What is Hypothermia?

December 10, 2010 By Leave a Comment

ContentHypothermia is the condition that describes a reduction in body temperature, which can be fatal if left untreated. There are three stages of hypothermia, from mild to life threatening. Hypothermia can cause organ failure because the body is too cold to run properly.

Stage 1 Hypothermia
When a person’s body temperature drops between one and three degrees from the normal average of 98.6 F (37 C), they are in the first stage of hypothermia. Many people have experienced this condition, with symptoms of mild shivering, goose bumps, and numb hands. A good example is when children are swimming in a cold pool, and they start to shiver and their lips turn blue, but they don’t want to get out! To return the body to it’s normal temperature, get out of the cold and elements and warm up with blankets.

Stage 2 Hypothermia
When a body temperature drops to as low as 91.4 F (35-33 C), this is considered as stage 2 hypothermia and is dangerous. Symptoms include confusion, arm and leg numbness, blue lips, hands, and feet. A person with stage 2 hypothermia may also have trouble moving their muscles properly. Shivering is the body’s way of generating heat, so a person with hypothermia will begin to shiver and shake a lot more than just an average chill.

Stage 3 Hypothermia
This stage of hypothermia is characterized by a body temperature of 90 F (32.22 C) or lower and is fatal if not treated. Shivering may subside, but the hypothermic person will have difficulty moving and will be very confused. The heart beats faster and organs will begin to fail if not treated. The hospital will treat patients with hypothermia by wrapping them in warm blankets and they may use warm intravenous fluid to help improve circulation and warm up the organs.

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The Difference Between Hyper- and Hypo- Thyroidism

November 30, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Hyperthyroidism
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The thyroid is a gland located in the neck, that secretes different hormones. The main hormones that are taken care of by the thyroid are T3 and T4. These help deliver energy to the cells in your body. There are two main conditions that can arise with the thyroid; hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. Nearly 30 million Americans have some sort of thyroid disease, most of which are going undiagnosed.

Hypothyroidism is characterized by an under active thyroid gland. The main symptom of hypothyroidism is a slow metabolism, and can also include depression, weight gain, and fatigue. Hypothyroidism can be caused by many things. It can be a genetic disorder, or can be caused by some types of medication. Certain types of infections may even cause hypothyroidism.

Hyperthyroidism on the other hand, is when the gland overproduces the thyroid hormones. This causes an increase of hormone production. Hyperthyroidism also includes an increased heart rate, trouble sleeping, and even infertility. Hyperthyroidism is generally caused by a grown in the thyroid gland. Grave’s disease is generally associated with this thyroid disorder.

Both of these thyroid problems are much more common in women than in men. In fact, a woman has about a one in five chance of having a thyroid issue at some point in their life. Generally, hypothyroidism is seen more frequently than hyperthyroidism. They are also both treatable by medications. If you are concerned that you may have a thyroid problem, consult with your doctor. These can be found by a simple blood test, and easily treated. Make sure that, as with any medication, you make sure that there are not any drug interactions with any prescriptions you may currently be taking.

Thyroid problems are very common. They can generally be easily treated, but if you do have a problem with your thyroid, make sure to have regular check ins with your doctor, as it can become a serious condition.

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How to Recognize and Help Treat Hypoglycemia

November 27, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Most people know that diabetes happens when a person has trouble keeping their blood sugar low enough. Many people do not know that there is an opposite to this, which is hypoglycemia. This is a condition that shows itself by the blood sugar being too low. Hypoglycemia can happen occasionally in people who have diabetes, but is also a disorder in and of itself, as well.

Some of the symptoms of hypoglycemia are cold sweats, fatigue, headache, and even fainting or coma. Generally the treatment for hypoglycemia is fairly easy. A snack, such as a candy bar, a little bit of juice or soda, or a piece of fruit, can help raise the blood sugar enough to help you feel better. If a person has sever hypoglycemia, they may be treated with glucose injections or even a hormone injection. The results of severe hypoglycemia can be extremely detrimental, and in fact can even lead to death.

If you have a tendency toward hypoglycemia, you may need to change your diet. Eating small, frequent meals can help keep your blood sugar regulated, and eating more complex carbs will help as well.

There are a few causes of hypoglycemia. These include the sugar in your blood stream being used up too quickly, the glucose is released into the blood stream too slowly, or even if too much insulin is put into the bloodstream. Hypoglycemia can also be caused by a tumor located in the pancreas. If this is the case, surgery may be needed to remove the tumor.

Keeping a small snack with you at all times is one way to help prevent problems due to hypoglycemia. Many people will keep a granola bar, or nuts in the car, at their desk, or in their purse, in case of an episode. If you know that you are diabetic, or have a tendency toward hypoglycemia, testing your blood sugar on a regular basis can help keep you healthy.

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What is Iron Deficiency Anemia?

November 25, 2010 By Leave a Comment

A deficiency of healthy red blood cells in the body is known as anemia. There are many different types of anemia that we know of. If there is too little iron in the blood, this can cause iron deficiency anemia. Iron deficiency anemia can be categorized anywhere from mild to severe. Depending on the severity of the anemia, there are different symptoms that may occur. A decrease in appetite is generally shown in children. Fatigue, headache, a sore tongue, or strange food cravings can be symptoms of iron deficiency anemia. If the anemia is considered mild, there may not be any symptoms at all.

The most common treatment for iron deficiency anemia is to add an iron supplement to your diet. Once the deficiency is found, your doctor may do more tests to find the cause behind the deficiency. There are also many foods that are high in iron that you can add to your diet to help alleviate the problems of iron deficiency anemia. Meat, whole grain bread, fish, and eggs are all high in iron and great to add if you are having trouble keeping your iron levels up.

Many people have anemia, and iron deficiency anemia is the most common type. This disorder is seen much more commonly in women than in men. Nearly half of all pregnant women deal with an iron deficiency during their pregnancies. Blood loss, too little iron in your current diet, and the body not absorbing the iron correctly are the biggest reasons for the diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia. Other possible causes could be ulcers, certain types of cancer, and too much long term use of aspirin.

If you are trying to avoid anemia, keeping your diet high in iron by eating red meat, bread, and eggs, can be extremely helpful. If you feel that your diet does not have enough iron, you can also supplement it with a vitamin that includes or consists of iron.

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What is Type 1 Diabetes?

November 20, 2010 By Leave a Comment
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Type 1 diabetes used to be considered juvenile diabetes. It was thought that only people who were diagnosed with the disease in their childhood had type 1. There has been research done that refutes this thought, and today we know that type 1 diabetes can be found in both children as well as adults.

Type 1 diabetes happens when the immune system in a person’s body actually attacks and destroys cells in the pancreas. This makes the body unable to produce insulin. Insulin helps the body be able to move glucose, or sugar in the blood, through the body. This glucose is used to make energy for the body. When a person has type 1 diabetes, the glucose stays in the blood, and this can cause great harm to the body.

People who have been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes have to take insulin to survive. Most people with this disease will inject the insulin themselves regularly. There are also insulin pumps now that will automatically distribute the insulin. Whether you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, testing your blood sugars multiple times a day is an important step to staying healthy. Many diabetics will test their blood sugar between four and six times per day. Keeping your diet in check is also extremely important. People with diabetes have a difficult time eating carbs, because their bodies are not able to break the sugars down.

Some warning signs of type 1 diabetes are frequent urination, extreme thirst, lethargy, or sudden weight loss. Type 1 is still generally diagnosed in children and teenagers, though it has been shown that anyone’s pancreas can shut down and stop producing insulin. We still do not know what exactly causes type 1 diabetes, but it has been shown that genetics plays a large role in the diagnosis.

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How to Notice Kidney Stones, and What to do

November 18, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Kidney stones are a health problem that effect many people. Kidney stones are solid masses, generally of calcium, that are in the kidneys. Generally, these are signaled by pain in the side, near the back, or in the belly area. This pain has also been known to move to the groin area. If there is blood in the urine or an abnormal urine color, these can be indications of kidney stones, as well. Kidney stones have been around for centuries. In fact, there has been evidence of kidney stones in ancient Egyptian mummies.

The cause of kidney stones is not always known. If you have a family history of kidney stones, you may be more susceptible to them. There are also some foods that can contribute to kidney stones, if you are already prone to them. For example, spinach and beets have been shown to have high levels of oxalate, which can contribute to kidney stones.

Kidney stones are generally almost symptomless. In fact, the first symptom to be noticed is generally an extreme pain in the kidney area. Passing as stone, which means urinating it out of your system, can be excruciatingly painful. At times, the stones may be too large to pass, and therefore surgery may be required. One of the best ways to help prevent kidney stones, as well as help treat them once they are found, is to drink lots of water. This helps flush the system. It used to be said that you should stay away from high calcium foods, since most kidney stones are made of calcium. Recently, though, it has been found that eating items high in calcium can actually help prevent stones in the first place.

If you have a personal or family history of kidney stones, you will want to let your doctor know. Changing a few things in your lifestyle, such as drinking more water, can help keep you healthy, and out of surgery.

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You’ve Heard About Mesothelioma, but What is it?

November 16, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Many people today have noticed that there are a lot of television commercials and ads all over about mesothelioma. You may be wondering, though, exactly what mesothelioma is, and how it could effect you. This is a rare form of cancer, that is generally caused by asbestos exposure. It grows from the protective lining that is the cover of many of the internal organs in a person’s body. This cancer is usually seen in the lining of the lungs, but can also been found in th abdominal cavity, the heart, and more.

So, who is at risk for mesothelioma? Generally it has been found in people who have had long term exposure to asbestos dust and fiber. For example, many people who have worked construction in the past, where asbestos was used in the home construction, have been found to have mesothelioma.

The symptoms of mesothelioma can include difficulty breathing, fluid between the chest wall and the lungs, or pain in the chest. The best way to have this type of cancer diagnosed is through a CT scan or chest X-ray. Once mesothelioma is diagnosed, it is usually confirmed by a tissue sample biopsy.

Unfortunately, mesothelioma comes with a very poor prognosis. There are chemotherapy and radiation treatments, but these have not proven as effective with this type of cancer as with others.

There have been lawsuits involving mesothelioma since 1929. These lawsuits have been against the manufacturers of asbestos. These lawsuits claim that the manufacturers neglected safety measures and possible health risks.

If you feel that you have had prolonged exposure to asbestos, and if you are concerned about the possibility of having mesothelioma, talk with your doctor about your concerns. They will be able to do some testing and show whether or not you have this rare form of cancer.

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Identifying Ovarian Cysts

November 12, 2010 By Leave a Comment
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Ovarian cysts are a problem that many women face, and even more women are concerned about. These cysts develop in the ovaries, and are sacs filled with fluid. Usually, these are harmless cysts, but in some cases they could cause major problems. At times, the cysts become so problematic that surgery is required to remove them. Other times, the cysts are completely harmless, and the woman may not even realize that they are there. Many women do not realize that ovarian cysts can affect women of any age. An overwhelming majority of cysts occur normally; the are not part of a disorder or disease. Most are also not cancerous, and will disappear in a short time on their own.

There are some risk factors for ovarian cysts that you may want to consider. If you have irregular monthly cycles, or menstruated early (generally considered before age 11), you may be at risk for ovarian cysts. Hypothyroidism and other hormonal imbalances, as well as infertility may also be risk factors for these cysts.

Severe, sharp pain in the lower abdomen is one of the most well known symptoms of ovarian cysts. Frequently, this means that the cysts has actually ruptured, and may require medical attention. If this pain, or pressure in the lower abdomen is paired with vomiting or nausea, there is a possibility that this may indicate ovarian cysts as well.

Ovarian cysts are generally diagnosed via ultrasound. A CT scan may also be used in the diagnosis of the cysts. If it is fairly certain that you have ovarian cysts, your doctor may want to do a laparoscopic surgery. With this surgery, the doctor is able to not only verify the cysts on the ovaries, but also remove them or take a sample for biopsy. A blood test to test hormone levels can also be helpful in diagnosing ovarian cysts.

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Identifying Pneumonia

November 7, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Many people see the colder months as flu season, but there are other infections and viruses that are caught more frequently in the winter months than the summer. One of these is pneumonia. In its most basic definition, pneumonia is an infection in the lungs. In most cases, it can be treated effectively through the use of antibiotics and vaccines. The symptoms of pneumonia may at first seem like a common cold, or even a flu. The most common of these symptoms include fever, cough, and even breathing difficulties.

Pneumonia can be a problem for anyone, no matter your age. People who have health problems already, such as chronic illness, as well as those that are very young or very old can be at a higher risk of death due to pneumonia. In fact, it is one of the leading causes of death in these groups.

Since there are many types of pneumonia, there are also different treatment options. If the pneumonia is viral, unfortunately, there is not much that a doctor can do for treatment. Most other types of pneumonia react well to antibiotics. Because of this, many doctors will prescribe an antibiotic for all types of pneumonia. There are also vaccines available for certain types of pneumonia. This is a vaccine that you will want to have repeated every five to ten years, if you choose to have it.

Usually, with treatment from your doctor, most types of pneumonia that are caused by bacteria will clear up within two to four weeks. It may take between four and six weeks for a viral pneumonia to clear up. Many people who do not seek treatment for their pneumonia end up dying because it can progress to the point of blood poisoning. Nearly one fifth of people who have a bacterial pneumonia die from it.

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What are Scabies, and How to Identify Them

November 5, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Many people have heard of scabies, but may not fully understand what it is. In fact, it is a common misconception that a person with scabies is dirty; maybe they don’t shower often enough, or live in filthy environments. This is not true, and scabies is something that can affect anyone. This is a contagious skin infection cause by a mite. It shows up by small burrows in the skin and extreme itching.
Many people can confuse scabies to be something more along the lines of hives. The itching that occurs is actually an allergic reaction to the microscopic mites. There is usually also a rash that occurs. This rash is actually the burrows of the mites into the skin. The best way to tell hives from scabies is that with scabies you will generally be able to see a small hole, which may look like an insect bite.

Scabies is extremely contagious. The mites can survive for up to 36 hours without a human host, and can be transferred by any means, including on items such as a keyboard or clothing. Skin to skin contact is another way that scabies can be transferred from person to person. Unfortunately, there is currently no vaccine that is available for this problem. However, scabies can be treated with medication.

If you are concerned that you may have scabies, you will want to consult with your physician. If you do in fact have scabies, then your doctor will be able to prescribe the correct medication for you and your family. You will want to make sure that everyone in the house gets treatment, and that you alert people that you may have been in contact with, as well, so that they can get the treatment as well. Making sure that everyone who may have contracted scabies gets treatment is extremely important in keeping the contagious mites from coming back around again.

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