tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84821502684155749162024-02-20T04:46:09.645-08:00All About Health And DiseasesUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8482150268415574916.post-7429089451148514382011-08-04T05:32:00.000-07:002011-08-10T11:24:30.223-07:00Pneumonia<strong>WHAT IS PNEUMONIA?</strong><br />
<br />
Pneumonia is an infection in one or both of the lungs. Many small germs such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi, can cause pneumonia. The infection causes your lungs' air sacs, called alveoli, become inflamed. The air sacs may fill up with fluid or pus, causing symptoms such as cough with phlegm, fever, chills, and trouble breathing.<br />
<br />
<strong>OVERVIEW OF PNEUMONIA</strong><br />
<br />
Pneumonia and its symptoms can vary from mild to severe. Many factors affect how serious pneumonia is, such as the type of germ causing the infection and your age and overall health.<br />
<br />
Pneumonia tends to be more serious for the following:<br />
<ul><li>Infants and young children</li>
<li>People 65 years or older</li>
<li>People who have other health problems (examples: heart failure, diabetes, COPD)</li>
<li>People who have weak immune systems as a result of diseases or other factors (examples: HIV/AIDS, chemotherapy, organ/bone marrow transplant).</li>
</ul><strong>OUTLOOK </strong><br />
<br />
Pneumonia is common in the U.S. Treatment for pneumonia depends on its cause, how severe your symptoms are, and your age and overall health. Many people can be treated at home, often with oral antibiotics. Anyone whose symptoms get worse should be checked by a doctor. People who have more severe symptoms or underlying health problems may need treatment in a hospital. <br />
<br />
<strong>TYPES OF PNEUMONIA</strong><br />
<br />
Pneumonia is named for the way in which a person gets the infection or for the germ that causes it. Many people may not realize that there are different types of pneumonia. The following are types of pneumonia:<br />
<ul><li>Community-Acquired Pneumonia (CAP) - occurs outside of hospitals and other health care settings. It is the most common type of pneumonia. Most cases occur during winter. Most people get CAP by breathing in germs that live in the mouth, nose, or throat.</li>
<li>Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia (HAP) - occurs when people catch pneumonia during a hospital stay. People on a machine that helps them breathe (mechanical ventilator) is at a higher risk for getting HAP. Also, HAP tends to be more serious than CAP. This is because you're already sick. </li>
<li>Health Care-Associated Pneumonia - occurs when a patient catch a pneumonia in other health care settings, such as nursing homes, dialysis centers, and outpatient clinics.</li>
<li>Aspiration Pneumonia - a type of pneumonia that occurs when you accidentally inhale food, drink, vomit, or saliva from your mouth into your lungs. This usually happens when something disturbs your normal gag reflex, such as a brain injury, swallowing problem, or excessive use of alcohol or drugs. Aspiration pneumonia can cause pus to form in a cavity in the lung, called a lung abscess.</li>
<li>Atypical Pneumonia - several types of bacteria (examples: legionella pneumophila, mycoplasma pneumonia, chlamydophila pneumoniae) cause this type of CAP. Atypical pneumonia is passed from person to person.</li>
</ul><strong>WHAT CAUSES PNEUMONIA?</strong><br />
<br />
Many different germs can cause pneumonia. These include different kinds of bacteria, viruses, and, less often, fungi. Most of the time, the body filters germs out of the air that we breathe to protect the lungs from infection. Sometimes, though, germs manage to enter the lungs and cause infections. This is more likely to occur when:<br />
<ul><li>Your immune system is weak.</li>
<li>A germ is very strong.</li>
<li>Your body fails to filter germs out of the air that you breathe.</li>
</ul><strong>WHO IS AT RISK FOR PNEUMONIA?</strong><br />
<br />
Pneumonia can affect people of all ages. However, two age groups are at greater risk of developing pneumonia:<br />
<ul><li>Infants who are 2 years or younger, because their immune systems are still developing during the first few years of life.</li>
<li>Adults who are 65 years or older.</li>
</ul><strong>OTHER CONDITIONS AND FACTORS THAT RAISE RISK FOR PNEUMONIA</strong><br />
<ul><li>If you have a lung disease or other serious disease (examples: cystic fibrosis, asthma, COPD, bronchiectasis, diabetes, heart failure, sickle cell anemia).</li>
<li>If you're in a hospital ICU, especially if you're on a ventilator ( a machine to help you breathe).</li>
<li>If you have a weak or depressed immune system (examples: HIV/AIDS, organ/bone marrow transplant, chemotherapy, long-term steroid use).</li>
<li>If you have trouble coughing because of a stroke, trouble swallowing, limited ability to move, alcohol use, or sedation (being given medicine to make you relaxed or sleepy).</li>
<li>Smoking cigarettes, abusing alcohol, being undernourished.</li>
<li>If you've recently had a cold or the flu.</li>
<li>If you're exposed to certain chemicals, pollutants, or toxic fumes.</li>
</ul><strong>WHAT ARE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF PNEUMONIA?</strong><br />
<br />
The symptoms of pneumonia vary from mild to severe. Many factors affect how serious pneumonia is, including the type of germ causing the infection and your age and overall health.<br />
<br />
See your doctor promptly if you:<br />
<ul><li>Have a high fever.</li>
<li>Have shaking chills.</li>
<li>Have a cough with phlegm, which doesn't improve or worsens.</li>
<li>Develop shortness of breath with normal daily activities.</li>
<li>Have chest pain when you breathe or cough.</li>
<li>Feel suddenly worse after a cold or the flu.</li>
<li>Have other symptoms including nausea (feeling sick to your stomach), vomiting, and diarrhea.</li>
</ul><strong>COMPLICATIONS OF PNEUMONIA</strong><br />
<br />
Often, people who have pneumonia can be treated successfully and not have complications. But some patients, especially those in high-risk groups, may have complications such as the following:<br />
<ul><li><strong>Bacteremia</strong> - this serious complication occurs when the infection moves into your bloodstream. From there, it can quickly spread to other organs, including your brain.</li>
<li><strong>Lung abscess - </strong>an abscess occurs when pus forms in a cavity in the lung. An abscess is usually treated with antibiotics. In some cases, surgery or needle drainage is needed to remove it.</li>
<li><strong>Pleural effusion - </strong>pneumonia may cause fluid to build up in the pleural space, which is the space between your lungs and chest wall. Pneumonia can cause the fluid to become infected- a condition called <em>empyema. </em>If this happens, you may need to have the fluid drained through a chest tube or removed through surgery.</li>
</ul><strong>HOW IS PNEUMONIA DIAGNOSED?</strong><br />
<br />
Pneumonia can be hard to dignose because it may seem like a cold or flu. Your doctor will diagnose pneumonia based on your medical history and the results from a physical exam and tests.<br />
<br />
<strong>DIAGNOSTIC TESTS</strong><br />
<br />
If your doctor suspects you have pneumonia, he or she may order one or more of the following tests:<br />
<ul><li>Chest x-ray.</li>
<li>Blood tests (examples: Complete Blood Count (CBC), Blood culture).</li>
<li>Sputum test.</li>
<li>Chest CT scan.</li>
<li>Pleural fluid culture</li>
<li>Pulse oximetry.</li>
<li>Bronchoscopy.</li>
</ul><strong>HOW IS PNEUMONIA TREATED?</strong><br />
<br />
Treatment for pneumonia depends on the type of pneumonia you have and how severe it is. The goals of treatment are to cure the infection and prevent complications.<br />
<br />
For <strong>bacterial pneumonia - </strong>it is treated with antibiotics. You should take antibiotics as your doctor prescribes. You may start to feel better before you finish the medicine, but you should continue taking it as prescribed. If you stop too soon, the pneumonia may come back.<br />
<br />
For <strong>viral pneumonia - </strong>it is not treated with antibiotics. This type of medicine doesn't work when a virus causes the pneumonia. If you have viral pneumonia, your doctor may prescribe an antiviral medicine to treat it.<br />
<br />
If the level of oxygen in your bloodstream is low, you may receive oxygen. If you have bacterial pneumonia, your doctor may give you antibiotics through an intravenous (IV) line inserted into a vein.<br />
<br />
<strong>HOW CAN PNEUMONIA BE PREVENTED?</strong><br />
<ul><li>Vaccines (examples: pneumococcal pneumonia vaccine, influenza vaccine, Hib vaccine).</li>
</ul><strong>OTHER WAYS TO HELP PREVENT PNEUMONIA</strong><br />
<ul><li>Wash your hands with soap and water or alcohol-based rubs to kill germs.</li>
<li>Don't smoke. Smoking damages your lungs' ability to filter out and defend against germs.</li>
<li>Keep your immune system strong. Get plenty of rest and physical activity and follow a healthy diet.</li>
</ul>If you have pneumonia, limit contact with family and friends. Cover your nose and mouth while coughing or sneezing, and dispose of tissues right away. These measures help keep the infection from spreading.<br />
<br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8482150268415574916.post-3822082335637217712010-10-24T17:13:00.000-07:002011-08-10T11:33:45.955-07:00Overweight and Obesity<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/8HSqE1U_m_0?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/8HSqE1U_m_0?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<strong>WHAT ARE OVERWEIGHT AND OBESITY?</strong><br />
<br />
The terms "overweight" and "obesity" refer to a person's overall body weight and whether it is too high. Overweight is having extra body weight from muscle, bone, fat, and/or water. Obesity is having a high amount of extra body fat. The most useful measure of overweight and obesity is body mass index (BMI). BMI is based on height and weight and is used for adults, children, and teens.<br />
<br />
<strong>OVERVIEW </strong><br />
<br />
Millions of Americans and people worldwide are overweight or obese. Being overweight or obese puts you at risk for many diseases and conditions. The more body fat that you have and the more you weigh, the more likely you are to develop the following:<br />
<ul><li>Coronary heart disease/Coronary artery disease.</li>
<li>High blood pressure.</li>
<li>Type 2 diabetes.</li>
<li>Gallstones.</li>
<li>Breathing problems.</li>
<li>Certain cancers (examples: colon, breast, endometrial, and gallbladder cancer).</li>
<li>Stroke.</li>
<li>Abnormal blood fats (examples: high levels of bad cholesterol and low levels of good cholesterol).</li>
<li>Metabolic syndrome.</li>
<li>Osteoarthritis.</li>
<li>Sleep apnea.</li>
</ul>Your weight is the result of many factors. These factors include environment, family history and genetics, metabolism, behavior or habits, and more. You can't change some factors, such as family history. However, you can change other factors, such as your lifestyle habits.<br />
<br />
You can take steps to prevent or treat overweight or obesity. Follow a healthy eating plan and keep your calorie needs in mind. <br />
<br />
<strong>OUTLOOK </strong><br />
<br />
Reaching and staying at a healthy weight is a long-term challenge for people who are overweight or obese. But it can also be a chance to lower your risk of other serious health problems. With the right treatment and motivation, it's possible to lose weight and lower your long- term risk.<br />
<br />
<strong>WHAT CAUSES OVERWEIGHT AND OBESITY?</strong><br />
<br />
1. A lack of energy balance most often causes overweight and obesity. Energy balance means that your energy in equals your energy out.<br />
<br />
<em>Energy in</em> is the amount of energy or calories you get from food and drinks. <em>Energy out</em> is the amount of energy your body uses for things like breathing, digesting, and being physically active. <br />
<br />
To maintain a healthy weight, your energy in and out don't have to balance exactly every day. It's the balance over time that helps you maintain a healthy weight. The following is a simple illustration of this:<br />
<ul><li>The same amount of energy IN and energy OUT over time = weight stays the same</li>
<li>More energy IN than energy OUT over time = weight gain</li>
<li>More energy OUT than energy IN over time = weight loss</li>
</ul>Overweight and obesity happen over time when you take in more calories than you use.<br />
<br />
2. Inactive lifestyle.<br />
3. Environment (examples: eating oversized food portions, lack of access to healthy foods).<br />
4. Genes and family history.<br />
5. Health conditions (examples: hypothyroidism, cushing's syndrome, polycystic ovarian syndrome).<br />
6. Medicines (examples: corticosteroids, antidepressants, seizure medicines).<br />
7. Emotional factors.<br />
8. Smoking.<br />
9. Age.<br />
10. Pregnancy.<br />
11. Lack of sleep.<br />
<br />
<strong>WHAT ARE THE HEALTH RISKS OF OVERWEIGHT AND OBESITY?</strong><br />
<br />
Being overweight or obese isn't a cosmetic problem. It greatly raises the risk in adults for many diseases and conditions I already mentioned in the overview above.<br />
<br />
<strong>WHO IS AT RISK FOR OVERWEIGHT AND OBESITY?</strong><br />
<br />
Overweight and obesity affect many people of all ages, sexes, and racial/ethnic groups. This serious health problem hs been growing over the last 30 years especially in the U.S.<br />
<br />
<strong>OVERWEIGHT AND OBESITY IN CHILDREN AND TEENS</strong><br />
<br />
In the U.S. alone, many children have become heavier in the past 30 years. According to recent surveys, about 1 in 6 American children ages 2 to 19 are obese. The statistics also suggests that overweight and obesity are having a greater effect on minority groups, including African-Americans and Hispanics.<br />
<br />
<strong>WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF SYMPTOMS OF OBESITY?</strong><br />
<br />
Weight gain usually happens over time. Most people know when they've gained weight. Some of the signs of overweight or obesity include the following:<br />
<ul><li>Having extra fat around the waist.</li>
<li>The scale showing that you've gained weight.</li>
<li>A higher than normal body mass index and waist circumference.</li>
<li>Clothes feeling tight and needing a larger size.</li>
</ul><strong>HOW ARE OVERWEIGHT AND OBESITY DIAGNOSED?</strong><br />
<br />
The most common way to find out whether you're overweight or obese is to figure out your body mass index (BMI). BMI is an estimate of body fat, and it's a good gauge of your risk for disease that occur with more body fat. The higher your BMI, the higher your risk of disease. You can check with your doctor about the body mass index for adults, children and teens.<br />
<br />
<strong>INVOLVEMENT OF OTHER SPECIALISTS </strong><br />
<br />
Your doctor may send you to other health care specialists if you need expert care to treat your overweight and obesity problem. These specialists may include the following:<br />
<ul><li>Endocrinologist.</li>
<li>A registered dietician or nutritionist.</li>
<li>An exercise physiologist or trainer.</li>
<li>A psychiatrist, psychologist, or clinical social worker to help treat depression or stress.</li>
<li>A bariatric surgeon if weight-loss surgery is an option for you.</li>
</ul><strong>HOW ARE OVERWEIGHT AND OBESITY TREATED?</strong><br />
<br />
Successful weight-loss treatments include setting goals and making lifestyle changes, such as eating fewer calories and doing physical activity regularly. Medicines and weight-loss surgery also are options for some people if lifestyle changes are not enough.<br />
<br />
<strong>HOW CAN OVERWEIGHT AND OBESITY BE PREVENTED?</strong><br />
<br />
Following a healthy lifestyle can help you prevent overweight and obesity. Many lifestyle habits begin during childhood. Thus, parents and families should encourage their children to make healthy choices, such as following a healthy diet and doing enough physical activity.<br />
<br />
Make the following healthy lifestyle as your goals:<br />
<ul><li>Follow a healthy eating plan.</li>
<li>Focus on portion size when you eat.</li>
<li>Be active like going for a walk or run.</li>
<li>Reduce your screen time by limiting the use of TV, computers, and video games.</li>
<li>Keep track of your weight, body mass index, and waist circumference.</li>
<li>In children, keep track of their growth pattern.</li>
</ul>Currently, more than 140 community groups around the U.S. are participating in the "We Can" programs for parents and youth. It is a national education program designed for parents and caregivers to help children 8 to 13 years old stay at a healthy weight. It offers parents and families tips and fun activities to encourage healthy eating, increase physical activity, and reduce time spent being inactive. These community groups include hospitals, health departments, clinics, faith-based organizations, YMCA's, schools, and more.<br />
<br />
<br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8482150268415574916.post-29235826397658277472010-10-20T14:18:00.000-07:002011-08-10T11:38:20.032-07:00High Blood Pressure<br />
<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/8sFIq3N0XlQ?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/8sFIq3N0XlQ?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><strong>WHAT IS HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE?</strong><br />
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High blood pressure or hypertension, is a serious condition that can lead to coronary heart disease, heart failure, stroke, kidney failure, and other health problems.<br />
<br />
Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps out blood. If this pressure rises and stays high over time, it can damage the body in many ways.<br />
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<strong>OVERVIEW OF HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE</strong><br />
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About 1 in 3 adults in the U.S. has high blood pressure (HBP). HBP itself usually has no symptoms. You can have it for years without knowing it. During this time, though, it can damage the heart, blood vessels, kidneys, and other parts of your body.<br />
<br />
<strong>BLOOD PRESSURE NUMBERS</strong><br />
<br />
Blood pressure numbers include systolic and diastolic pressures. Systolic blood pressure is the pressure when the heart beats while pumping blood. Diastolic blood pressure is the pressure when the heart is at rest between beats.<br />
<br />
All levels above 120/80 mmHg raise your risk, and the risk grows as blood pressure levels rise. <br />
<br />
<strong>BLOOD PRESSURE OUTLOOK </strong><br />
<br />
Blood pressure tends to rise with age. Following a healthy lifestyle helps some people delay or prevent this rise in blood pressure.<br />
<br />
People who have HBP can take steps to control it and reduce their risks for related health problems. Key steps include following a healthy lifestyle, having ongoing medical care, and following the treatment plan that your doctor prescribes.<br />
<br />
<strong>WHAT CAUSES HBP?</strong><br />
<br />
Certain medical problems, such as chronic kidney disease, thyroid disease, and sleep apnea, may cause blood pressure to rise. Certain medicines, such as asthma medicines (example: corticosteroids) and cold-relief products also may raise blood pressure. <br />
<br />
In some women, blood pressure can go up if they use birth control pills, become pregnant, or take hormone therapy.<br />
<br />
Children younger than 10 years who have HBP often have another condition that's causing it (such as kidney disease).<br />
<br />
<strong>WHO IS AT RISK FOR HBP?</strong><br />
<ul><li>older age - male (older than 45); female - (older than 55).</li>
<li>race or ethnicity - occurs more often in African-American than in any other ethnic group</li>
<li>overweight or obesity </li>
<li>adult men has greater risk than adult women</li>
<li>family history of HBP</li>
</ul><strong>OTHER RISK FACTORS</strong><br />
<br />
A number of unhealthy lifestyle habits can raise your risk for HBP, including the following:<br />
<ul><li>eating too much sodium (salt)</li>
<li>drinking too much alcohol</li>
<li>not getting enough potassium in your diet</li>
<li>not doing enough physical activity</li>
<li>smoking</li>
</ul><strong>WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF SYMPTOMS OF HBP?</strong><br />
<br />
HBP itself usually has no symptoms. Rarely, headaches may occur.<br />
<br />
<strong>COMPLICATIONS OF HBP</strong><br />
<br />
When blood pressure stays high over time, it can damage the body. HBP can cause:<br />
<ul><li>the heart to get larger or weaker, which may lead to heart failure.</li>
<li>aneurysms (abnormal bulge in the wall of an artery) to form in blood vessels.</li>
<li>blood vessels in the kidney to narrow (this may cause kidney failure)</li>
<li>arteries throughout the body to narrow in some places, which limits blood flow (especially to the heart, brain, kidneys, and legs). This can cause a heart attack, stroke kidney failure, or amputation of part of the leg.</li>
<li>blood vessels in the eyes to burst or bleed (this may lead to vision changes or blindness).</li>
</ul><strong>HOW IS HBP DIAGNOSED?</strong><br />
<br />
Your doctor will diagnose high blood pressure using the results of blood pressure tests. These tests will be done several times to make sure the results are correct. <br />
<br />
<strong>HOW IS BLOOD PRESSURE TESTED?</strong><br />
<br />
To measure your blood pressure, your doctor or nurse will use some type of a gauge, a stethoscope, and a blood pressure cuff. Most often you will sit or lie down with the cuff around your arm as your doctor or nurse checks your blood pressure. <br />
<br />
<strong>HOW IS HBP TREATED?</strong><br />
<br />
HBP is treated with lifestyle changes and medicines. Most people who have HBP will neeed lifelong treatment. Sticking to your treatment plan is important. It can prevent or delay the problems linked to HBP and help you live and stay active longer.<br />
<br />
<strong>GOALS OF TREATMENT</strong><br />
<br />
The treatment goal for most adults is to get and keep blood pressure below 140/90 mmHg. For adults who have diabetes or chronic kidney disease, the goal is to get and keep blood pressure below 130/80 mmHg.<br />
<br />
<strong>MEDICINES</strong><br />
<br />
Today's blood pressure medicines can safely help most people control their blood pressures. Some of the types of medicines used for HBP are:<br />
<ul><li>Diuretics</li>
<li>Beta blockers</li>
<li>Ace inhibitors</li>
<li>Calcium channel blockers</li>
<li>Alpha blockers</li>
<li>Alpha-beta blockers</li>
<li>Nervous system inhibitors</li>
<li>Vasodilators</li>
<li>Angiotensin II receptor blockers</li>
</ul><strong>DIAGNOSING HBP IN CHILDREN AND TEENS</strong><br />
<br />
Doctors measure blood pressure in children and teens the same way they do in adults. Your child should have rotine blood pressure checks starting at 3 years of age. Newborn babies often have very low blood pressure numbers, while older teens have numbers similar to adults.<br />
<br />
The ranges for normal blood pressure and HBP are generally lower for youth than adults. These ranges are based on the average blood pressure numbers for age, gender, and height.<br />
<br />
To find out whether a young child or a teen has HBP, a doctor will compare the child or teen's blood pressure numbers to average numbers for his or her age, height, and gender.<br />
<br />
<strong>HOW IS HBP TREATED IN CHILDREN AND TEENS</strong><br />
<br />
HBP in children and teens, just like adults, is treated with lifestyle changes and medicines. Key steps include having a child or a teen:<br />
<ul><li>Follow a healthy eating plan that focuses on plenty of fruits and vegetables. The diet must be low in salt, saturated and trans fats.</li>
<li>Be active for at least 1 to 2 hours per day. </li>
<li>Maintain a healthy weight.</li>
<li>Manage stress.</li>
<li>Cope with problems.</li>
<li>Quit smoking (for teens who smoke).</li>
<li>Follow the doctor's treatment plan for HBP.</li>
<li>Take the medicines as prescribed by the doctor.</li>
</ul><br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8482150268415574916.post-82614290061198775532010-10-18T12:30:00.000-07:002011-08-10T11:42:40.149-07:00Asthma<br />
<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/82gn_rDRpHk?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/82gn_rDRpHk?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><strong>WHAT IS ASTHMA?</strong><br />
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Asthma is a chronic lung disease that inflames and narrows the airways. Asthma causes recurring periods of wheezing , chest tightness, shortness of breath, and coughing. The coughing often occurs at night or early in the morning.<br />
<br />
Asthma affects people of all ages, but it most often starts in childhood. In the U.S., more than 22 million people are known to have asthma. Nearly 6 million of these people are children.<br />
<br />
<strong>OVERVIEW OF ASTHMA</strong><br />
<br />
The airways are tubes that carry air into and out of your lungs. People who have asthma have inflamed airways. This makes the airways swollen and very sensitive. They tend to react strongly to certain substances that are breathed in.<br />
<br />
When the airways react, the muscles around them tighten. This causes the airways to narrow, and less air flows to your lungs. The swelling can also worsen making the airways even narrower. Cells in the airways may make more mucus than normal. Mucus is a sticky, thick liquid that can further narrow your airways.<br />
<br />
This chain reaction can result in asthma symptoms. Symptoms can happen each time the airways are irritated.<br />
<br />
Sometimes symptoms are mild and go away on their own or after minimal treatment with an asthma medicine. At other times, symptoms continue to get worse. When symptoms get more intense and/or additional symptoms appear, you call it an asthma attack. Asthma attacks are also called flareups or exacerbations. <br />
<br />
It's important to treat symptoms when you first notice them. This will help prevent the symptoms from worsening and causing a severe asthma attack. Severe asthma attacks may require emergency care, and they can cause death.<br />
<br />
<strong>OUTLOOK OF THE DISEASE</strong><br />
<br />
Asthma can't be cured. Even when you feel fine, you still have the disease and it can flareup any time.<br />
<br />
<strong>WHAT CAUSES ASTHMA?</strong><br />
<br />
The exact causes of asthma isn't known. Certain family genes and environmental exposures can cause asthma to develop. These factors may include:<br />
<ul><li>An inherited tendency to develop allergies, called atopy.</li>
<li>Parents who have asthma.</li>
<li>Certain respiratory infections during childhood.</li>
<li>Contact with some airborne allergens or exposure to some viral infections in infancy or early childhood when the immune system is developing.</li>
</ul>If asthma or atopy runs in your family, exposure to airborne allergens ( examples: house dust mites, cockroaches, and possibly cat or dog dander) and irritants ( example: tobacco smoke) may make your airways more reactive to substances in the air you breathe.<br />
<br />
<strong>WHO IS AT RISK FOR ASTHMA?</strong><br />
<br />
Young children who have frequent episodes of wheezing with respiratory infections, as well as other certain risk factors, are at the highest risk of developing asthma that continues beyond 6 years of age. These risk factors include having allegies, eczema, or parents who have asthma.<br />
<br />
Most, but not all, people who have asthma have allergies.<br />
<br />
Some people develop asthma because of exposure to certain chemical irritants or industrial dusts in the workplace. This is called occupational asthma.<br />
<br />
<strong>HOW IS ASTHMA DIAGNOSED?</strong><br />
<br />
Your primary care doctor will dignose asthma based on your medical history, a physical exam, and results from tests. Your doctor will figure out what your level of asthma severity is - that is, whether it's intermittent, mild, moderate, or severe. You severity level will determine what treatment you will start on.<br />
<br />
You may need to see an asthma specialist if:<br />
<ul><li>You need special tests to be sure you have asthma.</li>
<li>You've had a life-threatening asthma attack.</li>
<li>You need more than one kind of medicine or higher doses of medicine to control your asthma.</li>
<li>You have overall difficulty getting your asthma well controlled.</li>
<li>You're thinking about allergy treatments.</li>
</ul><strong>DIAGNOSTIC TESTS FOR ASTHMA</strong><br />
<ul><li>Lung Function Test: <strong>Spirometry - </strong>this test measures how much air you can breathe in and out; check how your lungs are working.</li>
<li>Chest X-ray.</li>
<li>Bronchoprovocation - a test to measure how sensitive your airways are.</li>
</ul><strong>MEDICINES TYPES FOR ASTHMA</strong><br />
<ul><li>Quick relief medicines (example: quick relief inhaler for asthma)</li>
<li>Long term control (examples: cromolyn, nedocromil, theophylline)</li>
</ul><strong>CAN ASTHMA BE PREVENTED?</strong><br />
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Currently, there isn't a way to prevent asthma. However, you can take steps to control the disease and prevent its symptoms by doing the following:<br />
<ul><li>Learn about your asthma and how to control it.</li>
<li>Follow your doctor's written asthma action plan.</li>
<li>Use medicines as your doctor directs.</li>
<li>Identify and avoid things that make your asthma worse as much as you can.</li>
<li>Keep track of your asthma symptoms and level of control.</li>
<li>Get regular check-ups for your asthma. </li>
</ul><br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8482150268415574916.post-38657994748031322552010-10-14T11:09:00.000-07:002011-08-10T11:46:54.595-07:00Coronary Artery Disease<br />
<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/3cW8__wFXDA?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/3cW8__wFXDA?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><strong>WHAT IS CORONARY ARTERY HEART DISEASE?</strong><br />
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Coronary Artery Disease or CAD, is a condition in which plaque builds up inside the coronary arteries. These arteries supply your heart muscle with oxygen-rich blood.<br />
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Plaque is made up of fat, cholesterol, calcium, and other substances found in the blood. When plaque builds up in the arteries, the condition is called <strong>atherosclerosis</strong>.<br />
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Plaque narrows the arteries and reduces blood flow to your heart muscle. It also makes it more likely that blood clots will form in your arteries. Blood clots can partially or completely block blood flow.<br />
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<strong>OVERVIEW OF CAD</strong><br />
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When your coronary arteries are narrowed or blocked, oxygen-rich blood can't reach your heart muscle. This can cause <strong>angina </strong>or a <strong>heart attack</strong>.<br />
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Angina is chest pain or discomfort that occurs when not enough oxygen-rich blood is flowing to an area of your heart muscle. Angina may feel like pressure or squeezing in your chest. The pain may also occur in your shoulders, arms, neck, jaw, or back.<br />
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A heart attack occurs when blood flow to an area of your heart muscle is completely blocked. This prevents oxygen-rich blood from reaching that area of heart muscle and causes it to die. Without quick treatment, a heart attack can lead to serious problems and even death.<br />
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Over time, CAD can weaken the heart muscle and lead to <strong>heart failure</strong> and <strong>arrhythmias. </strong>Heart failure is a condition in which your heart can't pump blood throughout your body. Arrythmias are problems with the speed or rythm of your heartbeat.<br />
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<strong>OUTLOOK OF CAD</strong><br />
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CAD is the most common type of heart disease. It's the leading cause of death in the U.S. for both men and women. Lifestyle changes, medicines, and/or medical procedures can effectively prevent or treat CAD in most people. <br />
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<strong>MAJOR RISK FACTORS</strong><br />
<ul><li>Unhealthy blood cholesterol levels</li>
<li>High blood pressure</li>
<li>Smoking</li>
<li>Diabetes</li>
<li>Overweight or obesity</li>
<li>Family history of heart disease</li>
<li>High levels of a protein called C-reactive protein</li>
<li>High levels of fats called triglycerides</li>
</ul><br />
<strong>DIAGNOSTICS TESTS OR PROCEDURES</strong><br />
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No single test can diagnose CAD. If your doctor thinks you have CAD, he or she will probably do one or more of the following tests:<br />
<ul><li>EKG (Electrocardiogram)</li>
<li>Stress Test</li>
<li>Echocardiography</li>
<li>Chest X-ray</li>
<li>Blood tests</li>
<li>Electron-Beam Computed Tomography</li>
<li>Coronary Angiography</li>
<li>Cardiac Catheterization</li>
</ul><br />
<strong>HOW IS CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE TREATED?</strong><br />
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Treatment for Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) may include lifestyle changes, medicines, and medical procedures. The goals of treatments are to:<br />
<ul><li>Relieve symptoms.</li>
<li>Reduce risk factors in an effort to slow, stop, or reverse the buildup of plaque.</li>
<li>Lower the risk of blood clots forming, which can cause a heart attack.</li>
<li>Widen or bypass clogged arteries.</li>
<li>Prevent complications of CAD.</li>
</ul><br />
<strong>LIFESTYLE CHANGES</strong><br />
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Making lifestyle changes can often help prevent or treat CAD. For some people, these changes maybe the only treatment needed:<br />
<ul><li>Follow a heart healthy eating plan to prevent or reduce high blood pressure and high blood cholesterol and to maintain a healthy weight.</li>
<li>Increase your physical activity. Check with your doctor first to find out how much and what kinds of activity are safe for you.</li>
<li>Lose weight, if you're overweight or obese.</li>
<li>Quit smoking, if you smoke. Avoid exposure to secondhand smoke.</li>
<li>Learn to cope with and reduce stress.</li>
</ul><br />
<strong>MEDICINES</strong><br />
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You may need medicines to treat CAD if lifestyle changes aren't enough. Medicines can:<br />
<ul><li>Decrease the workload on your heart and relieve CAD symptoms.</li>
<li>Decrease your chance of having a heart attack or dying suddenly.</li>
<li>Lower your cholesterol and blood pressure.</li>
<li>Prevent blood clots.</li>
<li>Prevent or delay the need for a special procedure like angioplasty or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).</li>
</ul><br />
Medicines used to treat CAD include anticoagulants, aspirin and other antiplatelet medicines, ACE inhibitors, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, nitroglycerin, statins, fish oil, and other supplements high in omega-3 fatty acids.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8482150268415574916.post-29205334590691566502010-10-13T23:21:00.000-07:002011-08-10T11:50:15.124-07:00Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease<br />
<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/aktIMBQSXMo?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/aktIMBQSXMo?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><strong>WHAT IS COPD OR CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE?</strong><br />
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Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease or COPD, is a progressive disease that makes it hard to breathe. "Progressive" means the disease gets worse over time.<br />
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COPD can cause coughing that produces large amount of mucus, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and other symptoms.<br />
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Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of COPD. Most people who have COPD smoke or used to smoke. Long-term exposure to other lung irritants, such as air pollution, chemical fumes, or dust, also may contribute to COPD.<br />
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<strong>OVERVIEW OF COPD</strong><br />
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In COPD, less air flows in and out of the airways because of one or more of the following:<br />
<ul><li>The airways and air sacs lose their elastic quality.</li>
<li>The walls between many of the air sacs are destroyed.</li>
<li>The walls of the airways become thick and inflamed.</li>
<li>The airways make more mucus than usual, which tends to clog them.</li>
</ul>In the United States, the term "COPD" includes two main conditions:<br />
<ul><li>Emphysema</li>
<li>Chronic Bronchitis</li>
</ul>In emphysema, the walls between many of the air sacs are damaged, causing them to lose their shape and become floppy. This damage can also destroy the walls of the air sacs, leading to fewer and larger air sacs instead of many tiny ones. If this happens, the amount of gas exchange in the lungs is reduced.<br />
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In chronic bronchitis, the lining of the airways is constantly irritated and inflamed. This causes the lining to thicken. Lots of thick mucus forms in the airways, making it hard to breathe.<br />
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Most people who have COPD have both emphysema and chronic obstructive bronchitis. Thus, the general term "COPD" is more accurate.<br />
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<strong>OUTLOOK OF THE DISEASE</strong><br />
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COPD is a major cause of disability, and it's the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S. More than 12 million of people are currently diagnosed with COPD. Many more people may have the disease and not even know it.<br />
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COPD develops slowly. Symptoms often worse over time and can limit your ability to do routine activities. Severe COPD may prevent you from doing even basic activities like walking, cooking, or taking care of yourself.<br />
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Most of the time, COPD is diagnosed in middle-aged or older people. The disease isn't passed from person to person - you can't catch it from someone else.<br />
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COPD has no cure yet, and doctors don't know how to reverse the damage to the airways and lungs. However, treatments and lifestyle changes can help you feel better, stay more active, and slow the progress of the disease.<br />
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<strong>HOW IS COPD DIAGNOSED?</strong><br />
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Your doctor will diagnose COPD based on your signs and symptoms, your medical and family histories, and test results.<br />
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You may also need one or more of the following tests to diagnose COPD:<br />
<ul><li>Lung Function Test</li>
<li>Spirometry</li>
<li>Chest X-ray</li>
<li>Chest CT Scan</li>
</ul><strong>GOALS OF COPD TREATMENT</strong><br />
<ul><li>Relieving your symptoms.</li>
<li>Slowing the progress of the disease.</li>
<li>Improving your exercise tolerance.</li>
<li>Preventing and treating complications.</li>
<li>Improving your overall health.</li>
</ul>To assist with your treatment, your family doctor may advise you to see a pulmonologist. This is a doctor who specializes in treating people with lung disorders.<br />
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<strong>MEDICINES TO TREAT COPD</strong><br />
<ul><li>Bronchodilators</li>
<li>Inhaled Glucocorticosteroids (Steroids)</li>
</ul>If you have severe COPD and low levels of oxygen in your blood, oxygen therapy can help you breathe better. For this treatment, you're given oxygen through nasal prongs or a mask. You may need extra oxygen all the time or just sometimes.<br />
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For some people who have severe COPD, using extra oxygen for most of the day can help them:<br />
<ul><li>Do tasks or activities, while having fewer symptoms.</li>
<li>Protect their hearts and other organs from damage.</li>
<li>Sleep more during the night and improve alertness during the day.</li>
<li>Live longer.</li>
</ul><strong>SURGERY</strong><br />
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In rare cases, surgery may benefit some people who have COPD. Surgery usually is a last resort for people who have severe symptoms that have not improved from taking medicines. Surgeries for people who have COPD that's mainly related to emphysema include <strong>bullectomy </strong>and <strong>lung volume reduction surgery </strong>(LVRS). A <strong>lung transplant </strong>may be done for people who have very severe COPD.<br />
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<strong>HOW CAN COPD BE PREVENTED?</strong><br />
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You can take steps to prevent COPD before it starts. If you already have COPD, you can take steps to prevent complications and slow the progress of the disease. <br />
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The best way to prevent COPD is to not start smoking or to quit smoking. Smoking is the leading cause of COPD. If you smoke, talk with your doctor about programs and products that can help you quit. Many hospitals have programs that help people quit smoking, or a qualified hospital staff can refer you to a program. Follow your treatments for COPD exactly as your doctor prescribes. They can help you breathe easier, stay more active, and avoid or manage severe symptoms.<br />
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Talk with your doctor about whether and when you should get a <strong>flu (influenza) </strong>and <strong>pneumonia vaccines. </strong>These vaccines can lower your chances of getting these illnesses, which are major health risks for people who have COPD.<br />
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