis Pain Management Exercising to get rid of pain Exercise releases natural pain killers called endorphins from the brain. Engaging in a regular exercise program also helps you build your strength and increases energy, makes you more flexible and builds muscles that protect the fragile bones, among many other benefits.
• Using physical therapy to massage away the pain A massage therapist can do wonders for the pain caused by osteoporosis. Other benefits include relaxation and increasing blood supply.

Be sure to tell your massage therapist if you have osteoporosis and he or she can adjust the pressure so that your spine won’t be affected. Heating it up or cooling it down Heat packs and/or ice packs can be very helpful for relieving pain, especially if the pain is localized to one area.

1. Cold packs can be effective for reducing swelling and inflammation and can relieve pain by anesthetizing nerves in the painful area.
2. Taking a warm bath or shower or adding warmth to the pain area can loosen stiff muscles.

Try both of these methods to see which works best for your pain.

• Acupuncture An acupuncturist may be able to relieve pain associated with osteoporosis by inserting specially-developed needles at specific body areas. The needles cause the brain to release endorphins.

Try a TENS units Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation are small mechanisms that are sometimes used to send electrical currents to the area where pain occurs, preventing pain transmissions to be sent to the brain.

A technician places electrodes on your skin near the site that is hurting, and transmits a mild electrical current through them, blocking the sensation of pain for several hours. The chronic pain suffered due to osteoporosis can affect victims emotionally as well as physically and can cause depression. Seniors suffering from osteoporosis may feel despondent and withdraw from life, so it is very important to be tested and treated for the chronic pain that may occur.

Alzheimer’s disease is a devastating disease – it impairs your ability to reason and judge, remember and record, and carry out even the most routine of daily activities. If you begin to notice symptoms in yourself or a loved one, you may need constant care from a senior care service. Senior care placement can help a lot, but if you are still young, or you notice the beginnings of the disease, you may be able to prolong its effects or avoid it altogether. Here’s how:

1. Diet: Folate is apparently a great contributor to a healthy lifestyle, especially in terms of decreasing the risk of Alzheimer’s. This B-vitamin is found in green leafy veggies, bananas, oranges, and legumes. But folate is just an example of the benefits of eating more fruits and vegetables;changing your diet will improve your health in other ways too.
2. General Health: Moderation is important. When it comes to healthy living, you can’t expect to smoke a pack a day and be healthy. Similarly, drinking to excess isn’t good either.
3. Exercise: This tip may conjure visions of the gym, but a quiet walk is all you need to exercise better. Studies show that walking for 45 minutes three times a week for six months may drastically improve your overall health. In a clinical study, those who lifted weights and stretched didn’t have any lesser dementia, but the walkers did.
4. Brain exercise: Keeping your brain busy is an important way to maintain mental health. It doesn’t have to be calculus – simple things like conversation, playing cards, and going to the movies can lessen your risk of Alzheimer’s.
5. Injuries: If you played football when you were younger, chances are you’re more likely to have Alzheimer’s. Serious injuries that result from not wearing helmets on bikes and motorcycles, your seat belt in the car, or any other protective gear, are closely linked with this ugly disease.
6. Don’t Worry, Be Happy: If you often feel sad, anxious, or depressed your chances for Alzheimer’s double, studies show. What to do about it? Relax, and if you are depressed, talk to your doctor about medication.
7. Genetics: Don’t blame your parents; only about 25% of your genes account for Alzheimer’s disease. Diabetes can make you significantly more liable, though.

To prevent Alzheimer’s, all it really takes is a healthy lifestyle. Eat well, walk around, read a lot, sleep, relax, and take care of yourself. You may have to make some minor (or major) lifestyle tweaks, but it’s never too late to start. And if you see signs of Alzheimer’s in your body or a loved one’s, you can see a doctor for medical care, and senior care for tips on how to live with your disease.

The sleep disorder known as sleep apnea is often misunderstood or mistaken as simple snoring by both those who suffer from it and their sleeping partners. But sleep apnea is a recognized medical disorder that can cause many health problems if left untreated.

This is a look at what happens physically during sleep apnea as well as the other health challenges it may cause.

Those who have sleep apnea experience very brief stoppages of breathing, or abnormally shallow breathing, during the sleep process. These difficulties are the result of intermittent obstruction of the upper airway and are most often the result of the very soft tissue located in the rear of the throat collapsing into the airway and either completely or partially blocking it. Medical research has found that these intermittent interruptions generally last from 10 to 20 seconds each and can happen up to 30 times per hour of sleep. During each episode, air flow into the lungs is severely restricted despite the body’s efforts to keep breathing. In turn the level of oxygen in the blood stream diminishes and the brain wakes you up just enough to restrict the muscles in the upper airway and remove the blockage. Normal breathing is restored, often with a noticeable choking sound or snorting. It is important to note that although those who have sleep apnea typically do snore and quite loudly, not everybody who snores suffers from apnea. The brain’s recovery actions during the night result in the sufferers being brought from the deeper stages of sleep into the lighter stages resulting in not enough sleep time being spent in the deep stages of sleep where most of the mental and physical restorative activities occur. This results in excessive sleepiness during the day which is now believed to be related to both behavioral and mood problems including depression. While these physical and emotional reactions are not frequently thought of as sleep apnea symptoms, it is important that the they be seen as a possible indication of the condition. Additionally, the repeated drops of oxygen levels in the blood lead to morning headaches and a diminished ability to concentrate or think clearly during the day. Other health difficulties that can be traced, at least in part, to this sleep disorder include the release of stress hormone substances which can raise blood pressure which leads to cardiovascular disease. If not treated it may cause alterations to the metabolism contributing to the risk for obesity and diabetes.

It is a sad confirmation of a difficult life ahead – learning for the first time that you have diabetes can be very devastating. It is indeed sad news for an older person who looks forward to an easy and relaxed life upon retirement and more so devastating for the young adolescents, in case of Type I Diabetes, who look forward to healthy and energetic lives ahead. The first few months upon diagnosis can be excruciating. One only has to scan the list of do’s and don’ts in proper diabetic management to be depressed that easily. Many of the older people with diabetes are diagnosed way too late of having Type II Diabetes and already suffer from the complications of the disease. Type I Diabetes, a rarer but a more lethal form of diabetes mostly attacks children, adolescents and young adults. Sufferers of Type I Diabetes have to endure daily insulin injections for the rest of their lives unless some new and more advanced diabetes management procedure come up in the near future. Anxiety and depression for diabetes patients is not uncommon given their feeling of being thrown in a situation where they simply cannot get out. They just have no option but to accept things as they are and be optimistic but this could be difficult to do at first. A basic positive approach to effectively managing diabetes is acquiring information and knowledge about this disease.

Patients suffer more psychologically about their disease which they have no knowledge of or simply refuse to understand.

In the case of diabetes, a major part of managing this disease hinges on understanding and knowledge about diabetes not only for the patient but also for the people around him. This aspect is particularly evident and is absolutely necessary in the case of an adolescent with Type I Diabetes.

Raising children who have Type I Diabetes is painstakingly difficult for any parent to do.

It is like performing two delicate balancing acts at the same time.

One being physiologically – trying to maintain glucose levels within the normal range as possible, a little too low would result in hypoglycemia and a little too high would result in hyperglycemia and worse ketoacidosis (having too much ketones in the bloodstream ha can have adverse effects in the body).

The other is the psychological balancing act wherein parents try to imbibe positive outlooks to their child regarding diabetes management and dietary adjustments not only for the child but for the whole family as well.

Food management for a diabetic child requires incredible patience for the parent. Being too strict may curtail the growing diabetic child’s nutritional needs but then again, being too lenient would encourage the child to fall back his former eating habits which could affect glucose levels at an alarming rate. Family support and encouragement is a must during these trying times.

The patient must realize that through the help and understanding of medical professionals and family members that diabetes, while incurable can be properly managed through proper and specialized diet exercise and medication.

It is very important for them to acknowledge that all hope is not lost and they can lead normal, healthy and happy lives ahead

Many people just like you suffer from fears and phobias. Phobias are considered different from common fears because they seemingly are irrational in behavior. That means that when we view the fear with our rational and analytical mind, the fear doesn’t seem to make sense. But whether you can make sense of your fear or not, the fact that you are getting a visceral response from the thought of it makes it very real to you. The National Institute of Mental Health has concluded that there are almost 20 million American people suffering from one or more phobias.

The list seems endless as to what an adult person can consider a fearsome stimulus. Here are some of the most common types of phobias:

1. Acrophobia – Fear of Heights. There is a difference between fear of heights and acrophobia. I think we all have a certain fear of being up high. Fear is a mechanism for preservation. And there is certainly a risk when we find ourselves in a place where a slip in balance could lead us to putting ourselves at risk. So becoming fearful when in such a circumstance is a natural response of protection. It’s when just the thought of being in an elevated place elicits a fearful or panicked response, then it’s likely that you are dealing with a phobia.
2. Claustrophobia – Fear of Small Spaces There is a large range of responses that have been categorized as claustrophobia. So if you start to feel a fear when you crawl into very small spaces where you are confined and would have difficulty turning around that is one level of fear of small spaces. There is the other end of the spectrum where you feel panic when the door to your room is closed. Again the really tight space fear can be considered a normal response to be restricted in movement. Again a preservation mechanism, because we are programed with two responses to aggressive behavior. One way that we can respond is by fighting, and the other way is by running. I’m sure you can see how being in a confined space would limit your ability to fight, and certainly eliminate your ability to run. So I don’t think being in a very confined space is necessarily a phobic response, just a natural protective measure.
3. Nyctophobia – Fear of the Dark This is a common fear in children and may extend into adulthood. As with the two preceding phobias, this is your own protective measure taken to an extreme. One of the main ways that we protect ourselves is through our senses. When we use our senses we can detect danger before it is upon us and take action to make sure that we remain safe and alive. One of our main senses that we have learned to rely upon is our sight. Darkness severely limits our ability to see things. There are animals that have superior abilities to see in the dark, which puts us at a disadvantage when we are faced with that type of challenge. The problem becomes more worrisome when, because we can’t see clearly, we start to imagine some really bad consequences and we increase our fear response.

So as you can see, these three top phobias are really normal fears that have been allowed to expand and control our lives in unpleasant and unwanted ways.

One of the ways that you can overcome your fears and phobias is with hypnosis and mental imagery. When you look at the way these fears and phobias take place, you will see a common link. They are all based upon our instinctual response of fight or flight, and our need to protect ourselves. They are survival mechanisms that are pre-programmed. The difference between the phobia and the fear is the extent that you allow your imagination to take hold and amplify that fear to an irrational level with a trigger for immediate response. When you use hypnosis you can learn to use your imagination more effectively. A good hypnotist can relieve you of the patterns that you have been practicing and help you to build correct mental imagery that will assist you in remaining calm and balanced.

Obesity, one of the most talked about medical dilemma of the day is on rapid increase with life changing consequences, but what are the causes, effects and cures?

This man-made disease is not depending on our doctors, technological advancements or even on our fine medical institutions but on our life styles choices, our physiological inheritance and sometimes our physical environments. The question then is how are we to think, live, eat, drink or exercise because all these factors impact our weight. Isn’t it simply amazing that with such enormous advancements in science, medicine and public health in this century we still have such an epidemic in fatness especially among the young children?

America,an undisputed leader in quality medicine with billions of dollars spent on disease treatment yearly yet we are among the fattest people on earth: So much to be proud of and yet so much to be ashamed of.

Causes of Obesity.

There are many causes I have discovered to this problem even though there is much advancement in diagnostic technology, both at the molecular level and in genetics there are still no specific surgical or medical cures. First let us look at the calorific needs of a person.

What is a calorie: It is the unit used to find the energy value of the foods we eat and the energy used up by our bodies for normal functions of everyday living. When the calories from food intake equal the calories of energy the body uses, weight remains stable. But when more calories are eaten than the body used, the body stores the extra calories as fat, causing weight gain. It is said that approximately one pound (1 lb) of fat equals about 3,500 excess calories.

Genetic makeup: If a child inherited the excessive body fat cells of his obese parents, he will tend to eat extra food than his body needs; therefore, making him an obese individual as well. Parents it is vital that we learn how to correctly select and prepare healthy foods, learn correct life styles and model them in the home because research has shown that “children live what they learn.”

Lifestyles also play a major function in overweight.

• Eating big servings of unhealthy foods at restaurants and fast foods joints plays a major role in providing additional calories, salt, sugar and fats but these are the exact ingredients we need to limit.
• Less time for exercise and other physical activities will definitely not help to reduce the weight.

Friends, we are in big trouble because we need to move around and doing tireless recreational activities such as browsing the internet, video games, movies, couch potato before the television promote an inactive lifestyle. Effects and Possible Complications Obesity increases the risk of developing disease and sometimes leads to amputated limbs.

Other possible complications include:

• Heart disease
• High cholesterol
• High blood pressure
• Cancers of the breast, colon, prostate, lungs
• Diabetes
• Gallbladder disease
• Arthritis
• Osteoporosis Breathing problems
• Bloating and stomach upsets
• Varicose veins
• Severe psychological problems

Working in the medical field, I discovered some pretty alarming facts such as:

• 70 percent of heart disease cases in the United States are linked to excess body fat
• Obese people are more than twice as likely to develop high blood pressure.
• Obese women are at nearly double the risk for developing breast cancer
• All obese people have a likely 42 percent higher chance of developing colon cancer.
• Almost 80 percent of patients with Type 2 diabetes are obese.

The danger of medical complications, mainly heart disease, increases when body fat accumulates leading to blocked arteries.

The social and psychological problems experienced by obese people are huge and sometimes difficult to treat so it becomes very challenging. Stress and discrimination is more likely to occur in schools, work, and social gatherings and sometimes are the first things people experiences. Other psychological problems include depression, massive frustration, poor self esteem, suicide, nervous tension and sometimes nervous breakdown, boredom, lack of friends, lack of confidence, poor assertiveness skills and inferiority complex. Today I just got the sad news that a high school friend died recently of complications of obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure. He ate himself into an early grave. I know some individuals will not listen but death awaits and the sad part is: these people would pay their last dollar when faced with death for another chance at life but then it’s too late. Stop the insanity on your life and health.

Cures for Obesity

I know and believe that life style diseases such as obesity is preventable and reversible; therefore, I will continue to encourage everyone slim, or fat practice the these three cures for healthy living.

Positive Mental Attitude: How the body and mind work together for the success or failure of every human beings.

Proper Diets: Choosing and preparing healthy foods with less salt, sugar, calories, meats, cholesterol, fats and oils; but increasing your intake of fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, tubers and legumes.

Eradicate or drastically reduce sugary juices and increase your water intake should result in a definite reduction in weight.

Correct Exercises – not all exercises are appropriate for everyone but with so many different types of exercises, there is something for everyone to stay fit not fat.

Health by design not chance has its rewards but the key is knowledge. Do you have the knowledge of how the human body functions and how to prevent or reverse life style diseases? I say health is wealth, what says you?

Both childhood and adult obesity is now a huge dilemma and require urgent attention or else the children will not outlive the parents for the first time ever. If knowledge is the key to change obesity, then who is the teacher? The government is not able, parents most times lack the knowledge and teachers too busy; therefore, it becomes the responsibility of health professionals, we must take up the challenge and try to educate as many as possible.