Boundless Thoughts

Transmission of Swine Flu (How is Swine Flu spread?)

As with other flu like illnesses, Swine flu is spread as follows:

• Coughing
• Sneezing
• Kissing
• Touching infected objects
• Touching nose, mouth and/or eyes with infected hands
• Swine Flu Symptoms

Symptoms of Swine flu may including all or some of the following:

• Fever
• Muscle aches
• Lethargy
• Coughing
• Headache
• Sore throat
• Runny nose
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Lack of appetite

Complications Of Swine Flu And Higher Risk Individuals

Those at higher risk include those with the following:

• Age of 65 years or older
• Chronic health problems (such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease)
• Pregnant women
• Young children

Complications (for all patients but especially for those at higher risk) can include:

• Pneumonia
• Bronchitis
• Sinus infections
• Ear infections
• Death

Diagnosis And Treatment Of Swine Flu

1. A respiratory sample collected within the first five days of illness will be collected.
2. The sample is sent to the CDC for laboratory analysis and confirmation.

At this time the CDC is recommending the use of oseltamivir (Tamiflu) or zanamivir (Relenza) for treatment and/or prevention of Swine flu.

Prevention of Swine Flu

• Covering nose and mouth with a tissue upon coughing and sneezing followed by proper disposal of the tissue.
• Avoiding contact with ill persons.
• Avoiding the urge to touch nose, mouth and eyes in general.
• Staying home form work and/or school upon onset and for the duration of symptoms.
• Assuring adequate and thorough handwashing and use of alcohol based hand cleansers (in the absence of proper handwashing facilities).
• Providing tissues in common areas of homes, common and public areas.
• Encouraging pursuit of medical evaluation at earliest onset of symptoms.
• Use of masks to those who are exhibiting symptoms or who are ill.
• Maintenance of a 3 to 6 foot perimeter around a coughing patient.
• Calm analysis coupled with accurate and proper public education is the key to identifying, treating and minimizing a worldwide outbreak.

Get Your Blood Pressure Checked Regularly, If your blood pressure reading is “elevated”, don’t panic. Instead, consider it a wake-up call to improve your health before it’s too late.

If not addressed, an elevated reading can lead to heart disease, kidney disease, hardening of the arteries, eye damage, and even a stroke.

High Blood Pressure is also known as hypertension, It refers to the amount of pressure (or tension) in the arteries. A blood pressure reading below 120/80 is considered normal. Blood pressure between 120/80 and 139/89 is labeled pre-hypertension, while a blood pressure reading of 140/90 or above is believed to be high.

Steps for Lowering Blood Pressure

* Lose weight-–As you put on more weight your blood pressure rises. Just by losing only ten pounds, you can lower your blood pressure. Although there are scores of diets from which to choose, losing weight is simply “eating less and moving more.” Join a reputable weight loss program such as Weight Watchers where you can learn to eat healthy by making wise choices from all the food groups .

* Limit salt and sodium intake-–You probably consume more salt than you need. A good guideline is to consume less than 2.4 grams (or 2,400 milligrams) of sodium daily. In other words, this is about one teaspoon of table salt a day. Try to stay away from canned foods which are loaded with sodium, but if you do use them, select brands labeled “no-salt.” As salt makes your body retain water, it also hinders weight loss.

* Exercise—Move more. Find a physical activity that you enjoy and do it on a regular basis. Besides lowering your blood pressure, staying active also reduces your chances of stroke and heart disease.

* Quit smoking—Besides injuring your blood vessel walls, smoking also can lead to hardening of the arteries. If you’ve smoked for years, it isn’t easy to quit. But find a way to stop if you don’t want to die young. Ask your doctor for help, as well as find support from others who have conquered the smoking habit.

* Reduce stress—If you’re highly stressed, your blood pressure may be affected. When you feel tense over situations, take steps to relax your body. If necessary, you may need to seek professional help to reduce the stress in your life.

Nowadays, cholesterol is becoming a real threat to many people. The main reason behind this is that people tend to consume more products that are rich in saturated fats, such as whole milk dairy products, poultry, and egg yolks.

Additionally, most people also rely on food chains for their daily diet or perhaps on processed foods, especially if their schedule is too hectic to accommodate home cooking. So if you are one of these people who love to eat these kinds of foods, it’s time to reassess your diet and start eating a low-cholesterol diet.

The low-cholesterol diet is a diet low in saturated fat, which helps lower your cholesterol level and protect you from various heart diseases. The foods that should be included in this diet are fat-free dairy products, lean meats, fish and shellfish, skinless poultry, and whole-grain foods. Fresh fruits and green vegetables, especially when combined with large quantities of olive oil and monostaturates, should also be included because these are rich in vitamins and minerals that are good for your body and reduce your risk for high cholesterol. In addition to these, certain foods that contain plant stanols or plant sterols such as cholesterol-lowering margarines and salad dressings can also be added to your diet to boost your body’s LDL-lowering power.

Meanwhile, foods that are high in cholesterol and saturated fats should only be eaten in moderation. If possible, these should not be included in your diet. Avoid liver and other organ meats, egg yolks, full-fat dairy products, high-fat processed meats, and fried foods. Limiting the intake of these foods can greatly reduce your cholesterol levels and decrease your chances of developing heart disease, as well as protect you from future heart attacks.

A simple low-cholesterol diet is a big help to you, but only if you observe and follow these guidelines regularly. Remember that your health is in your hands.

Causes of Multiple Sclerosis Vertigo

MS vertigo can be a result of damage (disease inflammation or scar lesions) to the brain stem where the acoustic cranial nerve (CN VIII) originates. This nerve bifurcates into hearing and balance (vestibular) nerves. The vestibular nerve is affected in vertigo. Cerebellum MS lesions can also cause vertigo. Other forms of dizziness associated with multiple sclerosis are caused by MS damage to the cranial nerves III, IV, and VI (associated with the eyes.)

Duration

Vertigo generally remits over several weeks on a gradual basis. It can leave residual chronic dizziness.

Treatments

* Benadryl
* Dramamine
* Valium
* Antivert
* Thorazine
* non-medication treatments include placing night lights for better night vision, walking barefoot for traction, and using walls, railings, and/or a cane for balance
* physical therapy

What Is Vertigo?

Vertigo is not just an Alfred Hitchcock movie. It’s a real, troubling neurological symptom that can be debilitating, depending on its severity. Vertigo is considered a “dizziness or unsteadiness or spinning sensation.” When a person feels as though they are moving or spinning, the sensation is termed “subjective vertigo”, and when a person perceives his surroundings to be moving, that is termed “objective vertigo.” Both types of vertigo are caused by a disturbance in the vestibular system (the vestibular nerve, structures in the inner ear, the brain stem, and cerebellum.)

What Causes Vertigo?

When vertigo is caused by the structures of the inner ear, it is said to be a “peripheral vestibular disorder.” The onset is generally quick, and the causes include Meniere’s disease (fluctuating pressure of the inner ear fluid), ototoxicity (ear poisoning from medications or chemicals), or vestibular neuritis (caused by viral infection.) These are some of the most common causes for peripheral vestibular illness. Central vestibular disorders (affecting the vestibular nerve, brain stem, and/or cerebellum) can be caused by cardiovascular problems, head trauma, migraines, tumors, kidney or thyroid disorders, multiple sclerosis, and central nervous system disorders such as stroke or brain hemorrhage.

Symptoms of Vestibular Illness

Central system illness is usually gradual and can cause vertigo as well as:

* disturbed consciousness and coordination
* headache
* speech problems
* double vision

Peripheral vestibular illness has a more rapid onset and can cause vertigo and:

* lack of balance
* poor concentration
* headache
* fatigue
* blurred vision
* nausea/vomiting
* sensitivity to lights and noise

What is it?

A gastric ulcer, also called a stomach ulcer, is a raw, eroded area in the lining of the stomach.

Who gets it?

Gastric ulcers occur in people who take anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen; drink alcohol; smoke tobacco; have a high caffeine intake and often feel stressed.

What causes it?

A gastric ulcer develops when stomach acids and digestive juices injure the stomach’s lining of protective mucus. Gastric ulcers most commonly are caused by the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen. Aspirin is the NSAID most likely to cause ulcers.

Gastric ulcers may also develop from the presence of bacteria called Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), decreased resistance of the lining of the stomach to gastric acids, increased production of gastric acids and infection, certain types of medication, and disorders that cause over secretion of stomach juices. Ulcer can also be caused by the use of tobacco, alcohol and caffeine.

What are the symptoms?

The symptoms of gastric ulcers include indigestion and heartburn in the middle of the upper abdomen, nausea and loss of appetite, weight loss and repeated episodes of gastrointestinal bleeding. About 30% of patients with gastric ulcers are awakened by pain at night. Many patients have periods of chronic ulcer pain alternating with symptom-free periods that last for several weeks or months. The pain may be relieved by eating or taking antacids, and may get worse a couple of hours after meals or before meals.

If the gastric ulcer is bleeding, the patient may vomit bright red blood or digested blood that looks like brown coffee grounds and have black, tarry bowel movements.

How is it diagnosed?

To diagnose a gastric ulcer, the doctor may first examine the patient and look at the medical history. The doctor may suspect gastric ulcers based on risk factors such as male sex, age over 45, location of pain, anemia, history of using NSAIDs, history of heavy smoking and alcohol use, and family history of ulcers or stomach cancer.

The doctor may perform an endoscopy and imaging studies to determine if the patient has a gastric ulcer. An endoscopy is considered the best procedure for diagnosing gastric ulcers and for taking samples of stomach tissue for biopsies. An endoscope is a slender tube-shaped instrument that allows the doctor to view the tissues lining the stomach and duodenum.

The doctor may also test for H. pylori because almost all ulcer patients who are not taking NSAIDs are infected. Noninvasive tests include blood tests for immune response and a breath test. The doctor may also take a blood test to see if the patient is anemic due to a bleeding ulcer.

What is the treatment?

To treat a gastric ulcer the doctor may prescribe drugs that will lower the rate of stomach acid secretion or protect the mucous tissues that line the stomach. Surgical treatment of ulcers is usually recommended if the doctor suspects complications and malignancies. Possible complications of untreated ulcers include hemorrhaging, a perforation of the stomach wall, and an obstruction (ulcer scarring that prevents passage of food).

The doctor may also recommend treatment to eliminate H. pylori in order to prevent ulcer recurrences. Without such treatment there is an eighty percent chance the ulcer will reoccur within one year. The usual regimen used to eliminate the bacterium is a combination of tetracycline, bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol), and metronidazole (Metizol).

Self-care tips

Patients with gastric ulcers can make several lifestyle changes to prevent their recurrence, including avoiding unnecessary use of aspirin and NSAIDs, giving up smoking, and cutting down on alcohol, tea, coffee, and sodas containing caffeine. Other preventative measures include eating balanced, nutritious meals, learning how to manage stress, getting plenty of rest and exercising as recommended.

Treatment for gastroenteritis varies according to the type and severity of the illness. Most cases resolve on their own within several days. Mild cases may be treated by replacing fluids and electrolytes (chemicals needed for normal body function) to prevent dehydration. Increasing fluid intake is particularly important for children because they become dehydrated faster than adults. Diarrhea that is caused by medications (e.g., antacids, antibiotics) is treated by stopping the drug.

Tips for replacing fluids include:

* Begin by drinking small amounts of clear liquids (4 or more ounces each hour) as tolerated. Soft drinks, tea, coffee, fruit juice and sports drinks should be avoided because they do not replace electrolytes appropriately.

* Drink plenty of oral rehydration solutions (liquids with glucose and electrolytes designed to replace fluids lost due to diarrhea) if diarrhea is severe. This is especially important for children.

* Take antidiarrheal medications to ease symptoms of diarrhea. However, these medications should be avoided by children and patients experiencing a high fever or blood in the stools. Also, these medications should not be taken more than three days unless directed by a physician.

After vomiting subsides, patients may start to gradually eat solid foods. Some diet tips include:

* Eat foods that contain salt, such as crackers or pretzels, to replace lost sodium.

* Eat foods such as oatmeal, white rice, applesauce and bananas to help slow down bowel movements.

* Eat foods that are easy to digest, such as broth or chicken soup.

* Do not eat or drink foods and beverages, such as chewing gum and apple juice, that contain sorbitol, a sugar alcohol that worsens diarrhea.

* Limit intake of dairy products, fatty and greasy foods (e.g., pizza) and high-fiber foods (e.g., bran cereal, whole-grain breads) because they may worsen diarrhea.

Cases of gastroenteritis that cause severe dehydration may require hospitalization. Patients may receive fluids intravenously (through a vein). Patients may be given antidiarrheal medications to ease diarrhea or antiemetics to treat nausea and/or vomiting. Although antiemetics are not typically administered to children, research shows that one such drug may be effective in treating youngsters with gastroenteritis.

Patients are rarely given antibiotics to treat a bacterial infection. There are only a few types of gastroenteritis (such as shigellosis) that require antibiotic treatment. In fact, antibiotics can cause gastrointestinal infections in some people. Patients who have eaten foods contaminated with pesticides or other types of toxins may have their stomachs pumped (lavage) to remove the contents.

Researchers are also currently working to develop new treatments for gastroenteritis. For example, a molecule in coral has proven effective in fighting the virus that causes gastroenteritis, which may prove promising in the development of improved treatments.