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Facts You Should Know About Bladder Infection

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Urinary tract infection (UTI) can be in any part of the urinary tract ?The urethra, the bladder, the ureters and the kidneys. Of these, the most common infections occur in the bladder. Bladder infections are also known as cystitis, which literally means an inflammation of the bladder.

Risk Factors
Some people are more likely than others to get bladder infections. Women tend to get them more often than men due to their urethra being shorter and closer to the anus. Among t…
bladder infection,bladder infection symptom,cause of bladder infection,bladder infection treatment
Urinary tract infection (UTI) can be in any part of the urinary tract ?The urethra, the bladder, the ureters and the kidneys. Of these, the most common infections occur in the bladder. Bladder infections are also known as cystitis, which literally means an inflammation of the bladder.

Risk Factors
Some people are more likely than others to get bladder infections. Women tend to get them more often than men due to their urethra being shorter and closer to the anus. Among the women most likely to get bladder infections are women who are pregnant, going through menopause and using a diaphragm for birth control. Men who have prostate inflammation or enlargement will also be more likely to have bladder infections. Risk factors that apply to both men and women are; kidney stones, sexual intercourse with multiple partners, narrowed urethra, immobility such as recovering from hip fracture, not drinking enough fluids, bowel incontinence and catheterization. Elderly people and people with diabetes are also at higher risk of bladder infections.

Children can also be at risk for bladder infections. They are most common in boys before the first birthday and among uncircumcised boys. Girls are most likely to get bladder infections at around three years old when toilet training is usually in progress. Children under five years old who have bladder infections will need follow-up care to prevent later kidney damage.

Symptoms
The symptoms of a bladder infection are varied. A person can have any or all of them. Young children may have only a fever or no symptoms at all. For adults, the symptoms can include; pressure in the lower pelvis, pain or burning with urination, frequent or urgent need to urinate, need to urinate at night, cloudy urine, blood in the urine, foul or strong urine odor, painful sexual intercourse, penis pain, flank pain, vomiting, fever and chills and mental changes or confusion.

Causes
Bacteria entering the urethra cause bladder infections. The bacteria, more often than not, come from the anus. In some children, an abnormality in the anatomy of the urinary tract contributes to frequent infections.

Treatment
Sometimes, a mild bladder infection will clear up on its own. Antibiotics are usually recommended, though, because there is a risk of the infection spreading to the kidneys. In order to protect their developing kidneys, children should be treated promptly with antibiotics. Elderly people should also be treated with antibiotics as soon as possible. If prompt treatment is not started, there is a greater chance of fatal complications.

There are many antibiotics that can be used to treat a bladder infection. They are: Nitrofurantoin, Cephalosporins, Sulfa drugs, Amoxicillin, Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, Doxycycline and Quinolones.

The last two should not be used in children. Women who are not elderly usually only need three days of antibiotics. No matter how many doses are prescribed, the full course of antibiotics must be taken or the infection could return and be harder to clear up. A severe bladder infection may require hospitalization to re-hydrate and receive antibiotics intravenously.

Prevention
Bladder infections can usually be prevented. By following these suggestions, bladder infection can be prevented or the frequency reduced. Keep your genital area clean and wipe from front to back. Drink plenty of fluids and avoid fluids that irritate the bladder, like alcohol and caffeine. Drink cranberry juice unless you have a family history of kidney stones. Wear cotton or some other breathable cloth underwear. Do not douche or use similar feminine hygiene products. Urinate soon after sexual intercourse.

Disclaimer
The information presented here should not be taken as medical advice. If you need more information, please consult a qualified physician.

Permission is granted to reprint this article as long as no changes are made, and the entire resource box is included.

Effective Fever Treatment?

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A part of the brain called the hypothalamus acts as the body’s thermostat. When all is well in the body, the hypothalamus is set at the normal body temperature. Fever develops when the hypothalamus is set to a higher-than-normal temperature. This resetting of the hypothalamus is usually caused by small molecules called pyrogens in the blood.

Pyrogens can come from outside the body (external) or can be produced inside the body (internal). External pyrogens include toxins (p…
fever,sick,body temperature,temperature,child fever,fever treatment,fever remedy,fevers,chill,chills
A part of the brain called the hypothalamus acts as the body’s thermostat. When all is well in the body, the hypothalamus is set at the normal body temperature. Fever develops when the hypothalamus is set to a higher-than-normal temperature. This resetting of the hypothalamus is usually caused by small molecules called pyrogens in the blood.

Pyrogens can come from outside the body (external) or can be produced inside the body (internal). External pyrogens include toxins (poisons) produced by infectious viruses or bacteria. Internal pyrogens include abnormal chemicals that are produced by tumors and proteins that are released during the normal response of the immune system.

A fever is defined as a temperature 1?or more above the normal 98.6? Mild or short-term elevations are common with minor infections. High fevers, with temperatures of 103?and above, can signal a potentially dangerous infection.

There are several medications that can reduce body temperature by blocking the mechanisms that cause a fever. These so-called antipyretic agents include acetaminophen, ibuprofen and aspirin. All three of these drugs appear to be equally effective at reducing fever. However, since aspirin may cause or be associated with side effects, such as stomach upset, intestinal bleeding and (most seriously) Reye syndrome, we do not recommend using it to treat a simple fever. Ibuprofen use is approved for children 6 months of age and older; however, ibuprofen should never be given to children who are dehydrated or vomiting continuously.

Ideally, the dose of acetaminophen should be based on a child’s weight, not his age. The dose of ibuprofen should be based on baseline temperature and weight, not his age. However, the dosages listed on the labels of acetaminophen bottles (which are usually calculated by age) are generally safe and effective unless your child is unusually light or heavy for his age.

Doctors often advise adults with mild to moderate fevers below 102?Fahrenheit to:

Drink plenty of water and fruit juices to prevent dehydration (abnormally low levels of body water). Fluids help to cool your body and they replenish vital salts and minerals (electrolytes), which may be lost during vomiting or diarrhea.

Eat light foods that are easy to digest! We urge you to find out more about fever today!

Swine Flu and Tamiflu-Making Your Supply of Tamiflu Go Farther in an Emergency Situation

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First, as I noted in my previous article, it is important to be aware of the fact that the effectiveness of Tamiflu and Relenza has been studied against circulating strains of human influenza (so called seasonal influenza), not against the Swine Flu virus.
Swine Flu, avian flu, avian influenza, virus, h5n1 virus, pandemic,
I have discussed Tamiflu (oseltamivir) and Relenza (zanamivir) previously ?see Swine Flu: Tamiflu and Relenza for Prevention and Treatment in the Articles section on our Web site, http://www.AvoidBirdFlu.com. This current article adds important information about making your supply of Tamiflu go farther in an emergency situation.

First, as I noted in my previous article, it is important to be aware of the fact that the effectiveness of Tamiflu and Relenza has been studied against circulating strains of human influenza (so called seasonal influenza), not against the Swine Flu virus. In a study reported in the August 2005 issue of the Journal of Infectious Diseases, Dr. Yen and others from St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee found that in animal experiments eight-day regimens of Tamiflu were more effective than the suggested five-day regimen for treating infections with the H5N1 bird-flu virus.

The authors concluded that a prolonged and higher-dose oseltamivir regimen may be required for the most beneficial antiviral effect. This possibility was recently underscored when two Vietnamese (one a 13 year old girl) died of Swine Flu-as reported in a December 2005 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine-even after receiving treatment within the required 48 hours after the start of infection with standard doses of Tamiflu.

Let’s assume that you have one treatment course of Tamiflu (one 75 mg tablet taken twice a day for five days, for a total of 10 pills), that you either acquired on your own or that was given to you by your healthcare provider or by the government. Unfortunately you are still not home free yet, so to speak. You now may face one of two problems:

Problem # 1: If preliminary scientific studies indicating that a course of treatment of Swine Flu using higher doses than those currently recommended by the FDA, for more than the current recommended five days of treatment are correct-as indicated by Dr. Yen’s research-you will need more that one dose pack. In fact, the best treatment might mean taking two pills (150 mg) twice a day for eight or even ten days. That would mean that you should have FOUR dose packs (40 pills) for the treatment of one person, not just one!

Problem # 2: You have a dose pack-officially the amount need to treatment one person-but there are two people who just became infected with Swine Flu in your family. If you combine this problem with problem number one, you now actually need EIGHT dose packs, not just two!

What can you do? There are two possible solutions:

SOLUTION # 1: Take PROBENECID, a medicine approved for the treatment of gout, along with the Tamiflu. Probenecid interferes with the normal metabolism of Tamiflu, increasing the blood level of Tamiflu and keeping it in circulation longer-effectively doubling the amount of Tamiflu “exposure.? The precise dose is unclear. Until more scientific information becomes available, in an emergency situation, for otherwise healthy adults, I would recommend taking one 500 mg table twice daily. Probenecid is generally very safe. Nevertheless, I have included detailed information about it below.

According to information about probenecid from the National Library of Medicine’s and the National Institutes of Health’s Web site Medline Plus (available at http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/uspdi/202480.html):
Probenecid (proe-BEN-e-sid) is used in the treatment of chronic gout or gouty arthritis. These conditions are caused by too much uric acid in the blood. The medicine works by removing the extra uric acid from the body. Probenecid does not cure gout, but after you have been taking it for a few months it will help prevent gout attacks. This medicine will help prevent gout attacks only as long as you continue to take it.
Probenecid is also used to prevent or treat other medical problems that may occur if too much uric acid is present in the body.
Probenecid is sometimes used with certain kinds of antibiotics to make them more effective in the treatment of infections.
Probenecid is available only with your doctor’s prescription, in the following dosage form (tablets):
a. Before Using This Medicine
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For probenecid, the following should be considered:
Allergies-Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to probenecid. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.
Pregnancy-Probenecid has not been shown to cause birth defects or other problems in humans.
Breast-feeding-Probenecid has not been reported to cause problems in nursing babies.
Children-Probenecid has been tested in children 2 to 14 years of age for use together with antibiotics. It has not been shown to cause different side effects or problems than it does in adults. Studies on the effects of probenecid in patients with gout have been done only in adults. Gout is very rare in children.
Older adults-Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults. There is no specific information comparing use of probenecid in the elderly with use in other age groups.
Other medicines-Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking probenecid, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:
?Antineoplastics (cancer medicine)-The chance of serious side effects may be increased
?Aspirin or other salicylates-These medicines may keep probenecid from working properly for treating gout, depending on the amount of aspirin or other salicylate that you take and how often you take it
?Heparin-Probenecid may increase the effects of heparin, which increases the chance of side effects
?Indomethacin (e.g., Indocin)
?Ketoprofen (e.g., Orudis)
?Methotrexate (e.g., Mexate)-Probenecid may increase the blood levels of these medicines, which increases the chance of side effects
?Medicine for infection, including tuberculosis or virus infection-Probenecid may increase the blood levels of many of these medicines. In some cases, this is a desired effect and probenecid may be used to help the other medicine work better. However, the chance of side effects is sometimes also increased
?Nitrofurantoin (e.g., Furadantin)-Probenecid may keep nitrofurantoin from working properly
?Zidovudine (e.g., AZT, Retrovir)-Probenecid increases the blood level of zidovudine and may allow lower doses of zidovudine to be used. However, the chance of side effects is also increased
Other medical problems-The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of probenecid. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
?Blood disease or
?Cancer being treated by antineoplastics (cancer medicine) or radiation (x-rays) or
?Kidney disease or stones (or history of) or
?Stomach ulcer (history of)-The chance of side effects may be increased

b. Proper Use of This Medicine If probenecid upsets your stomach, it may be taken with food. If this does not work, an antacid may be taken. If stomach upset (nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite) continues, check with your doctor.
For patients taking probenecid for gout:
?After you begin to take probenecid, gout attacks may continue to occur for a while. However, if you take this medicine regularly as directed by your doctor, the attacks will gradually become less frequent and less painful than before. After you have been taking probenecid for several months, they may stop completely.
?This medicine will help prevent gout attacks but it will not relieve an attack that has already started. Even if you take another medicine for gout attacks, continue to take this medicine also. If you have any questions about this, check with your doctor.
For patients taking probenecid for gout or to help remove uric acid from the body:
?When you first begin taking probenecid, the amount of uric acid in the kidneys is greatly increased. This may cause kidney stones or other kidney problems in some people. To help prevent this, your doctor may want you to drink at least 10 to 12 full glasses (8 ounces each) of fluids each day, or to take another medicine to make your urine less acid. It is important that you follow your doctor’s instructions very carefully.
Dosing?
The dose of probenecid will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor’s orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of probenecid. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
?For treating gout or removing uric acid from the body:
 Adults: 250 mg (one-half of a 500-mg tablet) two times a day for about one week, then 500 mg (one tablet) two times a day for a few weeks. After this, the dose will depend on the amount of uric acid in your blood or urine. Most people need 2, 3, or 4 tablets a day, but some people may need higher doses.
 Children: It is not likely that probenecid will be needed to treat gout or to remove uric acid from the body in children. If a child needs this medicine, however, the dose would have to be determined by the doctor.

?For helping antibiotics work better:
 Adults: The amount of probenecid will depend on the condition being treated. Sometimes, only one dose of 2 tablets is needed. Other times, the dose will be 1 tablet four times a day.
 Children: The dose will have to be determined by the doctor. It depends on the child’s weight, as well as on the condition being treated. Older children and teenagers may need the same amount as adults.
Missed dose?
If you are taking probenecid regularly and you miss a dose, take the missed dose as soon as possible. However, if you do not remember until it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
Storage?
To store this medicine:
?Keep out of the reach of children.
?Store away from heat and direct light.
?Do not store this medicine in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
?Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.
c. Precautions While Using This Medicine
?If you will be taking probenecid for more than a few weeks, your doctor should check your progress at regular visits.
Before you have any medical tests, tell the person in charge that you are taking this medicine. The results of some tests may be affected by probenecid.
For diabetic patients:
?Probenecid may cause false test results with copper sulfate urine sugar tests (Clinitest?, but not with glucose enzymatic urine sugar tests (Clinistix?. If you have any questions about this, check with your health care professional.
For patients taking probenecid for gout or to help remove uric acid from the body:
?Taking aspirin or other salicylates may lessen the effects of probenecid. This will depend on the dose of aspirin or other salicylate that you take, and on how often you take it. Also, drinking too much alcohol may increase the amount of uric acid in the blood and lessen the effects of this medicine. Therefore, do not take aspirin or other salicylates or drink alcoholic beverages while taking this medicine, unless you have first checked with your doctor.
d. Side Effects of This Medicine
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
The following side effects may mean that you are having an allergic reaction to this medicine. Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
?Rare
Fast or irregular breathing; puffiness or swellings of the eyelids or around the eyes; shortness of breath, troubled breathing, tightness in chest, or wheezing; changes in the skin color of the face occurring together with any of the other side effects listed here; or skin rash, hives, or itching occurring together with any of the other side effects listed here
Also, check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
?Less common
Bloody urine; difficult or painful urination ; lower back or side pain (especially if severe or sharp); skin rash, hives, or itching (occurring without other signs of an allergic reaction)
?Rare
Cloudy urine; cough or hoarseness; fast or irregular breathing; fever; pain in back and/or ribs; sores, ulcers, or white spots on lips or in mouth; sore throat and fever with or without chills; sudden decrease in the amount of urine; swelling of face, fingers, feet, and/or lower legs; swollen and/or painful glands ; unusual bleeding or bruising; unusual tiredness or weakness; yellow eyes or skin ; weight gain
Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:
?More common
Headache; joint pain, redness, or swelling ; loss of appetite; nausea or vomiting (mild)
?Less common
Dizziness; flushing or redness of face (occurring without any signs of an allergic reaction); frequent urge to urinate; sore gums
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.
SOLUTION # 2: Unless you are a divine follower of the late Mahatma Gandhi, who used to drink his urine daily, this solution is not nearly as appealing as taking probenecid. However, it apparently would be very effective. Dr. Grattan Woodson, a specialist in internal medicine at the Druid Oaks Health Center in Decatur, Georgia, offers the following advice for emergency treatment of Swine Flu:* This is an advanced, potentially life-saving emergency strategy, that should only be done under medical supervision-unless none is available.

Tamiflu Re-Administration Strategy: Tamiflu is excreted unchanged almost entirely in the urine. If Tamiflu supplies are limited, as they most certainly will be [during a bird-flu pandemic], consider giving the patient two Tamiflu tablets at the same time, collect the patient’s urine and re-administer it to the patient via naso-gastric (NG) tube or orally. If managed carefully, this approach means that you can completely treat a patient with only 2 Tamiflu tablets [by re-administering the patient's urine daily for five to 10 days].

*Woodson G: Preparing for The Coming Influenza Pandemic. Fluwikie.com. Available at: http://fluwikie.com/annex/WoodsonMonograph.htm#_Toc116746508.

Finding Treatment With Drug Detox

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There are two types of people when it comes to drug detox, including those who voluntarily admit themselves because they are tired of the heartbreaking effect that drugs have on their life and there are those who are ordered by a court to attend. Drug detox is sometimes ordered by the court as the result of a conviction related to charges stemming from possession or use of an illegal substance.

During a drug detox treatment program, individuals can expect to receive an imm…
drug detox
There are two types of people when it comes to drug detox, including those who voluntarily admit themselves because they are tired of the heartbreaking effect that drugs have on their life and there are those who are ordered by a court to attend. Drug detox is sometimes ordered by the court as the result of a conviction related to charges stemming from possession or use of an illegal substance.

During a drug detox treatment program, individuals can expect to receive an immediate detoxification at the facility. This process usually lasts 3 to 4 days and immediately removes the availability of drugs. During this period, the body is cleansed and the individual’s immediate craving for their addiction is treated. These few days are often some of the most physically and emotionally draining to the patient, but are often the only way to effectively rid the dependency and desire for the use of drugs. After the drug detox is complete, patients may be required to undergo a series of treatments consisting of both psychological and social therapy. In addition, regular group meetings are often required, at which the patient may attend and speak freely with other drug detox patients about their situation. In most cases, the entire drug detox treatment program will last for up to one month, but may be longer in special cases or depending on the patient’s need for continued treatment.

An inpatient drug detox treatment program is designed for those who are either ordered by the court to receive inpatient care or for anyone who believes that they are unable to function in everyday life without the use of drugs. If their level of dependency has grown to a dangerous level, an inpatient drug treatment would be ideal in that it consists of 24 hour supervision by a qualified individual who is trained to deal with recovering drug addicts.

Any type of drug treatment program, whether it be inpatient or outpatient, is designed to help individuals recover from the grasp that these dangerous substances have on their lives. Not only created to detoxify an individual immediately, a drug treatment program is primarily designed to instill the importance of avoiding drug use in the future. The best outcome is one that results in an individual with a new outlook on life and one that no longer needs drugs to be a part of that life.

This article is to be used for informational purposes only. The information contained herein is not intended to be used in place of, or in conjunction with, professional medical advice or recommendations regarding any form of drug detox treatment. Before deciding on the most effective method of treatment, the patient must consult a licensed medical doctor for advice and/or to determine the best course of action for his/her individual situation.

Frequently Asked Questions About LASIK Laser Eye Surgery

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Patients planning to undergo LASIK surgery will have several questions requiring elaborate answers. It is imperative that all lurking doubts be elucidated on prior to going in for surgery.
lasik, laser eye surgery, eye surgery, lasek, eye, vision
LASIK is a well-renowned refractive surgery procedure, and hence often takes center stage in a lot many discussions pertinent to refractive surgery. A technology so advanced as that wielded by LASIK often boggles the mind. Patients planning to undergo LASIK surgery will have several questions requiring elaborate answers. It is imperative that all lurking doubts be elucidated on prior to going in for surgery. Following is a brief list of frequently asked questions about LASIK.

How do I know if I am a viable candidate for LASIK? ?The best way to determine your candidature is to have a comprehensive preoperative examination, which discovers any condition that might preclude LASIK. In general, you must be above 18, having healthy eyes with low to moderate refractive error (for best results), and should not be suffering from any eye ailments. Moreover, pregnant or nursing women are advised to postpone LASIK surgery until after there prescription stabilizes.

How long does the procedure last? ?LASIK is a fairly expedited procedure. The whole process is over within half an hour or less.

Does LASIK hurt? ?LASIK involves virtually no pain. The surgeon typically administers anesthetic eye drops and a mild sedative prior to the surgery.

Can I drive back home after the surgery? ?No. It is advised that you arrange for someone to drive you back home, since your vision would be blurry immediately after the surgery.

Are the effects of LASIK eye surgery permanent? ?Yes. LASIK is an irreversible procedure. It might take around 3 to 6 months for the complications, if any, to subside and the vision to stabilize. Following this period, the physical effects of the treatment are permanent. However, age related vision problems might alter the visual acuity.

Will I require eyeglasses after LASIK surgery? ?In general, LASIK eliminates a person’s dependence on eyeglasses or contact lenses. Though a rarity, a few people might need a minimal prescription for certain activities. Anyway, reading glasses are typically necessary beyond the age of 40, when presbyopia sets in. This is when the eye lens loses its accommodation power.

What is the frequency of follow up visits after surgery? ?The surgeon would normally examine you on the day following surgery. After that, there should be regular checkups spanning a period of around 3 to 6 months ?a time period enough for the visual results to completely set in. Basically, the recovery should be meticulously monitored over a substantial period of time.

If you find a LASIK doctor that you are confident with, you will be able to get more information about LASIK laser eye surgery.

Grandma’s Herbal Remedies For Infants And Children

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Once upon a time, we used to turn to our parents or grandparents when something was wrong with our little ones. More often than not, now we turn to our doctors. Unfortunately, our doctors were never taught what our grandmothers learned from their mothers, methods that have been tried and true for centuries. Here is a not-so-complete list of some of my favorites passed down from my Grandma.

ADD ?Grandma didn’t call it this back then, but that’s probably what it was. Aside…
infants, children, natural health, folk remedies
Once upon a time, we used to turn to our parents or grandparents when something was wrong with our little ones. More often than not, now we turn to our doctors. Unfortunately, our doctors were never taught what our grandmothers learned from their mothers, methods that have been tried and true for centuries. Here is a not-so-complete list of some of my favorites passed down from my Grandma.

ADD ?Grandma didn’t call it this back then, but that’s probably what it was. Aside from some good discipline, Grandma made sure her kids ate lots of fish to improve brain function and behavior. She knew that feeding us fish was a great way to boost the brain cells. Another way to get essential fatty acids (that key ingredient in fish) into your children is to mix liquid Flax Seed Oil with real butter to make a spread. Use this on toast or pancakes and waffles in the morning and on potatoes or veggies at dinner.

Asthma ?Apply lobelia (either liquid or mixed with a carrier such as aloe vera or massage oil) to the chest and rub in.

Bed Wetting ?”Don’t give those children sweets before bed!?Grandma would always say. She believed bed wetting was caused by too much sugar at bedtime. I know now that this relates to blood sugar spikes and may have some basis in fact. Grandma would also use Goldenseal for about a week to clear up any possible kidney infections.

Bites & Stings ?Grandma would make a paste using black cohosh and aloe vera and apply to the area. It always helped to take out the sting.

Chicken Pox ?If we came down with this, Grandma would insist on getting us into a warm bath to help cause the pox to break out and speed recovery. Pau D?Arco applied externally may help with discomfort and cause quicker healing.

Colic ?Grandma knew that colic could be the result of an allergy. If mom is breast feeding, she should avoid chocolate, onions, caffeine, garlic, broccoli, sugar, cauliflower and dairy. If she is not, the baby’s formula should be switched. Grandma would tie lavender flowers to baby’s crib. Today you can use lavender essential oil diluted with aloe vera or massage oil and applied to the bottom of feet and on abdomen. A few drops of Catnip can be given every couple of minutes until crying stops.

Diaper Rash ?Grandma used to use yogurt on a baby’s bottom when this would occur. Today you can open a capsule of probiotics, mix with a small amount of water and feed to baby. This can also be applied to the bottom by mixing with aloe vera.

Diarrhea ?Another possible culprit of that darn milk. Make sure neither baby nor mom (if breastfeeding) is receiving any cow’s milk. Goat’s milk can often remedy the situation by itself. You can also try Red Raspberry, a couple of drops every 3 to 4 hours.

Earaches ?Use garlic oil or tea tree oil as drops inside the ear.

Fever ?Infants under 3 months should be taken to a doctor if they run any sort of fever (defined as temperatures above 101 degrees) however, for infants older than that, a fever can be beneficial as it helps to burn off the infection. Unless a fever is approaching 105 degrees or has been over about 103 degrees for more than a few hours, it should be left to do it’s job. When there is need to reduce a fever, either because it has met one of the above criteria or because the child is not getting any rest due to discomfort, then Grandma would always grab her catnip and make a tea mixing it with chamomile.

Whooping Cough (and other coughs) ?Grandma knew that formula thing wasn’t good; no one did that in her day. Milk and other dairy products can cause or aggravate whooping cough. Lobelia applied to the chest and/or a few drops of Blue vervain internally would often be enough.

I didn’t know it when I was growing up but Grandma was pretty smart. Try some of these natural health suggestions and your children and grandchildren may someday think the same of you.

Swine Flu: How Are Americans Going to Catch It?

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Human infections have occurred in Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, China, Indonesia, and now Turkey. Almost all human infections have occurred by humans ingesting blood or insufficiently cooked meat from birds infected with the virus, or being in close contact with sick birds-children playing with sick or dead birds for example.
Swine Flu, avian flu, avian influenza, virus, h5n1 virus, pandemic,
Swine Flu, which is the lay term for the H5N1 variety of avian influenza, started in Hong Kong in 1997. Since then it has spread to China, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Laos, Russia, Indonesia, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Romania, England, Croatia, Macedonia, Kuwait, and most recently to Turkey.

The H5N1 virus has infected many species including ducks, chickens, turkeys, tree sparrows, peregrine falcons, great black-headed gulls, brown-headed gulls, gray herons, Canada geese, bar-headed geese, little egrets, pigs, clouded leopards, white tigers, mice, domestic cats, crows, magpies, peacocks, blue pheasants, rare eagles, turtledoves, swans, terns, and others.

Human infections have occurred in Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, China, Indonesia, and now Turkey. Almost all human infections have occurred by humans ingesting blood or insufficiently cooked meat from birds infected with the virus, or being in close contact with sick birds-children playing with sick or dead birds for example.

One recent case involved a person acquiring Swine Flu by coming into contact with a glove from a person culling (removing and killing) infected birds. There have been several instances where transmission of the H5N1 virus is thought to have occurred directly from human-to-human-parents taking care of their children who had the virus.

Transmission of the H5N1 (bird-flu) virus to humans to this point has, therefore-in the vast majority of cases-involved ingestion of, or being in close contact with, infected birds. As the virus continues to spread, via migratory birds from country-to-country, it could come to North American and the United States via this mechanism as well. If that were the case, then American’s could well be exposed to the virus through ingestion of, or close contact with, infected birds. This mode of transmission could also take place once the pandemic begins.

However, once the pandemic actually begins, by definition human-to-human transmission will be the primary mode of transmission. In other words, once the pandemic starts, those who become infected will most likely have gotten their infection from someone else-another human. And, given what we know about seasonal influenza and its transmission, it is most likely that children will be the biggest source of infection. Therefore, while we might have to worry about acquiring the virus from both wild and domestic birds, the much more important source of human infections will be each other.

Once the global pandemic starts, it will come to the United States through travelers from other countries where the pandemic has already begun-unless the pandemic actually starts in the United States-which is possible but unlikely.

Bradford Frank, M.D., M.P.H., M.B.A.
The Frank Group
P.O. Box 138
Lakewood, NY 14750
800-488-2353

http://www.AvoidBirdFlu.com

Facial Tumour Disease

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Devil Facial Tumour Disease is a term used to describe a fatal condition in Tasmanian devils which is characterised by the appearance of obvious facial cancers. The tumours or cancers are first noticed in and around the mouth as small lesions or lumps. These develop into large tumours around the face and neck and sometimes even in other parts of the body. Adults appear to be most affected by the disease – males the first affected, then females. Badly affected devils may have …
facial tumour,tumor,face tumor,face tumour,cancer,skin cancer,lips cancer,
Devil Facial Tumour Disease is a term used to describe a fatal condition in Tasmanian devils which is characterised by the appearance of obvious facial cancers. The tumours or cancers are first noticed in and around the mouth as small lesions or lumps. These develop into large tumours around the face and neck and sometimes even in other parts of the body. Adults appear to be most affected by the disease – males the first affected, then females. Badly affected devils may have many cancers throughout the body.

The Tasmanian Government has nominated the devil for listing as vulnerable under the State’s Threatened Species Act in response to field data indicating the devil population had dropped between 33 and 50 per cent from a 1990 peak of 130000.

This spectacular disease was first detected in far north east Tasmania in the mid 1990s. It has now been recorded over much of the eastern half on Tasmania and seems to be spreading. The apparent boundaries of the disease are not yet clearly known. The disease is fatal and effects the majority of devils. The infectious mechanism is not yet clear although infection rates suggest it is possibly highly infectious between devils. So far, the disease has only been detected in wild devils on the Tasmanian mainland. However, a disease with superficial similarities has been detected in wild koalas on mainland Australia and in cats and pigs.

A major investigation of the disease and its impacts on wild populations is currently underway. All the work being done is vital in identifying management strategies to ensure the ongoing survival of the Tasmanian devil.

If devil numbers continue to fall at the large rate indicated above, there is a concern it may lead to increased numbers of other non-native species such as feral cats and the fox, recently thought to be introduced to Tasmania. Mooney (2004, p34) says devils would normally act as a buffer against foxes through competition for carrion and predation on fox cubs.

Finding a LASIK Surgeon Who Is Right For You

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Choosing an efficient LASIK surgeon would involve some basic research, and you must bear in mind a few points while you carry out your quest.
lasik, laser eye surgery, eye surgery, lasek, eye, vision
It’s true that there are a lot of eye corrective procedures available to patients. The sheer variety of surgical procedures may often leave the patient perplexed. But whatever may be your procedure of choice, attaining excellent results is largely dependent on the expertise of your eye surgeon. LASIK is by far the most preferred corrective eye surgery, and hence it is imperative that you choose a LASIK eye surgeon with a great deal of experience. Knowing that your eye surgeon is one of the best in the field makes you all the more comfortable.

Choosing an efficient LASIK surgeon would involve some basic research, and you must bear in mind a few points while you carry out your quest. The LASIK eye surgeon who performs your surgery should remain in touch with you from beginning till end, including the pre-operative examination and the post-operative checkups. A nice criterion for gauging an eye surgeon’s efficacy is the number of operations he has performed. In general, people prefer a surgeon who has performed over 500 LASIK surgical procedures.

A few LASIK institutes tout aggressive slogans and offer surgical procedures at discounted prices. It is advised that you have an aversion to such sales gimmicks. Cost should not be a major determining factor when choosing a LASIK surgeon ?experience is what matters the most, since it’s the matter of eyes, the most precious of the five senses. It is recommended that you choose a surgeon who is affiliated to an academic medical center. Such eye surgeons are more likely to have a good grasp of the latest technological innovations as far as LASIK is concerned.

Another significant factor governing your choice should be the technology and equipment the LASIK surgeon wields at his or her operation center. You must ensure that the LASIK surgeon has the latest computer-controlled equipment and the best laser available to perform LASIK surgery.

This may sound overwhelming but it’s highly essential, since the quality of equipment could well be the difference between an excellent result and a fairly mediocre result. Also ensure that the LASIK surgeon has enough staff members so as to provide adequate care to all the patients as you won’t want to be left unattended after surgery.

Foods That Fight Health Problems ?Part II

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- Bananas – Mother Nature’s perfect snack. No preparation, no washing or refrigeration. They are prepackaged in a biodegradable wrapper for perfect enjoyment. Since they are easily digestible, they are often served as babies?first food. Women suffering from PMS can get a healthy serotonin rush by consuming a banana. Bananas help build a shield against heart disease. They are packed with potassium that helps fend off high blood pressure. In short, the goodness of bananas batt…
Healthy foods, Nutritious diet, Health Problems, Foods that fight diseases and health problems.
- Bananas – Mother Nature’s perfect snack. No preparation, no washing or refrigeration. They are prepackaged in a biodegradable wrapper for perfect enjoyment. Since they are easily digestible, they are often served as babies?first food. Women suffering from PMS can get a healthy serotonin rush by consuming a banana. Bananas help build a shield against heart disease. They are packed with potassium that helps fend off high blood pressure. In short, the goodness of bananas battles cancer, heart diseases, high blood pressure, kidney stones, premenstrual syndrome and strokes.

- Barley ?Barley with all its magic ingredients is good for heart diseases, diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Beta-glucan fiber lowers cholesterol, while tocotrienol deactivates an enzyme that tells the liver how to produce artery clogging cholesterol. Barley is a quick fix for constipation. Just 1 cup of cooked barley can provides approx 14 gms of fiber to get the bowels moving.

- Basil ?Originally a cooking herb, Basil has found many uses as a medicinal herb too. Basil weakens the ulcer producing activity of aspirin and alcohol, fight inflammation and swelling and battle infection causing bacteria. It also prevents colon cancer and helps build strong bones. Basil helps reduce bloating and flatulence. If you overindulged with alcohol, drink tea by steeping 2 tbsp of chopped fresh or dried basil leaves mixed in 1 cup of just boiling water for about 15 minutes. Strain and sip and feel the difference.

- Beans ?These luscious legumes are loaded with fiber and other nutrients to keep body running in top shape. Beans fights cancer and cholesterol. B vitamin folate reduces blood levels of amino acid involved in heart disease. People having type 2 diabetes benefit from the soluble fiber present in the beans. It slows down the passage of carbohydrates from foods into the bloodstream. Beans fight the battle of bulge as they control your appetite by taking up lots of room in your tummy. If you keep forgetting things, people, etc, boost your brainpower by eating a serving of beans few times are week.

- Beef ?Are you surprised to know that beef can help to fight common health problems? Loaded with disease fighting nutrients, beef if you buy lean gives no complaints. Lean beef lowers level of bad density lipoprotein and improves levels of high density lipoprotein cholesterol. Beef supplies vitamins and minerals that maybe in short supply in a diet. Selenium in beef is a powerful antioxidant that lowers the risk of skin cancer, fights heart disease and wards off infections.

- Beet ?Heart shaped veggies, 1 cup of fresh beets gives 1/3 of daily folate requirement. In short vitamin B that keeps homocysteine in control so that it does not trigger a heart attack. Beta ?cyanin, a phytochemical that gives deep red colour is a cancer fighter. Beet juice curbs normal healthy cells from changing into cancer cells. Beets are good source of fiber for good bowel function. Beet battles cancer, diabetic and heart disease.

- Bell Peppers ?Ring in health benefits with bell peppers. A red bell pepper packs in twice as much vitamin C than an orange. Vitamin C acts as an antioxidant eating up free radicals that cause cell damage leading to heart disease and cancer. Vitamin C also bolsters your immune system helping to lessen the severity and duration of a cold. Lutein and zeaxanthin ?two plant compounds in red bell peppers prevent age related macular degeneration (ARMD) that is responsible for sharp vision. ARMD is common cause of irreversible blindness in people. Ophthalmologists recommend intake of these compounds from foods rather than medicine or supplements.