What is rheumatic fever?

Rheumatic fever (acute rheumatic fever or ARF) is an autoimmune disease that may occur after a group A streptococcal throat infection that causes inflammatory lesions in connective tissue, especially that of the heart, joints, blood vessels, and subcutaneous tissue. The disease has been described since the 1500s, but the association between a throat infection and rheumatic fever symptom development was not described until the 1880s. It was associated with scarlet fever (rash caused by streptococcal exotoxins) in the 1900s. Prior to the broad availability of penicillin, rheumatic fever was a leading cause of death in children and one of the leading causes of acquired heart disease in adults. The disease has many symptoms and can affect different parts of the body, including the heart, joints, skin, and brain. There is no simple diagnostic test for rheumatic fever, so the American Heart Association's modified Jones criteria (first published in 1944) are used to assist the physician in making the proper diagnosis.

When Should I Call My Doctor About Diarrhea?

Some cases of diarrhea require medical attention. Diarrhea can quickly deplete the body's supply of water and electrolytes (such as sodium and potassium) that tissues need to function. People who are very young, old, or sick may have difficulty replacing lost fluids. Also, when diarrhea lasts for several weeks or contains blood, a serious illness may be the cause. In these cases, you should contact your doctor immediately.

The Basics of Diarrhea

(continued)

How Can I Relieve Discomfort in the Rectal Area?

If your rectal area becomes sore because of frequent bowel movements, or if you experience itching, burning, or pain during bowel movements:

• Try warm baths. Afterwards, pat the area dry (do not rub) with a clean, soft towel.
• Apply a hemorrhoid cream or white petroleum jelly to the anus.

Can Diarrhea Harm My Health?

Yes. Ongoing diarrhea causes the body to lose large amounts of water and nutrients. If you have watery stools more than three times a day and you are not drinking enough fluids, you could become dehydrated, which can cause serious complications if not treated.
Notify your doctor if you have ongoing diarrhea and are experiencing any of the following signs of dehydration:

• Dark urine
• Small amount of urine
• Rapid heart rate
• Headaches
• Dry skin
• Irritability
• Confusion

Signs of dehydration in young children include:

• Dry mouth and tongue
• Sunken eyes or cheeks
• No or decreased tear production
• Decreased number of wet diapers
• Irritability or listlessness
• Skin that stays pinched instead of flattening out after being pinched

What Are the Symptoms of Diarrhea?

Symptoms of diarrhea can be broken down into uncomplicated (or non-serious) diarrhea and complicated diarrhea. Complicated diarrhea may be a sign of a more serious illness.
Symptoms of uncomplicated diarrhea include:

• Abdominal bloating or cramps
• Thin or loose stools
• Watery stool
• Sense of urgency to have a bowel movement
• Nausea and vomiting

In addition to the symptoms described above, the symptoms of complicated diarrhea include:

• Blood, mucus, or undigested food in the stool
• Weight loss
• Fever

Contact your doctor if you have prolonged diarrhea or a fever that lasts more than 24 hours. Also see your doctor promptly if vomiting prevents you from drinking liquids to replace lost fluids.

How Is Diarrhea Treated?

If you have a mild case of diarrhea, you can just let it run its course, or you can treat it with an over-the-counter medicine. Common brand names include Pepto-Bismol, Imodium A-D, and Kaopectate, which are available as liquids or tablets. Follow the instructions on the package.
In addition, you should drink at least six 8-ounce glasses of fluid per day. Choose fruit juice without pulp, broth, or soda (without caffeine). Chicken broth (without the fat), tea with honey, and sports drinks are also good choices. Instead of drinking liquids with your meals, drink liquids between meals. Drink small amounts of fluids frequently.

What Causes Diarrhea?

What Causes Diarrhea?

The most common cause of diarrhea is a virus that infects the gut. The infection usually lasts for two days and is sometimes called "intestinal flu" or "stomach flu." Diarrhea may also be caused by:

• Infection by bacteria (the cause of most types of food poisoning)
• Infections by other organisms
• Eating foods that upset the digestive system
• Allergies to certain foods
• Medications
• Radiation therapy
• Diseases of the intestines (Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis)
• Malabsorption (where the body is unable to adequately absorb certain nutrients from the diet)
• Hyperthyroidism
• Some cancers
• Laxative abuse
• Alcohol abuse
• Digestive tract surgery
• Diabetes
• Competitive running

Diarrhea may also follow constipation, especially for people who have irritable bowel syndrome.

How to Find the Best Puppy Foods

Choosing the best puppy food for your new baby dog can be a daunting task. After all, today there are thousands of commercial dog foods on the market.
So, where do you start?
When searching for puppy food, the best place to start is simply knowing what an ideal dog food might look like. And what a puppy needs for proper growth.
It’s no secret, we tend to favor puppy foods that are…

1. Higher in meat-based protein
2. Higher in natural fats and oils
3. Lower in carbohydrates
4. Formulated from a named (non-generic) animal source
5. Free of animal or vegetable by-products
6. Free of artificial flavoring, coloring or preservatives
7. Complete in all essential vitamins and minerals
8. Not excessive in calcium content (large breeds)

But Doesn’t Higher Protein Content
Cause Hip and Joint Problems?

No, but overfeeding does.
Contrary to popular belief, hip dysplasia and skeletal diseases in dogs are not related to dietary protein¹. They’re much more likely the result of genetics², excessive dietary calcium³ or overfeeding during growth⁴.
Studies have clearly demonstrated the greatest risk of developing skeletal problems later in life is directly linked to overfeeding — allowing a puppy to eat all day on demand (free feeding).
To greatly decrease the risk of your dog suffering the ill effects of serious growth problems, avoid leaving your puppy’s food in the bowl all day long.
Serve measured amounts… on a regular schedule.

The Challenge of Proper Nutrient Content

Unfortunately, when feeding puppies, you need to pay attention to protein minimums and fiber maximums. And fat content, too.
Too little (or too much) calcium can cause bone problems. And the same for phosphorus and magnesium, too.
Getting everything right can seem frustrating.
But there’s an easier way.

How to Be Sure a Puppy Food
Is Complete and Balanced

To ensure a puppy food is nutritionally complete and balanced, the Association of American Feed Control Officials has established a special nutrient profile optimized for growing dogs.
This AAFCO profile details no less than 37 nutrients that must be present in a puppy food including…

• 10 amino acids
• 12 minerals
• 11 vitamins

To save you tons of time scrutinizing every pet food label, simply look for the AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement on every package of dog food.
This simple statement assures buyers a product meets nutritional requirements for growing puppies…

• Growth
• All life stages
• Growth and maintenance

Look on the label for a statement like…

Product formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO dog food nutrient profiles for growth

Is It Safe to Feed
Adult Dog Food to a Puppy?

Puppy foods contain more of certain nutrients… and less of others.
For this reason, and even though it’s safe to feed your adult dog a puppy food…
Never feed any puppy a food designed for adult maintenance only. Adult foods can be deficient in certain puppy nutrients.

How We Selected the Foods

If you’re looking for an above-average puppy food, we’ve prepared four different lists for you to consider.
Suggested products must meet two requirements. They must be rated at least either four stars or five stars by the Advisor.
And they must meet AAFCO nutritional profiles for either growth or all life stages or they must be recommended for puppies by the manufacturer

Suggested Low Protein Dog Foods

Low protein dog foods can be rather controversial. Although many veterinarians advise against feeding higher protein diets, more recent research supports the use of these meatier recipes.
Even for senior pets and dogs with mild kidney problems.
So, is high protein a real issue?
In two published studies of dogs with kidney disease, researchers concluded…

“Results do not support the hypothesis that feeding a high protein diet had a significant adverse effect on renal function”.¹
In another study, older dogs were divided into two groups.
One group was fed a low protein diet and the other a high protein diet for the next four years.
“Results of this study indicated… there were no adverse effects from the high protein diet and mortality (death rate) was actually higher in the low protein group”.²

How to Self-Test for Allergies

The following procedure must be followed without cheating, or you will have a lot of inconvenience, but without useful information. This method only works if, when you eliminate foods, you eliminate all traces of the food all the time for the full duration of the test.
The following procedure refers to the list of foods to avoid. This is the list of foods you will be eliminating from your diet. Initially, it will include all of the foods you are testing. As you re-introduce foods into your diet, you can refine the list of foods to avoid, striking off those foods which do not cause problems, and leaving on foods that do.

1. Eliminate all traces of every food listed in the most common food allergens list. Initially, this will be your list of foods to avoid. You must eliminate these foods for at least one full month for a truly valid test.
   
2. Note how you feel over this period of time. Keep a daily journal of your symptoms and energy level to track your progress (or lack there of).
3. If you are allergic to any of the foods on the list of foods to avoid, you should feel better by the time one month has passed.
4. Introduce just one of the foods from the list of foods to avoid. We will call it the test food, the single food you are testing for allergy symptoms.
   Eat a very small amount of the food – about one tenth of what you would normally consider a serving.
5. Wait up to three full days to see if there is a reaction. If you get any symptoms, you should highly suspect this test food food.
   Keep in mind that other factors may cause symptoms, such as allergens that are not on your list of foods to avoid, or even fear that this food will cause problems. If you experience symptoms, put the test food on your tentative list of foods to avoid.
6. If you do not experience symptoms, eat more of the test food: double your intake from the previous test amount.
7. If you find you have fully reintroduced the test food into your diet, and you still feel fine, you can consider it to be OK (at least for now). Add it to your tentative list of allowed foods.
8. If you experienced symptoms from the food you just tested, allow your body to recover. Wait several weeks (it may take a month) for your body to feel good and relatively symptom free, before moving on to the next test food.
9. Test the next food on the list of foods to avoid. This becomes your new test food.
10. Repeat steps 4 through 7 for each food on the list of foods to avoid.
    You now have a tentative list of allowed foods and a tentative list of foods to avoid. If you feel fine and have been eating all the foods listed on your list of allowed foods, chances are you now know what foods are OK, and what foods are not. It is now time to retest the items listed on your list of foods to avoid.
11. Start the test over again for any items on your list of foods to avoid about which you are unsure.

Diet Basics

Marber has outlined 10 basic principles that are the foundation of the diet.
1. Eat protein with complex carbohydrates
2. Stay hydrated
3. Eat a wide variety of food
4. Fuel up frequently
5. Eat breakfast
6. Avoid sugar
7. Exercise is essential
8. Follow the plan at least 80% of the time
9. Make time to eat
10. Eat fat to lose fat
Instead of focusing on the calorie content of foods dieters are encouraged to think of foods in terms of their nutritional value. Marber explains that many low calorie ‘diet’ foods often have a high glycemic index which disrupt blood glucose and can trigger cravings and overeating later in the day.
Marber also explains the ideal ratios of protein to carbohydrates for each meal and outlines examples of how to create meals that will keep the blood glucose level stable. For lunch he advises 40% protein, 40% vegetables and 20% complex carbohydrates. Dinner is 50% protein and 50% vegetables and does not contain complex carbohydrates.

Recommended Foods

• Protein – chicken breast, skinless turkey, eggs, fish, raw nuts, legumes, tofu, veal.
• Complex Carbohydrates – brown rice, couscous, quinoa, whole grain pasta and bread.
• Essential Fatty Acids – raw nuts and seeds, oily fish, avocado, pumpkin, walnut, olive and sesame oils.
• Fresh vegetables and fruit.

Diet for 6 Month Old Baby

The diet for 6 month old baby depends on the baby and her health as well as her development too. Read on to know what are the food items that your child is ready or getting ready to take. Also find out what suits your baby and whether she is allergic to certain food items or not. You will come to know all this and more after reading the article.

There is no hard and fast rule as to what should be the exact diet of a 6 month old baby. Each baby is different and responds to different foods and tastes differently. The basic thing is that solid food can be introduced after 6 months but if your baby does not want to try this, do not worry. Let a week or so pass and then you can try again.

The taste buds develop at this stage and you will find that the food the baby refuses today, she will readily have it the other day. So, there is no such thing that you have to completely forget about a food item if your baby refuses it even for two days.

Food Items when your Baby is of 6 Months

• Always try to give her nutritious, soft and mashed food because she is not ready to chew things right now.
• Check with your doctor before introducing any food item.
• The baby gets ready to eat, taste and digest solid food within 6 – 9 months. You can start offering different tastes to know the taste of your child. Consult your doctor first because it also depends on the development of the baby and the doctor will give you right advice.
• Avoid giving honey to babies below one year. Try other sweeteners.
• Yogurt is very safe and good and should be included in the diet for 6 month old baby.
• You can introduce cheese safely to your baby. Cottage cheese is the best and you can find lots of recipes especially created keeping in mind the age of the baby.
• You can add mashed egg yokes, as they are high in protein. They will help in mental and physical development of your child. Avoid giving egg whites until your child is one year old.
• Legumes are high in vitamins, protein, and minerals and will prove to be a great addition in your 6 month old baby’s diet.
• Makes sure you never overfeed your child with food items especially proteins.

Start Solid Foods

When your doctor advises you to introduce solid foods to your baby’s diet and she is ready to take them, start trying when your baby is fresh and not tired at all. Give some time and let her enjoy the food. Let your baby be a little hungry but never wait too long so that she is left starving. This will not help you rather it will be difficult for you to handle the situation as well.

Since your baby is now 6 month old, she can sit straight. Make her sit on your lap with complete support on her back and then feed her slowly and in small portions. Also see whether she likes the food or not. When you are just starting, do not mix too much of things. Simply prepare soft cereal with milk and make it almost like a fluid. 

Along with the taste you also have to look after the digestion of the child. The food should be soft and well cooked. You can also mash it to be sure enough that there is no solid part in the food. Remember the infant is not completely ready for the food because she was only fed with liquid food till now. This is simply an introduction. Do not expect your baby to finish the entire dish.

What medications work best?

No one medication works better than any other, and with all medications, you have to weigh potential side effects. Most guidelines suggest acetaminophen (Tylenol and generic) as the first choice. It has a low complication rate and provides reasonable analgesia. The next-line medications are the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, and generic), naproxen (Aleve and generic), and aspirin. Long-term use of opioids (codeine, morphine, or oxycodone) is probably not a good idea for treating lower-back pain, but the drugs may be needed for short-term pain relief if other treatments don't work.

I have chronic lower-back pain and degenerative changes. When my back flares up I generally take naproxen, and go either for massage or chiropractic treatment. I also try to go to the gym regularly. Studies that have been carried out suggest that no one exercise stands out as better than any other, but the amount of time you spend exercising is probably the most important factor, and it's recommended to increase it gradually and within your level of tolerance. A combination of cardiovascular exercise together with strengthening and mobilization exercises appears to be particularly important. I try to go to the gym at least three days a week and do one hour of cardio work, and alternate 15 minutes of abdominal/trunk exercises with 15 minutes of weights.

Where's the right place for someone with lower-back pain to start?

The first step is to go to a noninvasive practitioner, such as a family physician working with a physical therapist or a chiropractor. The first thing that a doctor will do is rule out dangerous conditions such as infections or cancer, then figure out if you have "back pain alone" or "back pain plus." If you have lower-back pain alone, which is by far the case in the majority of people, you have a series of options. These include exercise, education, anti-inflammatory medications or mild analgesics, manipulation, manual therapy, mobilization, and possibly acupuncture. If you have acute "low-back pain plus," meaning you have nerve involvement or severe pain to the point where you can't get out of bed, you may require more intensive evaluation and treatment.

Why do people with lower-back pain have so much trouble figuring out what to do?

First, everyone seems to be selling some kind of gimmick, treatment, or pill, but there is no magical cure. Second, there is no medical subspecialty that focuses on general spine care. As a result, every subspecialty has learned its one or two treatment techniques. You have multiple professionals who think they have the one answer. Finally, we don't have a good standard of care for lower-back pain. Everybody has different preferences. Where one person may respond well to acupuncture, another may do better with analgesics.

How do you sort through the options?

Navigating the selection of available, advertised, and commonly used treatment options without an informed guide is like shopping in a foreign supermarket without being able to read the product labels. There are more than 60 medications currently being offered to back-pain patients. There are well over 100 different manual techniques in chiropractic, physical therapy, osteopathy, and massage therapy. More than 20 different exercise programs exist. There are more than 9 educational and psychological therapies and more than 20 different injection therapies. In addition, there are a variety of minimally invasive interventions offered as an alternative to surgery, and many surgical approaches. Finally, there are a large number of lifestyle products such as braces and beds, and a constantly changing variety of complementary and alternative medical approaches.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms

Jan 14th, 2012

by admin.

Irritable bowel syndrome (also popularly known by its abbreviation IBS) describes a persistent condition where uncomfortable sensations (primarily pain) are felt inside the tummy or abdomen. It often results a change in bowel habit. This condition can happen to anybody regardless of age but it is commonly in people between the ages of 15 to 40. Study has also showed that the prevalence and severity of IBS symptoms are more profound among women patients rather than the men.IBS Overview
IBS is by far among the most common disorders affecting our digestive system. The typical observations include pain in the tummy, bloating or an alteration of bowel habit. It is estimated that one out of every six United Kingdom residents are affected by IBS at one point or another. Consistent with the worldwide trend, IBS symptoms in women are more pronounced in the UK, in comparison to the opposite sex.
IBS Symptoms
Most patients are annoyed with their IBS symptoms but in most of the cases, they are considered as occasional inconveniences, which do not require attention from the doctors. But, if you suspect that your lifestyle is compromised by the presence of these IBS symptoms, you should seek out medical help from your GP. IBS rarely goes away permanently. If you have experienced IBS, it is normal for symptoms to re-emerge from time to time.
IBS Pain
The usual complaint by IBS patients is the sharp pain in the abdomen. Sometimes, the pain is preceded by a stomach cramp. Depending on the individual’s tolerance for pain, it may range from a slight discomfort to severe pain. One option to relieve such pain is farting. Further ingestion of food will only exacerbate the pain.
The pain may occur at any time during the day but for a majority of patients, evening hours seem to be the most common time for the pain to strike. For female patients, the intensity of the pain tends to fluctuate with their menstrual cycle.
Altered Bowel Habit
When you are affected by IBS, your feces can range from being loose and watery to hard as a pellet. Stool passing may alternate between diarrhea and constipation. Sometimes, you may feel compelled to open up your bowels due to the built up stress inside your abdomen. Invariably, patients always have a sense that their bowels are not completely cleared.
There could be other symptoms related to IBS and they are:

• fatigue
• excessive wind
• backache
• indigestion
• feeling sick
• bloating
• problems related to the bladder

There is a chance that the experienced symptoms are caused by ailments other than IBS. If you think you are experiencing any of the above-mentioned symptoms, it is advisable to seek help from your doctor.
IBS Causes
There is still a lack of medical evidence to point conclusively what causes IBS. It is believed that a combination of the following factors may play a role here:

• Your medical history.
• Frequency and strength of the contractions (or the squeezing actions) of your bowel muscles.
• Your heightened sensitivity to the gas inside your abdomen.

Non-physical factors could also never to be ruled out. Stress, for example, could intensify your IBS symptoms. Stress could be a result of your anxieties related to your work, school, relationship or traumas you experienced in life.
The symptom will likely exacerbate after eating. There are some foods that are detrimental to IBS patients, such as coffee, tea, and fatty substance.
Some antibiotics and NSAIDs (short name for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like diclofenac (e.g. Voltarol) and ibuprofen (e.g. Nurofen) are likely to worsen your situation.
IBS Diagnosis
The doctor needs to be aware of the symptoms you are suffering from before any meaningful medical examination can be carried out. It is advisable that you share also your medical background.
The usual questions from the doctor are:

• the kind of pain you are going through
• the frequency of such pain
• the time of the day when the pain manifests
• how effectively you are dealing with your pain
• your bowel habit and the ease of it
• a description of your stools

Sometimes, your doctor may order a blood test if necessary. For normal adults age 50 and below, no additional test would be required if your IBS symptoms are consistent with common observations. But if you show one or more of the following more serious bowel conditions, further tests would likely be required:

• reduction in weight
• blood in your stools
• first symptoms only emerged by the age of 60
• a family history related to bowel complications
• anemia
• sudden diarrhea minus the presence of other symptoms

What caused my eye pain?

Eye pain can come in different forms, such as aching, burning, throbbing or stabbing. This can occur in the eye or around it. Tiredness and discomfort around the eyes is not cause for alarm. Most often, eye pain such as this can be rectified as it could be due to a muscle imbalance or needing a new pair of spectacles. However, persistent pain in the eyes should not be ignored and should be taken extremely seriously. This is because eye pain is often a cause of an underlying medical condition. Therefore, any pain in eyes should be attended to by a specialist ophthalmologist.

Types and Causes of Eye Pain

There are two categories of pain in the eyes. These are ‘ocular pain’ and ‘orbital pain’. Ocular pain occurs on the surface of the eye. This can be in the form of a burning sensation, grittiness, scratchiness, etc. Conjunctivitis is one of the most common ocular eye problems. It causes the membrane lining of the eyelids to become inflamed. Conjunctivitis can be caused by viruses, allergies, diseases, Chlamydia and fungi. A viral infection of the conjunctiva is referred to as “pink eye” and needs to be treated with proper medication.

In some cases, pain in eyes can be caused by abrasions. Scratching and overuse of contact lenses can cause abrasions that cause pain in the eyes. In addition, exposure to certain chemical substances and flash burns can also cause pain in the eyes. Another reason for ocular eye pain is a sty. A sty causes a lump on the eyelid that occurs due to a blocked oil gland. This can cause extreme pain in the eyes.

Orbital pain can be described as pain deep in the eyes. Orbital pain is most often associated with an eye disease. Glaucoma is one of the main causes of such eye pain. Glaucoma is caused by an increase in eye pressure that, if left untreated, can impair the vision. In addition to glaucoma, migraine, iritis, optic neuritis, and sinusitis are also some of the conditions that can cause orbital pain.

Symptoms of Eye Pain

Pain in eye will differ from person to person and also vary according to the factors causing it. For example, individuals who have glaucoma will feel stabbing pain in eye, nausea, vomiting, headaches and decreased vision. Conjunctivitis will cause pain in the eyes and discharge. Blepharitis, an inflammation of the eyelid, will cause a sensation of grit in the eyes. Painful, red eyes sometimes accompanied with decreased vision are a symptom of iritis. In addition, certain conditions can cause sensitivity to light, double vision, pain with eye movement and severe headaches accompanying the pain in the eyes.

Medical Treatment

Any of the abovementioned symptoms will require medical attention. Therefore, if pain in eye is experienced, it is advisable to obtain an appointment with an ophthalmologist for an eye examination. Certain conditions such as eye pain caused by burns, pain in the eyes related to traumatic events such as accidents or eye pain with loss of vision need emergency medical care.

When pain in the eyes is experienced, an ophthalmologist will evaluate a patient with a physical examination and history of the condition. Questions will include characteristics, location and duration of the pain among others. In addition, patients will be questioned on any medications taken, allergies, family history, etc. The physical examination will consist of checking the vision, surrounding tissues, peripheral vision, as well as the pupil’s reaction to light. Medication and treatment will depend on the results of these examinations.

Medication for Pain in the Eyes

The ophthalmologist will prescribe medication once the examination is conducted and the results are obtained. Medication will vary according to the condition of the patient and the severity of the problem; therefore, medication should not be taken without a prescription. For example, antibiotic eye drops and eye ointments will be prescribed for patients suffering with conjunctivitis, corneal abrasions and ulcerations. Those with chemical burns will be prescribed medication depending on the severity of the burns. Glaucoma medication will begin with eye drops and will proceed to intravenous and tablet medication. Patients suffering from migraine headaches will be prescribed pain relief medication, as well as migraine medication.

Preventing Pain in the Eyes

It is difficult to prevent accidents. However, certain problems concerning pain in the eyes can be prevented if proper measures are taken. For example, wearing eye protection when working with power tools, playing sports and mowing lawns will help protect the eyes form any damage that can be caused. Parents should supervise children’s movements and play equipment to avoid any eye injuries that could be caused by their toys. Reading safety instructions and abiding by them is vital when handling potent chemicals. People who wear contact lenses should ensure that their eyes are constantly moist and should follow their doctor’s instructions on how to wear them. These methods will help to ensure that the possibility of eye pain related to infections and accidents is decreased.

Loss of vision is devastating. Therefore, it is necessary to pay strict attention to any pain in the eyes that causes discomfort. Individuals are advised not to wait until there is stabbing pain in their eye before visiting an ophthalmologist. Timely treatment and medication is necessary to protect the eyes from loss of vision.

How to Remove Skin Tags

Jan 15th, 2012

by admin.

Skin Tags Definition
Skin tags (or acrochordons) are considered as harmless and benign tumors. They often take the form of skin flaps that protrude out from our body and many people are tempted to remove these unnecessary body parts. A number of surgical procedures exist to remove skin tags, and the more popular ones include cauterizing or freezing. However, due to the high cost associated to such procedures, more and more people are choosing to remove skin tags via cheaper means.Safety Consideration
This article will explore various alternative options to remove skin tags. Before you contemplate any method, you will have to be sure that whatever you are removing is not a malignant tumor. One useful guideline is to pay close attention to your skin tag. If it is still undergoing rapid and consistent growth (where changes in shape and color are expected), the first thing you want to do is seek the help of a dermatologist, as this is an indication that it is a malignant tumor.
Removing Skin Tags with Natural Remedies
1. Tea Tree Oil — Originated from an Australian plant by the name of Melaleuca Alternifolia, this essential oil has been known to treat a number of skin diseases. Its application is straightforward. You just wash the skin tags and the adjacent areas along with water and soap. Leave it to dry and apply 3 drops of tea tree oil onto a cotton ball. Use the cotton ball to rub against the skin tag. Repeat this 3 times a day and your tag would fall off in matter of days.
2. Herbal extract like Dermisil — This is a natural medicine, which can be extracted from plants such as Ricinus communis, Melaleuca alternifolia and Thuja occidentalis. All these plants are widely acknowledged for the positive healing effects on a great variety of skin disorders.
3. Castor oil — This represents yet another non-chemical remedy to deal with skin tags. A conventional approach is to mix the castor oil with baking soda until the mixture starts to solidify. You then apply the solution to your skin tag.
Eight Different Methods to Remove Skin Tags Safely and Painlessly
Here I would like to share with you the eight proven methods to work off your skin tags at home. Surgical intervention (i.e. cauterizing and freezing) mentioned at the beginning of the article is undoubtedly the surest way to remove skin tag safely but there are other options also. Followings are the next six approaches.
1. Apply fingernail polish on top of your skin tag. Do this three times a day. By day two, your skin tag could be gone.
2. Find a thin string and tie up the skin tag at its base. Your skin tag could fall off after a couple of days. A dental floss or a fishing line could be useful for this purpose.
3. Alternatively, apply a duct tape over the skin tag (make sure duct tape is big enough to conceal the entire skin tag). Leave it on for two days. Then check if tag showing signs to fall off. If that does not work for the first couple of days, repeat the procedure.
4. Some resort to the use of a vitamin E, which is applied on a band-aid. Stick this over your skin tag. Monitor how your skin tag reacts over the course of next 2 days. If it does not work, repeat the procedure.
5. Compound with freeze is also known to be another effective method. Do the same exercise as in method 3 or 4.
6. There is also a faster (but also more drastic) method to rid you from your skin tag. You can use a nail clipper or scissors to cut it off. If you are ready for such measures, make sure you use disinfected instruments to prevent an infection.

Best Family Doctor Suggestion Rotating Header Image Sex during Period

Sex during Period

Jan 8th, 2012

by admin.

A Common Dilemma
Question: My boyfriend sometimes insists on sex even though I’m on my period. I don’t want to disappoint him but it could certainly get messy. What advice would you give for this situation?
Explanation
Answer: It is always a good idea to hold on until after your heaviest days. When you engage in sex, make it a habit to cover the surface with a towel and keep wet wipes handy so you guys can do a quick cleanup. During sexual intercourse, adopt the conventional man-on-top posture for the simple reason that when you are lying down, your menstrual secretions could be a lot less than when you are upright. If you are not keen on this position or you are the type who is more adventurous in your sexual endeavors, you can mount a diaphragm, cervical cap or menstrual cup (this is a variation to tampons and pads and not meant for contraception; you should be able to get your hands on it from local pharmacists or online drug stores) before you start to experiment with different positions.Precautions
Keep in mind that sex while on period does not entirely eliminate the chance of you getting pregnant. Since this will be the time when the opening of your cervix widens to accommodate the larger than usual discharge, it also means that you are at risk of pelvic infections and possibly HIV. We would suggest always sticking to condoms unless you are absolutely sure that you and your partner are free from any sexually transmitted diseases.
Pregnancy and Period
Some women have this misconception that even if they have unprotected sex, they are not likely to become pregnant so long as they are on their period. The fact of the matter is that the chance of pregnancy is minimal while on your period, but that does not mean that pregnancy is not impossible. The problem is that individual ovulation is highly unpredictable because menstrual cycles can vary from month to month. It is possible that when you have a shorter cycle, or if the bleeding continues into extra days, ovulation would carry on during or after your period. When the egg comes into contact with living sperm (which can survive inside the body between five to eight days after sexual intercourse), you can still conceive. At the end of the day, the truth remains that so long as you don’t use any contraception, your chances of becoming pregnant are going to be about even.
Miscellaneous Facts
Due to the more liberal lifestyle of modern society, more women have come forward to confess that they tend to become hornier during their period. While the increase in libido is widely reported, there is no concrete scientific conclusion that can sufficiently explain this phenomenon. Some theories that have been put forward include:

• fluctuating hormones (low during menstruation and high during ovulation);
• an increase in blood flow and lubrication in the bottom half of your body during your period;
• psychological factors (you simply believe that the chances of you getting pregnant are slim);
• any combination of the above factors.

In the final analysis, while more breakthroughs in study and research are still to be expected to come from experts in the medical field to square the equation up, we (as normal human beings) should cherish our healthy sex drive. After all, sex is meant to be fun.

Dehydration in Adults Treatment

Dehydration in Adults Self-Care at Home

Try to get people who are dehydrated (even those who have been vomiting) to take in fluids in the following ways:

• Sip small amounts of water.
• Drink carbohydrate/electrolyte-containing drinks. Good choices are sports drinks such as Gatorade or prepared replacement solutions (Pedialyte is one example).
• Suck on popsicles made from juices and sports drinks.
• Suck on ice chips.
• Sip through a straw (works well for someone who has had jaw surgery or mouth sores).

Try to cool the person, if there has been heat exposure or if the person has an elevated temperature in the following ways:

• Remove any excess clothing and loosen other clothing
• Air-conditioned areas are best for helping return the affected individual's body temperature to normal and break the heat exposure cycle.
• If air-conditioning is not available, increase cooling by evaporation by placing the person near fans or in the shade, if outside. Place a wet towel around the person.
• If available, use a spray bottle or misters to spray tepid (luke-warm) water on exposed skin surfaces to help with cooling by evaporation.
• Avoid exposing skin to excessive cold, such as ice packs or ice water. This can cause the blood vessels in the skin to constrict and will decrease, rather than increase heat loss. Exposure to excessive cold can also cause shivering, which will increase body temperature, this may cause the dehydration symptoms to become worse.

Dehydration in Adults Overview

Dehydration in Adults Overview

Dehydration is a condition that can occur when the loss of body fluids, mostly water, exceeds the amount that is taken in. With dehydration, more water is moving out of individual cells and then out of the body than the amount of water that is taken in through drinking. Medically, dehydration usually means a person has lost enough fluid so that the body begins to lose its ability to function normally, and begins to produce symptoms related to the fluid loss.
People (and animals) lose water every day in the form of water vapor in the breath we exhale, and as water in our sweat, urine, and stool. Along with the water, small amounts of salts or electrolytes are also lost. Our bodies are constantly readjusting the balance between water (and salts or electrolytes) losses with fluid intake. When we lose too much water, our bodies may become out of balance or dehydrated. Most doctors divide dehydration into three stages: 1) mild, 2) moderate and 3) severe. Mild and often even moderate dehydration can be reversed or put back in balance by oral intake of fluids that contain electrolytes (or salts) that are lost during activity. If unrecognized and untreated, some instances of moderate and severe dehydration can lead to death. This article is designed to discuss dehydration in adults.

Dehydration Pictures

Causes of Dehydration in Adults

Many conditions may cause rapid and continued fluid losses and lead to dehydration. 

• Fever, heat exposure, and too much exercise
• Vomiting, diarrhea, and increased urination due to infection
• Diseases such as diabetes
• The inability to seek appropriate water and food (an infant or disabled person, for example)
• An impaired ability to drink (someone in a coma or on a respirator, or a sick infant who cannot suck on a bottle are common examples)
• No access to safe drinking water
• Significant injuries to skin, such as burns or mouth sores, severe skin diseases, or infections (water is lost through the damaged skin)

In addition to drinking water, the body also needs replacement of electrolytes lost with the above mentioned conditions, so drinking water without electrolyte replacement may not complete the balance of water and electrolytes the body has lost. Some symptoms (see below) may remain if this balance is not restored.

Exams and Tests for Fever

Exams and Tests

A doctor will ask many questions in an effort to find the source of the fever:

• When the fever started
• What other symptoms occurred
• The person's immunization status
• Any recent travel
• Any exposures to sick people at work or at home
• Any medications taken or illicit drug use
• Exposure to animals
• Sexual history
• Recent surgeries
• Any underlying medical illnesses
• Allergies

A very thorough physical examination will be done in an effort to find the source of the fever. After the history is taken and physical examination is performed, the physician may know the cause of the fever. If the physician is not sure at this point, he or she may order certain tests to help make the diagnosis. Examples of diagnostic tests that may be ordered are

• a blood test to measure the infection count (white blood cells),
• strep throat culture,
• sputum sample,
• blood culture,
• urine analysis,
• urine culture,
• stool sample,
• spinal tap (lumbar puncture),
• X-ray films or CT scan,
• liver tests
,
• thyroid function tests.

Based on the results of these tests, the physician usually will be able to find the cause of the fever. More specific tests may be done if needed if the tests do not suggest a cause for the fevers.

Glandular Fever Information

Glandular Fever cause

The cause of mononucleosis or glandular fever is an infection by the Epstein Barr virus, a member of the herpes virus family.
Like all the herpes viruses,http://cool-health-guidelines.blogspot.com/2014/09/glandular-fever.html the glandular fever virus remains in the body for life.
In some cases, the glandular fever virus can be reactivated when the body's defenses are lowered causing some people to get glandular fever twice or in rare cases, recurrent glandular fever.

Glandular fever symptoms

The typical glandular fever symptoms are:

• Swollen glands in neck, armpits or groin
• Fever ranging from mild to severe
• Fatigue, sometimes extreme
• Sore throat, similar to tonsillitis

Some patients will also suffer from:

• Enlarged tonsils
• Headache
• Aching muscles
• Poor appetite
• Skin rash
• Abdominal pain
• Puffy eyelids
• Sensitivity to light
• Cough or runny nose
• Enlarged liver and spleen.
  
  

Is mononucleosis the same as glandular fever?

Yes, mononucleosis is the same disease as glandular fever. It is also called infectious mononucleosis, mono, mononucleosis virus, Epstein Barr, Epstein Barr virus and EBV.

Duration of glandular fever

Symptoms of glandular fever usually last from 1 - 4 weeks although some cases may last months.

Can you get glandular fever twice? Is glandular fever recurrent?

Generally, people only get glandular fever once. Some people  get glandular fever twice. About 6% of people experience recurrent glandular fever for months or years after they initially contact the virus.
A glandular fever relapse or recurring glandular fever means that the immune system needs to be strengthened in order to keep the glandular fever symptoms at bay.
The e-book has a comprehensive glandular fever treatment plan that ensures long term glandular fever recovery.

How do you get glandular fever?

The glandular fever virus is shed from the throat during the illness and up to a year after the infection. The virus can become dormant and later reactivated during a glandular fever relapse when it can be shed from the throat again.
Apart from through kissing, saliva can transmit the glandular fever virus by people sharing drinking glasses, eating utensils, towels or toys. Glandular fever can be transmitted from mouth to hand so washing hands well is important.

Is glandular fever contagious?

Though good personal hygiene makes sense, the glandular fever virus is everywhere, and exposure to it cannot be avoided entirely. Washing hands well, avoiding kissing and not sharing towels, glasses and eating utensils with infected patients is a good idea. People with glandular fever do not need to be isolated from others.
See the e-book "Nature's Amazing Mononucleosis Cures"  for reasons why some people seem more susceptible to recurring glandular fever, and what you can do about it.

Glandular fever incubation

Glandular fever symptoms appear 30 - 50 days after exposure to the glandular fever virus, although some people are infected with the virus for weeks or months before any symptoms begin to appear.

Glandular fever diagnosis

Glandular fever diagnosis is based on a persons age, symptoms and a physical exam. A diagnosis of glandular fever is made from laboratory tests including:

• Atypical lymphocytes - a type of white blood cell, in the blood. In mononucleosis, these atypical lymphocytes make up more than 10% of total lymphocytes.
• Increased total white blood cell count
• Antibody tests like the mono spot test.
• Additional Epstein Barr antibody tests

These are fully explained in the e-book.

Glandular fever treatment

The conventional medical approach to glandular fever treatment  is not very effective. It includes only the basics like relieving glandular fever symptoms. Advice normally given is to rest, drink plenty of fluids, gargle with salt water and suck on throat lozenges to relieve a sore throat. To relieve pain and fever, acetaminophen or ibuprofen may be recommended.
Antibiotics like penicillin are of no help in mono. Glandular fever is caused by a virus, and antibiotics don't work against viruses. If you have a bacterial infection in addition to having glandular fever, your doctor may give you an antibiotic.
I believe that much more can be done to treat the virus naturally for a complete glandular fever recovery.  See the e-book "Nature's Amazing Mononucleosis Cures"  for our full treatment plan.
In the book, I show  the best natural health approaches to glandular fever treatment. I explain little known facts about nutrition, supplementation, pure water, adequate rest and sleep, stress reduction, and when to start gentle exercise. I also explain complementary therapies like the use of essential oils, homeopathy, massage, and visualization to ensure that glandular fever relapses do not occur.

Can glandular fever cause chronic fatigue?

Some patients suffer from recurring glandular fever. Their primary  symptom is usually fatigue and they end up being diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.  It is often in times of stress when a glandular fever relapse occurs.
The bottom line is how healthy your immune system is. If you still get recurring glandular fever with sore throats, swollen glands or fatigue, it is nature's way of telling you that something is wrong with your immune system.
It may be suppressed from poor eating habits, nutritional imbalances, stress, smoking or a chronic underlying disease. Your genes can also make you more susceptible to disease.
Fortunately, through general lifestyle practices like a healthy diet, stress reduction, regular exercise and taking some immune boosting supplements, you can strengthen your immunity and make a full glandular fever recovery.
See the e-book for my comprehensive glandular fever treatment plan.

Can glandular fever in children be a concern?

Glandular fever in adults is most common, mainly affecting adults aged 15 - 40. In children the glandular fever symptoms are normally less severe. Glandular fever in children is often passed off as a cold or flu and may not even be diagnosed.
In some cases acute glandular fever in children can be serious and has been known to turn into chronic glandular fever. Glandular fever treatment in children is the same as in adults as explained in "Nature's Amazing Mononucleosis Cures".

Can glandular fever in pregnancy be serious?

Recent research shows that reactivation of the Epstein Barr virus  during pregnancy may shorten the duration of the pregnancy. It has been associated with the baby having a lower average birth weight, length and head circumference.
Since pregnancy and breastfeeding can cause fatigue, it is vital to address a glandular fever treatment plan that ensures a quick recovery.

When to Seek Medical Care for Fever

When to call or see the doctor
A fever has many possible causes. Most commonly, a fever is part of a viral infection that will go away on its own. However, there are some reasons to be concerned or worried about a fever; do not hesitate to call or see a doctor for any high fevers.

• Call the doctor if any of these conditions exists.
• If the temperature is 103 F (39.4 C) or greater
• If the fever lasts more than seven days
• If the fever symptoms get worse

• Call the doctor or consider going to an emergency center immediately if any of the following symptoms occur with the fever.
• Confusion or excessive sleepiness
• Stiff neck
• Severe headache
• Sore throat, especially with difficulty swallowing or if the person is drooling
• Rash
• Chest pain
• Trouble breathing
• Repeated vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Blood in stool
• Pain with urination
• Leg swelling
• Red, hot, or swollen area of skin

• People with serious medical illnesses, such as cancer or HIV, may not show some or any of these warning signs. Mild symptoms with fever in this patient population should be discussed with the doctor to prevent them progressing into more serious infections or other conditions.

When to go to the hospital
Certain illnesses that occur with a fever can be life-threatening. Under these conditions, the person should go immediately to a hospital's emergency department.

• Meningitis is life-threatening and highly contagious if caused by certain bacteria. If a person has the combination of a fever, severe headache, and stiff neck, he or she should be taken to the emergency department immediately.
• A person with difficulty breathing or chest pain and a fever should go immediately to the emergency department or call for emergency medical transport.
• If a person has a fever and blood in the stool, urine, or mucus, he or she should seek emergency medical help.
• A person who has a fever and is very agitated or confused with no obvious reason should be transported to the emergency department.
• Any person whose immune system is weakened (for example, people with cancer or AIDS) should call their doctor or go to the emergency department immediately if a fever develops. (See special medical conditions.)
• Hyperthermia is an emergency. Call for emergency medical transport if a person has a temperature greater than 104 F (40 C), is confused, or is not responding.

When to see the doctor for Fever

Home > Kids' & Teens' Health > Fever

3

Fever

What is a fever?

A fever occurs when the body temperature rises above normal. The normal body temperature is between 36 and 37°C, but this can vary from person to person and from hour to hour. Temperatures between 37.5°C and 38.2°C mark a low-grade fever. A high-grade fever is present when the oral temperature is above 38.2°C.
The method by which the temperature is measured can also affect the reading. A fever is generally accepted to be present in children if:

• the axillary (armpit) temperature is higher than 37°C;
• the oral (mouth) temperature is higher than 37.5°C; or
• the rectal or tympanic (ear) temperature is higher than 38°C.

What causes fever?

Fever results from the ‘thermostat’ in the brain being reset at a higher temperature than normal. This happens through the release of chemicals when the immune system is activated, generally by a bacterial or viral infection. Fever is part of the body’s way of fighting infection.
Immunisation, severe sunburn, autoimmune disease such as rheumatoid arthritis, and other conditions can also sometimes cause fever. There are also a number of factors that may cause a higher than normal temperature including physical activity, emotional stress and ovulation.

How do I take a temperature?

• Shake down the mercury in the thermometer, so that it falls below the 35°C line, or press reset on a digital thermometer.
• Place the silver tip or thin end of the thermometer high in the armpit. It is important that the thermometer remains in the right place.
• In older children or adults, the thermometer may be placed under the tongue, but great care must be taken to avoid biting or breaking the bulb.
• Leave in place for at least 2 minutes for a mercury thermometer or until it beeps for a digital thermometer.
• Read the thermometer by gently rotating it between your thumb and forefinger. The temperature is measured by looking at the level of the silver bar which runs up the middle of the thermometer. If you cannot read this type of thermometer, you can buy a thermometer which has a digital read-out on the side.
• Wipe the thermometer with antiseptic or lukewarm soapy water. Do not use hot water or you will break the thermometer.
• Battery operated tympanic (ear) thermometers are also available. These are placed gently in the ear canal and read the temperature from the ear drum. The advantage of tympanic thermometers is that they are very quick, giving a reading in a few seconds; however, they are not always accurate.

When to see the doctor

Infants 6 months old or younger should be taken to a doctor if they develop a fever.
If an infant older than 6 months or an older child has a fever, take them to a doctor if you are concerned, or if the child:

• seems very ill;
• has an earache;
• has a stiff neck;
• cannot swallow normally;
• has a rash;
• is breathing faster than normal;
• is vomiting;
• is passing less urine than normal;
• is very drowsy or sleepy; or
• has a bulging fontanelle (the soft spot on a baby’s head).

While the child has a fever, monitor them every 4 to 6 hours for the above symptoms and take them to a doctor if any of these symptoms occur.
Take or return an adult with a fever to the doctor if they:

• have a severe headache or neck pain;
• have pain elsewhere in the body (especially the ears);
• have not had anything to drink for 8 to 10 hours or are constantly vomiting;
• say that light hurts their eyes;
• have a rash;
• have not improved after 48 hours;
• have difficulty waking up; or
• look like they are getting sicker or you feel really worried.

Treating a fever

Follow your doctor’s advice carefully about home care, changes in the person’s condition and what to do if they get worse after hours. If the doctor thinks a bacterial infection is causing the fever, antibiotics may be prescribed. However, be aware that many infections are caused by a virus, in which case treatment with antibiotics is not effective.
Low-grade fever itself is not generally harmful and may even help your body eliminate a virus. So if no other problems are present, your doctor may advise supportive measures such as drinking plenty of fluids and resting rather than any medical treatment.
If you or your child have a fever and are uncomfortable, vomiting, dehydrated or having trouble sleeping, your doctor may recommend the following methods to make you more comfortable and to reduce the fever.

• Keep clothes and blankets to a minimum. If you are shaking and feel cold, cover up with blankets until the shakes stop, then promptly remove the blankets. Shaking is the body’s way of cooling down when it is very hot.
• Avoid hot water bottles or electric blankets. Make sure the room temperature is comfortable.
• Open a window for ventilation but avoid draughts.
• Drink plenty of clear fluids — aim for one glass every hour. A drink such as Gastrolyte or Hydralyte, which helps replace the body’s electrolytes, may be beneficial if you have vomiting or diarrhoea. Ice-blocks are useful for children.
• A lukewarm flannel-bath can be refreshing. Fill a large basin or bucket with lukewarm water, and using a flannel, wash the face, hands and neck. Do not use cold water, as this can increase core body temperature by causing shivering.
• Change the bed linen and clothing regularly.
• Adults can take aspirin, paracetamol or ibuprofen for relief.
• Children can take children’s formulations of paracetamol (some formulations can be given to children older than one month) or ibuprofen (some formulations can be given to children older than 3 months, but ask your doctor for advice for infants younger than one year). Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice on the right dose for your child.

Fever - children

Summary

A fever happens when the body's temperature is higher than normal because of an infection or virus. Fever in children is not usually serious, although it can sometimes cause fits or seizures, known as febrile convulsions.

Summary

A fever happens when the body's temperature is higher than normal because of an infection or virus. Fever in children is not usually serious, although it can sometimes cause fits or seizures, known as febrile convulsions.

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A fever happens when the body’s temperature is higher than normal because of an infection. Normal body temperature is around 37°C. Fever is usually caused by a virus or bacteria. Fever is a way in which the body fights infection. It is not always dangerous and does not always indicate a serious illness.

Signs and symptoms of fever

Fever causes an increase in the heart rate, breathing rate and blood circulation to the skin. This is how the body tries to reduce the heat caused by fever. The symptoms of fever can include:

• Feeling and/or looking unwell
• Feeling hot to touch
• Sweating or clammy skin
• Shivering
• Chattering teeth
• Flushed face.

Using a thermometer

If you suspect that your child has a fever, you can use a thermometer to measure their temperature. Remember, though, that body temperature is better used as a guide than a reliable indicator of illness for babies and young children - a child might have a mild temperature according to the thermometer (slightly over 37°C), but may seem happy and healthy.

There are several types of reliable thermometers available, which come with instructions on how to use them. They are available from your chemist. If you are in doubt about which one to choose for your child, or have questions about how to use it, ask your pharmacist to explain.

When to see your doctor

Trust your own instincts, but seek medical help if your child:

• Is aged six months or less
• Has a rash
• Has a fever of 40°C or more
• Is still feverish after a day or so, despite four-hourly doses of baby paracetamol
• Vomits or has persistent diarrhoea
• Refuses food or drink
• Cries inconsolably
• Seems listless, floppy or just looks ill
• Convulses or twitches
• Has trouble breathing
• Is in pain
• If you feel at all worried or concerned at any stage, consult with your doctor.

How to treat a fever

• Dress your child in light clothing.
• Give drinks of clear fluid (like water).
• Keep your child cool.
• Give paracetamol in the correct dose for the child’s age (but not more than four doses in a 24-hour period). Do not give regular paracetamol medicine for more than 24 hours without seeking advice from your doctor.
• See your doctor if your child is three months or younger.
• Don't give your child a cold bath. Give a lukewarm bath or sponge. Cold water cools the skin but does not lower the body temperature.

Fever can cause convulsions

A febrile convulsion is a fit or seizure that occurs in babies and children when they have a high fever, usually from an ear infection or a viral upper respiratory infection. The fit can last a few seconds or up to 15 minutes, and is followed by drowsiness.

Between one in 20 to 30 otherwise healthy children will have one or more febrile convulsions between the ages of six months and five years. A febrile convulsion is not epilepsy and does not cause brain damage. There is no way to predict who will be affected or when this will happen.

Symptoms of febrile convulsion

The symptoms of febrile convulsion include:

• Loss of consciousness (black out). The child will fall if standing and may pass urine
• Twitching or jerking of arms and legs
• Breathing difficulty
• Foaming at the mouth
• Going pale or bluish in skin colour
• Eye rolling, so only the whites of their eyes are visible
• Your child may take 15 minutes to wake up properly afterwards. They may be irritable and appear not to recognise you.

What to do if your child has a convulsion

Convulsions are rarely serious. If your child has a convulsion you should:

• Place your child on the floor and remove any objects they could knock against.
• Lie your child on their side, not on their back.
• Check that your child does not breathe in vomit.
• Don’t force anything into your child’s mouth.
• Don’t shake, slap or try to restrain your child.
• Place your child on their side with their face turned to the floor once the fit has stopped.
• Note what time the fit started and stopped, so you can tell the doctor.
• Call an ambulance if the fit lasts more than five minutes – Call triple zero (000).
• Have your child checked by your local doctor or nearest hospital emergency department as soon as possible after the fit stops to find the cause of the fever.

Heat stroke does not cause fever

Heat stroke is caused by exposure to excessive heat. It can cause extremely high body temperatures, but it is not called a fever because it is not caused by an infection, inflammation or other internal disease process. Heat stroke can be very dangerous. If you think a child in your care has heat stroke, see your doctor straight away.

Where to get help

• Your doctor
• Your pharmacist
• Your local maternal and child health centre
• Your local hospital emergency or casualty department.
• NURSE-ON-CALL Tel. 1300 60 60 24 – for expert health information and advice (24 hours, 7 days)
• In an emergency, call triple zero (000)

Things to remember

• Fever is common in children.
• Fever and febrile convulsions are usually not dangerous.
• Call an ambulance if the fit lasts longer than 5 minutes, as drugs may be needed to stop the fit.
• Fever does not always mean a child is seriously ill.
• See your doctor if you are concerned about your child’s health.

Alternative Treatments For High Blood Pressure - Cure Hypertension and Normalize Blood Pressure

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Have you tried any alternative treatments for high blood pressure? If you have not, you might want to consider why some doctors are now prescribing various natural health remedies to normalize blood pressure naturally. In the process of saving hundreds to thousands of dollars each year (not paying for prescription medication), you will also become a healthier person.
With hypertension numbers on the rise, most people have followed their doctor's suggestion of taking medications for the rest of their lives. However, due to the harsh side-effects, many people are now normalizing their scores with simple alternative treatments. And many of these natural health secrets are now being suggested by doctors!
Natural Health and Alternative Treatments
It was no more than 10 years ago when natural health and alternative treatments were considered taboo. Many thought these cures were quack or for hippies! Currently, millions of people world-wide are now jumping on the natural health bandwagon.
Much of this is because recent research is now showing that many natural remedies are very effective for reducing hypertension scores. And some people are just tired of dealing with the harsh side-effects from their medications which include irregular heartbeat, dizziness, weakness, flushing key nutrients, poor circulation, insomnia, depression, kidney damage, cholesterol problems and even excessive hair growth.
Fortunately, alternative treatments for high blood pressure do NOT have any side-effects and work to normalize your score using key vitamins, important supplements, a better diet, an exercise program and critical minerals that your body must have to regulate itself.
Some Suggestions from a Natural Health Doctor
If you are currently taking medications, do NOT stop taking them before discussing it with a doctor. Unfortunately, the drugs you are taking must be weaned off in order for your body to function properly.
Our company's natural health doctor, Dr. Scott Saunders suggests incorporating various alternative treatments for high blood pressure while still taking your medications. With due time, you will be able to stop taking the medication and have cure your hypertension completely.
Here are some effective and researched remedies that some doctors are now recommending!
5 Natural Remedies for Hypertension
1. Your Diet- Your diet could be one of the most important factors for normalizing your score. A great nutrition plan is one that emphasizes low saturated fats, low cholesterol, and low in total fat. Your diet should now be based on lots of fruits, vegetables, fat free milk products and lean meats. Our High Blood Pressure Remedy Report goes in thorough detail on your new diet.
2. Relaxation- Relaxing is a great way to decrease stress and lower blood pressure. One simple way is to practice simple breathing techniques that increase circulation levels and oxygen levels. It has been said that more oxygen in the body means a normalized score. Many of our customers practice these simple techniques right at their work desk!
3. Potassium- One of the three most important minerals you should be getting is potassium. Duke researchers recommend getting 4,700 milligrams per day to decrease your blood pressure by as much as 20 points.
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5. Fish Oil and E - Studies have shown that consuming just a tablespoon of flaxseed oil daily lowered numbers by nine points. Some studies have shown that fish oil oxidizes easily and should be taken with Vitamin E. Our recommendation is to go with the vitamin E and fish oil.
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Pregnancy Tips and Advices

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We have selected the tips and advices that will be very useful to you before and during pregnancy. We hope it will be helpful to you. If you have any comments, suggestions or tips you would like to share, please click here
Save to my Home Page  Pregnancy Checklist

Before Getting Pregnant
After you Get Pregnant
Eating Healthy Before and During Pregnancy
Foods to Avoid During Pregnancy
Exercising During Pregnancy
What to Avoid During Pregnancy
Pregnancy Checklist

Before Getting Pregnant

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• You should see a doctor before getting pregnant to make sure you are in good health.
• If you need to get any dental work done, do this before getting pregnant.
• Take blood test for HIV and other STDs (genderually Transmitted Diseases).
• Make sure your have health insurance that is right for you. Find a good doctor and a hospital where you would like to deliver. Make sure that the doctor you choose accept your health insurance. Some insurance companies would not let you switch after you are pregnant.
• Ask your doctor about which prenatal vitamins would work best for you.
• Start taking prenatal vitamins every day. Make sure you get enough folic acid.
• Exercise. Being physically active before you get pregnant, will help you stay fit during pregnancy.
• Avoid smoking cigarettes and second hand smoking. Smoking may decrease fertility.
• Avoid drinking alcohol.

After you Get Pregnant

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Congratulations on your Pregnancy!

• See your doctor on a regular basis.
• Eat a healthy diet.
• Take prenatal vitamins.
• Avoid stress and anxiety.
• Get plenty of sleep.
• Check out baby names suggestions.
  When you run our Baby Gender Prediction Test where you will find out your baby's gender, you will also receive Baby name suggestions for different regions, Baby's zodiac sign, Parent's compatibility by zodiac signs, Cost of raising a child and much more.
  
  
  
• Exercise. It is very important to be physically active during pregnancy.
• Don't carry heavy stuff. Ask for help.
• Do Kegel exercises.
• Buy lotion that prevents stretch marks.
• Avoid smoking. Smoking during pregnancy is linked with low birth weight and other risks for the baby such as being born prematurely, death around the time of birth and sudden infant death syndrome.
• Avoid drinking alcohol especially during first three months of pregnancy when the baby's organs are forming.
• Avoid hot tubs and saunas.
• Listen to the relaxation music.
  Currently we offer a FREE relaxation music CD for you and your baby with your order of one of our Baby Gender Prediction Tests.
  You can find more info at FortuneBaby.com/relaxation_music.html
  Relaxation music is used to promote wellness, manage stress, and express feelings and emotions. It can be a great way to relax yourself when you are feeling anxious and stressed. You can also listen to it before your bedtime to help you relax and fall asleep.
  
  

Eating Healthy Before and During Pregnancy

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Eating healthy will ensure that your body has plenty of vitamins and minerals. You diet should include foods rich in protein such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs; calcium such as milk, yogurt, starch such as bread, cereal, pasta, and also plenty of fruits and vegetables that supply all the necessary vitamins and minerals.

Folic acid

• Make sure you get enough folic acid before and during pregnancy.
• Before you get pregnant, you can take 400 micrograms of folic acid each day. The intake of 800-1000 micrograms of folic acid every day is recommended while you are pregnant.
• Good sources of folic acid: broccoli, spinach, peas, green beans, cabbage, potatoes, cauliflower, kiwi; fortified breakfast cereals and bread.
• Having plenty of folic acid in your body will decrease the chance of baby being born with a defect of the neural tube. It is also necessary for the development of healthy red blood cells.

Foods to Avoid During Pregnancy

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• Raw fish such as sushi, sashimi
• Raw eggs
• Soft cheese such as Feta, Brie, and Camembert cheeses, blue-veined cheeses, and Mexican-style cheeses
• Raw (unpasteurized) milk
• Shark, swordfish, king mackerel and tilefish because they contain high levels of a form of mercury called methyl mercury that may harm an unborn baby's developing nervous system.
• Shellfish, canned fish
• Hot dogs
• Undercooked meat
• Liver

Exercising During Pregnancy

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It is very important to be physically active during pregnancy. Consult your doctor about a level of exercise that is safe for you.

Moderate exercising during pregnancy will

• Help you to stay more energetic and elevate your mood.
• Decrease the discomforts that you may experience during pregnancy.
• Help you to have an easier labor.
• Improve the way you feel about yourself. When you look good, you feel good.

If you exercise when you are pregnant, it will be easier for your body to get back in shape after you give birth. It is recommended for pregnant women to engage in low impact activities such as walking, swimming, yoga. Make sure to drink plenty of water, and stop exercising if you experience any pain or shortness of breath.

What to Avoid During Pregnancy

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• Smoking
• Alcohol
• Caffeine
• Stress and anxiety
• Hot tubs and saunas
• Eating raw fish, undercooked meat, soft cheeses, raw eggs

How to choose a probiotic

Probiotic supplements contain friendly intestinal bacteria. These good bacteria naturally reside in the lining of the intestine and keep intestinal cells healthy by producing natural health promoting substances and anti microbial factors. Maintaining good levels of probiotics in the gut helps to maintain bowel regularity, pH and intestinal cellular health.

When to take a probiotic supplement:

Athletes foot Crohn’s disease Stomach upset Bad Breath Diarrhoea Steroid medications Breast feeding Eczema Thrush Bowel cancer

Food intolerance & allergy Wind Colic Food poisoning Stomach bloating Constipation IBS Colitis Pregnancy

How to pick a good probiotic supplement:

We would suggest that you always check the nutrition analysis and purchase a supplement that delivers at least 4 Billion viable organisms for adults and 1 billion for children. Select a brand with as many different types of probiotic species as possible, spanning both Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium families.

Probiotic supplements we recommend:

Brand	Product name	Number of Lactobacillus Families	Number of Bifidobacterium Families	Adequate Strength	Food Doctor suggestion for
Udo’s Choice	Super 8	5	2		Children & Adults
OptiBac Probiotics	For daily wellbeing EXTRA Strength	2	3		Adults
OptiBac Probiotics	For your child’s health	1	2		Children (6 mnths > 12 yrs)
BioCare	Bifidobacterium Infantis	0	1		Babies
OptiBac Probiotics	For travelling abroad	2	1		Adults & children when travelling
BioCare	FloraGuard	2	2		Adults with gut infection or when travelling
OptiBac Probiotics	For those on antibiotics	2	0		When on antibiotics
Allergy Research	Lactobacillus GG	1	0		When travelling
BioCare	IntraFresh	1	0	N/A	Women with vaginal infection

Don’t get confused between prebiotics and probiotics: Prebiotics include a specific fibre called FOS which acts as a food source for the good bacteria that are already living in your intestine. Probiotics actually deliver friendly bacteria directly into your intestine thus boosting your overall probiotic status.
How are probiotics important for health?

PROBIOTICS AND TRAVELLERS TUMMY
Probiotics produce anti-microbial factors which fight off potential infections and restore intestinal pH which reduces the ability of the infection to take control of the gut. It is well worth taking a suitable probiotic with you on holiday to help keep the risk of food poisoning or parasitic infection to a minimum. Probiotics can also help to ease the digestive side effects often associated with malaria tablets.

 

PROBIOTICS AND IBS
With IBS the intestinal lining becomes prone to damage due to increased inflammation, and levels of probiotic bacteria in the intestine start to decline. Taking a probiotic supplement prevents the good bacteria reducing to a level which will allow infection to take root, it also helps to reduce inflammation and intestinal damage.

 

PROBIOTICS AND BOWEL CANCER PROTECTION
Bowel cancer is on the increase and affects 34,540 people in the UK each year. Probiotic bacteria produce immune boosting substances which are known to protect bowel cells from becoming cancerous.

 

PROBIOTICS AND CYSTITIS
One of the major contributing factors for cystitis is the migration of E.coli from the bowel to the genito-urinary tract. Supplementing with probiotics helps to reduce levels of E.coli reducing the risk of cystitis.

 

PROBIOTIC AND CONSTIPATION
Probiotic supplements help to relieve constipation by increasing the water content of the stool, adding bulk and softening faecal material. All these factors help to restore and ensure correct intestinal muscular contractions, increasing the speed at which faeces are passed through the gut and reducing straining with bowel movements.

 

PROBIOTICS AND BRUISING
Frequent bruising can be a sign of vitamin K deficiency. Supplementing with probiotics helps to boost vitamin K levels since these good bacteria actually make vitamin K which becomes available for absorption into the body.

 

PROBIOTICS AND ENERGY
Many of the probiotic species make a whole host of B-complex vitamins which once absorbed into the body across the intestine lining, are available to help generate metabolism and boost energy production.

 

PROBIOTICS AND BOTTLE FED BABIES
Breast feeding is not always successful for every mother. One way to ensure that your baby still receives some of the protective and nurturing effects of breast milk is to add infant probiotic species to infant bottle milk formula.

 

PROBIOTICS AND VAGINAL INFECTION
Just like the lining of the intestine, the lining of the vagina also plays home to a population of probiotic bacteria. Hormonal imbalances, stress or STD infections trigger changes in vaginal pH which cause beneficial probiotic bacteria to decline, allowing for infection to take root. To break cycles of re-occurring thrush follow a 6 day course of vaginal probiotics.

 

BEST FOOD SOURCES FOR PROBIOTICS

Probiotic sources include any form of natural bio yoghurt and sauerkraut.