Friday, 14 November 2014

Chlamydia



Chlamydia is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases in the U.S. This infection is easily spread because it often causes no symptoms and may be unknowingly passed to sexual partners. In fact, about 75% of infections in women and 50% in men are without symptoms.

How Do I Know if I Have Chlamydia?
It is not easy to tell if you are infected with chlamydia since symptoms are not always apparent. But when they do occur, they are usually noticeable within one to three weeks of contact and can include the following:

Chlamydia symptoms in women

Abnormal vaginal discharge that may have an odor
Bleeding between periods
Painful periods
Abdominal pain with fever
Pain when having sex
Itching or burning in or around the vagina
Pain when urinating

Chlamydia symptoms in men

Small amounts of clear or cloudy discharge from the tip of the penis
Painful urination
Burning and itching around the opening of the penis
Pain and swelling around the testicles
How Is Chlamydia Diagnosed?
There are a few different tests your doctor can use to diagnose chlamydia. He or she will probably use a swab to take a sample from the urethra in men or from the cervix in women and then send the specimen to a laboratory to be analyzed. There are also other tests which check a urine sample for the presence of the bacteria.

How Is Chlamydia Treated?
If you have chlamydia, your doctor will prescribe oral antibiotics, usually azithromycin (Zithromax) or doxycycline. Your doctor will also recommend your partner(s) be treated to prevent reinfection and further spread of the disease.

With treatment, the infection should clear up in about a week or two. It is important to finish all of your antibiotics even if you feel better.

Women with severe chlamydia infection may require hospitalization, intravenous antibiotics (medicine given through a vein), and pain medicine.

After taking antibiotics, people should be re-tested to be sure the infection is cured. This is particularly important if you are unsure that your partner(s) obtained treatment. Do not have sex until you are sure both you and your partner no longer have the disease.

What Happens If I Don't Get My Chalmydia Treated?

If you do not get treated for chlamydia, you run the risk of several health problems.

For women. If left untreated, chlamydia infection can cause pelvic inflammatory disease, which can lead to damage of the fallopian tubes (the tubes connecting the ovaries to the uterus) or even cause infertility (the inability to have children). Untreated chlamydia infection could also increase the risk of ectopic pregnancy (when the fertilized egg implants and develops outside the uterus.) Furthermore, chlamydia may cause premature births (giving birth too early) and the infection can be passed along from the mother to her child during childbirth, causing an eye infection, blindness, or pneumonia in the newborn.

For men. Chlamydia can cause a condition called nongonococcal urethritis (NGU) -- an infection of the urethra (the tube by which men and women pass urine), epididymitis -- an infection of the epididymis (the tube that carries sperm away from the testes), or proctitis -- an inflammation of the rectum.

How Can I Prevent a Chlamydia Infection?

To reduce your risk of a chlamydia infection:

Use condoms correctly every time you have sex.

Limit the number of sex partners, and do not go back and forth between partners.

Practice sexual abstinence, or limit sexual contact to one uninfected partner.

If you think you are infected, avoid sexual contact and see a doctor.

Any genital symptoms such as discharge or burning during urination or an unusual sore or rash should be a signal to stop having sex and to consult a doctor immediately. If you are told you have chlamydia or any other sexually transmitted disease and receive treatment, you should notify all of your recent sex partners so that they can see a doctor and be treated.


Because chlamydia often occurs without symptoms, people who are infected may unknowingly infect their sex partners. Many doctors recommend that all persons who have more than one sex partner should be tested for chlamydia regularly, even in the absence of symptoms.

Source: WebMD

Thursday, 13 November 2014

What is Anovulation?




Anovulation means lack of ovulation, or absent ovulation. Ovulation, which is the release of an egg from the ovary, must happen in order to achieve pregnancy. If ovulation is irregular, but not completely absent, this is called oligovulation. Both anovulation and oligovulation are kinds of ovulatory dysfunction.

Ovulatory dysfunction is a common cause of female infertility, occurring in up to 40% of infertile women.

What are the Symptoms of Anovulation or Ovulatory Dysfunction?

Usually, women with anovulation will have irregular periods. Or, in the worst case, they may not get their cycles at all. If your cycles are shorter than 21 days, or longer than 36 days, you may have ovulatory dysfunction.

Also, if your cycles fall within the normal range of 21 to 36 days, but the length of your cycles varies widely from month to month, that may also be a sign of ovulatory dysfunction. (For example, one month your period is 22 days, the next it's 35.)

It is possible to get your cycles on an almost normal schedule and not ovulate, though this isn't common. A menstrual cycle where ovulation doesn't occur is called an anovulatory cycle.

How Does Anovulation and Ovulatory Dysfunction Cause Infertility?

For a couple without infertility, the chances of conception are about 25% each month. So even when ovulation happens, a couple isn't guaranteed to conceive.

When a woman is anovulatory, she can't get pregnant because there is no egg to be fertilized. If a woman has irregular ovulation, she has fewer chances to conceive, since she ovulates less frequently. Plus, it seems that late ovulation doesn't produce the best quality eggs, which may also make fertilization less likely.

Also, it's important to remember that irregular ovulation means the hormones in the woman's body aren't quite right. These hormonal irregularities can sometimes lead to other issues, like lack of fertile cervical mucus, thinner or over thickening of the endometrium (where the fertilized egg needs to implant), abnormally low levels of progesterone, and a shorter luteal phase.

What Causes Anovulation?

Anovulation and ovulatory dysfunction can be caused by a number of factors. The most common cause of ovulatory dysfunction is polycystic ovarian syndrome, PCOS.

Other potential causes of irregular or absent ovulation:

Obesity
Too low body weight
Extreme exercise
Hyperprolactinemia
Premature ovarian failure
Perimenopause, or low ovarian reserves
Thyroid dysfunction (either hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism)
Extremely high levels of stress


How is Anovulation Diagnosed?

Your doctor will ask you about your menstrual cycles, and if you report irregular or absent cycles, ovulatory dysfunction will be suspected. Your doctor might also ask you to track your basal body temperature at home for a few months.

How To Detect Ovulation With Basal Body Temperature Charting
Next, your doctor will order blood work to check hormone levels. One of those tests might include a day 21 progesterone blood test. After ovulation, progesterone levels rise. If your progesterone levels do not rise, you are probably not ovulating.

Your doctor may also order a ultrasound. The ultrasound will check out the shape and size of uterus and ovaries, and also look to see if your ovaries are polycystic, a symptom of PCOS.

Ultrasound can also be used to track follicle development and ovulation, though this isn't commonly done. In this case, you might have several ultrasounds over a one- to two-week period.


What are the Potential Treatments for Anovulation?

Treatment will depend on the cause of the anovulation. Some cases of anovulation can be treated by lifestyle change or diet. If low body weight or extreme exercise is the cause of anovulation, gaining weight or lessening your exercise routine may be enough to restart ovulation.

The same goes for obesity. If you are overweight, losing even 10% of your current weight may be enough to restart ovulation.

The most common treatment for anovulation is fertility drugs. Usually, Clomid is the first fertility drug tried. Clomid can trigger ovulation in 80% of anovulatory women, and help about 45% get pregnant within six months of treatment. If Clomid doesn't work, there are many other drugs worth trying. (inbox us for some herbal remedies)

For women with PCOS, insulin sensitizing drugs like Metformin may help a woman start ovulating again. Usually, six months of treatment is required before you'll know if the Metformin will work. If Metformin alone doesn't help, using fertility drugs in combination has been shown to increase the chance of success in women who didn't ovulate on fertility drugs alone.

If the cause of anovulation is premature ovarian failure, or low ovarian reserves, then fertility drugs are less likely to work. Because of the low success rate, some (but not all) doctors will refuse to treat women with fertility drugs if they have a diagnosis of low ovarian reserves. In that case, your doctor may suggest using an egg donor, or an alternative family building option like adoption.

Source:  Rachel Gurevich
Fertility Expert
about health

Monday, 10 November 2014

Aphrodisiacs to encourage sexual arousal and sexual intimacy




What are Aphrodisiacs?
Drugs & Other Therapies for Enhancing Male & Female intimacy
What are Aphrodisiacs?
At some point in our lives we may experience low libido and an extra boost is required to keep the passion alive. For centuries people have made use of aphrodisiacs as libido enhancers to achieve greater sexual health and functioning.

An aphrodisiac is a substance such as food, drink, drug, scent or device that can arouse or induce feelings of sexual desire. Aphrodisiacs are named after Aphrodite, the ancient Greek goddess of sexual love and beauty. Aphrodisiacs have a powerful impact on the mind as they are thought to trigger the release of chemicals in the brain which then stimulate certain organs.

Most aphrodisiacs enhance aspects of the sensory experience such as sight, touch, smell, taste and hearing - which in turn increases sexual drive or libido, improves performance and results in greater sexual satisfaction. Some foods are thought to have aphrodisiac properties.

These include oysters, chocolate, chili, or alcohol. There are also a variety of plants and herbs which have been used for centuries in traditional medicine around the world in order to restore or enhance sexual pleasure.

Even certain situations may play a part in sexual arousal. For instance, a candlelight dinner for two with romantic music and champagne is seen as an aphrodisiac and libido enhancer because it has all the stimulants necessary to promote sexual desire.

Other aphrodisiacs include massage and foot massage. Full-body massages promote sexual desire by allowing full body contact, between two partners. Also, although it may seem like the last thing to stimulate the sexual senses, a foot massage actually enhances desires as well. The part of the brain that registers the sensations a foot massage gives, is the same part that arouses sexual organs.

Intensifying sexual desire can also be done by using bath oils. Before enjoying a massage, try taking a hot bath with bath oils preferably using jasmine scent, which can be very sedating. Lastly, an underestimated aphrodisiac is fear. Though it may seem a bit strange, fear can spark sexual desire. Watching a scary movie or going to a haunted house is among a handful of fearful dates that can arouse both partners.

Aphrodisiacs have even been hailed as being of great help in treating sexual dysfunction and increasing female and male libido. While aphrodisiacs may be considered by some as folklore and mythology, many claims have been made about their potential libido enhancing powers.

A number of prescription drugs may enhance libido, sexual performance and organ sensation. These drugs include Viagra, Arginine and Prostaglandins. Androgens (male hormones) can be prescribed for men with low libido or poor performance.

Women with low hormone levels, particularly during menopause, can try hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to improve libido. While these medications may increase sexual pleasure and performance, there are some negative side effects such as tremors, blurred vision, headaches and irregular heartbeats.

Drugs & Other Therapies for Enhancing Male & Female Intimacy
A number of prescription drugs may enhance libido, sexual performance and organ sensation. These drugs include Viagra, Arginine and Prostaglandins. Androgens (male hormones) can be prescribed for men with low libido or poor performance.

Women with low hormone levels, particularly during menopause, can try hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to improve libido. While these medications may increase sexual pleasure and performance, there are some negative side effects such as tremors, blurred vision, headaches and irregular heartbeats.

Source: Native health US
www.gooddeedsmall.com

Thursday, 6 November 2014

Frequent Urination: Causes and Treatments




Gotta go all the time? The technical name for your problem is frequent urination. In most people the bladder is able to store urine until it is convenient to go to the toilet, typically four to eight times a day. Needing to go more than eight times a day or waking up in the night to go to the bathroom could mean you're drinking too much and/or too close to bedtime. Or it could signal a health problem.

Causes of Frequent Urination
Frequent urination can be a symptom of many different problems. When frequent urination is accompanied by fever, an urgent need to urinate, and pain or discomfort in the abdomen, you may have a urinary tract infection. Other possible causes of frequent urination include:

Diabetes . Frequent urination is often an early symptom of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes as the body tries to rid itself of unused glucose through the urine.

Pregnancy . From the early weeks of pregnancy the growing uterus places pressure on the bladder, causing frequent urination.


Prostate problems. An enlarged prostate can press against the urethra (the tube that carries urine out the body) and block the flow of urine. This causes the bladder wall to become irritable. The bladder begins to contract even when it contains small amounts of urine, causing more frequent urination.

Interstitial cystitis . This condition of unknown cause is characterized by pain in the bladder and pelvic region. Often, symptoms include an urgent and/or frequent need to urinate.

Diuretic use. These medications that are used to treat high blood pressure or fluid buildup work in the kidney and flush excess fluid from the body, causing frequent urination.

Stroke or other neurological diseases. Damage to nerves that supply the bladder can lead to problems with bladder function, including frequent and sudden urges to urinate.

Less common causes include bladder cancer, bladder dysfunction, and radiation therapy.

Often, frequent urination is not a symptom of a problem, but is the problem. In people with overactive bladder syndrome, involuntary bladder contractions lead to frequent and often urgent urination, meaning you have to get to a bathroom right now -- even if your bladder is not full. It may also lead you to wake up once or more during the night to use the bathroom.

Diagnosing the Cause of Frequent Urination
If urinary frequency interferes with your lifestyle or is accompanied by other symptoms such as fever, back or side pain, vomiting, chills, increased appetite or thirst, fatigue, bloody or cloudy urine, or a discharge from the penis or vagina, it's important to see your doctor.

To diagnose the cause of frequent urination, your doctor will perform a physical exam and take a medical history, asking questions such as the following:

* Are you taking any medications?
* Are you experiencing other symptoms?
* Do you have the problem only during the day or also at night?
* Are you drinking more than usual?
* Is your urine darker or lighter than usual?
* Do you drink alcohol or caffeinated beverages?

Diagnosing the Cause of Frequent Urination
Depending on the findings of the physical exam and medical history, your doctor may order tests, including:

Urinalysis. The microscopic examination of urine that also involves a number of tests to detect and measure various compounds that pass through the urine

Cystometry. A test that measures the pressure inside of the bladder to see how well the bladder is working; cystometry is done to determine if a muscle or nerve problem may be causing problems with how well the bladder holds or releases urine.

Cystoscopy. A test that allows your doctor to look at the inside of the bladder and urethra using a thin, lighted instrument called a cystoscope


Neurological Tests. Diagnostic tests and procedures that help the doctor confirm or rule out the presence of a nerve disorder

Ultrasonography. A diagnostic imaging test used to visualize an internal body structure

Treatment for Frequent Urination
Treatment for frequent urination will address the underlying problem that is causing it. For example, if diabetes is the cause, treatment will involve keeping blood sugar levels under control.

The treatment for overactive bladder should begin with behavioral therapies, such as:

Bladder retraining. This involves increasing the intervals between using the bathroom over the course of about 12 weeks. This helps retrain your bladder to hold urine longer and to urinate less frequently.
Diet modification. You should avoid any food that appears to irritate your bladder or acts as a diuretic. These may include caffeine, alcohol, carbonated drinks, tomato-based products, chocolate, artificial sweeteners, and spicy foods. It's also important to eat high-fiber foods, because constipation may worsen the symptoms of overactive bladder syndrome.

Monitoring fluid intake. You should drink enough to prevent constipation and over-concentration of urine, but you should avoid drinking just before bedtime, which can lead to nighttime urination.
Kegel exercises. These exercises help strengthen the muscles around the bladder and urethra to improve bladder control and reduce urinary urgency and frequency. Exercising pelvic muscles for five minutes three times a day can make a difference in bladder control.

Treatment may also include drugs such as Detrol LA,  Ditropan, Enablex, Oxytrol, Myrbetriq, Sanctura XR, Tofranil, and Vesicare. Oxytrol for women is the only drug available over the counter.

There are other options for those that do not respond to lifestyle changes and medication. The drug Botox can be injected into the bladder muscle causing the bladder to relax, increasing its storage capacity, and reducing episodes of leakage.

Several types of surgery are also available. The least invasive involve implanting small nerve stimulators just beneath the skin. The nerves they stimulate control the pelvic floor and the devices can manipulate contractions in the organs and muscles within the pelvic floor.

Source: WebMd

Wednesday, 5 November 2014

Intestinal Gas Help reduce problems due to excessive intestinal gas in children and adults





What is Intestinal Gas?
During the process of digestion, food is broken down into molecules that the body can use to fuel itself. However, sometimes food does not break down completely and food remnants make its way into the large intestine in a semi-digestive state where it then ferments.

Billions of hungry bacteria (the natural "intestinal fauna") that we all have in our large intestine then produce a variety of gases such as methane, hydrogen and hydrogen sulfide as by-products of this fermentation process. These vapors are known as intestinal gasses, and can cause stomach bloating until they leave the body as flatulence through the anus.

Symptoms of Intestinal Gas
Symptoms of intestinal gas may include:

Abdominal, intestinal or stomach pain & cramping
Chest pain
Bloating
Shortness of breath

What Causes Intestinal Gas?
The causes of intestinal gas vary, and may include:

Carbonated beverages (e.g. beer and soda)
Pregnancy
High altitudes
Flying
Menstrual cycle
Anorexia
Anxiety
Chemotherapy
Dehydration
High fiber foods
Intestinal Gas in Children

Children can be very sensitive to their environments, which can lead to distress if overstimulation occurs, leading to intestinal disturbances, bloating and gas. Try to minimize your baby or child’s activity levels and see if the problem is alleviated – for example, limit visitors, taking your child along on errands, and eliminate background noise like a T.V. or radio, which can disrupt comfort levels.

Foods for Intestinal Gas Relief
As intestinal gas may result from the breakdown of certain foods, it is helpful to know which are likely to produce more sensitivity and limit consumption. In addition, eating or drinking any food too rapidly can lead to swallowing excessive air, which can lead to gas.

Lactose, a natural sugar found in dairy products, is a very common cause of intestinal gas. Limit intake of milk, cheese, dressings, ice cream, and other dairy to see if the condition improves. Many packaged foods may also contain lactose, so check ingredient labels on breads and cereals.
Raffinose is a complex sugar that is known to produce gas, with beans containing a very high amount. Other foods with raffinose include cabbage, brussels sprouts, broccoli, asparagus, and whole grains.
Fructose, a simple sugar, is also a common contributor to gas, so limit onions, artichokes, pears, and wheat.
Avoid artificial sweeteners like sorbitol, found in dietetic foods, sugar free soda and gum. Sorbitol is also naturally present in certain fruits like apples, peaches and prunes.
Many carbohydrates and starches, such as potatoes, noodles, and breads contribute to gas when they are digested.

Foods high in soluble fiber may also cause gas, such as oat bran, beans, barley, nuts, seeds, lentils.
Tips on How to Clear Intestinal Gas
Limit Fizz. Soda drinks can be your worst enemy, as they can augment your intestinal gas. Also avoid beer. If you do drink a beverage like beer, pour it in a glass first to let some of the fizz out.
Drink different kinds of herbal teas. Try a cup of tea from ginger, mint, cinnamon, or chamomile tea, and add a little sugar, or honey.
Hydrate. Drink plenty of water and clear soups (broths without cabbage or beans).
Try not to swallow air - you can do this by eating slowly and chewing properly. Avoiding chewing gum and hard candy - and quit smoking in a natural manner.
Foods or Foe? Foods that cause problems are usually those high in fiber or carbohydrates, which are hard to digest. Some of the culprits include: beans, peas, whole grains, cabbage, grapes, plums, raisins, corn, onions, soft drinks, red wine, beer and foods containing milk or wheat (for people who are intolerant to them).

To help promote digestion, soothe gastric upset, and even stimulate bowel movements, try abdominal massage, which, can help all of the above conditions affected by intestinal gas.

Source: Native R.

www.gooddeedsmall.com 

Epilepsy- Information on controlling epileptic pain and seizures and help with relieving all types of epilepsy



What is Epilepsy?
Epilepsy is a relatively common neurological disorder that causes people to have recurrent seizures. Seizures occur when there is abnormal electrical activity within the brain, triggered by nerve cells or neurons in the brain sending out the wrong signals. Many people are not clear on the difference between seizures and epilepsy.

Seizures (also known as fits or convulsions) are a symptom of epilepsy where as Epilepsy is a neurological disorder in which the brain is predisposed to sudden alterations in electrical activity, triggering a seizure. The occurrence of one seizure does not necessarily mean you have epilepsy.

If the seizure was the result of a once off head injury for example then it may never occur again and the person will not be diagnosed as having epilepsy. However all first time seizures require a thorough medical evaluation to determine the cause and the probability of it developing into epilepsy or not.

How do you recognize a Seizure?

As mentioned a seizure happens when there is brief surge of electrical activity in a part or all of the brain. They can last anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes and can have many different symptoms ranging from an obvious convulsion and loss of consciousness to minor twitching movements of a small part of the body or even just blank staring.

Depending on the area of the brain involved and the symptoms displayed seizures are divided into a number of different classes.

The first major classification depends on whether the abnormal activity in the brain is in one area only, causing partial or focal seizures, or whether it involves the whole brain causing a generalized seizure.

These are the main types of seizures and how you can recognize them:

Partial Seizures:
Simple partial seizures – you may experience alterations in emotions or the way things look, feel, taste or smell without any loss of consciousness

Complex partial seizures – your level of consciousness or awareness is altered, together with staring and abnormal non-purposeful movements such as lip smacking, hand rubbing or repetitive swallowing.

Generalized seizures:
Absence seizures – commonly known as petit mal seizures they are characterized by brief lapses of awareness, staring and sometimes subtle body movements.

Myoclonic seizures – sudden, forceful jerks of the arms and legs

Atonic seizures – cause you to suddenly fall down or collapse and are commonly known as drop attacks.

Tonic-clonic seizure – this type of seizure is the most intense and is also known as a grand mal seizure. These seizures cause what most people recognize as a convulsion: loss of consciousness, body stiffening, shaking or jerking, sometimes accompanied by tongue biting or loss of bladder control.


A localized abnormal electrical impulse in the brain, causing a partial seizure, can spread to the rest of brain converting the partial seizure into a generalized seizure, a process known as secondary generalization.
If a person has two or more seizures they are usually considered to be epileptic. While seizures vary enormously between different people and even in the individual most epileptics tend to have the same type of seizure each time.

What Causes Epilepsy?
In about half of all affected people epilepsy has no identifiable cause. Although there is a small genetic component to epilepsy allowing epilepsy to sometimes ‘run’ in families’ genetic inheritance places a very small role in this condition.

In the rest of people Epilepsy can often be traced back to an incident that involved some form of brain trauma or deprivation of oxygen to the brain. This could be due factors such as the following:

* Brain injury or trauma in an accident or fall

* Deprivation of oxygen such as a difficult birth or a near drowning

* Illness or disease such as a stroke causing a lack of oxygen to the brain

* Brain damage due to an infective process, swelling or in rare cases due to a tumor.

There are however certain risk factors that can increase your chances of developing epilepsy:

* Because brain injuries are so commonly a cause of epilepsy not wearing your seatbelt in the car or partaking in dangerous activities or sports without a helmet can all place you at increased risk.

* Strokes another important factor and being overweight smoking, having high cholesterol, drinking alcohol in excess etc can all increase your risk.

* Brain infections such as meningitis or encephalitis also increase your risk of developing epilepsy.

* Prolonged febrile convulsions (seizures due to a high fever) during childhood may increase your risk

* You may be at increased risk of developing epilepsy if you have a family history of it.

Diagnosing Epilepsy
Your doctor will take a detailed history of your seizures, and may perform certain tests, to try and determine if your seizure was the result of a once off incident or if it may be epilepsy.

In order to be diagnosed with epilepsy you have to have suffered from recurrent, unprovoked seizures and, in conjunction with your medical history, your doctor may perform the following tests to confirm the diagnosis:

* EEG – Electroencephalogram. This measures electrical activity in the brain and abnormal ‘electrical spikes’ can indicate epilepsy

* Brain MRI or CT scan – can be useful when looking for a cause within the brain such as a stroke, tumor or abnormal brain anatomy

Because epilepsy, although a condition itself, can also be a symptom of or occur in association with many other medical conditions your doctor may also perform other tests as part of the medical evaluation if he suspects an underlying condition.

Help for Epilepsy
The aim of treatment in epilepsy is to keep the patient seizure free and side effect free; however this is not always an easy goal to achieve. There are many different anti-epileptic drugs that work in different ways and have different side effects. In addition different prescription medications will work better for certain conditions and what works for one person may not work for another.

This usually results in a rather ‘hit and miss’ technique of trying to find a medication that works for each person and may involve a number of different dosages, drugs or combinations of drugs being tried. Unfortunately this can still leave you experiencing not only your seizures but also a variety of different side effects.

It is very important that you speak to your doctor and find out all that you can about your condition and the medication prescribed – remember there is no such thing as a stupid question! If your doctor is finding it difficult to find a treatment regime that controls your seizures you may be referred to a specialist, either a neurologist or an epileptologist, who would suggest further alternatives.

There are a number of other treatment modalities that are sometimes used in unusual cases and these include surgical procedures, neural stimulation and special diets.

More Information on Epilepsy

What must you do if you witness someone having a Seizure?

Most people feel thoroughly ill-equipped when faced with a person experiencing a seizure. Here are some simple, common sense tips that will help you to deal with the situation:

First and foremost – stay calm!
One of the primary goals is to prevent the person having the seizure from hurting him or herself so remove any objects nearby that may cause harm such as tables with sharp corners. You can also place something soft under the head.
Move the patient into the recovery position by laying them on their left side.
Pay attention to the length of the seizure and the symptoms displayed.
Don’t restrain the person and try to hold them down
Don’t put anything in the patient’s mouth – not only are you in danger of being bitten but, contrary to popular folklore, you cannot swallow your tongue during a seizure!
Do not give the patient any water, food or oral medication until he or she is fully alert.
If the seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes or there are repeat seizures contact your emergency medical service
Be sensitive to the person’s dignity and try to keep onlookers away

Source: Native R

Monday, 20 October 2014

Breast examination in the shower;







The breast self-exam is a way that you can check your breasts for changes (such as lumps or thickenings). It includes looking at and feeling your breast. Any unusual changes should be reported to your doctor. When breast cancer is detected in its early stages, your chances of surviving the disease are greatly improved.

Procedure;
1. It is helpful to have your hands slippery with soap and water.

2. Check for any lumps or thickening in your underarm area.

3. Place your left hand on your hip and reach with your right hand to feel in the left armpit. Repeat on the other side.

4. Check both sides for lumps or thickenings above and below your collarbone.

5. With hands soapy, raise one arm behind your head to spread out the breast tissue.

6. Use the flat part of your fingers from the other hand to press gently into the breast.

7. Follow an up-and-down pattern along the breast, moving from bra line to collarbone. you can also apply the circular or wedge pattern.

8. Continue the pattern until you have covered the entire breast. Repeat on the other side.

Get Health Smart! Have a nice day.