Health Specialist » Medicine

Surgery as Treatment Option for Obesity

Health Specialist — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 06:59:45 +0000

There has been an overall increase in the number of people who have been diagnosed with being overweight and obese. These

two weight problems are generally the result of a person’s inability to use or expend energy that is gained through food

consumption. Specifically, the number of calories consumed by a person is not used up and are stored in the body as fat.

Use of stored energy or calories is often done through normal physical activity, normal metabolism, or exercise. To provide

contrast, obesity is defined as being overweight and fat in such a way that these condition already pose a health risk.

Being overweight, on the other hand, means that a person is above the generally accepted weight measurement for a certain

age, sex, and height.

Obesity can also derive from the genes of the person, his metabolism, behavior, environment, culture, lifestyle, and economic

status. All these factors contribute to being overweight and obese. This condition does not only affect the person’s self

confidence, but is at risk of other hazardous health illnesses such as Type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, heart disease, and

hypertension, among others.

Due to this, a number of weight loss programs have been established to help and support overweight patients in decreasing

their overall body weight. These programs ensure weight loss through dietary plans suited according to the person’s lifestyle

and eating habits, together with dietary supplements and regular exercises. Today, these weight loss programs are now more

flexible than before. Meals are attractive and can often be prepared in a matter of minutes. Low-fat and low-calorie foods

are now available in supermarkets, which is very convenient.

Unfortunately for some, their body weight can be already reach a very alarming rate that such weight loss programs would be

of no help at all. This occurs when a person seems to be very overweight and could not lose pounds by having a healthy diet

and exercise. If this is the case, then surgery might be an option for that person. Weight loss surgery is usually for men

who are at least one hundred pounds overweight and women who are at least eighty pounds heavier than that which is allowed or

within healthy limits. If the person has diabetes, heart disease, or sleep apnea but is not excessively overweight,

surgery can still be an option. By having weight loss surgery, a person would already have a physical limits to the amount of

food he or she can consume.

Gathering all the necessary information about the various surgical options would be the most important step in weight loss

surgery. Researching through the Internet, and asking previous patients who have done surgery can also help a person in

knowing what to expect before, during, and after surgery. Although the results of the surgery can be drastic, there are also

potential risks and complications that go with the procedure. This includes bleeding, infections, deep vein thrombosis,

marginal ulcers, spleen injury, and stenosis, among others. It is critical that these factors are thoroughly discussed with

the doctor, to make sure that the weight loss surgery would not harm the patient.

The effectiveness of the surgery will depend on several factors including the patient’s age, the weight before surgery, the

overall condition of the patient’s health, the surgical procedure itself, the patient’s ability to exercise, the commitment

in maintaining dietary guidelines and other follow-up care, and the motivation of the patient and cooperation of their family

members, friends and associates as well. By talking to other people who have experienced this kind of surgery, one can fully

understand what one needs to know and make the right decision that one can be comfortable with.

The Final Birth Control Solution for Men

Health Specialist — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 06:37:36 +0000

It is a perfectly believable, perfectly acceptable fact that some men simply don’t want kids. Some find kids impractical, some find kids annoying, and some just find kids to be a waste of time. Regardless of the reasons, there are just some men that are willing to go to great lengths to not have children. In a sort of twisted tradition, birth control has a tendency to be seen as the woman’s responsibility, even though it can be argued that the male half of a coupling is more active in this regard. Some men, however, have come to terms with their role in the conception process and have willingly undergone the penultimate birth control procedure available to the human male the vasectomy.

In essence, the vasectomy is an almost final solution for male birth control. The procedure is relatively simple, with the whole thing basically involving the cutting or blocking of the male vasa deferentia. For those among you that didn’t listen in biology class, the vasa deferentia are a pair of ducts that are found in all male mammals, including humans. They act as the muscle-like path that sperm cells take from testes to the urethra. In essence, this means that the sperm no longer has a path that can be used to exit the body, which means that they can’t fertilize the female egg cell. The sperm, rather than being released, end up being absorbed by the body as nutrients. The procedure, in most cases, is perfectly reversible, which is good news for the guys who think they might change their mind about children.

Some men worry that such a drastic procedure for birth control might bring about negative effects on other aspects of their sexual desire. This is, in most cases, untrue. There have been reports that around 10 of men who have had the procedure performed on them have had diminished sexual desire, but most men have noticed no change. Reports on this aspect of the procedure vary, however, though no clear reason for this variation has been pinpointed. Male hormones, such as testosterone, continue to be produced because the testes have not been removed or altered, so the procedure does not result in hormonal imbalance. Any hormonal imbalance found in a person who has undergone a vasectomy is likely completely unrelated to the procedure. The ejaculation is also relatively unaffected, as only 10 of it is actually made up of released sperm.

It should be noted that the procedure, while reversible in some situations, is generally a permanent one. Most doctors tell anyone who asks that it cannot be reversed, as well as offering them alternative methods and options. One of the more popular methods for ensuring conception even after a vasectomy would be to freeze the sperm before the procedure, allowing them to be later used in artificial insemination. Another option for extreme birth control would be vasectomy’s female counterpart, tubal ligation, though the latter is usually less popular than the former. Vasectomy is generally considered cheaper and requires a less invasive procedure than tubal ligation, though the difference in popularity between the two is not a wide gap.

Is Homeopathy Safe?

Health Specialist — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 06:15:27 +0000

You have visited a study group, bought a homeopathic over-the-counter remedy or investigated the use of a single remedy on the advice of a friend. You have had a small success and would like to use homeopathy to tackle a more important health problem, or you want a homeopath to take care of your family. Where do you go from here?

Homeopathy is practiced by a wide variety of health-care practitioners, including medical doctors, osteopaths, naturopathic physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, dentists, veterinarians, chiropractors, acupuncturists, nurse midwives, and podiatrists, as well as by professional homeopaths, who practice only homeopathy and are unlicensed in any other discipline.

The problem for the consumer is that the practitioners level of competence in homeopathy often has little to do with his or her type of licensure. The best test of qualifications is whether they have been certified in homeopathy. The CCH credential Certified Classical Homeopath is excellent, as well as the DHt Diplomate in Homeotherapeutics, available for MDs and DOs, and the DHANP Diplomate of the Homeopathic Academy of Naturopathic Physicians, available for naturopathic physicians. For veterinarians, the credential CVH indicates that they are a Certified Veterinary Homeopath.

What kind of questions will help you identify your chosen practitioner? The questions will certainly vary with each case, but a few pertinent ones might be Does the practitioner specialize in homeopathy? Does the practitioner use classical homeopathy? Where was the practitioner trained? How long has the practitioner actively been using homeopathy? Has the practitioner had experience with the diagnostic category in which your condition fits?

Some other important issues might be how distant the practitioner is from your home and whether or not your insurance company will cover the visit. As a general rule, if the type of practitioner is covered by your insurance, then the visit will be covered. You may also consider whether the practitioner includes other therapies in his or her practice and if you would like to use those therapies.

The choices open to you will vary according to where you live. If you are in a major metropolitan area, you will have more choices, although many practitioners are spread throughout the United States. Remember, use the resources close at hand, and good luck with your homeopathic experience.

Effective Snore Aids

Health Specialist — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 05:53:18 +0000

There is nothing like trying to find the perfect anti-snoring device, but ultimately finding yourself lost in a sea of snore aids promising to rid you of your nighttime nuisance. It is difficult to know which ones work and which ones will not. Rather than trying the expensive trial and error method, there are ways that you can identify the quality products from the rest.

Before purchasing a product, take a moment to consider whether or not it is safe to use. If the packaging says that it is, take a look at the product and see if it looks safe to you. If snore aids arent safe, they arent going to do you any good. Secondly, how does the product work? It is doctor recommended? This is a very important recommendation because, if it comes from a doctor, then you know the product is designed to work. Lastly, how much does the snore aid cost? Remember that just because something costs a lot does not mean that it is better than another product. Before spending a fortune on one or multiple anti-snoring devices, try to narrow the field down to one or two products that are reasonably priced and try them out.

For example, a company by the name of Odyssey Direction Solutions has invented one of the popular doctor recommended and approved snore aids. The Sleep Genie, as it was appropriately named, grants snoring sufferers with a restful nights sleep. Its sleek design and nylon lycra blend provide for comfortable wear and uninterrupted sleep. By fitting on the head and supporting the jaw, the mouth is able to remain closed during sleep. This helps to prevent snoring because sleeping with an open mouth is believed to be on of the leading causes.

Other effective snore aids are found in the simplest things, such as sleeping on your side, getting rid of airborne allergens with the help of air filtration systems, maintaining a healthy lifestyle through a combination of a balanced diet and exercise program, etc. In addition to helping curb your snoring problem, these activities will help you to live a healthier overall life.

This article is intended for informational purposes only. It should not be used as, or in place of, professional medical advice. Before beginning any treatment for snoring, please consult a doctor for a proper diagnosis and remedy.

Difficulties in Curing Gastric Ulcer

Health Specialist — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 05:31:09 +0000

Stomach ulcer, also referred to as gastric ulcer is a serious disorder that causes open lesions at the level of the stomach. Gastric ulcer commonly affects people with ages over 50 and it has the highest incidence in the female gender. Although there are many factors that can lead to the development of gastric ulcer, the disorder generally occurs due poor blood circulation in the lining of the stomach and an overproduction of digestive fluids. Infection with Helicobacter pylori bacteria is also a major cause of gastric ulcers. These bacteria weaken the stomach walls, enabling gastric acids to cause inflammation and ulcerations to the mucosal protective cover of the stomach. In addition, Helicobacter pylori bacteria trigger an overproduction of digestive fluids, thus allowing the ulcer to progress further.

Gastric ulcer usually occurs in the region of the posterior stomach wall, in the proximity of the pyloric orifice. In the initial stage of the disease, the ulcer appears as a circular lesion with a diameter of 1-2 cm. In the absence of proper medical treatment, the ulcer can expand, causing a wide hole in the stomach wall. This complication is referred to as perforated ulcer and it is considered to be a medical emergency. Along with internal bleeding, perforated ulcer accounts for thousands of annual deaths in the United States.

The progression of gastric ulcer doesnt follow an exact pattern. In some cases, the ulcer can evolve slowly, generating mild, almost unperceivable symptoms, while sometimes the ulcer can evolve rapidly, generating intense, ongoing abdominal pain and burn. When gastric ulcer evolves latently, doctors usually experience great difficulties in tracing and diagnosing the disease. Often, gastric ulcers are revealed long after they become serious, rendering people with the disorder susceptible to a wide range of life-threatening complications.

The most common symptom of gastric ulcer is abdominal pain. The pain is usually ongoing and it tends to intensify after meals and during the night. Some people experience such pronounced pain that they cant even tolerate clothing. Constipation, nausea and vomiting are also common symptoms of gastric ulcer. Vomiting of blood is a clear sign of complication.

There is no specific cure for gastric ulcer in present. Although some patients respond well to treatments with antacids and antibiotics, others may experience a relapse soon after completing the course of medications. Gastric ulcer has a pronounced chronic character and most people are confronted with it for years. Multiple gastric ulcers are even more difficult to overcome and they require ongoing medical treatment.

Although gastric ulcer cant always be cured, medical treatments can prevent its progression and alleviate its generated symptoms. Along with an appropriate diet, the medication treatments available nowadays can minimize the risk of complications.

What About Your Prescribed Medication

Health Specialist — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 05:09:00 +0000

There are some medications that are physically needed for an actual life threatening health condition, yet there are some medications where we really have to ask our selves Do we need to take this? What do we really need it for? Can we live without it?

How many times have we received prescription after prescription? How many times have we been told that this medication will solve all of our problems? How many times have the professionals told us that there are side effects, so they strongly recommended taking another type of medication to counter the side effects of the first one? How many commercials have we seen on the television advertising medication that is the way to happiness? Such as, Ask your family doctor how you can get started on making your life better.

In such a fast paced world, we are all looking for a quick and easy solution to suppress the pain, guilt, remorse, shame and hatred that we are feeling, and ultimately, our real inability to confront our lives and take responsibility. The pharmaceutical companies, psychiatrists, and doctors love this fast paced world. They make billions on our inabilities to confront our lives. They are providing us with a quick solution a way to escape, a way to accept our so-called diagnosis. The truth is that we have accepted a highly and dangerous form of addiction

I need these pills to get through the day.
This is because of my diagnosis, I cant stop taking these.
I am always stressed at work.
I cant sleep at night.
I am depressed all the time.

Society has embraced prescription medication without realizing the highly addictive nature of some of these drugs.

We have family members taking literally a spoon full of prescription medication, and spending thousands of dollars a month just to function on a daily basis. Yet when someone mentions the word addiction, we shutter at the thought of being an addict. How can we be an addict when it is prescribed? Little do we know that the same pills that are given to you can be easily bought on the street. So whats the difference? Valium, Lithium, Zanax, Effexor, Celexa, Paxil, Seroquil, Ritalin, Oxicotton, Percocets, Diladid, Morphene, Methadone how are these drugs different from street drugs? An addict is an addict and a drug is a drug, we use prescription drugs to get off of street drugs, we end up substituting one drug for another drug to fuel our addiction.

We all have our reasons for taking prescription medication. Take a look in the mirror and if your not happy with what you see, do something about it. Remember, more medication is not going to solve the problem. Know what you are taking research it; look at how you react to it; and really ask yourself if you can still live your life without it. Drugs are all around us, sold everywhere, and a drug pusher comes in many different forms. Mental disorders and addictions are more common then ever, and we use drugs to escape both. Be aware of the drugs prescribed, know what you are taking, and ask your doctor if this is really necessary. Be your own adviser, keep your counsel and make your own decisions.

Taking some of these medications for long periods of time can be very dangerous to come off of cold turkey, please contact your family doctor to see how you can come off of them safely, and make a change in your life.

Nick Hayes
Intake Counselor at
Narconon Trois-Rivieres

Should You Take Prescription Medication For Anxiety Attacks?

Health Specialist — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 04:46:51 +0000

Are you considering taking prescription medication to help cure the symptoms of your anxiety attacks? Lets face it, weve all the seen the commercials from the various drug companies promising a simple cure for your anxiety attacks by taking prescription medication.

Heres what they dont tell you

1. Prescription medications mask the root problem of your anxiety attacks. Yes, you may have temporary relief of your symptoms but your anxiety attacks started for a reason. You need to discover the root problem in order to find the solution as to why your body is reacting with an anxiety attack instead of covering it up with medication.

2. Prescription medications are addictive, which can mean a long, agonizing withdrawal period when you want to get off them. You have to wean yourself off gradually and this process can cause your anxiety attack symptoms to worsen or other side affects to occur before you are completely off the prescription medication.

3. After long-term use of the prescription medication, you may find that you need higher doses in order to keep the medication functioning. You may end up returning to your doctor repeatedly, only to have him increase your dosage, or worse, prescribe a stronger medication for you.

The remarkable part about these drug prescription commercials is the disclaimer they ramble off quickly near the end listing the side affects that some of these prescription drugs can produce. Are you truly prepared to risk your long-term health by taking these prescription medications?

The commercials make the cure sound so wonderful take a pill and all your anxiety attack symptoms will be gone. Its very tempting to be seduced into a quick-fix. However, you should take a pro-active approach and do further research before you buy into these so-called cures. There is massive information available on the internet about anxiety disorders as well as on specific prescription drugs and their side-effects.

You should know that natural remedies do exist such as Chamomile tea or St. Johns Wort for relief of some anxiety attack symptoms. Moreover, you may find that an appointment with a Naturopathic doctor or a Hypno-Therapist to be a more natural solution than a visit to your family physician and his trust prescription pad.

Be an informed anxiety attack patient. Do your research and find the natural cure that will work for you over the long term without the harmful side-effects. Anxiety attacks are 100 curable; you only need to find the natural solution that is right for you.

Hypnosis For Eating Disorders?

Health Specialist — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 04:24:42 +0000

Today, eating disorders such as Anorexia and Bulimia are running rapid. If a person intentionally starves him or herself yet believes they are overweight, they could very well be suffering from Anorexia Nervosa, which is a severe emotional disorder that needs serious intervention. With this, the diet is drastically restricted, coupled by excessive exercise. The result is dangerous weight loss that can cause serious damage to the body to include death.

Bulimia is a form of Anorexia, which is characterized by misuse of laxatives, diuretics, enemas, andor vomiting to rid the body of food consumed during binge eating. In both cases, the body is put at great medical risk. The problem is that both Anorexia and Bulimia are not just serious but difficult to treat. In addition to the body needing intervention, the mind also needs intervention since the individual with the eating disorder sees him or herself as fat although they could easily be 50 of their normal weight.

These eating disorders typically begin in adolescents, which are seen most often around time of puberty. However, although rare, eating disorders can affect people over the age of 40, and again, both males and females although girls are in the highest risk category. If you have a child and you begin to notice things like infrequent or stopped menstrual cycle, dry skin, thinning hair, cold andor swollen feet, or a bloated stomach while watching drastic weight loss, then you need to pay attention.

The psychological signs generally involve poor judgment, problem with memory andor concentration, a distorted perception of the body, denial, obsessive-compulsive behavior, and depression; these could well be indications that an eating disorder is a problem. Treating eating disorders is a long process that addresses both physical and psychological. Many of the traditional treatment options include cognitive and behavioral therapy, antidepressants, and herbs. However, because the mind is involved, hypnosis has also been proven very beneficial for some people suffering from Anorexia or Bulimia.

Although the exact cause of Anorexia and Bulimia remains unknown, most experts believe it has to do with the individual trying to gain control over their life. For this reason, you see young girls who are trying to fit into school, dating, or coming from a difficult home life turning to an eating disorder to gain some type of semblance in their life. With hypnosis, the subconscious mind can be reached and taught to change the normal pattern of thinking. By working with a reputable and licensed hypnotherapist, the subconscious can receive positive suggestions that relate to things beyond the eating disorder.

Although that will be the primary reason for seeking hypnosis, the underlying issues that lead to the eating disorder in the first place are addressed. In this case, the depression and cause of depression is uncovered. The individual learns self-confidence, healthy control, and other positive tools that can be used to conquer the battle with Anorexia or Bulimia. Keep in mind that along with hypnosis, the individual with the eating disorder will need ongoing love and support by family and friends. By creating a positive environment, recovery is possible. When choosing the right hypnotherapist, you want someone who also believes and supports in the individual receiving other treatment and medication.

These factors together will provide the best chance for success. In fact, many medical doctors are now adding hypnosis to their practice for this very reason. Over the years, studies have shown that in some cases, such as severe eating disorders, the combination of traditional medical care with hypnosis greatly improves the resolution.

Food Allergy Law Enacted In New York

Health Specialist — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 04:02:33 +0000

Governor Eliot Spitzer has signed into law the Allergy & Anaphylaxis Management Act of 2007, landmark legislation that will help protect New York school children who suffer from

life-threatening food allergies.

The new law requires the New York State Commissioner of Health to develop model state guidelines to manage

the risk of food allergy and anaphylaxis a potentially fatal allergic reaction in schools. All New York schools must receive the guidelines by June 30, 2008. Though the AAMA calls for schools to develop policies based on the guidelines, it provides flexibility for each school to create a policy consistent with its unique environment and culture.

“This vital legislation will save lives,” said Robert Pacenza, Executive Director, FAI. “If a food-allergic

child accidentally ingests even a miniscule trace of the wrong food, it can trigger a reaction that can kill

within minutes. The AAMA will provide New York parents and schools with sensible guidelines to help keep

these kids safe. FAI is proud to have been the organizing force behind this effort.”

During the past year, FAI led a coalition of food allergy support groups and parents across New York State to

achieve the passage of the AAMA. In the months ahead, the organization plans to consult with the Commissioner

of Health and other interested parties to create the new food allergy guidelines. FAI expresses its appreciation to Governor Spitzer and to Senator Serphin Maltese R-Long Island and Assemblyman Jose Rivera D-Bronx, who championed the bill in the New York State Assembly.

About Food Allergies

Food allergy is a major public health concern, affecting more than 11 million Americans — at least 6 of

children under age 3, and 3-4 of the adult population. In particular, the number of children with peanut

allergy doubled from 1997-2002. Every year, at least 150 people die from food allergy, and severe allergic

reactions anaphylaxis account for more than 30,000 emergency room visits. There is no cure, and no therapy

to prevent anaphylaxis — only emergency treatment with epinephrine to control a reaction that is already in

progress.

How To Prevent Allergy When Using Hair Dye?

Health Specialist — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 03:40:24 +0000

When his hair stylist switched to an indigenous hair dye he developed severe itching, erythema, crusting, and pustules on the surrounding skin. Now, what could have possibly went wrong?

Gago-Dominguez, a researcher, explained that small amounts of arylamines are absorbed through the skin during the use of hair dye. Don’t dye your hair without having as much of your skin covered as possible. One needs to be careful while applying black hair dye, as it is difficult to remove from any surface including skin and fabric. Lawsone dye infuses skin, hair, and porous surfaces but does not permanently or chemically alter them. Para-phenylenediamine, a key ingredient of many hair dyes, is known to trigger allergic skin rashes in some people. When you use hair dye, you absorb small amounts of chemicals called arylamines through your skin. It “dyes your skin more than your hair,” one well known researcher said.

What is PPD in Hair Dye?

Paraphenylenediamine PPD is a chemical substance that is widely used as a permanent hair dye. PPD hair dyes usually come packaged as 2 bottles, one containing the PPD dye preparation and the other containing the developer or oxidizer. The use of PPD as a hair dye is popular because it is a permanent dye that gives a natural look.

Why is it that many hand painting using Henna herbal dye develop skin rashes? After all, Henna dye used for hand painting is 100 herbal and does not contain PPD!

That’s because almost all henna-tattoo artists are mixing in black hair dye that contains paraphenylenediamine – ‘PPD’ for short. This mixing of chemical makes the hand dye more permanent, as the palm sweats a lot, the tattoo artist is ensuring that the ink remains for a longer period of time. If you develop skin rash after using a dark dye, you’ll be allergic to all dark hair dyes – anything that contains the PPD compound.

Currently there are no permanent oxidation type hair dyes that can be safely used by PPD allergic individuals. If you have an allergy to PPD and have your hair dyed, you should avoid the use of all oxidation type hair dyes. PPD is an occupational allergen among hairdressers; there is limited cross-reactivity with azo clothing dyes and back rubber. Those who are allergic to PPD hair dyes must avoid all synthetic chemical hair dyes.

Manic Panic hair dye works best on hair pre-lightened to a very light blonde. The idea being that it would look like she was a blonde who occasionally dyed her hair black. Apparently, the darker shades of hair dye contain significantly more chemicals than the blonde shades. The first step is to use the cheap blonde dye to bleach your hair. After an hour, rinse the blonde dye out of your hair.