Swine Flu Medicines

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Inguinal hernia is a very common disorder, affecting millions of people in the United States alone. Considered to be a surgical disease, inguinal hernia accounts for thousands of annual operations worldwide.
Hernia, Hiatal Hernia, Inguinal Hernia, Sports Hernia, Umbilical Hernia, Hernia Surgery
Inguinal hernia is a very common disorder, affecting millions of people in the United States alone. Considered to be a surgical disease, inguinal hernia accounts for thousands of annual operations worldwide.

Although inguinal hernia can occur in both sexes, the disorder predominantly affects men. Also, this type of hernia has the highest incidence in the elderly, people who frequently sustain physical effort and smokers. Inguinal hernia usually occurs on the background of a weak lower abdominal wall, allowing the internal soft tissues to pierce through it. The symptoms of inguinal hernia are: abdominal pain and discomfort (which intensify with intense physical effort or sudden moves), abdominal bloating and nausea. Some people with inguinal hernia are asymptomatic, rendering the process of diagnosing the disorder a lot more difficult.

There are many factors that can lead to the development of inguinal hernia, such as birth defects, internal disorders or acquired weaknesses of the abdominal wall. In the recent past, the majority of patients who were diagnosed with inguinal hernia were suggested to have their disorder surgically corrected as soon as possible. However, nowadays there are many debates over the necessity of surgical intervention when dealing with patients diagnosed with inguinal hernia. Although the surgery for inguinal hernia is a simple procedure, most patients experience a post-operative recurrence of the disorder. Hence, in many cases the surgical treatment for inguinal hernia only provides temporary relief, and most patients who suffer surgical hernia repair are later hospitalized due to complications.

Physicians have begun to doubt the efficiency of most surgical treatments for inguinal hernia and nowadays they only recommend surgical interventions to patients with complicated forms of the disorder. The majority of patients diagnosed with uncomplicated inguinal hernia nowadays have the possibility to decide whether they will have their hernia surgically repaired or not and in many cases, the best option for patients is to delay surgery until it is absolutely required. Statistics reveal that the patients who have their inguinal hernia surgically corrected can in time experience a relapse of the disorder and they are actually more exposed to developing complications than the patients who delay their surgery.

In many cases, the factors that lead to the recurrence of inguinal hernia in patients who suffer surgery are related to native predispositions. It seems that most patients who experience a post-operative recurrence of their inguinal hernia have a weak abdominal wall or other internal physiological abnormalities. The categories exposed to the highest risk of relapse are: people with native defects of the internal organs (gastrointestinal problems), people with physiological abnormalities of the abdominal wall and people whose careers involve intense physical activities. Patients who belong to these categories are advised to delay their inguinal hernia surgery for as long as possible, in order to prevent a recurrence or even an aggravation of the disorder.

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No plant on earth grows under more stressful conditions than does the goji. It was not surprising when scientists found the little red berry chock full of highly bioactive polysaccharides.

Bioactive polysaccharides are a family of complex carbohydrates that are bound to proteins. They are produced by some plants as an extremely effective defense mechanism against attack against today’s environmental issues and attacks on our bodies. When we eat plants that are rich in poly…
goji juice,health,nutrition
No plant on earth grows under more stressful conditions than does the goji. It was not surprising when scientists found the little red berry chock full of highly bioactive polysaccharides.

Bioactive polysaccharides are a family of complex carbohydrates that are bound to proteins. They are produced by some plants as an extremely effective defense mechanism against attack against today’s environmental issues and attacks on our bodies. When we eat plants that are rich in polysaccharides, these protective effects are bestowed upon us. Until recent years, scientist had put all polysaccharides together with other carbohydrates such as starches and sugars. They had considered them to be of value only as a source of energy. All that changed when it was discovered that certain types of polysaccharides could cause beneficial changes to the human body.

Four primary bioactive polysaccharides were discovered in Lycium Barbarum (Latin name for goji) named LBP (Lycium Barbarum polysaccharides). These four were named LBP1, LBP2, LBP3, and LBP4.

LBP polysaccharides proved to have exceptional sources of the essential cell sugars (glycoconjugates), rhamnose, xylose, glucose, mannose, arabinose and galactose- that are necessary for proper immune function and cells to communicate. In fact, goji may be the richest source of glyconutrients yet found.

Scientists tested goji berry samples looking for polysaccharide content. They found that there was great variation in levels of LBP’s among the berries from different regions. Berries that are said to be highly effective contain the full range of LBP and not just one or two. Each of the four main polysaccharides has their own distinct benefit. Studies show, for the highest biological activity, all polysaccharides must be present.

Research strongly suggests that goji’s unique polysaccharides work in the body as directors and carriers of cell information and therefore command and control many of the body’s biochemical defense systems.
Four primary bioactive polysaccharides were discovered in Lycium Barbarum (Latin name for goji) named LBP (Lycium Barbarum polysaccharides). These four were named LBP1, LBP2, LBP3, and LBP4.

LBP polysaccharides proved to have exceptional sources of the essential cell sugars (glycoconjugates), rhamnose, xylose, glucose, mannose, arabinose and galactose- that are necessary for proper immune function and cells to communicate. In fact, goji may be the richest source of glyconutrients yet found.

Research strongly suggests that goji’s unique polysaccharides work in the body as directors and carriers of cell information and therefore command and control many of the body’s biochemical defense systems.

456

Alcoholism is a serious illness that is treatable, but the first step toward an alcoholism cure is to realize there is a problem. If you drink because you feel sad or angry, if it causes you to be late for work or not show up at all, if your family worries about your drinking habit or if you ever tell yourself that you won’t drink and then do it anyway, you may be suffering from alcoholism.

The second step to a successful alcoholism cure is to visit a doctor to determine w…
alcoholism cure
Alcoholism is a serious illness that is treatable, but the first step toward an alcoholism cure is to realize there is a problem. If you drink because you feel sad or angry, if it causes you to be late for work or not show up at all, if your family worries about your drinking habit or if you ever tell yourself that you won’t drink and then do it anyway, you may be suffering from alcoholism.

The second step to a successful alcoholism cure is to visit a doctor to determine whether or not you have a dependency on alcohol, whether or not you should cut back or quit altogether. If you find that you consume alcohol even though you have other medical problems, it is important that you stop right away. A physician will advise you on the best way to begin your alcoholism cure.

Because alcoholism tends to be passed down genetically, you may be at a higher risk for developing dependency and a pattern of excessive drinking before you even know it. If your family does have a history of alcoholism, it is best to minimize or completely avoid social drinking.

Once you recognize the problem and wish to proceed with an alcoholism cure, you should take a piece of paper and write down all of the reasons that you want to stop drinking. The next step is to set a realistic goal, which should not be overly harsh or unreachable. During your treatment, keep a journal of your drinking habits so that you can make sure to stay on track. This should be done for one month and will provide you with motivation to continue reducing your alcohol intake.

One of the most positive steps toward an alcoholism cure is to remove all of the alcohol from your home. Staying active may also help to reduce your desire to drink and may include a trip to the movies, a sporting event or dining out at a local restaurant. By removing yourself from situations where you may be tempted to drink, you may effectively lessen the likelihood that you will even want a drink. If you find that your attempts at an alcoholism cure are unsuccessful, join a support group or enroll in a treatment clinic on either an in-patient or out-patient basis.

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 for an alcoholism cure. 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.

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As reports of Swine Flu across the world increase, there are a number of answers that are important to know.
Swine Flu, avian flu, h5n1, health
Q – What is Swine Flu?

A – Swine Flu is an infection of a flu virus known to affect birds, particularly migratory birds, ducks and chickens. Swine Flu is also reportedly known to affect pigs and most recently, humans. Thought to affect all species, the virus does not adversely affect ducks. Ducks have developed antibodies against the virus and they only act as carriers of the disease without exhibiting any symptoms of Swine Flu infection.

Migratory birds are carriers of the Swine Flu virus and do not show symptoms of Swine Flu infection. This makes them a crucial factor in the spreading of the disease. Other known diseases are transmitted in one area or a few areas only with a small radius. However, in the case of Swine Flu, the virus can be transmitted over great distances ?from one country to another ?since migratory birds travel from continent to continent. Another factor that contributes to the spreading of the disease is the exportation and importation of infected birds in the international markets.

Q – How is Swine Flu transmitted?

A – Swine Flu is transmitted through direct contact with infected poultry, particularly upon contact with infected skin, saliva, nasal secretions and feces. The virus also spreads through poultry feeds, water reservoirs and cages. When birds are packed closely together, such as in poultry farms, the avian influenza viruses spread very rapidly among them. Transmission of the virus from chickens to humans can occur through contact with equipment, vehicles and clothing that have secretions from infected poultry.

Swine Flu virus is resilient. It can survive in contaminated manure at very low temperatures for at least three months. The virus can survive in water for up to four days in hot temperatures and up to 30 days in cold temperatures. However, heat and disinfectants such as formalin and other iodine compounds are able to kill the virus.

Q – Who are at risk?

A – Many people mistakenly believe that they can contract the Swine Flu virus if they eat cooked chicken and eggs. However, chickens cooked at 56 degrees Celsius for three hours or at 60 degrees Celsius for half an hour are safe. The only way that people can contract the virus is if they come in direct contact with secretions and feces of infected poultry. Poultry raisers and those who are in the poultry and livestock industry are highly susceptible to contracting the virus. Those who prepare chickens and eggs of infected poultry may also be infected if the virus is fresh enough to infect them.

Q – Is there a possibility of human to human transmission of the Swine Flu virus?

A – Fortunately, there is still no sign of the Swine Flu virus being transmitted from one human to another. There have been cases of humans being infected with the virus and dying from it, but these people acquired the infection directly from birds and not from another infected person. This needs to be emphasized because there are some who think that the disease could be contracted from an infected human similar to how ordinary flu is transmitted.

To date, there is no evidence of human to human transmission of the Swine Flu virus. However, many scientists believe that human to human transmission of the Swine Flu virus is highly possible because the virus is can easily mutate and is constantly evolving. Mutation of the virus may lead to human to human transmission and scientist say this can occur in two ways. One, the virus enters the human body and mutates within the body, and two, the virus combines with ordinary human flu in the body of humans or pigs, which are susceptible to both kinds of flu.

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Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, or GERD, is the medical term for what most people refer to as acid reflux disease.

Gastroesophageal is a relatively new term for acid reflux disease. It has been used for approximately the past 20 years. Before that it was just referred to as heartburn. But heartburn is just one of the symptoms of GERD. Some of the other symptoms of GERD are regurgitation, hoarseness or laryngitis, the feeling of a lump in the throat, coughing, bad breath,…
GERD, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, acid reflux, heartburn
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, or GERD, is the medical term for what most people refer to as acid reflux disease.

Gastroesophageal is a relatively new term for acid reflux disease. It has been used for approximately the past 20 years. Before that it was just referred to as heartburn. But heartburn is just one of the symptoms of GERD. Some of the other symptoms of GERD are regurgitation, hoarseness or laryngitis, the feeling of a lump in the throat, coughing, bad breath, asthma, difficulty swallowing, and water brash. Some people with GERD do not have any symptoms at all.

What happens to cause GERD? It starts with acid in the stomach washing back up into the esophagus repeatedly, which happens if the lower esophageal sphincter becomes relaxed.

Some foods and beverages can cause the lower esophageal sphincter to relax. This is not an all-inclusive list but some of the most common are: chocolate, licorice, peppermint, fatty foods, caffeinated beverages, and alcohol. Barbiturates, calcium-channel blockers, Diazepam and Sumitriptan are some of the medications that cause the lower esophageal sphincter to relax and allow acid back in to the esophagus.

Lifestyle changes can be very effective in helping to control GERD although over- the-counter medications, prescription medications, and possibly surgery, may also be necessary. Some of the lifestyle changes that may help control GERD include: losing weight if you are overweight, avoiding high-fat foods, not lying down right after eating, not eating large heavy meals (i.e. don’t overstuff yourself-especially on fatty foods), and stopping smoking if you are a smoker.

GERD can be a difficult disease to diagnosis. That is because of the wide range of symptoms people can experience and the complication of some people not experiencing any symptoms at all. It is easier to diagnosis if a person is experiencing the classic symptoms of GERD which are heartburn and regurgitation. In some cases a physician will not do tests right away but will first prescribe over-the-counter or prescription medications to see if they clear up the symptoms.

If the medications do not take care of the symptoms then a physician will likely do one or more of the following diagnostic tests: x-rays with a barium swallow, an upper gastrointestinal x-ray series, an upper endoscopy, an esophageal manometry, or a 24-hour pH probe. The reason physicians may try over-the-counter or prescription medications before running tests is because some of the tests, such as the upper endoscopy and pH probe are invasive, and because of the costs of some of the tests.

After diagnosing GERD, a physician will recommend lifestyle changes such as the ones mentioned earlier in this article to help control the GERD, and depending on the severity will recommend over-the-counter medications or will prescribe a stronger medication by prescription. The medications may need to be continued indefinitely because over half of all people who stop taking their medications after getting their symptoms under control have a recurrence within a year.

If the medications do not alleviate the symptoms, surgery may be needed. Surgery is also an alternative to having to take medications indefinitely. A procedure called a “Nissen fundoplication?is the type of surgery typically done to relieve GERD. In the surgery the upper part of the stomach located near the esophagus, called the “fundus,?is wrapped around the lower esophagus. Doing this strengthens the barrier function of the lower esophagus, thus preventing gastreosophageal reflux and repairing the main irregularity that occurs in people suffering from GERD. The surgery is usually done laparoscopically. It is considered a safe surgery (but remember any surgery carries risks) that typically gives good results.

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So why are health experts becoming alarmed about the H5N1 (“bird flu? virus? People are concerned because the virus has demonstrated the ability to kill a high percentage of the humans it infects.
avoid Swine Flu h5n1 avian influenza outbreak pandemic worldwide health virus infection infectious disease
Avian influenza or “bird flu?has now caused more than 60 deaths worldwide, with the most recent epidemic in Indonesia, where four people have died. On a global basis, 60 deaths are not very many. So why are health experts becoming alarmed about the H5N1 (“bird flu? virus? People are concerned because the virus has demonstrated the ability to kill a high percentage of the humans it infects. In addition, it has spread from birds to many other species, which is very uncharacteristic of viruses. The spread of infection in birds increases the opportunities for direct infection of humans. If more humans become infected over time, the likelihood also increases that humans, if concurrently infected with human and avian-influenza strains, could serve as the “mixing vessel?for the emergence of a novel subtype-with sufficient human genes to be easily transmitted from person to person.

Once the virus acquires the capability to “go human,?an influenza pandemic (that is, a worldwide epidemic) would likely ensue in a matter of weeks. To date, the vast majority of infections of Swine Flu in humans have been acquired by close contact with domestic poultry. However, there is one documented case of human-to-human transmission in Thailand. It remains a curious fact that most people who have worked with poultry infected with the bird-flu virus, culling infected birds for example, have not become infected-a fact that no one seems able to adequately explain.

The antigenic changes (that is, changes in the exterior proteins-Hemagglutinin and Neuraminidase) in bird and human influenza viruses go on year after year. Annual influenza outbreaks typically do not cause severe illness and death, because people have built up natural immunity to the viruses over a period of years. Rapid spread of H5N1 viruses between humans, on the other hand, will led to explosive global expansion in which everyone is at risk for infection, illness, and death because of a complete lack of natural immunity to the virus.

Because avian influenza or “bird flu?is much more deadly than the regular annual flu in humans, coupled with the high infectiousness of influenza viruses in general, a bird-flu pandemic is potentially very deadly, causing many tens-or even hundreds-of millions of deaths across the globe. In September 2005, Dr. David Nabarro of the World Health Organization (WHO) stated, “A new pandemic would claim between 5 million and 150 million people.?
Once a flu pandemic starts, everyone will be at risk of getting pandemic flu, because no one has natural immunity to the virus. However, certain groups may be at greater risk of dying than others. There are strong indications that the coming bird-flu pandemic may be similar to the influenza pandemic of 1918 and, if so, healthy adults would be most at risk of dying, along with pregnant women and the elderly.

Why are healthy adults at greatest risk? It appears that the H5N1 bird-flu virus causes a massive immunological response against the virus in those with the strongest immune systems. Unfortunately, this causes the release of human enzymes called “cytokines,?which destroy lung cells along with viral particles. This, in turn, causes a deadly outpouring of fluids into the lung, which interferes with the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide. This reaction is frequently fatal. There are few effective treatments-one of the only treatments available is to place the patient on a ventilator, a mechanical respirator. Even with this treatment, patients often die from complications.

Bradford Frank, M.D., M.P.H., M.B.A.
The Frank Group
P.O. Box 138
Lakewood, NY 14750
www.AvoidBirdFlu.com

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Strep throat is an illness that commonly accompanies flu or cold. Although it commonly affects children, strep throat can occur at any age. Unlike sore throat, an ailment caused by infection with viral agents, strep throat is caused by infection with group A streptococcus bacteria. These bacteria are very contagious and they can be easily acquired by entering in contact with infected people. In order to minimize the chances of acquiring strep throat, it is important to maintain proper hygiene and to avoid close contact with people who show signs of the illness. Although good personal hygiene can’t effectively prevent the occurrence of strep throat, it decreases the risks of acquiring streptococcus bacteria. People who suffer from strep throat should avoid entering in contact with other people in order to prevent spreading the illness.
strep throat, strep throat symptoms, treatment for strep throat
Strep throat is an illness that commonly accompanies flu or cold. Although it commonly affects children, strep throat can occur at any age. Unlike sore throat, an ailment caused by infection with viral agents, strep throat is caused by infection with group A streptococcus bacteria. These bacteria are very contagious and they can be easily acquired by entering in contact with infected people. In order to minimize the chances of acquiring strep throat, it is important to maintain proper hygiene and to avoid close contact with people who show signs of the illness. Although good personal hygiene can’t effectively prevent the occurrence of strep throat, it decreases the risks of acquiring streptococcus bacteria. People who suffer from strep throat should avoid entering in contact with other people in order to prevent spreading the illness.

Strep throat can generate intense symptoms such as difficult breathing, mucus-producing cough, headache, throat inflammation and pain, enlargement of the tonsils and lymph nodes, and fever. In some cases, strep throat can be accompanied by scarlet fever, generating skin inflammation and rashes. Although it may sound serious, scarlet fever can be effectively overcome through the means of an appropriate medical treatment with antibiotics. However, in some cases strep throat can lead to serious complications such as kidney problems, heart affections and rheumatic fever, which are very difficult to treat. In order to prevent the occurrence of such complications, doctors commonly prescribe antibiotics in the treatment of strep throat.

While antibiotics are effective in preventing the occurrence of various diseases associated with strep throat, these commonly prescribed drugs can’t always completely overcome infection with streptococcus bacteria. This type of bacteria has become very resistant to common antibiotics and nowadays doctors experience difficulties in prescribing an effective treatment for strep throat. In present, more and more patients who follow medical treatments with antibiotics suffer a relapse of the infection and due to this fact, doctors are looking for more effective ways of overcoming strep throat.

Due to their decreased efficiency in curing strep throat, antibiotics have lately been replaced by other forms of treatment. Homeopathic treatments have proved to be one of the best alternatives to antibiotics in overcoming infection with streptococcus bacteria, and they are nowadays recommended to most people who suffer from strep throat. Homeopathic treatments have fewer side-effects and they minimize the chances of relapse.

Belladonna is one of the most common medicines prescribed in homeopathic treatments for strep throat. Prescribed in the incipient stages of the illness, belladonna can rapidly alleviate throat inflammation and pain, it can decongest the airways and it can also ameliorate fever. Thanks to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, Mercurius is also a very effective medicine for strep throat. Mercurius provides a rapid relief for throat inflammation and pain, and it can also fight against bacteria. Another effective medicine in the homeopathic treatment of strep throat is Phytolacca. This medicine can quickly alleviate throat swelling, pain and cough and it is usually prescribed to very young children. In order to speed up the process of recovery from illness, homeopathic treatments for strep throat can also include Echinacea and multivitamin supplements.

Combined with proper rest and a good diet, homeopathic treatments can effectively overcome strep throat, also minimizing the risk of relapse. Homeopathic treatments are very well tolerated by the organism and they are a lot safer than antibiotics. Prescribed for uncomplicated forms of strep throat, homeopathic treatments are a reliable alternative to antibiotics.

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People who have close or direct contact to infected poultry can contract the disease after coming in contact with bird secretions or feces.
Swine Flu, avian flu, h5n1, health
When Swine Flu hit most Asian countries, it prompted the World Health Organization (WHO) to urge China to test its wild birds, particularly geese that migrate from its waters during the harsh winter. The disease spread so fast from one bird to another that about 5,000 birds were killed in one season. People who have close or direct contact to infected poultry can contract the disease after coming in contact with bird secretions or feces.

Although many are divided on the possibility of direct human to human transmission of the virus, this possibility has not been ruled out. Viruses, in general, are known to mutate. In the case of Swine Flu, family members infected with it may show different severity of symptoms, prompting a misdiagnosis. Also, if a person who has the common flu becomes infected with Swine Flu at the same time, it can lead to the mutation of the Swine Flu virus.

At the University of Leicester in Great Britain, it was discovered that a full-blown Swine Flu pandemic could cause an 80% mortality rate. A team led by Karl Nicholson is developing the Swine Flu vaccine with the goal of decreasing the fatality should a fourth major pandemic occur. In the last century, there have been three recorded major pandemics: the Spanish Flu in 1918, the Asian Flu in 1957 and the Hong Kong Flu in 1968. In total, the three pandemics claimed at least 20 million people.

The Swine Flu virus, which can be transmitted through direct contact with a bird’s infected saliva, nasal secretions and feces, can survive for up to a week at 22 degrees Celsius. At freezing temperatures, the virus can survive indefinitely. It is no surprise that the Swine Flu virus tends to last in colder climates and is pronounced to be almost as deadly as SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome). In addition to the transmission of the disease from the migration of wild birds traveling great distances, the disease is also spread when contaminated birds are exported and imported in the international market.

In terms of safety in food handling and preparation, a cooking temperature of about 70 degrees Celsius is enough to kill the Swine Flu virus. It is important, however, to avoid raw birds and other raw markets meats from being contaminated. Cook eggs properly and check that the yolks are not runny. The simple act of washing your hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling raw meats could spell the difference. Keep in mind that transmission of the Swine Flu virus to humans usually happens during the slaughtering process and handling of infected Swine Fluids. After slaughtering infected poultry, the virus typically stays in the intestinal and respiratory tracts, not in the meat itself. Cooking at right temperatures can help avoid the virus from spreading.

The symptoms of Swine Flu are very similar to human flu. However, the severity of a disease can sometimes give way to announcements of a pandemic, which can cause political issues. In Asia where the incidence and actual cases of human transmission of Swine Flu occurred, WHO and the United States immediately took precautionary measures. The British Medical Journal, on the other hand, declared that a pandemic is still far from happening.

No travel advisory has been issued restricting anyone from going to countries affected by Swine Flu although WHO has issued a warning to travelers. Travelers are advised against going to live poultry markets, getting close contact to any farms and having direct exposure to feathers, feces or droppings, eggs and poultry meat products. Travelers coming from afflicted countries are also not being screened. However, precautionary measures are in place, particularly in the media. Information is being disseminated in order to make people aware of the Swine Flu, its effects and what to do to avoid getting infected.

Viruses are constantly mutating and evolving. Health watchers, practitioners and scientists are concerned about this because if a pandemic occurs, there won’t be enough time to prepare and develop a vaccine. They fear that we are once again on the brink of another major pandemic threat. However, with the strides being made by technology every day, hopefully the casualty won’t be nearly as high as the casualty of the past three major pandemics that claimed at least 20 million lives worldwide.

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Central to the problem of dealing with Swine Flu is diagnosis. A number of upper respiratory infections have similar symptoms-at least at the onset of the illness, including the common cold, seasonal influenza, and Swine Flu.
Swine Flu, avian flu, avian influenza, virus, h5n1 virus, pandemic,
Central to the problem of dealing with Swine Flu is diagnosis. A number of upper respiratory infections have similar symptoms-at least at the onset of the illness, including the common cold, seasonal influenza, and Swine Flu. Seasonal flu and Swine Flu have almost identical symptoms-including fever, cough, malaise (feeling unwell), nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. This is, needless to say, a gigantic problem in accurately diagnosing Swine Flu-which is critical to beginning appropriate treatment as well as initiating infection control procedures and public health measures.

Currently, accurate testing for Swine Flu and other vial infections that can cause similar symptoms is difficult and requires specialized testing. This testing is time consuming and only available in specialized reference laboratories, which are few and far between. Fortunately, this may change in the near future.

According to Richard Janeczko, Ph.D., executive vice-president and chief scientific officer, Tm Bioscience, located In Toronto, Canada, is feverishly working to complete the final stage of development of an amazing test-not only for Swine Flu, but for more than 15 other viral infections (including severe acute respiratory syndrome or SARS), many of which can mimic the symptoms of Swine Flu (personal communication). (Tm Bioscience is a DNA-based diagnostics company developing a suite of genetic tests. Tm Bioscience’s product pipeline includes tests for genetic disorders, drug metabolism, and infectious diseases. Additional information about Tm Bioscience can be found at http://www.tmbioscience.com.)

The test, called the Multiplexed Respiratory Test, discriminates influenza A from influenza B and identifies the H5-subtype of influenza A (Swine Flu is “H5N1? from all other H subtypes. In addition, it can identify almost all the other common-and some uncommon-viruses that cause influenza-like illnesses. This is extremely important in managing patients, communities and economic issues. Other tests have lower clinical sensitivities and specificities which can lead to both false positives and false negatives.
By incorrectly identifying an outbreak as due to H5N1, patients could be treated with anti-virals unnecessarily (thus raising the chances of selecting for drug-resistant strains), unneeded vaccination programs in asymptomatic individuals could be initiated, and damage to local and national economies-through such measures as culling of commercial poultry operations-could occur. Conversely a false-negative test result could lead to catastrophic outcomes, including a pandemic.
The assay utilizes swab specimens taken from the nose and takes less than 5 hours to perform. It was developed for use as a diagnostic tool and for infection control in hospitals. The assay has been slated for expedited review by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and TM Bioscience is hoping to have an FDA-cleared test available by the end of January 2006. If this assay delivers what it claims, it will have huge applicability on a global basis and save many lives.

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

http://www.AvoidBirdFlu.com

948

At its basic foundation, family systems theory holds that clients with any mental health diagnosis, addiction or substance abuse disorder, can be more effectively treated if we take their relationships with their families into consideration. The client’s family system, be it functional or dysfunctional, is an important component to address when treating someone in recovery. Without information on the family history and dynamics in which an individual is a part, treatment is i…
Family,Systems,Therapy,sobriety,drug,rehab
At its basic foundation, family systems theory holds that clients with any mental health diagnosis, addiction or substance abuse disorder, can be more effectively treated if we take their relationships with their families into consideration. The client’s family system, be it functional or dysfunctional, is an important component to address when treating someone in recovery. Without information on the family history and dynamics in which an individual is a part, treatment is incomplete. While family work clinician’s focus is on the family unit or system, they do not de-emphasize the importance of dealing with the internal states of the individual. Family system’s approaches broaden the scope of assessment and interventions to provide best practice methods for their clients.

In assessing a client’s presenting problems, a family system’s oriented practitioner will be interested in a person’s current living situation, life experiences and what the client sees as his/her problem. As an example, here’s how therapists may initially assess from a focus on the individual versus an assessment from a family systems perspective.

Maria has come to an agency that provides services for recovering alcoholics. A counselor in individual therapy may inquire about Maria’s perspective or cognitions about her alcoholism. A therapist from a family or systemic orientation would not only examine Maria’s self-identifications but her cultural and intergenerational family experiences around alcohol as well. The individual- focused therapist would begin therapy with Maria alone. A family systems counselor may include the client’s parents, siblings or any other person(s) Maria may want to involve. Overall, the family-oriented therapist will want to explore how systems, from a micro to macro level, may be a part of Maria’s perception and hence problem with alcoholism. This enables the practitioner to find explanations beyond the client’s personal identification with their substance misuse. The therapist will want to understand how Maria’s alcoholism affects the family and how it is or was integrated into and is being maintained by family relational patterns. This broad look into Maria’s life will enable the counselor to provide a more unified and effective intervention plan.

While there are many styles or schools of thought and practice in family systems therapeutic interventions, most experts will agree that although they may operate or approach “family work” differently, practitioners should use the approaches that best benefit the client. Clinicians should also consider their comfort level and expertise in choosing a method of family therapy. The psychodynamic, intergenerational and family-of-origin approaches focus almost exclusively on the client’s past. Strategic, Structural, Cognitive-Behavioral and the Psycho educational modalities deal with the present and its influences on the client with little thought to the past. One of the most familiar and focused on the here and now methods of family systems therapy is the Experiential-Humanistic approach.

Experiential therapeutic methods are implemented so that a client can explore actualization, choice, freedom and growth. The focus is on the present interactions between the family and the therapist as opposed to exploring past experiences. The therapist’s characteristics and sense of self is an integral component in using this approach. Growth is assumed to be a natural process and that painful experiences are a part of life. Experiential family therapists (EFT) working with clients suffering from drug addictions or substance abuse, believe that these dysfunctional behaviors are actually the failure of a person to realize their potential for personal growth.

The goal of the EFT is to assist clients towards growth of self. By working towards spontaneity, bringing their creativity to light and learning how to play again, the client will hopefully begin to realize their potential. A good place to get more information on treatment centers that practice experiential therapies is http://cirquelodge.com. The main goal of any experiential family therapy is to facilitate individual autonomy and bring all family members a sense of inter-connection or belonging. Another goal is to help the family encourage each of the other family member’s individuation. In the case of substance abuse or drug addictions, if the whole family (or as many as you can get to participate) become healthy and functional, the chances are the client will be able to maintain sobriety. At a minimum, a healthy family can become an excellent support system for the recovering addict/alcoholic. EFT relies on the use of empathy, joining, and interactions in an attempt to assess the dynamics of the family and hence to bring experiences that will lead the family to change.

Experiential therapy places a high value on the therapist being authentic and real. Since this approach relies heavily on the therapist’s personal self-awareness and rarely on a rigid technique, a clinician must be willing to participate in personal therapy sessions. The professional that has done their own work (so-to speak) and has learned what they will eventually facilitate or teach to a family, can only make them more effective. I find it quite odd that many therapists or professional counselors do not agree with this. Academic training will never be enough to make us the most effective clinicians we can be.

Use of family systems therapy allows the professionals in guidance and counseling to gain a greater understanding of their client’s life or current problem. Individual therapy is effective and should never be discounted. It is in engaging the families in the therapeutic process that will help you gain a better insight into your client’s mental health or substance abuse disorder and guide you to employing the most effective interventions. The best we can provide for our clients is what being a professional mental health clinician is all about.