Disease-Illness Articles
Consumers Urged To Learn More About Their Eye Care Providers
(category: Disease-Illness, Word count: 630)
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Melissa Baker was diagnosed with nearsightedness early in childhood-an unremarkable diagnosis. But with each regular visit to her family optometrist, she became more nearsighted and her glasses became thicker. It wasn't until a skiing accident led Melissa to an ophthalmologist at age 15 that she learned her true diagnosis: glaucoma, a disease that rarely affects the young. But it was already too late. The damage to her optic nerve was irreversible. Despite four surgeries, she eventually lost sight in her left eye. At 22, Melissa's left eye was replaced with a glass eye.
Melissa now dedicates her time to educating the public about eye care so that others won't needlessly loose their sight. She was recently named an honorary co-chair for the Glaucoma Research Foundation.
She's not alone. The National Consumers League (NCL) has also launched a new campaign urging consumers to learn more about eye care and to take a more active role in it. NCL, the nation's oldest consumer advocacy organization, recently commissioned a survey that found consumers-including those who wear glasses or contact lenses-are confused about the credentials and training of eye care providers. Nearly a third of respondents incorrectly thought optometrists have earned medical degrees.
To help consumers better understand eye care, NCL has produced a white paper about the state of eye care in the United States and created new Web resources and tips on its Web site, www.nclnet.org/health/eyes. The white paper clearly describes the need for patient education in today's challenging health care environment; one in which the increasing demand for more preventive care, in constant competition with an increasing sensitivity to cost control and productivity, has led to the expanding role of non-physician practitioners providing medical care. Most importantly, NCL provides a framework to guide consumers as they make eye care provider decisions, ultimately encouraging them to take control of their health care choices.
So who does what and when? The eye care arena is often confusing due to the number of professionals who offer services. Generally, however, the services are broken down as such:
(*) Opticians dispense and fit contact lenses and glasses
(*) Optometrists examine the eye to diagnose vision problems and abnormalities, and prescribe glasses, contact lenses and some medications
(*) Ophthalmologists are medical doctors who deliver total eye care services, treat eye diseases and injuries and perform eye surgery.
Depending on the services you need, one type of provider may be more appropriate than another. In addition to the usual considerations of convenience, cost and established relationships, use these tips when selecting an eye care provider.
(*) Know what your needs are when going to an eye care provider. If you don't know what you need to have done, ask your primary care doctor.
(*) Look for diplomas, licenses and other qualifications and certifications displayed in the office.
(*) Ask the provider if he/she has sufficient training and experience to perform the procedure you need, especially when the procedure is more invasive than a regular office visit.
(*) If your eye care needs include surgery or treatment with medications, ask your provider if he/she is trained and licensed to perform these services. Ask how many times he/she has performed the service, and what kind of side effects and recovery time you can expect.
(*) If you do not have access to or are unsure about the eye care provider you need, ask your primary care doctor for a recommendation to properly address your needs.
If you encounter a problem in your treatment by an eye care provider that can not be resolved with the provider, do not hesitate to contact the state agency that oversees the conduct of the provider.
Common S T D Symptoms And Treatment For Chlamydia Herpes And Hepatitis
(category: Disease-Illness, Word count: 434)
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Disease like Chlamydia, Herpes and Hepatitis are a growing problem in the United States. High risk behaviors and lack of disease information and resources have had a profound effect on the spread of such diseases. Some of these diseases have little to no symptoms yet can be extremely harmful if not treated and can spread without knowing so. Getting proper education in dealing with such diseases can help you as an individual protect yourself from infection.
Chlamydia - Chlamydia is one of the most common STD's today. Chlamydia is easily spread through sexual activities hence they are a sexually transmitted disease. Clamidia treatment is usually pretty easy and uncomplicated. Chlamydia can cause sterility in both men and women. At least three million individuals are infected with Chlamydia each year. Common symptoms of clamidia include: discharge from lower regions, painful urination, painful intercourse, abdominal pain, nausea, fever, swelling and bleeding from lower regions (specific symptoms for men or women). Symptoms usually occur with in 21 days of infection. Treatment of Chlamydia is usually taken care of with an antibiotic, usually doxycycline, taken for a week.
Herpes - Herpes is also an extremely common sexually transmitted disease. Most adults have some version of the disease. Many do not know they even have the herpies virus. Herpes is often associated with sores on the mouth (cold sores) and genitals (genital herpes). There is no cure for herpes however herpies symptoms and breakouts can be treated with medication prescribed by your doctor. Someone using these medications can lead break-out free lives. Generally, herpes is usually the most problematic during the first breakout and lessons with age.
Hepatitis - There are many versions of hepatitis. Hepatitus B for example can be prevented with a vaccination, other versions of hepatitis cannot. Hepatitis can be spread via sexual activity or by eating food handled improperly as a Food-Bourne illness. Hepatitis is a serious illness that affects the Liver and may cause jaundice. All symptoms associated with hepatitis should be directed to a medical professional for immediate treatment. Hepatitus can be very serious and it is important to get the facts and resources immediately for treatment. Other symptoms of hepatitis can include : extreme fatigue, headache, fever and hives. Hepatitus may be invisible during its most contagious stages.
Proper knowledge and safe practices can help you extremely reduce the risks of getting infected with a sexually transmitted disease. For more information on sexually transmitted diseases visit your local health department, your primary physician or a pregnancy resource center near you.
Opacity Cataracts
(category: Disease-Illness, Word count: 284)
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A cataract is "any opacity which develops in the crystalline lens of the eye or in its envelope". Cataracts develop for a variety of reasons, with the most common factor being the long-term exposure to ultraviolet light. Cataracts can also develop from advanced age or secondary effects of diseases such as diabetes.
Usually a result of denaturation (the conversion of DNA from the double-stranded to the single-stranded state; separation of the strands is most often accomplished by heating) of lens proteins, there is several genetic factors which are also known to play a major role predisposing an individual to cataracts. As mentioned above with advancing age the prevalence of cataracts becomes more dominant. Cataract formation is expected in any individual over the age of 70 (50% of all people between the ages of 65 and 74 & approximately 70% of those over 75).
Although not as commong, cataracts can be produced as a result of an eye injury or other physical trauma. A recent study of Icelandair pilots, proved that commercial airline pilots are three times as likely to develop cataracts as people with non-flying jobs. This increase in odds isn't completely known yet, but is thought to be caused by radiation coming from outer space. Cataracts is most commonly aided via surgery called cataract surgery. The surgery aims to restore the eye back to it's original state by removing any cataracts that are present.
We're only given one set of two eyes. Taking care of them is extremely important. This can mean simple precautions such as wearing sunglasses to prevent our eyes from elements such as ultraviolet light, wind, and from getting particles in the eye that can damage or lenses.
Do You Have The Cold Flu Or Other Illness Find Out Now
(category: Disease-Illness, Word count: 405)
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Knowing what is wrong with you can be hard to do sometimes. There are so many sicknesses out there just waiting to prey upon us and our bodies. It does not matter if you have the cold, flu or some other type of sickness, if you are sick you are sick right? But you do need to know what kind of illness that you have in order to treat it properly. A cold, flu and other illnesses all need to be treated in their won particular way and if you want to get better you need to know what to do.
Cold, flu and other viruses need to be dealt with as swiftly as humanly possible. Of course most viruses cannot be dealt with that well without anti virals and these are not given out for things like cold, flu and other regular sicknesses. In these cases the chances are good that your doctor will simply tell you to drink as many fluids as you can while getting plenty of rest at home. This is the best way to deal with cold, flu once you have already contracted them.
There are some things that you can do to lower your chances of catching cold, flu and other viruses to begin with though and learning these precautions can keep you feeling good throughout the year, even throughout cold flu season.
You should prevent catching a cold, flu or anything lese by keeping your hands clean all day long. Wash your hands many times throughout the day and you will lower your chances of catching cold, flu enormously. Just remember to do a quick wash with soap after you touch others or touch things that other touch all of the time. This is one of the best and easiest ways for you to prevent catching cold, flu or anything else that comes along.
You should also carry a small packet of tissues in your pocket or purse at all times. This is a good idea because you can then pass some along to those around you who are coughing or sneezing due to cold, flu. This is how so many cold, flu and other viruses get spread and if you can get people to use a tissue when they sneeze or cough you can help to contain the spread of cold, flu and other illnesses.
Alzheimer S Disease The Horrific Stealer
(category: Disease-Illness, Word count: 560)
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Alzheimer's disease is a disease that can virtually steal away the memory and the abilities of innocent people. It is tragic when it happens and, unfortunately, it happens to many people each year. Are their cures? Is there hope for individuals who are faced with the challenges of Alzheimer's disease? Let us take a closer look at it and see just what it is and why it is such a horrific disease to have.
What Is Alzheimer's Disease?
Alzheimer's is a disease of dementia. It is the most common form of dementia. Alzheimer's disease affects the parts of the brain that control such everyday activities as thoughts, memory and language. Unfortunately, scientists and doctor's do not know what is the actual cause of Alzheimer's disease. They do not yet understand why it happens or who it will strike. What they believe is that a combination of factors contributes to the onset of Alzheimer's disease.
The largest risk of getting Alzheimer's disease is in fact age. People who are over the age of 65 double their chances of getting Alzheimer's disease every five years. It is thought that Alzheimer's disease can be related at least somewhat to genetics. There is actually a type of Alzheimer's, familial, that strikes individuals between the ages of 30 and 60 that is inherited. But, in the common form of the disease, there is no direct link that is that obvious.
What Are The Symptoms?
There are a number of symptoms that can be the first signs of this paralyzing disease. The first symptoms, though, are not obvious. Mild forgetfulness is often the first symptom to be seen. Then, it becomes more obvious when people begin to have trouble remembering more recent activities and events. Or, they may have more trouble remembering familiar people, places or things. As it progresses, symptoms of Alzheimer's worsen to where individuals can no longer solve simple math problems. At this stage, people may not realize that they have anything wrong with them. Stress, over tiredness or just plan 'old age' may be blamed.
Symptoms become more serious though. As simple tasks become harder and harder to do, individuals realize there may be a problem and seek medical advice. Things like not remembering how to brush your teeth or how to tie a shoe become increasingly more difficult. They may not be able to think clearly, may become anxious or even aggressive. Sometimes, individuals will wander. Unfortunately, Alzheimer's disease will leave patients needing complete care.
The Outlook For An Alzheimer's Disease Patient
Alzheimer's disease is a disease that affects each and every person differently. It begins slowly and can take years to worsen in some people. In others, it is much faster. The end result is severe brain damage. The average Alzheimer's disease patient will live between eight and ten years from the time they are diagnosed. Others can live up to twenty years.
There is no cure for Alzheimer's disease. Some drugs that are used early on in the treatment of patients can slow down the progression of the disease in some patients. Some medications are used to treat the symptoms of the disease which can help to make patients more comfortable. On the horizon are many new drugs and treatment plans, including stem cell research that can benefit individuals who have Alzheimer's disease.
Coeliac Disease
(category: Disease-Illness, Word count: 571)
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Coeliac Disease is something which affects many people but which is not widely understood or discussed. It is a medical condition which affects the gut and digestive system of the sufferer and which people can be genetically pre-disposed to.
The disease often runs in families, due to the genetic predisposition of the condition. However, it can be brought on through environmental factors at any point in one's life. Coeliac Disease is most prevalent in British people, with 1 in 100 diagnosed. Italy is the next country with a high prevalence rate of 1 in 250 people. Those living in other countries but of British or Italian descent can find themselves more likely to develop it due to the genetic link. The condition is very rare in those of African, Chinese or Japanese descent.
When an individual who is pre-disposed to Coeliac Disease eats a product containing gluten, damage is done to the lining of their small intestine. The body sees gluten as harmful and so attacks it and the villi, or lining of the intestine, which are shaped like small fingers, become flattened and this results in scar tissue being formed. This scar tissue is then not able to absorb nutrients and goodness from food, such as vital vitamins and minerals. The disturbance to the digestive system can also result in bowel problems, such as diarrhoea in addition to malnutrition.
Gluten is a protein and a common ingredient in such food stuffs as wheat, barley, rye and oats. Unfortunately for sufferers there is no medicine available to relieve their symptoms. The only way to reduce, and possibly eliminate, the symptoms is to ensure that they follow a strict gluten-free diet for the rest of their life. For the majority of patients a gluten-free diet will prevent further damage to the intestines and give them the opportunity to heal to an extent, if not wholly, dependent on the length of time they have been eating a normal diet before switching to gluten-free. Other patients may not be as lucky, and may find that the damage is irreversible or aggravated by other ingredients such as eggs or dairy produce. These sufferers are certainly in the minority.
A gluten-free diet can be difficult to follow as it is present in all manner of food stuffs. The diagnosis of the disease in most people is during childhood, particularly if other members of the family are already diagnosed. This can be hard for a teenager to deal with, particularly when eating out or at the home of a friend. However, it is important for sufferers to accept that they will not be able to get over the disease but can manage it better if they stick to the special diet. As awareness of the disease grows, so does the availability of gluten-free food. It is now possible to buy gluten-free pasta, bread, muffins and bagels, which are all normally of the menu for a sufferer of Coeliac Disease.
When eating out it is important to remember that seemingly innocuous foods such as soup may have a wheat based thickener in them, thus ruling them out of a gluten-free diet. Some restaurants now offer a gluten-free menu, but if you don't have that option the safest choice is to head to an Asian inspired restaurant such as Thai, Japanese or Indian as there are more gluten-free options available on their menus as standard.
Autism Spectrum Disorders Explained
(category: Disease-Illness, Word count: 525)
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Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) cover a variety of behaviors and abilities and are caused by abnormal brain development. While ASDs begin when the individual is a child, they will last throughout the individual's life. Most individuals with ASDs will display a lack of social skills, as well as communication skills. While these individuals with ASDs may have a variety of different behaviors, each individual is unlike another. While the symptoms may be severe in one individual, they may be very mild in another. The following are some common behaviors emitted by individuals diagnosed with an ASD.
Generally, individuals diagnosed with ASDs will not want to socialize with others. Some things you may notice are a lack of eye contact with others, preferring to do activities by themselves, and they may not want to be touched. Depending upon the severity of the symptoms, some individuals may not even notice when others speak to them or are trying to get their attention. In mild cases, it may be that an individual will simply not understand how to relate to others and in case of a young child, they may not know how to play with other children.
When it comes to communication skills, more often than not, individuals with ASDs will show lack of development in these areas, as well. Many children that have been diagnosed with ASDs do not talk at all. Some may display a repetitive speech, such as echolalia, where they repeat the words that are said to them. Instead of answering a question, they'll simply repeat what was asked of them. A child with ASDs may be able to talk and then at a later date, stop talking altogether.
Other communication behaviors may be a flat tone to their voice and they may not be able to control how loud or softly they talk. They may have a hard time sticking to a topic of discussion for a long time and they may also show a lack of listening skills. Some may stand too close to someone they are talking to, as well as talking a lot and not letting someone else get a chance to talk.
Individuals with ASDs may also display repetitive actions. It might be that they have to line their items on their nightstand up perfectly before going to bed or it may be they simply have to stick to a certain routine. Any change in this routine may upset them badly and throw them off kilter. These repetitive behaviors become very important to them.
The fact is that children who have been diagnosed with ASDs simply develop differently than those without ASDs. While they may exhibit motor skills that are similar to other children their age, their language and social skills may be severely underdeveloped compared to others. Children with ASDs might be able to put together a very intricate puzzle, but have a hard time making friends.
The symptoms of ASDs may become less severe over time or perhaps become more pronounced. Again, while there are many symptoms associated with ASDs, each individual that is diagnosed will display varying degrees of each one.
Emotional Stress And Crohn S Disease How They Relate
(category: Disease-Illness, Word count: 409)
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For years, many people have argued that forms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease, including Crohn's Disease, is caused by emotional stress, tension, and anxiety; this, however, is completely inaccurate. While there may be links to emotional stress and Crohn's Disease, it is not a cause of the disorder.
A common misconception is that Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is the same thing as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). However, these differ considerably. IBD causes inflammation of the intestines and is not caused psychological factors. On the other hand, there is a strong link in emotional issues contributing to IBS.
While some may argue Crohn's Disease is caused by being overly emotional, it is in fact an inappropriate response of the immune system and no correlation to the disease and psychological issues. However, emotions may play a role in how a person deals with Crohn's Disease.
In dealing with any chronic disease, people may find difficulty is coping with the long term effects of their medical condition. As a result, people with Crohn's may become depressed or suffer other psychological issues, such as severe anxiety or dependency. As Crohn's often causes excessive diarrhea and gas, it is sometimes embarrassing for people to go out in public, possibly leading to reclusion. Likewise, travel becomes more difficult, which may lead to feelings of loss of freedom. Long term pain also causes emotional complications, as well as long term use of pain medications.
While Crohn's Disease may cause emotional stress, there has also been a reverse connection recognized: meaning stress may cause flare-ups of complications in patients already affected by Crohn's Disease. Through extremely emotional times, a person may notice an increase in severity of diarrhea, gas, and pain.
If psychological issues become a hindrance in daily life, it may be necessary to seek professional help. While medication is not typically needed, simply acquiring support may be very beneficial. This may also be accomplished by joining support groups or conversing with other people that suffer from the same or similar disorders.
For peace of mind, there are also other steps that you can take to reduce stress as a result of Crohn's Disease. Carrying a change of clothes with you, familiarizing yourself with your surroundings, including location of bathrooms, and being aware of your body's reaction to certain foods will ease anxiety when you are out and about and prepare you for possible issues that may arise.
What Are The Stages Of Lung Cancer
(category: Disease-Illness, Word count: 512)
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Once a diagnosis of lung cancer has been made, the doctor will attempt to determine the stage the lung cancer is at. The staging system is somewhat like a measurement system, with the numbers indicating: whether the cancerous tumors are localized or whether the tumors have spread to other parts of the body; the tumor's size; and whether or not the tumors have spread to the lymph nodes. There are four main stages of lung cancer (Stages 1 - 4) and identification of one of the stages is what helps doctors prescribe an appropriate treatment method.
Different Cancer, Different Stages of Lung Cancer
The staging system is a bit more complicated than simply assigning a number. First of all, the stage numbering system differs slightly depending on whether the lung cancer has been diagnosed as small cell lung cancer or non-small cell lung cancer.
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Non-small cell lung cancer is the more common form and it progresses more slowly than the other type. Non-small lung cancer can be broken down into 4 stages. Stage 1 means that the tumor is local; it has not spread to the lymph nodes. Adding the letter A or B to the stage 1 classification indicates the size of the tumor ("A" means it is less than 3 cm across) and whether it's larger and growing in a sensitive area ("B"). Stage 2 means the tumor has spread into lymph nodes or the chest wall. Again, an "A" and "B" designation determines the size and the location of the tumor. Stage 3 is more complicated and can mean several things. For example, it can indicate that the tumor has spread, but it's still only affecting one side of the lung, or that tumors have spread to other nearby body parts such as the chest wall, or that fluid is collecting in the lungs. Stage 4 is of course the worst stage and means that cancerous tumors have spread into a whole other part of the body like the pelvis or liver.
Small-Cell Cancer
In cases of small-cell cancer, there are two stages of lung cancer - Stage 1 and Stage 2. These stages are used to designate whether the cancerous cells are limited in number or whether there exists an extensive amount that have invaded the chest and other parts of the body. When they're limited in number, patients have a good chance of receiving effective treatment and possibly even resuming a near normal life. An extensive amount however, means treatment options are very limited.
The Staging Challenge
Although the stages of lung cancer seem well-defined, categorizing a person's cancer into one of these stages is often challenging. Each case of cancer involves so many different factors and the combination of factors can be interpreted in many different ways by different doctors. Proper diagnosis and classification takes time and may take several rounds of testing. CT scans, MRIs, blood tests, bone scans and even testing the pleural effusion (if present) may all be needed.
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